If I'd been asked about my expectations of Philadelphia's food scene before my first visit there, I probably would have confessed I didn't have any: I'd heard about the cheesesteak and pretzels, but not much else.
So I was definitely in for a surprise when I visited for the first time two years ago, and left raving about the meals I'd had. And given that I've lived in New York City for years, the bar was set high.
I returned to Philadelphia for the third time last weekend on a trip with three girlfriends from college. Like I always do before a trip, I researched the best restaurants in town and we set up reservations.
My friends and I did some sightseeing, but a lot of our weekend involved catching up over really great food.
We started off with afternoon tea at The Dandelion Pub, a British pub by Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr. We spent at least three hours there catching up, and they never rushed us.
The Dandelion Pub, 24 S. 18th St. Philadelphia
The afternoon tea menu included specialty cocktails. One favorite was the Summer Beer Flip: Bacardi rum, apricot marmalade, chocolate bitters, a whole egg, prima pils, and cinnamon.
The Dandelion Pub, 24 S. 18th St. Philadelphia
The Dandelion's "Queen Mary" Bloody Mary was also amazing, and reminded me of home as it included a Brooklyn brine pickle.
The Dandelion Pub, 24 S. 18th St. Philadelphia
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