Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend

November 11

Friday sour beers: Cinder

Cinder/Facebook

Teddy Sourias's new Center City beer and wood-fired grill has officially opened (softly) as of yesterday evening. Its bar is beer-focused with ciders and wild ales at the forefront of it all, and Jonathan Petruce's menu's got a bunch of wood-fired, beer-friendly foods to go with. Keep in mind, the crew is still in soft-opening mode, so menus are somewhat limited for the time being.

Saturday Post-Rocky Run brunch: City Tap House

CTH/Facebook

From 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., City Tap House in Logan Square will be serving a Rocky-themed brunch of "Italian Stallion" pizza, peanut butter and banana topped "Protein pancakes", and "Uncle Paulie's shakes" while screening the movie over a 15-foot multiscreen TV.

Saturday fall cocktails: The Olde Bar

Old City historic oyster bar just launched its new fall cocktail menu, and while much of it pretty much nails the whole autumn-in-a-glass thing, none are more intriguing than the creamy, cognac-based, carrot and ginger drink aptly named "Wabbit Season".

Sunday Torta: El Compadre

El Compadre/Facebook

Start your Sunday off with literally the best torta in town, made by the folks behind Philly Mexican-favorite South Philly Barbacoa.

Sugo Sunday: Modo Mio

Zomato

On Sundays, if you opt in, Modo Mio will put together an entire feast of cured meats, cheeses, roasted vegetables, pastas, sausage, roasted pork, gnocchi, bucatini, rigatoni for just $37 a person.

November 4

Friday fancy-pants dinner: Vetri

Tonight, November 4, Marc Vetri himself will be cooking for 18 people, and 18 people only, upstairs at Vetri Enoteca (above Vetri). It's only $100 a head—white truffles included. Call 215-732-3478 to make a reservation (leave a message, they'll call you back).

Saturday day drinking (beer and cider): Hawthorne's Beer Cafe

Hawthorne's/Yelp

The folks at Hawthorne's know how to throw a party, and November 5th's will be their biggest one yet. The Great Harvest Cider & Beer Festival is this Saturday starting at 1 p.m., where the corner of 11th and Fitzwater will turn into a giant block party full of 50 rare and newly released small-batch ciders and microbrews, live music, bales of hay, pumpkin patches and fire pits to celebrate the "fall drinking season". It's free entry, and just $5 (cash) for beer and cider.

Saturday day drinking (wine)

Tria Fitler Square is getting in on the wine to-go game with a "Try It Before You Buy It" Saturday Wine Market. Six wines, priced between $16-$29, are available for purchase from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 5. Before you take a bottle home, you can try it at the bar for just $3 (for a 3 oz pour).

Sunday afternoon chili: The Cambridge

Cambridge/Yelp

For the 5th year in a row, South Street's Cambridge is hosting a chili cook-off. Local chili chefs enter there best recipes to be sampled and judged by guests (free admission) and a panel chili judges. Of course, beer and cider will be on hand to cool down your palate.

Sunday all-you-can-eat pig buffet: Aldine

Aldine/Official

Aldine, an Eater Philly favorite, turns two this year, and to celebrate, they're throwing an all-you-can-eat pig buffet, courtesy of co-owner Jennifer Sabatino's family farm's heritage Hereford pig. As for the rest of the menu, get ready for head cheese croquettes, country pork and rabbit terrine with pistachios, porchetta, hay baked ham, pork, foie gras sausage, and ham-white-bean-escarole soup. It's just $45 a head (not including alcohol/tax/gratuity), and goes from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

October 21

Friday night gelato: Capogiro (all locations, including Capofitto)

With Halloween just a week away, Philly's favorite gelateria is launching a line of themed flavors like , all Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin, Mummy Mascarpone with Shrunken Head Apple and SIN-ammon, all available until Halloween day.

Saturday breakfast: Fitzwater Street Bagels

Fitzwater/Yelp

It's one of the few places in Philly you can find the rainbow bagel. Fitzwater's comes loaded with birthday cake cream cheese.

Saturday afternoon wine: Root

ROOT/Official

Between 3-4:30 p.m., Frankford Avenue's stylish wine bar and restaurant is hosting its first of six Planet of the Grapes classes — this Saturday's focusing on the wines of Germany and Austria. Each class is hosted by Boozehound: On the Trail of the Rare, the Obscure, and the Overrated in Spirits author Jason Wilson, and costs just $50 a person. Book the class by calling the restaurant at 215-515-3452.

Sunday brunch: Wm. Mulherin's Sons

Philly's hottest restaurant under the El just launched brunch, and, boy, did they go for it. On the menu: a donut sandwich stuffed with fontina and ham, "eggs on a volcano" (kind of like a spicy shakshuka), and most impressive of all, a $96, family-style dry-aged porterhouse steak and dozen-egg (scrambled or sunny) feast.

Sunday dinner: Pizzeria Vetri

Yehuda Sichel/Facebook

Sunday, October 23, is the last night of the Pizzeria Vetri-Abe Fisher collaboration "Pizza Jawn"— a pork belly rueben pie stacked with whole grain mustard cream, braised cabbage, young pecorino and Russian dressing.

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October 14

Friday night karaoke: Fergie's Pub

Starting at 10 p.m., Sansom Street's faithful Irish pub welcomes everybody and anybody interested in crooning the crowd to a live, three-piece band. Any song you want, any way you want it—you're the rockstar for the night.

Saturday breakfast: Stockyard Sandwich Co.

The Spring Garden newcomer has two focuses: keep the products local and the meat nose-to-tail. So, yes, the meaty lunchtime sandwiches are worth a visit on their own, but the breakfast sandwiches here are no joke. Try the pastrami, egg and cheese, built up with house-cured pastrami, eggs (your way) and Stockyard's very own cheese whiz.

Saturday dinner: Marrakesh

Marrakesh/Yelp

A Moroccan seven-course feast fit for royalty, for just $25 cash. Gather a group, bring your own booze (or not, they serve wine, too), eat with your hands, and be ready to unbutton your pants by course five.

Pro-tip: Slow and steady wins the race.

Sunday brunch: Bainbridge Green Brunch Fest

Bainbridge Green/Facebook

The residents of Queen Village have banded together in an effort to turn Bainbridge Street between 3rd and 5th Streets into Bainbridge Green, the city's next great public green space. To showcase the street's potential, the entire Queen Village restaurant scene is hosting a giant brunch festival. Tickets range from $25 to $150 — check out the restaurant roster and buy your passes here.

Sunday gravy: Little Nonna's

Little Nonna's/Official — Photo by Jason Varney

Every Sunday, cozy Little Nonna's cooks up a traditional Sunday gravy complete with slowly braised beef short ribs, meatballs, house-made hot fennel sausage & broccoli rabe in a four-hour tomato gravy. The gravy gets poured over whatever house-macaroni the kitchen feels like making, and the meats come on the side—all for just $24 a person.

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September 30

Friday night bingo: Morgan's Pier

From now until October 29, Morgan's pier is hosting their annual summer send-out Fall Fest, which means, among the many events happening throughout the month, every Friday is bingo night. The riverfront beer garden will host bingo happy hour from 5-7 p.m. where players are rewarded with a beer on the Pier for winning a round.

Saturday cupcakes: Brown Betty Dessert Boutique

The Northern Liberties bake shop is closing its doors for good, and Saturday is its last day. Head up to 722 N. 2nd Street for free coffee, sweet tea, and the last batch of cupcakes (what some consider to be the best in the city) from the beloved brick-and-mortar.

Saturday dinner: Panorama

After 26 years, Panorama, Old City's Italian wine bar and restaurant has a new look. The newly renovated dining room, updated for 2016, is fresh, clean, yet still warm and comfortable—a perfect backdrop to new exec-chef Matthew Gentile's light Italian fare.

Sunday brunch: Neuf

By the time you're done buying your groceries in the Italian Market, you'll be hungry. And Neuf, a year old today, will launch weekend brunch starting this weekend. On the menu: shakshukas of all sorts, a whole bunch of omelettes, M. and Mme. Croque, Paris-Brest french toast, and a daily tagine.

Sunday dinner: Dante & Luigi's

Cap your weekend off with a soul-satisfying bowl of cioppino—lobster tail, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams stewed in a spicy red sauce. For 117 years, the Bella Vista landmark has been putting out some of the city's best old-school Italian gravy dishes, and even by 2016 standards, Dante & Luigi's kitchen hasn't skipped a beat.

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September 23

Saturday Brunch: Kanella Grill

Kanella Grill / Yelp

Finding a good gyro in Philly isn't hard to do—there are countless neighborhood joints that do it right all over town. But finding a great gyro, a pita stuffed to maximum capacity with real shreds of grilled lamb (not rubbery ribbons), fries, and dressed with care... that's not so easy. Fortunately, Kanella Grill opened, and chef Dominic Santora has a knack for taking your casual, neighborhood Middle Eastern sandwich to a whole new level.

Saturday Dinner: Boba & Co.

It's Cambodian street food served where it should be served: on the street. Grab a table, order some beef skewers with zingy pickled vegetables, some grilled shrimp coated in a dreamy coconut marinade, some bubble teas, and maybe some mango with sticky rice. It's a fresh, easy way to get your Saturday evening rolling.

Sunday Breakfast: Creme Brulée

This tiny bakery set up shop in Pennsport with stunning fruit tarts, football-size meringues, and a delightful little breakfast. It's a simple affair where eggs are never overcooked, the waffles achieve that delicate balance of fluffy and crispy, and the service is as friendly as can be.

Sunday Shenanigans: Dock Street Brewery

Dock Street Brewery/Facebook

West Philly's favorite brewpub is hosting a "Bye, Bye Hangover Brunch" from noon to 4 p.m., which means kick-ass brunch pizzas, $20 beerdriver pitchers (orange juice and beer), and DJs bumping techno and deep house.

Sunday Dinner: Mama Palma's

This Fitler Square favorite has been tossin' pies for over 19 years, and even after all that time, the pizzas still haven't lost their luster. The crust is crisped and blistered, and the toppings come heavy-handed. Try the peking duck pizza just to say you did, and then order another round because it's just so freakin' good.