Patricejwilliams - 03hiddentreasuresofphilly

campusphilly.org :: your guide to philly life

http://www.campusphilly.org/articles.nsf/restaurants/86F...

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In a city as large as Philly, it’s easy for college students to overlook spots that may not be so well-known outside the confines of their campuses. And if you're not from the area, it can be even more difficult to ferret

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campusphilly.org :: your guide to philly life

http://www.campusphilly.org/articles.nsf/restaurants/86F...

out places that may be like second homes for natives. We've "discovered" a few of these places in Philly, from jazz clubs to thrift stores, that are off the typical college student's beaten path. So hop on a train, take a cab, or walk to some of Philadelphia's best hidden treasures… they won't be that way for long. Chris’ Jazz Café With 50 Cent and Incubus clogging the airwaves, jazz might not seem like be the “hippest” type of music for undergrads to listen to, but visiting Chris’ Jazz Café might make you think a bit differently. Located at 1421 Sansom St., this hot spot is the home to some amazing jazz bands. With the band situated in the middle of the café, it’s hard not to get sucked into the groove. The café aims to bring world class jazz into the Philadelphia area. In 2001, Philadelphia Magazine voted Chris’s the “Best of Philly” for casual jazz venues. If you want to know which band will be performing before heading out to the café, their website, ChrisJazzCafe.com, provides dates of which bands will be performing. Meals are also served at this joint. Most entrees will only set you back by less than $20. However, on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared for a wait if a great band is playing.

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Effie’s You might just walk past this hideaway nestled at 1127 Pine St. if you’re not paying attention. Dining doesn’t get anymore intimate with this cozy Greek restaurant. With only five tables – that's right, five - you may just feel like you’re sitting in a Greek family’s dining room. If you’re foreign to Greek cuisine, you might want to start out with stuffed grape leaves or spanakopita, a spinach, egg, and feta cheese mixture wrapped in phyllo dough, for an appetizer. For an entrée, moussaka - eggplant casserole - is a favorite of many patrons. Finally, for dessert, why not top it off with baklava, layers and layers of phyllo dough with honey and walnut. A three course meal usually only costs between $21-$30. Reservations are encouraged due to the limited seating. Once the weather warms up, outdoor dining is also available. Effie's doesn't open until 5 p.m. – so don't stop by for lunch. The Dining Car Why not step outside of University City or North Philly and head on over to the Northeast. The Dining Car, at 8826 Frankford Ave., is worth the trip. When it’s 3 a.m. and Mickey D's just won’t do, this 24-hour establishment is more than willing to accommodate you. The once-tiny old-fashioned diner has now expanded, making it a prime place for a group of students. Unlike some fast food joints that don’t give you any bang for your buck, with just a few dollars at the Dinig Car you can get you a reasonably sized meal that fills your belly. From cereal to cheesesteaks, this place has it all and at whatever time of the day you want it. The friendly staff is also another plus. The Pink Rose For those with a sweet tooth (and who doesn’t have one), you haven’t truly experienced the delight of sugar until you’ve visited The Pink Rose at 630 S. 4th St. This pasty shop has been in business for over 20 years, largely due to their made-to-order gift baskets and cookie tins. They use the freshest products to prepare their handcrafted cakes, pies, pastries, and cookies. And in today's ready made world, it’s nice to have something specially made to suite your taste. In 1998, Philadelphia City Paper readers voted The Pink Rose as the Best Pastry Shop, and the bakery also received an Award of Distinction for desserts from the Zagat Survey in 2001. If you want to enjoy your sweets on the spot, the shop even has tables for dining in. The Pink Rose also allows orders to be placed online at PinkRosePastry.com. However, homemade goodies don’t come cheap. Most cookie tins average between $30-$50 and gift baskets range from $35-$100. Family Thrift Shop

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campusphilly.org :: your guide to philly life

http://www.campusphilly.org/articles.nsf/restaurants/86F...

I didn’t forget about you shoppers out there. A true hidden treasure on N. Broad near Girard Ave. is the Family Thrift Shop. The saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treausure," was never more true. Most pants and shirts sell for $0.95-$1.95, but an “expensive” pair of unworn jeans are about $8. Either way, with $20 you can take yourself on a shopping spree. Unlike some thrift shops, this one is meticulously organized so you’ll know exactly where to look for blue jeans or a dress shirt. The shop also sells furniture. So for all of you out there moving apartments for the first time, this could be a useful stop. By dressing the furniture up you can make it fit right into your place. Although the furniture isn’t as inexpensive as the clothes, you can’t go wrong with a $25-$50 couch. These settings aren’t necessarily typical college hangouts, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Occasionally we all need to step out of what we know so we can expand our horizons. So take a look down those side streets that you usually pass by - you might just find another hidden treasure.

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