Philadelphia Moms

Bean Exchange Coffee House

Admittedly, I have a coffee addiction.  Which is well-evidenced when we walk past a Starbucks and my two-year old yells "Mama, let's get coffee!" (for the record, no, I do not actually give him coffee.  He prefers the strawberry banana smoothies with soy milk, aka, "his coffee").

By far, one of my favorite coffee houses to visit when I'm out and about with my son is the Bean Exchange Coffee House, located at the corner of 7th and Bainbridge.  It's a charming mom-n-pop shop with floor to ceiling doors they open in the summer.  There's a good amount of seating both inside and along the sidewalk.  They have the usual assortment of coffees, teas and pastries.  It's all pretty good. 

The best part, at least in my mind, is that they have high chairs AND a changing table in the rest room.  Finding these two items in a coffee house is rare, at least in my experience.  Plus, it's easy to roll a stroller in the back door (even the front door only has one step so it's pretty easy to manage). 

Also?  The place is totally dog-friendly.  I don't have a dog, but you may and you could bring him/her here.

Right now, I'm loving their iced vanilla lattes.  You should go there.  Right now.

Square Burger at Franklin Square

I've written before that I have much love for Franklin Square.  We're there nearly every weekend.  And now, Square Burger, the permanent mini-restaurant by Stephen Starr, is finally open.  While there had been a tented food hut in the park up until now, the food options were fairly limited.  Unfortunately, the PDF link to the new menu on the Franklin Square website doesn't seem to be working at the time of this post.  Bummer. 

I took a quick peek this weekend when I was at the park but someone was having a bit of a meltdown, so I didn't really absorb what I was reading.  Hot dogs and hamburgers for sure, along with ice cream and milkshakes.  I noted there was also a "healthy" section of the menu that I believe consisted of salads, but I'm not sure what else (if anything).  I promise I go back soon and try to get a better look at that menu!

At any rate, I'm vaguely excited that there's a real food option at that park, because once we're there, we usually stay for a couple of hours.  And Mama likes a good burger.

I'll follow up with the menu and a review soon!

Taste of Philadelphia

We're approaching one of my favorite times of year in Philadelphia: 4th of July.  Because where better to be than Philly on the nation's birthday?  They do it right here and have over a week of fun, free, family-friendly events to celebrate.

Sunoco's Welcome America begins tomorrow with a weekend-long event: Taste of Philadelphia.  Restaurants from all over the Philadelphiaarea will be at Penn's Landing selling delectable goodies for, rumor has it, no more than $5 a pop.  Taste of Philadelphia begins tomorrow, Friday, June 26th at 5pm and starts back up again Saturday and Sunday at 11a.m.  Admission is free, you just pay for whatever food you'd like!

In addition, Angie Stone is performing at Penn's Landing at 7:30p.m., Saturday, June 27th and there is a fireworks display following the concert.  Again, it's all free.  Do I expect it to be crowded?  Of course.  But at least those of us who live in Center City  don't have to sit in traffic trying to  get to  these events.

Also, next week brings a series of educational events for kids.  The "Go 4th and Learn" events (as well as the entire roster for Welcome America)  can be found here.

So get out there, people, and go ahead, don your red, white and blue!

Jones

Chances are, if you live in Center City, you've already been to Jones for dinner and/or drinks.  It's one of about a bazillion Steven Star restaurants in the city.  And yes, "bazillion" is an actual numeric amount, at least in my book. 

Anyway, I've been going to Jones for years with my girlfriends and my husband.  And now I go with my son.  It's good "fun" restaurant to bring a baby when you'd like to go somewhere other than Friendly's or Ruby Tuesday's.  It's noisy enough that a crying baby isn't a problem, but not so noisy that you wouldn't bring your child there to begin with--if that makes any sense.  The staff is great about storing strollers and it's easily accessible.  There are high chairs available, BUT if you have a toddler or young child, there is no official "kid's menu".  However, with menu items like grilled chicken sandwiches, soy burgers and grilled cheese, not to mention glazed carrots and buttered peas as sides, you hardly need a kid's menu.  My son doesn't eat a whole sandwich, but the staff happily provides take out containers for leftovers.

Jones is located at the southwest corner of 7th and Chestnut Streets and there is limited outside dining available.

Oh, and did I mention there are really fun drinks?  Indeed, there are.

End of Summer

How did this happen?  Labor Day weekend already?  It seems impossible. 

One bright note is that many of the Philadelphia area farmer's markets will continue to set up shop through late October (some even into November).  I get my son a ton of fruits and veggies for "school" (read: daycare) at some of the farmer's markets closest to me.  If you're in the city, there are so many markets on so many days of the week, you can almost always get to one.  For more information, see the Farm to City website.

Outside Seating Round-Up

As the daylight hours get shorter and the summer season nears it's end, I encourage all of you to grab an outdoor table at a local restaurant while the weather still permits.  Because frankly, we'll soon all be holed up for winter.  Sigh.

Here are a few of my outdoor favorites:

• The Hotel Bar at the Society Hill Hotel.  I'm not sure who actually stays at the Society Hill Hotel itself, but the Hotel Bar is a great place to grab a burger and a beer.  There are about 8 tables outside, both along Chestnut and 3rd Streets.  Getting inside isn't really stroller friendly, however, since the doors are narrow and involve several steps.  No changing tables in the rest rooms inside, but I wouldn't expect them in a place like this either.  It is though a good location for a quick bite when you're trekking through Old City.
• The Continental--the original location at 2nd and Market Streets.  They have about a gazillion tables outside (okay, maybe not a gazillion, but a lot more than just about anywhere else does). They have fun drinks and quirky food, so it's a good place for a happy hour.
• El Vez--I've mentioned this one before.
• Starbucks--the location at 8th and Walnut Streets.  Coffee, snack and outside tables with very few crazy people to bother you.
• LaScala's--a decent amount of tables outside, decent food but the sane-to-insane ratio in the vicinity is a total crap shoot.  With a location at 7th and Chestnut, it comes with the territory. Inside, however, is rather stroller-friendly.
• The Ten Stone--21st and South Streets.  Surprisingly quiet given its South Street address.  Again, good place to grab a beer and burger at one of the outside tables.  The inside is pretty stroller friendly and the windows are wide open when the weather permits, giving an outdoorsy feeling even if you're inside.  Also, they do up a good brunch.

So what are you waiting for?  The 4p.m. sunsets and turtleneck sweaters will be here before you know it.  Get out there.