If you’re going on one of the gastronomic jaunts around Philly hosted by City Food Tours, come hungry — but not too hungry. The generously–sized samples (quantity of food varies from tour to tour) come with a heavy dose of history and humor. Former restaurateur and Penn grad Robert Weinberg and his business partner, Eric Matzke, brought the award–winning tour to Philadelphia from its birthplace in New York City in 2007 with the intention of introducing tourists and locals to the artisanal food scene here. To that end, the focus of the tours is not just on how the food tastes, but also where it comes from geographically and historically, and how it is made.
The tours are distinguished by location and theme: Flavors of Philly ($39) introduces newcomers to classics like cheesesteaks and soft pretzels around Center City; Decadent Gourmet ($29) invites participants to splurge on cheese, chocolate and gelato also in the heart of the city; Evening of Indulgence is a full–blown three–course dinner grafted onto the Food Tour model at upscale hotspots around Rittenhouse Square; Craft Beer and Artisinal Cheese is just that at a microbrewery and boutique cheese shop in Old City.
As a local, I chose to experience the up and coming Northern Liberties neighborhood on the most recent tour ($44) that celebrates this underappreciated new foodie destination. Before we could begin eating, our enthusiastic but never cheesy tour guide, Jamie, briefed the 12 hungry bodies on the historic significance of Schmidt’s Brewery and stressed the unsavory industrial roots from which the area had risen. Then, and for the rest of the two hours (which ran long), Jamie’s irreverent wit, which masked the immense amount of information dispensed in the best possible way, was one of the tour’s greatest attributes.
Our first taste of the neighborhood came in the form of honeydew bubble tea from Euphoria. The smoothie consistency and delicate flavor made it one of the best renditions of the beverage I’ve ever had. A short stroll down the picturesque Liberties Walk took us to the bright and eclectic A Full Plate Café where co–owners Shannon Dougherty and Liz Petersen cooked us an addictive trio of soul food: fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, and mac n' cheese. The most unusual stop wasn’t a restaurant at all. At the mechanic garage-turned-retro bowling alley, North Bowl, we sampled award–winning tater tots (the bar serves up 10 different variations) and two kinds of beer to wash it down. At Apollinare, the tour indulged the epicurean in all of us with a pasta–and–focaccia–making demonstration by the head chef while the owner spoke (and gesticulated) on the simple tenets of Italian cuisine. Within minutes, the product of the demonstrations proved his point deliciously. The final stop was at the Little Candy Shoppe for fudge, sorbet, chocolate–covered pretzels and a whole lot of temptation.
The tours are admittedly a bit pricey for students. But with 70 restaurants within a mile of the Piazza at Schmidt's, the Taste of Northern Liberties tour not only let me experience restaurants I have to try again, but it also introduced me to restaurants I have to try. If you have a special occasion to justify the cost, City Food Tours provide great ways to find favorites (for first–timers to Philly) and new favorites (for those who are tired of what’s offered within a few blocks of campus) and give you a greater appreciation for the city that will be your home for at least four years.
City Food Tours Philadelphia
For information:
(800) 979 – 3370
cityfoodtours.com
***Mention this story and code PENN1 and receive 10% off any City Food Tours adventure booked through November 15. ***
