When you’re really starving and low on cash, is there really a better breakfast deal than the one at Grilladelphia? For $3.99 you get (1) Cheesesteak and Eggs Pouch
(2) Hash Brown (3) Large Coffee and (4) a Krispy Kreme Donut.

Although I lived in Northern Liberties for over 2 years, I had never been to McFadden’s, aside from a late-night visit in their downstairs club section.

Melissa and I checked it out to watch the Eagles vs. Bucs along with Juniata’s own Brian Doyle.

• Wings were average
• Brian’s chicken parm sandwich was average looking, but he ate it
• Blue Moon and Magic Hat #9 were available on tap, seemingly, but they didn’t have any left
• Staff was lively and fun
• Space is huge and clean
• The bathrooms are a fun voyage walk away down into the basement
• TVs are in abundance
• Audio is loud…Commericals are muted and DJ cranks tunes to pump you up
• Parking is easy around this place for game day..Free Sunday parking on Spring Garden Street

Bonus Features
• SocialPhilly.com was on hand and took this photo of us. Melissa was fortunate enough to have the Miller Lite logo branded on her arm. View more SocialPhilly.com McFadden photos.
• Booble.com “stress boobs” were tossed around during the Eagles short 4th quarter lead

Nestled at 9th and Spring Garden Streets, near the garish Spaghetti Warehouse, is a excellent Thai restaurant that I’ve been to a few times called Siam Lotus Cuisine. On a block known for its police equipment store and pistol range, it is a welcome presence, along with the neighboring Sazon Restaurant & Cafe.

To be honest, I don’t even know what this part of Philly is called. Is it simply called "Spring Garden" or "The Area Next To The Art Museum Area", which leads to the border battle discussion of where "Fairmount" truly ends and begins.

I wasn’t in a spicy mood, so I went with the Kang Karee. Now, if you do like the spice, a "1 red pepper" dish should suit you fine. Then again, I’m Irish-German…

If you go to their web site, you’ll see that the chefs are truly from Thailand, with all of their culinary education backgrounds listed like a resume on Monster.com. And you’ll also be confused as to whether this place is a club or a restaurant or both. Fashion shows? Late night events with a DJ? This is not your typical Thai joint. Tight and cozy, but with a lush atmosphere, this place will make you want to drink an extra exotic cocktail, such as the "Siam Lotus" which is equivalent to a Long Island Iced Tea, but much tastier.

…blows!

Well, at least the entree that I ordered did: the Shrimp Scampi…For $18 you get six tiny shrimp doused in some oily spinach on a massive plate. No couscous, rice, or bread comes with this. Not even any free complimentary bread! I as tempted to run outside and find a Philly Soft Pretzel vendor, but that’s just the carb maniac that I am.

Now, I know I sound like an old man complaining, but I was extremely hungry. I even held off on eating anything since brunch for this late night b-day dinner for one of Melissa’s friends.

Byblos, a relatively small and narrow dark spot next to Bar Noir in Rittenhouse, dishes up Mediterranean cuisine in a loud hip-hop club kind’ve setting.

The DJ conveniently sets up gear next to the bathrooms, where a line of 3 people creates a nightmare for the waitresses coming out of the kitchen door. A dancefloor of some sort formed near the main entrance when a guy off the street, dressed like George Clinton, busted in seemingly straight from a rave. The mix of rock and dance music sequed into half hour house beats, such as the sped up “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley.

Overall, the menu was quite diverse, but the Shrimp Scampi is an absolute joke. One thing that I noticed on the Drinks Menu is that you can order an entire bottle of hard liquor for your table. A bottle of Jack Daniel’s went for a mere $275.

The main attractions are the massive hookahs that you can purchase for $20. Our table went for a one with mango flavoured tobacco. Even though I don’t smoke, it was somewhat refreshing and filled me up more than the Shrimp Scampi.

Went to visit Ricardo up in the Poconos last weekend. I haven’t visited him in 3 years up there, although he comes to Philthy all the time. I forgot how beautiful it was up there and look forward to going up there again soon.

I think since I drive 50 miles a day in city and suburban clustered traffic that I am anti-car on the weekends. I just don’t want to see that gas guzzling (yet paid off) beast until Monday once the weekend starts. The Boat House was a great place to let loose…as well as Crazy Fingers and the ever majestic Pat’s.

And there was no better way to view the winding streets and hills than with Ricardo’s 1976 red Cadillac Eldorado…a car almost as old as us!

With Koi being the sushi headquarters of Northern Liberties, I was surprised to hear a new one opened up at Liberties Walk. (To me, Liberties Walk is also known as “New Northern Liberties”. Also, the way that Liberties Walk is set up reminds me of some kind’ve childhood board game.)

Anyway, Zen Sushi was delicious. I didn’t know it was a BYOB, so we settled with green tea. We had the Spicy Salmon Roll, Philly Roll, Seaweed Salad, Dumplings, and something else massive that was awesome.

The seating is limited at Zen Sushi, but they have a take-out option as well. The ambience is typical of those brand new restaurants in brand new structures…very swank & clean–yet dull. Hardly any decor set up yet…The worst part was the music, which was set to one of those easy listening stations. I heard more Phil Collins than I cared to endure within a one-hour period. It was similar to audio sensory experience of getting my teeth cleaned.

Anyway, my words of advice for this joint are that it’s great for take-out and highly mediocre for chiling with your favorite bottle of wine.