The December Hit List: Vedge, Market at the Fareway, Jet Wine Bar, and More

Vedge continues to offer vegan cuisine like you’ve never seen it. Chefs Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby have reimagined vegan cooking, proving that the possibilities are limitless. Winter months bring an array of fresh root vegetables which, at Vedge, are prepared and served in surprising ways. The pastrami-spiced little carrots are seasoned to taste just like the deli meat, and are paired with the tangy sourness of the white-bean sauerkraut puree and the sweet earthiness of pumpernickel bread. From the grill, a grilled avocado accompanies a poblano empanada, trumpet mushrooms, and lightly pickled jicama curtido, all seasoned with a mildly spicy salsa Veracruz.  There’s always something exciting.

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only. Takeout is also available.

Bellini Grill is everything a classic Italian American restaurant should be. It has a casual, classy atmosphere, a long list of international wines, classic Italian cocktails, and a three-course menu of dishes served in Italian grandma proportions. Dishes like the casarrecci alla Bolognese, a ragu of beef slow cooked in an herb tomato sauce with vegetables, bring the best parts of red-sauce decadence onto one plate. And for those who enjoy seafood, try the zuppa di pesce, a medley of fresh seafood sautéed with garlic and linguini, all served in a fragrant white wine sauce or light tomato broth. 

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only.

There are not many Australian-style cafes in Philadelphia, let alone Australian-style cafes offering all-day brekkie. This Bluestone Lane location a block off the park is the spot to get an avocado smash on multigrain toast and a cup of Melbourne’s favorite, the flat white. The bright, unassuming cafe also has a well-rounded list of wines, beers, and cocktails. As late afternoon comes, enjoy a glass of South Australian shiraz or a crisp bottle of Coopers Pale Ale with your, um, breakfast..

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only. Takeout and delivery are also available.

Archeologist and wine lover Jill Weber has spent the past decade bringing unique wines to her wine bar, making it a destination for all Philadelphia wine lovers. Though we’re still dining outdoors only, Jet’s courtyard garden has become one of the coziest escapes on South Street. Snuggle up under a heat lamp with a glass of red or white mulled wine, and feel the heat from the spicy chicken sandwich with habanero mayo.

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only.  Call 215-735-1116. Takeout wine and cocktails are also available.

Just a short walk from Boathouse Row and Kelly Drive, here’s a neighborhood spot for great food and great beer. Every dish is cranked up to 11, like the cheeseburger which comes slathered in miso Thousand Island dressing and topped with Gruyère cheese; or the spicy chorizo sausage roll with queso and pickled peppers and onions. Bad Brother also has a decent selection of local beers on tap, and a modest library of bottles and cans from small breweries around the country.

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only. Takeout and delivery are also available.

Craft Hall is what happens when a heritage grain bakery, a meat smokehouse, and a brewery come together in one warehouse. The bread (made by Lost Bread Co.), the beer (brewed by Mainstay Independent Brewing), and even the barbecue are all made on site.  From the kitchen, guests can pair their fresh pints with nachos loaded with smoked pork and beef chili, a winter squash pizza with tangy balsamic and ricotta cheese, or a platter of generously seasoned barbecue meats. A barbecue favorite is the black pepper brisket smoked to perfection, but if you can’t pick just one meat, grab the Jon’s Almost-Famous BBQ Tower and get three meats plus three sides.

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only. Takeout and delivery are also available.

Tucked away in a Rittenhouse courtyard is the elegant and charming Branzino.  Billed as modern Italian, the menu takes a contemporary approach to classic Italian food with dishes that are a bit lighter than some of the saucier versions you’re more familiar with around town. If you’ve never tried squid-ink pasta before, Branzino is the place to do it. Here, squid-ink spaghetti is mixed with a smoked calamari ragu, tomato, and basil, for a combo that’s salty, smoky, and all-around savory. 

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only. Takeout and delivery are also available.

With 15 different vendors to choose from, the Market at the Fareway in Chestnut Hill is the spot to go to satisfy all cravings. For a sweet breakfast in the morning, grab a coffee and a fresh slice of Stocks Pound Cake from Poppy’s Cafe. For a savory lunch or dinner, hit up MoMos of Tibet for Tibetan American fusion dumplings. The best part about the Fareway is the beautiful outdoor space, which includes a firepit, water feature, local artwork and sculptures. It’s a fun spot to relax, grab a meal, and even grab a beer. 

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only.

If you’re a fan of not just eating but also cooking check out Hudson Table.  Though the cooking classes they normally offer have moved online, and they’ve had to adapt their dining space to keep everyone safe, they’ve still been able to create an environment that celebrates food while educating guests. The large, open kitchen allows diners to look in and watch as each dish comes together. And with a rotating tasting menu, there’s always something new to try and to learn. 

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only.

The term pizzeria can be a little misleading because, though the wood-fired pizzas are incredible, the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food are sleeper hits at Stina’s. Indulge in a warm and comfy meal with the soujouk which comes with a cumin scented beef sausage on a bed of crispy basmati rice tinted gold with saffron. The fire-roasted cauliflower is bursting with aromatic flavors from the baharat spice and the nutty tahini sauce. It’s BYOB, so if you’re headed out for meal, be sure to grab your favorite bottle from home, or pick up a few beers around the corner from Second District Brewing.

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only. Takeout is also available.