Thana & Russ
Things To Do
Zahav
Thana's FAVORITE chef in Philadelphia is Michael Solomonov, who runs Zahav, among a few other restaurants in Philly. Zahav showcases modern Israeli cuisine at its finest, and will certainly be a memorable meal. A must try for foodies! We recommend the tasting menu and making reservations well in advance.
Tria Cafe Wash West
A favorite neighborhood spot for wine, cheese, and a good meal! Our favorite thing about Tria is the friendly and knowledgable staff. Thana's favorite bite here is the pistachio herbed ricotta bruschetta with a glass of the Malbec.
Kanella Grill
This Cypriot BYOB is great for a nice mediterranean meal! Russ recommends his favorite - lamb kofta kebab with galaktoboureko for dessert.
Barbuzzo
The restaurant offers everything from small plates -- heirloom pumpkin and mushrooms over polenta with sage brown butter -- to pizzas and pastas -- slow-roasted pear pizza with sweet gorgonzola, prosciutto, and toasted walnuts -- and of course, meatier entrees like the house ground short rib and pork meatballs with pickled peppers and fresh oregano. The cocktail menu is equally inventive and just as exhaustive, and then there's dessert...TRY THE SALTED CARAMEL BUDINO.
Estia Restaurant
A higher-end spot for an authentic Greek meal. They offer everything fresh to you for whatever kind of mood you are in whether it’s lunch, dinner, or dessert. Additionally, there is a first-rate wine list with more than 300 selections including wines from Greece, Europe, Israel and Lebanon.
Butcher and Singer
Butcher & Singer is Stephen Starr's trendy take on an Old Hollywood Chophouse. From the cocktails to the raw bar, if you are looking to splurge, this is the spot. We recommend the Delmonico steak.
Little Fish Byob
Simple, fresh ingredients add up to creative, flavorful dishes at this cozy BYO seafood gem in Bella Vista. If you love fish and trying innovative dishes, this is the spot for you. Thana recommends starting with some oysters, while Russ says try any dish with scallops in it! A reminder: Little Fish is BYOB! Pick up a bottle of white wine to enjoy with dinner - our go-to is a Greek wine, Gerovassiliou Melagousia 2016.
Federal Donuts
Fried Chicken & Donuts is all you will find at this spot. Yes you read that correctly, and yes, it is just as tasty as it sounds. This is the spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. Take some donuts for the trip home! We recommend the brown cinnamon sugar and strawberry lavender hot & fresh.
Village Whiskey
Jose Garces’ exclusively tiny, speakeasy-style bar in Center City takes burgers to a new level of awesome - their signature dish is a burger topped with foie gras and a side serving of to-die-for duck-fat fries. The cocktails and milkshakes are also equally delicious. If you are looking to keep things lighter, Russ and Thana also really enjoy the Wedge Salad here!
Dizengoff
Authentic Israeli-Style hummisiya. Vegan / Vegeterian friendly! Russ and Thana love grabbing a quick dinner here on weeknights. Try the frozen lemonana!
Goldie
Michael Solomonov's ALL VEGAN falafel spot. The tehina milkshakes are a must try - we recommend the Turkish coffee.
South Philly Barbacoa
This hole-in-the-wall spot in South Philly;s Italian Market is home to some of the most delicious tacos you will ever try! Also, for the foodies, this restaurant and its Chef, Christina Martinez, were recnetly featured on Netflix's show, The Chef's Table. There is usually a line and it's cash only. WORTH THE HYPE!!
Middle Child
A fantastic local spot for a good sandwhich! Voted best breakfast sandwich by Philly Magazine 2018. We recommend calling ahead and getting your sandwich to go, as seating is limited and the restaurant fills up fast on weekends. Try the Court Street's Short Rib Reuben (Thana's Fav) or the So Long Sal! (Russ's Go To).
J'aime French Bakery
Philly meets France at this delightful little corner café. Stop in for a coffee and a croissant!
Lil' Pop Shop & Coffee
Lil’ Pop Shop's unique ice pops and pies are hand-crafted in small batches from a seasonal assortment of fresh, natural, locally-sourced ingredients. No artificial ingredients or dyes are ever used in our ice pops and pies. Just fresh fruit, sugar, herbs, spices, organic eggs, milk, yogurt and cream. This is a great spot for a sweet treat in Rittenhouse! Russ's go-to is the "bananas" pop (Creamy banana base covered in dark chocolate and topped with roasted salted peanuts) and Thana's favorite is the Vietnamese iced coffee pop.
Weckerly’s Ice Cream
In fall of 2012, Jen Satinsky, a trained pastry chef, and her husband Andy founded Weckerly’s Ice Cream. For the pair, Weckerly’s is an expression of dedication to culinary traditions, a love of ice cream, and deep respect for the work of local farmers. Sharing these joys through a serving of ice cream is the drive behind the hard work and warm smiles you’ll find at Weckerly’s. Originally nestled in the back of a neighborhood cafe in West Philadelphia, Weckerly’s has grown into a blossoming “micro-creamery” churning out of Globe Dye Works, a repurposed textile plant, in North Philadelphia. After a couple expansions and the addition of more helping hands, Weckerly’s continues to pasteurize, churn, bake, and build every creation in-house. The eclectic mix of kitchen professionals, musicians, artists, academics, and customer service aces creates an environment that fosters continued learning and growth.
Rival Bros Coffee Bar
Founded by longtime friends Jonathan Adams, a talented chef and Damien Pileggi, an experienced roaster who pursued a career on both coasts, Rival Bros Coffee offers a selection of custom, house roasted blends and seasonal single-origin beans that have been carefully sourced and specially roasted to provide the best drinking experience possible. Rival Bros is approachable, authentic and driven, much like the spirit of the city where it began - Philadelphia.
Bower Cafe
Local spot for coffee and cured meats! Thana's favorite drink here is a Dirty Iced Chai with Oatmilk.
Talula's Daily
Eat, drink, stock up, settle in — equal parts all-day cafe, local market and intimate dinner destination, Talula’s Daily satisfies everyday needs, occasional cravings and everything in between.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Founded in 1805, PAFA is the first museum and school of fine arts in the nation. PAFA’s museum is internationally known for its collections of American art, and our school attracts some of the most committed and promising art students from across the country and the world.
Reading Terminal Market
Discover the Market. Welcome to the Reading Terminal Market. One of America’s largest and oldest public markets, housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building, the Market offers an incredible selection of locally grown & exotic produce, locally sourced meats and poultry, plus the finest seafood, cheeses, baked goods, and confections.
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Once placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now renamed Independence Hall), the bell today is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an art museum originally chartered in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The main museum building was completed in 1928 on Fairmount, a hill located at the northwest end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval. The museum administers collections containing over 240,000 objects including major holdings of European, American and Asian origin. The various classes of artwork include sculpture, paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, armor, and decorative arts.
Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia is home to one of the world's greatest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist and early modern paintings.
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia - The Mutter Museum
The Mütter Museum is a medical museum located in the Center City area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It contains a collection of anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment. The museum is part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The original purpose of the collection, donated by Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter in 1858, was for biomedical research and education.