Federal Donuts - Center City

Anyone who knows me, know I love sweets!  While doing research on dessert shops in the area I came across Federal Donuts.  I arrive at 11am to find no speciality donuts only sugar coated.  Since I’m Philly I decide to try it.

I ordered a Fresh Cinnamon-Brown Sugar.  Hands down it was the worst donut i’ve ever had.  The cake was dry and too dense and there was too much sugar for my taste.

However, the donut wasn’t the worst part of my experience, the staff was. They were dry, like the donut, and not engaging.

I didn’t feel welcomed nor would I return.

This establishment, on my visit, did not live up to the hype!

Philadelphia

Philly!

 A few shot from Center City Philadelphia.

The Organ inside of Macy's!  It's amazing.

Happy Mothers Day!

Thats all from the City of Brother Love!

Tavern 17

Avoid this place.

When I arrived I wondered why a nice looking restaurant in a prime location would be virtually empty.  Know I know.  The service is abysmal and the food is terrible!

In a restaurant where there are four tables; two two tops, one four top, me and a four top coming in, it should not take 45 minutes to get pancakes, eggs and sausage.

My server was pleasant, but I don’t think she should have been working in a restaurant.  I placed an order for a stack of pancakes and two eggs with sausage.  I then took 10 minutes before the water I requested reached my table.  Ten minutes later I inquire about my order, i’m told, “it will be right out”.  Ten minutes later, my pancakes came out.  I ask about the balance of my order, my server says, it will be right out as she needed to make two trips .  Eight minutes later my eggs arrive accompanies by burnt sausage.

At that point I was fed up.  I ask to speak to the manager and there was no restaurant manager.  So the hotel General Manager was in charge and it took him 10 minutes to come over.  I recanted my experience and he conceded there are some challenges at the restaurant.  I didn’t believe him for one minute.  I told him I would not be paying for my meal and left.

I have never walked out of a restaurant before but this place has issues from management, to wait staff, to the kitchen.  Dining out is suppose to be a pleasurable experience and this was painful.

My suggestion to you al.  AVOID TAVERN 17 AT ALL COSTS!

Square 1682

When visiting Philly, I always stay in Center City Philadelphia and Square 1682 has been on my must dine list.  Located in the Art Deco Palomar hotel, it’s a located in an area with good transportation, hotel dining and shopping options.

Square 1682 is billed as  “New” modern american, so it was added to my must dine list.  I booked thru Opentable and for a Saturday night the place wasn’t too busy, nor was it slow.  The bar area and small lounge in front were filled but not over crowded.

The space is clean and modern casual, with no particular dress code.  I like that there is a mix of low and high tables.  There is also one communal table and outdoor seating.  I also love the open kitchen.

Even though busy, when I walked in I was greeted and seated immediately.  My server, came right over and gave his customary sell.  He was professional and knowledgeable of the menu.

The menu has lot of “eye candy” but I’d snacked all day so I wasn’t particularly hungry.  The bacon wrapped dates and calamari looked tasty as it was delivered to tables nearby.  I ordered the Halibut and a side of haricot vert.  

The wait for my order wasn’t long, but I was taken back by the small portions.  My side of green beans was twice the size of my entree.

The food was delicious, hands down.  I was happy with my selection, but the price per portion didn’t add up to me.  That was the smallest piece of Halibut I’ve ever seen.

Overall, the ambiance, service and my entree were on point, from a taste stand point.  I would return as I think its a nice casual place to meet friends, have a business dinner or brunch on a nice day.

Westin Philadelphia

The Westin Philadelphia is my go to property when visiting Philadelphia.    I tend to stay at this property three or four times a year.

The property is located conveniently near Suburban Station, City Hall, Rittenhouse Square, Shopping on Chestnut & Walnut Streets and Boystown.

As a regular here, check-in was breeze, I was welcomed back and my status was recognized and offered Platinum points without having to give a reminder.  Although not needed, hotel information and directions were given without prompting.

Booked a king room and was upgraded to a nice suite looking West.  This room has a nice layout so you can entertain, without much issue.  Good work space and electrical outlet for those like me that carry a lot of electronics.  There is a TV in the parlor and the bedroom.  Both are flat screen and the channels are full HD.

Room was quiet, away from elevators, light filled and clean.  No toiletries behind the sofa this trip!  The furnishings are holding up well.  Bed is standard and comfortable Heavenly bed.  The heavenly bathroom clean and stocked with all the amenities advertised.  

Enhanced in room WiFi had a strong consistent signal.  As a Platinum, I choose the highest available and there were no issues with the charges at check out.

Staff, from the bellman at the entrance to the check in clerks were professional and friendly.  Public areas, we clean and inviting and the lobby had the familiar Westin aroma. Hallways were clean and well lit.

Because I was on the go, I didn’t try the gym.

I didn’t dine in the on-site restaurant as there are lots of dining options of various price points within a half mile of the hotel, so I cannot give an opinion.

All-in-all this is a standard stay for me.  In my opinion this is as well run property and will continue to be my first choice when visiting Philadelphia.

Maison Harlem

Meeting up with a couple of friends and try a new place in Harlem.   Haison Harlem, is located on St. Nicholas off of the two “restaurant rows” in Harlem.  The lower level of the building was once an abandoned store.  Now it’s been turned into French Bistro Maison Harlem.

Nothing like a solid restaurant to help revitalize a neighborhood.  The transformation of the street level space to a modern Bistro was well done.  The restaurant is available on my favorite dining point earning site, opentable.  Advanced, reservations are highly suggested as the dining room is not that large and the restaurant, at least for Brunch, is popular.

As a midscale restaurant its low key and there is no strict dress code.

The restaurant is owned and operated by two french guys and it does have a quaint french vibe.  Entering you step up and walk over the word “Bistro”, well duh!  I thought it was overkill.

Inside you're in the bar, which is well stocked, appointed and cozy.  There seemed to be a lot of expensive french wine stocked.  

I love the dark wood.  Although we were there for Brunch there were quite a few people just hanging out at the bar.  The dining room was at capacity.  Those that arrived after our party were told there would be not be seating people after 2pm due to a major issue that affected the entire staff.

At the end of the bar you ascend to a light filled dining room. Tables are tight, but it is a Bistro. Although there is outdoor seating, due to the wind its was not used.  Due to location, size and how busy St. Nicholas is, I feel it may not be utilized.

Since we had a reservation we were seated rather quickly.  The dining room was full.  After being seated and greeted by our server, we ordered.  We ordered French Toast, Eggs Nordique, an Omelette with a side of bacon.

Twenty minutes after ordering, we asked our waiter times, “what’s the delay?” and he came back with “the kitchen is slammed” and mimosas.  We received our food approximately 35 minutes after ordering.

Once our food arrived, we were pleasantly surprised at looked delicious.  

The eggs Nordique was scrumptious.  The french toast had a nice crust on the outside and fluffy on the inside.  My omelette was dense but packed with spinach, mushrooms and bacon.  The only thing missing was bacon.  They ran out of bacon and without our knowledge, substituted canadian bacon.  They lost major points for that.

Although there were “issues” in the kitchen our server was very pleasant and really tried to keep us happy and the other tables in his section.

Overall the price for the meal is in line with other restaurants serving brunch in the area, but they dont have unlimited mimosas.

I think this a great addition to the neighborhood, a nice place for brunch, and I feel that it may a nice place for a date.

Check it out and let me know what you think.


Maison Harlem

341 St. Nicholas Avenue

New York, NY  10027

www.maisonharlem.com