We focus a lot of our events in Center City and tend to consider it the mecca of Philadelphia. Though the great thing about Philadelphia is the diverse culture throughout each neighborhood in its city limits. Recently we discovered the absolutely charming neighborhood of Mt. Airy with Germantown Avenue at its core. That’s where the second annual Mt. Airy Street Fare (formerly known as Mt. Airy Night Market) will take place. Philly PR Girl was invited to take a sneak peek of the street festival, so here’s a hint of what you’ll find:
We met some fellow media and bloggers at the Trolley Car Diner, which was originally a Roy Rogers when it was taken over. What an upgrade! The diner boasts freshly house made doughnuts in creative flavors, over 300 beers, and its own ice cream stand inside a vintage trolley car. We love the retro vibe, outstanding food selection, and friendly service.
Little Jimmie’s bakery and cafe is run by Jimmie, a North Carolina native, who brings his Southern flair with him to the Northeast. His cheesy biscuits are out of this world… but we hadn’t even gotten to dessert yet… The sweet potato cupcake was one of the best cupcakes ever. It was moist, the frosting was just the right amount, and the cinnamon and spices used were the perfect way to welcome fall.
It’s rumored at Avenida that there’s a friendly ghost, Emily, who lives in the attic of this 17th century building. Whether that story a truth or myth, the legend fits right into the authentic-feeling Latin American cocina with its vibrant walls and festive masks and artifacts. One of their most popular dishes is tostadas with flavorful toppings and mole, but don’t feel guilty coming just for their amazing sangria and margaritas. If you stop by the restaurant, enjoy the beautiful garden seating in the back.
One of the newest additions to Germantown Avenue is Indian restaurant, Jyoti Bistro. The owners have been immensely popular with their namesake packaged goods, which are wheat and gluten free (some dairy-free), sold at Whole Foods and other large markets. Now they have opened their first brick-and-mortar on the corner at Nippon St. They serve up Indian classics as well as dishes with a modern twist like the Mumbai Paninis we tried. We even got a short tutorial on how to make poori: fried Indian flatbread.
The Wine Thief Bistro is run by an adorable husband and wife team that have been working in the restaurant business their whole careers. After a stint in New York City, they’ve moved back to Mt. Airy for a change of pace. At their restaurant, they offer a full bar with great signature cocktails like mojitos and cosmopolitans. The menu focuses on local and fresh ingredients, and it includes crispy calamari, house made spinach cavatelli, and PEI mussels in tomato broth.
While the food and homemade beverages are noteworthy, the most amazing thing about Earth Bread + Brewery is that they are so eco-conscious. They compost everything they can in their kitchen and produce so little waste that there is no need for a dumpster. Known for their pizza flatbreads, the bakery has recently been experimenting with a new spelt dough. We recommend the bacon and fig pizza… it’s a sweet and savory favorite. Also new are the wines available on tap; we love the Chardonnay.
This festival was brought to you by Mt. Airy USA, whom have been doing a fantastic job keeping the community at a high standard and promoting it to thrive and grow. While this was our first time truly discovering parts of Mt. Airy, we can safely say that it won’t be our last. For more information on the Mt. Airy Street Fare visit: http://gomtairy.com/events/street-fare/.
