Northportfishington Cookiefactory, Philadelphia PA

Cookies for brunch? Probably not the best idea, but Cinnamon Buns, Monkey Bars (banana bread & cream cheese delights), and apple cider donuts certainly are!

Before I continue, full disclosure: I am acquainted with Mike Landers, the master baker & owner of Northportfishington Cookiefactory. In fact, I was lucky enough to be one of the early taste testers back before the company even existed. That said, Mike does not know that I am writing this review (well, at least not yet anyway), and in fact he may not even be aware of brunchphilly.com, so in order words: I am receiving nothing in exchange for writing this. Okay, now back to your irregularly scheduled review:

For starters, the Cinnamon Buns. I never really liked cinnamon buns until I tasted these. They remain the only ones I have ever truly enjoyed.

They have a perfect cinnamon-to-topping ratio, are not too sweet, and pretty much float across your tastebuds. One of these is the perfect companion to any morning beverage. The only drawback is that if you don’t eat them within a day, they go stale. You can partially revive them by heating—which, even when they are fresh they taste best warmed for a minute or two-- but the day olds just can’t compete with the fresh ones.

Next, another surprised for me, the Oatmeal Cranberry Cashew Cookie. It’s usually a requirement for my cookies to have chocolate. While I don’t think an additional of chocolate chips would hurt these babies (hint, hint), they are perfectly fantastic just the way they are. The cashew bits are small enough that you’re not overwhelmed, and the cranberry adds a deliciously tart flavor. These cookies have a nice crisp edge, but are totally soft in the center.

Seasonally, you can sometimes find the mini Apple Cider Donuts. These also surprised me, because I’ve never been huge on donuts. But these babies are perfect to dunk into a mug of hot cider—that is, if you can wait long enough for the cider to warm up before devouring all of them. They are moist and covered with a gentle dusting of cinnamon and sugar.

If there is anything on the Northportfishington Cookiefactory’s bakery list that I’m not crazy about, it would be the brownies. They’re fine, but not outstanding. And personally I find them to be a bit too cakey and lacking the super crispy edges that a perfect brownie requires.



That said, if you’re all about cakey brownies, you might love these.

Final verdict? Even if I knew no one at Northportfishington Cookiefactory, I would still be to the moon about their yummy products!

While there are several coffee shops around town that stock some of the items, the one place I know I can always find the perfect Cinnamonbun brunch is at Greensgrow Farmers Market. Grab a bun, and perhaps a pint of fresh berries or a plant or two while you're there, and it’s a perfect start to a spring weekend!

If you go:

• Click for a full list of where to find Northportfishington Cookiefactory’s products

• Greensgrow is located at:

  2501 E. Cumberland Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125

• Most options are cash only.

• NPFCF Facebook

Cafe Apamate, Philadelphia PA

Some Sundays there is almost an hour wait for brunch at Cafe Apamate. Other Sundays, you can just walk right in. On my most recent visit the place is almost empty, but even if you have to wait it's totally worth it.

If clouds tasted like pancakes they would taste like the ones at Cafe Apamate. I have never had one fluffier. The Panquecas con Fruta ($7.95) is served with berries and whipped cream so fresh that it melts before I finish eating it!


The only slight change I would make to this dish: it comes with maple syrup already poured. While the syrup is very good, I end up having too much soaked in at the beginning and not enough by the end. Next time I will know to ask for it on the side.

My brunchmate orders the amazing Tostas con Pisto ($6.95): A mixture of veggies served over toasted bread and topped with a poached egg. The veggies and egg soak into the crispy bread to create a texture explosion. The meal is balanced by a delicious salad of mixed greens. The salad has strawberry slices in it that compliment the acidic vinaigrette-dressing beautifully.



Having tried them here before, I am looking forward to our order of Churros Clásicos ($6), served with a decadent dark chocolate dipping sauce these churrous are crispy and sweet. Unfortunately, the churros machine breaks down so we left without dessert. Other than that, this is a perfect brunch: great food, excellent service, reasonable prices, in a cozy atmosphere.

If you go:

• 1620 South St
  Philadelphia, PA 19146
• Phone: (215) 790-1620


• Cash only.
• Brunch Served Sundays, 11AM-2:30PM
• Cafe Apamate

Hot Chocolate

Good with brunch, or at anytime of day, this time of year always calls for a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Below is a list my most memorable hot chocolates. Please note that I prefer a rich, dark, full-bodied hot chocolate so if you're into the instant packets these might be a bit too intense for you.

Casa Madonna Divino Amore‎, just outside of Chioggia, Italy
Full-screenA rich dark-milk chocolate, made in an espresso machine and served by the nuns. I will never forget the taste of this hot chocolate. It is that good.

Caffè Venezia, Chiusi, Italy
Caffe Venezia has an overwhelming number of hot chocolate options. Including a very bitter one that I swear is simply 100% cacao melted down. If you chose carefully though, you are in for a fantastic treat. They also serve very decent gelato.

Supper, Philadelphia, PA
Probably the closest thing to the nun's hot chocolate this side of the Atlantic.

Cafe Golosa, Philadelphia PA
Traditional Italian hot chocolate; shaken not stirred. Extremely rich, full-bodied, and fantastic.

Cafe Apamate, Philadelphia PA
Tied with Golosa for its a dark, rich, flavor.

Sazon Restaurant & Cafe, Philadelphia PA
Traditional Venezuelan hot chocolates "homemade" from single origin cacao beans. Intense flavors.

Rim Cafe, Philadelphia PA
While more milky than I usually like, Rim Cafe's hot chocolate is about the experience. You just have to go to fully understand.

Serendipity 3, New York, NY
Overrated but totally fun, the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate is served with a straw and big enough for two.

Best "On The Go" Hot Chocolate:
Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate
I am truly surprised at the flavor of this hot chocolate. While the quality sometimes depends on which store you visit, most of the time it [along with all the others on this list] ranks above hot chocolates that I've ordered from places such as Naked Chocolate and Parc. Just remember to specify "Signature" or they will give you something else.

LaVa Cafe, Philadelphia PA

On a recent Sunday morning I join two brunchmates at LaVa Cafe. More coffee shop than typical brunch spot, LaVa offers a nice variety of options at prices that work in today's economy. A relaxed environment with the slogan “Get to know your neighbors,” LaVa offers both table and sofa seating.


I order the vegetarian soup of the day ($3.50) and hot apple cider. The cider is nicely spiced and slightly foamy. The perfect drink on a very cold day.


The soup is advertised as lentil but they ran out and I receive a bowl of vegetable soup. This is fine by me because it looks so good that a brunchmate decides to order one as well!



Filled with chunks of carrots, celery, and other veggies, the soup tastes like a very good traditional chicken-noodle soup (minus the chicken and the noodles). It is served with fresh bread.

One brunchmate orders the Caramel French Toast ($4.85). Made with Brioche bread and served with fresh berries, this is a delicious, "buttery, pillowy goodness" of a bargain despite the containers of fake maple syrup that it is served with.




Another brunchmate orders the Egg & Cheese Sandwich ($3.65), which is served on some fantastic looking bread. The cheese is "creamy in a very good way."




As we're about to leave, we see that LaVa makes Jachnoon –“Rolled dough baked overnight. Served with fresh grated tomato & hard boiled egg” ($6.50). Alas, this pretzel-like treat is only served on Saturdays.


If you go:

• 2100 South Street, Philadelphia PA 19146 (the corner of 21st and South)
  
• Phone: (215) 545-1508
• They accept credit cards with $10 minimum.
  
• LaVa Cafe Website

Supper, Philadelphia PA

I first ate brunch at Supper in September and remember it as a perfect meal. The food was superb, the atmosphere warm and inviting, the service attentive, a brunchmate spotted a celebrity a table away, and chef/co-owner Mitch Prensky came to our table at the end of the meal requesting feedback.

Perhaps my expectations were set too high because, aside from two exceptional highlights, my second visit in December proved disappointing.

The first highlight is the hot chocolate that I request off the menu. It ranks in the Top 5 Best Hot Chocolate That I Have Ever Had. It is made from real chocolate and is not too sweet or rich. The only drawback, I unfortunately discover after agreeing to a second cup, is the price tag ($6).



The second highlight is the Cornbread Hushpuppies ($4). Covered with grated Parmesan, they are crispy on the outside and sweet and moist inside.




Over the summer my brunchmate ordered the Cornmeal Pancakes ($12) and I had had a bite. They were quite hearty and filled with berries—a bit too heavy for warm weather but exactly what I want now to fill me up on a cold December day. They arrive with berries on top, rather than in the batter, and are much lighter and more gritty than I remember; not bad but not at all what I envisioned.


My brunchmate orders the Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Marshmallow ($8). The presentation is outstanding: marshmallow is torch-blown on the side of the bowl and our server pours the soup table-side around a dab of apple slaw that rests in the middle of the bowl.


Unfortunately the soup itself is a bit too sweet and could use some heat to create the complex flavors that are essential in a good butternut squash soup.



Overall the atmosphere of Supper is relaxing, my brunchmate and I stay chatting after the meal is finished, but the service is curt and perfunctory.
The restaurant is mostly empty, but I have the distinct feeling that we are interrupting someone who believes he has more important things to do. It is fortunate that we have exact change because after delivering our bill, our server does not come near our table again.

Still somewhat of a newcomer among Philadelphia restaurants, I hope that Supper will get things back on track again soon—and not let the Best Of Philly 2008 award-hype get to its young head—because where else in this city will you find an “Old School” Breakfast Cereal Buffet ($7 for as much as you can eat) with selections such as Quisp, King Vitaman, Crunch Berries, and Kaboom.



If you go:

• 926 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
  
• Phone: (215) 592-8180
• They accept credit cards.
  
• Supper Website

Famous 4th Street Deli, Philadelphia PA

When you're in the mood for deli food in Philadelphia, there's no better choice than Famous 4th Street Deli.

They serve breakfast all day (including challah french-toast), offer a wide selection of sandwiches (although most are not vegetarian friendly), and serve up deli favorites such as potato pancakes, bagels and lox, and kugel. There is one request on the menu: "Please order what we do, not what we don't do."



As soon as we are seated, our server delivers a complimentary plate of pickles and slaw. The dill pickles are so fresh they could be called cucumbers--I am not a fan but my brunch-mate loves them. The slaw has a delightfully sweet flavor that compliments the vinegar in it perfectly.



I order an everything bagel with cream cheese and the side of potato pancakes. The bagel arrives lightly toasted with about 1/4 cup of cream cheese on the side!
The side of pancakes (3) are served plain but upon request chunky applesauce is delivered. The pancakes are crispy and not too oily--excellent with the applesauce.

My brunch-mate goes with the hot pastrami sandwich, which is served with a side of choice (another order of potato pancakes). Big enough for at least two meals, this sandwich is "fatty, salty, and greasy in the best way possible!"


While service is prompt, the atmosphere in 4th Street Deli is relaxed--you could probably sit and read the weekend paper without feeling rushed to leave. Our table offers a view of Bainbridge Street--perfect for people watching.

4th Street has a fantastic selection of home-made sweets, but our portion sizes leave us with no room for dessert. To our delight the check arrives with two bite-size versions of the Famous 4th Street Chocolate Chip cookies. These cookies have a rich vanilla flavor, are crispy on the edges and soft in the middle, chock-full of chips, and totally satisfy the lingering sweet-tooth.

If you go:

• 700 S Fourth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-3102
  
• Phone: (215) 922-3274
• They accept credit cards.