Midtown Fall Festival

Hi Friends.... What a great weekend!

I've been living in Philly for a while now, and I'm a bit ashamed to admit that this is the first time that I've even been to the Midtown Fall Festival!

I know, I know....

So, I made sure that I went early. First impression - PACKED! So many people, so much food, so little time!

After doing a "quick" lap around the festival, I made a few pit stops to try out some snacks and a libation or two...

First stop: Vintage. I am a BIG fan of this place.... and had a decent little glass of pinot grigio to start my day off right.

Second stop: El Vez. Of course, a Stephen Starr (and Midtown Philadelphia) staple.

We tasted a few of their chipotle chicken tacos, topped with avocado, shredded iceberg lettuce, crema fresca, and grated queso fresco. Sooo good and El Vez's food never disappoints... even when served on a paper plate!

But, we also ordered a margarita - and whew! it was not up to El Vez's standards.... But, the tacos more than made up for the sticky, sweet tequila mess.

Next stop: The "we love 13th street" gang of establishments. And let's just be honest, midtown would not be what it is today without Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran. These two ladies have 6 restaurants and boutiques on 13th Street and have (almost) single-handedly transformed Midtown. LOVE THEM!

Sticking with the Mexican theme from the previous stop at El Vez, we transitioned to the carnitas from Lolita BYOB.

And WOW! The shredded pork was perfectly seasoned - and was served with black beans, salsa, a little guacamole - and crema to top it off....

It was so good that as I was digging in, I spilled a bit on my sweater and probably would have licked it off if I hadn't been surround by thousands of my closest friends...

Now, I've never dined at Lolita BYOB, mostly because I am afraid of their "no reservation" policy - and I'm afraid of a two hour wait, but after this carnita, I'm sure I'll be popping in very soon!

Next stop: Barbuzzo!!!

And, I think that this dish may just be my new most favorite thing ever...

Check it out... The rich, creamy sheep's milk ricotta was topped with fresh figs, some crunchy grilled bread, vin coto herbs & evoo.

Seriously... does it get any better????
Ever since I have tasted this, I am obsessed... Barbuzzo is mediterranean kitchen and bar whose menu is so simple, yet beautifully designed.

And with nothing over 18 bucks, you will eat like a king, and your wallet will still have room for dessert.

And speaking of dessert, my next stop on the Turney/Safran tour was grocery. During my first swing past their stand, a pumpkin whoopie pie and I had a moment....

But an hour or two later, my heart was broken as I realized that my love affair with pumpkin whoopies would have to wait, since they were sold out (i mean, who wouldn't want a pumpkin whoopie pie, really...).

So, instead I tried a little drop from heaven called a maple gingerbread cupcake.

They were topped with candied walnuts and stole my heart by the time I swallowed my first tasty bite (can you tell I have a wicked sweet tooth????)

grocery. is the perfect spot to grab a quick dessert, some homemade soup or even take-out from the other 13th street gang of restaurants.

And that, my friends ends the culinary experience that was the Midtown Fall Festival (for me, anyway). But, if you've ever been to the festival, you know that the real attraction for many is all of the beer tents scattered around the alleys off of 13th street.

Now, most people at the festival enjoyed the karaoke or the live bands with plastic buckets of Miller Lite.

Not being a big "lite" beer fan myself, I continued my crush on Lolita BYOB - and ordered a sangria.

And I have to say - it was pretty darn good!

It must have looked good too, since as I walked back to the tent where my friends were waiting, at least five people stopped me to ask where I got it...

And I had two words for them... Lolita, duh.

xoxo