I decided to drive up today, because I wanted to check out a bunch of places and they were a fair distance apart. First, I drove by Honey's. It looked nice but there was a huge queue out the door, so I kept going. I tried to find the Soy Cafe at 2nd and Brown, but without success. I must say, I was really impressed with the neighbourhood. As I mentioned, I'd never ventured up there, despite only living in Chinatown, but I'm really glad I did, as it could become one of my favourite parts of Philly.

Next, I headed up 3rd, toward Girard. One thing I noticed somewhere between Brown and Girard, and 2nd and 3rd was a white horse that seemed to be standing in a lot half a block away. But I saw it so briefly that I couldn't tell whether it was real. Can anyone shed any light?

Along Girard, I found Acropolis and Sulimay's. I was going to just drive up Aramingo to check out Hinge, before coming back and picking one of these two. But when I found the perfect parking space outside Hinge, which looked really nice anyway, I decided to eat there.

I was seated at a nice table near the back, and brought some delightful coffee. I asked what it was, and was told it was Blue Water's "Smokey Café" blend. I've never heard of them before, but it was so good I had four cups. The waitress offered to give me a cup to go, but I told her if I drank any more I might turn into a coffee bean. Some of the specials on the board that was placed on the chair opposite for me sounded great - a steak skillet, a "super spicy" burrito or eggs "on the border" all sounded tempting - but I went for the Swiss Fondue with Tomato, which was an everything bagel, topped with cream cheese, fresh tomato and melted Swiss. Simple, but delicious. Also, I realised I only had $10, and I didn't feel like driving to the nearest ATM (credit card minimum of $20, and I wasn't about to spend that much). Besides which, the plates I saw going to other tables looked huge. The peach French toast looked particularly good, and I'm not a big French toast fan. My breakfast, with all that coffee, was a bargain at $5.25.

The atmosphere was excellent. I had a book to read but wasn't really concentrating on it because of the fun banter going on between the gorgeous waitress and some of the other brunchers. There were also a couple of families, and the place seemed very kid-friendly, but also highly appropriate for a casual date. It was fairly busy, but nothing seemed rushed, and I never had to ask for more coffee. There was some nice local art on the walls (for sale I believe), and it seems that they must do some good dinner business along with musical entertainment. I can't wait to try it at night, and could see this becoming my regular brunch place to take friends off the beaten path. I wouldn't have expected to find a place like that right around the corner from Aramingo, but it really was a find.

Thanks for all your advice. This thread inspired me to get up early on a Sunday and go and do something, for a change!

__________________
I don't have a lack of memory, just a surplus of forgetfulness.

Chef -

2 things... yes, there is some horse stable somewhere in that area. I can never remember quite what block it is on. I think it's the horses they use for those city carriage rides, but I am not 100% sure of that.

Also, as far as the queue at Honey's.... there's usually a long line after about 9:45 or 10AM on Sundays, but it's frequently large groups (like tables of 4) waiting. If you are alone or in a group of two, there are frequently tables for 2 or seats at the counter that you can jump in front of the big groups to take.

Thanks Kent. I'm sure I could have got a seat easily, given that I was alone. But in my experience when it comes to breakfasty places, usually when they're as busy as that, the quality does tend to suffer somewhat. Even a lot of very good places tend to have a lot of 'bad days" in both food and service when there are so many hungry people demanding brunch. That's why most cooks hate doing brunch.

I'm in no way suggesting this is the case with Honey's, and I do want to try it, but I was very happy with Hinge.

Glad to hear about the horse thing. That must have been what it was. It was just so unexpected in the middle of a city!.

__________________
I don't have a lack of memory, just a surplus of forgetfulness.

Here's a lot of discussion:
http://fishtown.us/node/6450

General Summary:
Great food, service was a problem at first, but has improved

__________________
http://fishtown.us - Live in, work in, or care about Fishtown? Then visit fishtown.us!
http://summerfield.org - Summerfield's Website

The horses are between 3rd and 2nd a block and a half north of Poplar.

I believe the streets are George and Bodine, but I have to walk around some more before I remember specifiics.

There's Phila Trolley Works trollies there, so I do believe the horses are for the carriages.

__________________
Real Estate Practitioner & Quasi-Intellectual
ERA Aarch Realty LLC
Urban Green Partnership

Yeah, that's definitely where I saw it. I only fleetingly caught a glimpse. It was like a unicorn...except it was a horse.

__________________
I don't have a lack of memory, just a surplus of forgetfulness.

The horse's land is for sale, me thinks. Sort of sad for us locals who enjoyed a little bit of country tossed up in Northern Liberties.

__________________
Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

Anyone know which of the brunch places in NoLibs are or are not conveniently wheelchair accessible? Thanks in advance.

__________________
I don't have a lack of memory, just a surplus of forgetfulness.

Azure and Honey's are handicap accessible as well as Deuce and Full Plate in Liberties Walk. Standard Tap is not.

__________________
Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

Thanks Brooke.

__________________
I don't have a lack of memory, just a surplus of forgetfulness.