Go West
In Center City, west of Broad is the place to be. South of Washington Avenue, though, that whole cultural compass changes dramatically. There, the blocks just West of Broad Street have a reputation for being run down and dangerous – which hasn’t stopped urban pioneers from scooping up real estate in Point Breeze and Newbold. For some, part of the lure has been the success of a handful restaurants and bars. Think of it as eating as civic duty.
The South Philadelphia Tap Room (which recently expanded, installed a new chef, and introduced a new menu) has been the site of the Newbold Neighborhood Association’s meetings since the group’s inception. Hardena, a hallowed hole-in-wall serving Indonesian fare, has been drawing foodies to the area for several years. And a more recent arrival, Café Con Chocolate, serves pseudo-Mexican grub like nachos and veggie tacos in a brightly lit, freshly painted coffee shop setting.