SL 0425 Best of Food and Drink - FINAL_Profile ( Dept . ) 5 / 6 / 25 1 : 01 PM Page 3 brunch made better by a bloody best of food Bread Winners Mary or Bellini . The menu is A recent book explores the many broad enough to cater to just and drink about any taste , too , with some flavors of Philly in sandwich form . tails . Once the weather turns of the suburbs ’ finest pasta , Indisputable fact : Philly loves a sand - up with the in - warmand sunny , McCoole’s pizza , and other specialties of wich . And the roots of this affection run spiration out of patio becomes one of the Mediterraneanprovenance . deep . That’s exactly why Mike Madaio , the nowhere , as area’s most distinctive alfresco panachewoodfiregrill.com blogger behind Life at Table ( lifeat - opposed to be - table.com ) , decided to take a closer look at ing a number dining spots . this infatuation with his latest book , A His - of steps along mccoolesredlioninn.com Dinnerand drinks at tory of Philadelphia Sandwiches : Steaks , the way . ” RistoranteLUCCA & Piano Hoagies , Iconic Eateries & More . Another sandwich of note came from ForJapanese , Korean , and Thai Lounge in Bordentown , New “ I always liked sandwiches growing up , ” the culture of Jewish immigrants : the fish - food of exceptional craftsman - Jersey , is nothing short of an Madaio says . “ I thought coming at them cake hot dog . from a historical standpoint would be in - “ In the book , I tried to explore how and ship , head to Omiza in experience . There’s the illumi - teresting . ” why sandwiches became a thing here , ” he Doylestown . At first the menu natedonyx bar for one - of - a - Madaio , who has written about food says . “ There’s not one reason . I think , early appears to be exhaustive , even kindhandcrafted cocktails . and wine for more than 20 years , moved on , immigrants were moving from agrar - a bit intimidating , but guests There’s the tableside cacio e to the area from Boston as a high school ian to industrial lifestyles , and sandwiches student and quickly observed just how se - fit into that lifestyle , but other cities had quickly learn that it’s very well pepeand hand - blended riously Philly takes its sandwiches . While that , too . curated ; we’ve never had a dish Caesar salad , both of which he has long loved sandwiches as vehicles “ One thing that’s kind of fascinating in here that we have not fallen in arecrowd - pleasing signature for blending flavors , it wasn’t until he fin - all this was how there were a few places love with . Favorites ( so far ) : the dishes . And then , of course , ished writing Lost Mount Penn : Wineries , that started as corner grocers and evolved bao buns , the edamame puree there’s the piano lounge , which Railroads and Resorts of Reading that he over time into sandwich shops — Ricci’s , took the leap to delve deeply into Philly’s Cosmi’s , Campo’s , ” he continues . “ Philly is dumplings , the udon brothy hosts live entertainment seven storied sandwich culture . a city of neighborhoods , and people go to noodles , and the dok bok ki . days a week . In other words , He credits his Italian - American heritage the grocery store every day . That’s what it Thewine list , among other it’s well worth a trip across the for his love of food . He says his book was started as . Over time , as Acme took over adult libations , is equally Delaware . an effort to uncover the roots behind the corner stores and became a supermar - Philly’s love of sandwiches of all kinds , from ket , the places that survived evolved along - impressiveand satisfying . ristorantelucca.com cheesesteaks and chicken cutlets , to roast side the city . ” omizarestaurant.com pork and hoagies , among others . While the history is strong , so is the fu - There’snothing quite as com - In his research , he learned that the ture of the city’s sandwich scene . Panache Woodfire Grill in forting as having a favorite diner area’s obsession with these bready beauties “ It’s interesting , I expected the cheeses - Blue Bell is a chameleon of for reliably good breakfast fare goes back to the late 17th century , when teak to be more guarded in terms of only the historic The Tun Tavern , built in 1685 , doing steak , and cheese , onions , and pep - sorts , perfect for just about any of the everyday sort . Sammy’s did “ a very brisk sandwich business ” that pers if asked , but I found a fair amount of occasion — acasual get - together Bullfrog Café in Harleysville is included shaved beef served on a bread international culture , ” he shares . “ There with friends for drinks and bothcomfortable and reliable , roll . That said , he rebukes the idea that a are Ethiopian and curry cheesesteaks ; it’s shareable plates , a large family but its cuisine could hardly be single person “ invented ” the cheesesteak , actually heartening to see people riffing particularly , “ the idea that one person came on it . ” — Leigh Ann Stuart gathering to mark a special described as “ everyday . ” The event , an intimate dinner to cele - good folks at Sammy’s will brate life and love , or a relaxing gladly serve up , say , a run - of - the - mill cheese omelet if you and waffles , some inspired ask , or you could order one of Benedicts — though this crowd the inventive omelet and Bene - pleaser is sure to deliver a high - dict varieties right off the menu : quality experience no matter homemade meatloaf , spicy the time of day or day of the jambalaya , the Dutchman week . FYI , there’s a second ( made with scrapple bites and Under the Moon , a BYOB , in topped with cream chipped Bordentown . beef ) , smoked salmon , etc . underthemooncafe.com One of our favorites : the super - loom food toast , made with smashed Via417 is a charming and cozy Heir H E I R L O O M avocado , red and golden beets , BYOB in Jenkintown , made for and DOYLESTOWN sprouts , goat cheese , and a enjoyingsome seriously good ions , nlap sprinkling of everything bagel Italian fare . Recommendation : Du rovis n seasoning.sammysbullfrog - Start withone of the salads — Aliso P nd cafe.com arugula , Caesar , beets , bur - by rou o rata — beforemovingon to one ms , G phot NewHope’s thriving culinary of the entrées ; Via 417 is known Bu CA sceneextends across the river for its meat and seafood dishes , arma LUC into thoughwe’re partial to ziti put - e Lambertville . One of our rant Dh f favorite tables is at the Under tanescaand the risotto . No mat - o Risto esy theMoon Café . It’s a favorite ter which dish you choose , ourt wn ; destination for Sunday expect it to arrive at the table c lesto tos brunch — avocado deviled eggs , lookingalmost too beautiful to Doy Pho n huevos rancheros , fried chicken eat . via417 . com 3 6 | S U B U R B A N L I F E M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 1 6 I S S U E 6 | S U B U R B A N L I F E M A G A Z I N E . C O M