If It Were Springtime in February

Let's pretend for a second that it's not Blizzardelphia outside. Where would I be? Living in Philadelphia for so long, in many different neighborhoods, I definitely have my favorite places that I don't make it to as often as I'd like. It may be the weather, the distance, or the time that keeps me away from my preferred haunts. Today? Let's blame the weather.

Spruce Street Espresso in Washington Square West is the coffeeshop that taught me about specialty roasters. It was here that I first tasted Counter Culture coffee and learned that you need never add sugar to a cappuccino if it is steamed correctly. The microfoam in their drinks was like nothing I had found before. They coaxed the sugar out of the milk and turned it into a luxurious drink. Though tiny, the shop expands when Faith Ortiz, speediest barista I know, throws open the window shutters and turns the sidewalk into an outdoor cafe that you'd find in Europe.

Spruce Street Espresso

1101 Spruce Street

http://sprucestespresso.wordpress.com/

Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown is another warm weather pastime of mine. When I was young, the park was in need of some sprucing up and wasn't always known as the safest place. Now, it's clean with brilliant sunsets over the Delaware River and summertime music festivals and events. There is something so romantic about this little riverside retreat.

Penn Treaty Park

N. Delaware Avenue at E. Columbia Ave. and Beach Street

http://www.penntreatypark.org/

I know how some of you get intensely happy on Capogiro, and I'm no stranger to the Capo come spring, but my real spot is Yogorino. The less-crowded softserve yogurt shop swirls out a tart flavor that tastes incredible alone, but I like to add the pistachio dessert sauce. There's no better snack in Rittenhouse Square.

Yogorino

233 S 20th Street

Walking to University City from my old neighborhood in the Art Museum was always a nice way to spend a late afternoon, when the sun was beginning to weaken. Crossing the bridge to go see or a movie at the Bridge Cinema or to have dinner at Distrito was just a quick trip. On the way back, I would take the bike trail along the Schuylkill River. The views are some of the best you can find in Philadelphia and really capture the city.

Another place I'd set out for, in finer conditions, is Pub & Kitchen in Graduate Hospital. The first time I went there I was with a food critic, the second time I was on a writing assignment, and still, I can never find anything bad to say about the place. It is exactly the kind of place that Graduate Hospital was crying out for, with a gorgeous bar and dining room, a rustic pub menu, and a crowd of well-dressed locals who are knocking back a post-work pint. The Pabbit (pig-rabbit hybrid) logo agrees. A nice, leisurely stroll on a spring evening from Center City will get you here.

Pub and Kitchen

1946 Lombard Street

http://thepubandkitchen.com/

[photo credit: Spruce Street Espresso]