Alexa Dines Philly

Dining Al Fresco at Le Virtù, in South Philly!🍝🇮🇹✨

If you love authentic Italian food and outdoor dining, Le Virtù is a must-visit! Home to one of the BEST outdoor dining spaces in Philly, their gorgeous courtyard patio feels like a little escape tucked away in South Philly.🌿

Since 2007, they’ve been celebrating the cuisine of Abruzzo, Italy’s beautiful mountainous region known for rustic cooking, incredible hospitality, and high-quality ingredients. They also focus heavily on local and sustainable farming, working closely with nearby producers to bring the freshest ingredients possible to every dish. 👌

What We Tried 😍:
– ArtOrange Vino Macerato 2023 (orange wine🤯)
– Affettati Misti — house-cured meats, marinated vegetables & pizza fritta 🥩
– Salsiccia — house-made Abruzzese sausage, saffron-lentil ragù, peppers, ricotta & spinach 🫑
– Maccheroni alla Mugnaia — single-strand pasta with peperoni cruschi oil, garlic, peperoncino & pecorino 🧄
– Ricotta Triangoli — housemade ricotta-filled pasta with fresh tomato sauce, blue basil, garlic & parmigiano-reggiano 🧀
– Zeppoli — ricotta, vanilla pastry cream & chocolate sauce 🍫
– Chocolate Olive Oil Cake — espresso syrup & mascarpone ☕

Everything was incredibly well-executed. You can really taste the care and craftsmanship that goes into every dish. The homemade pasta makes such a difference too — the texture and flavor were absolutely incredible. Combined with the beautiful courtyard setting, it’s the perfect spot for any occasion. One of my favorite nights out in a while — so peaceful, relaxing, and enjoyable from start to finish! ✨🍷

Thank you to Aversa PR - Philadelphia PR Agency for setting this up! 🤍

📍Le Virtu

Dinner at Bar Avalon in the heart of West Chester, PA 🍝🍸✨

If you’re looking for a spot for cocktails, pasta, and Italian-inspired comfort food, Bar Avalon is definitely worth a visit! Right in the heart of downtown West Chester, this place is perfect for any occasion!

Sips & Bites 😍:
– Blood Orange Margarita 🍊
– Old Fashioned 🥃
– Burrata Caprese — slow olive oil-poached tomatoes, basil, crostini & roasted tomato coulis 🍅
– Roasted Beets & Whipped Goat Cheese — arugula, almonds, orange & honey balsamic vinaigrette 🥗
– Eggplant Chips — panko crusted, fried & served with marinara 🍆
– Ricotta Gnocchi — olive oil, basil & chunky tomato sauce 🍝
– Chicken Cutlet Vodka — penne, peas, pancetta, vodka sauce & crispy chicken cutlet 🍗
– Chicken Parmesan — melted mozzarella, marinara & linguine 🍝
–Croissant Beignets🍩
–Mini Cannolis😝
–Chocolate Mousse Cake🍫

Everything was flavorful, creative, and perfect for sharing! 🙌

A special shoutout to our server, Rayna, who was amazing, and to owner John for the incredible hospitality! You can really feel the welcoming atmosphere here. 🤍

Be sure to check out their Bryn Mawr location too! ✨


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Spent the day at Neo’s in Conshohocken, PA 🇬🇷🍴🍸🤭

This place has something for everybody! It feels like the ultimate “third space”! During the day, Neo’s operates as a café with coffee drinks, pastries, brunch food, and more- perfect for hanging with friends or working on your laptop! Then later in the day, it transitions into an elevated bar & restaurant experience with an amazing happy hour and dinner menu.👌

We made this an all-day girls day! We started in the café, spent time in the outdoor seating area, watched the iconic hidden bookcase open into the restaurant, and then stayed for dinner and more drinks! It was picture perfect! 👯‍♀️

Sips & Bites😜:
– Espresso Martini — vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur & demerara ☕
– Medusa’s Cheat Day — vodka, mint honey syrup, lemon & peach black tea 🍑
– Fennel Collins — vodka, orange liqueur, apple fennel shrub, lemon & club soda 🍋
– Mediterranean 75 — pomegranate vodka, lemon, mint honey & champagne 🍾
– Tzatziki — cucumber, mint, dill & pita 🥒
– Hummus — garlic, lemon, chickpea, tahini & zhoug pita 🫓
– Burrata — heirloom tomatoes, burrata cheese, basil pesto, olive oil & sea salt 🍅
– Saganaki — kefalograviera cheese, Greek honey & pita 🧀
– Crispy Zucchini Chips — fried with paprika spice, herbs & tzatziki (also on HH)✨
– Green Salad — artisan lettuce, cucumbers, fava beans, avocado, green onions, crispy goat cheese & red wine vinaigrette 🥗
– Churrasco — grilled teres major steak with mojo rojo & mojo verde 🥩
– Poussin Chicken — seared with roasted romanesco cauliflower, freekeh & chicken jus 🍗

It was so great coming out and experiencing everything Neo’s has to offer… especially since they’re also a winner in magazine! It was such a pleasure meeting the owners, Annalise & Kurt — you can really feel the hospitality and passion behind this place! 🤝

Special shout out to Edwin & David behind the café/bar and Brian in the main restaurant/bar- they all were so polite conversational and just a joy… great customer service!❤️

Can’t wait to come back!😍

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Back at Sophie’s BBQ — but this time at their NEW location inside Love City Brewing, in Manayunk🍖🍻✨

If you saw my last Sophie’s video, then you already know how much I love this place! So I’m VERY happy there’s now another location to enjoy all their amazing BBQ. Such a fun setup too — cool vintage feel with games, TV’s, etc! It is the perfect spot to hang with friends, watch Philly sports, or to grab drinks + a good meal! 🙌

Sips & Bites 🤤:
– Logan Circle — jalapeño-infused tequila, passionfruit, lime & bubbly blanc 🍹
– Love City Lager — American golden lager 🍺
– High Hopes Nachos — loaded with brisket, cooper cheese, candied jalapeños & Alabama white sauce 🧀
– BBQ Platters — one with chicken, mac & cheese & coleslaw / one with pulled pork, mac & cheese & coleslaw 🐖
– St. Louis Ribs 🔥

Everything was SO amazing (per usual)! Definitely check out this new Manayunk location. 👌

Thank you again to for having me! 💖

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PhillyFoodie

Back again at Craftsman Row Saloon in Jewelers Row, Philly! 🌸🇺🇸✨

This isn’t my first time here and definitely won’t be my last! This restaurant has some of the BEST themed pop-ups year-round — Halloween, Christmas, and more — and I seriously love it every time. They always go ALL out with the decor and it really makes the experience.😍

This newest pop-up, “Celebrating Philadelphia,” combines a gorgeous floral spring theme with American & Philly history in such a fun, creative way. The whole restaurant is covered in blooms, botanical details, and colorful spring vibes.🌷

Most of what we ordered was from their regular menu, but we also tried items from their current specialty menu, “Taste of American History”. It is inspired by different eras of American culture, which is such a cool concept! 🙌

Sips & Bites 😝:
– Gummy Bear Shots — raspberry vodka, peach schnapps & gummy bears 🧸
– Hot Honey Peach Margarita — tequila, peach, lime & hot honey syrup 🍑
– Blue Moon Beer 🍺
– Mozzarella Sticks — Doritos crust & marinara 🧀
– Hot Honey Chicken Mac — fried chicken, mac & cheese, sriracha honey on a Martin’s potato roll 🍗
– Disco Fries — mozzarella & gravy fries from the Disco Era (1970s–1990s) section of the Taste of American History menu 🪩
– Pretzel Bun Burger — smashed patties, LTO, American cheese & beer cheese from the Cocktail Renaissance Era (2000s–Present) section of the Taste of American History menu 🍔
– The Brotherly Love Milkshake — local vanilla ice cream, Tastykake, Peanut Chews, pretzel stick & more (also feels very Philly!) 🍨
– Gettin’ Chippy With It — cookie dough ice cream & chocolate chip cookies 🍪

Such a fun Philly experience with so much thought behind it — amazing themes, comfort food, and cocktails. Already excited to see what they do next! 🤩

Thank you to for this opportunity! 🙏

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Omakase at Hiramasa in Newtown Square, PA 🍣✨

Wow — what a unique hidden gem! This place is tucked inside a shopping center in Newtown Square, and you’d never expect it — the space is absolutely gorgeous and feels so elevated from the moment you walk in! 😍

My friend did the regular omakase, and since I’m not the biggest seafood person, they tailored the omakase for me with more meat and vegetarian options — which I really appreciated. Everything was still so creative and delicious. Huge shoutout to Kevin, our omakase chef, who was so kind and made the experience even better! It’s so cool sitting there watching them — they’re truly like artists plating everything. Each dish felt so refined and beautifully done.👌

We tried a ton of food, but here are some favorites 🤩:
– Crispy Brussels Sprouts — chili tamarind, crispy shallots & veggies 🥬
– Grilled Octopus — paprika, potato, olives & pancetta vinaigrette 🐙
– Spring Rolls — pork, jicama & wood ear mushroom 🍄‍🟫
– Blistered Shish*to — dashi butter & lemon zest 🌶️
– Karashi Curry Lamb Chop — pistachio sesame crust & Japanese curry 🥩
– Beef Fried Rice 🍚

Everything was creative, flavorful, and beautifully done — such an elevated Delco experience, which isn’t always easy to find! 😜

I really can’t wait to come back! 🥢

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Trying La Catrachita in the Italian Market neighborhood of Philly🔥🌮

A no-frills spot serving up bold, flavorful eats — everything was hearty, packed with flavor, and super satisfying. They also have other storefronts and food trucks, and this location is open 24/7, which is a game changer.🤤

What We Tried 😍:
– Watermelon & Pineapple Juice 🍉🍍
– Torta Cubana — loaded with fried eggs, hot dog, ham, chicken or beef, guacamole, cheese, mayo, beans, tomatoes & pickled chilies 🥪
– Birria Ramen — noodles in rich birria broth with beef, melted mozzarella, onions & cilantro 🍜
– Birria Tacos (shrimp, chicken & beef) — stuffed with shredded meat, cheese & served with consommé 🌮
– Tres Leches🥛
– Homemade Flan 🍮

Everything was fresh, filling, and FULL of flavor — perfect for a late night treat or whenever you want a good bite. 👌

📍 1201 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA — open 24/7 at this location

Lunch at Mama’s Falafel near Rittenhouse Square, in Philadelphia 🥙✨

A casual, no-frills spot serving up fresh Israeli favorites — and everything tasted homemade. From the falafel to the pita to the sauces, you can really taste the quality.

What I Tried 😍:
– Mama’s Falafel Sandwich — home-made fried falafel balls 🧆
– Eggplant Sandwich — sliced & fried eggplant 🍆
– Latke Sandwich — mixed veggie patty 🥕
– Sabich Sandwich — eggplant & hard-boiled egg 🥚

All sandwiches were stuffed with hummus, tomato, cucumber, cabbage, spices & tahina — super fresh and filling. 🍅

We also had:
– Fries with tahina 🍟
– Pita with hummus + chickpeas (you can also do fava beans) 🫘
– Hand-pressed carrot juice 🥕

One of the best parts — the complimentary salad bar with different sauces, pickled vegetables, homemade pita crisps, and more. I especially loved the pickled jalapeños 🔥

The original Mama’s Vegetarian closed in 2020, and this new Mama’s Falafel opened in 2024 in the same location. While it’s not affiliated with the original owners, they’re still serving up fresh, flavorful classics. 🙌

Such a great casual feel-good lunch spot in Philly.🤪

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PhillyLunch FoodieFinds HiddenGem VegetarianEats PhillyRestaurants

Pizza and more at Barclay Pies in Cherry Hill, NJ 🍕🩷💚

Such a cute spot with the prettiest green and pink aesthetic! Not only was it adorable, but the food was AWESOME. Everything is homemade — from the ranch to the marinara — and it truly shows in the flavor and quality! They’re known for their ingredient-focused menu and also have great gluten-free and vegan options, with separate ovens for GF pies. 😍

It was so great to come out and try Barclay Pies, especially since they’re also a winner in magazine! I met one of the owners and he was amazing — such a pleasure to chat with and connect! 🤝

What We Tried 🍽️:
– Pepperoni Pie — cup & char, honey & basil 🍯
– Buffalo Chicken Pie — housemade buffalo & ranch, roasted chicken 🐓
– Broccoli Pie — cooper sharp, sausage & pepper relish 🥦
– Mozzarella Sticks — housemade, marinara (GF) 🧀
– Tender Basket — fries, pickles & house ranch (GF) 🍗
– Buffalo Wings — cayenne, brown butter & honey 🔥
– Caesar Salad — romaine, shaved parm & GF croutons 🥗
– Arugula Salad — lemon, chickpeas, quinoa, cucumber & pecorino (GF) 🍋
– A Really Good Cookie — white chocolate, strawberry & sprinkles ( in collaboration with )🍓
– The Chocolate One — chewy chocolate cookie w/ vegan marshmallow hunks ( in collaboration with )🍫

Everything was thoughtfully made — such a great spot in Cherry Hill whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or just love really good food. 👌

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