Are you looking for a great spot to go and hang out with your friends?  Are you looking for that great spot to be in the NEast?  Well look no further, because Cafe MichelAngelo at 11901 Bustleton Ave. is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.   Providing great service, fabulous food and a cozy ,warm environment even on the outside patio area, MichelAngelo’s is the place to be.  Prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic. continue reading »

Looking for a casual evening out?  Why not try Gearo’s in Bustleton, located at 1913 Welsh Rd. Open seven days a week, this laid back eatery is great for relaxing either for lunch or dinner.

When its first location closed after 41 years of service, Gearo’s worked hard to make the second location on Welsh Road as warm and inviting as possible.  There is usually plenty of parking, and street parking is usually readily available if needed as well.  The dishes offered are very ordinary and while they are tasty, there is not much to write home about. continue reading »

With the last of the snow melted away and the cold air giving way to a crisp cool breeze, you can feel Spring is here.  The trees have begun to show buds and flowers are popping up everywhere, putting people into a good mood now that the cold weather and hassle of a very snowy winter has disappeared.

Everywhere in stores people are getting ready for Easter with signs of bunnies, flowers and pastel colors.  What better time of season then to celebrate with family and friends by baking a delicious Carrot Cake?

Carrot Cake is a sweet and decadent delicacy that is less fating and better for your diet than other cakes.  Your prep time for this cake will be around 20 minutes and baking time is about 40 minutes depending upon your oven.  This delicious cake can serve up to 16 people but you may want to bake two, as people are sure to want seconds. continue reading »

One word to describe Nick’s Roast Beef: WOW!  Nick’s is open until 2 a.m. all week long and is always ready to serve up a hot, tasty and mouthwatering roast beef sandwich that will keep you coming back for years.

Located on Cottman Avenue between Bustleton and Castor, this large yet scrumptious restaurant is definitely worth a visit.  You are welcome to dine in the restaurant area, which is very casual, or hold a banquet in the large hall which, can seat anywhere from 40 people to 100 people.  There is also a spacious bar area that is great for relaxing and unwinding with friends.  Drinks are very reasonably priced, as is the rest of the menu.  Specials are offered throughout the week for happy hour and into the late evening. continue reading »

What’s better than hot chocolate on a snowy day after shoveling?  How about making some hot, creamy potato soup to warm you from the inside out.

Made fresh and fast, this is a wonderful delicacy for any household in the very white winter months this season.  Kids usually love the taste without realizing they are eating something wholesome, and adults can’t get enough of this filling soup.

Push the snow aside and pull up a bowl of delicious hot potato soup that only takes about 30 to 45 minutes to cook and can feed up to eight people.

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Some say the best part of waking up is coffee, but how about a muffin to fill the stomachs of those those on the run?

If you are looking for a quick, easy breakfast pick-me-up, or a simple snack for the afternoon munchies, this Merry Muffin recipe is for you.  It only takes about 20-25 minutes to prepare and cook and can make 12 regular sized muffins or 24 mini muffins.

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Now that the holidays are over and life has resumed its daily hustle and bustle, why not give your family a treat that is quick and tasty.  For those of you out there who love seasoning and spicy food, this is a great recipe for you.

If you have a milder palate, just lower certain spices and the dish will still come out scrumptious.

This Spicy Pepper Steak and Rice dish will take you only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.  More great news is that it will definitely stay in your budget, and still have your family and friends praising your culinary skills. continue reading »

In the mood for sushi but not in the mood to head to Center City?  Makiman Sushi restaurant right on Oxford Avenue near Rising Sun Avenue is the perfect dining destination to satisfy your sushi cravings.  Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, this casual, cozy little Japanese eatery offers takeout in addition to sit-down meals.

The restaurant itself is very small, but it does have a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even if you’re not in the mood for sushi, Makiman offers a variety of cooked Japanes-style dishes. But I would highly recommend getting the sushi dishes.

The seafood at Makiman is fresh and delicious, prepared well and doesn’t leave a bad after taste in your mouth. The service was wonderful, timely and friendly.  Unlike other sushi bar, where there is often a long wait for food, at Makiman, my food was prepared and served in a very acceptable fashion. continue reading »

Food For Thought will take a break this week for the holidays. If you’re in need of a last-minute dessert recipe for the holiday, try this one for Lemon Meringue Pie.

Have a safe and tasty holiday!

Food For Thought is a NEast restaurant review column written by Donna Ward that runs every other Thursday on NEastPhilly.com. See all of Donna’s reviews here. Read other NEastPhilly columns here.

In the mood for a quick bite or some fantastic pizza?  Montesini’s on Frankford Avenue in the Mayfair Shopping Center has delicious food at very affordable prices.  Whether you are in the mood for pizza shop fast food, or a sit-down, relaxed, casual dining experience, Montesini’s can accommodate.  Parking shouldn’t be too much trouble with the abundance of the shopping center spaces, but beware: with the holidays rapidly approaching, the malls are becoming more crowded.

Very small and common, Montesini’s may not impress you much by its look or décor, but taking the advice of an old adage “never judge a book by its cover,” you will be pleasantly surprised by the taste of the food.  The staff manages to keep the restaurant relatively tidy and the silverware and flatware is clean, which is always a good sign.  The service is very friendly and fast.  I ordered my food, and in less than 10 minutes it was at my table prepared steaming hot. continue reading »