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Outsiders may consider South Philly one, big neighborhood, but in these parts those words may create a heated argument. In this neighborly competition, only one community could claim supremacy, and the Readers’ Choice Award goes to East Passyunk Avenue.
“It’s been a big year for East Passyunk, and we are so excited and grateful for being voted the Readers’ Choice for best neighborhood,” Renee Gilinger, East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District executive director, said.
The shopping, dining and residential strip better known as “the avenue” features a little something for patrons of all ages. Twenty-one of the neighborhood’s eateries joined together for East Passyunk Avenue’s first-ever Restaurant Week Feb. 24 to March 2. The Easter Egg Hunt (March 23), Flavors of the Avenue (April 27) and Italian Festival and Craft Beer Day (June 2) are other events on tap this spring.
“One of the best parts about East Passyunk is the balance of the old and the new. Within just a few blocks we have a 100-year-old cheese shop, chic boutiques with one-of-a-kind fashion-forward clothes and accessories, organic locally-made specialty groceries, stylish salons, vintage clothes and furniture, communion gowns and suits, a craft beer store and the last full-service kids’ shoe store in the region,” Gilinger said. “I’m not sure all of this exists on one corridor anywhere else in the city.”
2013 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: Gravy/sauce
Geno’s Steaks: French fries / cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
Johnny Chang’s: Sushi
Nick’s Old Original Roast Beef: Roast beef sandwich
City Pizza: Pizza toppings
Green Eggs Café: Sunday brunch
Penrose Diner: Waffles
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Business luncheon/banquet
FrancoLuigi’s Pizzeria: Romantic outing
Ristorante Pesto: Italian restaurant
Cantina Los Cabalitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Noir: New restaurant
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli (tie)
Potito’s Bakery: Cannoli (tie) / cupcakes
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Lerro’s Candy Co.: Candy store
Staying Active
DanceAdelphia: Dance studio
Girard Academic Music Program: Music program
Marconi Plaza: Place to walk your dog
Stickball: Schoolyard/street game
Guerin Recreation Center: Recreation Center
Wake Up Yoga: Place to take a yoga class
Places
East Passyunk Avenue: Neighborhood
Pennsylvania Burial Co.: Funeral home
Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School: School
St. Monica: Church
Ten Pennies: Florist
Chickie’s and Pete’s: Place to enjoy a game
Sports
Frank Natale: High school coach
Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School Saints: High school team
Citizens Bank Park: Pro sports venue
Chase Utley: Current Philly pro athlete
Ed Snider: Philly pro sports owner
And the Rest
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
Councilman Mark Squilla: Politician
Social Scene: South Philly Review section
Disc jockey: Category not on this list
Packer Park settled for second, while the Italian Market bagged third.
Contact Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com or ext. 121.
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