River Ward steps up
Long an area to watch, this place has some serious eats
There’s a buzz up north. The River Ward hoods of Fishtown, Port Richmond and Kensington are getting serious about their dining revival. New coffee shops dot old storefronts, and bistros are opening while old stand-by restaurants are being discovered by a new crop of residents — as well as an increasing number from outside the area.
Philadelphia food writer Rick Nichols is celebrating Port Richmond’s culinary delicacies on Saturday, March 28 with a guided tour. The 12-block walking tour of the old Polish neighborhood will feature samples of goulash, pierogies, sauerkraut sausage stew and more.
It’s presented by First Person Arts (267-402-2055, 
www.edibleworld.firstpersonarts.org).
The connection between old and new in the “Port Fishington” area is made daily at Memphis Taproom (2331 E. Cumberland St., 215-425-4460, www.memphistaproom.com). Here, a kielbasy grinder and a “Port Richmond Platter” of kielbasy, pierogies and potato pancakes share the menu with classic gastropub staples as well as an international beer selection that takes a back seat to no one in the city.
In the River Ward, eating local can mean eating food that literally comes from around the corner. Greensgrow Farms (2501 E. Cumberland St., 215-427-2702, www.greensgrow.org) is a pioneer in urban farming and a valuable resource for local restaurants.
One of the restaurants looking to take advantage of the urban farm is Pickled Heron (2218 Frankford Ave., www.thepickledheron.com), which will be opening in Fishtown. Owners Todd Braley and Daniela D’Ambrosio are the quintessential chef couple, meeting in the kitchen at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia.
When it opens, the Pickled Heron will have seating for 50, and a peek at the menu reveals housemade charcuterie, steak frites, beer-braised lamb ribs, sweet potato gnocchi and pan-seared skate.
The couple is hoping to be open in time for the first ever River Ward Restaurant Week (www.riverwardrestaurants .com), which is set to run April 25-30. Participating restaurants — which include Bistro Juliana, Ida Mae’s, Jovan’s Place, O’Reilly’s Pub, Sketch Burger, Hot Potato Café, Hinge Café, Johnny Brenda’s, Cassizzi’s Pizzeria, Green Rock Tavern and Mercer Café — will offer fixed price menus or options from $10 to $30.
And really, nothing says you’ve arrived like a restaurant week.
Arthur Etchells is a local food blogger. Read more at www.foobooz.com.
Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages.