4708 Baltimore Ave., 215-726-6464, www.dahlakrestaurant.com
VIENTIANE CAFÉ: This charming family-owned BYO restaurant is the best place for Laotian cuisine, thanks to the skills of matriarch chef Daovy Phanthavong and her sous chef/daughter Manny (a Restaurant School grad) in the kitchen. Similar to Thai food, with a few borrowed elements from the Vietnamese table, try the fresh rice paper spring rolls, green papaya salad and homemade pork seasoned with lemongrass, and Kaffir lime leaves, with sticky rice on the side. Everything is a delicious bargain.
4728 Baltimore Ave., 215-726-1095.
THE GOLD STANDARD: The new incarnation of the Gold Standard, a name that graying Penn alumni remember from 1979, is a sunny, art-filled corner spot owned by Roger Harman and Vincent Whittacre, familiar from past restaurants including The Palladium and Abbraccio. Harmon, a longtime neighborhood resident and community supporter, created a comfortable meeting spot with the emphasis on casual American fare, fresh salads and fetching baked goods from chef Richard Dematt, formerly of Marigold Kitchen.
4800 Baltimore Ave., 215-727-8427, www.abbracciorestaurant.com.
ELENA's SOUL SHOWCASE LOUNGE & CAFE: This up and coming hot spot, recently purchased by local Algernong Allen, used to be Leroy's Showcase Lounge, a happening spot in the '70s. Allen spruced up the place and added a budget-priced soul food menu including fried trout, chicken wings, pork chops and sides of mac and cheese, collards, cabbage and the like. Live music and DJs play just about every night, with blues on Tuesdays and jam sessions most Thursdays and Saturdays. The place has a seriously cool vibe.
4912 Baltimore Ave., 215-724-3043, www.elenassoul.com.
DOCK STREET BREWERY AND RESTAURANT: What could be better than drinking locally brewed beer in an old firehouse? That's the scene at Dock Street, where inventive beers rule, the crowd is always eclectic and the menu includes crispy wood-fired pizza and one of the best (grass-fed) burgers in town. Great people watching from the tables out front.
701 S. 50th, 214-726-2337, www.dockstreetbeer.com.
SATELLITE CAFÉ: Adjacent to Dock Street, this crunchy Boho coffee bar and eatery offers vegan specialties (black bean wrap anyone?), salads, smoothies and desserts. Try the Bike Shop bagel (there's a bike store upstairs), made with pesto, cream cheese, spinach and roasted red peppers. Delish.
701 S. 50th St., 215-729-1211.
For more info about Baltimore Avenue dining, visit www.ucityphila.org/baltave.
