Pumpkins are everywhere in Philadelphia these days. There’s Pumpkin, the BYOB. There’s Pumpkin Cafe, a little eat-in and take-out cafe. And there’s Pumpkin Market, the cute little local produce and goods market across the street from the Cafe. Don’t let the signs fool you, they switched and forgot to change them. The market is the cafe, and the cafe is the market.

We ate at the cafe the other day for lunch. There’s a few little tables outside and a few little tables inside. It seems like it’s more of a take-out place. I’d been wanting a smoothie, so I got one. It was just ok. Too tart. I also got a meatball sandwich, which was great. It was a bit strange in that it didn’t come on a long roll, but a kaiser type roll, but it was good nonetheless. J got some kind of chicken sandwich (sorry I forgot, and I didn’t feel like taking pics) and an iced coffee. They have simple syrup for iced drinks here, so a big check in the positive category in my eyes. One of these days, I’ll actually have to go to the BYOB. I’ve heard very good things about it. And if it’s anything like the cafe or market, I’m sure it will be good.

Pumpkin Cafe
1609 South Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19146
(215) 545-1173

While waiting for my flight, I dined at SEATAC at Pallino. It’s a fast food pasta joint. It’s a local chain. They have pizza here, but this ain’t no Sbarro. I got penne a la vodka and also got a chopped salad to go.
The pasta comes in some fancy takeout ware. It was fine, but nothing exciting. One thing annoying were their forks. I know they were trying to be stylish, but really, this wasn’t a fork, it was a mini plastic trident. And it was nearly impossible to actually pick up pasta with it. I ended up having to spear the pastas from the open ends. Too much work if you ask me.

I had to leave sometime, and on the morning of my drive back to SEATAC, to come back to the good old EC, I hopped across the street to Doug Fir. It’s a restaurant, lounge, bar, and live music venue, which looks like a total woodsy lodge. Can we say, timber?
It’s kitchy, but I like it. How can you hate on those deer and duck wall hangings? And that phat fireplace? I could totally have drinks here…
Well, I was here for breakfast, and damn early I may say. Actually, I opened up the place. I was physically the only customer in the entire place. I guess people aren’t eating out at 7AM these days. I ordered the french connection, which was croissant french toast. It was 2 croissants, split in half, and made into french toast. Really quite decadent. Served with maple syrup or a fruit compote, and I just went with the syrup. It was incredibly sweet, but just what I needed. Service was good, as I had the server all to myself. I don’t actually think she was a server. I think she worked in the kitchen, but she waited on me anyway. She was incredibly nice. And look at this horribly cheesy bathroom.