BBQ 101: Gas Grill Not Getting Hot, Checking the Regulator

So you start up your grill and you can't get it up to temperature anymore when it use to reach 500°F to 550°F, but now it only stays around 250°F? What to do, relax you may just have inadvertently caused your grill to go into what’s known as “bypass mode” by activating the gas control safety device on the regulator.

Rittenhouse Square (Center City, West of Broad Street)

Rittenhouse Square (Center City, West of Broad Street)

Breakfast:

• a.kitchen – Simple, modern food at the elegant, understated breakfast-through-dinner spot, known for its artisan bread program. Yes, Wi-Fi. 135 S. 18^th Street, (215) 825-7030, akitchenandbar.com
• Parc Brasserie – Parisian bistro bustles at lunch, happy hour, and dinner and offers quiet morning dining: eggs, cocotte, and bread baskets. Good for groups. No Wi-Fi. 227 S. 18^th Street, (215) 545-2262, parc-restaurant.com

Lunch:

• DanDan – Authentic Sichuan and Taiwanese food for savvy, spice-loving eaters. Gluten-free and veggie options available. No Wi-Fi. 126 S. 16^th Street, (215) 800-1165, dandanrestaurant.com
• Oyster House – Classic, fresh seafood, including impressive raw bar, fried oysters, and chicken salad (Philly). No Wi-Fi. 1516 Sansom Street, (215) 567-7683, oysterhousephilly.com
• V Street – Casual bistro and bar for global street food; all vegan. Have the Korean tempeh tacos and Peruvian fries—closed Monday. No Wi-Fi. 126 S. 19^th Street, (215) 278-7943, vstreetfood.com

Late-Night Eats:

• The Dandelion – Sprawling, handsome, Brit-inspired pub pours Harp, Pimm’s Cups and bloodhounds, serves fish and chips, Welsh rarebit, deviled eggs, and shepherd’s pie. Good for groups. No Wi-Fi. Typically open until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; until midnight Friday and Saturday (hours extended for DNC). 124 S. 18^th Street, (215) 558-2500, thedandelionpub.com
• Little Pete’s – Classic 24-hour diner, popular after-hours for bacon cheeseburgers, fried chicken, eggs any way, and milkshakes. Cash only. No Wi-Fi. 219 S. 17^thStreet, (215) 545-5508
• Village Whiskey –Worth braving the crowds for a massive Whiskey King burger and a bourbon. No Wi-Fi. Typically open until 11 p.m. Monday; midnight Tuesday-Thursday; 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (hours extended for DNC). 118 S. 20^th Street, (215) 665-1088, villagewhiskey.com

Late-Night Drinks:

• The Franklin Bar – Upstairs-downstairs speakeasy: 1970s at street level, literary cocktailer-y below ground. No vodka. No Wi-Fi. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. nightly. 112 S. 18^th Street, (267) 467-3277 thefranklinbar.com
• Oscar’s Tavern – Circa-1972 dive with deep booths, awesome jukebox, cheap Yuengling Lager, 23-ounce Long Island iced teas, chicken wings, and fries. Good for groups. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. 1524 Sansom Street, (215) 972-9938

You Gotta Try:

• Federal Donuts – Cinnamon spice, strawberry lavender, chocolate eclair, and other flavored doughnuts; also some of the best-fried chicken this side of Korea. More locations throughout Philly. No Wi-Fi. 1632 Sansom Street, (215) 665-1101, federaldonuts.com

Philly's Best Eats & Drinks: Bella Vista & Italian Market

Bella Vista/Italian Market (Between 6^th & 11^th Streets, South Street to Washington Avenue)

Breakfast & Lunch:

• Famous 4^th Street Delicatessen –Classic, 90-something Jewish deli known for its popularity among pols—and its mammoth portions: huge omelets, baseball-sized matzoh balls, Frisbee-esque black-and-white cookies. No Wi-Fi. 700 S. 4^th Street, (215) 922-3274, famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com
• Fitzwater Cafe – Vintage gas station turned into quaint breakfast and lunch spot for airy French toast, crunchy-topped banana muffins, and roast pork sandwiches. No Wi-Fi. 728 S. 7^th Street, (215) 629-0428
• Sabrina’s Cafe –Fancier-than-a-diner spot is known for its breakfast-all-day menu of mega omelets, huge pancakes, and huge salads. Yes, Wi-Fi. 910 Christian Street, (215) 574-1599, sabrinascafe.com

Late-Night Food & Drink:

• The Good King Tavern –Bustling tribute to French pub fare; the glass or pitcher serves wine. Yes, Wi-Fi. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (menu until 1 a.m. daily) 614 S. 7^th Street, (215) 625-3700, thegoodkingtavern.com
• Royal Tavern –Awesome burgers, piled-high nachos, vegan Sloppy Joes and meatloaf sandwiches, lots of beers; always busy, usually loud. Yes, Wi-Fi. 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (menu until 1 a.m. daily). 937 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 389-6694, royaltavern.com

You Gotta Try:

• John’s Water Ice –Circa-1945 summertime tradition transforms lemons, pineapple or chocolate, plus sugar and frozen water, into water ice—known elsewhere as “Italian ice.” So. Refreshing. 701 Christian Street, (215) 925-6955, johnswaterice.com
• Di Bruno Brothers –Italian Market’s cheese, cured meats, and gourmet condiment shop (with newer Rittenhouse, Washington Square, and the Comcast Center). Request samples. 930 S. 9^th Street, (215) 922-2876, dibruno.com

East Passyunk (South Philadelphia, between Wells Fargo Center and Center City)

Breakfast & Lunch:

• Artisan Boulanger Patissier – Just-like-Paris baguettes, decadent chocolate (and pistachio) croissants, banh mi, and strong coffee (including Vietnamese iced). No Wi-Fi. 1218 Mifflin Street, (215) 271-4688
• Plenty –Cafe and bar, with an all-day menu of chorizo-and-egg sandwiches, pulled-pork panini, beet-cured salmon, and wine cocktails. Yes, Wi-Fi. 1710 E. Passyunk Avenue, (267) 909-8033, plentyphiladelphia.com
• South Philly Barbacoa –Authentic Mexican lamb tacos, right down to the tortillas made with home-ground masa. No Wi-Fi. 1703 S. 11^th Street, (215) 694-3767

Late-Night Food & Drinks:

• Cantina Los Caballitos – Modern Mexican—vegan fajitas, mahi mahi tacos, tequila flights and fresh-fruit margaritas inside and on the patio. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily (menu until 1 a.m.). 1651 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-3550, cantinaloscaballitos.com
• Garage – Canned craft beers, pinball, Skee-Ball, and a rotating food truck in an old auto repair shop. No Wi-Fi. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday; noon-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (food carts until 11 p.m.). 1231-1233 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 278-2429, garagephilly.com
• Pub On Passyunk East (P.O.P.E.) –Microbrews and a jukebox stuffed with early rock—hipster haven. The menu includes a fried tomato-topped burger and vegan cheesesteak. Yes, Wi-Fi. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily (menu until 1 a.m.). 1501 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-5125, pubonpassyunkeast.com

You Gotta Try:

• Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks – South Philly’s dueling landmark cheesesteak stands (Pat’s is the inventor), across the street from each other, both open 24/7. Pat’s, 1237 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 468-1546, patskingofsteaks.com; Geno’s: 1219 S. 9^th Street, (215) 389-0659, genosteaks.com