BBQ 101: How To Impress Your Barbecue Guests

Whether it's a small gathering of family members or an invitation extended to friends and neighbors, entertaining can take on a delightfully casual approach when it's done outdoors. Add instant sophistication to a casual atmosphere with these entertaining and grilling tips guaranteed to impress every guest.

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.

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