Little Vittles

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Published: Jul 1, 2008

It started out like any other day — Valerie Blum was in her kitchen toying with recipes for Lutécia, her quaint Gallic café on the corner of 23rd and Lombard (215-790-9557). Little did she know she was about to concoct a minor taste sensation. "We didn't use to make it as much," says Blum of her tomato bisque, "but people like it." What started as an occasional soup du jour became, thanks to overwhelming demand, an everyday menu item that always seems to run out well before closing time. It's not hard to understand why — the soup is rich and smooth, and leaves the spoon with a final tangy kick. (The secret, Blum confides, is a dash of piment d' Espelette, a pepper from a small town in France.) In a true testament to the bisque's popularity, they offer it throughout the summer. And yes, it still sells out in 90-degree weather. —Cecilia Razak

Before, I would have destroyed anyone who claimed Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets could be improved. A former CP intern almost got fired for suggesting these exquisite iced sponge cakes were "like a Twinkie." (Sorry, Holly.) But behold this glorious variety I recently came across. Just as Krimpet-y and just as butterscotchy — but now they're bringing me closer to Mr. Chase Utley, one icing-covered wrapper at a time. According to Tastykake.com, sending in 10 wrappers will qualify you for a chance at a "meet and greet" with either Utley or some guy named Nick Markakis. Naturally, we'll assume that "meet and greet" means "marry and buy kittens with." Even if I don't win, I still get to eat Chase 'kakes and say things like, "I had Chase Utley for breakfast today" or "I had Chase Utley for dessert last night." Really, any time of day or meal works here. —Monica Weymouth

Every circle has one — the "boo-hoo, fish doesn't fill me up!" friend who regularly thwarts your maki expeditions with his provincial view of sushi's appetite-squelching powers. Make that chump weep into his soy sauce dish with Vic Sushi's phenomenal protein roll, a heartier-than-thou combination of spicy tuna, white tuna, crab, avocado and pucker-worthy green apple wrapped in gorgeous canary-yellow soy paper and topped with roe and a spicy mayo-based sauce. "Light" would not be the right word to describe this guy, but it's not as devastatingly rich as it sounds, especially when you catch the crunch of that tart pomme. If there is a roll to consume before hitting the free weights, this is it. (2035 Sansom St., 215-564-4339, vicsushibar.com). —Drew Lazor

A Taste of Philly (atasteofphillybakery.com) has been cranking out pretzels for nearly a decade, but the franchise has expanded in recent months, with new stores cropping up in Dresher and in Woodbury, N.J. Aside from braids, nuggets and sticks, AToP offers a variety of gourmet pretzels, priced at a reasonable $1.75 a pop, that are often overlooked in favor of the plain-but-pleasing original. Pecan crumb is freshly powdered, while the salt and butter is unctuous and simple. Sour cream and onion begins with a garlic coating and ends with a rich dairy aftertaste. The zingy flavor of cinnamon sugar is a time-tested delight. And with additional store openings on the horizon, more outside-Philly residents will get the opportunity to delve into these crisp twistings. —Mark Maurer

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