Around the Block: 12/9/2022

December 12, 2022 BY JEFF CITY BLOCK

New Philly restaurants, our new and current listings, and Philly happenings. If you’d like to discuss real estate or anything in this newsletter please send me an email: [email protected]. This edition of Around the Block was originally published on Friday, 12/9/22.

12/9/2022

Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block

Photo from @matines_cafe on Instagram

New Philly Restaurants

Early December—the days are short, typically cold (not so much this year), and holiday parties abound. Christmas trees and menorahs are going up. Everyone gearing up for their holiday plans.

Meanwhile, after an awesome week with the family in San Diego, I am so glad to be in Philly and back to work. And with respect to work, the real estate market has better than typical action for December but is limited in scope. Here’s what I mean: while buyer demand is pretty typical for December, the listing supply is really low. And the result is a market that has some good activity but is also limited. Properties that are priced too high will sit. Properties that are priced well will get action and ultimately sell at a solid price (that is, one that the buyer may think is too high and the seller too low😊). And properties that are most desirable (great neighborhood and space, parking, outdoor space, etc.) should sell fast and at a premium. Give the buyers what they want!

Now last week I went on and on about how much I love San Diego, and it is certainly a fun and sunny place. But my heart is in Philly, and this week I will do one of my periodic summaries of new restaurant openings in the City. As is often the case, my comments are based on a Michael Klein piece from the Inquirer. The long-time Table Talk columnist is Philly’s expert on openings, closings, and happenings in the restaurant scene. (As I am writing this, I am realizing that Michael’s column is no longer called Table Talk and seemingly shed that moniker quite a few years ago. I have been reading Table Talk since I was a young lawyer in the mid-90s, though apparently for the past several years, at least, I have been reading Let’s Eat and just the general Klein food column. I even signed up for Let’s Eat and didn’t realize it. Anyway, different name, same great information on the restaurant scene.) I mean seriously, check out this quality stuff.

Also, let me point out that I subscribe to Inquirer.com’s digital edition, and it remains a really high-quality local newspaper. I grew up with the Inky and Daily News, and have been reading them for 40+ years. For Philly news, food, happenings, and sports, Inquirer.com is well worth the $200/year (after your “special offer,” of course).

By the way, I have no affiliation with the Inquirer, nor do I know Michael Klein personally. I am just a Philadelphian who appreciates the content. Anyway, “What’s new in Philly-area dining? Here are nearly 40 new or soon-to-open restaurants .” Is it always this way, or are there more restaurants than usual sporting the ampersand these days?

Speaking about Char & Stave, we finally have a few new places coming to the Northwest, which sadly, seems to be pretty rare. In addition to C&S (a coffee and cocktail pop-up in Chestnut Hill, with the full brick & mortar coming this summer), we have Chestnut Hill’s Matines Café (an all-day French café) and Mt Airy’s Bar Lizette (coming soon). Okay, now Bar Lizette is the only place listed in this article without a link, so pretty much all I can tell you is that it is down the block from the 7111 Germantown Condominium (16 condos sold, only three remain available. See below) and it will serve elevated Alsatian-inspired food. Food from the Alsace region of France sounds like it could be awesome. Can’t wait. But here is the craziest thing that Google taught me today: “The German Shepherd is a breed of dog also known as an Alsatian in the UK.” Get out of here. Is this true? I never knew that.

Matines Café is featured in this Michael Klein article and the owners have a really interesting story of how they ended up in Philly. Basically, they could have gone anywhere, discovered Philly inadvertently, loved it, and set up shop (literally)! Also, featured in this piece, J’aime French Café at the corner of 17th & Pine. Besides their well-worth-it buttery croissants, I like this story because I listed this building last year when the J’aime proprietor bought it. It was a complex deal, and I’m glad this property could add so much to the neighborhood.

Bagels & Co. will join the new Samuel’s Deli (with its great bagels) on the 1500 block of Sansom and the beloved Kismet is opening this week on the 1700 block. That is some quality dough in Rittenhouse.

Two new vegan spots in Queen Village, Algorithm off 5th & South, and Fitz on 4th (the name is the address). I grew up a few blocks from these spots and it brings me back to my 1970s-80s childhood memories when there were not really vegan places around at all, except for one—Essene Market at 4th & Monroe, within a block or two of these two newcomers. We used to go to Essene all the time though I have not been there in many, many years at this point. Anyway, brings me full circle decades later with the whole Queen Village vegan jawn.

Ok, too many restaurants for me to mention, so check out the rest in Michael Klein’s article as well as his other pieces, and of course restaurant critic Craig LaBan and all of the Inquirer’s great food coverage.

Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Properties

WASH WEST

504 S 11th Street #36

New Listing

2 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,166 SF | Character | Updated Kitchen and Baths | $385,000

Updated, warm and wonderful 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath bi-level condominium residence in perfect Wash West location.

Comfortable. Eclectic. Character. Not cookie cutter. Updated kitchen and baths. Hardwood floors throughout. Large, open living room with wood-burning fireplace.

Beautifully situated across the street from popular Seger Park (dog park, playground, etc). Superb location. One block to Whole Foods and Acme (and available monthly garage parking). Close to all the restaurants and shopping of Wash West, Midtown Village, Bella Vista, Italian Market, Rittenhouse Square, Center City Business District, hospitals, tons of SEPTA options, and everything Center City has to offer.

NOTE: This home is part of the desirable Washington Mews Condominium Association, but with a private, townhome-like 11th Street entrance.

View full listing here

SOCIETY HILL

504 S Hancock Street

Brand New Listing

2 BD | Office | 1 BA | 802 SF | Renovated Kitchen | Excellent Light | Gated Courtyard | $360,000

Perfectly cute. 2 bedroom plus office, extended trinity in a gated brick courtyard in an awesome Society Hill location, less than one block from Headhouse Square and its awesome Farmers’ Market.

Exposed brick, hardwood floors, high ceilings, excellent light. The renovated eat-in-kitchen is a lovely space. It is in the lower level and offers surprisingly nice light. Central air (just replaced in 2022), Nice closets and storage.

Most convenient location—easy walk to so many restaurants and coffee shops, groceries, shopping, Spruce Harbor Park, the new Delaware River Trail, and more.

View full listing here

Philly Fun This Week

Food and Drink Events

Try delicious food from the new chef in residency, Chef Chance Anies, at Volvér. Chef Anies. comes from Tabachoy and brings the Filipino flavor with a menu that includes pork monggo, embutido meatballs, and leche flan.
Head to Center City to taste delicious Georgian cuisine at the brand-new restaurant Sakartvelo. One of the classic Georgian options to try is the Khachapuri cheese bread.
Participate in a festive holiday potions class at the Cauldron, a fantasy-inspired bar in Center City. During this class, guests will pour drinks using a wand, wear wizard robes, and learn to make two “potions” of their choosing. The class also comes with a welcome mug of mulled wine and a candy cane shot.

Photograph from sakartvelo-restaurant.business.site & content courtesy of uwishunu and thephiladelphiacitizen.org.

Festive Fun this Week and Live Performances

Catch a performance of The Nutcracker from now until December 28th at the Academy of Music. Once again the Philadelphia Ballet brings back its annual production of George Balanchine’s well-loved ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score.
Catch a micro version of the Fringe festival that includes unique performances of surprising, interactive, experimental, and physical, theater by Linnea Bond, Almanac Dance Theatre, Shavon Norris, and more. The Miniball Festival runs from now until December 18th and all performances are at Christ Church Neighborhood House.

Photograph from uwishunu & content courtesy of uwishunu and thephiladelphiacitizen.org.

Featured Listings

SOCIETY HILL

504 S Hancock Street

BRAND NEW LISTING

2 BD | 1 BA | 802 SF | $360,000

WASH WEST

504 S 11th Street #36

NEW LISTING

2 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,166 SF | $385,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

632 S 51st Street

NEW LISTING

4 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,792 SF | $429,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

331 S 46th Street

6 BD | 4 BA | 5,195 SF | $1,150,000

SOCIETY HILL

300 Spruce Street

3 BD | 3 BA | 3,444 SF | $1,750,000

FAIRMOUNT-ART MUSEUM

2832 Ogden Street

4 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,920 SF | $655,000

MOUNT AIRY

7111 Germantown Avenue

New Construction

$340,000 – $1,200,000

MOYAMENSING

1933 S 6th Street

NEW PRICE

5 BD | 5 BA | 3,250 SF | $599,000

SOCIETY HILL

742 Lombard Street

3 BD | 2 BA | 1,446 SF | $725,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

349 S 47th Street #A310

2 BD | 2 BA | 1,481 SF | $325,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4215 Regent Square

5 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,710 SF | $699,000

ACADEMY GARDENS

3405 Primrose Road

NEW PRICE

3 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,224 SF | $285,000

NEWBOLD

1413 S Chadwick Street

NEW PRICE

3 BD | 3 BA | 2,340 SF | $495,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4614 Paschall Avenue

NEW PRICE

4 BD | 4.5 BA | 2,800 SF | $598,000

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Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?

As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.

Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.

Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU, matines_cafe, sakartvelo-restaurant.business.site, and Canva.

Office: 212-913-9058

Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

New Philly Restaurants

Spotlight Properties

504 S 11th Street #36

504 S Hancock Street

Philly Fun This Week

Featured Listings

Moving? Discover the value of your home.