Suppa Natural
Suppa
1040 N. America St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 644-9324
www.timeforsuppa.com
After ten straight weekends of a strict jeans-and-tee-only schedule, all that's left in your closet are some empty wire hangers, a powder-blue prom tux, and the special-occasion suit only worn to job interviews and Cousin Janet's wedding. Instead of giving in and doing laundry, take that suit (or maybe just a nice pair of pants) for a ride with a night of wining, dining and pretending there's more to your savings account than residuals from Grandma's birthday checks.
Start at Suppa, a recently opened BYOB restaurant in Northern Liberties where you'd imagine impeccably dressed sophisticates drinking fine vintages from their wine cellars and discussing world affairs. That's not to say Suppa is all about white tablecloths and starched collars – in fact, it's quite the opposite since there are no tablecloths at all, just butcher block tables sanded and varnished by one of the owners.
More: Top BYOB Restaurants in Philadelphia
Matching the menu of comfort food with a diverse twist, the 26-seat eatery has a distinct neighborhood vibe, played up by details like benches made from old shipping pallets, bright blue walls, vintage signs, an overall abundance of wood and a front counter that looks like it's been artfully cobbled together from an old barn.
The menu of New American cuisine is focused on using seasonal, organic and local ingredients, with dishes like ancho chile short ribs with yucca puree and chimichurri sauce, dry-rubbed Angus rib-eye with roasted tomato risotto, and for the non-suit wearers, a "throwback" sloppy joe on an onion brioche bun with – gasp – tater tots.
More: E.S.P. Eat. See. Play. Philadelphia
All that comes together to create a dining experience worth putting your suit on for – as long as it's not the powder blue one.
By Arielle Sachar