Makings of a solid evening in Fishtown

Here is an excerpt from Craig LaBan's online chat of July 26, 2016:

Craig LaBan: What's been making your meals exciting since we last spoke? How are you surviving the crowds, the protest- and motorcade-driven traffic jams, not to mention the heat? Has your dining itinerary been crimped or unaffected (so far) by the big events?

Reader: I've got a couple [pictures] of some Pizzeria Beddia pies that will make you drool, thanks to my friend who waited in the downpour on Saturday to reserve our pies. We passed the hours at Frankford Hall, and the pizza was ready right when Joe said it would be. Followed up with a nice digestif at Lloyd, and it was a solid evening in Fishtown.

C.L.: That sounds like a perfect Fishtown evening. Need to plan a long drink somewhere in order to make that Beddia timing work. Only problem is I usually have a hard time not eating too much while I'm waiting . . . usually at Johnny Brenda's. Easier to resist at Frankford Hall. Good call. Also, nice move east down Girard to one of the best-quality value bars in town. Though lots of nice amari now on the list at Wm. Mulherin's, too.

Reader: I'm curious what you think the top five burgers in Philly are at the moment. Back in November, you highlighted KQ as a best burger "contender" . . . but I was slightly disappointed when I had it.

C.L.: Sorry to hear the KQ didn't work for you. I'd certainly still count it in my current Top 5. The P&K, the Whetstone, too. I'd also put the Hungry Pigeon's lunch burger way near the top. Flat-patty perfection. But also Rex1516 is one of the best burger artisans in town right now. The CityWide special he does (with a shot of whiskey and good beer - plus the burger - for $15) is not to be missed. That said, some old favorites like SpOt Burger and also Scratch Burger deserve to remain for consideration.

Reader: Thanks for alerting us to the chilled woodear mushrooms with peppers at Szechuan Restaurant at 10th and Arch. I am now addicted. I decided to go to 11th and Washington's Hung Vuong to buy some woodear mushrooms - only to find out that this Asian supermarket is renovating.

C.L.: That's actually a pretty standard item on most Sichuan menus - and Jane G's makes a pretty good one, too. If you're looking for fresh versions of woodears, almost all the big Asian markets in Philly carry them. They'll also sell them dried. In Chinatown, if you don't go to the subterranean Asia Market below the parking structure at 11th and Race, try the new Heng Fa at 10th and Cherry (130 N. 10th St.), which has two floors of products. Also, I've seen them at First Oriental around Sixth and Washington as well as the market on the 1600 block of Washington next to the Nam Son banh mi bakery.

Reader: Craig, I have a friend coming to town who loves the glitterati and loves Parc and Morimoto and other Starr places. She loved Il Pittore, but I heard it closed.

C.L.: That's an easy one! Take your friend to Wm. Mulherin's, which I just reviewed with a three-bell rave. The chef is Il Pittore's former chef-partner, Chris Painter, but he's got a wood-fired grill and pizza oven at his disposal here, as well as a top-notch bar and wine list that isn't wildly overmarked-up in the Starr fashion. Several of the employees here are also Pittore vets (including the g.m.), so there's continuity. But it's hipper and more current and as glitterati as Fishtown gets.