A few foodie reviews-Philly

I love food. Period. I'm not the kind of girl that says, "Oh dear, that cannoli looks delicious, but it's over 300 calories, forget it." Carpe Diem is what I say! Just don't eat cheap food (i.e. if that canolli is from the local supermarket...forget it, it really isn't worth it). But if it's a Termini Brother's ricotta canolli, I will fight you for it if it's the last one.  That's why I love the Metro Philly area I live in: we have so many amazing restaurants, with traditions! So I've decided to give a few shout-outs to some of my favorite places to eat and to give a little background about each one! Enjoy! Mangi!  (You'll notice a lot of these eateries are in the Reading Terminal Market, and it's not because that's the only place I visit, but simply where some of the best food is!)
1. Shanghai Gourmet-Reading Terminal Market- It is a great example of traditional Shanghai cuisine. Great food, great price, and speedy delivery! The food is very spicy, so it is not for the feint of heart or tongue.It's not a chain, and the same 4 people from Shanghai are still cooking there since I was little (20 or so years).
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/merchants/view/72
2. Termini Brothers Bakery-Reading Terminal Market/South Street/Packer Ave- Like I already said, the ricotta canollis are to die for. So are their sfogliatelle, an old Napoli tradition. You may have to wait in line for what seems like eternity, but once you have your pastries, you're in heaven. Don't let the "scary" women running the counter scare you, they are just trying to do their job and give you what you want. Smile a little and ask them what their favorite Italian dessert there is, and you'll become best of friends.
http://www.termini.com/Default.aspx
3. DiNic's-Reading Terminal Market-Pork, pork, and more pork, in every way possible. My personal favorite, is the pulled pork sandwich...best one yet! They also have a wicked roast beef sandwhich, veal, chicken, and sausages. But pork is the way to come...besides SE PA is pig country, so we know it best!
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/merchants/view/56
4. Kamal's Middle Eastern Specialities-Reading Terminal Market-Some of the best schwarma and schish taouk I've had since visiting the ME. Talk to Kamal while he prepares your food, he can tell some quite interesting tales!
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/merchants/view/61
5. Profi's Creperie-Reading Terminal Market- Best crepes around; my personal favorite is the strawberry and Nutella sweet crepe!
http://profiscreperie.com/default.aspx
6. Beck's Cajun Cafe-Reading Terminal Market- Fabulous po boys and shrimp etouffee, and I don't even like shrimp :) Also the Beignets are so sweet, but completely worth it!
http://www.beckscajuncafe.com/
7. Savas Brick Oven Pizza-Lancaster Ave University City- If you like Margarita pizza, then visit Savas! Actually, every pizza I have ever had there made me want to come back. Also, if you like wraps their chicken caesar wrap is great, and the sweet potato fries are even better!
http://www.savaspizza.com/
8. Spring Chinese-Lancaster Ave University City- Best whole-in-the-wall- Ameri-Chinese food! I love their Chicken in Garlic sauce platter. I have tried to recreate it, but have never figured out what made it so good! It's $5 for a lunch special: main course, rice (brown, white, pork fried), egg role, and either soup or soda! If this sounds like an ad for them, I would be the "paid real customer" in a commercial if they would let me (they would have to pay me in garlic chicken though!).
http://www.yelp.com/biz/spring-chinese-restaurant-philadelphia
9. Slainte Pub & Grill-Market Street University City- Great pub! Had an amazing fish and chips, and though I don't drink, everyone who was around me seemed like they were enjoying their ales and Guinness's.
http://www.slaintephilly.com/index.php
10. Nifty-Fifty's-Ridley Township/NE Philly/Bensalem-Best soda fountain ever! They have over 100 combinations to create your own soda-personal favorite is the cherry vanilla coke! Their burgers are great, the fries are hand cut, and everything is fresh-made! My personal favorite is the chicken tenders and fries basket. You can sit in a booth or at the counter, and you can always see your food being made, because the kitchen is in the center of the restaurant! Put a quarter in the jukebox and dance away to Frankie Avalon with your sweetheart!
http://www.niftyfiftys.com
11.Dalessandro's Steaks and Hoagies- Henry Ave- It wouldn't be a Philly eatery list without a cheesesteak place. I've been visiting Dalessandro's since I was a toddler. Forget Pat's, Gino's and all the other "Real #1 Philly Cheese Steak" joints, and visit the place where you can actually taste the cheese and the steak in your cheese steak! The rolls are awesome too!
http://dalessandros.com/

How Do I Love Thee...

I have always loved reading. When I was in elementary school, the school librarian challenged me to read something beyond my typical reading level. She handed me a book.  "Emily," she said exuberantly, "I've noticed that you return your books a couple of days after you check them out, way before they are due. I think you need a challenge. I also know that you love to dream, and this book is full of dreaming, but with some hard reality in it. I want you to read it and then write down a few thoughts about the story. Nothing to long , but I want your opinion of it." I looked at the cover of the ancient book she had handed me, with it's torn dust jacket. "How Do I Love Thee, A biography of Robert and Elizabeth Browning". I wondered who in the world would read a book on how you love someone. But the age-old saying is true, don't judge a book by its cover....EVER! I read the book in 2 days and eagerly brought back the book to the librarian with a long I fell in love with the story of the Brownings and their poetry, and then with the contemporaries of their day like Emily Dickinson and Christina Rossetti. Soon, I was reading Dickens, Austen, Hugo, Tolstoy, and Gaskell. All that to say, I was in a thrift shop a few days ago, and found a copy of the book that started it all, and I purchased it for a mere fifty-cents. I re-read the story and fell in love all over again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLkcR9UR9us