August, a petite, Italian BYOB at 8th and Wharton in South Philly, is one of the city’s hidden gems. Though I have a handful of friends that frequent the restaurant and, when dining there, it’s apparent many other tables are filled with locals who eat there weekly, it doesn’t receive a deserving fanfare that establishments created by an Iron Chef or tri-state restaurateur would.  It hits the mark on characteristics many great and lasting restaurants have: the ambiance is romantic, it’s small without feeling exclusive, the chef and staff are friendly and warm, and the food is quite memorable.

Beets are too pretty to not like.

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Yesterday, I ventured over to the Eastern State Penitentiary for their 19th annual Bastille Day celebration. Surrounded by fellow Francophiles, I beat the heat with ice cold Kronenbourg and hoped Marie Antoinette would throw a Butterscotch Krimpet my way.

Admittedly, the ice cold French beer that was a remedy yesterday isn’t so much today, so I’m nursing my hangover on “La Fête Nationale” with lots of water, coffee a fresh slice of homemade Quiche Lorraine, and a celebratory playlist.

All that Kronenbourg seemed like a good idea yesterday.