BBQ 101: How To Impress Your Barbecue Guests

Whether it's a small gathering of family members or an invitation extended to friends and neighbors, entertaining can take on a delightfully casual approach when it's done outdoors. Add instant sophistication to a casual atmosphere with these entertaining and grilling tips guaranteed to impress every guest.

BBQ 101: Gas Grill Not Getting Hot, Checking the Regulator

So you start up your grill and you can't get it up to temperature anymore when it use to reach 500°F to 550°F, but now it only stays around 250°F? What to do, relax you may just have inadvertently caused your grill to go into what’s known as “bypass mode” by activating the gas control safety device on the regulator.

Rittenhouse Square (Center City, West of Broad Street)

Rittenhouse Square (Center City, West of Broad Street)

Breakfast:

• a.kitchen – Simple, modern food at the elegant, understated breakfast-through-dinner spot, known for its artisan bread program. Yes, Wi-Fi. 135 S. 18^th Street, (215) 825-7030, akitchenandbar.com
• Parc Brasserie – Parisian bistro bustles at lunch, happy hour, and dinner and offers quiet morning dining: eggs, cocotte, and bread baskets. Good for groups. No Wi-Fi. 227 S. 18^th Street, (215) 545-2262, parc-restaurant.com

Lunch:

• DanDan – Authentic Sichuan and Taiwanese food for savvy, spice-loving eaters. Gluten-free and veggie options available. No Wi-Fi. 126 S. 16^th Street, (215) 800-1165, dandanrestaurant.com
• Oyster House – Classic, fresh seafood, including impressive raw bar, fried oysters, and chicken salad (Philly). No Wi-Fi. 1516 Sansom Street, (215) 567-7683, oysterhousephilly.com
• V Street – Casual bistro and bar for global street food; all vegan. Have the Korean tempeh tacos and Peruvian fries—closed Monday. No Wi-Fi. 126 S. 19^th Street, (215) 278-7943, vstreetfood.com

Late-Night Eats:

• The Dandelion – Sprawling, handsome, Brit-inspired pub pours Harp, Pimm’s Cups and bloodhounds, serves fish and chips, Welsh rarebit, deviled eggs, and shepherd’s pie. Good for groups. No Wi-Fi. Typically open until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; until midnight Friday and Saturday (hours extended for DNC). 124 S. 18^th Street, (215) 558-2500, thedandelionpub.com
• Little Pete’s – Classic 24-hour diner, popular after-hours for bacon cheeseburgers, fried chicken, eggs any way, and milkshakes. Cash only. No Wi-Fi. 219 S. 17^thStreet, (215) 545-5508
• Village Whiskey –Worth braving the crowds for a massive Whiskey King burger and a bourbon. No Wi-Fi. Typically open until 11 p.m. Monday; midnight Tuesday-Thursday; 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (hours extended for DNC). 118 S. 20^th Street, (215) 665-1088, villagewhiskey.com

Late-Night Drinks:

• The Franklin Bar – Upstairs-downstairs speakeasy: 1970s at street level, literary cocktailer-y below ground. No vodka. No Wi-Fi. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. nightly. 112 S. 18^th Street, (267) 467-3277 thefranklinbar.com
• Oscar’s Tavern – Circa-1972 dive with deep booths, awesome jukebox, cheap Yuengling Lager, 23-ounce Long Island iced teas, chicken wings, and fries. Good for groups. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. 1524 Sansom Street, (215) 972-9938

You Gotta Try:

• Federal Donuts – Cinnamon spice, strawberry lavender, chocolate eclair, and other flavored doughnuts; also some of the best-fried chicken this side of Korea. More locations throughout Philly. No Wi-Fi. 1632 Sansom Street, (215) 665-1101, federaldonuts.com