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Sushi at Izumi

Photo by Michael Persico

In 1933, upon the repeal of Prohibition, the Pennsylvania state government feared some sort of post-depression era drunken apocalypse. As a result, it created the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, establishing a death grip on the flow of liquor and affecting restaurants’ ability to profit from the Keystone State’s collective thirst. What’s an upstanding restaurateur to do if they can’t afford to follow the letter of the law and purchase a liquor license? Find a loophole—let the people provide their own alcohol. Bring your beers, walk your wine, and tote your tequila of choice to these law-abiding BYOBs.

If You Miss the Good Ol’ Days
For a bit of old school charm, ask for Dominic at La Viola (253 S. 16th St. 215.735.8630). He’ll make sure you get the best possible table and recommend his favorite dishes with authentic enthusiasm. An appetizer that gets us enthused is the Grigliata Di Calamari, smoky grilled calamari marinated in lemon juice and olive oil. BYO a bottle of the very affordable Caldora Trebbiano d’Abruzzo or a sixer of Moretti. $ O V C

If You’re Bringing Your Sweetheart
The intimate Pumpkin (1713 South St. 215.545.4448) gets its name from the term of endearment the husband and wife co-owners use for one another. At this Graduate Hospital gem, you’ll be romanced by the affable staff and swept away by their daily seasonal love letter of a menu which recently included a cider-braised pork belly with grilled local peaches and salsa verde. Since the menu changes so often, you’ll need an adaptable wine like an Albarino or a Beaujolais-Villages if you prefer red.  $ V C

If You Need Something From the Market
Mercato (1216 Spruce St. 215.985.2962) takes its food cues from the season as well as multiple Mediterranean destinations. The Italian-inspired short rib ragu with ricotta gnocchi, broccoli rabe and shaved locatelli would pair with a Mark West Pinot Noir that has more in your face fruit than a gay pride parade. For something a bit more summery, try the seafood stew cioppino. With a multitude of crustaceans, it’ll go well with its Vinho Verde countryman. $ O V C

If You Miss Japan
For a food groupie, there are few pleasures greater than eating at Daiwa sushi in Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market. After eating fish that’s been freshly plucked from the sea, all other sushi bars tend to pale in comparison. At Izumi (1601 East Passyunk Ave. 215.271.1222) the sushi samurais source their seafood directly from that market. The hotate (sea scallop) is the sweetest this side of the Pacific and the tender tuna simply dissolves on your tongue. Take along a sixer of the Japanese wheat beer Hitachino Nest White Ale. $ O V

If You’re Still Looking for Latika
Down on 13th street, a couple of ladies are building their own little empire. At their Indian-inspired Bindi (105 S. 13th St. 215.922.6061), owners Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran serve up traditional dishes like chana masala chicken alongside the untraditional, like ghee-poached lobster and frisee salad. The flavors are forceful, so a food-friendly, fruity but flinty Gruner Veltliner would be a good choice, or bring a bottle of your favorite white liquor to mix in a pitcher of the pomegranate-ginger lemonade nimbu-pani. $ O M V S C

If You’re Adventurous
Malaysian cuisine is a mash-up of Malay, Southeast Asian, Chinese and Indian and the intensity of food flavors reflects it. At Banana Leaf (1009 Arch St. 215.592.8288), ask for some help navigating the menu unless you’re into crispy pork intestines. Their grilled beef or chicken satay served with peanut sauce is a good first course choice and a Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand like Nobilo has enough tropical fruit to walk hand and hand with this Malayasian specialty. V