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Rays Fans In Philly Can Have A Ball Outside Park

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2008

Updated: 10/24/2008 05:07 pm

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Philadelphia is a world-class city; officials are rightfully proud of places such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Museum of Art. But like all cities, there is more to Philly than what's on the tourist maps. For Ray's fans with a sense of adventure, here's a list of places that officials of the City of Brotherly Love won't tell you about:

1208 Tasker St.
Office of state Sen. Vincent Fumo: There are no politics like Philly politics, and no politician like Vincent J. "Vinny" Fumo, the helicopter-flying Mensa member. Fumo, arguably the most powerful politician in Philadelphia, is on trial on charges of federal mail fraud and obstruction of justice.

13th And Locust streets (South Side of Locust, between 12th and 13th)
Did he or didn't he?: Mumia Abu-Jamal, a founding member of the Philadelphia chapter of the Black Panthers and then-president of the Association of Black Journalists, gunned down police Officer Danny Faulkner here Dec. 9, 1981. He was found guilty and imprisoned. The case has become an international sensation, with the likes of Desmond Tutu, Colin Firth and Ed Asner arguing that Abu-Jamal was framed. It remains highly controversial in Philadelphia, where people either think Abu-Jamal is an innocent victim or a media-manipulating murderer.

6221 Osage Ave.
The original Waco: A standoff between police and the radical cultlike group called MOVE raged out of control May 13, 1985, when a police helicopter dropped an incendiary device on the building there. Eleven people inside the building were killed, including five children. More than 60 homes were destroyed.

1300 S. Warfield St.
Warfield Breakfast and Lunch Café: There have been a lot of mob hits in Philadelphia, but this was one of my favorites, if for no other reason that not only did Joey Ciancaglini survive being shot five times at close range March 2, 1993, but the café had one of the best sausage parms in town. Spot now occupied by a totally different restaurant, the La Rosa Café.

1500 Spring Garden St.
KYW-TV: There have been plenty of movies and television shows about television news, but they all pale in comparison to the real-life soap opera taking place at KYW-TV, Philly's CBS affiliate. Earlier, former anchor Larry Mendte admitted hacking into co-anchor Alycia Lane's private e-mail hundreds of times and used them to embarrass her in the media.
There is way more to Philly than its dark underbelly. There is no shortage of cool places to eat and hang. Here are some of my favorites (all of which the tourism folks would be happy to brag about):

Dirty Frank's, 347 S. 13th St.
Perhaps Philly's most famous dive, Frank's has cheap beer, the most eclectic and diverse mix of people and a killer jukebox. Where else can you find politicians drinking with bikers drinking with theater directors being served by artists and actresses?

The Plow and Stars, 123 Chestnut St. (The Corn Exchange Building)
Face it, Tampa, it is going to be cold up in Philly. At least cold for you. Step into this neo-Irish pub and feel the warmth of the roaring fire, the gregarious owners and the libation of your choice. And, if you are up to a morning meal and like meat, do order the Irish smoked breakfast.

Bob and Barbara's Bar, 1509 South St.
A tight place to hear some of the tightest jazz in town. Don't forget to ask for the Happy Meal (a shot of Jim Beam and a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon).

McMenamin's Tavern, 7170 Germantown Ave.
Off the beaten path, way up in Mount Airy, but the best pub in Philly. Great selection of beer; arguably the finest wings in town. Pretty much the entire menu rocks.

Chef's Kitchen 1010 Cherry St.
If you want one of the city's most gregarious chefs to cook you one of the city's best (Chinese) meals, call up Chef Joe Poon, (215) 928-9333, and give him a head count. He needs 24 hours notice, but it is worth it if you want to show off for friends, family, clients or just want to indulge and enjoy.

Tierra Colombiana, 4535 N. Fifth St.
If you really, really have a jones for Latin food, check out this hub of Philly Latino politics and culture. Live music, amazing food and the place to catch up on what's happening in Philadelphia's Latino communities. Best bet? Churrascos Argentinos.

Bitar's, 10th and Federal streets
Amin and Jude Bitar run a combination restaurant-Middle Eastern grocery that serves up authentic and delicious delicacies and some invented goodies – like the Bitza (the tomato, onion and feta version; the veggie, with roasted peppers; the Greek, with Kalamata olives; or the chicken, with, naturally, chicken) on a toasted pita – and baked, not fried, falafel. A great place to get some Turkish coffee, too.

The Legendary Blue Horizon, 1314 N. Broad St.
Known affectionately as The Blue, America's premier club fighting venue made Philly famous for boxing long before Rocky Balboa muttered his first Yo! There are no bad seats in a place that can best be described as bloodily intimate. But don't forget: Never wear a white shirt to The Blue.

St. Jack's, 45 S. Third St.
Best cheap burger in Philly by day and one of many funky late-night hangs in the city's swank Old City neighborhood. Just don't make fun of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Last time someone did that, the Thai government threatened to cut off relations with the United States.

Table 31 Steakhouse Bistro, 1701 JFK Blvd.
Diminutive culinary genius Georges Perrier's latest offers fine dining with a great view of the tallest edifice between New York and Chicago.

Carmen's Country Kitchen, 1301 S. 11th St.
If you have some time to really enjoy breakfast, check out this quirky little spot. And if you want to hear some fascinating stories about mobsters, just ask owner Carmen Luntzel. She knows a few.

Editor Howard Altman can be reached at (813) 259-7629 haltman@tampatrib.com.

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