Small Bites

Little Vittles

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Published: May 16, 2007

In The Book of Tea, his treatise on Japanese tea's relationship with the Western world, Okakura Kakuzo explains that the tearoom is an ephemeral structure based on poetic impulse � not intended for posterity. It should be no surprise, then, that on June 9, Charlotte Lin, owner of Great Tea International (1724 Sansom St., 215-568-7827, www.great-tea.net), is closing the space she consecrated almost five years ago as an escape from her accounting career. The sanctuary was immune to the vulgar hustle of busy streets and cafes, but apparently not Philadelphia's dreaded business privilege tax. Though the matcha latte is somewhat of a bastard child of East and West, their wide selection of greens, blacks, whites, oolongs and pu-erh is served authentically in traditional clay pots. �Sam Tremble

Dattilo's (8000 Horrocks St., 215-725-2020) has long been the go-to hoagie joint for the Northeast lunch rush, but this Italian deli has even more if you've got the time. Pasta sauce, meatballs, gnocchi and marinated mozzarella are made in-house and are good enough to make your South Philly grandma look over her shoulder. For the more adventurous, calf's liver, veal sausages and big wheels of stinky aged cheese beckon. Then there's the sweet stuff: lemon sponge biscotti, imported candy and plenty of sexy counter boys. �Monica Weymouth

 

Attention dog lovers: You no longer need to tie poor Fido to a tree the second you get the hankering for a Cosmo. Pups are invited to dine with their owners outside at Tavern 17 (Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel, 220 S. 17th St., 215-790-1799, www.tavern17restaurant.com), Rittenhouse's latest hot spot. The separate Canine Delights menu features good-boy treats like the Hot Diggity Dog (a hot dog � sans bun � cut into bite-size pieces) and the Gobble Up (a lean ground turkey patty for pooches on a diet). �Termeh Mazhari

 

These rich hunks of semisweet chocolate flavored with organic espresso are individually wrapped in the image of another hunk: The bearded mug on the label belongs to none other than Ross, the founder of Ross' Espresso Bars (www.rossespressobar.com). Sold in fair-trade coffee shops around town, the $3 bars are Ross' answer to the rising oil crisis. The Captain Planet of Kensington keeps things local and makes deliveries via bike, and he uses only beans from an independent co-op. You can get your shot of guilt-free goodness at Rocket Cat Café (2001 Frankford Ave.), Joe Coffee (1100 Walnut St.), Infusion Coffee (1001 S 10th St.), or Mugshots (2106 Fairmount Ave.). �Kelly White

The Holy Toast press is ideal for adding a touch of ecclesiastical elegance to snack time � even if your relationship with the man upstairs is frayed around the edges. Just press a crusty slice into the plastic mold of the praying Virgin Mary, then pop it into the toaster: With no miracle whatsoever, your bread will become an icon. Regular, secular toast is now about as visually interesting as the back pew. Available at www.worldwidefred.com. �Amy Strauss

Don't let the grumpy Old World ladies scare you off � the spread of housemade Italian desserts at Casa del Dolce (8000 Castor Ave., 215-725-3350) is well worth their disapproving stares. Fluffy tiramisu, soaked rum cake and piles of cannoli show some serious amore to the Great Northeast. Get there early if you want to snag the popular fruit-filled cheesecake or a slice of vanilla Napoleon � rich, creamy layer cake topped with a flaky crust. Have the cake but forgot a card? They've got your "Happy Birthday" covered in English and Italian. �M.W.

 

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