Home  
Department of Journalism

Dining, the way you like it!

High school students stop by The Restaurant School for an afternoon treat.
Kaffa Crossing co-owner Sophie enjoys talking with regular customers.

By Brandi Preston and Matt Pellman

University City is an area rich in tradition, the arts and culture. Within five Philadelphia city blocks of each other stand both the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College and Kaffa Crossing. Though they are both here to serve and engage area residents, these are two totally different styles of dining.

Where should I dine?

Approximately five blocks away from the center of the University of Pennsylvania’s campus is The Walnut Hill College Restaurant School. Having been in existence for over 25 years, the school is home to some of the greatest chefs in the tri-state area. With its emphasis on educating and preparing future chefs, the school is also a place for fine dining. Patrons can try foods from around the world, tasting all types of European and American cuisine. Those dining at The Restaurant School can choose from four restaurants including The Great Chefs of Philadelphia, The European Courtyard, The Italian Tratorri and the American Heartland. Dining extras also include:

 

  • Offers holiday specials “Holiday Experience 2005”
  • Banquet Halls available for business or social affairs
  • Dinners include choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert

 

Within close proximity of the Restaurant School is Kaffa Crossing, an Ethiopian restaurant specializing in traditional vegan Ethiopian cuisine. “The crossing” is quite different than the restaurant school. While still serving the residents and students in the University City area, Kaffa Crossing has a different mission. “The Project of Kaffa Crossing is rooted in personal faith, background and serving the poor in coffee-growing regions of Ethiopia.”  Dishes to choose from include a variety of vegan meals quite often cooked with injera, a traditional Ethiopian spice, breakfast dishes with a touch of “American style,” and a number of breads made right in the café. Reasons for dining include:

  • Internet café
  • Vegetarian dishes
  • Jazz bands and live music
  • The best coffee from Ethiopia

 

Depending upon what the customer is looking for, either of these restaurants would be a good choice for the next dining out experience. Visit each the Web sites for more background information on the restaurants.

 

Links:

www.walnuthillcollege

Walnut Hill College:The Restaurant School

www.kaffacrossing.com

Kaffa Crossing

www.ucityphila.org

University City

Dishes Served at the Restaurants

 

The Restaurant School

  • Gilled vegetable strudel-seasonal vegetables wrapped in phyollo pastry, baked and serves laced with a light sun-dried tomato sauce
  • Bifteck Diane-Flambeed tableside with shallots, mushrooms, brandy and cream
  • Navarin-Tender lamb braised with tomatoes and scallion aioli tossed with little ear pasta
  • Blanc de Poulet aux Cepes- Free-range chicken breast stuffed with cepes and crayfish, with a risotto cake, sauce Nantua
  • Corndusted Catfish-Cast iron skillet-friend and served with a tarragon horseradish cream

 

Kaffa Crossing

  • Quanta Firfir-Strips of dried beef sautéed in a spicy stew made with onion, olive oil and red pepper, served with injera
  • Ethiopian vegetable combination-yellow split beans, spiced split lentils, collard greens, string beans, with carrots and spiced tofu wat served with injera
  • Che Che Bsa- Crushed pan bread with spiced butter and red pepper
  • Seneg Karya- Two long hot peppers stuffed with sautéed fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic and shallots, served with injera.

Contact Information

The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
4207 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-222-4200
info@walnuthillcollege

 

Kaffa Crossing

4423 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Email: ykebede@kaffacrossing.com

Tel: (215) 386-0504

www.kaffacrossing.com
 
"));