BAR FERDINAND, 1030 North 2nd Street, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, 215•923•1313 I don't personally know this guy, Owen Kamihira, but he's a genius. Firstly, he has lived in Northern Liberties for 28 years, ding! Secondly, for 15 years, he worked as a restaurant designer and consultant, ding ding! Then he combines his love for Spanish culture, his life in 1960s Spain and his late father's beautiful artwork (renowned painter Ben Kamihira) into an authentic tapas bar in our beloved city of brotherly love and, ding ding ding ding, you've got yourself a WINNER!

The restaurant decor is decadent, the food phenomenal and the atmosphere awesome. His produce is locally grown @ Green Meadows Farms and he participates in the Fair Food Project.  James Comey, an illustrator whose talent is also featured at Ferdinand is a Maryland Institute College of Art grad (my sister Margy's alma mater, go Marg!) For more of the skinny, visit www.barferdinand.com. Make a reservation or try to snag a cool stool at the bar.

images via Bar Ferdinand