Usually, when I’m at home in southeastern Pennsylvania, I prefer either to cook or grab a simple meal at a nearby brewery or coffee shop. Driving 35 minutes into Philadelphia never sounds terribly appealing when I’m tired and hungry. However, over the past two weeks I broke from my usual routine and had some exceptional dinners in Philadelphia as a result. The restaurants? Amada and FARMiCiA in Old City, the Water Works in Fairmount Park and Vetri in Center City. Authentic, earthy Spanish tapas with flavor and flair was what I wanted, and got, at Jose Garces’ Amada. www.amadarestaurant.com Lychee mojitos, cranberry-studded sangria and a cheese plate of Manchego paired with lavender honey, Cana de Cabra with a side of fig marmalade and Queso de Cabra accompanied by balsamic strawberries started the evening. Following this were small platters of bread slathered with tomato and garlic, patatas bravas or spicy potatoes topped with saffron aioli, salt cod croquettes, shrimp sauteed with chunks of garlic, and charred green onions as well as bowls of …