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Notes from the Weekend: March 14
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Notes from the Weekend: March 14
Notes from the Weekend is a Monday feature that sees the members of Team Meal Ticket compiling all the food/drink highlights uncovered during prime eatin' time, Friday to Sunday. Consider this a place for good deals, great dishes, wicked cocktails, recipe triumphs (and tragedies), bizarro conversations and more. We're eager to share our notes, but especially excited to read yours.We encourage you to leave notes from YOUR weekend in the comments. Have at it! (View past NFTW installments at citypaper.net/notes.)
Adam Erace: AE
Erin Finnerty: EF
Drew Lazor: DL
Adrian Pelliccia: AP
Laurel Rose Purdy: LRP
Let's hear it for my girl M, who put together this preposterously professional cheese plate for our at-home consumption on Friday night. It featured two of our faves (La Peral and Delice de Bourgnone) plus a small piece of the delicious/way pricey Jasper Hill Winnimere AP wrote about last week. Copped it from Di Bruno's, but honestly not sure if it was the ROOT-washed version or not. It wasn't labeled as such. —DL
With a Friday hankering for an avocado smoothie, I popped in Pho Hoa (1111. S. 11th St.) on a Tweeted reco from the unimpeachable DL. Once I got past the pho parlor's Lemon Pledge perfume, I sipped the frosty green frappe (not too sweet!) with a side of tight summer rolls. "You on diet?" the lady at the check-out desk, eyeing my $7 bill. Nah, just a food writer. —AE
Hit up PYT (Piazza at Schmidts, 1050 N. Hancock St.) for dinner on Friday night, where my friends and I were annexed to the AstroTurf-ed tent. The Calibunger Burger was alright, but I've got to say, the side of Popchips feels like kind of a copout. All burgers, veg or not, need fries. Am I alone in this? My ?uestlove adult milkshake was tight, albeit spiked very mildly for a Friday night. —EF
Friday: I was visiting my friend Sam at Bard College this weekend, and we decided to treat our friends to dinner — a batch of Cajun fish tacos. We breaded and fried a bunch of tilapia and topped it off with pickled beets, homemade salsa, shredded cabbage, mango, radish and sliced avocado. Sam has a wildly extensive selection of hot sauces, so I got to try a different type of spicy with each of the tacos I wolfed down. —AP
I just had to try the octopus at Opa (1311 Sansom St.), immediately. The moment I clocked out on Friday night, boyfriend and I booked it over before they stopped serving. We were met by one of our most favorite eating partners, drank Greek wine, ordered double octo, which yes, was tender as hell, perfectly charred and delicious with that cumin-y and mustard seed-y chickpea situation. The boys loved the gyros and keftedes (veal meatballs), but I only have one word: SAGANAKI. That's salty Kaseri, a gooey sheep's milk cheese that, when pan-fried with a squeeze of lemon, is such simple perfection. —LRP
God love the staff at absolutely mobbed Stogie Joe's (1801 E. Passyunk Ave.). I was there Friday night and these girls hustle like Victorino running for third. Square pizza was amazing as usual — wonder how it will measure up against opening-soon Santucci's — but the new get is potato wedges, thick-cut spuds that are fluffy inside, crisp and papery outside and served with velvety fontina sauce. —AE
We were totally those people at Adsum (700 S. fifth St.), materializing only a few minutes before the kitchen took a break in that weird tweener time between brunch and dinner. Sorry, Adsum! Luckily it was no biggie, and I enjoyed a shrimp/grits/andouille plate, a Gansett and a Sazerac while Matt Levin regaled us with tales of his recent eating research trip to L.A. —DL
Brunched at Las Bugambilias (148 South St.) Saturday morning, and I'm trying to figure out why this isn't a major brunch destination. My three-egg omelette, stuffed with tomatoes, queso, marinated cactus leaves and thinly sliced potatoes was so, so delicious — and my partner-in-brunchery enjoyed a super-stuffed veggie torta. Love it here. —EF
Saturday morning we had a visit from the beau's family, so we all headed to Cafe Lift (428 N. 13th St.) after hearing much hype. Definitely going back. It lacked all of the annoyances of brunch in Northern Liberties, where I (sometimes hate to say I) call home; and all the food was on point. I thoroughly enjoyed my plum tomato/basil pesto/fresh mozzarella omelette. but am I going to sit here and say I wasn't internally tormented at the sight of everyone's lemon ricotta pancakes? No, but I'm not sulking: I'm making that shit gluten-free from home next week. —LRP
The house shopping marathon continues: I was at the gleaming Cherry Hill Crate & Barrel on Saturday, and I really, really want this Weber grill. Later, copped a strawberry-banana yogurt smoothie from the mall's spiffy new Red Mango kiosk, then had a legit Lent-appropriate meal at Collingswood's Green House (655 Haddon Ave.). The latter involved a soup made with black moss (aka fat choy), which the demure waitress described as "like black hair." They should work on their salesmanship, but not on the soup itself, which was hairy perfection. —AE
Saturday: I spent the day hiking and reading, which ended up giving me a pretty voracious appetite. Having only eaten a bunch of peach rings and some off brand Gatorade ("Sportade Red"), we decided that the only remedy was going to be massive amounts of barbecue. Stopped in at Hickory BBQ and Smokehouse (743 Rte. 28, Kingston, N.Y.) and ordered a platter of fried foods and brisket sandwiches. The helpings were heaping, so we got everything boxed up and threw in the towel much sooner than anticipated. Of note: I got to try a Mother's Milk Stout from Kingston's own Keegan Ales, close to the source. It was heavy/delicious enough to be the energy drink substitute I so desperately needed. —AP
The remainder of my Saturday was mad extraterrestrial: Stopped by the newly revamped Flying Saucer Cafe (2545 Brown St.) for coffee and admired their supernatural style, including a replica of Fox Mulder's "The Truth is Out There" poster. Later on that night, ordered a big pie and an arugula salad from Rustica (903 N. Second St.) for a Fire in the Sky/War of the Worlds double-feature. —EF
If you like cocktails and nice people and an environment that's lively without being diaphragm-crushingly crowded, you should go to late-night happy hour (10 p.m.-midnight) at Noble (2025 Sansom St.). The ever-loveable Christian Gaal and Phoebe Esmon hold court behind bar, pouring/pulling/mixing up drink specials (this Saturday's special cocktail: a good ol' Old Fashioned), and if you get there on time there's plenty opportunity to munch on snacks off Brinn Sinnott's bar menu. Wings, cheesy crab gratin, gnocchi parisienne with pancetta and mushrooms ... eat it all. And when the last-call bell rings, you've still got two hours left to drink elsewhere (we relocated to Grace Tavern). —DL
And then it was Sunday — we lost an hour, and I woke up with no voice, a raging cough and a pretty gnarly head cold. Still mustered up some hunger followed by an ounce of energy to cook myself some Irish porridge from steel-cut oats with honey and butter and golden raisins. I loathe the St. Pat's debauch, so NO IT WAS NOT IN CELEBRATION. A little Fiorella's breakfast sausage on the side and a bowl of honey with lemon juice got me out the door. —LRP
Popped into my neighborhood sandwich shop, Rybread (2319 Fairmount Ave.), on Sunday morning for my preferred version of their customizable "OBX" breakfast sandwich — egg and cheese on a buttery croissant. This is my spot now, and big ups to the obvious Rybread matriarch behind the counter taking orders. —EF
Sunday: After traveling by train, bus and car back to Philly, I headed to Fresh Grocer (4001 Walnut St.) and got all the ingredients necessary to make a kick-butt Greek salad. Anchovies, kalamata olives, spring mix, bag of pocketless pita, and a block of feta in tow, I threw it all together to make one of the most delicious salads I've ever accomplishsed on my own. I also rediscovered the unrivaled pleasure of heating up a pita/flatbread in a pan until crispy. —AP
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday was Fair Food's Brewer's Plate at the Penn Museum (3260 South St.). Hope our ticket-winning readers had fun! I definitely did — what I ate and drank was a bit of a blur, but I can say I was fond of the chef's demos in the outdoor tents: Barbuzzo's Marcie Turney cooked up a pork-on-pork-on-pork dish with the help of Lancaster Farm Fresh GM Casey Spacht, and I had the honor of introducing Fork chef Terence Feury's beer and herb infusion presentation with Ian and Barbie from Green Meadow Farm. Who would've thought quick-muddling fresh marjoram into a Victory beer would be so refreshing? —DL
Wound down the weekend at home on Sunday night. For dinner, I whipped up a giant bowl of penne with goat cheese, caramelized shallots and marinated tempeh before settling in with Han Solo and two pet tauntauns to watch the Empire Strikes Back. Nerd circus. —EF
Dan's been making sausages and pates. It's so awesome watching him break down pork shoulders and cut fatback and grind all the spiced meats up and line terrine molds with slab bacon and fill it with more meat. I got home from work on Sunday night to a pate-scented apartment. Can't wait to tell y'all more next week. —LRP
Sunday, on the way to visit bro-in-law at West Chester U, me and the fiancée stopped by the maddeningly pretty Terrain at Styer's (914 Baltimore Pike), where I fortified myself for rich-people envying/browsing — it's exhausting! — with their mini quiche Lorraine. I did pick up a potted black raspberry plant, which I am sure I will accidentally kill if some experienced berry-growers don't share some tips in the comments. —AE
After the Brewer's Plate I was still hungry because I have a problem. Large half-cheese, half-pep, well-done pie from Lazaro's (1743 South St.) to the rescue. —DL
AP, you were in my neck of the woods. You probably hiked my Overlook and passed tree stumps that I carved on when I was young. (should have skipped Kingston and gone to New World)— laurelro- I'm a total convert, LRP! The Hudson River Valley ranks very highly on my list of favorite places on earth after that visit. We didn't spend too much time in Woodstock proper (although we were tempted by a few awesome looking taco places), but that overlook is one heckuva spot - no sign of youthful LRP graffiti, though. — Adrian Pelliccia
- I hustled at Taco Juan's for a couple of summers.— laurelro
- Las Bugambilias is totally underrated, Erin. Though I've never had brunch there, it makes a killer lunch stop, too, not to mention dinner. Better Mexican food than you find in Mexico with sweet service & charming ceramic. Don't miss the poblano soup.— danya
- Danya - I totally agree! It was one of the better brunches I've had recently. Dreamy.
NOTE: It's a replica of Fox Mulder's "I Want to Believe" poster. I was confused when I wrote my NFTW, Duchuvny's hotness was clouding my brain.— erinfinnerty - Fri: Frangelli donuts to go with the play Superior Donuts @ the Arden.
Sat: Combo Po' Boy at Khyber. Would be better on Philly bread I think. I know I'm provincial. Also finally tried a bite of the Tastykake Sliders at Ad Sum--intense.
Sun brunch: Almost went to Bugambilias, but tried Hoof + Fin instead. Empanadas and shortrib-chimichurri-fried bread eggs benedict. Yum.
Sun night: Best delivery meal--Indonesian meatball soup, whole grilled Javanese-spiced tilapia, salty fish & chicken fried rice.— BarryG - Sun night's meal from Tasty Asia. — BarryG
- Jetted off for a quickie long weekend in LA with friends, stopping for a few goodies we just don't have here in the 215
La Super-Rica taqueria in Santa Barbara really delivered on the enchilada front, offering Enchiladas de la Plaza stuffed with shredded chicken, potato and mushroom all topped with roasted poblanos, radishes, guac and a cream sauce. Killer. The chorizo and lomito tacos were also stellar and huge.
Another highlight was the kurobuta ramen at Daikokuya in Little Tokyo. Though the egg had overcooked and lost that silky yellow yolk we all die for, the overnight-simmered broth had an ideal slippery richness and the eggy noodles were right fresh. They also specialize in gyoza stuffed with chirashi pork, hard-seared to crunchy bliss. A combination meal costing $12.50 comprised a giant bowl of ramen, a bowl of tuna sashimi over rice and roasted seaweed, and a mayo-dressed salad. Local purveyors who shall remain unnamed would do well to field-trip and take notes.
— felicia.dambrosio - Saturday - A college friend of mine came down. So we ended up doing our own bar crawl. Started at the khyber (for lunch as well) - enjoyed the vegan fried chix po boy. proceeded to head to varga, nodding head, sidecar, grace. At night we headed up to pyt to meet another friend for dinner.
Sunday - Attended Brewer's Plate. Had a really awesome time. Unfortunately I missed the chef demos! I'm still thinking about Bindi's chickpea curry dish. Also, the ice cream from The Bent Spoon was great. Did you try those DL?
After BP, went down to Grace to end the night. Kinda sorta in love with their fries. What was I dipping the fries into over there? I don't remember but it tasted awesome.
EF: That Star Wars reference is great! Also, maybe you can share that penne recipe w/ the tempeh? Been meaning to give tempeh another shot since I failed horribly a couple months ago...— brian. - @Brian: the fry dip at Grace is (sister-restaurant) Monk's signature bourbon-garlic mayonnaise. It may or may not have addictive qualities. Just don't breathe hard on your date after consuming quantity. — felicia.dambrosio
- Nothing worth noting for most of the weekend. Saturday I bought chicken McNuggets and a Shamrock Shake. I HAD A COUPON! I've been flogging myself in penance since, but truthfully I would eat almost anything in that barbecue sauce.
Sunday I had brunch at Jones with a couple girlfriends. Started out with the monkey bread (good, but the icing was a little too sweet), then stole some of my friend's mac and cheese while enjoying the grilled chicken sandwich with arugula, roasted tomatoes, and basil mayo. Really tasty. But the highlight of the morning was the three of us gasping in horror as the 4th girl in our party poured a sugar packet into each glass of her flight of mimosas. "They're not sweet enough!" Angels wept.— JulieC
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