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Notes from the Weekend: May 9
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.
Notes from the Weekend: May 9
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
Friday was a lay-low night, so I fried up some Hung Vuong pork chops in a bit of butter and did a quick, spicy corn/bell pepper succotash type thing on the side. I never knew how much I need a proper cast-iron frying pan until I got one. I cook everything in that thing now. —DL
The lovely C and I moved into our new crib this weekend, which didn't leave a whole lot of time for eating. Case in point: Friday night's dinner of leftover Erawan (925 Arch St.) green curry, consumed standing over a kitchen counter strewn with screws and Goop Off. —AE
On Friday, I was treated to an all-out feast by my roommate — pasta with homemade, signature Brooklyn red sauce and some nicely seasoned green beans and peas. It was a delicious closeout to the week. —AP
What a beautiful afternoon we had on Friday! Boyfriend and I rode bicycles into CC to eat outside at Kanella (1001 Spruce St.). God I love it there. For him: English breakfast (hey DL) with their delicious baked beans, flash-grilled tomato and SO GOOD sausage and slab bacon. For me: kedgeree, a rice dish spiced with curries and cumins and secrets, with their smoked white fish, yogurt, fresh peas and boiled eggs. It's my favorite. And duh, we got a side of halloumi and smothered that shit with HP Sauce. Because it's "halloumi perfection," and that's just how we do. —LRP
After moving, unpacking and organizing until 3:30 a.m. on Friday, had a hellishly early 6 a.m. wake-up call for baby bro-in-law AJS' college graduation from West Chester University. (Go Golden Rams!) Have you been to a college graduation lately? They are as long and dull as Avatar, and this 4-hour-long sunbaked affair was no exception. But the wait was worth it to see A turn his tassle, and though WCU was wise enough to have the funny Taco Taco truck on hand, I already had C's handbag full of granola bars, fruit, soft pretzels and iced tea procured from the High Street Wawa. With snacks, we will endure. —AE
Saturday morning alerted me to the fact that something about the previous night's dinner was completely amiss. That's right: food poisoning. I was laid in bed all day trying to finish up my second-to-last final paper. The only thing I ingested between naps was an entire jar of applesauce. At the very least I got my paper done. —AP
Saturday morning, prepped for a day of flea marketing with java from Flying Saucer (2545 Brown St.) — now affectionately known now as "The Sauce" — and my partner in weekendery brought by morning eats from South Street Bagels (613 S. Third St.). I ventured beyond my usual garlic bagel with lox spread and tested new territory: cinnamon sugar with enough low-fat plain cream cheese for another five or six bagels. Solid choice. —EF
A weirdly timed tweener meal — a bit after 3, so not lunch or brunch, but definitely not dinner — at South Philly Tap Room (1509 Mifflin St.) proved to be absolutely what I needed on Saturday afternoon, as we had the opportunity to try a bunch of sick new stuff off burgeoning hot dog mogul Scott Schroeder’s new menu. Highlights — Fire Island oysters with an uni ceviche topping; soft-shell crab tacos (eat those immediately — foreal hurry up they’re not around for that long); and grilled Jersey asparagus with a side of light-and-crispy ricotta fritters. Didn’t really eat for the rest of the day and was very happy about it. Could be onto something with this tweener meal thing. —DL
Had a hard time coming up with lunch on Saturday, but landed on banh mi, my standby. Snagged one chicken and one lemongrass tofu from my dealer of choice, QT Vietnamese (48 N. 10th St.). I remember when this was just a dusty-ish hole in the wall, and they've come a long way — the menu has grown and the interior is brighter and busier with all kinds of people every time I drop in. "The best, Jerry! The best!" —EF
Stopped by N. 3rd (801 N. Third St.) for brunch on Saturday morning with my manicure companion. Dude, the strangest omelette offerings. Mine had feta, sun-dried tomatoes, corn (?) and spinach. Fine. Julie's? Bacon, braised red cabbage, brie. —LRP
Engaged in yet another drawn-out conversation about where to get dinner on Saturday night: not hungry enough for this, too hungry for that, don't want to go too far, don't want to eat anywhere in the neighborhood. I wound up staying in and fixing something for myself while my guy went down the street for a few slices. Threw together a quick Persian cucumber salad with sesame seeds, sesame oil and rice vinegar, served alongside brown rice and some Gardein (the ultimate in frozen faux protein products) mandarin chicken. —EF
With some real food finally in the fridge on Saturday night, hooked up this super-simple squid sauté for dinner. Just heat some olive oil, add a pound or so fresh or frozen calamari rings, season with Old Bay, cook 5 minutes and finish with the juice of half a lemon, splash of apple cider vinegar and fresh herbs. —AE
Sunday didn't see me feeling much better, so I stuck to fruit — dragged myself over to the fruit stand on 40th and Locust, picked up a ton of grapes (secretly expensive!), noshed hard and fell asleep again. Not the best culinary weekend I've had in a while. —AP
Went for a repeat breakfast at South Street Bagels on Sunday morning after being effectively stranded below the Parkway following some early-morning errands in South Philly due to the Mother's Day Breast Cancer Walk. Despite my frustration, gotta give big ups to moms, big ups to breasts and big ups to awareness. This time, went for blueberry with strawberry cream cheese, my new sweet bagel combo of choice. —EF
MOTHER'S DAY! MOTHER'S DAY! My mama and big sister came to visit! The three of us drove down to Maryland to visit with my Nana, who took us to a Chinese restaurant in a strip mall that I think was called Chinese Restaurant. Nothing really tasted like anything. My mom said her duck had feathers in it. If by luch my fortune meant lunch, WRONG. —LRP
Lucked into a nice 200-Level ticket at Citizens Bank Park (thanks Friend of Meal Ticket MS!) to check out the Phils battle the Braves on Sunday night. The game was a stinker (boys can’t hit with runners in scoring position for shitttt, c’mon!) but the eats were not. Downed quite a few Buds while enjoying an Italian sausage sandwich, soft pretzels, peanuts and some wholly unnecessary cheese fries. Next time I’ll fall in line for Bull’s BBQ; was too hungry/impatient to wait this game. —DL
Celebrated M's Day on Sunday evening with several of women-in-law deep in the Northeast, where the men of the family picked up a giant order from Steve's Steaks (7200 Bustleton Ave.). I went with a bare-bones veggie hoagie and crab fries, which was fine, but paled in comparison to the dessert smorgasboard that followed. Grandmom busted out assorted cupcakes from Crumbs Bakeshop from a recent visit to NYC, a chocolate-glazed babka, several mini chocolate-chip cakes, raspberry and almond pastries and a big Jewish apple cake (food with a hole in the middle No. 3 for the weekend). Robert Palmer called. He said I'm going to have to face it, I'm addicted to babka. —EF
Zahav (237 St. James Place) on Sunday night was the light of the weekend — the very opposite of the “luch” we experienced. We were greeted with a pitcher of lemonnana! On the table: salatim (braised okra and twice cooked eggplant and beets with tehina, best) and Turkish hummus; crispy halloumi with date jam (duh); fried cauliflower (duh); kibbe naya; beef cheeks; steamed artichokes with kashkaval cheese. And then every single dessert showed up (thank you, thank you, thank you, Eilon). I loooooved the braised rhubarb with white chocolate/pistachio bark and cardamom custard with caramelized bananas. Bravo, as always. —LRP
Heated up a frozen pint of my-fave flaczki (Polish tripe stew), purchased at the awesome Krakus Market (3150 Richmond St.) after getting back from the game — fixed my inept-Phils-offense blues right away. There’s nothing a little stewed cow stomach can’t cure. —DL
Hopped over to a not-as-busy-as-thought-it-was-gonna-be Headhouse Farmers Market (Second and Lombard) on Sunday morning, then scooped some last-minute Mother’s Day gifts at female fave (right ... ?) Bath & Bodyworks, where I kinda wanted to taste the lime/basil scrubby soap. Headed back to the house for brunch with the girl's parents. They're welcome over any time, especially if they keep bringing these sick cinnamon buns from Fritz's Bakery (4201 Neshaminy Road) in Bensalem. —AE
Came across this sign during the day Sunday walking back from a quick bite at Pho Hoa (1111 Washington Ave.). Perhaps I’m being self-centered here but I’m pretty sure it’s addressing me specifically. —DL
On Friday afternoon I embarked on a journey to Fellowship Farms in Pottstown with about 30 high school kids. Yiiiiikes. We ate meals like chili and baked potatoes and about 11 other types of carbs prepared by a very sweet old man. There also was a bowl of tuna salad at every meal, even breakfast. Weird. After well over 24 hours supervising teenagers in the woods there were certain things I really needed. Most importantly wine. For food, I went with Los Gallos delivery and although our driver got a little lost and apologetic, it wasn't enough to warrant a hug from Ryan this time. I got the Al Pastor Torta which was HUGE and amazing. Sunday, I further relaxed by enjoying the sunshine and a few bottles of Duvel outside at the Pope. Yum.— kibby- friday boy and I ate at Rangoon, where the glass noodle salad was awesome, the thousand layer bread delicious, and the beef coconut dish just OK. I'm not sure I really know what to order in the main course dept there. Went to the secret cinema (always a fave, though I could have done without the hour-long introductory "history of the secret cinema" slide show), and Franklin Mortgage for 3 great cocktails (for 3 people, don't freak out) - the winner, I think, was named something ridiculous like "sweet 16 with black leather boots" but was a lovely and not girly spiced rum kind of deal.
Saturday we went up to boy's parents' in the Lehigh valley, where we had requisite hot dogs and milkshakes at Toby's (where the parents have been eating since high school). Back to philly at night where we got takeout from Nam Phuong and went out and drank too many city-wide specials.
Sunday I was worried everywhere would be packed for brunch so I made omelettes with fresh oregano and raw milk cheese from the Fair Food stand and too much bacon. Somehow eating this did not prevent me from having tacos at Headhouse. Sunday night, therefore, I tried to keep to a lighter dinner of local greens and this amazing "addictive asparagus" recipe from Food52.com: http://www.food52.com/recipes/4023_absurdly_addictive_asparagus
I overcooked it a bit and I would still say it was absurdly good. I kind of veered from the lightness of the dinner by also making rhubarb cobbler - can't resist this time of year.— thebizz - Friday night headed to the Khyber Pass Pub for a few beers and an oyster Po Boy with debris fries, both of which which were as delicious as I'd been led to believe. From there went to check out the goings on at Race St. Cafe, then back to Khyber for two more (ill advised) orders of debris fries and beers. Finished off the night at Varga Bar with a Victory Headwaters Pale Ale, a seasonal and local favorite.
Saturday started off with a round of Advil, some sunglasses and a coffee from Good Karma Cafe. The afternoon was filled with homebody activities, but the evening was filled with Grace Tavern and a surprise meet up with a few friends after the midnight hour.
On Sunday we trekked over to Healthy Bite to Go, tucked West of Grays Ferry on Christian St. On the recommendation of a friend I had the bacon egg and smoked cheddar on an everything bagel. The pepper bacon is delicious! We sat in Rittenhouse for about two hours people/dog watching, and capped the afternoon with a gelato from Capogiro.
Finished off Sunday evening with a baguette and sliced fruit coupled with a bottle of homemade red wine on the roof deck.— LouPerseghin - Busy, busy weekend. Most of it is a blur but I do remember eating at SPTR and I had the new grilled halloumi plate — big halloumi weekend apparently. Good lord it was awesome! Served with galia melon, cucumber and jalapeno-yogurt dressing it was all sorts of refreshing. The softshell crab tacos were also amazing, I could eat both of these things all summer long.— MLF
- Only one day of note. Stopped in at the Khyber to say hi to Jeremy and drink some Pliny the Elder. Then met up with friends at Las Bugambilias for queso fundito and this ridiculous delmonico tequila steak topped with chipotle butter. So good. All meals are incomplete unless slathered with that goodness. We finished the night at Franklin Mortgage-my first time, I was appropriately overwhelmed and excited. I had to look up what I had-first the Ghost Hardware with gin, lemon, orange, cucumber, and celery bitters and then the Sneaky Feelings. I'm not much of a bourbon drinker, so this one kicked me in the back of the throat. But in a delicious way. I'll definitely head back there when I have money. Lots of money. So never. Or my birthday.— JulieC
- On Saturday, I tried to get the duck and bamboo shoots soup at Nam Phuong because I love both duck and bamboo shoots but the waiter gave me the "Uh, hold up white girl, you're not gonna like this." I chickened out an got something else but now I want to know why he cautioned against it. Anyone know what makes that so crazy?
Mom's Day was filled with Primo hoagies. Took a ton home and will be eating them for the next three years.— molls to the wall - Ah, the classic "uh hold up white girl" Asian waiter look! Next time I say just go for it. That sounds good. Maybe supplant it with a summer roll or something like that so he knows you have a white girl backup plan? haha — Drew Lazor
- spent half of the weekend miserably eating dining hall food and easy mac while finishing my last finals week ever (!). celebrated by hitting up james for the first and last time, ah. drank a bunch of saison darkly's, very impressed at their ability to make cauliflower quirky/interesting/really tasty and the boyfriend and i fought over the mushrooms in his steak dish. i really wanted to order everything, but i settled on the suckling pig cooked (soaked? or something, i don't remember) in milk cos it sounded so fun. and freeee limoncello from the nice waiter, since the bar had run out of the dessert wine he had talked up so much.
sunday, the boyfriend and i ate gravlax that we had bought at ikea, on artisan boulanger rolls, with cream cheese and capers. wish there were a place to grab good bagels nearby.
and ughh drew, i'm jealous you were at that game. i'm a big braves fan :S don't hate.— jreyes
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