City Paper's new restaurant critic: Hi, my name is ...

Slim Shady. No, it's Adam Erace. You might remember me from such publications as: Philadelphia Style, the Courier-Post and, lately, Philadelphia Weekly, where I served as the restaurant critic for nearly three years. Starting today, a new entity assumes responsibility for my calcified arteries, alcoholism and impending adult-onset diabetes: City Paper! I'm their new reviewer and Meal Ticket contributor. For this, City Paper has generously agreed to subsidize all future medical bills. They just don't know it yet. In agreeing to write for City Paper and Meal Ticket, your boy has done two things: (1) acquired the challenge of filling the very large shoes of Trey Popp (not to mention the very stylish pumps of Felicia D.) and (2) branded himself a party jumper at best and a traitor at worst. Were this Tudors-era Britain, I'd be executed for high treason like some Luther-lovin' ho. Fortunately, we live in more civilized times, but before the gossip starts, I'd like to take this opportunity to put speculation to rest as to why I am no longer with PW. Unfortunately, my boss had discovered that I'd forged my résumé from a how-to book, fudging work experience and a Vassar degree, desperate faced with having to financially support my three brothers and sister after our babysitter died while my mother was on vacation in Australia. Mama Celeste face up, and that's the way it goes. I have some lingering guilt, but on the real, I'm excited as Jessie Spano to tackle the City Paper food section like a QED report. The editing is tight, the writing bites and Meal Ticket gets more scoops than a fat kid at an ice cream parlor. I plan to ride the coattails of Drew Lazor's Top Chef recaps to a guest judging spot on the still-only-existing-in-my-imagination Philadelphia season. I have nearly perfected Gail's trademark expression of amused disgust. EDITOR'S NOTE: Many of you are aware that Adam, along with his brother Andrew, own and operate Green Aisle Grocery at 1618 E. Passyunk Avenue in South Philly. Through his business, he's struck up relationships with a number of local purveyors, chefs and restaurateurs - Green Aisle stocks products from Zahav, James, Pub & Kitchen and Fond, to name a few. To avoid any critical malfeasance, Adam will refrain from reviewing any establishment with whom he works via Green Aisle, as well as any establishment within the immediate vicinity of his store. These reviews will be handled by Elisa Ludwig, who has been doing a bang-up job filling in during this transitional period. Adam's first print review will appear on August 5. kibby Posted 2010-07-21 12:31:28

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City Paper's new restaurant critic: Hi, my name is ...

POSTED: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 5:23 PM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket

Slim Shady. No, its Adam Erace. You might remember me from such publications as: Philadelphia Style, the Courier-Post and, lately, Philadelphia Weekly, where I served as the restaurant critic for nearly three years. Starting today, a new entity assumes responsibility for my calcified arteries, alcoholism and impending adult-onset diabetes: City Paper! Im their new reviewer and Meal Ticket contributor. For this, City Paper has generously agreed to subsidize all future medical bills. They just dont know it yet. In agreeing to write for City Paper and Meal Ticket, your boy has done two things: (1) acquired the challenge of filling the very large shoes of Trey Popp (not to mention the very stylish pumps of Felicia D.) and (2) branded himself a party jumper at best and a traitor at worst. Were this Tudors-era Britain, Id be executed for high treason like some Luther-lovin' ho. Fortunately, we live in more civilized times, but before the gossip starts, Id like to take this opportunity to put speculation to rest as to why I am no longer with PW. Unfortunately, my boss had discovered that Id forged my résumé from a how-to book, fudging work experience and a Vassar degree, desperate faced with having to financially support my three brothers and sister after our babysitter died while my mother was on vacation in Australia. Mama Celeste face up, and thats the way it goes. I have some lingering guilt, but on the real, Im excited as Jessie Spano to tackle the City Paper food section like a QED report. The editing is tight, the writing bites and Meal Ticket gets more scoops than a fat kid at an ice cream parlor. I plan to ride the coattails of Drew Lazors Top Chef recaps to a guest judging spot on the still-only-existing-in-my-imagination Philadelphia season. I have nearly perfected Gails trademark expression of amused disgust. EDITOR'S NOTE: Many of you are aware that Adam, along with his brother Andrew, own and operate Green Aisle Grocery at 1618 E. Passyunk Avenue in South Philly. Through his business, he's struck up relationships with a number of local purveyors, chefs and restaurateurs Green Aisle stocks products from Zahav, James, Pub & Kitchen and Fond, to name a few. To avoid any critical malfeasance, Adam will refrain from reviewing any establishment with whom he works via Green Aisle, as well as any establishment within the immediate vicinity of his store. These reviews will be handled by Elisa Ludwig, who has been doing a bang-up job filling in during this transitional period. Adam's first print review will appear on August 5.

kibby

Posted 2010-07-21 12:31:28

Woot Woot! Congrats Adam! Yay!!!!!

Anthony Sica

Posted 2010-07-21 12:36:00

Fantastic addition to CityPaper and Mealticket. Between Green Aisle and one liners that would make Lisa Lampenelli blush, Adam is one of the coolest people on the Philly food scene and it is great to see him with CP.

Michelle

Posted 2010-07-21 12:37:12

This is so exciting! I look forward to reading the reviews and awesome Meal Ticket posts - recipes please!!!

Tweets that mention City Papers new restaurant critic: Hi, my name is :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-21 12:45:40

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper, Eric Paraskevas and Allie Harcharek, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Introducing @citypaper's new restaurant critic, @adamerace: http://bit.ly/biBVx8 [...]

Philly Grub

Posted 2010-07-21 12:53:49

Looking forward to adding yet more restaurants on my "to-go" list. Congrats Adam!

Joy Manning

Posted 2010-07-21 13:40:38

Love Adam's work, love Drew's work, love City Paper, love Meal Ticket. You people will be unstoppable with all this talent under one roof!

Molly Eichel

Posted 2010-07-21 15:17:41

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead reference? +10.

Neal

Posted 2010-07-21 16:25:33

Can't wait to photograph your leftovers.

Holly Moore

Posted 2010-07-21 16:32:12

Congrats.  The City Paper reviewers keep getting better and better.

Collin

Posted 2010-07-22 01:23:34

This couldn't be better.

Sour Patch Kid and Festina Pecherace working together? Awesome.

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About this blog

Founded in October 2008, Meal Ticket is a City Paper blog about food, drink and assorted other things that make you go mmm. We do recipes, interviews, restaurant news, commentary and much more. We don't do restaurant reviews here — those are handled in print, mostly by our critic (and Meal Ticket contributor) Adam Erace. Got a tip, question, thought or concern? Just want to say hello? Please shoot a note to caroline@citypaper.net.

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