Notes from the Weekend: September 13

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.) Rachel Burgos: RB Adam Erace: AE Drew Lazor: DL Anthony Sica: AS Photo | Adam Erace Friday, scooped calorie-conscious take-out from Fuel (1917 E. Passyunk Ave.). Chef/owner/DJ Rocco Cima says he's about a month away from opening a new Center City location; here's hoping the uptown café will serve Passyunk's charred corn-stuffed guacamole, Thai chicken wrap dripping with protein-packed peanut sauce and cool agua de jamaica brewed with hibiscus flowers grown and dried by one of his Mexican cooks. -AE Friday, met up with friends sitting outside at the P.O.P.E (1501 E. Passyunk Ave.) for a Southern Tier Pumking, one of my most favorite beers ever. It tastes like fall in a bottle, which was perfect for the cooler weather. Headed up to The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) to see a friend's bands play, had some Kenzingers and some of a sketchy bar slice of pizza. I still enjoyed it. -RB Saturday: A chef friend from Chicago landed in Philly, eager to see some of the food sites - he told me he'd never had a good meal in Philly, which shocked and offended me so much that I a) punched him and b) no I didn't and c) decided to do my part to make sure he wouldn't be able to say that anymore. First stop: South Philly Tap Room (1509 Mifflin St.), where chef Scott Schroeder, who was only slightly drunk at the time, hooked us up with some new dishes he's working on, including a ridiculous Ultimo Coffee- and cider-glazed duck leg over sautéed lima beans and slivered duck gizzards. We geeked the hell out, it was awesome. -DL Photo | Adam Erace : Continued the seaside bacchanal at Margate institution Two Cents Plain (9305 Ventnor Ave.). The warm waffles crowned with slabs of Breyer's dulce de leche, bananas and hot fudge were as sexy as the dame that greeted me at the door. -AE Was in Wildwood this weekend during the Roar to the Shore. I was looking for some peace and quiet, post-summer shore relaxation; instead, I was met with thousands bikes running from 8 a.m. to midnight. Did stop in to The Dogtooth Bar and Grill (100 E. Taylor Ave.) for some of the best food on the island. The Irish clams with bacon and grouper sandwich are standouts. Will certainly be back. -AS Photo | Drew Lazor Post-SPTR, took the crew to Adsum (700 S. Fifth St.), which in just two months of existence has become one of my favorite impulsive drop-in spots. It was packed at the bar so we grabbed an outdoor table, got down on Mr. Preston Eckman's cocktail stylings and ate some wow-we-really-shouldn't-have-ordered-this goodness, including foie gras poutine, that confoundingly delicious Kool-Aid watermelon, and, of course, their fried oysters (favorite in the city). Also heard that Adsum, plus a bunch of other south-of-South restaurants, are planning their own Restaurant Week to coincide with Center City's. More details soon; here's Adsum's RW menu for now. -DL Photo | Adam Erace Saturday: Almost threw down when a quartet of hillbillies slithered into the stool I'd been waiting for at the outdoor clam bar at Smitty's (910 Bay Ave.) in Somers Point. Contemplated the weapon utility of a bottle of Flying Fish Exit 11 I killed while seething on the wood-and-concrete benches. After about half an hour (quick for Smitty's), I settled in for white and red clam chowder, fried calamari, steamers, smoked scallop dip, U-peels, shrimp parmesan and fried oysters. Worth the wait, and assault charges. -AE Saturday got up ass early and headed to Fishtown to watch some EPL Soccer at a friend's house. After the game, hit up Kraftwork (541 E. Girard Ave.) brunch for the first time. I played it cool and got the standard two eggs, bacon, and garlic herbed fries - awesome, though after peeping a breakfast sandwich wish I ordered that instead. They come with housemade sausage, arugula, chees and some other goodness between two massive biscuits. Walked through scenic Kensington to get to another friend's house. Stopped by a bodega for an Arctic Splash and got barked at by a strange man as I was leaving. In the evening, I hit up a block party on Palmer Street, drank some beers and was jealous of the coolest moonbounce ever that I was too "big" to play in. Got a ride to South and had a Tecate at Copa (344 South St), followed by a falafel at Maoz (248 South St.) with every available topping on it, including garlic mayo and a sauce dubbed only "cilantro." -RB Photo | Drew Lazor Post-Adsum: One-block stuffed-silly stumble to Southwark (701 S. Fourth St.), where Aviations, Manhattans, somethingsomethings and Sly Fox Pikeland Pils-es happened. We shut down the bar and were politely ushered out. Thank God they did that because if they didn't we'd probably still be sitting there arguing about ... what the hell was it that we were arguing about? -DL Sunday afternoon went to the South Philly Acme (1400 E. Passyunk Ave.) with a friend to get supplies to make sandwiches: roast beef, provolone, au jus (in a can!), horseradish and some rolls. I also picked up a bottle of Tabasco Chipotle hot sauce, which we slathered on individual potato chips before devouring them. I think it's my favorite new condiment. -RB Brunch Sunday afternoon at Garces Trading Co. (1111 Locust St.). Was a little concerned that I'd screw myself for the week by blowing my entire budget on some Garces Eggs but it actually turned out to be generally affordable, considering how much food we destroyed. Three brunch courses runs $25 a head. I got down on a richrichrich steak/eggs/potato/bernaise plate and a decidedly less artery-piledriving melon/yogurt thing, while my companions got down on what looked to be an amazing smoked bronzino breakfast pizza. I would've indulged, but I got that bet going. And I am not fucking losing that bet. -DL Sunday: Ventured out into the rain to the tropically charming Melelani Cafe (5202 Atlantic Ave.) in Ventnor. The name means "place of palms" in the South African language of Tswana, and since opening last summer has become the de facto clubhouse of Downbeach artistes. I washed down their combo french toast (one slice crusted in almonds, another in Rice Krispies) with a pot of pineapple-papaya tea as big as a beach ball. -AE I was purchasing some honeycrisp apples at Whole Foods (929 South St.) and the checkout chick dropped one of them, badly bruising it. She apologized profusely and proceeded to give us the three non-dropped honeycrisps we'd brought up - $2.99 a pound! - for free. I have no idea why she did this, but it was a really nice gesture and I was extremely appreciative. I'm also glad she offered before I could start blabbing, because I was about to be like "Yo, I'll eat that ground apple right now, give it here." By the way, AE's Green Aisle Grocery (1618 E. Passyunk Ave.) gets honeycrisps in this Wednesday. -DL Photo | Drew Lazor This - Chocolove's dark chocolate/almond/sea salt bar - is prob the best damn candy bar in the Milky Way. More in our soon-to-launch Candy Bar of the Week feature. -DL CMF Posted 2010-09-15 17:26:34

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Notes from the Weekend: September 13

POSTED: Monday, September 13, 2010, 10:31 PM

Filed Under: Notes from the Weekend

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. Were 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.)

Rachel Burgos: RB

Adam Erace: AE Drew Lazor: DL Anthony Sica: AS

Photo | Adam Erace

Friday, scooped calorie-conscious take-out from Fuel (1917 E. Passyunk Ave.). Chef/owner/DJ Rocco Cima says hes about a month away from opening a new Center City location; heres hoping the uptown café will serve Passyunks charred corn-stuffed guacamole, Thai chicken wrap dripping with protein-packed peanut sauce and cool agua de jamaica brewed with hibiscus flowers grown and dried by one of his Mexican cooks. AE Friday, met up with friends sitting outside at the P.O.P.E (1501 E. Passyunk Ave.) for a Southern Tier Pumking, one of my most favorite beers ever. It tastes like fall in a bottle, which was perfect for the cooler weather. Headed up to The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) to see a friend's bands play, had some Kenzingers and some of a sketchy bar slice of pizza. I still enjoyed it. RB Saturday: A chef friend from Chicago landed in Philly, eager to see some of the food sites he told me he'd never had a good meal in Philly, which shocked and offended me so much that I a) punched him and b) no I didn't and c) decided to do my part to make sure he wouldn't be able to say that anymore. First stop: South Philly Tap Room (1509 Mifflin St.), where chef Scott Schroeder, who was only slightly drunk at the time, hooked us up with some new dishes he's working on, including a ridiculous Ultimo Coffee- and cider-glazed duck leg over sautéed lima beans and slivered duck gizzards. We geeked the hell out, it was awesome. DL

Photo | Adam Erace

: Continued the seaside bacchanal at Margate institution Two Cents Plain (9305 Ventnor Ave.). The warm waffles crowned with slabs of Breyers dulce de leche, bananas and hot fudge were as sexy as the dame that greeted me at the door. AE Was in Wildwood this weekend during the Roar to the Shore. I was looking for some peace and quiet, post-summer shore relaxation; instead, I was met with thousands bikes running from 8 a.m. to midnight. Did stop in to The Dogtooth Bar and Grill (100 E. Taylor Ave.) for some of the best food on the island. The Irish clams with bacon and grouper sandwich are standouts. Will certainly be back. AS

Photo | Drew Lazor

Post-SPTR, took the crew to Adsum (700 S. Fifth St.), which in just two months of existence has become one of my favorite impulsive drop-in spots. It was packed at the bar so we grabbed an outdoor table, got down on Mr. Preston Eckman's cocktail stylings and ate some wow-we-really-shouldn't-have-ordered-this goodness, including foie gras poutine, that confoundingly delicious Kool-Aid watermelon, and, of course, their fried oysters (favorite in the city). Also heard that Adsum, plus a bunch of other south-of-South restaurants, are planning their own Restaurant Week to coincide with Center City's. More details soon; here's Adsum's RW menu for now. DL

Photo | Adam Erace

Saturday: Almost threw down when a quartet of hillbillies slithered into the stool Id been waiting for at the outdoor clam bar at Smittys (910 Bay Ave.) in Somers Point. Contemplated the weapon utility of a bottle of Flying Fish Exit 11 I killed while seething on the wood-and-concrete benches. After about half an hour (quick for Smittys), I settled in for white and red clam chowder, fried calamari, steamers, smoked scallop dip, U-peels, shrimp parmesan and fried oysters. Worth the wait, and assault charges. AE Saturday got up ass early and headed to Fishtown to watch some EPL Soccer at a friend's house. After the game, hit up Kraftwork (541 E. Girard Ave.) brunch for the first time. I played it cool and got the standard two eggs, bacon, and garlic herbed fries awesome, though after peeping a breakfast sandwich wish I ordered that instead. They come with housemade sausage, arugula, chees and some other goodness between two massive biscuits. Walked through scenic Kensington to get to another friend's house. Stopped by a bodega for an Arctic Splash and got barked at by a strange man as I was leaving. In the evening, I hit up a block party on Palmer Street, drank some beers and was jealous of the coolest moonbounce ever that I was too "big" to play in. Got a ride to South and had a Tecate at Copa (344 South St), followed by a falafel at Maoz (248 South St.) with every available topping on it, including garlic mayo and a sauce dubbed only "cilantro." RB

Photo | Drew Lazor

Post-Adsum: One-block stuffed-silly stumble to Southwark (701 S. Fourth St.), where Aviations, Manhattans, somethingsomethings and Sly Fox Pikeland Pils-es happened. We shut down the bar and were politely ushered out. Thank God they did that because if they didn't we'd probably still be sitting there arguing about ... what the hell was it that we were arguing about? DL Sunday afternoon went to the South Philly Acme (1400 E. Passyunk Ave.) with a friend to get supplies to make sandwiches: roast beef, provolone, au jus (in a can!), horseradish and some rolls. I also picked up a bottle of Tabasco Chipotle hot sauce, which we slathered on individual potato chips before devouring them. I think it's my favorite new condiment. RB

Brunch Sunday afternoon at Garces Trading Co. (1111 Locust St.). Was a little concerned that I'd screw myself for the week by blowing my entire budget on some Garces Eggs but it actually turned out to be generally affordable, considering how much food we destroyed. Three brunch courses runs $25 a head. I got down on a richrichrich steak/eggs/potato/bernaise plate and a decidedly less artery-piledriving melon/yogurt thing, while my companions got down on what looked to be an amazing smoked bronzino breakfast pizza. I would've indulged, but I got that bet going. And I am not fucking losing that bet. DL Sunday: Ventured out into the rain to the tropically charming Melelani Cafe (5202 Atlantic Ave.) in Ventnor. The name means place of palms in the South African language of Tswana, and since opening last summer has become the de facto clubhouse of Downbeach artistes. I washed down their combo french toast (one slice crusted in almonds, another in Rice Krispies) with a pot of pineapple-papaya tea as big as a beach ball. AE I was purchasing some honeycrisp apples at Whole Foods (929 South St.) and the checkout chick dropped one of them, badly bruising it. She apologized profusely and proceeded to give us the three non-dropped honeycrisps we'd brought up $2.99 a pound! for free. I have no idea why she did this, but it was a really nice gesture and I was extremely appreciative. I'm also glad she offered before I could start blabbing, because I was about to be like "Yo, I'll eat that ground apple right now, give it here." By the way, AE's Green Aisle Grocery (1618 E. Passyunk Ave.) gets honeycrisps in this Wednesday. DL

Photo | Drew Lazor

This Chocolove's dark chocolate/almond/sea salt bar is prob the best damn candy bar in the Milky Way. More in our soon-to-launch Candy Bar of the Week feature. DL

CMF

Posted 2010-09-15 17:26:34

a friend of our fam who lives in margate always called it, "two cents plain, five bucks a scoop" ;)

kibby

Posted 2010-09-13 19:13:11

Spent the weekend in OC, MD for the last beach-y session of the season.  Ate boardwalk pizza and birch beer on Friday before wandering off the boardwalk to find a bar.  We stumbled into The Bearded Clam (awesome) and drank super cheap drafts for hours and hours and hours.  We also ordered $1 jello shots that came with whipped cream on top.  Cute and totally gross.  Saturday morning we made an awesome brunch (shrimp and grits and tomato salad) after swinging by a mini farmers market right off the highway.  I got roped into listening to a long story about wizards with one of the old tanned hippie stoners manning the booths.  I'm not sure how it started but I'm pretty sure that I just smiled and said hello.  I must look like I'm into wizardry? Saturday night- crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs.  And bud light lime.

danya

Posted 2010-09-13 20:32:36

Friday night celebrated the birthday of my pal Phillygrrl with a girly sleepover. Her man had provided homemade Filipino egg rolls (they have a name... Drew?) and drank 3 Olives Bubble Gum vodka while singing 80s and 90s karaoke to the touristy dudes congregating outside the windo. Oh, and her present was Cafe Estelle housemade bacon, snagged from Green Aisle.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-09-14 21:43:32

That's my bad Sarah. Fixed! I owe you a sundae.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-09-14 21:43:51

Lumpia is the best.

juliana

Posted 2010-09-15 20:02:27

word. also word on the impulsive, outdoor meal stops at adsum -- stopped there one wednesday afternoon after hitting philly aids thrift for an adsum burger (that pancetta-onion orgy legit killed me) and an old fashioned, even sat out in the drizzle and it was wonderful.

friday we sucked the last grilling days out of summer and had asian-ish burgers with cabbage salad, wasabi mayo & mushrooms sauteed in sherry vinegar & madeira. afterwards, hit up teri's in the ital market for their hop wallop special (eh) + shots of jamison (in hindsight, the shots were unnecessary).

saturday went to paesano's at 9th & christian and decided to branch out and choose something other than the gustaio or the bolognese. got a zawzeech, which was pleasantly sweet and enjoyable, though my friend called it "just a sausage and pepper sandwich." but sometimes, you don't need marinara and fried egg all over your fingers (though i'm kinda aching for it right now). my friend had the pesce fritti which he said tasted like a "big mac in the best way possible." (i agreed)

phillygrrl

Posted 2010-09-14 11:59:48

Lumpia :) They're called lumpia, Danya.

Doron Taussig

Posted 2010-09-14 11:49:33

Was home in Queens for Rosh Hashana. Ate challah, gefilte fish, apples and honey. Also ate several bagels. God damn those were good bagels. You can't argue with Queens bagels.

sarah p

Posted 2010-09-14 18:52:09

two cents plain is at 9305 ventnor avenue in margate. they also make a mean mint chocolate chip milkshake, complete with all of the settled pieces of chips at the bottom...best eaten with a spoon. a childhood favorite.

M.E.

Posted 2010-09-13 17:48:39

Is there a reason no one goes to Devil's Den brunch? Stumbled in around 1 on a Saturday because the $3 ($3!!!!) Bloody Mary's called, and left with a stomach full of some oh-so-fluffy eggs benedict (and vodka), but there was no one there! A couple held down an outside table but my party were the only other people in the joint. What gives? Was I just there on an off day? The other notable weekend meal came courtesy of Lee How Fook, which was all delicious (subgum duck = fave) and ludicrously cheap for the amount of food consumed.

Breaking Away: South of South Restaurant Week :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-09-15 08:01:50

[...] Read this now!• Eat This Immediately: Pawpaws• Starr announces chef for 18th/Sansom pub• Notes from the Weekend: September 13• Restaurant Week Pick for Sept. 13: Bistrot La Minette• Top Chef Not So Quickfire: [...]

Daniel McLaughlin

Posted 2010-09-14 00:02:18

So I really made the rounds this weekend, and all with a local theme. Friday night started at Tweed for drinks, where we tried a duck burger with duck breast from River and Glen farms. Then wandered over to Barbuzzo and had an under-whelming Vegetable board of local veggies with less than local dressings. Saturday was redemptive with a trip to the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival where we loved mushroom risotto from Talula's Table and mushroom ice cream at one of the local stands--delicious. Not to mention a box of beautiful portabellas to take home for grilling. Then we went out to Terrain in Glen Mills on Sunday for a delicious brunch where we had an amazing mushroom quiche (I obviously didn't get my fill of shrooms the day before) and a beautiful egg white omelette with local leeks and farm fresh goat cheese. Since we're counting Monday too, I rounded out the weekend with a Pocono River Bluefish BLT from the Standard Tap. Apparently I'm not the only one keeping the 3 day Labor Day weekend spirit alive...

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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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