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Monday, May 6
A truly inspired Afternoon Snacks covering all things avocado-related.
Some serious shuffling is happening in Rittenhouse.
Tuesday, May 7
Adam went to the James Beard Awards and all we got were these lousy pictures.
Wednesday, May 8
Sorry folks, we took the day off.
Thursday, May 9
Wheat Beer Fest this weekend at South Philly Tap Room, you guys!
Friday, May 10
New Leash on Life is a nonprofit that I am crazy about. They place shelter pups (dogs that would otherwise be scheduled to be put down) into training programs to work with prison inmates, to the benefit of both parties. The dogs gain training and socializing crucial to their adoptability, and the inmates gain skills that boost their employability—not to mention a dog's priceless brand of companionship.
As luck would have it, I'm also crazy about beef and beer events in churches, so allow me to suggest that you find yourself at Old St. Augustine (243 N. Lawrence St.) tomorrow from 3 to 6 p.m. (Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door; food is included in the donation but you'll want to bring cash for the bar.)
Thanks for Grubstreet New York for alerting us to something that is definitely worth planning a quick trip to New York for: Katz's Delicatessen is turning 125 years old, and their birthday party at the end of the month sounds incredible.
The dinner scheduled for May 31 will feature guest chefs from Little Owl, Sarabeth's and Mission Chinese "reimagining" classic Katz's dishes. And considering some of the strengths of their regular menus, it sounds like a killer combo—Sarabeth Levine's rugelach and Danny Bowien's kung pao pastrami alone would be cool, but we're guessing at something a little more ambitious for such a huge occasion.
And don't even get us started on the pastrami-eating competition (we think we can take this, we really do). Tickets for the dinner run from $125-$500, with all proceeds going to Henry Street Settlement.
Chinese businessman Wayne Trang just debuted an 80-seat Vietnamese restaurant called Mi Dac Ky in New World Plaza at 6th and Wash, so congrats to him. But what we'd really like to say to Mr. Trang is: What kind of crazy Inception shit did you pull to tease your new Peking Duck Banh Mi out of Meal Ticket's collective subconscious?!?!? Well played, sir. We've got to give props for making this mash-up of our dreams a reality of boneless Peking duck, house-made duck liver pate, cucumbers, carrots, jalapenos and cilantro on a crispy French baguette. We can't wait to try it, and neither should you.
It's been a toughie for Stephen Wagner. The restauranteur's celebrated chef Sam Jacobson left Sycamore, Wagner's BYOB and Lansdowne's touchstone of city dining outside the city, while his handsome newcomer NoBL closed to re-concept following lukewarm reviews. Several months later, the door is closed for good at NoBL with Wagner citing, via Foobooz, a simple lack of business. Sycamore chugs on. Been there post-Jacobsen? Get at us in the comments and let us know how it was.
Tomorrow night's free beer tasting at the NoLibs branch of the Foodery (837 N. 2nd St.) will offer a little something extra: tastes of a new Philly-made spice blend called St. Lucifer Spice. The combo of habaneros, garlic, salt and vinegar is being touted as an all-purpose blend—a kickier alternative to the shaker of red pepper flakes—so you'll get to try it dusted on popcorn and as a dry rub on pulled pork. The BBQ sauce will also feature Leinenkugel's Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout, and several Leinie's brews will be on hand to sample alongside. As usual, the tasting is free; just drop by the Foodery between 6 and 8 p.m. on Fri., May 10.
The food TV circus, aguas frescas and rum-soaked birthdays, after the break. »
This week South Philly Review reviewer Phyllis Stein-Novack checks in a Brooklyn import-Stephen Starr-becue spot Fette Sau (1208 Frankford Ave.) Before delving into Fette Sau's meaty offerings, PSN sets the scene by recounting a chat she had with a chef friend recently. They discussed current dining trends like low lighting and the menu reading difficulty that comes along with it as well as the proliferation of pork and beer on menus these days.
Pork and beer you say? Well then, enter PSN and husband Edward to Fette Sau's Frankford Avenue digs. Grabbing two seats at the bar Edward opted for a dark pint of Teuton while PSN went with her beloved Rob Roy. Fette Sau has a stellar collection of brown spirits and the barkeep recommended an Scotch-like Oregon-distilled bourbon to PSN. While she was a fan of the flavor, the $17 price tag was a shock to say the least.
When it came time to sample Fette Sau's barbecue, there were high and lows and virtually nothing in between. Brisket was "hands down, the best" PSN has tasted anywhere while pulled pork was bland. Smoked short ribs were imparted with a tasty but different mouthfeel than the liquid braised ones that PSN was more familiar with. Underseasoned St. Louis-style ribs were a disappointment.
Sides-wise German potato salad was the star of the show: "I like mayonnaise-free potato salad, as it is a welcome change from the run-of-the-mill variety. It did need a bit of salt." Briny half sour pickles reminded PSN of her grandmother's homemade ones and while the texture of burnt end baked beans was good "taste wise, the beans did not wow us."
The biggest loser of the evening was the inedible broccoli salad: "It was bursting with too much vinegar and hot pepper flakes." PSN wondered where this side fits in with barbecue.
At the end of the day Fette Sau came away with an unenthusiastic two and a half tips of the toque.
Chefs and ownership might be a little up in the air at Le Bec (1523 Walnut St.) but that's certainly not stopping them from hosting a very special dinner next Tuesday, May 14th. Le Bec exec Steve Eckerd is joining forces with Dexel's culinary arts program and brining students into the kitchen for a five course meal inspired by local produce from Headhouse market. Seats are $110 with an optional $55 wine pairing option but students can get in on the action for $85. And we've got to say with a menu that includes inspired items like halibut chowder with diver scallop terrine and sourdough tuile and rhubarb clafoutis with Pedro Ximenez ice cream, it hardly reads like student work. Seats are going fast so reserve your place at the table by calling 215-576-1000.
Mark your calendars for next Saturday, May 18th, for one of Team Meal Ticket's favorite beer events of the year: the annual South Philadelphia Tap Room Wheat Beer Fest (1509 Mifflin St.). Now in its eighth year, the block party sees more than 30 wheat beers flowing ($3 each from noon to 8 p.m.) and a "South Philly-style street BBQ" by Scott Schroeder sets from Adam and Dave's Bloodline, Arrah and the Farns, Robotrippers and more. Here's hoping that means a suckling pig set to the sounds of Denine & Collage.
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