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Archive: July, 2012
On Monday we learned that the tasting menu at Vetri was heading north come September, upping the prix-fixe from $135 to $155. The price hike makes Vetri's tasting the priciest in town, beating out Le Bec by a meager five bones.
All of this prix-fixe talk is making Michael Solomonov's just announced tasting seem like a veritable bargain at $90. Foobooz informs us that a four seat Kitchen Counter is being introduced to Zahav (237 St. James Place) where diners will be served a 10-course tasting of Solomonov's unique take on modern Israeli cuisine.
Zahav's $39 4-course tasting is a pretty serious undertaking in and of itself, so we can only imagine that six more course will make for an epic dining experience.
Looks like the Kitchen Counter is going to be invite only for its first month, but after that we're betting that scoring these seats is going to be quite the challenge.
Okay, we'll bite. It's hot. Hot as in Is it Iced Coffee Weather is directing us to our nearest coffee shops to get our cold brew fix, ASAP. And while there are plenty of places around town to get a decent iced coffee (we're looking at you, La Colombe Pure Black and siphon dripped goodness from Federal Donuts), there's no reason that you can't cold brew your own.
The good folks over at the BA Daily have generously shared a cold brew concentrate recipe that makes for a chilly glass of caffeinated refreshment with barely any effort.
The trick to a stand up cold brew lies in both time (and bit of preplanning, we're talking about 15 hours brew time here) and choosing the right roast, lighter blends tend to make for a smoother cold brew experience.
Word on the Eater street is that two big names are making their way down to Philly. First up is cult coffee chain, Joe. Turning out a mean macchiato using beans from Intelligentsia, this Manhattan and Brooklyn based operation has plans to open up in Rittenhouse and University City early on in 2013.
And while its just hearsay for the moment, the early word is that Stephen Starr's Frankfort Ave. barbecue venture is going to be a collaboration with Brooklyn's Fette Sau, the perennially packed Brooklyn converted converted garage that serves up trays of amazing smoked meat and some damned fine sides as well as a staggering selection of American Whiskies.
Veggie burgers, chik'n nuggets, and soy-rizo. Meat analogs are a dime a dozen at local markets. And while many of these specimens are plenty tasty, they're not about to fool any carnivores with their meaty ways.
Beyond Meat, the new kid on the meatless scene is gearing up to change all of that. Created by Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat's premier product approximates chicken in a way that is spot on texturally, shredding just like a chicken breast.
In an Op-Ed column for The New York Times, Mark Bittman tested the chicken sub for himself relayed that while Beyond Meat didn't taste like all that much, if seasoned and rolled into a burrito the difference may very well go undetected.
Note: Welcome to State Store, a column where we hit the Wine & Spirits shops of Philly and see what's new and noteworthy or just plain weird.
Chocolate wine is perhaps the most appalling of offenders at our local Wine & Spirits emporium. And while one variety of this godawful swill would seem to suffice, there a whopping three brands on the shelves of our local shop. Seriously, who drinks this stuff?
A quick trip over to Chocovine's site gave us a little insight into the background of this #1 selling chocolate wine in America. Check it out: "Among the windmills and tulip fields of Holland, fine red wine and rich dark chocolate blend with the finest Dutch cream to create a blissful indulgence." Hmm.
Next offender on the list is Chocolate Valley Wine, a nonvintage bottle that looks suspiciously similar to Yoo-Hoo. But Chocolate Valley would like to have you know that this is no kid stuff, "this sinful delight is sure to be a favorite."
Lastly we have Chocolate Shop, a Washington-based winemaker with a line of three chocolate infused wines including Creme de Cocoa, Chocolate Strawberry, and original. On the upside, Chocolate Shop's site did have one serving suggestion that doesn't sound too gag-worthy. Spoiler: It's not a cocktail, it's brownies.
Alright, Meal Ticketeers, anyone have any thoughts on Chocolate wine? Love it? Hate it? Does your aunt drink it? Let us know in the comments.
Thia afternoon we have a Southwestern French dinner from Peter Woolsey at Bistrot La Minette, a first look at a newly launched good for you meal delivery service (read: not pizza), and a few new edible additions to the Porch at 30th St.
Chances are if you are reading this blog, you like to cook. But for those who don't have time, or who are just bad at it, a new Philadelphia start-up, Real Food Works, is in pilot mode for a kitchen-to-door meal delivery program. Lending from local produce delivery programs, Real Food Works is bringing that concept to prepared meals. For $75 a week, you get 5 entrées delivered to your door every Tuesday, prepared by local restaurant or private chefs and catering companies. What sets it apart from other delivery places (think pizza or Tiffin) is that these meals are mostly vegetarian, fresh and healthy. That means no processed food, better nutrition and a lower carbon foot print. Here's a look at last week's menu:
Philly.com has rundown on finalists for this year's Vendy awards happening on Saturday, July 28 at the Lot at 39th and Market. Tickets are going for $55 and include bites from all of the competing vendors. Here's the list of mobile kitchens throwing down this year:
Delaware County isn't Meal Ticket's usual stomping ground but yesterday's errands proved to be the perfect excuse to check out iconic burger joint, Charlie's Hamburgers (336 Kedron Ave., Folsom). Raves from Holly Moore and friend of Meal Ticket Hawk Krall proved to be spot-on, these burgers are awesome. Thin, hand-formed patties, griddled to a juicy medium and piled on toasted white buns.
The menu is pretty straight forward, burgers, dogs, and grilled cheese, hand spun shakes, fountain sodas, and bags of chips. No fries, no nonsense, and the kind of service that'll have you in and out, burgers in hand in no time at all.
Charlie's offers two signature burgers, the Bunny Special topped off with American, teeny dice of raw onion, grainy mustard, and sliced tomato and the Charlie Special with cheese, fried onions, tomato, and pickles. Somewhere in between a slider and a full sized burger, these are the are the kind of burgers that you can easily put away two of especially considering the absence of fries.
And it's worth a mention that although Charlie's has been historically closed on Tuesdays, they're now open seven days a week for all of your old school burger eating needs.
East Passyunk chips and margarita spot Cantina los Caballitos (1651 E. Passyunk Ave.) just got a little more idyllic. A walk by this morning saw the outdoor seating area embellished with wooden planters filled with hibiscus, sweet potato vines, and a few shade making trees. Apart from upping the attractive factor on corner of Passyunk and Morris, there are plans in the works for installing a green wall on the south facing facade of the building.
Notes from the Weekend is a feature that sees the members of Team Meal Ticket compiling all the food/drink highlights uncovered during prime eatin' time, Friday to Sunday. We'd love to hear all about YOUR weekend eating adventures in the comments. Go for it! (View past NFTW installments at citypaper.net/notes.)
Morgan's Pier, beach eats, and dinner at Vedge after the jump! »
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