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Archive: September, 2012
On today's Afternoon Snacks, we've got Lobstoberfest, Oktoberfest, and last-gasp outdoor dining around Rittenhouse Square.
Well, it’s neither a traditional Oktoberfest celebration nor a thing that takes place in October, but we’re still sort of tickled by the coinage Lobstoberfest, so here we are. Drop into Bierstube Tsingtau (206 Market St.) today or Saturday for a 1.25-lb., soft-shell Maine lobster and a side of Jersey corn for just $12.99—and please, for the sake of the pun, pair it with a selection from their slew of Oktoberfest ales.
A few weeks ago, we told you about April White's new cookbook The Philadelphia Chefs' Table, a volume dedicated to the best dishes of the best chefs in town. And just in time for this weekend, Meal Ticket's landed a pair of recipes to share from the book. So hit Ippolito's (1300 Dickinson St.) for some wild salmon and mussels because Saturday night dinner's looking like Mike Stollenwerk's smoked salmon-and-pumpernickel panzanella and Pete Woolsey's impeccable moules-fringed fisherman's egg.
Prize winning bologna champ Nick Macri of Southwark (701 S. 4th St.) is teaming up with Princeton's Griggstown Quail Farm to host a dinner featuring birds both big and small. On Wednesday, September 18th at 7 p.m. Macri will be rolling out a four course menu that features quail, pheasant, duck and chicken all raised free-range and naturally on the Jersey farm. The menu runs $45 per person with an optional $10 beer or wine pairing.
So how does one incorporate duck into dessert? Find out after the jump! »
It's been an eventful Thursday here at the food news bureau. Here's a wrap up of the big stories that broke today.
The future of Tapestry is uncertain as of this afternoon. Earlier today Eater heard word that the Queen Village restaurant had shuttered but this afternoon The Insider is saying that the closure is temporary, having to do with the transfer of a liquor license.
On a brighter note via Foobooz, East Passyunk gourmet takeout spot Plenty is opening a second TBD location in Rittenhouse come 2013.
In other Rittenhouse news, old timer Seafood Unlimited has undergone some pretty serious renovations: expanding the bar, introducing craft beer options and rolling out a brand new menu.
Things are never boring over at The Farmer's Cabinet. The latest development is the departure of bar manager Matt Scheller. Things are been rocky in the kitchen at the Cabinet from the start but the Scheller-curated beer menu was always a draw. No word yet on Scheller's next move.
Audrey Claire Taichman and fellow restaurateurs Stephen Starr and Michael Solomonov created Feastival to aid and assist the finances of Nick Stuccio’s Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe. And there was certainly Fringe factor to be found throughout the third annual Feastival, from the silver-painted nude dancers atop the entrance of Pier 9 to the twirling acrobats too near to the bar area (if you make a wave in my strong vodka gimlet from Farmer’s Cabinet, you’re too twirly). There was also a show of Rendell Power to be found in passing of the philanthropic torch to Ed Rendell’s son Jesse and his bride, Beka, the two unofficial co-hosts of the night.
Mostly though, it was one of the best shows of Philly’s food power with some ninety-plus chefs and restaurants bringing their A game and/or their best new stuff to the collective tables. The whole of Feastival was a vibrant and cool scene even if you couldn’t avoid bumping elbows with chefs you loved (I’ll move into Brauhaus Schmitz if Jeremy Nolen will keep making that foie gras liverwurst in red currant-shallot preserve).
There were lots of scallop dishes, lots of salmon, lots of meatballs, lots of pork bellies (and I don’t mean the folks here who gorged themselves) and several rabbits.
Here’s a look at the top ten highlights of Feastival 2012: »
Taqueria del Sol, the lauded fast casual Southern taco mash-up based out of Atlanta, has its sights on Willow Grove for their first location outside of Georgia. And now we’ve got an opening date: Monday, October 22nd is the target for the branch (4001 Welsh Rd., Willow Grove) to kick into gear. On the menu, you’ll find traditional taco fillings like carnitas in addition to fusion fare like fried chicken and pork bbq. (Sides similarly straddle the line, with rice and refrieds cozying up with braised turnip greens.) The chain’s signature specials include comfort foods like shrimp and grits and the “Bob taco,” a flour tortilla stuffed with fried shrimp, crayfish mayonnaise, lettuce and pickled jalapeños. Owner Mike Klank and chef Eddie Hernandez have a couple of Beard Award nominations under their belt, but we admit that the promise of a full bar and build-your own margaritas may be an even stronger draw.
In the grand tradition of us taking this very literally and basically just telling you what we want for our own afternoon snack today, allow me to share with you this scotch egg Nick Elmi’s adding to the bar menu at Rittenhouse Tavern (251 S. 18th St.). And it’s on their happy hour menu, where everything is $6 (a discount, yes, but we’re more grateful for the easy math after a few drinks). Yeah, we thought so. We’ll see you there in a few hours.
With fall theatre season kick-offs come new theatre district deals, like a new 3-course prix fixe from R2L. (2 Liberty Place, 37th fl.) The $45-a-head option is available for early seatings from 5-6:30 p.m., and offers diners the option of having their first and second courses before their show, then returning to the restaurant for dessert. As a perk, subscribers to many of the city’s theatres and dance and opera companies get a free glass of bubbly with their meal—check the site for a full list and menu.
Having worked everywhere from Parc and Ruth's Chris most recently leaving Stateside to help open the new Le Bec, Anthony Gaultieri is a familiar face in the Philly restaurant scene. Biking home from work on a recent evening Gaultieri was struck by a car and ended up breaking his femur, back, neck and wrist not to mention some pretty out of control hospital bills.
To offset the cost of Gaultieri's medical bills friends are hosting a benefit for him on Tuesday, September 18th at Yards Brewery (901 North Delaware Ave.) Gaultieri's bud, Wes Thompson is going to be on deck serving up all-you-can-eat South Carolina-style 'cue from Smoky Mutts, $5 drafts courtesy of Yards and a raffle with prizes provided by former employers. The party starts at 7 p.m. and there's a suggested donation of $20 at the door. Here's to wishing Gaultieri a speedy recovery.
As a Philly kid with half a family in Jersey, I've always found the biggest difference between the city and the suburbs is the quiet. Seems that also extends to restaurant openings. Terence Feury, who's taken his talents from Old City's Fork to the Garden State, hasn't been saying much about Tavro13 (1301 Kings Highway), the American dining room in the former digs of the Old Swedes Inn, an establishment as historical as it was terrible. In fact, nobody's been saying much about it at all. That's probably got something to do with the nondescript location--Swedesboro is just a few miles in from the River near the PA/DE border--but that shouldn't deter you from visiting once it opens.
"We're still looking to open end of September, beginning of October," says Feury, who's planning to finish the kitchen this week. "Our menu will feature seasonal, straightforward but refined American cuisine." There'll be a cocktail snack menu too, "Things like marinated olives with crunchy chick peas and favas, grilled octopus with almonds, chicken liver mousse with grilled country bread."
The old Inn's unusual layout has been converted a series of dining areas for Tavro, each with a distinct design. (Check out the tile-work on the porch.) The mural, a focal element on room, is by artist Effie Tzitzifas, wife of Gus Tzitzifas, Feury's partner in the business.
Tavro and Feury's presence is a big get for Swedesboro, and for South Jersey in general. With Joey Baldino absolutely killing it in Collingswood with Zeppoli, you've got to wonder if a trend is in the works... I hope so. It will make visiting family in Jerz a whole lot tastier.
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