Meal Ticket

Hi everyone! It's Drew Lazor, your friendly neighborhood Meal Ticket editor. First off, I'd like to thank everyone for bearing with us here at City Paper while we transition our web presence over to this spiffed-out new site. Like any major shift of this nature, there are plenty of unforeseen wrinkles we still need to take care of moving forward. We're making some sweet progress so far, but there's still much work to be done.

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Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, March 14-18

POSTED: Monday, March 21, 2011, 8:30 AM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, March 14

West Philly's getting a new hookah cafe called Aksum.

Cake and the Beanstalk is the name of the new coffee shop/bakery on Locust.

Take a peek inside Mica, the brand-new Chestnut Hill restaurant from chefs Chip Roman and Jason Cichonski.

Cheese plate skills, late-night eats, avo shakes and charcuterie on the homestead, in Notes from the Weekend.

Tuesday, March 15

Find out which chefs are collaborating March 28 at Bistrot La Minette, and what they'll be cooking. (Clue: Quack.)

Wednesday, March 16

The Victory beer dinner at Barbuzzo sounds tremendous.

The Farmers' Cabinet is brand-new to Center City, and it's a serious, serious space. Check it out!

Thursday, March 17

Baltimore's Stillwater Ales is throwing an elaborate beer dinner at James in April.

Our Meal Ticket-branded spring food issue is stuffed with killer content; here's the detailed rundown.

Stephen Starr is opening a ballroom space in Center City, not far from Il Pittore, his restaurant with culinary director Chris Painter.

We love what chef Christopher Kearse is doing at Pumpkin. Peep his next-level foie gras preparation.

Friday, March 18

Cooperage is launching an "industry night" of its own.

Bubble tea's back in West Philly thanks to the coming-soon TBowl.

Wendy's "natural-cut" french fries with sea salt: Are they delicious or suspicious?

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IN PRINT: City Paper's Spring Food Issue, March 17

POSTED: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 3:09 PM

Filed Under: In Print | Meal Ticket

We're obviously children of Generation Blog here at Meal Ticket, but you absolutely MUST pick up our brand-new spring food issue IN PRINT in addition to perusing it on the web — it's one beautiful book, thanks to the hard work of CP's Reseca Peskin, Allie Rossignol, Alyssa Grenning and Neal Santos, not to mention illustrator Joel Kimmel, who did both the outside and inside covers. Cop yours immediately!

Here's a rundown of what we've got for you inside.

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Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, March 7-11

POSTED: Monday, March 14, 2011, 8:30 AM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, March 7

Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr have a chef for their upcoming restaurant on Washington Square.

Tuesday, March 8

Mike Solomonov, Steve Cook, the dudes from Bodhi Coffee and MT's own Felicia D. are opening Federal Donuts in South Philly. Awesome!

Check out shots from the brand-new The Farm and Fisherman on Pine.

They're making some nice progress at the South Philly Santucci's.

Wednesday, March 9

The Farmers' Cabinet, from the Fork & Barrel crew, opens super-soon on Walnut.

Monkey Bar is the concept taking over the currently vacant Society Hill Hotel space.

Here's the full menu for the March 15 chef's collab dinner at The Corner.

Thursday, March 10

Catering by Miles is setting up shop in the old Apamate.

Resurrection Ale House is bringing back its infamous fried chicken (for one night only).

Iron Hill Brewery is working on its ninth location in Chestnut Hill, the local brand's first brewpub within city limits.

Friday, March 11

What's up with this blue-green Memphis Taproom food truck?

Brian Dwyer of Fishtown's upcoming Pizza Brain is hoping his pizza memorabilia collection will land him in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Art in the Age has teamed up with Vermont's Jasper Hill Farm to create a ROOT-washed Winnimere cheese; check it out at Di Bruno's.

Sneak a peek at what's in store for the still-not-named restaurant going into the AKA Rittenhouse Square.

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Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Feb. 21-25

POSTED: Monday, February 28, 2011, 3:48 PM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, Feb. 21 Port Richmond Pour House is opening soon in ... you can guess where! The new Makiman Sushi offers an all-you-can-eat option every Monday. The Piazza's Nana Petrillo's is brewing up their coffee pourover-style. Gavin's Café at 26th and Pine makes some mean empanadas. Guapos Tacos and Spanish fries with brown gravy and sushitron and pizza marathons and tripe-y brunches and a lot more in Notes from the Weekend. Check out photos of the brand-new Fathom Seafood House, from Mike Stollenwerkfish and Little Fish. Tuesday, Feb. 22 Audrey Taichman is opening Cook, a multi-purpose kitchen and culinary center, in Rittenhouse. Blue Bear Tavern (formerly Doc Watson's) is getting close at 11th/Walnut. There's a bangin' new spring menu at Maru Global Takoyaki. Wednesday, Feb. 23 Is Rim Café's saffron cappuccino delicious or suspicious? Erin Finnerty investigates. Lots of dough-savin' prix-fixe options for dinner at Hoof + Fin. This spring, Little Baby's Ice Cream will bring you artisanal desserts on a tricycle. Thursday, Feb. 24 The bar expansion at Bistrot La Minette is complete! Chef Scott Swiderski has left The Corner. AirHeads Xtremes get the extreme xtreme Weekly Candy treatment. Friday, Feb. 25 Erace tests out Distrito delivery from online service Grub Hub.

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Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Feb. 14-18

POSTED: Monday, February 21, 2011, 3:52 PM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, Feb. 14 O Burger is a new organic burger brand coming soon to Philly. More than a month into Adam Erace's Aerogarden experiment and he's got some bestial basil. Pascual Cancelliere has opened the long-awaited 943 in the Italian Market. The V-Day edition of Notes from the Weekend features nudity. And pork sandwiches and bolognese. And nudity. Tuesday, Feb. 15 Get Lost (Weekend) with Felicia D's video feature on The U.S. Bartenders' Guild, Philly Chapter. Adrian Pelliccia's guide to fun, drunken Bingo-style games you can play with your Oscar's Tavern cocktail placemat. The nominees for Food & Wine's "People's Best New Chef" are out, and Philly reps! Check out Zahav chef Michael Solomonov's inspiring talk at TedXPhilly. Wednesday, Feb. 16 New food truck Far From Home has hit the Philly streets. Rogue spirits are now available in Philly check them out at Varga Bar. Adam Erace heads on a food-head field trip to San Diego, California. Mike Stollenwerk's Fathom Seafood House soft-opens Feb. 21. Thursday, Feb. 17 The 2011 James Beard Awards semifinalists list is out, and again, Philly reps! Who's lighting it up at March's Amis Industry Night? Han Chiang of Han Dynasty, of course. Double-dip Weekly Candy from Erin Finnerty, featuring Japanese Every Burger and also some weird tree stump candy we cannot identify. Jose Garces' Guapos Tacos truck will start serving/catering again this spring. Friday, Feb. 18 Chef Jeremy Nolen of Brauhaus Schmitz modernizes German fare on his specials board. Froyo brand Red Mango puts roots down in South Jersey. Check out Congo Bars and more V-word treats from Nick's Vegan Café. Peep the full menu for the Feb. 21 izakaya pop-up at Khyber Pass Pub.

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Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Feb. 7-11

POSTED: Monday, February 14, 2011, 3:51 PM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, Feb. 7 Check out the interior progress at Point Breeze's Wander Inn, soon to be known as American Sardine Bar. This week in Arterial Terrorism: Chef Matthew Hartnett's "Burgermeister Meisterburger" at Hop Angel Brauhaus. Zaffron is a new Mediterranean grill operation in the Shops at Liberty Place. Duck fat chicken wings, cold-smoked salmon, abundant vegetable boards and various other Super Bowl-related fatness via Notes from the Weekend. Tuesday, Feb. 8 Peep the menus for the brand-new Opa, which just opa-ened at 13th/Sansom. Rapidly expanding healthy-grub chain Sweetgreen is working on a West Philly branch. Want a sneak peek of chef Todd Dae Kulper's upcoming Royal Sushi and Izakaya? Stop by Khyber Pass Pub on Feb. 21. Wednesday, Feb. 9 Spruce Street Espresso is opening a second location, a mere block away from their current digs. Manayunk's Old Eagle Tavern has rolled out a brand-new menu. Restaurant Remix: Check out our home cook-friendly tribute to the amazing cassoulet at Bistrot La Minette. Thursday, Feb. 10 Coconut M&Ms get the Weekly Candy treatment from Erin Finnerty. Check out the comments for some very pointed M&M opinions! So we freaked out a little bit about a stupid Nutella lawsuit. Chef Brian Ricci shows us the ropes of his pizza operation at Kennett. Friday, Feb. 11 Adrian Pelliccia previews Kitchen at Penn, a home-cookin' takeout/delivery service started by a UPenn senior. Felicia D. gets twisted about Hammond's Pretzels of Lancaster. Oyster House bartender Jordan Stalsworth's Rhino Tooth is one whiskey drink you should consume post-haste.

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Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Jan. 31-Feb. 4

POSTED: Monday, February 7, 2011, 4:12 PM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, Jan. 31 Kitchen is a new homemade delivery/catering service in West Philly. Check out food/cocktail pairings for a flat rate at Xochitl through February. Chili contests, fancy-shmance bourbon, references to Betty Draper's fainting couch and more in Notes from the Weekend. Tuesday, Feb. 1 Dock Street's chili pepper-infused Prisoner of Hell ale is heavenly. Lots more details on Fork & Barrel's upcoming Center City joint, called The Grainery. Wednesday, Feb. 2 Adam Erace shares the Erace Clan's crab gravy recipe. His grandmother has subsequently disowned him. Falafel Bar is brand-new in Center City. Adrian Pelliccia has your V-Day dinner plans on lock! Check out his huge Valentine's roundup. Check out the boss interior of Opa, opening this week at 13th/Sansom. Thursday, Feb. 3 Sonata chef/owner Mark Tropea just launched his latest winter menu. Take a photo tour of Plenty, the new Passyunk Avenue food market. A.D. Amorosi chats up developer/restaurant owner Joe Grasso about his still-to-come American Oak. Friday, Feb. 4 Chip Roman and Jason Cichonski's collaboration in Chestnut Hill has a new name. It was nice knowing you, Snackbar. Mmm, edible hippos! The latest Weekly Candy features a mammalian snack from Kinder. Laurel Rose Purdy checks out the French side of Lebanese food at NoLibs' Cafe La Maude. The Francisville neighborhood has a new cafÃ©, called Flying Carpet.

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First Gigs: Jeff Ziga, Little Baby's Ice Cream
If you don't know Nutella is bad for you and your kids, then you are a total idiot and a bad parent.
Bummer: Grub Street Philly shutting down
Notes from the Weekend: May 20
Frozen Drinks Alert: Water ice cocktails at Noir
Afternoon Snacks: Rachael & Guy do improv, Bacon hot dogs, Seasonal cocktails both posh and... less-so
Now Serving: Jerry's Bar
Hell's Kitchen casting in Philly
An edible guide to Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" turns Swanky Bubbles into Sheer

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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