Menu Time

Checking in on Fishtown's Brindle Cafe

POSTED: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 9:29 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time | Openings

Brindle Cafe (221 E. Girard Ave.), a recent addition to the slew of new East Girard eateries, is aiming at locals in a big way. Scott Forman, formerly of Old City's Swanky Bubbles, opened Brindle to create a vibe that would appeal to a mix of local eaters. To Forman, a Philly native who named his joint after his brindle pit bulls Kayla and Gracie, his space is "by the neighborhood, for the neighborhood, appealing to those outside of the neighborhood." He's combined menu cues from locals with what he'd imagined before he built the interior on his own. While the decor is still in its tweaking stages, the space is still cozy enough for people watching while sipping on a cup of One Village coffee.

Brindle features a vast list of fresh sandwiches â all meats are roasted by Forman â and salads, while elaborating on simple classics like PB&J and gooey grilled cheeses. We tried a slow-roasted pork sandwich (0n rye, accented with sharp provolone and sweet honey) and a green salad with dates, mozzarella, Prosciutto and roasted veggies. A recent trip to India brought Forman back with a jackpot of spices, which he hand grinds, mortar and pestle style. Check out Brindle's full menu below.


Click to enlarge

StoopPhilly Links | StoopPhilly

Posted 2011-01-19 22:06:43

[...] COLUMN: Phila.'s top 10 real estate stories for 2010  (Philadelphia Business Journal) Checking in on Fishtown's Brindle Cafe  (Meal Ticket) Share on Facebook    Tweet   This entry was posted in Fishtown, Holmesburg, [...]

Tweets that mention Checking in on Fishtown's Brindle Cafe :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-01-19 15:53:32

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by One Village Coffee, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Check out @laurelro on Fishtown's new Brindle Cafe: http://ow.ly/3G3Qi [...]

poncho

Posted 2011-01-19 13:32:13

This place looks so nice, is sandwich spelled wrong on purpose?

DSW

Posted 2011-01-18 22:35:22

Wow...I live right around the corner and didn't realize a new spot had opened!! So excited to try it out. Just what the doctor ordered- healthy options.
What would I do without the CityPaper to open my eyes!!

ThadS

Posted 2011-01-18 18:33:26

Looks pretty decent. I will be moving up that way soon, so I will definitely take advantage.

Posted by Laurel Rose Purdy @ 9:29 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Matyson's pinchy prix-fixe menu

POSTED: Monday, January 17, 2011, 6:20 PM

Filed Under: Food Events | Menu Time

You may remember our recent rundown of non-Restaurant Week deals happening at a slew of spots around town, but we just got word of a super-specialized menu at Matyson (37 S. 19th St.) â one that just so happens to coincide with Restaurant Week! From Jan. 17 to 20, Matyson's "Lobster Love" tasting menu offers a lobster-oriented spin on their signature themed tasting menus; $45 gets you a ton of crustacean, since each course (with the exception of dessert) makes copious use of the featured ingredient. Take a peek after the jump.

Lobster & Grapefruit Salad - Soy beans, crispy lotus root, miso vinaigrette

Lobster & Squid Ink Gnocchi - Calamari confit, chorizo, piquillo peppers, espelette

Lobster Benedict - Avocado mousse, tomato confit, saffron, crispy poached egg

Lobster Cassoulet - Lobster "sausage," stewed white beans, kale, red wine

Apple Bread Pudding - Cranberries, vanilla ice cream

Posted by Adrian Pelliccia @ 6:20 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Presto! Pizza by Pesto

POSTED: Monday, January 17, 2011, 2:56 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time | Openings

southphillyreview.com

I start the fire, I make the pizza. Chef Claudio Conigliaro

How did this one sneak by us? Chef Claudio Conigliaro and John Varallo, whose family owns the solid Ristorante Pesto (1915 S. Broad St.), has opened up the eat-in/take-out/deliveryÂ Pizzeria Pesto (1925 S. Broad St.) two doors down. Fourteen pies (8 red, 6 white) are fired in brick ovens, with a pesto pizza, naturally, among the choices, plus calzones and one thick-crusted Sicilian. Square biz. Browse the full menu, which also includes reasonably priced pastas, sandwiches and desserts, here. We're already looking forward to seeing how the rosemary-dusted potato pizza stacks up against la stalwart La Rosa's (2106 S. Broad) two blocks south.

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Jan. 17-23 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-24 08:31:53

[...] The owners of Pesto have launched their own pizzeria. [...]

Felicia D'Ambrosio

Posted 2011-01-17 10:30:30

PSN loved it.  Three tips of the toque!

barryg

Posted 2011-01-17 22:07:28

I was really disappointed with the pizza when I tried. Above average crust, but very bland. Didn't try the potato one. Still haven't found anything better than Franco Luigi's for take out, Marra's for eat in.

Foobooz » Quick Bites: Is Today 943′s Day?

Posted 2011-01-18 11:13:54

[...] The family of Ristorante Pesto has opened Pizzeria Pesto at 1925 S Broad. [Meal Ticket] [...]

lawgirl3278

Posted 2011-01-18 15:47:56

I tried it a few weeks ago.  It was ok, reminded me of boardwalk pie.  My go-to neighborhood pies are Francoluigi's, Stogie Joe's and Marra's.

Posted by Adam Erace @ 2:56 PM Permalink | Post a comment

R2L's lunch menu debut

POSTED: Thursday, January 13, 2011, 5:28 PM

Filed Under: Food News | Menu Time

Photo | Drew Lazor

Daniel Stern's R2L (50 S. 16th Street) is propelling a lunch menu our way, in tandem with Restaurant Week, on Monday, January 17. The launch will begin with RW format â three courses for $20 â while the ongoing a la carte lunch menu is still TBA. Offerings include some items that are also found on the dinner menu, such as the garden salad and roasted chicken with wild rice and Brussels sprouts; some more lunch-oriented options include a modernized Caesar and chopped steak with stuffed potato skins. Check out the full menu after the jump.

Click to enlarge

Tour Kenya’s Top Birding Spots | Taking care of your pet

Posted 2011-01-13 20:04:46

[...] R2L's lunch menu debut :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia … [...]

Posted by Laurel Rose Purdy @ 5:28 PM Permalink | Post a comment

New winter menu at Fond

POSTED: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 8:39 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time

Photo | Uwishunu

Fond's Tory Keomanivong, Lee Styer and Jessie Prawlucki

Fresh tans aren't the only souvenirs Lee Styer and Jessie Prawlucki have brought back from their week's vacation in Puerto Rico. The couple returned with a new winter menu for their BYOB, Fond (1617 E. Passyunk), too. âWe sat on the beach with our notebooks, thinking out dishes,â says Prawlucki. When your envy subsides, check out the new line-up, which premiered last night, after the jump.

Appetizers

Beet and Fennel Cured Arctic Char - celery salad, trout roe, caraway - 12

Seared Foie Gras - tonka bean ricotta, baked apples, flaky pie crust - 16

Crispy Veal Sweetbreads - sweet and sour cabbage, creamy whole grain mustard - 12

Grilled Octopus Salad - caper aioli, frisee, grapefruit - 13

Celery Root Veloute - roasted mushrooms, truffle - 10

Main Course

Seared Skate Wing - Meyer lemon risotto, edamame, soy brown butter - 25

Shrimp Bouillabaisse - roasted fennel, saffron broth, rouille crostini - 27

All natural Chicken Breast - white bean puree, bacon-braised kale, rosemary jus - 23

Berkshire Pork Belly - Okinawan sweet potatoes, escarole, Dijon jus - 24

Strip Loin - ferro, beets, goat cheese, Bordelaise - 28

Desserts

Meyer Lemon Layer Cake - poppyseed genoise, pistachio sauce, crisp rosemary meringue - 8

Tropical Fruit Crumble - coconut streusel, vanilla bean and rum ice cream - 8

Malted Milk Chocolate Ice Cream - peanut brittle, chocolate crumble, peanut butter ganache - 8

Dark Chocolate Custard - salted caramel, candied hazelnuts - 8

Sorbet Sampler - trio of house-made sorbets, waffle cookie - 8

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-01-13 13:05:22

[...] Fond has rolled out their winter menu, we’d pick out a highlight but it all sounds good. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Posted by Adam Erace @ 8:39 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Cantina Feliz opens Thursday

POSTED: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 7:01 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time | Openings | Photos

Courtesy of Dan Schwartz, Cantina Feliz

We had a peek at some menu items for Fort Washington's Cantina Feliz (424 S. Bethlehem Pike) back in November, but now it's official: The Mexican restaurant, from former Distrito chef de cuisine Tim Spinner (right) and his partner, former Garces beverage manager Brian Sirhal, will open this Thursday, Jan. 13. Here are the opening food and beverage menus (PDFs both); check below the jump for pics of Spinner's ceviche verde (hiramasa, winter melon vin, jalapeno, lime sorbet) and crab fundido (jumbo lump, Valentina cream cheese, scallion, chives, queso) dishes. One menu feature that did catch our eye: the cochinita, or whole roast suckling pig, served with a slew of sides (grilled veg, beans, salsas, etc.) for $36 a head. Just like the porcine highlight at Spinner's former bossman's Amada, you must order the feast in advance. Feliz will do dinner only seven days a week to start out, and plans on adding lunch and weekend brunch in the near future (late January/early February).

Courtesy of Dan Schwartz, Cantina Feliz

Tweets that mention Cantina Feliz opens Thursday :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-01-11 20:08:45

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Meal Ticket, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Ft. Washington's Cantina Feliz, from former Distrito CdC Tim Spinner, opens Thursday. Pics, menus, info: http://ow.ly/3C0WJ [...]

Anthony Sica

Posted 2011-01-11 14:32:22

I am crazy stoked for this place.  Can Tim Spinner PPLLEEAASSEEEE bring back the bone marrow taco?....Please?

Mike H

Posted 2011-01-13 12:26:27

Im also excited to check this out. The choice of location makes me wonder if they had a non-compete with Garces

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:01 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Menu for Little Fish 2.0, opening tonight

POSTED: Thursday, January 6, 2011, 7:12 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time | Openings

Just swung by Little Fish — it's now open in Salt & Pepper's old space (746 S. Sixth St.) after closing at Sixth and Catharine — to find chefs Chadd Jenkins and Jonathan Petruce busy prepping for tonight, their first official night of service since their New Year's Eve soft-launch. The BYO — boasting a whopping two more seats than its original location! — opens at 5:30. Check out tonight's menu after the jump. Another tweak of note involving Mike Stollenwerk's soon-to-be-triumvirate of Philly restaurants (Fathom should be opening on Girard before February): The $28 Sunday-night five-course tasting deal that Stollenwerk started at the original Little Fish and later shifted to fish (1708 Lombard St.) is no more. Jenkins tells Meal Ticket that they'll instead run the deat, at a slightly heightened, still-quite-reasonable price of $33, at Little Fish only from here on out.

Click to enlarge

Michelle

Posted 2011-01-06 15:21:22

Sweet! I can't wait to go in for dinner!

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-01-07 11:13:48

[...] Little Fish has reopened in the old Salt and Pepper space. Meal Ticket has the opening night menu. [Mel Ticket] [...]

Small Plate Sundays at fish :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-26 12:47:13

[...] â   it replaces the $28 five-course prix-fixe that started at Little Fish, moved to fish, and is now back at Little Fish 2.0 for a few bucks more â   is intended to get his more staid customers into untested (and hopefully delicious) territory [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:12 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Valanni goes SOCIAL

POSTED: Thursday, January 6, 2011, 5:58 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Menu Time | Openings | Photos

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Valanni (1229 Spruce St.) has just converted the space it expanded into three years ago into SOCIAL, a separate-but-together lounge now soft-open to the public, but properly launching Jan. 12. The main draws for the new concept â owner George Anni brought in entirely new booths and furniture, plus new repurposed-wood walls done up with LED strip lighting â are "split" bottle service (375 mL instead of 750 mL portions ... bit more affordable) and plenty of music (DJs Wednesday to Saturday). Valanni chef John Strain has also put together a menu of bites for SOCIAL that'll be available from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Here's a PDF of their booze list and menu. SOCIAL is open till 2 nightly for drinks, though Valanni guests can feel free to sit in the space for dinner earlier in the evening.

tipsygrrl

Posted 2011-01-06 14:52:04

Why is a full bottle (750ml) so much less than half the price of a half-portion (375ml)?

Um... what I meant to say is, why is a full bottle so much more than double the price of a half.

tipsygrrl

Posted 2011-01-06 14:28:23

I will never understand the economics behind bottle service, and on this menu even less. Why is a full bottle (750ml) so much less than half the price of a half-portion (375ml)?

Is it because the patrons get to take home the bottle? Doesn't that save the restaurant money because they don't have to recycle it? Or is it because with 1/2 portions you never see the bottle and so restaurants can replace premium stuff with well liquor and no one will ever know?

Just don't get it.

Foobooz » The Agenda

Posted 2011-01-10 10:03:40

[...] this week, Valanni Social, a new nightclub concept within Valanni opens Wednesday night. Thursday will see the opening of [...]

Galina Labrie

Posted 2011-01-25 19:59:24

Everyone wants to be D'Angelo's.....but you cant come close to the original:-)

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

More winter goodness at Cochon

POSTED: Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 8:07 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time

Photo | Drew Lazor

Pig-lover's dream destination Cochon (801 E. Passyunk Ave.) just introduced a new menu for 2011, and it's filled with all the unapologetically meaty triumphs that we've come to expect from chef/owner Gene Giuffi, who's somehow not fat. Check out the full new-year rundown after the jump (loving the sound of the pig's head terrine with pancetta vin, and the blood sausage starter with roasted chestnuts).

First Course

Escargots - pancetta, peas, herb butter, gnocchi $12

Chicken liver truffle mousse - croutons, cornichons, red onion, hard-boiled egg $9

Pig-head Terrine - charred Brussels sprouts, oven-dried tomatoes, pancetta vinaigrette, poached egg $11

Blood Sausage - roasted chestnuts, walnuts, apples, fig gastrique $12

Baby Spinach Salad - pears, beets, crispy shallots , blue cheese dressing $9

Crispy oysters, fennel slaw, bacon aioli $13

Second Course

Organic Chicken Stew - root vegetables, peas, roasted-garlic gravy $22

Roasted Pork Loin - braised Swiss chard, sweet potato gratin, apple-cider reduction $24

Slow Roasted Pork Shank - horseradish mashed potatoes, braised cabbage, mustard cream $23

Braised Beef Short Rib - creamy herb polenta, wilted spinach, wild mushroom sauce $25

Roasted Lamb Sirloin â white-bean and merguez ragoÃ»t, haricots verts, balsamic reduction $27

Bouillabaisse - scallop, shrimp, mussels, lump crab, fennel confit, fingerlings, lobster-saffron broth $26

poncho

Posted 2011-01-05 16:54:39

This all sounds amazing, cannot wait to stop in and try!

Gene

Posted 2011-01-06 20:01:07

@foodsyoucaneat is it because my body so porkelicious?

@foodsyoucaneat

Posted 2011-01-05 16:46:08

God I hate Gene

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-01-07 11:14:04

[...] Cochon has rolled out its winter menu. [Meal Ticket] [...]

jonny

Posted 2011-01-07 14:10:34

let's start a thread about chef gene's body! jk this menu looks totally amazing, nice work chef

Iceman

Posted 2011-01-07 22:18:01

Are you talking about chef Gene "the grinder" Giuffi? He's like 220 lbs.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 8:07 PM Permalink | Post a comment

The Dandelion in pictures

POSTED: Monday, January 3, 2011, 11:13 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time | Openings | Photos

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We hit you up with a sneak peek of Stephen Starr's The Dandelion (18th/Sansom) back in mid-December, but now we've got the full-on photo treatment of the massive English pub, which officially opened for business on New Year's Eve. While the photos do most of the talking, know that the space â it's huge, a combination of the former Stiletto shoe store on the corner, plus the adjacent restaurant space that was last Bar Amalfi â has turned out looking like a loose, quasi-kitschy rendition of the type of place Holmes and Watson might roll up on for a pint of bitter after a long day of deductive reasoning. The bar area on the ground floor has a proper British pub feel, while the adjacent room looks like Imelda Staunton's parlor. (Peep the be-motto'ed fireplace!) Upstairs, there's plenty more dining room, including what might be the best seat in the house, an ovular table on a window banquette overlooking 18th Street. There's also the plush "dog room," tricked out with canine imagery galore. The Dandelion is open for dinner only right now, with lunch coming soon. Peruse chef Robert Aikens' menu after the jump (we hear the traditional Sunday roasts, that can serve as many as four people, have been doing quite well so far).

click to enlarge

Foobooz » Tale of the Tape: The Dandelion

Posted 2011-01-05 09:58:45

[...] The Dandelion in Pictures [Meal Ticket] [...]

Drew Lazor

Posted 2011-01-03 21:52:29

I believe it was designed by Shawn Hausman, who's done a bunch of Starr restaurants (Parc, Butcher & Singer, Pizzeria Stella, El Rey, etc.).

PhillyChitChat

Posted 2011-01-03 20:48:21

It really is a quirky looking English pub. Who is the design firm?

Tweets that mention The Dandelion in pictures :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-01-03 19:10:33

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Laura Lane, Rebecca Timms, swabreen bakr, Steph Smith and others. Steph Smith said: The Dandelion is finally open! looks ahmazinggg http://citypaper.net/blogs/mealticket/2011/01/03/the-dandelion-in-pictures/ [...]

Serafina moves back to spring :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-04 12:58:25

[...] of 2010 of 2010 Meal Ticket• EAT THIS IMMEDIATELY: For Pete's Sake's cream of potato soup• The Dandelion in pictures• Notes from the Weekend: Jan. 3• Iannelli's expansion nearly complete• Which [...]

Stoop Philly Likes ……….. | StoopPhilly

Posted 2011-01-08 17:22:06

[...] (Foobooz) Look Up! Architectural exercises on Boathouse Row (PLAN PHILLY) Photoist (phillyist) The Dandelion in pictures (Meal ticket) Men’s Shops Make Their Mark In Philly Neighborhoods (visitphilly.com) RJMetrics moves to new [...]

Sneak peek at The Dandelion :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-10 17:39:32

[...] UPDATE [03jan10]: Here’s the full photo tour of The Dandelion’s now-completed interior. [...]

Notes from the Weekend: Jan. 10 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-10 18:12:35

[...] hit up The Dandelion (18th/Sansom) for a drink after Pumpkin, but it was so crowded we couldn’t get bar seats, or [...]

Speaker’s Corner at The Dandelion :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-19 11:01:45

[...] only been open for a few weeks now, but Stephen Starr’s new English pub The Dandelion (122-124 S. 18th St.) is already branching out into unexpected territory. On Feb. 1 at 6 p.m., [...]

barryg

Posted 2011-01-19 00:57:32

I always thought Pub & Kitchen *was* the gastropub with Steven Starr prices (and clientele to boot).

22ndandphilly

Posted 2011-01-18 20:40:31

We recently visited.  Nice atmosphere and good food.  Consider it a Pub & Kitchen with Stephen Starr prices.  Read more below.

http://22ndandphilly.blogspot.com/2011/01/stephen-starr-goes-gastro-dandelion.html

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:13 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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If you don't know Nutella is bad for you and your kids, then you are a total idiot and a bad parent.
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Notes from the Weekend: May 13
An edible guide to Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
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Afternoon Snacks: Richard Blais's Ikea Burger, Waffle "tacos," Coffee nerdery, The U.N. wants you to eat more bugs
Extra! Extra! Lobster openings, chocolate closings and lots of free stuff
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Real Talk: 50 Things They Never Told You About Being a Chef
Night Market Watch

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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