Photos

Plenty in pictures

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 5:47 PM

Filed Under: Openings | Photos

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Murphy's Law says if something can do wrong it will, and last night, on the eve of its grand opening, one of the ovens at Plenty (1710 E. Passyunk Ave.) went on the fritz. (Previous Plenty coverage here, here and here.) All's good in the 'hood today, and when we stopped by this morning, chef Tim McGinnis and owner Jesse Spalletta were prepping the prepared-foods op for its first-ever lunchtime rush. Spalletta and husband/partner Adam Baas carved Plenty out of the clutter of the old Cellini's, installing lustrous wide-plank stained pine flooring, retro banana-yellow coolers and reclaimed-wood shelves decorated with vintage bric-a-brac and Mason jars of McGinnis' pickles. Stools line a counter at the window, with the main seating at a communal table built with salvaged barn-wood by Flourtown carpenter John Duffy. Sandwiches on Artisan baguettes are available now, including a sick white-and-dark-meat turkey leg confit tricked out with Taleggio and Cumbrland sauce, âan old charcuterie condiment,â says McGinnis, who makes the bewitching paste with currants and spices. Chef's also serving a riff on lox sandwich that won him a Philly Mag endorsement last year, plus a whole line-up of heat-at-home entrees like meatballs enhanced with salami and pancetta scraps. Yeah, we know what's for dinner tonight.

New places on Passyunk

Posted 2011-02-03 20:03:49

[...] by five apples   Went to Plenty last night. It was still not open.    It opened today forreal: Plenty in pictures :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper           Reply With Quote              + Reply to [...]

Ryan's "Mich"

Posted 2011-02-04 15:06:02

The food looks fabulous!  The pix are gorgeous! Now I have another reason to visit Philadelphia!

Erin Williams

Posted 2011-02-04 14:09:03

if i could find a plane to get me there-i would come right NOW- you all rock i am so proud!!!! EW

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-02-03 16:52:23

[...] Plenty opened today instead of the 1st. A heck of a lot closer than most spots get. Meal Ticket was in for some opening day photos. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Michelle

Posted 2011-02-03 12:55:07

Looks gorgeous!

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

Posted 2011-02-03 13:37:52

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by lae, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Check out pics of East Passyunk's brand-new market, Plenty: http://ow.ly/3PK3K [...]

Posted by Adam Erace @ 5:47 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Sneak a peek inside Opa

POSTED: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 11:30 PM

Filed Under: Openings | Photos

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Swung by Opa (1311 Sansom St.), the super-close Greek bar/restaurant from brother/sister team George and Vasiliki Tsiouris, earlier today to take a peek at the killer interior, put together by crÃ¨me design (they do all the Jose Garces joints). They've got about 70 seats inside, split up between the bar (love that river stone), perimeter tables and a rear banquette nook complete with hanging lights and real Greek-lookin' votive wall recesses. George, who compares Philly's Midtown Village to the emerging Gazi neighborhood of Athens, says he aims for Opa to carry the feel of a nightspot frequented by a younger crowd in Greece. As far as the eats go: Chef Andy Brown is still putting the final touches on the food, but teases that his menu will feature a mix of Greek staples (he's high on his octopus; also expect a good mezze spread) and some rather non-traditional dishes (the "bifteki," a Greek-inspired burger â but beef, not lamb). We'll update you with more info soon; for now, know that Opa is aiming to officially open early next week.

Anthony Sica

Posted 2011-02-02 23:52:50

Kinda looks like Sampan and Zama had a baby....and Kanella raised it.

Laurel Rose Purdy

Posted 2011-02-02 19:54:37

it looks so aquatic and peaceful! EXCITED

OPA Greek restaurant coming soon to 13th and Sansom!

Posted 2011-02-04 16:25:06

[...] Sneak a peek inside Opa :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper    "It has shown me that everything is illuminated in the light of the past" Jonathan Safran Foer        Reply With Quote              + Reply to Thread      « Previous Thread | Next Thread » [...]

Andy B

Posted 2011-02-03 11:43:04

Ah, so this is what you (mistakenly) e-mailed me about.  Looks sweet, another addition to the hood.

Tweets that mention Sneak a peek inside Opa :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-03 11:11:22

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Meal Ticket, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Take a peek inside Opa, opening next week at 13th/Sansom: http://ow.ly/3PeDg [...]

Michelle

Posted 2011-02-03 11:01:19

I cannot wait to stop in!

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:30 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Snow, wet and heavy enemy of butchers everywhere

POSTED: Friday, January 28, 2011, 7:46 PM

Filed Under: Photos

Photo | A.D. Amorosi

There we were, at nearly midnight in the Italian Market during ThunderSnow 2011: me and my wife and my greyhound Django. MonsÃº, Peter McAndrews' and Nathan Baynes' overhaul of the Ninth-and-Christian corner that was Paesano's, ended their first dinner. You could see there'd been activity that day in their new Paesano's spot at 1017 S. Ninth (opening toward the end of next week). All seemed at peace â yet there was trouble in Gnocchi City due to the heavy precipitation. The canvas awnings that cover the fruit and vegetable purveyors in front of Cannuli Bros. twin meat shops had dropped from the weight of the snow like slabs of uncooked bacon.

Posted by A.D. Amorosi @ 7:46 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Monsu in pictures

POSTED: Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 8:00 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time | Openings | Photos

Photo | Drew Lazor

As we told you on Monday, the Paesano's location at Ninth and Christian now goes by the name MonsÃº, as partners Peter McAndrews and Nathan Baynes have converted the sandwich shop into a Sicilian BYOB. (Paesano's has moved down the block to 1017 S. Ninth and will be opening sometime next week.) We stopped by last night and were quickly engulfed by the amazing fam/friends mob scene that ended up with us standing by the service station and sharing sporadically materializing plates of food with friendly strangers (shoutout to bartender Joe from Rembrandt's!). Everything was straight-up delicious, and we even managed to rattle off a few photos, which you can peep after the jump. Here's chef Damien Messina's opening menu (PDF). Though everyone in Philly is freaked about THUNDERSNOW right now, Baynes says they'll run their first official dinner service from 5 to 10 this evening as originally planned. It's actually snowed on the inaugural night of each space he and McAndrews have opened over the past few years â Modo Mio, the original Paesano's, the Italian Market Paesano's, and now this â so they now consider it buona fortuna.

Photos | Drew Lazor

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

Posted 2011-01-26 15:37:31

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Drew Lazor and Nikki Karam, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Pix/menu for Peter McAndrews' MonsÃº, opening tonight in the @italianmarket, thundersnow be damned! http://ow.ly/3KNMM [...]

Snow, wet and heavy enemy of butchers everywhere :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-28 14:47:21

[...]  [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 8:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Le Pain Quotidien in pictures

POSTED: Sunday, January 23, 2011, 6:46 PM

Filed Under: Openings | Photos

Photo | Erin Finnerty

Earlier this week, Erin Finnerty swung by Philly's first Le Pain Quotidien location (1423-25 Walnut St.) and snapped some photos of the cafÃ©/bakery, which opened this past Wednesday. LPQ, which offers baked-fresh goodies in a million and one ways, plus boulangerie options aplenty (think lighter fare, like salads, soups, tartines, etc.), serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; here is their everyday menu and their specials menu (PDFs). Hours: Mon.-Thu., 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. More photos, including a look of LPQ's signature communal table seating, after the jump.

Photos | Erin Finnerty

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:46 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NOW OPEN: Elixr Coffee

POSTED: Friday, January 21, 2011, 1:30 PM

Filed Under: Coffee | Openings | Photos

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Philly's serious coffeehouses hold court in the neighborhoods (Bodhi and Shot Tower in QV/BV, Ultimo in Newbold; Lovers & Madmen in West Philly, and many more), but it's been some time since Center City proper got an espresso shot in the arm. Enter Elixr, which Evan Inatome unveiled Wednesday in the old Hausbrandt space (207 S. 15th St., b/t Walnut and Locust). Inatome, who's brewing Kansas' PT's Coffee on a La Marzocco machine, plans on running long hours (Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun 7 a.m.-10 p.m.) to accommodate the area's heavy foot traffic and large population of apartment building dwellers. The space, tricked out with a floor-to-ceiling glass facade and lots of pretty reclaimed wood, features window rail seating as well as communal picnic-style tables. Elixr is also carrying Au Fournil pastries and Marathon Grill sandwiches at the moment, with plans to expand its non-coffee offerings more everything gets settled. Inatome, who's done a lot of relief work overseas, plans on donating a 20 percent portion of Elixr's take to various charities, including initiatives he's involved with in coalition with his brother-in-law and business partner, Eagles tackle Winston Justice.

Joseph

Posted 2011-01-28 11:09:41

Uh, actually it's priced right.  Everything right around $3 for far superior quality than what's around.

Tweets that mention NOW OPEN: Elixr Coffee :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-01-21 19:12:39

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Eva Miranda and Grillism, Aidan Turner. Aidan Turner said: NOW OPEN: Elixr Coffee http://bit.ly/hah0o9 #kansas #bbq [...]

B Zwahlen

Posted 2011-01-21 15:27:35

Such a beautiful and rich design using natural, warm and "earthy" elements with just the right amount of flair.  The thoughtful design no doubt reflects the quality of the products and the genuine warmth of the environment.  I know Evan has spent years perfecting his knowledge of coffees as well as improving the lives of people all over the world. What a perfect BLEND (pun intended!)

Tweets that mention NOW OPEN: Elixr Coffee :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-01-21 13:09:39

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jackie Baik, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Elixr Coffee is brand spankin' new in Center City: http://ow.ly/3HZmF [...]

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-01-27 15:31:56

[...] Elixr Coffee adds a new serious coffee shop to Center City. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Steve

Posted 2011-01-27 18:31:46

Sweet, another over-priced coffee place in the area for people to go to and study.  (Because it only counts if it's done in public)

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 1:30 PM Permalink | 2 comments

Hot tandoori action for Tashan

POSTED: Friday, January 14, 2011, 9:23 PM

Filed Under: Food News | Openings | Photos

Courtesy of Tashan

Tashan, the in-the-works Indian restaurant from Tiffin's Munish Narula (777 S. Broad St.), is sparing no expense when it comes to its tandoor ovens. He and chef Sylva Senat recently traveled to London to check out wares from The Clayoven Group, which specializes in the awesome-blossom mosaic tandoors seen above. The ovens, the first of their kind in the United States, will be the centerpiece of Tashan's kitchen. As of now the restaurant is slated to open in the early spring; head here for some prelim details.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 9:23 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

Valanni goes SOCIAL

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

Filed Under: Booze | Menu Time | Openings | Photos

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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

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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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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