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We're Here to Help
Taylor from Mac & Cheese tweeted this call to arms earlier, and we thought it'd be a perfect query to put out there to all you Meal Ticketers:
Help! Suggestions for romantic Philly restaurant (a proposal is involved) for two vegetarians (not me!). Doesn't have to be all veg rest.
So how about it, y'all? Where are some good Philly spots that are both romantic AND vegetarian-friendly? Note that the proposal is not actually taking place at the restaurant � this'll be a post-"YES!" meal for the happy veggie couple, but it still needs that ambience. A few places off the top � Cochon is quite romantic (and, as we told you recently, can accommodate vegetarians). Mi Lah could be an option. And while this may be a slightly obvious pick, how could you possibly go wrong with Horizons?
Farmacia has some good veggie options, and you can bring your own wine with no fee or drink from their bar.
A lot of it depends on the vibe of relationship. If the couple likes to get all doled up, then the posh surroundings and gourmet cuisine of Horizons will suit their fanciness. A similar vibe can be achieved at Blue Sage out in Southampton, if a romantic car ride would add to the event. If the whole proposal is so intense and they're just looking to grub out, then Maoz or Alyan's could be a low-key Mediterranean outing. Or they could just rock veggie burgers and brews at National Mechanics, Nodding Head or Memphis Taproom. Hope the proverbial MAZEL TOV gets blasted over the internets though!
May not be the most romantic, but Adobe Cafe in Manayunk has a tasty veggie-friendly menu!
Pumpkin on South Street always takes good care of my vegetarian wife. Even if there's nothing on the menu, the chef will happily go off-menu and whip up something uniformly excellent.
of course horizons. if this isn't a time to go to horizons, when is? (unless of course they don't have the $$$ to spend.) if the vegetarian doesn't mind only having one or two menu options to choose from, farmicia isn't bad. and if they want an all-vegan place, but can't afford the price of horizons, new harmony is slightly romantic if you're seated in the back, and nobody else is there. also, if they want mediterranean, and don't mind hopping over to jersey, cous-cous is really quite romantic, but like farmicia, few veg options. (but at least they're aware, since the son of the owners is vegan. and the veg shwarma really is the bees' knees.)
i'd say call Zahav and talk to Solomonov. Ask if he could put together a vegetarian menu that you could have in the Quarter on a thursday. typically their tastings are like $80/pp or something, and they have a lot of vegetarian stuff on their normal menu, so he might be willing to do it. and that room to the left, in a corner maybe... pretty romantic.
alex is on an interesting path...i think matyson has in the past (do they still?) offer vegetarian options by request. i've had a lot of success with birthdays by stopping by a restaurant (helps to be at least a repeat customer) a couple days or a week before and requesting a special touch for a birthday. I'd bet a lot would be willing to do that for a post-proposal celebration.
OH also. you could try to beg (AND I MEAN *BEG*) for the table in the kitchen at talula's. i think this could work if you've been there before/have a relationship. especially if that night they're doing a veg menu for some people at the farm table. that would be a pretty baller move too.
Hey, y'all, thanks for all the suggestions for my reader, and keep them coming. As a vegetarian, I'd say the gentleman can't go wrong with Horizons or Zahav, two restaurants I've eaten at before and would highly recommend to vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Horizons, is, of course, all vegan, and there are definitely plenty of great vegetarian dishes already on Zahav's menu, but calling for something a little special for such an occasion is always a good idea. Like people have mentioned, the type of place depends on the couple, but you better not take me to South Street for Maoz (I absolutely adore their falafel) after a proposal to dine standing up on South St! National Mechanics, Memphis Taproom, Nodding Head, Adobe Cafe, and New Harmony also seem a little too casual. Keep in mind he asked for romantic. Any other suggestions?
xochitl is a really sweet place to go on a special date. not so good for vegans, but if you are on the dairy train, the food there is top notch. i don't know about anyone else, but i find good mexican food super sexy. or maybe it's just all the tequila.
on the purely romantic tip, though it might not be nice enough, the outside seating at XIX is amazing. they have avegetarian tasting menu, but i never had their vegetarian food. i was really impressed with them when I went in June. what about the new-look marigold kitchen? it looks like it has a vegetarian option or two for each course. if they're pescatarians, umai's chef definitely would do something special for them.
Rory, I recommended XIX to my reader in a private email. It's definitely fits the romantic bill, and I've enjoyed a nice meal there as well, although I think there was only one vegetarian entree. Again, a call to a restaurant does wonders!
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The dude mikeyil, who follows Meal Ticket on Twitter, just asked us to poll all you readers out there on who's got the best wings in Philly. We need your picks! Leave your favorites in the comments and we'll see what we can all come up with.
Off the top, here are a few places where we've gotten some delicious wangz:
- Moriarty's
- Devil's Den
- Royal Tavern
- Charlie's Pub
- Prohibition Taproom
- El Camino Real (seitan wings)
Who else, y'all?
Also, Buffalo wild wings is really not that bad, if you're out of town on business.
I gotta go with Union Jack's in Glenside/Manyunk. Also very good at Flatrock when I used to live down there. Worst bartender ever though!
seitan wings?! do those count?
For pete's sake has the best wings in philly hands down. House made buffalo sauce that is serious.
I'm no stranger to good wings. I want to know where to find the best ones in Philly. I can only make it up to Buffalo, NY for spontaneous drives only 1-2x a year. Also, the National Buffalo Wing Festival (which I attended) has already come/gone. At this point in time my list of locations of places to judge/compare/investigate is at 23. I'm particularly interested in Specials, Novelty Flavors (aside from the typical Buffalo: Curry, Jerk, etc.), Wing Size (it matters, don't let the ladies fool you) and any special notes (i.e. breaded/unbreaded, the hottest available almost uneatable.) I'm calling this WingQuest. Hey, it's football season. Perfect timing. Help me find the best wings.
Not just saying this because I work there but drinker's pub has some kickass wings in hot,medium and mild, bbq, chili lime, cajun rub, spicy honey mustard, and more. Also, buckets in jenkintown/glenside area are the best I've ever had in my life. Other than that I like tangiers on 18th and lombard, oneals pub at 3rd and south (ask for honey hot even though they aren't on the menu, also 25 cent wings on sundays) andddd pub and kitchen has delicious ones too.
El Camino Real's seitan wings FTW
I'm a big fan of N.3rd's Asian style wings. I love me some traditional buffalo wings, but those things are super tasty.
Maxis on Temple's campus has easily the best wings in Philly. They're out of this world good, specifically the HOT ones!
Pub & Kitchen's Honey Whiskey Wings, Tangier's wings are super plump and tasty and believe it or not...Square on Square Chinese Restaurant has great wings that are fried chicken-like!
I second P&K's honey-whisky wings. Varga's confited then crisped wings are also ridiculous.
Seitan wings and Don Julio '42. Eat cheap, drink fine. Shhh about Maxi's, it's for children and lonely professors.
I've had some of the worst wings ever at Moriarity's. I LOVE Silk City's wings. They're seriously amazing. BUT if seitan wings count, then Belgian Cafe's wings are the best in the city. Hands down, do not argue with that.
Tritone has awesome wings So does Twi-lite at 20th and Bainbridge I like P&K wings too but I'm not a fan of the establishment
Not your regular wings but Mai Lai Wah's Salt & Pepper Wings are amazing
P&K was maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10 at best for both the honey whiskey and the traditional. Silk City and Varga have been the best I've had in a while. And enough with this vegetarian nonsense we're talking about the best wings not the best shapeless wheat product. Come on.
The Pic-a-lily Inn in Shamong, NJ - Cannot be beat
Crown Fried Chicken has some pretty awesome, super crispy wings. They can be a bit salty, but they are cooked to perfection. You need to ask for sauce separately, though.
Q BBQ in Old City has some delicious hot and sweet wings!
Belgian Cafe's are good, I thought they were the best until finally, 5 months ago after midnight, I banged my fist on a wooden table at ECR and declared that I was wrong. It's the sauce. They also grill it better. Charred bits. Belgian Cafe's version is too sweet.
In Philly I like Moriarty's, but you already have that covered. It's not in Philly, but my favorite place in the world is in Sicklerville, NJ. Buffalo Bills. Order them hot. They have the best sauce I've ever had. http://www.yelp.com/biz/buffalo-bills-barbecue-sicklerville
Wheat is food, too. And I bet you think scrapple deserves respect.
The Pic a Lilli Inn in Shamung, NJ. Not in Philly but well worth the hours drive. http://www.picalilli.com/ Spicy extra crispy best wings ANYWHERE. And I know. I have family in Buffalo who worked cooking wings at both The Anchor Bar and several places where the wings are far batter. The Pic has them all beat hands down. And I know Michealangelo has had them, since I'm the one who fed them to him.
Tangier's on 18th & Lombard have the best wings in the city, period. The sauce is like crack. Small & crispy (although it helps to ask for them well done) and tastey. Puts Moriarty's to shame.
Is Chickie and Pete's too obvious? Their sauce is succulent.
Angelino's in Fairmount Buffalo Wild Wings!
I'm with Kelly on this, seitan wings should be discussed!
And for simple, all-around good wings, Mexican Post and New Deck Tavern do the job.
Union Jack's in Glenside (not technically Philly, but worth the trip)
McMenamin's Pub definitely has the best wings in Philly by far.
Tangier- 18th and lombard- best wings in city. Especially when you're eatin 'em while watching jeopardy @ their bar w/ all the regulars...
st stephen's green's chipotle wings w/ gorgonzola dip. a nice twist. could be crispier, but deliciously meaty and perfect seasoning, imo. Plus, the chunks of stewed pepper in the sauce dipped in the gorgonzola = INSPIRED.
How has no one said Byrne's Tavern yet? It's not in Center City, but you are well-rewarded for your five minute drive with wings so juicy and tender they slide right off the bone... the sauce is perfect too, with a building heat.
Mad4Mex on Penn's campus has some pretty good wings with some sweet and spicy flavors. I'm gonna have to try Tangier's though after all this buzz!
Always have enjoyed the North Star Bar wings to immense proportions, especially the fact that they have the awesome Happy Hour special.
100% agreed on the Pic in Shamong, NJ- Bangin!
Wow, Buckets got a shout out. I'm on that train. Also, are we talking buffalo or just crispy wings? Did anyone else lose their sh*t over the Resurrection Ale House Double Fried Wings last night? I did. UberCrispy and touched with honey. I give a shout out to FWOT in Conshy. Serious wing sauce. Serious deep fried chicken parts.
Rib Rack on Tyson Ave in the NE. So good.
N. 3 and Silk City make some deliciously spicy wings. Definitely at the top of my list, along with Moriarty's
P&K�s honey whisky wing are awesome!!!
Dudes, Flat Rock in Manayunk clearly the best in the city. Plus they are 25 cents a piece on Tuesday.
Pic-a-Lilly, Shamong, NJ.
[...] at Meal Ticket there’s a spirited comments thread going on who has the best wings in Philadelphia. An always [...]
Misconduct on 15th and locust has great wings they are fried and then thrown on the grill after to make them extra crispy. Might I add that they are enormous. Go hot or go home.
SPTR's wings are awesome
at the Bards at 20th and Walnut they crust them in cashel blue cheese with traditional buffalo sauce. super effin good!
Sidecar! They're basically double-fried or something. Amazing.
mmm Prohibition Taproom definitely
Sidecar has awesome wings!!! The only problem is sometimes the chipolte wings are REALLY spicy, sometimes they aren't. While Ladder 15 was a douchey scene, they have fantastic wings that are pre-soaked in duck butter!
Buffalo Wild Wings? Crown Fried Chicken? Come on. That's like saying you want to go to McDonalds for a good hamburger. Union Jack's in Roxborough fries up some good ones.
Pic-A-Lilli Inn, 866 Route 206, Shamong, NJ www.picalilli.com, Not only the best Buffalo wings, best Buffalo Shrimp, Best Buffalo Scallops, Best Buffalo Ears, & by far the Best Buffalo tails. Try them all!
Has anyone had Noble American Cookery's watermelon wings? They freakin' fall off the bone! You can get 'em with fried pork belly, too.
SILK CITY
[...] Wings & Other Things (FWOT) on Ridge got a shout-out in the comments sections of a story about who has the best [...]
Union jacks pub in glenside. No doubt about it! 12 different sauces (or more).
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Food writer/friend of Meal Ticket Holly Moore of Holly Eats just got out of hospital rehabilitation for a fractured hip, so he'll be off his feet for the next few weeks, meaning it'll be some time before he resumes his cheap-eats marauding. He's asked Meal Ticket for help rounding up some personal chef suggestions for his recovery period for the next few weeks. We're here to help � do you have a suggestion for a great locally based personal/home chef who could help Holly out? If so, please leave us a note in the comments.
I think suggesting Shola Olunloyo is a little pretentious and probably a bit too expensive, but man would I love for him to cook my meals.
I could pop by with a care package of canele.I'm a fan of his from way back...way way back. http://phillymarketcafe.blogspot.com/2009/08/canele-nutrition-facts.html
Shola is not pretentious but he is justifiably way out of my league price-wise. Three weeks of hospital and rehab food has had me thinking about Shola. With his focus on getting maximum flavor from food, he could have a huge impact on hospital food.
Why not do a series on delivery food - what else can you get delivered @ home besides Chinese takeaway??
Just to clarify, I wasn't calling Shola pretentious, rather my suggestion of using him for your needs, because of the high price. From his blog posts and tweeting he seems to be a stand up guy.
Hi, I'd like to leave a recommendation for Holly...me! I'm a Personal Chef and would love to help Holly with his recovery. He can contact me @ 215.355.6383 or 267.210.3611. I'd be glad to help. Cheers, Chef Karen McGinn HEAVEN ON A PLATE Personal Chef Service LLC www.heavenonaplate.net karen@heavenonaplate.net
Gotcha Ben. Sorry, mistook your post. Shola is opening a restaurant somewhere hereabouts. Looking forward to it.
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| alexslemonade.org |
Today, local Cosi locations � including the ones down here at 12th and Walnut and 15th and Locust (Third and Chestnut doesn't seem to know if they're participating or not is not participating) � are holding a "Community Benefit Night" to raise funds for the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Each restaurant will donate 10 percent of all sales (not counting alcohol and catering) accrued from 3 p.m. to close to the charity, which to date has drummed up more than $25 million nationally for cancer research.
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It all starts with asparagus. The long winter gives way to a trickling spring thaw, and before you know it, the spears of asparagus are emerging from the ground so quickly you could lay in the rows and watch them reach for the sun, no time lapse necessary.
Before you know it, summer has come and the sweet profusion we dreamt of in dark January is exploding all around. Strawberries are already gone, but blueberries, melons, blackberries, raspberries (black and red), cherries, plums, nectarines and peaches are all awaiting their turn on your table.
Get outside and bring home some local produce at one of Eastern PA's many pick-your-own farms. PickYourOwn.org has a PA harvest schedule so you can plan ahead, as well as a comprehensive listing of pick-your-own farms sorted by county.
I grew up excitedly anticpating pumpkin-patch season at Linvilla Orchards in Delaware County. In the summer Linvilla offers a dizzying A to Z of pick-your-own fruits, as well as Saturday festivals dedicated to peaches, blackberries, tomatoes, pears and sweet corn. Pack up the kids, the car and the sunscreen for a day of satisfying picking, before it's pumpkin time and the berries are just a sweet memory.
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| Photo l Felicia D'Ambrosio |
| L to R: Paul Kimport, Munish Narula and Alfredo Aguilar |
Last night, community development corporation The Girard Coalition hosted three of Philadelphia's notable restaurant owners for a panel discussion on what it takes to survive and thrive "in the biz."
Munish Narula (Tiffin), Alfredo Aguilar (Las Cazuelas) and Paul Kimport (Standard Tap, Johnny Brenda's) shared their accumulated knowledge with a diverse group of would-be restaurateurs. S.C.O.R.E., a free, nonprofit small business counseling service, facilitated the discussion and added "the lender's perspective" to the workshop.
The discussion ranged from acquiring financing (be prepared to personally guarantee all loans with your own assets, and you better have 20 percent of what you are asking for on hand) to the thorny problem of employee healthcare (anything you offer, you must offer to every employee). Though the discussion covered more topics than we have room for here, find the most critical points below.
The Business Plan Is All
Every restaurant owner could not over-emphasize the importance of having a well-developed business plan, including projecting the numbers on best and worst case scenarios. "Too many people run through all of their start-up money just to get open," said Narula. "You have to have enough money, and a plan to obtain more, to pay your employees and vendors for at least 18 months to two years. Sixty to 70 percent of restaurants fail in the first two years because they did not have the money to sustain operating losses."
Clarifying and expressing your ideas in writing, in the business plan, is critical to obtaining initial financing. "Every idea you have," said Kimport, "bounce off other people, finance professionals especially, and vet every idea. You have to defend your ideas and let everyone insult your precious plan to make sure they are solid."
Start Small
All three restaurant owners took the hammer-in-hand approach to opening their first restaurant. They all advised doing as much yourself as possible, as well as shopping around for used equipment, which can save thousands of dollars � except on refrigeration, which Kimport pointed out "you want the warranties and service for, because refrigeration is both tricky and critical. You could lose thousands of dollars in inventory if you have refrigeration failure."
Aguilar stated that he started Las Cazuelas with just one small dining room, then when word spread and guests started waiting an hour for a table, he expanded to a second dining room, using savings from the restaurant's cash flow. He later expanded once again to an upper floor, and purchased the building he was leasing. "Organic growth" and "sweat equity" were the watchwords for all three entrepreneurs.
Know Your Numbers
Narula's background in finance has served him well in operating Tiffin, evidenced by his brand's rapid expansion. "Too many restaurateurs do not know their numbers," he said. "If you don't know your expenses, your food cost, your overtime, you could have a very successful restaurant and still not make it." Though all three owners had extensive experience (15-20 years, on average) in restaurants before they struck out on their own, due diligence with the numbers, not cooking a mean omelette, was what kept them showing profit.
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| gophila.com |
Nothing says USA like a deluge of dairy treats. Head down to the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Welcome America!� Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival.
A minimum $5 donation per person goes to the Joshua Kahan Fund while snagging you all the frozen cream you can lick from Ben & Jerry�s, H�agen-Dazs, Edy's, Breyers/Good Humor, Bassett's, Turkey Hill, Jack & Jill, Philadelphia Water Ice and more.
Held every Fourth of July weekend in Philly, the fundraiser is now in its 11th year. To date it's raised more than $700,000 toward finding a cure for pediatric leukemia.
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival, Fri.-Sun., July 3-July 5, noon-5 p.m., Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut St., delawareriverevents.com
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Evan Kelley, 21, was cycling in Northern Liberties last weekend when struck by a vehicle that immediately fled the scene. The Caf� Estelle cook suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula, necessitating surgery and the insertion of six pins to stabilize his lower leg.
Caf� Estelle chef and owner Marshall Green is holding a beef & beer fundraiser this Friday, June 19 to benefit Kelley, who has a young daughter and is not currently able to work due to his injuries. Your $20 donation buys as many of Green's slow-cooked beef brisket sandwiches with all the fixins as you desire, as well as unlimited local beer on tap.
All proceeds will go to Kelley to assist in the payment of medical bills. Please help, and eat and drink lavishly, if you can.
Rider Down! Beef & Beer at Caf� Estelle, Fri., June 19, 6:30-10 p.m., 444 N. Fourth St., 215-925-5080, cafeestelle.com
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| Photo l Felicia D'Ambrosio |
The burgeoning South of South neighborhoods will be getting their very own food co-op soon, when Molly Russakoff's Bella Vista Natural Foods transforms from a conventional retail space into a cooperative grocery.
BVNF patrons and Bella Vista neighbors have all been enthusiastic about the possibility of a local co-op, writes Russakoff in an e-mail newsletter. But what is a co-op, exactly? How is it run?
These questions will be answered at a steering meeting Wednesday, June 10 at the Palumbo Rec Center, when Weaver's Way Co-op general manager Glen Bergman and Alex Moss, a founding member of Praxis Consulting Group, will� provide an overview of the current situations and options for BVNF.
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and find out how they can be a part of the BVNF cooperative. Anyone interested in volunteering with flyering and organization prior to the meeting should contact Molly at� bellavistafoodcoop@gmail.com or 215-923-3367.
Bella Vista Food Co-op Meeting, Wed., June 10, 7 p.m., Palumbo Rec Center, 725 S. 10th St. (at Fitzwater)
Bella Vista Natural Foods, 1010 S. Ninth St., 215-923-3367
RELATED: In Bloom: Philly's Neighborhood Food co-ops are dreaming big.
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Best deal...For an extra donation of $25 you get a 20% off card. All of the big name restaurants in Philly are on the list. 20% off your entire food bill, every Tuesday, from now until 2010. That will pay for itself in one visit to Zahav!
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