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Chefs and ownership might be a little up in the air at Le Bec (1523 Walnut St.) but that's certainly not stopping them from hosting a very special dinner next Tuesday, May 14th. Le Bec exec Steve Eckerd is joining forces with Dexel's culinary arts program and brining students into the kitchen for a five course meal inspired by local produce from Headhouse market. Seats are $110 with an optional $55 wine pairing option but students can get in on the action for $85. And we've got to say with a menu that includes inspired items like halibut chowder with diver scallop terrine and sourdough tuile and rhubarb clafoutis with Pedro Ximenez ice cream, it hardly reads like student work. Seats are going fast so reserve your place at the table by calling 215-576-1000.
Mark your calendars for next Saturday, May 18th, for one of Team Meal Ticket's favorite beer events of the year: the annual South Philadelphia Tap Room Wheat Beer Fest (1509 Mifflin St.). Now in its eighth year, the block party sees more than 30 wheat beers flowing ($3 each from noon to 8 p.m.) and a "South Philly-style street BBQ" by Scott Schroeder sets from Adam and Dave's Bloodline, Arrah and the Farns, Robotrippers and more. Here's hoping that means a suckling pig set to the sounds of Denine & Collage.
While it was a sad night for Philly with finalists Brad Spence (Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic), Vetri (Best Service) and Sam Calagione (Wine & Spirits Professional) shut out of the victor's VIP lounge, the 2013 James Beard Awards held at Lincoln Center last night were as extravagant, glitzy and emotion-charged as usual. And the second David Chang and Paul Kahan, who tied for Best Chef, finished their acceptance speeches, the onslaught of sequined and tuxedoed humanity crushed the Gala Reception, where famous chefs affecting circa-1770s Brits in starchy sponsored red coats were serving up all manner of edible and drinkable bijoux.
Enough about the winners, what did they serve at the reception!?!? »
Food Republic is celebrating "grilling month" (our hearts skipped a beat thinking we'd somehow missed the memo on a great bullshit national food holiday, but it turns out it's just a sitewide thing, phew) by sharing their favorite smoked beers. Skull Splitter makes the list, as does Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Beans—but the other (more tongue-twisting) entries have gone right to the top of our To Drink list.
Horchata variations, terrible restaurant reviews and signs you may need help, after the jump! »
Joey Baldino, chef of Sicily-by-way-of-South-Jersey BYO Zeppoli (618 Collings Ave,. Collingswood, NJ) is the inspiration behind this month's American Sardine Bar (1800 Federal St.) guest sandwich and it's looking like a real winner. It's a classic Italian Market style combo of braised tripe, broccoli rabe and sharp provolone tucked into a seeded Sarcone's roll with a fried long hot on the side. Mama mia.
We've been patiently waiting for The Avenue Delicatessen (27 N. Landsdown Ave.) to open its Landsdowne doors for a while now and this past Saturday was the day. The concept of this north of Baltimore Ave. storefront is to merge two classic deli cultures: Italian and Jewish. The focus here is made-in-house with Becca O'Brien, formerly of Creperie Beau Monde doing some serious pickles, preserves and all sorts of meaty offerings.
The menu will rotate seasonally but right now you can look forward to lemon poppy pancakes topped with lemon curd and blueberries, corned beef hash with chiles and sweet potatoes and The Mighty Casey, a breakfast of house-made sausage (pork, turkey or veg), two eggs and two potato latkes. For lunch think house-cured corned beef specials and reubens, fried flounder sandwiches and veg options like a balsamic tofu wrap.
We're also pretty excited about The Avenue's mason reuseable mason jar iced coffee cups. Genius.
Meal Ticket founder Drew Lazor has been doing a bang-up job reppin' Philly's drinks scene on Serious Eats. This week he's lined up seven of the city's best places to pick up a mixed six.
So, who made the cut? Obviously Brew/Ultimo for the genius innovation to bring coffee and beer together in Newbold. Two newcomers also made the list: Center City's shiny new Corner Foodery and West Philly's Local 44 Bottle Shop. For the full list (plus some unexpected picks) head on over to Serious Eats Drinks.
Every week City Paper staff photog Neal Santos illustrates the food section of the paper with his dreamily beautiful shots of local restaurants and food personalities and frankly, we can't get enough of them.
For more lovely food shots head over to Farm 51, the site for Santos' urban homestead in Southwest Philly. Along with partner Andrew Olson and a handful of friends and neighbors, they have transformed a lot into a full scale farm producing all manner of veggies, chickens (and eggs) and are planning on some bunny hutches this upcoming season. Aiming to not only educate but also feed the community, Farm 51's stand is open every Thursday beginning May 17th from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Santos has just launched a new recipe/photo essay called Farm 51 Fare and we're loving it. The first recipe is for a ravaged salad of baby kale and collards topped with a poached egg because according to Santos "everything tastes better with an egg."
Notes from the Weekend is a feature that sees the members of Team Meal Ticket compiling all the food/drink highlights uncovered during prime eatin' time, Friday to Sunday. We'd love to hear all about YOUR weekend eating adventures in the comments. Go for it! (View past NFTW installments at citypaper.net/notes.)
Caroline Russock: CR
I kept it close to home on Friday with a late dinner at The South Philly Tap Room, opting for the crispy fried chicken wings with jalapenos, horseradish spiked seafood cocktail and secret sauce topped burger before heading over to the why-is-this-place-so-damned-close-to-my-house Dolphin.—CR
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