Archive: January, 2011

POSTED: Monday, January 31, 2011, 10:21 PM
Filed Under: Notes from the Weekend
Notes from the Weekend is a Monday feature that sees the members of Team Meal Ticket compiling all the food/drink highlights uncovered during prime eatin' time, Friday to Sunday. Consider this a place for good deals, great dishes, wicked cocktails, recipe triumphs (and tragedies), bizarro conversations and more. We're eager to share our notes, but especially excited to read yours.We encourage you to leave notes from YOUR weekend in the comments. Have at it! (View past NFTW installments at citypaper.net/notes.)

Adam Erace: AE Erin Finnerty: EF Drew Lazor: DL Adrian Pelliccia: AP Laurel Rose Purdy: LRP

Friday: After being trapped on a sardine-packed trolley for almost an hour, I arrived at Dock Street (701 S. 50th St.) to sample the firkin of the month, called "Prisoner of Hell." After getting the deets on the demonically delicious ale (check back here on Meal Ticket for more), I was joined by a friend who was in the mood for Royal Bohemian Pilsner and flammenkuche (absurdly yummy, as per usual). I wondered if the only way to perfect this meal would be with the addition of fries and mayo. It was. —AP
Photo | Laurel Rose Purdy
Dropped by Adsum (700 S. Fifth St.) on Friday after work for a snack and some wine  — white, for absolutely no reasonable reason. With my glass of Godello I had the grilled rock octopus with gooey black pepper caramel. Small but rich. That led me to a Jameson-soaked Low B rager at Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.). —LRP Hopped over to Tinto (114 S. 20th St.) for a late dinner on Friday with a few good women. The octopus was a hit across the board, as was the fizzy pink Mairritze, a muddled concoction of blood orange, lime, mint and sugarcane liquor. Before heading home, met with the bf and friends to cap the night with a few drinks off the brilliant new winter menu at The Franklin (112 S. 18th St.). —EF
Photos | Drew Lazor
On Saturday afternoon I had the great honor of judging the Third Annual(ish) Khyber Beer Chili Cookoff along with chef Mark McKinney (top photo, seated) and sommelier Marnie Old. Organized by Khyber mega-mensch Jeremy Thomson (top photo, with mic), the contest saw us tasting through 18 chilis in all — the only stipulation being each had to feature beer in some capacity. This year, reigning champion Steve Matt of Brownie's was edged ever so narrowly (he lost by literally 0.1 point!) by the new-kid winners, whose names you can see below we will add here very shortly (waiting on an email). Also I felt really great afterward, like I was not going to die. —DL UPDATE [01feb10]: Here are your Khyber Beer Chili Cookoff winners ... - Best Name: "Pet Cemetery" by Matt Coll and Louis Cook (bottom photo, black T-shirts) - People's Cho0ice: "Red Baron" by Dave Kovaovhick - Judges' Runner-Up: "Kevin" by Steve Matt (bottom photo, plaid shirt) using Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout - Judges' Choice: "Big Black Voodoo Daddy"  by Kevin Clough and Karina Ambartsoumian, using Voodoo Brewing Big Black Voodoo Daddy Spent Saturday night at a pal's engagement party at La Veranda (30 N. Columbus Blvd.). As elegant and low-slung as Betty Draper's fainting couch, the ristorante has been around 1990 and so, it seemed, has its clockwork staff. Love was in the air, meaning mine for the gumdrop-sized gnocchi gorgonzola and chilled squid/shrimp salad with celery and lemon. —AE Saturday: A friend hosted a delivery-nachos taste test in anticipation of the Super Bowl, so I offered my 2 cents on orders from Copabanana (4000 Spruce St.), Mad Mex (3401 Walnut St.) and El Vez (121 S. 13th St.). We reached the conclusion that nachos as a delivery food are less than ideal, especially in cold weather (congealed cheese is ugly). After the taste test concluded, it was back to Dock Street (701 S. 50th St.), where I had fish and chips and their after-9 pm cocktail delicacy, the Rye Shandy: one part rye whiskey, one part rye IPA and one part ginger ale. Based on the number of empty glasses that littered the table by the time we left, I can surmise that they were a hit. —AP
Photo | Drew Lazor
Tried Uncle Oogie's pizza (2119 Oregon Ave.) for the first time this Saturday while unpacking junk at my new place. I'm into the light crust and squareness, and I'm also into the adverbial modesty of the "Quite Possibly the BEST Pizza on the Planet!" slogan on the box.  —DL Brunch cures a hangover, if you can get your ass up. Finally did, went to Green Eggs (719 N. Second St.) and was revived by my forever favorite life saver, quinoa porridge. Berries and agave and cream and raisins and oh my god I felt better instantly. Was planning on going to David's Mai Lai Wah (1001 Race St.) after work on Saturday, but unfortunately my wallet was robbed and had to go straight home. I hate robbers. Dan and I drank the bottle of 2007 Alicante that my GM gifted to me (thank you) and I ate bananas and peanut butter, because that combination cheers me up in a second grade kind of way.  —LRP Late on Saturday night I had the privilege of visiting the new Lounge by Wolfgang Puck to check out what the chef's catering company is bringing to Philly. Samples of tuna tartare circulated Tier 2 of the Kimmel Center (260 S. Broad St.), as did mini-takeout boxes of Chinese noodles. Buffet-style tables offered more Eastern-influenced items, including buttery fish atop a nest of thin sesame noodles and crisp green beans tossed in a savory brown sauce with cubes of tofu and cashews. —EF Sunday: I grabbed a coffee and juice from Milk and Honey on my way to tour Kitchen (4529 Springfield Ave). Keep an eye out for my photo tour of the space and take on some of the menu items that I got to preview. —AP
Photo | Drew Lazor
Sunday: Treated the awesome friends/fam who helped us move to lunch at Pho Hoa (1111 S. 11th St.). Cop that No. 44, that's my go-to all day and all night. —DL Why did the city boy cross the bridge? On Sunday, to visit the wacky/awesome British Chip Shop in Haddonfield (146 Kings Highway East). Malt vinegar on the tables. Soccer--err, football--on the tube. It's a BYOB, but you can taste the beer in the golden batter encasing their epic fish and chips. —AE I agree with the masses: Chef Michael Solomonov made a great showing and proved to be a worthy adversary against Iron Chef Jose Garces on last night's episode of Iron Chef America. The match seemed to be a much closer call than what the scores indicated. I blame the guy in the white blazer. —EF
Photos | Drew Lazor
Sunday: First real meal in the new spot was a freakin' doozy: tacos campechanos from Veracruzana (908 Washington Ave.) and polite pours from this bottle of Blanton's, purchased for us as a housewarming/cheekwarming gift by Friends of Meal Ticket JC and BV. Thanks, guys! —DL

Matt C.
Posted 2011-02-01 10:00:40
Come on, son!  That "pet cemetary" chili (the creators shown wearing the black t-shirts and a chili-induced scowl) was sick with those duck fat fried wild boar meatballs!  The chili cook-off was loads of fun, although I imagine a large cohort of beer swilling, chili consumers might have finished the weekend with some distressed innards.

Louis Cook
Posted 2011-02-01 15:12:23
I'll give it a shot. I've always gone to pho xe lua for that.

tim
Posted 2011-02-01 14:04:27
Friday - homemade burger with grass-fed Hendricks beef and super-stinky Monje, a Spanish blue cheese.

Saturday - breakfasted on Pequea Valley Farm lemon yogurt (aka crack) mixed with homemade curry granola from the Alinea cookbook.  Later on, my wife and I had dinner at Bibou with my parents.  I had the mushroom & duck heart fricasee, which was ridiculous, followed by Scottish partridge and goat milk creme brulee.  For wines we started with 2007 Andres Bonhomme Cremant de Bourgogne, followed up with 2008 Domaine Fabrice Gasnier Chinon Cuvee Fabrice (both from Moore Bros).  Charlotte, Pierre and Ricardo were their usual charming selves and made us feel very welcome.  Love this place.  

Sunday - brunched at Resurrection Ale House, had the burger and a Blaugies D'Arbyste, a really nice farmhouse ale, followed by an Ommegang BPA.  Great mix of tunes on.  My wife got the huevos rancheros.  I don't get why this place isn't busier at brunch, but I'm glad we can always get a table!

barryg
Posted 2011-02-01 13:34:22
Ate pretty well this weekend.

Friday night, hit Butcher & Singer with the GPs. They appreciated the throwback atmosphere, and I appreciated my Delmonico and the excellent service.

Saturday, had brunch/lunch at the Cantina on E. Passyunk--always reliable, unlike their other meals can be. Didn't get to eat again before hitting a concert in Wilmington (BRING IT). Afterward, checked out the new bar in the old Raw Dogs space in Pennsport--still a work in progress, but coming along very nicely. This will fill a void in the neighborhood.

But the former Raw Dogs is only serving chili and hot dogs at the moment (no thanks) so on my way home I finally had an opportunity to check out the new tacqueria at 8th & Jackson (can't remember the name), which is dangerously open until 1am every night. The counter lady recommended the lengua tacos and WOW they were good. I also had their huitlacoche quesadilla (done Mexican style) which was also really delicious. Their red and green salsa was also well above average with real heat and great flavor. It was 1 am, and I was a little buzzed, but I believe we have a may have a rival for Los Gallos in deep South Philly.

I was so enamored by the new tacqueria that I wanted to go back the next morning, but thought better of it. Nibbled at home until ordering delivery Chinese from my standby, Peking Wall. The spare ribs here can go toe-to-toe with any ribs in the city, not just Chinese take out. Not kidding about this: they are a little on the sweet side, but are cooked perfectly and have an awesome char. At $10 for the large order, which is probably more than a whole rack, is an unbelievable value.

Since it's Tuesday, I will rep my Monday eats, which included killer mushroom barley soup and a bureka from Mama's Vegetarian (more than just falafel, folks) followed by pretty great red snapper fish and chips from Watkins Drinkery for dinner. Great happy hour there, btw--half off all drafts.

BOOM.

Julie
Posted 2011-02-01 11:50:29
I know that Jeremy is probably just announcing the cook-off in that picture, but I prefer to imagine him singing "Total Eclipse of the Heart." I wish I could have gone, but I was forced to go to a bridal expo at Knowlton Mansion. At least they had free appetizers.

I was also at Dock Street on Friday! Me and my guy split the calamari, and then he had the rye beer paired with the flammenkuche, while I had the margarita pizza with grilled chicken and a couple of man out of trouble porters. It was packed that night.

awellrespectedman
Posted 2011-02-01 11:53:15
*HALF ROASTED "BRICK" CHICKEN from Bell & Evans, PA - Irish drop biscuit, Green beans w/ grain mustard pan sauce 

Cooked under a 14lb Brick heated at °500 - @chefjonnymac outdid himself, F'N PHENOMENAL!  

stay beautiful @pubandkitchen

Laurel Rose Purdy
Posted 2011-02-01 11:55:09
Ryllis, Koo Zee Doo is the truth. I learned how to butcher a rabbit in their basement prep kitchen and then had one of the dopest meals of life to date.

Laurel Rose Purdy
Posted 2011-02-01 11:58:04
ME, I love octopus in any and all forms - you would probably love Barbuzzo's. Have you had Noah's Mill at Coop? Stick one ice cube in it and it is golden. Bourbon heaven. Any of the artisan scotches? I opened that joint!

Morty
Posted 2011-02-01 13:07:50
Do you work for Pub and Kitchen? Your comment sounds like a press release

Carolyn Huckabay
Posted 2011-02-01 14:23:05
FRIDAY: Celebrated my buddy's birthday at gorge-tastic Marrakesh with nine of our closest friends. I think we each drank a bottle of wine and an entire chicken. But seriously, that meal is the TRUTH -- and seven courses at $31 a person really isn't so bad considering you don't have to eat again for a day and they let you pocket the uneaten whole fruits.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY: Trekked down to Fredericksburg, Va., for a weekend mini-college-reunion-eating-fest situation. Most interesting meals: Kybecca, a wine bar/restaurant where you can buy a card, go up to a little machine and get yourself 2 oz. tastings of all kinds of wine for pretty cheap. Neat! and also FOODE, which, despite its kinda irksome name, sells really delicious farm-to-table treats like $4 fennel sausage and biscuits. $4! I've never seen such locavore-y food for so cheap. 

SUNDAY NIGHT: After a long-ass bus ride we ordered Circles Thai for dinner and got our standard pad see ew/spicy green curry/tom ka gai soup combo. Everything was absolutely delicious, although I find it weird that the tofu in the tom ka was fried and there are like 23049823098 onion slices in it. Still good, though.

Fidel Gastro
Posted 2011-02-01 11:38:03
Overcame stir craziness with a marginally good dinner at The Little Treehouse on Friday. Had the best duck and worst lobster I've ever had at Blackfish on Saturday.  Ate and drank my face off at SPTR's Beef and Beer on Sunday.  A few pounds heavier this week, but totally worth it.

Drew Lazor
Posted 2011-02-01 12:27:05
Pho 75 is my favorite when it comes to pho alone, but Pho Hoa is my favorite as a Vietnamese restaurant featuring lots of options.

Louis Cook
Posted 2011-02-01 12:24:24
Nice one Drew,
We worked pretty hard on contrast of flavor and color... but were worried how that would make chili purists feel. The meat balls probably would have presented better in something larger than a shot glass as well. It was a ton of fun, see you next time :) 

One more thing- you really like Pho Hoa better than Pho75? Say it ain't so!

Ryllis
Posted 2011-02-01 11:26:37
I don't usually post, but I think I had a ton of great treats this weekend. Almost made me forget about the cold....not: 
Friday: Got treated by a friend (which was awesome!) to Koo Zee Doo in No Libs. Ate the heartiest winter salad I've had all season; Salada de Cores. Some winter veggies in a red wine & coriander vinaigrette. I'm still slapping my lips together. We also shared Moles, or chicken gizzards, which were pretty tender and subtle. Lastly, we tried their Friday Special; Fricasse de Polvo, a wonderfully tender octopus gravy over deliciously creamy mashed potatoes. All this was great with my BYO cocktail of Bacardi 8 Rum mixed with Koo Zee Doo's specialty passion fruit soda. Yum!
Saturday: Hit up brunch at El Camino Real in No Libs with the beau (who always thinks it's called Cadillac). I tried the pulled pork sammie, and he went for the Machaca, a flank steak jerky burrito. The pork was on point; sweet, spicy and gooey(!!), but not a fan of the flank steak. Too jerky for me. Crisp, salty fries and Strawberry juice Mimosa were great accessories to my dish. Saturday night, had friends over who ordered Ekta. I ate some of my homemade pasta, and threw some Buttered Chicken Sauce from Ekta over it. I recommend everyone try Ekta's wonderful sauces over pasta (and not just rice) Woo!
Sunday: Brunch again. Made it to Fork in Old City, re: Drew's recommendation. Beau got a very sophisticated and light leek, crab and gruyere omelet, and I went full force for the local spinach risotto; a beautiful blend of pureed spinach, cremini mushrooms and pea shoots. 

Now it's back to work, back to the cold, and back to the basics...

Tweets that mention Notes from the Weekend: Jan. 31 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com
Posted 2011-01-31 17:44:54
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Drew Lazor, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: New NOTES FROM THE WEEKEND is live. Check it and leave your notes in the comments! http://ow.ly/3NEP8 [...] 

bizz
Posted 2011-01-31 17:54:10
I read this column all the time so I'll join in too...
- friday night went to the Khyber, which I have decided is a great pre-Ritz spot but better for appetizers (popcorn) than main courses, sandwiches etc. BF had a special bean and pulled pork soup, which I suspect might have been a practice round for the chili cookoff because it was really more chili than soup.
- saturday went to the open house of the wonderful Bikery/South Philly Neighborhood Bike Works chapter, where they had really awesome vegan and non-vegan cookies from nearby Cookie Confidential. Late night eats at the Royal Tavern yielded delicious potato, poblano and corn soup. Nice zing to it, hearty and just the right thing for a cold night.
- sunday ordered someone else to make buttermilk pancakes for me to great effect. Later went to Fish's small plates sunday dinner, which was excellent - bicoastal oysters on the half shell with 2 different mignonettes, charred octopus with melt-in-your-mouth lamb stew were highlights, as was the pear cobbler with very rum-y rum raisin ice cream.

ME
Posted 2011-01-31 18:04:29
Hit up Tiffin for lunch on Friday and shared some baingan bharta, chana masala and chicken vindaloo. I never had baingan bharta (smoked eggplant sautéed with tomatoes, onions and spices) but will now be making that part of my regular order. Checked out Zento for a friend's birthday -- the square Zento rolls (I went with the salmon version) were awesome but I'll eat anything if you put plum sauce on it. Went to Cooperage where I try to find the cheapest whiskey with the best name -- so I went with Four Roses Yellow Label, which was awesome for $8. Drank a lot of that. A lot.

Laurel -- That octopus is so good. I usually don't dig the 'pus but really enjoyed Adsum's.

juliana
Posted 2011-01-31 18:04:32
The Momofuku Cookbook is swiftly becoming The Greatest Book to Cook From in the boyfriend's house. Saturday we had pork belly and soft-cooked eggs over rice with ginger scallion sauce. Sunday we made ginger scallion noodles (yeah, ODing on the stuff and it's great) and chicken wings tossed in David Chang's octopus vinaigrette (killer sauce - recipes here: http://almostbourdain.blogspot.com/2010/01/momofuku-fried-chicken-with-octo.html). Of course, everything was sourced from Hung Vuong.

Kristen
Posted 2011-01-31 18:31:35
Drew, next time you order from Veracruzana you have to get rice and beans too. The best. Their tacos al pastor are also good, but vary in terms of greasiness.

Felicia D'Ambrosio
Posted 2011-02-01 11:21:32
Friday: late bites at Royal Tavern.  Did you know you can substitute their (admittedly excellent) fries out for tots with no upcharge? Splitting a burger and sweet potato banh mi lightened the meat-load.

Saturday: Hit up Pho 75 for late breakfast with the boys.  Did you know you can ask for "meat on top" and dunk it as you are ready?  Learn something new every time I go there. Dinner was eaten hunkered over the dish station at Monk's -- seitan cheesesteak -- once the wait finally died down at 11:30pm.  A passel of kilted and sporran'd fellows reeling around after a wedding completed the dinner-and-a-show.

Sunday: didn't wake up until 2pm, so I had to hurriedly shove a powerbar and yogurt into my maw before going to the gym with my  much-fitter sister. We picked up the makings of a healthy meal (tri-tip roast, prosciutto-wrapped melon, couscous medley, raw vegetable salad) at Trader Joe's, but I supplemented that virtuous dinner with Erin O'Shea's addictive jalapeno-cheddar cornbread, mac and cheese, a new baby back rib and some banana pudding at Percy Street later for the Iron Chef viewing party. No regrets.

Drew Lazor
Posted 2011-02-01 11:01:05
Hey Kristen, oh don't worry, we got those too! See them in the back there?

Drew Lazor
Posted 2011-02-01 11:02:10
Matt C, I've updated the post with the names of the winners...Pet Cemetery did pretty well on my scorecard from what I remember.

bizz
Posted 2011-02-01 13:46:52
well, we did restrain ourselves somewhat on the small plates, but probably made up for it with oysters and 2 desserts - but still go out at about $50 a person w drinks, desserts, and tip. I regret not getting the mussels mentioned in the NY Times review, so might have to head back. It looks like they have happy hour and some nice looking cocktails so that is another bargain option... (or not so bargain for the reasons you mention).

Drew Lazor
Posted 2011-02-01 11:00:04
Bizz, thanks for sharing, welcome to the fray! I can't wait to peep the small plate deal at Fish. I'm curious, did you end up spending less b/c it's small plates or did it equate to a regular dinner there b/c you ordered a bunch? I'm thinking I'm going to fall into the latter camp.
Posted by Drew Lazor @ 10:21 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
POSTED: Monday, January 31, 2011, 8:28 PM
Filed Under: Dealage
Courtesy of Xochitl
Every week this February, Xochitl (408 S. Second St.) is offering up one of chef Lucio Palazzo's dishes, paired with a cocktail, for one price — take his chicharrones and salsa verde (above) with a Bochito (El Jimador blanco, Aperol, lime, simple syrup) for $13. This matchup runs through Sunday, Feb. 6; check out the rest of the pairings, with prices, after the jump. Week Two, Feb. 7-13: Mollejas, veal sweetbreads a la plancha, served with root vegetable ceviche, grapefruit, avocado and habanero; paired with El Fumador, Del Maguey Vida mescal, El Jimador blanco tequila, muddled grapefruit, sugar and habanero ($17) Week Three, Feb. 14-20:  Albondigas, veal tongue meatballs served with tomato-chipotle salsa, almonds, Castelveltrano olives and rice; paired with Nublado, red wine with tequila, orange, hibiscus, canela and strawberries ($20) Week Four, Feb. 21-28:  Arroz con Pollo, a half chicken roasted with carnitas and served with beer, creamy rajas, celery and rice; paired with Michelada, Dos Equis amber lager with spicy tomato and a chili-salt rim ($18)

mom
Posted 2011-02-05 17:27:20
shut up you f-ing baby..
go eat a turd

Tweets that mention Food and cocktails in one fell menu swoop at Xochitl :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com
Posted 2011-01-31 18:13:08
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lucid Ravencroft, Catherine Price. Catherine Price said: Food and cocktails in one fell menu swoop at Xochitl: Every week this February, Xochitl (408 S. Second St.) is o... http://bit.ly/dYZT5Y [...] 

poncho
Posted 2011-02-01 12:57:38
No veggie or fish options?

andy cregar
Posted 2011-01-31 19:11:12
Sounds good!!
Posted by Drew Lazor @ 8:28 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
POSTED: Monday, January 31, 2011, 6:17 PM
Filed Under: Dealage | Product Placement

Paging breathlessly/enviously through the new Williams-Sonoma catalogue (Hong Kong egg waffle iron! Soup cooker/blender!) over the weekend, we came across this dope deal from All-Clad, the metalcrafters whose pots and pans are beloved by chefs from PA—they're manufactured outside Pittsburgh—to Paris. All-Clad's new CookShare program gives customers an incentive to donate, not ditch, their old cookware. Purchasers of any new All-Clad d5 set that donate any old cookware (doesn't have to be AC) to a charity of their choice will receive a complimentary copy of Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller, an All-Clad devotee. You have to spend at least $500 and submit all the proper proofs or purchase and donor receipts, but the deal runs till January 2012. Here's the link to the coupon; we're already saving our pennies.

Tweets that mention Old All Clad = new Ad Hoc :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com
Posted 2011-02-01 22:41:58
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Leesie, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Donate your old cookware, receive a free copy of "Ad Hoc at Home": http://ow.ly/3NzTb [...] 

right on
Posted 2011-02-01 20:01:39
everyone knows only suburban yuppies who are idiotic and have cash to burn ues this expensive stuff. they dont even know how to cook. they hang em from their ceiling so they look cool. biggest racket going. 
real chefs use 10 dollar aluminum pans.
Posted by Adam Erace @ 6:17 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
POSTED: Monday, January 31, 2011, 3:30 PM
Filed Under: Openings
Those of you looking for homemade food in West Philly without the hassle of getting off your sofa to cook it can finally rest easy. Starting on Feb. 14, Kitchen (4529 Springfield Ave.) will offer delivery, take-out and catering services from ... a kitchen. There's no traditional storefront and there's no seating; everything on the menu is meant for off-site consumption. Chef Jordan Miller has put together a menu designed to mimic home-cooked meals using healthy, local ingredients. Standouts include staples like chicken pot pie and vegetable lasagna, plus less traditional fare, like the West Philly Banh Mi, beef or pork meatballs marinated in sweet chili glaze, with pickled daikon radish, cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, and sriracha aioli on a homemade baguette. Whole meals are supposed to clock in around $15, including delivery and service charges. Take a peek at the whole operation over at Kitchen's snazzy website.

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Jan. 31-Feb. 4 :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper
Posted 2011-02-07 11:13:25
[...] Kitchen is a new homemade delivery/catering service in West Philly. [...] 

» Extra! Extra! Read All About Us! Kitchen At Penn
Posted 2011-02-03 01:16:10
[...] PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER [...] 

Tweets that mention Kitchen to offer West Philly “homemade” delivery/takeout :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com
Posted 2011-01-31 15:47:25
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by University City, kitchenatpenn. kitchenatpenn said: More news! http://ow.ly/3NoXU [...] 
Posted by Adrian Pelliccia @ 3:30 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
POSTED: Friday, January 28, 2011, 10:08 PM
Filed Under: Chef Salad | Food Events | Openings
One of the world's biggest celeb chefs is making his presence known in Philadelphia: Wolfgang Puck Catering has launched an exclusive partnership with The Kimmel Center in the form of The Lounge by Wolfgang Puck, Puck's first venture into the 215. The Lounge will offer cuisine for a variety of tastes and diets (they do kosher and vegan menus). No word on menu specifics yet, but expect catering options to be strictly in-season. Following the lead of many of Philly's other chefs of note, Puck and his team will take advantage of local resources, making The Lounge a high-end sustainable option for events. Now for the bad news: Unfortunately, for those wishing for a Spago to call our own, Puck's operation won't be accessible to the public on a walk-in basis. If you're planning an upcoming event, though, contact catering director Vicki Pohl (vicki.pohl@wolfgangpuck.com) for additional details.

Tweets that mention Kimmel Center brings Wolfgang Puck to Philly :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com
Posted 2011-01-28 17:58:42
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bullfrog & Baum, Crystal L Wang, Michelle Shekari, Wolfgang Puck, Meal Ticket and others. Meal Ticket said: Word on Wolfgang Puck's Philly catering arm: http://ow.ly/3MgNw [...] 

StoopPhilly Links | StoopPhilly
Posted 2011-01-31 07:14:22
[...] City Creative Corridor Initiative Announced for Old City (Old City Civic Association) Kimmel Center brings Wolfgang Puck to Philly (Meal Ticket) Germantown Avenue Fire Station Reopening Today (Mt. Airy Patch) Marathon Grill could [...] 
Posted by Erin Finnerty @ 10:08 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
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. Monsú, 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 — 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
POSTED: Friday, January 28, 2011, 6:38 PM
Filed Under: Weekly Candy
Photos | Erin Finnerty
Once a week, Team Meal Ticket shares its latest sugar-laden fixations. Do not tell 0ur dentist. IN QUESTION: Upon seeing what I was about to purchase, the man behind the counter at Food & Friends (2oth/Spruce) cheered, "CHOCOLATE MUSHROOOOOMS!" It was then that I knew that Chocorooms by Meiji were a good choice for this week. These faux fungi are part chocolate cap and part crunchy cookie stem. The "combination" milk/dark chocolate caps are a little on the waxy side and nowhere near as euphorically melty as last week's Ritter Sport. While they won't leave you seeing trails, the combination of buttery biscuit and chocolate makes these boomers a decent treat. WHERE TO BUY: Nestled in Food & Friends' showcase of international treats. HOW MANY DO WE TYPICALLY EAT IN ONE SITTING: The box is pretty big and comes with three servings of about 13 'shrooms. With their mouth-poppable size, one or two handfuls should do ya just fine. FINER POINTS: In case you have a tendency to get a little wild when it comes to dunking cookies into a vat of chocolate frosting, these little toadstools are kind of like pre-dipped Yan Yan. I think of it as built-in portion control. Meiji is a mainstream candy brand in Japan, producing Hershey-esque chocolate bars and lots of fruity gummies with cute cartoon mascots.

Why do people mourn harder over horses than dogs? | Taking care of your pet
Posted 2011-01-30 02:04:26
[...] WEEKLY CANDY: Meiji Chocorooms :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog … [...] 

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Jan. 24-28 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper
Posted 2011-01-31 12:37:56
[...]  [...] 

Tweets that mention WEEKLY CANDY: Meiji Chocorooms :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com
Posted 2011-01-28 14:16:45
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by brian, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: WEEKLY CANDY: @erinfinnerty on the finer points of Meiji Chocorooms http://ow.ly/3M91V [...] 

Ally
Posted 2011-01-28 13:44:11
These are my FAVORITES!!!! Very addictive and a nice blend of chocolate and cookie crunch.  YUM!!
Posted by Erin Finnerty @ 6:38 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
POSTED: Friday, January 28, 2011, 5:23 PM
Filed Under: We're Here to Help
Photo | Michael T. Regan
Meal Ticket reader Deva W. checks in with the following query:
Do you know what the best Korean BBQ is in the city? Planning a wedding and we are thinking this would be the best food for us.
That sounds like one badass wedding! Please share your Korean 'cue picks in the comments, readers.

Mike H
Posted 2011-01-28 15:35:35
+1 for Gaya, the Spicy Pork Bulgogi is amazing

Jay
Posted 2011-01-28 14:31:04
Its outside of the city but Gaya in Blue Bell has the best BBQ in the area. Sides are good but the meat is just amazing and your clothes won't smell afterwards.

1002 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422
http://www.gayarestaurant.com/gaya.html

Beth
Posted 2011-01-28 12:59:10
Bobo's on 6424 Castor Ave

neinei
Posted 2011-01-28 14:25:11
A second vote for Kim's.  It's the only true charcoal grill in the area, as far as I know, and charcoal makes a big difference.  Banchan are great.  Prices are higher than average, but the meats and sides are plentiful.  One serious caveat, though--even with the powerful ventilation, one can leave this joint smelling faintly of woodsmoke.

Rich
Posted 2011-01-28 12:33:10
Kim's on 5th Street in Olney.

phil
Posted 2011-01-31 12:49:31
KIm's, Seo Ra Bol, Every Day Good House and Bobo's all still use charcoal.  And they're all strong in different ways: Kim's might have the best straight-up barbecue; SRB has the best banchan and a huge menu of other stuff; EDGH has especially good kalbi, and very good non-barbecue dishes too; Bobo's has great combination platters of lots of kinds of meats.  Hard to go wrong with any of those places...

Josh
Posted 2011-01-28 14:05:47
International Smokeless BBQ at 600 Washington Ave is great.

greg.l.
Posted 2011-01-30 16:56:20
Seo Rae bol on old second St also also has charcoal and a good Korean style sushi bar. And private rooms.
Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:23 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
POSTED: Friday, January 28, 2011, 4:26 PM
Filed Under: Booze | Food Events
Last week, LRP told you about the third annual Beef & Beer at the South Philly Tap Room (1509 Mifflin St.). The all-you-can-eat (and drink!) feast goes down this Sunday, Jan. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m., starring meat from naturally raised cows and the culinary stylings of the naturally uproarious Scott Schroeder. We've got the full food and beer rudown after the jump. Tickets are $50, available at the Tap Room.
Posted by Adam Erace @ 4:26 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
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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 herethose 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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