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Archive: January, 2013
We here at Meal Ticket find dining out to be plenty exciting on its own but we understand that there are those of you out there for whom restaurant meals are just kind of boring. To help alleviate this dining ennui we'd like to share a few of Though Catalog's tips on making eating out more exciting.
Flasking it: "So it’s simple. Order a Coke or Sprite then spike it with whatever liquor you’ve brought from home. If you get an inkling that your waiter’s got an eagle eye for this kind of miscreant behavior, order a stiff one, say, bourbon on the rocks, then re-up with your own supply. You’ve got to engage in a bit of slight-of-hand for this operation to go smoothly, pouring from flask to glass under the table."
Surprise Me: "If you’ve decided to stick around long enough to order an entrée, live on the edge and leave it up to chance. When the sassy waiter comes by, set parameters — for instance, give a price range or exclude some foods, like if you hate broccoli or have allergies—then say, “Surprise me.” Whatever the waiter brings out you have to eat. If more than one person says, “Surprise me,” you can trade, engaging in an exciting cuisine bartering, two scoops of mashed potatoes for five forkfuls of the rabé, etc. etc."
Some of Alexander Kalamaroff's other ideas for restaurant excitement include stealing silverware and the always thrilling feigning a dramatic breakup, very loudly, of course.
Head on over to Thought Catalog for the full lineup of restaurant boredom diversions.
Although some might argue that a floral Riesling or citrusy glass of Gewurztraminer might be the best match for spicy pad thai or mi krob, in our estimation beer is where it's at. And it seems like the good folks at Circles Thai agree.
Both locations of this Thai favorite are teaming up with their local bottle shops, The Foodery in NoLibs and The Bottle Shop on East Passyunk, to host a five course beer paired dinner on Wednesday, January 30. The menus are the same for both dinners, think lemongrass soup, papaya salad satay and drunken noodles, but the beer pairings are going to be customized. Tickets are going for $50 a head ($45 for parties of four plus) and are available to pre-purchase here and here.
A good deal on pie, a coffee-themed dinner tonight at Southwark, and word from the next exhibit at Metropolitan Bakery's gallery space, all on today's Afternoon Snacks!
Did you know that Wednesdays at Magpie (1622 South St.) are now "Winter Warmer Wednesdays"? And did you know that means that you can pick a savory pie, a sweet pie, and a coffee or tea for $14? It only makes sense for Magpie to capitalize on their greatest asset—which is not just "pie," surprisingly, even though their pie is really great. Nope, their greatest asset is the fact that you can go there and eat an entire meal that is fully legit but is also fully pie. And now you can do that for less money! Keep up the smart thinking, Magpie.
It’s about time we re-drew your attention to a formerly famous confection. The sweetie of the hour is the Chocolate Covered Onion, which sits quietly behind a display case at Chocolate by Mueller (Reading Terminal Market). Even in the wake of TV appearances and receiving its very own Twitter page, this veg has managed to stay down-to-earth.
You’ll spot the Chocolate Covered Onion nestled among the glitzy – psychedelic carnival pops and jewel-like clusters of rock candy in reds, oranges, and yellows – and the bizarre – wrinkly cocoa ears, fleshy mahogany noses and curly-tailed rats in dark and milk chocolate.
The candied creation was born of the eighties, a brainchild of Glenn Mueller and his wife, Theresa. “We were in a building at 5th and Market, right next to Channel 3,” explains Glenn. “The comedians were doing a half-hour spoof called ‘Double Muppets, Hold the Onions.’” The jokesters asked Glenn and Theresa to dip an onion in chocolate as a gag for the show, and the rest is history.
Next time you’re trolling the city for a gift (housewarming, birthday, wedding, you name it) consider the onion. Crazy yes? Awesome? Also yes.
Raw scallop with uni sauce, grapefruit, Szechwan peppercorn
(Ben Puchowitz)
On today’s Afternoon Snacks, a tale of two tastings—one featuring foie gras in meatball form, the other featuring foie gras in, well, every form. And both are totally affordable!
This week’s tasting menu at Matyson (37 S. 19th St.) is titled “Eat Like a Chef,” but we think the operative phrase is really “bacon and onion crust, shaved egg yolk.” Like, does it even matter what the thing is that's being crusted after you hear that? In this case, yes, it does matter! Because it’s MARROW! BACON AND ONION CRUST. SHAVED EGG YOLK. IF YOU WANT US TO STOP YELLING AT YOU, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY JUST GO.
Oh, and NBD, but the menu also includes the word “fixins.” So.
Keep reading for pig tails, funnel cake, and foie gras galore! »
Fork (306 Market St.) welcomed a new chef, Eli Kulp, and new era, this past fall. Now, the Old City restaurant is welcoming new winter cocktails and bar snacks to complement. (Thankfully, the Cynar/celery water/sparkling wine set-up we loved so much isn't gone yet.) Bar Manager Guy Smith lays his nameless libations out in categories like Bubbly and Spiritous, the latter including a take on a Rusty Nail with Campari, rhubarb bitters and burnt orange. On the solid side, Kulp's offering oysters with clear gazpacho vinegar, stratciatella toasted with charred and pickled eggplant and his already legendary chicken nuggets. Eat them immediately.
Sometimes, when things are VERY IMPORTANT and have been up for, like, an entire day, we just sorta assume you've seen them. But in this case, it looks like only 392 of you have seen it (at time of press[ing the button that puts this on the internet]). So to the rest of you, we kindly suggest that you get on it. If you stop by Alla Spina (1410 Mt. Vernon St.) and mention having seen it, you can take advantage of super-secret beer specials (this week it's a free Victory Hundred Horse!). Not that you really needed a reason to watch Steve Wildy spray himself in the crotch with beer, assault customers, and lounge coquettishly on the bar, right?
Here's a little dealage to sweeten a gray and dreary winter's day: Every Tuesday,Bliss Juices and Ice Cream (4420 Walnut St.), the scooping side of West Philly bakery Manakeesh, does $2 fresh-fruit smoothies. The build-your-own fraps start with a base of OJ, yogurt or milk and incorporate up to four fruits of your choice: pomegranate, blueberry, mango, etc. Or go with one of Bliss's menu combinations, like ginger berry or date and cinnamon.
Here at Meal Ticket, we're not ones to tell you what to do. But here's what we'll be doing tomorrow evening: hitting the "U Buy the Glass" event at the Abbaye. (637 N. 3rd St.) Why? Ten bucks will get you a keepsake glass that you can fill (and refill) with your choice from four great beers from Colorado's Left Hand Brewing Co. And, well, we really like Left Hand beers.
On tap, you'll find Milk Stout, Sawtooth Ale, Fade to Black IPA, and Chainsaw Ale. And of course there will be other little perks like giveaways. For those of you that require some solids in your diet, they'll be cooking with the brews, as well. On the menu: Sawtooth Ale mussels, beef and stout pot pie and Milk Stout chocolate bread pudding. This is all tomorrow, Wed., Jan. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m.
To recap: Two hours! All the beers! Mollusks! Dessert! Done!
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