Archive: October, 2010

Kennett coming to Queen Village

POSTED: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 7:15 PM

Filed Under: Openings

The old Lyons Den at 848 S. Second is getting a makeover from Johnny Della Polla (an industry vet who most recently ran the tasting room at Yards), former Starr FOH-er Ashley Bohan and chef Brian Ricci. Kennett, as the neighborhood-friendly restaurant will be called, is looking to open in November. Since the principles are seeking certification from the Green Restaurant Association which holds establishments to high environmental standards in regards to energy/water usage, recycling, etc. they won't be changing the interior dramatically, but plan on repurposing furniture, adding seating and otherwise sprucing the spot up to give it a bit of new life. Ricci's shared a handful of his proposed menu items for the spot, which you can check out after the jump. Small plates:

beets and feta with red wine vinegar, olive oil, basil, parsley and chive
roasted chickpeas with smoked paprika, olive oil and sea salt
heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, basic, balsamic and cracked pepper
avocado salad with lime juice, chiles, cilantro and cumin
new potatoes with preserved lemon and mixed herbs
hummus with zatar bread, roasted peppers and artichokes

Charcuterie/cheese:

Prosciutto
Pork terrine
salumi
Country pate, mustard, cornichon and toast
Aged cheddar, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella and toast
There will also be Charcuterie and Cheeses that will include:

Burgers:

Lamb burger with smoked paprika, cucumber and yogurt
Beef burger with lettuce, tomato and anchovy mayonnaise
Veggie burger made with lentils, wheatberries and tomato relish

Mains:

Salmon prepared with olive oil, lemon and sea salt
Chicken with brown butter, herbs and mustard
Farmer's plate with roasted squash and sage, turnips and brussel sprouts

Wood-fired pizzas:

Margherita with tomato, basil and mozzarella
White with house-made ricotta, late summer squash and sweet onions
House pie with prosciutto, fig and goat cheese

kak15

Posted 2010-11-06 21:41:10

I'm pretty sure that's what the locals called the former spot.

Mom of two

Posted 2010-11-02 10:18:13

Thoughtful and interesting, thank you. I grew up in manilla but moved to england at such a young age I can hardly remember anything apart from the delicious food. I finally found some authentic Filipino recipes if you want to have a look, I thought I'd share it with you!

Lenny Dykstra

Posted 2010-10-27 16:33:05

I thought it was called "The Carwash Cafe"?

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-10-27 16:16:26

Hey Kelly, they're saying late November as of now.

Kelly

Posted 2010-10-27 14:59:18

I'll have the roasted chickpeas and avocado salad and then flip my debit card between the veggie burger and farmer's plate. Early or late November?

Kennett opening this Saturday :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-12-01 13:57:06

[...] operation, replacing Lyons Den at the intersection of Second, Christian and Moyamensing (we first mentioned it here) is being run by industry vets Johnny Della Polla and Ashley Bohan, with food from chef Brian Ricci [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:15 PM Permalink | Post a comment

It's a quarter after one, you're a little drunk and you need food now.

POSTED: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 6:24 PM

Filed Under: Dealage | Food News

Courtesy of Barbuzzo

Safran (left) and Turney

How many times have you found yourself outside some bar, some night, on the descending end of a buzz, starving? Too sober to house a basket of carbs. Too lubricated to just go home and cook an omelette. Once upon a time, late-night dining meant Chinatown or a diner, but lately local restaurants are stepping up their after-hours game. At Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney's new Medi spot Barbuzzo (110 S. 13th St.), join servers fresh off their shifts at the dove-gray marble bar for a selection of $10 late-night bites offered Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 p.m. to midnight. They'll change frequently, but the current starting line-up includes Neapolitan pizza, house-ground beef burger, seasonal veggie board and a "pasta fresca" of Turney's choosing. (Drinkage include $3 drafts, $4 glasses of sangria and $5 glasses of wine.) Further south, Fifth and Bainbridge's Adsum (read the official review) is an incubator of after-hours action, luring in the 'toxed and hungry with promises of malt-vinegar popcorn and sunchoke chips, $3 pulled pork sliders, $6 guanciale-and-caramelized-fennel flatbread washed down with $3 cans of Narragansett, Sly Fox and 21st Amendment. Follow their Twitter account and you'll never be subjected to sub-par late-night eats again.

danya

Posted 2010-10-27 14:47:23

Neither of those places will help you at quarter past one, however...

Posted by Adam Erace @ 6:24 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Recapping: Taste of Fall apple/cider menu at Tinto

POSTED: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 5:54 PM

Filed Under: Food Events

Photos | Anthony Sica

Last week, we were treated to a tasting of the fall harvest menu at Tinto (114 S. 20th St.). For the month of October, Jose Garces and his crew have been serving up Basque cider house-inspired dishes highlighting one of falls most bountiful ingredients: apples. The menu starts with a simple cod omelette, but the espumas are not far behind, as the menu takes a modern approach to cider-centric dishes. To fully immerse yourself in the Basque experience, you've got to pony up for the optional cider pairing, which is available with each of the four (multi-dish) courses. The beverage pairing includes two natural (or still) ciders, one sparkling cider and a glass of Tempranillo. The ciders are each distinct, starting with a funky entry from Tolosa and ending with an Asturian sparkling that was very similar to Champagne. The fall harvest apple menu is available for the rest of October for $55 per person ($30 for the pairings). The full rundown on the food and drink: FIRST Cider Pairing: Itastegi, Sagardo, Tolosa, Spain Tortilla de Bacalao (pictured, bottom left): piquillo, green chile Escalivada (pictured, top left): cipollini onions, roasted peppers, tomatoes, migas Monte Enebro cheese: espelette, apple jam, sliced apple (One of the best Garces cheese plates we've had) SECOND Cider Pairing: Trabanco Cosecha Propia, Asturias, Spain 2009 Brocheta de Vieira (pictured, top right): scallop, txakoli vinaigrette, pistachio, parsley coulis Manzanas (pictured, bottom right): seasonal apples, saffron, candied shallot, cabrales (a great example of Tinto's modern spin on these dishes ... who's ever had a saffron-poached apple stuffed with blue cheese and candied shallots?!) Foie Gras: Granny Smith apple, chestnut purée, candied hazelnut (the intense richness of this dish is cut by a crazy-good green apple espuma) THIRD Wine Pairing: Tempranillo, Castillo La Bastida, Crianza, Rioja, 2006 Chuleta: pork loin chop, apple chutney, fennel, cider jus Arctic Char en Sidra: cider poached arctic char, chorizo, charred green onions, romesco Hongos a la Plantxa: wild mushrooms, confit potato DESSERT Cider Pairing: Trabanco Poma Áurea, Asturias, Spain 2008 Cider-Poached Pear: sage custard, pain d'épices emulsion

J? R? Me is Allen? a date with her team to | MATCH DATING ONLINE ON HERE

Posted 2010-11-02 11:42:38

[...] Recapping: Taste of Fall apple/cider menu at Tinto :: Meal Ticket … [...]

Tweets that mention Recapping: Taste of Fall apple/cider menu at Tinto :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-27 13:39:28

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SaucyMamaCafe, Zeiglers Beverage Co. Zeiglers Beverage Co said: Sounds yummy to us! RT @ mealticket Recapping: Taste of Fall apple/cider menu at @GarcesGroup's Tinto http://ow.ly/30mmE [...]

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 5:54 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Nov. 1: Amis and Paesano's team up for Industry Night

POSTED: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 4:31 PM

Filed Under: Food Events

Photo | Drew Lazor

Restaurant Industry Night at Amis (412 S. 13th St.), which has featured Jose Garces' Guapos Tacos as well as Percy Street Barbecue in its last two iterations, will see a visit from Peter McAndrews and his band of merry Paesano's sandwich men this coming Monday, Nov. 1, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Amis chef Brad Spence is coming up with two signature sandwiches of his own to match the Paesano's crew's planned offerings, which are still under wraps; look out for Spence's "Jersey Cannonball" (a homemade bialy with housemade pork roll, fried egg, sharp prov and pickled peppers OK!), as well as a sandwich with sliced veal breast, young pecorino and fried veg on sesame focaccia. (Mini choco-chip semifreddo sandwiches for dessert, too.)

Tweets that mention Nov. 1: Amis and Paesanos team up for Industry Night :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-27 12:42:17

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brian, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Amis and Paesano's are teaming up for the next Industry Night (Nov. 1): http://ow.ly/30iiC [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:31 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Oct. 28: Thursday Night Throwdown returns to Spruce Street Espresso

POSTED: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 8:38 PM

Filed Under: Coffee | Contests | Food Events

Photo | Drew Lazor

This Thursday at 7 p.m., Philadelphia's Thursday Night Throwdown latte art contest, aka TnT, returns to Spruce Street Espresso (1101 Spruce St.) Professional and at-home baristas alike are invited to take part in pouring lattes in a tournament-style competition for cash and other prizes, including the Grinder Burr Medal currently held by Aaron Ultimo of Ultimo Coffee, who took first prize in September's TnT at Chestnut Hill Coffee. (That's his handiwork above.) The Throwdown is $5 to enter, but free to watch. There will be pizza from Gianfranco, beer from Philadelphia Brewing Co., and even a costume contest with a $50 prize for the best get-up. Check out our report from July's Throwdown at Spruce Street.

Tweets that mention Oct. 28: Thursday Night Throwdown returns to Spruce Street Espresso :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-26 16:39:48

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Faith Ortiz, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: This month's Thursday Night Throwdown latte competition (@PhillyTNT) is at @SpruceStEspreso: http://ow.ly/2ZOpX [...]

Thursday Night Throwdown at Bodhi Coffee tonight :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-11-18 11:54:04

[...] roving Thursday Night Throwdown latte art competition, which has been held at Spruce Street Espresso, Chestnut Hill Coffee and Brew in the past, goes down tonight at 7 at one of Team Meal [...]

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 8:38 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Where Brooklyn at?! In Philly, apparently.

POSTED: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6:53 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Food Events

Courtesy of Sixpoint

Brooklyn's Sixpoint Craft Ales has been logging Turnpike miles like a trucker lately, what with all the promos they've been running in our town. Last week, we told you about their collabo with Capogiro (brown ale floats!), and tonight from 6 to 10 p.m., James (824 S. Eighth St.) will be tapping kegs of Sixpoint's Pumpkin Brewster and Sehr Pilsner. Chef Jim Burke is preparing two $6 soups to pair with the beers: sunchoke with black truffle and preserved lemon for the pumpkin, and hubbard squash with chestnut confit, Honeycrisp apple and Concord grape gastrique for the pils. Then, next month, City Tap House will host a "Pop-up Brewery" event, at which Sixpoint will take over 10 taps in the hall's private beer lounge. Ten bucks gets you a limited-edition beer glass that can be filled twice with brewery-exclusives like Apollo Wheat and Red Tuft ESB. That goes down Fri., Nov. 19 to Sun., Nov. 21, and on the 21st, Sixpoint found Shane Welch will host a homebrewing class (no rezzies required), during which all Sixpoint pints will be $4.

Posted by Adam Erace @ 6:53 PM Permalink | Post a comment

943, it lives! And it looks nice!

POSTED: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 5:38 PM

Filed Under: Openings

Cheers to the trusted tipster who noticed the paper off the windows at the Italian Market's 943 (943 S. Ninth St.) and dropped us these quick shots. Pascual Cancelliere's restaurant had had its share of delays we first wrote about in January 2009. But now it looks so complete ready to go!? Not now, but soon, vows Cancelliere. He says he's square with the city and is just waiting on some contractor work before he can pull the trigger on an opening. Look for the BYO to start serving its mix of Italian and Argentine specialties around Thanksgiving.

Silvia Torre

Posted 2010-10-29 11:59:58

I believe it when I see it.  I hope the food is worth the wait!  I'm from Argentina and I got tired of calling the owner every month for the past year.

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2010-10-29 08:31:27

[...] 943, the we’ll-believe-it-when-we-see-it bistro promised for 9th Street in the Italian Market says it will be open by Thanksgiving. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:38 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Spicy food heaven is Hell Night at Le Viet

POSTED: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 4:28 PM

Filed Under: Food and Holidays | Food Events

Le Viet (1019 S. 11th St.) is celebrating Halloween with a spicy-food-centric Hell Night. From October 29 to 31 (yes, actually several nights), from 5 to 10 pm, the restaurant is offering a special super-hot menu featuring dishes and sauces specially calibrated to make you cry. Courageous diners choose from terrifyingly named options like Dragon Wings, Graveyard Grass, Orc Eyeballs Delight, Devil's Stew, Yellow Fever Chicken, Devil's Blood Cubes, Ghost Flesh, Cobweb Strands and Zombie Ribs; each dish will be served with a complimentary glass of milk, since we all know this is the only thing that can really quell the burn . Come dressed for Halloween, too, because the best costume will win a $25 Le Viet gift card. Call 215-463-1570 for reservations.

ICE CUBES: Strongbox gets served, Bryn Mawr gets Trannies, Jenny Lewis gets duds :: Critical Mass :: A&E Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-10-28 12:49:33

[...] My corner Pan-Asian eatery Le Viet (1019 S. 11th) does Halloween all spiced up with a demonically hot three-night run of Hell Night, Oct. 29 to 31 (more info at Meal Ticket). [...]

Michelle

Posted 2010-10-26 12:53:09

This sounds awesome

Tweets that mention Spicy food heaven is Hell Night at Le Viet :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-26 12:05:28

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rich Pawlak, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Spicy food fans should check out Hell Night at @LeVietPhilly: http://ow.ly/2ZDmB [...]

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 4:28 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Tony Luke's opens new location ... in Bahrain

POSTED: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 4:14 PM

Filed Under: Openings

Courtesy of Tony Luke's

The one and only Tony Luke Jr. has opened a cheesesteak shop in East Riffa, a city in Bahrain. It's the first of two locations planned for the island nation; apparently they're aiming to open a total of 60 locations in the Middle East/North Africa region, as well as additional shops in the U.S. and the Carribbean. Go on, Tony!

George Polgar

Posted 2010-11-01 05:03:27

For the record TONY LUKE's, in partnership with family-owned global farm-to-table innovator Rastelli Foods Group (www.RastelliDirect.com) is preparing a US company-owned retail store roll-out with the opening of prototype units in Sicklerville and Deptford, NJ as well as a Mall Store prototype opening this month in Springfield (Delco), PA.
To-date the Tony Luke's brand has successful sattelite operations at Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, Borgata Casino, NJ, Dover Downs Casino, DE and at aLoft W Hotels.
The opening of free-standing stores in NYC, LA and anywhere else in the US is a function of establishing, testing and refining quality assurance systems with reliable supply and replicated production and service models.
Other than the aforementioned operating units, two previous "experiments" were discontinued, despite enormous success, because they were deemed unsupportable in terms of quality by TONY LUKE's management and its partners.
Finally, as to the issue of sufficient demand in the Middle East and other overseas markets, it is enormous and growing exponentially, With Rastelli Foods Group, which has extensive operations in 88 countries, TONY LUKE's is already an estalished brand and operationally viable in the Middle East, Caribbean and soon in Europe and the UK.
Also TONY LUKE's Pronto frozen foods have been hugely successful, now available in up to 5000 supermarkets, convenience, mass retail and club stores.
A second phase "New & Improved" All Natural -- lowsodium and  hormone, steroid, antibiotics FREE -- product line is scheduled for release before the end of this year.

John E.

Posted 2010-10-27 14:37:40

Seriously, how come Tony can't get a NYC or even West Coast spot (he's tried) and now he wants to do 60 locations in the Middle East?  Is there really a big market there?

sara ckements

Posted 2010-10-27 13:13:36

We need a Tony Lukes in Sarasota - Bradenton Florida

South Philly Acid Vandals Caught On Camera | The Philly Post

Posted 2010-10-27 08:35:33

[...] Tony Luke Opens Cheesesteak Shop in Bahrain. Two years ago, the international-empire-building Luke started hawking frozen cheesesteaks. Now, the Middle East. Wonder what Joey Vento thinks of “wiz wit” being uttered in Arabic? [City Paper] [...]

Vinny

Posted 2010-11-21 08:51:09

Sounds like a lot of bullshit to me from someone that is on the Rastelli foods payroll.  If they pay me I will write anything they want.

Posted 2010-12-30 09:40:26

i am bahraini and i just finished eating dinner from tony luke's and it was so good! 



glad they opened here.

Maryam

Posted 2011-01-14 03:08:39

i am from bahrain, and i just enjoyed having an amazing lunch at Tony Luke's, it was delicious! so glad they opened it here ! hoping for more american restaurants that ive been to in florida and california and new york would open here :D

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:14 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Notes from the Weekend: Oct. 25

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 10:30 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. Were 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.)

Rachel Burgos: RB Adam Erace: AE Drew Lazor: DL

Friday I dined over the bridge at a BYOB steakhouse that's capable of generating Meal Ticket comments like the Jets D does turnovers. We posted about 505 Prime two weeks ago and the Jerseyans are more divided than Cherry Hill! (I thought the steaks, local and grass-fed, were excellent.) AE Friday night, homeboy and I went to Adsum (700 S. Fifth St.) and were told there was a 45-minute wait, so we went to visit a friend bartending at Copabanana (344 South St). Fifteen minutes and htalf a can of Tecate later, we got the call and walked back over. We split the Landaff cheddar, apple butter and bacon fat biscuit to start a treat so yummy I wish there was more of it. I ordered the burger, with farmhouse cheddar, pancetta-fondue onion and duck fat fries delicious, and so big I didn't finish. Fries are the best I've had in a minute, too. I also tried some of homeboy's order of pierogies. Upon first bite, I felt like Anton Ego in Ratatouille I closed my eyes and was transported to my Polish nana's kitchen in Paterson. Bangin'. RB Was also at Adsum Friday night, but just for a couple drinks. Headed home and wrecked leftover house fried chicken from Shiao Lan Kung (930 Race St.) DL Saturday morning, got super butthurt when i found out T & N Deli & Sandwiches (1820 W Moyamensing Ave.) is no longer they were the truth on the cheap breakfast delivery hustle. So I called up Cosmi's (1501 S. Eighth St.) to see if they made breakfast sandwiches, and the guy looked around the kitchen and gave a rundown of what was available, which I loved. Got a massive bacon egg and cheese on a hoagie roll (!) with some home fries. RB

Photo | Adam Erace

Saturday, I felt it necessary to buy this 50-count sack of fun-size Sour Patch Kid baggies. Had I not been so blinded by the SPK logo, I'd have noticed this giant bag of cavity creators was split with Swedish Fish, a far inferior candy. Any trick-or-treater who comes to my house on Halloween is getting them. Later Saturday, drowned my Phillies sorrows in aforementioned Kids. AE

Photos | Drew Lazor

Saturday breakfast/lunch, put together some scrambled eggs and sugar-cured Virginia country ham that I copped during my camping trip last week. Sooo salty and good. DL Saturday night, met up with some friends at Cantina Los Caballitos (1651 E Passyunk Ave.) for dinner; got veggie quesadillas and a margarita. After dinner walked over to P.O.P.E. (1501 E Passyunk Ave) to watch the Phillies. I will leave it at that. RB Saturday night: the American Blackboard dinner, which you can check out here. DL

Photo | Rachel Burgos

Sunday, went to Devil's Den (1148 S. 11th St) for brunch and got the very hammy and cheesy croque madame. Something to note they have $3 Bloody Marys and mimosas during brunch until 3 p.m. For a cheap Bloody Mary, it was pretty alright. RB

Photo | Adam Erace

Checked into James (824 S. Eighth St.) for Sunday Supper, their weekly three-course $40 pre-fixe. Deal! Sat at the bar, set with flickering votives, and sipped on an amuse bouche of pleasantly bitter endive-Champagne soup garnished with tarragon and salty bottagra. Next: a thick slab of sweet country pate, streaked with plum mostarda, followed by lush risotto Jim Burke is an Arborio wizard inlaid with nuggets of lobster. Dessert was a tall toque of ginger cake with a scoop of beer ice cream. Love this place. AE

Photo | Rachel Burgos

Went pumpkin picking at the scenic, rustic Acme Market (1400 E. Passyunk Ave.). I know, I know, but since I don't drive and was feeling an odd mixture of inspired yet lazy, it worked for me. Spent the afternoon carving pumpkins, then later at night roasted the seeds with some salt, pepper and olive oil. RB

Photo | Adam Erace

Sunday turned two Headhouse grabs (Aimee Olexy's hickory-smoked duck breast and frilly super-spicy Weaver's Way mustard greens) into a sick-ass restorative soup. I chopped and rendered the fat off the quack, added the washed and chopped greens, sauteed, added chicken stock, five spice and bay leaf and simmered for 15 minutes. Quick, easy, amazing. Polished it off with a slice of bright strawberry-rhubarb pie from Linvilla Orchards. AE

Photo | Drew Lazor

Sunday, drove to West Chester to have brunch/lunch with my little sister and some of her friends. Landed at Market Street Grill (6 W. Market St.), where I ordered the "Donnie Bennie," aka Eggs Benedict with cream chipped beef in lieu of Hollandaise. Not sure if that is an upgrade from a health perspective but it was damn delicious. Scrapple also. DL Broke out the Cuisinart Sunday to spin a batch of Halloween-hued kabocha squash ice cream scented with five spice and roasted ginger. Ate it with crumbled gingersnaps on top. AE

Photo | Drew Lazor

For dinner Sunday night, tested out a sample of coq au vin from Garces Trading Co.'s "GTC at Home" line. Full report coming soon. DL

pat quinn

Posted 2010-11-06 10:00:05

Word to Rachel for pimping the Devil's Den brunch. There's never anyone there and it's the perfect place to get good and day-drunk. I should know, considering my post-Den Saturday. Also tried out the quesadillas from Veracruzana, which I'm sure would have been better if I had eaten them there, but they were still delicious (queso blanco mmm.....) and worth two meals. Capped off the weekend with my new Sarcone's obsession: The CC. I only ate half and I didn't need to eat the rest of the day. Then again, I got up at 2 so there wasn't that much day left.

Anthony Sica

Posted 2010-10-26 17:48:16

I want to see/judge a country pate contest between Lee Styer of Fond and Jim Burke.

Jule

Posted 2010-10-26 12:54:42

I am SUPER curious about that Coq Au Vin.

Friday I had the open faced Reuben at City Tap House or whatever the hell it's called out on Walnut Street. Brisket, pickled red cabbage, Gruyere, and Russian dressing. Remarkable. Desserts not so much (the bread pudding was dry), but at least they were gratis courtesy of my friend's friend who worked there. I had a few Left Hand Chainsaw Ales for $6 at 9.5% abv. I left a happy and dazed girl.

Saturday for lunch we went to our favorite sandwich place EVER-Lenny's on Ridge Ave. I got the chicken parm with roasted eggplant and roasted reds, and the boyfriend got the home-plate special: Italian spicy roast beef, pepper jack cheese, spicy cajun mayo, tomato, lettuce, red onion. Their bread is what makes the sandwich so incredible. 

Sunday was leftover sandwiches for lunch, and then I made meatballs and sausage with my best batch of red sauce yet. I think the key was accidentally buying a can of diced tomatoes with jalapenos, along with the whole peeled San Marzanos. Gave it a good kick. That and I used a shit-ton of garlic. Usually I put in just an assload.

Felicia D'Ambrosio

Posted 2010-10-26 11:07:48

Friday night: At least five cocktails -- mostly perfect rye Manhattans and something fun Mr. Prestone made for me that was mostly bourbon -- meant even though I had eaten 2 lbs of homemade fried rice at 4pm, I absolutely required fried chicken at Adsum around 11pm. 

Saturday: Worked DracFest for the Rosenbach Museume & Library on behalf of Yelp.  Facepainting for the kids and Dracula photo booth at the DIY craft event in the evening.  Did I eat?  Hmmmm... some passable sushi from Food & Friends mid-afternoon and then Los Gallos delivery on the couch, watching the Phils end their season.  At least the quesadilla los gallos was its usual juicy, porky self.  Looking at you, Ryan Howard. 

Sunday: Hit up Headhouse Farmers Market promptly at 9:55 to beat the browsing idiots who clog it by 11am.  After filling bags with Hosui Japanese apple-pears, Three Springs Honeycrisps, Birchrunhill Experimental cheese and a rainbow of mushrooms from Queen Farm, hit up Bodhi Coffee and really dug on their new Paradise Green tea.  

Sunday afternoon was spent cleaning my grotty house with frequent snack breaks.  Mikey P excavated a quick tomato sauce recipe from the Babbo cookbook and we put some of our produce to work on a easy dinner.  Ah Sunday.

rachel

Posted 2010-10-26 11:57:22

Circles thai is pretty great, after reading that now I want some

Midnight Toquer

Posted 2010-10-26 11:48:43

Friday: I stopped by Bella Vista Bev. for a case of Phoenix Pale Ale. While being rung up, I remembered that the Bottle Shop had just opened. Went there next and picked up a couple mix sixes of porters, baltic porters, imperial stouts and other strong brown beers in anticipation of firing up the fire pit at home. Ordered a bunch of stuff from Circles Contemporary Asian Cuisine at 15th and Tasker. Good stuff, especially the cheesesteak spring rolls. Got drunk, ate too much and never got around to making the fire.

Saturday: On the way to the supermarket, stopped off at Beer Heaven and picked up a bunch of big bottles, mostly harvest ales. Back home, we fired up the grill in advance of the Phillies game. Grilled up giant bacon cheeseburgers and Hatfield beef franks. The wife made cole slaw with cabbage from our CSA. The pack of Phillies brand hot sausages we picked up never made it to the grill. I blame that for the Phils' loss. Sorry. Paired the burgers and dogs with PBC's Harvest from the Hood. After dinner, we paired a Victory Baltic Thunder with John & Kira's chocolates.

Sunday: Black coffee and whole wheat toast striped with Sriracha for breakfast. Laundry. Errands. After an exhausting sneaker shopping expedition on South St., stopped in Woolly Mammoth (we were looking for a place we'd never been to) to wet our whistles. I was thrilled to find Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild on tap. Drank three of those and split chicken wings, cheesesteak eggrolls and old bay fries with friends. Pit stop at the Royal Tavern. Forgot what I ordered there. Back home for dinner with the neighbors. They made spicy beef stew and mashed potatoes. Drank more beer.

Posted 2010-10-26 11:04:04

Word to Rachel for pimping the Devil's Den brunch. There's never anyone there and it's the perfect place to get good and day-drunk. I should know, considering my post-Den Saturday. Also tried out the quesadillas from Veracruzana, which I'm sure would have been better if I had eaten them there, but they were still delicious (queso blanco mmm.....) and worth two meals. Capped off the weekend with my new Sarcone's obsession: The CC. I only ate half and I didn't need to eat the rest of the day. Then again, I got up at 2 so there wasn't that much day left.

Tweets that mention Notes from the Weekend: Oct. 25 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-25 18:18:16

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Drew Lazor, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: New NOTES FROM THE WEEKEND is live. Share your notes in the comments! http://ow.ly/2Zcvg [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 10:30 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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Hell's Kitchen casting in Philly
Frozen Drinks Alert: Water ice cocktails at Noir
Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" turns Swanky Bubbles into Sheer
Bummer: Grub Street Philly shutting down
Afternoon Snacks: Rachael & Guy do improv, Bacon hot dogs, Seasonal cocktails both posh and... less-so
Now Serving: Jerry's Bar

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.

Follow team Meal Ticket on Twitter:

@mealticket | @carolinerussock | @adamerace

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