Archive: October, 2010

Recapping: American Blackboard preview dinner at Philly Kitchen Share

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 8:50 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Food Events | Openings | Photos

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This weekend Tim McGinnis was kind enough to invite us to his sneak-peek dinner for American Blackboard, the Philly Kitchen Share-affiliated restaurant project (1516 South St.) he and his cheffing partner/brother Jason Roberts are aiming to open in December. The team showcased a number of killer dishes, many of which were representative of AB's theme "lost" cooking, curing and preserving techniques, and other approaches that might be considered archaic by today's culinary standards. (The Blackboard name was chosen since the menu will be ever-rotating to reflect availability and the season.) The multi-course feast featured produce grown by West Philly's Mill Creek Farm, for which the dinner was a fundraiser. What we ate, in order: - Charcuterie board, all house-cured: duck prosciutto, tasso ham, country pate and pheasant rillettes - Long Island oysters topped with condiments like apple granita and kelp mignonette - Carrots roasted in hay, with cilantro/black walnut pesto, pecorino and nasturtium leaves - Chorizo oil-poached local striped bass with rainbow chard, clams, chorizo, crispy skin, persillade - Pear crisp with ginger ice cream

jamie

Posted 2010-10-28 16:13:13

Oo I spy pickled scapes on the charcuterie board. nice

Foobooz » A Walk Down South Street

Posted 2010-10-28 13:42:03

[...] – Tim McGinnis’ restaurant recently previewed its menu at Philly Kitchen Share. Meal Ticket provided this report. geopress_addEvent(window,"load", function() { [...]

Michelle

Posted 2010-10-26 13:08:48

Everything was delicious but that Striped bass was amazing, I could have easily eaten 2 plates of it.

Felicia D'Ambrosio

Posted 2010-10-26 10:35:27

Let us poach all fish in chorizo oil.  WHY NOT.  I can't wait until this place opens!  (gleefully rubbing greedy paws together)

Tweets that mention Recapping: American Blackboard preview dinner at Philly Kitchen Share :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-25 22:44:53

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by American M&P, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Check out pics from this weekend's American Blackboard preview dinner: http://ow.ly/2Z96m [...]

Damn: American Blackboard is off :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-12-01 11:42:03

[...] McGinnis just checked in to let us know that American Blackboard, the South Street restaurant he previewed along with his brother Jason Roberts back in October, will not be happening after all. He alludes to a philosophical difference in direction between he [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 8:50 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Melissa Calcagni of El Rey is Esquire's Hostess of the Year

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 7:18 PM

Filed Under: Food News

esquire.com

Congratulations to Melissa Calcagni of El Rey (2013 Chestnut St.) for being named Hostess of the Year by Esquire magazine. An Allentown native who was formerly named Hostess of the Week by Esquire's Eat Like a Man blog, she's been a Starr hostess for about two years. Check out a full Q&A with her here.

Tweets that mention Melissa Calcagni of El Rey is Esquires Hostess of the Year :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-25 22:34:47

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Melissa Calcagni, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: With the mostest: @esqfood names @StarrRestaurant's Melissa Calcagni Hostess of the Year: http://ow.ly/2Z54q [...]

Posted by Rachel Burgos @ 7:18 PM Permalink | Post a comment

The Bottle Shop in pictures

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 6:22 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Openings | Photos

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On Friday, Gena Montebello and Michele Aquinos beer boutique The Bottle Shop (1837 E. Passyunk Ave.) opened to lines of salivating downtown drinkers. Nearly a year in the making, the long, slender store currently stocks 400 labels from the tri-state (Dogfish Head, Flying Fish), greater U.S. (Bells, Founders) and abroad (Hitachino, Chimay), with more on the way. "Well definitely be getting up to 700 [beers] in the next couple months," Montebello promises. Eleven double-wide fridges line one wall, each representing a country of origin. Bottles are displayed in neat rows with plenty of space between, making for easy-on-the-eyes browsing. Domestics range from $2 to $6, imports $2.75 to $7.50 and large-format bottles $10 to $20. Business is primarily take-away, but tables and chairs, a sick flat-screen and snacks (hot dogs, fresh-popped popcorn in several flavors and sacks of Lancaster-made Famous Kirbys Red Hot Chili Pretzels), invite customers to pop bottles on premises. "So many people from the neighborhood not only bought beer," says Montebello, but stayed to relax, drink and watch sports." The Bottle Shops grand opening is this coming Saturday, but theyre open for business all week 11 to 11.

Dan

Posted 2010-11-04 17:05:23

You certainly don't have to take my word on it.  Simply go to Flickr, blow up the photo to see the prices below each selection, and then search the beers at http://www.beermenus.com/philadelphia.

Shawn

Posted 2010-11-03 20:51:40

I agree with Janet. People know that they are going to spend more for some Beligans.  I like that TBS has some reasonable priced Belgians as well as the pricey ones and I don't think they are ripping anyone off. I would spend more at the Foodery for sure.

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2010-10-29 11:13:24

[...] Meal Ticket snapped a bunch of pictures at Baby Blues, the new BBQ joint in University City. [Meal Ticket]Meal Ticket was also busy snapping photos at the just opened Bottle Shop on East Passyunk. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Janet

Posted 2010-10-27 16:31:49

I dont think so... I got a Duvel for $6.50...leffe was $3.50 and i got an affligem for $3.75.... they are pretty reasonable...

Dan

Posted 2010-10-27 16:04:45

Prices on the Belgians are too high.  For several of the beers, you can drink the same bottles at restaurants or bars for a few dollars cheaper.

silvia puglia

Posted 2010-10-27 14:17:59

I am so happy to see this kind of business.  I see my favorite beer in the refrigerator that no one else really gets... I guess it is too expensive.  Frambueau (spellling?) Cherry or Rasberry beer.  I will visit soon.

Rick

Posted 2010-10-25 17:15:39

Great place and great service

Kibby

Posted 2010-10-25 15:07:40

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Posted by Adam Erace @ 6:22 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Early word on The Corner

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 5:27 PM

Filed Under: Openings

APO Bar + Lounge, which shut down at 13th and Drury in early October, will come back soon as The Corner, a moderately priced, "comfort food with a twist" concept from Tony Rim (RAW), Drew Milstein and chef/partner Scott Swiderski (last at Buddakan). Right now they're in the thick of renovating both floors of the space; the long bar on the ground level is being converted into an open kitchen (Swiderski is working on the menu). The upstairs will feature dining seating, too, but will function mainly as a bar; the cocktail approach is still being sussed out. We're also told the sweet roofdeck overlooking 13th Street will remain a part of the operation, and will be outfitted with heat lamps as it gets chillier. No official opening date is set yet.

Tweets that mention Early word on The Corner :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-25 19:39:05

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chris Policino, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Early details on The Corner, which is replacing APO: http://ow.ly/2Z079 [...]

The Corner in pictures :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-12-17 15:49:45

[...] Corner (102 S. 13th St.), a resto redo of cocktail bar APO, previewed yesterday evening in support of its opening night (tonight!). We dropped in for a peek at [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:27 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Jet Wine Bar ready to go

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 4:50 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Openings

Jill Weber's Jet Wine Bar, at 1525 South, should be opening to the public tomorrow, barring any last-minute snags. We'll have more on this project soon. UPDATE [1:46 p.m.]: Weber checks in paperwork delay is going to push the opening back a couple days. Will keep everyone posted.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:50 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Tonight: Food focus on WXPN's LIVE at the Writers House

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 4:23 PM

Filed Under: Food Events | Meal Ticket

Tonight at 7 p.m., head to UPenn's Kelly Writers House (3805 Locust Walk) for a taping of LIVE at the Writers House, a monthly program broadcast by WXPN. This month's focus is Philly food writing, and I have the great honor of participating in a panel that will also feature Kirsten Henri (Philadelphia mag), Brian Freedman (Philadelphia Weekly), Collin Keefe (Grub Street Philly) and dear friend of Meal Ticket Felicia D'Ambrosio (Yelp), along with musical guest John Francis. Each writer will chat with host Michaela Majoun about his or her background and read excerpts from recently published work (anyone got a suggestion for what I should read?!), in between live performances by Francis. Everyone is more than welcome to join the live audience for the taping, which begins at 7 and runs an hour. Hope to see you there!

Midnight Toquer

Posted 2010-10-25 13:05:13

How 'bout your big pizza cover story

Meal Ticket don Drew Lazor on WXPN tonight :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-11-01 14:08:29

[...] own Drew Lazor talk food and read an excerpt of his work with host Michaela Majoun. The segment was taped last week at the Kelly Writers House, a converted cottage that has harbored Hansel and Gretel Penn’s [...]

Tweets that mention Tonight: Food focus on WXPNs LIVE at the Writers House :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-10-25 11:59:20

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PhillyRestaurantClub, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: TONIGHT: Check out @restaurantclub, @yelpphilly, @wineupdate, @GrubStreetPHL and @drewlazor at Kelly Writers House! http://ow.ly/2YWOB [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:23 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Oct. 18-22

POSTED: Monday, October 25, 2010, 1:00 PM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, Oct. 18 Rocco Cima shares the opening menu for his upcoming Fuel location in Center City. Amada snags a custom Charm City Cakes piece to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Rachel Burgos introduces you to the Pumking Bomb at the P.O.P.E. Awesome! Check out the menus for The Sofitel's new restaurant, Liberté. Plenty of camping eats, plus Bloktoberfest, Ray's Happy Birthday Bar and eco-friendly oatmeal, in Notes from the Weekend. Tuesday, Oct. 19 Philly smoked-meat fans! Like the South, Bebe's Barbecue shall rise again. Help our reader out by suggesting some diabetic-friendly bakeries and restaurants. Cafe L'Aube opens its second location in Fairmount. Wednesday, Oct. 20 Rat's Restaurant in Jerz gets a new chef from the Starr Empire. The owner of King of Tandoor is looking to open a second restaurant on South Street. Thursday, Oct. 21 Noble's next rooftop dinner is collaboration with West Philly's awesome Farm 51. Adam Erace tries the disturbingly named Sour Patch Xploderz for Weekly Candy. Big congrats to The Food Trust for winner a City Paper Choice Big Vision Award. Preview details of the upcoming Jameson whiskey dinner at Koo Zee Doo. Friday, Oct. 22 We've got pics of the brand-new Baby Blues BBQ in West Philly. Some sweet 20th anniversary food dealage to be had at Chris' Jazz Cafe. The bacon/egg/cheese croissant at Artisan Boulanger Patissier is something you should eat immediately, says Adam Erace. Chefs Mike Stollenwerk and David Ansill are teaming up for a "land and sea" dinner next month.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 1:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Nov. 16: Ansill and Stollenwerk team up for "Land & Sea" dinner

POSTED: Friday, October 22, 2010, 10:00 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Food Events

Next month, chef David Ansill of Ladder 15 (1528 Sansom St.) will team up with Mike Stollenwerk of fish (1708 Lombard St.) to put out a five-course "Land & Sea" dinner at L15. Ansill's always been a meat head and Stollenwerk's known for his equally enthusiastic love of all things swimmy, so their proclivities combined should create one hell of a meal. Best part is this is only going to run you $35. The menu, though subject to change, is below; email ladder15events@aol.com for reservations. - Scallop with roasted baby beets, pickled mustard seeds, pistachios - Duck rillettes, frisee, bacon vinaigrette, quail egg, pastrami dusted - Mahi mahi, braised red cabbage, caramelized onion jus, crispy potato - Slow-cooked breast of veal, herbed bread crumbs, celeriac puree - Beignets, orange dust, rosemary creme anglaise

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 10:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Eat This Immediately: Artisans Bacon, Egg and Cheese

POSTED: Friday, October 22, 2010, 8:59 PM

Filed Under: Eat This Immediately

Photo | Adam Erace

Leave it to Andre Chin and wife Amanda Eap, resourceful Cambodian owners of the best little French bakery in town, Artisan Boulanger Patissier (1648 S. 12th St.), to do classic American bacon and eggs better than anyone. If you love Artisans croissantsthe buttery gold delights are so delicate and flaky they crumple in your mouth like delicious origamiimagine a fluffy omelet, two strips of crunchy bacon and a thin veil of cheese tucked inside one. (They also do a sausage version.) Compared to the bakerys other offerings (chocolate croissants, pyramid-like croque monsieurs, viscous Vietnamese iced coffee), the bacon, egg and cheese croissant seems positively healthful. We had it for breakfast this morning and seriously contemplated going back for seconds. Eat your heart out, Dunkin Donuts.

Dan Obley

Posted 2010-10-23 16:42:25

What are their hours for business?

Allitia

Posted 2010-10-22 18:31:37

I was just there this morning for the first time--having dropped off my black lab puppy at Doggie Style's daycare--and I must say I remarked on how damn fine the madeleines were!

danya

Posted 2010-10-22 16:15:33

Thank god I don't live close enough to visit Artisan everyday. 

Although it does mean I still haven't snagged their elusive pistchio croissant.

danya

Posted 2010-10-22 16:16:36

*ash. achio. Or ahhhchio, if that's your style.

Rock Colors

Posted 2010-10-26 09:12:26

Thanks MT for the breakfast tip. That was one awesome way to start today.

danya

Posted 2010-10-23 16:09:47

Yes! I had the madeleines for the first time last week, excellent. (Okay, I do get there pretty often.)

And thanks again to Adam, who alerted me on twitter that the pistachio were available this morning and obtained one for me! At last. The green color was slightly odd, but the flavor was excellent, not too sweet and very nutty. And the flaky, ethereal texture was not at all dampened by the filling.

I did swing by Artisan anyway, and picked up another croissant special of the day, which I have yet to try: An OREO COOKIE FILLED CROISSANT. Oh my.

Posted by Adam Erace @ 8:59 PM Permalink | Post a comment

October dealage at Chris' Jazz Café

POSTED: Friday, October 22, 2010, 8:10 PM

Filed Under: Dealage

Photo | Jessica Kourkounis

There's still a bit of time left to take advantage of the 20th anniversary deals at Chris' Jazz Cafe (1421 Sansom St.), which hit the big 2-0 milestone last month (see Shaun Brady's feature). Chef/co-owner Mark DiNinno (above right, with his partner Glenn Gerber) is offering a three-course $20 tasting Monday though Thursday for the remainder of October. The lineup changes regularly, but DiNinno has been doing dishes like bourbon-glazed sesame frog's legs, crabcakes with Cajun rice and shrimp/chicken/andouille jambalaya. To drink, $20 bottles of specially selected 20th anniversary wines, plus $10 NOLA-style cocktails (Sazeracs, Hurricanes, etc.).

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Oct. 18-22 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-10-25 11:24:46

[...]  [...]

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First Gigs: Jeff Ziga, Little Baby's Ice Cream
If you don't know Nutella is bad for you and your kids, then you are a total idiot and a bad parent.
Bummer: Grub Street Philly shutting down
Notes from the Weekend: May 20
Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" turns Swanky Bubbles into Sheer
Frozen Drinks Alert: Water ice cocktails at Noir
Afternoon Snacks: Rachael & Guy do improv, Bacon hot dogs, Seasonal cocktails both posh and... less-so
An edible guide to Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Hell's Kitchen casting in Philly
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.

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