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Archive: October, 2010
Any alternate plans if (and when) it rains?
Filed Under: Menu Time
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| Photo courtesy of Sonata |
| Sonata's fried pumpkin pie |
soup
rabbit and andoullie sausage gumbo / green onion hush puppies / crème fraiche 8
potato leek soup / bacon / crispy potato / chive 7
appetizer
scallop crudo / preserved lemon / serrano chili / chive / vanilla salt 11
seared foie gras / preserved black currant / brioche puree / cashew crumble 13
lobster crepe / fennel / mascarpone / lobster glace 13
crispy pork belly / smoked tomato marmalade / compressed apple / calvados molasses 10
arugula and frisee salad / serrano ham/ shellbark cheese / persimmon / pomegranate 8
entrée
butter poached lobster "mac and cheese" / fresh paparadelle noodle / chanterelle mushroom / fontina cheese 27
braised short rib / celery root puree / baby carrot 23
grilled pork tender loin / fingerling potato / brussels sprout / whole grain mustard 23
duck confit salad / boston lettuce / beet / pear / walnut / balsamic dressing 18
seared salmon / cranberry bean / baby fennel / tomato / blood orange vinaigrette 24
porcini mushroom crusted tuna / fava bean / black truffle and foie gras butter 25
pan roasted bacon wrapped chicken / chestnut stuffing / boursin whipped potato / haricot vert / glazed cipolini onion 22
mediterranean chick pea patty / confit tomato / frisee salad / yogurt dressing / feta cheese 17
dessert
caramel banana crème brulee / peanut butter mouse 7
chocolate decadence / warm chocolate beignet / chocolate hazelnut "chipwich" 7
warm fried pumpkin pie / gran marnier whipped cream / cranberry sauce / candied walnut 7
mascarpone cheese mousse / brown butter cake / cardamom ice cream / pear and dried apricot chutney 7
trio of ice cream or sorbet 6
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer
Oh JG fancy huh.
Thank you for that astute critical commentary. Perfect.
[...] Garces Gets Domestic [Metro Philadelphia] Photo Sneak Peek: JG Domestic [Restaurant Club] JG Domestic in Photos [Meal Ticket] An Exclusive Look at JG Domestic [NBC [...]
The projects are ramping up for Belvedere Restaurant Group,the developers working on a number of projects in and around Manayunk. Terrace Taproom (Terrace and Salaignac), open since the winter, recently rolled out a full kitchen, allowing it to rock a menu comprising salads, panini, pizzas and various apps. Check out the food rundown, plus the current tap/bottle lists, after the jump. Meanwhile, Main Street Market (4345 Main St.), the boutique grocery stop, soft-opened over the weekend, partner Robert Nydick tells us. The shop offers fresh meats/poultry and a deli operation with various cheeses and cured meats in addition to staple produce and grocery items. They're also retailing bread baked at Agiato Bread Company (4351 Main St.) out of the Market, instead of operating a walk-up window at the small bakery.
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Terrace Taproom = Best Bar in Manayunk. I've had a couple of different types of pizza there, they have all been really good.
Filed Under: Openings
The Point Breeze Pioneers community group, which CP profiled last fall, is seeking to collect neighborhood support for American Sardine Bar, the venue South Philly Tap Room owner John Longacre is planning in the former Wander Inn at 18th and Federal. Like many pretty much every liquor-licensed pursuit looking to open in Philly, the project faces some neighborhood opposition, and the PBP hopes to foster public support for the venue's development. If you interested in throwing your weight behind the bar's project, send an email to City Council president Anna Verna (anna.verna@phila.gov), containing all the information detailed after the jump. The PBP hopes that anyone wishing to back Longacre's project will be able to send in their support before 9 a.m. tomorrow morning (Oct. 12).
INSTRUCTIONS: Please send an email to Anna.Verna@Phila.Gov stating the following: Please be advised that I am IN FAVOR of the proposed restaurant being opened at 1800 Federal Street which will include the transfer of an already existing liquor license # R-2844 at aforementioned property. I am in complete agreement with the proposed use of a restaurant with a liquor license for this location. Name: Address: Phone Number: Email:
Filed Under: Notes from the Weekend
Adam Erace: AE Drew Lazor: DL Anthony Sica: AS
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| Photo | Drew Lazor |
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| Photo | Adam Erace |
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| Photo | Adam Erace |
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| Photos | Drew Lazor |
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| Photo | Adam Erace |
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| Photos | Drew Lazor |
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| Photo | Adam Erace |
Friday night was a chill night, drank some Brawler after I got done work. Saturday afternoon was spent looking around various neighborhoods at places to reside, which always leaves me with one thought: Time for beer! We went to SPTR and I had the steamed clams for the 1st time and man were they awesome! Also, I think it was my first time having a breakfast potato there and they tasted like they were deep-fried in hot sauce- amazing! Saturday night was the fun outdoor movie party with delicious minestrone soup and plastic skull rings. I second the awesomeness of the hot cider-Jim Beam-Snap beverage combo, I could drink that all winter long Sunday at the Sidecar is always a good time. Love that margherita pizza and the Sidecar staff. Dinner Sunday night was great, so good I had leftover Swiss chard for lunch and Provencal stew for dinner!
It was a shiroboshi. Thank you wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_sumo_terms
Circles Thai is delicious!
Friday night my housemates and I made veggie korma for my visiting Indian friend -- there is nothing better than plump raisins. We used the leftover coconut milk with crushed pineapples and tequila to make our own riff on a pina colada. We ended the evening with Apples to Apples and chocolate covered oreos.
Saturday started off with apple cider donuts from Fitler square farmers market and a variety pack of mushrooms. After our appetizer of sugar, we crafted cilantro scrambled eggs with side of local tomato slices, seared mushrooms and toast. After 2 hours of thrift shopping, the lady and I scarfed down an Italian hoagie from Shank's Original Uptown -- holy long hots! Second best italian hoagie I've had, second to Gooey Looies. Took the 3 hour drive to Long Island and inhaled Basil Tofu from Tiny Thai before finishing off with Hagen-Daaz vanilla bean.
Sunday morning we made chocolate chip pancakes for the 14-year old bday boy ("1 chip per cm!") that were fluffy and buttery and gone in 2 minutes. More afternoon shopping made possible by Panera greek salad and black bean soup. Visited Bertucci's after a 4-year hiatus with 15 14-year olds -- thankfully we were seated at the adult table. Split mussels in white wine sauce with capers and roasted garlic and a chicken chopped salad. Not bad Bertucci's. Gas station cokes and white cheddar popcorn got us back to Philly safely by 1:30 am.On Saturday, had SPTR's new open-faced chicken sandwich with mashed potatoes and mushroom sage gravy. It was right, man. Also, got spectacular coffee across the street from SPTR on Sunday (I just moved dangerously nearby the two eateries) at Brew, which I'm fairly certain only admits attractive people onto its premises. As it should.
Great article on food this weekend!!! Want to try that pizza crust from Whole FooDS!!!!! I'm dying to try Betty's Speakeasy!! Thanks for the tip! I had a great food weekend! Sazon on Saturday http://foodrulez.com/2010/10/10/sazon-restaurant-cafe/ More Than Just Ice Cream for bumpin' cheesecake on Sunday http://foodrulez.com/2010/10/11/fall-for-desserts/
Blackbird Pizzeria just opened up on 6th and South, taking the place of the old Giovanni's. Not you're average pizza shop (maybe above average though, especially for vegans), I was super excited to check out the place. Blackbird serves up some seriously killer all-vegan pizza and subs. The food was so surprisingly good Friday night that I came back for more on Saturday evening. I'd say go for the nacho pizza, a slice equipped with jalapenos and creamy sliced avocado. Daiya "cheese" replaces standard mozzarella, adding a little extra creaminess but to my pleasant surprise, no repulsive soy/vegan cheese flavor. The fresh cut fries were great too, as was the vegan cheesesteak, filled with super thinly sliced seitan smothered in cheese, along with fried onions, mushrooms, and peppers. The vegan cake rocked as well....the peanut butter mousse chocolate "bomb" will literally bomb your stomach, but it was definitely worth going into food coma for. I could go on about the new vegan joint that filled my weekend nights with wonderful food, but then I'd be making myself really hungry and I want to go to sleep. I reviewed Blackbird in further detail on my blog if you want to read more about the place. http://foodfitnessfreshair.com/2010/10/10/blackbird-pizzeria-review/
Gorgeous photos as usual! Saturday: Went on a double-date-turned-freelance-gig to check out/write up the "Fright and a Bite" dinner package at Eastern State Penitentiary. Went to Jack's Firehouse for a Halloween-themed dinner that came with a VIP ticket to the haunted house. Fun, but way expensive. Good: crispy roasted chicken leg over mac and cheese; a caramel apple dessert with a deconstructed pie vibe. Both total comfort foods. Bad: a legit MOUNTAIN of (very dry) pumpkin risotto, slow service, sugary $10 cocktails. Sunday: Jumped! Out! A! Plane!! Worked up an appetite skydiving, then brunched at Cafe Con Chocolate. Savory molletes with fried eggs and mugs of the namesake, cafe con chocolate (basically a rich hot chocolate with espresso).
Oh, and if you are near Union Square in New York City and you don't go to Artichoke Pizza, you clearly hate all things good and wholesome.
Did you know they do two-for-one drinks ALL THE TIME?! Tell us more...
Adam, I love the shore as much as you do (I grew up there and intend to move back one day), but I have to say, the people who catch "the early flight to Boca" and treat servers disrespectfully are those who visit from their main homes in the Philadelphia region. If you want to see how lovely the locals are, spend a rainy weekend in November there. I love this blog and I especially like to see where you eat in my hometown, but I think dogging on the people there takes something away from your writing.
Went to Kraftwerk to eat for the first time (rather than just booze), and it honestly didn't blow my socks off. I enjoyed my veggie board (chickpea foie = heavenly) and the ricotta dumplings but I'd rather just go to Sidecar. I know, I know apples and oranges... But clearly the most delicious thing(s) I ate this weekend was at Chili's. Did you know they do two-for-one drinks ALL THE TIME?!
Had friends in town this weekend, so do what any Philly host would do: ATE THE ENTIRE CITY. Saturday lunch: Pizzeria Stella. We started with Victory Festbier (surprisingly malty-sweet, very tasty); hit up responsible-person grilled octopus (which was mint city, in a good way) and a nice lemony arugula salad; split two pizzas (Mushroom and Sausage) among the three of us; and got a little bowl of house-made stracciatella gelato to round things out. Saturday dinner: Le Virtu. Drinks included sweet white wine and various Ommegangs; for apps, we ate antipasti mixti (including the fatty insides of an Italian sausage), fried/stuffed olives, a sausage/polenta dish and yet another arugula salad (greens!); for entrees, two of the four of us tried the smoked gnocchi, and ... wow. Eat this immediately, f'real. Saturday after-dinner: Lucky 13 for a quick round followed by Watkins Drinkery for a longer round and dessert (hello, pumpkin funnel cake). Remembered my love for Leffe Blonde. Sunday brunch: Cantina los Caballitos. Chocolate chip pancakes and coffee. Wanted bacon but thought I had already reached my limit for fatness for the weekend. (O how wrong I was.) Sunday dinner: Was planning on going to Izumi for some quick sushi (health food!), but forgot it's the start of Neighborhood Restaurant Week, so we ended up going with the $30 tasting menu. Between two people who like to share, we had tuna sashimi, pork gyoza, shrimp tempura maki, a bunch of sushi, pork belly with congee, salmon with bok choy, chocolate bread pudding with ginger crema, and coconut rice pudding with pineapple. Oh, and a large bottle of Dogfish Head Fort that we didn't realize contained 18.5 percent alcohol until after we were totally drunk off it. Today: atonement.
Friday dinner was the ridiculously good La Rosa pizza (half plain, half potato-rosemary) and a bottle of my favorite Malbec, Layer Cake. Saturday brunch came courtesy of Old City Cheese Shop's little garden cafe. It was really cute with a nice flat rate ($12.95!) for fruit, a muffin, juice, and your choice of 4 or 5 entree options. I had the eggs benedict which were good but not great. After some Old City shopping/not shopping/"oh my god, that's so expensive", it was off to Grace Tavern to visit Andi, the bartender, and get my favorite sandwich there, the tuna steak sandwich. Saturday night was the same party as Mr. Lazor. Truffle Honey, good lord. Sunday was a trip to Artisan Boulanger Patissier for coffee, frosted almond croissants, and a little bit of heaven: cinnamon crusted brioche french toast sandwich with bananas and Nutella. Sunday dinner was a trip to SPTR where I tried the open faced roast chicken sandwich. It comes with mashed potatoes in it. Enough said.
As always, your food pictures make me swoon. My weekend was slightly epic, although most of it was situated in Southern Jersey. The epic, yearly gorge fest of The Greek Agora in Cherry Hill was the weekends food focal point. My dad is from Greece so as a kid we went to this every year. This year I brought an entourage to experience it's brilliance. We all got dishes from classic Greek dishes like Mousakka, Pastitsio and the gyro and souvlaki sandwiches. I also stormed the cheese mart and got two blocks of imported Feta and Kaseri cheese as well as some kalamata olives. The desserts were a highlight this year with the baklava melting in your mouth and the sleeper hit galaktoboureko. I haven't eaten that much since last Thanksgiving. Friday was a food hangover to the max. After a day of work and Detox tea, I was able to prepare for the party of the fall: Wear Your Own Brew. Essentially you come as your drink of choice. This year I was Old Rasputin. Other great costumes included Glenn Beck's, Yard's Brawler (with both a pugilist and satan himself in attendance) Molson Canadian (representing a Canadian Tuxedo) and Left Hand's 400 Pound Monkey IPA. Some great pictures abound from this amazing beer homage event. There were plenty of Boo Berry and Count Chocula based desserts as well. Sunday was low key home cooking night with some marinated chicken grilled, a rice, black bean, corn and peppers combo on the side. Mmmmmm. Funds were low after the Agora so cooking at home was the perfect way to end an epic weekend.
friday night was Ekta and rewatching LOST! Saturday we went to Tyler state park to hike around, but then put the calories right back on from Sonic on the way home. that night was the amazing movie party with an incredible cheese plate, soup with goldfish, pumpkin beers, and neon glow bracelets!!
Holly, since I saw you outside as I was exiting Brew/Ultimo this weekend, I will assume that means that I am attractive. THANKS!
brunch at cafe lift, finally! frittata, french toast, huevos rancheros, oh my!
Sumo came through big time That makes me laugh for some reason. SUMOOOOOOOO
Does Thursday count as the weekend? (If you're over 21, of course it does.) Korean Fried Chicken at Meritage. Go get it! $25 for a whole bird's worth of gooey, sweet, crunchy perfectly tender chicken plus a mound of slaw and one of potato salad. And 2 Sapporo beers. Didn't use a fork once.
I was super sick with a cold this whole weekend but managed to somehow have more activities lined up than I ever do when I'm healthy. Friday night I had take-out from Circles Thai. I went with crab pad thai and was a little worried that it would be "krab" but, No! Delicious pad thai with huge chunks of lump crab meat. Amazing. We also got some dumplings and massaman curry- all fantastic. I really appreciate the attention paid to presentation even though it's just a take-out joint. Every dish we ordered was so pretty. Saturday was spent coughing, blowing my nose and maniacally running errands around town to get ready for a party I was hosting. I was fueled by several cans of Target's Archer Farms brand grapefruit energy drink which is starting to fill the huge hole in my heart left when Tab Energy was pulled from shelves years ago (whyyyyyyyyy?????). The party was, by all accounts, very successful despite my illness. Sunday was a day of much needed rest. Drank a ton of Vita Coco. Good for both the hangover and the cold. That night my parents came up and took me and the bf out to Mr. Martino's which is just such a sweet, charming little place. I love it there. The balsamic chicken special is always my default if they have it.
Hey Sarah, no disrespect to the Jersey-bred locals at the Shore. Those peeps are the best, and in my experience anyway, the ones that own and work at these bars and restaurants. The tough customers I'm talking about are the later-in-lifers that have retired to the Shore, new locals, if you will, but definitely not real ones.
Friday I had people over for the Phils game and we picked up an array of sandwiches at Paesano's. They elevate sandwiches to the level of art and their new cheesesteak was instantly one of the best I'v e ever had (and I've had my share). The bolognese (meatloaf) and arista (roast pork) were my other two favs of the evening. Saturday finally hit up the Fitzwater Cafe, which I'd been meaning to do for years. I've always heard good things and wasn't disappointed. Great service, great coffee and great omelets. The portion size on the potato side was small, but I was fine with that, I never eat all of my hash browns anyway. Went to a party where they were serving Mom's Bake At Home Pizza and Fat Tire(!!!). Sunday had a great brunch at the Standard Tap. Loved my corned beef hash. Also at the table was the burger and duck salad, two Philly staples that never disappoint. Later that night we got delivery from Sumo Sushi. We had heard mixed reviews and were wary but Sumo came through big time. Three great rolls and very good cuts of yellowtail sashimi. We'll be hitting them up again.
[...] - Notes from the Weekend: Oct. 11 [11oct10] [...]
Filed Under: Closings
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[...] brutal for food businesses on the 500 block of S. Fourth Street (between South and Lombard) Jim’s Pretzels has shut down, Tastee D’s African Cuisine has paper in its windows, and we just spotted this sign posted on [...]
Filed Under: Food Events | On Wheels
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| Photos | Juliana Reyes |
Current CP news intern Juliana Reyes found herself working the Coup de Taco truck at last week's maniacally attended Food Trust Night Market on Passyunk Avenue. Here is her first-hand report.
It's only 7 p.m., one hour into the first-ever Night Market, and order tickets smother the inside of the Coup de Taco (CdT) truck. We've run out of magnets and space to put the tickets up, so co-founder Peter Berman, who's working the truck window tonight, is hoarding them at his makeshift desk. "How are we doing?" Berman asks Aaron Dessen and Jonathon Zilber, the guys crafting the tacos. "Should I cut them off?" He looks to the overwhelming crush of people waiting for food. The line is crawling around Passyunk Avenue, and Berman worries they'll run out of ingredients soon.
The CdT kids didn't know what to expect of last Thursday's wildly successful Night Market, so they arrived with a limited amount of supplies. But things started to heat up within the first 10 minutes of the market's opening. The guys made frantic calls to their kitchen, only to find out that it was too late — it had already closed for the night. Special events usually call for another set of hands in the truck, and since a friend of mine works at CdT, I found myself moonlighting as a taco-runner.
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| Photo | Juliana Reyes |
When I get to the truck, which is camouflaged in Entourage propaganda due to a CdT/HBO collab, the boys usher me in. I get a quick rundown of the space: Dessen, who's worked the taco line for a year now, shows me where they grill the tortillas and roll 'em up. "It's kind of like changing a diaper and rolling a joint," he tells me. "I know. It's an awkward combination." Hmm. Luckily my only actual responsibilities lie in making sweet tea and sending the food out. Working inside CdT is a bit of a whirlwind experience. Berman chats up every customer as he jots down their orders, while Dessen and Zilber furiously work a fusion taco assembly line, dressing the tortillas in duck sauce and Americanized kimchi (part kimchi, part coleslaw). Zilber's iPod wails Phoenix and Kimya Dawson to eager customers. My job is certainly the easiest, and it's perhaps the most satisfying: Everyone grins at me when I hand them their tacos. One guy actually does a victory dance after I call his name. At just barely 8 p.m., we run out of tacos entirely. The line's still ridiculously long. Berman shouts an apology to the crowd and encourages everyone to visit the truck at 40th and Locust or in LOVE Park, their new once-a-week spot.
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| Photo | Juliana Reyes |
"I am in shock," Berman says. "I can't believe what just happened." The boys sold about 200 tacos in two hours. On a normal day, they sell about 100 tacos in four hours. Berman says he's not as into the day-to-day truck thing as much as he is working these kinds of events. "It's where the glory is," Zilber says. The Night Market is still going strong as the truck closes down. People keep approaching us and asking if we're still selling; the CdT are disappointed in having to close down so soon. Next time they'll be sure to come prepared. Till Bloktoberfest.
We got some of the last tacos and thought about re-selling them to the tacoless for an increased price! I also got a regular customer card, and i can't wait to fill the card up with stamps cause their tacos are delish.
Nice read. It seems insane to me that Coup de Taco and almost all the other vendors weren't prepared at all for the volume of customers. What were they expecting? The whole thing, while cool, was kind of a bust. Needs a lot of work.
This was so much fun to read!
Filed Under: Dealage
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| Photo | Drew Lazor |
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| Click to enlarge |
[...] South Philly’s Le Viet is offering a crazy-cheap lunch deal for the month of October. [...]
Do they serve lunch 7 days a week, or Monday to Friday only?
I'll totally hire their costumer for just $5. (If the decor looks that good, it must be because their costumer is a real pro.)
[...] dealage is very much in vogue this fall (Check out the awesome deal at La Viet we told you about earlier in the week), and there are two more midday meal deals to add to the [...]
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| 1200bank.com |
I live at 12th and Pine. Anyone who objects to this is either: (a) An old coot knee-jerk nimby; (b) A business that unwarrantedly fears competition (Lucky Strike I'm looking at you); and/or (c) is looking for a pay-off. I have heard objections about the noise? The bank is situated on a major artery (Chestnut) and currently houses at any time 4-10 homeless who purchased a fifth of the PLCB's finest and some tacquitos from 7-11 and now need a place for their inevitable excrement. This is not a quite residential neighborhood, but a blighted city block which has blocked progress from the 13th Street Midtown Village Gayberhood corridor. If this fails with the zoning committee, it will fully demonstrate why this is a city of first class entrepreneurship and third class city government. The democrats in the city are simply a different breed of succubus then the progressives in NYC or Chicago. They are one of the prime reasons that we are losing this country to know-nothing tea baggers.
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