|
|
|
Archive: November, 2009
 |
 |
| Photos | Lauren Seibert | |
They called out to ye faithful, and all ye faithful answered. Saturday night, at the second session of this weekend�s Winter Beer Fest, I watched the huge Naval Yard warehouse space slowly but surely fill up � and then flood and spill over � with the most faithful of beer-goers. Let me assure you, shelling out about $50 for a four-hour session of limitless holiday beer sampling is absolutely worth it, especially when many of these beers aren�t even out yet, or are limited-edition, or are 8.5 percent ABV and up.
Around 50 breweries made an appearance at that night of the Fest, manning tables in a giant circle around the perimeter of the Philly Cruise Terminal. Holiday tastes ranged from Sam Adams� Cherry Wheat � a golden ale with light brushes of cherry and honey � to Dogfish Head�s Indian Brown Ale, a malty brew blending flavors of coffee, ginger, Raisinettes and chocolate. I definitely didn�t taste any Raisinettes in the Brown Ale, but it did feature a hint of unsweetened cocoa.
There were also things like Original Sin Cider, which kegmaster Dan Murphy trumpeted as "the real Champagne of beer." It was indeed one of the lightest, sweetest ciders I�ve tried, apple-y and altogether delicious. "We had girls lined up all day," laughed the table�s other server, Ryan McDonald. �It was the most popular beer last session.� (I�ll admit I visited the table again after my first go-round.) Also light and tasty was the new Salient de Scotia Brune from California-based organic brewery Eel River.
At Weyerbacher�s table, I sampled another Belgian-style golden ale, Merry Monk, which was fruity and aromatic, with warm, cheery flavor. �You can pair it with anything,� noted festival volunteer Beth Goldfischer. �It brings out the flavors of any food.�
 |
 |
| Photos | Lauren Seibert | |
During my visit to the Beers of Legend magazine�s table, salesman Jonathan Nitka opened my eyes to the world of beer gossip (I was unaware such a thing existed). For instance, Ommegang's Chocolate Indulgence, not yet released, has faced some controversy. "Actually, there has been this rumor that it wasn�t chocolatey enough," Nitka confided to me. I headed over to Ommegang�s table to check it out for myself, but sadly they hadn�t brought it. Instead, I tried their Abbey Ale, a dark but smooth mesh of plum, cinnamon, caramel and licorice flavors. According to the information sheet, this ale was "known to cause spontaneous meditation." I found this highly amusing (but everything was getting pretty funny at this point).
One of the stronger beers I tried, at 9.9 percent ABV, was Lagunitas� Brown Sugar Barleywine. Very sweet, though with a noticeable malt, the batch was created by accident when they added a ton of brown sugar to save a botched brew. �It�s just a happy mistake of brewing. An incredibly happy mistake,� said Trevor Jankowksi, who was working the table.
I concluded the night with some beef stew cooked by chef Jeremy Nolen of Brauhaus Schmitz, who demonstrated for everyone how to braise meat in a dark lager. The beer added subtle layers of extra flavor to the meat without overpowering the other spices and vegetables. Stomach and liver satisfied, I joined in the toasts that rippled through the crowd every 10 or so minutes, finally exiting the festival full of holiday cheer (and beer).
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by mealticket: @laurenseibert recaps this weekend's Winter Beer Festival: http://tr.im/Fetq...
 |
| Selectism.com |
Some folks give edible gifts -- baskets stuffed with cheese, fancy jellies and summer sausages.� Others give cozy, fuzzy slippers.� Now you can give both with the R&E Praspaliauskas Bread Slippers.� Hand-carved from baguette, challah and pumpernickel loaves, the fresh-baked loungers come packaged in real shoe boxes.
Purchase a pair at Dadada; kids' challah versions are �22, while a grown-up pair runs �62.
h/t� Selectism.com
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by mealticket: Mmm, bread slippers http://tr.im/FelS...
Great for people with foot fetishes.
Are you supposed to wear them? Or eat them? The website says "not wearable on feet," but the fact that they are packaged, shipped, and stale suggests that they're not consumable either...
[...] between jacket and down-comforter coat seasons. These are the same folks who make Bread Shoes, the ones Felicia D’Ambrosio wrote about on City Paper’s food blog, Meal Ticket, not so long ago, [...]
|
| Photo | Drew Lazor |
Local music writer Dave Allen also works at Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.), and he just shared some disturbing news with us � sometime this weekend (most likely Saturday night), the German beer bar's autographed David Hasselhoff poster (subject of a September WWE?) was pilfered from the second-floor restroom. No one seems to have seen the large framed poster make an exit out of the front door, which has led to some speculation that someone actually unscrewed it from the wall, removed the screen in the bathroom window and lowered the thing onto Kater Street behind the bar, kinda like a drunk-ass Thomas Crown Affair.
If you have any information that may lead to the recovery of The Hoff poster and/or the capture of this apparent master poster thief, please come forward.
UPDATE [23nov09]: Brauhaus Schmitz owner Kelly Schmitz-Hager confirms to Meal Ticket the Hoff was most definitely shimmied out of the bathroom window � they found the removed screen on the street the next morning. She says the bar will likely wait about a month for The Hoff to make it back before giving up and replacing the pic with something else, but in the meantime, they've put up a reward. "One free boot of beer to whoever returns it," says Kelly. "No questions asked."
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by mealticket: Nooooo, @BrauhausSchmitz's signed Hasselhoff poster has been STOLEN! http://tr.im/Fe43...
[...] in November, we shared the disturbing news that Brauhaus Schmitz’s autographed David Hasselhoff poster had been stolen out of the second-floor bathroom of the German beer bar (718 South St.). Elaborate thievery, too. [...]
[...] past November, some intoxicated cat burglars managed to gank a framed David Hasselhoff-circa-Knight Rider poster from the upstairs bathroom of German beer bar Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.). In December, [...]
[...] has a tortured relationship with David Hasselhoff. In November of 2009, a Hoff-loving cat burglar stole a signed Hoff poster out of the second-floor restroom. The bar replaced it in December � then it was stolen again in [...]
 |
| Photo l Mike Persico for Grub Street Philadelphia |
| Balance is the most important aspect of diet. |
Every Wednesday (when Felicia isn't in California) we poke around the food blog world to see what's simmering.
--Mike Solomonov, who just opened Percy Street Barbecue yesterday, reveals his Philadelphia Diet to Grub Street. Not only does he share seared lamb belly with his entire kitchen staff, he sometimes eats mashed potatoes with his hands!
-- The Insider honors Sycamore BYOB chef Meg Votta, who passed away from ovarian cancer on Nov. 10, just two days before she was featured in a story in the Daily News about female executive chefs.
-- Do you know any "koodies"?� Adam Kuban takes a moment to eye-roll the new word for the food-obsessed children of smug, food-obsessed parents on Serious Eats.
-- PhilaDining reviews Koo Zee Doo, David Gilbert and Carla Goncalves' new venture in Northern Liberties that pays homage to Goncalves' Portuguese heritage.� In summary, he's pleased.
-- Mac & Cheese reminds us that it's not too late to order a pie from MANNA's Pie In The Sky fundraiser -- each pie sold funds the preparation and delivery of six meals to people living with HIV/AIDS.� Order on MANNA's Web site before Nov. 20.
Tomorrow morning at 11, roll by the corner of 11th and Fitzwater to check out Hawthornes, a new beer head's caf�/eatery from Chris Fetfatzes (of the across-the-street Bella Vista Beer Distributors Fetfatzes clan) and his girlfriend Heather Annechiarico.
BVBD is our usual go-to for harder-to-find American craft selections, and that theme's carried over here, with around 1,000 12-ounce bottles for mix-a-sixes, but we're most amped about Hawthornes' growler system, which'll pump up the 64-ounce branded containers (a $15 one-time purchase, plus a special $1.50 cap) via a special pressurized system to ensure flavor and carbonation stay intact. Fetfatzes tells Meal Ticket that the growler beer lineup will feature hard-to-find one-offs from breweries, as well as selections from spots that produce kegs only (Brooklyn's Sixpoint, for example). Right now, you can grab beer-geek manna like Russian River Blind Pig and Damnation, Lost Abbey Red Barn and Bruery's Mischief by the growler.
For eats (yes, you can purchase beer and drink it with your food), they're keeping things relatively simple. There's a selection of sandwiches � panini, ones stuffed with house-roasted meats, and grilled cheeses (like the Dankey, with fontina, mushroom and fresh sage) � plus cheese plates, soups and salads. Brunch, served Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., will see three-egg omelettes, crepes, French toast, pancakes and other hangover-smashing standards.
[...] thousand bottles of beer on the wall… [The Insider] Hawthornes in pictures [Meal [...]
It's about time something like this opened in the neighborhood! I can't wait to check it out.
Yes, that's Chris Fetfatzes' BMW sitting in front of the store. Presumably he can afford it because his distributorship charges such a markup. I know PA prices are higher in general, but his are the highest I've found in the city. Let's hope Hawthorne's offers some competition to the also-ridiculously-priced Foodery.
unfortunately, hawthornes has priced their beer to match the foodery's prices. i also was hoping for some competition, not price fixing. i really enjoyed their food, beer selection and fireplace, but i will not pay their single bottle or growler prices.
I beg to differ, the growler prices are totally worth it! I have never had better or fresher beer. Makes going back to bottles of Victory seem like Miller Lite. I am currently the proud owner of 2 growlers, & have refilled them several times already.
The place sucks, a small belgium beer was $10.25, there is a minumun of 15 dollars when you want to use the crdit card, the food is totally inadequated for a beer place.
[...] should plan ahead for this one: Join Hawthornes Caf� (738 S. 11th St.) as they celebrate their one-year anniversary with a pumpkin beer dinner. On Sunday, Nov. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m., they will pair four savory courses [...]
 |
| BourbonRedTurkey.com |
| Mmm, bourbon. |
The deadline to order your high-quality birds for Turkey Day is fast approaching.� Most local farms need their counts in now-ish, so if you aren't buying a Butterball, get your order in.�� Some purveyors, like Griggstown Quail Farm, will even brine, truss and make your bird completely oven-ready for an additional fee or increased price per pound.� As the helpful woman on the phone put it, "All you have to do is open the oven."
A few well-recommended sources for natural, free-range, organic, heritage or otherwise relaxed turkeys:
Griggstown Quail Farm:� All natural free-range turkey, $3.79/lb.� Oven-ready free-range, $5.49/lb.� Red Bourbon heirloom turkey, $7.99/lb; add $30 flat to make oven-ready.� Order online at griggstownquailfarm.com or by telephone, 908-359-5218,� by Wed., Nov. 18.� Pick up your turkey at the Headhouse Farmer's Market, Second St. between South and Pine, Sun., Nov. 22 or Wed., Nov. 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Hendricks Farms & Dairy: Free-range, Broad-Breasted White turkey, $3.50/lb; 12 lbs. to 26-plus lbs.� Order by emailing Trent@hendricksfarmsanddairy.com or by calling 267-382-0556; deadline is Thu., Nov. 19.� Pick up your turkey at their suburban location, just 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia, in Telford, PA at 202 Green Hill Road.
Mountain View Poultry Farm: Broad-Breasted White turkeys, pastured-raised without antibiotics, hormones or pesticides, $3.99/lb.� Order by telephone, 484-320-0045; deadline is Mon., Nov. 23.� Pick up at the Headhouse Farmer's Market on Wed., Nov. 25 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by mealticket: Felicia D on where to get the best Thanksgiving turkeys locally: http://tr.im/FafO...
 |
 |
| foodandwine.com |
Food & Wine just published a photo slideshow of Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio's extended road trip from Georgia to Philly. (Porsche lent him a Panamera 4S for the sojourn � tough life!) You might've noticed a mention of Tom C (and the Porsche) in Brian Howard's Nov. 5 piece on garlic guru Tom Culton � here's corroboration. Other local stops for Colicchio � Samuels & Son seafood and Vetri, where he exchanged baldhead slick tips with our favorite Italian chef and dined on "impossibly thin, buttery pastas and tender baby goat [that] could hold their own against any I've had."
[...] raspberries I�ve ever tasted among them–have made their stand a favorite at Headhouse, and generated clientele that includes Tom Colicchio, Marc Vetri and Jose Garces. �[Bon Appetit] just called me up on the phone and said [...]
[...] past Monday, Lancaster farmer, Headhouse poster-boy and frequent Meal Ticket subject Tom Culton took a giant squash on the train to New York to appear of The Late Show with [...]
 |
 |
| Courtesy of Food Network | |
They have a great repertoire.The spices garnish the food very effectively.
Personally, I think they are both very talented chiefs. I'm rooting for Chef Mehta, however.
Viewing party... we know who won then Congrats Iron Chef Garces
Barclay Prime (237 S. 18th St.) topped New York City's Daniel (warning: site automatically plays smooth jazz) in a bidding war for a 500-gram (1.1 lb.) white Alba truffle, the largest specimen of white Albas to land Stateside this truffle season.
New York purveyor Mikuni Wild Harvest welcomed the 'shroom as it arrived Monday on the red-eye from Italy, promptly featuring their new star in a YouTube video of fungus porn.� Bidding commenced, with Barclay executive chef James LoCascio emerging triumphant.
Get a slice off this monster when LoCascio begins adorning steaks with it, most likely tomorrow, at Barclay.
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by mealticket: $4,100 for a truffle http://citypaper.net/blogs/mealticket/2009/11/17/4100-luxury-fungus-en-route-to-philadelphia/...
The Definition of Decadence... Coming right after the report on hunger in the U.S. (and around the world), this is particularly revolting: Philadelphia restaurant Barclay Prime paid $4,100 for a 1.1 pound white Alba truffle, outbidding a New York restaurant in an auction for......
"'Gastropub' is an overused word," said Carmen Cappello. "I like the phrase 'public house.'" So that's what the Philadelphia native, who spent the last 12 years in Atlanta as a head chef at that city's Ritz Carlton, is calling The Wishing Well, the spot that he and boyhood pal Chris Martino are working on in the old Pat Bombino's restaurant at Ninth and Catharine, which was owned, in part, by Al Paris. (This is not to confuse folk who�ll show up for tomorrow night�s media dinner at Public House to meet new executive chef Paris and taste his nu-pub menu).
Martino and Cappello's dads know each other, too, and the relationship among families is something that will guide the Wishing Well at this outlying corner of the Italian Market and its surrounding neighborhood. "A lot of people around here have been telling us that they�ve been waiting for something that isn�t you typical fare,� Cappello told us, as he ran between his still-constructing Well and Isgro�s, where he was cannoli-shopping for his work crew. "Chris and I are very excited to bring a new concept to Bella Vista." What is new, from seeing the bar, dinner and brunch menus (check after the jump), is little touches on old favorites, like adding scrapple to burgers as well as offering what might be the first shepherd's pie on the block.
BAR
caesar salad, croutons, egg, anchovy, garlic dressing
10oz burger, choice of swiss/cheddar/bleu cheese), fries, house pickle
house fries, spices, lemon mayonnaise
pea & ham soup, crispy onions, cr�me fraiche
soup of the day
steak frites, 10oz. ribeye, fries, lemon aioli, hollandaise
crab cakes, roasted peppers, �claudio� mozzarella, mustard sauce
dozen chicken wings, chef�s special georgia sauce, blue cheese
cheese plate, garnishes, 3 local cheeses
fish & chips, tartar sauce, lemon aioli, fries
shame burger, scrapple, fried egg, american cheese, fries
DINNER
soup & salad
arugula salad, shaved parmesan, roasted tomatoes, vinaigrette
caesar salad, ricotta salata, spicy croutons, egg, anchovy, roasted garlic dressing
www salad, baby greens, spicy pecans, blue cheese, grapes, malt vinaigrette
ricotta� salad, basil, roasted garlic, heirloom tomatoes
beetroot salad, peaches, frisee, honey & almond dressing
chicken salad, spiced figs, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, �claudio� mozzarella
french onion soup, traditional garnish
smoked mackerel chowder, sweet corn, pickled greens
pea & ham bisque, crispy onions, cr�me fraiche
soup of the day
teasers
crispy calamari, sambal dressing, hoisin glaze, cilantro
tuna cubes, garlic aioli, cornflakes, sesame shoyu dressing
smelts, roasted peppers, �claudio� mozzarella, lemon thyme dressing
goat cheese fritters, �savannah bee honey�, fried lemon
griddled wild mushrooms, soft marscapone polenta, extra virgin olive oil
black-eye pea hummus, toasted naan, garlic oil
blue cheese sandwich, gorgonzola, arugula, tomato
fried pickles, blue cheese dressing
tikka prawns, lemon, mango raita
cheese plate, garnishes, 3 local cheeses
big plates
shepherd�s pie, beef, mashed potato, carrot, chili
shame burger, scrapple, fried egg, american cheese, fries
house burger (choice of swiss, smoked cheddar, blue cheese), fries
pork belly, soft marscapone polenta, pickled onions
fish & chips, fries, tartar sauce, lemon aioli
yellowfin tuna, grilled, fregola sarda, sicilian olives,
crispy salmon, potatoes, brussel sprouts, peas, extra virgin olive oil
beef brisket, watermelon, red onion & feta salad, natural sauce
turkey breast wrapped in smoked bacon, black eyed pea cassoulet, asparagus
sides
watermelon, red onion & feta salad
house fries, lemon aioli
marscapone polenta
toasted naan
caesar salad
black-eye pea cassoulet
BRUNCH
starters
asparagus, pumpkin & goat cheese frittata
soup of the day
greek yoghurt, granola, �savannah bee honey�
arugula salad, shaved parmesan, roasted tomatoes, vinaigrette
ricotta salad, basil, roasted garlic, heirloom tomatoes
mains (all mains come with home fries)
beef brisket benedicts, green onion, parmesan cheese, house bbq, biscuits
green eggs & parma ham, pesto, english muffin
banana bread french toast
omelet of the day
sr�s pepper & egg sandwich, white american, roasted peppers & onions
shrimp & grits, sausage, collard greens, fried eggs & garlic gravy
fried chicken & waffles
steak & eggs
shame burger, scrapple, fried egg, american cheese, fries
sides
grits
smoked bacon
scrapple
home fries
sausage
beverages
orange juice
grapefruit juice
cranberry juice
coffee (regular/decaf)
organic tea
bloody mary bar
house vodka, pickled green beans, sea salt, worcestershire, horseradish, celery, tabasco, garlic power, onion powder
A.D. -- Thanks for the good words -- we are excited to be opening in the Bella Vista/Italian Market area. Thanks for posting the menu also -- so it is clear -- this will not be the opening menu -- there will be some of these items on the new menu because they are my signature dishes -- a new menu is being written to reflect the winter season, philosophy of SLOW FOOD, local farmers and some organics -- I was a big proponent of this in Atlanta and I will continue this here in Philadelphia -- we are looking forward to creating the neighborhood atmosphere and uniqueness of the Italian Market & Bella Vista. Chef Carmen
We anxiously anticipate the opening of this welcome addition to the neighborhood and wish you the best of luck - but that has got to be the WORST name for a bar we have ever heard. Also, it might help to add WINDOWS to that bunker of a restaurant. :-) - The Neighbors
Very excited for this new addition to our neighborhood. I hope it is not so high end that it only attracts an older crowd. Would be nice if it was something like Devil's Den, Pope, Royal Tavern... And I agree that it needs some window and (fingers crossed) outdoor seating. When is it supposed to open?
Another Neighbor: The Wishing Well is tentatively slated to open in March.
I think the addition of some vegetarian options beyond the standard "veggie burger" would make you guys unique and stand out. I live nearby and I know I'd be there a lot if you did!
Excited about trying this place! I hope it is less like Vesuvio and MORE like Royal and Devil's Den! Great location and cool addition to the hood (I hope!)
- barstool scientist
- Booze
- Brew Revue
- Chef Salad
- Closings
- Coffee
- Contests
- Dealage
- Dirty Dishes
- Don't Front
- Eat This Immediately
- Field Trip
- Food and Art
- Food and Holidays
- Food and Movies
- Food and Music
- Food and Politics
- Food and Sports
- Food and Web
- Food Blogs
- Food Books
- Food Events
- Food News
- Food TV
- Gifted
- Happy Hour Hopper
- How-To
- In Print
- Interview
- Meal Ticket
- Menu Time
- Not So Quickfire
- Notes from the Weekend
- On Wheels
- Openings
- Patio Drinking
- Philly Beer Week 2010
- Photos
- Private Chef POV
- Product Placement
- Recipes
- Snack Time
- Stiff Drank
- SUPPER
- Tea
- Testing
- Ticket Stubs
- Top Chef
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Video
- Weekly Candy
- Weird Regional Foods
- We're Here to Help
- Where'd We Eat?
- Drew Lazor's Ill-Advised Rant Factory
- Pregame
- Ill-Advised Ranting
- The Week Without Meat
- Philly Beer Week 2009
- Real Big
- Where'd I Eat Last Night?
- Top Chef Masters
- The Good Word
- Next Iron Chef
- Arterial Terrorism
- Food and Radio
