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Archive: November, 2012
Notes from the Weekend is a feature that sees the members of Team Meal Ticket compiling all the food/drink highlights uncovered during prime eatin' time, Friday to Sunday. We'd love to hear all about YOUR weekend eating adventures in the comments. Go for it! (View past NFTW installments at citypaper.net/notes.)
Adam Erace: AE
Caroline Russock: CR
Emily Kovach: EK
Burgers, cocktails, beers, and pastrami jerky right this way, folks! »
Videos we weren't expecting to be funny, word from the Department of Unfortunate Cancellations and Mild Disappointments, one Thanksgiving veggie option we won't be considering for our table, and hundreds more that we definitely will: all on today's Afternoon Snacks!
We’re going to be honest with you: when we first heard the phrases “YouTube video” and “Philadelphia Business Journal Small Business Expo” together, we weren’t exactly like, holy shit let’s drop everything and watch that RIGHT NOW. As it turns out, though, we should’ve. Check out this one, featuring Little Baby’s Jeffrey Ziga, and then send up a quiet little cheer when you realize that this is actually a series.
Sad news for us, good news for the meat-averse, right this way! »
Over on Jim Romenesko's blog he's a rounded up a venerable crew of restaurant critics to discuss Pete Wells' hot topic review of Guy Fieri's Times Square digs including our own Craig LaBan. Over this tenure at the Inquirer LaBan has cut down a fair share of eateries including his legendarily damning demotion of Le Bec from four to two bells.
LaBan finds brilliance in Wells' review: "it was powerful reading, both in its humor and message of accountability (or lack thereof). I understand the backlash that Fieri might have been too easy a target for the NYT. But I disagree. True, no one expects a celebrity restaurant in Times Square to be any good. But Fieri is more than just a big name chef. He’s become a cultural icon whose influence on the American pop dialogue (let alone its dining scene) is enormous."
Head over here for more LaBan as well as some pretty entertaining tales of the aftermath of a negative restaurant review.
Tickets are on sale now for the first-ever "Off the Wall" event at The Industry (1401 E. Moyamensing Ave.), coming up on Tue., Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. They're bringing in industry brethren Chris LaPierre and Paul Rutherford, head brewers for Iron Hill, to pair a handful of their favorite beers with five smart courses from exec Pat Szoke.
While Iron Hill is no stranger to beer dinners at their string of brewpubs, you don't get many chances like this to sample their goods within city limits—and they're bringing some good ones, including their bright, citrusy Sweet Leaf IPA and spicy-sweet Winter Warmer. Tickets are $60, and you can stop by the Industry or call them to purchase.
In this week's issue of the South Philly Review Phyllis Stein-Novack finds no love for Red Owl Tavern, the newly opened American concept in Chestnut Street's Hotel Monaco. PSN headed to Red Owl to celebrate her husband Edward's birthday with sister Sandy in tow. Things got off to a rocky start when the lighting level of the dining room made menu perusal a challenge.
And it was pretty much downhill from there. Pickled vegetables disappointed, bone marrow was meh and mussels were deemed unacceptable due to the fact that there was coconut milk in the sauce that was not listed on the menu.
Moving onto mains Edward's chicken pot pie didn't measure up to Santucci's standards (Santucci's has chicken pot pie?) due to the fact that "the creamy sauce congealed as we ate it and tasted like glue." A lamb shank was scrawny and lentils were undercooked.
On the plus side Sandy was pleased with her short ribs and service got the thumbs up. Of course these two factors didn't redeem Red Owl from earning a meager one tip of the toque.
PSN made mention of a brilliant anniversary dinner at Sbraga, fingers crossed we'll be hearing about that come Thursday.
Monday, November 12
Rotisseur is changing up its look and took on a new chef to match.
Tuesday, November 13
Old City's lunch options open up as Fork adds an awesome new mid-day service.
We run down the list of Thanksgiving-themed foods that you can get your paws on now.
Upcoming seafood spot Ralic's hired a chef, and—what luck—he's a seasoned fisherman, too.
Wednesday, November 14
Adam Erace has the specs on cocktails for a cause all over the city.
Yard's is hosting burger trucks on Thanksgiving Eve for a pre-feast feast.
And in Bourdain-stalking news...
Thursday, November 15 + Friday, November 16
AE spoils the surprise for a bunch of people on his holiday gift list.
Hmm, why weren't there any other posts on Thursday or Friday?
One of the best ways to keep yourself in gorgeous produce throughout the coldest months of the year is the Greensgrow Farms (2501 E. Cumberland St.) winter CSA program. Even when things look barren, the Kensington farm is parceling out frost-sweetened greens, carrots, beets, and much more.
For $425 for the 5-month season, you can choose from a plants-only vegan share, a vegetarian share that includes fresh cheese, butter, yogurt or eggs, or a meat share that adds one responsibly raised meat choice to the weekly bounty.
With pick-ups beginning on Sat., Dec. 1, you’ll need to get your application in by Sun., Nov. 25; if your freezer needs stocking, you’ll also net a 10-15% discount on a cow and/or pig share with your CSA membership. (Latecomers can sign up pro rata, but with selections evolving week-to-week, why miss out?)
I already know what I'm getting at least six people on my Christmas list. (Sorry, too soon for December holiday items?) Oyster House (1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683) is offering Oyster 101 classes for $45 on three dates (1/19, 1/26, 2/9) this winter. The lessons will cover history, anatomy and other foodnerdiness, as well as wine-and-beer-accompanied tastings. Wee! Oyster House is also doing Pemaquids, Blue Points and other bivalve breeds to go, shucked and packed in special trays so you don't spill a drop of that precious liquor. They'll be making an appearance at my parents' Seven Fish feast on Christmas Eve.
Hey Meal Ticketeers! We're going to be taking the rest of the week off and embarking on an epic (four days, whatever) journey to Portland, Oregon. Check back in on Monday for a recap of our eating and drinking adventures.
And be sure to pick up a print copy of the paper this week, it's the MEAL TICKET issue!
Curry competition, Jewish Christmas, and more Nutella controversy, all on today's Afternoon Snacks!
Tonight’s Curry Showdown at Meritage (500 S. 20th St.) sounds fun: chef Anne Coll threw down the curry gauntlet to her crew, and tonight you get to judge whose take is best. Coll’s Sous, Adam Ratmoko, is putting forth Muhgal curried Berkshire pork carnitas, drawing inspiration from his Indonesian background. Line cook Julia Resnitsky is making a Kashmiri red lamb curry with chickpea and pickled red onion chaat, influenced by cooking lessons with her mother-in-law. Of course, Chef Coll’s self-described “white girl” kaffir lime curry seafood pot should prove stiff competition.
Jewish Christmas Pt. 3 and much ado about Nutella, after the jump! »
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