Archive: December, 2010

Oyster House to launch "Oysters 101" courses in January

POSTED: Monday, December 27, 2010, 8:30 PM

Filed Under: Food Events

Sharpen your pencil, grab your shucking knife and head to Oyster House (1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683) for an "Oysters 101" course this January. Taught by general manager Daniel Elliott, the class will cover topics such as oyster anatomy, history, sustainability, differences in species, classic sauces/garnishes, wine and beer pairings and (our favorite aspect) a Biggie vs. Pac-style East Coast-West coast bivalve breakdown. Classes are $30 per person and meet Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Each program "graduate" will receive an Oyster House "Eat Oysters, Love Longer" shirt (above). Reservations are required.

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 8:30 PM Permalink | Post a comment

EAT THIS IMMEDIATELY: Tortilleria y San Roman's salsa verde

POSTED: Monday, December 27, 2010, 7:45 PM

Filed Under: Eat This Immediately

Photo | Adam Erace

As one of my non-tradish Feast of the Seven Fish dishes were mahi tacos, I made my way up Ninth Street on Christmas Eve Eve to Tortilleria y San Roman (951 S. Ninth St.), where they sell fresh corn tortillas by the butcher-paper-wrapped $2 kilo. With dos kilos warming my frostbitten paws like a sable muff, I was making my way out the door when one of the tortilla-makers "Amigo!"-ed me, holding open a sack of fresh tortilla chips they make those too and gesturing to the shallow plastic bowls of salsas verde and rojo. I swirled a chip through the verde, popped it in my mouth and stiffened. Up front the salsa was sharp and citrusy enough to slash through a blanket of rain clouds, a lime-flavored Crybaby whose zing quickly dissipated into an herbal-compress coolness of cactus, cilantro and tomatillo. The chili caboose rode in last, fanning flames I didnt even know were there till it way too late. Salsa is rarely this thrilling. Eat it immediately.

Tweets that mention Eat This Immediately: Tortilleria y San Roman's salsa verde -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-12-27 15:54:24

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by salsacityhoppers. salsacityhoppers said: EAT THIS IMMEDIATELY: Tortilleria y San Roman's salsa verde ...: Up front the salsa was sharp a... http://bit.ly/fbXOfP #Salsa #SalsaAmt [...]

Posted by Adam Erace @ 7:45 PM Permalink | Post a comment

OCF Realty's two cafes on the way

POSTED: Monday, December 27, 2010, 6:58 PM

Filed Under: Coffee | Openings

South Street-based OCF Realty, whose gray-and-green property signs hang and flap in pretty much every Philly neighborhood imaginable, is working on opening two coffee shops of its own, though one's closer than the other. The first OCF Cafe, at 18th and South (a mere three blocks from OCF HQ at 2054 South Street), is expected to open in early February; the space will feature room for 30-35, and will pour Counter Culture coffees in addition to sandwiches and baked goods from as-yet-undetermined purveyors. The second shop is planned for 20th and Federal; same plan, just a little bigger. It should open in the spring; that'll be a nice companion biz to the in-the-works American Sardine Bar two blocks east at 18th and Federal.

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Dec. 27-Jan. 2 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-01-03 08:31:13

[...] OCF Realty is getting into the coffee biz, with two cafés on the way. [...]

Tweets that mention More coffee for Philly: It'll be the house bean of two upcoming cafes -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-12-27 15:54:48

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by magicdarts180. magicdarts180 said: RT @mealticket: More @counterculture coffee for Philly: It'll be the house bean of @OCFrealty's two upcoming cafes http://ow.ly/3uRVC [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Dec. 20-24

POSTED: Monday, December 27, 2010, 5:19 PM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, Dec. 20 In a ballsy move, Resurrection Ale House yanks its popular fried chicken off the menu. BBQ chain Famous Dave's now has an outpost in Center City. Known for its breads and pastries, Artisan Boulanger Patissier now carries ... sushi! English onion soup, Han Dynasty, anchovy pizza, Taco Bell, Ultimo Coffee and lots more fat-dude action in Notes from the Weekend. Tuesday, Dec. 21 Check out some local food/drink people invading your radio speakers. Already a sushi destination, Zama is shaping up to be quite the sake drinker's spot, too. Salt & Pepper opens in its new digs on East Passyunk. Wednesday, Dec. 22 Ho ho ho-rrendous amounts of holiday work to finish! Thursday, Dec. 23 The normally breakfast/brunch/lunch only Cafe Estelle will cook dinner to ring in 2010. Friday, Dec. 24 Christopher Lee, who made a big splash during his days at Striped Bass, is hunting Philly for a space for a new seafood concept. Check out City Paper's brand-new happy hour guide/mobile app, powered by GoTime. Residents of Ardmore will soon be able to get their Di Bruno's fix.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:19 PM Permalink | Post a comment

There's no place like Di Bruno's for the holidays

POSTED: Saturday, December 25, 2010, 2:21 AM

Filed Under: Food and Holidays | Openings

Photo | A.D. Amorosi

??The Italian Market tradition of long lines in front of Ninth Street's favorite locations Di Bruno Bros., Claudio's, their round-the-way neighbor Isgro's goes back as far as the market had been conceived. Old-timers used to pour wine for those in the long wintry line; others brought coffee and cake or whiskey. These may be soberer times for some, but the lines still exist. For me and Glamorosi, the first and longest stop always winds up being Di Bruno's, more often than not because they always get up-to-the minute new deliveries. This week, it was the Petit Jesu from Salumeria Biellese in New York. According to the label, it's made of coarse-ground Berkshire pork with red wine and garlic, takes nine months to age and weighs nine pounds when completely cured, hence the name. Sweet Jesus. (Theres also the L'Amuse Gouda that goes great with the Black Lava Cashews toffee-roasted, then tossed with black Hawaiian sea salt.) The other new thing at Di Bruno's is bossman Emilio Mignucci's announcement that DiBruno's is opening a large stand (1,200-1,500 square feet) in the Ardmore Farmers Market in Suburban Square. "We're looking to have it open by Easter," says Mignucci (above, left). "We actually thought we'd have it done by now, so to move onto the new space on Ninth Street." (He's referring to the long-delayed Di Bruno's wine bar/cheeserie where Pronto currently stands.) For now, let's worry about Christmas and not Easter. There's so much good gouda and salami to be eaten.

Tweets that mention Theres no place like Di Brunos for the holidays :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-12-24 23:06:59

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bruno Fans. Bruno Fans said: There's no place like Di Bruno's for the holidays :: Meal Ticket ... http://bit.ly/ep13Fw [...]

StoopPhilly Links | StoopPhilly

Posted 2011-01-18 20:07:11

[...] will open New Years Eve (Meal Ticket) Meal Tickets 2010 in Pictures: January (Meal Ticket) Theres no place like Di Brunos for the holidays (Meal Ticket) Share on Facebook    Tweet   This entry was posted in StoopPhilly Links. Bookmark the permalink.    [...]

Posted by A.D. Amorosi @ 2:21 AM Permalink | Post a comment

City Paper/GoTime launch Happy Hour Guide, mobile app

POSTED: Friday, December 24, 2010, 5:00 PM

Filed Under: Dealage

City Paper has teamed up with GoTime to launch a new Philly-focused happy-hour info hub. Accessible at happyhours.citypaper.net and downloadable as a free app for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry here, the Happy Hour Guide collects regularly updated happy-hour deals from bars and restaurants all over the city; in addition to having the power to add venues, users can also "vote up" their favorite spots, meaning the guide's most visible happy-hour deals will be those most trusted by thrifty local drinkers. Food specials, booze specials, style of venue and live entertainment are but a few of the guide's searchable parameters. Happy drinking, and let us know how you dig the technology.

Tweets that mention City Paper/GoTime launch Happy Hour Guide, mobile app :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-12-24 15:47:44

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper. Philly City Paper said: RT @mealticket Check out the brand-new happy hour guide/app from @citypaper and @GoTime_Philly: http://ow.ly/3u2yu | [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Christopher Lee looking to Philly for seafood spot

POSTED: Friday, December 24, 2010, 3:00 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Openings

chefchristopherlee.com

In a Dec. 22 Q&A with Zagat, Christopher Lee (soon-to-be-former exec chef at NYC's Michelin-starred Aureole) teased that he'd been poking around Philly for spaces for a seafood concept he plans on pursuing after he leaves Charlie Palmer's company at the end of the year. When we ended up at the same table as Lee during Bistrot La Minette chef/owner Peter Woolsey's Dec. 22 dinner at the James Beard House (more on that awesome meal next week), we couldn't help but ask about it. Lee, who knows Woolsey from his days at Striped Bass, says he's in the very early stages of space-hunting, exploring Center City and Old City for real estate (Second/Chestnut and Ninth/Chestnut were two intersections mentioned by name). Lee likens the concept to an upscale, whole-fish-on-ice Greek seafoodery (think Estia), but with a distinctly American focus and an elaborate raw bar. No name for the restaurant yet, and all Lee will share in regards to an target opening is "2011." When we mentioned that Stephen Starr, Lee's former employer at the Bass (now Butcher & Singer), was working on a seafood concept called Route 6 (at 600 N. Broad), Lee cracked a smile. "Next time you talk to Stephen," he said, "tell him I'm coming to Philadelphia to open a seafood restaurant."

barryg

Posted 2010-12-24 11:33:18

Soon, all the Lee's in NYC will come to Philly instead.

barryg

Posted 2010-12-24 11:33:35

er, Lees.

Tweets that mention Christopher Lee looking to Philly for seafood spot :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-12-24 14:13:46

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jason Malumed, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Former Striped Bass chef Christopher Lee, who's about to leave NYC's Aureole, working on a seafood restaurant for Philly: http://ow.ly/3u2bg [...]

Colinthechef

Posted 2010-12-24 18:40:55

Good to see Chris Lee back, he was great st Washington Square and unbelievable at Striped Bass, let's see if Philadelphia is ready!

jaded chef

Posted 2010-12-26 13:50:53

Meh-New York can keep Mr. Chicken Broth, we're all good down in Philly, thanks.

cleevus

Posted 2010-12-28 13:33:22

who cares  guess being buried in a city of great restaurants took its toll on captain ego.  lets not forget how he basically walked out of striped bass with his key players.

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Dec. 20-24 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-12-27 12:20:26

[...] place like Di Bruno's for the holidays• City Paper/GoTime launch Happy Hour Guide, mobile app• Christopher Lee looking to Philly for seafood spot• IN PRINT: City Paper Food and Restaurants, Dec. 23• New Year's Eve at Cafe [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 3:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

IN PRINT: City Paper Food and Restaurants, Dec. 23

POSTED: Friday, December 24, 2010, 12:50 AM

Filed Under: In Print

Photo | Neal Santos

- This week's review sees Adam Erace making the short-ish trek to Jose Garces' JG Domestic in the Cira Centre. Can the Iron Chef's stovetop mojo overpower the built-in challenges of the location? - The omnivorous Felicia D. checks out the offerings at the all-vegan Blackbird Pizzeria. Find out more about the virtues of Daiya cheese, and which of Blackbird's dishes can be described as "an appealing goo." - What's Cooking this week? Info on Pub & Kitchen's Boxing Day festivities, plus some sweet New Year's Eve picks via Rachel Burgos.

Tweets that mention IN PRINT: City Paper Food and Restaurants, Dec. 23 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-12-23 20:36:40

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Casey RawAndFit, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: What's in @citypaper's food section this week? http://ow.ly/3tXen [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 12:50 AM Permalink | Post a comment

New Year's Eve at Cafe Estelle

POSTED: Thursday, December 23, 2010, 2:40 PM

Filed Under: Food and Holidays | Food Events

Foodaphilia

Since chef Marshall Green cut dinner service from his sun-washed Cafe Estelle (444 N. Fourth St.) two years ago, chances to eat in this bacon-scented solarium after 5 p.m. have been few and far between. Which is why, when Green's rare prix-fixe dinners, like the one he's hosting on New Year's Eve, come along, we lunge for the phone like its the last slice of pizza. Passed hors d'oeuvres will float through the restaurant to kick off seatings at 6 and 9 p.m., followed by five cold-weather courses like Portuguese stew and truffled cannelloni. Sign us up for the spiced bison tenderloin with Brussels sprouts, the entree for the $65 first seating (salmon available for fish-eaters). The second seating, $75, includes a Champagne toast for $75. Call the restaurant for reservations. Full menu after the jump.

- New Jersey Fluke crudo, pickled baby vegetables, caviar

- "Portuguese Fish Stew": Pureed kale soup, olive oil poached salt cod, fingerling potato, oven dried tomato, linguiça sausage, crispy garlic

- Truffled Mushroom Cannelloni, Melted leeks, ricotta cheese, mushroom essence

- Winter Spiced Bison Tenderloin, Turnip and horseradish puree, roasted Brussels sprouts, Red wine Demi glace

- Chocolate Ganache Tart & Blue Cheese | Cheesecake With bacon caramel

Posted by Adam Erace @ 2:40 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Ho ho ho(rrendous amounts of work to finish)

POSTED: Wednesday, December 22, 2010, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Food and Holidays | Meal Ticket

Hello! Just a heads up that Meal Ticket posting is going to be a little light over these next few days, as we run around preparing for holiday ridiculousness. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | NEXT »

The Lite Choice Opens Flagship Store on 16th Street between Walnut & Locust
Notes from the Weekend: June 17
Rock Star cheese dinner at Di Bruno's
Free stuff for Father's Day
Vetri opening in the Navy Yard, plus a nod to Le Bec
Gone Fishin'
Happy National Beef Jerky Day!
Summer of Riesling Dinner at P&K
Afternoon Snacks: Party Pizza, Empellon joins tumblr, Giant bibimbap (!), Snickerdoodle cobbler
Now Serving: IndeBlue

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

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

June
May
April

March
February
January