Archive: February, 2011

The name of the Roman/Cichonski joint in Chestnut Hill

POSTED: Friday, February 4, 2011, 4:45 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Openings

In early January we discussed the partnership between chefs Chip Roman and Jason Cichonski and their plans to open a spot at 8609 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. Though the name Stone House had been floated for the space â prix-fixe-driven, liquor-licensed, up for a March opening â we now hear the project will be called Mica. Keep you posted.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:45 PM Permalink | Post a comment

SNACK TIME: Chinese etiquette, Lab-grown meat, Wine know-how, Lasagna cupcakes, Bake with your iPad, and Snoop Dogg's dip

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 9:11 PM

Filed Under: Snack Time

Michael Wertz

- Gong xi fai cai! Today marks the Chinese year of the rabbit! CNN International gives us the lowdown on Chinese dining etiquette and the importance of respect in each action. The way you lay your chopsticks or order your meal could threaten death, while your noodle-slurping technique could determine your life's longevity. Despite what you're eating today, take a mindful moment at the table. - Meat always seems to find a disturbing home on Snack Time. For more than 10 years, scientists in South Carolina have been toiling over the creation of bio-engineered meat, Reuters reports. Would you eat a steak that was culturedÂ â aka designed, using embryonic cells and man-made vascular systems â in a "carnery?" - You don't have to be a sommelier to know how to read a wine label. When choosing wine, it's tough to make a selection when you haven't a clue what you're looking for. Take cues from the Washington Post and avoid showing up to dinner with a Coppola wine (for name's sake alone) or a label with a drunk cat on it.

Wall Street Journal

- 2010 seemed to be the year of the (sweet) cupcake. Between Cupcake Wars and the insane number of cupcakeries sprouting throughout Philadelphia alone, I think we are all a little tired from the trend. Not so fast ... Heirloom Catering in Los Angeles has been feeding entertainers with a variety of lasagna cupcakes, among other savory versions of the treat, Wall Street Journal reports. - A new app has just been released for your iPad, providing detailed instructions on how to bake a perfect loaf of Boule or even pizza dough. Your gadget will do the measuring conversion for you, depending on how much no-fail baking you are looking to do. - Snoop Dogg is crushing it with his 8-Layer Dip recipe for Super Bowl Sunday. I too wouldn't be surprised if the oregano were indeed a sprinkle of chronic; jump to 1:29 to peep the excitement. Check out the how-to video of Snoop whippin' and dippin' here. Ignore the Pepsi Max guy.

Laurel Rose Purdy

Posted 2011-02-03 22:47:26

I'm bout to make some fish cupcakes.

Nova

Posted 2011-02-03 22:39:05

Cupcakes were mentioned, so I have to comment. The best cupcake I've ever had in my life was from Philadelphia: a strawberry cupcake from Brown Betty. (If there's a better cupcake to be had in Philadelphia, I need to know about it.) But this... a lasagna cupcake? Even I can't go there. What's next, a fish cupcake?

Don't tell me there's such a thing as a fish cupcake... please.

Dan

Posted 2011-02-03 18:03:59

I see what you're saying - that is a mouthful. Also, I think my post was unnecessarily rude. Sorry about that. I will say that as a wine snob myself, I do not understand buying an expensive/nice cab, bordeaux blend, rhone blend, etc. from a current vintage and then popping and pouring it at a BYOB. It is great to try to impress someone, but the wine will be completely closed off. You'll get that it has structure and potential but little else. You would be better off with a cheaper beaujolais or *gasp* name brand stuff like herding cats, or a European wine like rioja, which generally is reserved and therefore has some age on it.  Just say no to infanticide!

Tweets that mention SNACK TIME: Chinese etiquette, Lab-grown meat, Wine know-how, Lasagna cupcakes, Bake with your iPad, and Snoop Dogg's dip :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-03 17:55:33

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by You Post and Icing On Cake Book, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Chinese New Year, meat grown in a lab, lasagna cupcakes and Snoop's home entertaining tizips, in @laurelro's SNACK TIME: http://ow.ly/3PS4r [...]

Laurel Rose

Posted 2011-02-03 17:09:55

Oh, no! Dan - sorry to have misled you, I simply mentioned Coppola based upon name recognition and nothing more, at all. I've done it before, too, this post had nothing to do with the quality or caliber of Coppola's wines. Hope this clears it up.

rascal b. schuylkillian

Posted 2011-02-04 09:56:57

Sweet cupcakes are kind of played out like cassette tapes and bird tattoos.  That being said, I could get down on a lasagna cupcake or an individual meatcake.  How about a steak tartare cupcake?

Laurel Rose Purdy

Posted 2011-02-04 11:28:19

Yes, steak tartare cupcake! Peking duck cupcake! There are endless options, Rascal.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2011-02-03 16:59:56

Dan, to be fair, Laurel originally mentioned folks drinking Coppola wines based on the name recognition alone. I took it down for brevity's sake but now that I realize her point is unclear I've added it back in.

Dan

Posted 2011-02-03 16:40:16

Coppola has a range of wine levels just like Mondavi or Beringer. For example, you would have a hard time beating his label Rubicon. I get your point, but if you are going to be a wine snob, it is best to know what you are talking about.

Posted by Laurel Rose Purdy @ 9:11 PM Permalink | Post a comment

IN PRINT: City Paper Food and Restaurants, Feb. 3

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 7:45 PM

Filed Under: In Print

Photo | Neal Santos

- Adam Erace is fond of The Corner (formerly APO) and its cocktail/comfort-food approach. I wish I could give you this feeling, I wish I could give this feeling. - South Street's Pumpkin threesome â the BYOB, the CafÃ© and the Market â is changing rapidly. We've got details on the cafÃ©/market consolidation, plus word (and photos!) of chef de cuisine Christopher Kearse and his approach. - Feeding Frenzy shares word on the brand-new MonsÃº, plus two major projects on the way.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:45 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Joe Grasso talks American Oak

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 6:42 PM

Filed Under: Food News | Openings

Photo | Michael T. Regan

Walnut Street Capital CEO Joe Grasso (pictured) likes to keep his hands in his properties. His Union Trust (717 Chestnut St.) is experiencing what he calls its finest season due to an influx in business from the Convention Center; by March, his takeover the 15th/Sansom corner property (the old Roy's) that he has with brother David will find him with both another new restaurant, American Oak, as well as a vault/basement club, Rumor. With that, Grasso's going to need some help. As he has in the past, Grasso has turned to UT beverage director Xavier Mariezcurrena, who is now the creative director of both restaurants. Before UT, Mariezcurrena had a tequila bar/restaurant in Texas (Agave) and worked at Barclay Prime and the Chop House before coming to Grasso's attention. "I think he's brought a certain hip cachet to the steakhouse,â says Grasso. The 28-year-old Mariezcurrena hopes to bring the same vibe to American Oak. "It'll be much more of a relaxed atmosphere than Union Trust,â he says of the lower price points and chilled-out vibe.â The food, though billed as "comfort" and "American," isn't quite ready to be defined. âIt will be cleaner and lighter than what people know as comfort, and more open than what people think of as American,â says Mariezcurrena. As Meal Ticket previously reported, the food component of American Oak will come from Tony Aiazzi. The former Auerole chef spent a lot of time with the Charlie Palmer Restaurant Group, is readying a restaurant of his own in the near future and has spent more time next to Al Roker on the NBC morning show than Meredith Vieira has. Soon after the Oak opens, he will become the culinary director of both Grasso's restaurants. "I'm about to give it an umbrella title," says Grasso of the organization running both spaces. "But each restaurant will stand on its own. The only thing that'll unite them is good food."

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Jan. 31-Feb. 4 :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-02-07 11:13:57

[...] A.D. Amorosi chats up developer/restaurant owner Joe Grasso about his still-to-come American Oak. [...]

James McManaman

Posted 2011-02-05 17:20:21

I can't wait to see what Joe does with this great space. I already see the improvements on the way with the full length windows. This is sure to be a huge hit!

avbeast

Posted 2011-02-10 14:20:38

Not only is Tony Aiazzi a culinary wizard nonpareil, but he's a generous lover as well.

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-02-03 17:16:54

[...] Details on American Oak, Joe Grasso’s bar and restaurant set for 15th and Sansom. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Posted by A.D. Amorosi @ 6:42 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Plenty in pictures

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 5:47 PM

Filed Under: Openings | Photos

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Murphy's Law says if something can do wrong it will, and last night, on the eve of its grand opening, one of the ovens at Plenty (1710 E. Passyunk Ave.) went on the fritz. (Previous Plenty coverage here, here and here.) All's good in the 'hood today, and when we stopped by this morning, chef Tim McGinnis and owner Jesse Spalletta were prepping the prepared-foods op for its first-ever lunchtime rush. Spalletta and husband/partner Adam Baas carved Plenty out of the clutter of the old Cellini's, installing lustrous wide-plank stained pine flooring, retro banana-yellow coolers and reclaimed-wood shelves decorated with vintage bric-a-brac and Mason jars of McGinnis' pickles. Stools line a counter at the window, with the main seating at a communal table built with salvaged barn-wood by Flourtown carpenter John Duffy. Sandwiches on Artisan baguettes are available now, including a sick white-and-dark-meat turkey leg confit tricked out with Taleggio and Cumbrland sauce, âan old charcuterie condiment,â says McGinnis, who makes the bewitching paste with currants and spices. Chef's also serving a riff on lox sandwich that won him a Philly Mag endorsement last year, plus a whole line-up of heat-at-home entrees like meatballs enhanced with salami and pancetta scraps. Yeah, we know what's for dinner tonight.

New places on Passyunk

Posted 2011-02-03 20:03:49

[...] by five apples   Went to Plenty last night. It was still not open.    It opened today forreal: Plenty in pictures :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper           Reply With Quote              + Reply to [...]

Ryan's "Mich"

Posted 2011-02-04 15:06:02

The food looks fabulous!  The pix are gorgeous! Now I have another reason to visit Philadelphia!

Erin Williams

Posted 2011-02-04 14:09:03

if i could find a plane to get me there-i would come right NOW- you all rock i am so proud!!!! EW

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-02-03 16:52:23

[...] Plenty opened today instead of the 1st. A heck of a lot closer than most spots get. Meal Ticket was in for some opening day photos. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Michelle

Posted 2011-02-03 12:55:07

Looks gorgeous!

Tweets that mention Plenty in pictures :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-03 13:37:52

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by lae, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Check out pics of East Passyunk's brand-new market, Plenty: http://ow.ly/3PK3K [...]

Posted by Adam Erace @ 5:47 PM Permalink | Post a comment

New winter menu at Sonata

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 4:21 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time

Chef Mark Tropea is mixing it up at his NoLibs BYO Sonata (Liberties Walk, 1030 N. American St.) this month with some wintry additions to his already-symphonic menu. Highlights include a seared scallop app served with mushroom broth agnolotti, plus a new crustaceaous twist on a classic â a buttery lobster pot pie stuffed with edamame, leeks morels and new potatoes. If you're interested for more turf than surf, they've also added grilled veal chops with Brussels sprouts, topped with a caper and golden raisin sauce. Check out Tropea's new menu in full after the jump.

Click to enlarge

Posted by Erin Finnerty @ 4:21 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Sneak a peek inside Opa

POSTED: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 11:30 PM

Filed Under: Openings | Photos

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Swung by Opa (1311 Sansom St.), the super-close Greek bar/restaurant from brother/sister team George and Vasiliki Tsiouris, earlier today to take a peek at the killer interior, put together by crÃ¨me design (they do all the Jose Garces joints). They've got about 70 seats inside, split up between the bar (love that river stone), perimeter tables and a rear banquette nook complete with hanging lights and real Greek-lookin' votive wall recesses. George, who compares Philly's Midtown Village to the emerging Gazi neighborhood of Athens, says he aims for Opa to carry the feel of a nightspot frequented by a younger crowd in Greece. As far as the eats go: Chef Andy Brown is still putting the final touches on the food, but teases that his menu will feature a mix of Greek staples (he's high on his octopus; also expect a good mezze spread) and some rather non-traditional dishes (the "bifteki," a Greek-inspired burger â but beef, not lamb). We'll update you with more info soon; for now, know that Opa is aiming to officially open early next week.

Anthony Sica

Posted 2011-02-02 23:52:50

Kinda looks like Sampan and Zama had a baby....and Kanella raised it.

Laurel Rose Purdy

Posted 2011-02-02 19:54:37

it looks so aquatic and peaceful! EXCITED

OPA Greek restaurant coming soon to 13th and Sansom!

Posted 2011-02-04 16:25:06

[...] Sneak a peek inside Opa :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper    "It has shown me that everything is illuminated in the light of the past" Jonathan Safran Foer        Reply With Quote              + Reply to Thread      « Previous Thread | Next Thread » [...]

Andy B

Posted 2011-02-03 11:43:04

Ah, so this is what you (mistakenly) e-mailed me about.  Looks sweet, another addition to the hood.

Tweets that mention Sneak a peek inside Opa :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-03 11:11:22

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Meal Ticket, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Take a peek inside Opa, opening next week at 13th/Sansom: http://ow.ly/3PeDg [...]

Michelle

Posted 2011-02-03 11:01:19

I cannot wait to stop in!

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:30 PM Permalink | Post a comment

The PLCB helps you not run out of liquor with the power of MATH

POSTED: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 10:28 PM

Filed Under: Booze

finewineandgoodspirits.com

Cheers to the PLCB for providing this handy-dandy Quantity Calculator that allows you determine the adequate amount of wine and/or spirits to purchase for a get-together. (Smart idea to launch this prior to Super Bowl XLV.) For example, if you were to have a 10-person, four-hour dinner party, with five wine-loving guests and five liquor hounds, you'd be well-served buying four bottles of wine and two bottles of liquor. The site stresses that the numbers "are estimates only, and are not meant to suggest that you need to consume this much at your party." Good to know, as we're currently working on a "Friends of Meal Ticket" mod for the system that multiples all results by six.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 10:28 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Meal Ticket's Valentine's Day dealage roundup

POSTED: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 7:58 PM

Filed Under: Dealage | Food and Holidays

someecards.com

Valentine's Day is approaching fast, and if you're involved in any sort of romantic relationship, there's some pressure building about dinner reservations. While Philly certainly has plenty of cozy lil' romantic spots that are by nature suited to intimate dinners for two, you'll be happy to know that many places around town are rolling out special V-Day (some of them aphrodisiac-minded) menus specific to the occasion. Some of the best offers after the jump. Where & When: Kanella (1001 Spruce St., 215-922-1773), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Four-course tasting menu; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: Lahanodolmades (cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, lentils, raisins, feta and dill in a cumin-scented tomato sauce served with crispy eggplant); grilled duck hearts with beans, yogurt, and oregano; hot Cypriot honey puffs with rose water syrup. Pricing: $55 per person ******** Where & When: Devil's Den (1148 S. 11th St.), Feb. 17th, 7-10 pm Offerings: Four course tasting menu with Ommegang beer pairing or DiBruno Brothers cheese tasting menu with Ommegang beer pairing Menu Highlights: Chipotle shrimp tacos with "Ommegang Hennepin," braised short ribs with "Three Professors," pistachio cheesecake with "Chocolate Indulgence." Pricing: $20 for cheese pairing with beer flight, $35 for 4 course tasting menu with beer pairing. ******** Where & When: Barbuzzo (110 S. 13th St., 215-546-9300) Feb. 14 only Offerings: Four-course tasting menu; a la carte menu will not be available Menu Highlights: Spicy chorizo-stuffed squid; chestnut rigatoni with housemade rabbit sausage; black truffle cannelloni served with roast wild mushrooms, butternut squash puree, mozarella crema, walnuts, and preserved lemon Pricing: $55 per person ******** Where & When: Pizzicato (248 Market St., 215-629-5527), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Five-course tasting menu; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: She-crab bisque; oysters Rockefeller; beet ravioli in sage brown butter sauce Pricing: $80 per person ******** Where & When: Varga Bar (941 Spruce St., 215-627-5200), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Four-course meal, each paired with different Yards Brewing beers Menu Highlights: Roasted cauliflower and caramelized leek soup; slow-braised veal cheeks; butter-poached lobster; Yards chocolate Love Stout cake Pricing: $50 per person ******** Where & When: Meritage (500 S. 20th St., 215-985-1922), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Five-course tasting menu; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: Steamed shrimp and crab shu mai in lobster reduction; roasted sea bass with fricassee of fingerlings, wild mushrooms, brussel sprouts and black truffle espuma (see the whole thing here) Pricing: $50 per person ******** Where & When: Bindi (105 S. 13th St., 215-922-6061), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Valentine's themed thali menu; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: Choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian entree, with a variety of raita, chutneys, dal, and more Pricing: $35 per person ******** Where & When: Supper (928 South St., 215-592-8180), Feb. 11-14 Offerings: Three- or four-course tasting menus; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: Grilled beef heart with shallot confit, parsley salad, and toast; butterfish crudo with cucumber, orange jam, seaweed salt, and benne seed crackers; jerk-spiced sea scallops with avocado, pickled red onion, heart of palm and passionfruit Pricing: $58 per person (three courses), $65 per person (four courses) ******** Where & When: Granite Hill (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-684-7990), Feb. 11 only Offerings: Three-course prix-fixe menu with a glass of complimentary Champagne; a la carte menu will not be available Menu Highlights: Ratatouille cannelloni; grilled Maine lobster tail; chocolate almond praline Pricing: $35 per person ******** Where & When: Distrito (3945 Chestnut St., 215-222-1657), Feb. 13-14 Offerings: Two four-course tasting menus â one basic, one enhanced; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: Basic Menu: Kumamoto oysters in champagne escabeche, Mexico City quesadilla with jumbo lump crab, roasted squash, sweet corn, poblano cream, and toasted almonds; Enhanced Menu: Lobster and crab ceviche with tangerine and vanilla beans, tostada de atÃºn, with adobo yellowfin tuna, black beans, smoked tomato sofrito, avocado Pricing: $50 per person (basic), $60 per person (enhanced) ******** Where & When: Bar Ferdinand (Liberties Walk, 1030 N. Second St., 215-923-1313), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Five-course tasting menu with optional wine and cocktail pairings, as well as a complimentary Cava cocktail (and flamenco dancing!) Menu Highlights: Lobster "thermidor" canneloni; roasted Roman cauliflower with medjool date purÃ©e, black kale and piquillo pepper coulis (see the whole menu here) Pricing: $65 per person, $30 optional wine accompaniment, $30 optional cocktail pairing ******** Where & When: Chifa (707 Chestnut St., 215-925-5555), Feb. 11-14 Offerings: Four-course tasting menu; a la carte menu will also be available Menu Highlights: Oysters on the half shell with elderflower granita and lime zest; pork buns with hoisin glaze, pickled diakon & carrot, and togarashi mayo, and chaufa (stir fried rice with chorizo, mango, edamame, and scallop). Pricing: $65 per person ******** Where & When: Garces Trading Co. (1111 Locust St., 215-574-1099), Feb. 11-14 Offerings: Two different tasting menus at different price points; a la carte menu will also be available Menu Highlights: Chef's selections of cheese and charcuterie; grilled octopus with espelette aioli, gala apple and fennel; crepes with Nutella, bacon lardons and chantilly cream Pricing: $55 per person or $75 per person ******** Where & When: JG Domestic (2929 Arch St., 215-222-2363), Feb. 11-14 Offerings: A four-course tasting menu taken from a recent episode of Iron Chef America featuring Jose Garces and Zahav chef Michael Solomonov (the secret ingredient: passion fruit); a la carte menu will also be available Menu Highlights: Passion fruit gazpacho; passion fruit-glazed pork rib; passion fruit lamb curry Pricing: $65 per person ******** Where & When: Tinto (114 S. 20th St., 215-665-9150), Feb. 11-14 Offerings: Four-course tasting menu; a la carte menu will also be available Menu Highlights: Honey mussels with preserved lemon and crispy baby artichokes; pan-seared veal back with brandied kumquats, roasted hedgehog mushrooms and veal jus. Pricing: $75 per person ******** Where & When: Lolita (106 S. 13th St., 215-546-7100), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Special three-course prix-fixe menu; a la carte menu will not be available Menu Highlights: Gorditas con ropa vieja (chihuahua cheese corn masa cakes, braised chile shortrib, guacamole, chipotle salsa); pork chop adobado with cotija-poblano cornbread stuffing, salsa adobo and pickled mango Pricing: $45 per person ******** Where & When: Chick's CafÃ© & Wine Bar (614 S. Seventh St., 215-625-3700), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Special a la carte V-Day menu (see it here), plus optional chef's tasting and wine pairing options Menu Highlights: Seared scallops with blood orange, fennel and arugula salad; chef's cheese and meat selection; housemade tagliatelle with lobster in a cognac cream sauce Pricing: Varying for a la carte menu; $65 for chef's tasting menu; $45 for wine pairings ******** Where & When: Adsum (700 S. Fifth St., 267-888-7002), Feb. 12-14 Offerings: Special four-course prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairing; a la carte menu also available Pricing: $45 per person ******** Where & When: Cuba Libre (10 S. Second St., 215-627-0666), Feb. 12-14 Offerings: "Taste of Romance" tasting menu, consisting of 18 "tastes" of chef Guillermo Pernot's Cuban fare; also available is the "Latin Lovers" five-course brunch menu, offered every Saturday and Sunday during the month of February Pricing: $39 for "Taste of Romance" dinner, $25 for "Latin Lovers" brunch ******** Where & When: Fork (306 Market St., 215-625-9425), Feb. 14 only Offerings: Valentine's Day prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairing; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: Crispy lamb confit with glazed purple carrots, roasted garlic and parsley; housemade ricotta agnolotti with shaved black truffles, sorrel and chervil in porcini mushroom broth Pricing: $70 per person, $30 for optional wine pairing ******** Where & When: London Grill (2301 Fairmount Ave., 215-978-4545), Feb. 13 only Offerings: Valentine's Day lunch buffet Menu Highlights: Omelette station, a cold buffet offering bagels and schmear, as well as a hot buffet equipped with breakfast meats and baked French toast. Pricing: $22.22 per person ******** Where & When: MidAtlantic (3711 Market St., 215-386-3711), Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 14 Offerings: A firkin of chocolate cherry porter from Stoudt's; all-night happy hour ($3 drafts/cans, $5 cocktails, $5 wines); selection of Valentine's share plates; a la carte menu also available Menu Highlights: Gravlax with beet-pickled onion; sausage brochette with housemade mustards; skate fish and chips with preserved lemon marmalade and cucumber tartar Pricing: Varying for a la carte menu ******** Where & When: Hawthorne's (738 South 11th St.), Feb. 14th Offerings: 3 course dinner menu with a 5 beer pairing Menu Highlights: Cocoa and chili rubbed hangar steak with peppermint risotto, raspberry gastrique and paired with a Porterhouse oyster stout. ******** Where & When: City Tap House (3925 Walnut St.), Feb. 11th - Feb. 14th Offerings: A whole slew of things! Each day of the weekend brings with it a new deal. Friday offers a three course menu for $35 per person with an optional $10 beer pairing sponsored by Flying Fish brewery. Saturday brings a four course menu for $55 per person, including a craft beer or wine pairing. On Sunday, the regular brunch menu will be replete with specials, and $10 gets you access to bottomless bloody Mary's and mimosas. On Valentine's day itself (Monday), diners have the option of a four course menu for $55 per person, champagne included. A la carte menu will be available all weekend. Menu Highlights: (Friday) Local beet and goat cheese terrine with blood orange supreme, toasted pistachios and pickled fennel, and roasted monkfish osso bucco with wild mushroom crespelle, crispy leek salad, and black truffle vinaigrette. (Monday) Lobster bisque with lobster croutons and sherry foam, short rib potstickers with caramelized onions, crispy pancetta, and beer and cheese fondue. Pricing: Varies from day to day - see above for a detailed breakdown. ******** Where & When: Vintage (129 S. 13th St.), Feb. 14th Offerings: 4 course tasting menu with optional wine pairings. A la carte menu also available. Menu Highlights: Beet root gnocchi with ricotta, celery root puree, and pickled baby beets, and boullabaisse with shellfish, saffron broth, and rouille. Pricing: $50 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $30 per person ******** Where & When: Oyster House (1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683), Feb. 12-14 Offerings: Four-course prix-fixe menu; a la carte menu also available Pricing: $55 per person ******** Where & When: Sampan (122 S. 13th St., 215-732-3501), Feb. 11-14 Offerings: Special chef's tasting menu; a la carte menu also available Pricing: $70 per couple ******** Where & When: Noble (2025 Sansom St.) Feb. 12th-14th Offerings: A tasting menu and a special cocktail, aptly named "Head Over Heels." A la carte menu also available. Pricing: $55 per person ******** Where & When: Zavino (112 S. 13th St.), Feb. 14th Offerings: A three course menu paired with a bottle of wine. A la carte menu also available. Menu Highlights: Heirloom tomato caprese, three varieties of pizza (margherita, diavolo, or Kennett). Pricing: $50 - meal serves two. ******** Finally: If staying in is more your speed, Miss Rachel's Pantry is offering a full three-course vegan delivery option. Menu highlights include stuffed portobello mushrooms and heart of palm "crab" cakes; take a look at the whole thing here. Best of all, you can even pay using PayPal.

Opa for V-Day :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-02-11 15:08:45

[...] stuck for Valentine’s Day plans? (How could you be, what with Adrian Pelliccia’s beast-mode dinner roundup and all?!) If you are, here’s a cool opportunity to check out a super brand-new spot â Opa [...]

Tweets that mention Meal Ticket's Valentine's Day dealage roundup :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-02 15:22:03

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Allie Harcharek, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Need V-Day plans? Check out @urdrian's insanely comprehensive Valentine's dealage roundup: http://ow.ly/3P6ED [...]

tas

Posted 2011-02-02 18:23:12

any deals for singles or wanna be twos???

Adrian Pelliccia

Posted 2011-02-04 14:51:04

I couldn't round up any dinner deals for one, but lots of bars are doing singles events. Public House (1801 Arch St., 215-587-9040) is hosting a Love Stinks singles party on Feb. 12th for those who are ready to mingle - entry's free, and they'll be offering some drink specials. There are a bunch of other similar events happening that same Thursday, but this is the only one I found that didn't have a cover charge. Hope this helped!

Adrian Pelliccia

Posted 2011-02-04 13:10:30

Indeed it does! The $50 price covers both the meal and beers.

marianne

Posted 2011-02-03 10:55:07

Does the $50 varga dinner include the paired beers?

Posted by Adrian Pelliccia @ 7:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

All is dandy at The Dandelion

POSTED: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 6:25 PM

Filed Under: Food News

Photo | Drew Lazor

Spotted a slew of fire trucks on 18th Street just north of Walnut this morning, and shortly thereafter got word that Stephen Starr's Dandelion (18th/Sansom) was the site of a fire. SRO now reports that it was nothing more than "a smoke-related issue" with the downstairs fireplace (above). They're closed for lunch right now but will reopen for dinner as usual at 5 p.m.

StoopPhilly Links | StoopPhilly

Posted 2011-02-04 07:14:26

[...] Front & Center on Boat House Row ( The Architects Newspaper) All is dandy at The Dandelion (Meal Ticket) Sneak a peek inside Opa (Meal Ticket) Versus to remain in Philadelphia (Philadelphia [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:25 PM Permalink | Post a comment

« PREVIOUS | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

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
Frozen Drinks Alert: Water ice cocktails at Noir
Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" turns Swanky Bubbles into Sheer
Afternoon Snacks: Rachael & Guy do improv, Bacon hot dogs, Seasonal cocktails both posh and... less-so
An edible guide to Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Now Serving: Jerry's Bar
Hell's Kitchen casting in Philly

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:

May
April
March

February
January