Archive: February, 2011

Menu for Monday's Royal Sushi & Izakaya pop-up at Khyber Pass Pub

POSTED: Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:39 PM

Filed Under: Food Events | Menu Time

Courtesy of Khyber Pass Pub

Last week (and in the latest What's Cooking!) we told you about the Royal Sushi & Izakaya "pop-up" restaurant scheduled for Monday, Feb. 21 at Khyber Pass Pub (56 S. Second St.). Now we've got a look at the full-on meun for the evening, which goes well beyond the requisite hakata ramen. Check out what chef Todd Dae Kulper has in store after the jump. We want grilled trigger fish jerky!

hakata-fu tonkotsu ramen: hakata-style pork broth noodle soup

kinoko no otsuimono: mushroom clear soup (vegan)

kawahagi: grilled trigger fish jerky

mentaiko meshi: spicy cod roe with rice

bok choy no agemono: crispy bok choy (vegetarian)

jaga-imo furai: french fries with wasabi kewpie mayo (vegetarian)

gyoza: pork dumplings

tori no kara-age: fried chicken

nasu miso sando: grilled eggplant buns (vegetarian)

buta kakuni sando: pork belly buns

Tweets that mention Menu for Mondays Royal Sushi & Izakaya pop-up at Khyber Pass Pub :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-18 15:21:17

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by E.F., Gumppette and mellodybrewing, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Full menu for Mondays Royal Sushi & Izakaya pop-up at @khyberpasspub: http://ow.ly/3Zglz [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:39 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Congo Bars and more from Nicks Vegan Café

POSTED: Friday, February 18, 2011, 5:58 PM

Filed Under: Vegan | Vegetarian

Photo | Rich Farnkopf

Grindcore House. Pumpkin. Rocket Cat Café. Soy Café. The Bottle Shop. Café Mocha. And me. What do we know that you dont yet? That Nicholas Sanfratello, the guy who put the name World Café on the vegan-menu map (at Fourth and South) before entering the bar/after-hours scene of the '90s (Café Limbo, Bongo Room) is back in action. After retiring for a few years, he created Nicks Vegan Café, a commercial kitchen across from Fairmount Park where he makes and sells vegan baked goods for both wholesale and retail in addition to savory items for eat-in or takeout. A lifelong vegetarian (at least since 1973) and one-time musician (his band Red Weather was the first act ever to play the original Dobbs), Sanfratello had never attempted anything of this magnitude the preparation of vegan foods in such a ample space. "North 33rd Street is as big as Broad," he says. "I have a loft on top of the Café and have an unobstructed view of the city skyscape from my back deck. It makes me feel like I am living in the country, while being 6 minutes from Center City." At his location, he has "veganized" traditional comfort foods seitan cacciatore and cheesesteaks, veggie meatballs and meatloaf, with more mock-meat items to come. "I felt as if I had unfinished business in that field after closing the original World Café," says Sanfratello. "I believe in nutrition as a solution to most physical and mental disease. I also see the traditional restaurant business as a little too decadent in a time when the world is collapsing." Sanfratello sees food as function, but doesnt believe vegan have to be boring. Most particularly flavorful and great for those who cant get to his locale are his baked goods, muffins and Congo Bars (pictured). They're made with hemp (no THC), a highly nutritional detoxifying agent. My fave happens to be the Mango Goji Berry Congo Bar. Visit any of the aforementioned stores or go to nicksvegan.com to check out his wares.

Tweets that mention Congo Bars and more from Nicks Vegan Café :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-18 20:32:46

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vegan Cooking, Vegan News. Vegan News said: Congo Bars and more from Nickâs Vegan CafÃ© :: Meal Ticket ... http://bit.ly/gchuGx [...]

Posted by A.D. Amorosi @ 5:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Red Mango debuts in South Jersey

POSTED: Friday, February 18, 2011, 4:50 PM

Filed Under: Openings

If you asked around circa 2004, you could have bucked ultra-modern frozen yogurt shops as another West Coast-y trend — but, like fruit smoothies before it (can we get a Jamba Juice up in here?), this tangy trend is here to stay. Froyo shops have swirled their way into the Philly region with Center City's Yogorino, Tutti Frutti, Sweet Ending and now, across the bridge, Red Mango. The South Korean rival of Left Coast sensation Pinkberry, Red Mango has set up shop in the Cherry Hill Mall (2000 Rt. 38). The frozen yogurt kiosk (the first of its kind in the region) will be dispensing gluten-free, kosher, probiotic yogurt with your choice of fresh fruit and "fun and crunchy" toppings, in addition to smoothies, parfaits and other health-conscious treats. For more information, check out redmangousa.com or pop over to the Macy's wing of Cherry Hill and check 'em out.

Jim thompson

Posted 2011-02-18 14:02:58

You don't need a Jamba Juice, you need a great smoothie from Tropical Smoothie! Getting closer- already 3 in PA !

Tweets that mention Red Mango debuts in South Jersey :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-18 12:39:23

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by KaysNaturals, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Red Mango froyo opens in South Jerz: http://ow.ly/3Z7HZ [...]

Dave Roazord

Posted 2011-02-19 09:57:23

Ya  I agree  those Tropical Smoothies are the best tasting smoothies I have tried...much better than Smoothie King or jamba.....I like the Blimey Limey the best! I went to the one near Lancaster ! Good eats too!

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Feb. 14-18 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-02-21 10:54:46

[...]  [...]

Posted by Erin Finnerty @ 4:50 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Brauhaus Schmitz goes modern with "New German Cooking"

POSTED: Friday, February 18, 2011, 4:03 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Food News

Courtesy of Brauhaus Schmitz

"German food is more than schnitzels, sausages, and sauerkraut." So says Jeremy Nolen, whos been serving scads of all three at Teutonic taproom Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.) since it opened in 2009. "In Germany now, you would find a lot lighter cooking and definitely modern techniques," he adds. Thursdays through Sundays, Nolan explores this contemporary side of the countrys cuisine with a separate specials menu of "New German Cooking" featuring apps and mains priced $10 to $18. "We're taking traditional German and more northern European traditional ingredients" Nolen's sous chef, Henrick Ringborn, is Swedish "and creating new dishes with them," says the chef. "We use a lot of seasonal ingredients and produce that would be used in German kitchens, like salsify, fresh horseradish, dill, ramps, wild mushrooms, spruce oil, turnips, kale, malt, pumpkin seed oil and more." Spruce oil? Nolen deploys the forest-scented ointment to grilled yellow-foot mushrooms paired with cold-smoked venison carpaccio. (Didnt we just read about cold-smoking somewhere?) Other specials the chef has run include braised lamb belly with rye späetzle, black poplar mushrooms and romanesco; sweetbread schnitzel with amaranth, fennel and apple salad; and porcini maultaschen, a type of German ravioli, glossed with pumpernickel butter. Because Brauhaus' pretzels and masterfully spiced brats are damn near impossible to resist, the standard menu is still available on New German nights. But well gladly make room at the table for Nolans new cottage industry. The approach is kind of thrilling when you think about it: Classic German is rare enough here (ironic considering the land bred some of PAs earliest settlers), let alone modern. No one else is doing it and thats not a statement to make easily in this town. And it's only going to get better. This spring, Nolan is heading to Germany to stage with a few restaurants and breweries, Aecht Schlenkerla among them. "Last year we did a collaborative dinner with Schlenkerla, where the chef and brewer came here and we had a five-course tasting with their beer," says Nolen. "The chef, Wolfgang, and I emailed each other back and forth to collaborate on a menu and then the day of he came and cooked with us all day. I've been emailing him, so I should be going there to do something similar." Godspeed.

Tweets that mention Brauhaus Schmitz goes modern with New German Cooking :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-18 15:02:54

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Simply Trini Cooking, jenny hensel and Lexy Smiley, Ashley Hen. Ashley Hen said: Brauhaus Schmitz goes modern with New German Cooking http://bit.ly/f9ou2G [...]

alex

Posted 2011-02-18 12:47:52

Do they use salt in modern German cooking, because from what i can tell they don't use it traditionally. ZING!

Tweets that mention Brauhaus Schmitz goes modern with New German Cooking :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-18 12:34:30

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bobbie Hayes and Enrica Wacho, Jeremy Nolen. Jeremy Nolen said: Check the post on our specials! RT @mealticket: Chef Jeremy Nolen (@BrauhausChef) goes modern at @BrauhausSchmitz: http://ow.ly/3Z4Ut [...]

Posted by Adam Erace @ 4:03 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Guapos Tacos preps a spring return

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 11:33 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | On Wheels

Photo | Michael Persico

Meal Ticket first told you about Jose Garces' Guapos Tacos truck in May 2010, and we snuck a peek at the 45K-count bottlecap-laden, tortilla-slingin' ride back in September at Amis Industry Night. Now that the weather's juuuuustttt starting to break a little, Garces (right) and restaurant designer Jun Aizaki (left) have announced their intention to roll Guapos back out in Philly. The truck will serve primarily at private events (call 215-625-2920 to book), but there's also plans to have it shoot around the city a bit. Hit up the jump for a partial preview of the grub Guapos Tacos will dish out (prices will range from $3 to $7).

Guacamole
Tamales
Mission-style Veggie Quesadilla
Adobo Chicken: white onion, radish, cilantro, cotija and lime
Carnitas: smoky black beans, pineapple-habanero salsa
Mahi-Mahi: pickled red cabbage
Desayuno: scrambled eggs, chorizo, poblano rajas and salsa Mexicana
Duck Barbacoa: radish kimchi, togarashi aioli

Tweets that mention Guapos Tacos preps a spring return :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-18 01:43:46

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jon Hughes, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: On Wheels: @chefjosegarces' @guapostacos truck preps a spring return to Philly http://ow.ly/3YDNu [...]

poncho

Posted 2011-02-18 14:01:33

Don't care

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:33 PM Permalink | Post a comment

WEEKLY CANDY: Every Burger/Weird Japanese Chocolate Tree Stump Jawns

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 11:05 PM

Filed Under: Weekly Candy

Photo | Erin Finnerty

Once a week, Team Meal Ticket shares its latest sugar-laden fixations. Do not tell 0ur dentist. IN QUESTION: We're heading back to Japan this week with a box of Every Burger. I'm also including a tree-stump shaped candy (right) in this week's column because they taste exactly the same, and that taste is delicious. Each little Every Burger strives for visual authenticity, down to the faux sesame seeds on the crumbly cookie buns. The patty is soft chocolate accompanied by an unidentifiable beige cream. Nothing world-rocking, but pretty tasty, texturally pleasing, with a somewhat hazelnut-y aftertaste. WHERE TO BUY: I copped these at Spring Garden Market (400 Spring Garden St.). Spotted a few items over: Meiji Chocorooms in their authentic Japanese box! HOW MANY DO WE TYPICALLY EAT IN ONE SITTING: Each box contains two sleeves of burgers or stumps. One sleeve is just right. FINER POINTS: The gleeful pipe-smoking, deforestation-loving mascot on the tree stump candy looks awesome, but unlike any lumberjack I've ever seen. Can anyone out there translate the print on the box for me? The distributor's Nutrition Facts label says "Choco Cookie" but I feel like these should have a better name than that.

Erin

Posted 2011-02-18 14:10:21

Thanks Michelle! Just don't tell my dentist. No, for real.

Michelle

Posted 2011-02-18 14:03:56

Erin, you do such a great job with Weekly Candy!

Tweets that mention WEEKLY CANDY: Every Burger/Weird Japanese Chocolate Tree Stump Jawns :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-17 22:37:36

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ranae smithen, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Double-dip WEEKLY CANDY from @erinfinnerty this week! Every Burger, and unnamed tree stump candy (anyone have more info?) http://ow.ly/3YD5r [...]

WEEKLY CANDY: AirHeads XTREMES Rainbow Berry Belts :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-02-27 23:51:53

[...] included these bad boys in their bulk-bin form. Following up on last week’s Finer Points: I’m still looking for a tree stump box translator! Inquire within.   WEEKLY CANDY: AirHeads XTREMES Rainbow Berry [...]

Posted by Erin Finnerty @ 11:05 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Victory Brewing Co.'s b-day at Kraftwork tonight

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:14 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Food Events

Click to enlarge

Downingtown's Victory Brewing Co. celebrates 15 years in existence this evening at Fishtown's Kraftwork (541 E. Girard Ave.). They've got all sorts of Victory goodies on tap (check the current rundown on PhillyTapFinder.com), including some rarities and new stuff ( V-12, a Belgian-style ale; Mad Kings Weisse; Pursuit; Smokin' Oats). The evening, presided over by Victory brewmaster Bill Covaleski, will also serve as the unofficial launch party of the brewery's Headwaters Pale Ale, a new flagship. We're also hearing talk of thematically shaped cake ...

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 9:14 PM Permalink | Post a comment

TONIGHT: Swiss Craft Beer Event at Fork & Barrel

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:18 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Food Events

This evening, Fork & Barrel (4213 Ridge Ave.) will host Jerome Rebetez of small-batch brewery Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes for an evening of dropping some serious Swiss craft beer knowledge, pouring from two firkins and at least two kegs of difficult-to-attain Swiss brews such as La Douze and Abbey de St. Bon Chien Grand Cru Vin Jaune. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event will allow you to pay as you go, so you are not bound to a sit-down dinner, though F&B has prepared a very special menu to pair suggestively with Rebetez's bottle-conditioned artisan beers. Options include oysters with green curry salad, black pepper pound cake with vanilla tea ganache and pink pepper brittle, or black cod with fresh tarragon and preserved lemons and shallots. The tasting will go on till midnight, but beer geeks should definitely arrive early to sample all of the goods.

Tweets that mention TONIGHT: Swiss Craft Beer Event at Fork & Barrel :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-17 15:22:08

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper, The Beer Sommelier, Beer is King, allbeernews, D Zuknick and others. D Zuknick said: TONIGHT: Swiss Craft Beer Event at Fork & Barrel: will host Jerome Rebetez of small-batch brewery Brasserie Des ... http://bit.ly/eNjWQh [...]

Posted by Laurel Rose Purdy @ 7:18 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Han Dynasty to fire up March's Amis Industry Night

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 6:16 PM

Filed Under: Food Events

Photo | Neal Santos

As we understand it, Han Chiang of Han Dynasty (108 Chestnut St.) was originally supposed to helm February's Industry Night at Amis (412 S. 13th St.), but that slot ended up going to Georges Perrier and Le Bec-Fin (hey, if you're gonna get bumped by somebody!). No matter, though, as Chiang tells us he will be in the house for March's edition of the free-food restaurant worker drink-and-kibitzfest, set for the evening of Monday, March 7. Chiang will serve his spicy cold cucumbers in chili oil, dan dan noodles, tea-smoked duck (it can be found under the "Special-ish" section of his menu) and a pork blood/pork intestine stew that we're particularly excited to try. The outspoken maestro of Sichuan spice is quite a good get for Marc Vetri, Brad Spence and the rest of the Amis crew, as drink sales will surely be through the roof in a crowdwide attempt to quell the burnination. See y'all there.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:16 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Philly representatives in the 2011 James Beard Foundation Awards

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 5:37 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Contests | Food News

Philadelphia is quickly becoming a nationwide destination for excellence when it comes to dining. While you, dear in-the-know Meal Ticket reader, already knew all about that, this morning, The James Beard Foundation dropped the science on the rest of the food world. The annual list of semifinalists for the JBF Restaurant and Chef Awards was posted earlier today, and the 215's presence on the list is palpable.

13th Street darling Barbuzzo snagged a well-earned spot on the "Best New Restaurant" list (while pastry chef Erin Stafford is listed for "Outstanding Pastry Chef"), accompanied by fellow 13th Streeter, Marc Vetri's Amis. Vetri and fellow all-star Jose Garces are both up for "Outstanding Chef" noms, and Vetri's namesake flagship up for "Outstanding Restaurant" and "Outstanding Service." Garces' recent Iron Chef challenger, Zahav's Michael Solomonov, also received a nod for "Best Chef Mid-Atlantic."

Peep the complete list of locals who made the pre-cut cut after the jump!

BEST NEW RESTAURANT Amis (412 S. 13th St.) Barbuzzo (110 S. 13th St.) OUTSTANDING CHEF Jose Garces (Amada, 217 Chestnut St.) Marc Vetri (Vetri, 1312 Spruce St.) OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF Carla Gonçalves (Koo Zee Doo, 614 N. Second St.) Erin Stafford (Barbuzzo, 110 S. 13th St.) OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT Vetri (1312 Spruce St.) OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants (Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Buddakan, Butcher & Singer, The Continental, The Continental Mid-town, The Dandelion, El Rey, El Vez, Granite Hill at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Jones, Makota, Morimoto, Parc, Pizzeria Stella, Pod and Steak 954) OUTSTANDING SERVICE Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel (210 W. Rittenhouse Square) Vetri (1312 Spruce St.) OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE Tria (123 S. 18th St.; 1137 Spruce St.) RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR Lee Styer, Fond (1617 E. Passyunk Ave.) BEST CHEF: MID-ATLANTIC Pierre Calmels (Bibou, 1009 S. Eighth St.) David Gilberg (Koo Zee Doo, 614 N. Second St.) Adán Saavedra (Paloma, 763 S. Eighth St.) Michael Solomonov (Zahav, 237 St. James Place) For a complete list of nation-wide semifinalists, head over to jamesbeard.org. A panel of judges will be narrowing this list down to the best of the best over the next month, and on March 21, the JBF will be live-tweeting the nominees leading up to the main event in May. Stay tuned! Is there anyone else whose name you would have liked to see on this list? Who do you think will make it to the next round? We want to hear your thoughts share them in the comments!

Emily

Posted 2011-02-17 16:15:13

I would have liked to see Kanella and Konstantinos Pitsillides getting some mentions!

Tweets that mention Philly representatives in the 2011 James Beard Foundation Awards :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2011-02-17 13:29:06

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by E.F. and Allison Wolf, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Philly is all over the 2011 @beardfoundation Restaurant/Chef awards semifinalist list! http://ow.ly/3YprQ [...]

Posted 2011-02-25 12:33:59

I am pretty sure Erin Stafford was never the pastry chef @ Barbuzzo.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2011-02-17 18:06:40

Couldn't agree more Emily.

konstantinos pitsillides

Posted 2011-02-19 13:18:48

I  am not dissapointed if ,I never been nominated.

The only thing I know is that Iam an active chef who loves to cook for my beloved customers.



That gives me a great satisfaction,...a lot more than a nomination.



Kanella has no PR machine to play with.

All our energies and budget goes towards good food and good service



I am happy that Pierre(Bibou)been nominated,and Steven Starr.



I need to go now.I need to cook



Konstantinos

Ali

Posted 2011-02-20 08:26:10

I am SO happy to see that Erin Stafford was recognized!

Posted by Erin Finnerty @ 5:37 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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Now Serving: Lil' Pop Shop
Notes from the Weekend: June 17
Rock Star cheese dinner at Di Bruno's
Happy National Martini Day!
Afternoon Snacks: Party Pizza, Empellon joins tumblr, Giant bibimbap (!), Snickerdoodle cobbler
Vetri opening in the Navy Yard, plus a nod to Le Bec
Dolcissimo! Pastry classes with Le Virtu's Angela Ranalli
The Lite Choice Opens Flagship Store on 16th Street between Walnut & Locust
Free stuff for Father's Day
Night Market hitting West Oak Lane this Thursday

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.

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