Archive: June, 2010

Rose-colored gelato at Capogiro

POSTED: Monday, June 14, 2010, 7:44 PM

Filed Under: Food News

For a limited time, Capogiro's two Center City shops are scooping a gelato made using rose petals from flowers grown at Wyck House, a historic home, gardens (and now farmers market site) in Germantown that's been standing since 1690. It's a notable batch considering these climbing plants, which are all over the Wyck estate, were first planted nearly 200 years ago, meaning they're basically as heirloom-y as an heirloom plant can get; they've also never been treated with chemicals or pesticides, making them ideal for consumption. Stephanie Reitano combined the petals with milk from grass-fed Scottish Ayreshire cows to create the "Old Rose" gelato, which she breaks down in further detail on the Capo blog:

Finally, the roses slid into the hot milk and the aroma... We all stood around the pot with these sick smiles on our faces. The smell was reminiscent of baking bread or hot rain on the sidewalk. I know, I'm weird. When I had my first bite, it was light and playful, not cloying or sticky. It tasted like what I want roses to taste like.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:44 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Foodery Cat has Facebook!

POSTED: Monday, June 14, 2010, 5:00 PM

Filed Under: Food News

[source]

Just discovered that Nabi, the super-friendly gray-and-white tomcat who holds it down at The Foodery at 10th and Pine, has his own Facebook profile. His favorite TV shows include Alf and Inspector Gadget and he counts Ferris Bueller's Day Off and the OG Austin Powers among his favorite movies. (For what it's worth, it was difficult deciding which category to use for this post. Went with "Food News," as this is undoubtedly newsworthy.)

poncho

Posted 2010-06-14 14:21:56

OMG what a cute cat pose!

Posted 2010-06-14 15:41:05

SORRY, that is not cute.... cat laying all over the counter around the food.  I'm glad they said where this store is located.  I will not be shopping there.

Dan

Posted 2010-06-14 16:33:43

What is not cute is the 27 bones I paid for a six pack, even with their 10% discount. I have found that at 12 ounces per, you can do better at many bars throughout our fair city.

Tweets that mention Foodery Cat has Facebook! :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-14 16:45:30

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by You Post, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Hey look, Nabi the Cat from @fooderybeer has Facebook! http://bit.ly/cNXWLg [...]

Phil Rizzuto

Posted 2010-06-14 21:58:01

AJ, it's not like they're rubbing the cat all over the sandwiches. The Foodery is almost entirely a beer store and takeaway market and nearly all the products are refrigerated/sealed. There is no food preparation at the counter, which you wouldn't know anyway because it sounds like you've never been there. He mostly hangs around and sleeps and once in awhile pops out and says hi to customers. I think it's pretty awesome, in this era of freakish killjoy rules and regulations, that they have a mascot like Nabi! 

Plus, if you live near Philly or at least familiar enough with it to read a Philly food blog, and you don't know where the Foodery is, it's probably better that you don't shop there anyway.

Meal Ticket’s 2010 in Pictures: June :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-12-31 16:50:30

[...] - Foodery Cat has Facebook! [14jun10] [...]

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

We Dare You: The Drinker's Taco Challenge

POSTED: Monday, June 14, 2010, 4:23 PM

Filed Under: Contests

All three Drinker's locations in Philly recently rolled out a Man vs. Food-style eating challenge that is at once chilling and intriguing. If you can eat 33 — thirty-three! — of the bar's dollar tacos in 13 minutes or less, you'll get a T-shirt, a bottle of taco sauce and a name-engraved plaque on the wall, plus the tacos for free. Oh, and the people's ovation and fame forever, of course. We hear 16 tacos is the top number so far. Has anyone taken this is challenge on, or are you considering it? If so, let us know and we'll come watch and then eat your untouched tacos when you tap out/pass out/die.

Tweets that mention We Dare You: The Drinker's Taco Challenge :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-14 11:38:06

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jim McMenamin, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: A challenge for aspiring @AdamRichman types: Can you eat 33 Drinker's tacos in 13 minutes? http://bit.ly/bVoaFY [...]

Fidel Gastro

Posted 2010-06-14 12:34:46

I'll do it. 19th and Chestnut location. Let me know if you're serious about watching and we'll set up a date.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-06-15 11:12:38

Let's do it!

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

Posted 2010-06-18 17:49:58

[...] Think you can eat 33 tacos in 13 minutes? Prove it at Drinker’s. [...]

She ate 99 tacos and the crown she won :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-08-30 12:20:18

[...] in June, we discussed the insanity that is the Drinker’s Taco Challenge (eat 33 tacos in 13 minutes or less), and expressed our general skepticism toward its beatability. [...]

Philly-based eating challenges becoming increasingly challenging, preposterous :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-15 14:43:52

[...] only Man vs. Food-style challenge floating about the 215, though. There’s the Drinker’s “33 tacos in 13 minutes” thing that we posted about in June. And then there’s the “SHAME Challenge” at the Wishing Well (Ninth and Catharine), [...]

Philly-based eating challenges becoming increasingly challenging, preposterous « The Lerman ReportÂ®

Posted 2010-07-16 13:31:20

[...] the only Man vs. Food-style challenge floating about the 215, though. There's theDrinker's â33 tacos in 13 minutesâ thing that we posted about in June. And then there's theâSHAME Challengeâ at the Wishing Well (Ninth and Catharine), which [...]

Amy D.K.

Posted 2010-07-25 15:59:48

I've seen the challenge attempted 3 times. First time - 16 tacos, second time - 17 tacos and the third time - 13 tacos (and the dude gave up with 2 minutes left.) 

I want to see a serious contender and someone get over 20.

Dave G

Posted 2010-07-28 14:44:52

I just did the Jake's challenge and I certainly could do this one.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:23 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, June 7-11

POSTED: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 12:00 AM

Filed Under: Meal Ticket | Ticket Stubs

Monday, June 7 A second Brown Betty Petite opens in the Shops at Liberty Place. Passyunk Avenue's Fond has cool plans for their backyard garden. Lots of beer appeared in Notes from the Weekend — a little potato pizza, too. Tuesday, June 8 Meritage starts its weekly vegan tasting menu. Green Line Cafe's Powelton Village location holds a grand reopening. We hate it when bars like the J&J Trestle Inn catch on fire. Wednesday, June 9 A few juicy tidbits on Barbuzzo, opening on 13th Street in July. Glenside rockabilly bar The Blue Comet reopens after two years in limbo. The very sexy Tweed opens for business, and we got all the sexy pictures. Thursday, June 10 Scott Swiderski, hanging up his chef's coat at Buddakan after 12 years, gets the exit interview treatment. Don't forget about chef Corbin Evans' New Orleans cooking class to benefit Gulf shrimpers — it's next Tuesday. Friday, June 11 The HeadHouse, location innnnn Headhouse, is now open for all y'all drinkers. Noble's gorgeous little rooftop garden is sprouting like crazy, and so are chef Brinn Sinnott's ideas for roof-to-table tastings. Max Brenner and Jim Burke team up for the ultimate cacao-based buddy action/comedy movie.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 12:00 AM Permalink | Post a comment

The end is nigh: Philly Beer Week 2010 Closing Weekend Picks

POSTED: Friday, June 11, 2010, 11:21 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Food Events | Philly Beer Week 2010

This is it, drunks. Sip smart and kick the shit out of all the non-local kegs this weekend so there's room for all our favorite Philly breweries come Monday. Friday, June 11 There's still a bit of time left to meet Rob Tod of Allagash at Tria's WashWest location (12th and Spruce). His Victor and Victoria beers, both brewed with grapes, are on tap. We'll be at the Founders beer dinner at South Philly Tap Room (15th and Mifflin) in a few minutes. Say hi if you see us! More Founders action tonight — they'll have around 10 of the Michigan brewery's high-grav potions on tap at Kraftwork Girard and Montgomery) till everything kicks. Saturday, June 12 From 5 to 7 today, it's your last chance to get your hands on the brewery-inspired happy-hour menu at Southwark. Details here. Meet and greet with the elusive, Salinger-esque Phin DeMink of Southern Tier at Varga Bar (10th and Spruce) from 8 p.m. to midnight. 12 Percent Belgian beer dinner at Hawthornes (11th and Fitzwater) tonight. Five courses, five ultra-rare imports, $65. More details here. Michael Jackson's Tutored Tastings, a PBW anchor event, is happening in three sessions today at the brand-new HeadHouse (122 Lombard St.). Sunday, June 13 The three-course, $35 beer-paired menu at Bridget Foy's (Second and South) ends today. Check out match-ups like butterscotch krimpet tiramisu (made with Dock Street's Sexual Chocolate) paired with a Yards George Washington Tavern Porter. Speaking of Dock Street — they're hosting a big-ass music festival to close out Beer Week. It starts at 2 p.m.; there are five bands slated to perform, and they'll be grilling and pouring rare beers, like the tweaked-out Pimp My Rye and a brandy barrel-aged Bubbly Wit. Ruthless dark beer specialists Duck Rabbit will toast to the conclusion of PBW at Devil's Den (11th and Ellsworth) from 6 to 9 p.m. Out at Nectar in Berwyn (1091 Lancaster Ave.), Feury brothers Patrick and Terence will celebrate the release of Fists of Feury, a specialty brew they created with Victory. 5 to 8 p.m. The following bars are hosting "dear God help us get rid of all this extra beer" events: Rembrandt's, Sidecar, London Grill, Kite and Key, Eulogy, City Tap House, Bridgid's, Druid's Keep, Doc Watson's, Good Dog, Lucky 7 Tavern and probably every other bar in town. DO YOUR PART.

Andy

Posted 2010-06-11 19:15:10

On Sunday for our Clean the Lines Day, we're going to be donating a portion of the profits from beers sold to the Sabina Rose O'Donnell Fund- to help out our friends at PYT. 

We're also kicking off on growlers.  

And we'll be tapping some of the final kegs of Deschutes in PA

Tweets that mention The end is nigh: Philly Beer Week 2010 Closing Weekend Picks :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-11 19:48:39

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by GreatBeerSite-Bryan, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: This is it — @phillybeerweek is starting to draw to a close. Here are our final picks. Drink smart, drink often! http://bit.ly/8Yjmie [...]

Marie DiFeliciantonio

Posted 2010-06-12 19:39:52

if this were Facebook, i would like this.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:21 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Trolley Car Cafe makes its debut

POSTED: Friday, June 11, 2010, 10:32 PM

Filed Under: Openings

Trolley Car CafÃ©, the Kelly Drive offshoot of Mt. Airy's Trolley Car Diner, has opened for business, only slightly missing the spring opening that owner Ken Weinstein targeted back in November. Located in East Falls in the historic Bathey House at 3269 South Ferry Road (intersection of Ferry and Kelly), the CafÃ© serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week; hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Green features of the cafÃ© include passive solar lighting and a solar-powered water-heating system that handles 70 percent of the restaurant's hot-water needs; they've also got a "kitchen garden" growing vegetables and herbs used in food prep. UPDATE [14jun10]: Added the CafÃ©'s menu after the jump.

Click to enlarge

miss rachel

Posted 2010-06-13 18:31:55

how adorable!!

Tweets that mention Trolley Car Cafe makes its debut :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-14 12:43:05

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Meal Ticket, You Post. You Post said: Trolley Car Cafe makes its debut http://ow.ly/17HGAI [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 10:32 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Max Brenner and Jim Burke talk chocolate, collaboration

POSTED: Friday, June 11, 2010, 9:20 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Food News

Photo | Christopher Gabello

This coming Monday, Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man will launch a menu of four dishes created exclusively for the 15th-and-Walnut shop by chef Jim Burke of Philadelphia's award-winning James (824 S. Eighth St.). I sat down with Burke and Brenner (real name Oded, but he goes by "Max" — yes, he's actually bald) earlier this week to chat about the collaboration and sample the dishes. "I've wanted for a long time to bring other chefs [to my shops] to create their own take on chocolate," Brenner told me over Burke's (oddly chocolate-less) rendition of an affogato. The Israeli chocolatier came to Philly looking for "interesting people," and "fell in love" with James during his first visit to the restaurant. Teaming up appealed to Burke, too, and after discussing the idea with his wife/co-owner Kristina, he decided to go for it.

Photo | Christopher Gabello

Both Brenner and Burke describe their partnership as "natural," though what attracted each of them to the collaboration was, interestingly, a fundamental difference in their approaches to food. Brenner's brand, he explained with a laugh, is a "Broadway show," while Burke's cooking is more of an âoff-Broadwayâ production. To demonstrate the point, Brenner had a couple specialties sent over to our table. He was right — his flamboyant waffles with bananas and chocolate couldn't have been more different from the subtly flavored chocolate/bacon budino and smoked paprika ice cream (above) that Burke had just served.

Photo | Christopher Gabello

Still, as Burke pointed out, there are "common themes" — he and Brenner share, in particular, an affinity for twists on classic recipes. Burke's chocolate terrine (Brenner's favorite of the four dishes, each priced at $10.95) is a clever riff on a traditional country pÃ¢tÃ© (top), with pralined hazelnuts standing in for pistachios and a coffee-flavored gelÃ©e playing the role of aspic. At present, both men agree that collaboration among members of the city's culinary community is rare — everyone's busy doing his or her own thing, it seems, and joint projects aren't common. "I hope that this sparks something," remarked Burke. Sounds good to me. Burke's menu items will be available at Max Brenner starting June 14 and will run for approximately two months.

Tweets that mention Max Brenner and Jim Burke talk chocolate, collaboration :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-11 16:54:50

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Max Brenner, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Collaboration and chocolate, according to @MaxBrennerUSA and Jim Burke of @jamesphilly: http://bit.ly/br0TeG [...]

Posted by Hadley Assail @ 9:20 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Noble's rooftop garden is in bloom — time for dinner!

POSTED: Friday, June 11, 2010, 6:19 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Food Events | Food News

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

Here's a look at the rooftop garden at Noble (2025 Sansom St.), which we first talked about in April — up here they're growing edible flowers, heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and close to a dozen different herb varieties, all of which chef Brinn Sinnott works onto his summer menu. Now they're taking it a step further: The green oasis, which the Noble team implemented with the help of Grace Wicks of Graceful Gardens, will serve as a launching pad for a series of "roof-to-table" dinners. The first installment, scheduled for Thursday, June 24 and open to just 10 diners at $55 a head, will feature dishes that incorporate produce and herbs grown right above the dining room. For the inaguural dinner, Sinnott will cook up eats like a cherry tomato cocktail with various basil and mint varieties and Barnegat Light sea scallops served with a nasturtium pesto. The plan is to hold roof-to-table dinners on the last Thursday of the month in July and August.

poncho

Posted 2010-06-11 17:12:00

I have been looking forward to trying Noble since the chef change and this seems like the perfect time to do so!  Can't wait to eat that little tomato!

Tweets that mention Noble's rooftop garden is in bloom Ã¢Ââ time for dinner! :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-11 20:23:38

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mike Long, Margie. Margie said: â¢ Noble's rooftop garden is in bloom — time for dinner! http://tinyurl.com/3654nde [...]

Tweets that mention Noble's rooftop garden is in bloom Ã¢Ââ time for dinner! :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-11 21:22:52

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by You Post, FEASTIVAL. FEASTIVAL said: FEASTIVAL participant Noble's rooftop garden is in bloom — time for dinner! http://bit.ly/bfKzgW [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:19 PM Permalink | Post a comment

The HeadHouse in pictures

POSTED: Friday, June 11, 2010, 4:49 PM

Filed Under: Menu Time | Openings | Photos

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

Philly Beer Week forefather Bruce Nichols, who's run Museum Catering for the past 20 years, officially opened The HeadHouse (122 Lombard St.) yesterday evening. Nichols has been out of the bar/restaurant game for awhile, but this is far from his first venture — he and wife Beatrice ran ECCO in the '80s and early '90s. He decided to jump back into the fray after Madame Saito, who owns the adjacent Le Champignon de Tokio in addition to the HeadHouse's bricks, informed him that the space would be available; he loves the Society Hill area and felt "that there was room for this kind of bar" in the neighborhood. Aesthetically, Nichols has lightened up the front room a bit with wood-paneled walls, framed photos of 18th- and 19th-century British ale glasses. The back room has been kept largely the same as Zot's — the main bar's back here, and there are high-tops tricked out with neat metal pint caddies for added oh-shit-I'm-drunk beer stability. The HeadHouse is primarily a showcase for Nichols' craft beer passion — he's doing 20 beers on tap on the ground floor, and there's an entirely separate system on the second level, which Nichols looks forward to using for private events, through his catering company and otherwise. (Here's an unorthodox feature — four of those 20 taps feature are designated for beer cocktails. Right now the HeadHouse has ginger beer and a Dark 'n' Stormy concoction on draft.) Chef Jimmy Chiu, who's worked for Museum Catering for 12 years, has designed an affordable, globally influenced menu that's got everything from carnitas and takoyaki to mussels and falafel (check it out in full below). The HeadHouse's food and bev director is Tom Pittakas, formerly of Alison Two in Fort Washington. Nichols was instrumental in founding Beer Week, so it's only right that the HeadHouse hosts some events. Tonight starting at 9 p.m., they're hosting a "Pime My Rye, Pimp Yourself" party with Dock Street — the West Philly brewery's "pimped out" a batch of their tasty rye IPA with various spices, and they encourage people to pimp out their attire accordingly. ("There might will even be some hos," Nichols postulates.) And tomorrow, June 12, the bar will host the 20th annual Michael Jackson Tutored Tastings, the event that basically started this whole Beer Week thing in the first place.


Click to enlarge

danya

Posted 2010-06-11 12:31:24

Is Bruce Nichols related to Rick Nichols?

T-Mac

Posted 2010-06-11 12:59:26

They gotta reel that chef back in! This menu is all over the place.

daytime drinker

Posted 2010-06-11 16:54:24

Designed by Pottery Barn?
decor looks suburbia boring
muted washed out colors

Greg

Posted 2010-06-15 09:27:28

This looks awesome; I see it as a variety of food to match a variety of beer.  NomNom + GlugGlug = YUMYUM!!!

CE Phood

Posted 2010-06-17 23:47:03

I hate to say it but the menu looks like a doozy...unfocused and hit-or-miss. Spanish mussels were my Waterloo. Check out my review here: http://cephood.blogspot.com/2010/06/headhouse-pub-opening-review.html

RIP Bruce Nichols, Philly Beer Week founder :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-11-30 17:47:47

[...] of the founders of Philly Beer Week. Nichols, who when we last spoke was involved in the opening of The HeadHouse, has succumbed to a battle with leukemia. He is remembered very beautifully in this writeup by Tom [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:49 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Tuesday: NOLA cooking class to support Gulf Coast shrimpers

POSTED: Thursday, June 10, 2010, 9:48 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Food Events | We're Here to Help

Photo | Michael M. Koehler

Next Tuesday, June 15, chef Corbin Evans is teaching an intimate NOLA-style cooking class at Philly Kitchen Share (1514 South St., 267-808-0729) to benefit Southern Louisiana shrimpers affected by the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Evans, who in the pre-Katrina days owned two restaurants in New Orleans, will teach students the finer points of timeless regional dishes like gumbo, jambalaya and bananas foster; he also teases "a few surprises." The class starts at 6:30 p.m., costs $40 and it's open to 10 to 12 students. This isn't the first time Evans has cooked to benefit his boys in the Gulf; last summer, he organized a hell of a charity shrimp boil at Greensgrow Farms. That tremendous image of Louisiana shrimper Daron Wilson comes from photographer Michael M. Koehler's June 3 photo essay on the BP spill, which you can check out online here.

Tweets that mention Tuesday: NOLA cooking class to support Gulf Coast shrimpers :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-10 17:20:20

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by corbin evans, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Tuesday: @corboy11 teaches NOLA cooking class at @kitchenshare to benefit Louisiana shrimpers http://bit.ly/anu16p [...]

Janet McGlynn

Posted 2010-06-10 21:48:03

What time is the class?

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-06-11 02:34:32

Sorry I didn't initially note that. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Edited to include.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 9:48 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
The Lite Choice Opens Flagship Store on 16th Street between Walnut & Locust
Afternoon Snacks: Party Pizza, Empellon joins tumblr, Giant bibimbap (!), Snickerdoodle cobbler
Vetri opening in the Navy Yard, plus a nod to Le Bec
Gone Fishin'
Free stuff for Father's Day
Happy National Beef Jerky 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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