Archive: July, 2010

Recapping: Aimee Olexy's Talula's Table Pop-Up at Washington Square

POSTED: Friday, July 2, 2010, 10:53 PM

Filed Under: Food Events

If you were the person who called Talulas Table at 7 a.m. on July 1, 2009, and scored a year-in-advance reservation, congratulations. Unfortunately for that person but fortunate for the rest of us that exclusive 12-seat table expanded to accommodate closer to 150 thanks to the first installment of Stephen Starr's pop-up series at Washington Square, featuring a three-nights-only concept curated by the Kennett Square restaurant's Aimee Olexy. The dormant space was transformed to resemble a farmhouse from the faraway land of Chester Country Tuesday through Thursday of this week, with strawberry plant centerpieces, rustic wood accents and artwork selected by Eileen Tognini. Brian Freedman put together a beverage program, Talula's chef Matthew Moon handled the menu and Olexy herself wore the cool title of Maítre Fromager. The staff, culled from all across the Starrosphere, was well-versed in the hyper-seasonal, greatest-hits rendition of Talulas menu.

Menu highlights included the Kennett mushroom soup with a ridiculous bone marrow fritter that was simultaneously liquidus and crispy; Magret duck breast with bing cherry salad and a duck confit tater tot; and Parmesan risotto with juicy beef cheeks and caponata.

There were several options for the cheese course, including a spread of American blues; we opted for the "Cheese 301 (with a test)," a selection of seven cheeses ranging from hard to soft and mild to stinky. Olexy personally brought out the selection, which was accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek exam featuring questions like "if you were stuck on a desert island, which cheese would you bring?" Desserts were refined, homey renditions of classics Scottish salted caramel shortbread bars, Böterkoek with stone fruit and ice cream, and Talulas "teeny" cupcakes. The food was fantastic, but it should also be noted that the people involved in the event made it special. Olexy can really work a room and Freedman's so enthusiastic that he could get you excited about drinking A-Treat Big Blue Soda. Transferring the exclusivity and intimacy and feel of Talula's sought-after 12-seat table into a larger setting sounded like a near-impossible task, but this group pulled it off. That we made our reservations just two weeks back, as opposed to 52, made it that much sweeter.

Tweets that mention Recapping: Aimee Olexys Talulas Table Pop-Up at Washington Square :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-02 18:47:10

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dana Mania!. Dana Mania! said: RT @mealticket: Recap of Aimee Olexy's @StarrRestaurant Talula's Table pop-up at Washington Square: http://bit.ly/9Il96s [...]

Foobooz » More on the Talulas Pop-Up

Posted 2010-07-06 14:27:19

[...] Photo by Anthony Sica | Meal Ticket [...]

Emily

Posted 2010-07-07 15:39:19

How do you make a reservation for future pop-up events?

Anthony Sica

Posted 2010-07-07 22:49:22

Sign Up for the Starr Restaurant newsletter and they will let you know when the future Pop Ups will be.  Then, call as fast as possible.

http://www.starr-restaurant.com/

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-07-08 00:17:41

Emily, I'm hearing July 14 for when they'll begin taking reservations for the next pop-up dinners, but not confirmed yet. I'll do a post when it is solid.

Levantine cuisine from Konstantinos Pitsillides at next Starr pop-up :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-14 11:45:23

[...] at Washington Square, the first installment of which featured Aimee Olexy of Talula’s Table (check out Anthony Sica’s recap). Pitsillides says he plans on cooking a Levantine-influenced menu for the three-day event, [...]

anne

Posted 2010-07-19 09:56:16

Was it BYOB or did they have a bar service?

Anthony Sica

Posted 2010-07-19 09:59:41

There was a wine list, four cocktails, and three bottled beers available.

Menu for Scott Schroeder’s Starr pop-up :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-09-17 11:41:08

[...] Twitter, is the third and final* chef to sign on for Stephen Starr-organized pop-up dinner, joining Aimee Olexy and Konstantinos Pitsillides. Scheduled for Tue., Sept. 28 and Wed., Sept. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m., the [...]

Recapping: Konstantinos Pitsillides’ Kanella pop-up at Washington Square :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-29 16:46:34

[...] Unlike the recent Talula’s Table pop-up, which saw duchesse de fromage Aimee Olexy floating about the restaurant hob-nobbing with diners, Pitsillides stayed in the kitchen to oversee his team of SRO chefs, who cranked out plates at a quick pace for the no-frills, when-it-comes-it-comes dinner service. That really worked with this style of food, which was so hearty and shareable that it didn’t really matter that entrées came before or after or during apps. What we had, in order (here’s the full menu): [...]

Foobooz » Aimee Olexy Coming Back to City

Posted 2010-11-15 09:01:52

[...] Photo by Anthony Sica | City Paper [...]

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 10:53 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Festive hours this weekend for Frog Burger

POSTED: Friday, July 2, 2010, 7:20 PM

Filed Under: Food and Movies

Frog Burger, chef Steve Poses' seasonal burger stand on the front lawn of the Franklin Institute (222 N. 20th St.), taking full advantage of its primo Parkway location, will rock out super-extended hours for revelers on Sunday, July 4. The operation usually shuts down at dusk, but on the Fourth they'll serve their complete menu, including booze, until 11 p.m., meaning you can Love Burger it up while taking in the fireworks show and/or booing Johnny Rzeznik. In addition to this they'll have several satellite operations around the Franklin selling water, lemonade and iced tea.

Tweets that mention Festive hours this weekend for Frog Burger :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-02 14:46:48

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Hugh E Dillon. Hugh E Dillon said: RT @mealticket: Chef @sposes' @frogburger will stay open late July 4. You can eat and boo the Goo Goo Dolls simultaneously! http://bit.ly/9gh1s4 [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:20 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Recapping: Wawa Hoagie Day

POSTED: Friday, July 2, 2010, 6:33 PM

Filed Under: Food and Holidays | Food Events | Weird Regional Foods

Photos | Rachel Burgos

On Wednesday night, Wawa Hoagie Day took over the Art Museum area. Part of the Wawa-sponsored Welcome America celebration, which comes to a head this weekend, features of the evening included a mile-long hoagie, a police vs. firefighters charity hoagie-building contest (the cops won), a Rocky Balboa lookalike contest and a screening of the original Rocky. (Mayor Michael Nutter, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey were on the scene to present charity checks to PPD and PFD survivors' funds.) The smell of hoagie made its presence known the moment I stepped onto the Parkway, where I arrived to an intimidatingly long line. Tensions were high, and I even got accused of line cutting when I walked up to scope things out. To be honest, I was a bit flummoxed at what I found. In the weeks leading up to this event, I looked forward to what I imagined would be a glorious, 5,280-foot hoagie the stuff that meat-laden dreams are made of. Imagine my severe confusion when I entered the roped-off hoagie area and discovered that the epic gimmick was, in actuality, just 13,510 Shortis put together. I should have known. I should have guessed that such an enormous, edible monstrosity could not feasibly be built in one piece. But in my defense, that's how they promoted it.

All mile-long disappointments aside, the event was really well-organized and pretty fun. Along with receiving free Shortis, attendees were lavishsed with various Wawa iced teas, ice cream bars, popcorn, Frisbees, plastic hats and other freebies. But thanks to all the condiments thrown carelessly on the ground, the museum steps turned in to a warzone tomatoes were like landmines baking in the hot sun, just waiting to ruin someone's night. I left before the Rocky screening, but before I did I was lucky enough to witness hundreds of Philadelphians united in eating one of our iconic sandwiches a glorious sight. Below, we profile just a few of them.

NAME: Kate FROM: South Philly FAVORITE HOAGIE: Italian HOW LONG DID YOU WAIT IN LINE? "I didn't, I cut. Shhhh!"

NAME: Kris FROM: Philadelphia FAVORITE HOAGIE: Roast beef and cheddar cheese HOW LONG DID YOU WAIT IN LINE? "I'm a line jumper, so about 30 seconds."

NAME: Alison FROM: South Philly FAVORITE HOAGIE: Turkey with buffalo sauce HOW LONG DID YOU WAIT IN LINE? "Forty minutes ... then we just walked under the ropes and snuck in."

NAMES: Zuleika and Victoria FROM: North Philly FAVORITE HOAGIE: Italian HOW LONG DID YOU WAIT IN LINE? "A while. It was worth it, though."

PhillyChitChat

Posted 2010-07-02 14:31:10

Great write up, pixs and question. So funny people would admit to jumping the line.  No shame girlfriends.

poncho

Posted 2010-07-02 17:11:30

What a wonderful write up, great job!

Meal Ticket Roll Call: Meet your new interns, Rachel Burgos and Anthony Sica :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-08 00:04:46

[...] to be working with two new intrepid interns here on Meal Ticket  Rachel Burgos, who filed last week’s dispatch about Wawa Hoagie Day, and Anthony Sica, who ran down the Talula’s Table pop-up at Washington Square. Meet Rachel [...]

Posted by Rachel Burgos @ 6:33 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Top Chef D.C. Episode 3: Not picnic baskets picnic caskets

POSTED: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 10:11 PM

Filed Under: Food TV | Top Chef

This season of Top Chef is shaping up to be pretty awesome, don't you agree?

"Please do your best. It was just yesterday that Johnny asphyxiated a line cook with his chain wallet for making a watery panna cotta."

Quickfire: The transcendently beautiful Padma, joined by the lovely Gail Simmons and clearly-way-into-Rocket from the Crypt Jean Georges pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini (the latter two will host the upcoming Top Chef Just Desserts), challenge the cheftestants to make a pie. AMERICA! Everyone is extremely pissed. Meanwhile, deep in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, a wry, telling smile spreads across the lineless face of Special Agent Dale Cooper. "I have no idea where this pie-based Quickfire challenge will lead us," says Cooper, a mug of hot coffee, black as midnight on a moonless night, half-raised to his lips. "But I have a definite feeling it will be a place both wonderful and strange."

OMGZ Agent Dale Cooper and Gail would make such a cute couple! Whaddya say, Gail?

OK that's just rude Gail! Jersey Kev says America like "Amurrica" so I like him. And Arnold whips out the big guns RIGHT AWAY. I think pies live in the clouds with the unicorns!" he exclaims. "They just appear magically sometimes! That shit is so Arnold Face-worthy that we're gonna have to roll out ...

ARNOLD FACE IN DRAG ON Y'ALL FOOLS!!!

Alex's pie is criticized for its quiche-ness, Tracey's crust turns out poorly and Ed's purportedly grandma-inspired banana cream pie, tricked out with salted peanut and celery espuma (!), is roundly ridiculed by Gail. "How does it compare to your grandmother's celery espuma?" she asks all Gail-like. Ed is like owwww. (Judges are mean on this episode!) Amanda gets clapped up by Iuzzuni when she leads into her pie description with some "I'm not a pastry chef"-type sentiment. "My grandma is not a pastry chef either, and she can make a pie," Iuzzuni snorts. OK it's settled, Ed's grandma and Johnny's grandma shall box to the death, Broughton's rules!

Picture both as grandmas, one with a sweet pompadour

Kelly and Stephen are praised for their tasty offerings, but Kenny Blalicchio ends up taking the Quickfire, and immunity, for a bad-ass-sounding bananas foster-inspired pie with Chinese five spice. Blalicchio is a threat! Elimination: The chefs are told they must tackle yet another American tradition the summer picnic by preparing dishes for 150 Capitol Hill interns at Mt. Vernon, George Washington's idyllic estate. Before we go any further I would like to bring your attention to a viewer poll question Bravo currently has posted on its website:

I get it, because of the INTERNS. You guys just HAD to go for the cheap, infinitely dated Monica Lewinsky reference, didn't you? While we're at it, here's an exclusive sneak peek at next week's viewer poll:

Each chef is required to come up with a main and a side for the Elimination, so they all go frantic-shopping at Whole Foods. This is precisely when Bravo decides to splice in a testimonial from Amanda discussing how she had a lot of drug problems in the early part of her mid-20s. I'm very happy that Amanda says she has kicked those habits, but it's really bizarre how the producers did it they cut it in super-fast and random and apropos of nothing, like:

Again, very happy that this is no longer the case with Amanda. And despite the fact that Angelo talks a bunch of smack on her in a weird Inigo Montoya-style cadence ("She's actually very smart, but can Amanda beat me? No, she cannot beat me."), she rocks out the Elimination, impressing the judges (including guest Jonathan Waxman) with her ribs and asparagus. (Even Angelo shows love.) Those two end up in the top four, along with Ed, who erases any memory of Celeryespumagate with a spiced tuna loin dish; and Arnold, who rocks flavorful lamb meatballs so good that they end up winning the challenge. Arn's excited that he takes it a testament to straight skills, I suppose, especially considering he had to peek at Blalicchio's grill setup pre-cooking to get a fix on what to do. "I'm not a grill guy," he states at the outset. "It'll clog the pores way too fast!"

ARNOLD FACE, ART EDITION!

They can't all be winners, of course. At the bottom of the Elimination Tim, whose pork two ways is overshadowed by Amanda's ribs; the highly-ranked-in-the-Quickfire Stephen, with an "unappealing" bacon-wrapped Chilean sea bass; Jersey Kev, whose Puerto Rican-inspired flank steak and beans/rice is called too safe; and Tracey, who was gonna do Italian sausage but got stuck for time and ended up turning the same meat into slider patties. Like I mentioned before, the judges are cold as ice on this episode (or is it this season?) after beating up all of the bottom four, Tom C. and Waxman focus the brunt of their ire on Tracey. "My 10-year-old son probably could've made that patty," says Waxman. "If that's what you call Italian food, it's insulting to Italians, me being one," goes Tom C. Owwwwww. Needless to say, Tracey ends up packing her knives and going. Rough!

nick

Posted 2010-07-01 17:23:05

haha holy shit, that picturestrip of amanda is gold jerry, gold!

danya

Posted 2010-07-01 17:28:26

Heard a report from the field that Padma is truly as beautiful in person as she is on TV. Friend was tempted to say, "Wow, I always thought they photoshopped you!" but actually ended up saying, "Wow!" out loud. Just so you know.

Kudos on the exclusive peek at next week's poll. It should do a lot for Bravo's website ranking.

Tweets that mention Top Chef D.C. Episode 3: Not picnic baskets â? picnic caskets :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-01 17:44:00

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Eddie Gehman Kohan. Eddie Gehman Kohan said: RT @mealticket Top Chef D.C. Episode 3 recap  read, comment! http://bit.ly/bB52pt #topchef #topchefdc [...]

Kendall

Posted 2010-07-01 18:31:27

And the "Headline of the Year" award goes to...

kibby

Posted 2010-07-02 09:16:44

Hahah, this post referenced so many things that I love- Snoop, Twin Peaks and Rocket from the Crypt. Amazing! 
I love how sassy Gail is this season. I hope she keeps it up and just gets sassier.
Finally, Arnold Face in drag. OMG.

Marie DiFeliciantonio

Posted 2010-07-02 09:58:10

Oh, Arnie. Work it, girl.

Molly Eichel

Posted 2010-07-02 11:07:42

I'm sad about Tracey. She talked a big game but it was all for naught. Plus, shut up Gail, you'd be lucky to have Special Agent Dale Cooper.

poncho

Posted 2010-07-02 13:44:47

Omg these recaps are getting funnier and funnier.  Arnold Face in drag is quite possible the best thing ever!

j leo

Posted 2010-07-06 20:36:59

AR-NOLD! AR-NOLD! AR-NOLD! Team Arnold forever.

Twin Peaks and Requiem for a Dream in one post? You've outdone yourself.

I'm always amused by the sheer terror that comes anytime desserts are invoolved. You'd think by now the chefs would know that if they sign up for this show, eventually they'd need to make a dessert at some point, and spend some time practicing or developing their pastry skills? Unbelievable. Everyone should know how to make a pie because it's just an awesome thing to do.

I think Tom casually mentions to Gail every once in a while that she's being too nice, which scares her into a brief fit of snappy remarks. We'll see if this continues.

Top Chef D.C. Episode 4: All Padma wants, is some food for babies, she’s gone tomorrow boy :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-10 18:53:49

[...] Winner-of-the-last-ep Arnold, paired up with Lynne, hopes to keep his good performances rolling  maybe if he wins this too, “they might think I’m more than a Louis Vuitton bag!” [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 10:11 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Freeeeeeee Arby's!

POSTED: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 8:01 PM

Filed Under: Dealage | Food and Holidays

On Monday, July 5, Arby's, one of six thousand a handful of our fast-food Achilles' heels, will give out free Junior Deluxe roast beef sandwiches with the purchase of a beverage. The sandwich is not complicated it's Arby's roast beef with lettuce, tomato and mayo and it usually only costs a dollar, but free is less than a dollar. Philly's Arby's is located at 2560 Aramingo Avenue. We personally feel that America should change its go-to motto from "e pluribus unum" to "the home of the free and the delicious."

Tweets that mention Freeeeeeee Arbys! :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-01 15:54:52

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by blank. blank said: RT @mealticket: Freeeeeee @Arbys alert: http://bit.ly/bl3pwG [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 8:01 PM Permalink | Post a comment

IN PRINT: City Paper Food and Restaurants, July 1

POSTED: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 6:29 PM

Filed Under: In Print

Photo | Neal Santos

- Trey Popp tries food from two completely different chefs at Ro-Zu, the Japanese BYO on Seventh Street in Bella Vista. He leaves blown away by one sushi interpreter and disappointed in another. - Jin-Ja is the name of the at once peculiar and addictive ginger elixir developed by Reuben Canada, a Rittenhouse-based attorney. It's very good. - Eric Henney previews the holiday weekend Percy Street picnic, an Italian wine class and some Chinatown goings-on in What's Cooking.

Tweets that mention IN PRINT: City Paper Food and Restaurants, July 1 :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-01 14:43:35

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Allie Harcharek. Allie Harcharek said: RT @mealticket: What's in @citypaper's food section this week? http://bit.ly/9DE7Oq [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:29 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NOW OPEN: Loving Hut

POSTED: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 5:40 PM

Filed Under: Openings | Photos | Vegan | Vegetarian

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

Loving Hut, an international vegan restaurant brand that has a presence in 11 U.S. states (and 18 other countries around the world), opened an outpost in Philly (742 South St., 215-454-2898) this past Tuesday. The awesomely named chain is relatively new to the tri-state (there are Jersey and NYC locations). Every Loving Hut serves a slightly different menu based around the goods of local purveyors/suppliers, but this one specializes in vegan sushi, spring and summer rolls, vegan burgers and wraps, and bubble teas, smoothies and shakes. Hours are still being worked out, but they typically open between 10 and 11 in the morning and serve till around 11 p.m.

Kathy L.

Posted 2010-08-09 10:12:04

You know the place is good when you're full and you can't stop eating. Especially loved the bubble tea!   Awesome food!

Tweets that mention NOW OPEN: Loving Hut :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-07-01 13:01:18

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Meal Ticket and Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: New all #vegan restaurant open on South Street: http://bit.ly/c1M4Sk [...]

Felicia D'Ambrosio

Posted 2010-07-02 12:46:23

I want to try this out.  I always wonder why there aren't more chain vegan/vegetarian restaurants around.

Steve

Posted 2010-07-06 22:27:43

I tried this place last week and it was the strangest place I've ever been. Four people working, no one knew what they were doing. The people behind the counter spoke only broken English and were completely incapable of describing anything on the menu. The place looked much like the business that had been there previously and resembled a chain in no way whatsoever. I understand they've just been there for a few days, but they seem like they really need to get their act together if they hope to survive.

Jean

Posted 2010-07-11 02:33:53

Am I the only vegan out there that doesn't go gaga for this restaurant?  The food is always painfully boring and bland, and menu selections are limited.  The new age cult weirdness behind this restaurant (and playing on the TV's and forced down my throat by the employees, btw) doesn't help.  The stuff Loving Huts serve is the sort of thing vegans of the 1970's were *forced* to eat because they were without the wealth of recipes from inventive chefs and the readily available melange of grains, vegetables, fruits, and spices that we enjoy today.  Let's not go back to that era.  Sometimes simple food is good, but simple doesn't need to taste like grass and not much else.

michael c

Posted 2010-08-10 10:27:41

Hi Jean see my comment to steve on the review page. We need better food everywhere I agree. If I wasn;t into full time production with my seitan I would open a place and show off some real cooking skills. I do food demos at the whole foods stores and a place called greensgrow farms in kensington. Ive been inviting other vendors there and I have rachels pantry coming and a guy named sanee who does great vegan and raw foods. He is called herbs greenhouse he is a non profit trying to launch his foods as well. We all need a push for help in this field. Have a great summer peace and out Michael C templ foods     PS My product is michaels savory seitan    my seitan is very different tasting than the other competitors I hand rub my seasonings into each and every batch. I am availabe in the whole foods stores and other locations around the city.

michael c

Posted 2010-08-10 10:19:31

hi steve do you think this place could use seitan? i make and deliver the michaels savory seitan available in some locations around the city. Have you tried the p.o.p.e on passyunk ave or have you been to monks cafe on 16th? i do not know what they make at monks. The adobe cafe and a place called las cazuelas does a great job on the seitan. Las cazuelas is on girard near 4th and the adobe has 2 locations one on passyunk and the other on mitchell street in manyunk. I was just reading about this love hut place, sounds like they need help with cooking and alot of chains are what they are. chains. No real soul going into the food. thanks michael c

Dan

Posted 2010-12-11 09:20:50

Been to like three of these before.  Agree that the food was always boring and not worth the time, but since they sometimes have them in strange places like a Mall food court, I've been more often than it probably deserves, especially since I'm not even vegan.

Also, Michael C, thanks for the recommendation of Adobe.  Definitely going to check that out.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:40 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
Gone Fishin'
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

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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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