|
|
|
Archive: August, 2009
 |
| Photo | HughE Dillon, phillychitchat.com |
HughE Dillon of Philly Chit Chat passes along this shot of Hawaiian superstar chef Roy Yamaguchi, who was in Philly last night at his Roy's location at 15th and Sansom. The recent Top Chef Masters contestant (he was on the ep where all the guys were super sweet to each other) was in town for an "Aloha Kitchen Challenge," where three Restaurant School students worked with local chefs Patrick Feury (Nectar), Derek Davis (Derek's) and Aaron Fleisch (Fleming's) to prep a competitive dish. Winner (judges included Marc Summers) earns an internship at any of the 30something Roy's locations around the world.
 |
In early June, we talked to Little Fish chef/owner Mike Stollenwerk about the plans for Fish, his much bigger and much more liquor-licensed restaurant in the former Astral Plane at 1708 Lombard Street. The chef's shared a sample menu � nothing's set in stone yet � with Meal Ticket. Get an idea of what to expect (food'll be broken down into "raw," "cold," "hot" and "sweet" categories) after the jump. Stollenwerk adds that he's also working on a "lounge menu," consisting of about 10 items, that he'll offer at the bar till 1 a.m. after dinner hours (4-10 p.m.) wrap up. They're still on pace to open shortly after Labor Day.
Raw.
Oysters
East coast
Classic migonette
West coast
Cucumber-tamari migonette
Fluke Ceviche
Green curry, coconut, lime, shaved cashew
Black Bass Crudo
Himalayan salt, lemon, basil
Fennel Cured Salmon
Pumpernickel panade, egg yolk, shallot
Smoked Salmon Roe
Celery root mousse, cider gasttrique, walnut
Cold.
Hiramasa Proscuitto
Pear, cress, mustard seed
Octopus Carpaccio
Tangerine, radish, pistachio crema
�Surf & Turf�
Porcini, pea tendril, truffle, Worcestershire
King Crab
Akudjura vinaigrette, pine nut, arugula
Roasted Baby Beets
Chicken skin, fresh chevre, mache
Rock Shrimp
Artichoke, piquillo peppers, ceci
Hot.
Pasta Chitarra
Sea urchin cream, fennel, tarragon, orange dust
Loch Duart Salmon
Brussel leaves, oyster mushroom, bacon, grain mustard, apple
Skate Wing
Truffle spaetzle, Parmesan broth, melted leeks
Striped Bass
Orzo, wild clam, chile, preserved lemon, celery leaf
Escolar
Parsnip, autumn vegetables, roasted chicken jus
Red Drum
White bean, escarole, chorizo broth
Monkfish
Butternut squash, sunflower, curried lobster nage
Maine Scallops
Cauliflower, caper, brown butter
Painted Hills Prime Strip
Turnip hash, marrow, pickled shallots
A restaurant dedicated to fish is something I have always felt is missing in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. I've never had a bad dinner at Little Fish so I'm very excited to see Fish open. The lack of prices listed makes me a little nervous, however. Is this only because it's sample menu, or is it a sign of expensive offerings? Does anyone know?
Poncho: I believe the no-prices thing is a result of it being a sample menu. Details are still scarce, but judging by the price points at Little Fish, my guess is that Fish won't be too hard on the wallet.
[...] Sample menu for Mike Stollenwerk’s Fish [Meal Ticket] geopress_addEvent(window,"load", function() { geopress_makemap(107671,"Fish",39.945215,-75.170531,"google",Mapstraction.ROAD, { pan: true, zoom: 'small', overview: false, scale: false, map_type: false },15) }); [...] Last week we shared the menu for Fond, the almost-ready Passyunk Avenue BYOB from a team of Philly fine-dining vets. Today, Meal Ticket touched base with chef Lee Styer, who'll be running the show with pastry chef Jessie Prawlucki and former Lacroix captain Tory Keomanivong.
 |
Styer, who last worked as a sous chef at Le Bec-Fin along with Prawlucki, says that opening his own place has long been a goal � but this opportunity (1623 E. Passyunk Ave.) came about rather quickly. They were introduced to the 35-seat space (formerly Clementine's and Lynda's Mediterranean) just recently by friends Corey Baver and Lynn Rinaldi, owners of the Ave's successful Izumi and Paradiso. They didn't think much of it at first, but then "the three us started talking more," says Styer. "We ran some numbers and actually took it seriously, and said, 'Let's do it. Let's give it a shot.' It wasn't really planned out ahead of time."
It may have come to fruition fast, but don't think that'll translate to anything other than quality � the trio's pedigrees speak for themselves, what with the chefs' LBF chops and Keomanivong's stint spearheading the FOH show at the Rittenhouse. (Meal Ticket was lucky enough to have him guide us through the cheeses during a visit to Lacroix awhile back, and it's an understatement to say that he killed it.)
Styer's menu comes off refined, too, with dishes like yellowfin crudo with gazpacho consomme and pork with maitakes; they plan on doing three specials a night, too. But the chef stresses how casual Fond will be. "We definitely want to fit into the neighborhood," says Styer of the booming corridor. "We don't want to be stuffy. Though we all come from well-rounded French backgrounds, we don't want a stigma of [people thinking] this'll be the same thing as where we came from."
If all goes as planned, Fond will open to the public on Monday, August 31.
Lee, Congrats and best of luck to a great nephew. I was so happy for you when your mom told me. Have a wonderful grand opening I will be thinking of you. Maybe some day I will get a chance to dine at your restaurant. Love Always, Aunt Karin
[...] of Le Bec-Fin) and former Lacroix captain Tory Keomanivong. For some background, check out our recent chat with Styer, as well as his opening [...]
 |
| HawkKrall.net |
| Dog d�cor |
Philadelphia illustrator and Drawing For Food blogger Hawk Krall paints the many faces of hot doggery around the nation for Serious Eats.� Now, tubesteak fans can adorn their walls, as well as their arteries, with the salty confections.
Hot Dog of the Week giclee prints by Hawk Krall, $27 a pop and guaranteed to last longer than late-night dog indigestion.� Pick them up in his online store.
wall of tubesteaks! ha!
 |
South Philly institution Texas Wieners (1426 Snyder Ave., 215-465-8635) is expanding into Collingswood, taking over what was Sportz Dogz (dear God ... ) in the LumberYard Condos complex at 8 Powell Lane. There'll be a grand opening gala on September 12, featuring entertainment from the South Philly String Band. And a clown.
As a Collingswood resident, I'm pretty stoked about this. I never made it to Sportz Dogz but hopefully this place will get more buzz and do well in the spot, which is definitely off the beaten path for anyone who isn't familiar with the area.
I stopped in on their first day (8/31/09) and it was good to see so many customers enjoying the food. They serve an awesome breakfast and where else can you go in Collingswood and order the signature dish for UNDER 2 BUCKS !! The place is clean and bright and the owner is a great guy. They're sure to become a fixture in the town. I'll be back with my friends soon. Good luck Russ.
 |
| Graceful Gardens |
| Urban edibles by Grace Wicks |
If you enjoy summer's diversity of fresh, locally grown produce, now is the time to consider putting in your own cole crops. These members of the mustard (Brassicaceae) family will supply your autumn and winter kitchen with cold-tolerant edibles like broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, beets, brussel sprouts, spinach, arugula and red lettuce.
Cole crops do well when seeded directly into the soil, and most are as happy in containers as in the ground.� Greensgrow Farm is selling mixed six-packs of edible fall plants if you can't be bothered to start from seed; make sure these tender little babies get some shade during the last hot weeks of summer.
Novice gardeners can hire professional coaching from Grace Wicks of Graceful Gardens, who teaches green thumb technique in addition to providing full landscaping services for urban dwellers.� Her specialty is organic, edible ornamentals -- rainbow chard (pictured) is� used to add height and drama to a window box, but also offers a healthy snack.
You know the lady gardener has taste; she grew up during the heyday of mom Judy Wick's landmark restaurant, The White Dog Caf�.
 |
| The Fresh Grocer on TwitPic |
This Friday, The Fresh Grocer will mark the opening of� its latest location � the anchor of the Shoppes at La Salle complex at 5301 Chew Avenue � with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring remarks from La Salle University president Brother Michael McGinniss, City Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, State Rep. John Myers and several others. The 50,000-square-foot, $13.5 million project, which joins a Dunkin' Donuts, a Rite Aid and several other businesses in the redeveloped plaza (formerly a parking lot), will feature a full-service sushi restaurant in addition to the amenities you've come across at the FroGro location at 40th and Walnut.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY JOB OPENING OR IIS FOR ONLY FOR THE STUDENT AT LASALLE.
[...] Drexel Hill-based Fresh Grocer, which opened a Northwest Philly location near La Salle’s campus back in August, is debuting its second location in that region of the city this Friday. Located in [...]
Are there any driving positions available at your store?
 |
| Photo | Jamie Chung, esquire.com |
Modo Mio chef/owner Peter McAndrews' recipe for dear-God-that's-beautiful Sunday gravy is featured in Esquire's "How to Eat Like a Man Now" spread, focusing on meals that look and sound like the opposite of health food infinitely delicious. (Hey Pete, weren't you just in that mag in May?)
Being of Irish heritage and growing up in a household not quite culinarily diverse, I was often mystified by the food at the homes of my Italian-American friends in the neighborhood. As I learned to cook, I tried to replicate these mystical sauces, without much success. Then I married a second-generation Italian-American whose family brought this magnificent recipe over from the old country. Here's my version, best prepared as you drink a nice glass of red.
McAndrews' full recipe � hot Italian sausage! meatballs! pork ribs! � is right here.
(h/t Kessler)
Tiffin owner Munish Narula and executive chef Hari Nayak just walked Meal Ticket through the one-of-a-kind menu for Tiffin etc., opening tomorrow at 11 a.m. at 712 W. Girard Avenue, right next to Narula's flagship Tiffin location.
The focus at this 16-seater (215-925-0770), which'll do most of its business in takeaway and delivery, is a triumvirate of affordable Indian street food options � parathas (stuffed breads); kati rolls, wrap sandwiches lined with a thin layer of egg (think of them as Desi burritos); and Indian pizzas. Check out the full menu after the jump.
The parathas feature fillings like grated cauliflower, paneer, and tandoori-grilled meats, and are served with boondi raita, a yogurt-based sauce thickened with spheres of fried gram flour. Kati rolls are stuffed with goodies like spiced potatoes and minced lamb, along with pickled onions, mint and chutney. Six choices apiece here.
OK, we know y'all want to know about the pizzas. The thin-crust pizza selection (personal and large sizes) features choices like the boti kebab (grilled lamb, tomato/onion sauce, fresh mozz), the tandoori subzi (grilled veggies, roasted garlic, fresh mozz and a cilantro/mint "pesto" that subs almonds for traditional pine nuts) and the murg makhani (butter chicken, tomato sauce, red chili flakes, fresh mozz). Narula, who says pizza has been growing in popularity wildly in India in the past few years, worked with Nayak to redevelop some of their signature Tiffin sauces to suit the pies. Dough, sauces and toppings are all made/prepared in-house.
Also available: A small selection of Indian street-vendor beverages that goes beyond just lassis � the Masala Pepsi (cola mixed with cumin, thyme, black pepper, lemon and salt) and the Thandai (almond, cardamom, fennel, rose) are but two unconventional choices.
Eventually, Narula adds, customers at the next-door Tiffin Store will be able to order off both the traditional and etc. menus during an eat-in meal.
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Alright I need some butter chicken pizza stat. DAMN that looks good.
OMG paneer on pizza?!!!! Those are some good looking photos, nice job.
Glad to see they've been able to expand a little bit. And jeez, those are some wonderfully reasonable prices.
This is unique!! cant wait to try it! very creative and interesting menu!
They have average indian food at best.As a true Foodie from the sub continent I was not very impressed with their food.They have HORRIBLE customer service...had to wait almost an hour for my food, told they forgot to put in my order then they shorted me on my to go order!!! when I Called and E mailed them for an explanation got no follow up from the owner himself....so much for what they learned in Business school...HORRIBLE in resteraunt service....Looks like the owners learnt nothing about how to win customers at Wharton!!!Lost at least 10 customers through me till now with many more to follow.
[...] oven), sigri (charbroiler) and tawa (cast-iron griddle) to achieve these results. And just like Tiffin etc., expect some non-traditional twists on dishes spanning all regions of [...]
 |
| Photo | Drew Lazor (click to enlarge) |
The city's Department of Licenses & Inspections had a marquee weekend in late July, slapping violations/temporary closures up on the doors of quite a few area bars/businesses. Looks like one of our favorite quickie six-pack spots just got smacked, too � Latimer Deli, at 255 S. 15th Street, was plastered with the candy stripes past Thursday. (This pic was taken last night.) According to the sign, Latimer needs to up its fire safety game before reopening; a phone call to the deli went unanswered.
I bought beer there last night (8/19).
- barstool scientist
- Booze
- Brew Revue
- Chef Salad
- Closings
- Coffee
- Contests
- Dealage
- Dirty Dishes
- Don't Front
- Eat This Immediately
- Field Trip
- Food and Art
- Food and Holidays
- Food and Movies
- Food and Music
- Food and Politics
- Food and Sports
- Food and Web
- Food Blogs
- Food Books
- Food Events
- Food News
- Food TV
- Gifted
- Happy Hour Hopper
- How-To
- In Print
- Interview
- Meal Ticket
- Menu Time
- Not So Quickfire
- Notes from the Weekend
- On Wheels
- Openings
- Patio Drinking
- Philly Beer Week 2010
- Photos
- Private Chef POV
- Product Placement
- Recipes
- Snack Time
- Stiff Drank
- SUPPER
- Tea
- Testing
- Ticket Stubs
- Top Chef
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Video
- Weekly Candy
- Weird Regional Foods
- We're Here to Help
- Where'd We Eat?
- Drew Lazor's Ill-Advised Rant Factory
- Pregame
- Ill-Advised Ranting
- The Week Without Meat
- Philly Beer Week 2009
- Real Big
- Where'd I Eat Last Night?
- Top Chef Masters
- The Good Word
- Next Iron Chef
- Arterial Terrorism
- Food and Radio
