Archive: August, 2010

Win tickets to tonight's Brewer Master Class with Casey Hughes of Flying Fish

POSTED: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 6:24 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Contests | Food Events

Photo | Michael Persico

Tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Philly Beer School (2008 Fairmount Ave.) welcomes Casey Hughes, head brewer of Cherry Hill's Flying Fish Brewing Co., as part of its brewer master class series. Hughes will talk about his history in the biz, touching on his brewing style and methodology, and will run through the details on some of Flying Fish's most successful beers. Of course, he's not coming from South Jersey empty-handed he'll be toting plenty of drink for attendees to sip and discuss, including beers from the Fish's celebrated Exit Series. Meal Ticket's got its bloggy hands on two pairs of tickets for tonight's event. Want one? Email one sentence summing up why you deserve the tix to drew.lazor@citypaper.net. We'll select the two best and send you on your free-of-charge way. Get to emailin'! UPDATE [3:10 p.m.]: Congratulations to Meal Ticket readers Jeff (an avid home brewer who looks to test his knowledge with Hughes) and Andy (who will soon attend brewing school in Cali and hopes to learn how Hughes "made Exit 4 taste like tangerines") for winning a pair of tix each.

Tweets that mention Win tickets to tonights Brewer Master Class with Casey Hughes of Flying Fish :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-18 15:46:57

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper, Adam, The Deli Philly, barry eichner, Meal Ticket and others. Meal Ticket said: Want free tix to tonight's Philly Beer School event featuring brewer Casey Hughes of @jerseyfreshale? How to win: http://bit.ly/cglxBP [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:24 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Soon: The 2010 A Full Plate Rib Cook-Off

POSTED: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 5:40 PM

Filed Under: Contests

halene on Flickr

Attention Philly meat smokers: You've got a little over two weeks to sign up for 2010's A Full Plate Rib Cook-Off, scheduled for Sat., Sept. 11. The deadline to enter either the amateur or professional brackets for the competition, now in its fourth year, is Sat., Sept. 4. This year's cook-off, which'll be held at the always-lovely Liberty Lands Park at Third and Wildey, will precede a musical festival organized by the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association. Head here for rules/regulations and entry forms if you think you've got the stones to place in the pork rib, chicken or vegetarian categories.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:40 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Late summer menu at Fond

POSTED: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Food News | Menu Time

fondphilly.com

Lee Styer, Jessie Prawlucki and Tory Keomanivong came back from vacation this week with more than just a tan. Fond (1617 E. Passyunk Ave.) has revamped its menu to reflect the late summer bounty, and Meal Ticket's the first place to peep the latest offerings. Check them out in full after the jump. Appetizers Crispy veal sweetbreads, melted onions, creamy roasted pepper, fried egg 12 Local corn risotto, pancetta, sherry reduction, avocado 12 Heirloom tomato salad, baby greens, aged balsamic, ricotta salata 11 Yellowfin tuna crudo, Thai red curry, jicama, pickled pineapple, cilantro 13 Seared foie gras, creamy ricotta, local stone fruit, almond cookie 16 Mains Harpoon-caught swordfish, marinated heirloom tomato, cucumber tzatziki, saffron nage 24 Sea Scallops, grilled romaine, Caesar aioli, romesco, garlic toast 26 Beef filet, crispy polenta, charred corn salad, Bordelaise 29 Octopus stew, chorizo, fregola sarda, preserved lemon, fennel 28 All-natural chicken breast, house-made pasta, summer vegetables, chicken jus 20 Desserts ~all desserts are seven dollars~ Lemon "Cannolis," red plum sorbet, almond praline Dark Chocolate Cake, whipped ganache, Earl Grey ice cream, orange sauce Yogurt Semifreddo, fresh peaches and blackberries, cardamom shortbread Malted Milk Chocolate Ice Cream, peanut brittle, chocolate crumble, peanut butter ganache Sorbet Sampler, trio of house-made sorbets, waffle cookie

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2010-08-18 11:52:36

[...] Meal Ticket has a look at the late-summer menu for East Passyunk’s Fond. Hello harpoon-caught swordfish with marinated heirloom tomato and cucumber tzatziki. [Meal Ticket] [...]

Jersey Shore

Posted 2010-08-18 16:40:38

Please don't reminder me that it is late summer!

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

The Food Trust to launch a roving night market

POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 11:52 PM

Filed Under: Food Events | Food News

The Food Trust, nutritional advocates, local/sustainable boosters and orchestrators of Philly's many excellent farmers markets (including Big Papa Headhouse), will launch a roving night market in the month of September. Inspired by the bustling nighttime bazaars that can be found throughout Asia, these night markets will be held six times over the next 18 months, with each installment located in a different neighborhood around the city. The Food Trust does not yet have its vendor/participant list confirmed, but expect the city's most prominent street food vendors to set up shop for these special one-off events, and don't be surprised if info on live music/entertainment emerges sooner rather than later. We hear the details and location of the inaugural night market will be released within the coming week; for now, visit nightmarketphilly.org and join their mailing list to stay posted.

First Food Trust night market: Passyunk Avenue :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-08-30 11:37:31

[...] Aug. 18 post about The Food Trust’s plan to launch a night market series earned plenty of response, so we’re excited to share the date of the inaugural installment [...]

Food Trust

Posted 2010-09-02 17:48:16

[...] doing this rotating night market concept, and we are getting the first one. Mark your calendars.  The Food Trust to launch a roving night market :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Pape...           Reply With Quote              + Reply to Thread      « Previous Thread | Next [...]

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2010-08-18 11:15:25

[...] The Food Trust will be starting a periodic night market in Philadelphia in September. Details will be available later this week. [Meal Ticket] [...]

What’s in store at The Food Trust’s inaugural night market :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-09-20 12:18:52

[...] in August we were excited to share the news of The Food Trust’s night market launch, which will take place on Thu., Sept. 30 at Passyunk and Tasker. They’ve just begun sneaking [...]

The Food Trust, City Paper Choice Big Vision Winners :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-10-21 14:22:35

[...] home 2010’s CP Choice Big Vision Award in the Food and Drink category. From the crazy-popular Night Market series the org has just established to its less visible accomplishments (establishing several [...]

The Food Trust’s Nightmarket Just One More Thing Making Fall 2010 The Most Awesome Ever at Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia

Posted 2010-08-18 18:55:42

[...] will set up shop every few months at locations TBA. Why? Because we like doing things at night. [h/t Meal Ticket]0 Responses to “The Food Trust’s Nightmarket Just One More Thing Making Fall 2010 The [...]

In the Future: Philadelphia Night Markets « University City Off The Grid

Posted 2010-08-24 12:21:25

[...] Meal Ticket, the great informer, shares the following: [...]

Tweets that mention The Food Trust to launch a roving night market :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-17 22:52:19

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper, rob kopf, living on the vedge, Picture Philly, crystalc and others. crystalc said: RT @mealticket: Cool news, street food fans  @thefoodtrust will launch a night market series next month: http://bit.ly/cSU1u2 [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:52 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Tweed

POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 10:14 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

Happy Hour is a place to vent daily frustrations and unwind, a time to reconnect with friends and coworkers you dont mind seeing beyond the boundaries of Cubicle Land. Its is also the ideal time to score a deal on your favorite gustatives and gulpables. For this feature, Team Meal Ticket hops to happy hours across the land and files a report every Tuesday. Lets delve into it at Tweed.

Photo | Rachel Burgos

WHERE YOU AT? Located just off 12th and Sansom, the still-very-new Tweed is within walking distance from City Hall, Market East and basically all of Center City. It's a modern space, with a metallic bar and what might the coolest secret TV set up I have ever seen their screen is hidden in an antique-looking mirror above the bar, and I didn't even notice it until the owner threw it on at 7:05 for the Phillies game. (A slightly more dining area is up the stairs.) There was a bouquet of fresh flowers at one end of the bar, and at every two seats a dish full of wasabi nuts and an almond/pistachio blend. One of the first things I noticed after I walked in was the gorgeous chandelier toward the front of the space it's jet-black, almost like black rhodium plating. So cool. WHAT'S THE SCENE? I got there at 5 on the dot, and was the lone patron for about 10 minutes before the downstairs filled up nicely with people trying to get their drink on. There were two tables full of suits and pencil skirt types, and a few tables of what looked like shoppers who were intrigued and stopped in. No one was obnoxiously loud by any means; everyone I saw seemed to be having a great time. There was bossa nova music playing softly in the background, which fit with the sleek vibe of the bar area. There really weren't that many people sidled up with me, but I believe it's because Tweed is that new to the happy-hour scene. The staff is straight-up awesome I enjoyed talking with the bartender about everything from pre-Prohibition cocktail history to what's on our current must-read book lists.


Photos \| Rachel Burgos

WHAT'S THE DEAL? Happy hour at Tweed runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday (excluding Wednesdays until the end of summer due to Center City Sips), with $5 cocktails and a special happy hour menu.

Photo | Rachel Burgos

For food, I ordered an appetizer trio tower (middle photo, left), featuring three stacked snacks for $12 as part of the happy-hour menu deal. I went with the seafood "salsa fredo" (above), a ceviche-type dish that was perfect for the hot-as-hell weather outside so refreshing, so great. Can't stop thinking about it. Also on our tower were salmon deviled eggs and the cheesesteak croquettes, both as tasty as they sound. My friend had showed up at that point so we ordered the lollipop chicken wings (below), because who doesn't love wings with their booze? They weren't as spicy as I'm used to, but were cooked perfectly nonetheless.

Photo | Rachel Burgos

Drink-wise, I very much appreciate that Tweed's cocktail list is so in tune with what particular fruits are in season in fact, I was handed a hot-off-the-press list with a few changes made to the specials mid-meal. For example, there was a drink made with fresh strawberries on the old menu, but on the new one, it was replaced with a "Sansom Street Smash," cachaca (Brazilian sugar cane liquor), grapefruit, and rosemary. (You'll have to order it to find out why it's got "smash" in its name.) For the amount of thought and care given to the cocktails, $5 per drink is a steal. Similarly, the food, both in presentation and taste, carried much more attention to detail than what its price tag reflected. Overall, I would suggest Tweed to anyone looking for an affordable and enjoyable happy-hour experience.

Michelle C.

Posted 2010-08-18 12:21:06

Same here - I stopped in so randomly one night for a bite and simply loved it.  Can't wait to try HH.

poncho

Posted 2010-08-17 18:54:42

I ate here once and have been looking forward to returning. I guess it will have to be for happy hour!

Tweets that mention HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Tweed :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-17 17:49:54

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DoHappyHour.com, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: It's Tuesday  HAPPY HOUR HOPPER time! This week @negitron checks out @TweedPhilly: http://bit.ly/db1B5j [...]

Sara

Posted 2010-08-18 13:18:46

I've been here twice for happy hour now - including last night!  Sooooooo good.

Posted by Rachel Burgos @ 10:14 PM Permalink | Post a comment

PB & U: Going nuts over peanut butter

POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 7:50 PM

Filed Under: Openings

pbandu.com

Opening within the next month in Wayne is PB & U (163 E. Lancaster Ave), a dining experience where your entire meal will be based around ... peanut butter! The eatery promises to deliver everything from the sweet (chocolate peanut butter fondue with pretzels and apples) to the savory (peanut butter with bananas and bacon on a slider bun). They'll also boast traditional "mix-ins" like jelly, as well as, erm, interesting alternatives, like pickles. I love peanut butter as much as the next person, but I have to admit I'm very curious about what that might taste like. I am also genuinely interested in the crowd this place is going to attract pregnant women? Stoners? Incredibly imaginative children? It seems like all of their wildest food-craving fantasies (particularly the stoners) can become a reality with a place like this. You can drool over their extreme PB close-up pictures on Facebook.

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, August 16-20 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-08-23 09:02:28

[...] PB&U is a restaurant inspired by and based around … PEANUT BUTTER. We dig. [...]

Jenny K.

Posted 2010-08-18 22:33:46

And to think my kid's school went entirely peanut free last year because of the marked increase in peanut allergies in the younger generation.  Who knew?  The real question here is, are the owners of the store liable in the event that a peanut-allergic child comes within breathing distance of their venting fan?  

I love my peanut butter, god knows it kept my kid alive from age 2-5, but this store sounds just... gross.

Tweets that mention PB & U: Going nuts over peanut butter :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-17 16:22:07

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper, Philly Gossip Girl, Nat'l Peanut Board, Christina Hernandez, Jessica Lista and others. Jessica Lista said: RT @mealticket: An entirely peanut butter-based restaurant, you say? http://bit.ly/aQK6oJ [...]

danya

Posted 2010-08-25 18:53:39

Gross? That's a bit much. If you don't want pickles in your PB, fine, but PB & Jelly makes your stomach churn?

jamie

Posted 2010-08-25 15:01:51

i can't wait to try it out!the concept is awesome, just like rice to riches in manhattan, an eatery devoted to one product and the variations/creations of. And, I've heard they are veg friendly, even their chocolate chips are dairy free!! yeah PBandU!

Posted by Rachel Burgos @ 7:50 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Who's got the best cheesecake in Philly?

POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 6:40 PM

Filed Under: We're Here to Help

Nick Normile of Foodie at Fifteen (now 17) recently asked us to name our favorite cheesecake in the city of Philadelphia, but didn't have an adequate response admittedly, cheesecake is not high on our list of go-to sweets. This is why it's the ideal question to put out there to all you Meal Ticket readers: Who does the best cheesecake in Philly? Leave any and all picks in the comments. Look forward to seeing what y'all come up with. And while you're at it, check out Nick's food chat with Lari Robling of WHYY.

jimmy dickson

Posted 2010-10-24 18:00:40

Breadbastard in Northeast Philly.

Paul

Posted 2010-08-17 23:40:25

Forget those cloyingly dense and rich cream cheese monstrosities. Honor the origin of cheesecakes and try one based in ricotta. Much lighter mouthfeel and it won't sit in your gut as long. Not sure where you'll find this outside of making it yourself... but a good start might be Varallos or Isgros in South Philly

Tweets that mention Whos got the best cheesecake in Philly? :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-17 15:49:25

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Best Of Food.com, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: We need your help  who does the best cheesecake in Philly? @foodieatfifteen would like to know. http://bit.ly/abx27p [...]

danya

Posted 2010-08-18 09:11:17

Claudio's in the Italian Market sells the ricotta style cheesecake. A lemony, fluffy wheel of deliciousness.

alex

Posted 2010-08-17 13:59:09

They make a totally bangin' cheesecake at lolita. If they ever have the Pecan one, it's an absolute must-order.

Anthony Sica

Posted 2010-08-17 15:04:12

Not in Philly, but once had a Chef Special Dessert Surprise at Fuji in Haddonfield of a Key Lime Cheesecake with Blueberries and Green Tea. It was so good that I called Matt Ito for a week to get the recipe.

Jennie

Posted 2010-08-17 15:13:22

It isn't as easy as you'd think - and it depends on what your looking for...I prefer a NY Style, big ole slice - and for me, and after many many outings, samples, etc....Maggiano's Little Italy is the spot -

barryg

Posted 2010-08-18 12:08:44

The whole idea of Foodie at 15 makes me nauseous.

This was recently tacked on Chowhound as well:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/727456?tag=search_results;results_list

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:40 PM Permalink | Post a comment

How to get a free drink at Desi Chaat House

POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 5:26 PM

Filed Under: Dealage | Weird Regional Foods

Photo | Drew Lazor

Ate dinner at Desi Chaat House (501 S. 42nd St.) last night and noticed a sign posted along the counter: "FREE exotic cocktails for ALL our Facebook fans. Enjoy the drink!" A buddy whipped out his iPhone and fanned up the West Philly eatery, and sure enough, a sweet, cold and complimentary "date shake" arrived at our table moments later. (It's there on the right, along with a fresh mango juice and a glass bottle of Limca, an awesome Indian lime soda.) Hit up facebook.com/desichaathouse, click the thumbs up and become less thirsty. Check out the upcoming print edition of City Paper for a full writeup of Desi Chaat House.

Tweets that mention How to get a free drink at Desi Chaat House :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-18 04:03:13

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Leslie Mah, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: How to get a free drink at Desi Chaat House: http://bit.ly/clTCZM [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:26 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Philly Pub 'n' Grub opens this week

POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 4:00 PM

Filed Under: Openings

Victor Fellus, who's got Mix Pizzeria at 21st and Chestnut, has taken over what was NoVi on the ground level of the CityView condo building (2001 Hamilton St.) to open the very clearly named Philly Pub 'n' Grub. Fellus and partner John Frankowski have revamped the interior with a fresh look and have built up an outdoor deck (firepit to come) and an indoor game room with Xbox, Wii and billiards. Eight beers on tap behind the bar, plus personal "table tap" tower systems that can hold the equivalent of three pitchers of beer (180 ounces) and will stay cold for more than two hours. Bar food is what you'll eating here, with a wide selection of burgers, salads, sandwiches, a lineup of 20 different grilled cheeses and the same style of pizza that Mix does in Center City. Fellus says he hopes to have a grand opening Thursday; they're just waiting on (who else) reps from Comcast and Verizon. Once they show up between the hours of X and Y, they'll begin opening daily at 11 a.m., with the kitchen serving till 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Notes from the Weekend: August 16

POSTED: Monday, August 16, 2010, 11:11 PM

Filed Under: Notes from the Weekend

Notes from the Weekend is a Monday feature that sees the members of Team Meal Ticket compiling all the food/drink highlights uncovered during prime eatin time, Friday to Sunday. Consider this a place for good deals, great dishes, wicked cocktails, recipe triumphs (and tragedies), bizarro conversations and more. Were eager to share our notes, but especially excited to read yours. We encourage you to leave notes from YOUR weekend in the comments. Have at it! (View past NFTW installments at citypaper.net/notes.)

Rachel Burgos: RB Adam Erace: AE Drew Lazor: DL

Photos | Drew Lazor

Spent Friday and Saturday nights in Durham, North Carolina, the occasion being the nuptials of two very lovely friends. Had a pint of Triangle Brewing golden ale at the bride-approved James Joyce (top pic; 912 W. Main St., Durham) and got down on Dogfish Festina Peche at the very laidback beer bar The Federal right next door (914 W. Main St., Durham). Eventually ended up at Cosmic Cantina (bottom pic; 1920 Perry St., Durham), an up-the-stairs eatery off a little side street that was stuffed, like a 12-pound burrito, with piss-drunk, digi-cam-armed Duke students, about 75 percent of whom were wearing the same polo shirt. After my eyes adjusted to all the madras, I was able to focus my attention on some bangin' steak and chicken hard tacos. DL Friday: Went to happy hour at P.O.P.E. (1501 E. Passyunk Ave.) and had time for one beer 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon before I met up with an old friend at The Royal Tavern (937 E. Passyunk Ave.) for their delicious burger that comes topped with gouda, long hots and fried onions. If you are a fan of burgers and somehow haven't had theirs yet, you're effing up. RB Friday did dinner at Sampan (124 S. 13th St.), where the highlights included bulgogi satay and pad thai as sweet, sour and properly funky as the versions I've had in Bangkok. Those scorpion bowls don't sting as much as you'd think; my boy and I split the fishbowl of booze and juice and walked away unscathed. AE Assembled a mini-crew mid-meal on Friday, then rode to some warehouse in North Philly to see the great Ink & Dagger play. Drank a sip of someone's Rolling Rock (I know, but it was handed to me) but decided it was far too hot to drink beer. The show was awesome. Afterwards hit up the Temple Campus 7-Eleven for post-show treats, including Gatorade and a Coke/wild cherry Slurpee. RB

Photo | Adam Erace

Saturday checked on my seaside vegetable plot in Ventnor to discover that fucking caterpillars (Ed: I looked this up to make sure this wasn't a species of caterpillar) had destroyed most of my lettuce crop. They were tiny blue-green guys, no bigger than Tic-Tacs, about two dozen clinging like leeches to once-lush leaves now riddled with cigarette-burn-sized holes. When my murderous rage abated, I remembered it's tough to be a bug, so I pried them off one at a time, stuck them in a Dixie cup and relocated them to a tree across the street. Karma, I hope you're reading. AE

Photo | Drew Lazor

Saturday: Pre-wedding eats at Watts Grocery (1116 Broad St., Durham), a cute, vibrant restaurant where chef Amy Tornquist places the focus on local farmers and purveyors. I jammed out on this biscuits and gravy plate with two over-easy eggs and a big serving of grits, all of which was under 10 bucks. Sweet-as-punch service, too. Highly recommended. DL

Photo | Rachel Burgos

Saturday, took a friend who'd never been to Green Eggs Café (1301 Dickinson St.), and got an iced coffee and the one and only Kitchen Sink (above). For dinner, I made a surprisingly awesome salad consisting of arugula, feta, watermelon slices, chopped-up almonds and red onions, all topped with a creamy balsalmic vinaigrette. Hitched a ride to Wildwood that night for a friend's party, ate awesome party treats like shrimp cocktail, various veggies and dips and the always-successful pepperoni/cheese/cracker tray. Accidentally stayed up till 4 a.m. RB My friends Sasha and Barry decided to serve fried chicken at their wedding, which is why there are no pictures (didn't want to get the cam all greasy). Love y'all! DL

Photo | Drew Lazor

Can you identify the Philly connection lurking within this wall-scrawled crossword puzzle I spotted in Durham? If you can't, please move to North Jersey. DL

Photos | Adam Erace

Sunday in Cape May with the in-laws. Sunday gravy for dinner, of course, followed by Fleck's (1600 Bayshore Road), a circa-1960s-looking ice cream parlor in Villas. The place's got more baseball memorabilia hanging on its cotton-candy-pink and mint-green walls than James Earl Jones' house in The Sandlot (including an autographed photo of the Great Bambino!); the Richman Ice Cream sundaes have names like Home Run and Triple Play. I am that scoop shoppe customer that deliberates for 20 minutes, then winds up getting the same thing he or she always gets: a chocolate banana malt. But the aroma of freshly ironed waffles forced my stomach in another direction. I ravaged half a waffle crowned with bean-speckled vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and strawberry sauce*. AE

Photos | Drew Lazor

I was a Bojangles' virgin until yesterday morning. That's when I placed my order (again, bride-approved) for a Cajun filet biscuit combo with fries, a sweet tea and what's called a "Bo Berry" biscuit, studded with blueberries (I think?) and topped with the most sugary icing imaginable. Thank God there are none of these up north because I would eat this shit all day multiple times a day (they open at 5:30 a.m. for breakfast!!!) and I would be considerably fatter. DL

Photo | Rachel Burgos

For Sunday breakfast (at 2 p.m.), six of us went to the Star Diner in Wildwood (325 W. Spruce Ave.). I ate a perfectly-Jersey-diner breakfast consisting of two eggs sunny side up, bacon, tater tots and toast. It was great. Spent countless hours in traffic coming back to Philly. Later that night, I ordered chicken pad thai and some Thai rolls (I was starving & not feeling too adventurous) from Circles Contemporary Asian Cuisine (1516 Tasker St.), which I landed on via the GrubHub app on my boyfriend's iPhone. Ate while watching True Blood, which was weird considering all the gore on that show. RB

Photos | Drew Lazor

Got back in Philly on Sunday evening nursing an apropos-of-nothing craving for Thai food. Satisfied it with some takeout from Erawan (123 S. 23rd St.) do yourself a favor and get an order of their not-too-spicy green curry, done up with shrimp, scallops, squid and various veg. So serious! DL * Topic: Am I the only weirdo that differentiates between real-tasting "syrupy" strawberry sauce and artificial-tasting "jammy" strawberry sauce? Discuss. AE

Molly Eichel

Posted 2010-08-17 11:20:39

Being down the shore means I pretty much only eat tortilla chips and corn on the cob, probably because they go best with my case-a-day shore beer habit (what up, Black Label). I broke the streak for some Wildwood treats, including a fried oreo (don't remember exactly what stand but it was closest to the Morey's Pier with the Nor'easter and the superior Tilt-a-Whirl) that was way better than the one sampled in Ocean City last year. In addition, stole bites of some Kohr's Bros and a Chipstix, which I like better when they are called Tornado Potatoes because that's a way funnier name. Question for all: Why no Johnson's Popcorn in Wildwood? I can never find it, which is devastating considering that popcorn is one of my major food groups.

Rock Colors

Posted 2010-08-17 10:23:43

The snozzberries taste like snozzberries.

Emily

Posted 2010-08-20 16:24:53

Love the Box Lunch in Wellfleet- it takes me back too! :)

Jess

Posted 2010-08-17 13:15:06

I ate a donut wrapped in prosciutto. My very own creation and one I definitely recommend. 

Must second the awesomeness that was the PYT Korean burger. Wow! How I ate Capogiro afterward is beyond me but I did. Happy to note that Nana Petrillos in the Piazza is now serving their delicious gelato.   

Great news about Bojangles in PA. Now scheming how to get a ride there.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-08-16 23:20:10

LoDo, I like it! You'll be an expert by the time I make it out dude.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-08-16 23:22:49

WHAT! This is great, and as you said, upsetting news. Thanks Taylor! Also, are you suggesting that bo berries do not grow naturally on the Eastern Seaboard? I wanted to get some local/sustainable ones...

Felicia D'Ambrosio

Posted 2010-08-17 12:12:51

Experienced both the all-time worst (Leggett's Sand Bar) and utterly delicious, all-time best contender (Max Devros) veggie burgers in one weekend in Manasquan, NJ. 

After the sad, pallid veggie burger Leggetts foisted upon me, I was eager taste Max Devros' version.  Their deep-fried patty was composed of fresh, identifiable veggies and topped with a piquant red onion-cucumber slaw on a nice hearty bun. 

Found out via Facebook and the inestimable Peter Woolsey (chef/owner, Bistro La Minette) that Max Devros' is owned and run by Brian Devereaux (former Roy's sous) and Carrie Chavenson (former Striped Bass pastry chef), which explains the quality pedigree of my veggie burger, breakfast chorizo burrito and totally philly cheesesteak-and-egg breakfast sandwich.  

Well done, Philly crew! Hope this makes Manasquan dining a bit more palatable.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-08-17 12:36:24

I just looked at that Bojangles' picture again and it made me super full.

Amy Strauss

Posted 2010-08-17 12:49:33

The most impressive spot on my hustle-bustle of my weekend was watching a 'burb-based full-blown, step-by-step 18th century pig butchering. WHOA, to the all the details they included. Photo recap here: http://bit.ly/cktfv3

Tweets that mention Notes from the Weekend: August 16 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-16 18:38:41

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Drew Lazor and Meal Ticket, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Latest NOTES FROM THE WEEKEND is live. We talk Bojangles, biscuits 'n' gravy, Thai food, ice cream sundaes, lots more: http://bit.ly/calF5Y [...]

Ashley

Posted 2010-08-16 18:38:48

Loved reading about your adventures in Durham eating. Good to know somethings never change. (Duke kids, polo shirts.)

danya

Posted 2010-08-16 18:39:03

Saturday revisited a childhood favorite in Cape Cod: The Box Lunch ("Home of the Rollwich"). These folks were doing wraps way before wraps were cool; the Wellfleet location is the original, though they now have eight locations. Childhood summers I ate there at least 5x/week. Even ordered my old standby, the all-veggie "Organic Pocket," -- used to be a vegetarian -- and ate it for breakfast. (Seems they were doing organic before that was cool, too.)

http://www.boxlunch.com/

G Nagle

Posted 2010-08-16 18:30:40

I went to Zengo in LoDo (lower downtown), Denver. Holy hell... this place was excellent.

http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengodenver/

CMF

Posted 2010-08-19 13:42:24

Cosmic Cantina!  I ate there in 2004 and never forgot how delicious it was.  Plus, the ceiling fan and sleepy atmosphere during the August afternoon when I visited sealed my love forever.

Taylor

Posted 2010-08-16 19:05:41

Drew, you'll be happy/upset to know that there is *one* Bojangles' in all of Pennsylvania, and it's only as far away as Reading. Also, Bo Berries are these synthetic-like fruit pellets.  Still, awesome!

SamJ

Posted 2010-08-16 19:20:36

I'm counting today since Monday is my weekend. Lunch: Korean short rib burger with kimchee at PYT. Incredible. Definitely worth getting out of bed before noon for!

Michelle

Posted 2010-08-16 19:12:38

Watts grocery was seriously awesome.  I got scrambled eggs with squash, onions and farmers cheese (a favorite of mine!) that was served with buttery grits, homemade biscuit and the most delicious blueberry jam/compote I have ever had.  I seriously wanted to pick up the ramekin and drink the jam, but refrained because everyone is so polite in the South and I didn't want to alarm those around me.  Plus, our server poured the rest of my iced Americano in a plastic cup so I could finish it on the ride back- so kind.

Nick N

Posted 2010-08-18 14:56:15

Ah, Bojangles. That was filling, but we dipped into those 4 biscuits we got for the road sooner than you'd think...

Monica Devlin

Posted 2010-08-17 15:16:17

Mmmm. Camden Riversharks game friday night. "Uncle Frankie's" roast pork sandwich with garlic sauteed broccoli rabe, sharp provolone, hot peppers. yummmm! pork me.

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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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