Here a few random food and wine notes from the past few weeks.
Bertolini’s at the King of Prussia Mall
by the Foodie Girl
The Foodie Hub was patient enough to be dragged through the King of Prussia Mall a few days after Christmas while I hunted for post-holiday bargains. When the growling in his stomach became audible I had mercy and we walked over to “Bertolini's Authentic Trattoria.” The place was packed but Hub used his charm and Jedi Mind Tricks to get the three of us seated in less than five minutes. The folks there use their head when seating those of us with well-behaved pre-schoolers. We were led to a large booth next to the giant window, to which our little girl exclaimed; “I can see the whole world from up here!” (That garnered about a half-dozen laughs from those around us.)
Now, I would describe Bertolini’s as a glorified pizzeria, set inside a huge bustling bistro trying to look like a trattoria in Italy. Make no mistake, we were in a mall in Pennsylvania, but it was a surprisingly good experience considering recent stops at Carraba’s (see November 07 entry) and Bennigan’s which was so bad we up and left. Our server was prompt (yes, she said her name and asked if she could start us out with a beverage) and certainly understood dining with a 3-year-old with limited patience. For that matter, she understood a 41-year-old with limited patience too. Little girl had a thin crust brick-oven pizza, which she enjoyed while gazing out the window. I went for the Tuscan Tuna Salad, served with Cannellini beans, kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. The salad was interesting and tasty. Hub is definitely an Italian boy as for the second night in a row he had a big dish of penne in bolognaise sauce (aka macaroni and gravy).
We don’t think anyone will confuse Bertolini’s with a fine Italian bistro, or their brick oven pizza with a place like Rembrandt’s in Philly. But if you need a relatively fast mall stop to get you back to Old Navy in no time, I say go for it!
Havana Daydreaming
by the Foodie Hub
Let me first say you could not hear my stomach growling that night in the K of P mall. The growling she heard was, “If you want me to stand and wait for you outside the candle store or Victoria’s Secret, you better feed me and give me a cocktail.”
OK, that said let’s talk about how much I hate winter. I hate it. Can’t stand it. I like it warm.
So when the opportunity presents itself to enjoy an unseasonably warm 67 degrees in January, you better believe I’ll figure out a way to take advantage of it! I lucked out and found myself in the charming village of New Hope on that warm Tuesday afternoon during the second week of January. With my business done I had time to stroll along Main Street and marvel at the mild temps and the crowded streets on a Tuesday. Don’t all of these people with the motorcycles have a job? Anyway, I was seduced by the open outdoor restaurant and bar at Havana. Moments after I was seated at the bar, overlooking the cars trying to parallel park next to Harleys, I quickly learned from the adorable bartender that Tuesday was Half-Price Day! This was getting better by the minute. It’s rare that I get to slow down for a real lunch, let alone outdoors on a sunny and warm day. Over the course of an hour I had two cocktails (shhhhh) and a very large bowl of Papardelle pasta with meat sauce for the low, low price of $13.45. You can’t beat it with a stick. The only negative about the place is the cigarette smoke. If smokers would only be a little more considerate and make an attempt not to blow smoke my way we could all get along. Come spring when it warms up again I will certainly make the hour drive to Bucks County and check Havana out again.
Wine Report
By Him
“Where the juke box is blasting, and the liquor is flowing… an occasional bottle of wine. That’s why everyone here is just more than contented, to be livin’ and dyin’ in three-quarters time.” – Jimmy Buffet
For the fellow wine lovers and wine drinkers please let me share a few thought about some recent wines we have enjoyed.
Copain L’haver Syrah Mendocino County 2006
A great party wine. We served this one at a birthday party for non-wine snobs and everyone commented positively on it. I think it’s a bit overripe and grapey but pleasant still with plum and cherry notes. Copain makes some real knock-out wines like the ’05 “Les Copains” James Berry Vineyard Blend (A Rhone blend featuring mainly Grenache and Syrah, what a surprise) or the single-vineyard ’05 Thompson Syrah. I’ve also mentioned the ’06 Katie’s Corner Vioginer on this blog which is another go-to white for my money.
Magenta Brut Champagne NV
Wow! Even non-champer drinkers will love this one! It has just a hint of dryness with some apricot and a hit of citrus. We popped this one at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve and finished it off the next morning with OJ. It’s a real value at $35.00.
Jerome Quiot Gigondas 2004
This wine is not as big as the ’03 but the tannins are much softer and it’s generally more food friendly. The finish is long and dry. We love Gigondas as our ‘house wine’ when dining on lamb at home.
Fournier Les Belle Vignes Sancere 2005
This was the white served at the same party as the Copain Syrah. It went quickly. It always amazes me how much more character there is in the Sauvignon Blanc grape from the Loire Valley than anywhere else in the world. This wine has so much more sweetness while maintaining its acidity. I still have a 2004 old vines “Grand Cuvee” on my rack that will be finding its way to a dinner out soon.
Domaine Coteau Pinot Noir– Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon 2006
It’s really hard to beat the Burgundian ’04 Coteau Pinot. (Spectator gave it a 91) The previous vintages came from Yamhill County, Oregon and you can taste the difference. The ’06 is a bit muddy at times and herbal but still blows the pants off other young Pinots. I’m sure it’s still in its youth and will benefit from more time on its back. I also own two bottles of the Coteau ’06 ‘Reserve’ for which I have high hopes. We had this Pinot at a Greek restaurant in West Chester. I'm urging the Foodie Girl to start writing!
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
If you can still find this at a Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits shop I suggest you grab what you can. This is a straight-forward Napa Cab that rated a 91 from Spectator that sells for $12.99 for a half bottle. In the over-inflated world of California wines this is a real bargain. I think the halves rock.
Final thoughts
1) I have two 1999 Cote Roties that call my name every night. I think it might be time to pop the cork on one.
2) The Foodie Girl even looks sexy in her blue snowflake PJs and fuzzy bunny slippers.
3) I really enjoy peppermint tea.
xoxoxo,
The Philly Foodie Girl
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Walnut Street BYOB
Happy New Year once again to all of our readers! Since the Foodie Girl is back at the gym and I’m at home staring at the screen of my laptop, I felt it was up to me once again keep the world updated on our latest food and wine adventures. So don’t touch that dial!
Over the Christmas week we had several opportunities to check out a variety of restaurants and lounges in the city and beyond. The star of the week was a relatively new BYOB called Salento.
We actually decided to stay in the city overnight at the Loews at 12th and Market Street. This is the building with the gigantic ‘PSFS’ 33 floors up. It’s really a cool hotel with an Art Deco theme and a funky vibe, even with its halls decked with Holiday decorations. Sole Food is the resident restaurant on the lobby level facing Philly's Hard Rock Café across the street. We’ve dined at Sole Food twice, the first time under the original chef Martin Gagne and most recently with chef Thomas Harkins. We didn’t stay for dinner that night, just for a few happy hour martinis before heading out to yet another BYOB. I will say that the bar at Sole Food is certainly one of the top 5 hotel bars of all time and maybe the best in the city.
You can view a short video about Loews and Sole Food at the link below:
http://www.philadelphiapavideo.com/city/play.aspx?ItemID=8
We moved on to Salento, a new BYOB Italian Restaurant on Walnut Street between 22nd and 23rd Streets. This is the new creation of Davide and Kathryn Faenza, who also own the tiny L’Angolo in South Philadelphia. (If you ever want to feel like you’re sitting in someone’s dining room with 25 of your closest friends you should try L’Angolo.) This is the former location of the ubiquitous Fellini Café which exited this spot recently. The décor is sparse and almost reminiscent of my sister’s first apartment in 1975. OK not really, her apartment was pretty cool, especially to a 10-year-old. (I know she’ll eventually read this!) However, Salento’s white plaster walls did lack character and certainly don’t help with the noise level.
The restaurant filled up quickly as expected. The Foodie Babe started out with a marvelous salad of ripe red tomatoes, mozzarella and onions. She was sweet enough to share some of the cheese and it was out of this world. I went with the grilled Radicchio with gorgonzola and reduced balsamic. This was good but clearly could have used more dressing especially as I dove deeper into the center of the red leaves of the radicchio.
For our main course I went with the ‘Pappardelle al cinghiale,’ a homemade pappardelle pasta with wild boar ragu. This was outstanding. The ragu (which I’m told is one of the things Chef Davide is known for) was rich, slightly peppery and almost like a stew. My lovely wife raved about the ‘Orecchiette al’anatra,’ which is shredded braised duck with orecchiette pasta. This was served as she liked it with a generous broth almost like a soup. I thought the duck was right on but she felt that it may have been a tad overcooked and tough in parts. We both agreed it was excellent and unlike anything we’ve had previously.
While we did not stay for dessert, we are told that Kathryn is the pastry chef and her desserts are a real star. More about our eventual dessert experience in a second. As for the wine of the evening, my Italian collection is admittedly a bit weak. I went with La Forra Chianti Classico Riserva 2001. I purchased four bottles of La Forra on the suggestion of my wine friend Steve last year. It really takes a long time for the wine to open up and express its fruit. While more BYOBs have invested in quality stemware, I’ve yet to come across one with a real decanter. That would have helped. Anyway, the wine was a good choice for the pappardelle dish but could have potentially overwhelmed the more delicate flavors of orecchiette and duck. We wound up bringing half of the bottle back home with us.
Overall we think Salento provided excellent food and the wait staff was great. Our only criticism lies with some of the bus staff that were too quick to remove our plates when they saw a three second break in the eating action. I almost lost my gorgonzola before its time!
OK, now about dessert. Since we were staying in the city and didn’t have to worry about driving I felt comfortable enough over indulge in the intoxicating spirits of hot chocolate. The Foodie Babe was set on checking out a new spot called “Naked Chocolate” on Walnut Street between 13th and Broad Streets. So off we walked in the cold drizzle without an umbrella. The place was packed and I was down to my boxer shorts when I realized it was the chocolate that was naked and not the customers. (Thank God!) This place serves up different flavors and variations of hot chocolate, which tastes like 100% melted chocolate in a cup. I can still taste it ten days later. The closest we ever came to something this decadent was at a famous café called “Laudree” on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. When you get to Naked Chocolate be patient and wait it out for a seat. They serve the hot chocolate in cool little teacups with a side of whipped cream and a cookie. If you get it to go, remind them to give you the whipped cream and cookie. Also, be advised that since the chocolate is so rich, the smallest size is plenty.
Thanks for reading everyone and xoxo from the Foodie Girl!
Over the Christmas week we had several opportunities to check out a variety of restaurants and lounges in the city and beyond. The star of the week was a relatively new BYOB called Salento.
We actually decided to stay in the city overnight at the Loews at 12th and Market Street. This is the building with the gigantic ‘PSFS’ 33 floors up. It’s really a cool hotel with an Art Deco theme and a funky vibe, even with its halls decked with Holiday decorations. Sole Food is the resident restaurant on the lobby level facing Philly's Hard Rock Café across the street. We’ve dined at Sole Food twice, the first time under the original chef Martin Gagne and most recently with chef Thomas Harkins. We didn’t stay for dinner that night, just for a few happy hour martinis before heading out to yet another BYOB. I will say that the bar at Sole Food is certainly one of the top 5 hotel bars of all time and maybe the best in the city.
You can view a short video about Loews and Sole Food at the link below:
http://www.philadelphiapavideo.com/city/play.aspx?ItemID=8
We moved on to Salento, a new BYOB Italian Restaurant on Walnut Street between 22nd and 23rd Streets. This is the new creation of Davide and Kathryn Faenza, who also own the tiny L’Angolo in South Philadelphia. (If you ever want to feel like you’re sitting in someone’s dining room with 25 of your closest friends you should try L’Angolo.) This is the former location of the ubiquitous Fellini Café which exited this spot recently. The décor is sparse and almost reminiscent of my sister’s first apartment in 1975. OK not really, her apartment was pretty cool, especially to a 10-year-old. (I know she’ll eventually read this!) However, Salento’s white plaster walls did lack character and certainly don’t help with the noise level.
The restaurant filled up quickly as expected. The Foodie Babe started out with a marvelous salad of ripe red tomatoes, mozzarella and onions. She was sweet enough to share some of the cheese and it was out of this world. I went with the grilled Radicchio with gorgonzola and reduced balsamic. This was good but clearly could have used more dressing especially as I dove deeper into the center of the red leaves of the radicchio.
For our main course I went with the ‘Pappardelle al cinghiale,’ a homemade pappardelle pasta with wild boar ragu. This was outstanding. The ragu (which I’m told is one of the things Chef Davide is known for) was rich, slightly peppery and almost like a stew. My lovely wife raved about the ‘Orecchiette al’anatra,’ which is shredded braised duck with orecchiette pasta. This was served as she liked it with a generous broth almost like a soup. I thought the duck was right on but she felt that it may have been a tad overcooked and tough in parts. We both agreed it was excellent and unlike anything we’ve had previously.
While we did not stay for dessert, we are told that Kathryn is the pastry chef and her desserts are a real star. More about our eventual dessert experience in a second. As for the wine of the evening, my Italian collection is admittedly a bit weak. I went with La Forra Chianti Classico Riserva 2001. I purchased four bottles of La Forra on the suggestion of my wine friend Steve last year. It really takes a long time for the wine to open up and express its fruit. While more BYOBs have invested in quality stemware, I’ve yet to come across one with a real decanter. That would have helped. Anyway, the wine was a good choice for the pappardelle dish but could have potentially overwhelmed the more delicate flavors of orecchiette and duck. We wound up bringing half of the bottle back home with us.
Overall we think Salento provided excellent food and the wait staff was great. Our only criticism lies with some of the bus staff that were too quick to remove our plates when they saw a three second break in the eating action. I almost lost my gorgonzola before its time!
OK, now about dessert. Since we were staying in the city and didn’t have to worry about driving I felt comfortable enough over indulge in the intoxicating spirits of hot chocolate. The Foodie Babe was set on checking out a new spot called “Naked Chocolate” on Walnut Street between 13th and Broad Streets. So off we walked in the cold drizzle without an umbrella. The place was packed and I was down to my boxer shorts when I realized it was the chocolate that was naked and not the customers. (Thank God!) This place serves up different flavors and variations of hot chocolate, which tastes like 100% melted chocolate in a cup. I can still taste it ten days later. The closest we ever came to something this decadent was at a famous café called “Laudree” on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. When you get to Naked Chocolate be patient and wait it out for a seat. They serve the hot chocolate in cool little teacups with a side of whipped cream and a cookie. If you get it to go, remind them to give you the whipped cream and cookie. Also, be advised that since the chocolate is so rich, the smallest size is plenty.
Thanks for reading everyone and xoxo from the Foodie Girl!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Grazing through December
T’was the day before the night before Christmas… and I’m busy being good!
Here are our thoughts on some restaurants visited for lunch, dinner and various parties throughout the month. Please note that you will find no mention of holiday cookies or home-made candy anywhere here!
Bridget Foy’s on South Street
I hit it for lunch on a wet Thursday afternoon. My go-to choice at Foy’s is typically the meatloaf with macaroni and cheese. Our server suggested the special of the day, which was Pappardelle pasta with a lamb ragout. Let me tell you, this was a top five pasta dish of all time, right up there with the fuscili at Carlucci in Chicago and gnocchi on the promenade in Nice. It was terrific! The lamb was sweet and the sauce had a touch of cream and Parmesan. I was so close to asking for another bowl to take away and probably would have if I didn’t have to spend the rest of the day in the city. I only hope that when I get back to Bridget Foy’s again they still have it on the menu.
Rembrandt’s in the Art Museum area
The Hub of Mine held his company’s Christmas Party at Rembrandt’s for about 30 friends, colleagues and clients. We had a really nice private room upstairs complete with a fireplace and bar. The folks served us a really delicious thin crust brick oven pizza which was a real hit. Guests also devoured several plates of their signature pork ribs, crab balls and a really cool concoction of blue cheese and walnuts served on a big leaf of lettuce. The party was a hit and the friendly staff did a really nice job for the guests. Hub and I had an outstanding dinner at Rembrandt’s this past summer, which was equally good.
Nooddi, The Noodle Bar in Media
It’s been a while since we’ve been to ‘The Nooddi Bar’ in Media. This corner BYOB serves a variety of classic Thai cuisine with an emphasis on noodle filled soups and entrees. In fact, we ran into a gentleman I had not seen in years who claims the Nooddi Bar has the only Thai that comes close to what he had in Thailand.
The Foodie Girl got all hot and bothered with the semi-spicy Tom Yum, a noodle dish with lemongrass and seafood in broth. I went for the Pad Se Ew (its hard to order these things without chuckling) which is sautéed beef with the wide rice noodles. Both dishes were very good, the service was efficient and we didn’t have to wait for a table. It’s also family friendly, which of course is important to us. Since it is BYOB I was able to dig into the cellar to find the right wine match. I came up with a knockout white, a chilled Copain Viogioner from California’s Catie’s Corner vineyard. It was fresh enough to stand up to the spice of the food and still keep it’s pear and floral notes.
Brunch with Santa at Brodeur's on State Street in Media
A year ago we had a really nice "Brunch with Santa" at the Desmond Hotel in Great Valley. It was packed with families who paid a bunch of money to see Santa and have a really elaborate brunch in a nice setting. Well, we waited too long to make plans this year so we were looking for an alternative. My sister came up with Brodeur's on State Street in Media. They were having a much lower-key Sunday Santa Brunch that our Foodie-In-Training and her one year old cutie would enjoy. Brodeur's is the site of the former New Orleans Cafe on the corner of State and Jackson Streets. Long time Media-ites still refer to it as 'Old Borough Hall.'
It turned out to be the perfect setting for a late Sunday morning with the kids. Brunch consisted of what you would expect: the standard breakfast eggs, sausages and so on, along with carved beef and omelet station. Everything was very good. Things were so good that my husband and brother-in-law wore out the carpet walking back and forth to the food line to fill their plates! The regular filling of the glasses with Mimosas was a nice surprise. However I think everyone would agree the deserts were the real hit of the day. I mean, who does not love a chocolate fountain?? Who is the artist who thought of liquid chocolate streaming like a waterfall into a bowl, just asking to have fruit and pretzels dipped in?
Perhaps what was most important that morning was the outstanding Santa Claus that greeted the kids. He remembered everyone's name and came around to the tables to speak with the families. I know Santa is used to getting his picture taken but this one really worked with the shy kids to get some memorable photographs. Kudos to the staff at Brodeur's. It's a good bet we'll be back for dinner on a weeknight soon.
Countryside Market & Deli in Swarthmore
We finally made it for breakfast to the oft mentioned Countryside Market! Its true, you really do forget you're in Delaware County when you're there. The omelets and breakfast sandwiches are different (in a good way) and can be requested exactly as you like it to be prepared. The service was very slow, both for waiting for our first cup of coffee and for the food to come out once ordered. (I'm not as patient as my darling is.) Maybe that is part of the country appeal. Another down side is the constant blast of cold air every time the door opens. I suggest asking to be seated away from the door if possible. We're told the sandwiches here are top notch as well. We will be back here again for round two and we'll let you know about it.
Happy Holidays!
Thanks to the hundreds of you who read my blog and a big thank you to those who have left comments. And Santa, if you’re reading this, please bring my wine-crazed husband a mixed case of 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape and maybe some overpriced Bordeaux.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
xoxoxo,
The Foodie Girl
(with an assist from Hub)
Here are our thoughts on some restaurants visited for lunch, dinner and various parties throughout the month. Please note that you will find no mention of holiday cookies or home-made candy anywhere here!
Bridget Foy’s on South Street
I hit it for lunch on a wet Thursday afternoon. My go-to choice at Foy’s is typically the meatloaf with macaroni and cheese. Our server suggested the special of the day, which was Pappardelle pasta with a lamb ragout. Let me tell you, this was a top five pasta dish of all time, right up there with the fuscili at Carlucci in Chicago and gnocchi on the promenade in Nice. It was terrific! The lamb was sweet and the sauce had a touch of cream and Parmesan. I was so close to asking for another bowl to take away and probably would have if I didn’t have to spend the rest of the day in the city. I only hope that when I get back to Bridget Foy’s again they still have it on the menu.
Rembrandt’s in the Art Museum area
The Hub of Mine held his company’s Christmas Party at Rembrandt’s for about 30 friends, colleagues and clients. We had a really nice private room upstairs complete with a fireplace and bar. The folks served us a really delicious thin crust brick oven pizza which was a real hit. Guests also devoured several plates of their signature pork ribs, crab balls and a really cool concoction of blue cheese and walnuts served on a big leaf of lettuce. The party was a hit and the friendly staff did a really nice job for the guests. Hub and I had an outstanding dinner at Rembrandt’s this past summer, which was equally good.
Nooddi, The Noodle Bar in Media
It’s been a while since we’ve been to ‘The Nooddi Bar’ in Media. This corner BYOB serves a variety of classic Thai cuisine with an emphasis on noodle filled soups and entrees. In fact, we ran into a gentleman I had not seen in years who claims the Nooddi Bar has the only Thai that comes close to what he had in Thailand.
The Foodie Girl got all hot and bothered with the semi-spicy Tom Yum, a noodle dish with lemongrass and seafood in broth. I went for the Pad Se Ew (its hard to order these things without chuckling) which is sautéed beef with the wide rice noodles. Both dishes were very good, the service was efficient and we didn’t have to wait for a table. It’s also family friendly, which of course is important to us. Since it is BYOB I was able to dig into the cellar to find the right wine match. I came up with a knockout white, a chilled Copain Viogioner from California’s Catie’s Corner vineyard. It was fresh enough to stand up to the spice of the food and still keep it’s pear and floral notes.
Brunch with Santa at Brodeur's on State Street in Media
A year ago we had a really nice "Brunch with Santa" at the Desmond Hotel in Great Valley. It was packed with families who paid a bunch of money to see Santa and have a really elaborate brunch in a nice setting. Well, we waited too long to make plans this year so we were looking for an alternative. My sister came up with Brodeur's on State Street in Media. They were having a much lower-key Sunday Santa Brunch that our Foodie-In-Training and her one year old cutie would enjoy. Brodeur's is the site of the former New Orleans Cafe on the corner of State and Jackson Streets. Long time Media-ites still refer to it as 'Old Borough Hall.'
It turned out to be the perfect setting for a late Sunday morning with the kids. Brunch consisted of what you would expect: the standard breakfast eggs, sausages and so on, along with carved beef and omelet station. Everything was very good. Things were so good that my husband and brother-in-law wore out the carpet walking back and forth to the food line to fill their plates! The regular filling of the glasses with Mimosas was a nice surprise. However I think everyone would agree the deserts were the real hit of the day. I mean, who does not love a chocolate fountain?? Who is the artist who thought of liquid chocolate streaming like a waterfall into a bowl, just asking to have fruit and pretzels dipped in?
Perhaps what was most important that morning was the outstanding Santa Claus that greeted the kids. He remembered everyone's name and came around to the tables to speak with the families. I know Santa is used to getting his picture taken but this one really worked with the shy kids to get some memorable photographs. Kudos to the staff at Brodeur's. It's a good bet we'll be back for dinner on a weeknight soon.
Countryside Market & Deli in Swarthmore
We finally made it for breakfast to the oft mentioned Countryside Market! Its true, you really do forget you're in Delaware County when you're there. The omelets and breakfast sandwiches are different (in a good way) and can be requested exactly as you like it to be prepared. The service was very slow, both for waiting for our first cup of coffee and for the food to come out once ordered. (I'm not as patient as my darling is.) Maybe that is part of the country appeal. Another down side is the constant blast of cold air every time the door opens. I suggest asking to be seated away from the door if possible. We're told the sandwiches here are top notch as well. We will be back here again for round two and we'll let you know about it.
Happy Holidays!
Thanks to the hundreds of you who read my blog and a big thank you to those who have left comments. And Santa, if you’re reading this, please bring my wine-crazed husband a mixed case of 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape and maybe some overpriced Bordeaux.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
xoxoxo,
The Foodie Girl
(with an assist from Hub)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Hit or Miss at Media Asian Restaurant
If you’ve been following the Foodie Girl’s pictures, descriptions and accounts of the dining game you have probably read mentions of Peking/Tokyo Restaurant in Media. Typically we tap Margaret Kuo’s location on State Street for takeout on Friday evenings. She loves the sushi and I often opt for a trio of appetizers. (Beef Negamaki, the carnivore’s version of sushi, a dumpling called ‘Wasabi Shumi’ and Chicken Yakitori) This past Friday we braved the cold to dine in with our three year old.
We’ve actually been going to Peking for about 10 years or whenever it first opened in the mid-90’s. This location was remodeled and updated about three years ago to resemble an upscale Asian bistro reminiscent of Old City. It really is stylish inside.
All of this leads me to the comment I need to get off my chest. As much as we enjoy this place, love the new décor and especially the folks who work there, it has become wildly inconsistent in both food and service. Let me explain.
One of my traditional favorites was the Chicken or Filet Mignon Teriyaki. I could count on this consisting of a good size portion of chicken or filet served over grilled onions, with an ample amount of their delicious teriyaki sauce. It would also include a green salad, a small ‘side’ portion of dumplings or something similar, a steamed veggie like corn on the cob or carrots and finally steamed rice. Lately however, the grilled onions are gone, the sauce is barely there, the ‘side’ dish is gone, and the veggie is either gone or barely steamed to the point it is hard. What happened?
In the case of this past Friday, I once again opted for the Filet Teriyaki. When the plate arrived the filet looked different than what I expected but very good so I went with it. About half way through I realized that I was given the Filet with Bourbon Sauce instead of what I asked for. It was delicious but clearly different that what I requested. None of the other goodies they previously included the Teriyaki Dinner were anywhere to be found.
The Foodie Babe has also noted on numerous occasions that the attention to detail on her sushi rolls is not always there. While it is always very fresh she recalls that the rolls were always much neater and appealing to the eye in the past. (Apparently that is very important to sushi lovers)
Let me say again that the folks who work the front of the restaurant have always been terrific. This is a busy place on the weekend. Carol is the quarterback of it all and always double-checks our carryout order. She’s also quick with a treat for our little Foodie-in-Training. However, the service at the table is clearly hit or miss.
One last thing I wanted to get off my chest. What is up with the town of Media? They are calling themselves “America’s First Free Trade Town.” I have no idea what this means. Apparently it is not some sort of historical designation. It’s a riot to see these ‘Free Trade’ signs covering the windows of all the empty storefronts. I guess they’re just waiting for another mega bank to move in. It’s even funnier that most of the retail stores were closed at 8:00 on a Friday night during Christmas shopping season. Can someone help me to understand this?
Thanks for listening. I feel better now. Time to put the little one to bed.
Yo!
The Foodie Hubby
We’ve actually been going to Peking for about 10 years or whenever it first opened in the mid-90’s. This location was remodeled and updated about three years ago to resemble an upscale Asian bistro reminiscent of Old City. It really is stylish inside.
All of this leads me to the comment I need to get off my chest. As much as we enjoy this place, love the new décor and especially the folks who work there, it has become wildly inconsistent in both food and service. Let me explain.
One of my traditional favorites was the Chicken or Filet Mignon Teriyaki. I could count on this consisting of a good size portion of chicken or filet served over grilled onions, with an ample amount of their delicious teriyaki sauce. It would also include a green salad, a small ‘side’ portion of dumplings or something similar, a steamed veggie like corn on the cob or carrots and finally steamed rice. Lately however, the grilled onions are gone, the sauce is barely there, the ‘side’ dish is gone, and the veggie is either gone or barely steamed to the point it is hard. What happened?
In the case of this past Friday, I once again opted for the Filet Teriyaki. When the plate arrived the filet looked different than what I expected but very good so I went with it. About half way through I realized that I was given the Filet with Bourbon Sauce instead of what I asked for. It was delicious but clearly different that what I requested. None of the other goodies they previously included the Teriyaki Dinner were anywhere to be found.
The Foodie Babe has also noted on numerous occasions that the attention to detail on her sushi rolls is not always there. While it is always very fresh she recalls that the rolls were always much neater and appealing to the eye in the past. (Apparently that is very important to sushi lovers)
Let me say again that the folks who work the front of the restaurant have always been terrific. This is a busy place on the weekend. Carol is the quarterback of it all and always double-checks our carryout order. She’s also quick with a treat for our little Foodie-in-Training. However, the service at the table is clearly hit or miss.
One last thing I wanted to get off my chest. What is up with the town of Media? They are calling themselves “America’s First Free Trade Town.” I have no idea what this means. Apparently it is not some sort of historical designation. It’s a riot to see these ‘Free Trade’ signs covering the windows of all the empty storefronts. I guess they’re just waiting for another mega bank to move in. It’s even funnier that most of the retail stores were closed at 8:00 on a Friday night during Christmas shopping season. Can someone help me to understand this?
Thanks for listening. I feel better now. Time to put the little one to bed.
Yo!
The Foodie Hubby
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Restaurant Weak? Not at Lolita!
Trying to find a new restaurant during Philadelphia Restaurant Week is always a challenge.
First of all, the value is good - $30 for 3 courses. Plus, the fact that you’re getting 3 courses is a great way to be a little more daring and try some different dishes you might not typically order. Lately, though, we’ve come away from Restaurant Week feeling that despite the value, the portions seem to be getting smaller and smaller. That is until we went to Lolita at 106 S. 13th Street in Center City Philadelphia.
It was a warm Friday evening in September with people dining out on the sidewalk. Even though we had reservations, I was nervous we’d still have a wait since it was a Friday night during Restaurant Week and the place isn’t really big. It turns out we didn’t have to wait long and even got to request the “fish bowl” which is one of our favorite places to sit. Sitting in the alcove by the front window is a great place to people watch. We enjoyed watching the parade of under-dressed 20-somethings checking out the restaurant and walking in to request a table.
The great thing about Lolita is that it’s a BYOB. The chances of finding a BYOB on the list for Restaurant Week isn’t usually good so we were already ahead of the game. Hubby, as usual, picked the perfect bottle of wine to compliment our Mexican food. (I asked and he does not remember exactly what we drank. He thinks an oakey Chardonnay.)
My first course was a delicious ceviche. Hubby enjoyed his 3-chile marinated pork carnitas. What a nice surprise to find that these appetizers were “regular” size and not the smaller portions we typically get during Restaurant Week.
For our entrees, I had the grilled Hawaiian Waluu. It’s a different kind of fish than I’ve usually seen on menus and a pleasant surprise. Again, it was a good-sized portion but not overwhelming. Hubby loved his grilled pork chop.
Often for Restaurant Week, the pace is quick as restaurants are trying to get in as many diners as possible in one night. Our server didn’t rush us and let us linger over our bottle of wine while we made our dessert selections. We each ordered something different so we could try the other’s dessert. I ordered the pecan cheesecake and hubby decided to try the Kahlua-espresso soaked lady fingers. What a great way to finish the meal!
We’ll be sure to go back to Lolita again to experience it when it’s not Restaurant Week. I highly recommend reservations since the place is kind of small. By the way, they encourage diners to ‘BYOT’ as in ‘Bring Your Own Tequila.’ They will set you up with the fixins for your own pitcher of Margaritas!
xoxoxo,
The Phillly Foodie Girl
First of all, the value is good - $30 for 3 courses. Plus, the fact that you’re getting 3 courses is a great way to be a little more daring and try some different dishes you might not typically order. Lately, though, we’ve come away from Restaurant Week feeling that despite the value, the portions seem to be getting smaller and smaller. That is until we went to Lolita at 106 S. 13th Street in Center City Philadelphia.
It was a warm Friday evening in September with people dining out on the sidewalk. Even though we had reservations, I was nervous we’d still have a wait since it was a Friday night during Restaurant Week and the place isn’t really big. It turns out we didn’t have to wait long and even got to request the “fish bowl” which is one of our favorite places to sit. Sitting in the alcove by the front window is a great place to people watch. We enjoyed watching the parade of under-dressed 20-somethings checking out the restaurant and walking in to request a table.
The great thing about Lolita is that it’s a BYOB. The chances of finding a BYOB on the list for Restaurant Week isn’t usually good so we were already ahead of the game. Hubby, as usual, picked the perfect bottle of wine to compliment our Mexican food. (I asked and he does not remember exactly what we drank. He thinks an oakey Chardonnay.)
My first course was a delicious ceviche. Hubby enjoyed his 3-chile marinated pork carnitas. What a nice surprise to find that these appetizers were “regular” size and not the smaller portions we typically get during Restaurant Week.
For our entrees, I had the grilled Hawaiian Waluu. It’s a different kind of fish than I’ve usually seen on menus and a pleasant surprise. Again, it was a good-sized portion but not overwhelming. Hubby loved his grilled pork chop.
Often for Restaurant Week, the pace is quick as restaurants are trying to get in as many diners as possible in one night. Our server didn’t rush us and let us linger over our bottle of wine while we made our dessert selections. We each ordered something different so we could try the other’s dessert. I ordered the pecan cheesecake and hubby decided to try the Kahlua-espresso soaked lady fingers. What a great way to finish the meal!
We’ll be sure to go back to Lolita again to experience it when it’s not Restaurant Week. I highly recommend reservations since the place is kind of small. By the way, they encourage diners to ‘BYOT’ as in ‘Bring Your Own Tequila.’ They will set you up with the fixins for your own pitcher of Margaritas!
xoxoxo,
The Phillly Foodie Girl
Prime Time in Chadds Ford
Greetings again, Foodies! Thanks for your patience in hearing all about our recent visit to Brandywine Prime Seafood and Chops in Chadds Ford, PA.
I believe this restaurant used to be called the Chadds Ford Inn. The completely renovated ‘BP’ has managed to keep its rustic feel while its seasonable menu reminds you that you’re in Brandywine Country, just steps from the famed Brandywine River.
We met our delightful friends Theresa and Joe (who are not foodies but really appreciate good dining) at about 7:30 on a chilly Saturday night in October. The restaurant boasts two levels with a busy (smoke filled) bar on the first level close to the host stand. We thankfully were led to the upstairs dining area where it was a bit quieter albeit much colder. That’s when I reminded hubby why I wear longer skirts in the fall and winter.
So let’s get on to what really matters: The Food! We grooved on the very seasonal Pumpkin Bisque and Mushroom Soup. Both were really good and not too creamy, with the latter soup loaded with the locally grown Kennett delicacy.
For entrees, hubby was thrilled to see the very French Bistro Steak, complete with pomme frite. I had the crab cakes, while both Theresa and Joe opted for the straight-forward chicken dish. Everyone enjoyed the entrees, which were generally very good but not remarkable.
When I called to confirm our reservations I was sure to remind the manager that we were celebrating our friend Joe’s 4x birthday. Believe it or not, this has been a problem at some restaurants in the past. I’ve called ahead, many times at least twice, and still there was no candle or acknowledgement of the birthday we were celebrating. I was assured that there would be a candle placed on his dessert. The staff was efficient and friendly and did come through with the candle and a hearty happy birthday! In fact, the manager even came over to make sure that business was taken care of.
Now please bear with me, as the Foodie Hubby will have a headache for the next month if I don’t talk about this. The best part of the meal was the wine. For a very reasonable $10.00 corkage fee we were able to bring along our own wine, a 2003 Chatauneuf-du-Pape Vieux Lazaret Cuvee Exceptionel. Hub commented that the wine seemed to be in its ‘dumb period’ and not yet showing its full potential. I though it was delicious. This bottle would have cost $200.00 on any wine list cool enough to have such an awesome bottle on their list. We really wish more restaurants would have a policy as reasonable as BP!
So to summarize, we enjoyed Brandywine Prime. My guess is that once it is decked out for Christmas it will be really festive and cozy. We’ll also probably opt for a menu item a bit more daring next time. And once again, Happy Birthday to our friend Joe!
Brandywine Prime is located on US 1 south just before the intersection of Route 100 in Chadds Ford.
xoxoxo,
The Philly Foodie Girl
I believe this restaurant used to be called the Chadds Ford Inn. The completely renovated ‘BP’ has managed to keep its rustic feel while its seasonable menu reminds you that you’re in Brandywine Country, just steps from the famed Brandywine River.
We met our delightful friends Theresa and Joe (who are not foodies but really appreciate good dining) at about 7:30 on a chilly Saturday night in October. The restaurant boasts two levels with a busy (smoke filled) bar on the first level close to the host stand. We thankfully were led to the upstairs dining area where it was a bit quieter albeit much colder. That’s when I reminded hubby why I wear longer skirts in the fall and winter.
So let’s get on to what really matters: The Food! We grooved on the very seasonal Pumpkin Bisque and Mushroom Soup. Both were really good and not too creamy, with the latter soup loaded with the locally grown Kennett delicacy.
For entrees, hubby was thrilled to see the very French Bistro Steak, complete with pomme frite. I had the crab cakes, while both Theresa and Joe opted for the straight-forward chicken dish. Everyone enjoyed the entrees, which were generally very good but not remarkable.
When I called to confirm our reservations I was sure to remind the manager that we were celebrating our friend Joe’s 4x birthday. Believe it or not, this has been a problem at some restaurants in the past. I’ve called ahead, many times at least twice, and still there was no candle or acknowledgement of the birthday we were celebrating. I was assured that there would be a candle placed on his dessert. The staff was efficient and friendly and did come through with the candle and a hearty happy birthday! In fact, the manager even came over to make sure that business was taken care of.
Now please bear with me, as the Foodie Hubby will have a headache for the next month if I don’t talk about this. The best part of the meal was the wine. For a very reasonable $10.00 corkage fee we were able to bring along our own wine, a 2003 Chatauneuf-du-Pape Vieux Lazaret Cuvee Exceptionel. Hub commented that the wine seemed to be in its ‘dumb period’ and not yet showing its full potential. I though it was delicious. This bottle would have cost $200.00 on any wine list cool enough to have such an awesome bottle on their list. We really wish more restaurants would have a policy as reasonable as BP!So to summarize, we enjoyed Brandywine Prime. My guess is that once it is decked out for Christmas it will be really festive and cozy. We’ll also probably opt for a menu item a bit more daring next time. And once again, Happy Birthday to our friend Joe!
Brandywine Prime is located on US 1 south just before the intersection of Route 100 in Chadds Ford.
xoxoxo,
The Philly Foodie Girl
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Breaking the Chains
When our daughter was born 3 1/2 years ago we were constantly told by other parents that "Your days of going to fine dining establishments are over. Get used to going to Olive Garden on a Saturday night."
Boy, we've been doing our best to defeat that theory and so far I think we're doing pretty well. Saturday night we dined at Brandywine Prime in Chadds Ford with our friends Joe and Theresa. (When the Foodie Girl gets back from the gym she'll tell you all about BP.)
However, I can hear those parents right now laughing at us with an "I told you so." Bookending Saturday night were two trips into the chain restaurant world: Hibachi and Carrabba's in the Springfield Mall.
Yep, you read right. Dinner next to a Halloween Adventure Store and inside the mall. Now here is the interesting part... neither were all that bad. Without getting into too much detail here is how it came down.
Our little one loves Chinese food. She has been eating noodles and rice dishes from Margaret Kuo's in Media since she was old enough to hold chopsticks (about two years old). We thought she would get a big kick sitting around the giant grill while the Hibachi chefs lit rice on fire and tossed shrimp in the mouths of diners. She was mesmerized and loved every minute of it. Those sitting around us got more of a kick watching her than the chef!
Anyway, I went for the Filet Mignon and Chicken combo. It was a bit of a small portion but very good anyway. The foodie Babe had a Scallops and Filet combo. She reported the meat not being as tender as you would expect from filet and the scallops being just OK. Because we were seated before 6:45, we qualified for the early bird price and saved about $12.00.
Now on to Sunday night and Carrabba's Italian Grill in the Springfield Mall. It was my big sister's birthday and my younger sister's 14th wedding anniversary, so 10 of us got together at 4:oo in the afternoon for dinner. Let me say I'm shocked how many people were in this place in the middle of the day. What ever happened to watching football on Sunday afternoon?
The staff there was quite nice. The only problem is I think every server in the chain restaurant world studies the same training manual. Just once it would be nice not to hear, "Hi, I'm Suzie Snowflake and I'll be taking care of you today. May I start you off with something to drink?" Actually the other thing that bugs me is when you're eating your 'salad' (iceberg lettuce with some diced tomatoes) and the entree comes out a mere 4-minutes later.
The good part about Carrabba's: they were flexible in altering their menu offerings to what we wanted. (They were nice enough to change a spaghetti dish to rigatoni with meat sauce for my dad and I.) My rigatoni was just OK. The Foodie Girl's salad with eggplant and goat cheese was a little small and on the salty side. Everyone else seemed pretty happy with what they ordered. Another hit was when they substituted my Absolut Citron with Kettle One Citron. You really can taste the difference.
The bad part about Carrabba's: as a group of 10 we were really confined in our pushed-together tables, our service seemed a bit rushed (see above comment), and the place is really dark. Next time we'll bring a flashlight to see the menu. Overall, this is what you expect from a place in the mall.
The best part: Having the family together to celebrate a birthday and an anniversary!!
Now get ready because as soon as the Foodie Girl gets out of the shower she'll be telling you all about our experience at Brandywine Prime. Caio.
Boy, we've been doing our best to defeat that theory and so far I think we're doing pretty well. Saturday night we dined at Brandywine Prime in Chadds Ford with our friends Joe and Theresa. (When the Foodie Girl gets back from the gym she'll tell you all about BP.)
However, I can hear those parents right now laughing at us with an "I told you so." Bookending Saturday night were two trips into the chain restaurant world: Hibachi and Carrabba's in the Springfield Mall.
Yep, you read right. Dinner next to a Halloween Adventure Store and inside the mall. Now here is the interesting part... neither were all that bad. Without getting into too much detail here is how it came down.
Our little one loves Chinese food. She has been eating noodles and rice dishes from Margaret Kuo's in Media since she was old enough to hold chopsticks (about two years old). We thought she would get a big kick sitting around the giant grill while the Hibachi chefs lit rice on fire and tossed shrimp in the mouths of diners. She was mesmerized and loved every minute of it. Those sitting around us got more of a kick watching her than the chef!
Anyway, I went for the Filet Mignon and Chicken combo. It was a bit of a small portion but very good anyway. The foodie Babe had a Scallops and Filet combo. She reported the meat not being as tender as you would expect from filet and the scallops being just OK. Because we were seated before 6:45, we qualified for the early bird price and saved about $12.00.
Now on to Sunday night and Carrabba's Italian Grill in the Springfield Mall. It was my big sister's birthday and my younger sister's 14th wedding anniversary, so 10 of us got together at 4:oo in the afternoon for dinner. Let me say I'm shocked how many people were in this place in the middle of the day. What ever happened to watching football on Sunday afternoon?
The staff there was quite nice. The only problem is I think every server in the chain restaurant world studies the same training manual. Just once it would be nice not to hear, "Hi, I'm Suzie Snowflake and I'll be taking care of you today. May I start you off with something to drink?" Actually the other thing that bugs me is when you're eating your 'salad' (iceberg lettuce with some diced tomatoes) and the entree comes out a mere 4-minutes later.
The good part about Carrabba's: they were flexible in altering their menu offerings to what we wanted. (They were nice enough to change a spaghetti dish to rigatoni with meat sauce for my dad and I.) My rigatoni was just OK. The Foodie Girl's salad with eggplant and goat cheese was a little small and on the salty side. Everyone else seemed pretty happy with what they ordered. Another hit was when they substituted my Absolut Citron with Kettle One Citron. You really can taste the difference.
The bad part about Carrabba's: as a group of 10 we were really confined in our pushed-together tables, our service seemed a bit rushed (see above comment), and the place is really dark. Next time we'll bring a flashlight to see the menu. Overall, this is what you expect from a place in the mall.
The best part: Having the family together to celebrate a birthday and an anniversary!!
Now get ready because as soon as the Foodie Girl gets out of the shower she'll be telling you all about our experience at Brandywine Prime. Caio.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
A Non-Chain Restaurant in King of Prussia?
Thanks Foodie Girl for letting me say a quick something about a rare find in King of Prussia- Creed’s Seafood and Steaks.
Why a rare find? Well, if you’ve ever trudged along in the stop and go traffic along Route 202 or Gulph Road in K of P, you know the roadway is jammed with ubiquitous national chain restaurants that pretty much can be found anywhere. I don’t want to say that these places are bad, it’s just that you can find them most anywhere.
This is why Creed’s is so cool. It was great to hit a place, even for lunch, and find the proprietor (Jim Creed himself) in the restaurant saying hello to what appeared to be regulars. It’s been a while since the Foodie Babe and I have been there for dinner, but this lunch with a colleague was a winner.
As you would figure in that area at noon it was mainly business people, really a parade of suits and fancy cars in the parking lot. Despite what appeared to be a large party in one rooms the service was prompt and not at all smothering. My friend had the lunch special, Tilapia over spaghetti squash and rice. ($15.) I went for the classic Cobb Salad even though avocado does nothing for me. ($11.) Both were outstanding!
Since we were talking about business it was good not to be presented with a check too early as we hung out for nearly two hours. Our server was nice enough to keep filling the iced tea glasses as we shared stories about past experiences in the business.
So if you’re doing business in King of Prussia, Valley Forge or anywhere along 202 or 422 you must check out Creeds. If you are staying at a hotel in the area, like the Sheraton Park Ridge or Radisson, leave the hotel restaurants behind for a few hours and get some local flavor! And while I didn't see the dinner menu, I was impressed by the wine list.
You can see a short video about the restaurant here: http://www.philadelphiapavideo.com/city/play.aspx?ItemID=60&CatID=1
Thumbs up to Creeds on North Gulph Road in King of Prussia.
Why a rare find? Well, if you’ve ever trudged along in the stop and go traffic along Route 202 or Gulph Road in K of P, you know the roadway is jammed with ubiquitous national chain restaurants that pretty much can be found anywhere. I don’t want to say that these places are bad, it’s just that you can find them most anywhere.
This is why Creed’s is so cool. It was great to hit a place, even for lunch, and find the proprietor (Jim Creed himself) in the restaurant saying hello to what appeared to be regulars. It’s been a while since the Foodie Babe and I have been there for dinner, but this lunch with a colleague was a winner.
As you would figure in that area at noon it was mainly business people, really a parade of suits and fancy cars in the parking lot. Despite what appeared to be a large party in one rooms the service was prompt and not at all smothering. My friend had the lunch special, Tilapia over spaghetti squash and rice. ($15.) I went for the classic Cobb Salad even though avocado does nothing for me. ($11.) Both were outstanding!
Since we were talking about business it was good not to be presented with a check too early as we hung out for nearly two hours. Our server was nice enough to keep filling the iced tea glasses as we shared stories about past experiences in the business.
So if you’re doing business in King of Prussia, Valley Forge or anywhere along 202 or 422 you must check out Creeds. If you are staying at a hotel in the area, like the Sheraton Park Ridge or Radisson, leave the hotel restaurants behind for a few hours and get some local flavor! And while I didn't see the dinner menu, I was impressed by the wine list.
You can see a short video about the restaurant here: http://www.philadelphiapavideo.com/city/play.aspx?ItemID=60&CatID=1
Thumbs up to Creeds on North Gulph Road in King of Prussia.
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