ddeblasi's Profile
Need feedback on Piperade, Canteen, RNM, Pesce, Mission Beach Cafe, Bar Tartine
Thank you for the feedback on Canteen. Not sure I want a price fix due to lack of flexibility on choice, but thank you for making me aware!
I did make an error and meant to write RN74, Mina's new place, although just read they lost their Michelin star due to inconsistency.
Any feedback on Bar Tartine as well? Range is also up there since they just retained their Michelin star.
After all this, I am tempted to just try Flour + Water for pizza and pasta!
Need feedback on Piperade, Canteen, RNM, Pesce, Mission Beach Cafe, Bar Tartine
I am looking to do dinner in SF this Tuesday evening. I have reservations at Piperade, and am wanting to try the special squid ink dish that is served Tuesdays, but have heard so many differing accounts of the food and service there that I am considering making a change. Any feedback on Piperade would be greatly appreciated!
I am considering Canteen as well, or Pesce for small plate venetian cuisine, or the new RNM and Mission Beach Cafe. Bar Tartine is also on my list to try, but have also heard some things since chef has changed. Any feedback is appreciated!
Many thanks!
DD
Looking for a particular cheesesteak
Must hit Chink's in the Northeast, on Torresdale Avenue. Meets your requirement s of chopped steak, American cheese and onions woven together on the grill-top. A classic place in a working-class neighborhood that serves excellent milkshakes and egg cremes too.
2nd best pizza in town?
I second SLICE on 10th & Federal two blocks from Geno's and Pat's. Great thin crust tomato pies in the guise of Delorenzos of Trenton.
St. George's friday Greek lunch
I just contacted the Greek Orthodox Church at (215) 627-4389 and spoke to a nice gentleman who confirmed for me that the Friday lunches are back on, every Friday from 10:45 to 2:45PM.
Philly restaurant for steamers?
I love Southwark, off of South Street. In addition to a terrific menu, their classic cocktails rock and beer menu is solid. Kip is behind the bar and his wife is the chef - they are great people. Go support them! Here is their website, but note that they will be closed Sunday, June 29th thru Wednesday, July 9th:
www.southwarkrestaurant.com
Also try Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. Their food rocks and many of their beers are locally brewed. They do steamers well along with great mussels. Here is their site:
www.standardtap.com
Enjoy!
Al fresco Philly Suburbs
Check out the July 2008 Issue of Philadelphia magazine that focused on the Best in Outdoor Dining in the city and towns around Philly.
www.phillymag.com
Per your areas:
Westchester: Blue Pear Bistro, Avalon, Dilworthtown Inn, Coyote Crossing
Main Line - Taquet in Wayne, Maia in Villanova, 333 Belrose in Radnor, Pond in Radnor on King of Prussia Road
Enjoy!
Dinner for 15 in Philly
I suggest Tre Scalini in South Philly, @ 1915 E Passyunk Ave. This new location is more than adequate in space, with 2 rooms on the lower floor and a large room upstairs for big parties. The food is spectacular, very traditional and simple Italian with excellent flavors. It is BYOB as well, which will help on cost. Enjoy...
Somewhere quiet
For a quiet atmosphere with a hint of romanticism and excellent cuisine, I suggest Caffe Casta Diva. Located on 227 S 20th St, at Locust St., the restaurant has an operatic theme in paintings and music, and its Italian-centric menu is really terrific and will include items for both you and your date. Owner and chef Stephen Vassaluzzo may be the most humble restauranteur I have ever met. His homemade pastas are excellent, as is his veal chop and fish. Even the gelato is homemade. Based on what you are looking for, I think Casta Diva serves your interests. Request the table in the window and enjoy a romantic evening. It is also BYOB.
whole fish in philadelphia
My fave is Dmitri's for whole fish. Go to the original on 3rd and Catherine. Simply char-grilled, they usually are serving dorado and pompano. Roughly $22-24 per fish. Enjoy...
Devil's Den - Food ain't angelic
I spent a few hours at Devil's Den Saturday night following the Phillies game. I love the interior space immensely, but appearances are deceiving at times. Despite being a new face on the block, the establishment has already changed chefs, and I'm not sure what promise is being delivered by the current one. Although 4 of us came just for cocktails and bar food appetizers, I felt the kitchen fell short. The bar boasts an arm's length list of beers, but they were out of the first two choices my buddy ordered, a poor signal for a weekend evening. We ordered three apps - the shrimp and calamari fritti, wings and chicken tenders. The first was mostly tiny peices of breading without flesh, with indistinguishable pieces of shrimp, and a sore lack of flavor that couldn't be saved by a squeeze of lemon or a dousing of the faux-aioli; the wings were quite immense, nicely doused in an overly-sweet sauce that at its base really lacked a pungent or strong flavor; the chicken tenders were nicely sized, but again, the flavor quotient was absent, and the honey-flavored dipping sauce didn't help matters. Thanks for my Maker's Mark on the rocks to wash it down - that turned out to be my favorite intake of the evening. To the owners of Devil's Den - don't waste such a beautiful space with poor kitchen follow through. You can dress up an ugly duckling, but we all know it still remains underneath. Let's hope an angel is sitting in the kitchen over there to shed some light!
Which restaurant would you choose?
Go for Barclay Prime. Cool modern vibe bit not too stuffy. Excellent food and service is top-notch. Enjoy the experience!
cochon
Dined here the first weekend of opening. Had a good experience. Scallop app is terrific, escargots were average. Any meat dish is excellent, each of us tried pork, I had the chop and my friend had the shank (similar prep to osso bucco). The duck looks fantastic too. Had simple chocolate tart for dessert. Service was friendly. My only complaint was lighting - be prepared for a bright dining experience! Enjoy...
Tonight, near the Electric Factory
Go to Silk City, newly re-opened by owner of N3rd and food is fantastic. Located at 435 Spring Garden St. You won't be disappointed. Attached is the menu:
www.silkcitydiner.com
Hoa Viet Restaurant Philly - Closed?
Can anyone tell me if Hoa Viet in Chinatown in Philadelphia is open or closed for business? I tried their work # today and it was not in service. I am craving Vietnamese and love their pho.
Thanks!
BYOB on Saturday night
I love L'Anogolo, a perfect Roman-style trattoria. Expect simple but good dishes - go for the grilled calarmari to start and try their pastas.
Cucina Forte has excellent homemade gnocchi - try the gorgonzola sauce.
If you don't necessarily need South Philly but a very good BYO, my staple fave Italian is Caffe Casta Diva, which is what I think one of the BEST Italians in the city. A charming BYO, the owner Stephen Vassaluzzo is the most humble chef I ever met, perhaps b/c he is self-taught. The homemade pastas are terrific (try the gnochhi with seared tuna in a wasabi cream sauce if they are serving it), as is the veal chop (ask the chef to prepare it however he wants to off-menu) and the fish; the homemade gelatos and tiramisu are also terrific. It is located on 227 S. 20th St and Locust.
Restaurant near 10th and Spruce
I suggest Mercato (12th and Spruce) for terrific mediterranean and Vintage on 13th for French bistro fare and great wine selection. Go to Capogiro for the best gelato in the city for dessert.
Looking for Best Crabs in Philadelphia
Thanks joluvscards. Any idea what time they are open until on Sundays? thanks
Looking for Best Crabs in Philadelphia
Craving some good crabs in Philly, looking for simple but good bushel of blue crabs. Any suggestions on where to find them in Philly are appreciated! Ambiance not important, but taste and quality of crabs are...thanks chowhounders.
Bostonian coming to NYC for birthday
It is not Asian, but go to Little Owl in West Village, just had one of the best meals there. A perfect corner spot in the neighborhood-y village. The seared scallops and meatball sliders make great starters, and the pork chop is the best I've had in a long time. The fish was also excellently prepared, as were the desserts. Service excellent.
http://www.thelittleowlnyc.com/
Go to Little Branch nearby for drinks afterwards - it is an old speakeasy serving memorable classic cocktails - go for the manhattan.
Happy Eating - and happy birthday.
Casual Dinner in Downtown Philly?
For THE best burger in the city, I also support Good Dog. Order it med-rare, and savor the oozing roquefort as you bite into it. It is a dive bar, but that is the lure of it.
Monk's is also terrific, but be sure to walk directly to the back of the restaurant and have beers and mussels in the small bar-room that is a belgian replica; it is really like you are drinking in an old taproom in Antwerp, with the various tapestries on the walls. Knowledgable barkeeps too and terrific beer options. Go for anything belgian, like the Duvel.
I also support Caffe Casta Diva, which is what I think one of the BEST Italians in the city. A charming BYO, the owner Stephen Vassaluzzo is the most humble chef I ever met, perhaps b/c he is self-taught. The homemade pastas are terrific (try the gnochhi with seared tuna in a wasabi cream sauce if they are serving it), as is the veal chop (ask the chef to prepare it however he wants to off-menu) and the fish; the homemade gelatos and tiramisu are also terrific.
The new Tinto is also casual but excellent cuisine from Jose Garces of Amada. Small space, but grab seats at the bar and talk and listen to the server behind the bar - they know what they are serving.
After Tinto, hit Capogiro for terrific gelato, the best in the city and perhaps region.
Best BYO in Bella Vista?
I second Dmitri's, the most consistent restaurant in Philly. In fact, was there again last Saturday night. Start with the hummus, the scampi, grilled octopus and fried calamari (the most tender calamari I find anywhere). Then go for the bluefish greek-style or tilapia special or whole grilled fish (but filet it yourself for the experience). Finish off with their famous homemade rice pudding.
After dinner, head to Southwark off of South Street for incredible classic cocktails. The best manhattan is made there. Kip the co-owner is behind the bar - the one with the goatee. Great guy. his wife is the chef there.
Happy Eating.
Cheap Sushi in Philly
Try Sagami. It is not in Philly - but over the bridge in NJ, off of Rt. 130 in Collingswood. The best sushi around, and has been around since the 70s. Its longevity is a testament to its quality.
Cheap Sushi in Philly
Try Sagami. It is not in Philly - but over the bridge in NJ, off of Rt. 130 in Collingswood. The best sushi around, and has been around since the 70s. Its longevity is a testament to its quality.
Taranta OUT - Neptune Oyster IN
Just read the retorts to my "rant" on Taranta. I may have been overreactive, so let's just say it wasn't as memorable a meal for me as for many other diners. I just found the whole experience as "off." The gnocchi dish did have a spicy kick to it, but the sauce was a bit watery. I love ragus with my pastas. and this did have flavor; it just didn't have the memorable quality to it. The apps were average. I know sometimes one's experience may differ with another. For me, I literally saw the chef hanging outside reading the paper, never going to any table. It was a holiday weekend, on a Saturday nite, so perhaps it was an "off" nite. But in my mind, consistency is key. My meal obviously didn't have the "wow" factor as it did for so many others that I was expecting.
Regardless, Neptune Oyster satisfied my stay in the North End. I will certainly be back there.
Happy Eating!
Taranta OUT - Neptune Oyster IN
I consider myself a foodie, so whenever I visit a new city or revisit one where I have been, I always focus on where I will be eating during my stay. I recently was in Boston over the Labor Day holiday weekend with a first-time visitor from California, so I wanted to eat in the North End. Being Italian myself and from Philadelphia, I have always loved the North End in Boston, feeling it more authentic than New York and even Philly. I was in search of a non-traditional experience however; not the standard Italian-Americanized cuisine that many tourists may seek out on their initial visit.
I knew I wanted seafood and pasta. I honed in on Neptune Oyster as a lunch option and reserved a table at Taranta, a restaurant that touted itself as "Italian-Peruvian." I had read mostly positive feedback on Chowhound so I reserved a spot there. Now, I also am an avid Food & Wine and Bon Appetit reader. Neptune was highlighted in F&W and it sounded exactly like what I was seeking - oysters and clean fresh seafood. Taranta was a gamble, I knew that. I also wanted a reservation because I wanted to avoid walking around aimlessly trying to decide on a restaurant at the last minute. Neptune and Taranta couldn't be any more different.
Neptune was a terrific stop after an early afternoon visit to the church where Revere ordered the two lanterns hung. Neptune resides on a street parallel to Hanover where Taranta is located, and it was like two different worlds. Hanover is the main artery through North End, so foot traffic and tourists abounded. Although busy, the street where Neptune was situated was quieter, less crowded and more small-town feel. Around 2:30PM on a Saturday, Neptune still had a crowd, but my buddy and I found 2 seats at the bar. We had an amazing lunch: started with a dozen oysters that were shelled perfectly with the juices still intact; some raw littlenecks and cherrystones; then a sauteed calamari in a tomato broth with white beans and hit of spice that was fabulous; and finished off with the crab louie salad which was out of this world, sweet with an almond vinaigrette, a perfect cooling off finish to the meal. Great wine selection and terrific bottled and tapped beers accentuated the meal. Our server Kerri-Ann was likeable, friendly and helpful. This experience made my Saturday. It is amazing what a positive dining experience will do for the mind and soul.
My return to North End in the evening was quite different. We found Taranta at 9 PM, our reserved time, and perused the menu. It was interesting, nothing too outlandish but with some dishes that appealed to our eyes. Upon entry, I had a gut feeling the nite was going to be off-center. I approached the man at the helm of the podium near the door, provided my name and he pointed to the table in the window for us to take; he did it in the fashion of a machine and was seemingly proud to check-off in his book yet another blind soldier into battle. I noticed immediately that this man was the chef, based on his attire, as well as the owner, per the photos in the many reviews so glaringly shown upon entry. I knew this was a bad sign; there were diners in the restaurant yet the head chef was seating guests, never entering the kitchen once during my stay. In fact, in the middle of my meal, I saw the owner outside, on the sidewalk, standing above a newspaper stall reading; I was furious. Upon seating, I had wanted to leave b/c I had an instinctual voice saying "GO." We wanted cocktails to start, but Taranta doesn't have hard liquor, except for a few candied drinks to represent Peru and wherever else. Rather than a vodka rocks, my friend ordered a terrible cremy and frothy cocktail (peruvian) and I a prosecco off-menu. I read the menu again and we decided on sharing an antipasti for 1, followed by the mussels in marsala wine, then my friend having the lobster ravioli and I the casava gnocchi in a braised lamb ragu. Gnocchi are my favorite and I inquired with Marina, our waitress (who turned out to be the only charming asset to the place) if the pastas were homemade. She said pointedly, "no." I was turned off but accepted the reply and ordered the gnocchi b/c I wanted something Peruvian during my meal. I was going for untraditional after all. The wine list was fairly decent, with selections from Italy and Soutth America; we chose a malbec that turned out to be very average. Marina offered no real assistance on the wine.
The antipasti was a rip-off at $12.95. It was evident everything was store-bought and not grilled or prepared in house. It was also minimal and unmemorable. It was a bad sign. I thought about asking for the check and canceling the meal, but I forged ahead. Despite a decent "homemade" mozzarella, the dish was uninspiring.The mussels arrived next and they were lukewarm, the wine sauce too sweet for the mussels. The mussels were tender, but again, the dishwas simply forgettable. I hoped the pastas were the saving grace - they really were not. My friend's ravioli were clearly store-bought and uninspiring, but the shrimp topping the plate were failry good. My gnocchi were decent but heavy - nothing like the light homemade gnocchi I can find in many places in Philadelphia. And the pasta were steeply priced, at $24.95 apiece. This really got to me; if you are not going to make your own pasta, at least be fair in the pricing. AND when I see the head chef reading the paper outside, it means he has gotten lazy and complacent and uncaring for the customer. He has clearly outlived his successes. I am sure initally Taranta served dishes of originality and flavor; now it was all about fast and simple.
My friend and I skipped dessert, as we wanted canolis from Modern Pastry which was recommended to us a few times by locals. We did get to know Marina the waitress during our meal, and honestly, she saved the experience for us. She was lively and passionate. I only wish the food showed that same approach. After talking with Marina, I came to find that the chef no longer worked as much in the kitchen, that he did talke shortcuts, did not make homemade pasta b/c it was "too time-consuming." That is all I needed to hear. If a chef is not willing to show passion and serve the paying customer who is shelling out over $65 a head for an average meal, then get out. Nothing aggravates me more than a bad meal, especially when I know the chef once had a vision and passion and has thrown it away for the dollars.
My tip - Hit Neptune Oyster for lunch AND dinner; skip Taranta! Save your money and try a place called the Daily Catch, where a friend has recommended me their HOMEMADE squid ink pasta!
