xtian's Profile
Maryland style crab in greater Philadelphia area
How is Snockey's seasoning? Maybe I have just picked the wrong places so far, but I have yet to find anywhere in Philly that actually uses a good Old Bay/rock salt style seasoning and cooks the crabs well. Has anyone tried them there? I have a Groupon to use up and I'll head there tonight!
Single best Chowhound find in Baltimore
Max's Empanadas in Little Italy. Authentic Argentinian empanadas with chimichurri. They also have mate and fabulous desserts.
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Max's Empanadas
313 S High St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Old Bay Steamed Crabs
Thanks to the suggestion of Chowhounders, we went to Chris's Seafood in Canton this weekend to pickup crabs. They were some of the best we've had! The place is just a corner takeout joint in the neighborhood, but the crabs were heavy and well-seasoned-- a combo of Old Bay and rock salt.
We had also eaten at Obryki's over the weekend and the crabs were good-- we're like they're unique take on the seasoning, but overall they were more expensive, smaller, and lighter than what Chris's had to offer.
We also stopped at the Captain James Landing to check it out. I thought the prices were super high and the crabs small, but the deck is a nice spot and I guess you are paying for the ambiance.
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Captain James Landing
2127 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21231
Need some specific rec's for Baltimore (Canton/Fells Point)
Thanks for the great suggestions. We'll definitely order up from Chris's this time. And I'm very intrigued by Tortilleria Sinaloa and Ale Mary's too.
If we were to opt for a sit down dinner on Saturday, which would you recommend Bluegrass or Peter's Inn?
As for lunch with outside tables on Saturday, would you go for Shucker's, John Stevens, or The Point?
Thanks everyone!
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Peter's Inn
504 S Ann St, Baltimore, MD 21231
Ale Marys
1939 Fleet St, Baltimore, MD 21231
Need some specific rec's for Baltimore (Canton/Fells Point)
I will be docking in Baltimore this weekend and staying on our boat in a marina close to the Captain James. My husband is a chef and we're serious chowhounds-- but that def doesn't have to mean high end or fancy... just great food. We particularly like seafood, but are up for anything unique.
Here's what I'd like some suggestions for:
* Good food-centric happy hour for Friday evening, but must have outside tables-- we travel with our dog and need to bring her with us.
* Good place to take Dad for lunch on Saturday - again needs to have dog-friendly seating.
* What do you suggest for take-out crabs from this neighborhood. How is the Captain James crab house (vs. Obrykis?).
* What is within walking distance for breakfast, brunch, and late night grub? We tend to graze with drinks and apps throughout the evening, rather than sit down to a big meal. Does not need to be dog-friendly.
* How is the Bay Cafe these days? Is there still a raw bar at Cross Street Market on Sundays? Is Faidley's open on the weekends?
* What is the best bet for a unique cocktail menu in this part of Baltimore?
Thanks hon!
Pho & More - North Wales?
Been craving pho too, so will make a point to check this out in the next couple of days.
Don't much care for Pho & Beyond... we usually make the trek to Adams Ave for Pho Ha or Pho 75.
Laban gives Radice 3 bells???
I ate at Radice for the first time this weekend and thought it was great. The wine list was nice and well priced. Definitely, I thought their strength was the pastas-- over the other small plates. It was absolutely the best lasagna I've ever had. I also thought their gnocchi gorgonzola was excellent. Pizza margarita was great-- I loved the crust, but would have preferred more of a sauce rather than the chunky tomatoes. next time, I'll try a different type of pizza.
I had just been to Cichetteria 19 on Rittenhouse 2 nights prior and I think they do a better job of the seafood small plates. However, I will absoltely be back for pizza, pasta, and wine.
looking for local butcher who will cut up my own venision
Love Joe's!!!! Hans and Fritz are the best. We've been getting meat there for years, but just recently tried their lamb-- It was butchered so clean and the price was great.
Giunta's vs Godshall's for fresh whole turkey at Reading Terminal?
We got a turducken for Giunta's for Thanksgiving this year and loved it. The turkey was wonderful. As far as turducken, this was out first experience and it was a little difference than we expected... I think that Giunta's has a little different twist on the traditional method. In any case, it was wonderfully moist and falvorful the whole way through and I would definitely go there again.
Good place for informal dinner near convention center?
Lee How Fook can do groups of that size within a budget and is definitely informal.
If you have a big budget, Fogo de Chao is close too. Since it is not plated diner, it is good for a group of that size.
Looking for Friday evening dining suggestions for close out-of-town friends
Close to Penn's Landing, I would check out Zahav-- you'll need a rez, if you can get one. It is Israeli and is great (really, great!) food for sharing.
I would also suggest Amada, as another nice option. Beautiful ambience and great tapas-style dining. Also rez will be needed.
A much more casual, but equally quality, experience would be Pizzeria Stella. Top notch apps, pizza, and gelato -- also great for sharing.
Bachelor Party Dinner
Try Koozeedoo. A friend had a bachelor party there recently and it was a big hit-- something different than your usual steak house.
Another thing to consider... If you plan to go out afterwards, Fogo de Chao or some other big, heavy meals could derail that plan.
Pittsburgh: What's near new Consul Energy Center?
What do you rec in this area... My hubbie will be working there this week and is looking for all varities of good, but mostly casual, food: Breakfast, late night, quick ethnic lunches?...
Sampan - anyone been?
I have not had dinner there, but had great lunch and love the apps at Grafitti Bar-- especially the halibut cheeks and the corn satay.
Caterer in Montgomery County
Provence Catering is a mess.
Feast Your Eyes is much better, plus they really utilize local produced foods as much as possible.
Your Favorite Ethnic in Philly
I don't think Tierra Columbiana has changed at all. Same menu, same prices, same staff.
Where to Stock Up Between After Maine Border & Before Cape Breton?
We will be driving up to Cape Breton in August and are looking forward to feasting on great local fish and seafood while we're there.
However, with a limited budget, I'd appreciate suggestions for where I can stock up on the things that I can't bring across the border... and will be over-priced on the island.
Quality Produce?
Meats?
Baked Goods?
Beer and Wine?
Any other specialities on the way, that I should pick up "just because"... ?
Thanks!
Philly in 5 days and 4 nights
There are some great suggestions here... and there is no shortage of good cheap food in Philly.
The only additions I would make relate to the fact that coming in August presents some unique opportunities... There are great farmers markets around the city almost every day, as well as free concerts and movies to enjoy while you picnic.
A great cheap lunch is the King of Falafel food cart at 16th & JFK, which is great because there is a free lunchtime concert at Love Park across the street almost every week day.
I would also check out the Piazza at Schmidts for their Saturday flea market and farmers market. Personally, the organic sausage sammys from the Sausage Truck are one of my favorites, plus it is a great Saturday afternoon scene.
If you are not opposed to bars, then take advantage of Center City Sips happy hour on Wednesdays for some good deals on bar food at some of the trendier places that might otherwise be out of your budget... same with the Old City Social on Thursdays, although the participating restaurants are generally not quite as good as Center City.
Don't miss gelato at Capogiro!
Your Favorite Ethnic in Philly
Tierra Columbiana for Cuban and Columbian food.
And what's the place in Gray's Ferry that has great Turkish? (same owners as Cafe Fulya, I think)...
Thoughts on Washington Inn, Sellersville PA?
I can't speak to the wine/beer dinners, but as a rule I wouldn't make a special trip to The Washington House. It is fine for a pre-concert dinner... or perhaps a good drink special like this, but otherwise it is pretty run of the mill.
Live Crabs in Bucks or Montco
My husband, a chef, calls them flower crabs and says they are from Asia. I don't know if that is correct, but found this on wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portunus_pelagicus
Restaurant Wedding in Philadelphia - Yummy Food
No courtyards, but you might look into Stephen Starr's Tangerine or Washington Square locations, which are both only available for private events. Plus, maybe you would utilize Wash Square itself if you want to be outside for your ceremony.
The thing is that restaurants that don't typically do weddings, are not always good at catering (i.e. turning out 70 meals at one time). It is a whole different ball game. I will say that Starr Events does a great job with their catering.
I don't really know for sure, but I think you would be able to provide your own alcohol.
Live Crabs in Bucks or Montco
Personally, I'd skip Assi... When I have checked their stock the crabs have been very small and not moving. Also, they are not truly blue crabs, if that is what you are looking for (check the underside of their shell and you'll see the difference).
I'm a serious crab lover and the best place I've found is just over the border of Montgomery County, in Philly on Washington Lane, just off Ogontz. It's called Pike's Corner and they have a variety of live crabs of various sizes, by the dozen or by the bushel. This weekend, they had them for $6, $5, or $4 per crab-- and better prices in quantity. I've ordered there several times now and have been happy with the result-- they are meaty, heavy crabs. And right now they are coming in from MD, which definitelty have a sweeter crab meat than anywhere else. I'd also add that they are clean crabs and don't have that tarry underside that I frequently have found when getting crabs in NJ.
Pike's Corner will steam your crabs for you at no extra cost, but an extra 20-25 minute wait. Their seasoning isn't quite an old bay, but a little more like a Lousiana crawfish/crab boil-- much heavier on the red pepper and not so much celery seed/salt.
They also have a variety of other fish, side salads, and prepared seafood. Only other thing I've tried is the crab cake and the macaroni salad, which were both good.
Great milkshake in ambler area?
Yes, Costa Deli is the spot. Just be sure to have p l e n t y of time... They might have the slowest service in the county. Their sandwiches are good too.
fish restaurant
I went to Fish for their classic seafood wine pairing dinner last week-- an amazing deal for $75, especially considering that included a wine pairing for each of the 7 courses. Some of the highlights for me were a lemony mackerel escabeche paired with a cava (I didn't even think I liked mackerel, but this was very flavorful), their take on oysters rockefeller with a rose champagne, crab imperial, and lobster newburg paired with red that I can't recall. Each dish was prepared in classic style, but with a little twist to update it or make it unique. Baked Alaska for dessert was a nice finishing touch.
Only complaint was that we arrived early and sat at the bar and the service was really scattered. Maybe it was because of the special event that evening, but it was actually really stressful me, just watching the bartender trying to get it together.
I hope they offer more of these dinners though!
Swift Half - My New Addiction
Think you are mistaken, Tonyjive.
You get 4 halves for $3. Trust me, I've ordered them several times now.
Swift Half - My New Addiction
I will arrange my whole weekend around getting here, just to get a fix of the peanut-bacon brittle.
Seriously, I think this is the best $3 bar snack in town. Old-fashioned peanut brittle, but with the addition of smoky bits of bacon, and dried red chili peppers... a sweet-salty-savory-smoky treat that leaves a perfect burn in your mouth to be be chased by a great drink selection.
The staff behind the bar are top notch too. I've been in by myself during slow times, and with friends during events at the Piazza-- I've always had equally good service.
Love the deviled eggs too! And the outdoor tables to enjoy the drink specials during the Phillies games on the Jumbotron.
But that brittle...
Point us in the right direction, please.
Fish was exactly what came to my mind... Its a fabulous restaurant.
Assuming you are looking for more than just dinners, I would also consider Kanella's weekend brunch.
Bibou and Zahav are probably the other dinner spots I would try to book (Bibou, especially books in adavance). Bibou is also BYOB.
If you like Warmdaddy's, you might also like Chris's Jazz Cafe, which is very close to your hotel. They don't get much press, but the food is always good... although the service tends to be slow. It might be a perfect stop for dessert & music, or after-dinner drinks.
I would also mention Tria, as a nice spot to stop for a mid-afternoon snack with a glass of wine or beer. Their outdoor tables are good for people-watching.
Outdoor dining downtown
The outdoor courtyard at Raw Sushi is very romantic.
I was also at Positano Coast recently and thought it would be a perfect date location. The outdoor seating is on their patio (2nd floor), but everything has an open and breezy feel... Might be a good stop for drinks before/after dinner?
Beware of sidewalk seating... bus noise and fumes can kill romance pretty quick.
Center City Tomorrow
I would consider Happy Rooster at 16th & Sansom. Just had a wonderful dinner there. It's quiet and off the radar, so getting a table is easy. There have a bar, so you don't have to worry about BYOB.
