Seeker19104's Profile
what are the best happy hour food specials in downtown area?
Sampan's HH bar food was too salty for my taste. And the place was very noisy and the age range skewed young. (Not surprising as it was a Friday.)
McCormick and Schmick's HH food is well known, well priced, and highly reputed. If you have no objection to chains, take a look at the menu online:
http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/Locations/philadelphia-pennsylvania/SouthBroadSt/menus.aspx
PS It's a PDF which is why I had to send you a link. The menu is updated daily. ~C.
Knishes in Philly & burbs
Grew up in Brooklyn and am a big fan of kasha knishes.
Famous 4th on 19th Street has terrible things they call kasha knishes. I was served a big piece of overcooked (Yes, charred on the bottom) puff pastry with some dried out kasha inside. Thank goodness I had a decent bowl of matzoh ball soup to ease the pain.
Herschel's at RTM has decent kasha knishes. However, they likely don't stack up to Lipkin's.
Heading back to Philadelphia, tweaking the agenda.
+1 Everything was over salted for my taste.
Dessert scene in Philly?
Don't have much of a sweet tooth; however, I do have a soft spot for bread pudding and cheesecake without a lot of add ons. Why people think berries, chocolate, and weird flavors add to the classic experience is beyond me.
That said, Beck's Cajun Cafe in RTM has a bread pudding with apples and whiskey sauce that does it for me. I usually get the sauce on the side to enjoy at home.
Romantic/Dressy BYO Philadelphia - Birthday Dinner
Caffe Costa Diva is more classy than a lot of the other BYOBs:
http://philadelphia.menupages.com/restaurants/caffe-casta-diva/
Two meals, skip the pretense
After eating at Han Dynasty, a short walk to the Franklin Fountain would expose you to an only-in-Philadelphia experience:
Fully-restored 19th-century soda fountain with authentic menu of ice cream, sodas, and other treats
http://www.franklinfountain.com/
Need 30 person private room good food (italian?) (from san francisco)
Prime Rib would be my first choice. Glenn St. Coeur was most cooperative when I had a group eat there.
You can get a private room with a prix fixe menu under $40 for three courses.
Light Dessert Ideas for Ladies' Dinner??
Having a friend over tomorrow for dinner in Philadelphia. Neither of us is a big eater and the weather is predicted to be hot, so I'll be serving a light menu:
French Potato Salad (I have some yummy organic red potatoes on hand)
Mediterranean Lentil Salad (has carrots and red onion as well as parsley)
And a dessert. I do have some lovely clementines. Any thoughts on what to do to finish off the meal?
One Dinner in Philadelphia
Yes, Art Museum food unexpectedly good. Even the cafeteria is above average.
What would be a good, smoky tasting vegetarian substitute for ham hocks in split pea soup?
I've used smoked mozzarella in Hoppin' John as substitute for bacon.
Don't know if you do dairy. Wonder if the texture would work in your soup...
Dear Philly, Here I Come With A 1 Year Old
In Fairmount Park, we have the Smith Playhouse and Playground -- wonderful free fun for children ten and under. (The Playground will open in April for the season.) The building was designed and built specifically as a playhouse by parents in memory of their son. Follow dining recommendations for Fairmount area.
http://smithkidsplayplace.org/
Hey Philadelphia Hounds! What's good?
Another Asian restaurant that you may or may not remember is Rangoon in Chinatown.
Burmese food is not readily available in most cities. Everyone I've taken there from Massachusetts has been favorably impressed with the food and the prices.
PS They have a bar license. No need to BYO.
My weekend trip eating in Philly - Reading Terminal Market (DiNic's/Amish pretzels)/Amada/Grace Tavern/Percy St BBQ/Federal Donuts/Pretzel Mart
You might enjoy a chess pie which is basically a pecan pie with no nuts. My family in NC served this.
Help Me Find the Perfect Blender
Not sure what you need...
Recently did extensive research for a smoothie maker. OP would have been happy with my choice (and price) of Cuisinart:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPB-300-SmartPower-15-Piece-Portable/dp/B003YLEXBO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1328758765&sr=8-6
lunch and / or dinner
Chinatown is not far away.
Rangoon for Burmese
Vietnam or Vietnam Palace for Vietnamese
Search board for many Chinese options.
Early Sunday Dinner for 11 ppl (incl. young kids) in Center City
The Plough & The Stars has a children's menu as well an adult menu. You can ask to be seated upstairs to be away from bar scene.
Commercial Blue Cheese Dressing
Interesting topic as I have eaten out with people who love their blue cheese dressing and upon tasting I generally found them too pungent or crumbly for me.
A homemade dressing with a less-pungent and softer blue cheese works for me.
PS Understand that I may be lacking in understanding what a good "blue cheese" is.
Forget dogs, how can you *eat* rabbits?
Was the traditional meat in my great-aunt's Brunswick Stew.
They were raised for their meat in cages in the backyard in Durham, NC.
Food Scars - Things you will never eat again.
"You are old," said the youth, "And your jaws are too weak
For anything tougher than suet;
Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak—
Pray, how did you manage to do it?"
"In my youth," said his father, "I took to the law,
And argued each case with my wife;
And the muscular strength which it gave to my jaw,
Has lasted the rest of my life." ~Lewis Carroll
Food Scars - Things you will never eat again.
Had amazing success serving Liver Bourguignon before I became so concerned about the excesses of pesticides in conventionally-raised beef. Red wine, onions, garlic, and secret ingredient. Oooh-la-la!
Pie for Breakfast...
Know a woman from the mid-West (German extraction) who loves pie for breakfast -- especially apple with cheddar cheese.
Growing up in NYC, this was never an option. My dad had weight issues, so we only had dessert three times a year: Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas. (My mom was a great home cook and baker.)
However, my mother was from North Carolina. Her aunt made a killer French toast which approximated lemon meringue pie. She separated the eggs. Used the yolks in the dipping mixture. Whipped the whites and sweetened them with confectioner's sugar. Served with hot lemon juice. Heaven!
Loud, obnoxious patrons
Sad situation for me when even reputable restauranteurs (Steven Starr, Peter McAndrews) seem to think that a loud room is a good room.
I've stopped going to Modo Mio (although I love the food) and am reluctant to try Route 6.
When the decibels get high, I get physically ill from the stress -- headache and stomach ache -- and have to leave.
Finally Renovated My Kitchen -- What are the Essentials?
Thanks to everyone for all the great ideas! PS I will post some photos, although I didn't take any "befores." Dreadful would cover it.
Any memories of "poor people food" from your childhood that you still crave?
That was Brillat-Savarin.
Portion control at a dinner party
Reminds me of a party I had as a graduate student when money was tight. I had more of a reputation as a cook than I realized.
Invited eleven people for dessert and coffee, letting them know I was going to serve cheesecake.
All eleven showed, so the cake was cut into twelve slices. Happy group. No leftovers. Glad I had the large springform pan.
Portion control at a dinner party
Hence, the joke (or observation):
How can you tell you're at a WASP wedding?
There's not enough to eat.
Finally Renovated My Kitchen -- What are the Essentials?
Thanks for asking. I do need to get better knives. Putting that on the list...Recommendations?
Battle Wounds
After reading this thread, I am grateful to have cut my left hand as a seven-year-old child while peeling and paring apples to make applesauce. Since then I've had not a significant kitchen mishap causing bodily injury.
The small scar between my thumb and forefinger is a wonderful reminder to be careful in the kitchen.
Finally Renovated My Kitchen -- What are the Essentials?
After nearly thirty years of living in my Philadelphia row home, I now have a well-organized kitchen with up-to-date appliances, more-than-adequate story space, and pleasing design. (Love my copper counters and built-in cutting board!)
As I move things in, I am becoming acutely aware I want cooking tools that are going to be used frequently rather than clutter. I firmly believe one cannot organize clutter.
So far I have my cast iron small fry pan, large fry pan, Dutch oven; stainless steel stock pot, sauce pans, large fry pan. Recently bought a Cuisinart blender highly rated for making smoothies that I love and a set of five glass prep bowls. Still holding onto a Black and Decker toaster oven that works well.
What do you think is essential to have in a kitchen for someone who enjoys cooking from scratch? (A friend has called me a "natural cook." I understand the basics and can improvise, too.)
