Suefoo's Profile
Cuban coffee in Philadelphia?
I know the craving. The best place I found for real Cuban coffee is Tierra Colombiana on 4535 north 5th street in Olney. They also own Mixto on Pine in Center City, so that may be an option but I have not tried it. How I crave a Cuban coffee like you can get at a takeout window in Miami. Have not found it here, but if anyone knows one, tell the rest of us.
In search of: the Unusual & Exotic
The eyeball tacos do not actually stare at you. The whole thing is very chopped up. My adventuresome 9 year old ordered the mixed head taco (this is the same boy who plucked the still bloody heart out of the chest of a grouse and popped it in his mouth) and it really did not create a visual, abdominal or oral disturbance.
Cupcakes in Philadelphia: '08 Edition
Thank you for this post! I couldn't agree more. The first few times I went to flying monkey I found their cupcakes heavenly. Then I got a stale batch. So after that, I was really specific about finding out which ones were fresh before I made a choice. The ladies behind the counter (or should I say womyn?) were pretty cagy about telling me which ones had just come out, like I was just supposed to take whatever rock hard nastiness they happened to be selling. What is their deal? I am not much for grumpy customer service. I have not really been back for that reason. They have no reason to be reluctant to provide customer service. And they are fooling no one by trying to sell off stale merchandise.
That said, I am sure that the tourists and conventioneers who are one and done at the market will buy the cupcakes, take what they get, and will never know the difference. Rather cynical, in the end.
James?
Went to James for my birthday last month. Really disappointed. I tell everyone it is one of those places that serves you two pomegranate seeds on a plate for $25. Felt like I could have gotten a much better meal within a few blocks at one of the other neighborhood places. Seating very comfy.
Brunch near 11th & Walnut, Philly
Mercato at 1216 Spruce does a nice brunch.
http://www.mercatobyob.com/
Cake Decorating Suppliers in the Philadelphia Area
I was surprised to find that Jo-Ann (formerly just fabric) in Springfield PA has cake decorating classes and supplies.www.joann.com for info and store locator.
Hana in Wayne
I once had an incredibly weird experience at Hana. I called ahead and made sure they were open, explaining I was on my way. When I got there they refused to seat me when they saw I was a single diner. They told me there were no more seats left (clearly not true upon viewing empty tables in the room), and I was upset because they could have said so on the phone 15 minutes prior to my arrival. It was just completely off putting and inexplicable, so I turned around and walked out and have never returned.
Produce Junction: First and Last Time
The conundrum that is produce junction. A push-me pull-you experience. The one in Wynnefield has ridiculous parking issues. It is dirty. There are zero amenities. But if you have only 25 dollars to spend for a week's food, you can do it at the junction and eat well. Make my junk the P-Junc.
Where to buy bulgogi meat and banchan
Try the other HMart in Cheltenham, and also Assi International Market in North Wales. I like the Upper Darby HMart OK but the other places are far more comprehensive.
modo mio
Strange! We were never given an amuse bouche at all. My friend ordered the octopus and it came out charred and barely edible, and I had the shrimp and chickpea cake which was fine but ended up giving much of it to my friend to make up for her lousy app. I feel that overall, we were simply forgotten about, shoved into a corner and left to rot.
modo mio
I have to say I was rather disappointed with Modo Mio. Went Tuesday night. The place was absolutely packed. Red flag number one: when my friend called up to make a reservation, the person who answered told her to hold on and then put the phone down. She could hear all sorts of clattering and actually waited on the phone for about 20 minutes, yelling hello into the receiver every so often. Eventually, she called back and got a reservation for 7 pm and barely an apology. When we arrived, red flag number 2: even though there were a few empty tables, three parties were waiting to be seated. We were told it would be a few minutes. We waited about 20 minutes to be seated and waited another 10 minutes for our wait person to acknowledge us.
Red flag 3: they were really pushing the menu turistica, which would have been nice if we each wanted to spend $30 before tax and tip and wanted to eat that much food. But neither was true. We were brought out yummy bread and a lemon ricotta olive oil bread dip. We each ordered an appetizer and a pasta. The portions were tiny. Granted, the prices were small, but I would have to say it was about half the portion size of even the most modest pasta portion I have been served in a restaurant. I ordered pasta with chicken livers and spinach. It should have been billed as spinach pasta drowned in capers with no visible chicken livers and excess quantities of salt (but then, who would buy it?). My friend ordered fettucine alfredo, which turned out to be sort of oily and salty but not creamy and comforty the way you want your pasta. I would say they were managing to get 10 servings out of a pound of pasta.
We skipped dessert in favor of getting gelato elsewhere, which turned out to be the highlight of the night. So: I do not recommend Modo Mio for service or food. Atmosphere was fine. Nothing special. I would not return.
Passover baked goods
The french pastry shop in narberth, Le Petit Mitron, has fab passover stuff. Best to pre-order.
Best Italian in South Philly ?
Here is the main issue I have with Villa Di Roma: the bread is not great. I would say if you want that old time Italian feel there are places like Royal Villa Cafe at 17th and Jackson or Bomb Bomb or Marra's which would with the bill as well but with good bread.
By the way I just went to Tre Scalini in its new location and had a great meal. Lots of options for classic dishes like pasta bolognese as well as that fantastic veal chop and some innovative stuff.
A happy place. Great atmospheric improvement over the old spot.
Cake Decorating Suppliers in the Philadelphia Area
In the past, Sears had good cake decorating supplies. But that was years ago.
I took my cake decorating class there back in the day. I have never returned because I always go to Fante's for everything I need.
Osteria Yet?
We went with a quasi vegetarian (no meat but will eat fish) and he was satisfied. I would say it itakes a bit of navigating around the menu, but I also agree that they would modify dishes for patrons with food limitations.
Osteria Yet?
Had a fab experience at Osteria last night. To begin with, parking is a breeze. Not much going on in the neighborhood after dark, so there is lots of street parking. Love the interior space. Very Manhattan feel. Big open spaces. Massive windows. High ceilings.
We began at the bar, and the bartender treated me like royalty. We concocted a drink with blood orange juice, fresh squeezed lime, simple syrup and ketel one. Into a martini glass with a sugar rim. The PG rated name of this drink is Sue's cocktail, but it also has a very raunchy name with the initials BRJ. The B stands for bloody, and you can draw your own conclusions about the rest of the name. It was so good that other people in the restaurant started ordering it.
We sat down to an excellent bread and breadstick basket. We ordered two app specials...a vegetable platter and a delicious cheese blob (sorry I cannot remember the name of this softish mozzarella-like cheese). We also had the parma pizza, which was a nice thin crust festooned with mozzarella, prosciutto and arugula, and the tricolor salad with bagna cauda dressing which is much like caesar.
Our entrees were a rib and sausage combo with cabbage and soft polenta, and a wood grilled halibut. Both were excellent.
The service and atmosphere were wonderful. I did not have a chance to look at the wine list but one of my companions ordered a red and pronounced it stellar, so I have to assume it is a fine list.
Dessert was billed on the menu as chocolate flan with pistachio ice cream, but instead we were served warm chocolate cake with oozing center. Who knows why there was a discrepancy. It was not explained so we did not spend much time worrying. The dessert was great even so.
One negative: the coffee was undrinkable. One of my companions had a capuccino which was great, but the brewed was cold and bitter. So they will have to work on that.
Overall, a real highlight on the Philly dining scene.
A sensuous delight all around.
Where do you go for Polish food?
I have been going to Syrenka for years. Last time I was there, the Krakus Market was shuttered. It looked pretty dead.
Syrenka is very easy to get to: take 95 north from the city to the Allegheny Ave. exit, left off the ramp and left at the light, drive south for 1.2 blocks and there is Syrenka on the left. Excellent food there. Making me want to hop right in the car.
Le Bec-Fin
Here's the thing that just kills me about LBF every time I go: the service is outstanding. Amazing. The best in the world. And here is why: the servers are down with their clientele. They are not pretentious. Their goal is to create comfort. It is a fully luxurious, pampered dining experience and one that every Philly and visiting foodie needs. No snootiness here. They synchronize the plate drop and silver dome lift with the slightest of nods. Theater. All is done with finesse and economy of movement.
The food is great. I had my first snails there on my 16th birthday. I have been to the restaurant countless times. Me and Georges, man. Like this.
The cheese course is the bomb. The only better cheese course I had was at the best restaurant in Paris.
The desserts: pick any, pick all, enjoy the show. Don't be shy.
I mentioned in another post that Rae's service has its roots in LBF's.
Just totally awesome impeccable staff.
The best wines I have ever tasted came from their cellars.
Sometimes I have been underwhelmed with the fish course, owing to either lack of taste or volume. But you leave full. So that is the weak link.
Sushi Wow?
Another place I was considering is Makiman Sushi over by Five Points in the NE. One day when I was in the neighborhood I stopped in for a menu. I don't know what the atmosphere is like at night, but in the daytime the wood panel walls and vinyl chairs seemed better suited to a sportsbar.
Anyone been? Their roll menu is puntastic.
Also looking for good bakeries in Delco or nearby
Check out Maria's Prime Time Bakery in Folsom:
233 Morton Ave (at MacDade)
Folsom, PA 19033
(610) 532-4720
I was just there last saturday and was very impressed. They have a best of Delaware County award from one of the local papers or magazines. Traditional place with pastries, doughnuts, wedding cakes, sticky buns, pies and so forth. Do not expect a latte here. Go to the Wawa just down Morton for coffee.
I happened upon it completely by accident. I was in the area that morning for a sports event.
Sushi Wow?
So I say to the kid, "Are we still going out for sushi tonight?"
POD! POD! POD! He begs. Please mom, can we go to Pod?
So much for me and my adventures in sliced fish.
Clearly the idea for novelty was all mine.
You guys were right all along.
I'll be the one with the Starrs in my eyes and my tail between my legs.
Sushi Wow?
Thanks, Den! I have been considering blue fin. I think I want to stay away from the Starr Restaurant Group (e.g., Morimoto) for tonight. Raw is maybe a bit too adult nightclubby for him.
Sushi Wow?
Ok, Pod: been there, done that. To death. thanks for the idea, but he's so totally into pod we've been there a dozen times. Looking for something else.
Sushi Wow?
I want to take my son out tonight for some excellent sushi. I have created a monster, because at age 10, he is a sushi maniac. We have been to many Japanese restaurants in the area, but I want to wow him. I told him I would take him to a new place. Philly and suburbs are OK. Any suggestions?
Sugar Cookies in C.C. Philadelphia
Let me tell you that if you are willing to get in a car, Stock's Bakery in Kenisngton/Port Richmond has some nice cookies.
Where to eat on my 50th birthday in Philly?
While I feel the upstairs dining room at Le Bec-Fin has suffered, the bar downstairs sounds like a good time.
Indian Restaurants near K of P
It makes sense, now that I have been to the Taste of India buffet serveral times, that Aman's is not as good as you hoped. BTW I found that sign slightly amusing when I was there. Ewww, hair.
I will be very curious about your take on Marshall St. and await that post, as I went there a few weeks ago.
Where to eat on my 50th birthday in Philly?
I third Vetri and Lacroix and add The Fountain at the Four Seasons, Rae at the Cira Center, and for a no holds barred night, Rouge on Rittenhouse Square if you want to do a non-stop bar-hop in that area.
Doesn't it make you wonder when none of us say Le Bec-Fin?
Indian Restaurants near K of P
Had the nicest experience today at the Indian place at the gas station in King of Prussia (US Petro) on 202. The daughter served me some veg pakora and I asked for masala tea. Turns out they make their own masala blend from black and green caramom and tea. She cooked up the tea in a skillet on the stove. We started talking and ended up sharing her meal. She had made herself flat bread (paratha?) filled with radish and I said I had never tasted it, so she cut me off a piece. I asked her to please sit down with me and we spent about 30 minutes getting to know eachother. It was such a fully excellent experience. She's pre-med, so in addition to working at the gas station/restaurant, she is studying for the MCATS. This soul connection with a total stranger is why I chow.
The Pub in Pennsauken
Ahh, the Pub. A local tradition. You want mead hall as seen through the eyes of a 1950s designer, it's the place to go. The food is always the same. Only the prices change.
Oh, and one thing that always amuses us is the fact that they announce your name over the loudspeaker when your table is ready, so we are always thinking of amusing names to give, like Donner or Nozzi, and they announce "Nozzi Party of 12."
BTW, a fine place for a large group.
