SpdRcr069's Profile
The Havana Room
Anyone been to The Havana Room in Philadelphia (Northern Liberties). Thinking about checking it out this weekend.
50+ Taps for Husband
Farmer's Cabinet (Philadelphia) has ~20 Taps, European craft beers on tap.
Boiler Maker (Philadelphia) has total of 40 (12 local and 28 non-local craft taps).
Looking for best pho in Philadelphia
Cafe Pho Ga Thanh Thanh
2539 Kensington Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 427-0483
Yes, in Kensington neighborhood under the El! the chicken pho is excellent. Tender fresh chicken. They get the chicken across the street (fresh live chicken/poultry market).
Also, just across the street...
Thang Long
2534 Kensington Ave.
Website and menu: http://thanglongphilly.com/about-pho/
Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodles
One of my favorite go to places when I am craving noodles. I understand they are supposed to move to the former Pho 75 spot. Anyone know if this has happened, updates?
Where to find ras el hanout Moroccan spice blend
One of my favorite Moroccan restaurants Marrakesh http://www.marrakesheastcoast.com/. You may try calling them or emailing them asking if there are any markets that sell this specific spice blend. Good Luck!
*Was going to recommend Makkah Market, but it looks as though they do not carry this spice blend...
*
Positano Coast, Philadelphia
Going there for dinner this coming Friday night. Anyone been there recently? We were there 3 years ago. It wasn't bad. Have heard mixed reviews.
Thanks!
Can you bring your own bottle to Garces Trading Company
Yes, but after your first bottle, there is a $10 corkage fee for each subsequent bottle....
I do really like GTC But I really don't understand the $10 corkage fee? The restaurant advertises as a BYO. I understand corkage fee's at restaurants that provide liquor (wine). But if you bring your own or even purchase at the "separate" LCB wine store, of which GTC is benefiting from, why is GTC charging a corkage fee? Friends had dinner there a couple nights ago (party of 5 and 3 bottles), the first bottle, there was no corkage fee, but the subsequent bottles, the server told them,they would be charged per bottle after the first bottle. This is very odd. I hope that they discontinue this practice. For the server's sake, because I know of a couple places that tried doing this (BYOs) and the patrons started taking away from the gratuity (instead of 20%+ they would tip less depending on what the corkage fee was...NOTE: this was at BYO's, not restaurants with liquor/beverage service).
Is Le Cirque Really Worth it or Should My Money Be Spent Elsewhere?
We had a wonderful time here. Have dined ad Le Bernadin, Jean Georges and Bouley. This place is just a lovely, without the attidude/rudeness from service as I've experienced from the restaurants above. Why five-stars for me? Well, the food, extremely friendly service, ambience, dress casual to formal... Here's our last experience (18DEC2010).
Annual Christmas Holiday Visit to NYC, my sister takes her 9-year old daughter and our mother to NYC for shopping, dining weekend. This year I joined them for dinner, as I was visiting friends that weekend. They always pick a nice Hotel (St. Regis, The Plaza, Waldorf Astoria, The London...) and a nice restaurant(s) to dine. My sister decided to make reservations at Le Cirque.. She had been there before and again, a week prior. Her experience, "Great ambience, excellent extremely friendly service, very well prepared food."
So, Le Cirque is a great space, contemporary, yet elegant, formal, yet not uptight,
I ordered the Chef's Fall Tasting Menu + cavier and eggs (ala carte):
FALL TASTING MENU
Foie Gras Torchon
poached quince and almonds
Australian King Prawns
spaghetti squash, curry, lime, ginger
Wild Burgundy Escargot
Gruyere gnocchi, pickeled yellow foots, and bottarga
Hazelnut Smoked Salmon Fillet
butternut spuash and hazelnuts
Rack of Lamb
eggplant and sheep's milk ricotta
Selection of artisanal Cheese
Chocolate Soufflé
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My mother odered the Fall Tasting menu as well.
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My sister ordered *from the Seasonal Menu:
CHEF'S SEASONAL MENU
$92 per person
*Nantucket Bay Scallops Crudo
Granny Smith gelee and mustard seeds
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*Barramundi Filet
pumpkin chutney and almond milk
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*Blackened Mangalista Pork Filet
apple mostarda and polenta croutons
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* Chef's Complimentary.... will tell you about that below.
And my 9-year old niece ordered ala carte.
Foie Gras Torchon
poached quince and almonds
Lobster Risotto
Rack of Lamb
eggplant and sheep's milk ricotta
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All I have to say is that everything was absolutely excellent! My expectations were exceeded 10-fold. I was expecting really well prepared food, snooty service, total pretense. We received, overthetop friendly service, excellent food (prep, presentation, taste). Marco (currently owner/partner with other brother), one of the Son's of the original owner Sirio, came to our table, as he recognized my sister from her prior visits, Introduced himself to the rest of us, and chatted with us until the waiter came to our table, he the returned to our table toward the end of dinner, to ask how we were doing, whether we were enjoying our dinner, and ever so kindly asked my neice what she was going to order for dessert, she replied that she was not sure because she was overwhelmed with the selection. So Marco, put out his hand and offered to give my niece a personal tour of the Kitchen to meet the Pastry chef and Chef / kitchen staff. How great was that! When they came back, they were followed by 3 waiters with plates of or ordered desserts as well as a couple "complimentary" desserts which were compliments from Marco:
Crème Brûlée "Le Cirque"
Floating Island "Le Cirque" old-fashioned style island over light vanilla cream
Chocolate Soufflé traditional chocolate soufflé with vanilla gelato
Creamy Chocolate Tart salted caramel and peanut butter ice cream
a sampling of petit macorons and variety of other small bite sized pastry.
What a great experience, Marco, then presented my niece with a gift bag with a DVD of the documentary (HBO) of the History of Le Cirque and a signed Christmas Card with a personal message and his signature. 4-stars for the food and service +1 for Marco going out of the way to make our experience (my 9year old nieces) a wonderful one!
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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023
Le Cirque
151 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022
Crudo
235 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
Inexpensive, Friday night, solo diner, restaurant near the Ritz?
If you want a light meal and a great glass of wine or beer, I'd recommend Tria on the corner of 18th and Sansom or the Tria at 12th and Spruce. Nice salads and sandwiches, meat and cheese plates (website provided below).
Listed from closest to farthest from the Ritz.
The Oyster House at 1516 Sansom Street.
Zavino on the corner of 13th and Sansom, really good pizza, decent wine list.
Next to Zavino is the "new" Barbuzzo (mediterranean) and their "sister restaurants - Lolita, Bindi.... This strip of 13t street have a number of nice small but bustling restaurants, some byob, some full bar service.
Zinc Bistro a Vin - you can order small plate size entree's, nice wine selection, full bar service, very small, quaint French Bistro.
There's always Chinatown (btw Vine Street and Market Sts, 8th-11th Strs.).
Sang Kee Duck House (9th and Vine)
Dimsum Garden (59 N11th St. b/w Arch and Filbert sts). Looks like a hole in the wall, next to the Chinatown bus terminal. Great dumplings, hand made noodles, shanghai juicy buns/steamed soup dumplings).
David's Mai Lai Wah
Shiao Lan Kung
http://triacafe.com/
http://www.barbuzzo.com/ (Barbuzzo, Lolita , Bindi)
http://www.sampanphilly.com/
http://www.zincbarphilly.com/
All are within walking distance from the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia. Tria on 13th and Spruce may be a bit of a walk, but it's a nice 8 block walk. Zinc Bistro and Chinatown are walkable, depending on how much you like walking or how adventurous you are.
Anyway good luck, have fun, enjoy!
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Market St Cafe
315 Market St, Charlestown, MD 21914
Zavino (Midtown Village, Philadelphia PA)
Decided to have a late lunch at Zavino, on 13th Street (Philadelphia). Very quaint setting, outdoor seating, dark wood interior, neat little antipasta station up front. I ordered the Kennett pizza and a glass of Sicilian Red. "The Kennett" is made with beschemel, fresh mozzarella from Claudio's (Philadelphia),carmelized onions, and three types of locally grown mushrooms (Kennett Square). The pizza was delicious. It paired nicely with the glass of wine. The service was excellent, my server was attentive and accommodating.
I will definitely return to try another pizza and other items on their menu! The wine list is nice as well and reasonably priced.
Dmitris restaurant, Northern Liberties
Did you get the chance to check the New Dmitri's out? I've been waiting to go there, as I love Both South Philly and Center City/ Midtown Village locations! Now I can walk, as I live in Fishtown! Please post with your review of the new Dmitri's. I do plan on going later this week or over the weekend!
Anyone check out Ken Shin Asian Diner in NoLibs?
Just wondering if anyone has eaten here yet. Just opened last week, I think Friday May 1st.
solo long weekend for adventurous eater
Chinatown:
Dimsum Garden
59 N 11th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-0218
You have to go here for Xiǎolóngbāo (Shanghai Soup dumplings – Pork and Crab and Pork). Ambiance this place has none, but the food is really good. I also recommend the sauteed baby bok choy and scallion pancakes, pork an chive dumplings, pork and cabbage dumplings. They make their noodels and dumpling wraps in house. Oh the braised beef brisket noodle soup is really good as is the roaded pork noodle soup.
· Nanzhou Handdrawn Noodles
927 Race St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 923-1550
Small noodle restaurant, they make their own noodles you can watch them in the back room stretching the noodles.
Shiao Lan Kung
930 Race St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 928-0282
Salt baked shrimp, Salt baked seafood is good too. Sauteed bok choi, greenbeans, Dragon and Phoenix…
·Vietnam Palace
11th and Vine
Rice vermicelli combo, spring rolls (best in Philly, I think), beef jerky and papaya salad, pretty much all of their dishes are excellent.
Sang Kee Duck House
9th and Vine Sts.
Duck! Dumplings, noodle soups, but the duck really rocks.
Midtown Village:
French:
· Zinc Bistro a’Vins
246 S 11th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Really quaint traditional French bistrot, nice wine list
Northern Liberties:
The Standard Tap
2nd and Poplar Strs
Great gastropub food and beer. Only serve local craft beers (Victory, Yards, Dogfish Head, Sly Fox, Troegs…) draughts ONLY. Food is excellent (featured in Gourmet Magazing, Bon Apetit and Food and Wine).
South Philly
Café Laos
11th , just south of Washington Ave.
Laotian cuisine
Lunch near Convention Center?
Reading Terminal Market will satisfy any of your food favorites. PA Dutch/Amish Diner, Chinese, a great Deli (Hershal's), Italian, seafood... You are also right around Chinatown. Vietnames (Vietnam or Vietnam Palace, Sang Kee Duck House, Penang-Malasian....).
Parc, last night
Parc is pretty place for a drinks on a nice spring, summer afternoon/evening. was not pleased with any of my meals there. Cocktails are well made...wine list is OK charcuterie and cheese plate were OK that's about it. The entrees I ordered were always over cooked or too salty or not what was specifed on the menu. The servers are always nice and service is good. Don't think I'll have a "real" meal there until I hear that they've improved their entrees.... I really want this place to do well.
Zinc Bistro a Vins - much better service, better wine selection, food (traditional)...
Stay away from Myrna's Cafe in Blue Bell
Perhaps it's the location. I have never been to the one in Jenkintown, so I cannot comment on the food or service at that location. My experience at the Blue Bell Mirna's was not very good.
Stay away from Myrna's Cafe in Blue Bell
I can't agree with you more on the food, the service was pretty lame as wellm when I went for the first time a couple months ago. I got some grilled shrimp and risotto. It was horrible. the shrimp was under cooked and the risotto was crunchy (not al dente)...crunchy...I'm not joking. CRUNCHY...
Center City Pubs
Sorry, got on this late. Suprised no one recommended Fergie's. McGillin's has become a college frat bar...lost its charm years ago... Good Dog -Yes! Fergie's-Yes! Monk's-Yes!
Zinc Bistro a Vins
So, I went to Zinc Bistro a Vins (aka Zinc Bar and Restaurant), AGAIN...., Friday, February 13th. I took my mother and my niece for a pre-Valentine’s Dinner. We started with the beet salad (house salad) , lovely...and simple with red beets a very light vinegarette dressing topped with jullienned endive..., escargots “pastis” served in puff pastry- buttery almond sauce, wild mushroom and Morbier tart - Petite salad and a crock of la soupe à l'oignon (French Onion Soup). I’ve been here a couple times now and I always get the escargot and the French Onion Soup…excellent as always. My niece loved the mushroom tart as well as the FOS and the escargot (she’s 7 yrs old, has a very mature palate). For entrees, I had the Grilled Steak Frites, my mother had the whitefish and lobster risotto (special that evening), my niece ordered the petite size, rabbit stew and pasta. All dishes were wonderful! The steak was perfectly prepared (medium rare…closer to rare), the whitefish and lobster risotto, delicious…with generous chunks of lobster and perfectly prepared risotto, the fish was light and flavorful as well. The Rabbit, was so tender and prepared a Dijon style sauce and thick pasta (made fresh "paparadelle like"). The small size was large enough for a meal, I’m sure the entrée size would have been large enough for 2. For desert, we ordered the chocolate bread pudding (another favorite of mine) and the chocolate mousse...perfect closers to another excellent meal and wonderful dining experience. The service was excellent as always! Zinc Bistro a Vins is now one of my favorite dining destinations!
Zinc Bistro a Vins
246 S 11th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.zincbarphilly.com
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Zinc Bistro a Vins
Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, PA
Zinc Bar and Restaurant (aka Zinc Bistro a Vins)
Yes, the portions are small, but again, it's bistro fare The bread was great, but, yes, skimpy, so I asked for more! I don't think they charged me. Wine was pricey but very good quality. I'm going to take my sister, neice and mother there as they will be intown next weekend. They love France, and French cuisine. I'm sure they will enjoy their meal at Zinc!
Zinc Bar and Restaurant (aka Zinc Bistro a Vins)
Had a really nice dinner at Zinc Bistro a Vins “Zinc Restaurant and Bar” (246 South 11th St. - Philadelphia, PA 19107) last night. The food and service, excellent. As starters, my dining partner and I shared the Escargots “Pastis” served in puff pastry and Charcuterie Maison – House paté – Rillettes -Salad and condiments,. The charcuterie maison was good, house pâté was nicely prepared as was the rillettes- a delicious earthy chunky spread. The escargots “pastis” were very nice as well – 6-escargot atop puffed pastry in a pool of buttery, garlicy, sauce with paper thin almonds, the escargot were perfect/tender. For entrée, I chose to have the wild mushroom “risotto” and a crock of soupe à l’oignon gratineé “French Onion Soup” perfect for a cold evening meal! Both were prepared perfectly. My dining partner ordered the fish special which was excellent.
It’s a very small intimate bistro. They offer small plate options of their entrées. Nice wine, aperitif and beer selection as well…Oh and the bread pudding is definitely recommended!!! For drinks, I recommend the House Martini (vodka, Campari and Cointreau)! For dinner I chose the Beaujolais and my dining partner, Muscadet.
Shabu Shabu in Philadelphia???
Been craving shabu-shabu? Any recommendations? I heard Fuji Mt has it on their menu??
Center City Sushi: Genji or Shiroi Hana??
I've never been to Shiroi Hana, but have heard very good things about it. Genji, back in the day was the bomb, but I was there about a month ago and was not impressed (and the table top was sticky...echk)...There was a Genji in University City, not sure if that's still around. I like Uzu, portions were a bit small, but the quality is excellent. Koi, in NoLibs is a neat little place, good portion size, good quality. But it is a bit far from 15th and Locust.
My weekend in Philly - Osteria, Matyson and Dim Sum Garden
I totally agree with your entire posting. Dimsum Garden is one of my favorites, as is Osteria. And Madyson is OK, good, predictable cuisine. I do enjoy it but it's a place I enjoy going to with friends for a casual nite out for good food. I absolutely love Osteria. Always a great meal, and always great service.
Disappointed again....
I don't think I will return for dinner, perhaps early or late drinks and a snack. At least until they get a new chef. And then, and only then order an entree. Also, going on the week day evenings M-W are much better. The crowd on the weekend is load and obnoxious. This place is neither Pastis nor Balthazar quality... I hope that they will find a proper french chef to improve the entree's
El Camino Real
Was there Friday night. I like the place. It's casual, they have a decent tequila selection and the sandwich I ordered was really good. I ordered the wagyu briskett sandwich with spicy bbq sauce -(they serve the sauce on the side). The menu prices are reasonable and everything that I saw ordered by others looked very good. Recommend the Texas Tea (peach), very potent as well as a drink that tastes like orange creamsicle...I forget the name... Has TVs for sports /news buffs. I like!
Mad Elf
Standard Tap has it occationally, they had it this weekend. Johnny Brenda's had it on tap last week. You can buy it at the Foodery (south east corner of 2nd and Poplar Sts - across from the Standard Tap, in Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Disappointed again....
So, went to Parc Bistro/Restaurant on Rittenhouse Sq. last night for dinner. Decided to give it another chance. Unfortunately I was disappointed again… It’s a shame b/c Parc has such potential. The location is good, the service is very good, but the food (entrée’s) disappointing…
As an appetizer, I ordered the escargot, as an entrée I ordered the beef bourguignon. My friend ordered the salade verte and the Monday Special, braised short ribs.
The salade verte and the escargot were fine. The dressing on the salade verte was nice. The escargot was served in a small crock with mushrooms, bathed in a silky buttery garlic cream sauce that was quite tasty. However, when our entrée’s arrived we were a bit disappointed.
The braised beef spare ribs were tough, dry and tasteless, had the texture and looked more like a 4 oz chunk of dry tough pot roast.
My beef bourguignon was served with mashed potatoes, not with the freshly buttered pasta as described on the menu. Now it was not a horrible dish, but nothing special…I was in a pasta/ noodle mood that’s why I ordered it. So, the beef was tender and the potatoes were very creamy. When I asked the server why the change. She replied that they decided to replace the buttered pasta for the mashed potatoes. Well, they should have either told me this when I ordered or correct the menu so that the description is accurate.
The last time I dined at Parc (prior to Monday evening), I ordered the onion soup gratinee and crispy duck confit. The soup had a bitter aftertaste and the duck confit was not very well prepared, it was not crispy and the portion size was more like a squab leg. The French Onion Soup and duck confit salad at the Standard Tap is so much better.
I have enjoyed, the charcuterie and friends have mentioned that the sautéed calves liver and cheeseburger were good at previous visits.
Service is always very good here, the cocktails are prepared well. Some of the hor's doeuvres are prepared nicely. The entrée’s and the classic “French” menu items however, really need improvement.
Mirna's Cafe, Blue Bell PA
Has anyone been here recently? Going for dinner tomorrow night with friends. Just want to know what to/ what not to expect. Cuisine? Recommendations?
Thanks!
