KatChow's Profile
Free range or best turkey in Bucks?
Has anyone ever ordered a free range turkey from Whole Foods? They're from Maple Lawn or Koch farms this year.
$25 for a $50 certificate to Matyson
OpenTable Spotlight (looks like their answer to restaurant .com and Groupon) is offering a $50 printable certificate to Matyson for $25.
http://spotlight.opentable.com/deal/philadelphia/philadelphia1
I've always had great meals at Matyson, but for whatever reason haven't been back in a while; this is just the incentive I need!
New Tiffin Locations
That's strange, they were open for dinner Tuesday evening (6/29).
Cafe Lift
I'd like to add another thumbs up for Cafe Lift. The range of brunch entrees definitely trends toward sweet and there's a chalkboard with specials. I normally can't handle sweet for breakfast, but was extremely tempted by the offerings. I really enjoyed the huevos rancheros which came with house made salsa and a side of potatoes. I'm a vegetarian so they gladly put the included chorizo in a small bowl on the side (it was quickly snarfed by my SO and I'm told it was tasty). Portions are seriously huge...went there with some running buddies after an 18 mile run and we weren't able to finish our meals. Cash only.
Pre/Post marathon dinner recs in Pittsburgh
Will be in Pburgh this weekend with some fellow Philly hounds for the marathon and was hoping to get some recs for an early dinner on Saturday and a late afternoon meal on Sunday. I'm a vegetarian but my running buddies are omnivores. We're looking for basic pasta on Saturday night, nothing too upscale, but would like something more chow-worthy than Spaghetti Warehouse or Olive Garden. Location isn't a big factor, but somewhere between Oakland and downtown would be a bonus. On Sunday we'll be whacked out from the race so something along the lines of high end comfort food would be great (if anyone is familiar with the Philly chow scene think Continental or Jones). Also, we'll probably want to avoid the immediate downtown area due to all of the marathon mayhem. Thanks!
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Spaghetti Warehouse
2601 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Olive Garden
83 E City Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Need an idea for a roasted squash lasagna topping....
I top mine with shredded cheese and crushed hazelnuts in addition to a little of your dreaded bechamel.
Gnocchi
SO and I went to Gnocchi a few times in late 2009 to take advantage of their recession special - 2 salads, 2 pasta entrees, and dessert for $25. Especially since the restaurant is BYO, the deal is quite good. Salads are pretty standard - more interesting than average mixed greens, but nothing memorable. The pasta dishes were good; the pumpkin gnocchi I ordered at my most recent visit were particular memorable. Both time we were given a huge piece of light, creamy tiramisu to split for dessert. The food is not mind blowing gourmet, but it is better than average and service was good. At the $25 price point it can't be beat.
Thoreau (Blue Sage owners)
Tried Thoreau tonight with two vegetarian girlfriends. The dining room is minimalist, but has a much warmer decor than the space's previous occupant, Root. To start we shared the Green Curry Mango Summer Rolls and the Sliders. The curry gave the rolls a great smokey taste and the Belgian frites served with the sliders were wonderfully crisp and tasty. The brioche rolls that the sliders were served on were perfect. Each appetizer was very well sized to share among three and could have easily been an ample entree. For mains, two of us ordered the Cubano Supper and one ordered the Blue Plate. I didn't try the Blue Plate myself but the presentation was attractive and my friend enjoyed it. Instead of one large empanada the Cubano consisted of three small empanadas surrounding a yellow tomato napolean. The presentation was extremely visually appealing and the dish was extremely tasty as well. The sunflower seed component of the pesto added a heartiness that really made the dish special imho. I felt the portions were very generous and we all had leftover to take home. I was disappointed that we were all too full to try dessert. Service was very attentive, however the restaurant wasn't crowded most likely in part due to the fact that the second wave of the Great Snow of 2010 had already begun. We will all return with our meat-eating SOs. Note that Thoreau is a BYO for Feb and Mar as they are in the process of obtaining a liquor license.
Light EArly Supper in Elkins Park?
Tiffin is at 8080 Old York Road, at the intersection of Church Rd. Stopped for dinner on 12/30/09 and was pleased, actually thought it was slightly better than my experience at the original Girard Ave location. Between SO and I we ordered the Malai Kofta, Chicken Kali Mirch, and a samosa special; all were quite tasty (I'm a veg and didn't actually try the chicken, but I trust his judgment).
Favorite Veg Cookbook?
The Complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook by CI editor Jack Bishop -- it's a 1997 copyright, but I keep coming back to it.
Flaming Quorn Cutlets
Not exactly, but I had a similar experience with a Morningstar "chicken" patty. Microwaving it on a paper plate resulted in a scorched plate (thankfully I didn't have a full blown fire!) and turned a quarter of the "chicken" patty into charcol.
Great mail order food gifts you give
This Christmas I ordered the SO an assortment of bacons from Zingerman's. He loved the gift, it arrived on the date I requested, and their customer service was great (I asked via email that they make a correction to the gift message and my request was accomodated in under 30 mins).
cocktails you've invented that worked or didn't
I poached some pears in white wine (and spiced rum, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and honey) for dessert this evening and while I was debating what to do with the leftover poaching liquid (now reduced to a syrup), divine inspiration struck...
Spiced Pear Martini:
1-1.5 oz vodka (depending on how strong you like your cocktails)
1 Tb poaching liquid
Shake and serve in a cinnamon sugar rimmed glass
I normally don't enjoy sweet cocktails, but yum, this one goes down so smoothly....
Wegman's has beer!!!!
$17.99 is not really very overpriced for a 12 pack of Smuttynose. Full cases of craft beers (Smutty included) are definitely in the $35 range in Philly case stores. For your $25 you'd be getting a case from Philly Brewing Co.
Philadelphia - The City of Puppy Love
In Fairmount, Urban Saloon and Jack's Firehouse have welcomed our dog and provided bowls of fresh water. They also have comparably more spacious outdoor seating areas with plenty of room for puppy to sprawl out (and nearby is the Fairmount Pet Shoppe with a bottomless bowl of doggie cookies for canine consumers). Although we've never been to Tavern 17, their website advertises a Yappy Hour on Thursdays with food and drink specials for pooches and their human companions.
Philadelphia restaurant dishes that you dream about
Vegan chicken cheesesteak from Govinda's Gourment to Go
Mint Stracciatella gelato from Capogiro
Seafood Ravioli from Radicchio
Vegetarian Chili from Le Bus
I still dream about the Thai Seafood stew from Matayson (seasonal) and the Mini Baked Alaska from Washington Square (not so much a restaurant anymore)
Best Tasting Meatless Breakfast Sausage?
My perspective is strictly vegetarian, but I'd add another vote for the Morningstar patties. Also, Trader Joe's has a soy chorizo that is great in eggs, rolled up into a breakfast tortilla, or on pizza.
absinthe in philadelphia
The Raven Lounge
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Raven Lounge
1718 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA
What was your Best Meal ever?
My best meal ever is too difficult to pinpoint. However, the best entree I've ever eaten was just over a year ago at Matyson in Philadelphia. It was a Thai seafood stew with winter vegetables. In the center was a perfectly cooked piece of snapper with a spicy peanut crust. I still dream of it...
Eating in the Sharon, New Castle Area
If you're willing to drive about 20 minutes to Youngstown, OH:
Aladdin's Eatery
7325 South Ave, Youngstown, OH 44512
Middle Eastern cuisine with plenty of vegetarian and meat/fish options
Armando's Restaurant
3807 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, OH 44708-5339
Italian with housemade pastas, the eggplant parm is a great veggie option
The Flaming Icecube
1449 Boardman Canfield Rd #260, Youngstown, OH 44512
Purely vegetarian/vegan but there are many other restaurants in the same strip
