sadiefox's Profile
Kanella's for dinner tonight. Any recs?
The fried cheese appetizer and stuffed calamari (entree).
Philly Beer Week
Philly Beer Week is great, but take some of the events with a grain of salt. A lot of places that have "tap takeovers" on a given night claim to also offer some sort of interaction with the brewery, but often the brewery rep doesn't show up (or it's just somebody from the distributor). But these type of events aren't extra cost anyway so it's not that big a deal. Sometimes the events don't start on time either.
The best food pairing event I ever went to was a few years ago where South Philly Tap Room had a pairing menu with Stoudt's, and Carol Stoudt was there to talk about the beers and answer any questions. I also enjoyed the event at Grey Lodge with Lew Bryson about PA beers.
I always enjoy Memphis Taproom's "No Repeat Beer Week" which is a simpler approach, but they offer different kegs (till they are kicked) in 8-10 categories of beer styles. There is bound to be something interesting on tap that you've never had before.
Fishtown / Northern Liberties Restaurants
Sazon is a Venezuelan place on 10th and Spring Garden, within walking distance of the club (IMO) depending where you park. It is usually possible to find parking on Spring Garden nearby. It's a BYO. Not as cheap as you might think but the food is delicious and definitely reasonably priced for the quality. We usually bring wine or beer but i think I have seen people with vodka or tequila to mix with their fresh fruit juices.
Now I see this may have happened already. Where did you end up?
Rats Restaurant
I'm not sure if this is still true -- so you might want to call the restaurant to check... but it used to be that if you had lunch at Rat's before entering the Sculpture Garden, you could exit through the restaurant patio and enjoy the grounds without paying the admission fee. Not that the admission fee isn't worth it -- just sayin' :)
I haven't been there since the new chef though. I have never eaten at Rat's for dinner, but always enjoyed lunch.
Panama City, Panama for a 12 hour layover..food /nightlife rec's?
Hopefully you haven't made your trip yet... Just got back from Panama City myself and have a couple of recommendations. Off Calle Uruguay, right downtown, there's a restaurant called La Posta and it really was great. It's an upscale restaurant with mains under about $23 utilizing mostly local ingredients. The service was very good and it feels like a special occasion kind of place. You might want to make a reservation. We had a delicious appetizer -- "Octopus 3 Ways" which was an octopus "charcuterie", octopus "chicharron" and tender grilled octopus. I had bacon-wrapped huge prawns with a delicious salad, pretty simple but really good. My husband had a great trout dish. Desserts were good -- warm orange chocolate cake and an awesome tres leches cake.
Calle Uruguay is home to other restaurants, bars and clubs also. Most of the upscale hotels are in the area too so it would be convenient for you (don't have a recommendation for one of those though).
Tomato Pie in Philly Burbs?
Sure, you can still get Trenton tomato pies in Trenton. DeLorenzo's on Hudson Street has closed but Papa's Tomato Pies is still going strong. It's more like "pizza" -- round, with a thin crispy crust. Chunky tomato, olive oil and light on the cheese.
Are there any Good Chinese Restuarants in Hamilton NJ - Mercer Cty?
I second Szechuan House. I have never ordered any "ordinary" Chinese dishes there, so I can't vouch for things like Chicken and Broccoli or Wonton Soup, but everything I've had from the Szechuan menu/Chef's specialties has been delicious. Not all the dishes are spicy.
Island Spice - Jamaican in Long Branch
Chemicalkinetics, you live close to Trenton? You must try the Hummingbird on Warren Street in Trenton for awesome Jamaican food. They are only open till 8pm on weekdays, closed on weekends. You can eat in but it's best for takeout. I've had the jerk chicken, curry chicken, oxtail, curry goat, meat patties, slaw, cabbage, festival... all delicious. They don't have a web site but you can find a menu online or on facebook. They tend to run out of stuff toward dinner time on Fridays, so earlier in the week is better -- or call ahead.
Amazing Peruvian in Lambertville
Yes, this restaurant is great. It is BYOB. I have no measure to compare Peruvian food to but everything i have had there is delicious. The ceviches are excellent. The causa de pollo (potato cake stuff with chicken salad) was very good. The chicken in yellow vinegar sauce is really good too.
Their Mexican food is very good too -- I really like their tortas. But since they have begun offering the Peruvian menu regularly, I can't resist it!
The family that runs the place is super nice and welcoming. Service can be a little slow -- it takes a while for the food to come to the table. So it's not a quick meal. But everything is carefully prepared so who cares. The atmosphere is casual but cute. And sometimes they offer complimentary pisco sours.
Gastropubs on Thursday/Friday night
Uh oh. Sounds like reports I had heard about this happening at Fork and Barrel too, their previous restaurant.
Does Wawa still have golden sauce for their hoagies?
It might have been a "test marketing" product, but i too have been frequenting Wawa for years and have never heard of it.
Morristown Recommendations
I have not eaten at Mendhi but I have had cocktails at the SM23 -- the mixology bar that I believe serves Mendhi. I'm not a fancy-cocktail person but they had some of the best, most unique cocktails I've ever had. Very fresh and balanced flavors. Loved the cracked pepper martini and the spicy chili margarita. Not cheap but fair for what you get.
Good southern barbecue joints/restuarants near Trenton or Philadelphia
Yes, that's the place I mean. Funny how there is a spellling discrepancy between the name of the restaurant and the URL!
Annapurna - New Indian Restaurant in New Hope
Indian Garden in Yardley. I mentioned it in a post above but didn't want to get OT or be redundant :-) Food is always delicious, great service, pleasant atmosphere, BYOB and very very reasonable prices.
Good southern barbecue joints/restuarants near Trenton or Philadelphia
I just got a takeout menu in the mail from Winckler's. The pork sandwich on the menu is listed as being "chopped". Haven't eaten there myself though.
Annapurna - New Indian Restaurant in New Hope
Cross Culture is open in Lambertville! I stopped by today to pick up a menu and will try it soon for lunch. I am happy to see they have lunch specials for around $10. I won't be trying it for dinner anytime soon because the prices are a lot higher than my favorite local Indian restaurant.
Rankings of Gatropubs/Pubs in Philly Region
Not new, but not particularly mentioned above... I have enjoyed Kraftwork lately. Had delicious truffled deviled eggs and I really like their burger (choose your own toppings) with onion relish, bacon and a fried egg. Killer beer list.
Johnny Brenda's also continues to deliver really great food. Had one of the best bowls of mussels EVER with chorizo. It was a huge portion for about $12 and absolutely delicious.
Any good (non-chain) restaurants in or near lower bucks county
Hoping these suggestions are not too far north for you...
In Langhorne I recommend Mi-Rim on Woodbourne Rd (near Lincoln HIghway). It's a Korean restaurant and sushi bar, BYOB, pleasant atmosphere. They have grills on some of the tables to BBQ. They have some Japanese selections on the menu also, but I have not tried them, since I always stick with the Korean menu and it's always delicious. I recommend one of the dishes that come on a hot stone bowl (like bibim bap) or hwe dup bab which is sort of like a sushi salad. They also have "casserole" dishes which cook in a propane burner at your table.
In Yardley, Charcoal BYOB (formerly Charcoal Steaks N Things) is really good -- interesting New American food, young creative chefs. Not every dish is a perfect success (sometimes they seem a little TOO experimental) but the prices are fairly reasonable and overall I've been very happy with my meals there. Everything is well prepared and the service is very good. Worth trying.
Also in Yardley is Indian Garden. I think the food is excellent. BYO, nice atmosphere, good service and very reasonable prices.
Great "First Date" restaurants in Bridgewater/Somerville
um, don't be so old-fashioned!
Need a "Plan B" for Chestnut Hill area
There is Earth Bread Brewery just down Germantown Ave. in Mount Airy. It is usually pretty crowded too, but we don't usually have problems getting seats at the bar for drinks and food. Love their brews and pizzas (flatbreads, whatever).
What is the Proper Way to Order in a Chinese restaurant to receive a spicy dish?
I think much of it depends on the particular restaurant and whether they mainly cater to non-Chinese or Chinese. Also, I have NEVER received spicy food at an "American" Chinese restaurant even when the menu has the chili pepper symbols on it and asking for it spicy.
I frequent 3 excellent local restaurants -- an Indian restaurant which happily complies with our requests for "Indian hot" food, a Korean restaurant which has never dumbed down the food for us, and a Sichuan restaurant... The Sichuan restaurant is always full of Chinese families and while they do offer a menu of "American" Chinese selections I have never ordered any of them. We always order from the Sichuan menu and are never disappointed. The waiters always warn us that it's "very spicy" or the pork is "very fatty" or the rabbit has lots of little bones... I suppose they get their share of complaints from non-Chinese diners so it's only fair. We simply reassure them that we love their food and we will not complain, and they always accept that. One waittress is particular always remembers us, and tells us "we order like Chinese" :-) Funny story -- last time we were there, she was not our server but as she walked by our table she asked us if we had tried their house-made Chinese sausage. We were surprised because it wasn't on the printed menu, and wondered if she was going to bring us a sample. She then pointed to the specials board which was written entirely in Chinese and her voice trailed off and she scurried away... haha, we haven't even run out of things to try on the regular menu but next time we will have to ask what's on the specials board!
On the other hand, I've never been to a Thai restaurant around here that actually served my food spicy as requested.
Trenton Tomato Pies
La Villa is great -- I think their pies are best very fresh though, which might eliminate the by-the-slice option. Also, they make a wide variety of pies ("traditional" pizza as well as Trenton-style tomato pies) so be sure to sample the Trenton style pies. I really like their thin sicilian pie.
Dry brining beef tenderloin
I stuck a probe thermometer in the center of mine (4.5 lbs) and roasted at 425 till it reached 125 degrees. I'm not sure how long it took because I was watching the temperature but it was definitely under an hour. It rested a good 20 minutes while I roasted the brussels sprouts. When I sliced it, it was a perfect medium rare.
Dry brining beef tenderloin
I just did this exact same method of dry brining, but also before roasting I rubbed it all over with olive oil and cracked peppercorns. Came out awesome!
don't forget about barbuzzo
I have a question about Barbuzzo. We would like to have an early dinner there this Sunday at 5pm. Just 2 of us. There are no reservations available. Do we have a good chance of getting seated at the bar or counter if we walk in at 5?
Favorite Beer Bar Ever?
I second Novare Res! Amazing diverse selection, lots of deep cuts. Very cool atmosphere too... love the long tables and the sofas in the other room.
Is there a good crock pot cook book?
I really like the Slow Cooker Menus by Cuisine at Home.
http://www.cuisineathomestore.com/books/slowcooker.php
Everything we have made has been delicious! Lots of different, creative and ethnic recipes.
Fried Bakes - where can I get them??
There's an excellent Jamaican restaurant in Trenton called The Hummingbird. They have something called carnival, which is like a fried sweet cornbread and is delicious. Is this what you are referring to? All the food there is excellent.
Yes, Caribbean food is sorely lacking around here.
