jimc's Profile
Need Some Dinner Recs for One Night in the Penn's Landing Area
Sorry, I missed the part where you said "one night" thought you were staying longer. I'll let others decide whether Garces is a serious chef, kind of doubt he's hands-on at many of his restaurants.
All of Philly Ray's suggestions are great.
Another option is Buddakan at 4th & Chestnut if you're after Pan-Asian.
Need Some Dinner Recs for One Night in the Penn's Landing Area
Agree with Philly Ray.
If you would like a nice beer selection and pretty good Cajun influenced pub grub you might try the Khyber on 2nd St.
live eels and eel recipes?
The host of "Hook, Line and Dinner" on The Cooking Channel was using live eels just the other day that he got at a place that doubled as a bait shop.
That was in New England though.
Chinese Dumplings (jiao zi / shui jiao) - where to get them?
I removed that Atlantic City Little Saigon link.
Not mine.
Jim
Chinese Dumplings (jiao zi / shui jiao) - where to get them?
There's now a dumpling house in Upper Darby called Yang Yang Express. I don't think I've seen it mentioned on Chowhound. 107 Fairfield Avenue, for those familiar with the area the same block as Little Saigon, around the corner from Don Memo. Apparently they've been there " a few months."
All hand made, all fresh, 10 for $3.50 to $3.95, $4.95 for fish dumplings. Other buns, soups, congee, noodle dishes etc available.
I enjoyed them but don't consider myself a dumpling expert by any means. Getting good reviews on other sites though.
Jim
Where to buy good prepared horseradish?
Rick Nichols wrote an article in the Inquirer a little while back on a Long's horseradish.
Unfortunately I can't find a link.
I also think it may only be available at the Central Market in Lancaster and a few places around there.
Beef wellington?
Through September 27th Flemings in Wayne has a special of something called Beef Flemington.
Beef Flemington
Filet Mignon with mushroom duxelle
wrapped in puff pastry, madeira sauce
with roasted baby carrots.
Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish Bridesmaid Luncheon?
I think you should put this one on the Philadelphia board.
Shola Sighting
Mentioned yesterday on philly.com
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-insider/Speck_now_up_for_early_fall.html
Looking for Beef Bourguignon besides Parc
Caribou Cafe has it on their brunch menu and has it mentioned on the website.
"Of course, Cassoulet, Choucroute, Boeuf Bourguignon, Steak au Poivre with Frites, Chicken Provencal or Parisienne, Quiche, Salmon Rillettes or Raie aux Capres are at any given time on the menu"
I've never been to Caribou Cafe so I'm not sure if it's good or not.
Han Dynasty in Old City
**review written by jimc.'s girlfriend**
We had been to the Exton Han Dynasty a few times, and loved it. It's a bit of a hike, though, so we couldn't believe our luck when we found out a Han Dynasty was opening in Old City!
You probably don't get why I used an exclamation point but, if you get to one of their family-owned locations, I think/hope you will. Plus, restaurants come and go in a flash around here, (anyone else miss Meju Korean at 213 Chestnut and their fiery stone rice bowl? I do.) so you need to show support where you can.
Here's ours from Tuesday, 12/29/09:
Called ahead to see that it was a BYOB. Asked if we needed to give a reservation. Guy said, "Not if you come in the next ten minutes." I love that cocky arrogance, like he might get slammed at any moment. Loved it.
Walked in early, like 5:30 PM. Owner sat us. Asked if we'd been to his other locations. Told us he didn't have a menu, per se, but just to tell him the kind of things we like to eat, and he'd hook us up.
He (don't know his name, but I've read online that it is Han, which is coincidental, if true) said "People ask me what my favorite restaurant in Chinatown is and I tell them 'I don't have one' because I think each chef has a specialty any place you go."
We were all about having a surprise meal of the chef's selection and gave him the go-ahead with glee. We asked for: one soup, three appetizers, and one entree. We were given peanut sauce-filled rice ball desserts on the house.
[Total bill was $56 and change for those who need the info. so you can get on with your day.]
1.) Fish in Pickled Vegetable Soup - okay, I have no idea what fish was used (tilapia would be my guess) but it was the best, most firm, tender, flavorful, fresh fillet as I've ever had in a soup. It was a simple yellow, (maybe miso-based?) cloudy broth, with pickled leaves of cabbage or bok choy, that included the hearts. Rustic comes to mind - fish, broth, and pickled leaves/hearts. Boom. Done. Mmm.
2.) Spicy Noodles with Minced Pork - owner brought it out in a bowl and mixed it together right there on the table in front of us. The heat of the chili oil was right on for those who love a spicy dish. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the meat was plentiful. Also, when you dipped in for seconds, the noodles were still hot. Don't know about you but, oftentimes, food in restaurants seems to cool off by the time you go back for more.
3.) Wonton in Chili Oil - sprinkled with sesame seeds, these fiery pillows of pork wontons were a slippery challenge to pick up with chopsticks but, with a gulp of wine, we were right back into it again. I told the guy we liked spicy and he came through for us.
WARNING: don't say it if you don't mean it!
4.) Cold Rabbit w/ Peanuts, Chili Oil & Black Bean Sauce - clunker of the bunch, if we were being dead truthful, but only because each bite-size piece of rabbit included the bone of the bunny. So don't go popping these in your mouth, willy-nilly, like we did. You must suck on them, I think, then pile up your bones on your appetizer plate and hope you won't be chastised for your lack of knowledge on how to eat these morsels of meat.
5.) Quick Stir Fried Cucumber - the owner said it was the staff dinner, but came around with the platter and offered us two pieces on the house. I told him "I would eat that every day!" His reply? "You'll have to get a job there, then." I got schooled!
Okay, if you're still reading, don't call us pigs because we ordered all this food. We're gluttons. And, yes, we actually took home leftovers. Oink.
6.) Pork Dry Over Flame - [owner called it that - didn't have an official name yet] came out, sauce sizzling in all its flaming glory, in a saute pan with side handles, balanced precariously atop a "Sterno-like" cube-fueled contraption. I say "precariously" 'cause I almost knocked it over. What? I said, almost. They would still have me back.
I said I was pulling out my camera when, at the same time, the owner jokingly asked, "Where's your camera?" NOTE: to capture this dish without a digital art degree is pointless, but I did my best.
The Szechuan peppercorns the chef threw in bit our tongues with a numbing effect I've never experienced in my life. I thought it was cool, though, and said to the owner (who was hanging out, watching us enjoy this dish) that it would be a good alternative to Novacain. Which, what with Eastern medicine and all, I'm pretty sure it's been done a few times.
He indulged my ignorance and said that Chinese will put it up under their top lip, then hit it with an ice cube after. Great party trick!
The rest of the dish included stellar pieces of fresh, delicious bamboo shoots, portobello, red pepper, chile pepper, Szechuan peppercorns, pork, and snow peas. I was in heaven. Jim didn't care for the peppercorns. JUST LOOK OUT FOR THEM IF YOU'RE NOT INTO NUMBNESS. It goes away, eventually, but you're riding the wave for about five minutes.
Overheard the owner telling another dining couple they'd opened their doors last Thursday (12/24) and that he'd already been written up in the Philadelphia paper. He was discussing a future of possible locations in Boston and Florida. The ambitiousness of his vision is noteworthy. Or just super-cocky. Either way, we're personally glad his vision brought him to Old City, and we can only hope he sticks around for a while.
Han Dynasty - BYOB
108 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, Old City
215-922-1888
www.handynasty.net
Small, Low-lit, Cozy, Romantic Restaurant Needed!
A bussing station is exactly what the OP is looking for!
Where can I buy a Boned Bird?
I've never made Turducken, had Turducken and as a matter of fact live in Philadelphia not Pittsburgh but I am curious...
If you don't bone the birds yourself what exactly is left to do shove the smaller birds inside the larger?
Sorry, just kidding!
What happened to Juan Valdez
Saxby's is in bankruptcy. Are they related to Juan Valdez?
One day in Philly
I believe the Philadelphia Distance Run was Saturday morning and resulted in a number of street closures around the city. Not sure exactly where or for how long but the route is sorta from Eakins oval to Independence Hall etc.
Searching for West African Beer in Pennsylvania
I've heard good things about Shangy's in Emmaus(?) PA. Never made the trip personally though.
Cases of local beer for under $30?
Bell Beverage on Front Street in South Philly has had Yards under $25 for weeks now.
For so long I think it's their regular price.
Peruvian Restaurants in the Philly Area?
I think Don Memo may be where Sol de Peru used to be.
bulk oysters in philly
I think anybody can go to the seafood distribution center in south philly.
You might try e frank hopkins @ 3427 S. Lawrence St.
There are others.
http://www.efrankhopkins.com/
Has anyone been to Prive?
The night I was there the paella wasn't anything like it was described. There was no sign of chorizo or saffron and it wasn't in a tomato saffron broth. It was white and creamy and was more like a risotto than a paella. The grilled octopus was good as were the grilled scallops and, if I were to go back, the small "from the grill" plates is probably where I would order everything from.
The hummus/humus and bruschetta with lump crab were pretty good but nothing I would rave about.
The steamed mussels were ok but a few did seem a little old.
Service was very good (it was an early after work walk-in on a weekday, with a phone call beforehand to be sure we could be seated) and it is a very pretty place.
Full disclosure: I avoided creamy, cheesy, beefy dishes because of a recent high cholesterol result. Otherwise may have been tempted to order other things.
http://www.priveoldcity.com/
Craig LaBan's Da Vinci review...ouch!
And why did she ask for the sauce on the side?
Was she planning on dipping the meat in the sauce just to see if it made her violently ill?
Of course this doesn't excuse what the chef did.
burgers in Philly
A little over a year ago the local food critic went burger hunting.
http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/20070524_Burgermania.html
I've never been to Rouge but I do like the one at Good dog Bar.
Desperately seeking Irish Bacon... in Philly and 'burbs
You might try the Irish Coffee Shop in Upper Darby. I've never been but I've heard it described as an Irish diner and that they also sell some things.
Irish Coffee Shop
8443 W Chester Pike
Upper Darby, PA 19082
(610) 449-7449
10 Arts
This is all I've seen.
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/2008/04/sneak_peek_at_10_arts_menu.html
going to vetri
From Craig LaBan's 2006 review (if you haven't already read it).
It's hard to resist such bounty, even at $28. Likewise, I can rarely pass up any number of Vetri's classics - the cocoa-dusted chestnut fettuccine with boar ragu; the ethereal spinach gnocchi; the sublime turbot over crisp potatoes; the chocolate-polenta souffle; or the lavender gelato drizzled with hot olive oil. These are the powerfully good creations that have earned Vetri national recognition.
http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/6000956.html
(Philadelphia) Snapper Soup
Interesting timing. This was just in the paper.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_nichols/20080413_A_snappier_snapper.html
McKenzie Brew Pub
Sunday brunch at McKenzie Brew Pub is fun. We went there for Father's Day 2007 and I wasn't disappointed in the least. It could be that I'm not all that picky but, after a few Bloody Mary's, their Smoked BBQ Chicken Quesadilla (cheddar cheese, bell peppers, salsa, guacamole, sour cream), and an order of Huevos Rancheros (fried eggs, corn tortilla, ranchero sauce, spicy refried beans garnished with guacamole & sour cream) I was more than satisfied as far as "pub grub" is concerned.
Next time I go I'll review it as a brewery. Hope they'll have some kind of IPA on tap.
P.S. -- Rest in peace to its former restaurant, Cafe la Grande, which had great all-you-can-eat crab leg nights and was a memorable place for various family events in my life ...
