sockii's Profile
Vietnam Palace tonight, any suggestions?
I ****love**** VP - it's one of my favorites in Chinatown. The Vermicelli Combo is my go-to dish and you get the grape leaves are on that, along with Charbroiled chicken, shrimp, meatballs and spring roll. Their spring rolls are great, and also the fresh tofu rolls with my vegetarian friends always get. My SO loves the Crepe stuffed with shrimp, chicken, bean sprout & onions.
Italian recs around 60th & Park Ave?
This Thursday the SO and I will be in town for a meeting at the Colony Club in the early evening, with just light appetizers and wine expected at the event. I'm looking for any recommendations for us to catch a modest-sized late lunch or dinner in the area, most preferably Italian and something a little unique/especially good for the area. Since our timing is a little uncertain it would have to be somewhere we wouldn't need to make reservations, although sitting at the bar as a walk-in is totally fine (as we did a while back at Sfoglia, which we loved). Would also prefer somewhere we can get out the door spending say no more than $150-175 for a couple glasses of wine or cocktails and a satisfying meal - maybe 2 starters, 2 pastas, something like that.
I was considering Bottega del Vino as the SO is a freak for really outstanding espresso and cappuccino, but wasn't sure that was our best bet in the area (or might seriously blow the budget).
Dessert scene in Philly?
I tried it once and just did not get the fuss over the budino at Osteria. All I got out of it was the overwhelming/overpowering taste of hazelnuts - maybe that's just not once of my favorite flavors. I have loved basically every dessert I've tried at Amis, though, but I'm the weird person out around here who in general likes Amis better.
One Dinner in Philadelphia
I'm in the camp of having repeatedly liked Amis better than Osteria, as weird as that may be. But with ordering a number of small plates at either restaurant, you're likely to hit on something wonderful or two to your tastes. I did like the pizza at Osteria but greatly preferred the pasta at Amis.
Starbucks Pet Peeve
That's because it's the only way to make Starbucks coffee palatable - load it up with sugar, cream and flavorings until you can no longer taste how dreadful and burnt their basic coffee is. I'm generally a black coffee drinker and I simply cannot drink Starbucks that way.
Love the visual of it all....Pinterest
What Does Pinterest Look Like Without Copyrighted Content?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/what-pinterest-would-look-like-without-copyrighted
Pinterest has a BIG problem with content creators right now, and this is why I'm avoiding the site like the plague until they can sort things out.
Food Franchises That Don't Suck
Recently tried a Seasons52 for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't know how the "healthy" theme would play out, but almost everything I tried was very good and didn't taste like it was missing much of anything for trying to stay under a reasonable number of calories. It all tasted like actual fresh food, too, instead of something that had just been microwaved or otherwise reheated - veggie dishes in particular were notable and the wine selection too.
I like Ted's Montana Grill for simply prepared steak and burgers. Nothing fancy, just good meat.
I haven't been to a California Pizza Kitchen in some years but I always used to enjoy them. Similarly Legal Seafoods - used to eat there a lot when I lived in the Boston area.
Bonefish I've found hit or miss - some locations I've had great fish, well prepared, other times I've had really awful tuna "steak" and the sauces sometimes are just too heavy/overpowering for fish dishes IMHO.
Outback used to be a go-to for me, but I definitely feel like they've gone downhill in the past couple years. Skimpier, lower-grade steaks, they got rid of a number of menu selections I used to like, and it barely feels like much of a step above fast food to me at this point.
Red Lobster
This has really been my experience. RL is rarely my fish place of choice, but in some locations I've been to, I've been very pleasantly surprised while other outposts were dreadful. It's really worth getting a local opinion on the RL location you're considering.
Help identifying Asian green?
I think it's fish mint, as suggested below. That fits the appearance as well as the slightly "funky" taste when I crushed and tasted a leaf. I'll be trying it this weekend and am curious that I read I can try to get some root growth off of cuttings...I'm working on a really varied herb garden for this spring so this might fit in beautifully...
Help identifying Asian green?
Oh, I think you're right! I checked some photos and that does seem to match - also the somewhat "pungent" taste/aroma when I crinkled a leaf and tasted it. Sounds like I could definitely use it in some grilling dishes I have in mind.
Thanks!
Help identifying Asian green?
I picked up a package of this at my local Asian market because it looked interesting, yet it had no label of what KIND of herb or green it actually was (save a generic "Vietnamese herb" label). Anyone here able to help me out? Just trying to figure out what it is and if it's best as a garnish, in salads, stiry-fries, etc.
Pork bones for sale?
Perhaps try Haines Pork Shop in Mickleton? It's not far outside of Philly, real old fashioned pork shop.
http://www.hainesporkshop.com/
My mom's got a pig we're getting ready to butcher in the next month or so...I'll have to tell the butcher I want some bones this time.
Restaurant Week in Collingswood - worth it or not?
Um wow. It was early in the day so I couldn't even check with the restaurant so was trying to plan ahead if possible. A lot of places in Philly ONLY offer the RW deal during RW, and I couldn't tell from the websites what was what here. Ended up having a work emergency so it didn't even pan out tonight anyway.
I really want to do the regular mid-week tasting menu at Sapori, and was just bummed when I saw it was RW. I just prefer to try restaurants under normal conditions and not under special events like this.
Restaurant Week in Collingswood - worth it or not?
I'm normally NOT a fan of Philly's RW, for what it's worth. I'm likely going to be in the Collingswood area early this evening and was excited to perhaps finally try Sapori, but then got bummed that of course the week I'm in the area it's Collingswood's version RW. Is it worth still going? Or should I perhaps try Zeppoli instead which doesn't appear to be participating in RW? (I just hate the limited menus, dubious savings, rushed service and crowds that tend to go hand-in-hand with RW in my experience.)
University City (close to Penn) engagement party rec. pretty please!?
Is University City/near Penn an absolute must? B/c that really limits the possibilities when so much more would be available nearby more in Center City...
Friday Lunch near Flower Show?
It's actually Vietnam and Vietnam Palace in Chinatown - right across the street from each other on 11th street. I'm partial to VP - you're not going to get high-end wine there but they do make nice cocktails and I love the food. There's also Rangoon in Chinatown for a pretty unique experience (Burmese food), on 9th street so just far enough away I'm sure it wouldn't be mobbed during the flower show.
baby shower Brick area need suggestions
Lobster Shanty is horrible anyway - went to one shower there last year to "enjoy" cold pasta, greasy chicken with canned green beans, and melting ice cream. I would avoid avoid avoid even IF it had been available.
Sfoglia tonight and must haves or avoids
Tiny pastas? Really? Did you have the half or the full order? I'm just curious...
I dined here for the first time last week and was thoroughly impressed by not just the food but the portion sizes. I honestly could not even finish my full sized pasta after having a (large) salad to start. Maybe I'm used to Philly where the higher-end Italian restaurants serve pretty miniscule pasta plates for similar prices. I had the tagliatelle with bone marrow, artichokes, and gremolata and it was one of the best pasta dishes I've had outside of Italy - and a very generous plate well worth the $28 price-tag. Even better was the crab risotto my SO had (and I stole plenty off his plate). Hoping to get back there later this week for lunch to try them again, I was so impressed with the meal. I mean, I couldn't afford to eat there regularly but it was a wonderful experience dining at the bar with excellent service (including spot-on wine recs from the bartender) that made me homesick for my native land...
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Sfoglia
1402 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128
Baby shower Cherry Hill or Deptford NJ
Cool, thanks! We were going to have our office luncheon there this holiday season (my SO is on Delaware St.) but scheduling just didn't work out. It's nice to see a little positive momentum in Woodbury at last so I do want to support the businesses in the area.
Here's another possibility to consider for the shower - Vitale's in Gloucester City. We've had a few family & office parties there and it's classic red gravy, but in a good way. Small space, nothing too fancy, but I'm sure they'd fit your party easily, and good service. It's definitely a bit of a hole-in-the-wall for the area. http://www.vitalesitalianbistro.com
Baby shower Cherry Hill or Deptford NJ
Unrelated to a baby shower, but is Marlene's definitely worth trying, then? My SO works in the area (like literally a few blocks away) and we keep wondering if it's worth a dinner or office luncheon.
Baby shower Cherry Hill or Deptford NJ
I'd second Filomena Lakeview. The food is (for the area) quite decent Italian, they handle medium sized parties well, and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. But book EARLY - a couple weeks ago my father-in-law tried to book a party of 20 for a Sunday afternoon and they were all full.
Alternative would be Riverwinds in Deptford - I've been to a number of parties/events there (that's actually where we ended up as an alternative). They have a few different rooms, food is good, service very attentive. More of a steakhouse/seafood place but with some decent Italian options. (Very nice wine list, too, for those who find it torturous to get through the endless hours of baby shower games...!)
Yamaki Sushi now Machi Sushi...any better?
I was in the area today so I stopped in for lunch. Was quite happy with the experience.
They are doing a 3 roll for $10.95 special now, but often I find that too much for me to eat, especially for lunch. So I had a bowl of miso soup (very nice large bowl and good quality, perfect for a windy winter day), Spicy Tuna and Spider Roll. The spicy tuna was decent, but the Spider Roll was terrific. Really fresh fried crab and big crunchy pieces of it as well. I will totally go back for that again. Some fresh orange at the end of the meal was a nice touch.
With the 15% opening discount, plus a pot of green tea, my total was just over $12 before tip. Waitress and sushi chef were very friendly too, which was a nice change from the grouchy previous owner of Yamaki who use to just stand there and glare at you or out the window because no one was coming in.
I'll definitely go back and try out some more, it's a cozy little space now and good for a quiet lunch in the area.
Italian BYOs around 17th & Pine
La Baia can get noisy and uncomfortable during prime weekend times. I've also had them rush service (or tell me I could have a table but I'd have to be in and out in 45 minutes...no thanks.) That said on weekday nights or early in the evening, it can be quiet and comfortable.
Umi Sushi (Somerdale NJ) - pretty good
Caveat that I never know whether to post in Jersey or Philly these days...kind of hate all of South Jersey being considered Philly suburbs, but the Jersey board is pretty much all North, so...
Last week the SO and I were in Somerdale for a movie and I found a lot of reviews saying Umi Sushi was decent. At least, I hoped it would be better than the primarily Chinese/Thai/Japanese-fusion places all around us in Gloucester/Salem county. It definitely was.
My SO immediately recognized the restaurant as previously being an Italian Red Gravy joint...indeed, one of the rolls is named for the former Italian restaurant and the "stained glass" boat window has the former name taped over - but beyond that it was a pretty classy meal. Very nice selection of sakes by various bottle sizes - my SO likes sweet while I like dry so we got two nice bottles to sample between us for $15 each. For starters we had Agedashi Tofu (one of my "test" dishes for any Japanese restaurant) and BBQ squid. The tofu was quite admirable - smaller squares, very lightly fried in a nice broth - not the heavy, clunky slabs I've had elsewhere. But the Squid was just out of this world. I was not expecting an entire squid on a platter, but that's what we got, and it was glorious. After that, I could have left happy.
We shared 3 of the house special rolls beyond that. All were fine, I liked the Tuna Lover the best, though they were all kind of that overdone Americanized roll that's so popular these days (and they have a massive selection of them, many named after restaurant regulars.) But that's what the SO likes so I obliged. I'm actually interested after this first experience to go back myself to try the sashimi or chirashi.
Anyway, it was extremely reasonable for the food & drink, I think about $78 before tax + tip. I'll be back and looking forward to seeing what else they've got to offer.
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Umi Japanese Cuisine
11 N White Horse Pike, Somerdale, NJ 08083
Dear Philly, Here I Come With A 1 Year Old
Reading Terminal, as others have said, plus Chinatown. You're pretty much in it/at the edge of it at the convention center.
I love Vietnam Palace and the service there is always fast and, from what I've observed, family-with-kids friendly.
Italian BYOs around 17th & Pine
Of those you've listed, Branzino is my favorite. Classy atmosphere, solid food, good portions for the price, and a nice variety of dishes offered.
I like La Baia for a simple meal but it's nothing I'd go out of my way for.
I was underwhelmed by La Fontana della Citta. Felt like South Philly Italian-American instead of the authentic Italian-Italian I personally prefer, just dressed up a bit for Rittenhouse Square. And lousy bread.
Have not been to La Baia or Bellini Grill.
A little off the 17th & Pine area (but not much) I second Melograno for truly outstanding and innovative Italian BYOB. Also, it doesn't get much talk/rep around here but I am a diehard fan of Roberto Cafe at 22nd & South. Best Veal Milanese I've had in the city and it truly feels authentically Italian "trattoria" to me. My partner and I always go there when we are missing Italy and want a solid, non-fussy Italian meal.
Philly Weekend in Late March -- How's My List Look?
If you actually have room for full dinner after brunch at Lacroix, my hat's off to you. I'd plan something very, very light for that night - perhaps somewhere like Amada then if you find you only want a few tapas and drinks.
Yamaki Sushi now Machi Sushi...any better?
Thanks for the heads up! I'll definitely give them a try then. I just didn't want to waste another lunch on really deplorable sushi...
Yamaki Sushi now Machi Sushi...any better?
I was not at all surprised to see Yamaki Sushi on 20th Street close down recently - my one experience there featured some of the worst sushi I've ever had the displeasure of eating and a really rather uncomfortable atmosphere. I see it's quickly been converted into "Machi Sushi" with a little more jazzy decor...but is the food any better? Or is it the same operation going for a facelift? Just curious as I'm regularly in the area around lunchtime and wondering if there's any reason to bother deviating from my typical Vic Sushi fix
Possible to find good, reasonably-priced eats near Rittenhouse?
Yep, absolutely, with the price point given. Honestly at all the BYOBs named so far, I think you'd be very well within that range.
