Being Spanish I really enjoy tapas dining, it's just so inviting. Hands down my favorite eatery in Philly is Amada. Having eight different concepts throughout the city ranging from authentic Spanish tapas, modern Mexican, Asian and even Catalan cuisine. In the Culianry world you either lead, follow or get overtaken. Jose Garces has an amazing arsenal, the man is not just an Iron Chef but a God....
Their is so much about this place I like. The cheeses, charcuterie, bakery, desserts, olive oils and most of all the in-house state run wine room. This is a great amenity the restaurant has, pick from over 200 different kinds of wine and have it uncorked and enjoy while you dive into a great menu.
My winebeau and I stopped in for lunch and the menu explodes with vibrant beautiful dishes. From the cheeses to the pizza it just reads with fresh ingredients. To start we had the Chef's selection of cheeses and charcuterie, outstanding and it's amazing how separately so many items just don't taste well but when you simply combine them together it's like a party in your mouth. Our next course was a pizza and they are all amazing, from the Margarita to the Pancetta or my favorite the Paleta Iberico, cured pork shoulder and figs.....thin crust and just a pleasure to eat. Our next course was the Lyonnaise Duck salad, duck confit with a perfectly prepared poached egg with bacon lardons and a mustard vinaigrette. I haven't had something this devine in my mouth since my prom night.....
I love all of his restaurants and concepts not because I'm Spanish but because it's a place that any foodie can go and have a fun day enjoying all the different dishes. I'm a true Garces fan and look forward to his next adventure.
Muchas Gracias for a great day......
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Amis Trattoria in Philadelphia
I must start by expressing how much I admire and respect the Vetri family. We've been to Osteria many times and I've recommend it to everyone I know.
As a foodie I love the small plate concept so when given the chance to visit Marc Vetri's latest addition Amis I jumped at it. Like a child counting down the days till Christmas I was counting down the days till our visit.
The restaurant is beautiful and has a very hip atmosphere. The open kitchen center stage is the main focus and I think it adds so much to the feel of the restaurant.
As we sat down the waiter seemed to be a little flustered and distracted but as soon as I ordered the $100. dollar bottle of wine from their reserve list we got his full attention....
All the dishes are served with the intention of sharing, family style. We started with the Salumi Misto and Sal's old school meatballs. The salumi was outstanding but Sal's old school meatball's with tomato and potato was out of this world good.....before this trip I paid homage to Lidia Bastianich (owner of Becco in NY and culinary super star) for having the best meatballs but I have to pass the baton to Amis. As I've said before, the best meatball's I have ever had. Our next course we had the Strozzapreti alla Tuna, I can not even find words to express how good this dish was. My winebaeu and I were fighting over the last bite of pasta. It was so good that when I woke up in the middle of the night the first thing that popped into my mind was the pasta.
I've been blessed over the years to visit some of the best restaurants in America and as I sit in Amis thoughts of this joining the top five is really getting me excited. We ordered the Pork Chop, the Guinea Hen Leg Saltimbocca and a side of Polenta. Entree arrived and to use terminology from a truly great foodie Anthony Bourdain it was like we where spiraling downward out of control without a parachute.....I do not know what happen. Maybe I was just to high from the previous courses but both dishes feft me feeling disappointed.
I look forward to returning to Amis but I'll stick to the appetizers, pasta's & reserve wine list.
As a foodie I love the small plate concept so when given the chance to visit Marc Vetri's latest addition Amis I jumped at it. Like a child counting down the days till Christmas I was counting down the days till our visit.
The restaurant is beautiful and has a very hip atmosphere. The open kitchen center stage is the main focus and I think it adds so much to the feel of the restaurant.
As we sat down the waiter seemed to be a little flustered and distracted but as soon as I ordered the $100. dollar bottle of wine from their reserve list we got his full attention....
All the dishes are served with the intention of sharing, family style. We started with the Salumi Misto and Sal's old school meatballs. The salumi was outstanding but Sal's old school meatball's with tomato and potato was out of this world good.....before this trip I paid homage to Lidia Bastianich (owner of Becco in NY and culinary super star) for having the best meatballs but I have to pass the baton to Amis. As I've said before, the best meatball's I have ever had. Our next course we had the Strozzapreti alla Tuna, I can not even find words to express how good this dish was. My winebaeu and I were fighting over the last bite of pasta. It was so good that when I woke up in the middle of the night the first thing that popped into my mind was the pasta.
I've been blessed over the years to visit some of the best restaurants in America and as I sit in Amis thoughts of this joining the top five is really getting me excited. We ordered the Pork Chop, the Guinea Hen Leg Saltimbocca and a side of Polenta. Entree arrived and to use terminology from a truly great foodie Anthony Bourdain it was like we where spiraling downward out of control without a parachute.....I do not know what happen. Maybe I was just to high from the previous courses but both dishes feft me feeling disappointed.
I look forward to returning to Amis but I'll stick to the appetizers, pasta's & reserve wine list.
White Dog Cafe, University City Philadelphia
I love going into the city, Philly is full of culinary delight and I just located another one.....
We went there for lunch and right away I know it was going to be great. I have a simple practice when it comes to eating and preparing food, keep it fresh, local, have fun & explore.
The White Dog Cafe is three adjacent Victorian brownstones that is located on Sansom Street. From the moment you walk in you feel as if you just entered a cool & hip spot in town. Nice size bar with an open kitchen, a little to open I think.
We started with the Wild Mushroom soup, I'm not a true lover of the "Fungus" but I have grown to appreciate it's many different applications. Many times I will refer to something as "The best thing I have ever had" and it's true when I say it or until I find something even better. I must say that the mushroom soup at the White Dog cafe was the best I have ever had. It was truly a treat. After regaining my composure from the soup we had the Meadow Run Country Smoked Ham Sandwich & the Heirloom Apple Salad, Both had a beautiful presentation and tasted outstanding. The double smoked cheddar with the jalapeno pepper relish with the ham was a perfect combination. The salad was a meal in it's self, beautiful golden raisins, candied walnuts and local blue cheese. At this point I was considering cancelling our reservations at Amis (A Vetri restaurant), and returning for dinner. You also need to check out their gourmet hot dog menu....
The White Dog Cafe is been around for 28 years and I'm sure it will be around for many more due to it's Practice of "from the farm to our kitchen to your table".
Thank you Judy Wick and your staff for a great day out.....
website is whitedog.com
We went there for lunch and right away I know it was going to be great. I have a simple practice when it comes to eating and preparing food, keep it fresh, local, have fun & explore.
The White Dog Cafe is three adjacent Victorian brownstones that is located on Sansom Street. From the moment you walk in you feel as if you just entered a cool & hip spot in town. Nice size bar with an open kitchen, a little to open I think.
We started with the Wild Mushroom soup, I'm not a true lover of the "Fungus" but I have grown to appreciate it's many different applications. Many times I will refer to something as "The best thing I have ever had" and it's true when I say it or until I find something even better. I must say that the mushroom soup at the White Dog cafe was the best I have ever had. It was truly a treat. After regaining my composure from the soup we had the Meadow Run Country Smoked Ham Sandwich & the Heirloom Apple Salad, Both had a beautiful presentation and tasted outstanding. The double smoked cheddar with the jalapeno pepper relish with the ham was a perfect combination. The salad was a meal in it's self, beautiful golden raisins, candied walnuts and local blue cheese. At this point I was considering cancelling our reservations at Amis (A Vetri restaurant), and returning for dinner. You also need to check out their gourmet hot dog menu....
The White Dog Cafe is been around for 28 years and I'm sure it will be around for many more due to it's Practice of "from the farm to our kitchen to your table".
Thank you Judy Wick and your staff for a great day out.....
website is whitedog.com
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Shea's Cafe in Galloway
On any given Sunday, before Church or after Church Shea's is the place to go. You will wait so dress warm but it's worth waiting for. Lou and his wife with their staff makes you feel warm and right at home with family.
Sit down coffee up and get ready to eat a big breakfast. I recommend everything on the menu but the pancakes are outstanding and if you finish them you better take a nap and skip lunch.....
Sit down coffee up and get ready to eat a big breakfast. I recommend everything on the menu but the pancakes are outstanding and if you finish them you better take a nap and skip lunch.....
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Frog and the Peach Restaurant New Brunswick NJ
You have to visit this place. it's outstanding. As a foodie one of the best things in our industry to do is R&D. This restaurant is voted one of the top 25 in NJ and I couldn't agree more.
I recommend visiting the bar for a specialty cocktail to start the evening. We sat in the garden room and the decor and feel of the room was perfect. I tend to treat myself to a very good bottle of wine when I know I'm in for a special night. The bread and butter set up was great, the butter had dill in it and it was soft....so many restaurant serve you butter and it's hard and doesn't spread. Our butter was perfect. I tend to not foucus on the bread and butter to ensure I save room for the culinary feast I'm about to enjoy.
For our first course we ordered the Pan Fried Quail & the Saffron Risotto, what a way to start the night. Both items feft me wanting more and the French wine I selected was a perfect fit. As a second course we shared the Frisee salad, the wild boar sopressata was a home run in the salad. For dinner we had the grilled Mahi Mahi with sweet potato and chorizo fondue.....need I say more. Our other entree was a grilled Pork Loin Chop with fennel and country ham w/ a mustard Jus......the fennel added so much to the dish, it was not overwhelming. For dessert we shared the Banana Praline Semifreddo.
As a foodie I tend to over think the dishes sometimes, simply said this was a great memorable dining experience and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.....
I recommend visiting the bar for a specialty cocktail to start the evening. We sat in the garden room and the decor and feel of the room was perfect. I tend to treat myself to a very good bottle of wine when I know I'm in for a special night. The bread and butter set up was great, the butter had dill in it and it was soft....so many restaurant serve you butter and it's hard and doesn't spread. Our butter was perfect. I tend to not foucus on the bread and butter to ensure I save room for the culinary feast I'm about to enjoy.
For our first course we ordered the Pan Fried Quail & the Saffron Risotto, what a way to start the night. Both items feft me wanting more and the French wine I selected was a perfect fit. As a second course we shared the Frisee salad, the wild boar sopressata was a home run in the salad. For dinner we had the grilled Mahi Mahi with sweet potato and chorizo fondue.....need I say more. Our other entree was a grilled Pork Loin Chop with fennel and country ham w/ a mustard Jus......the fennel added so much to the dish, it was not overwhelming. For dessert we shared the Banana Praline Semifreddo.
As a foodie I tend to over think the dishes sometimes, simply said this was a great memorable dining experience and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.....
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