herbacidal

In the Philadelphia Inquirer , Craig LaBan gives a surprisingly complimentary review for a one-bell rating to the reborn Old Original Bookbinder’s. Discussion started when the original closed and has continued here. Rick Nichols waxes poetic about a chef’s recipe spotlighting the flavorful fava bean. Catherine Quillman scopes the scene at a new Malvern BYOB, Alba, and finds a little slice of new American dining. In the Philadelphia Weekly , Lauren McCutcheon finds that while the décor at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen may have been modernized, its food is now both tasty and obscenely portioned. Kirsten Henri investigates the new, stylish pizza joint that is Fresca Superior and hopes it has the cojones to pick up where Lombardi’s left off. In the City Paper (Philadelphia), Adrienne Saunders discovers that one pot meals with dried foods can be quite tasty, especially when you’re in the middle of the a forest in the Pine Barrens and is generous enough to offer three recipes that any schmo smarter than me should be able to figure out. In the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review , Sally Quinn wanders into Rico’s, and finds its regulars happy as ever as it approaches its 26th year. Josie Roberts looks into Rib America as it makes a pit stop in the city of three rivers.. In the Pittsburgh Post Gazette , Suzanne Martinson looks into the Simmons Family Farm and its efforts to keep on keepin’ on. In the Morning Call (Allentown), Susan Gottschall comes out of hiding to review the Grotto, the simple and much-loved Italian restaurant in the Lehigh University area.

Although said in jest (dammit, you stole my line!), it's a good rule of thumb, since most other East Asian and Southeast Asian cultures owe some level of origin/influence to Chinese culture. Japanese would have branched off the earliest, but even there, one of the three alphabets is Chinese.

The easy way to distinguish is that joong are tied with string and no mai gai aren't.

Is Ciboulette still open? BYOBs--- (less "grown up") Bellini Grill on 16th, Effie's (12th & Pine) pretty far from Walnut Room for most people, but I like walking and love the back courtyard La Boheme (11th & Locust) I get the impression they're not quite as good as they used to be before Le Jardin took some staff, but still probably pretty decent simple French fare Mercado (12th & Spruce) and its twin on the alcohol side, Valanni non-BYOBs--- Ludwig's Garten (13th & Sansom), although you and others may consider the food too heavy Cafe Habana (21st & Sansom), reiatively good prices for drinks and food El Vez (13th & Sansom) kitschy cool for most people, but you may have considered and dismissed it Lula (12th & Sansom) wine list and menu posted

I do think Chinese tamale is a better description than I've used/heard yet, but thus far it has been mostly irrelevant since much like Sheetz, I'm not yet aware of non-Chinese that have eaten them even once (although I'm sure there's a few out there somewhere), let alone regularly.

In the Philadelphia Inquirer , Rick Nichols notes the changes, little though they are, in the Italian Market cheese purveyors despite the DiBruno Brothers opening their temple to food just a little farther north by northwest. Rick Nichols follows that up by spotlighting Zwahlen’s , a new Pennsylvania stand offering real custard disguised as ice cream. (Note: There is an Audobon, NJ, but I don’t think Rick’s referring to that one, despite the Visit NJ ad often prominently displayed) Catherine Quillman goes carnivorous as she samples Charcoal Steaks ‘n Things and finds the riverfront Yardley restaurant both inexpensive and satisfying. In the Philadelphia Weekly , Lauren McCutcheon peeks into Boyds reborn as Brasserie Perrier extends its reach to Chestnut Street and the swanky clothier reveals its 21st century persona. Kirsten Henri talks with another food joint named after a special item as Brown Betty Dessert Boutique debuts on Bart Blatstein’s Liberties Walk. In the City Paper (Philadelphia), Juliet Fletcher picks the brains of some local chefs as Edible World kicks off this year’s First Person Festival while Adrienne Saunders reminds us that Real Men Cook as the book and event started to encourage African-American men to cook swings through Philly. In the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review , Karin Welzel finds a secret Italian spot between a gas station and an auto dealership as Vallozzi’s sequesters its patrons in their own little hideaways for a few hours of dining time while Kimberly Palmiero finds a Tuscan menu in Piccolo Forno in a transformed Lawrenceville section of the ‘burgh. In the Pittsburgh Post Gazette , Suzanne Martinson explores the highlight of the PLCB’s efforts in western Pennsylvania as the Pittsburgh Wine Festival showcases some outstanding wines from more than 150 wineries. In the Morning Call (Allentown), Sylvia Lawler steps in for Susan Gottschall again as she finds a real Southern barbeque joint when Grumpy’s takes over the former Pine Crest Inn.

Gut reaction from someone with some advertising experience and a decent bit of hospitality experience: Sushi Nation doesn't quite work. I think something techno-oriented and/or futuristic would be best as far as marketing and (hopefully) will be matched with your decor, etc. Roboto-sushi? Robata-sushi? The discussion about Japanese food and sushi within the Philadelphia area has been done here previously. I'll see if I can find it. But basically, Paul's post on the subject is correct.

Really? Hmm, is Bruce Lim still chef?

In Beijing, it's much more similar to a canteloupe than a pumpkin. ← Huh? Nangua the pronounciation would be more similar to a cantaloupe than a pumpkin?

I volunteer to be a fried chicken judge. Only if bribery is involved.

The opening of Bourbon Blue was the end of the moratorium. Personally, I think the moratorium was the wrong way to deal with the growth.

We still doing this tomorrow? Zep's be tasty. I'd be happy to drive someone downtown from these places if necessary.

Unless it had a face carved into it and contained a candle within, I doubt it was a nan gua. ← Huh? ← Nangua would be one of the pronounciations for "pumpkin". Taiwanese, according to my father.

True. Otherwise, I'm not much of a fan. If I was buying wine glasses now, I'd keep the boxes they came in for transport.

I also have never been a fan of Vietnam. Nor of Vietnam Palace, although I did like it slightly better. The fact that I go to Xe Lua as my default is about as loyal as I've ever been to a Vietnamese restaurant. Although with the new place on Route 38 now, I do that less.

I like that you're thinking about the kids, takeout and lunch menus. Be sure to gear them towards volume, even moreso than otherwise for a robata joint. As far as advice, after talking to enough of the SBDC / advisory places, I'd suggest taking Steve Cook from Marigold for dinner and drinks one Monday night and getting his viewpoints and opinions. IIRC, he went got both the cooking degree and MBA before opening.

No, but I've been meaning to. Report back soon. If you have an empty spot...

All in all, I'd say bringing your own stemware if your boat floats that way is a relatively small price to pay for the quality of food and service you get for that particular price point. Some things have to go by the wayside. Space and margins are tight enough.

Shelley, Adapted for the 21st Century.

I keep my bartender stuff in one---corkscrews, bowties, other things I might need. I keep my chess set in the other, with the set and board in a larger CR bag.

I like how you've come to your conclusions, and I agree with them. CC East is most likely your best choice. Off the top of my head, I'd be thinking about Chestnut St, between 13th. I don't think any of the available spaces have restaurant appropriate systems in place, so your renovations budget will likely be on the high end of your estimates. But marketing-wise I think it's a good extension off of Goldman's area on 13th, and rents shouldn't be as high because of the number of vacancies. Also Center City District would like to increase activitiy there (although what level of commitment they have is a concern.) That said, I know Chestnut west of Broad (especially in the past year) has rents equal / comparable to Walnut. I don't know if they've extended that trait to Broad East. Plus Goldman's planning additional apartments in the area. Chestnut 8th to 10th would also be possible, building off of Starr's presence there, although he no doubt has inspired the rent of surrounding properties to increase. Actually, Chestnut 10th to 12th might not be bad either, with the Victory Building @ 10th and Chestnut now opening for residents. I think Chestnut is finally seeing the seeds of increased "cool" activity.

Specifically-speaking a suggestion: A Lower East Side/Chinatown/Little Italy grazing tour involving some combination of: a stop at NY Noodle Town; soup dumplings at Moon House or Joe's Shanghai; 5-for-a-buck dumplings at Fried Dumpling on Mosco Street or Tasty Dumpling on Mulberry Street while eating them across the way in Columbus Park; egg cake nuggets from a cart on Canal Street near Mulberry; jerky at New Beef King on Bayard Street or Jung's dried beef on Mulberry Street; a nosh at Fay Da bakery on Canal Street; a rasberry and cream tart at La Bella Ferrara on Mulberry Street; a knish at Yonah Schimmel's on Houston Street; gelato at Laboratorio Del Gelato on Orchard Street; candy stop at Economy Candy on Rivington Street; pastrami sandwich at Katz's on Canal Street; Gus's Pickles at the Tenement Museum; a you-know-what at Donut Plant on Grand Street; Roti Canai at Nyonya on Grand Street; and peeking into the endless ethnic markets and food stores that dot the area. *warning: do not attempt to eat all these things on one trip or you won't be able to fit into the subway!* ←

I don't know who John Dory is, but more background on John Doherty would be appreciated.

This part mostly jives with what I've understood to be the story, although I'm not sure about the dragon boat tangent,, but it's plausible. This doesn't jive as much.

I would have thought that the only places particular hard to get into and thus requiring reservations right now would have been Django, Matyson, and Pumpkin, noting the no-reservations policy at Melograno and Chloe. That said, my general attitude when dining has been to plan on being out most of the night and be easy going. Therefore, I dont't generally mind a wait of an hour or less as long as there's something interesting to do nearby, such as have a drink someplace. Or wander around the neighborhood, which may only interest me. The recently Laban reviewed Bistro 7 (check my media digest up top) is good. I liked it when I was there with Katie. The quality of the food and service at Ristorante del Ghiottone (?) has not dropped off noticably since the death of their owner. If you like, you can always fall back on the South Philly BYOBs. Buon Appetito just changed hands, although they may not be re-opened yet. I liked Tre Scalini and Little Fish the one time I've been to each place years ago. L'Angolo is generally well received. Mr. Martino's is a cult favorite among a certain group. Io e Tu, Salt and Pepper, August are some others that I haven't heard bad news about. Io e Tu has been there a long time, and I think it flies under the radar for a lot of people. Think about giving Samba some business. From all accounts the restaurant at 8th and Girard does rodizio very well, is never crowded, and is inexpensive. I'd consider it my backup to everything else, with parking not being a problem there. It's not BYOB.