Diann

Allrighty V... What about an education in simple deliciousness? Things you can make when your dinner was a disappointment, or you're starving and want something to eat right now? Or a seminar on dinner parties 101 (the beginner version)? Danke!

How did you cure the pork belly?

You're making me hungry... I just learned what a poele is: "A cooking method in which the item is cooked in its own juices, in a covered pot, and it is usually done in the oven. Also known as butter roasting."

Fantastic. If I don't make it this weekend, then next weekend for sure. Time to make some corn soup... Any recommendations for good food along the way or near Wynnorr Farms? (That's before I get the corn and peaches, of course.)

Center City District. If you entered the "win $X in restaurant gift certificates" promo, or whatever it was, during Restaurant Week, you're on their IN Center City mailing list.

Hear, hear. I haven't been back since the Eagles were in the Super Bowl, but that was a memorable meal (if not a memorable night) -- the pulled pork/pickle pizza, corned beef, and wings were all excellent. I like Sweet Lucy's and Phoebe's, but I thought Smoked Joint added something different to the restaurant scene. That Academy House location sucks, though.

A little birdie told me that my info was wrong (I thought it was owned by the Radicchio people) -- the birdie says that a couple of the Radicchio waiters defected to open up their own place. The menu is the EXACT SAME. That made sense to me when I thought the two places were under the same ownership, but now I'm wondering, isn't there some kind of legal issue here? Veal saltimbocca isn't exactly intellectual property, but... Anyways, here's my post about my dinner there: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...dpost&p=1232546 Edited to add: I could eat almost anything if you topped it with livornese sauce. Mmm, olives.

FYI, Radicchio's owners have opened Roberto's Cafe on South Street between 21st and 22nd. The menu is almost the EXACT same, and the waiters (owners?) are definitely the same. My neighborhood continues on its path to awesomeness... Anyways, I had dinner there tonight -- bronzino special with livornese sauce, veal saltimbocca, tiramisu, complimentary limoncello. Do I think it's the best Italian place in Philadelphia? Nooo. Am I overjoyed to have them within a five- or ten-minute walk of my house? Absolutely! They're open seven days a week: M-Th 4:30-10:00, F-S 4:30-11:00, Sun 4:00-9:00; they are BYO; and everything is reasonably priced (all appetizers under $10; entrees/pastas $13-$25). They also serve lunch M-F 11:45-2:30 if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Currently it's cash only.

I remember seeing H-Mart in your blog! The food court was pretty decent. The Korean place in the far corner seemed, that Saturday afternoon, to be the most popular option, so that's what we went with. We ordered two soups because we were trying to pace ourselves for the eating marathon that lay ahead -- if I was buying groceries, I'd definitely stop by beforehand for some bibimbap. There's also a fried chicken place that NO ONE was trying, so I was a little suspicious (still, it's fried chicken; how bad can it be?) and a bakery and a sushi bar and maybe one more place. Anyways, I don't think it's worth a separate trip, but if you're at H-Mart and hungry, why not?

Dorine, They might be talking about the H-Mart/Han Ah Rheum in Upper Darby (there are others scattered around the outskirts of Philly; Han Ah Rheum is a chain of Korean supermarkets). It's right on Terminal Square, so it should be easy to get to from the El. Like most Asian supermarkets it's got cheap produce and vegetables, a decent array of fish (though I can't vouch for the quality), and lots of pickles and pickled items, seemingly made in-house, or at least without a label. There's a food court upstairs, too... Philadining, Spikemom and I sampled the goods a few months ago when we did a gastronomic tour of Upper Darby.

Shabu-shabu salmon: I'm picturing superthin slices of salmon, cooked in dashi. Can you do that? Does the fish hold up? (I mean, wouldn't the fish fall apart while you swished it?) My initial reaction was "yuck! boiled fish" but then I guess it's kinda like poaching.

2nd and Chestnut. www.amadarestaurant.com. Enjoy! I'm going there for my birthday tonight.

Raw (in my opinion, anyways) is more like fusion sushi than traditional, purists' sushi -- so in a way, it might be a good place for a beginner to start. There's all sorts of interesting sauces and flavors that might make their sushi LESS unfamiliar to you. Go for it!

Trader Joe's carries some Citterio products: rosemary ham, prosciutto, bresaola, and, I think, salami and provolone slices sold together. I grew up eating Boar's Head but what I REALLY like is Applegate Farms' herbed turkey. Edited because I can't spell... or count, apparently.

Bob, I think the vegetable you're referring to is Chinese broccoli (gai lan). I love it!

I happen to like the vanilla milkshakes from the Mr. Frosty ice cream trucks...

I definitely second Vadouvan's recommendation of Matyson for lunch. GO. Dinner isn't extremely expensive, but lunch is a bargain, as far as I recall. On Wednesday, if you have time, get yourselves back to Reading Terminal and have a hot soft pretzel, dripping with butter, from Fisher's! I am not a street-corner pretzel lover -- Fisher's are what pretzels are meant to be. And I admit I just scanned this topic, but I don't think anyone mentioned it: please do try to get to Tony Luke's for a roast pork sandwich (do a roast pork Italiano -- that's with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone) and compare it with a cheesesteak. Both great, quintessential Philly sandwiches, in my opinion.

For future reference, I really like the pasta at Caffe Casta Diva. It might not work this time, though, since the place is kind of small and tables are on the cramped side. Your request for gnocchi makes me think: 1) Craig Laban loved the gnocchi at Cucina Forte in South Philly (that place is relatively spacious, too) -- they're pillowy and made with ricotta, I think. I like the ones at Gnocchi, myself, but that's personal preference. 2) The Phila Weekly reviewer liked the gnocchi at La Fontana Della Citta off Rittenhouse, but not much else.

Way to take one for the team!

Thought I'd bump up this thread because Matyson's tasting menu this week is World Cup-themed. I don't have time to go, but I sure like the idea... 1 World, 1 Sport, 1 Month 32 Countries Japan Hamachi Sashimi Citrus salad, miso vinaigrette Germany Warm Potato Salad Caviar, 1\2 cooked salmon Australia The Fish from Down Under Barramundi, ginger, scallions & black beans Trinidad & Tobago Coconut Lamb Stew Italy White Chocolate Affogato Sundae $45, 5 courses, available Monday thru Thursday. Reservations recommended. If anyone goes, please report back!

Me me me! If it changes things for Bob, it doesn't change things for me. Next time, box that baby up and send it my way--I adore corned beef hash. Thanks for mentioning that Carman's is temporarily closed, by the way. I had been planning my inaugural visit for next weekend, but I'll wait.

I was hoping it was just gin and vermouth, Frenchified somehow, but nooo. French Martini search results Vodka, pineapple juice, Chambord. Sticky and sweet, I bet.

These look like good options to me (my criteria being, a) free food b) I would try at least one of the cocktails, wines or beers being featured c) I don't hate the restaurant): - Bistro St. Tropez (free tuna tartare, mozz/basil/tomato, and smoked salmon...I suppose I could try a French Martini, though it seems awfully sweet) - Brasserie Perrier (Sidecars, mini pizzas, canapes) - El Vez - Happy Rooster (Pimm's Cups, Lillet & soda, free appetizers) The only one I've been to on that list is BP. Anyone have opinions on the other three? Edited: Thanks for the info, Sandy. Maybe I'll add Davio's to my list, even though I had a completely boring Restaurant Week meal there a couple of years ago. Still, I could go for a (free) cheesesteak spring roll!

Alonna -- I'm glad Marigold worked out for you! Two things: 1) I don't remember if this was when Steven Cook was chef or if I had it when Michael Solomonov was working there, but they had this incredible smoked paprika pasta (maybe tagliatelle) with wild mushrooms -- great starter or vegetarian entree, perfect for fall. 2) Parking is actually easier than you'd think; it's mostly residential around there and I've never had a problem finding a spot a block or two away. You might have to circle around for five or ten minutes but I definitely prefer parking there to parking in Center City. Diann

I've been there for lunch a couple of times recently and have liked the salmon BLT, roasted beets, roasted brussels sprouts (but Evan, you probably do those equally well at home) and crabcake. If the menu is similar to what's posted on the menu, the salmon with bacon and sweet potato ravioli might be nice (resembles the salmon BLT). Striped bass or scallops sound good right about now. I *think* dinner entrees are in the $20s.