phungi

I will be staying at La Posada de Santa Fe for a Board Meeting in April. Not sure wht restaurants that have been mentioned are close to there. Any comments would be appreciated.

phungi-in-law and phungal-in-law-to-be opted for Shangri La on Montgomery Avenue. She is of asian descent and liked the menu, they checked out the room and liked it, and the owners were ok with them bringing their own wine. thanks though for your comments and suggestions!

My brother in law is planning a rehearsal dinner in September, and he lives in California. My wife (phungal) and I are helping them find a locale. Their wedding will be at the Hilton on City Ave, but the only restaurant there is DelMonico's and that is not gonna work. They estimate 50+ people, and they were thinking Yang Ming, but the cost of liquor (i.e., $18-30 for a carafe of wine) is prohibitive. Can anyone recommend a BYO establishment that might be able to host 50ish people in the Bala Cynwyd/Main Line area?

I called today thinking about a pulled pork sandwich, and the number is disconnected... oh well...

I have a friend moving to a job at UPenn from City Ave and was wondering if we could revive this thread with some recommendations or updates as to what trucks are still around and "must visits" in the UPenn area. Thanks!

We're gonna check out Standard Tap. Thanks for the suggestions!

My in-laws are going to take the kids, leaving the wife (phungal) and I to play. Looking for someplace in CC that is nice, possibly romantic, and off-the-beaten-path so I might actually be able to eat there on Saturday around 7-8 without a reservation as of Wed. Any suggestions?

I'm sure the ladies will not agree, but nothing says "I love you just the way you are" like a white/spinich/tomato pie at Taconelli's... and your best red wine out of their plastic cup says "I will love you in any situation!"

My grad school days had me working at Powelton Pizza in West Philly and one of my favorite 'zas was a White with Bacon and Spinich.... this thread has me very hungry for pizza, and I just had lunch...

Today's article (linkety link) appears clearly intended to bias the readers in a negative way. Listing the travel expenses of Newman and 2 other board members ($47k vs $35k vs $20k) is not done in any context... is this to suggest that Newnam's was too high and the others' were appropriate? Were all three inappropriate? What are comparative yearly travel expenses for other Wine buyers from other states, if it is possible to compare? At least there is mention that one single trip, which cost $2500, resulted in a net profit of $3.2 mil for the state. If you add the three travel expenses listed along with Newman's salary, it is still lower than the new CEO's salary plus what will be his "frugal" expenses. It is funny that the quote "When you become drunk with power, you make impaired decisions" appears to point the finger at Newman when it best explains the decision to rush in a new CEO and railroad the outgoing Chariman.

I, too, have followed this tread with interest, and I appreciate the honesty and unexpected outcome in the OP. I cannot say whether there is or is not a "code" within the industry, whether the OP is covered by such a code, or whether there is a proper/improper way to communicate such an event. The fact is, whatever unwritten code may have been created, it was not likely created when blogs such as this were in place. Personally, I was shocked when the OP ended with a $90 pp bill. If I follow correctly, the OP dined with friends. One friend knoew the sous chef and pastry chef there from a previous job. One of the other friends knew the owner’s wife from a previous job. This is a "friend-of-a-friend' situation and whether or not BigBoss is /has been in the industry, the owners of James are not his personal friends. To complicate things, the owner’s wife greets them and says "they’d like to cook for us." Now, we have a one-to-one contact from friend-to-friend, and BigBoss is along for the ride. If I were in this situation, I would be expecting some really good food and some "special arrangement" with regard to payment. If I were with other folks in the industry, I would be expecting some REALLY good food and a "REALLY SPECIAL" arrangment with respect to payment. It seems to me that the honus is on the owner and his wife to make this a very special meal, and to avoid any misrepresentation, confusion, or any walk-away bad feeling/impression, ESPECIALLY when the guests are friends, are in the industry, and sites like eGullet are out there to discuss such outcomes/issues in the immediate future. Bravo to BigBoss for starting what has ben a controversial but really interesting and informative discussion. I hope there is no negative effect on James as a business, but that they learn from this... I know I have.

Dish, I've had a private love for Carmine's since moving to Wynnewood in 98... my wife hosted my surprise 40th brunch at the old darby road locale. I guess we have come fiull-circle, as one of our "significant courting" moments occurred over dinner at Marbles. I have always loved Carmine's menu, but will definitely miss the BYO freedom. The menu posted online looks similar to the Narberth menu... do you know if will there be any changes other than the Bar and Music?

I had an unexpected visit to Aqua the other night, meeting up wtih some friends and walking from the Queen Villiage area to "a new Thai place." I didn't really care where, since I had been home with the kids and new puppy for about 10 days, but was happy when we turned the corner on 7th and Chestnut and we were facing Aqua. We were seated in the small semi-private room in the back of the first floor, so we were on the other side of the waterfall/glass... this is a GREAT room/table for a party of 5 or 6. I don't have much to add that hasn't been said, other than recommending the red curry chicken... it may be a "meat and potatoes" thing, but I always like to try the red curry chicken when I go to a Thai place and theirs is excellent: huge bowl, lots of white meat chicken in flat strips, crispy greens. After the apps and entrees I was stuffed, but nearly everyone else ordered desserts which were big enough for two. Sorry no pics, but definitely eat there if you like Thai.

A few years ago, I was in Seattle, and purchased some incredible garlic smoked salmon at the fish market, shrink-wrapped for travel. I get monthly e-mails reminding me of this, but I don't need 2 lbs/$75 worth of salmon to satisfy a craving. So, I wonder where in the Philly area I can get some tasty smoked salmon, other than the traditional "chub"-style smoked salmon one finds at kosher delis.

David, None taken... I agree on the horrible service, but had excellent pasta dishes the three times I ate there... the last two times, however, I did take-out to avoid the "atmosphere"...

I agree with Carmines and Hana (there are threads on both). Also, Fellini Cafe is the Main Line's version of the Soup Nazi, but he serves pasta... great on weeknights, home-made pasta that is cheap and delicious, BYOB but stay away on weekends since they dont' run a tight clipboard and people wail a long time to eat. Thai Pepper (Thai) and Mikado (japanese/sushi) "share" a kitchen (on Lancaster Ave) so you can orded one from the other's dining room if you can't all decide. I find Yang Ming to be overly pricey for what amounts to really good asian food. Of course, there is never a bad night to drive 30 minutes to Taconelli's for the best pizza in town...

there was a blurb in the Inqy today about this as well... something about the Academy not liking the smoke... I guess the odor from a Smoked Joint is an acquired olefactory taste?

on the contrary, the old, jaded, and disinterested wait staff at Hymies would make for great television!!!

At long last, indeed... I'm sure the smokers will cry about restricting their personal rights, but I am happy that come January, Philly will join cities like San Fran and New York and I will no longer have to dine or drink among the nasty filthy cigarette smoke... I hope that many establishments will start early, a'la Starr.

I work off City Avenue, but now consider Wegman's the new "outer marker" on my travel radius for lunch!

Now that's a gulleteer. Sounds tough, but tasty Evan ← [Charlton Heston voice] Kuk-il BBQ is PEOPLE!!!!! [/Charlton Heston voice]

had 2 very good wines recently and cannot find them retail in PA... any suggestions: 7 Deadly Zins - 2003 Zinfindel Silverado - 2002 Sangiovese

Are you talking about Lovecchio's Pizza around the corner from Bryn Mawr Glass?

Private sector (yawn). If he REALLY wants to make a difference and some big bucks, he should be pitching his talents to McDonalds. Can't you see it?!?: The McHot Spring Eggwich Sundaes and Shakes with McCauliflower foam Grilled Palmetto McSquab Sandwich in Banyuls Jus McRack of Rabbit Happy Meal

Though it is not a bar or tavern, Talk of the Town on Broad near Packer makes an excellent cheessteak that receives very little press or discussion on eGullet.