Jeff L
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Posts posted by Jeff L
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Anyway, if you haven't been [to DiBruno's on Chestnut], get there it's well worth the drive and hassle of parking in the city to experience.
DiBruno's certainly is a wonderful store and worth a visit, Jeff, but I'd like to put in my regular two-cents' worth on another institution, and the parking is only $2 for two hours in a garage across the street if you buy $10 worth of stuff: The Reading Terminal Market. While there's a lot of overlap, and both offer items the other doesn't, I think you'll find considerably greater depth and breadth at the RTM. After all, it's just not one store, but dozens.
Oh, I am well aware of RTM and go frequently. You are indeed correct about the overlap and the fact RTM offers things DiBruno's can't. I think my idea of a perfect Philly outing is to spend a few hours wandering the RTM around lunch time and deciding if I'll eat another Dinic's roast pork with greens or walk a few blocks to my favorite chinese, Lee How Fook.
Jeff
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Well I had my first visit to this most amazing gourmet emporium last week and I can tell you there ain't anything remotely close to this out here in the suburbs.This store was truly amazing and immediately reminded me of the european cheese shops you see in France and Italy. I loaded up on cheeses I never heard of and, thanks to Capaneous, bought some of the stuff he was kind enough to bring to my last wine tasting.
This isn't just a cheese store as most know but also offers meats, olives many imported canned specialty items and best of all for me, speck. I've been reading cookbooks for yours that call for this wonderfully smoked proscuitto but could never find it locally. It is really sublime.
Anyway, if you haven't been, get there it's well worth the drive and hassle of parking in the city to experience.
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I keep coming back to this thread for some reason, could it be I don't know how to stop buying these great wines at such low prices?
Well in that vain, I just picked up a bottle of Fontal Crianza 2002 last night from our specialty shop in Newtown and it was really quite good at just $11.99. While not a chairman's selection, still proved to be a very nice little wine that is enjoyable right now. Had some take out Italian food with it, not that I would be adverse to drinking without food or for that matter drinking without food and without anyone else. Do I have a problem too as so many others in this forum?
Speaking of chairman's selections, they are proving to be ever more illusive out here in burbland. What's the deal in cc or other suburbs? Specifically, the wines promised for such and such a date are never in and folks at the store have no clue about any of it. All they can say is they get shipments on Tuesday and Friday -nothing else.
If Deidre or Jonathan Newman happen to read this post, some insights here would be great. It's kind of frustrating to get to the store and see last months chairmans selections with just a few of the current ones.
Don't mean to complain although I guess I just did, be nice to know that super tuscan is in yknow..the one that sells for $85.00 and will be $17.99 when it finally arrives in Newtown!!
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Indeed, big thanks Jeff! Wish I could have made it, regardless of the overall quality of the wines, and I hope these events will continue.
It's every bit as useful to know about when wines are NOT thrilling as when they are, you probably saved me a good bit of money, I would have taken a chance on some of these. But there are plenty more to choose from, so I'll spend some money on those!
I'm a little surprised about the Gewurtz, I don't know that maker, but every time I serve that varietal to folks who don't know the grape, they are intrigued and become fans. But maybe I've just gotten lucky to have good examples.
And nice to know about the Sangiovese. I think that Liparita Cab has been lauded here previously. Do we remember how expensive the Mersault was?
Thanks again for the report, and I hope to join in on one of these soon!
We could have used a few more people, sorry you couldn't make it. I agree with your comment about the quality or lack of quality in the wines tasted. Like you say, it will save folks money based on the reviews posted here.
As for the Gewurtz, maybe I just spent too much time in Germany when I owned an airline equipment business and had really bad luck with both the wine and the food. I hope I don't cause an international incident here but outside of major cities, Germany poses a culinary nightmare to anyone with a semblance of a palate. At least that was my experience.
As for the wines, too sweet for me but admittedly, I haven't fully explored all the country's offerings. It's just that Gewurtz doesn't do it for me.
Mersault was in the $40 price range if I recall. It was really nice and so refreshing.
Just a few words about the Almaviva even though I have posted previously about how outrageous this wine is. Joint venture with Rothschild and Concha Y Toro. I rearely spend $50.00 for a bottle let alone $75-$80 which is what this wine normally retails for. I was introduced to it by a friend who owns a resto in NJ ..he just came over with the bottle and said "this is what I've been drinking lately, I think you'll like it". Paul is known for understatement. I absolutely love this wine and I suggest breaking whatever fiscal restraints you have to go out and sample it. You should wait for another Chairman's Selection when the price drops to $50, imho, money well spent. This is a huge cab with firm tannin structure. Like so many of the wonderful 61, 82 French Bordeaux (which I really do compare this wine to) it gets so much better toward the end of the bottle after time in your appropriate stemware. I'd be curious to see what others at the tasting thought about it too.
Really, I don't work for the winery!
Enjoy
Jeff
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Iron Horse Sangiovese – 2002 Alexander Valley
I liked this wine but for the life of me can’t remember why.
that looks like most of my tasting notes.... thanks jeff.
Thanks James, I feel a lot better knowing that! Sorry you guys couldn't make it, it was fun despite the so-so wines.
Jeff
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I'm starting to suspect that the tasting crew discovered some AMAZING wines and are keeping this info to themselves so that Capaneus doesn't buy-up all the remaining stock... It's OK, he's currently unable to carry multiple cases at a time, seize the moment!!The second chairman's selection tasting was held fri night at jeffL's house....What did you folks taste, what did you think?
OK, I guess it's left to me to post something close to notes on the wines we sampled last week. I must tell you Philadining that you were off base about the quality of the wines tasted. There were really no AMAZING wines with one notable exception and that was the Almaviva I pulled from my cellar at the end of the tasting. Most of these wines were just ok with some that I would consider buying again.
This is my first attempt to post notes, WARNING, I am not Deidre Costello and a quick look at what follows will easily confirm that!
WHITES:
Robertson Sauvignon blanc 2004 – South Africa (3rd tasted)
Nice but rather benign sauv .. it was unexciting but not unpleasant. I noticed some lemon notes but that’s about it.
Adelstein Vineyard – Pinot Gris – Oregon (2nd tasted)
Very uninspired wine. From the first sip I found it be harsh and too acidic for my tastes
Cuvee Emile Willlm – Gewurztraminer reserve 2002 – Alsace (1st tasted)
I just don’t care for this varietal at all and this one did not alter my feelings. Most everyone agreed.
Hogue Chenin Blanc – California (4th tasted)
In my book a real summertime winner. This wine would pair nicely with fish and light sauced chicken dishes. Nice smooth and lingering finish – I will be more of this wine.
Domaine Michelot Meursault – 2000 – France (5th tasted)
Far and away the best of the whites tasted. Smooth and polished with a long finish. Of course it was the most expensive of the whites sampled as well.
REDS:
Iron Horse Sangiovese – 2002 Alexander Valley
I liked this wine but for the life of me can’t remember why.
McClaren Vale Shiraz – 2002 – Australia
Another nice big shiraz –went down well and will be a stock item here at Jeff L’s house
Liparita 2000 Cabernet – Napa
I like this wine very much. I had tasted it on several prior occasions (the only wine I previously had of the lot) I will buy it again – It was approachable, not too tannic and I tasted cassis and blackberry.
Acacia Pinot Noir – 2003 Napa
This was a pleasant, if unsophisticated pinot. Can’t remember anything about it and had too much wine to write notes down.
Cardinal Zin – Bonny Doon 2002
Waste of time to even write about
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I'm not sure if Nanni Il Valleto is still open in NYC but if it is and if per chance Silvo is still the executive chef, you are in luck! He makes the most wonderful pappardelle with shitake mushrooms and chopped tomatoes, wine, garilc and basil.
Would be worth a look to see if it's still there and if he's still cooking.
Nanni's Restaurant
(212) 697-4161
146 East 46th Street
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First, I want to thank Mr Newman for providing the stuff and all you eGulleteers for your recommendations and insight. I haunt the Jenkintown store! and my wallet shows the effects.
However, I wonder if I'm being unreasonable about something. Yesterday the Jenkintown store (next to Trader Joe's) had the music cranked up so LOUD it made the whole buying experience very trying. I'm no old f*rt. But I think I should be able to visit with other customers, ask questions of the staff, etc, and not have to shout. Does this bother anybody else?
Not only would this bother me, but I would have found out who the manager was and complained to him/her. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about loud music but not when contemplating some of the most serious wine decisions in recent memory thanks to the never ending chairmans selections and other notable non chairmens selections.
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I never have seen these and I will now look for them! Sound great , and so does your recipe. Lately I've been roasting split n.j. plum tomatoes, with a splash of aged balsamic and chopped thyme, chopping them up and mixing with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and lots of basil from my garden. I love this time of year for that!
Not sure where you live but these tomatoes are worth the extra effort of sourcing. As I mentioned, I drove 40 plus minutes and stocked up by getting 3 cases of them.
I will add to my previous post here that I recently tried the La Fede regular tomatoes and found them quite good. I have put an order in for the San Marzano plum tomatos (although the regular ones were as sweet and looked like plum tomatoes to me) which come 12 to a case. The importer/distributor is Cannillo’s
Importer and distributor of La Fede brand products since 1936. Contact: Michael Cannillo, Cannillo Brothers LLC, 367 Harrison St., Passaic, NJ 07055; 973.778.5580; Fax: 973.778.3836; email: mcannillo@aol.com; www.lafede.com
I bought some fresh speck from the new Dibruno brothers shop in Philly and used these tomatoes to make an awesome simple pasta sauce. Speck (smoked proscuitto) sliced thick and diced, some eevo, garlic and fresh basil from the garden again. Wonderful sauce paired with spaghettini.
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I've never heard of Six-In-One before. I'll have to look for it.
Once you do find it (my house currently holds 70 plus cans for emergencies!) you won't use anything else. This is the sweetest canned tomato I've ever had.
When I'm away on business, my wife sautees some garlic and oil and dumps in the 6 in 1 for a perfect and quick sauce. I do prefer to mix the San Marzanos in for texture and enhanced flavor along with fresh basil from our herb garden or parsely.
Suggest you look at restaurant wholesalers as this is not typically a retail item. I had to drive about 40 minutes to Chalfont PA to find Bova Food Distributors. I was getting them in Trenton at PJ Foods on Hudson just up from Delorenzos until they stopped carrying the small cans. The #10's are a hassle for small quantities.
Let me know how you make out, and failing that, if you're in the neighborhood, I can certainly get you some.
Jeff
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I was just going to say, Hunt's is a pretty straightforward crushed tomato and tomato paste product that for the most part, comes from California tomatoes. Fundamentally, there's nothing wrong with using this (and I beleive Kinchleys uses Redpack, which is a perfectly suitable product as well) for pasta sauce or even pizza. Sure, its not San Marzano from the Campanian coast, but I find that even domestic canned tomatoes are better than using some of the so-called "fresh" tomatoes that end up in the supermarket, even during the summer. At least with canned tomatoes you're talking about tomatoes that have been picked when they are ripe and then canned in a single day process. I know plenty of respectable restaurants that used canned tomatoes. 90 percent of your typical mom and pop red sauce Italian places in Jersey use them.
I for one, really like Kinchley's pizza. And as another said here, they are bar pies, which are of their own genre.
I've never beeen to Kinchley's so can't offer mu opinion but, I think that most great pizzerias including the venerable Delorenzos on Hudson Street In Trenton use canned tomatoes. And Jason, they in fact use red pack along with an incredible California hand ground tomato called Six-In-One. They combine the two giving their sauce the awesome sweet flavor it imparts.
FYI, I buy six in one by the case (24 to a case) and have bought #10 cans for my home sauce. I combine with a great San Marzano plum called Graziela. I buy my stuff right down the street from Delortenzo's in Trenton at a wholsale trade only place.
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One of my core beliefs is that any place which puts "Philly" in front of "Cheesesteaks" is a place not to order a cheesesteak.
what he said
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We had a wonderful meal at Mandoline on Thursday night.
24 of us filled the restaurant for a private party. We were probably the only Philly people, the rest were wine lovers from Haddonfield, etc.-a wine group we sort of belong to, with some wine importers and wine shop people. Sort of a tasting dinner...
We really enjoyed the dinnner. We started out with a duck breast and cherry amuse. It wasn't sweet at all, very delightful, over bruschetta. I had that goat cheese/pistachio dish, loved it! Hubby had a wasabi tuna app, delicious and very summery and light. Then he had the coriander crusted lamb chops with mash and green beans. Despite it being a winter type dish, it was great. Tasty, cooked perfectly med rare to rare, and, I think, 9 small chops, way too much (but it made a great lunch the next day). I had a scrumptuous Halibut with truffle sauce. So thick and moist, I love Halibut when its done right. Desserts were Miel pastries. I had an apple/caramel thingy that was tasty, and he had a lemon tart.
The wines we all brought were excellent.
A good time was had by all!
Thanks for your report, it sounds really good. I think I'll put this on my list of places to try before year end.
Jeff
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Still have a few openings for the 2nd e-gullet chairman's selection wine tasting being held at my house next Friday, 9/16. I would like to have 15 people and so far have just 10 confirmed.
If anyone is interested in going just pm me and I'll provide all the details.
Jeff
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I forgot to include Louisa's in my prior post. This is far and away Cape May's best place for fish. Simple menu of fish just out of the ocean and fresh local produce.
A few caveats though, reservations during season must be made on Tuesday when they get around to answering the phone. Keep trying, it stays busy constantly.
Also, the space is so small, you need to like the people next to you cause you'll be part of their experience too. Finally, it's really quirky in a good sort of way. While you wait for your table (and you always will) stroll down the pedestrian mall and spend some time.
Here is an old review: http://www.artfuldiner.com/louisascafe.html
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Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel
Must second this choice and also Peter Shields Inn if it's still open.
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i remember hearing that they had lost their lease.
True 'dis. I had a long conversation with Neil's lovely wife Karen last summer and she told me of their lease woes. They didn't lose the lease, as I recall, just the landlord wanted to jack it up unreasonably so they chose not to renew. The new lease at Restaurant 1919 is a much better deal and I understand that things are going very well for them there. I think the menu is fairly similar to the old Water's Edge menu. I should have a chance to check it out sometime over the summer on one of my jaunts to Cape May, so I'll report back when that happens.
FYI, Katie you are indeed right about the landlord. Gus Andy owns the oceanfront property and the La Mer Motor Inn immediately next door. Gus also owns half of Cape May and has been fueding with Neil for years. It's really a shame because Neil's place had become our very favorite restaurants in all of Cape May. The waitstaff was always attentive and competent and the wine list was mostly affordable reds from California. He is a masterful chef always willing to risk imaginative and seemingly impossible food combinations. I particularly liked how they catered to kids but still pulled off a very high level execution all around.
Although never having been to Studiokitchen, his cusine seems similar in a NJ beach sort of way. I can't wait to try his new place when we go back.
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for all you tomato pie lovers, Delorenzo's on Hudson Street in Trenton is closed until September 6th.
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for all you tomato pie lovers, Delorenzo's on Hudson Street in Trenton is closed until September 6th.
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Oh Yeah, thanks for hosting Evan! That braided bread you baked might just be enough to get me into baking!
Jeff
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Bigger thanks to YOU Deidre for the notes. It was a great evening and what perfect weather for a night in the yard. As always, new and old faces abound and it was great meeting you and some other familiar screen names. This is an event worth repeating for sure and I think that JeffL is already planning round 2 at his place. Let him do the preparatory yard work this time!
For the price of a $25 bottle, we all got to try a host of new and interesting chairman selections and it was everything I hoped it would be. The leftover bottles made for great rebates.
Thanks to all and big shout out to Katie for her help - boo yeah!
The pot luck was a great idea of Capaneus'. I can barely move this morning but I can roll just fine!
FWIW - I liked the Lancaster red as my WOTN (wine of the night)
Evan
As last nights event was a great success by every measure, I would in fact like to host "round 2" of the Chairman's Selection (and suitable other non-chairman wines) I would also like to keep the group to no more than 20 to facilitate good and manageable conversation.
Tentative dates are Sept. 16th and 23rd. Please PM me if you are interested in attending.
Thanks,
Jeff
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I agree with Rich on the beer bar part of Isaac Newtons. I live next door in Holland and frequently visit when I want some real beer. My problem though is they are desperately trying to be Newtown's version of Monks Cafe and fail miserably with the food. The Belgium frittes come close but otherwise the menu is lacking in my opinion.
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In tomorrows review, Craig LeBan bestows 2 stars on this new Old City place. It sounds interesting and I was wondering if anyone has tried it yet.
The space is really small and it's BYO. I was particularly taken with his preparation of Halibut, basted with truffle butter and oyster mushrooms. LeBan commented on how moist it was leading me to wonder if he roasts it. Also intriguing was the coriander-crusted rack of lamb.
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My two cents - I liked it, but like Evan, I wasn't bowled over by it. I don't have a burning desire to go back (although if someone else was paying, that might be different...)
Still, I'd say you should go check it out at some point. Just don't go with insanely high expectations, like I did.
Well thanks to you all. I think my expectations are in line for a good meal, not something otherworldly. As a rule, I tend to ratchet down expectations so I don't come away disappointed, particularly at Vetri's prices. I probably will try it though and report back here afterward.
Another choice for me was indeed Django Eric. I've been before and liked it a lot but I'm just not sure about our friends paletes...Django tends toward the esoteric ingredients. Stay tuned
pappardelle quest in NJ or NYC
in New Jersey: Dining
Posted
That sounds really great, where is this place Lupa and what else are they known for?? Planning a yearly pilgramage with my family to NYC later this year.