Alec Hart

Hello Fujito, What is on the shrimp tempura? Both pieces, the one in the foreground and the one in the background, look as if they have been crusted with something. Admittedly each one with something different. -- Alec

I'll just note that Q BBQ & Tequila, where Philly Fish & Co used to be, is unremarkable. I had the pork and brisket platter for lunch. It was $14 and left me hungry, but worst of all the brisket was dry and the pork had virtually no smoke flavor. The sauce had some promise, so maybe it will worth another try in a few months. --Alec

I'm going to second John's Roast Pork and add in Paesano's at 152 W. Girard Ave. Both are superb.

Where was Walt's? I was just talking with a friend about that place and we couldn't remember exactly where it was. That place and Aglio.

Never mind. I picked the wrong day to stop drinking coffee. I confused Swallow with Sovalo. I've never been to Swallow. http://swallowbistro.com/ --Alec

The last two times that I was there it was fairly mediocre. This about 4-5 months ago. The food was a mixed bag, but on my last visit, the service was terrible with the server telling my friend she didn't order what we all heard her order. The wine list is quite good though. You are probably better off going a bit north to Modo Mio or a bit south to either Standard Tap or Dos Segundos. Or if you really want tapas, I suggest paying a bit more and going to Amada, which on my last visit a few weeks ago was exquisite. -- Alec

Some of these videos are pretty fascinating. http://www.taste3.com/past_events/videos I really enjoyed Blair Randall's talk. --Alec

Reading Terminal and Bahn Mi are my two favorites. --Alec

I'd try the Cantina in South Philly. Either the bar side in the back near the kitchen or the giant table back near the bathrooms. I'm not sure how many it seats, but it's more than 10. Or for more centrally located, The Continental in Old City. If they still open their back bar for happy hour. I haven't been in awhile, but there used to never be anyone back there before 7pm. -- Alec

And Modo Mio

Osteria or Snackbar or Amada

I just saw the menu for Coquette Bistro & Raw Bar on Foobooz and I already dislike the place. http://foobooz.com/2007/07/coquette-bistro...oday/#more-2699 It's a weird amalgam of French and English that is just infuriating to me. It starts with the French, Hors D’oeuvres, then goes to Les Salades, and then mysteriously switches to English with Entrées. How hard would it have been to continue the motif and used Les Plats instead? I mean Caribou Cafe and Pif (R.I.P.) both pull off the French. Or, better yet just gone with the English straight through, like Brasserie Perrier Then of course there's the descriptions that sometimes use French and sometimes use English. The Roasted Chicken is Ratatouille, Pommes Aligot, Natural Jus, but the Steak Frites is Marinaded Hanger Steak, Housemade Steak Sauce (Housemade? Housemade? Is everything else on the menu brought in from someplace else?!?). I don't know what I expect, but is it really so difficult to be consistent? I understand that is impossible to open an authentic French Bistro(t) in Philadelphia. It's basically impossible to do it outside of France, but I guess I was just hoping that with Pif closed we'd get something good and this just doesn't look like it. I'll still try the place and who knows, maybe they'll surprise me. -- Alec

This hardly seems fair. I doubt PW prides itself on this. In fact, I suspect, they do it grudgingly so that they can expand the size of their editorial sections including their dining section. But yes, I would also like to see improvement in the level of food writing in PW. -- Alec

Mr. LaBan might not be anonymous for much longer according to PW. http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/articles/14865 I know this is off-topic, but this article makes me wonder if Craig LaBan is his real name or a pseudonym. It seems to me that it would be much easier to remain anonymous by writing under a pseudonym instead of his real name. I mean, he must get mail, use a credit card and have a bank account. If his real name is John Smith and he writes under the name Craig LaBan, then none of those things matter. How does he keep his next door neighbors from knowing who he is? And if he goes to a restaurant like Lacroix for 3 visits in a a 1-2 week timespan, tries just about everything on the menu and pays cash, aren't they going to notice? How easy is it to get a credit card in a fake name? Since the Patriot Act and the increase in identity theft, I imagine it's very difficult. Basically, I am thinking about this because I wonder if after being "unmasked," he can just pick up and move to a new city and start writing under a new pseudonym and no one will know that "Greg Level" is really "Craig LaBan" who is in actuality, "John Smith." -- Alec

Guillermo left months ago. He moved to Cuba Libre and, I believe, he is still there. Pasion has been in a bit of a decline for awhile. My last visit there was a few months back. The gf's parents were in town and her dad loves ceviche. While the food was almost great, the service was somewhat lacking and the food wasn't quite that same James Beard award winning food that was served for the past few years. The ceviches were still awesome though. -- Alec

Sat outside and drank a few wonderful summer cocktails, prickly pear margaritas. Our server brought us free chips and salsa (with refills) and didn't care that we weren't eating. It was simple and perfect. I think it's going to be a great summer in South Philly. --Alec

I went to Little Fish about 3-4 weeks ago and it was great. After Ian left to start Pumpkin, I pretty much stopped eating here (maybe tried it again twice), but now there is new ownership and, judging by my one visit, there is a vast improvement in quality and presentation. I'll probably go back within the next week or two and I'll give a more full report. -- Alec

Just thought I would add this even though I found it somewhat annoying. http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/200...elphia-freedom/ --Alec

If money is not an issue, I highly recommend Lacroix followed closely by Vetri. For something less expensive, I suggest Amada or Gayle. --Alec

I took advantage of the snowy weather to finally eat at Osteria and wow. It was an outstanding meal. I started with the sardine special. Three whole sardines in oil which perfectly peeled away from the bones. Definitely the best sardines I have ever eaten outside of Spain. Truly immaculate. I followed that up with the wild boar and it too was wonderful. I can't really expound on the food any better than has been said upthread, but I will add that our service was great. There was a plethora of servers, but I contributed that to Osteria being staffed for a busy Friday night only to have a 3/4 full restaurant because of the snow. We asked our three different servers many food questions as one member of our party was vegan and got satisfactory answers each time. The hostess did take our coats as we came in. I will be going back soon. Hopefully next week as there are so many dishes that I want to try, but I doubt I would classify Osteria as an everyday eatery. The bill was simply too expensive for me to make it a regular place. And that brings me to my only complaint. When we were told the specials, we were not told the prices and they were generally more expensive than what was on the menu. -- Alec

My suggestion is Cantina Los Caballitos on Passyunk Ave. They have plenty of vegetarian/vegan options and also take good care of us omnivores. They have a great party table that accomodates up to 10 (or 12) people. And their drinks are out of this world. -- Alec

Well, I eat out about 5-6 times a week. Usually once a week at Taqueria Veracruzana, Royal Tavern and either Cafe De Laos or Vietnam. Then once a week or so, I eat at "the new place," James, M, Snack Bar, Xochitl, Fogo De Chao. I still have not been to Rae or Osteria and I am looking forward to them. Also, when is Tinto (the new one from Jose Garces) opening? I go to a BYOB about once a week, Marigold, Chloe, Matysan, August, Django, RX, Pumpkin, etc. I used to go to Sabrina's or Morning Glory for brunch once a week, but lately I've been going to Cantina Los Caballitos. For a Mexican place, they have the best French Toast that I have ever eaten and I like the basil infused vodka Bloody Marys. Not including "the new place," which can be expensive, my girlfriend and I eat out each week for about $100 - $125 apiece including our wine and drinks. I think it's pretty reasonable (obviously!) and I enjoy it. I'm not sure I could get the same quality for that price in NY. I know I could step down a notch in quality in NY and probably eat for half the price, but I doubt that I would enjoy that as much. Either way, I think Philly has plenty of good, everyday places. -- Alec

My vote definitely goes to Hebrew National. Mmmm. I'm going to make some for lunch right now. --Alec

I can't swear to it, but I'm pretty sure that both Django and Standard Tap got an extra bell added after their initial review(s). I don't believe that Mr. LaBan re-reviewed either of them (although I could be wrong). I believe he just said something like "... because of excellence in resent visits I am addind a bell..." on the margin of another review. I cannot remember a time when he removed a bell although I'm pretty sure he has. --Alec

Whew! I feel much better now. -Alec