ulterior epicure

What I love about this group is that you all *GET* (live) my passion for (good) gelato. Yes, I think that Tinto is a likely winner here, given the positive comments and, more importantly, its proximity to Capogiro. BTW, I forgot to mention that Ansill also looks great.

Thanks chefboy24, tupac17616, and Ndy. tupac17616 (where did you get that string of numbers, by the way?), no peanuts in my Pad Thai. No peanuts anywhere in my food.

Alrighty folks, after combing the threads and checking out the various websites, I think I'm going to have to stay a whole month in order to do Philly's restaurant scene any kind of justice. On the one hand, philadining's (incredible) enthusiasm, reviews, and pictures makes Cochon seem almost unavoidable. On the other hand, the food look a little heavy for summer; especially after a tasting menu at Vetri the night before and a pork sandwich at RTM. Anything that promises decent (they don't necessarily have to be dead-on authentic) Spanish tapas reduces me to a shameless sop. So, both Tinto and Amada read like dreams. But, they seem small and dark, apt to be crowded on a weekend night, and operate at VOLUME 72. Are they? The only reason this concerns me is that the purpose of this trip is a reunion of sorts with an old college buddy. Since he has business most of the day, and I'll be on holiday, our only chance to catch up is at our dinners together, so I'm looking for places with calmer temperament. It doesn't have to be the library, but we shouldn't have to shout, either. Zahav has pastilla on the menu, an culinary experience I greatly desire to repeat. This one's made of rabbit, a version I've not encountered before. This one is definitely on my list of considerations. Lastly, James, despite the recent F+W BNC wine, doesn't seem well-received by many on this forum and elsewhere. Given that Zahav, Cochon, Amada and Tinto have received almost uniformly positive responses, I'm not sure that this is the place for me; at least not on this trip.

The following is an excerpt from my blogpost. You can read the entire review at the ulterior epicure.. You can see all the photos on my Flickr account. Again, you can read the entire review at the ulterior epicure..

yellow truffle, for a first-timer, alone, would you suggest the tasting or going for the 4-course? Would that answer change if I went with more people?

The food is all very architectural. There are domes and columns... Gorgeous photos, yellow truffle. I'll have to go back and actually read what you wrote now.

Of course the answer to your question means little until we first determine how Matsugen's soba compares to honmura an.

From ZagatBuzz:

In essence, the spirit of Cafe Gray will now merge with that of Grayz? Funny, I wonder if he will change the name; I mean, I assume that as a "real" restaurant, customers will be encouraged to do more than just "grayz."

Ah, thanks. As for Cochon and Ansill - proximity to Capogiro? I haven't solidified plans, yet, but I'll be most likely be staying near Wharton.

Let me guess, philadining, you love this place. Seriously, great photos. I feel like I've eaten the entire menu, twice over, with you.

Yes, I'm an offal fan. Ansill's menu reads like a dream. James seems to get a luke-warm, if not chilly reception by those on this forum. So, let me get this correct: Amada = traditional tapas, Tinto = re-invented tapas. That's how the websites read, anyway.

For all you tomatoheads out there: It sounds like a fantastic deal. It beats risking Salmonella at the market! (Okay, maybe slightly off-coloured, but true!)

I had a wonderful dinner at Eleven Madison Park not too long ago. We had the 11-course Gourmand Tasting menu. You can read my entire review here. See all of the photos from this meal here. Highlights included: 1. A new incarnation of the "crab roll," this time the crab salad contained lime and green apple and was rolled in avocado. It's accompanied by a swatch of tangy yogurt. 2. A new presentation of the Nova Scotia Lobster. I can't believe how perfectly cooked the lobster was despite the fact that the broth was served piping hot; the lobster seemed impervious to the heat at the table. Every bite, from start to finish, was equally as succulent. Maybe it was because it was so good I scarfed it down much faster than I realized. While I thought this course was wildly over-salted by itself, the wine pairing put it all in check. This was my favorite wine pairing of the meal (M. Sorrel Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France, 2004, a white Rhone). 3. Duck! Duck! Duck! The server presented the bird, with its plumage of lavender, table-side before whisking it away to be carved and plated. Although I have absolutely no reason to doubt them, I have a hard time believing that the presented bird was the same from which our portions were cut. I am always skeptical of Western preparations of whole duck; the Chinese really do have a knack for the quacker. But, here, the skin was crackling crisp, perfumed with lavender honey and spices (I recall getting a smoky hit of cumin), *and* the breast meat was moist and flavorful; there was just enough fat between the two layers for measured indulgence. How did they do that? I barely needed the rich veal demi glace that was presented. No less impressive was the square of duck confit (obviously prepared separately) topped with an equally crispy sheath of duck crackling. This, above the Cape Cod Baby Crab and the Nova Scotia Lobster, was my favorite course of the evening. Other notes (forgive me if this is old news): 1. They have a cheese cart now. The selection is somewhat beyond pedestrian, but for the most part, the limited selections were common (Epoisses, Tomme de Berger, Monte Enebro, off the top of my head). It certainly is no match for the enthusiasm and range offered at Picholine, where I dined the following evening. But, this admitted cheese snob was certainly not disappointed; I was just thrilled to see them offering a cheese course. 2. Chef Humm is now in charge of the pastry department. The Vermont Quark Souffle is a must. Many have said it; I have said it; and I’ll say it again: it’s absolutely absurd that Chef Humm doesn’t have a single Michelin star. Personally, I think he and his staff deserve two. That Humm achieved his first Michelin star when he was 24 (in Switzerland at Gasthaus zum Gupf) has nothing to do with it. Or, it has everything to do with it - he’s now had six more years to progress and excel. For all the insight and “expertise” that the Michelin Guide Rouge has on the New York dining scene, the omission of Eleven Madison Park from its asterisked list indicates an near-fatal flaw and oversight in their evaluation process. I’ll refrain from making comparisons. Suffice it to say, considering some of the operations that the Michelin has awarded stars to, it’s preposterous that Eleven Madison Park has none. I hope they fix that this year. Again, if you're up for reading a much more (too much?) detailed review, click here.

I wouldn't think of going to Vetri and NOT getting the tasting menu. To be honest, I'm oinked-out, if there is a such a thing, but I will take a look at Cochon's menu nonetheless. Is Zahav Middle Eastern? That intrigues me.

Rest assured, Bluehensfan, I've never been to Capogiro and not ordered nearly everything on the case.

Excellent. I appreciate all of your suggestions. It sounds like the roast pork at Reading terminal is unavoidable as a Saturday lunch option. (Any suggestions as to which between DiNic's, John's Roast Pork, and Tony Luke's?) Friday night will have to be at Vetri, since they're closed on Saturday nights at present. Questions: 1. Would doing Osteria on Saturday night be too much of an overlap/redundant with Vetri the night before? 2. I'm heavily leaning toward the BYO scene (though I don't imbibe enough to warrant the BYO). As between the options named, any particular stand-outs? I have heard of Matyson, but know little of the rest. Once I get this whittled down, I'll go search out their threads. FYI, I've been to Le Bec Fin and have absolutely no desire to return there on this trip.

No, I'm not necessarily looking for upscale. But, I can get plenty of great ethnic cuisine, so I'm looking for a dining experience that is uniquely Philadelphia. Also, I failed to mention that I've also been to both Geno's and Pat's (I haven't decided which one I like better, or if either were really worth the extra calories), as well as Alma de Cuba. Regardless where I eat, I'll be stopping by Capogiro for dessert after each meal.

I'm going to cross many an eGulleter's pet peeve (including my own) and ask for lunch and dinner suggestions for one day in Philadelphia. I'll be driving in on a Friday and hopefully having dinner at Vetri. Saturday lunch and dinner are open. FYI, I have been to Le Bec Fin, Susana Foo's, and Lacroix at the Rittenhouse once each, and morimoto twice, and have no real desire to repeat those experiences at present.

Ah, by Colicchio.

CDRFloppingham, As one who has actually eaten Izard's food, I'd happily go check out her new venture, where'er and whene'er it opens.

Knowing that the restaurant would be closing soon, I made it a point to stop in to Cafe Gray, this past weekend, on my way to dinner. I wanted to get a look at the restaurant before it was no longer Cafe Gray. Now I know what everyone is talking about: those chefs on the line have the best view of any chefs in the city!! At the time, I was told that Cafe Gray would be closing as of June 28. The above-linked blogpost obviously indicates otherwise.

From a press release I received: Apparently, the Leawood location will open in July at 4579 W. 119th Street Leawood, KS 66209. (P: 913.232.5191 F: 913.232.5195) (across from the Crate & Barrel)

Yes, I heard that; David Chang too.

Here's the link to the article in the Kansas City Star that I alluded to upthread. I'm not sure how long the link will stay active.