Rich Pawlak

Well, Ludwig's aint even a little Belgian enough. I would map a crawl like this: Zot, Front & Lombard Eulogy, 2nd & Chestnut Bennelux, 3rd and Market Monk's , 16th and Spruce Bridgid's, 24th & Meredith Belgian Cafe, 20th and Green The first three stops can be done on foot, with a cab or two to Monk's, and then a cab or two to Bridgid's, from which the last stop can be achieved on foot. This tour covers all the major players who carry the broadest variety of Belgian brews, and, most importantly, offer substantial food to counter the large alcohol consumption. Believe me, I know a few things about that balancing act.

Hopefully someone at the Inky or Daily News will read this thread and pursue a story to investigate.

Michael Klein's Inquirer Food & Drinq Blog reports the arrival of Montreal's favorite junk food, holy shamoley-----poutine---- the french fries/gravy/cheese curds dish, on the menu at, of all places, Kildare's Irish Pubs. I have no idea what the inspiration was--or the Montreal-Irish connection, but who of us will be the first to venture forth and test its authenticity?

This month's issue of MAINLINE MAGAZINE also contains an article (pg. 130) that includes several places that will be doing the Seven Fishes, from Conshohocken to Villanova to Center City. And a caterer in Manayunk that will stage it in your home.

Newman was unceremoniously forced out of his high-power, low-pay position with the PLCB, as detailed in many news reports like this one. It was all pretty ugly.

I suspect that it will occur when: a)pigs fly b)it snows in hell c)Hilary Clinton goes on a double date with Dick Cheyney d) dogs and cats start mating e) Springsteen sings opera

I received this e-mail from Jonathan Newman, former Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, today. Newman was widely credited with overhauling the archaic PA system of liquor and wine distribution, and broadly reforming the system for the better. I've been wondering what he's been up to. Now I know:

Ya know , I wasnt gonna mention that, but Popeye's is a serious weakness for me, and a lot easier to get than any soul food version in Philly. That is some damn fine fried chicken. ← I have a weakness for that as well, with their red beans and rice as a side. ← AND the coleslaw and dirty rice and biscuits!

Ya know , I wasnt gonna mention that, but Popeye's is a serious weakness for me, and a lot easier to get than any soul food version in Philly. That is some damn fine fried chicken.

Ms Tootsie's in the 1300 block of South St. has some amazing fried chicken. Big George's Stop N Dine , 52nd and Locust, also had very tasty fried chicken when I stopped in there about 5 years ago

AND NO PICTURES????

Friends of mine have just opened The Station Bistro in Kimberton, on Hares Hill Rd. I will not venture to shill for them in the least, except to say that co-owner Craig Miller is an expert at smoking meat, fowl and seafood, and I'll bet that those items will be the highlights of the menu. And any Cajun specials he ever offers. The man really knows his Cajun. He and wife Nancy are very talented restaurant veterans.

Larry Melissen, head chef at McMenamin's is one HELL of a chef, and his daily menu of specials is eye-opening, with dishes you might not expect at a beer bar. THAT's why there's a wait for tables every night of the week. And the wings don't hurt either; still, in my opinion, the standard against which others should be judghed.

I've been stuck sver al times having dinner at both the Hamilton Charlie Brown's and the Princeton branch of the chain (now mercifully closed), and I can safely say that I've never had even a decent meal at these places.

Today's Philadelphia Daily News has a concise take from food writer Lari Roebling.

There is the new line of organic beers being produced by the Magic Hat folks in Vermont called ORLIO. Had a bottle of their Pale Ale, and it's respectable.

Let me throw a curve to you: Overtures at Passyunk and South. Elegant, refined, and a BYOB. And fabulous food.

Sycophantic is precisely the word I would use as well; I've not read a review this fawning by a food critic anywhere. It was mildly disturbing to think that it passed muster at the Inky.

1. BBQ Platter at Vietnam (it's $25 now! wow!) 2. Sauteed pea shoots at Shao Lan Kung 3. Fried dumplings with scallion ginger sauce at David''s Mai Lah Wah 4. Thousand layer pancake at Rangoon 5. Hand drawn noodle soup with duck at Han Zhou

Sign me up for a flogging, er, cocktail!

As long as she doesnt mind a glowing penis-shaped lamp in the middle of her table which cannot be moved, she oughta LOVE the place!

Capital Grille The Prime Rib Palm McCormick & Shmick's Ted's Montana Grill All appropriate, and in descending order of price points expensive to moderate

Had the same bowl of mussels there 2 weeks ago, and they were oddly gritty. Didnt understand the small amount of rice either. Flavor was good, but the grit and small shell bits really put me off. Frites were fine, larger than usual, but fine. Also had a superb white bean salad, which truly shined. Co-owner Fergus Carey was in the house that night, and he stopped by our table to catch up, trade pics of our twins and his son, and to get our two cents on the place. He took the mussels off the bill without mentioning anything to us. Classy.

See above. It's in the heart of South Philly.

Whoa what's this place in Roxborough that you're talking about? It can't still be there, right? ← The place opened and closed within a year, and we're talking maybe 12-15 years ago.