Rich Pawlak

CONGRATS SAX CHIK! I have alway.s loved Dulin-Kurtz, especially that upstairs porch

I suspect you might be on to something, Jeff. I had the privelege of talking with Todd for a Daily News article that will appear on 9/7, and I found him to be fascinating, driven, and totally devoted to his craft. I think this $30 prix fixe may be one of the truly amazing bargains in town right now.

Nardone's is based in Hazelton, PA, and I've seen the stuff in Wegmans, and even Shop-Rite, in the refrigerated section where you'd find pizza crusts, tortillas, etc. Heated up in the oven it's actually not too bad, but it doesnt really resemble true OF pizza; it's representative of what they call "pitz" in Hazelton, thicker and doughier, with much less cheese, but pretty decent if you're stuck for a taste of upstate pizza.

Bob, there are so many nuances to Old forge pizza. I think Salerno's version is a good one, but still to heavy a cut of pizza to me, as is nearby Revello's. I prefer the much lighter, crisper versions at Arcaro & Genell's (they should have been opne for lunch...) on Main St. as well as Maxie's, a mile or so north on Main at the Old Forge-Taylor, PA border. These versions are almost cracker crisp, made with a ncie short dough that actuallky has some flavor to it, with an oniony, chunky tomato sauce that, to me, is true Old Forge pizza.

The new issue of Philly Mag has a great article penned by Maria Gallagher, ranking 10 of the best Pork Italiano places. Of course, DiNic's gets her top ranking. And some of the places noted are completely new to me! She did leave off a deli in Conshohocken, on Fayette St., whose name escapes me, whose roast pork sammies I used to enjoy frequently, but the list and her commentary is pretty thorough and mouth-watering.

Goya bottles a respectable version of those tiny pickled peppers, vinegar spout top and all. Have a bottle in my fridge currently.

I'd suggest the Foodery at 10th and Pine or the new branch at 2nd and Poplar in Philly to find that Victory Harvest.

Damn they let you guys at Philly Mag expense ANYTHING!

There is a business opportunity screaming someone's name here.

i've driven past, now i'll have to stop in! thanks! ← OK OK OK OK

When I lived in Thorndale, Il Coppa on Rte 30 just east of Rte 340 had homey kickass Italian food, and I ate there a lot to take care of my red gravy fix.

Do you really like all that seasoning on the potatoes Rich? I think it totally destroys the hot dog. I've never had this happen with any other Italian dog I've eaten. I really liked my first one at Coney Joe and may go back to see if it was just an off day. As to the guy behind the counter, I didn't say he wasn't nice just that he had the personality of a slug! ← I find the staff there very enthusiastic, evangelical almost about their food. And I like the seasoning on the potatoes, onions and peppers, never found it to be overbearing. I really think you hit the place on an off day.

I still think that overall Coney Joe's serves a better product. I've never encountered anything but friendly service and top notch dogs there. Can't say the same for the original Casino Tony's or, unfortunately, the new outpost in Morrisville. "De gustibus, etc.", I kn ow, but that's been my experience.

This place is north of Luigi's and Holman's. North of Doylestown. It's an Italian restaurant on the grounds of the Fratelli Desiato winery.

Well I hope that means that you'll be attending! The menu does look great and I've been assured that it will be quite the showy feast. And the chance to sample wines right from the winery there will be awesome.

Yeah, thanks, Andrew. But is it great? I want only great.

Thanks, Varmint. All I'm really looking for is a moderate price restaurant or two that would also be OK to take two babies to. We're stuck with 'em for at least 17 more years. And I havent had Carolina BBQ in over 30 years. Allen & Son sounds like a good start to dining down there.

I'm heading south this Friday for a family reunion, but also wnat to be able to dine decently in our free time. We're travelling with twin 1 yr olds, so please keep that in mind in your recommendations. we'd be most interested in good 'cue and any other place that is not worth missing. Friday dinner and Sunday early dinner on our way back out of town are the times we expect to be dining out. And THANKS in advance!

I had a conversation with the owner a while back in which he actually suggested this, so I am merely speculating, based on how identical this story is to his voiced intentions to me.

I truly love the way his dev ious mind works, don't you?

I'd bet good money that the restaurant is Estia. and I have more than just a hunch here, trust me.

We've scheduled our next DDC Dinner there on Aug 15 and, as I am not the host, I'm curious if anyone's been. Two reports have told me great things, just hoping for additional thoughts....

Mastoris restaurant in Bordentown has always been VERY accomodating to our 1 yr old twins, I've gotta say, and they bring appropriate soups and cut up pastas when we've ordered them for the kids to eat. Gotta say that the twins are in love with their hot corn pudding. And the waitresses have always volunteered to hold the babies and otheriwse help us dine, but it hasnt been necessary.

"Disco" may just be short for "disgusting" Gravy and mozz? Oh yech.

Hey Suzie Q! In between changing lots of diapers and chasing the twins around the house (theyre already walking and crawling!!!), I've managed to still make our weekly beer chat on Friday nights at midnight on starchat.net (still the "No Bull Inn" chat room), and we've been Christmasing for the past 3 weeks. So far I've enjoyed 04 and 05 Sierra Nevada Celebrations, Long Trail Hibernator, and 04 Old Dominion Winter Brew (an Impy Stout that year), Weyerbacher Winter, Otter Creek Alpine Ale, Rude Elf Reserve from Bethlehem Brew Works, and Anchor Our Special Ale from 03. Every one a stellar brew.