Rich Pawlak

The smoking ban covers Philly so far, David, but not Montco or Bucks or Delco or Chesco, for that matter.....

Any more specific recommendations? And what about checking out the famous burger at Stanich's? And the pizza culture?

You may be right about that, Holly. They were giants in comparison. I guess what I meant to say, is that current "food journalists" don't seem to have ANY agenda in their writing, supportive, hortatory or otherwise.

I would no more expect great writing from you all than you would expect me to turn out a three-star / four-bell dining experience. I'll do what I do well, you do what you do well, and we'll both be happy. Yes key, but this is alot to ask of a city that isn't very welcoming to change. It would take alot of networking and working together amongst chefs along with supporting each other. but above all what would help is if the food journalist would get involved in the future of the philly restaurant scene. They sometimes don't understand how much pull they have. They are the ones who could turn this in the right direction... ← Care to elaborate on just how our food journalists might go about doing this? I argued in my foodblog that writeups in publications like Philadelphia magazine helped the "Restaurant Renaissance" leave a permanent legacy by educating the audience, and today's Philly restaurant scene is the descendant and beneficiary of that. Obviously you believe we can (pardon my Emerilism) "kick it up a notch" and take the entire scene to a higher plane. What should I, the reader, be learning when reading about food and dining around here? What should I, the writer, tell my readers? ← All "food journalists" can do is REPORT; they can't advance an agenda or further a movement; if there is something worth reporting, it does get reported. The true movers and shakers in that area are Rick Nichols and Michael Klein and Craig Laban at the Inky, Maria Gallagher at Philadelphia Magazine and April Lisante at The Daily News. It's actually unfair to call them "movers and shakers", but the fact is, they are the most read writers about food in our region.

Nice. Sounds like a lovely dinner. Can you tell us a little more about the menu and wine pairings? And what's the cost of admission for the fabulous Tassinaia? ← Dinner was $65 per. Appetizer was a rustic flatbread topped with mild goat cheese, prosciutto and grilled figs, paired with a Michele Chiarlo Gavi 2005, bright, crisp, with nice acid; first course was a lump crab and avocado timbale with a mango chili oil drizzle, paired with a 2004 Rutherford Hill Chardonnay, also a very nice match; entree was the brilliant lamb dish and the Tassinaia, absolutely stunning in every way; dessert was a choclate raspberry airy cake, paired with a 2003 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port, very rich and full and mellow.

The best gnocchi I've had in a while was at Marra's on Passayunk Ave near Morris. I doubt they make them there, but they definitely know how to properly cook them. I've also had very very good gnocchi at McMenamin's Tavern, 7170 Germantown Ave., but they were on the specials menu, so I would call before venturing out to Mt Airy. Chef Larry Melissen generally has one or two good pasta dishes on the specials menu every day, and he, too, knows how to cook pasta properly. And the prices at McMenamin's cannot be beat.

Ummmmm......wrong. Shiner makes a bock and pretty decent beer at that.

I had the good fortune to attend the Chairman's Selection wine dinner at Alison's on Monday night, and it was terrific. Packed house. What was most terrific, however, was the waitstaff at Alison's, as warm, sincere and professional as any I've encountered in the last 10 years. Absolutely top notch, worthy of a "Best Of" designation in any forum or publication. That being said, the highlight of the evening for me was the entree and its wine pairing. Alison served a lamb entree which tasted oddly familiar, and then she revealed that she had basically deconstructed moussaka, and it was truly brilliant. The wine chosen by Chairman Newman for this dish was a Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia 1999, a stunningly delicious super Tuscan that I am buying at least a case of . It was THAT good: chocolate, leather, plum, currant, a stunning kaleidescope of flavors and aromas, and with the lamb entree, a blissful match. Newman really knows how to pick his wines.

Yeah, but it's Sly Fox. As good a brand of beer you'll ever drink anywhere.

This might make an excellent link from the PLCB website, but then some crazed MADD member will be accusing The Chairman of encouraging consumption! LOL!

A bowl of Pepper Hash at Johnny's Hots.

Maredsous 8 Leffe Brown Kwak Rodenbach Grand Cru Boon Marriage Parfait

I am off to the Rose City for the annual Oregon Brewers Fest in late July and am looking for the must-go dining experiences. 2 years ago I enjoyed clarklewis, Noble Rot, Park Kitchen, Mother's (for incredible blueberry pancakes to die for), Sunday brunch at the Heathman hotel and a lunch at Edgefield resort. And of course 3 days of great beer at OBF. So this July, with 3 dinners, 3 lunches and 3 breakfasts to indulge, what are the must-go places I should try? Is Stanich's a must for that famous burger? Is Apizza Scholls worth the wait in line? I would like to sample a wide variety, from fine dining to burgers and dogs and pizza, but just the best. Thanks in advance for your ideas! And beer geeks, stop on ovrr and say hi in the Beer Forum!

Have Matt look in Fishtown. Aside from the pun of a locale, the rents are still cheaper than NoLib and Old City.

Way to go John! The sacrifices you'll make for the advancement of science! ← Pete is good people, and John, well, is easily the most knowledgable hot dog aficionado in the country. Now I have a great reason to start buying the Star-Ledger again on Fridays.

17th and Lombard, actually

What Bob said. Dem pierogies are terrific! Dem doggies are, doggonnit, pretty mediocre.

Most DDC dinners are memorable, but last night's repast was totally kickass! 7 of us at our table passed plates all night (the ideal DDC dinner in my opinion) and we were able to taste everything on the menu. Every single dish was extraordinary. Huge kudos to Jeff for organizing this amazing dinner, and to Chef Jeff and staff for dazzling all of us with every plate. A truly amazing meal. And the chance to hook up with Jim Tarantino and discuss his new big cookbook, talk wine with Jim's better half and Katie, and to finally meet the indefatigable Tarte Tatin (who should have photos!), well, it just doesnt get any better than that!

I found Brasilia Grill to be quite good, for the rodizio/salad bar thing.

Philly is SUCH a progressive city, aint it? Jeebus.

Refer to Lew Bryson's book, "New York Breweries" for very detailed info on Albany and environs, or search his website, www.lewbryson.com .

Here's what ESQUIRE and Mr Wondrich had to say about The Grey Lodge: The Grey Lodge PHILADELPHIA YOU'RE HAVING: A pint of Flying Bison once things start to pick up a bit. At the outer edge of the vast sea of decrepit two-story row houses that is northeast Philadelphia, there's a cemetery. Past the cemetery, there's a Burger King and a car dealership. Past them, there's the Grey Lodge. If Moe Szyslak's umpteenth suicide attempt actually succeeded and if, through some unlikely but amusing chain of events, Comic Book Guy took over his bar, this is what you'd end up with. It's a long way to go for a beer. It's worth it. (6235 Frankford Avenue; 215-624-2969) and what they say about Southwark: Southwark PHILADELPHIA YOU'RE HAVING: A rye old-fashioned. After fifteen minutes at this uncanny re-creation of a pre-Prohibition corner bar, you'll be running simultaneous conversations with one stranger about Sumerian zymurgy and another about the problems dating a girl who live with her identical twin raise. And drink a perfect rye old-fashioned. (70 South Fourth Street;215-238-1888)

The description of the bar is priceless. I'm gonna have to cut and paste it somehow. Priceless. Kudos to beer writer Lew Bryson for tipping off writer David Wondrich to the GL.

I'm looking for the best wine lists in the city. I've put together a small list of usual suspects: Panorama La Famiglia Le Bec Fin Prime Rib But surely I'm missing some. This board is extremely wine savvy, so gimme your two cents. Where else can I go for a great meal and a great wine list? Any decent wine lists/cellars in South Jersey or Bucks County?

The article shows weak effort and "influenced" choices. And that's all I'm gonna say about this highly questionable piece of "journalism".