sara

wow--that salmon sounds great, but maybe beyond my culinary skills? any thoughts on lamb? i have a recipe for pan roasted lamb chops w/ a ragout of chanterelles. do mushrooms go well w/ pinot? also, any cheese suggestions? it now appears i'm having a bolcone dolce (sp?) instead of a cakelove cake. i believe that's meringues, strawberries, whipped cream, etc.

Hello, I am hosting a pinot noir tasting and dinner at my home in a few weeks. Most of the pinot will be from Oregon, but I expect some to bring bottles from other places. Specific menu suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. The only thing set in stone is a Cakelove cake. Thanks

Vengroff, this is so exciting! Thanks for posting these pictures. I'll be there, with friends, on Friday Oct 24, and I can hardly wait to make the trip from Philly...Steve, will you be around? I'd love to finally meet you. What kind of camera did you use to take these pictures? I doubt my little piece of junk will do this food justice. Also, we're planning on bringing wine--any specific recommendations? We're 5 people, so we'll bring around 3-4 btls.

Holly, I suspect you know all of my usual stops on that route (Pepe's in New Haven would be a definite)..but have you tried Nanuet Hotel in New City NY for pizza? It's off Little Tor Rd, I believe, which you get to off the Palisades. I don't believe this'd take you very far out of your way, and the pizza is quite good, and different from Pepe's. Sara

Thanks. What about raw bars??

Hi I'm spending a little time (two days, two nights) in the Boston area in October. Looking for lunch and dinner suggestions...I'm staying in Waltham, but will have a car. Specifications: I want local seafood, food I can't get here in Philly, and relatively low prices (no more than $20 entree)--also, all places need to offer at least a few vegetarian or seafood options. Thus far, I plan to have dinner at East Coast Grill b/c I hear they have a good raw bar, and lunch or dinner at the Porter Square Exchange, since I've been told I can get good soba, ramen, etc, which I can't get in Philly. A good brunch place in Waltham would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I went again yesterday and had the vermicelli w/ spring rolls and charbroiled pork, and it was great--really great, as good as I've had it anywhere. I was grinning the whole time I was eating. My friend had the shrimp spring rolls, loved them, and also a fresh mango milkshake-indeed, with real mango, and a steal at $2.00. I am such a happy, well-fed, West Philly gal now. They had a line out the door--to the corner and down a bit, on Friday night. They keep adding outdoor seating, and are handling the crowds well. I went at 6:15 last night and didn't have to wait, but there was a wait by the time we left.

Well, they're open! I was the first customer, at 10:10 am this morning (hey, the early bird gets the worm, right?) I had the Pho Tai Nam Bo Vien (Pho w/ beef Eye Round, Flank, Beef Ball) ($5.25) and a lychee drink ($2.00). The pho was pretty good--the broth was a little sweet for my taste, but nothing that a little spicy sauce couldn't fix. The noodles were slightly overcooked I think, but really, all is forgivable when you're eating more than decent food within shouting distance of your home. I'm just thrilled, and am sure the food will improve with practice/time. I was the only customer until about 10:45, when a friend of mine wandered in, but disappointed to find no vegetarian offerings at all (and the waiter told him, no, there were none), he left. I then spoke to one of the owners and explained the need for veg options, particularly in this area. She said she'd talk to the chef and try to put some on the menu--she seemed surprised there was demand for it. By the time I left at 11 am, there were 3 additional people dining, and 2 more getting takeout. And the staff (about 5 people) already started to seem overwhelmed (i.e. it took 15 minutes to get my check). But this is day one, and again, it's forgivable. Other changes--the dining room looks so much better! I don't love the cheesy pictures of the food, but the tables are nicely organized, the chairs are nice, tables neatly set, nice display case of fruit and dessert..and they installed 2 air-conditioners (oh boy, hot August brunches at Campus Epicurean with only a ceiling fan were so fun...)! And the staff is far from rude or surly, they are very very friendly. Anyways, I'm hoping you'll all go and give them some business--they are such a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

Excerpts from today's Table Talk with Michael Klein: "Gary Levin and the crew from University City's Campus Epicurean have surfaced as the Salad Bowl at the Pavilion in Jenkintown...It's open at 8 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and closes in the late afternoon. Levin plans to extend hours and add early dinners." (Um yeah, I'll believe it when I see it! He talked about extending hours here for years...) Also, more West Philly news... "Qdoba Mexican Grill just inked a deal for 40th and Locust Streets. (The sit-down chain is also penciled in for 1528 Walnut St. in Center City.)"

Hi I just picked up a bottle of blood orange juice from Trader Joes and am looking for cocktail recipes I can use it in... I have vodka (unflavored), tequila, and cachaca on hand. Any ideas greatly appreciated!! (Especially drinks that could be made in a pitcher for a crowd)

Pho & Cafe Saigon opens at 10 am tomorrow (Friday) morning. They are open 10-8:30 every day except Mondays. I have their menu here. Nearly everything on it is priced at $5.25 or $5.50. They have 5 sections: appetizers (spring rollls, shrimp toast, etc); pho (about 13 different varieties including chicken, shrimp and one that looks veg); vermecelli; rice flake; and steamed broken rice. I only see one truly vegetarian option--that pho I mentioned. It's a pretty long menu, but lacks specialities like shrimp w/ sugar cane, vegs like bok choy, anything like the crawfish at Vietnam, etc. Anyways, I'm going tomorrow for a late breakfast, so I'll report back.

Regardless of whether this Friday is the 18th or 19th of Sept ( ), Greg do you know if it will be open for lunch???

Anyone been to Pasion for restaurant week yet? I'm pretty disappointed in their limited menu--I've had the shrimp ceviche before and it's fine but not exciting. I may give up my reservation for 6--if anyone's dying for it, let me know. It's Friday night 7:45 pm.

If you're going to hit New Wave, which is definitely a good choice for the game, then I'd make an evening of it and go to Dmitris for dinner. Go over, put your name on the list, have drinks at New Wave, and then you'll have a great very reasonably priced meal at Dmitris. If you're doing dinner and the game on different days/time, I'd also recommend Pigalle in Northern Liberties, which is bistro like, reasonably priced. You'd likely have fun in that neighborhood too, and Standard Tap is nearby for local brews afterwards. Holly, I was really surprised to hear that you like Los Catrines/Tequilas so much. My meals there have been incredibly mediocre, not on par at all with what I consider to be the best Mexican restaurants in the country (Topolobampo in Chicago, and Cafe Azul in Portland). Maybe I'm missing something--could you be more specific about what you like to order there? I do think the margaritas are good, but that's all I've had there that I liked.

A friend and I stopped by Sake (Saki? Sp?) in July, pretty late on a Thursday night (maybe around 11?). Honestly, I found it awful. It's a poor imitation of a place like Morimoto or Pod in Philly--white white walls, colored lighting, a trying too hard crowd. I had one of the worst saketinis I've ever had--it was just off-- and tiny, and over-priced for the quality of sake ($10). The crowd was QUITE young (tho I suppose that's Adams Morgan) and that's coming from a 26-yr-old! I'd say mostly 22, 23, (and dare I say younger?). And the place was very very loud. Also, the bar area is right next to some seats, so we ordered a drink and went to sit down (on some incredibly LOW chairs), and were promptly and rudely asked to move, since we hadn't ordered from the waiter (who was nowhere to be seen before). Anyways, I thought it was pretty lame. Tho I did NOT eat there, so I can't speak to that.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by classic (Classic Washington, like Kinkeads? Ugh)--but Nectar is not a 'scene,' nor is it what some might call "overly adventurous" or trying too hard. It's not as large as many of the DC standards (i.e. Clydes, Kindkeads, DC Coast) but if you like to hear each other speak, that's a good thing. Anyways, good luck with your man.

FYI--The Vietnamese restaurant at 43d and Spruce opens FRIDAY SEPT 19. Not sure if they're doing dinner only, or lunch too. But I'm hoping for lunch...

Nectar! Absolutely, great place for an anniversary, fits in your budget and you'll have a wonderful time. Much more intimate atmosphere than 2941, and a bit nicer than Obelisk. The staff will treat you well, the wine list is fabulous, you won't feel rushed. Not sure what to call the food tho--French or Italian? Maybe more New American, but still very worth considering.

Greg--Thanks for noting the veggie options at Pho Ha (tho I'm not sure pho minus beef broth is really pho??). I have many many vegetarian & vegan grad student friends, which inspired me to purchase the "Vegetarian Explorer's Guide to Philadelphia" (Eric Graham, 1997, self-published I think, purchased at Larry Maltz's Last Word Bookshop). The Asian recommendations include: Charles Plaza, Harmony, Korea House, My Thai, Singapore, and Vietnam Palace. Not sure how many of those are still around...

Went to Tacconellli's again last night..and this time had a pretty disappointing meal. Maybe it was the late hour (9 pm on a Thursday night, they close at 10), but the pizza was overcooked, the sauce was nearly bland, and there were maybe 4 pieces of roasted peppers on our whole pie. In addition, we tried the house special-with spinach and chopped tomatoes, on white, and the spinach was dry dry dry. I dragged several Philly friends out there, and this was quite a letdown. Has anyone else been lately?

Thanks for lettting us know the pears are back. I think that on Saturdays she's at the South St market (around 2nd).

Greg, have you noticed the customer segregation at this restaurant? I was there fairly recently (about a month ago), and was struck by the division--one side of the restaurant was entirely Asian, the other side entirely black & white (divided by that flower/gate barrier). I assumed this wasn't self-selection, but rather the work of the host. I thought it was odd--and posted about it on Egullet. I also like Pho 75, though I've been eating at their restaurants since I was a teenager (they have a location in Northern VA), and am probably biased now. I've heard that the pho place at 6th and Washington is considered by some to be better.

Wow, what a plethora of info!! I had Hunan food in San Francisco more than a year ago, and am still drooling over it...awesome, fresh, spicy stuff. Herb--anywhere on the East Coast I can find it?? (I'll go anywhere from DC-Boston). Thanks

Greg, Thanks so much for all of this useful information! (Please keep it coming) Yes, I also found it odd that Gary would bad-mouth your place to a customer...And I'm so glad that you took negative experiences at his place & turned it into something positive (I can't tell you how many times I waited 45 min- 1 hr for his highly mediocre food..for lack of other closeby options). In the meantime, I walked by tonite and it looks like the Vietnamese place is pretty close to opening. The name appears to be "Pho & Cafe Saigon." My fingers are crossed. I really hope to make it a regular 'takeout' place (Greg, I love that you have more space, but lament the demise of your takeout counter.) In other neighborhood news--that Thai grocery near Koch's has added more food (in the last 6 months their fresh and frozen food supplies had dwindled quite a bit). They even have some fancy desserts imported from Thailand, and various dried fruits. Just brought home a bag from there, and will see how it all is.

Epicurean was at 43rd and Spruce for at least 5 years, not sure how much longer (I moved in 5 yrs ago). The newest addition to the 38th-40th block of Walnut is Philly Diner, which arrived maybe 9-10 months ago. But Baskin Robbins closed as well, and a replacement is coming (maybe it arrived in the last week while I was away?). And Marathon Grill is opening in the Bridge complex at 40th, and Bitar's turned into Simsum (on 40th near Walnut), and Ben & Jerry's replaced Papaya King.. And Fatou & Fama has a very groovy new painted mural on the front of the building.. Guess those are the W Philly/ U City updates!