KatieLoeb

Joe Stratton swore to us that the August corn would be better than what was being offered today because the "good stuff" needed a bit longer to ripen. I just ate 3 ears (one each of yellow, white and bi-colored ears with nothing but butter and salt) single handed and it was absolutely sweet and delicious NOW, so I can't even imagine what he's talking about. It couldn't possibly be better. That would just be dessert! The Excel spreadsheet with the varieties (I think there were actually 18 altogether) planting dates and estimated harvest dates was most impressive. Farmer Joe is definitely keeping track of his crops/varietals. I made these using my favorite "8 minute corn" recipe. I shuck and break off the stems of the ears. I then run the ears under the faucet to get them a bit wet. I wrap each ear in plastic wrap in only the water clinging to it. I set the microwave to 5 minutes on HIGH and walk away. Let the ears sit for 3 minutes once the buzzer has sounded. Butter, salt, eat, repeat. The corn is always perfectly cooked and not waterlogged like it is when I boil it. I should have bought the full dozen ears. edited to add: I did indeed bake up a lovely Turkey, Spinach, Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella quiche this evening with those farm fresh eggs, but I haven't tasted it yet. I'll report back tomorrow after it's cooled in the fridge overnight. I hope to have either one of those yummy looking peaches or a slice of canteloupe for breakfast in the morning as well.

Ah. OK. For some reason I had it in my head that Patou was BYOB and the Sept Grains is a great bring-with wine when you don't know ahead what you're ordering. That really isn't a bad markup for a wine list price at $39. And oui. I shall heed your advice.

Hi David: So sorry to hear about your awful experience at Patou. I must confess I've never been over there (not quite sure why ) but the meal you've described sounds perfectly awful, special occasion or not! Good thing you had the yummy wine with you. And I'm glad the hotel was so nice. You'd probably have been better off staying for dinner at Chez Colette at the Sofitel. I've had some very nice lunches there and it would have remained within your French themed anniversary. Or perhaps steak frites at Brasserie Perrier?? Happy Anniversary!! Next time let me get you a reservation at Amada...

Professore Fentoni and I made the trek out to Wynnoor Farm this lovely summer afternoon and both came home laden with corn, peaches, melons and tomatoes. We also had the rare pleasure of meeting farmer Joe Stratton climbing off his tractor and had a nice long chat with him about corn agriculture, the farm and how surprised he was to end up on Holly Eats! We also met his lovely daughter Hannah who was helping with the farm chores. The folks at Wynnoor Farm are super nice hardworking folks that are really making a go of farming. The young clerks manning the roadside stand were also quite helpful. It was only about a 40 minute drive from Center City and the perfect way to spend an afternoon. On the way back down Route 352 we were intrigued by a sign for lamb and quail farm so we turned around to investigate. We ended up at Arasapha Farm in Gradyville, which is apparently better known for their haunted hay rides than the edible critters on the farm. There were lots of pretty black footed Shropshire lambs running about the fields, and apparently also practicing dressage. There was an entire ring with jumps set up right in the middle of the sheep pasture. There was also a fridge in the driveway with fresh organic farm eggs and an honor box in the freezer, so we both picked up a dozen large eggs to bring home. I'll be making a quiche this evening with that bounty. The ride home was made complete with a stop at the Manayunk branch of Johnnie's Dog House for a snack of a couple of New York style dogs and an order of onion rings. Yum!

I gotta get me one of them T-shirts I've heard are for sale that says: Geno's, No Bueno! Nice to hear that the competition across the street thought about the needs of all of their customers, regardless of race, creed, origin or native language.

You beat me to it. The Yalumba Y Series Viognier is one of my new smmer favorites. I was just singing its praises over in the PA forum. Really great wine for the price.

Tim: Sushi can definitely be an acquired texture, if not an acquired taste for some. Try the tamago, egg custard thing. It's an omelet on rice. Completely harmless. I promise. Bravo to you for being brave. Keep trying. I think you'll find some things you like once you get over the textural issue. And there's always the cooked Japanese food at the restaurant as well. Maybe girlfriend can enjoy sushi while you have some tempura and teryaki?

Daniel: Great pix and thanks for sharing them. Looks very good. Were the flavors as well balanced and representative of the Japanese aesthetic as they appear to be?

Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts. I really appreciate it. Please PM me if you have any further questions or comments about my sweet and very Off Topic kitty cat. Returning to topic (and continuing in my quest to drink myself less stressed) I'm having a glass of 2003 Valley of the Moon Syrah this evening. Picked this up at the 12th & Chestnut store and am quite enjoying it. Very deep dark blueberry/plummy flavors and that unmistakeable aroma of bloody raw meat that permeates Syrah. Or at least the ones that I like. The wine spent some time in wood, and is softened and tinged with vanilla as a result. Really quite luscious. And another fabulous bargain at $11.99. My thanks to the Chairman for providing some soothing relief for me of late.

According to the Inquirer article, Geno's didn't even open until 1966, so there's no doubt that Pat's had the cheese thing going on for quite some time prior to that. And I think the T-shirts should read: Whiz Rulz. Whiz wuz First.

Tonight is the last night at Smoked Joint. My understanding is that last call will be a relaxed affair, so go help them empty the bar! The more money we can put in the register this evening will hopefully translate into a more timely re-opening in whatever their new location will be.

Nothing like sharing fine wine with friends to run away the blues! I'm just impressed that you still found the time to share this useful info with us after such a rough day. So thanks, Katie. Hope your weekend shapes up to be a great one, lord knows you deserve it! ← Thanks jwjon1. The wine definitely helped. One of my kitties is quite ill so it's been a lot to absorb.

I think honoring someone deserving of a place in cheesesteak history is totally worthy. Drink a toast to him too. Preferably with a Cherry Champ soda. Any chance I can convince you to bring me a Surf n' Turf dog to Amada when you're done with lunch? Johnny Hots is only opened when I'm at work!

Wow! That's an awfully 'purty outdoor space. There are far too few of those in general, so I'm delighted to hear there's one that's accenting the scenery with some good eats. High on my list of places to try. Do you have an exact address and contact info? Who is the new chef? What's the vibe like?

Needed to drown my sorrows this evening after a stressful day with some sad news. I picked up a bottle of Richard Hamilton "Burton's Vineyard" 2002 Grenache/Shiraz from McLaren Vale at the 12th & Chestnut store. Shared said bottle with a good friend and was pleasantly impressed with the depth of flavor and silky lusciousness of this wine. Deep dark fruitiness and a finish that went on forever. A bargain at $19.99 since it drank like a wine at thrice the price. Really soft tannins and seriously concentrated flavors. There's a bit to be had all over, but I suspect this won't last long.

How about a Mojito variation muddling fresh verbena leaves, Verbena simple syrup, a small wedge of lemon and a less juniper-ey and more citrus-ey gin, like my new locally produced favorite, Bluecoat Gin??

Harry Olivieri, one of the two brothers that founded the infamous Pat's King of Steaks (and arguably may have invented the cheesesteak sandwich) in South Philadelphia, has passed away at the age of 90. News is posted HERE at the KYW1060 newsradio website. Do you think Mr. Olivieri knew how many people would come to his humble cheesesteak stand when he and his brother Pat invented the sandwich in 1930? I suspect he may never have known how many people he touched in his own way. Godspeed, Mr. Olivieri. You've left an indelible mark on culinary history.

Tonight's efforts revolved around a newly opened bottle of Wokka Saki and my determination that a palatable cocktail could be construed from it with pineapple flavoring added to the mix. Here the recipe for the eventual winner: 2 oz. Wokka Saki .5 oz. Giammona Pineapple Syrup .5 oz. fresh lime juice .5 oz. Martini and Rossi Bianco 2 dashes Fee Brothers Orange Flower Water Shake hard over ice and strain into a well chilled cocktail glass. The resulting drink is bright neon yellow, on the sweeter side but tamed a bit by the lime juice. The vermouth seems to function to make everyone work well and play together nicely. This might need a bit of tweaking, but is tasty as is for the moment.

I've heard the term "marking" the table (like mise-ing the table), as in replacing silverware, new stemware for the next course or change of wine, etc, but as for the dots I have no idea what they're talking about. Are you writing a Service Manual or a "Sequence of Service"? They are two different things.

Hi Mike: The Mae de Ouro (SLO Code #54497 - Southern Wine and Spirits) is going for $25.59/bottle in PA, but it's a FULL LITER not a 750ml. The LeBlon is $34 for a 750 and not worthy at all. Definitely worth the cost of admission. Makes the smoothest caipirinha I've had. You can totally taste the barrel effect on the product. Smooth and with some vanilla and caramel notes. Vast improvement over the other items available in the same category.

There's them pictures! Yeah! That was just a silly feast of much Mexican goodness. The chicken-lime-ginger soup is off the hook and everything else was just delicious. This is definitely my new fave "down and dirty" cheap eats place. I'm totally jonesing to go back. All I need is a dining companion...

Skip the LeBlon. Mae de Ouro is now available in PA as an SLO, curiously also carried by Southern Wine & Spirits. Way smoother and makes a righteous caipirinha. I'm happy to say I was able to help make this happen. There's hope if you're really determined.

According to inside sources there has a been a restructuring of the ownership. Smoked Joint's catering operations will continue and they are indeed scouting for a new location. The problem with the Academy House location is that you can't see the entrance from the street. The property is virtually hidden away. I can only imagine what the rent is as well. Back when Marabella's was successful in that spot there wasn't a whole lot else going on. Hopefully some smart entrepreneur can take advantage of that unbelievably central location and the captive audience of theater and orchestra patrons and design a better entrance and signage and have a concept that really flies there. It could potentially be a great location, but not as it is now.

Apparently, the answer is a resounding YES!! And that's Doo-mass like the author, not DUMBASS, no?

This sounds absolutely delicious! I need a cold shower after reading the description!