KatieLoeb

I once had a server very like the one in the Fox News report. After tolerating her snarkiness far longer than I should have, I said to her (in a voice loud enough for other customers and management to hear") "Look - I really don't know what your problem today is. But whether your dog died, you had a fight with your husband, you hate your job, or you hate your whole miserable effing life, IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I just got here so stop misdirecting your anger at me." She was a lot more pleasant after that...

Sara: Glad you enjoyed dinner at Rx. It is a very neat place. I shall have to go check out the new chef, ahem, I mean the new menu, myself soon. Where did you find Two Buck Chuck??? Obviously not in PA, but I was looking at the Trader Joe's website just yesterday to see where it was sold, and it was NOWHERE in the general area. I'm dying to try it just out of morbid curiosity.

I haven't had this with chocolate, but you're quite right. Damned tasty stuff! I like the R. Dumont et Fils Brut NV. Mostly Pinot Noir and very rich. Undergoes a malolactic fermentation that really makes it smooth and fruity. About $25.00. For a Blanc de Blanc I like the Diebolt-Vallois NV. Very crisp and elegant and absolutely unbelievable at the $30.00 price point. It also happens to be the house pour here at Striped Bass (from magnum), but I was fond of it long before I worked here.

To please me it'd have to be: App: A salad of chilled asparagus, artichokes hearts and hearts of palm on a bed of baby arugula with a luscious vinaigrette of my chef/lover's choosing Entree: Lobster, almost any way, as long as it isn't with a rich stuffing or sauce. Truffled mashed potatoes, celery root in some form or another. Dessert: An interesting homemade gelato or sorbet, using unusual fruits or savory seasonings. Chocolate mousse is always good too though... If I were doing the cooking I'd probably make: App: Roasted Chestnut/Butternut Squash soup. Made this for a Thanksgiving dinner once and it was awesome. Can't reproduce it because I don't have the frozen Hungarian chestnut puree that was an ingredient. Entree: Pasta Puttanesca. It's quick, easy and delicious. It's the first thing I ever cooked for the Evil Ex and it made him marry me. It has a good history in terms of its effect, if not the individual it worked on! Dessert: Macerated fresh berries with Grand Marnier and whipped cream. Of course if I had more time I'd make a roast

Hi Sara: You'll meet more "young folks" at Wine Brats. It's their stated purpose to "take the intimidation out of wine tasting" for younger consumers. The group was founded in California by three young gentleman from wine making families (including Gundlach-Bunschu and Sebastiani). I guess they realized that as the older wine drinking consumers died off, there would be no market left for their products if all the folks their age drank beer, spirits and bottled malt beverages. The PhillyWine tastings draw a more mixed age group but certainly within the parameters you have stated. IMHO the PhillyWine tastings tend to be better and have more interesting wines to show. The Wine Brats tastings are only as interesting as whomever is sponsoring that day's event. Since smaller boutique wineries rarely have the amount of product to give away, no less a "marketing and promotions" department to pursue these sort of events, the Wine Brat events are often sponsored by Sutter-Home, Beringer, etc. "refineries-not-wineries" that can afford both to give away their product and advertise with full page shiny four color advertisements in Wine Spectator et al. Take that for what it's worth. That's also not to say that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed myself at Wine Brat events. There was a great Spanish wine tasting at Cuba Libre a couple of months ago that was fabulous with a great selection of wines and a real value for the cost of admission. However, I would carefully read the Wine Brat announcements to see what wines will be featured at that evening's event. I hardly want to spend $30.00 to try the whole line of wines that I can buy for $6.99/bottle. Caveat Emptor! Check this link HERE for local tastings, classes, etc. Let me know if you're interesting in attending any particular ones, as I'm always seeking partners in crime.

Herb: Before you go plowing head on into stinky or possibly not tasty Asian fruits (depending on ripeness, of course) why don't you try: 1) Jolly Rancher of your choice 2) Asian = Lemograss/Ginger flavor, or at worst, Mandarin Orange or Lychee 3) Spanish = Tough call. I'd go with a Dulce de Leche type infusion, although how to achieve that with a neutral spirit is a mystery to me. Perhaps melting Kraft Caramels in vodka of choice? Or maybe Seville Oranges??? Perhaps sticking to those things that are "predictable" might be a better bet in some cases.

Even though Giuseppe (RIP) isn't there any longer, the quality of food and preparations seems as good as ever. I called ahead (remember, this was a Sunday night so YMMV) and asked if we needed a reservation for 2 people and was told to just come on in. I seem to recall that they used to not give out the phone number and NEVER EVER took reservations, so the waits were interminable. However, I found the phone number listed ((215)829-1465) and just called with no problems whatsoever. It's no wonder to me that this place is as popular as it is. The food is straightforward and fresh Italian, as good as I've had almost anywhere. I am also fond of Cucina Forte, but figured they were crowded after the recent good review. I love their gnocchi - I think they're deliclious and light as a feather. The fact that they're irregular just reinforces their homemade qualities. And yes - the "Dream soup" is dreamy!

This stuff is probably in one of the foil cat food bags that you tear the top off. I think of canned tuna as "cat food for humans" anyway, so this isn't far off the mark . I often add lemon juice to drained canned tuna anyhow, to take away that "tinny" flavor. I've also added wasabi to the mayo when making tuna salad and it helped take away that "canned" flavor as well. Or maybe it just totally masks it...

Add another fan for wasabi peas. I just adore those... I like the marinated hot peppers stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese that I get at DiBruno's. I also have a jar of these delicious olives stuffed with Turkish hot peppers. Awesome in a martini, but pretty good on their own too.

Friend and I made plans to meet for a BYOB dinner on Sunday evening, and many choices were either closed (Chloe which we both have yet to try) or weren't staying open late enough (L'Angolo). So off we went to Locanda del Ghiottone on N. 3rd Street. Friend was kind enough to bring a great bottle of 2000 Isole e Olena Chianti she'd been sitting on for a short while. We ordered an antipasti to share that had roasted red peppers, potato croquette, several types of cheese, a healthy slice of good prociutto, a bruschetta and a big slice of roasted eggplant. All items very tasty. We also shared an order of a seafood pasta special that had chunks of fish (I don't remember what kind, but it was delicious), scallops and mussels in a tomato based sauce on fresh house made tagliatelle, and also shared an order of oricchette with broccoli rabe and sausage. Both pastas were perfectly cooked and wonderful. We had a great time chatting with our waiters - Giuseppe and Joseps, as well as with the other customers at the next table. The other folks were kind enough to offer us an after dinner glass of grappa they had brought back with them from Chianti. Fabulous and not at all like the paint thinner/rocket fuel one expects from grappa. Very smooth and quite tasty and the perfect digestif. Our dinner with one bottle of water came to $60.00 with a generous tip. I hadn't been to Locanda del Ghiottone in quite some time and had forgotten how utterly reliable and well prepared the food is there. For anyone recently dissappointed in the quality of Italian food in this town (David, are you listening?), I recommend a stop here to remind you how simple and well prepared food with no short cuts taken can be a transporting experience.

I have an interesting collection of antique barware. Everything from cocktail shakers (I even have a "travel" one that collapses into its own leather case!), to schnapps glasses, champagne flutes/saucers, a Deco set of Polka dotted Pilsner glasses, and my personal faves, a set of etched brandy snifters that have hunting scenes on them that belonged to my mom. Actually a lot of this stuff belonged to mom - she was a bit of a pack rat. A trait I unfortunately inherited!

This thread has inspired me to broaden my collection of these great books. So far I've gotten about 10 Good Cooks books in the last few days on eBay for a song! I'm looking at some of the Foods of the World series too, as I never saw those before. I won the Scandinavian set today for $3.00! This will be fun and can be a new project/hobby to keep me off the streets and out of trouble.

Cinghiale beat me to all my suggestions. Ditto what he said.

If the IRS can't make money running a cat house, then that doesn't bode well for my continued employment, I guess However, my understanding from the inside of this fiasco, is that the only thing the court has done at this point is basically take the check signing pen out of Mr. Stein's hands. The other three restaurants are still up and functioning, I am still ordering and receiving beer, wine and liquor, and I haven't heard that we're closing any time soon. This too shall pass, I suspect, as Holly alluded to. Holly is also correct in stating that my much maligned proprietor has done a great deal to make Philadelphia a dining destination. It is my fervent hope that this will all blow over soon, and that my continued efforts to save the company money in the Beverage Department will do its small part in helping the bottom line.

It's approximately what we spent, although my dining companion that evening was laid up with a bad head cold so he didn't do his usual share of damage with the liquor portion of the bill. On that note, however, they did bring him a pot of the truly fantastic tea that you mentioned, and he felt infinitely better after dinner than he had beforehand. The waiter was very kind in recommending the tea and explaning about it's medicinal properties. It really did the trick!

A friend of mine smuggled back a bottle of this stuff from Poland for me. You are correct - the herbacious flavor is indescribable and absolutely delicious. Supposedly the "Buffalo Grass" has hallucinogenic properties, so it's classified as a drug and that's why it can't be imported. I never found that to be true, but I'm no chemist, so who knows what the make up of the actual grass is. Anyone here have any clues?

Here in Philadelphia, Bitar's (Lebanese owned sandwich shop/grocery) makes what they call an "Angelo Cataldi" sandwich. Grilled chicken breast, roasted red pepper spread, marinated string cheese and lettuce on pita bread. Very yummy! Chick-Fil-A is probably some of the only "fast food" I'll eat.

Herb has been out with this crowd before...

OK - just checking! You had previously mentioned that you didn't think I looked like my avatar photo either, so I wasn't sure. But I do appreciate the compliment! Keep 'em coming...

Which picture, Tommy? The blurry Greek Fest shot from tonight, or my avatar "Katie-with-Hat" photo? The avatar photo is admittedly a few years old, but I still think I look more or less the same. My hair is longer and not as dark, but it's still me. More makeup than usual though, I confess. To mess with Shakespeare a bit - "Vanity, thy name is Katie!" But I thank you nonetheless

Thanks Holly, but credit where credit is due. Actually it was Andrew's fine idea to get the wine. I was just being a well trained sommeliere and opening said bottle with my ever-handy wine key! I never leave home without it... Mercifully the picture is a tad blurry. Like I said, photogenic is not one of my stronger suits. The feast you see before us is Pastitzio, Moussaka, Roast Chicken and numerous side dishes. Everything was quite tasty. The food at the Greek Fest was delicious, although I think the actual entrees were seasoned more to my taste at the Annunciation fest last weekend. The pastries were heavenly though! We all got different ones and in true gluttonous fashion, tried everything! Holly it's a shame you didn't join us on the walk for gelato. We ran across a fellow who was seemingly an escapee from one of the numerous hospitals in the area. He was holding his pants up around his thighs but since he was absent either boxers OR briefs he gave us a good look at his - ahem - shortcomings, shall I say. The gelato from Capogiro was completely unnecessary, but absolutely delicious. Again, like the true gluttons that we are, we all got different flavors and shared. The Strawberry-Tarragon was a big hit, but we also tasted Pistachio, Mango Sorbetto, Blood Orange Sorbetto, Mocha, Spearmint, Hibiscus Sorbetto and one other I can't remember (Andrew???). All delicious and now every single part of me feels like an appendage of my stomach! Anyone that enjoys Greek cuisine ought to try out this festival this weekend. I know most of us who went tonight will probably go back at least once more!

Oh yeah!!! That goes double for me. I've had a feeling for some time that these other gals would be worthy partners in crime...

OK everyone. We're ready for some serious Greek food. Meeting outside church gates between 6:45-7:00PM. I'm wearing a teal dress, purple jacket, and red shoes to match Lisa's clogs! No hat today. My hair is up and I didn't want to muss it :pats head:. We have cell phone numbers to track each other down with. Bring appetities and wear a loose toga !

Kim: I have a couple of the Good Cook series and they are invaluable. I own Poultry, Beef and Pork and the techniques, clear photographs and excellent explanations are well worth it. You've inspired me to start looking for some of the others as well, and to find some of the Food of the World series too. They are readily available at Amazon and used book stores. The shelf space thing I can get over - these books should have a place of honor on anyone's bookshelf.

I'll post tomorrow and let you know what I'm wearing . It's amusing that everyone thinks I LIVE in that silly hat! Unfortunately, that is one of the very, very few decent photographs of me that exist on this planet. I was late in the queue for "photogenics"! Ironically, I don't even OWN that hat! It belonged to the photo studio where the picture was taken. I'll try to find another hat for tomorrow so you can find me in the throngs of Greek eaters, K?