rlibkind

Surprised they didn't have the pepper varieties you sought. When I've shopped Wegmans in Ithaca, Woodbridge, and Bridgewater I'm pretty sure I remember seeing them. You are, of course, right about Iovine's superiority in variety. But if you don't have a Reading Terminal Market handy, Wegmans is the choice (I like it better than Whole Foods). I've got to figure the Cherry Hill and Moorestown Wegmans (and, I suspect, the Downingtown as well) will do what the Ithaca store does in corn season: get several deliveries a day right from a close by farm, and have a time sign showing when the next delivery will arrive! When I was shopping at the Ithaca Wegmans (which was 5-8 years ago) I did find items there that I couldn't at the RTM. The primary example then is dry scallops. At the time, no RTM fishmonger ever had it, though today Golden Seafood offers it regularly. In fact, a couple of years back Wegmans announced they would not even carry "wet" scallops any more, because they were such poor value and quality. Way to go, Danny! Since I make one or two trips a month over the bridge for the Cherry Hill Shop Rite and (ahem) other items at nearby stores which cannot usually be purchased as inexpensively in PA as in NJ, I'm sure I'll occasionally get to Wegmans, even though my primary allegiance will remain the RTM. Re: avocados. Actually, the only time I see ripe avocados is when Iovines has a surplus and they've been ripening in storage, or they cut a deal from a supplier on ripe ones that would otherwise be tossed in a few days. And when Iovines has the ripe ones, it's usually at a very good price. Lately they've been selling Hasses in need of a few days on the shelf for $1 apiece; but even Wegman's $1.50 is way cheaper than what Whole Foods usually gets. I'm not as fond of Wegmans prepared foods as my wife is (but then, I like to cook and she doesn't), but they are certainly better than average. And although I prefer to buy my cheese from a cheesemonger and fish from a fishmonger, Wegmans does the best job I know of any supermarket in these categories.

Finally made it to Amada tonight prior to enjoying a hilarious production of "A Funny Thing . . . " at the Arden. Alas, She Who Must Be Obeyed was under the weather, so I was a single and sat at the bar. Since I wanted to sample the broadest possible variety of what Amada offers I opted for the chef's tapas tasting menu and was not disappointed: First I was brought the thin flatbread with tuna-oil dipping sauce. Soon appearing in front of me (along with that delightful red Sangria, Katie) were a tall glass filled with olives, a full plate of thinly sliced chorizo along with baguette slices, and a relish tray of caperberries, mustard and cornichons. Next up, a refreshing cucumbery gazpacho and a mellow Basque blue brebis (I just love sheep cheese) served atop slim toasts and dainty tissue-paper thin slices of apple on the side. Soon after a plate adorned with short ribs, horseradish, parmesan and bacon atop a round of soft flatbread and its accompanying melon with ham arrived, a steaming dish of clams with chorizo appeared, as if by magic. I breathed in the heady seaside salty vapors and proclaimed I should have ordered a beer rather than the sangria. Well, also as if by magic, a short half glass of Victory Pils made a non-apparitious appearance. (Great Sunday bar staff, Katie.) I gleefully sopped up every last bit of clam and chorizo sauce with baguette rounds. The penultimate round of tapas included Patatas Bravas, Venison in Sour Cherry sauce and Garlic shrimp. The potatoes were roughly the size of Tater Tots and exuded the color of Velveeta. But don't let that description stop you from indulging in these babies. The venizon medallions -- spot-on rare, with the sour cheery sauce tweaked by little balls of onion -- was sublime. As for the shrimp, well, I sucked those babies dry. The last course was simple and elegant: white asparagus dressed in a truffled cream sauce under a thin coat of manchego. This was certainly a satisfying repast before going out to a show -- I was completely satisfied but not stuffed. Although I'm your basic Big Hungry Boy who likes to put alot down the gullet, I don't like to do so before a show or concert, so the tapas tasting was just perfect. My only regret was not tasting every thing else on the menu. Next time, I'll order a la carte so I can try those bacala croquettes, fried anchovies, and all the other flatbread combinations. Something to look forward to!

New Marketing Push Expect the market to make a stronger push for business in the weekday after-lunch hours, especially 4-6 p.m. RTM Manager Paul Steinke says those hours offer great opportunities for increasing business for the market's purveyors of meats, produce, fish, baked goods, dairy products and prepared foods that are either ready-to-eat or stick in the oven/microwave. In order the succeed, however, he knows he has to show some of the more reluctant vendors, who now start shutting down their stalls at 4:30 or 5 p.m., if not sooner, that it will be worth their while to stay open until the official closing time of 6 p.m. weekdays. Some vendors have developed decent post-lunch business, especially Iovine Brothers. Vinnie Iovine says he used to employ only two checkout cashiers after lunch -- and he really only needed one, he just kept two so there would be break time coverage. Now Iovine's keeps at least twice that number of cashiers busy until closing time. (Of course, Iovine Brothers would stay open 24 hours a day if they could.) Some other vendors, who have a long commute back to their Lancaster or western Chester County homes, are more reluctant to stay open until 6 p.m., but Steinke thinks that with proper promotion and cooperation from key merchants he can demonstrate it is worth their while. The late afternoon push will be part of a new identity campaign assigned to Dyad Communications, an Old City graphics consultant. They will also try to heighten awareness the RTM's $2 parking deal. Steinke says their research indicates patrons who bring their own cars buy more stuff than those who use public transit -- car trunks are bigger than tote bags -- so the market needs to do a better job of publicizing the cheap and easy parking. Upcoming Events The "Third Thursday" program featuring local producers is also part of the market's scheme to gain additional business from Center City office workers. The next event will be this Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Strawberries is the theme. There will be tastings of strawberry shortcake, strawberry sangria, and strawberry salad, and Nick Ochs will demonstrate how to prepare a strawberry and orange marinade for chicken or pork. Also this week, the Basic 4 Vegetarian Snack Bar celebrates its 25th year at the RTM Tuesday, June 13. Owners Alfoncie Austin and Lisa Tyne plan some festivities: Breakfast samples with Mary Mason of WHAT-AM from 8 to 9 a.m., exercise demonstration from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Hizzoner The Mayor John Street has been invited for a proclamation presentation at noon. Cookies and cake will be served in the afternoon. The Reading Terminals will bring some hot jazz to center court on Friday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. And Saturday will see another edition of the Flea Market at the Arch & 12th Street outdoor parking lot; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Manna. The following Saturday, June 24, brings the Sidewalk Sizzle along Harry Ochs Way (Filbert Street). The event, sponsored by the Center City District and part of the Sunoco Welcome America roster of Fourth of July (or thereabouts) activities, will feature seven barbeque stations, ice cream, games, contests, sidewalk sales, music and family entertainment. Vendor Move Update Some equipment supplier snafus will be delaying the opening of Herschel's Deli until on or about Sept. 1. That gives Spataro's some extra time to vacate and move over to the former Sandwich Stand. LeBus expects a late summer opening at their new location on the 12th Street side. OK Lee has completed a redesign of their produce stand, including new cases, and Tokyo Sushi has embarked on their renovations. Guinta's Prime Shop expects to be in business by early August to sell natural, hormone-free meats and poultry. Charlie Guinta's move into the current A.A. Halteman space includes some footprint and footage changes that will allow Iovine's to enhance their operations, with a move of their office space and the addition of refrigerated cases. Tropicana-supplied refrigerated cases already adorn one of the checkout aisles as well as a corner in the back of the store.

June is busting out all over, especially at the produce stands. Although there's been a decent selection of local vegetables and berries at the Reading Terminal Market's farm-to-consumer stands, the volume and variety haven't been impressive until this week. Enjoy it now through much of October. At Fair Food Farmstand, for example, shelled hull peas and pea shoots have made their appearance, along with garlic scapes and tri-color carrots. Here are two of Benuel Kaufman's colorful displays: Among the items: shelled and unshelled peas, two varieties of strawberries, early sweet cherries, potatoes, snow peas, ball zucchini and kirby cucumbers. Not pictured is one of my favorites: the long, sweet red beets, $2.95 for a heavy basket full. Earl Livengood offered both strawberries and raspberries today, along with his excellent salad and cooking greens, scallions, local hothouse tomatoes, as well as new potatoes. Over at Iovine Brothers, the local produce from their contract farmer, Shady Brook, is just dribbling in, though the strawberries offer excellent value -- two quarts for $5, and almost as tasty as varieties offered by the smaller farm stand vendors. One of the best values from last week has gotten even better: the limes are 10 for $1, considerably cheaper than the rather pithy lemons at 3/$1. It's the start of the season for figs, and Iovine's has some good-looking black ones at $4.99 a basket (about 11-12 fruits). West Coast cherries selling for $7.99/pound for Bings, $8.99 Rainiers. California apricots were $1.99 (I hope the local apricot season is as plentiful and good as last year; they should hit the local stands at the same time as the cherries). Georgia blueberries $3.99/pint. Iovines were offering a deal on cucumbers: five rather large specimens for $1. Vinnie Iovine explained that since the local crop is starting to come in the Florida packers are selling their cukes at distressed prices. Bell pepper price survey at Iovine's: greens 79-cents, reds 99-cents, yellows $2.99, oranges $3.99. Over at John Yi's fresh Alaskan sockeye fillets for $13.99 -- that's a buck more than the king salmon, also fresh. Halbut price has eased a little to $10.99, a buck more than the "white tuna" a.k.a. "Hawaiian Butterfish" a.k.a. escolar. Soft shell crabs are $4 apiece for mediums, $5 for large. Boston mackeral $2.49, Spanish mackeral $2.99. Sea bass was decent value and quality at $3.99 for smalls and $4.99 for large.

If you have a big surplus, jam and preserves would be in order. I especially like a cherry preserve made with the hot pepper of your choice.

Today I enjoyed the finest handful of potatoes I've ever eaten. Nothing special, just a new white-skinned potato. Tiny in size, maybe an inch in diameter, a little more, on average. But they were soooo good! The secret, of course, was that these didn't come from storage. Not even a day! I bought them at a small, neighborhood, seasonal farmers' market in Philadelphia just three blocks from my house. The vendor, Earl Livengood (a regular at the Reading Terminal Market and other city farmers' markets) told me he dug them up this morning. I believe him. I treated them simply: after scrubbing (but leaving on the skin) I placed the 'taters in cold, heavily salted water and turned on the heat; once the pot came to a boil, I let them cook for another 10-12 minutes 'til tender; after drainining, I threw in a sufficient quantity of butter (that exact amount is in the eye of the beholder) and served. No need for additional salt or other seasonings, not even fresh black pepper. OMG they were incredible. It was like I had never tasted potatoes before. What's the best potato you've ever had?

Welcome to eGullet, ladydisdain. And keep those photos and cupcake updates coming! Your blog says the cupcake is the perfect food. But is there a pizza cupcake? Now that would be perfect! Make mine with anchovies.

I do a guava mustard chicken using guava paste. Just combine equal parts dijon mustard and guava paste in a sauce pan and gently melt, stirring as needed. Keep warm while you saute/broil/grill your bird. I generally don't put the sauce on the bird 'til after it comes off the fire, but you could if apply it when you've only got a minute or so of cooking left, so as not to burn. Some deep fried onions on top is a great complement (and I won't complain if you sprinkle it with a little of the canned fried onion). Use a squeeze bottle to create a dijon mustard design on the plate, if you want to be fancy.

The first raspberries of the season: These could be found today at Earl Livengood's stall at the South Street market. Priced at $3.95 for a half-pint box. Strawberries still going strong, but Daryl Rineer (who was selling pint baskets today at $3.75, or 2/$7 or 3/$10) expects next week will be the last for his crop. Sam Consylman said the wineberries are taking over the traditional raspberry patches in his area of Lancaster County. Sam, btw, won't be at Livengood's stand at the Reading Terminal Market this Saturday -- he'll be ground-hog hunting. Watch out, Gus! Also making an appearance today: peas. Rineer was selling them hulled; Livengood still in the shell. I opened one of Earl's and the peas were nice and sweet. I'll pick them up Saturday at the RTM and serve them with salmon and new potatoes, which Earl has also dug up. Now that's a late spring/early summer meal if ever there was one! Big Sky Bread Company is back at South Street. I tasted the sour dough and it was just fine, as were the rolls I brought home. This outfit is based in Wilmington, but they actually appear to be one of several Big Sky Bread Company outlets east of the Missisippi; a quick web search revealed others in Portland, Maine; Baltimore; Orlando; Raleigh; and Alabama. All with pretty much the same logo. Looks like it's a franchise, but the bread is not pedestrian. Maybe not Metropolitan or Le Bus, but still pretty good. From Tom Forest I picked up both bacon and pepperoni, the latter made from lamb. Haven't made the bacon yet, but the pepperoni was very nice, a bit less fat and spice than more traditional types, but pepperoni nonetheless.

Mackeral. Be-ooo-tiful fish. With such a flashy striped coloration, it's no wonder the word mackeral is derived for the French word for pimp, according to Alan Davidson. Great photos, Andrew. And let me know if you need a research assistant. PS: Both John Yi's and Golden Seafood featured sardines this spring at the Reading Terminal Market; but gone now. Whole Paycheck still has 'em at the outrageous price of about $9 pp, vs. $3 at the RTM when they were there. Of course, the sardines here are herring, a different fish than you'll find in the Med, but just as tasty in its own way, and cookable the same way, too.

The view is of Newark airport, but the Ikea locaion is in Elizabeth. The airport is roughly 1/3 in Elizabeth, 2/3 in Newark.

Best deal at Iovine's today: Strawberries. They come from Iovine's contract farm (Shady Brook, iirc) and are selling for $3.99/quart. That's a roughly $3 savings vs. what Fair Food Project and Earl Livengood charge. I refrained from buying them last week because they looked a bit pale, but this week they are a nice, deep red, fully ripe and, after taste test, quite delicious. I didn't check Benuel Kaufman's prices, but he's usually in the middle between Iovine's and the FF/Livengood pricing. A contender for deal of the week: Limes. While loose fruit was going for four for a buck, a bag of 11-12 are priced at $1.99, for a savings of about 30 percent. Time to make lime bars. A lot more summer fruit is starting to appear, even if it is being trucked in from more southern climes. Iovine's had California cherries and bins of cantaloupes. Local cherries should debut within a couple of weeks, along with raspberries; cantaloupes will wait for late July. Bell pepper survey at Iovines: Green $0.99, red and yellow $2.99, orange $3.99. OK Lee's had the reds priced a buck cheaper, but they looked long in the tooth. No sign of fresh Pacific salmon yet, just formerly frozen king today at John Yi's, selling for $12.99. I was going to pick up pork ribs for the bbq, but both Martin's and Harry Ochs are featuring beef ribs at about $2.50/pound. Nick at Harry Ochs said although they always have them, they are more prominent in grilling weather. Also, this time of year folks aren't roasting prime ribs too much, so they take the primal cut and separate out the ribs to create the beef ribs and Delmonico steaks for the grill. When you visit the market, make a point of checking out the bulletin board on the walk-in refrigerator cases along the back aisle, opposite the rest rooms. Paul Steinke, market manager, posts his merchant newsletter there and the most recent one recounts a wonderful story from Dominic Spataro. It seems the floor of the market, which has a resemblance to paving stones, wasn't original - it was installed sometime during World War II. Prior to that there was some sort of bituminous flooring (not all that surprising given Pennsylvania's coal heritage) that during hot weather would soften. Spataro told Steinke the merchants' carts would leave wheel tracks on the soft surface. Speaking of Spataro's, expect work to begin any day now on the new location across from Tommy DiNic's in the former Sandwich Stand spot. Also, Flying Monkey Patisserie has turned on the lights of its cases earlier on Saturday. They are also serving La Colombe coffee.

This is pretty useless information, but fwiw, for a couple of years in the early 1960s, an outpost of Syd's was located on St. George's Avenue just a couple of blocks east of the J's Beef location, but on the Roselle side of the street. It was operated by a former employee of the Syd's in Newark, and prior to the opening of the Millburn Mall location. Didn't work out and closed after just a few years. But they were good dogs, as good as the original and current Syd's.

I believe so, but am not sure. When I said "Charlie plans to sell only prime or natural meat products" I did indeed, mean USDA Prime. Just that USDA Prime isn't the only grade he intends to carry, according to Paul. From what Paul said, I divine that Charlie simply doesn't intend to carry the standard feedlot beef you'd get in the supermarket. Of course, there's "prime" the adjective and "Prime" the official grade of USDA. Kind of like "catholic" and "Catholic". Meat graded USDA Prime must be of particular quality standards. BTW, you can only have "USDA Prime" beef or lamb; the USDA grading system for pork is simply "Acceptable" or "Unacceptable" (though a separate USDA grading system exists for porcine yield which has nothing to do with taste and cooking quality).

At today's South Street farmer's market, I picked up a quart of what had to be the sweetest sugar snap peas I've ever had. Incredibly fresh. They came from Greensgrow Farms, which distributes produce they grow right here in Philadelphia as well as from family farms in nearby Pennsylvania and South Jersey, from whence these sugar snaps hailed. Price for a quart: $1.50. Seeing the sugar snaps changed my dinner plans: i was going to have a salad with some shreds of cooked duck I pulled out of the freezer yesterday; instead, I'm going to do a stir-fry with the duck and peas. Battle of the strawberries: Rineer Farms and Earl Livengood both had excellent strawberries at South Street today. I did a taste test when I brought them home, a pint from each. They were flavor differences, but that's all it was, just a difference in taste, not in ripeness or quality. Speaking of strawberries, that will be the focus of the next "Local Producers' Corner" event at the Reading Terminal Market. It's scheduled for June 15. The annual Sidewalk Sizzle is scheduled for June 24; a number of vendors will be cooking outdoors along Harry Ochs Way (Filbert Street) and selling summertime treats; music for all and games for the kids. The game of musical chairs at the Reading Terminal Market should pick up over the next couple of months. Paul Steinke, market manager, reports Spataro's will begin work soon to prepare their new location across the aisle from Tommy DiNic's. Once they move out, possibly late in June, Hershel's East Side Deli can begin construction in Spataro's current space adjacent to center court. Also, Charlie Giunta expects to have his butcher stall complete by the end of the summer in the space now occupied by A. A. Halteman across from Iovine's. Charlie (whose brother Martin owns Martin's Quality Meats and Sausage) will actually be returning to the space that he and Martin opened in the early 1980s. New cases have been ordered, and the tenative plan is to name it Guinta's Prime Shop, even though not all meats will be USDA prime. However, according to Steinke, Charlie plans to sell only prime or natural meat products. .

Certain breeds of beef cattle and swine are black and white. So is a particular kind of ice cream soda.

Rather lengthy discussions about Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island restaurants can be found here, here, here and, most recently, here. But, in a nutshell, my top recommendations: Thurston's in Bernard on Bass Harbor for lobster on the pier with a view. George's in Bar Harbor for fine dining. Jordan Pond House for tea and popovers after a hike. XYZ just outside Southwest Harbor for outstandingly good Mexican. I'd recommend reservations for all except Thurston's which, I'm sure, does not accept them. For details on these and many other spots, see the linked posts above.

What Katie said, and here are some more: Rose Tatoo, 19th & Callowhill. The desserts are superior. Jack's Firehhouse. Fairmount just east of 22nd. People either love it or hate it. I love it. For lunch, go for the burger or pulled pork. Open air seating opposite the Eastern State Penitentiary historic site (worth a visit). London is at Fairmount and 23d, Rembrandt's just one block north of there. Both offer al fresco dining. London is an all-around great neighborhood restaurant, in fact, the best in the neighborhood. (I live three blocks away from this corner). Rembrandts has excellent bar menu, as well as well-above average pizza. Bishop's Collar, 24th & Fairmount. Also al fresco. Lively bar, tasty food. Illuminare on Fairmount between 23rd and 24th. Food is pretty good, as are the pizzas. Service can be a tad amateurish, but the setting and, in good weather, the patio present the most attractive dining spot in the neighborhood. (Frank Lloyd Wright-ish interior.) There's also a Greek restaurant, Zorba's Taverna, but it's only open for dinner (lunch is only Friday and Saturday, iirc). Standard fare, but well done, by and large. Figs (BYO), 25th & Meredith (a block or two north of Fairmount). Haven't been there in a while, but most diners remain quite satisfied. Brigid's, 24th & Meredith. Haven't been there in a bit. Mugshots, Fairmount & 21st. Coffeehouse with light sandwich menu. These are all about a five-to-eight blocks north of the Rodin Museum. There are closer coffee shop restaurants, but none worth recommending. Now, if you want fancy, there's always the Four Season's hotel. But there are also snack bars/cafeterias at the Franklin Institute and Academy of Natural Sciences. All three located at Logan Circle, just two blocks down the Parkway from the Rodin Museum. When you're at the Rodin Museum (one of my fav spaces in the neighborhood), try to find the one non-Rodin sculpture in the building. Hint: Blubber.

From Peter Genovese's May 12 piece, announcing the Munchmobile schedule for this season: Way to go John! The sacrifices you'll make for the advancement of science!

Ack! What, precisely, did you hear? What's the source? Rumor or in print/verifiable?

There's always tube steaks from Al Fresca's umbrella room, then walking 'em over to Rittenhouse Square.

I don't have an answer to your question, but a couple of weeks ago I purchased some chops from a Lancaster Countyman (PA) of a Berkshire-Tamworth cross. Nicely marbled, moist and excellent flavor. (I did brine it for an hour before grilling.)

Yeah, I could deep fry a Mrs. T's, but I'm a messy guy and get hot grease all over the place.

Life in the Fast-Food Lane - New York Times ← If I was born and raised in the Allentown area, I'd probably be upset. Nothing tastes better than the hot dog (or hamburger) of your youth, no matter how bad it truly is. In the case of Yocco's, I've got to agree with Mr. Bruni. It's a nothing dog with a nothing sauce. The only item in any way redeeming about Yocco's is the pierogi.

I've had a bag of those meatballs in the freezer for at least two months, so I pulled them out this past Sunday. I've spent hours making my own Swedish meatballs (Samuelsson's recipe) and while the frozen balls from Ikea aren't that good, they're good enough considering the labor that it takes to make homemade. I served them with a brown sauce with caramelized onions, mashed potatoes (instead of the traditional boiled), rutabagas (for She Who Must Be Obeyed; I can't abide "Swedes"); quick pickled Persian cucumbers; and lingonberry preserves. Perfect with some bag syrah. Hmmm? Jason, do you think an Ikea Meatball-Tater Tot casserole is worth pursuing?