Carman's Country Kitchen

[Holly Moore]

You are definitely unreasonable. Reasonableness is, of course, defined by what I think about any given subject. And, to a lesser extent, what Chris Cognac thinks.

This is indeed progress.

[cinghiale]

What about those guys from The Wire? We could ask them. But they might kill us. My brother-in-law, a cop in Connecticut, told me when that show came out, "Philly is a tough place."

The Wire is set in Bal-more. Last season did feature several trips to Philly, though -- including a visit to the "harbor" here. Yeah, right.

[Fat Guy]

Oops. It was Baltimore my brother-in-law was talking about. You're right. Philly cops are wimps by comparison!

[cinghiale]

I put myself through law school doing bail interviews in "The Tank" in the basement of the Round House. Dunno about Baltimore cops, but Philly cops can really dish it out. Then there's the quaint practice of giving arrestees a "ride" -- hands cuffed behind their backs, prisoners are tossed into the back of a van for a wild trip across Philly's poorly paved streets. One man suffered a permanent disability after one such ride. And don't forget John Timoney going toe-to-toe with the anarchos at the RNC.

[sara]

Y'know, while I like the food at CCK, that profile makes me not want to go back. 

No feeding cops?  Whatever.

You've gotta be kidding! This is classic Carman, in all her glory. I adore her, and her food. What a terrific piece.

[Andrew Fenton]

You've gotta be kidding! This is classic Carman, in all her glory. I adore her, and her food. What a terrific piece.

No, I'm not kidding. I'm sure that many people will be charmed by this article; but while I believe Holly when he says it's not accurate, I nonetheless found it obnoxious.

Edited November 15, 2003 by Andrew Fenton (log)

[Fat Guy]

As much as I like Carman, I would never set foot in a restaurant where cops (or firefighters, or military personnel) are refused service. And since Holly, who knows Carman about as well as anybody, says cops do get served there, I think the paper needs to clarify its statement.

[Chris Cognac]

You are definitely unreasonable. Reasonableness is, of course, defined by what I think about any given subject. And, to a lesser extent, what Chris Cognac thinks.

Not much lesser of an extent though!...

On a lighter note, I am watching QVC gourmet food show and I am sure glad I dont have my wallet with me in my lazy boy!

[katbert]

We went to Carman's on Saturday, which is much less packed than on Sunday, and had excellent pineapple+someotherfruit waffles topped with sugared cranberries, walnuts & yogurt, and a lovely chanterelle+othermushroom, onion, shallot, garlic and goat cheese omelette. Yum. The lunch choice was quail with currants. I wish they had a website or answering machine so that you could check the 4 menu choices before you decide to go. Ditto this for Sarcone's bakery- half the time the long loaves are gone when I get there.

kt

[Holly Moore]

Were you dressed as a police officer ?

[live2eat]

My 2cents.

Went there today (sat) for brunch, sat at the bar. Called ahead an hour or two before for reservations though it wasn't that packed. We had the Challah french toast with golden beets + mixed fruit + other stuff I cannot remember the waffles with pine nuts (and other stuff, my memory fails me).

The food was good, if a bit experimental. I'd avoid it if you're into more "standard" fare. Service guys were great, didn't meet Carmen... I wasn't "wowed" by the food, but I'd go there again.

[gbredben]

Stopped by Carman's for brunch today and ordered the veal sweetbread entree. Cooked with moral mushrooms, butter, a touch of cream and bread crumbs. Served with two eggs, home fries, and toast. A wonderful change of pace for breakfast. The sweetbreads are on the menu all this week.

[gbredben]

Can spelling be corrected on the topic?

[bleachboy]

LOL, I was thinking that myself, which is why I clicked on the topic -- was wondering if the spelling was intentional!

Veal sweetbreads... mmmm.. Never had them for breakfast, but in my opinion they have sort of a "SPAMmy" flavor and texture that I think would work quite well.

[Bux]

Oops, please forgive the spelling on the topic.  Where's the spellcheck when you need it!

Right, and check those mushrooms as well. I know Carman and she's an ethical woman, but part of her ethic would have been to use immoral mushrooms if she could have found any.

I assumed the topic was in homage to the slogan painted on the front doors of Carman's truck. Holly would know best.

[Holly Moore]

Since GBredBen asked that the more traditional spelling of "country" be substituted I have used my mystical and awesome moderator powers to do so.

Not that there's anything wrong with the original spelling

[gbredben]

Many thanks Holly!

[mrbigjas]

I went by this morning; had the sweetbreads and morels. They were quite fabulous. I really didn't need the eggs as well--but that didn't stop me from eating them anyway...

Edited May 30, 2004 by mrbigjas (log)

[Holly Moore]

Was there this morning too. I had the eggs and the smoked pork loin recommended as a side. Agree with mrb... on the fabulous part.

[KatieLoeb]

Oops, please forgive the spelling on the topic.  Where's the spellcheck when you need it!

Right, and check those mushrooms as well. I know Carman and she's an ethical woman, but part of her ethic would have been to use immoral mushrooms if she could have found any.

[mrbigjas]

Oh also my wife had the pancakes with summer squash, oregano, and... some other stuff. She liked them OK but had difficulty adjusting to the savory in pancakes--I on the other hand thought it was exactly what pancakes have been missing my whole life. They weren't a boring sweet starchfest like pancakes usually are (pancakes are one of the reasons I don't usually go out for brunch).

[Holly Moore]

Agree. Pancakes are perfect mediums for "savory." Carman does a savory pancake every month or two. I said elsewhere but her corn meal pancakes with fresh corn served last month are one of my all time favorites.

There used to be a place here that served chipped beef on pancakes. No longer, but the Melrose will do it for me.

And whenever I here of a place serving Chicken and Waffles I keep hoping it isn't a Roscoe's ripp-off (an LA restaurant serving a waffle and fried chicken combination) but rather like my mother used to make with creamed chicken or more commonly left over creamed turkey topping the waffle. Comfort food you can jump into and snuggle around in.

[mrbigjas]

Chicken and waffles (or more often chicken and biscuits--the biscuits made with the chicken fat skimmed from making the stewed chicken the day before) was a regular dinner at my house growing up. In fact, they were one of my favorite meals. When Jones showed up with chicken and waffles on the menu, I was pretty psyched, but then it came out with fried chicken on top, which frightened and confused me. Other than that, it was pretty similar to my mom's version, which is straight out of upstate PA.

Damn I love that stuff.

[Lisa1349]

I was under the impression waffles with fried chicken was born in the South. With fried chicken is how it is served at southern food places in NYC.

[Kim WB]

Hi..info on location, please?