Carmine's Creole Cafe in Narberth

[Rich Pawlak]

I would be remiss if I didnt post a note here with huge kudos to

Charlie Mayer (for hosting and orghanizing) and John Mims and his staff

(for an absolutely fabulous meal) for one of the best DDC dinners in a

long time. We're lucky, and almost every one of our gatherings have

been over the top fantastic, but this dinner was truly superb, start to

finish, with chickory coffee to boot! And great cameraderie with a

lovely bunch of fellow diners.

Truly, a kickass meal, Charlie.

[KatieLoeb]

I'm SO bummed I missed this. I'd have been there if there were any way for it to happen. Restaurant is opening on Friday and I just spent another 13 hour day helping set it up. My life will be my own again soon...

Sooooo...tell us about dinner! Whadja have??? Who took pictures?

[philadining]

First, I'll join in the thanks to Charlie for getting this together, it was a great dinner and a really fun evening. And thanks to Chef Mims for some excellent food.

I was so frazzled from the rain-slowed drive that I forgot to take a picture of perhaps the post impressive-looking item all night: an amuse-bouche of a HUGE raw oyster topped with bright red roe and a drizzle of sauce. Go ahead, imagine it...

Duck and Andouille Gumbo (my fave...)

Blackened Skate and Fried Oysters in Browned Butter

Braised Beef Short Ribs w/ Crawfish Smoked Gouda Grits

Sticky Bun Bread Pudding

(it was in-focus in real life....)

The gumbo was really excellent, deep flavored and spacy, with a good amount of duck meat and sausage. I'd go back just for that. My skate wasn't "blackened" in any sense that I've encountered at Cajun places, yet it was a touch overcooked, but hey, he's trying to get 35 of them off the line at the same time! The crunchy fried oyster was fabulous. The shortribs were rich and tender, and the very creamy grits hid little nuggets of crawfish. And the sticky bun bread pudding wasn't as sweet as it sounds, just right with a cup of chicory-tinged coffee.

Really enjoyable meal, and cool to meet some more eGulleteers in the flesh, and plenty of other fine folks as well. Thanks again Charlie!

Edited October 12, 2005 by philadining (log)

[shacke]

I also had a great time and was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers - 39 people! Wow.

It was nice to meet some new people, gulleteers and then some.

Evan

[phungi]

I have not yet been to the new locale, but went to their original site often. Do they still serve the crab claw appetizer? This is my favorite appy anywhere!

Edited October 12, 2005 by phungi (log)

[Diann]

I have not yet been to the new locale, but went to their original site often.  Do they still serve the crab claw appetizer?  This is my favorite appy anywhere!

←

It looks like they do: Carmine's Dinner Menu

John Mims is awesome. I adored that short rib (although I don't think it's on the regular menu) and the sticky bun bread pudding (which, thankfully, IS on the menu). And it was nice to finally meet some eGullet faces!

[Mummer]

Thanks for coming, everyone. I'm pleased that others enjoyed the meal as much as I did.

It was great that John and the staff were into the DDC.

From the former department - My favorite at the old location was the foie gras and onions app. That's not on the menu anymore.

From the future department - One of our servers told me that they planned to offer a tasiting menu as a dining option in the future.

[Scoats]

Wow, those pix are making me hungry. I'm very disappointed that I had to miss it. On a postive note, I had a winning dart last night and we won the night 11-2.

[cdh]

Beautiful pictures. Sad I couldn't make it to taste everything. I'm drooling at the thought of the amuse. Mmmmmmmmmmm... oyster....

Keep an eye on the DDC mailing list for details on the upcoming event I'm putting together out in the country on Nov 1.

[Rich Pawlak]

I also had a great time and was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers - 39 people!  Wow.

It was nice to meet some new people, gulleteers and then some. 

Evan

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39 is about an average turnout; we sometimes hit the 70s in attendance.

[SG-]

One of my last meals in Philly before I moved to SF recently was at Carmine's!

Enjoyed it very much, I'm dissapointed I did not go sooner.

[SaxChik]

I was so frazzled from the rain-slowed drive that I forgot to take a picture of perhaps the post impressive-looking item all night: an amuse-bouche of a HUGE raw oyster topped with bright red roe and a drizzle of sauce. Go ahead, imagine it...

Shoulda taken the R5 with me! The walk was a wee bit wet, but otherwise, no traffic.

The dinner was great fun and it was nice to meet new people. I'm glad Rich finally figured out who I was, since we always seem to sit near each other at these events.

The bread pudding coupled with Rich's Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale was a near sexual experience.

Thanks Charlie!