2 Days in Philly

[Kobi]

Hi all,

Spent a day and a half in Philadelphia and did a lot of eating. Started off Thursday morning with a trip to Reading Terminal Market, where we shared a few things: a pretzel, a cheesesteak from Ricks (whiz with, hot peppers), smothered chicken and mac and cheese from Delilah's and ribs from the Rib Stand in the corner:

Thursday afternoon we went to the Phillies game then McFadden's postgame for a few. For dinner, we had an amazing time at Amada. The only drawback was that the lighting wasn't great for pictures, but the dishes I remember are (there were three of us):

1 - Mixed cheese plate, which was fantastic

2 - Serrano ham and mixto cured meats, which was basic but a nice interlude

3 - The garlic shrimp, which was the only dissapointing dish

4 - Patatas bravas, which were great and had a great kick

5 - Tortilla espanola with saffron aioli- Great, inventive, tasty dish.

6 - Beef tenderloin filet with foie gras and cabrales - AMAZING dish. I liked it more without the cabrales (which I found a little overwhelming), but all three of us loved it.

7 - Paella Valenciana - Phenomenal. The chicken was great, and while I didn't eat the chorizo both of my dinner companions loved it. I only wish I had more room for it.

Friday morning started at La Colombe with a latte:

Then Friday afternoon we sat outside at Rouge:

for a late lunch of the Rouge Burger and fries, definitely the best burger I have had in months, perhaps longer than that:

capped off by a trip to Capogiro Gelato for dessert:

A short trip but we managed to fit in some great food stops. Sorry for the picture quality, it was a cell phone.

- KOBI

Edited August 19, 2006 by Kobi (log)

[Holly Moore]

Ya did good Kobi. And I'm particularly jealous of what looks like an actual medium rare burger from Rouge. That's what I order and almost always it comes out medium or well which is why I've stopped ordering $15 burgers at Rouge.

[philadining]

Yeah, I agree with Holly, nice job! Sounds like a great trip.

So, we often sneer at Steve's Prince of Steaks in the Terminal, but how was it?

[docsconz]

Thursday must have been a great day to be in Philly, go to a ballgame and eat. It looks like you did quite well indeed. I wouldn't have minded being at any of those places, esp. the ballgame. Unfortunately I couldn't have said the same about the ballgame on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday

[Kobi]

PD,

I have very conflicted feelings about Rick's.

A few years ago, on my first trip, I had what I would unquestionably term a "great" cheesesteak there. Ever since, however, I always seem to think that my next visit wasn't as good as my last. The steak is sliced, as I prefer, the rolls are great, and ofcourse the atmosphere is the best, but the onions are too sweet for my taste, they never seem to put enough whiz, and the hot peppers aren't my preferred variety. That said, they do make a pretty big sandwich and I did enjoy it, although certainly not as much as that first one

- KOBI

[philadining]

Whoops, right, Rick's, dunno why I called it Steve's.

That's the sense I had from the last time I had one there, which as a long time ago, that it' wasn't terrible, but just not the ultimate cheesesteak, and there are so many other great things to eat in the Terminal... Thanks for the update!

[MarketStEl]

Whoops, right, Rick's, dunno why I called it Steve's.

That's the sense I had from the last time I had one there, which as a long time ago, that it' wasn't terrible, but just not the ultimate cheesesteak, and there are so many other great things to eat in the Terminal...  Thanks for the update!

←

Maybe you were channeling the real Steve's Prince of Steaks in the Northeast.

When Rick Oliveri opened his establishment in the Reading Terminal ca. 1986, he called it "Rick's Prince of Steaks" in reference to the Oliveri family line. Steve, however, had already christened his establishment "Prince of Steaks" two or three years earlier in reference to the quality of his product (since the name "King of Steaks" was still Pat's, he had to settle for heir to the throne in name, though not in fact--Steve's cheesesteak is definitely better than Pat's). I don't know when Steve trademarked the phrase, but I imagine it was done in response to Rick opening a place with the same name.

[JanMcBaker]

Hi all,

Spent a day and a half in Philadelphia and did a lot of eating.  Started off Thursday morning with a trip to Reading Terminal Market, where we shared a few things: a pretzel, a cheesesteak from Ricks (whiz with, hot peppers), smothered chicken and mac and cheese from Delilah's and ribs from the Rib Stand in the corner:

A short trip but we managed to fit in some great food stops.  Sorry for the picture quality, it was a cell phone.

- KOBI

←

Kobi--

Looks like a great trip, and good pictures, even if it was a cell phone! Glad you had such good time. But now you have to come back again and get a proper, fresh-baked, butter-slathered pretzel from the Amish stand in the Reading Terminal Market!

[docsconz]

Hi all,

Spent a day and a half in Philadelphia and did a lot of eating.  Started off Thursday morning with a trip to Reading Terminal Market, where we shared a few things: a pretzel, a cheesesteak from Ricks (whiz with, hot peppers), smothered chicken and mac and cheese from Delilah's and ribs from the Rib Stand in the corner:

A short trip but we managed to fit in some great food stops.  Sorry for the picture quality, it was a cell phone.

- KOBI

←

Kobi--

Looks like a great trip, and good pictures, even if it was a cell phone! Glad you had such good time. But now you have to come back again and get a proper, fresh-baked, butter-slathered pretzel from the Amish stand in the Reading Terminal Market!

←

They are certainly the best pretzels that I have ever had! It is certainly worth a trip to the Market for those alone.

[KatieLoeb]

Kobi:

Glad you made it to our fair city and had such a nice time. Good to see we're still representin' properly.

The Ternera con Cabrales is probably my one "don't miss" menu item at Amada, so I'm glad others are enjoying it as much as I do. It's just crazy deliciousness.

You made a pretty good dent for a short trip. Most impressive. Let us know if you need any guidance for the next round...

[I_call_the_duck]

Thursday must have been a great day to be in Philly, go to a ballgame and eat. It looks like you did quite well indeed. I wouldn't have minded being at any of those places, esp. the ballgame. Unfortunately I couldn't have said the same about the ballgame on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday

←

Word, docsconz. I was seriously contemplating playing hookey myself that afternoon. Perfect day for a ballgame (my formerly gloating co-worker was pretty quiet on Friday, heh-heh). Kobi, did you try anything at the park, or did you have enough at Reading Terminal?

[Kobi]

Didn't have anything at the park, but my friends had some standard ballpark fare (pretzels, water ice, etc). I've had both TL and Geno's (when it was still there) in the past, but this time decided it'd be more prudent to save some room for dinner.

-------

Thanks for all the comments,

KOBI