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Asian, Food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Sushi, USA

Happy Hour at Yakitori Boy (Philadelphia, USA)

September 7, 2013 No Comments

As some of you probably know by now, I love sushi. It’s the one food that I can never get enough of, and I’m constantly excited about the possibilities it offers up to people. So, when I heard about the Luau Happy Hour event that Yakitori Boy was throwing the other week, my friend, Betty, and I jumped at the chance to go. The opportunity to try some of their food, in addition to getting to sing karaoke there was something I couldn’t say no to.

The event consisted of drinks, hot appetizers, and an array of sushi that all made me drool as I watched them go by on trays held by waiters wearing leis. One of the drinks that I tried that evening was their Cucumber Martini. It was easily one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had and was great for a hot summer night since it was so crisp and refreshing. If I hadn’t already tried a few other drinks at the bar, I probably would have gotten a second one.

Although the drinks definitely impressed me, I’m always more interested in the food anywhere I go. Luckily, Yakitori Boy made an impression with that as well. We had the opportunity to try a handful of their hot appetizers including the Gyoza, Shrimp Tempura, Pork Sausage, and Chicken Meatballs. The Gyoza Dumplings were crunchy on the outside, but had a lot of tender meat on the inside. I definitely grabbed at least one every time the waiter walked by and by the end of the evening, I’m sure he knew they were my favorite.

While I loved the hot appetizers, I couldn’t leave without trying some of their sushi. The roll that made the biggest impact on my opinion of this restaurant was the California Roll. California Rolls are usually the last thing I want to get at any sushi restaurant, but this roll at Yakitori Boy has changed my mind. The roll was surprising because it didn’t taste like the boring, bland California Rolls I usually try, but rather included very fresh ingredients that showed me how a simple roll can still be sensational.

Yakitori Boy is definitely going on my list as one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Philly after this experience. In addition to having quality food, the atmosphere is a lot of fun and the people are friendly. They also run tons of great specials from Sunday to Thursday that are great for my college budget. I imagine I’ll be going back to Yakitori Boy soon, even if it is just to grab another one of those Cucumber Martinis and sing some karaoke.

Brunch, Food, French food, Macarons, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, USA

Brunch at Café La Maude (Philadelphia, PA)

August 28, 2013 3 Comments

This past Sunday, a friend and I decided to get brunch at Café La Maude. I hadn’t heard of it before, but when I learned that it was a French-Lebanese fusion restaurant, I was definitely intrigued. I resisted looking at the menu beforehand though, so I could be surprised about how they achieved this combination.

We ended up stopping in around noon, and while it was busy, we were seated almost immediately.This café in Northern Liberties has a distinctly French feel to it, but the brunch menu includes options for both French and Mediterranean food lovers. Although it took a few minutes for the waitress to get our orders, water was promptly brought to our table, and when our waitress did arrive, we received apologies for the delay.

After ordering a latte that was offered with either one or two shots, we decided to try out two dishes that morning, the Eggs Benedict and the Croque Vert. My Eggs Benedict were some of the best I’ve had in ages. The eggs were poached perfectly as they were firmer on the outside and runny on the inside. Besides the eggs, the other elements of this meal were spot on.

These eggs came with a choice of two options, you could either get a more traditional dish with Canadian bacon and brie, or you could get your eggs with smoked salmon and cream cheese. I opted for the latter, and while the cream cheese added an extra richness to the dish, the salmon is what really took it to the next level. The smoked salmon created deeper, smokier flavors than what the Canadian bacon usually adds to the meal. I found myself wishing I could order a second helping once I was done.

My meal also came with a simple petite salad, fruit, and a potato croquet. The fruits and vegetables were crisp and tasted like they were picked at the height of the season. Although I didn’t think there was anything spectacular about the croquet on my plate, it was the only thing I could complain about, and I would say these Eggs Benedict are something I would gladly get again.

The Croque Vert was also fantastic, and great for anyone who enjoys the sweet and savory combination. Coming on a French Toast bun, this dish is topped with two poached eggs, zucchini, avocado, tomato, and spinach. Although all of these flavors all work well with each other, the best part for me was the béchamel sauce that topped it. The sauce was phenomenal and managed to bring all of the elements of the dish together.

Overall, this was a flavorful meal with really fresh ingredients. If it had been appropriate to do so, I probably would have licked my plate. In addition to the phenomenal food, the waitstaff was friendly, which makes any meal better in my opinion. My friend was so pleased with here meal, she decided to take home some of the macarons they had. She only got two, but her options included vanilla, coffee, and lemon flavored treats!

Even though I have had great brunches at places like Parc and Le Pain Quotidien, I will say that the brunch offered here is fun, delicious, and something I will be thinking about for a long time to come. If you’re looking for a new brunch option in Philly, I wouldn’t recommend any place more highly than Café La Maude.

BYOB, Food, Italian food, Pasta, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Pizza

Philly’s Best Italian Restaurants (Philadelphia, USA)

August 21, 2013 No Comments

Italian food is something that just about everyone is familiar with, especially in Philadelphia. Since the city does have such a big Italian population, there is no shortage of Italian restaurants around the city. That being said, some are more satisfying than others and really go above and beyond to provide a delicious meal for foodies.

1. Modo Mio

Modo Mio, located in Northern Liberties, is definitely one Italian place that is not to be missed. This BYOB restaurant has both A La Carte and Turistica menus in order to satisfy all customers. The Menu Turistica is a prixe fix menu that provides diners with a four course meal. This is a great option for people who want to try a variety of things and have are having a hard time deciding which tasty meal they want to order.

If you want to opt for the A La Carte menu instead, some of the offerings include Risotto Fritti, which is a crispy fried risotto cake, and Zuppe di Pesce, a seafood stew.

If you are a lover of Italian food, you’ll undoubtedly be able to find something you like here. Modo Mio offers up everything from lamb to veal to the even more adventurous calves tongue, so you can be sure that if you like trying new things, you’ll be able to do it here.

Dessert is another part of the meal that shouldn’t be skipped at Modo Mio. Some of the desserts you can get are a Flourless Chocolate Cake or the more traditional Tiramisu. If you like Italian desserts, get the latter of these two because this tiramisu is both light and fluffy.

With a menu that changes to accommodate the change in seasons, you’re guaranteed to get a fresh, phenomenal meal at Modo Mio. I’m willing to check out any Italian restaurant that includes the Italian specialty meat, rabbit, on the menu, but if that doesn’t sway you, there are tons of other things on the menu to fulfill you.

2. Osteria

This restaurant is one that certainly deserves all of the buzz it generates. Osteria’s Chef won the 2010 James Beard Foundation Award which should speak for itself. I’ve only eaten here once, but it was one of the most phenomenal dining experiences I have had in Philly.

The dinner menu here is pretty extensive, and all of the dishes I tried on it were fantastic. Some great meals to check out are the Slow Roasted Pork Belly, the Wood Grilled Octopus, the Chicken Liver Rigatoni, and the East Coast Halibut. All of these dishes have a lot of layers to them, but still manage to capture the difficult simplicity of Italian cuisine.

Although I’ve only tried the rigatoni, I’m sure any pasta dish here would be amazing. The pasta at Osteria is hand-made, something which really makes any dish superior since so many Italian restaurants opt for pre-made pasta to save time.

If you’re not in the mood for pasta, Osteria also has a wide selection of pizzas to choose from. The pizza options begin with the traditional, light Magherita pizza and end with pizzas like the Lombarda which comes with a baked egg, bitto cheese, mozzarella, and cotechino sausage. With options like these, any thin-crust pizza lover can find at least one pizza on the menu to try.

If you haven’t been to Osteria, it’s time to check it out. If you have, it may be time to return. This inviting, hip restaurant appeals to a wide audience, so if you do decide to go, the best thing to do would be to make a reservation. Once you do this, you’ll be ready to experience one of Philly’s best Italian restaurants.

3. La Viola

Although La Viola is a non-Italian family owned business, this restaurant provides diners with some fantastic Italian food. In fact, La Viola is such a busy spot that the family ended up opening La Viola West right across the street from the original BYOB location. The West location is open seven days a week while East location is closed on Mondays. However, each location differs slightly in hours, so in order to keep from getting confused, it’s best to make a reservation beforehand.

Some review-worthy appetizers are the Insalata Caesar and the Zuppetta di Cozze. The zuppetta is a bowl of mussels that you can either get with a white wine sauce or a red tomato sauce. I’ve tried both, and while they are good, the plum tomato sauce has a lot of flavor and a hint of spice to it, so it’s definitely the winner of the two.

Another featured dish is the Vitello alla Viola, a dish consisting of veal medallions, seasonal fruit, and prosciutto di parma. There is also another plate called Ravioli alla Viola which is a rich lobster ravioli meal served with a creamy rose sauce. No matter what you get though, La Viola is guaranteed to satisfy any diner looking for Italian food in the Rittenhouse Square area.

4. Amis

Right in Washington Square, Amis is a Marc Vetri owned Italian restaurant. If you’re not near Osteria, but you’re craving Italian food, Amis is a great restaurant to visit. The menu is large enough so that everyone can find something to eat, but still focused.

The menu is split up into sections like Bruschetta and Antipasti di Pesce that make it easy for diners to jump right to the type of food that they want for that night. While there isn’t a laundry list of options for sections like Bruschetta, the options that Amis offers up are great.

Another thing that makes Amis stand out from the hordes of Italian restaurants in the city is that they make all their Salumi in house. When you order the Salami del Giorno or the Mixed Salumi Plate, you know you’re going to get some of the highest quality food out there.

With creamy polenta, salty pecorino, and tender meats, Amis hits each dish out of the ballpark. While this may seem like enough to make any restaurant a hot spot, Amis also has several inventive pasta dishes to keep customers coming back for more.

Dishes like the Roman classic, Cacio e Pepe, and Paccheri with Swordfish and Eggplant Fries are only a few of the pasta options on the menu. Amis is able to keep diners interested and it’s not surprising that it has a dedicated following. If you’re on the search for fantastic Italian food in the city, Amis is one restaurant that should definitely be on your list.

I’ve never met anyone that downright dislikes Italian food, but if they did, I’m sure that if I took them to any of these restaurants, they would change their mind. With homemade pasta, fresh ingredients, and creative dishes, all of these places are some of Philly’s brightest stars in the restaurant scene.

Asia, BYOB, Food, Israeli Cuisine, Kabob, Middle East, Moroccan Food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Turkish

Philly’s Best Ethnic Treasures (Philadelphia, USA)

July 30, 2013 No Comments

I love just about every type of food out there and one great thing about Philly is that it provides people with a lot of options. In some parts of the city you’re within walking distance to Moroccan, Greek, and Lebanese cuisine. I’m still on the search for a great Iranian restaurant, but I have found several other truly nice ethnic restaurants here. These places are restaurants that don’t Americanize their food and offer up more than just a great meal. If you’re looking for a more authentic food experience outside of your comfort zone any of the places on this list are great ones to check out.

1. Leziz Turkish Cuisine

I first heard about Leziz Turkish Cuisine from Tala’s review of the restaurant a few months ago and decided to try it with some friends one night. This place was ideal considering most of us are in college and want to eat at restaurants that are affordable yet still good. Since we were starving that night, we split some appetizers. We ordered the Babaganush and the Hummus. Both of the light spreads had great flavor to them, and I really loved the babaganush since I adore just about any dish that includes eggplant in it.

After our appetizers, we decided to order a few things for dinner and split them as well. The dishes we ended up getting included the Lamb Shish Kebab and the Skewer Chicken Kebab with Yogurt. I enjoyed the lamb dish and found that it was juicy and succulent. I love lamb, but for people who often shy away from the meat because they think it has a gamey taste to it, this may not be the dish for them. However, a good alternative is the chicken kebab skewer that we also tried that night. It offers up all the delicious flavors that kebab normally has, but is done with a meat that has a milder flavor to it. Both dishes were filling and all of the meat we had that night was very tender, which is always the most important thing for me with any meat dish I get. I hope to try this restaurant out again, especially since we got to end our meal with a nice, relaxing hookah, something I always enjoy!

2. Uzbekistan

Although this cozy BYOB restaurant isn’t right in the center of Philadelphia, the food is worth the drive you have to make. With a pretty extensive menu, this Russian/Uzbek cuisine is flavorful and will please many palates. I like to think of this place as a great winter restaurant because they have food that will warm you up on a chilly night. One dish that does this is the Chuchvara which is a soup that has tender dumplings in it. A lot of the menu is dedicated to various dumplings, so even if you decide to skip this soup, you should try at least one dish that has this specialty in it. After a soup or a salad, one good main course to get is the Beef Stroganoff. This meal consists of sliced beef, mushrooms, and sour cream, and is packed with flavor while also having a homey feel to it. This dish comes with potatoes and salad, so after a meal at this place you’ll feel pretty full. If you’re looking to try something new, but also want food that is mild, Uzbekistan is a great restaurant to go to on a cold evening out.

3. Marrakesh

I adore Marrakesh because your entire experience at the restaurant is always fantastic and fun. This is a restaurant you’ll want to come to hungry. You start your experience by knocking on an unassuming door where you’re greeted and led to your seats. You’ll walk past some oriental rugs hanging on the wall before you sit down and really begin the Marrakesh experience. Before you eat, you’ll wash off your hands because this restaurant strives to really provide an authentic experience, so all the food is either picked up with your hands or with slices of warm pita bread.

While you don’t have tons of options on what kind of food you’ll get since it is a prix fixe-style restaurant, you will get a gluttonous portion of food. My absolute favorite thing here is the Spicy Chicken in Cumin Sauce. I rarely choose chicken as a main course because I think there are so many more exciting meats out there, but this chicken is a must have. It is incredibly tender and comes served falling off of the bone. This chicken makes my mouth water the second I smell it and practically melts in my mouth every time I eat it. The great thing about it is that it has a nice amount of spice to it without being too spicy. After you gorge yourself on the chicken, Lamb with Almonds and Honey, and Couscous Grand Atlas, you’ll be provided dessert. Here, dessert consists of Fruit, Baklava, and Hot Mint Tea. I have never been a fan of baklava because honeyed desserts don’t really do anything for me, but my friends love the baklava here, so I’m sure it’s great for anyone who likes this Middle Eastern treat. I really enjoy the fruit and hot mint tea though because I always need something sweet to end a meal, and these two things fulfill that desire without making me feel even more stuffed.

Marrakesh is a great restaurant for a group of friends or for a date, although you may want to skip it as a first date spot since eating with your hands can get a bit awkward. It’s especially nice to come by on the weekends when they have belly dancers!

4. Abyssinia Ethiopian

This restaurant is another place where you’re getting a quality meal for a low cost. I had my first experience with Ethiopian food here and I thought it was fantastic! I probably pronounced just about everything I ordered the wrong way, but my embarrassment was gone with the first bite of food. My favorite dish here is the Gored Gored which is a plate that comes with cubes of beef in berbere sauce and mixed in butter. If you really want to appreciate the beef, it should be ordered rare or medium rare, and the Ethiopian spices only enhance the taste. The berbere sauce is undoubtedly hot since it has sun-dried jalapenos in it, but if you can take the heat, this shouldn’t be skipped over. This place is also great for vegetarians since so much of the Ethiopian diet consists of beans and lentils. The one vegetarian dish that I tried here was the Ye’misir Alicha. This thick stew is filling and comes with green lentils, onions, and ginger. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food before, but want to experience it, Abyssinia Ethiopian is the place to try.

5. Zahav

Anthony Bourdain made the right choice when he went to Zahav during his trip to Philly last year. This restaurant deserves all the praise it receives, and while I’ve only had the joy of eating here once, I fully plan on eating at this restaurant again. My favorite thing to start with here is the Asparagus Salad. This salad comes with a tuna confit, egg yolk, and black olives, and is satisfying on so many flavor levels. I also adore the Yemenite Soup that includes brisket, onions, and chickpeas. The soup is so good that I honestly can say that I wouldn’t mind bathing in it. If neither of these dishes sound like your cup of tea, there are enough other options for starters for every kind of palate.

After a few of their delicious small plates, I hardly had room for a main course, but I knew I’d regret skipping out on a main meal at a restaurant like Zahav, so I tried the Duck Kebab. Duck is by far my favorite type of meat, and these kebabs only made me love it more. The meat was juicy, and the pistachios and saffron that accompanied the duck helped to enhance the flavor of the bird. Duck is a great type of meat for all kinds of people because it is more exciting than chicken, but doesn’t have that overwhelmingly gamey taste that venison or lamb has for some people. Out of all of the restaurants on this list, Zahav is the one I hope to go back to the soonest because I have only been able to dine here once, so there are tons of things on the menu I still want to try.

While this list is compiled of some of my favorite restaurants in Philly that are a bit different from the usual burger joints and bars, I still have dozens of ethnic restaurants to try out. I haven’t been to any Lebanese or Indian places, and as I stated above, I’m still on the search for a fantastic Iranian restaurant, but out of the restaurants I’ve tried, these are some of the best. I have always loved eating out, but even more than that, I have always loved being introduced to new cuisine, so these places all hold a special place in my foodie heart for providing me with some unique and unforgettable meals.

Brunch, Cuban, Food, French food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Seafood, Steak

Stephen Starr’s Greatest Restaurants (Philadelphia, USA)

July 17, 2013 No Comments

If there is one name that every foodie knows in Philly, it’s Stephen Starr. With tons of restaurants all over the east coast, Starr has really made a name for himself. This is especially true in Philadelphia, the city with the biggest variety of restaurants owned by him. Each restaurant is completely different in atmosphere, food, and clientele, but they all provide an experience that you won’t forget. Since there are so many to choose from, and some are definitely better than others, it’s always nice to know which should be the first ones you check out.

1. Parc

I have been to Parc many times over the past few years. As a self-proclaimed Francophile, it is one of my favorite Starr restaurants. Located right on the corner of Rittenhouse Square Park, with several tables outside facing the park, this restaurant strives to give customers a French Bistro experience. I have had lunch, brunch, and dinner here, and I have enjoyed my meal each time. If you do choose to have brunch here on a Sunday, I suggest making a reservation well in advance because come Thursday or Friday some of your only time options are 2 p.m., which is just a bit too late for me.

If you do have to wait though, the food is worth it. I recommend the Chicken Liver Parfait, Heirloom Tomato Salad, French Onion Soup, and the Lamb Sandwich which is my personal favorite. If you have brunch here and want a nice drink, the French is a light cocktail of gin, orange liquor, lemon juice, and sparkling wine that is perfect for the late morning and early afternoon. No matter what time you go, I’m sure the meal you get will be just as satisfying as the ones that I have gotten here.

2. Alma de Cuba

No Starr restaurant has blown me away more than Alma de Cuba. I came here for the first time with a group of girlfriends and we all loved the food. Some of the dishes we ordered for main courses were the Rum Cured Duck Breast, Sea Scallops, and the Cuban Shrimp and Grits. Since we all tried each other’s dishes, I can attest to the fact that all of the meals were incredibly appetizing and left us sated, especially the heavier shrimp and grits dish. If you want to try more than just the main meals offered here, the Sweet Plantains are delicious and make you feel as though you’re really eating in Cuba. As always, when I went, I left room for dessert and so did my friends, so we tried both the Chocolate Cigar and the Coffee and Donuts. Both were sweet ends to the night and we ended the meal on a high note.

3. Butcher and Singer

Butcher and Singer is a restaurant for those who are passionate about steak and are willing to pay top dollar for it. If you are one of those people, there is no better place to get a steak in the city. I always go for a nice medium rare Filet Mignon, and the ones here are so incredibly tender that it’s like cutting through butter. All of their sides are a la carte, but if you only want one, it has to be the Stuffed Hash Browns which go well with any steak dish. There are some fish dishes on the menu, but for you price you are paying for the food and the glamorous marble that surrounds you, this restaurant best caters to the steak-lovers out there who are looking for a trendy night out.

4. The Dandelion

This restaurant is by far one of my favorite Starr restaurants when I think about overall experience. Personally, I found the dogs that decorated the walls of one room cute and I think they added character to the restaurant. While the atmosphere does remind one of the United Kingdom, the food also adds to this atmosphere as well. To start, we ordered the Butter Lettuce Salad and the Terrine of Hen, Ham Hock and Foie Gras. While these two starters were good, out of the two, the terrine is not to be missed as it is an incredibly flavorful dish. As both a lamb and a meat pie lover, the Lamb Shepherd’s Pie I received here was delicious and filling. The food here clearly has an emphasis on English pub food with an American twist to it, so there is something on the menu for everyone. I have a whole list of foods that I now hope to try there including the Rabbit Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Sticky Toffee Pudding, a dessert I ate many times while I was in the U.K.

5. El Vez

This Mexican restaurant is by far one of the more laid back Starr restaurants on this list, nevertheless it still offers up good food. Some things that my friends and I always start out with are the El Vez Guacamole and one of the salsas, more often than not the Cactus and Crab Salsa. After that, it’s up to you and your preferences as to what Mexican dish you want to get, but I know that both the Carne Asada and the Pibil Pork Tacos are amazing. All of the meat I have had here is tender and I haven’t complained yet. The restaurant gets especially lively on days such as Cinco de Mayo, which isn’t really my scene, but if margaritas, sombreros, and a large crowd are your thing, you may want to check this place out on that date!

There are tons of Starr restaurants in Philly, and I haven’t heard bad things about any of them, but this list is a good starting point if you haven’t been to one of his restaurants before. If you are a seasoned Starr diner, I’m sure you have your own top five list. Starr restaurants have all delivered on quality and experience when I have been to them, and I’m sure that level of quality isn’t changing anytime soon.

Asian, Food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Seafood, Sushi

Philly’s Best Sushi Restaurants (Philadelphia, USA)

July 14, 2013 1 Comment

People who know me are well aware of the fact that if I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life it would be sushi. When I was recently in London, I ate sushi three days in a row because I hadn’t had any since I had left for Spain in January. While I loved that sushi was so popular in London, I missed some of my favorite sushi places in Philadelphia. Since I have tried so many places out, I thought I’d share my list of the top places to get sushi in the city.

1. Fat Salmon

Whenever I go out for sushi, at least one of my rolls has to have some salmon in it, and I can’t imagine a better place to get salmon than a restaurant that is named after the fish. My friends and I tried this restaurant out this past winter, and we all loved it. I ordered the Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll, the Philly Roll, and a serving of the Salmon Sashimi. Philly rolls are one of my favorites; I loved the roll here because it came with the traditional smoked salmon and cream cheese, but also had asparagus in it which added a new element to it.

The interior is like many other sushi places in the city: small with a modern look to it. Since it is so small I would suggest making reservations or coming early. Either way, I think this restaurant serves up some really good sushi at a reasonable price and I imagine I will be returning sometime soon.

2. Vic Sushi Bar

I have been to Vic Sushi Bar once before and I know that Tala has also given this place a positive review. If you’re in the Rittenhouse area, this is the place to go. I especially like this restaurant because the menu consists of mainly sushi and sashimi, whereas many other restaurants try to cater to people who are not fans of sushi. The fish is really fresh and the sushi is fun and inventive.

When I went, I ordered the Sansom Roll, which I thought was appropriate seeing as my friends and I were right on Sansom street. This roll consisted of shrimp tempura, crab stick, and avocado, and was topped with a number of things, including salmon and eel sauce. I would definitely order it again, but since there are so many neat rolls on the menu, it will probably be awhile before I manage to do so.

3. Pod

Pod, a restaurant opened by Stephen Starr, is certainly one of the larger sushi restaurants in Philly. The modern atmosphere draws in the young, hip crowds that like to hang out in the University City area. This modern atmosphere is reinforced by martinis with names like Blue and Orange. However, the menu is extensive and there is much more than just sushi on it. When I went, I got the Rainbow Roll and the Calamari Salad.

The Rainbow Roll was very good and I loved the Calamari Salad with its lemongrass dressing. Oftentimes, I get two rolls when I go out for sushi, but I feel so full afterwards, so the light calamari salad was a nice way to help fill me up without making me feel stuffed. It may not be the first sushi place that I think of when I want to get some, especially since it’s on the pricier end of sushi in Philly, but it is a nice place to check out if you’re in the area.

4. Umai Umai

This restaurant is another winner in the Philadelphia area. While it is a pricier restaurant like Pod, this place is BYOB and has some amazing sushi. Located in the Fairmount area, this tiny restaurant has a strong following of customers. I was brought here by a friend, and the two rolls that I heard consistently mentioned by people who had eaten here were the Traffic Light Roll and the Godzilla Roll. I only ordered the latter of the two when I went, but it was one of the best rolls I’ve ever had. I’ve never come across another roll like it as the Godzilla Roll included shrimp tempura, eel, avocado, honey and, most shockingly, strawberry. This has been one of the most creative rolls I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to go back and try the Traffic Light Roll!

Out of the sushi restaurants I have tried in Philadelphia, these four places are the best. Sushi is one of my favorite foods, and I’m always looking to try out new places and new rolls. I’m sure there are dozens of others out there waiting to be discovered, and I can’t wait to try them!

Beach, Fish, Food, Oysters, Seafood, Summer, USA

Dinner at Big Fish Grill (Rehoboth Beach, USA)

July 7, 2013 2 Comments

One restaurant that my family always goes to when we’re down at the beach is Big Fish Grill. This restaurant is ideal for large groups due to its size, but there is always a wait after five p.m. The wait was particularly bad this past Friday when we went as we were told the wait was two hours to get a table, a number that I noticed led to several other parties leaving.

However, since it’s tradition we waited it out and eventually got seated an hour-and-a-half later. The restaurant certainly has the easy-going feel of a beach restaurant to it, so it’s not a place to go to if you’re looking for a nice, quiet atmosphere, but it is a nice place to eat if you want a large selection of pretty good seafood and quick service.

Since we were all pretty hungry, we ordered a few appetizers and drinks. One of the drink specials for the night was a Star Spangled Tini. This tasty drink was a mixture of Stoli Razz, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Only one person in our group ordered it, but it was definitely appreciated by the entire table for its festive presentation.

As we waited for our starters, our waiter brought out some crackers and a homemade smoked tuna dip, which is what they serve in place of bread and butter. We decided to start with the fried oysters, fried calamari, and garlic bread. I really enjoyed the fried oysters because they were crispy on the outside, but still retained the texture and flavor of the oyster on the inside. The fried calamari was also good, and my only complaint would be that I prefer it when restaurants serve the crispy tentacles in addition to the usual calamari rounds. The only appetizer I skipped out on was the garlic bread, but the rest of the group devoured the grilled bread, so it must have been delicious.

After we finished our appetizers, our group ordered dinner. Although we all ordered different meals, the one side that we all wanted was the Neva’s Potatoes. These potatoes almost make the long wait worth it and are a mouthwatering mixture of baked hash browns, onions, and cheddar cheese. In fact, we ordered so many of these potatoes that they accidently brought out an extra serving of them!

Of course, the main part of the meal is just as important as the sides. The main courses we ordered included Swordfish, Seafood Pasta, and Crab Cakes. The swordfish was encrusted in potato chips, but was a light balance to the rich Neva’s Potatoes. I particularly enjoyed the garlic cream sauce that topped it since it added a bit more flavor to the normally mild fish.

The pasta came with scallops, lobster, and some of the biggest shrimp I’ve ever eaten. The dish normally comes with linguini, but the kitchen was very accommodating and switched the linguini out for the penne my sister wanted. This seafood pasta came with a creamy tomato sauce, so the dish is best for people that can handle a rich dinner. Overall, I thought it was flavorful and came with a decent portion of seafood for the price it cost, and my sister could only praise it.

The crab cakes were another winner at our table. As a girl from Maryland, I love crabs and have tried crab cakes all over the east coast. Personally, I thought the crab cakes seemed to be a bit on the small side, but my grandmother enjoyed them. The most important thing in a good crab cake, though, is the filler to meat ratio. There was definitely more meat than filler in these particular cakes, so they certainly won points for that, and I’m sure someone else in my family will get them in the future.

While it took us a while to get seated, our meal at Big Fish Grill was enjoyable. In addition to the good food, this place has incredibly quick service and is an ideal place to go if you want a casual restaurant for a beach eat. My family and I will certainly be returning, although we will probably be avoiding this place on the weekends from now on….

Beach, Food, Seafood, Summer, USA

Dinner at Papa Grandes (Fenwick Island, USA)

July 4, 2013 No Comments

Papa Grandes is a new restaurant opened by Matt Haley, a man who has already opened several restaurants in the area, including some long-standing favorites with my family. Each of Haley’s restaurants have distinct feels to them and offer up completely different foods. When you first step into Papa Grandes it definitely has a very laid-back feel to it, as most places in near the beach do. The inside is decorated with various painting that remind me of the hand paintings you would imagine finding in caves. This atmosphere had us all ready to try the food as well.

To start my Mom, sister, and I got the seafood ceviche, queso fundido, and the shrimp and chorizo pincho. Before our starters came out, we were served complimentary tortilla chips with a red salsa that had a kick to it. It was a nice change from the bread normally served at other restaurants, but several of the chips were on the stale side. However, we didn’t have to wait long before the appetizers came out, so it didn’t damper our spirits too much.

The ceviche was good and came topped with a scoop of tasty avocado. While my sister and I both liked the avocado, we did agree that the ceviche didn’t really need it. Beneath this, the ceviche was made up of shrimp, octopus, and baby scallops, and it was a refreshing, tart starter for a hot summer night.

The queso fundido was the complete opposite as it was a heavy cheese dip accompanied by corn tortilla chips, but everyone at the table agreed that it was delicious. I think it was the overall winner for the night. The third appetizer received more mixed reviews. My sister enjoyed the entirety of the dish, but I thought the chorizo was a bit overdone. By the time we finished these, our main meals were already coming out from the kitchen.

As we were eating in a Mexican restaurant, the emphasis was definitely on tacos for the main course. We got both the duck tacos and the tacos al pastor, and in order to change it up a bit, my sister got the shrimp quesadillas. I didn’t taste the quesadillas, but my sister talked them up and particularly loved the ancho honey sauce that topped them. I did, however, try the pork in the tacos al pastor, and I wasn’t crazy about the taste as it was a bit on the dry side.

As a long-term San Diego resident, my mother has had these tacos a lot and said that the pork in the tacos at Papa Grandes was a bit different than what she was used to. According to her, the meat is slightly wetter than what she was served here. My duck was the complete opposite of the pork though, and the meat was nice and tender. My tacos came topped with a bit of guacamole, shaved radishes, and spicy pickled red onions. Despite the pork being a bit dry, everyone was pretty happy with their main courses.

Although we had quite a bit to eat, I am always one for dessert, and we decided to get the churros and the chocolate pot. The churros came with chocolate and were a delicious, sweet end to the meal. On the other hand, the chocolate pot was a dessert that was a bit more complex. It was a thick chocolate served chilled that was topped with whipped cream and chili powder. It definitely satisfied my sweet tooth, but it is probably best for the more adventurous chocolate-lovers out there.

Overall, the service was quick and friendly, and I felt comfortable at this restaurant. Even though a few of the dishes weren’t the best thing I’ve ever eaten, I was satisfied by the end of the meal, especially since it is one of the cheaper restaurants in the area. I enjoyed my first Mexican experience down at the beach, and considering the fact that Papa Grandes has only been open a couple of months, I was happy with this new place and hope to come back.

Philadelphia

Rangoon Burmese Restaurant- Chinatown (Philadelphia, USA)

April 10, 2013 No Comments

I’ve never been to Myanmar (formerly Burma), let alone had Burmese food so when the opportunity arose to dine at Rangoon Burma in Philadelphia, I was there in a hop, skip and a jump. The restaurant is located in the heart of Chinatown and offers a clean and elegant dining environment and great friendly service.

The menu resembled Indian with the spices, Thai with the coconut milk and Malaysian with the thousand layered bread. Indian, Thai and Malaysian are one of the most intricate and delicious cuisines in the world (at least according to my taste palette) and a mix of all three resulted in fireworks. The meal started off with an order of the thousand layered bread with a side of potato curry. It resulted in multiple orders. Thin, chewy yet crispy and greasy layers of bread that once dipped in the curry side resulted in the perfect bite.

The crispy fried Burmese tofu with spicy dipping sauce was out of this world delicious. It was so light and fluffy, fried to perfection served with a spicy chili sauce. This also resulted in multiple orders (to be fair- there were 6 of us). The Burmese dumplings were a little bit too crispy for my liking on the outside. Yet, others at the table really seemed to enjoy these which were served with a sweet dipping sauce. We all ordered separately but ended up sharing all the plates. I advise shared plates for any readers who are tempted to pay Rangoon Burma a visit. For my main dish, I had the Glass Noodle Salad which resembled the Thai glass noodle salad I have tasted in Thailand. It was a mix of slippery glass noodles, onions, mushrooms, chicken, carrot and many other fresh ingredients. It was delicious.

The Burmese Spare ribs were very spicy, tangy and mouth watering good. The ribs were slathered in a spicy herbal sauce which tasted like green chili peppers. The meat was tender and fresh. While the sauce was too hot the white rice that went along with dish helped distill some of the spiciness.

The other two main courses ordered by the table included a chicken coconut curry and a kung pao chicken. While they were good, they resembled fast food Chinese and did not stand out as having any distinctive Burmese flavors. For dessert we had the Furlada. A sweet drink dessert of milk, rose syrup, pudding, raisins, tapioca and Asian fruit jellos. Topped with ice cream. It was very sweet and creamy similar to Filipino Halo-Halo or Hawaiian Shave Ice. It was not very good. Next time, we will leave dessert for some where else in Chinatown.

Gourmand, Philadelphia

Four Chefs Series (Round 2)- Rittenhouse Tavern (Philadelphia, USA)

February 5, 2013 No Comments

What do Rittenhouse Tavern, Will BYOB, Fond and Lacroix all have in common? Oh just something called ‘Four Chefs’- a collaboration dinner where Christopher Kearse, Nicholas Elmi, Lee Styer and Jon Cichon get together and each create two magical dishes at each other’s restaurants. The dinners consist of an 8 course tasting menu for $100 per guest. Pay $45 more for additional wine pairing with the meal.

Last night’s dinner was hosted at Nicholas Elmi’s home turf- Rittenhouse Tavern. The restaurant is located inside the art alliance building with a charming atmosphere and a cozy seating arrangement. There is also a beautiful bar area in the back for those looking for cocktails.

The 8 course menu was unique, innovative and delicious including ingredients such as cold pressed foie gras, goat milk, pomegranate, truffle and abalone. It definitely rocked my tastebuds.

First course (prepared by Jon Cichon) was a poached and sliced abalone served in a savory broth with fermented fennel, dill and prosciutto.

I’ve never been a fan of abalone (or any sort of snails in general) having only been exposed to it in traditional Chinese restaurants. However, last night I could not get enough. The abalone was sliced thin and was slightly chewy. Mixed with the broth, dried prosciutto, fresh dill and fennel – it was a deadly combination. The second course (prepared by Christopher Kearse) was a pumpernickel tortellini topped with trout roe and yeast crackers. Once served a cider broth was poured around the dish.

Everything about this dish was perfect and beautiful. The pumpernickel filled tortellini was flavored with rye whiskey. The cider added a slightly sweet flavor to the overall dish. The trout roe was a nice touch adding a bit of a crunchy texture to each bite. And the yeast cracker was such an interesting ingredient (first time I’ve had it). It melted in my mouth. The third course (prepared by Nicholas Elmi) was a colorful dish consisting of chilled foie gras, whipped goat milk, truffle, pomegranate and beets. I had never had chilled foie gras prepared in this fashion and had to try at least a bite in order to be able to really write about it.

The dish, although beautifully prepared, did not do it for me. The taste of the foie gras was drowned by the other flavors which in my opinion did not blend well and masked the taste of the foie gras. Next, came a serving of bread with butter and olive tapenade.

The fourth course (prepared by Lee Styer) was a roasted sea scallop served with sliced celery, root celery puree and golden raisins. I am a big fan of sea scallops and loved the preparation of this dish. The scallop was cooked to perfection. The sliced celery and celery puree complimented the scallop perfectly. The golden raisins added a bit of sweetness to the flavors. The fifth course (prepared by Jon Cichon) was a buttermilk poached sturgeon wrapped in savoy cabbage. It was served with truffle, sweetbread and a blood orange based sauce. The combination of flavors in this dish really worked well. The sturgeon is a meaty fish, firm in texture yet tender in taste. Since my only experience with sturgeon has been having it grilled on a barbecue I rather enjoyed this fancy preparation of the meat.
The sixth course (prepared by Christopher Kearse) was moulard duck ‘dans le foin’ or in the hay. It was served with a side of smoked hay to add to the sensory experience.
The duck meat in my mind was sensational (although some diners thought it was too chewy). I’ve never had duck so juicy and rich in flavor. It was served alongside a duck offal and winter radish in a mead based sauce. The seventh course (prepared by Nicholas Elmi) was the first of two desserts. A cup consisting of warm ricotta, rosemary, rosewater, beet roots, marshmallows and meringue. It was a colorful blast of flavors. A mix of sweet, sour and creamy. It was a perfectly executed dish leaving both of us wanting more. And the grand finale (prepared by Lee Styer’s talented wife) was a dark chocolate flour-less cake served with caramelized hazelnuts, hazelnut ice-cream and cherries in sherry. It was the perfect dish to end the evening. The mix of hazelnuts and dark chocolate is always a winner in my books and this dish really took the cake (literally).
Taste is a very personal thing and I’m sure every diner had a different take on their favorite course of the night. As for me, I loved every single course. However, the abalone, moulard duck, and warm ricotta left me dreaming for more.

The meal was a spectacular affair leaving me counting down the days until the next one. Want to experience Four Chefs? Then make a reservation for the next dinner taking place on March 10th at Fond BYOB.

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