The Hungry Nomad - Food, Travel, Lifestyle

Tapas at Iron Chef Jose Garces’ Tinto- Rittenhouse (Philadelphia, USA)

February 7, 2013 3 Comments

Tinto is another one of local Iron Chef Jose Garces restaurants. I was a fan of Amada and am slowly making my way through his other restaurants in Philadelphia (Distrito, Tinto, G Domestic, Garces Trading Group, Village Whiskey and Chifa). Tinto is located in the Rittenhouse neighborhood and seems to be quite the trendy spot. It was packed with stylish young clads on Saturday night. Now I know where they have all been hiding. It was nice to finally see some life in the city which we have failed to find in these cold winter months. We were a group of 5 and the wait was 2.5 hours however, we were quickly accommodated by the matire’d who within minutes had us seated. Now that’s what I call service.

Tinto offers tapas style food which the Count and I love. Given that there were five of us we ordered a wide variety of dishes to share (see menu). Within minutes we were served with a complimentary crispy cheese bread plate and aioli sauce. It was devoured within seconds.

The night then started off with a single serving of the Short Rib Sandwich ($10). It was served with bacon, asparagus and celery root aioli. Since only one was ordered it was a hard plat to share. Although, as the food blogger in the group I did have a bite and found it to be a delicious and hearty short rib sandwich. I guess we should have ordered more.

It started off with the Sopa de Castano ($12). A truffled chestnut soup served with a duck and mushroom hash, fried quail egg yolk and pistachio.

The deconstructed soup was presented in a large bowl with the hash and egg yolk in the center. The broth was poured table side. The complexity of flavors in the soup was great and was a perfect balance.

Next came the Arugula salad served with Serrano ham, mission fig, fried goat cheese balls, spiced almonds and orange vinaigrette.

Next came the Pulpo ($12). An octopus salad served in a spicy tomato sauce with smoked green olive oil aioli and baked chips. The octopus was really tender and delicious when mixed with the tomato base. The chips added that crunchy texture that made the plate perfect.

The Tuna Tartare ($10) was served on a mini croissant with pickled guindilla and chorizo aioli. I loved it as I love anything tuna based. However, some in our party found the croissant to be drowned in mayonnaise sauce.

Next was a serving of jumbo lump crab, served on toast with fresh avocado and espelette chile ($9). I loved the generous amounts of crab meat mixed with the avocado. Served on toast it was the perfect combination.

The Moules Basquaise was my favorite of the night. A serving of mussels in a tomato and chorizo broth served with a side of delicious fries dipped in lemon aioli ($13). What a creative dish. I loved that the fries were pre-dipped in mayonnaise. The Count hates fries which left me with more fries. The mussels were tasty and the broth was savory and delicious.

The Kobe Beef was served like the crab- on pieces of toast with avocado, pisto bilbaina and romesco. The beef was very tender and went perfectly with the avocado.

Next came the dish I was most looking forward to but liked the least upon taste. Others at our table loved it. So it goes to show that its all about your personal palette. It was a brochette of lamb and chunks of eggplant wrapped in bacon served in a sherry jus shot glass ($14). I found it to be overly salty and the eggplants undercooked. There is nothing less appealing than undercooked eggplants. The bacon really added too much salt to the dish so I unwrapped it and tried it without the bacon. It still did not do it for me.

We also ordered the Bomba Rice in order to add some starchy carbs to our meal. It was a rice dish consisting of white asparagus, maitake mushroom and manchego cheese ($12). Although different in name it tasted very much like an italian mushroom risotto. And lets face it who isn’t a fan of risotto? Creamy rice and mushrooms always do the trick in my books.

A few at the table were still not full from the shared plates above and decide to order more. We decided on the meatballs and paella. The Albondigas (or spiced meatballs) was so beautifully presented. Each meatball was served with a toothpick in a spicy tomato sauce and a poached egg in the middle.

Besides the spicy and tasty flavors of the meatball the tomato sauce and egg could have been served as a separate dish on its own. It was that good! The Gutxuxa paella came out last. For $18 I expected a entree size dish and was surprised at the small portion of the dish. However, in a setting where everyone is sharing I guess it makes sense to serve in a mini paella dish (which was adorable).

The basque style paella was served with shredded rabbit meat, shrimp and chorizo. So far in life, I have refused to eat rabbit after having a terrifying experience in France (don’t worry I won’t share the agony). However, on this night being accompanied by a Belgian whose parents farmed rabbits I was convinced that it was no less humane to eat rabbits than any other meat (given their reproductive rate). So I dug in to eat a bite of our little soft and furry friends. And guess what? It tasted like chicken. Except it had less flavor. Was I a fan? Not really. Will I go out of my way to eat rabbit? Probably not.

Rabbit aside- the paella was just okay. I prefered many of the other dishes we had over the paella and for the price I would have rather gotten two more tapas. Note to self for next time. For dessert we shared a Chestnut Cream and Chocolate cake served with a scoop of coffee flavored ice cream. Who knew chestnut would make such a great dessert ingredient? The cake was delicious.

Gourmand, Miami, Travel

South Beach Food and Wine Festival- FEB 21-24 2013 (Miami, USA)

February 6, 2013 No Comments

This year I’ll be eating and drinking my way through South Beach Food and Wine Festival which runs from February 21 to 24 in Miami. I’m hoping to rub shoulders with some of my favorite celebrity chefs. The line up of events looks amazing including a film screening of Jiro Dreams of Sushi and Q&A with Anthony Bourdain, a Garden to Glass event hosted by Emeril Lagasse, Celebrity Chef Golf Tournament hosted by José Andrés at Turnberry Isle Miami and so much more. This year will mark the 12th anniversary of the festival which showcases the talents of some of the world’s most renowned chefs and culinary personalities.

See SOBEWFF2012-02-06-2013 SCHEDULE here!

BUY TICKETS HERE!

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.

Uncategorized

Philly Style Sandwiches at Paesano’s (Philadelphia, USA)

February 2, 2013 1 Comment

For the ultimate old Philly dive baresque sandwich experience (or hoagie as the locals call it) head over to the Italian Market or Northern liberties for the best sandwich in town at Paesano’s (no exaggeration). I already fell in love with chef McAndrew’s Modo Mio and now Paesano’s.

Sandwiches cost between $6 to $9 dollars. What makes it so special? The range of flavors and ingredients which are blended to make the best hot and cold sandwiches in town. The menu is simple yet sophisticated (See Menu). Although the shop has won many awards for it’s famous Arista sandwich we opted for the Gustaio and Daddywad.

The daddywad- a mix of italian hoagie, hot and sweet peppers, tomato, onions, arugula and sharp provolone. It was on serious sandwich ($8).

My eyes went straight to the Gustaio since I love anything lamb based. It was a mix of roasted lamb sausage, sun dried cherries, mustard, Gorgonzola and fennel ($9). It was an amazing mix of sweet and savory flavors and tasted like a Moroccan Tagine served in a sandwich. I loved it!

Paesano’s is definitely the best sandwich I’ve tasted in Philadelphia since my arrival. It trumps any cheese-steak any day. So to the tourists out there make sure you skip the cheesy cheese-steak lines and have yourself a real, sophisticated hoagie at Paesano’s. That’s what Anthony Bourdain did on his recent stop in Philly for his new show the Layover.

Food, New Orleans, USA

The Hungry Nomad’s Guide to New Orleans

February 1, 2013 2 Comments

Let’s face it besides the awesome music and rowdy drinking scene most people come to New Orleans for the incredible food. That is why it is essential to spend your time wisely and get the most out of what the city has to offer. I am often asked where I would recommend out-of-towners to dine in their short time in this colorful town and so I finally put together this guide to share my favorite spot sin New Orleans with my readers. I hope you enjoy!

Day 1:

The French Quarter:

Starting out in the French Quarter admire the wrought-iron balconies, tall shutters, courtyards and the sound of horse carriages strolling by. Start your walking excursion at the French Market located alongside the Mississippi river. Make sure to pick up some local hot sauce or my personal favorite selection of Tabasco sauces. You will soon smell the scent of beignets from Cafe du Monde. Stop over for some of their famous sugar coated beignets and chicory laced cafe au lait.

Next, listen to some local musicians on Royal street. The street is closed off on weekends allowing local artists to set up at every street corner. Next, visit the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square with its manicured lawns. If you are in the mood to learn what the future holds in store, sit down with one of the fortune tellers and let your fortunes be told. Back on Royal street you can try a little antique shopping and visit some of the amazing art galleries. Wonder around and get lost in the labyrinth of streets in the quarter and follow the noise to Bourbon street to see one of the most happening streets in America (see post on Bourbon Street). You might be hungry at this point. For one of the best meals of your life stop over at Mr. B’s ($$$) on Royal Street for their world famous barbecued shrimp. Not feeling like having shrimp but want some of those oysters which Nola is famous for? Then head over to Drago’s ($$) for some of their world renown chargrilled oysters. If you want to eat somewhere where the ambiance screams New Orleans then make your way over to Acme’s Oyster House ($$) to experience some live oyster shucking and eat it fresh or chargrilled to perfection. Then wash it all down with a strong bloody mary.

The CBD and Warehouse District:

While the French Quarter is ever consuming with so much to see, do, and eat make sure you venture out of the Quarter and see the other beautiful parts of town for I can assure you there is so much more to New Orleans than the French Quarter (just ask the British who settled west of Canal Street). Walking out west from the French Quarter you will pass Canal Street which was once the glorious commercial hub of town but has unfortunately failed to keep its glory. Beautiful hotels are intertwined with cheap shops and run down storefronts. However, in this area you will find some of my favorite places to eat. If you are looking for a true Italian meal head over to Domenica’s ($$) at the Roosevelt Hotel (http://www.domenicarestaurant.com). Here renowned local chef John Besh and Alon Shaya (my former landlord) cook up some of the best Italian dishes in town. For Franco-German cuisine, head to Luke ($$) another of John Besh’s delicious restaurants where you can have fresh oysters or my favorite, the burger and fries (http://www.lukeneworleans.com). Walking further you will cross over into the Central Business District where restaurants such as the Herbsaint ($$) will deliver some of the best French food offered in the South. Sitting outside you can drink your wine and watch the Saint Charles trolley go on by (http://www.herbsaint.com).

For dinner, keep walking until you cross over to the Warehouse District. The new yet old trendy part of town where loft style living and restaurants and bars line the streets (Nola’s own version of the Meatpacking district). Here you will find some of my favorite restaurants including Cochon, La Boca and Root. If you love pork you will love Cochon ($$) (http://www.cochonrestaurant.com). The ambiance isn’t so bad either. One that comes with a full house. I highly recommend making reservations in advance for this one. If you’re wanting the experience but don’t have time, walk over just next door to Cochon to its sister shop, Cochon Butcher (http://www.cochonbutcher.com) for some amazing gourmet sandwiches and beer. If pork is not so much your thing but you love a good steak then the Argentinian Steakhouse, La Boca ($$$), will satisfy all your red meat cravings (http://www.labocasteaks.com/). A small Argentinian steak house offering tender beef, chimichuri and fries. Reservations are a must. Root is another popular restaurant which offers some of that hearty Southern flavors with a modern twist.

Day 2:

The Garden District:

Take the trolley to the Garden District and explore the old mansions, cemeteries, shopping and restaurants (note no shopping in the cemetery). For a truly exceptional meal and experience try Commander’s Palace ($$$) for their fancy Sunday brunch where a jazz band will serenade you with each bite (http://www.commanderspalace.com). During the week you can also take advantage of their 25 cent martinis at lunch. After your meal and many martinis walk across the street to Lafayette cemetery and explore one of the oldest cemeteries in the US as seen in endless Hollywood movies).

If a meal at Commander’s Palace is not in your budget then don’t miss the best sandwich in town at either Milk Bar ($) or Stein’s Deli ($) (http://steinsdeli.net) where you can try unique sandwiches such as my favorites the Jeff Berger (prosciutto and honey) or the Robert (prosciutto, mozzarella and balsamic vinaigrette) at Steins or the Psycho Chicken at the Milk Bar. Either continue your journey on Saint Charles street or walk down to Magazine street stopping at Prytania to take in the architectural beauty of all the homes.

Uptown:

Once on Magazine, explore the many shops, galleries, antique stores and more. When you are done with all your shopping take a coffee break at one of the many shops on the street. If you fancy sweets along with your coffee then make sure you don’t miss Sucre ($). One of my favorite places to go to fulfill my chocolate cravings. Their macarons are deadly but so are their french pastries and gelatoes. You just can’t go wrong with this one (http://www.shopsucre.com).

Next, rent a bike at Mike the Bike Guy and make your way west on Magazine street to Uptown. For the best french bread and pastries stop at La Boulangerie, a local favorite serving the best french baguettes and baked goods in town. A great breakfast option and my personal favorite is Tartine, a hidden gem behind Audubon Park. If you are looking for good restaurants you are in for a treat since along Magazine street line some of the best in town including la Petite Grocery (http://www.lapetitegrocery.com/) and Lilettes (http://www.liletterestaurant.com) ($$$) which offers delicious french food. Make reservations in advance . Right next door to Lilettes is Bouligny Tavern (http://www.boulignytavern.com/) a small and trendy wine and tapas bar. They also happen to make some of the best cocktails I’ve yet to taste.

If wine and tapas are your thing you may also enjoy the Belgian restaurant just north of Magazine at Delachaise ($$) (http://www.thedelachaise.com/). For a more traditional New Orleans drinking scene head over to the Columns Hotel on St. Charles street (http://www.thecolumns.com/). For those wanting a break from Southern food try the trendy Vietnamese restaurant, Magasin Cafe ($) (http://www.magasincafe.com). A little further up on Prytania is my favorite local ice-cream shop at the Creole Creamery (http://www.creolecreamery.com).

Carrolton/Oak Street:

At the end of Saint Charles, past the beautiful campuses of Tulane and Loyola, past the famous oak tree filled Audubon Park is where Saint Charles ends and Carrolton street begins. This is one of my favorite areas in town. There are many great restaurants in this tiny area of town. People will line up for a traditional Hamburger, fries and grilled pecan pie at the landmark diner, Camellia Grill. For Spanish tapas, sangria and flamenco dancing go to Cafe Granada (http://www.cafegranadanola.com) a little further up. Right next door, there is also the popular Lebanese restaurant, Lebanon Cafe (http://www.lebanonscafe.com/), and my favorite tapas bar, la Boucherie right around the corner.

A little further up is Oak Street- a colorful street filled with small shops, bars and restaurants. For burgers and some delicious comfort food head over to Oak street to Cowbell (http://www.cowbell-nola.com), while on Oak Street check out the quaint shops and bars. If you want a once in a lifetime dining experience go to Jacquies-Imo’s Cafe (http://jacques-imos.com). It’s definitely one of the most unique places I’ve ever dined at in the world. You won’t really understand until you experience it yourself.

From here its a short taxi ride all the way North on Carrolton to my favorite spot to relax and take in the natural beauty of the south: City Park.

Day 3:

City Park:

City Park is one of the most underrated natural beauties in New Orleans often overshadowed by by it’s smaller sister Audubon Park. If you have enough time on your trip make sure not to miss it (it is also a good way to burn all the calories from eating at all the above restaurants). A trip to the park can include renting bikes, boating on the lake, visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art and much more. Spend the day with activities in the park. Then walk down to Esplanade where you can enjoy lunch or dinner. Many great restaurants and local favorites are located on Esplanade street including the famous paellas at Lola’s (http://www.lolasneworleans.com/) , the steak-frites at Cafe Degas (http://www.cafedegas.com/) or Mexican food at Santa Fe (http://www.santafenola.com). It is then a short bike or cab ride back down Esplanade to the French Quarter. And you are done! You have completed a full tour of New Orleans. There is still so much I have left out including Po-Boys at Parkway Bakery and Tavern, fried chicken at Willie Mae’s Scotch house, gumbo at Mothers and sno-cones at Hansen’s.

More time?

For those with more time, you may find the new and upcoming neighbourhood around Freret street worth a visit. There are some great bars and restaurants lining the street including hot dogs at Dat Dog Nola ($), burgers at Company Burger ($), southern food at High Hat Cafe and brick oven pizza at Ancora Pizzeria ($$).

Philadelphia, Seafood, Sushi

Sushi at Doma- Fairmount (Philadelphia, USA)

January 24, 2013 No Comments

We went to Doma sushi last weekend on a last minute whim. It’s a short walk from our house and I have been meaning to try it since our move to Philadelphia. The restaurant is very small with modern, clean decor. I really liked the look of the place. The staff were all young, nice and attentive.

The menu is extensive with many choices for those non-sushi lovers amongst us. In fact, they also offer a few Korean dishes. So is it a Japanese or Korean restaurant? I’d say it is a combination of both. Not sure where the owners are actually from but they do a good job of executing the menu (see menu).

We started with several starter dishes including the jumbo ebi shumai ($6).

Two open face dumplings were served with a ginger soy vinaigrette. The presentation was beautiful. However, I was not overly impressed with the dumpling itself. I’ve had many better and cheaper dumplings in Chinatown. Next was the tuna flatbread ($15).

Thin slices of tuna served over a pita topped with some onions, peppers and cilantro. It was pretty good. However, it was not worth the $15 dollars it cost. We ordered some sushi and rolls including the tamago and amaebi. Both were beautifully executed.

Next, the Count who is a sucker for fancy rolls ordered the Triple Spicy Double Tuna ($13) and the Naked Salmon ($12). The Naked Salmon was very original. Not really a sushi but fish served over a sticky fried rice. It was very tasty.

The Triple Spicy Double Tuna consisted of tuna, spicy sauce, siracha, tempura crunch, scallion and seared albac. It was a very good roll, however, was nowhere close to being as spicy as the ‘triple’ in the tile would make you think.

The spicy tuna roll ($6) again failed to be very spicy. Nevertheless, it was a nicely executed roll and I had no complaints.

For dessert we had the molten lava chocolate cake served with vanilla ice-cream. Usually this sort of cake takes at least 15-20 minutes to bake. Ours came out in less than 3 minutes leading me to believe that it was microwaved. After first bite I was sure that it was microwaved. It was not as good as it looked.

Our meal came to over $90. It was a BYOB and no alcohol was obviously served. The price was a little over than what I imagined a small and quaint restaurant to charge. If I had wanted to spend so much I would have visited Morimoto. For those that love plain old quality sushi like myself you will not love this restaurant. There are many fancy rolls and the mix of Korean and Japanese is something that I don’t enjoy when visiting a sushi spot. If you want an overall trendy ‘asian’ meal then you will definitely enjoy your experience at Doma.

Philadelphia, Pizza

Pizzeria Stella- Old City/Society Hill (Philadelphia, USA)

January 22, 2013 1 Comment

Pizzeria Stella is another Stephen Starr restaurant and like most Starr establishments it does not disappoint. The restaurant is large and spacious and located in one of my favorite areas of town. Directly behind the hostess stand lies the open concept pizza station where the chefs are busy rolling the dough, adding the toppings and placing in the brick oven pizza all in front of a crowd of hungry diners.

If you enjoy watching your food be made then ask for a seat facing the kitchen… you may learn a thing or two about making pizza from scratch.

We ordered three pizzas to share amongst a group of four. The Tartufo- a black truffle, egg and fontina pizza; the Spinach- oven-roasted tomatoes, pine nuts, mozzarella and baby spinach; and the Sausage- wood-roasted sausage, hot pesto, mozzarella and tomato sauce (see menu).

The sausage pizza and the tartufo were my two favorites of the night. Ground pieces of sausage sprinkled generously over a perfectly baked dough with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce and pesto.

The Spinach pizza was covered in boiled spinach sprinkled with pine nuts, oven-roasted tomatoes and mozzarella. Very tasty and a healthier choice for those aspiring vegetarians.

The Tartufo pizza was covered with cheese, egg and truffle oil. For those who love truffle oil this one is for you. It is a delicious creamy blend that when mixed with the chewy dough lead to a perfect pizza.

Of course, dough is one of the most important aspects of the perfect brick oven pizza and this dough hit all the requirements. The crust was golden yet not burnt, it was chewy yet not too crispy and hard.

BYOB, Farm-to-table, Organic, Philadelphia

The Farm and Fisherman- Washington Square (Philadelphia, USA)

January 21, 2013 1 Comment

This was my first experience at a farm to table BYOB in Philadelphia. I had been trying to get reservations at this 30 seat restaurant for over a month. Somehow I was always too late and never got a spot for their weekend dinner rush. So I started stalking the team on Twitter and alas they had a last minute cancellation and I was in…and when I say I was in, I mean I was reaaaaaaally in.

We walked in to an elegant dining room which without the signs outside looked like it could have been some one’s fancy dining room. In fact we were treated like we were at a family’s home. From our server Ben who took care of us to the nice and bubbly manager, Judy, who literally wined and dined us. I could not have asked for a better experience. I would have been sold on the service alone…but the food…oh the food. For the whole 3 hours I was there, I was in heaven. When it all ended, I didn’t want to leave and wished I could experience it all over again.

The menu changes daily in order to provide the freshest pick of the day. There are four courses and four choices under each course. There were four of us and we decided to get one of each and share everything. This was really the best way to experience our meal since every single dish was exceptionally intricate and delicious. It would have been a shame not to experience it all.

It started off with a bang. Beau soleil oysters served on a bed of salt rocks topped with hackleback caviar, cinnamon and a tint of blood orange. Small purple herbs were sprinkled throughout the dish making it not only great to taste but also great to look at.

The oysters were so fresh I swear they may have been fished out of the ocean that same day.

Next came the cauliflower and mushroom salad. A mix of greens, hen of the woods and trumpet mushrooms, almonds, cauliflower and goat cheese were elegantly presented.

The mushrooms tasted earthy. Each bite was a blend of all the above ingredients which when mixed together resulted in one of the most amazing salad creations I have ever tasted.

At this point we were already oohing and aahing over the food. But what came next left us all speechless. Have you ever had a vegetable steak? And I don’t mean that frozen vegan stuff you can by at wholefoods. I mean a steak that tastes so good that you forget there is no meat and in fact wish meat could taste like it. If not then I highly recommend the bloody beet steak that chef Lawler has created. Not only was the presentation of the beet colorful and beautiful but the taste was amazing. Who knew beet could be so good.

As a child I went out of my way to avoid eating beet which was ever so popular in my motherland being sold on cold winter days in food stands lining the streets of Tehran. These days I can’t seem to get enough. Of course, eating a bloody boiled beet on its own is not quite the same as having it presented beautifully with purple edible herbs, yogurt, pan drippings and aged balsamic. This beet is cooked whole in a cast-iron pan under a brick and removed when the skin gets crispy and splits. Who knew there was so much beauty in beets?

On to the second course. First came the grilled Spanish Mackerel served over granny smith apples with a mix of coriander, mustard oil and radish. The mix of the mackerel with the apple was again new to my taste buds and I absolutely loved it.

The mackerel was so fresh it may have started swimming out of the plate had it not been grilled to perfection. The apple mix complimented the fish perfectly.

The next dish was one of the top winners of the night (although they were all winners in my mind). Papperdelle with Wyebrook lamb shoulder ragu served with the most delicious tomato sauce, Parmesan and fennel seeds. A dried egg yolk was brought over and shaved on top to give it that extra touch.

This is a dish that I always order when ever offered on a menu and so can say I have a basis for comparison. I’ll keep it short and simple- it was the best.

Another second course on the menu were the Barnegat sea scallops. It was served over smoked barley, creamed kale, sweet potato and maple syrup. I loved ever single ingredient in this dish from the smoked barley to the creamed kale. The importance is in the details and Chef Lawler has really got that down.

The next dish was brought out by the famous chef himself. This was one of the most amazing mix of flavors and textures I’ve yet to taste in my 30 years. What was this mystery dish? The poached Wyebrook farm egg served over cracked rice, green wheat, farro piccolo, quinoa and squash. The texture of crispy, creamy and crunchy flavors mixed with the poached egg yolk was out of this world. I highly recommend you to order this dish if it ever finds its way on to the daily menu.

For the main course we picked three of the four dishes offered. First up was the Hudson Valley Dorade served with creamed carrots, fennel, parsnips and cardamom for added flavor.

Of the two fish we had that evening I definitely preferred the Spanish Mackerel. However, I did love the presentation of this plate. Triangular shaped pieces of dorade served over an orange colored puree topped with shaved pieces of carrots and parsnips. It was a work of art.

Old spot pork loin from Wyebrook farm came next, served with sea island purple cape beans, beech mushroom, purple kale and pork belly pastrami. If you love pork then this dish will blow your mind away. The Chef purchases the animal whole and breaks it down piece by piece dispersing into various parts of the meal (if you are lucky enough you can sign up for one of their courses where Lawler teaches you how to cut meat at home).

This pork dish is the real thing- served over beans drizzled with barbecue sauce and sprinkled with bright purple pieces of kale. A culinary masterpiece.

I rarely if ever order chicken when out at a restaurant. Mostly because there are so many other things that I always want to try and chicken seems so ordinary. Having tasted the Lancaster chicken baked in hay at Farm and Fisherman has made me think twice about my attitude towards chicken. This was my favorite main course of the night. I have never tasted a more flavorful chicken in North American where chicken is tasteless and bland. Perhaps it was because the chicken was local and organic or perhaps it was the magic performed in the kitchen that made this chicken so flavorful. I guess I will never know.

The chicken was baked in hay and served on top of farmer’s cheese spaetzle, bacon and mustard greens. A simple and hearty dish which hit all the right spots.

For dessert we had the layered chocolate ganache and the warm apple pie. Layers of chocolate divided by a thin wafer topped with whipping cream and powdered sugar. Need I say more?

The warm apple pie was so fresh, so warm and so perfect.

Perfect seems to sum up my experience at the Farm and Fisherman. A perfect and magical dining experience.

Fish, Philadelphia, Seafood, Sushi

Vic Sushi Bar- Rittenhouse Square (Philadelphia, USA)

January 10, 2013 1 Comment

Coming from Vancouver where the sushi shops compete with the ever-so-present Starbucks for space, it is hard to find good sushi anywhere I go. I was referred to Vic Sushi Bar in Philadelphia by a fellow Vancouverite who had already gone through the sushi hunt and found this little gem.

It is literally a little gem because the restaurant is tiny and the sushi- delicious. There is a small bar facing the chef and one table in front of the door. Making it an ideal spot to pick up or go in a very small group. We went on a weekday after the lunch rush and found seats at the table in front. The menu is extensive and includes all the basics you’d expect from a sushi shop. We ordered the spicy trio roll (salmon and avocado, spicy tuna and shrimp tempura roll) and a specialty roll consisting of salmon covered with salmon, avocado, eel and drizzled in eel sauce.

Everything tasted extremely fresh. the rice was the perfect amount in each roll. It was made fresh and tasted warm. The fish were all tender and literally melted on first bite.

For dessert, the tamago roll which consisted of a very thing egg concoction. It takes a very skilled tamago maker to create the perfect tamago and this in my mind was perfect.

If you want real sushi made fresh then this is the place for it. You won’t find anything else like it in the city.

Italian food, Pasta, Philadelphia

Modo Mio- Northern Liberties (Philadelphia, USA)

January 9, 2013 2 Comments

On a a cold winter evening with reservations in place and a bottle of red in our hand we made our way to Northern Liberties to dine at Peter McAndrew’s Modo Mio. Three hours later we left in a state of ecstasy. It is hard finding the words to explain our dining experience at Modo Mio. All I can say is that it was one of the best. Having recently experienced L’Artusi in New York City I can confidently say that the meal at Modo Mio far exceeded L’Artusi (it also cost a quarter of the price…although in their defense I am sure they pay much more for rent). I can say one thing: I have been dreaming of my meal ever since our visit and although my rule for our year in Philadelphia is to try each restaurant once I am confident this restaurant deserves that rule to be broken.

We walked into a small dim lit dining room and were seated at one of the dozen or so tables lining the wall. The decor: homegrown, classic, no frills Italian. Ambiance: loud. Very loud.

The Food: The menu consisted of antipasti, pastas and meats. We were lured in to the ‘Turista Menu’- a $34 prixe fix for a four course meal. You just can’t resist (and shouldn’t).

First off, house made whole grain bread was served with a creamy fresh ricotta drowned in olive oil. I could have kept eating it all night as I’m particularly weak around bread, butter and cheese.

Next came the antipasti. Everything on the menu had a creative flare to it. Our antipasti included a octopus salad tossed with arugula, capers chickpeas and white beans.

And a dish made of sliced potatoes covered with grilled cheese and apricots. I would describe this as a twist on the french Raclette (baked potatoes eaten with hot melting swiss cheese). The combination of potatos and cheese is always a killer but when served with a sweet surprise such as apricots and barberries- You just can’t get a better mix of flavors or originality.

Next, the bucatini and veal and rabbit agnolotti were brought out.

The Bucatini- hollow long strands of spaghetti mixed with pancetta and spicy plum tomatoes, herbs and spices cooked to perfection served with generous amounts of pecorino. I still remember each bite and often dream to go back just for this dish alone.

As for the veal and rabbit ravioli, it was my first time tasting rabbit and first time ordering veal. There are several things I don’t like to eat for ethical reasons (such as foie gras, veal and rabbit) but I am willing to try everything once. I have to say this was one of the most beautiful raviolis I have ever tasted. The veal and rabbit mix was wrapped in light, airy and fresh pasta dough. The sauce was a sweet sage butter. The sage butter was the key ingredient in this dish. Each mouthful burst with a strong sage flavor that my tastebuds welcomed eagerly. It was probably the most amazing ravioli I have tasted to date.

We were both ready to call it a night after the pasta, leave on a bright note and have the flavors remain in our memories and minds for as long as possible. But having ordered the four course meal, we had two more courses to go through. I had ordered the red snapper served over squid ink grains in a sauce that was out of this world. It was sweet, tangy creamy and completely unique. It gave the overall dish a sweet yet citrusy flavor. The fish tasted fresh and was cooked to perfection.

The next entree was the ribeye served over a goat cheese crepe topped with sundried tomatoes, salty sardines and a creamy sauce. The beef was well marinated and each bite melted in my mouth. What’s best- it was laid on top of a perfectly crafted crepe. Each bit was therefore a combination of beef, goat cheese and crepe. It was a beautifully executed dish with just the right amount of imagination.

Dessert came next. We always leave room for dessert which consisted of a flourless chocolate cake and tiramisu. The chocolate cake was served with whipping cream and shaved chocolate. It was the perfect texture and flavor.

The tiramisu was also served with shaved chocolate. It tasted light, fluffy and the right amount of sweet.

Service: our server was amazing and walked us through the menu making suggestions, explaining dishes and going out of his way to make our evening memorable. Within minutes of sitting, our wine was opened, poured and the bread brought out.

« Previous 1 … 13 14 15 16 17 … 41 Next »