Street Carts, Duck Parts and New Blog Starts

My apologies that posting has been light here recently. That will change. Work has been hectic this summer and I’ve been busy writing for other publications. Here’s a rundown of what I’ve been writing about elsewhere:

Frommers: The folks at Frommers.com recently wrote an article on the World’s Best Street Food. Philadelphia was one of the featured cities. I was quoted in the article and so was my friend Albert Yee of Messy & Picky.

City Paper: A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a Pocket Sommelier column on Matyson. I paired a Sauternes with a seared foie gras dish and a Burgundy with roasted duck breast (picture above). I know I’ve written a lot about foie gras recently. But the motivation for this piece was not the foie; it was the Sauternes. The PLCB does not carry a lot of Sauternes and what they do carry can be pricey. Because the PLCB is closing out the 1999 Chateau de Rayne-Vigneau 1er Cru—which normally retails for around $44—for a mere $29.99, I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write about this pairing. The Burgundy I paired with the duck breast is also a solid find at the Colombus Blvd. store. It’s virtually impossible to find any Old World Pinot Noir on the shelves at the PLCB stores, let alone a drinkable Pinot (Old or New World) under $30. That's why I was pleased to find the 2002 Louis Jadot Pernand-Vergelesses Clos de la Croix de Pierre ($26). It doesn’t have all of the delicate finesse of a profound Burgundy, but at least it gets all of the fingerprints right.

WineCHOW: I’ve been quite busy writing the WineCHOW column at ClassiceWines.com. Recently, I’ve written about transfat bans, tips on tipping, celebrity chefs, taking photos of food in restaurants, what it takes to be a restaurant critic, and using cell phones in restaurants. My next WineCHOW column will address how to tell if a wine is corked and what to do if a restaurant serves you one.

Farm to Philly: Mac at pesky’apostrophy decided to host a group blog about finding and eating locally grown/produced food in Philadelphia, its surrounding suburbs and South Jersey. I jumped on board. It’s called Farm to Philly. I’ll be writing mostly about restaurants that source their ingredients from local farmers. Technically, the site has not yet gone live, but we’re already posting like gangbusters. We’ll be issuing a press release when it does go live, so keep your eyes peeled for that. In an upcoming Farm to Philly post, I'll make some kick ass pesto with locally sourced basil (that's right folks: I do cook). And if you're nice, I may even share the recipe with you.

Coming up soon on PhilaFoodie: I’ll profile the new menu at Cuba Libre and Concept Chef Guillermo Pernot finally speaks out on why ¡Pasión! closed. I’ll review Philly’s newest Indian restaurant. And I’ll also address the Rick’s Steaks v. Reading Terminal Market litigation.

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Neighborhoods, Chains and Outdoor Dining

Last Thursday City Paper came out with its 2007 Summer Dining Guide. This year it asked its writers to take its readers “on a culinary tour through some of the city’s most appetizing neighborhoods.” I wrote the piece on my neighborhood, the booming Washington Square West. I didn’t have room to talk about all of the restaurants in the area. So, if you have something to say about the ones I left out (or even the ones I did discuss), let me know here in the comments.

Last week I also wrote a piece for my WineCHOW column on ClassicWines.com about outdoor dining called Summer in the City. Most of the piece was composed while eating the juicy pork chop at 707 Restaurant & Bar I referred to in the above-mentioned City Paper piece. Ah, the beauty of multi-tasking.

Also, don’t forget to check out last week’s WineCHOW article called Disdain for the Chain, where I ask whether there's any upside to a chain moving into your neighborhood. Regardless of your view on chains, you have to read the story about my Italian relatives at the beginning of the article. It is 100% true.

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City Paper Article on The Wine School of Philadelphia

If you’ve read my profile recently, you know I’ve been taking classes at The Wine School of Philadelphia, which was founded by Keith Wallace.

The classes have been validating in a lot of ways; the analytical way I have been approaching and deconstructing wine is directly in line with the school’s philosophy. At the same time, though, Keith and his colleague, Brian Freedman, have taught me so many new things. As a result, the course has been profoundly empowering—I’ve learned to identify characteristics about a wine from just one sip that I never thought were possible, things that highly-paid sommeliers can’t identify. It’s scary, actually. The funny thing is that you could do it too. It’s not supernatural. In fact, it’s imminently teachable.

When the City Paper put out the call for freelance writers, I pitched a piece on The Wine School of Philadelphia and they liked it. The article I wrote appears in this week’s issue of the City Paper.

In addition to the Foundation Program I wrote about, The Wine School also offers individual classes that are rooted in the same sensory-based philosophy for as low as $37.99. In Wine 101, for example, they cover the nine basic varietals and dispel popular myths about wine, including the sulfite myth and the belief that you need a different glass for each type of wine.

Also, please check out this week's Small Bites section of City Paper. I profile the Argiolas 2005 Costamolino Vermentino. The creaminess I describe is the result of a process known as partial malolactic fermentation, which I was able to identify instinctively thanks to the skills I learned from Keith and Brian.

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PhilaFoodie Interviewed by WHYY's Marty Moss-Coane on Radio Times

I was invited to participate in a radio segment today regarding the power of restaurant reviews on WHYY’s Radio Times hosted by Marty Moss-Coane. Recently, restaurants have been making news by fighting the critics who gave them unflattering reviews: the spat between Kobe Club owner Jeffrey Chodorow and New York Times reviewer Frank Bruni, an Ireland court’s verdict against a restaurant critic for libel (apparently one of the first of its kind), and of course the t-bone of contention between Chops Restaurant and Philly’s own Craig LaBan. Marty thought it would be fun to explore with me some of the general legal issues regarding libel as they pertain to restaurant reviews, so that’s what we did.

For those interested in listening to the podcast, here are the links: MP3 and Real Player.

The first caller was a little BENT-up about a review that HAMMERED his restaurant several years ago. Marty eventually PRIED out of him the POINT the critic had made in the review that ended up being too much for his restaurant to HANDLE: believe me, it’s a NAIL-biter.

In retrospect, I think this was a prank caller. While nobody likes to be the target of such a prank, you've got to give the guy props for executing it without being caught in the act, which, presumably, is the goal. Well done, sir.

Many thanks to Marty and her wonderful and talented staff for inviting me onto the show and for being so welcoming and gracious while I was there.

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The Washington Post Covers the Philadelphia BYOB Scene

Jason Wilson wrote a vivid and informative article about the Philadelphia BYOB scene, which appears in today’s Washington Post. (See “Philadelphia’s BYO Revolution”) (registration required).

I'm quoted in this article as well. Jason even published my intuitive little BYOB tip in the sidebar: check the restaurant’s menu before you pick your wine and don’t be afraid to bring a variety of bottles.

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The New York Times Weighs-In On Chops Restaurant's Lawsuit Against LaBan

In today’s New York Times you’ll find an illuminating article by Adam Liptak about the lawsuit Chops filed against Craig LaBan. (See “Serving You Tonight Will Be Our Lawyer”) (registration required).

Liptak puts some meat on the bone by placing the Chops lawsuit in context with other cases in the U.S. that have been litigated against restaurant critics, all of which have failed. Liptak covers the international angle as well; apparently such lawsuits are more successful in Ireland. You’ll also find a quote in there from yours truly.

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Philadelphia Magazine’s 2007 Restaurant Issue Highlights Philly Food Bloggers

Philadelphia Magazine surveyed Philly restaurant lovers to uncover their eating habits and dining proclivities. Then, in its annual 2007 restaurant issue, it used these statistics to categorize and recommend local eateries based on these diners’ dispositions.

Turns out that 70% of those surveyed get their restaurant recommendations by word-of-mouth. Philadelphia Magazine gets some of its recommendations by “word-of-screen,” so it thought it would direct this 70% toward its favorite Philly food bloggers: Foobooz; Messy and Picky; and, yours truly, PhilaFoodie. eGullet's Pennsylvania bulletin board also gets a shout out for hosting lively restaurant debates.

If it didn’t hit your mailbox yesterday, you should be able to find this issue of Philadelphia Magazine on store shelves today.

And, while we’re at it, an extra special congrats to Foobooz for being named Best Food Blog by Philadelphia Weekly's food critic, Kirsten Henri. (Very well deserved; Foobooz is unsaveably addictive.)

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Blinq Dishes on Philly's Food Blogs

Like most people, Daniel Rubin spends his work day in front of a computer scouring the Internets for interesting blogs. However, unlike most people, he actually gets paid to do it—by the Philadelphia Inquirer. He presents his daily findings, along with a healthy dose of spirited wit and wisdom, at Blinq.

Today, in a post called Food for Thought, Daniel explores the growing niche of Philadelphia food blogs. The field was barren a little over a year ago, he notes. Now, there are more opinionated foodies blogging about Philly restaurants than you can shake a Whiz wit at. Daniel has corralled 8 blogs (including yours truly, a site he kindly says is "something to bank on") and 6 service sites for your perusal. Each one serves up Philly’s vibrant restaurant scene in its own unique way; the perspectives they bring to the table are as diverse and dynamic as the Philly restaurant scene itself.

An abbreviated version of Daniel's article also appears here in the Magazine section of the Nov. 15, 2006 Philadelphia Inquirer.

Thanks to Daniel for highlighting this little corner of the Philly blogosphere. I’ve added the new faces he discovered to the bulging PhilaFoodie Resources section on the right.

So, what are you waiting for? Dig in.

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Upgrades

Blogger just launched Blogger Beta and I am among the limited number of early movers.

So PhilaFoodie now comes with tagging goodness.

PhilaFoodie—same great taste, more functionality.

Photo via Matrix.orb6.com

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PhilaFoodie Makes City Paper’s List of Top 5 Philly Food Blogs

In this week’s issue of City Paper, Drew Lazor ranks the Top 5 Philly Food Blogs.

PhilaFoodie (i.e., yours truly) captured the No. 3 slot. Foobooz and Holly Eats take the top two spots, while Messy and Picky and Minor Gourmandry round out the remainder of the list.

The rankings, of course, are unofficial pending the outcome of urine tests to detect elevated testosterone levels.

Many thanks to City Paper and to Drew for the No. 3 slot and his kind words.

Photo via CityPaper.net

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I'm Famous!

Well, they say you always remember your first. So, my sincere thanks to Philadelphia Will Do for linking to my April 10 Wine Spectator post.

Philadelphia Will Do honed in on what I believe is the primary drawback of the PLCB’s distribution system—limitations on our choice of wine.

To be fair to the PLCB, though, in the instance of the 2002 Mark West Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, it IS possible that the PLCB did have some at one time and wines from the Russian River Valley ARE produced in limited quantities. But that only serves to illustrate the criticism that Philly Will Do and I share—the PLCB’s bulk “buying power” model often doesn’t give you the opportunity to experience some of the smaller, more popular productions, and the PLCB’s draconian limitations on direct shipment prevent you from getting them on your own.

Thanks again to Philadelphia Will Do. Also, thanks to Philly Future for listing me on their blog roll.

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Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I enjoy fine cuisine and good wine. Many people do. These days we're called foodies. I thought it would be fun to keep track of the restaurants I've visited, the enjoyable meals I've had in these restaurants, the wine I've tasted and my opinions about these experiences. And what beter place to do that than a blog.

Specificially, I plan to do a variety of things with this blog. I live in Philadelphia, so, of course, I will be reviewing the food served in Philadelphia restaurants. Because I am an avid wine drinker, I also will be posting my opinions and recommendations on wine. You also will see the occasional review of a restaurant in another city, including cities such as Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh (yes, there are a handful of decent places to eat in da 'Burgh). I may also get up on a soap-box or two--who knows? At least that's where we'll start.

The features on this blog are skeletal right now. I'm new to this blogging thing, so please bear with me.

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