philly

Barbeque Beef Sandwich

Note to self and all: Do not get the barbeque beef sandwich from the Cingular Pavillion bar at the Wachovia Center. First off, it's a waste of money. Secondly, it tastes like crap.

The game. Blech. It was horrible when the 76ers were up by double digits. It was even worse when they blew it and lost it at the end.

It's a wonder that my beloved Bricks are worse.

Metropolitan Bakery: Pumpernickel

Metropolitan Bakery's three Center City shops [the one on Pine St is no longer] have tempted me for the last twenty or so months. I've had grand illusions of waking up early in the morning and strolling over to Rittenhouse Square to pick up a fresh loaf and strolling back home to cook up some eggs, slice up the bread and sit down for a leisurely breakfast with some OJ. Hah. I never get up that early on the weekends to do so.

I gave up on my grand illusions last night as I walked over to the Rittenhouse Square shop on my way home from work and picked up a treat. I bought a nice round loaf of pumpernickel [full bread list here] and a small container of some spicy baba ganoush as a treat for Lady. The sweet onion-y smell of the pumpernickel is wonderful.

This morning, I went downstairs to the kitchen and cut into the loaf with my large Bambu bread knife and popped it into the toaster for a run through. I spread some butter over it and took a bite. Oh man is it good. Now that's some artisan bread I could get used to on a daily basis.

I picked up their brochure in the store which has their bread baking list. Not all breads are baked every day! I think I may drop by and pick up a loaf of garlic parmesan over the weekend.

Franklin Fountain

While there is no new food blog entry over at Messy and Picky this week [Messy's on Spring Break!] we did head over to Franklin Fountain this weekend after seeing Why We Fight over at the Ritz East - a great film.

Back to Franklin Fountain...

We've been meaning to get over there since about the first week we moved down to Philly. One of us had seen an article about the place in either the City Paper or the Philadelphia Weekly, can't remember which. But we don't spend much time in Olde City other than to see movies at the Ritz theaters - we're not big on the yuppie crowd over there dominated by dudes in button down striped shirts and their fan-cay jeans. Not sure which crowd is funnier, the dudes of Olde City or the guidos of the NYC club scene. Both are hilarious in their own ways.

Franklin Fountain is such a cool throwback. Pressed tin ceilings and walls. A pulley motor set of ceiling fans and the waxed handlebar moustache on one of the owners. Wonderful. And of course, the old school sodas which are hand syrup'd right there. The signs in the place are old school looking too. The whole feel is great. But that's enough for now, a M&P review of the place will surely be seen in the coming weeks as we will definitely head back there for more yummy food. In the meantime, go there! Experience things as they once were. And they're open until Midnight on the weekends and 11p otherwise.

Franklin Fountain - 116 Market St

Drinking Liberally 6p

If it's Tuesday, it's Drinking Liberally

Not sure if I'm gonna make it down to Tangier [1801 Lombard St] tonight for Drinking Liberally, but that won't stop them from serving up $1 off drink specials from 6p - 9p and a platter of free buffalo wings to the group.

So busy these past few days. Tired.

I may make it up to Ardmore for the screening of Ardmore, A Village at Risk. I want to. But not sure I have the energy.

Drinking Liberally 6p

If it's Tuesday, it's Drinking Liberally

It's the return of somegirl and Richard Cranium from All Spin Zone make their return stateside. They actually took a plane ride over here from the southern hemisphere just for the wings and $1 off drink specials at Tangier [1801 Lombard St] from 6p - 9p and for the company and witty banter that is Drinking Liberally. Or so I'm told.

And rumors of Venezuelan foodstuffs smuggled back inside "bags" and/or "suitcases" fly through [across?] the internets.

Pasta with Broccoli and Gorgonzola

Mmmm. Lady has been on a tear with these Whole Foods recipes. Last week, we cooked up Pasta w/Broccoli and Gorgonzola along with some homemade bruscetta and a Caesar salad. It was a great and filling meal.

Recipe #6 over on the foodie blog.

Photo Soiree

Last night's photo show opening was very nice. Day by Day is a place that I had never heard of before, but apparently passed by a hundred times. It's right on the corner of 21st and Sansom Sts, just below Tampopo. Day by Day is usually closed and I learned why last night: they're mainly a catering place so they close on the early side. Buuuut, they're starting a Saturday brunch starting this Saturday when they open their doors at 10.30a. Messy and Picky may be making our way over there in twenty-four hours or so, we'll see how getting up in the morning goes.

Bradely Maule of Philly Skyline and Mark Adams of All Proper have a gorgeous spread of photos all around the space. Maule's shots looked mainly like 11x14s or 11x17s and Adams' shots were in large frames in bunches of four 8x10s. Maule's shots were ones that I don't recall ever seeing. One of a trophy in a garbage can and another of a set of boats huddled below the foggy shadow of the Ben Franklin. Adams' shots were more graphical in nature with man and nature occupying the single frame. Shots of repetition reinforced by the groupings of four. They complemented each other well in their contrast.

The crowd was great and was well spread out throughout the space. A scrumptious spread of wine, cheese, grapes and later chocolate covered strawberries invited us in and we prompty sat right behind it. I had a ton of smoked gouda as you can see by the half wheel remaining in the above shot. Lady and I had one hell of a long conversation on accents with Dan from Philadephia Will Do. Lady's halfway between Bahston and New Yauwk Connecticut upbrining, Dan's local Philly knowledge and my just north of NYC ears were keen to each other's wording. Dan knew his stuff too as he aced a course in linguistics in college. I noted that one of my best friends from college, who is originally from Warminster, studied linguistics for her Masters and not until I told her recently that she pronounces the world "drawing" as "drawling" did she realize that she said "drawling" which is funny, since I'd think that word would come up at some point of her two years at her fancy schmancy school [she's better than all of us!] while studying linguistics.

I think this is the first time I've met new people during this winter olymics and not brought up how much I love curling. I fought the urge. But really, I do love curling.

Peep the show at Day by Day sometime. And if you like what you see, pick up a framed and matted print for $80 - $100, they're all gorgeous.

City Paper Culture Shock

I like me some NY pizza. I miss me some NY pizza. I love Philly's cheesesteaks. I've never had a good 'steak outside of Philly. Just want to clear that up.

The City Paper asked me to submit a short piece on something for their new 'Culture Shock' section in A&E. They told me it could be on anything. Just make sure it's about 100 words was basically the only requirement/restraint. So off I went. And this week, it's in the paper here:

NYPD Pizza
What's the deal with Philly's Greek-style pizza joints? It's the single thing I miss most about my move from NYC. The trade-off for quality 'steaks is quite nice—but I still miss a good slice. I stopped into NYPD Pizza at 11th and Chestnut, and speaking to the owner, Guy, a Brooklynite, he informed me that many Philly pizza joints aren't using real mozzarella (that's pronounced mutzarell)! How to tell? Real mutz doesn't stay pure white when baked and the fake stuff sits atop the sauce not blending in. Guy's got the thin crust goods I love.

--Albert Yee
Photographer and Citizen Editor, PhillyFuture.org

Drinking Liberally 6p

If it's Tuesday, it's Drinking Liberally

Two Drinking Liberally events in two days for me as of later on tonight at Tangier [1801 Lombard St]. $1 off drink specials and a heaping plate full of buffalo wings from 6p - 9p.

It would be interesting to go to all of the PA chapters. Hell, all 128 [as of today]. As far north as Fairbanks, AK and as far south as Miami, FL. That would be one cool summer long road trip. Where's my funding!

Drinking Liberally Fishtown Recap

Who knew that I had met the lutton at Johnny Brenda's last night at Fishtown's Drinking Liberally?! A group of six talked for about two hours about all things considered. Wade Bloggs of Phreaking Philly came out after seeing my post. See, people read this thing!

But before I walked into JB's, I had to snap a frame of the above sculpture which stands just outside of the bar. I have no idea what that thing is. It's pretty cool looking. Very much industrial, duh. Very tall too.

Not a bid DL crowd, but it was a holiday so I'm sure people were less likely to be stopping off at the bar after work, since many had the day off. We got a few new sigs onto the Pennacchio petition and I had me a great meal. Grilled pork sandwich with a heaping plate of shoestring fries. No wall of hot sauces like at Tangier, but the one they provided did the trick. I had a couple pints of Sly Fox Dry Stoudt which was quite good. They have a ton of local brews on tap.