Restaurant and Foodie News | Zagat Blog

8 Best Restaurants for Healthy Dining in Midtown Village

2013-05-18T13:43:00.000-04:00

Tick, tock - swimsuit weather approaches. Check out our list of eight great healthy dining restaurants in Philly's Midtown Village, including one of the "best raw bars in the city," a "rustic" speakeasy and an "elegant" spot serving "extraordinary" vegan fare. Tell us about your favorite spots in the comments.

This Week's Top Restaurant and Food News

2013-05-17T19:00:00.000-04:00

Grace Hotel in Santorini, Greece

By Kelly Dobkin

Summer temps finally seem to have arrived for most of us so take advantage by scoping out our guides to the best outdoor dining and drinking spots that we ran all this week. You'll find these and more in our top ten posts of the week below.

Quote of the Day: Customer Pays Restaurant Back 15 Years Later

2013-05-17T17:30:00.000-04:00

"Sometimes things come back to you. You shouldn’t do them for that specific reason. You should just do it because it’s the right time and the right place and it just felt good."

-New Mexico restaurant owner Claus Hjortkjaer lent a teenager $40 in 1997 so he could afford to impress his Valentine’s Day date. He’s since returned, 15 years later, to repay that debt — with interest. [KAOT via Consumerist]

Want to Be on Hell's Kitchen?

2013-05-17T17:19:00.002-04:00

By Danya Henninger

Undeterred by the debacle of the latest Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay is continuing his mission of setting chefs and restaurateurs straight. We hear Hell’s Kitchen will be casting in Philly within the next six weeks. If you think you have what it takes to be castigated by the fiery chef and come out unscathed, just send an e-mail to the casting company. Meal Ticket has details on what to include, with the important thing to note being: “No info is too much. The more info the better.”

Healthy Ingredient Challenge: Can Fried Chicken Masters Make Deep-Fried Kale Tasty?

2013-05-17T15:23:00.001-04:00

By James Mulcahy

Can a fried chicken master do something amazing with a healthy ingredient like meta-trendy kale? We visited Lucy's Fried Chicken in Austin, TX, recently to see what owner James Holmes and executive chef Cy Buchheister could do with it. Check out the results in the clip above and watch more feature videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel below.

Hot Diggity University Takes on Southern Style Hot Dogs

2013-05-17T15:17:00.000-04:00

Pimento cheese dog!

By Danya Henninger

Hot Diggity University returns for a second round this Monday, and this is a class you definitely want to attend (even more than seminars with that college prof you crushed on so hard). Why? Because hot dogs. Local expert Hawk Krall joins Hot Diggity owner Keith Garabedian for a two hour session dedicated to hot dogs of the South.

Explore West Virginia’s white slaw dog with spicy chili; a Memphis dog with mustard slaw; Pete’s special from Birmingham, Alabama and finally a dog topped with that Dixieland classic, pimento cheese. And by “explore” we mean eat. (And learn about. But mostly eat.) Beer will be served to wash it all down and tickets are $45 per person (here; 267-886-9253).

Justin Bogle’s Plans for Le Bec Fin Successor

2013-05-17T13:30:00.000-04:00

By Danya Henninger

Now that the closing is official and we no longer have to ponder the slow demise of Le Bec Fin, we can turn our attention to what will rise up in its place. Chef Justin Bogle is calling the menu he’ll bring to the new spot “progressive American,” and promises it will feature ultraseasonal ingredients and collaboration with local farmers. We hear the main dining room upstairs will keep the prix-fixe format, offering a variety of different options and price points.

Bogle is the latest in a stream of NYC chefs now cooking in Philadelphia, joining Eli Kulp, Peter Serpico, Gregory Vernick, Josh Lawler, Sylva Senat and others in making the move 90 miles south. Chris Scarduzio, who convinced him to join the new Walnut Street endeavor, says, “I knew Justin Bogle was 'the man' to take on this historic transformation.”

Since the closing of Gilt, Bogle had been looking to launch his own place in New York, but hadn't yet found a location. "Philly is close enough," the chef says. "It's where I got my start.” (He attended the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College and worked under Jose Garces at Alma de Cuba and Christopher Lee at Striped Bass.) “Now that it's a world class restaurant destination,” Bogle continues, “I'm excited to bring all that I learned in NYC back ‘home.’"

Expect plenty of the young chef’s trademark “inventiveness,” modern takes on fresh food that earned him two Michelin stars at Gilt. In addition to the high-end food upstairs, there will be a bistro-type menu at the downstairs lounge, along with speakeasy-inspired cocktails. The bar will stay open during renovations, so stop in for your best chance at a sneak peek of what’s to come.

8 Best Restaurants for Sidewalk Dining in Rittenhouse Square

2013-05-17T13:00:00.000-04:00

Fresh air, sunshine (fingers crossed) and a front row of the action on the street - what's not to love about sidewalk dining? Click through to find our list of the eight best options in Rittenhouse, from one of the city's first BYOs to the hottest burger destinations to the restaurant responsible for Philly's sidewalk seating surge.

Le Virtu Patio Launch Party on Sunday

2013-05-17T11:20:00.000-04:00

Tables and chairs just arrived to fill the new patio

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

Take a quick trip to Italy this weekend at the launch party for Le Virtu’s impressive new outdoor patio. What used to be an uneven grassy lawn - Il Campo (“the field”) - is now an elegant terrace, paved with ivory stone and surrounded by flowers and herb gardens. Experience the new East Passyunk space with Abruzzese food and drink for an all-inclusive $45 this Sunday.

From 1-3 PM, ticket-holders can take a seat in front of the (soon to be ivy-covered) wooden trellis and dine on food from chef Joe Cicala, along with pours of Italian wine direct from the newly installed tap system. To eat, look for the restaurant’s namesake le virtu soup, which is made with more than 40 ingredients, plus grilled sausage, vegetables and arrosticini (lamb skewers). Call for reservations (215-271-5626).

Lineup for Feast Portland 2013 Announced; Tickets On Sale Monday

2013-05-17T10:01:00.003-04:00

Naomi Pomeroy at last year's Feast; Photo by Hernan F. Rodriguez

By Kelly Dobkin
Tickets go on sale Monday for the annual Feast Portland food festival, going down this year from September 19-22, to benefit Share Our Strength and Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. Once again this year the list of heavy-hitting chefs is top-notch including April Bloomfield, Danny Bowien, Sean Brock and more. Check out the full list of chefs in town last year and check out our coverage from last year right here.

Federal Donuts Pioneers New Silicon Valley Technology

2013-05-17T09:47:00.002-04:00

Story and Photos by Danya Henninger

Fried chicken and donuts and... hot new tech? However unlikely the pairing of the first two, we know it turned out to be a win. Now a Silicon Valley firm has chosen Federal Donuts as an exclusive pioneer of a brand new product. Square, the digital commerce company founded by Twitter co-creator Jack Dorsey, just launched the Square Stand, and FedNuts is one of just 13 businesses across the country where the register is up and running.

Square Stand is mostly just that - a stand - but it’s a special one. Square launched in 2009 as a way to make it easy for small businesses to accept credit cards. It’s now used by tens of thousands of businesses, including quick-serve restaurants and food trucks, places cash used to be king. Federal Donuts had been using Square, but it was a jerry-rigged solution - a pocket-sized card reader plugged into an iPad glued to a post connected to a printer with a maze of wires.

Not any more. Now the iPad sits serenely (and removably) on top of the Square stand, which has a built in credit-card reader along the bottom. Your order of shabazzi chicken and banana cream pie donut is touch-screened in by the counter person, an order ticket prints for the kitchen, and the Square Stand pivots around so you can swipe your card. (Bonus: you can swipe your card facing either direction, so no flip-and-reswipe maneuvers necessary. Why don’t all readers do that?)

“Used to be, to set up a new point-of-sale system, you had to pay $3,000-$5,000 for a MICROS,” says Federal Donuts partner Tom Henneman. “Now you can do it with an iPad and a Square Stand and your total cost is $600. It’s a whole new game.”

How did Federal Donuts get selected, joining other companies like SF’s Blue Bottle Coffee and NYC’s Cafe Grumpy in the preview? No one we asked was quite sure. We’re betting the awesome @FederalDonuts Twitter feed played a part, though.

Checking out the new toy yesterday, we discovered there’s an even easier way to pay for your chix-and-donut fix: Square Wallet. The virtual wallet recognizes any location that uses Square. Instead of pulling out a credit card, open the app, click the Federal Donuts button, and you’re done. Plus, if you go often - like to get your daily breakfast - you can set it up to auto-recognize the shop and you won’t even have to take your phone out of your pocket. Just waltz in, snag your coffee and donut, and go. And don’t forget to wave to the people still standing in line on your way out.

Meritage Launches Warm Weather Happy Hour

2013-05-17T09:12:00.001-04:00

By Danya Henninger

Why are we excited about the new happy hour at Meritage? Anne Coll’s killer Korean pork tacos for $5 is a good start. Launching today, May 17, the new specials run 5-7 PM, Tuesday-Friday and feature $3 Sly Fox cans and $6 cocktails and wine. In addition to the tacos, other $5 snacks include corn and crab fritters and grilled Kobe grape leaves, all reasons to make 20th and Lombard the first stop on your route to the weekend. Check out all the deals below (215-985-1922).

DRINKS
Bucket of Pony Coronas $10
Sly Fox Can $3
June Bug $6
cucumber vodka, St. Germain, club soda, cucumber garnish
Summer Jam $6
tequila, fresh lime, splash chambord, club soda, mint
Chardonnay Douglass Hill 2011, California $6
Alai Cabernet 2012, Spain $6

SNACKS $5
Korean Pork Taco
Grilled Kobe Grape Leaves
Corn & Crab Fritters

Jamie Oliver Sued Over Pasta; Trace Amounts of Arsenic in Market Meat

2013-05-17T08:30:00.000-04:00

By Kelly Dobkin

41 Places There Should Always Be Sprinkles [Buzzfeed]
Steak 'N Shake Waitress Scores $466 on $6 Check [Consumerist]
How Trace Amounts of Arsenic End Up in Grocery Store Meat [NPR]
Jamie Oliver Resto Sued After Serving Regular Pasta to Celiac Customer [HuffPo]
8 Stellar Salad-Centric Cookbooks [YumSugar]

Freak Out: The Cronut is a Croissant and Donut in One

2013-05-16T17:35:00.002-04:00

By James Mulcahy

New York City pastry fans are freaking out over a new creation at the Dominique Ansel Bakery. Behold The Cronut - it's half croissant and half donut, and it is causing lines down the block in the AM at this city bakery. The bakery makes special sheeted and folded dough (which is different than what they normally use on their croissants) and then fries it up and frosts it, donut style. Are cronuts the new cupcakes? Will the cronut craze infect the country? These things are big enough to cut up and share, so there's plenty of mania to go around.

Quote of the Day: Mexican Official Fired Over Daughter's Restaurant Tantrum

2013-05-16T17:30:00.000-04:00

“With this decision the president of the republic sends a clear message to all of the public servants of the republic … that we are obliged to act in an ethical manner and absolute professionalism."

-Miguel Osorio Chong, Mexican Interior Minister in an announcement that Mexican official Humberto Benitez Trevino was fired after the incident last month in which his daughter tried to shut down a Mexico City restaurant for not giving her her desired table. [LAT]

Philly's Le Bec Fin Says Adieu; Chef Justin Bogle Taking Over the Space

2013-05-16T15:50:00.002-04:00

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

When bar manager Bradford Lawrence told us about changes coming to Le Bec Fin this past Monday evening, it wasn’t exactly the truth. Le Bec Fin will not undergo yet another set of revisions to try to stay relevant. It will close, for good. The Insider reports the Walnut Street icon will shutter as soon as June, and in its place a “micro-seasonal” modernist restaurant will open, helmed by hot chef Justin Bogle, recently awarded two Michelin stars at Gilt in NYC.

Chris Scarduzio (Table 31, Mia, Scarduzio's) will step in as director of operations. Nicholas Fanucci, who left the Thomas Keller organization and moved to Philadelphia to take over Le Bec Fin after Perrier’s retirement, is no longer involved. During renovations, the downstairs bar will stay open, good news if you want to try that Unicorn Egg cocktail. It’s the end of an era in Philadelphia dining, again. Let’s hope it stays that way, because we’re in the throes of an even better one.

Eat This, Do this, Read This: Philly Weekend Planner, May 17-19

2013-05-16T15:24:00.001-04:00

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

We’ve officially reached peak festival. There are so many events taking place this weekend that it’s tough to say whether you’ll have any time left to eat on your own. If you do, make an effort for this skins or croquettes, and definitely leave a few minutes to read up on the difference between ales and lagers and the story of Kim Jong-Il’s former chef.

Eat This

Art’s Potato Skins at The Industry
No one likes to admit defeat, but we’re definitely fans of potato skins, so we’re happy to tell you that Art Etchells of Foobooz dish won the “food writer dishes” popularity contest at the Pennsport bar. With Brooklyn Lager cheddar cheese and bacon on top, what’s not to like? These are now on the regular menu for $8, along with a few new additions from chef Pat Szoke, including salt and vinegar chicharrones and sweet corn arepas (215-271-9500).

Salt Cod Croquette at Bisou Bistro
A new menu also just dropped out at Bisou Bistro in Manayunk, and they include one of the favorite bites we’ve had from chef Clark Gilbert. Served with black olive tapenade, these croquettes are salty and crunchy and decadent, but still light enough for the warm weather. Outdoor seats are now set up on Main Street, so you can eat and drink while watching the ‘Yunk go by ($12; 215-487-1230).

Do This

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
More than 50,000 people are expected at the annual street fair in Rittenhouse this Saturday, May 18. Walnut Street from Broad to 19th will be closed to traffic, and more than 120 booths will line the sidewalks. More than a few of Philly’s best restaurants are included in that group, including Rotisseur, Vernick, HipCityVeg, Shake Shack and a ton more. It all goes down from noon-5 PM (rain or shine). Come hungry.

Brewerytown Spring Festival
In a neighborhood not so far, far away, another fest is taking place on Saturday. In contrast to well-established Rittenhouse, Brewerytown is just coming into its own. From noon-5 PM, check out this growing area just north and west of the Art Museum. Look food trucks like Sum Pig, Sweet Box, Chewy’s and more, beer from Philadelphia Brewing and a DJ spinning tunes, among other stands and vendors on Girard from 26th to 29th Street.

Read This

Dear Leader Dreams of Sushi
For 11 years, one Japanese man was the personal chef for Kim Jong-il. Adam Johnson scored and interview with him - he now lives in Japan again - and wrote a stunning piece for GQ on the intricacies of the North Korean dictator’s habits, in food or otherwise. For example, every single grain of rice the Dear Leader was fed was first hand-inspected for chips or cracks. And the chef was dispatched to a Beijing McDonald’s when Kim had a craving for Big Macs. It’s a long piece, but absurdly fascinating and worth the read.

What Is the Difference Between a Lager and an Ale?
Living in a beer town such as ours, it will serve you well to be familiar with the difference between a lager and an ale. PopSci breaks down the science behind the brew styles, and goes into detail about the evolution of the different yeasts that make it happen. Lagering was invented in Germany, but the yeast that made it possible probably hitched a ride over from the New World via the just starting transatlantic trade routes. Beer, eminently fascinating.

Sassafras Celebrates Fifth Anniversary With Drink Deals and Music

2013-05-16T13:44:00.001-04:00

By Danya Henninger

Old City’s Sassafras has actually been around for more than 40 years, but in 2008 Donal McCoy and Neil Laughlin took over the neighborhood dive and restored the jazz bar to it’s former glory. Tonight, the now-classy (but still relaxed) spot it celebrating five years in business with a ton of $5 food and drink deals and live music.

Starting at 6 PM, swing by Second and Chestnut to sip on $5 hibiscus mojitos, Manhattans, martinis, craft drafts and house wines. Back up the drinks with $5 beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips, hummus and pita and other bites. Local legand Kenn Kweder will be on the guitar, and the place will be rocking. Thursday night is the start of the weekend, right? (215-925-2317)

6 Best Oyster Happy Hours in Philly

2013-05-16T13:00:00.001-04:00

In the late 1800s, you couldn’t walk a block in Philadelphia without running into an oyster bar. Menus for business lunches invariably contained oysters at least three different ways, including the famous (if odd) fried oyster and chicken salad. The bivalves’ popularity dipped due to over-harvesting, but thanks to conservation and replenishment efforts, oysters are back and better than ever. Check out our list, and learn how to shuck oysters in our recent video.

Luke’s Lobster Brings Real Maine Lobster Rolls to Philadelphia

2013-05-16T11:51:00.000-04:00

Story and Photos by Danya Henninger

Today, Luke’s Lobster opens in Rittenhouse, in a petite, below-ground space on 17th Street, previously occupied by Bonte. Given the choice, we’d go for this lobster roll over a Belgian waffle every time, even for dessert. That’s because it’s the real deal. Ultrafresh lobster is sourced direct from co-owner Luke Holden’s family fishery in Maine, and then mostly left alone to works its innate lobster magic.

This is the ninth location for the mini-chain, already in NYC and DC, and the success is due to both quality and price - overflowing lobster rolls go for just $15, compared to $24 and up elsewhere. Click through to find out everything you need to know about Luke’s Lobster in Philly.

130 S. 17th St.; 215-564-1415

Thursday Deal: Louisiana Boil at Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen

2013-05-16T10:06:00.003-04:00

By Danya Henninger

Things are going swimmingly at Fishtown’s three-month-old Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen, with the large outdoor patio rocking the spring weather, enhanced by a sidewalk herb garden and $3 beers on select evenings. Chef Shannon Dougherty just launched a new weekly special that should draw even more crowds: a Louisiana Boil supper that goes for just $15.

Fresh seafood - this week shrimp and crawfish, also look for mussels and crab - is cooked up with spices, andouille sausage, new potatoes and corn on the cob, and served in a big bowl with a roll on the side to sop up the juices. The deal starts every Thursday at 5 PM (215-423-5400).

Sweet Find: Audabon Bakeshop Macarons

2013-05-16T09:09:00.000-04:00

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

French macarons are notoriously tricky to execute, but when done right, are as near to bites of heaven as you can get. We have an internal map of where to find great ones - it includes Garces Trading Company and the Sugar Philly truck - but were thrilled to stumble on another, relatively new producer: Audabon Bakeshop.

Started by Penn grad Audrey Chang, Audabon now regularly provides macarons to Chapterhouse Cafe in Bella Vista and HubBub Coffee by Logan Circle. She also does custom orders. We tried four different flavors, and every single one was top-notch, with melting tops and creamy interiors. Our favorite was salted caramel (despite the fact that it’s tinted green), but the peach melba was also great, combining buttercream and chunky chambord-peach jam filling.

The flavor list on the Audabon website is huge. We’re intrigued by some of the Asian-inspired creations, like coconut Thai tea and lime-basil Sriracha, but the apple pie was perfectly killer. The macarons sell for $1.50 each at the cafes or via e-mailed order. Get some.

Warming Oceans Altering Fish Catches; Kale is "Stamp of Coolness" at NY Restaurants

2013-05-16T08:30:00.000-04:00

By Kelly Dobkin

Kitchen Nightmares Restaurant Owners Have Online Meltdown [NYP]
Watch the Trailer for ABC's New Show, Mixology [GSNY]
Kale Salads Are Hot in Manhattan Social Circles [NYT]
Warming Oceans Are Altering Fish Catches [NPR]
Finding My Gateway Bug [Eatocracy]

Quote of the Day: Pat LaFrieda on Guy Fieri's Pete Wells Review

2013-05-15T18:06:00.001-04:00

"The title [of the burger] was a little ridiculous; it’s a little long. And some of our people said, ‘Hey Pat, why don’t we pull a whole PR stunt where we pull the meat away and say they didn’t represent our meat well.” I thought back to what my Dad or my Grandfather might have done, and that’s not something we would do. We did our job. We gave the meat to the restaurant. If they’re that bad at their job then their customers will dictate that and they’ll be out of business. It’s not for us to determine."

-Meat man Pat LaFrieda on being mentioned by name in the Pete Wells' takedown of Guy Fieri's Times Square eatery. [New Potato]

Brew Duo: Wheat Beer Fest at SPTR, Craft Brewers Festival at Iron Hill

2013-05-15T16:58:00.000-04:00

Live music at last year's SPTR Wheat Beer Fest

By Danya Henninger

This Saturday, you have two beer fests to choose from. If you’re in the city, get down to the South Philadelphia Tap Room for the annual Wheat Beer Fest. It’s the eighth year for this summer kickoff block party, which features over 30 brews in warm-weather-friendly styles.

Wheat beers are very sessionable (read: low ABV), and combined with the $3 per-brew price tag, you can count on downing quite a few. BBQ from chef Scott Schroeder will complement the sips, and live music will set the tone. Everything is pay as you go and festivities run from noon-8 PM (215-271-7787).

Out in Media, Iron Hill is playing host to the Brandywine Valley Craft Brewers Festival, which brings more than 20 regional breweries out to the Blue Route for a day of pouring in the sun. Tickets are limited, so get yours soon - it’s $45 per person (here) and includes all the sips you care to sample. Designated driver tickets are just $5, so convince a teetotalling friend to come along for the ride and you’ll be all set (610-627-9000).