Jack's Firehouse Review

The GF's family was in town for Thanksgiving and a few days after the big meal, we decided to venture onto Fairmount Avenue to check out Jack's Firehouse.

Set in a 19th century firehouse, it's an expansive and unique space, replete with a rowboat above the bar and wood throughout. Not what I expected at all. We were there on a weekend night and it was pretty bumping around the bar, without being distracting to the diners.

Bread Service
 

The meal started off with bread service, comprised of buttery biscuits and house-made corn muffins. This was accompanied by a pat of butter and macerated cherries - a really nice spread.

Southern Style Pulled Pork on Corn Chips [$7.95]
 

We went with the southern style pulled pork on corn chips as an app to share. I figured it would be Fritos a la Texas, but these were house-made corn chips with a nice spice mix. The pulled pork was sweet and tender. 

North Carolina Style Crab Cakes [$22.95]
Southern chow-chow, roasted garlic aioli
  

I decided to go with the crab cakes, which were substantial, had good flavor, and did not have too much breading. The pickled veggie chow-chow was a nice counterbalance to the rich crab cakes and roasted garlic aioli. 

Roasted Chicken Breast [$19.95]
Bacon mac & cheese, wild mushroom sauce 
  

The GF's chicken breast was juicy and moist, with the mushroom sauce adding some depth. The mac n cheese was nice and sharp, with bits of bacon interspersed throughout the creamy mac.

The kitchen also sent out two huge platters each of mashed potatoes and some of the best collard greens I have ever had. Smoky and vinegary, I almost ate both platters of collard greens all by myself. 

Jack's Firehouse also sent out deliciously homemade chocolate walnut cookies. Crumbly and soft, these were a nice end to our meal.

So if you're ever in the Fairmount area by Eastern State, do stop by. Chef Jack McDavid's cooking is committed to using local ingredients and the cooking is down-home and hearty. I was frankly surprised at the A-OK 3-star rating on Yelp. It should definitely be 4 stars, though I do think the pricing may be a bit steep. Regardless, I know I'll be back - especially if I can convince the GF to return to ESP during Halloween!

Russet Review

For New Year's Eve 2014, the GF and I decided to relax and have a late dinner around Rittenhouse. We'd been meaning to try Russet and figured that this was the perfect time to try the dishes offered by the husband-wife team of Chef Andrew Wood and Pastry Chef Kristin Wood.

Russet's a BYO and one of the few that takes credit cards. And in the spirit of NYE, we decided to bring a bottle of our favorite champagne. Crisp and very fruity with a medium finish, Moet's Nectar Imperial Rose is quite quaffable.

NYE Menu [$75 pp]

But on to the food! Russet was offering 5 courses for $75 pp, including some supplements which I took full advantage of. 

Bread Service
 

The rustic bread was nice, but served cold - perhaps it's because we had a 10PM reservation. The pat of butter was at room temp though, which I appreciated.

Heirloom Squash Turnover

Caramelized onions, pumpkin seed-arugula pesto, black walnut

The GF started off with the squash turnover which was buttery and delicious. The crisp texture of the turnover and the black walnuts contrasted nicely with the rich caramelized onions and squash. The pumpkin seed-arugula helped to brighten up each bite.

Oyster and Scallop Gratin

Celery, chervil, shallot

I went with the oyster-scallop gratin, which was served on a bed of salt. The mix of shallots, cooked celery, chopped oysters, and scallop was nice - briny and oceanic, with the bread crumbs providing some texture. The chervil helped to add some herbaceousness.

House-Cured Prosciutto

Local quince, grissini, pickled mustard seeds

I appreciate that Chef Wood house-cures his own ham and the prosciutto here was luscious and teeming with the porcine goodness you're looking for. The balance of the local quince and the pickled mustard seeds provided some brightness against the heft of the prosciutto.

Seared Foie Gras [+ $10 supplement]

Blood orange, thyme, buckwheat-meyer lemon madeleine 

The foie gras was prototypically luscious and rich, with the blood orange providing the proper foil. But the real star? The buckwheat meyer lemon madeleines churned out from Chef Kristin Wood. They were buttery, subtly sweet, and had a wonderfully crumbly texture. 

Woodland Jewel Mushroom Raviolo
Ricotta, Loc Tran's egg

The GF and I were looking forward to an oozing egg in the middle of her raviolo, but alas - it was only filled with ricotta, without much seasoning. The pasta itself could have used another minute in the water - more starchy than al dente. The sauce had some depth, but overall, each bite lacked seasoning.

Hand-Rolled Pici with Perigord Black Truffle [+ $18 supplement]
Roasted langoustines, leeks, pistachio, sauce Americaine  

Russet was offering a Perigord black truffle supplement for the pasta dishes so I opted to top off my pici pasta. A generous portion of earthy truffles was provided and though I prefer black truffles to be cooked to release more of that intense aroma, this added some nice depth.

The deliciously, buttery veloute coated the pasta well. However, while the langoustine claw was meaty and well-cooked, there were more than a few pieces of shell found interspersed in the pasta. I normally don't bring much attention to gaffes such as this, but it was so egregious, I did cordially mention it to the server. Alas, either the server didn't understand that I was pointing at about 4 pieces of shell on my bread plate or he couldn't care less ... 

Seared Branzino 
Caramelized parsnips, grilled vidalia onions, kale, parsley jus 

For her main, the GF went with the fish. Online, the offering appeared to be halibut with uni, but for actual dinner service, branzino was on offer sans uni. Regardless, the fish was moist, delicate, and flavorful. The caramelized parsnips and grilled vidalia onions added some texture and sweetness to each bite.

Slow-Roasted Border Springs Lamb
Floriani corn polenta, romanesco, green coriander, tomato fondue
  

I don't know if it's because it was 11PM on NYE or it was a NYE menu, but unfortunately my main was a disaster. I was really looking forward to the "slow roasted" lamb, which was incinerated beyond belief. About half of it seemed fried and the meat was not tender at all. The romanesco was bright and the corn polenta cake was decent however. But momma didn't raise a vegetarian - disappointing.

Bittersweet Chocolate Budino
Cranberry compote, cassis cream
  

Luckily though, pastry chef Kristin Wood salvaged the rest of the meal. The GF ordered the budino based on her infatuation with Chef Turney's salted caramel budino. This iteration was in cake form, with a nicely bittersweet chocolate ganache within. The cranberry compote provided acidity to balance the richness of the cake and the chocolate, with the currant cream providing some levity.

Mascarpone Panna Cotta
Blood orange, Grand Marnier syrup, oat crisp
  

My mascarpone panna cotta had the proper jiggle and was light and subtly sweet. The caramelized sugar oat crisp had nice texture and the Grand Marnier syrup wasn't overpowering or cloyingly sweet. The blood orange provided a bright tartness that was an appropriate end to the meal.

Russet is housed in a quaint Rittenhouse townhouse that was surprisingly bumping with conversation and music. Other than the gaffe with the langoustine pasta, service was just fine, especially considering most of the reviews on Yelp fault the restaurant on this point. Clearly, some of the courses on this particular night were disappointing, but I appreciated that Chef Kristin Wood was able to bring our meal to a nice close. Definitely willing to try Russet again.

The Filling Station Microbrewery Review

This is for a 2015 Michigan Trip including:

The Filling Station Microbrewery, Morning at Maggies Omelette Shoppe, Mackinaw Brewing Company, and Tony's I-75.

The Filling Station Microbrewery opened in the spring of 2012 in Traverse City, Michigan. Located right off of the historic railroad district adjacent to an actual railway, the Filling Station offers a rotating list of craft brews, along with wood-fired flatbreads and salads.

You order your brews and pizzas at the bar and grab a seat inside or out. At 700 degrees, the wood-fired oven crisps up the flatbreads in just a few minutes. On most nights, you'll find live music outside. Along with the heat lamps and picnic benches, you've got the perfect setting for a fun night. But let's get on to the food.

Apologies in advance for the cell phone pics!

Burlington Northern [$16]
Garlic oil, roasted garlic, red onions, pear, prosciutto, brie, Parmesan, balsamic reduction
  

The Burlington Northern was a nice mix of savory and sweet. The tangy sweetness of the balsamic reduction was complemented by the pear, with the salty prosciutto and Parmesan creating a countervailing element to impart some savoriness that was accented by the garlic oil and roasted garlic. The bite of the red onions was nice, with the brie providing the creaminess and some funk from the rinds. The dough itself was crisp and nicely charred.

The Spartan [$14]
Marinara, crimini mushrooms, olives, red onions, pepperoni, prosciutto, mozzarella
  

The Spartan was salty and savory, with plenty of pepperoni and prosciutto, mixed with earthy crimini and briny olives. The sweet marinara and mozzarella was interspersed throughout to bring it all together. 

Overall, The Filling Station hits the spot with its variety of craft brews and interesting flatbread creations. Each flatbread is plenty for two to share, but there's nothing wrong with getting a few to change up the pace! 

Bing Bing Dim Sum Review

When I heard that the brain trust behind Cheu Noodle Bar was going to open up a Dim Sum restaurant in South Philly, I couldn't help but get excited. When they brought on Top Chef and Sampan alum Travis Masar, I had a good feeling that my taste buds would be sent a-tingling. 

Before you raise a stink about Asian fusion and the like, don't go in expecting authentic dim sum. Rather, appreciate the amalgamation of two great cultures embodied in the form of small plates Jew-Asian cuisine. 

The interior is very hipster-chic, with plenty of red lighting. Perhaps in reference to the Chinese color representing luck? You can see into the kitchen and on this particular night, you could clearly catch a glimpse of Chef Masar hard at work. 

Tiger Style [$30 pitcher / $9 glass]
Bourbon, oolong tea, all-spice tamarind dram, plum wine, lemon, ginger cider

The GF and I came with a friend of ours and we all decided to indulge in a pitcher of this bourbon-based tipple. Mixed with oolong tea and plum wine, the bourbon was nicely tempered. Smooth, mellow, and subtly saccharine with a nice hit of spice from the ginger. Easy drinking. 

Scarlet Dumplings [$7]
Red beet, tofu, crispy garlic

The GF's favorite had to be the scarlet dumplings. The beet essence was light and the dumplings were expertly made. The crispy garlic offered some texture in contrast with the tofu. 

Spicy Cucumber Salad [$8]
Tofu, watercress, sesame chile oil

I couldn't help but think of Han Dynasty's spicy cucumber when ordering this dish. I still think my favorite rendition resides at Han Chiang's Old City outpost, but second best isn't anything to scoff at! The lingering spice from the sesame chile oil permeated the tofu, with the crisp bit of acidic cucumber shining through. 

Caterpillar Bread [$7]
BBQ pork, caramelized honey, sesame seed 

The caterpillar bread is a must order in my mind. So much so that I almost ordered another. The lacquered and crispy exterior was studded with sesame seeds and lent way to savory, sweet BBQ pork within. A stunner. 

Roast Pork Bao [$7]
Sharp provolone, long hots, spinach

The roast pork bao was another favorite of mine. The crisp on the outside was outstanding - better executed than even the pan-fried dumplings at Dim Sum Garden. A testament to the kitchen's skills, especially due to the size of these dumplings. And what lay beneath the exterior? A gluttonous melange of well-seasoned pork and sharp provolone, along with some smoky spice from the long hots. 

Pork Soup Dumplings [$14]
Miso ramen flavor

Admittedly, Dim Sum Garden's iteration still reigns supreme as Philly's XLB king, mainly due to their gossamer-thin wrapper. But Bing Bing has got it going with theirs as well. In fact, we went ahead and got a second order while we were still finishing up the first. The miso ramen flavor had a nice depth and the accompanying soy and ginger lent way to a nice sweet and vinegary interplay. 

Green Mango & Papaya Salad [$9]
Peanut, shiso, air dried beef

Northern Thai offerings are severely lacking in Philly. But please do get a taste of it with Bing Bing's take on the mango and papaya salad. The contrast in textures and sweet, sour, spicy, savory flavors - it's all there. Chef Masar's passion for Thai cuisine is clearly evident. 

Turnip Cake [$8]
Matzo meal, fried egg, maple, bonito

Another gorgeously delicious dish? The turnip cake was wonderfully fried, with a delicately crisp crust. The bonito added umami to each bite and who can say no to a fried egg, which oozed additional savoriness. 

Happy Family Fried Rice [$18]
BBQ pork, shrimp, crab, fried egg, flat chive

The fried rice was a hearty offering, featuring plenty of BBQ pork, snappy shrimp, sweet crab, and of course, a fried egg. Perfect to mix and provide additional richness to each bite. 

Wok Fried Udon Noodles [$14]
Pressed tofu, mushroom, pea leaves, satay sauce

Not to be outdone, the udon seemed fresh and had wonderful bite. Sweet and savory came through here, with the satay sauce coating the firm tofu, mushrooms, and pea leaves. 

If you're heading over during prime time hours, be prepared to wait - or reserve a table through the Reserve app. Download it on your phone and use code X10VXZ to get $10 off your bill. Full disclosure - I get a referral credit too! Lastly, keep in mind Bing Bing doesn't have dim sum carts rolling about. Rather, you order from the set menu and the dishes come out as they're prepared in the kitchen. I'd recommend ordering a few dishes at a time, otherwise you might be overwhelmingly inundated. But there I go again, assuming everyone else also orders pretty much the entire menu.

Ishkabibble's Review

As I continue my search for the best Philly cheesesteak, I can count John's Roast Pork, Jim's, Jake's Sandwich Board, and Gooey Looie's as some of the better destinations. Ishkabibble's is no slouch either.

With two locations located across the street from Jim's, Ishkabibble's a good bet for the late night crowd not looking to suffer through the line at Jim's. 

Large Gremlin [$2.50]

What's referred to as "The Gremlin" is oft-bandied about in reviews of Ishkabibble's. A mix of grape soda and lemonade, it's slightly tart with expected sweetness on the finish. Not the biggest fan of sweet on sweet, but I can see why it's popular, especially to wash down a cheesesteak.

Cheesesteak Whiz Wit' [$9.50] + Provolone [$1]
Fried onions, whiz, provolone
 

But truly, I was here for the cheesesteak. The fresh bread was lightly toasted and housed grilled-to-order steak that wasn't overly seasoned. I went with both whiz and provolone to make each bite sufficiently cheesy. The bits of fried onions helped to round things out. Fresh is the name of the game here. If you're looking for a grease-bomb in the best sense though, head over to Jim's.

Onion Rings [$4.50]
 

Another standout? The onion rings. Sure - they're from the freezer. But the malty batter and the crisp fry rendered that fairly moot and more importantly, delicious. 

So if you find yourself on South Street or are thinking about places to get a proper cheesesteak in Philly, you'd be well served by checking out Ishkabibble's.

Mackinaw Brewing Company Review

This is for a 2015 Michigan Trip including:

The Filling Station Microbrewery, Morning at Maggies Omelette Shoppe, Mackinaw Brewing Company, and Tony's I-75.

While exploring Traverse City, we saw a line out the door for Mackinaw Brewing Company. So after some shopping, we decided to grab some lunch when the crowds dissipated.

MBC was actually the first brewpub to open up in downtown Traverse City, specializing in hand-crafted brews (Michigan is known for those!) and smoked meats. So let's get on with it - apologies for the cell phone pics!

Smoked Whitefish Bake [$8.99]
Smoked whitefish, cheese, green onion, garlic, MBC garlic rounds
 

Seemingly a specialty of most places in Michigan, you'll find whitefish on pretty much every menu. This dip was smoky, cheesy, creamy, and delicious. With a spritz of lemon for acidity and spread on the toast points, this was a nice bite.

Dill Havarti Cheese Sticks [$8.59]

Another crowd favorite? Just some of the best mozzarella sticks ever. The brininess of the dill came on slightly through the creaminess of the cheese, with a crisp homemade crust. Ranch accompanied these bad boys. 

Whitefish Sandwich [$9.99]
Great Lakes whitefish, deep fried, lettuce, tartar sauce
 

The GF was in the mood for a fish sandwich, so went with the whitefish sandwich. I think she thought it ate more like cod, but unfortunately, the fishiness of the whitefish really came through. Should've went with the mahi special like I hinted! In any case, it was well-fried with a crunchy batter, but fair warning on the inherent fishiness. Can't fault the fries though - beer-battered and deliciously creamy within.

Beef Brisket Sandwich [$9.99]
BBQ brisket, grilled onions, cheddar cheeese
 

I went with the beef brisket, which was smoky, sweet, and tender, with a great heaping of melted cheddar and savory onions piled on high. This was all within a toasted, but pillowy brioche bun. Ad you can't forget about those killer fries! 

Overall, MBC really hit the spot with their great apps and smoked meats. I'd definitely stop by again if I were in town.