Bank and Bourbon: 2nd Annual Bourbon Bash Review

Last year's inaugural Bourbon Bash at Bank and Bourbon was clearly one of Philly's foodie highlights. So there's no reason you would have missed out on this year's festivities at the Loews Hotel, right? Benefiting education through Donors Choose, tickets were an extremely reasonable $50 pp, with the organizers having a line of sight on surpassing last year's $35,000 total!

President & CEO of Loews Hotels, Kirk Kinsell was on hand, along with Executive Chef Thomas Harkins who was presenting highlights from Bank and Bourbon's lauded menu.

Once again, drinks and sponsors were plentiful. Cocktails were switched up this year though. Whiskey sours were a-plenty along with a fun ode to the upcoming Kentucky Derby by way of a properly made Mint Julep.

You should definitely start the night off at Bourbon Bash's charcuterie station, which thankfully made a reappearance! Charred bread, gorgeously silky chicken liver mousse, mounds of Benton's ham, huge hunks of Humboldt Fog cheese, and roasted figs ... pure heaven. Separately, there was also a station to indulge in oysters and Ahi tuna adorned with jalapeno and creme fraiche.

Honey-brined Duroc pork chops were paired with spring-time vegetables. Dry-aged cowboy ribeye steaks were tender and went perfectly with mushrooms. Moist Skuna Bay salmon was also on offer again and in place of the pastrami rubbed short rib from last year, pork belly took its place. Obviously, there were no complaints from me on this front! Incredibly tender, the pork belly simply melted in your mouth. Paired with caramelized onions and a homemade thousand island dressing, this was clearly what pastrami dreams of becoming.

Amidst all the options, there's a reason why so many folks made a beeline for the dessert station. It was massively outfitted with chocolate cakes and truffles, pecan pie bites, homemade donuts, bourbon caramel banana cream pies, and cookies. I couldn't help but sample a few of the strawberry rhubarb shortbread ice cream sandwiches that were being passed around. A fitting bite (or three!) to end the night.

Be sure to stop by Bank and Bourbon if you weren't able to make it to this year's bash. No reason to deny yourself great food, drink, and bourbons. I'd mark April 2017 on your calendars too! Judging by the success of the first two events, I don't doubt that a 3rd Bash will make its way back to the Loews Hotel in 2017.

FTC Disclaimer: I attended as a guest of Loews Hotel. However, all opinions are my own, and therefore, unbiased. 

Christos' Falafel Truck Review

Right outside my workplace on 20th and Market, you'll notice several food trucks on the corner. But the one you want to go to is unmistakable. Just head towards the sights and smells of charcoal-grilled meats and you can't miss it. Gus of Christos' Falafel Truck has a large following and the wait can be unbearable. It's not only because of the delicious smells you have to endure while waiting in line, but the wait that Gus forces upon his customers.

Credit: Yelp

Why the wait? Gus makes sure your order is perfect and he needs to take the time to promulgate the fact that his ingredients are the freshest in the city. If you see a line 5 people deep, expect a wait of 20-30 minutes. And don't you dare contradict what Gus is saying or ask for 2 orders. You'll incur his wrath. In fact, one of my co-workers were banned for life for giving him lip and is now missing out on good eats for life.

So wait patiently on line, get your $10 ready and that's really all you need to do. He knows what you want and what you need - there's no ordering or substituting here. 

Falafel Platter [$10]
Falafel, charcoal grilled chicken, chickpea red pepper rice, hummus, gooseberries, watercress, bread, orange

On one particular day, I received a freh watercress salad on top of a sweet hummus, which had a great garlicky undertone. Fair warning, garlic is the name of the game here - you won't realize it at first because it's incorporated so well, but eventually you'll realize it's quite overpowering. So carry some breath mints!

 

Underneath the salad was a bevy of charcoal-grilled chicken - extremely moist and juicy. One of the highlights of Gus's food truck is the fact that it's one of the few charcoal grill trucks in Philly - and he uses it to great effect!

In addition to the great chicken, the falafel was some of the best I have ever eaten. Incredibly garlicky, but light and crispy, I could eat this every day for the rest of my life and I wouldn't crave anything else. Yes, it's that good. 

Between the potent, yet delicious garlic bombs and the incredible hummus, you're in for a treat. The falafel is better than Mama's Vegetarian and the bevy of trucks I've tried in NY. As Gus says, it's not the best in the city, in the planet. I believe it's a contender.

Underneath the falafel was tender red pepper rice as well.

And some gorgeous gooseberries from a South Philly market were provided - a nice palate cleanser in light of all that garlic. 

I also received some lightly grilled baguette and an orange for later.

So for $10, this is quite a steal. Easily one of the best lunches in the city. Gus is available from around 11AM to 4PM during the week, but he's usually on vacation for most of the winter. If you see the smoke rising on 20th street - run, don't walk! Be sure to get your falafel fix. 

Christos' Falafel Truck

20th and Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Khmer Kitchen Review

"You've got to try that Cambodian restaurant in South Philly." Never knowing the actual name of the restaurant, I kept hearing people repeat this recommendation. Recently though, I came across Khmer Kitchen and put two and two together. So glad I did! 

It was also fortuitous that it was time for a couples' date night with some friends. We were all excited to see what lay beyond Philly's typical dining scene. 

Khmer Kitchen is a family restaurant, with one of the sons serving the room and the rest of the family, from brothers to grandmothers, cooking in the back. I loved the attention to detail and appreciated that we were told which dishes each of his family members prepared! FYI - Khmer Kitchen doesn't take reservations and seating is limited. So be prepared to wait a bit - it's worth it! 

Once you get your table, pop open a few bottles because it's BYO. I loved this Shatter Grenache 2011  that I was gifted by some co-workers. It had a nice spiciness that complemented the sweet and sour flavors of the dishes to come. 

Prah Hok Kateeh [$9.49]
Caramelized ground pork, coconut cream, fish paste 

Please start off with the Prah Hok Kateeh - the caramelized ground pork is marinated in the prah hok fish paste, which provided additional savoriness that belied any fishy expectations. The coconut cream balanced the pork really nicely. A veritable meritage of cabbage, red pepper, carrot, green beans, and cucumbers were offered as scooping vessels. The raw eggplant was surprising to me, but in combination with the pork, it worked.

Kah-Puh Ch'in [$11.95]
Lightly battered, salt and pepper shrimp, coconut curry sauce 

We decided on a starter of battered shrimp as well, which were crisp and lightly seasoned. The shrimp themselves were snappy and succulent. The star element of the dish? The coconut curry cream sauce, which was somewhat savory and delectably sweet. In combination with the fresh red cabbage and lettuce, along with the snappy shrimp, this was easily enjoyable.

Cha Kr'ung with Beef [$12.79]
Stir-fried beef, lemon grass, galonga, Kafir lime leaf

A table favorite was the stir-fried beef, especially for those that prefer their beef well-done. Even cooked at that temperature, the beef was nicely juicy because of the marinade. The prototypically Cambodian flavors of Kafir lime and lemongrass were all there. A true balance of flavors. Easy eating with some of the accompanying rice! 

Bok La-Hong [$6.95]
Papaya salad, tomatoes, fresh basil, cabbage

If you're at a Northern Thai or Cambodian restaurant, you've got to try the papaya salad right? The fish sauce definitely permeated throughout, but I found it to be a great counterpoint to the savoriness of the rest of the meal. The freshness of the crunchy green papaya was undeniable.

Pleah Sak-Koe [$10.99]
Thinly sliced choice eye-round beef marinated in lime, lemon grass, fresh herbs

One of the surprising standouts was the eye-round beef, essentially served ceviche style. Marinated in lime, it's lightly "cooked" and in great balance with the herbs. Sweet, savory, acidic, and lightly spicy, all the flavors were there. In fact, if you weren't told that the beef wasn't traditionally cooked, you probably wouldn't know! 

Off Menu Coconut Curry Chicken
Chicken, coconut curry cream, green beans, onions, red peppers

An off-menu recommendation was easily my favorite dish of the night - perhaps in recent memory! The moist, juicy chicken contrasted in texture with the crispness of the veggies. Sweet, savory, and rich, the coconut curry cream sauce was ridiculous and tied it all together. Could easily eat this 24/7. 

Pro tip: They're closed on Mondays and the last seating is at 8PM, with the exception of Sundays when the last table is at 7PM. It was approximately $20-$25 per person including a 25% tip, so don't let your wallet stop you. Khmer Kitchen is definitely a South Philly gem that needs to be checked out! If you aren't willing to wait for a table, they do deliver on Postmates! 

Soprano's Trattoria: Broomall Review

The GF and I were house sitting in Newton Square - which is the 'burbs for all you non-Philly folk. So we decided to get some takeout from Soprano's Trattoria - highly rated in nearby Broomall, PA.

Bowtie Pasta [$11.95]
Chicken, broccoli rabe

The bowtie were nicely al dente, but could have used a bit more seasoning on the pasta itself . The grilled chicken bits were a bit small, but were accented by garlic and oil. The bits of bitter broccoli rabe were nice - they provided additional hints of garlic.

In typical Italian fashoin, honey-oat wheat bread and a sesame-seeded roll were provided to complete our carbo-loading feast.

Chicken Cutlet Sandwich [$8.95]
Broccoli rabe, provolone 
  

The chicken cutlet sandwich was pretty good - the broccoli rabe was a nicely bitter counterpoint to the sharp provolone and the abundant fried chicken cutlet. The bread was fresh, but something was missing to tie it all together - a sauce or some oil - it was drier than I would've liked.

Onion Rings [$4.95]
 

Now there are definitely no complaints about the house-made onion rings. Expertly fried, the onion still had a bit of bite without any of the after-taste. Better yet, these were not greasy at all - I could've easily eaten another order of these. 

Soprano Fries [$3.95]
 

The Soprano fries were steak-cut and had some seasoning on them - Cajun? I couldn't really tell because it wasn't very pronounced. The fries were crisp on the outside and creamy within though. 

Chicken Wings 
 

As an added bonus, because our order was above $25, Soprano's sent over 5 free chicken wings. While they weren't as crisp as I normally like wings to be, they were substantial, well-seasoned, and juicy. 

The delivery guy was awesome - it was late at night and if you know how the 'burbs are - finding houses are a bit difficult. He took the time to make sure our food got here regardless. Soprano's has a second location on South Broad at the Bellevue food court if you're looking for American-Italian fare in the city. Do get those onion rings! 

Soprano's Trattoria
3072 W. Chester Pike
Broomall, PA 19008
(610) 359-9355 
www.sopranoscatering.net

Corner Bakery: Philadelphia Review

The business district of Center City tends to be a ghost-town on the weekends. So when the GF's folks were in town, we were surprised to see that the Corner Bakery was open on a Saturday morning. Needing some simple fuel for the typical tourist walk, we stopped in.

There's plenty of seating here - clearly capable of taking in the business crowd during the work week. 

Mac n Cheese & Caesar Salad Combo [$8.69]

The GF decided to go with the mac n cheese & salad combo. The macaroni was nicely al dente, with a sharp cheddar sauce coating the noodles - a bit wet for my taste, but certainly to the GF's liking. It came topped with bread crumbs and grilled bread on the side.

A side of caesar salad was decent - lettuce, shreds of Parmesan, and bread crumbs - hard to go wrong here.

Anaheim Scrambler [$7.89]
Scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, tomatoes, green onions, cheddar, avocado

I was in the mood for a breakfast sandwich so went with one of their scrambler sandwiches. A melange of creamy avocado and scrambled eggs was accented nicely by the bite of green onion and the crispy bits of bacon. The cheddar brought it all together within the house-made bread, grilled on a panini. I was hoping for a side of home fries, but they were out shortly before noon.

So if you're looking for some simple fare with some house-made bread, check out Corner Bakery! There's no Panera on the west-side of City Hall, so this will definitely do! 

Rybread Review

If you're in the Fairmount area and itching for some delicious baked bread or spectacular sandwiches, look no further than Rybread. Need further proof? Try stopping by on a weekend shortly before noon and check out the line funneling out the door. It's that good. 

So on a recent Saturday morning, we took the new puppy out for a stroll and decided to grab some sandwiches to go. 

Savannah [$7.15] 
Oven-roasted turkey breast, brie, whole cranberry sauce, mayo, multi-grain bread

The GF went with one of the healthier, but hearty options on the menu. As expected, there was an inherent sweetness to each bite, thanks to the whole cranberry sauce that paired well with the brie. The fresh-sliced turkey breast was moist and juicy, but it was truly all about the great multi-grain bread. Soft, pliant, and delicious. 

New York [$7.15]
Corned beef, swiss, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, marble rye 

As a transplanted New Yorker always in search for a proper Pastrami, or in this case, a corned beef Reuben, this hit the spot. The marble rye was buttered and there was plenty of well-seasoned corned beef and crunchy sauerkraut. The Swiss cheese was nicely melted and there was just enough Russian dressing to make this a 5-napkin meal. 

There's no denying that Rybread makes a delicious sandwich. How they could improve? More efficient prep. Even when the line was four deep (it soon became 12+ by the time I got my sandwich), the kitchen was in the weeds. Yet despite the disorderly prep, you can't help but enjoy waiting in line,  while you bask in the scent of fresh-baked bread. 

Lazaro's Pizza Review [3]

Lazaro's is one of our favorite places to order takeout pizza. Only downside? They only take cash. Regardless, the slices are fresh and the dough is buttery and well-seasoned. So here's a hodgepodge of some recent takeout from South Street.

Medium White Spinach Pie ($12.75)
16'' pizza, ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, EVOO, spinach

What I love about Lazaro's is their gorgeously thin crust. Despite this, their dough stays buttery. The medium is a large 16 inches and the white spinach pie was on point - garlic notes, with well-seasoned spinach and creamy ricotta spooned throughout. Fresh and definitely gets the job done. Keep in mind, the more toppings you add, the floppier you should expect the pizza considering the relative thickness of the crust.

Large Combination Gourmet Pie ($17)
18'' pizza, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green pepper 

Case in point - the large gourmet pie. This is a cornucopia of "the works," including a melange of meats, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Despite the glut of toppings, the dough did a reasonable job of maintaining its crispness despite delivery. And at a standout 18 inches, this was one huge slice.

Chicken Cutlet Sub ($7.50)
Foot long, provolone, lettuce, tomato, mayo
  

The GF typically eschews pizza (likely because I eat so much of it). So she often goes with the sandwiches. The chicken cutlet sub was delicious - crisp, moist chicken cutlets surrounded by sharp provolone and a slab of mayo. The bread was fresh and crusty. 

Mega Fries ($5.50)
Fries, whiz, mozzarella, bacon
  

I can't not order the Mega Fries right? In addition to mozzarella melted on top, along with almost-too-crisp bacon, there was whiz provided on the side. Talk about overload. Unfortunately, the main component of the dish - the fries - were not crisp at all. More a starchy mush.

Onion Rings ($3.75)

Now I don't believe the onion rings are homemade, but they sure are crunchy and delicious. Nothing wrong here!

Overall, if you're looking for simple standard takeout, Lazaro's is a great bet if you're craving pizza. Just be sure to have cash on hand!