Wok Street Review

Other posts related to the Hai Street Kitchen empire of restaurants include: Hai Street Kitchen, Wok Street, and Ai Ramen. 

Wok Street is the new fast-casual concept from the folks that brought us the monster Sushi-ritos at Hai Street Kitchen. Located on Chestnut Street between 15th and 16th streets, it's the perfect place to pop in for a work-week lunch or while you're shopping. Well-designed with the building's original elevator doors mounted on the walls and exposed brick, there's plenty of seating within.

Banh mi and signature bowls are on offer, but feel free to create your own bowls. You can fill up on quality wok-cooked proteins, veggies, noodles, or rice. For those looking to go low-carb, you can opt to have it all on a salad as well! 

Thai Iced Tea [$2.49]
Sweetened spiced tea, milk 

I started off with a refreshing Thai Iced tea. Normally, these sweet concoctions are a bit too "diabetic coma" for me. But this hit the spot, with just enough sweetness highlighted by some great cardamom-cinnamon spice notes. No surprise because the matcha green tea from Hai Street is awesome. Probably not a coincidence that the matcha tea makes a reappearance on the menu at Wok Street! 

Pork Banh Mi [$6.89]

Hoisin mayo, cucumber, jalapeno, pickled red onion, cilantro

You can fill your banh mi with chicken, pork, steak, or tofu. I opted for the tender fall-apart pork shoulder - juicy and succulent. There was a burst of freshness from the crisp jalapeno, cucumber, pickled onions, and herbaceous cilantro - all housed within a crusty, seeded baguette that had a slight spread of hoisin mayo, A squirt of sriracha brought it all together. 

Bangkok Beef Signature Bowl [$9.19 Regular | $11.18 Large]
White rice, veggies, chard, braised beef, tamarind sauce, pickled red pepper, sliced cucumber, mint, tempura crunch

The Bangkok Beef bowl came highly recommended. The sweet, tender beef reminded me of Korean marinated short-ribs. Hearty with plenty of well-cooked rice, red peppers, spinach, and chard, the tempura crunch offered some textural contrast. All for under $10! 

"Soon to be Famous" Tofu Cheesecake [$1.29]

Ginger maple syrup

To end my lunch date with Wok Street, I enjoyed the tofu cheesecake. Light and certainly a healthier option, expect a nicely firm texture, with the ginger maple syrup providing a subtle sweetness. 

I knew that Hai Street Kitchen was expanding quickly (it's third location is opening up at Liberty Place fairly soon!), but didn't realize that they were expanding their reach beyond just sushi-ritos. Wok Street offers great bowls and banh mi's, but did you know that a ramen restaurant was in the works too? The Hai Street empire is taking over Philly - and that's not a bad thing at all!

Pro-tip: Look out for Wok Street to be on GrubHub and Caviar! 

FTC Disclaimer: Special thanks to Wok Street and Breslow Partners for having me in to try their offerings. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Alla Spina Review [2]

 This is for a series of posts for the Vetri family of restaurants including: Pizzeria Vetri [1], Pizzeria Vetri [2], Pizzeria Vetri [3], Alla Spina, Alla Spina [2], Amis, Vetri Ristorante [1], and Vetri Ristorante [2].  

After loving The Dandelion, our friends had wanted to hit up another gastropub in Philly. I couldn't help but think of Alla Spina - coincidentally and conveniently located near us as well! More importantly, it's one of my favorite places to grab a drink or brunch.

Dimly lit at night, it's a great spot to pop a seat at the bar or grab a secluded table with some friends or a date. 

Negroni [$11]

Bluecoat gin, campari, sweet vermouth

Really smooth with a wonderfully prototypical bitter and citrus finish. The Negronis here are done right and on tap!

Sgroppino [$11]

Prosecco, Tito's vodka, lemon sorbet

The sgroppino featured light effervescence, with a saccharine lemon foam brought on by the prosecco and lemon sorbet. Sweet enough to enjoy just one.

Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs [$1.50 pp]

We got a few of the deviled eggs which had nice buffalo chicken essence with a bit of spicy kick.

Crispy Pig Tails [$8]

Fennel agrodolce

I loved the gluttonous fatty bits, encasing the tender fall-apart pork from the tail bone. The sweet and sour agrodolce played well with the anise flavors of the fennel to bring forth some balance to the richness of the pork.

Fried Pickles [$8]

Julie's ranch dressing

I normally enjoy fried pickles best when they're shaved as thin chips. But these were well-battered - not overly thick, surprisingly crisp, and held onto the briny spears. The ranch dressing wasn't overwhelming and had a nice cooling essence that complemented the saltiness of the pickles.

Cauliflower Grits [$10]

Old bay, cheddar

Even for the vegetarians, there's a home for you at Alla Spina. The cauliflower was well-charred and tender. The grits were buttery, cheesy, and rich, with the Old Bay providing sharp hits of seasoning.

Black Bean Nachos [$14]

Beer cheese, pico de gallo

These black bean nachos are the perfect snack to complement a brew. The housemade tortilla chips were overloaded with cotija and thick black beans to create a homey and filling bite. The pickled jalapenos and scallions helped to brighten up each bite.

"The Angry Grandpa" Double Decker Burger [$14]

Guanciale, provolone, samurai ranch, fried pickle, LTO

For those in the know, the burger is clearly a reference to Chef Vetri's social media alter ego. Regardless, there's nothing but love here. Nicely crisped double patty's were straight from the flattop. Interspersed with thinly sliced onions, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and crisp guanciale, the spattering of samurai ranch tied each bite together. Somehow the sesame seeded bun housed it all in. The fried pickle spear on top? Heaven. My choice of sour cream n' onion chips were spot on - easily addictive and should supplement any drink you might have on hand.

Drunk a Roos [$6]

Cookies, whisky icing 

An ode to a favorite childhood treat, these were cute in essence, but as you might expect, nothing to write home about. The whisky essence was a bit lost amidst the sweet icing, but I suppose that's not really the point, is it?

Key Lime Pie Twist [$6]

Graham cracker crumble

On the other hand, the key lime pie twist was a clear winner. This was essentially key lime pie ice cream, topped with plenty of Graham cracker crumbles. The tart essence of the key lime inundated each spoonful and was the perfect palate cleanser.

As expected with any Vetri production, our server Alecia was extremely knowledgeable, offering tidbits about the drinks list and plenty of recommendations about the menu. Alla Spina's a great place to enjoy good food and drink, while relaxing with friends and without worrying about the scene. 

The Dandelion Review [2]

This is for a series of posts for Stephen Starr restaurants including:

Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Butcher and Singer, Continental Midtown & Martini Bar, The Dandelion, The Dandelion [2], El Rey, El Vez, Jones, Parc, Pizzeria Stella, Route 6 [1], Route 6 [2], & Square Burger.

A friend was in town filming a spot for QVC and mentioned he was all about gastropubs. The GF was in the mood for a proper fish and chips. So, The Dandelion was pretty much a done deal. 

Stout Flip [$11]

Bulleit bourbon, whole egg, orange marmalade, Young's Double Chocolate Stout

One of my favorite drinks has to be the Stout Flip. Luscious and chocolate-forward, this'll be the creamiest (and booziest!) chocolate shake you'll imbibe. The orange marmalade notes balanced out the sweet and bitter from the bourbon and stout, with the whole egg providing body. 

Iron Lady [$12]

Old Overholt Rye, Thatcher's Apple Ginger, angostura and orange bitters, orange peel, Luxardo cherry

I've ordered several of these ladies over the years. Similar enough to a Manhattan, with Thatcher's ginger liquer subbing in for vermouth, the mellow balance belies the subtle stiffness of the drink.

Bread Service

There's always great bread to start you off at The Dandelion, along with several pats of easily spreadable butter.

Housemade Ricotta [$11.50]

Extra virgin olive oil, dried herbs, toasted sourdough

Fair warning, if you're planning on ordering a few apps, it's not for the carb-phobic. The ricotta is a favorite - rich, creamy, and fruity from the olive oil. And yes, plenty of toasted sourdough bread. 

Duck, Foie Gras, and Pistachio Terrine [$14]

Shallot pear chutney

I'm a sucker for foie gras in any form and this terrine was beautifully set. The shallot pear chutney was the perfect countervailing element to the richness of terrine. The cornichons added a nice acidic element to each bite. And yes, even more of that great bread! 

Crispy Hampshire Pork Belly [$23]

Tomato white bean stew, blood pudding, apple glaze

My main was pretty much a given. The Hampshire pork belly had a beautiful cook on it. The amazingly crisp, almost glassy skin enveloped a hefty, yet unctuous portion of pork. The blood pudding was crisp, rich, and had great texture. The tomato white bean stew was a sweet and acidic counterpoint to the richness of the dish. Perfect for a cold night's meal - or any night or meal for that matter. 

The Dandelion hasn't let me down just yet. Set in comfortable and inviting setting, it's easy to see why. Be sure to stop by if you need a proper British gastropub experience or simply want great food and drinks. 

Bank and Bourbon Review

Other posts include: 2015 Bourbon Bash & 2016 Bourbon Bash

It's been only a few weeks since Bank and Bourbon's epic repeat Bourbon Bash. But after being blown away by their pastrami pork belly, I knew I had to return to try more than just their Secret Knock cocktail at Happy Hour. Coincidentally, Loews' Director of PR, Jaimi Blackburn, reached out to see if I had wanted to stop by to have lunch with her. 

Bread Service

Meals here begin with rustic sourdough, served with with rich, room-temp (thankfully!) butter.

A native Philadelphian, CIA-trained Thomas Harkins is the Exec Chef at Bank and Bourbon. He's worked with numerous lauded chefs including Charlie Trotter, Mario Batali, and Jean Andre Charial. At Loews, Chef Harkins boasts a decade's worth of experience. And while he wasn't on hand for this meal, he did highly recommend the asparagus soup for us to start.

Asparagus Soup [$9]

Morels, goat cheese

At first sip, it was clear why. The depth of the asparagus essence was immediately apparent. I was surprised by the lightness of the soup, perfect to complement the weather as we finally transition to spring. The buttered, crisp croutons were a nice accent to each spoonful, offering contrasts in texture along with some richness.

Crispy Pork Belly Sandwich [$12]

Salsa verde, Parmesan, farm egg

And while the soup was great, I was almost embarrassed at my inability to contain my excitement with the pork belly sandwich. Grilled ciabatta housed thick slabs of unctuous pork belly, which were wonderfully crisped. The well-seasoned salsa verde provided a nice countervailing brightness to the heft of the pork, though the gooey farm-fresh egg brought each bite over the top.

The sandwich was accompanied by stellar rosemary-parmesan fries. Not at all limp, these spuds were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft within. The seasoning was spot on - cheesy, salty, and herbaceous.

Chef Harkins will be revealing his spring menu over the next few weeks so be sure to check it out! In the meantime, I'd make a beeline over to Bank and Bourbon, lest you risk the pork belly sandwich coming off the menu!  

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited for lunch as a guest of Bank and Bourbon. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Zsa's Gourmet Ice Cream Review

Zsa's Gourmet Ice Cream is an artisanal small-batch producer of ice cream. From pints of ice cream to ice-cream sandwiches, they've got a variety of indulgent treats to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. You can often find them at HeadHouse or Rittenhouse Square - be sure to follow them on Twitter to get your fix! 

On a recent weekend afternoon, the GF came home with a pint of Zsa's salted caramel - as soon as I saw the small-batch design of the pint, I knew we were in for a treat. 

Salted Caramel [$8]
 

The salted caramel was sweet and rich - that nutty point right before burnt. The interplay between salty and sweet was done to great effect. The ice cream itself was incredibly creamy with an almost gelato-like consistency. 

If you're looking for high-quality ice cream with unique seasonal flavors and know that Zsa's Gourmet Ice Cream is nearby, run - don't walk. 

2016 Rittenhouse Row Preview Party

One of my favorite annual Philly foodie events has to be the Rittenhouse Row Festival. This year, it'll be on Saturday, May 21st so mark it on your calendars. It's a great way to enjoy the urban sprawl that is Walnut Street, from Broad Street down to Rittenhouse Square. As a precursor to the festivities, Rittenhouse Row hosts a Preview Party, showcasing many of the offerings from a number of participating restaurants. 

For $75 pp, you're privy to a massive spread of food and drink. There's also a silent auction benefiting the non-profit organization that is Rittenhouse Row. Gift cards, dinners, parties, and services - a wide breadth of exciting options to tempt your wallet. 

Libations were liberally flowing, with sponsors including Blue Moon and Don Julio Tequila, among others. A cocktail competition provided further incentive for the participating restaurants to showcase their talents. Some of my favorites included Bar Bombon's florally-adorned tequila tipple as well as Coda's take on a mojito, with Don Julio subbing in for the rum. The latter had a spicy kick from the jalapeno! 

Clockwise from Top Right: Food from Marathon Grill, Parc, Crow and the Pitcher, Alma de Cuba, Devon Seafood Grill, Parc again!

The GF and I started off with some gorgeous cheeses from Parc, snappy shrimp from Devon, and a hearty grilled vegetable and quinoa salad from Marathon. My favorites had to be the chicken rillette from Crow and the Pitcher as well as the wonderfully seasoned ceviche from Alma de Cuba. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Food from Davio's, D'Angelo's, Ocean Prime, Cavanaugh's, and Dandelion.

From the more substantial bites, my favorites had to be the ethereal gnocchi bolognese from Davio's (I really need to stop by sometime!), the wonderful surf and turf of braised short rib and scallop from Ocean Prime, and the always delectable roast beef and horseradish sandwich from the Dandelion.

Clockwise from Top Right: Desserts from Termini Brothers, Ben and Jerry's, trio of offerings from Midtown Continental, and Waffles & Wedges.

Not to be outdone, there were plenty of satisfying sweets. Philly stalwart Termini Brothers offered their always-outstanding cannoli. Midtown Continental had a great spread at their station, including mini chocolate caramels, macarons, and peanut butter mousse cones. As a final bite, Ben & Jerry's provided a generous scoop of mint ice cream, topped with Oreos, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.

If you missed out on the Preview Party, mark your calendars for next year. In the meantime, be sure to check out the actual Rittenhouse Row Festival on May 21st. Keep your fingers crossed for some springtime sun as well! 

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this event. Regardless, my opinions are unbiased and therefore, mine alone.