La Scala's Pronto Review [2]

The GF and I had previously ordered from La Scala's Pronto and were impressed by the freshness of their ingredients. So on our way to a Sixers game, we stopped by to grab a quick dinner before hopping on the Broad Street line. 

The Pronto location is informal and typical of your neighborhood pizzeria. Friendly, with plenty of tables for eating in. 

Risotto Balls [$9]
Ham, mozzarella, Parmesan, marinara
  

We're suckers for arancini, so had to try their risotto balls. Crispy on the exterior with an almost glassy texture, the rice within were perfectly al dente. 

An added bonus of cheese and bits of ham inside? Delicious when dipped with a bit of that sweet homemade tomato sauce. 

Chicken Parmigiano [$13]
Mozzarella, tomato sauce
  

We know La Scala's does pizza right, so we were interested in their pasta dishes. Let me tell you - the portions are insanely huge! Better yet, this is Americanized Italian food done right. The chicken was lightly breaded, tender, and blanketed with plenty of mozz. The linguine pasta was smothered in some more of that tomato sauce and dusted with pecorino. 

Chicken & Spinach Cannelloni [$14]
Chicken, spinach, mozzarella, tomato cream sauce

If you're looking for glut of delicious cheese and sauce? Look no further than La Scala's cannelloni, which are also filled with juicy chicken and spinach. A tomato cream sauce melds the flavors together - perfect to stop up with crusty bread. 

Even for the belly of the pig, there's no feasible way to finish all of this. So be prepared for leftovers - that's obviously not a bad thing! 

Opa Brunch Review

Other related reviews include: Opa [1] 

If you're on Instagram, you've likely seen Chef Bobby Saritsoglou at work, creating his house-made charcuterie and bread for the Greek menu at Opa. In parternship with owners George and Vasiliki Tsiouris, it's been over a year now since Saritsoglou was brought on as Executive Chef. I stopped by for brunch recently and was excited to \taste this home-grown approach to modern Greek food. 

Regulars to the Midtown Village area know that Opa's a hotspot for Happy Hour, with the Drury Beer Garden out back and a sleek Mediterranean bar amidst the main dining area.  

Mimosa [$9]
Fresh-squeezed OJ, sparkling wine

Being brunch, the GF started off with the mimosa, which comes with fresh-squeezed orange juice - right at the bar! 

Greek Sunrise [$8]
Pineapple juice, ouzo 

I enjoyed the look, and more importantly, the taste of the Greek Sunrise. The interplay between the sweet pineapple juice and the smooth anise flavors of the ouzo worked well. Easy drinking here. 

House-Baked Pastry Plate [$6]
Daily selections [Bacon Kaseri Bun, Chestnut Phyllo, Pumpkin Muffin, Cinnamon Date Brioche]

The kitchen sent out a pastry platter that should be a must-order for every brunch. Epitomizing the house-made mentality - you had daily selections that rival any Philly bakery. The savoriness of the bacon kaseri emanated tastes that would delight any carnivore. The light and crisp phyllo housed a creamy chestnut paste that was perfect for the Fall. And the sweetness of the moist pumpkin muffin and the light cinnamon date brioche could not be denied. Do get this! 

Bifteki Burger [$12]
Grass-fed local beef, kaseri, red pepper aioli, tomato, egg, house-cut fries 

Opa's brunch burger was moist, juicy, and not overly seasoned. Nothing wrong with a huge mound of Kaseri melted on top and a fried egg, though admittedly, the yolk was slightly over. The house-cut fries were crisp and well-salted to round out a classic brunch staple. 

Everything Bagel [$10]
Scrambled eggs, ham, house-cured sausage, hash browns, kaseri

Meat lovers rejoice - the Everything Bagel will set you right. Snappy house-cured sausage, griddled, crisp ham, and soft scrambled eggs were laid on top of hearty hash browns and creamy kaseri.

This is all between a house-made everything bagel, studded with poppy and sesame seeds with salt, onion, and garlic. Perfect for the Spartan on the go. 

Lamb Bacon [$5]

And I couldn't leave without trying the lamb bacon - something you don't really see on the Philly food scene. Lamb lovers should definitely try this fatty side, which has the sweet grassy notes you'd expect. 

So whether you're looking to go Greek for brunch or simply want some hearty fare to tide you over on Sundays, stop by Opa. The ingredients will be fresh and, more than likely, all made in-house. 

FTC Disclaimer: This brunch was organized by Opa and Bondfire Media. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Autograph Brasserie Review

I typically find myself bound to Center City dining. But when I heard of the great things coming out of Autograph Brasserie's kitchen, how could I not stop by Wayne, PA? Upon the vaunted foundation of esteemed Georges Perrier's Le Mas Perrier, Autograph is the next offering from restaurateur Marty Grims, known especially for White Dog Cafe and the Moshulu. 

Since opening earlier this year, Autograph has been come a Main Line hotpspot. While it's easy to simply say that it fulfills suburbia's need for Center City tastes, Autograph delivers more than that. To the left of the foyer, feel free to indulge in specialty cocktails at the gorgeous bar, complete with a custom trumpet chandelier from Portugal. Head right through the boulevard of private booths and you can dine intimately in the "Sycamore Tree" room. Gold petal lights flicker amongst the leaves as you enjoy house-made pastas and the ever-popular toasts. Make way to the backroom bar, which evokes a "Mad Men"-esque backsplash. This leads to a more formal Club Room, where 40-day dry aged steaks can satiate captains of industry or carnivorous connoisseurs alike. All the while, your head will spin at the multitude of autographed celebrity photos adorning the walls. 

Smoking Sazerac [$13]
Rittenhouse Rye, Peychaud's, caramelized sugar, Vieux Carre absinthe, smoke

No surprise here - I started off my meal with a whiskey-based drink. The smoking sazerac was right up my alley. Table side service highlights the interplay between the cocktail's elements. With the backbone of the smoke, the caramelized sugar and subtle sweetness of the burnt anise and absinthe worked well to balance the Rittenhouse Rye and bitters. Smooth and enjoyable.

Bread Service

Meals start off with house-made gougeres - airy cheese puffs with hints of gruyere. These were also some of the largest gougeres I've seen! 

Charred Spanish Octopus [$16]
Calabrian chili oil, preserved lemon, parsley, smoked pimenton aioli, crispy potatoes 

The octopus is tender as can be, with a light char on the exterior. Served with crispy potatoes for some heartiness and preserved lemon for some acidity, the real star for me was the smoked pimenton aioli, which had kick from the paprika. 

Short Rib & Horseradish Toast [$14]
Farm-house aged white cheddar 

There are a variety of toasts on the menu and I'd recommend getting at least one to share. The short rib and horseradish offers a richly savory route, with hearty short rib accented by caramelized onion, all balanced by aged white cheddar and bite from the horseradish. 

Foie Gras Torchon 
Brioche crouton, spiced cranberries, butternut squash bisque

The kitchen sent out an off-menu dish that was a standout. A deconstructed version of classic foie gras torchon was plated with buttered brioche croutons and spiced cranberries. Channeling fall flavors, butternut squash bisque was poured tableside to envelop the dish in a sweetness that offset the richness of the foie. I enjoyed the tartness of the cranberries coming through on the finish. 

Rainbow Trout [$28]
Horseradish creme fraiche, beets, hazelnuts, citrus herb salad

Seafood lovers can rejoice as fish is expertly cooked. Trout came with crisped skin, atop a bed of greens and horseradish creme fraiche. Along with a light citrus herb salad with beets, hazelnuts offered texture. 

Dry-Aged Angus Ribeye [$52]
14 oz, Greeley, Colorado

Autograph's beef is high-quality and my recommendation would be the 40-day dry-aged Colorado ribeye. With a well-seasoned crust, the steak cut like filet. The subtle funk you'd expect from the aging was cut by the rich bordelaise sauce and the acidity of accompanying sun-dried tomatoes. Deliciously decadent. 

Charred Cauliflower [$8]
Cilantro cashew pesto, jalapeno, queso blanco 

If you're looking for a lighter side to accompany your main, do try the charred cauliflower. It came out smoky and dressed with an herbaceous pesto, offering a salty hit from the queso and some kick from the jalapeno. 

Mac & Cheese [$8]
Truffle brioche, smoked gouda 

If you're like me and prefer rich on rich, the mac would not lead you astray. Once you get through the beautifully buttered panko crust, the truffle essence of the mac n cheese emanated an earthy umami. The cavatappi noodles were perfectly al dente and absolutely coated in a creamy gouda sauce. 

Warm Valrhona Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondant Cake [$10]
Tahitian vanilla ice cream, English Devonshire cream 

Autograph's got a variety of options to satiate the sweet tooth within. I went with the chocolate peanut butter cake, which was moist and revealed a gooey peanut butter chocolate center. Paired with the sweet vanilla bean ice cream, this was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. 

So if you live in the Main Line area, I'd make it a point to head over to Autograph and become a regular. And for those of us living in the city, the case is certainly being made for suburban living, without losing any of the tastes we've grown accustomed to. 

FTC Disclaimer: This meal was organized by Fearless Restaurants. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Autograph Brasserie
503 W. Lancaster Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 964-2588
www.autographbrasserie.com

24 Opening

The Skuylkill Banks area isn't well-known for its restaurants or as a hot spot for after-work drinks. And with all of the recent rejuvenation happening in the area, it only makes sense that Iron Chef Jose Garces decided to help out in the form of 24. It's a casual neighborhood spot - offering up an extensive Italian wine list, antipasti, wood-fired pizza, and pastas. Expect Garces' Latin influences to play a part, especially with the strong emphasis on aperitivos. Essentially "happy hour" from 4:30 to 6:30PM, there will be drink specials, snacks, and complimentary small plates going around! 

And with the holidays coming up, keep 24 in mind! It's prime real estate, offering up great views of the Banks and the Cira Centre. The restaurant has private and outdoor spaces available for events. 

Bottom Right: Formaggi [Bianco Sardo, Goat's Milk Taleggio, Castelrosso] $8 / Chef's Selection $15
Bottom Left: Salumi [Coppa, Bresola, Mortadella] $9 / Chef's Selection $16

 As you might expect, 24's charcuterie and formaggi game is on point. Indulge in a Chef's selection of salumi or cheese, perfectly paired with aperol honey, wild strawberry preserves, or chocolate hazelnut puree. 

Top: Polpetti | Parmesan, Focaccia
Bottom Right: Italian Hoagie Insalate | Wood-grilled peppers, feta, soppressata, chickpeas, oregano vinaigrette
Bottom Left: Roasted Beets | Hazelnut, dried plum, oregano, ricotta salata

 Look forward to familiar Italian flavors executed with an Iron Chef's sensibilities. The meatballs are moist and tender, with just enough acid from the sauce. There are plenty of salads on the menu for waist-watchers, though the Italian Hoagie insalate will satiate carnivores as well! And you know there's got to be a beet salad, but amped up with the salty hit of ricotta salata and some texture from the hazelnut and dried plums. 

Top Left: Cauliflower | Scmorza, shishito escabeche, red onion, pancetta
Top Right: Pepperoni | Pepperoni, manchego, mozzarella
Bottom Left: Clam | Kale, garlic, calabrian chile, scallion
Bottom Right: Italian Sausage | Roasted fennel, marinara, scmorza 

 24's got a Renato! Pies are perfectly leoparded and crisped in this wood-fired oven ranging from traditional margarita and pepperoni pies to cauliflower and clam pizzas, which are all the rage these days for the right reasons! Classic and innovative flavors are on offer and there's a wide enough variety to indulge every palate.

While 24's great in its own right, what makes the space epic is the fact that eStudio, Jose Garces' test kitchen, is in the back! Past the gorgeous private dining area, gadgets and kitchenware abound in what's got to be every food nerd's dream. Follow eStudio on social media because there might be some first-come-first-serve events to try out some new dishes! But in the meantime, make sure to stop by 24 for aperitivo drinks, bites, and pizzas! 

Panorama Review

Panorama is one of Philadelphia's best options for authentic Northern Italian flavors coupled with an emphasis on la famiglia. The restaurant is located within boutique Penn's View Hotel. And Panorama's proprietor, Luca Sena, is essentially everyone's favorite uncle and draws upon decades of experience as a restaurateur. Beyond offering 120 wines by the glass via the world's largest wine cruvinet / dispensary, Sena's tapped Chef Matthew Gentile to head the kitchen. And with Gentile's background (Parc, Lacroix, and Ela), it's no surprise that an updated take on classic dishes is how the menu reads and tastes! 

Credit: Panorama Cruvinet

But before we get on with the meal, let's start with the wine. Panorama does, after all, hold the Guinness Book record for World's Largest Wine Dispenser! Regardless of whether you plan to dine or simply imbibe, it's the perfect spot for a date night or girl's night out to indulge with a flight of wines. Several certified sommeliers are in house and have curated a wonderfully witty vino menu, ranging from "Blanc Expressions" to "Cab Fare." And the generous pours and price points suit all budgets and tastes. 

A Rosé by Any Other Name [$24]

Brut Rosé "Franciacorta~Chardonnay 65 / Pinot Noir 35" Contadi Castaldi nv (Italy)

Cab Franc Brut Rosé "La Cravantine~Val de Loire" F. Gasnier nv (France)

Rosé of Pinot Noir "Willamette Valley" Trisaetum '15 (Washington)

Grenache/Cinsault/Carignan "Grain de Rosé~Sable de Camargue" Listel '15 (FR)

Pinot Grigio "Ramato XL~Venezia Guilia" Scarbolo '13 (Italy)

The GF enjoyed the light and subtly sweeter tastes of rosé. It's nice to see how the wines progress with the meal and clearly, that's the intent. The Scarbolo '13 was particularly enjoyable with an intense fruitiness that's emblematic of rosés. 

Future Cult Classics - Super Limited Production [$34.75]

Chardonnay/Riesling “Langhe~Collaretto~330 cs prod” Oddero ’12 (Italy)

Grüner Veltliner “Santa Ynez~174 cs prod” Solminer ’14 (CA)

Cab Franc "Trinch~Bourgueil~250 cs prod~Biodynamic" Breton '14 (France)

Syrah Blend "Cotes du Roussillon Villages L'Esquerda~450 cs prod" Bila-Haut '13 (FR)

Syrah "Sonoma Coast~420 cs prod" Wind Gap '12 (CA)

When ordering wine with dinner, I typically lean towards Cabs and Syrahs so was intrigued by the Future Cult Classics. The biodynamic Breton was particularly forward with dark berry and the Wind Gap was one of my favorites - medium-bodied and savory. 

Bread Service

If you decide to dine as well, meals will start off with housemade foccacia. Light and airy within, with a great crust speckled with sea salt on the exterior. The garlic pesto was spot on as well. 

Burrata [$15]
Shaved butternut squash, fig, chestnut, balsamic

The burrata was creamy, sweet, and light, but held up to the vibrant acidity of the balsamic and the heft of the butternut squash. Chestnuts added a textural note to each bite, with an enjoyable richness in its own right. 

Shrimp [$13]
Grilled shrimp, white bean croquette, grilled romaine 

The shrimp were snappy, lightly seasoned, and dressed with a beautiful buerre blanc, adorned with bits of grilled romaine. Wonderfully crisped white bean croquettes added a substantive component to the dish and were enjoyably hearty. Perfect to sop off some more of that sauce. 

Crespelle [$14 | $25]
Lobster & crab-filled crepe, lobster sugo, basil hollandaise 

The airy, yet crisp crepe held plenty of fresh crab and lobster meat to create a light bite before we enjoyed our mains. I appreciated that there was just enough of the lobster sugo providing a countervailing acidity and savory depth, in contrast with the herbaceous hollandaise. 

Gnocchi Gorgonzola [$13 | $22]
Gorgonzola dolce, anjou pear, black walnut 

Pastas are made in-house and based on Panorama's gnocchi, I'd highly recommend at least one with your meal. The gnocchi were pillowy clouds of gorgonzola goodness. If you think blue cheese and pasta don't mix, you'd be wrong. Gorgonzola dolce is one of our favorite cheeses, with its sweet and subtly mild funk. Just enough of the gorgonzola sauce coated the gnocchi to create a savory, salty bite. This was balanced by sweet Anjou pears that were cut to the size of the gnocchi, with bits of black walnut offering up some textural contrast. Rich, to be sure, and definitely one of our favorites! 

Scallops [$27]
Pan-seared scallops, swiss chard, orange-braised turnip, caper zabaglione 

Another standout from the night was the scallop dish. You can always count on the GF to order it if it's on the menu and I'm so glad she did. These bivalves were expertly cooked, with a salty sear that contrasted nicely with the innate sweetness of the scallops. The slightly bitter turnips were tempered by a braise with orange juice and offered up some complexity to each bite. But the true star of the dish? The interplay between the wonderfully braised swiss chard and that stellar caper zabaglione. It offered up a sweet richness that helped to support the scallops. Get this dish!

Braciola [$29]
Veal skirt steak, parsley, garlic, Parmigiano, porcini genovese, broccolini 

Not to be outdone, the braciola here is incredibly tender and savory. The garlic is slow roasted and complements the earthy porcini sauce well, with the broccolini providing some levity to each bite and the roasted tomatoes offering up some acid. The meat lover in you will be satiated!

And with our mains just served and our wine flights not entirely drained, Wine Director Bill Eccleston sent out three additional glasses to enjoy. There's that famiglia sense of hospitality!

Limoncello Cheesecake Semifreddo [$9]
Pizelle "Sandwich," basil dolce 

The GF had her eye on the pizelle sandwich and her sweet tooth could not be denied. The light semifreddo had the tart essence of limoncello, sandwiched between two crisp pizelle cookies. The perfect palate cleanser to close out the meal.

Tiramisu Affogato Budino [$9]
Banana mascarpone, lady fingers, espresso caramel, walnut 

But of course, the kitchen sent out their budino, which was clearly special. Drowned in an espresso caramel, the banana mascarpone was subtly sweet and creamy, sitting atop a pat of crisped, buttered lady fingers, with bits of walnut offering texture throughout. Rich, decadent, and a showstopper.

To truly end our night, Bill brought out some digestifs to round out the meal. I enjoy a more bitter route and he selected the perfect one for me - Amaro Dell'Erborista. The floral nose belies a bright, bitter, and herbal finish. I might need to pick up a bottle beyond just my usual fernet branca!

A softer route for the GF came in the form of vermouth. Alessio Chinato had a nice interplay between sweet and bitter, with a finish that was lengthy and enjoyable. 

I have to say that service was beyond reproach - I mean it seems like such a simple thing, but how often are your desserts served on a cold plate? Should be standard, but few and far between.

So if you're looking to enjoy Italian beyond just the typical Southern style marinaras, Panorama has got you covered, and then some. If you're looking for a date night to venture into or expand your knowledge of wine, Panorama can clearly take you on a flight (pun intended!). Highly recommend stopping by - I know I'll be back!

FTC Disclaimer: This meal was organized by Gloss PR to highlight Panorama's updated menu. Regradless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.

Khyber Pass Review [3]

Previous reviews can be found at Khyber Pass [1] and Kyber Pass [2].

One of my favorite spots to grab food in Old City is Khyber Pass. They've got a mix of BBQ and Southern-inspired dishes on the menu. So in effect, perfect foods to pair with their curated beer list.

One thing I didn't realize though. They offer bunch everyday! So while walking through Old City Festival and being fairly disappointed in the food-related offerings, the GF's family and I decided to pop into Khyber Pass for some brunch-time fare.

Founders Oatmeal Stout [$6]

I went with the nitro Founders Oatmeal Stout. Creamy with great notes of chocolate and coffee, this was easily quaffable.

Large Nachos [$11]

Jack cheese, green tomato salsa, sour cream

The large nachos were plentiful indeed, with an abundance of cheese, sour cream, and green tomato salsa interspersed throughout.

Mac n Cheese [$5]

The mac is always a must order. Buttery and cheesy with a wonderfully crisp upper crust, this is the mac that brunch dreams of.

Praline Bacon [$5]

Another must order? The praline bacon. I don't know how I've missed this goodie. Crisp, candied bacon doesn't better than this. Nutty, crunchy, sweet, salty, and savory, it's the perfect food.

Big Ass Biscuit & Sausage Gravy [$8]

I'm always drawn to Khyber Pass's "big ass biscuit." So for brunch, I got mine dumped with a whole bunch of sausage gravy on top. Buttery and creamy, this melange of savory flavors hit the spot.

So if you're in Old City, don't hesitate to pop on in to Khyber Pass. They've even got you covered for brunch!