Louie Louie Review

Located at the Hilton Inn at Penn, Louie Louie is the Fearless Restaurant Group's latest offering. And while it's only been a week since their opening, it's clearly a hit. Because what's not to love? Sleek, with a gorgeous interior courtesy of Rohe Creative, Louie Louie offers American bistro fare with French inspirations. And the bar? Retro and gorgeous. 

Dual Old Fashioned [$13] 

White Dog Cafe's Jefferson's & Buffalo Trace Bourbons, Caramelized Sugar, Angostura

White Cosmopolitan [$12]

Faber Citrus vodka, Combier, lime, agave, white cranberry, sparkling wine

I enjoyed the dual old fashioned, which featured both their Jefferson Barrel select and Buffalo Trace bourbons, with the sweetness of the caramelized sugar really coming through. The GF's white cosmo was refreshingly sweet, with the triple sec and white cranberry offering up light notes that went well with the effervescence of the sparkling wine. And the etched rose made of ice? Instagram-worthy for sure! 

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare [$16]

Accompanied by buttered toast points, the tartare was well-seasoned and delicious. Easily enjoyed! 

Goat Cheese Arancini [$11]

Shaved manchego, almonds, Romesco

The GF was raving over the arancini - deftly fried with al dente rice and the creamy, yet tangy goat cheese coming through. The Romesco sauce offered a nicely acidic counterpoint to each bite. 

Warm Onion Tart [$12]

Puff Pastry, caramelized onions, taleggio, black olives, arugula

Sweet and rich caramelized onions sat atop puff pastry, with the brininess of the olives and the bitter arugula providing some balance. 

Comte Ravioli [$20]

Corn, favas, shiitakes, peas, basil

For her main, the GF enjoyed tiny ravioli, filled with comte cheese. Fresh seasonal peas and corn studded the broth along with favas and shiitakes. This was a nicely light summer dish. 

French Dip [$21]

Demi baguette, gruyere, black truffle mayo, shallot broth, pomme frites

For my money, I'd highly recommend the French dip. In fact, it might be the best sandwich I've had in recent memory (certainly the best French dip in Philly!). Moist, tender beef was draped with melted gruyere. It's all housed within a crisp demi-baguette that was slathered in black truffle mayo. And the shallot broth? Ridiculous rich! And you can never say no to any of the Fearless Restaurant Group's fries - always a standout and Louie Louie doesn't disappoint. 

Lemon Tart [$10]

Fresh berries, meringue kisses

After the French dip, I was glad we went with a palate cleanser of sorts. The lemon tart was, well ... tart with plenty of fresh sweetness coming through from the berries and clouds of meringue kisses to offer up some lightness. 

I'd definitely recommend stopping by Louie Louie. Beyond the Penn & Drexel students and families stopping by, I know it'll be a hit with the food and vibe that Louie Louie has to offer. Check it out and let me know what you think about that French dip! 

Louie Louie 

3611 Walnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

(267) 805-8585

http://fearlessrestaurants.com/sites/louielouie/

Bank and Bourbon: 4th Annual Bourbon Bash

Regular readers know I'm a huge fan of Bank and Bourbon's annual Bourbon Bash. In fact, I've made sure to stop by every year. Now in their fourth year celebrating great food and bourbon, they're continuing to support Donors Choose, with proceeds from this event benefiting education. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Making of a Manhattan | Charcuterie & Cheese | Steak Tartare | Manhattan

Bourbon sponsors abounded at this event, with Jim Beam small-batch bourbons on full display and on offer. Knob Creek single barrel and Basil Hayden were enjoyed neat, on the rocks, and in craft-made Manhattans or Mint Juleps. For those that opted to skip the whiskey, there was plenty of champagne and wine as well. Hors d'ouerves were passed around and included crabcakes and a stunning steak tartare on crispy potato skins. I could eat a whole tray of those! And of course, the charcuterie and cheese station was an eye-opening array of Benton's and Creminelli ham, local cheeses (including Birchrun Hills blue!), grilled bread, and fresh fruit.

Clockwise from Top Right: Ahi Tuna | East Coast Oysters | Hamachi Poke | Knob Creek all around! 

And from there, revelers were able to enjoy plenty of fresh seafood including ahi crudo, East Coast oysters, and a wonderful hamachi poke.

Clockwise from Top Right: Knob Creek Single Barrel | Duroc Pork & Seasonal Greens | Pastrami Short Rib | Salmon & Morels

For the more voracious eaters, Executive Chef Tom Harkins pulled out all the stops. Fresh whole-plank salmon and whole-roasted rock fish were plated to order with morels. A juicy Duroc pork chop was enjoyed along with fresh asparagus and spring peas. There were plenty of Cowboy ribeyes being carved, along with a gorgeous pastrami short rib that had horseradish and whole grain mustard to provide balance to the heft of the meat.

Clockwise from Top Right: Coconut Macaroons | Bourbon Glazed Donuts | Blueberry Trifle | Chef Amanda's Dessert Spread

Pastry Chef Amanda was not to be outdone and offered up an incredible display of sweet treats. The donuts are always a standout - crisp on the exterior and perfectly fluffy within. Adorned with a bourbon glaze and popcorn (!), the salty and sweet elements were easily enjoyed. Blueberry trifles, banana s'mores, and coconut macaroons were also enjoyed by the belly of this pig.

And I couldn't leave the event without enjoying the goat cheese cheesecake. Tart, tangy, and wonderfully smooth, this had better be on the regular menu at Bank & Bourbon! If you missed out on this year's Bourbon Bash, be sure to be on the look out for tix next year. You won't be sorry! And in the meantime, be sure to stop by the restaurant for great food and drink. 

White Dog Cafe University City Review

Originally opened in 1983, White Dog Cafe in University City is a true pioneer in what we now consider to be the local, sustainable food movement. With that in mind, restaurateur Marty Grims purchased White Dog from Judy Wicks in 2009. And in doing so, he brought sleek, yet welcoming designs while maintaining the environmentally sound model. Consistent with all of his restaurants, he continues to ensure well-executed and creative dishes as well. Having just celebrated the 35th anniversary, the University City cafe recently expanded by adding 82 seats. This includes a bar and a lower-level solarium. Designed by the folks from Rohe Creative, floral fabrics and garden furniture keep it all in theme with White Dog's uniquely whimsical rooms.  

Cocktails: Honey Mule [$13] | McGruff Manhattan [$13]

Local is name for the cocktails as well. Having recently gone on a Philadelphia Distilling Company tour, I was excited to see both Bluecoat Barrel Reserve bourbon and their barrel-finished gin on display in their McGruff Manhattan - boozy, yet smooth, with a bit of sweetness coming through on the finish. The GF enjoyed her Honey Mule, which featured Penn 1681 vodka, along with the sweet spice of the Fruitlab ginger liqueur and Q brands ginger beer. 

Squash Fritters [$12]
Chili curry emulsion, pickled vegetables, micro cilantro

To start, we enjoyed the seasonal squash fritters. Crisp nuggets of hearty squash married well with the chili curry emulsion underneath, with the countervailing bite of the pickled veggies offering up a nice acidic balance. 

Kennett Square Mushroom Soup [$10]
Truffle creme fraiche, snipped chives

I always have to get the mushroom soup here. Not only are the Kennett Square mushrooms local, they doesn't get any better. Poured tableside, the earthy umami punch from the mushrooms hits you along with the faintest scent of truffle from the creme fraiche underneath. Don't forget to mop up the last spoonfuls with the house-baked bread.

Locust Point Chicken Chopped Salad [$22]
Smoked bacon, Birchrun blue cheese, hard boiled egg, red onion, ranch dressing

For the GF's main, she opted for the chopped salad, featuring grilled Locust Point chicken. It's enough for two, with the funk of Birchrun blue offering up hearty savoriness along with the crisp bits of bacon, hard-boiled egg, and ranch-dressed greens. 

Green Meadow Double Cheddar Burger [$19] + Farm Egg [$2] + 1732 Meats Bacon [$2]
Grilled red onion, tomato, smoked bacon mayo, truffle Parmesan fries

Do get the burger here. Green Meadow Farms beef is juicy and well-seasoned with a nicely seared crust. I opted for a farm-fresh egg and 1732 meat bacon - the perfect combo. Each bite is amplified by the fact that there's smoked bacon mayo covering the buttery brioche. And to complement this behemoth? White Dog's killer truffle parm fries. Trust me - if you're at any Fearless Restaurant (think: Autograph, The Deck, Moshulu, White Dog Wayne), you'll be missing out if you don't order the fries. Crispy on the outside with a great chew to the spuds within, the perfume of truffle and the salty hit of parm will have you dreaming for more. 

Kennett Square Mushroom Gratin [$9]

I'd highly recommend ordering the mushroom gratin as well. And why not when they're this tasty, especially when melded with cream and truffled bread crumbs. Delectable.

Apple Pie Bread Pudding [$9]
Croissant bread pudding, brown sugar bourbon ice cream

We ended our meal with the apple pie bread pudding - comforting, sweet, and with a nice juxtaposition between the warm pudding and the house-made bourbon ice cream. The brown sugar notes really came through.

So if you're in University City, I'd highly recommend stopping by White Dog Cafe for any meal. Judging by the crowds at the bar and dining in on a Saturday at 6PM, I'd say the neighborhood agrees. Pro-tip: for brunch, I'd definitely ask to be seated in the solarium - it's a visual treat that will complement the tasty dishes that are sure to come out. 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to White Dog Cafe Philly & Fearless Restaurants for hosting us. Regardless, my opinions is mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Destination Dogs: Philadelphia

There are some that say a traditional American hot dog shouldn't be adulterated or a simple brat with mustard and kraut can't be improved. I heartily disagree. But it's not as simple as piling on a myriad of toppings that don't make sense. It's all about creating that perfect marriage of flavors to ensure a flavor bomb. Jimmy Cronk and Sean Hosty of Destination Dogs may have deciphered the road map to the perfect haute dog.

Owners and Co-Creators Jimmy Cronk & Sean Hosty

Jimmy & Sean clearly have a passion for both food and travel. Whether it's the drinks or dogs, everything has an airport symbol tagged to it. Looking for flavor from Spain? Head to Barcelona (BCN) for a taste of their Conquistadog, featuring chorizo and patatas brava. Francophiles will delight by arriving at Charles dog Gaulle (CDG), with duck confit, shaved foie gras, and cornichons. The bar and restaurant space is a destination in itself, with plenty of folks coming in for happy hour and easily staying late into the night. A retro game room is ever expanding (think pool, foosball, and 90's arcade games) and it's a bi-level establishment with plenty of room for private events and a good HH group. 

Clockwise from Top Right: La Zona Rosa [Mex] | Town & Country [DFW] | Brazillionaire [GIG] | Cucumber Gimlet [LHR]

And while you can expect great HH deals at the bar, the great thing about Destination Dogs is that they've definitely gone beyond any of the typical haute dog joints we've seen come and go in Philly. Case in point - expect hand-crafted cocktails. I was a big fan of the Town & Country hailing from Texas. A subtly sweet take on a Manhattan, the maple syrup and Carpano Antica brought forth the undertones of the bourbon nicely. Check out the large format ice cubes - clearly not your typical HH joint. GF's taken to gimlets lately and was enamored with their cucumber iteration. Properly emanating Heathrow, this was light with pressed cucumber, mint, and elderflower, there's a bit of citrus kick from the lime. They're constantly trying out new concoctions as well so be on the look out for the La Zona Rosa & Brazillionaire. La Zona Rosa features the depth of reposado tequila, matching up with the smokiness of mezcal. Bitter citrus notes from the aperol and the angosutra, orange, and spanish bitters really come through, further mellowed out by the sweet caramel notes from the Amaro Meletti. The GF was a fan of the Brazillionaire, a creative take on Brazil's Caiprinha, with the requisite cachaca showcased, along with Soursop, brazil nut, and lime. 

Deviled Eggs [$3]

Again - not just about the dogs here. Deviled eggs were some of the best I've had in recent memory. The whites trembling with the yolk custard really made by the hit of mustard. 

Scotch Egg [$5]
Pickled red onion, cornichon, Dijon honey mustard

Scotch egg was beautifully presented, with a fried breakfast sausage encasing a perfectly set soft-boiled egg. Nicely paired with pickled red onions and cornichon for acid and Dijon honey mustard if you're destined for a sweeter route.

Pretzel [$3.50]
Cheese sauce, spicy mustard

Their large-format pretzel is perfect at the bar and comes with both cheese sauce and some spicy mustard. 

Half-Dozen Wings [$6]

Their buffalo wings are also right up HH's alley. Crispy on the outside and juicy within, you'll be happy with half a dozen of these. 

Patatas Ridiculas [$9.50]
Fried potatoes, duck confit, pork belly, bacon, two cheeses, brown gravy, jalapeno, sour cream, scallion

For obvious reasons, I'd recommend going ridiculas with their patatas. You can't go wrong when you have fried potatoes topped with rich duck confit, unctuous pork belly, and crisp bacon. This is all topped with brown gravy and two cheese to create a gustatory bomb that will pair with a beer nicely. 

Of course in the end ... it's all about their haute dogs. Delineated as domestic and international dogs on the menu, it's easy to get lost, but it's delicious delightful where you'll end up. 

The Oscar - LAX [$7.50]
Chicken sausage, avocado, cabbage, tomato, chipotle mayo, scallion

Cali health nuts won't be lacking any flavor with the Oscar. Definitely a winner with the GF with the chicken sausage, with heft coming from the avocado and chipotle mayo. The bread housing their dogs is a winner - light, fluffy, and nicely toasted. Pto-tip: Surprisingly holds up well as next day leftovers too! 

One Bite in Bangkok - BKK
Python sausage, cucumber salad, pepper jelly, crushed peanuts, cilantro

Destination Dogs also feature a bevy of unique sausages as well. Python sausage wasn't gamey at all and clearly lean. Pepper jelly provided a hit of flavor, with freshness from the crisp cucumbers and cilantro.

Kansas City Beefs - MCI [$9]
All beef dog, BBQ beef short ribs, coleslaw, scallion

Few carnivores will be unhappy with the Kansas City Beefs. Tender, sweet BBQ beef short ribs are piled high with coleslaw on top of a grilled all-beef dog with good snap. I'll easily order this again.

Achilles Meal - ATH [$11]
Lamb sausage, tzatziki, red onion, tomatoes

Achilles Meal does Greece proud with the sweet, fragrant lamb coming through on the sausage. Tzatziki, tomatoes, and red onion provide freshness. 

Andouille Armstrong - MSY [$12.50]
Alligator and shrimp sausage, cabbage, tomatoes, jalapeno remoulade, scallions, lemon wedge

Cajun bites can be had with the Andouille Armstrong's gator and shrimp sausage. But it's the jalapeno remoulade that really kicked it up a notch. 

The Cleo McDowell - LGA [$7.50]
All beef dog, cheese sauce, secret sauce, cabbage, onions, pickle, sesame seed

Looking for Bic Mac flavors coming at you from Queens, NY? Cleo McDowell's got you covered with the cheese and secret sauce nostalgically melding together with a pickle spear.  

Charles Dog Gaulle - CDG [$12.50]
Duck sausage, duck confit, shaved foie gras, red onion, cornichon, Dijon mustard

French tastes abound with the foie and duck coming together for rich melange of richness. Red onion and cornichon provide that needed counterbalance. Pinkies up for this dog! 

The Conquistadog - BCN [$7.50]
Chorizo, fried potatoes, brava sauce, scallion

The Consquistadog will easily be a favorite, with the spicy chorizo buttressed with fried potato cubes and a killer brava sauce. 

Pig Trouble in China 
Cantonese sausage, pork belly, hoisin sauce, scallion, sesame seeds

Jimmy & Sean are rolling out a few new dogs as well. I was clearly a fan of the Pig Trouble in China. Cantonese sausage is topped with a nicely lacquered and crisp pork belly. Scallions and some texture from the sesame seeds bring each bite together. 

Chairman of the Board
Boar sausage, marinara, Parmesan, fried cheese curds, parlsey 

Chairman of the Board is their homage to South Philly. Boar sausage is topped with marinara, Parmesan, parsley, and even fried cheese curds. Sweet, rich, acidic - all the flavors are there. 

Whether you're looking for a proper spot to bring a group for Happy Hour or if you're just seeking out a wide range of great flavors, head to Destination Dogs. Also, be on the look out for travel flights of dogs and even a passport card you can stamp once you've tried each of their creations! 

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited by Destination Dogs & Breslow Partners. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Destination Dogs Philadelphia
1111 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 773-7750
www.destinationdogs.com

Twisted Tail: Whiskey Bonanza 2017

This past Thursday night, Twisted Tail hosted their fourth Whiskey Bonanza. Featuring over 70 whiskies, including bourbons, scotches, wine, and brandies, it was clearly a big draw. In fact, the restaurant had plenty of folks stopping by for the VIP hour from 6-7PM, with the main event running until 10PM. 

What was available during the VIP hour? Chef Leo Forneas executed a Southern pig roast, with several de-boned suckling pigs served to order. In addition, select whiskies were offered up during the hour. And throughout the night, local bartenders were serving up three specialty whiskey cocktails for Bonanza attendees to vote on.

I spent much of the night indulging in a wide array of whiskies, ranging from Maker's and Jim Beam to Stitzell-Weller & Buffalo Trace favorites, W.L Weller, Rebel Yell, and Eagle Rare. My favorite tastes of the night had to be Suntory's Hibiki Harmony whiskey and Jefferson's Presidential Select aged bourbon. Each unique in its own right, I appreciated that they were especially smooth and had a wonderful finish.

And of course, I kept coming back to Chef Leo's fantastic pork. Coupling the crisp cracklings with the porchetta-esque belly was pure heaven. So if you missed this year's Bonanza, be sure to subscribe to Twisted Tail's mailing list for all of their whiskey events. Better yet, stop by to try the select whiskies on their list and their seasonal menu. 

Pro-Tip: They've got a cask-strength Maker's batch that's being specially aged in-house. It should be available for purchase in December! 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Twisted Tail for inviting me to the 2017 Whiskey Bonanza. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.

Vesper Review

On Sydenham Street between 15th/16th and Walnut/Locust streets, Vesper is hidden away in the heart of Center City. And shouldn't that be the case? After all, it is a supper club with a speakeasy hidden within (psst: it's behind the bookcase by the hostess stand). In 1901, the original Vesper club was chartered by the Mummers and throughout the next century, it was home to folks seeking reprieve from Prohibition with bathtub gin stills and mob ties leaving their mark. In 2015, the trio of Brendan Smith, Chuck Ercole, and John Barry re-imagined Vesper to be a Philly destination to enjoy a refined night out, without any pretension. 

The GF and I were invited along with Philly Chit Chat, Philly Food Girl, Philly Meatstagram, and Philly Food Porn to try Executive Chef Corey Mullen's latest creations. We started off at the bar and enjoyed some properly made drinks, before heading to the main dining room. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Whiskey Smash | Old Fashioned | Moscow Mule | Vesper [$13 each]

The eponymous Vesper cocktail was smooth and boozy, with Bluecoat Gin featured along with vodka and Cocchi Americano. I enjoyed the Whiskey Smash, which had the bite of whiskey, muddled in the fashion of a Mint Julep with a citrusy twist. And who can say no to a properly made Old Fashioned or the ginger effervescence of a Moscow Mule? 

Bread Service

Bread service consists of house-baked bread - warm, crusty, and fluffy within. A pat of chive butter melted easily and created a satisfying start to the meal.

Caprese Tower [$12]
Broken balsamic, basil oil

The meal proper started off with a tower of thick-cut and ripe tomatoes, stacked with fresh mozzarella. Balsamic and basil oil drizzle complemented each bite, providing a twist on the classic caprese.  

Scallops & Chorizo

Skewers of savory-sweet scallops and house-smoked chorizo provided a nice interplay between textures and tastes, with red pepper providing a fresh reprieve. Oh, and the scallops were from Hokkaido, giving you a sense of the quality of ingredients available at Vesper.

Hog Wings [$12]
House-made spicy honey BBQ, summer slaw

One of the big hits of the night had to be the hog wings. Currently off-menu and soon to be featured on both the regular menu and during Happy Hour, these are a must. Properly frenched in lollipop fashion, these nuggets of pork joy are tender as can be and will fall off the bone in one fell swoop. The spicy sauce is tempered by honey and the summer slaw of watermelon radish, carrots, and parsnips provided a countervailing element to the pork. 

Lobster Ravioli [$28]
Sauteed leeks, roasted spring squash

Lobster ravioli were generously portioned and cooked nicely al dente. The sauce was rich and smoky, with the tender, sweet lobster still shining through. The sauteed leeks and roasted spring squash provided even more depth to each bite. 

Chilean Seabass [$38]
Rehydrated cherry risotto, pistachio pesto 

PhillyFoodGirl and I both remarked that we could not get enough of the Chilean sea bass. A stunner of a dish and possibly the best of the night, the fish was cooked perfectly. Delicately seared and firm, yet flaky, Chef Mullen's deft touch with the seasoning on the fish was reasonable considering the punch of flavor from the rich risotto and flavorful pistachio pesto. Definitely coming back for this! 

Seared Lamb Loin [$32]
Ratatouille 

Lamb loin cut like butter and easily ate like filet, with the light, grassy notes reminding you this was lamb. The bed of ratatouille was sweet, earthy, and had enough acid to counter the lamb.

Duroc Pork Rib Chop [$36]
Potato and Swiss Chard Gratin

Vesper doesn't kid around with the quality of its ingredients. The brined Duroc Pork Rib Chop was moist, juicy, and nicely crusted on the exterior. And the potato and swiss chard gratin? Pure heaven, with the swiss chard almost eating like creamed spinach, but with more texture, especially with the potato gratin and crusted mozzarella on top. Even if you don't get this dish, you'd be remiss if you didn't order the gratin as a side!  

Chocolate Cake & Cheesecake 

At this point we were clearly stuffed, but dessert came in the form of a chocolate cake that was light, moist, and had a decadent ganache. The cheesecake was a clear winner in my book as well. So much so that it stacks up with Junior's in NY. It had just the right amount of tang and creaminess, with an ephemeral texture that made me think there was ricotta involved. So light in fact, it almost felt as though it evaporated upon mastication. If only that were the case with the waistline after a night like this.  

Chef Mullen's clearly killing it in the kitchen and service was beyond reproach. I know I'll be by again to check out the speakeasy downstairs, perhaps after popping in for some hog wings during Happy Hour. Then again, I can easily see that turning into another night salivating over more of the Chilean Sea bass and and cheesecake. 

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited to this tasting as a guest of Vesper & Stacey Kracher. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.