Moshulu 2019 Fall Menu

As you might already be aware, the Moshulu recently underwent a renovation. It still remains the only restaurant in the world aboard a tall ship. And the food coming out of Chef Anthony Bonett's kitchen is still top notch.

Clockwise from Right: Smoking Sazerac, Beet & Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese Croquette, Lobster Cocktail

Whether it's at White Dog Cafe or at the Moshulu, you'll find me enjoying the Smoking Sazerac. Easily enjoyed with an earthy and well-seasoned beet & arugula salad that came with crispy, salty goat cheese croquettes. The lobster cocktail was a delicious deconstruction of a lobster roll. Perfectly cooked, atop a buttery brioche round.

Clockwise from Right: Sea Scallops with Gnocchi and Black Truffle, Honey Sriracha Atlantic Salmon & Quinoa, Mac n Cheese

The seared sea scallops were nicely paired with a deep black truffle mushroom jus, with seared gnocchi. Hearty fare as we go into the colder months. The crispy Atlantic salmon made a believer out of crispy fish skin for the wife. Honey sriracha imparted a spicy sweetness in that crispy skin, with the meat being nicely moist and flaky. The tricolor quinoa was cooked in a nice stock and came with carrots and peas. And what's a Fearless Restaurants meal without their killer mac? So comforting! 

Key Lime Cheesecake 

The wife loves cheesecake and I'm all about key lime pie. Normally I defer to her, but luckily we had the best of both worlds with the key lime cheesecake. 

If you still haven't been to the Moshulu, make sure to stop by. Perfect way to enjoy the waterfront and have a meal on a boat! 

Moshulu Restaurant

401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. 

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 923-2500

https://www.moshulu.com

Fogo de Chao Spring Menu Additions

Without a doubt, Fogo de Chao always brings back a nostalgic feeling from back in my grad school days. A bunch of the guys would get together and just dig in with all the Brazilian BBQ that Fogo has to offer! 

Clockwise from Top Right: Blood Orange Manhattan & Eulila Bled | First Plate | Market Table Spread

Just in time for Spring, Fogo de Chao has introduced 7 new additions using fresh seasonal ingredients. Highlights include a new Pork Picanha, carved tableside, with a crisp, salty exterior. Do try the new Blood Orange Manhattan - smooth, sweet, with a big of tang from the blood orange. There's also a new Eulila red wine blend of Cab Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Syrah, specially created for Fogo and tribute to Eulila Oliveira, Fogo's Chief Culture Officer.

Clockwise from Top Right: Picanha | Linguica | Pork Picanha | Meat Plate!

They also have a Carrot Ginger soup, Roasted Cauliflower salad, Brazilian Kale, and a Orange salad. Do try the Linguica pork sausage, with red pepper, onions, and garlic.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

 Try and save room for dessert. We love the chocolate mousse cake, decadent, creamy, and smooth. 

Creme de Coconut

If you're a fan of coconut like I am, they've got the new creme de coconut. It's essentially a creme brulee of freshly shredded coconut, combined with condensed milk and cream. Can't say no to the pairing of ice cream and lime zest either! 

So be sure to stop by and leap into Spring with Fogo de Chao. I haven't been disappointed yet! 

*Media Alert* Rosalie, the latest addition to the Fearless Restaurants

In late summer 2019, Fearless Restaurants will be bringing a taste of Italy to Wayne. Rosalie, will feature Italian soul food, "deeply routed in tradition, heritage, and technique." Executive Chef Merick Devine spent over six years at Frasca Food and Wine, a James Beard restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. Think "a perpetually changing menu sculpted by seasonality and the best of local and traditional Italian ingredients." 

Rosalie is named for Fearless Restaurants' owner Marty Grims' mother, whose family emigrated from Italy. It will be open for brunch, lunch, and dinner daily. It will also offer outdoor dining and plenty of private event space. This brings the count of Fearless Restaurants on the Main Line to four, including White Dog Haverford, White Dog Wayne, and Autograph Brasserie. 

Chima Philadelphia Spring Menu Additions

If you've never tried Brazilian BBQ before, be sure to stop by my previous post on Chima! A delectable spread of delicious salads, cheeses, and meats are made even better by the gaucho servers coming tableside to carve up some of their well-seasoned and prepared cuts of beef, lamb, chicken, and salmon. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Beef Carpaccio, Brazilian Trio, Delicious Spread, Angus Picanha with Chimichurri & Jalapeno

This spring, Chima's got Angus NY Strip, Ahi-marinated chicken, & easily one of my favorites - an Angus Picanha with chimichurri & jalapeno. Perfectly marbled, it's got a good mix of acid and heat that's addictive. Pro-tip: Wednesday & Thursday from 6-8PM, Chima has live music and Happy Hour specials at the bar. Check it out! 

Chima Philadelphia

1901 John F. Kennedy Blvd

Phiadelphia, PA 19103

(215) 525-3233

https://www.chimasteakhouse.com/philadelphia-pa/

White Dog Cafe's 31st Annual New Year's Day PJ Brunch

This New Year's Day, head over to any of the three White Dog Cafe locations to enjoy a PJ brunch. Seriously, feel free to wear what you wore to bed! Offered from 9AM to 3PM, White Dog has partnered with Bucks County-based Justin Jean Pajamas to benefit Alpha Bravo Canine. ABC provides trained service dogs to U.S. military veterans suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other combat-related disabilities.  

Just Jean's owner Lauren Rajas has created a special PAWsome print pattern pajama to celebrate White Dog Cafe New Year's Brunch. Something special for all dog lovers, Raja used the paw print of her 11 year-old Goldendoodle, Finnigan, for the pattern! JJP will offer free shipping and donate 25% of the purchase of the PAWsome print PJs, so head over to Justin Jean Pajamas and use code WDC to help benefit ABC from 12/1 through 1/15/19. 

In fact, if you do head over to White Dog's New Year's Day brunch, take a photo of you in your JJPs and then share it on the White Dog Facebook page to win a gift card, PJs, and a chance to model with one of the ABc puppies in training & be featured on the JJP website! 

Here's to a very PAWsome & giving holiday season! 

Trattoria Carina Review

From the folks that brought you the acclaimed Pub & Kitchen, Trattoria Carina is a casual Italian gem found in the Fitler Square-Rittenhouse area. And it may be our new go-to spot, right on the corner of 22nd and Spruce. This "Little Darling" has a small menu, but it's big on flavor and execution, all under the execution of Chef Melissa McGrath. And recently, Trattoria Carina has expanded to include brunch on the weekends! 

Fitler Square-Rittenhouse gem Trattoria Carina has added brunch!

To start our day, the GF and I enjoyed a citrusy-bitter Aperol Spritz and a sweet-and-spicy Bloody Mary, complete with a solid antipasti skewer! And including its bar program, Trattoria Carina is reportedly BYO (no corkage!). 

Gold Rush Apple Cake [$6]

 The apple cake is a must. Moist, soft, and buttery within, the grilled exterior helped to provide a nicely crisp textural contrast. Perfect to drape with some of that salted butter. 

Warm Castle Valley Polenta [$9]

Honey mascarpone, walnut granola, Concord grape

A unique take on typically savory polenta, we enjoyed the sweet acidity afforded by the Concord grape jam. Studded with plenty of the walnut granola and a bit of the honey mascarpone, this is a nice reprieve from any savory items you might order during brunch! 

Bucatini Carbonara [$23]
Bacon, Parmesan 

Savory, you say? How do you come to Trattoria Carina and not order the carbonara? Thick bucatini noodles are appropriately coated in egg yolk, plenty of Parm, and with a nice hit of black pepper. Interspersed throughout are salty nuggets of slab bacon. No need for any heavy cream here, folks. Trattoria Carina is doing it right.

Baked Eggs All'Amatriciana [$14]

Guanciale, Parmesan, Lost Bread Co. focaccia 

The smell emanating from this dish almost made me put my camera away. Almost. But as the GF likes to joke, the camera eats first. In a spiced up take on shakshuka, the savoriness of the "gravy" was perfect to dip the Lost Bread co. focaccia in. And as my fellow Master of None fans might say, "it's all bout that guanciale." The salty, fatty hits of the cured meat really made each bite. If only I could have had more bread (not that I asked!). 

So if you're looking for a new spot to hit up for brunch, please check out Trattoria Carina. Along with the delicious dishes, you'll get great service. In fact, ask for Bill if he's available. I know I'll be back soon for dinner! The angry crab pasta Craig LaBan raved about it is already calling my name. 

FTC Disclaimer: Special thanks to Trattoria Carina for having us in. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Trattoria Carina
2201 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 732-5818
www.trattoriacarina.com

Iron Hill Brewery Center City is Open!

Iron Hill Brewery just expanded to bring craft brews to Market East! And with this, they maintain the stance that nothing's more local than beer that's brewed ten feet from your table. 

Owners Kevin Finn, Mark Edelson, and Kevin Davies note that Iron Hill is more than just a craft brewery and a scratch kitchen. In fact, their motto is "Craft Kitchen, Scratch Brewery." 

Flight of Iron Hill Craft Beers | First Pour with the Founders, Brew Master, Chef, & Management | Cheesesteak Eggrolls

After popping in for a media event, we were invited to stop by for a soft-open dinner. 

Hot Chicken Sliders | Bourbon King Stout 

I knew I had to start off with the bourbon king stout. This was definitely right up my alley - great chocolate and bourbon notes here. Paired up with the hot chicken sliders - I was very happy. The chicken was Crispy, with spicy cayenne notes. But the sweet bread & butter pickles really made it each bite. 

Gold Medal Baby Back Ribs

With a sweet Bedotter Ale BBQ glaze, I appreciated that these ribs weren't overly sauced and the spice rub came through. Fall apart tender, these were easily enjoyed. Fries were well-seasoned and had just enough crisp to enjoy the texture. 

Drunk Monk Burger

The Drunk Monk Burger was right up my alley, especially with the addition of the fried egg. Perfectly medium rare and with a well-seasoned crust, the burger was amped up by the rosemary truffle aioli and creamy brie. The Wee Heavy Ale caramelized onions provided additional depth along with the mushrooms. Pro-tip: ask for extra napkins! 

Bourbon Pecan Ice Cream

So if you're looking for craft brews and good eats, be sure to stop by Iron Hill Brewery. I'd highly recommend popping in for Happy Hour as well - especially if those hot chicken sliders are on the menu! 

Iron Hill Center City

1150 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107 

https://www.ironhillbrewery.com/center-city-pa

*Media Alert* PA Blue Victory - Blue Plate Special

At the Franklin Institute on Monday, September 17th, Philly's top chefs will be coming together for a delicious event to support Southeastern PA's Blue candidates. It's your chance to mingle with candidates who are seeking change, all while indulging on dishes from nearly 40 of our city's top food artisans. Head over to PA Blue Victory to get your tickets now! 

White Dog Cafe's 2nd Annual Dining out for the Dogs

*Media Alert*

Once again, White Dog Cafe will be partnering with Alpha Bravo Canine for the 2nd annual Dining Out for the Dogs on Monday, August 20th! Starting at 5PM, each of the three White Dog Cafe locations will be raising funds for Alpha Bravo Canine, which provides trained service dogs to U.S. military veteran suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other combat-related disabilities.

 WMMR's Preston & Steve, along with other on-air personalities will be at each of the locations as well. They'll be dining with the guests and hosting drawings for fantastic prizes including the opportunity for a commissioned pet portrait valued at $2,200 by artist Jay McClellan! There will also be puppy-kissing booths and you can even sign up for a VIP booth (very important puppy, natch) outside, so you can sit with your own pup! Last year's Dining out for the Dogs event raised $25K. I know that Philly can do even better this year! 

Dining out for the Dogs

Monday, August 20th at 5PM

White Dog Cafe Locations in

Haverford, Wayne, & University City

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/

Tavola Restaurant & Bar Review

This past week, we drove out to the burbs and enjoyed dinner at Tavola Restaurant & Bar. Located by the Springfield Country Club and golf course, the views are picturesque, yet the vibe is low-key and easily approachable. It was nice to be able to see the sun go down over the golf course while dining al fresco. 

Bread Service

Dinner started off with fresh-baked bread and an olive oil & garlic dip. 

French Onion Soup [$7]
Caramelized onions, beef broth, melted cheese, crostini

The french onion soup is a show stopper and sure to satisfy. All your cheese pull dreams will come true, with a broth that thankfully isn't overly seasoned and has plenty of caramelized onions. 

Crab Avocado Tower [$17]
Jumbo lump crab, avocado, salsa, shaved cucumber, radish 

Seeking a light starter? Look no further than the crab and avocado tower. A generous portion of jumbo lump crab provides the sweet and fresh flavors you're looking for, with the crisp cucumber and radish adding some texture to each bite. 

Crab Cake Sliders [$14]
Jumbo lump crab, Japanese mayo, corn salsa

Crab cake sliders are generously portioned, with sweet japanese mayo and corn salsa. Easily enjoyed with a side or two! 

Onion Rings [$7]

Sides you say? I'd definitely recommend the fresh-cut onion rings - deftly fried and abundant. A steal at $7! 

Burnt End Fried Rice [$25]
Plum BBQ brisket ends, carrots, edamame, snow peas, fried egg

We enjoyed the crisp texture on the rice, with sweet plum BBQ sauce and plenty of brisket interspersed throughout along with diced carrots, edamame, and snow peas. The perfectly fried egg will ooze on top, adding even more heft to each bite. 

So if you're in Springfield, PA or looking to enjoy brunch or dinner along with a round of golf, be sure to stop by Tavola. Pro-tip: check out Quizzo on Tuesdays and their live music as well! 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Tavola Restaurant & Foodie Tribe for inviting us in. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Tavola Restaurant & Bar

400 W. Sproul Rd. 

Springfield, PA 19064

(610) 543-2100

https://tavolas.com

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. 

Pizzeria Vetri: Spring 2018 Menu Review

This is part of a series of posts related to Pizzeria Vetri: [1], [2], [3]. 

I've always been a fan of Pizzeria Vetri. And there's no shame in my eating game - it's part of the reason why we decided to move to the apartment complex that houses PV Callowhill on its ground level. You likely know about the shift in ownership, but under the clearly capable hands of Head Chef John Sidoti (previously Chef de Cuisine at Osteria), the tastes and tenets that started with Chefs Vetri, Michaud, and Spence remain in place. We stopped by to check out the new spring additions to the menu and judging by the crowds on an early Thursday evening, Pizzeria Vetri remains as popular as ever!

Italian Derby [$12]
Bulleit rye whiskey, Fernet Branca, lemon, mint

Regular readers know I'm a fan of rye and Fernet respectively, so the Italian Derby seemed like a match made perfectly for me. Fernet acted as the bitters, with the bright citrus from the lemon coming on through, along with the freshness of the mint. Easy spring drinking. 

Strawberry Fennel Salad [$12]
Strawberries, shaved fennel, sunflower seed granola, watercress, banyuls vinaigrette

Strawberry fennel salad had fresh flavors coming through from the sweet strawberries and the crisp fennel. I enjoyed the bitterness from the watercress, which was nicely balanced by the texture of the sweet sunflower seed granola and the acid from the oak barrel-aged banyuls vinaigrette. 

Roasted Beets [$8]
Beets, robiolina, pistachios, parsley

Chef Sidoti was killing it with the execution on something as simple as the beet salad. Salt-compressed for 6 hours, the beets had an intensely sweet earthiness from having the moisture pulled out. Paired with the nutty texture of the pistachios, the creaminess of the super-smooth robiolina, olive oil, and parsley, this is a must-order, especially at $8! 

Wood Oven Salad [$12]
Asparagus, snap peas, spring onions, baby carrots, radishes, pecorino, lemon butter dressing

The wood-oven salad was seasonally spring - a cornucopia of roasted asparagus, spring onion, and sweet snap peas, along with sweet baby carrots and a nice bite from the radish. I enjoyed the salty funk from the pecorino, with the lemon-butter dressing tying everything together. 

Asparago [$16]
Shaved asparagus, fried egg yolk, Meyer lemon, mozzarella, parmigiana 

At the Callowhill location, the asparagus pie is a welcome spring addition to the pizza menu. Chef Sidoti is killing it with a fried egg yolk, designed to be picked up and drizzled all of your pie. Talk about yolk porn! The shaved asparagus provides some heft to each bite, with the Meyer lemon providing a punch of bright acidity. 

Funghi Calzone [$14]
Roasted mushrooms, garlic, scallions, ricotta, mozzarella, parsley

The calzones are always a winner at PV. Perfect leoparding on the crust, with a substantial glut of roasted mushrooms, garlic, and scallions, interspersed with creamy ricotta and fresh mozzarella within. 

Agnello [$18]
Roasted lamb, English peas, pickled red onion, young pecorino, parmigiana, mint, oregano

If you're at the Chancellor Street location in Rittenhouse, look out for the Agnello. Beautifully marbled lamb shoulder is roasted and pulled apart all over your pie. English peas and mint are the natural complement to the sweet grassy lamb, with the pickled red onion really making each bite. 

Here's hoping the wonderful weather continues and we're truly done with winter. There's no better way to enjoy it than stopping by for a drink and some good eats at your nearby Pizzeria Vetri. And even if the chill returns, you can certainly enjoy the tastes of spring. 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Pizzeria Vetri and Urbn Food & Beverage for inviting me in. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.