Pat's Pizza & Pasta South Street

If you've been as invested in the pizza landscape as I've been over the years (trust: many Friday & Saturday's spent ordering delivery), you've naturally seen some iteration of Pat's on the East Coast. And interestingly enough, the majority of these shops are family enterprises! The history extends back to the 1970s in Jersey, when three enterprising cousins began Pat's Pizza. As the family itself expanded, siblings and cousins became owners of separate branches, with each individual making it their own. 

South Street was graced with a Pat's a little over a year ago and it's already becoming popular with folks popping in to grab a few slices or ordering in. I recently had the opportunity to check out their menu, and it definitely features more than just pizza. 

Boneless Wings | Buffalo Chicken Calzone | Tortelloni Alfredo | Mozzarella Sticks

A standard order for me includes boneless wings (boneless to cater to the wife!). Pat's did not disappoint. I appreciated the crispness of the batter, encasing juicy morsels of fresh chicken. Loved the vinegar emanating from the mild buffalo sauce - perfect to dunk in sauce studded with chunks of blue cheese. A guilty pleasure of mine? Buffalo chicken calzones. The medium-sized calzone at Pat's will easily service 3 or more, oozing plenty of cheese and chunks of buffalo chicken. The sleeper hit at Pat's and an absolute must? The pastas. Do check out the tortelloni or the fettucine alfredo. That sauce is pure decadence, redolent with plenty of cheese and begging for you to mop it all up with bread. And yes, mozzarella sticks are solid here at Pat's ... gooey, crispy, and served with the requisite marinara. 

Pat's Special Burger

Pat's special burger is housed in a Le Bus bun, airy and light. The burger itself is char-grilled and juicy, topped with onion rings, crisp bacon, and plenty of American cheese. Tasty! 

Large Pepperoni Pizza

Circular and square slices are both available at Pat's. A crisp crust offers a vessel to house sweet marinara and cheese. Studded with plenty of pepperoni, this hit the spot. 

So if you get a chance, be sure to check out Pat's on South Street. The appetizers are on point (no freezer burn here) and in addition to wings & pizza, you'd be remiss if you didn't check out some of the pastas on the menu! 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Pat's South Street for inviting us in. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.

Pat's Pizza & Pasta
1410 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 790-7287
https://www.patspizzapasta.com/

Scarpetta Philadelphia Happy Hour

I had the pleasure of being able to stop by Scarpetta earlier this week and indulge in their latest creation. In collaboration with locally-distilled Stateside Vodka, the Executive Chef at Scarpetta is bringing forth the city's first boozy pizza. 

Clockwise from Top: Scarpetta x Stateside Vodka Pizza [$10] | Negroni Invecchiato [$15] | Palermo Old Fashioned [$15]

Not only is the dough vodka-infused, the creamy blush sauce, ricotta, and sun-dried tomato all have notes of Stateside Vodka as well. It's not overpowering at all and certainly apropos for the Happy Hour crowd. I appreciated the bright acidity from the sun-dried tomato, which helped to balance out the richness of the ricotta and blush sauce. Easily enjoyed with a cocktail or two. By the way, drinks are half-off during Happy Hour Sun - Fri from 4-7PM! 

Scarpetta's Bread Basket with Prosciutto & Broccoli Rabe Roll-Ups | Mushroom Arancini [$9] | Gorgonzola Crostini [$8]

The majority of Scarpetta's small bites are $6 during Happy Hour as well. The bread basket came with two favorites in particular - the broccoli rabe embodied South Philly flavors and a prosciutto roll-up offered up the salty savory flavors that satisfy with a proper drink in hand. The wild mushroom arancini were deftly fried, with al dente risotto within. There are several crostini on offer - we enjoyed a funky, yet sweet gorgonzola spread, with red-wine poached figs and crisp green apple on top. 

Crispy Fritto Misto [$13]
Calamari, shrimp, squash, eggplant, herbs

The fritto misto is a must. Not at all greasy, these were perfectly fried and allowed the calamari, shrimp, squash, and eggplant to shine. And the fried lemon slices? Really made each bite and easily enjoyed! 

Gnocchetti Fritti [$9]

Ricotta salata, fonduta, prosciutto

The fried gnocchi were light within, but great texture on the exterior. Each bite was well-seasoned as well, with a burst of salt from the prosciutto and ricotta salata, along with the richness of the fonduta.

Whether you're looking to grab a drink with your business partners or seeking out a sleek setting in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, be sure to check to stop by Scarpetta for Happy Hour. 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Scarpetta Philadelphia & Cashman Associates for inviting me in. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

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.

&pizza Review

Originating from D.C., &pizza was one of the first fast-casual and quick-serve pizza spots to make its mark across the east coast. With locations stretching to NYC, Virginia, and Philly, they're seeking to ensure that quick-serve pizzas are deliciously handmade. As an anti-establishment ethos hocking creative pies, I was excited to stop by to check out &pizza's Philly outpost. 

Located on 15th and Walnut. &pizza is sleek, open, and modern. In addition to pies, they have craft fountain sodas including ginger-berry lemonade, burdock & anise root beer, mango & passion fruit, dark cherry cola, pear & fig elixir, and cereal milk cream soda (think Momofuku Milk Bar)! They've even got home-brewed teas like unsweetened lemongrass-peach, sweet peach-ginger, and sweet mint. But I digress ... let's get on with the pizzas!

Pizza [$9.73]
Craft your own or go with the hits

Step up to the counter and you can order the tried and true classics. Or you can craft your own, by choosing either a traditional, ancient grain, or gluten free dough for $2.78 extra. Then you layer a choice from a variety of sauces, including classic or spicy tomato, buffalo sauce, garlic ricotta, mushroom truffle, or basil pesto. Pick your cheese, a myriad of toppings, and you're set! 

American Honey 
Spicy tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni, arugula, goat cheese, hot honey, red pepper flakes

First off, the dough is crusty and nicely leoparded - perfect to act as a vessel to house a myriad of toppings to create flavor bombs. The American Honey has kick from the spicy tomato and red pepper flakes, heft from the meaty pepperoni, bitter freshness from the arugula, and a cooling creaminess from the goat cheese and honey. 

Moonstruck 
Mushroom truffle, garlic ricotta, mozzarella, mushroom, grilled onion, goat cheese, fig balsamic

Consider me moonstruck with the mushroom truffle pie. Garlic ricotta and a rich truffle sauce acts as a base, with the grilled onions and goat cheese partnering up for sweetness and tang. I even asked for chicken here for additional substance. Fig balsamic brought forth some sweetness to tie it all together.  

Farmer's Daughter
Spicy tomato, mozzarella, Italian sausage, egg, red pepper chili oil, parmesan

The Farmer's Daughter is pretty special. You can request your eggs to be cracked over-easy or scrambled in your pie. A melange of Italian sausage, red pepper chili oil, and spicy tomato provides you with a hearty bite with a bit of kick. The yolk offers up creaminess along with the fresh mozzarella. 

Dirty Bird *Limited Edition*
Garlic ricotta, shredded mozzarella, jalapeno, chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, banana pepper, romaine, blue cheese, red pepper flakes

For a limited time, &pizza is catering to all of the buffalo chix fans out there. The Dirty Bird is easily one of my favorites - plenty of chicken studded throughout and creamy with the garlic ricotta, ranch, and buffalo sauce. The jalapeno and banana peppers counter the funk of the blue cheese. 

Cookie [$1.16]

Need a sweet treat? &pizza partners with Momofuku Milk Bar (yes, *that* David Chang + Christina Tosi empire) to offer Cereal Milk cookies to satiate your sweet tooth after indulging in some of their fresh-made pies. 

So if you're aching for a fresh-made pie beyond your standard takeout, be sure to stop by &pizza. The staff's friendly and the pizzas come out quick, hot, and are delicious. 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to &pizza and Village Marketing for allowing me to try &pizza. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Mod Pizza Cherry Hill Review

Artisanal pizzas have met their fast-casual match with MOD Pizza. Founded in 2008 by Seattle husband-wife team Scott & Ally Svenson, MOD is bringing forth food authenticity and positivity through pizza. By putting people first, the Svenson's are seeking to become a force for positive change, whether it's with higher-than-average pay and benefits for their employees or bringing communities together one pie at a time. And of course, the quality of MOD pizza's ingredients is equally important, with animal ethics and the accompanying environmental impact always in mind. Now with more than 200 locations across the U.S. and U.K., the MOD mentality is spreading. 

They've got a few locations in PA, as well as in Marlton and Cherry Hill, NJ. The GF's family was in town for July 4th weekend, so we decided to stop by the Cherry Hill location to check out what MOD was all about. It's a spacious, sleek location, with the gas-fired 800 degree oven as the centerpiece. 

Deluxe Salad [$7.87]

Greens, chicken, salami, green bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, Parmesan

We started off with the deluxe salad which comes with salami, chicken, and plenty of fresh greens and veggies mixed and served in a small serving bowl. 

Caspian [$7.87]
Mozzarella, gorgonzola, BBQ chicken, BBQ sauce, sliced red onions

MOD has more than a few set creations to satiate your pizza craving. The Caspian featured a blend of creamy mozz and gorgonzola, with the sweetness of the BBQ chicken and sauce tempering the funk of the blue cheese. The sliced red onions really hit the spot by bringing a bit of freshness. The dough was spot on - thin and crispy, with a nice chew. 

Crosby [$7.87]
Red sauce, mozzarella, mild sausage, asparagus, fig glaze

The Crosby was MOD's rotating seasonal pizza, with fresh, tender asparagus topping this pie along with moist sausage and a sweet fig glaze. Definitely one of our favorites! 

Your Creation [$7.87]

You're not beholden to MOD's set pies. In fact, all the pies are the same price regardless of how many ingredients you top your pizza with! And with over 30 ingredients to choose from, it's easy to play pizza chef. So obviously I had to go full-carnivore and requested "all the meats." Salami, sausage, pepperoni, grilled chicken, and even anchovies were thrust upon this bad boy, with roasted garlic for good measure. Robust, greasy, gut-busting, this hit every salty note I was looking for. And yes, I finished it and then power walked for a good 3 hours while the GF shopped. 

But I digress. If you're looking for a fast-casual option and are craving pizza, be sure to stop by MOD. Now if only they'd open up an outpost in Center City, Philly. 

FTC Disclaimer: A portion of the meal was covered by Mod Pizza. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.

Drury Beer Garden Review

In the past year or so, beer gardens have been popping up all over Philly. Heck, we even have traveling ones! And if you're a Philly Happy Hour regular, you already know that Drury Beer Garden is one of the OGs. Located in the back of Opa, it offers a relaxed environment where you can post up at the bar or have some drinks while playing ping pong. All the while, you're able to enjoy the tasty Mediterranean offerings from Chef Bobby Saritsoglou.  

Bottom Right: Chef Bobby Saritsoglou holding court

Owners George and Vasiliki Tsiouris were right to bring him on a few years back. Chef Bobby's an awesome dude with an amazing personality (check out that stache!). Even more impressive is his dedication to his craft, making pretty much everything in house. As such, the GF and I were excited to stop by to try his new Drury Beer Garden menu.

Mango Tango [$8]

We started off with some summery drinks. The Twisted Tea was obviously an easy drinker - essentially a spiked Arnold Palmer. Drury Beer Garden's also got specialty cocktails pretty much on tap, along with a rotating slushie! We opted to try the mango tango, which was fruity, sweet, and hit all those seasonal notes. 

Beer Mussels [$6]

P.E.I., garlic, grilled baguette

PEI's were plump, meaty, and immersed with a light, garlicky broth that was perfect to sop up with the grilled bread.

Pita Flatbread [$7]

Ground beef, harissa, onions

The pita flatbread was housemade (of course!) and crisp, with a bright depth coming from the harissa paste. It was topped with seasoned ground beef and red onion.

Corn Dog [$7]

 

I was a big fan of the corn dog, which was deftly fried and had a wonderfully spiced sausage within. Hefty in its own right, you can also opt to go Moroccan style, topped with sauce and cheese!

Loaded Fries [$7]

Brisket, cheese sauce, fried egg

The loaded fries are a must. Crisp fries are well-seasoned, with a cheese sauce dripping between the spuds and a fried egg ready to ooze its yolky goodness. 

Chef Bobby also sent out the octopus, which was a stunner. Hours go into the prep, which resulted in an incredibly tender cephalopod. It's then charcoal-grilled to provide savoriness that was amped up by the accompanying black garlic chips. 

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream [$4]

If you need to satiate your sweet tooth, do try the housemade ice creams, which were paired with a spiced shortbread. The cherry chocolate was light, subtly sweet, and easily enjoyable.

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream [$4]

The honey vanilla was deceptively simple, but reminded me that sometimes all a good dish needs to shine are quality ingredients. The clean, sweet flavors helped to provide the perfect bite to end our Drury Beer Garden experience.

So if you're never been, be sure to stop by before summer lets out! And you'd be remiss not to stop by Opa itself to check out all that Chef Bobby has to offer.

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest of Opa-Drury Beer Garden and Bondfire Media. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Santucci's Pizza Review [2]

Until I received a menu in my mailbox, I never realized Santucci's had opened up an outpost on North Broad. Better yet, stamped on the front was a note saying they could deliver their delicious square pies right to my door. So it literally took just a day for me to place my first order to see how their pies would stand up to delivery. 

Fried Mozzarella w/ Marinara [ $7]

The GF and I are big fans of their homemade fried mozzarella sticks. Huge chunks of fresh mozzarella were expertly fried in Italian bread crumbs and held up well to delivery. The marinara wasn't overly sweet and clearly housemade as well. 

6 Garlic Parmesan Wings [$7.10]

The garlic parm wings were well-cooked - crisp and juicy. They were slathered in garlic butter and studded with plenty of salty parm. 

Chicken Fingers w/ Hand-Cut Fries [$9]

The GF and I love the fact that all of Santucci's dishes are homemade. So we knew the chicken fingers would be legit. They were juicy and well-seasoned, though unfortunately a bit limp rather than crispy due to the extra steaming in the takeout box. Similarly, the hand-cut fries were limp as well, but still tasty. The accompanying stone-ground honey mustard was killer though - I could drink it for days. 

Large "The Works" Square Pizza [$19]

Extra cheese, pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, onions 

But the star of the show? Perfect. Ten rectangular slices of heaven awaited us upon delivery. The crisp and lightly buttery dough was topped with plenty of cheese, toppings, and Santucci's marinara. 

So if you live in the Fairmount area, don't forget to hit up Santucci's if you've got a hankering for a proper tomato slice. Keep in mind though - cash only! 

Dolce Carini Review [2]

Dolce Carini is one of my favorite spots to order pizza. Well-seasoned crust and an abundance of homemade sauce and fresh cheese - what's not to love? So on a lazy weekend, I decided to order in and check out their Sicilian pies. 

Sicilian Pizza with Pepperoni [$18.40]

Dolce Carini's take on the Sicilian was better than most in Philly. While the crust could have been more buttery and the dough a bit more pillowy, the cheese and toppings more than made up for it. 

And that sauce is unreal - subtly sweet and clearly homemade. 

California Burger [$6.55]
Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, crispy onion rings
 

The GF was more in the mood for a burger, so left me with the entire pie to gorge on (I kid, there were a few slices leftover). Her burger was "healthy," replete with a fresh and juicy turkey burger, an abundance of mayo, lettuce, tomato, and a crispy onion ring. Not bad! 

Boneless Buffalo Wings [$13.95]
Mild, 25 pieces
  

Their boneless wings aren't on par with Lazos as they were a bit limp, but the chicken was juicy. We went with mild buffalo sauce, which ate slightly sweet. 

Fried Zucchini [$6.90] 

Do try the fried zucchini, which were fresh, well-breaded, and nicely seasoned. These were not at all greasy and came with a pat of their housemade marinara for dipping. 

Garlic Bread [$2.50]

I was also in the mood for garlic bread. Sadly, what Dolce Carini serves is more akin to garlic breadsteaks. These had too much crunch and emanated garlic seasoning more than actual garlic. 

Overall, Dolce Carini is still one of my favorites for pizza. If you're looking to branch out though, their turkey burger is decent and their fried zucchini are event better! 

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!