Fogo de Chao Summer Menu

Fogo de Chao is back at it with new summer menu items on offer! You'll find a Watermelon Feta salad and a Tomato Mozzarella salad, in addition to everything you'd normally find at the Market Table. And you can't neglect the myriad of meats, cut right at your table. 

Clockwise from Right: Picanha | Market Table Items | Pao de Queijo, Smoke & Honey Cocktail

New items include a succulent, crisp Grilled Pork Belly with Pineapple. Right up my alley. Like salty, gooey cheeses? Sample some of the Queijo Assado, a Brazilian-style cheese that's finished with spicy malagueta honey. 

Clockwise from Right: Queijo Assado | Coconut Creme Brulee | Grilled Pork Belly & Pineapple

These are included in your normal churrasco experience. And don't forget about cocktails and dessert! You can opt to go non-alcoholic with a new Watermelon Fresca, or a Grapefruit Elderflower Spritz and Pineapple Mint Lemonade. I went with the smooth and subtly sweet Smoke & Honey, featuring Monkey Shoulder whiskey, elderflower, and honey. And for a sweet treat to end the meal? Don't hesitate to get the Coconut Creme Brulee, topped with coconut ice cream. 

Fogo de Chao 
1337 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 636-9700

https://fogodechao.com/

Common Wealth Old City

Located in Old City, Common Wealth brings forth the tastes of Carolina low country cuisine. Chef Joe Battista highlights seafood, heirloom grains, and fresh produce in an effort to provide flavors that you don't often find in Philly.

Sazerac [Bottom Left] | The Black Fedora [Bottom Right]

Common Wealth's interior is charming, with indoor street lights and murals creating a convivial atmosphere. In addition to a full bar featuring whiskies and craft beers, they offer a variety of specialty cocktails. The GF enjoyed a seasonal take on the Moscow Mule and I indulged in a sazerac, with the spice of the rye whiskey nicely balanced by the sweetness of the absinthe rinse and the herbal notes from the bitters. 

Fried Green Tomatoes [$12]
Pickled shrimp, remoulade, dressed greens

I loved the cornmeal crust on the fried green tomatoes - great texture and held up well to the stewed onions and the snappy pickled shrimp on top. The kick from the remoulade really made each bite. 

Pork Belly [$9]
Citrus salad, cider-jus reduction

How could I say no to the pork belly. The heft of the crispy, yet unctuous pork was balanced by  sweet peaches and a cider reduction, 

Oyster Mushroom Ravioli [$16]
Parmesan creamed leeks, field peas, Syrah-Grenache reduction

The ravioli are a sleeper hit. The al dente pasta housed an oyster mushroom filling laden with an earthy umami. The Parmesan creamed leek sauce had a great burst of flavor, with a punch of acid coming from the wine reduction. 

Shellfish & Grits [$22]
Seared shrimp and scallops, lobster etouffee, poblano-cheddar grits

I'm a sucker for shrimp and grits and I'll vouch for Common Wealth's iteration. Grits were spot on, with the poblano and cheddar really coming through. I could easily eat a pot of these alone. But with the depth of the lobster etouffee? Even better - especially with the kick from the cayenne and black pepper. Seared shrimp and scallops were simply an added bonus to round out the dish. 

So if you're in Old City, I'd definitely recommend stopping by Common Wealth. In addition to their regular weekday happy hour from 5-7PM, they have specials on Fridays and Saturdays from 9-11PM. On the weekends, they also offer up brunch - pork belly hash, croque madames, and lobster benedicts are calling your name!

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Common Wealth Old City for inviting us in to try their dishes. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Common Wealth Old City
319 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 372-7581
www.commonwealthphila.com

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

Maison 208 Review

The GF and I have been fans of Chef Sylva Senat since his Tashan days. His impressive resume includes Aquavit and Jean-Georges. Senat also helped to open Buddakan in NYC. Subsequently, Stephen Starr lured him to Philly with the 2nd Buddakan outpost. It was at Tashan though that we truly enjoyed the coupling of Senat's French technique with Asian flavors. Certainly a sad day when he departed the modern Indian restaurant. It closed a few years after, with owner Munish Narula emphasizing a decision to focus on his Tiffin empire. For Senat though, and true of most talents, it was on to bigger and better things. After his deep run on Top Chef Season 14 did Philly proud, Senat partnered up with proprietor Herb Reid and operations director Stephen Yaeger to bring us Maison 208, a bi-level New American restaurant with French influences.

Before our 8 o'clock reservation with friends, The GF and I stopped by the sleek second floor lounge, which features Philly's first-ever retractable roof. How retractable? On the night we stopped by, there were a few rogue rain clouds resulting in trace amounts of rainwater by the bar! 

Tequila Mockingbird [$13]
Hornitos, Boardroom beet, lime, agave, peppercorn

Understandably, the GF couldn't help but be tickled by her drink's name. Better yet was its taste - the tequila was tempered by the sweet undertones of the agave, which really came through. The Boardroom Beet liqueur had grassy notes, with a light, peppery finish that was accented by the peppercorn. Really easy drinking for the summer nights. 

R.R. Cigar [$23]
Lagavulin 16, smoked vermouth, tobacco, smoked brandy cherry

Shouldn't be a surprise that I opted for the R.R. Cigar, which features a foundation of Lagavulin 16 year. Not that I needed an excuse, but it was also National Scotch Day (there's a day for everything these ... days)! Even if you're not used to smoky Islay, if you're interested in a drink with a bit of pomp and circumstance, this is the one for you. You'll get quite a few head-turns, what with a dome of smoke immersing your drink before you even have a taste.  

The perfume of tobacco smoke accents the nose from the whiskey, with malt and sherry coming through on the palate and balancing nicely with the smoked vermouth. Really smooth, with a great finish of sweet figs and vanilla. And yes, it comes with a mini-cigar from Cappelli Bros. Cigar Co. across the street. But alas no, you can't smoke it within the confines of Maison 208. 

A testament to how busy the restaurant was, we were more than half an hour past our reservation. But no matter, we were all enjoying Yaeger's creations. Ultimately, the friendly hostess stopped by and escorted us to our four-top on the first level where we met our server, Bryant. Engaging and personable, he didn't hesitate to provide recommendations and let us know that for much of the menu, the intent is to share. Perfect for our night's crew. 

Rimbert Cousin Oscar Cinsauit [$52]

Languedoc, France 2015

Seeking some vino with dinner, we settled upon the Cinsauit upon Bryant's rec. Redolent with red plum and cherries, this was highly reminiscent of Pinot Noir or Grenache. Easy summer quaffing.

Island Kobe Beef Pate Lollipops [$9]
Gold, sweet potato, Haitian beef curry

For the meal proper, we started off with the lollipops, which are sure to be popular in the lounge. Deftly fried, the crispy exterior yielded a blend of Yukon and sweet potato housing a Kobe beef curry center. Feel free to dip into the light, yet heady truffle foam, with "gold" puffed rice offering additional texture. These typically come three to an order, but the kitchen was able to accommodate for four. (Note that actual menu pricing is provided throughout the post). 

Pan-Seared Diver Scallops [$18]
Hush-Beignet, Pancetta, Brown Butter Sauce

Diver scallops were also customized for four, with a light sear providing a salty contrast to emphasize the innate sweetness of the bivalves. Sweet, crispy hush-puppy beignets provided additional substance to the dish, with the bits of crispy pancetta and brown butter sauce offering some savory, nutty richness to tie everything together. 

"Griote & Pikilis" Pork Belly [$13]
12 hr belly, scotch bonnet sea salt, spicy slaw

Pork Griot is a popular Haitian dish, with citrus and Scotch Bonnet-marinated pork simmered until tender, and finally fried. Maison 208's iteration features the belly in a 12 hour braise, expectedly tender and unctuous. The pork itself was more sweet than spicy, with a spoon of Scotch Bonnet sea salt on offer if you're looking to amp up the salt and spice level. The "Pikilis" pickled slaw offered some countervailing relief from the heft of the belly. I will say that I was missing a bit of finesse and texture. Also unsure why four pieces couldn't be accommodated here as well (to be fair, we didn't ask, but wasn't offered).

Whole Frenched Dorade [$36]

Pan-fried, petit vegetables, consomme 

Our table couldn't help but want to order the Chef-recommended sea bream aka dorade. It's beautifully crusted and pan-fried, with a light seasoning on the exterior to emphasize the clean, meaty fish and the light consomee. As you might expect, there will be more than a few bones to pick out here and there, but certainly manageable. A gorgeous kaleidoscope of purple root vegetables, pearl onions, and tomatoes rounded out this beautiful dish. 

Black Hog Pork Shank [$26]
Double cut, Herb de Provence haricot verts, natural pork jus 

The pork shank is a show stopper and a must order in my mind. Porcine flavors and textures are allowed to shine and to stunning effect. I appreciate the dichotomy in textures with the crispy skin yielding to a flavorful, gelatinous layer which further falls away away to tender strands of pork. I did miss the haricot verts, though we did order plenty of sides to complement the shank. 

Corn Pudding [$6]
White sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, aged sherry vinaigrette 

The sweetness of the corn pudding could not be denied, but helped to provide some balance to the pork dish. The sweet acidity from both the fresh heirloom tomatoes and aged sherry vinaigrette helped to round out this dish. 

Maison Pomme Frites [$6]
Gruyere, garlic truffle oil

You need veggies with your meal, right? In my mind, french fries count! And when they're perfectly done, why not? Fries were crisp on the exterior and tender within. The garlic truffle oil was certainly present, but complemented the shaved Gruyere rather than overpowering.

I'll be interested to see how Maison 208 continues to progress as it's only been about a month since opening. Based on his Instagram, I suspect there's constant tweaking and development coming from Chef Senat. In the meantime, a bottle of wine, the pork shank, and an order of fries seems like the perfect meal to me. The lounge is already hopping and will likely continue being a hotspot for drinks and smaller bites. 

Maison 208
208 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.maison208.com 

Hickory Lane American Bistro Review

Despite having lived in the area for the past four years, the GF and I haven't explored the North Fairmount area as much as I'd like. And after having recently visited Hickory Lane for a double date with Geo's Table (the Hickory Lane burger was ridiculously good!), I knew a return trip was in order! So when my folks were in town, we stopped by to enjoy brunch al fresco. 

Eggs Benedict [$12]

My dad went with a classic, cooked perfectly. The poached eggs oozed yolk all over the thick-cut Canadian bacon and toasted English muffin, with the acidic richness of the hollandaise bringing it over the top. Breakfast potatoes were spot on - hearty, well-seasoned, and interspersed with onions and peppers. 

Pork Belly Benedict [$13]

I'm only realizing this now, but why the heck would you not get the pork belly benedict when it's only a dollar more. Huge, hefty hunks were well crisped and yielded tender, unctuous pork within. Instead of English muffin, the poached eggs were atop brioche, which added a buttery richness to each bite, cut somewhat by the pickled red onion. Easily one of my favorite brunch dishes in the city. 

California Grilled Chicken Club [$15]

Smoked bacon, avocado salsa, honey dijon, greens, Heirloom tomato, Le Bus bread

My mom's tastes are simpler, but her grilled chicken club wasn't any less delicious. Juicy chicken had a good crisp and the avocado salsa and honey dijon worked really well to create a flavorful bite. She tends to eat healthy (how are we related?), so that just meant I got extra bacon with my meal. Accompanying fries were spot on - crisp, slightly greasy, and delicious.

Tex Mex Plato [$12]

Chilaquiles, spicy sausage, cilantro, salsa rojo, poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise, queso fresco

The kitchen's headed up by Chef Frank Martinez, who clearly executes New American well. The GF was able to enjoy some of his Latin American background with this perfect chilaquiles. The fried tortilla still had texture, but soaked up plenty of the salsa rojo, with bits of spicy sausage and queso studded throughout. And once the poached egg and hollandaise was dripping down the chilaquiles, I was completely sold. Hickory Lane has the perfect hangover cure. 

Stone Ground Bacon Grits [$7]

Likely mounted with an entire stick of butter, these cheddar grits were amazingly rich. And topped with crisp bacon, even the belly of this pig was satiated with the amount of bacon and pork consumed on this day.

So if you're looking for another brunch spot and definitely if you're in the Fairmount area, I'd head over to Hickory Lane. And in case you're interested in walking off the meal, it's right next to Eastern State Penitentiary! 

White Dog Cafe: Wayne Review

The original White Dog Cafe opened in 1983 in University City, under the founding guidance of Judy Wicks. She was a clear pioneer in the farm-to-table and locally sustainable food movement that's on trend these days. And to that end, the majority of ingredients are sourced no more than 50 miles away. In 2009, restaurateur Marty Grims (think: Moshulu & Autograph Brasserie) bought White Dog Cafe, under the proviso that the same environmentally sound model would be continued. And with Grims' expertise and experience, White Dog Cafe has grown, with a second location opening in Wayne and a third in Haverford. 

Similar to Autograph Brasserie, White Dog Wayne is simply stunning. Whimsical dog decor and artwork abound, with a Library room featuring dark mahogany ceilings and flying books. Looking for a place to host a baby or wedding shower? Book the Garden Room, which has chicken-wired ceilings, floral prints, and antique light fixtures and wooden shutters. 

Amuse Bouche

Dinner started off with an amuse sent out by the Chef. Pickled grapes had sharp acidity to balance the smooth funk of the blue cheese mousse, with the rich Marcona almonds offering a nice textural contrast.

Local Artisan Cheese [$18]
Seasonal jams & accompaniments 

A hefty slab of local creamy goat's milk cheese had a nice tang that was accented by the sweet honey, apples, and jam. 

Kennett Square Mushroom Soup [$10]
White truffle oil, creme fraiche, snipped chives 

The mushroom soup is definitely a must-order for first timers. A heady, umami-laden broth of Kenneth Square mushroom soup is poured tableside, with creme fraiche to provide some levity. I appreciated that the white truffle oil served to accent and not overpower the dish. 

Tuna Tartare [$16]

White Dog's tuna tartare can go head to head with any fine dining establishment in the city - artfully presented and well-executed with a creamy avocado salsa atop freshly chopped tuna and a sesame soy emulsion. 

Scallops & Bacon [$35]
Pan-seared Maine Dayboat scallops, farro risotto, yellow curry butter, braised pork belly, apples 

Without a doubt, scallops and bacon were clearly made for my tastes and porcine sensibilities. The well-seared scallops were sweet and had a beautiful crust. Paired with the roast pork belly and the hearty farro risotto, the richness was undeniable. Balance was offered by the yellow curry butter and the crisp apples, which provided a countervailing element to each bite. 

Baked Mac & Cheese [$8]

Easily one of my favorite mac's in recent memory, this was baked in a cast-iron skillet, with a liquid gold lava of fontina and sharp cheddar interspersed throughout al dente orchiette pasta. I appreciated the shredded sharp cheddar and buttered bread crumbs on top, offering additional layers of texture. 

Caramel Apple Pot de Creme [$9]
Apple confit, pie dough crumble, apple butter

The seasonal dessert menu featured a light caramel pot de creme, with plenty of confited apple chunks and pie dough crumble on top. The tartness of the apple butter dollops helped to provide some slightly acidic balance to tie things together. 

Cookie Jar [$9]
Warm & freshly baked cookies, ice cold milk

And it wouldn't be White Dog Cafe without the doggy cookie jar. Served with a glass of milk, the cookie jar opens up to reveal plenty of freshly baked and warm cookies.

Buttery dog-bone biscuits, hearty oatmeal raisin, and decadent chocolate chip cookies helped to end the meal with a sweet and comforting note. 

White Dog Wayne is clearly a hot spot for Happy Hour. And by prime time, the bar's bustling and the tables are filled with diners enjoying their meals. Chef Zach Grainda is at the helm in the kitchen and has a clear passion for creating an ever-changing menu that speaks to what's locally available, fresh, and seasonal. White Dog Wayne is certainly a driving force behind Main Line's destination-dining boom. I've said it before - suburbanites need not go to Center City to get creative, beautifully presented, and delicious dishes. 

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited by the Fearless Restaurant Group to visit White Dog Wayne. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.