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Craig LaBan on Restaurants and Food
 
2:01
Craig -  

Good afternoon, my hungry friends, and welcome back to our weekly chat room adventure through the highlights of the Philly food scene.  What’s been the starring dish on your tables this past week? Many of us, I suppose, have been a bit distracted with Phillies fever. There is the flip-side, though. I understand that it’s been pretty easy to get a table these days after 7:57 p.m....so if you’ve always been dying to visit one   of the city’s hard-to-get-into hot spots, but usually can’t get in, Wednesday and Thursday nights (one can only hope) could be your lucky chance. Just sayin’….  Despite the distractions, I’ve still managed to get in some seriously exciting flavors, as you can tell from this week’s Crumb Tracker quiz. Name in order the three places I ate these dishes and win a prize: 1) a $19 bowl of “miso” soup; 2) veal chop Milanese (hint: this excellent rendition was served at one of the city’s old-reliable Italians, more noted for its fish); 3) kumamoto “carpaccio” (hint: this one is suburban.). Ready, set…start crumbing!

2:02
[Comment From Robert]
Craig- i'm sure people will not like my comment but I'm over Pub & Kitchen. It's NOT a gastro-pub. It's an American Restaurant. It's too expensive, and they dont offer enough "bar food". they need to get over the average cooking. (mushy peas are the new Sun dried tomato)
2:06
Craig -  Hi Robert - I'm not sure what you mean about P & K being an "American" restaurant - that seems pretty self-evident. But you're not alone amongst the P&K haters. Though they are definitely in the minority, as the place is perpetually jam-packed. For the record, I'm still pretty much a fan. I've had some fantastic local oysters there, a great burger, and yes, some good fish and chips - when they cook it through. From your comment,   I can't tell if you don't like it because they don't make typical bar food, or because you don't appreciate the menu they do make? I do like your observation about mushy peas, though, I think it's probably closer to the new pesto....
2:06
[Comment From jeff]
overpriced miso soup, must be KONG.
2:07
Craig -  Good guess....but no. And while this was definitely expensive, maybe a bit too pricey, I'm not ready to declare this particular soup was overpriced for what it delivered....
2:07
[Comment From jeff]
totally agree with robert, last time i was at PnK the food was so salty it was almost inedible...so glad that Meritage is banging out great grub across the street., its far superior to anything from the pabbit.
2:08
Craig -  You'll see my review on Meritage this weekend, folks, though it doesn't devolve into a horse race between the two corners. These are very different places, one   a bar with ambitious food, one more of a sit-down restaurant, though one that has evolved in its own right towards a more casual approach. There is definitely room in the neighborhood for both places.
2:09
[Comment From Pete]
that miso soup better have lobster, truffle, and foie gras in it to be that much
2:11
Craig -  well, it had a very unusual artisan miso in it (aged for a year, or so), a "live" scallop (live, that is, until was sliced into sweet rounds the moment before the soup was served) and some matsutake mushrooms, which are pretty rare...  
2:11
[Comment From steve]
Where can I get a good bowl of gumbo? I lived in New orleans for 7 years. It is one thing I really miss. Or maybe some red beans and rice with andouoille?
2:14
Craig -  Steve - I wish I could tell you it was the new Beck's stand over at the Reading Terminal Market. But it's just not there yet - not even close. The best I've had around here is at Cajun Kate's in the Boothwyn Farmer's Market, followed by Ted's on Main in Medford, then, maybe, Melange Cafe in Cherry Hill. Haven't been to John Mims' latest places in Phoenixville, but for a Metarie-guy, he cooks a decent gumbo, too. I should say, by the way, that Beck's is brewing Community Coffee's New Orleans blend - the first taste of chickory coffee I've had in years - it was, so far, the best thing they've served. Of course, they're only a week old, so it's early..
2:14
[Comment From Maria]
Matsutake mushrooms... that would be Morimoto then?
2:16
Craig -  No. Actually, I was a bit surprised to taste some Japanese flavors at this place, but as my meal showed, this restaurant has evolved to be a bit more worldly than its menu's initial Italian-centric thrust. Still not sure if this soup was entirely worth it - I actually wish it was a tad hotter - but it was probably the best, or at least mot interesting, miso I've ever had.  
2:16
[Comment From Bob]
I am heading to Distrito tonight, can you give me a quick outlook? I've never been. Thanks.
2:19
Craig -  Bob - it's been a while since I did my Distrito review (here's the link) , but right now I could go for some of that guacamole with the lump crab, a marrow taco, and the tres leches dessert.... muy bonita...
2:19
[Comment From Guest]
Expensive miso soup - Nectar in Berwyn
2:19
Craig -  nope....
2:19
[Comment From Marty]
West Philly Truck Extravaganza 2009 continues with a trip to Coup De Taco today. BBQ Pork Taco was a hit but the Sweet Thai Chicken was a miss. The apple salsa on top was too chunky and spilled out all over my desk.
2:20
Craig -  Marty - nothing worse than spilled salsa on your desk. I'm sure there's a proverb here... but please tell us where this taco truck is?
2:20
[Comment From Haj]
Miso soup - Nectar in Berwyn
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