Butcher and Singer

An absolutely gorgeous building with stunning interiror decor is home to one of the best burgers in Philadelphia (perhaps even the best, but I have yet to try Village Whiskey). Still, it beats the Rouge burger (and so does its price - $9.95 - which includes a heaping pile of fries). There are 3 types of meats in the Butcher and Singer mouth-watering burger, and even though I was full after one half, I managed to pack the entire thing away because it was so delicious!

Osteria

Le pizza tradizionale margherita: tomato, basil, and mozzarella - The pizza at Osteria has been lauded for being the best pizza...ever. The flavor was delicious and the ingredients were fresh (especially the mozzarella). While I don't want to be the only one to criticize this pizza, I wish it didn't sag when you picked it up. I once heard that a really good slice of pizza is one that has a thin crust, but that doesn't droop when you pick it up. The pizza at Osteria will be 100% perfect after it attains that feat!


"Ciareghi" house made cotechino sausage with polenta and sunny-side up egg - Too salty, but the polenta was out of this world - it "calmed" the dish down and had a wonderful soft texture.


Candele with wild boar bolognese - While I normally don't like to order pasta at restaurants, I decided to do so at Osteria because Mark Vetri's pasta at his namesake is the best item on the menu. The candele was a bit too heavy for my liking, and I would have preferred a taste, as opposed to an entire bowl. It was heavy - and thus perfect for the cold winter night on which I was there - but too much for one person.


Chocolate flan with pistacchio gelato - I was not disappointed that this was not flan, because it was chocolate lava cake instead! The best chocolate lava cake I ever had was at a small french restaurant in the Upper East Side of Manhattan (L'Etats Units), but this may have topped that. The chocolate cake on the outside was soft and moist (not too well done like it sometimes is). The center was bursting with delicious, warm fudge that ran perfectly all over the plate and into the cold pistachio ice cream that created a perfect contrast.

Oyster House

This restaurant really climbed to the top of my list because I had a fabulous, fun experience and loved the food, decor, and service.

Chincoteague (and one other type) Oysters - I recently started eating oysters, and these were wonderful. The waitress was really knowledgeable and described them quite accurately: tastes like the sea, not as salty as some others on the menu, medium to large in size. I didn't even want to use too much cocktail sauce because I enjoyed discovering these new flavors. Texture and consistency was lovely - slid right down!


Scallops - roasted brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, bacon pieces - I'll start with the one criticism: There were only 4 scallops, and they were tiny! However, this criticism easily turns into a compliment because I wanted more. Every bite on my plate was extremely flavorful and exceptionally prepared. The scallops neared a sweet, tangy, BBQ flavor (probably due to the bacon pieces I ate with them), but also had their own unique taste. The scallops themselves, although small in size, were perfectly cooked: soft and whole (not chewy or stringy). I wasn't expecting the side dishes to be as good as they were (I never do), but the sweet potatoes were incredibly - and naturally - sweet (with a little help from the delicious glazed sauce).

Morimoto

What a gorgeous restaurant (but I wouldn't expect anything less from Stephen Starr). We went for Morimoto's "Signature Hour," so the drinks and appetizers were half off. However, I would love to go back and try some raw fish and sushi. Therefore, please note that this blog entry is about the signature hour appetizers, but hopefully there will be another one sometime about dinner. (Hint: order the sparkling ume if you like champagne).


Spicy Lobster Skewers: I could not believe this was only $7 because there was plenty of lobster and it was absolutely dynamite (no pun intended, since it truly was spicy!) The lobster was far from chewy; it just melted in my mouth and was accompanied by spicy orange sauce for a great kick. I was pleasantly surprised to taste such quality lobster at a "happy hour" type of event.


"Angry" Wings: I'm not sure why they were angry (they really weren't that spicy) but the flavor was wonderful - sweet, sticky, and tangy. The crunchy rice noodles on top were an annoyance and not needed.


Pork Gyoza: There was a nicely-sized piece of pork inside the dumpling - and it tasted great - but I wasn't too crazy about the dough (it was almost too crispy for me; I like it a little more delicate and thin).


Kobe Spring Rolls: This dish was my 2nd favorite after the lobster skewers. I don't remember the crispy shell as much, because the kobe beef's flavor was overpowering, in a wonderful way. What I liked about all of these appetizers, including this one, is that the meat/filling was never skimpy.


Morimoto Brownies: No wonder this is their most popular dessert - it was fantastic! The fudgy brownie bites would have been wonderful on their own, but the caramel dipping sauce and candied walnuts not only made it fun to eat, they added immense flavor and sweetness. This dish is a definite must-order for anyone that loves caramel.

Salento

Mussels in Red Sauce: While the mussels themselves were certainly delicious, the ingredient that knocks this dish out of the park is the red sauce. The garlic (and whatever else is in there) makes you want to slurp it with your spoon and dip endless amounts of bread in it (which is exactly what we did).


Veal Ravioli: I could not have eaten this entire dish because it was so heavy (so I'm glad I just had a taste), but the bite I had was memorable. I had never seen ravioli so big and filling. The whole pieces of veal inside were abundant and the pasta was freshly made.


Mixed Grill: I was extremely pleased with my dish and I loved how it tasted fresh from the grill (which it was). The grilled basa, calamari, and shrimp were amazing; fresh, grilled, and not too much else (just some lemon did the trick).


Chocolate Torte: Dense and rich; just like fudge. May be too rich for some, but I indulged and devoured every delectable bite.

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

By far the best lox in town. Thinly sliced. Moist. You have to go...now. Enough said.

The Morning Glory Diner

Look out Sabrina's! I just enjoyed one of the best breakfasts I've ever had (and it wasn't in Manhattan, where up until recently, has always been considered to have the best of everything, especially Sunday brunch); it was at The Morning Glory Diner at 10th and Fitzwater. Brunch in Philadelphia is certainly at the forefront of the "brunch" competition. Philadelphians not only line up for hours at Sabrina's, waiting to eat their overwhelming portion of stuffed french toast, they also wait hours (and for a very good reason!) at The Morning Glory Diner. Our 50 minute wait (during the rain, at times) was definitely worth it!

Pecan Waffle: served with whipped peach butter - Every bite was sweet and warm; the peach butter had real pieces of peach in it.


Monkey French Toast: challah French toast stuffed with caramelized bananas & mangoes, topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream - The expression on my face (the "eye bulge," as my husband calls it) after I took my first bite sums it up. This french toast is probably the best I've ever had. The mango was so soft and sweet; I was surprised with its ripeness. The next best thing was the caramel sauce; that mixed with the whipped cream really made this dish sweet. The french toast was made from large, thick slices of challah bread (which they keep in the "backyard fridge" that you can see while you wait). I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Pub & Kitchen

Brewery Mussels: homemade country sausage & amber lager - Normally I like my mussels in red sauce, but these were delicious. The mussels were soft (far from chewy) and almost sweet, and the spicy sausage was an excellent addition. The toasted bread on top was full of garlic butter (and while it was tasty, there was a tad too much of it). The last time I was at Pub & Kitchen, I ordered the burger (as did two of my friends this time) and it never fails to please.



Roast chicken with mustard greens and Irish biscuit - This dish is one that Pub & Kitchen is known for. The chicken is juicy, yet the Irish biscuit was a little dry (and was almost like stuffing).

Supper

We came to Supper because of the review in both Zagat and Philadelphia Magazine, but as we later found out, both reviews were over a year old. The chef and owner, Mitch Prensky, was nice enough to come over to my table once he saw me taking pictures and asking about the "tapas" brunch that I thought was still served (Philadelphia Magazine may have published last year's article instead). He was very nice and friendly, and his restaurant offers the same vibe. Now on to the food:

Supper Frittata: three egg frittata with tomatoes and bacon, served with potatoes and toast - By the looks of the picture, you're probably wondering where the eggs are: they are dried up and hiding in there. This isn't what I expect to see when I order a frittata; the potatoes should have been on the side, and the eggs a bit more moist.


Housemade Ricotta Blintzes with strawberry compote and sour cream - These were incredibly delicious: sweet, thin crepes, and a beautiful blend of strawberry, sour cream, and ricotta. It wasn't difficult for it to melt in my mouth. However, I was very disappointed with the portion size; for $13, I would have expected more.

James

Of the four dishes I had at James, two of them were truly delicious (and perhaps deserving of Philadelphia Magazine's rank of 3rd best restaurant), but the prices are very steep for the amount of food on the plate. I wanted Wendy's afterwards.

As far as the decor, I was pleasantly surprised to walk into such a modern, trendy, yet calm atmosphere that I would expect to see more of on Rittenhouse Square, not in Bella Vista. It was beautifully, yet simply decorated, with hardwood floors and dark tables and furniture (picture above is behind the bar, not the main dining room).

Swiss chard stuffed quail breast - This was one of the two best dishes of the evening. The quail breast was lean and soft, and the seasoned swiss chard was the perfect flavoring.


Hand cut tagliatelle, duck ragu, shaved chocolate & orange - What a disappointment. Philly Mag said to order this, the waitresses at James said it was the most popular item on their menu,...perhaps I was thus expecting too much. The tagliatelle was thin and obviously homemade, but there was barely any duck, and if chocolate & orange weren't listed on the menu, I wouldn't have known they were part of the dish.


John Dory with onions, apples, and brussels sprouts


Dover Sole "Veronique" - This was the second best dish of the evening. It was simply prepared but my taste buds loved it: olive oil, peeled grapes, and some sort of cream that tasted like hummus. The picture makes it look much larger than it was, but it was more like over-sized sashimi than a filet of fish.


Both desserts didn't taste like anything. I was afraid I had a stuffy nose or a cold, but nah...the desserts were just lacking flavor. Salty Caramel Semifreddo & Pumpkin Tart

Vetri

Vetri, the 10-table Italian restaurant where chef Mark Vetri creates miracles, is impossible to get into for a reason. Some say it's the best Italian restaurant in the country, and I would agree. My unforgettable evening there began when Mark Vetri himself walked out of the door to make a phone call (he then went back inside to cook my food). Not only was I excited to see him, I was eager to taste his delicacies:

Golden sweet onion crepe with white truffle fondue


Quail sausage with salt cured egg yolk, basil, and potatoes -A delicious mix of flavors, the basil was certainly the star of this dish.


Fazzoletti with duck ragu and black olives

Chicken liver ravioli with trumpet royale mushrooms - This was by far the best dish of the evening (I was so amazed that I forgot to take a picture of it). A photo would not do it justice, however, since the most remarkable part of this pasta was what hid inside the ravioli - a huge burst of flavor from the soft, tasty chicken liver that created quite a "party in my mouth." Am I sounding like a food critic yet? The delicate pasta (which is what Vetri is known for) melted in my mouth as well.

Roasted capretto (baby goat) with soft polenta


Orata in umido with mussels and fregola sardo - I loved the crispy skin of the fish (and it reminded me of the tasty orata I ate in Hawaii), but the mussels could have been larger


Chocolate polenta lava cake - A bit too bitter for my sweet tooth, but the warm liquid "lava" made up for that.


Panna Cotta


In summary, order at least one pasta dish!

Tinto

Tinto is right up there with Vetri; both are my favorite restaurants in the city. I've been to Tinto twice, but the pictures and this blog entry describe my most recent experience. After eating here and at Amada, I'm on a mission to try other Jose Garces restaurants. Tapas has become one of my favorite types of cuisines over the years, and Tinto does it best. I vote Tinto over Amada because the dishes are consistently better at Tinto, and the atmosphere is less noisy and chaotic than at Amada.

Charcuterie, Serrano ham wrapped figs, Cheese - We ordered the "mixto" from both the charcuterie and cheese menu, and everything tasted delicious. The cured meats were sliced thinly; the wrapped fig was a perfect mix of sweet and salty (much better than a traditional prosciutto & melon).


Tuna Tartare: big eye tuna, pickled guindilla, chorizo aioli - they could have left the bread in the kitchen and served more tuna


Pulpo: spanish octopus, confit potatoes, lemon powder - deliciously seasoned and very soft texture (despite the bumpy scales you see in the picture!)


Lamb Brochettes: lamb loin, eggplant, bacon, sherry jus - Lamb with eggplant (usually anywhere) is something I will always order, and this dish certainly ranks high among the numerous meals I've had with the same combination. The eggplant was very soft and I loved how it was wrapped around the tender lamb so that one bite included all of the important ingredients. I also thought that the presentation of skewers in "shot glasses" was a nice touch. And as you can see from the photos, all dishes were presented very nicely, so A+ on that.


Mussels with chorizo, fries, wild mushrooms - The mushrooms were the best (from this picture). They came with roasted potatoes, shallots, and parsley, with shallots and garlic as the dominant flavors. The mussels were also very delicious, but they could have been larger (I had the same complaint about the mussels at Vetri; I like big mussels!) The fries were brilliantly seasoned, but they were dipped in lemon aioli which didn't seem to go well.


Be sure to order the Sopa de Castano (not pictured), the best soup (and perhaps dish) that you may ever taste in your lifetime. It's truffled chestnut soup, duck and mushroom hash, fried quail egg, and pistachio. The flavors are just incredible and a hint of smokiness, paired with the distinct taste of truffle, just puts it over the top.