Jones Chestnut Street Center City Philadelphia
Across the street from Aqua, the Malaysian fun food spot, is Stephen Starr's ode to American comfort food, Jones. Great breakfasts, chicken and waffles, meat loaf and honest mashed potatoes all contribute to making the concept work well. Ultra casual service far from perfect with staff giving off a subtle vibe of "hey, this is a Starr restaurant, they'll be back". Maybe not!
Given Starr's understanding of what the public wants in service, having not 1 but 2 hostesses stare blankly back from 6 feet away when being beckoned discreetly, repeat discreetly beckoned after our server disappeared, while mouthing," you speaking to me" inexplicable but cost the restaurant any chance of a return visit despite decent food.
Friday, January 11, 2008
What am I missing?
Famous 4th Street Deli Philadelphia
Working on the premise that outlandishly large portion size is the key to success, Famous, a Philly institution, has forgotten that food also has to be delicious. A tongue on rye, a deli staple, brought a sandwich that was 4 inches high, slices of thick a nd not tender bread and a pile of thickly sliced dry tongue. A huge slab of chocolate cake was not moist and if not from a box tasted it. If you really want to fill your stomach with no thought to how good deli food can be, Famous is for you!
Working on the premise that outlandishly large portion size is the key to success, Famous, a Philly institution, has forgotten that food also has to be delicious. A tongue on rye, a deli staple, brought a sandwich that was 4 inches high, slices of thick a nd not tender bread and a pile of thickly sliced dry tongue. A huge slab of chocolate cake was not moist and if not from a box tasted it. If you really want to fill your stomach with no thought to how good deli food can be, Famous is for you!
French on Pash-shunk? Gutsy move!
Clementine's Passyunk Ave. South Philly
Stylish French bistro in the heart of Little Italy complete with huge menu blackboard on the wall won our hearts on walking in when they sat us at a seldom seen square table for 8. Civil seating with plenty of elbow room as you reach to give table mates a taste of yours. Escargot topped with golden mille feuille were a bit smal but tender and I'd like to say they were delicious except for a total lack of garlic, though garlic butter is indicated on the menu. This had to be not so much bad cooking as it was simply forgotten. It can happen! The portion of wild mushroom pasta appears precious at first but there is no empty feeling after 5 or 6 forksful of this perfectly rich dish. Service though not seasoned, solicitous and attentive. Minimal adornment in pretty room set off by beautiful color scheme.
Stylish French bistro in the heart of Little Italy complete with huge menu blackboard on the wall won our hearts on walking in when they sat us at a seldom seen square table for 8. Civil seating with plenty of elbow room as you reach to give table mates a taste of yours. Escargot topped with golden mille feuille were a bit smal but tender and I'd like to say they were delicious except for a total lack of garlic, though garlic butter is indicated on the menu. This had to be not so much bad cooking as it was simply forgotten. It can happen! The portion of wild mushroom pasta appears precious at first but there is no empty feeling after 5 or 6 forksful of this perfectly rich dish. Service though not seasoned, solicitous and attentive. Minimal adornment in pretty room set off by beautiful color scheme.
Politically correct? Not!
Mama Palma's Spruce St. Philly
Excellent thin crust pizza and pretty good salads though at 8 and 9 dollars, a bit overpriced for what is given. Management not apt to make the all star team of the politically correct, (refreshing) as they do not much like screaming babies or strollers in their restaurant and make that known
Excellent thin crust pizza and pretty good salads though at 8 and 9 dollars, a bit overpriced for what is given. Management not apt to make the all star team of the politically correct, (refreshing) as they do not much like screaming babies or strollers in their restaurant and make that known
Culinary cliche just feels good!
Dante & Luigi's Italian Market Philly
Venerable hundred year old Philadelphia institution may very well someday be reconstructed stick by brick in the Smithsonian much like Julia Child's TV kitchen. Mussels, roasted peppers, ling/clam, sauteed spinach, escarole or bitter broccoli, they're all there with perhaps the Chicken Caesar salad the only menu item that may not have appeared on their original blackboard over a century ago. Spaghetti with chicken livers and mushrooms particularly satisfying. There's no foam or fusion but the food is earnest and timeless.
Venerable hundred year old Philadelphia institution may very well someday be reconstructed stick by brick in the Smithsonian much like Julia Child's TV kitchen. Mussels, roasted peppers, ling/clam, sauteed spinach, escarole or bitter broccoli, they're all there with perhaps the Chicken Caesar salad the only menu item that may not have appeared on their original blackboard over a century ago. Spaghetti with chicken livers and mushrooms particularly satisfying. There's no foam or fusion but the food is earnest and timeless.
Vinnie T's - Do not fuggetaboudit!
Vinnie T's Wynnewood, PA
Cavernous former movie house in tony Wynnewood is an outpost of a Boston chain whose motto appears to be, if 2 people can finish one entree, it's not big enough! Huge, really big portions are the order of the day here. Excellent quality pork chop perfectly done in garlic and balsamic vinegar and served with roasted potatoes and vegetables. This dish with their apple, Gorgonzola and walnut salad the reason to go and share both plates. With a glass of their signature lager, 2 people will leave neither hungry nor broke. Ton-o-pasta dishes make this the place to go for carbo loading jocks. Congenial and pretty proficient staff. Can get unspeakably busy some weekends with 2 hour waits possible.
Cavernous former movie house in tony Wynnewood is an outpost of a Boston chain whose motto appears to be, if 2 people can finish one entree, it's not big enough! Huge, really big portions are the order of the day here. Excellent quality pork chop perfectly done in garlic and balsamic vinegar and served with roasted potatoes and vegetables. This dish with their apple, Gorgonzola and walnut salad the reason to go and share both plates. With a glass of their signature lager, 2 people will leave neither hungry nor broke. Ton-o-pasta dishes make this the place to go for carbo loading jocks. Congenial and pretty proficient staff. Can get unspeakably busy some weekends with 2 hour waits possible.
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