Happy Hour begins at Wine Thief!
The Wine Thief in Mt. Airy has announced that they will beginning a new Happy Hour starting today! The details are below.
When: Everyday except Tuesdays and Sundays (They are closed on Tuesdays.)
Time: 4PM – 6PM
Specials: $3 beer specials, $3 wine specials, $6 wings and “big kid” macaroni and cheese, $3 fries
When restaurant owner, Brian Pieri’s mother lost her battle with breast cancer, he, along with family and friends, created The Debbie Pieri Angel Foundation in order to help contribute to the lives of others also suffering from this terrible disease.
On February 20th, the owner of The StoneRose in Conshohocken is asking everyone to join him in raising money to support this wonderful cause by enjoying a night of fun, food and drinks at The Second Annual Casino Night.
When: Saturday, February 20th
Time: 7:30PM – 12:30AM
Where: St Kevin’s Community Center, 200 W. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA map
What: 2nd Annual Casino Night featuring Roulette, Black Jack, Texas Hold ‘Em, Raffles and Prizes
Cost: $40 per person includes: food, beer, wine & funny money with which to play.
All money will benefit The Debbie Pieri Angel Foundation (http://www.debbiepieriangelfoundation.org/)
Hosted by: The GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Springfield
To purchase tickets or to donate, contact Jolie or Dana:
Jolie Daly, 610-761-2042 or jolie.bartlett@gmail.com
Dana Ridpath, 610-541-0871
Hot Roast Pork Sandwich
Just in time for the Super Bowl! Make hot roast pork sandwiches for the game and no need to run to South Philly!
How good is Tony Luke’s hot roast pork? I mean, really? My mouth waters just thinking about it. I love John’s too, don’t get me wrong, but Tony Luke’s recipe was a little easier to come by when I wanted to make sandwiches. I’ve mastered it and I’m sticking with it. If it’s not broken ~don’t fix it! And so it goes….
For the big game on Sunday, there is no easier crowd pleaser than this pork. Trust me on this! My big disclosure, however, is that when I made the pork with broccoli rabe, I forgot to take the picture. The next day when I was making myself a sandwich for lunch, and had no broccoli rabe left, I decided to top it with some fresh arugula instead. The picture above shows the pork topped with arugula. It is also not on the roll I would choose either, but we were having some technical difficulties which prevented me from getting to the bakery. On top of it, these pictures were taken from my cell, so they are not as clear as I may like. So, use your imagination, okay?
Hot Roast Pork with Broccoli Rabe
1 (5 lb) pork shoulder
6 tablespoons garlic (chopped)
5 tablespoons fresh rosemary (chopped)
6 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
2 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Broccoli Rabe
1 lb brocolli rabe
kosher salt
3 quarts water
1/4 cup olive oil
2-3 garlic gloves, chopped
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
football or kaiser rolls preferably from Sarcone’s, Carangi’s or Conshocken Italian Bakery
1 lb extra sharp provolone
Make sure you buy a pork shoulder in netting like the picture below.
Turn your crock pot on high. Pull the roast out of the netting, but DO NOT cut the netting apart because you need to stuff it back in when you are done preparing the meat! Try to cut as little netting from each end as possible. I have actually learned from experience that if you can get half of the net off and dress one side of the meat, then stuff the prepared side back in, then repeat on the other side, it is much easier.
Mix the first 6 ingredients in a bowl. It should form a loose paste.
If there are any thick sections of meat, score them with a sharp knife. Rub 3/4 of the mixture on all exposed areas of meat, including the areas that have been scored and internal surfaces that are exposed. Return roast to netting. Rub the remaining mixture over the outside of the roast. Place the roast in the crock pot and cook on high for 20 minutes.
Turn down to low and cook for at least 4-5 hours. The longer it cooks, the better. The meat should be falling apart. Remove the roast from the netting by cutting it off. Please be careful not to burn yourself on the interior of the crock pot. With a large fork and knife, shred the meat into chunks befitting a sandwich. Mix the meat around in the sumptuous juices which have accumulated in the pot. Keep pot on a warm setting.
For the broccoli rabe:
Wash and cut about 1/2 inch off of the bottom stems. Cut the florets off of the top and set aside. Bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe leaves and stems and cook about 1 minute and a half. Then add the florets and cook until tender, about 6 or 7 minutes. Remove the broccoli rabe from the water, after reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
In a deep frying pan begin to heat olive oil, red pepper flakes and garlic over med-high heat. Once the garlic turns slightly brown, add the broccoli rabe. Saute 4-5 minutes and then add the cooking liquid. Season to taste with salt. This will look soupy, but it is done. Serve on the side of with the pork for guests to assemble on their own.
Assembly:
Add the extra sharp provolone to the roll first. This way it will melt when topped with hot meat. Top the pork with broccoli rabe.
Manja!!!!
Whether you are rooting for The Saints or The Colts, there are plenty of great eats awaiting you this Super Bowl Sunday!!
Philadelphia
Chickie and Pete’s – $49.99 gets you a guaranteed seat for 5 hours and unlimited food and drinks.
Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse – 4:30 – Kickoff Super Bowl Tailgate Party – $5 draft beer open bar and free tailgate buffet
Drinker’s Pub – Buy a Drinker’s mug for $5 and fill-up on Bud Light drafts all day for .50 each! $10 All you can eat tailgate menu from 12PM – 8PM and $1 tacos all night
Field House – 50 flat screen TVs and lots of drink and food specials
For Pete’s Sake Pub – .35 wings; $4 Spaten drafts; $3 Kenzinger drafts; $2.50 Miller Lite & lager bottles
New Deck Tavern – $2 Miller Lites all day long; 1/2 price wings during the game
Tavern on Broad – $3 draft beers; 1/2 price burgers and wings all from 4PM -10PM
Swift-Half Pub – $1 off Yards beers all day; $3 draught beers; $4 well drinks & 10% of sales for the evening are being donated to Doctors Without Borders for Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Burbs
Whiskey Tango (North East Philly) -SUPER BOWL BASH w/ 4 Hour Open Bar & Dinner Buffet 6–10PM $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Luigi’s – 2 large pizzas $16.99
Michael’s Italian Restaurant - Takeout special – 1 large pizza, 1 cheesesteak, fries and 2 liter soda $19.99 (mention The Best of Food for this deal).
Pranzo – .25 wings; .50 chicken fingers and Super Bowl Party Takeout Special -Medium hoagie tray with 3 lbs of potato salad, 2 x 2 liter bottles of soda for $44.95 (serves 8-10 people) Requires 24 hr notice
Chick’s Tavern – Takeout Special – 50 wings for $22.99; 3 hoagies and fries $37.95; Chicken Parmesan Dinner for 4 with pasta and salad $19.99
MaGerk’s – $7 for 7 Coors Light pony bottles; $3 Colts shots; $3 Saints shots; $5 tailgate buffet
The Bayou Bar and Grill - $4 pizzas and $1.50 drafts all day
Bourbon Blue .25 cent wings in a New Orleans style setting
The beautiful Victorian building that will become Amy’s on Main in Ambler continues to give Chef Amy Lutz agida! Construction and zoning issues have caused another delay on the project originally scheduled to open last October. The expected opening date has been pushed back until mid-April.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Why do we all seem to wait until the last minute to make arrangements for Valentine’s Day? This year we are giving you some ideas of where to go, and you may notice that there are some big names missing from the list. That is probably because they are already SOLD OUT! So, take this as a BIG hint that you are running out of time and make those reservations today!
Too lazy or just too busy?
If you would like us to reserve for you click here.
Philadelphia
Amada – 3 menus available at $60, $75 or $90pp with wine pairings available for $40 Reserve
Bistro St. Tropez – 4 course dinner $45pp Reserve
Branzino - Saturday & Sunday nights special 4-course menu $45pp & special 3-course Valentine prix-fixe menu $25/guest added to our regular brunch menu Reserve
Chifa – 3 tasting menus available at $55, 65 or $75pp Reserve
Cuba Libre – Aphrodisiac menu for $60 per couple available Saturday and Sunday. Reserve
Distrito – Choice of ala carte menu or 4 course $65pp menu Reserve
Fond – 3 course menu for $50pp with a 4th course option SOLD OUT
James – 4 course dinner $75pp Reserve
Noble American Cookery – 4 course Chef’s tasting menu $55pp Reserve
Oyster House -4 course menu of oysters, scallops and lobster $55pp
R2L – $68 prix fixe menu will be available all weekend Reserve
Saute BYO – 3 course dinner $50 plus complimentary glass of bubbly Reserve
Supper – 4 course dinner (featuring oysters, lobster & chocolate); wear your PJ’s and get a complimentary mimosa or Bellini and order of beignets Reserve
Table31 – Giving away roses to the ladies
Suburbs
Alison Two – 4 course dinner $45pp (Sun 2/14 – 4 course plus a glass of bubbly $65pp Reserve
Blackfish – 5 course dinner 3:00-5:00pm $55pp; after 5:30pm $85pp Available Saturday as well. Reserve
Chick’s Tavern will be offering a special menu featuring shrimp cocktail, Fillet Mignon and a few seafood dishes, all under $17.95
Dettera – 4 course dinner $65pp; optional wine pairings available Reserve
Spring Mill Cafe – 3 course Valentine’s Day Brunch $35 3 course Dinner available Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. $75pp If you would like us to reserve for you click here.
333 Belrose – 4 course menu featured on both Saturday and Sunday $99 per couple. Reserve
Majolica – 3 course $30 dinner available Sunday night. If you would like us to reserve for you click here.
MangoMoon – Their regular menu will be followed by free dessert and romantic live jazz musicians. If you would like us to reserve for you click here.
Pranzo – Offering a Valentine’s special for eat-in or take-out. 2 chicken dinners w/ pasta, salads and desserts for just $29.99.
StoneRose – All ladies will receive a rose whether you are out celebrating Valentine’s Day or not! Pinot “pink” Prosecco will debut! If you would like us to reserve for you click here.
We have a lot going on!!
We have a lot happening this week as we close out the first month of 2010, already! This is what’s going on at The Best Of Food:
Stay with us this week for all of this and more!
Random Dining Room
This is such an annoyance to me that it is amazing that it took so long to put this to paper! Imagine sitting down in the comfy banquette, pictured above, to enjoy a nice meal, only to find your table wobbling from side to side. This is a deal breaker for me! It is impossible to enjoy a glass of wine when you are continually concerned about it tipping over. The glasses are rattling. Who can relax in these conditions?
Recently we visited a brand spanking new restaurant. Seriously, this restaurant was open 3 days. Our party of five sat down at a booth with a chair on the end. As we got settled, the table began to tilt; oh boy, here we go! When the waiter approached the table, we mentioned the problem. He said that seemed to be a problem, yes. That’s it? Really?
How does a new restaurant not plan for flooring to table coordination? They built the place from scratch. I just don’t understand how a restaurant owner would not realize that if I am not comfortable sitting at a table in your restaurant, I am not coming back!
Now, on the flip side, two weeks ago we were eating at MaGerk’s in Fort Washington and something happened to us that I have never encountered before. Right after we sat down, a man approached us and said, “Let me just check out your table, I think we are having a problem.” He then proceeded to pull out a handful of small plastic wedges. Before we knew it, he had shimmied up the table leg and the table was steady. We never knew there was a problem. As we engaged him in conversation about how impressed we were, he handed us a few to keep and joked, “I never leave home without them.”
A new business opportunity perhaps?
I used to just steam or saute my asparagus and broccoli and that was just fine, but after a while you get tired of the same old, same old. I like to experiment a lot and sometimes good things happen and sometimes bad things happen. This experiment turned out pretty, pretty, pretty good.……
uncooked broccoli tossed with Dijon mustard sauce
I actually make asparagus most often, but this weekend made broccoli and would not have even thought about sharing, but one of our wonderful followers on twitter requested the recipe, so I am finally putting this together. The one problem with my experiments is that I don’t always measure my ingredients, as in, never. This one is pretty simple, however.
Broccoli or Asparagus
Dijon Mustard
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl combine almost equal parts oil and mustard, with slightly more oil. The amount depends on the amount of vegetables being used. I would estimate 3 TBSP for 1 lb or so of veggies. Just keep in mind, the more Dijon, the more tangy the finish, but unless you have way too much sauce overall, a little too much of the mixture won’t make a difference one way or the other. Using a fork or whisk, whisk together. Pour mixture over veggies in glass pan and toss with tongs until completely coated. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss again. Cook 15 minutes for asparagus and 20 minutes for broccoli.
Roasted Mustard Glazed Broccoli
I am not kidding when I say my children literally fight over the last piece of asparagus in my house. I now have to make 2 pounds at a time. It’s that tasty!
Enjoy your veggies!
**** This simple combo is also great on chicken pieces. It creates a great crispy skin and a simple mid-week meal.****
Downtown Conshohocken
Tomorrow night, Wednesday, January 20th from 7PM to 10PM, 11 Conshohocken and West Conshohocken restaurants will be hosting fund raisers for the relief fund in Haiti by donating 20% of the proceeds to The American Red Cross.
I am so proud of Conshohocken AKA my hometown, for coming together with such unity to express just how strong the human spirit can truly be. In these economic times, it is quite a statement that these restaurants are willing to reach into their pockets and give the grief stricken nation of Haiti, not a few dollars, but 20% of proceeds of the prime time dinner hour. We hope as many people as possible will try to make it out and support their efforts.
The participating restaurants are:
The StoneRose, 822 Fayette St., Conshohocken (From 5PM -7PM StoneRose will also give a free dink to those sending donations via text message to the relief fund)
Great American Pub, 123 Fayette St., Conshohocken
Guppys Good Times, 2 Maple St., Conshohocken
The Old Mansion House, 641 Old Elm, Conshohocken
Totaros Restaurant & Bar, 729 E. Hector St., Conshohocken
Pepperoncinis, 72 Poplar St., Conshohocken
Coyote Crossing, 800 Spring Mill, Conshohocken
Spamps, 16 E. 1st St., Conshohocken
Gypsy Saloon, 128 Ford St., West Conshohocken
M Bar, 140 Moreland Ave., West Conshohocken
Baggataway Tavern, 31 N. Front St., West Conshohocken
For more Fund Raising Events Meal Ticket has published a list of events being held in the Philadelphia area.
