Chef Moon Krapugthong in the kitchen with Chef Haruo Ige

Last night at MangoMoon in Manayunk, Chef Moon Krapugthong  introduced Chef Haruo Ige visiting from Okinawa, Japan. Chef Ige will be delighting diners with his Japanese cuisine for the next month during his residency at MangoMoon. To kick off his month long stint at the Manayunk restaurant known for it’s Bangkok Street food, a preview party showcased the flavors of his homeland while infusing ingredients from Chef Moon’s native Thailand. Seven different dishes were served, as well as, 3 sakes, at the event.

The food was delicious and several of the items, as well as, many others, will grace MangoMoon’s menu throughout the month.

Guests sample Chef Ige’s cuisine

Sushi Rolls

The menu included the MangoMoon Roll which was prepared with shrimp tempura, Japanese mayonnaise, boiled asparagus, lettuce, avocado, broiled eel with wasabi tobiko (flying fish roe). The Manayunk Roll was an inside out roll that incorporated eel, cucumber, avocado topped with spicy tuna. The sushi was delicious and there was so much served that it was easy to fill up on these “starters.”

Inari no fukuro~ni (tofu pouches)

Fried tofu skin pouch stuffed with potato, shitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots which were cooked together in broth, were served with a spicy mustard. This was an unusual dish, and perhaps my least favorite of the selections for the evening, but it was tofu and as a general statement, I’m not a huge fan.

Ankimo “Foie Gras of The Ocean”

Known as the Foie Gras of The Ocean, steamed Monkfish liver was seasoned with sake, topped with caviar and served on daikon with a ponzo sauce. This dish is tied as my favorite of the night. It was absolutely delicious, but the portion is much larger than it appears and was very filling. I will be back this month to enjoy this again!

Sake no Kinshi-maki

The egg wrapper gave the salmon roll a slightly different, yet surprisingly enjoyable texture to this roll. Salmon was marinated then combined with potato and boiled spinach, then wrapped with wakame sea weed and a thin egg wrapper and served with cucumber vinaigrette. I enjoyed this very much.

Age-nasu no nihitashi ~ Japanese Eggplant

I felt 2 pictures were appropriate to express fully how incredible this vegetable tasted. The deep fried Japanese eggplant was served chilled and was marinated in a “secret recipe” and topped with ginger chiffonade. I consumed 4 portions which may explain why I was unable to have seconds of the Monkfish liver when it was served. This dish alone is worth a trip to Manayunk this month.

Massaman Curry Chicken

The most “substantial” dish of the evening was the grilled and marinated chicken breast topped with a Massaman curry sauce and served over jasmine steamed rice. The smell of the jasmine rice was intoxicating, and the combination of the curry and the jasmine was delicious. Again, I was so full that I wished I could have had more. Perhaps I was full from the sake……………

Junmai Ginjo Sake

There were 3 types of sake served. The first was an unfiltered sake that was cloudy and had interesting layers of flavors. The 2nd was a traditional dry sake shown above (delicious) and the third an Asian Pear Sake which was crisp with a very natural hint of pear. I am, by no means, an expert on sake, but I enjoyed all 3 very much with the Junmai Ginjo being my favorite.

Sake Shooters were rapidly replenished throughout the evening

Asian Pear Sake

Did I happen to mention that all of this was $35 per person? This was the deal of the century! An unbelievable evening was enjoyed by all!

Chef Ige will be at MangoMoon until mid-January

If you did not have an opportunity to make this event, I highly suggest you visit this month!

MangoMoon

4161 Main Street

Manayunk

215-487-1230

MangoMoon Chef in Residence Party

Wednesday, December 8th ~ 6PM

• Join Mango Moon and Chabaa Thai owner, Moon Krapugthong, as she welcomes Chef Haruo Ige for a month-long residency exploring the everyday cuisine of Okinawa, Japan.

  During the month of December, Krapugthong will share her kitchen with Chef Harry “Ige-San,” following him along a culinary trail through the streets of Okinawa, Japan where he grew up. Together, the two chefs will lead restaurant guests on a delicious journey exploring the bold street food enjoyed by Ige as a boy, and later as a young man.

  To kick off the residency series, chefs Krapugthong and Ige have created a special menu that also includes a contemporary, Japanese-Thai twist on sushi, and sake pairings with each dish. Ige’s creative, colorful and texturally-rich “maki” rolls will be served with a festive sake cocktail to help get you in the holiday spirit—and wet your appetite for the addition of several sushi starters to Mango Moon’s menu. The event also features Japanese artwork and a presentation by Chef Ige about the differences and similarities between Japanese and Thai cooking.

  The cost of the event for the public is $35. Please RSVP to  Solena Diep sdiep@mymangomoon.com.

  It’s a busy time of year, but the entire staff of Mango Moon invites you to come taste, sip and relax before the true mania sets in.

• Features: Open to All

• Website: http://www.mymangomoon.com
• Phone: 215-487-1230
• Email: info@mymangomoon.com

• Price: $35

The buzz is getting louder and louder!  The excitement and the anticipation are building, and next week it all begins!  That’s right…the First Annual Manayunk EcoArts Festival will take place on Saturday, September 25th and Sunday, September 26th. The EcoArts Festival is an extension of the Manayunk Arts Festival, which we have all loved over the years.  This Festival will celebrate artistic, sustainable, and local green initiatives.

Chef Moon

The launch will be at none other than one of our favorite places, MangoMoon Restaurant at 4161 Main Street.  The date is Thursday, September 23rd, and the festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.

Chef Moon, a master with Thai Cuisine,  will serve delicious appetizers from her garden and the local co-op, while you listen to smooth jazz, and enjoy wonderful drink specials.

Drinks will be “green” to honor the spirit of the event, which is to celebrate the local green initiatives and play on one of the event’s sponsors, Green Drinks.

As of now, Mayor Nutter and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. are scheduled to attend to accept Eco Champion Awards, which recognize those Philadelphians who have encouraged sustainability and green living through their personal and professional commitment.

If you would like to attend, you can email: info@mymangomoon.com

See you there!

Mango Moon in Manayunk

Mango Moon in Manayunk has added a “social hour” as their answer to Manayunk’s growing Happy Hour scene of late. With a sexy bar upstairs and already fabulous infusion cocktails, the trendy sibling to Moon Krapungthong’s Chabaa has added a social hour menu that will be served from Tuesday to Thursday from 8PM – 10PM and will now offer live music on Saturday evenings. Over the last few years there has been a resurgence of activity in Manayunk in the after-work hours and Mango Moon is in a great location, with ample parking to benefit from such a resurgence.

Here’s a look at the menu:

Social Hour Menu

Tuesday -Thursday 8PM -10PM

Tuesday ~ $1 Oysters & .50 Wings

Saturday ~ Live Music

Drink Menu

$5 House Red and White Wines

$3 Miller Lites

$5 PBR Sake Bombs

$10 Green Lantern Carafes

Skewer Menu

$1 Grilled Mushrooms

$1 Tri-color Bell Peppers

$1 Grilled Pork

$1 Grilled Short Ribs

$1 Grilled Baby Octopus

$1 Grilled Chicken Satay

$2 Grilled Scallops

$1 Fried Taro

$2 Sai Klog (Central Style Sausage)

$1 Grilled Beef Meatballs

$1 Grilled Fish Meatballs

$2 Grilled Shrimp

$1 Chicken Livers

$1 Grilled Beef Satay

Papaya Salad

Mango Moon in Manayunk has introduced a new look and a wonderful new menu of Bangkok Street Food. This month Chef Moon Krapungthong is traveling in Thailand, so expect more Thai delights when she returns!

Crispy Mussel Fritters

Sai Klog (Northern Style Thai Sausages)

It is Halloween and The Best of Food has events, parties and Phillies Game Day Specials!

….Whew! That’s a lot!

It’s Going to be 73 degrees is Philadelphia today!! There is so much to do!

TODAY:

Lunch today at Chabaa before  the  Manayunk Halloween Parade from 1PM – 3PM

Franklin Square Halloween Festivities – U WishUNU  has the details

Halloween Parties

Alison Two – Starting at 5PM – Halloween cocktail party and events

The StoneRose – 10PM – 2AM  Halloween ’80s afterparty

MaGerk’s – Drink and Food Specials plus costume contest

McGillin’s - Halloween Party 7PM with drink and food specials

Tria – $4½ (or less) pumpkin beers today at both Tria cafes.

Places to watch the Phillies Game

Alison Two – Phillies game will be on the livingroom following the Halloween cocktail party!

The StoneRose- $4.00 craft beers and $7 Engine 35 wings

Mango Moon – $1 PBR, $2 Miller lites, .50 Bangkok wings, $1 ribs and $5 house wines

Sorella Rose – Yuengling Beer Specials, complimentary Soft Pretzels and special Phillies Phood menu

Holy Smoke – $2 Miller Lite, 50% off wings and $3 well drinks

Michael’s Italian Restaurant – In addition to having the area’s best pizza, For tonight’s game- $1 hot dogs, $.25 wings, $1.50 draft (9 oz.mugs) and $6.50 pitchers

The City:

Triumph Old city – $3.00 pilsners

Swift Half - $3 smuttynose, $4 APA AND $2 classic cans of schlitz, schmidts and scheafer. Happy Hour 5-7 for a pregame buzz!

The Field House – Pre-Game Happy Hour 4PM -7PM $3 domestic drafts, $4 Imported Drafts

Smiths – Pre-Game Happy Hour 5PM -7PM $1 drafts and $5 glasses of wine/ 50% off Starters For The Game – $1 Hotdogs, $1.50 Corn Dogs and $2 Miller Light Drafts

PYT – The $25 WFC Burger (World F*cking Champion Burger) is available again tonight at 5PM and is made with Venison and Foie Gras. Check out story at Meal Ticket / For the Game:  Pickleback shots, one shot of whiskey & one shot of pickel juice for $3 & $2 high lifes & free pickelback shots for homeruns!

Grey Lodge (North East) – $3 Sly Fox cans

McFadden’s 3rd Street – $3 Coors Light bottles and .35 wings

Oyster House – Yes, they are bringing in TV for the game! $1 Oysters and $3 Oyster shooters!!

Union Trust – $7.17 Martinis beginning at 5PM

Blockley Pourhouse – $2.00 Bud Light Drafts, $1.00 Hotdogs

Let’s Go Phillies!!!!!

Ever dream of being a mixologist?   Could you use a cool $500?

There may not be an easier or more entertaining way to accomplish both!

On October 22nd, at 6PM the festivities begin at MangoMoon in Manayunk. Local mixologists will judge the entries of the Infusion Contest.

Here’s how it works:

1. Entries must be received by MangoMoon by October 8th, 2009.

2. There is a $10 entry fee which covers the cost of the container that your Infusion must be submitted in for the contest.

3.Use ingredients of your choice to infuse any base alcohol EXCEPT vodka.

The winner will receive $500 and a $200 gift basket.

For additional details click here or contact info@mymangomoon.com

Venice Island, the Manayunk space that was originally developed by Derek Davis to house Arroyo Grille in 1996 and then was converted to Carmella’s in 2003 has been empty now for roughly 4 years. While there have been proposed building projects for the site, we are unaware of anything currently finalized.

Becoming a complete eye sore - enough already !!!

What a shame for such a large accessible venue to be such an eye sore. What are your thoughts on this location? Should this building be demolished and the area be preserved by the city? Should it be redeveloped into a dining destination? Or do you have other suggestions?