Grub Street Philadelphia

No doubt there was a lot to swallow in Inky critic Craig LaBan’s reassessment of Philly’s dining landscape this past weekend. Between all the ringing and dinging was a curious morsel about Jose Garces’ next venture here on his home turf. And it isn’t the long-delayed Frohmans Wursthaus that LaBan was writing about. In an explanation of how and why Garces’ Amada and Tinto failed to register on the four bell scale, LaBan alluded to a “new gastronomic jewel” on the Iron Chef’s horizon. The only other details offered were that it will be a “20-seat boutique” that will “push the dimensions of his culinary art,” and that it’s target is early 2013. Hmmm, what could it be?

Now the Insider is chiming in with word that the location will be the Kimmel Center, where Wolfgang Puck’s peeps have been holding court for the past year. Supposedly the performance art space is giving Puck the boot, and in talks with Garces to bring his magic to Broad Street. The deal will put the venue’s catering into the Garces Restaurant Group’s hands, and will bring a new restaurant to Kimmel’s Spruce Street side.

Amada retains its vibrant nature [Inquirer]
Garces to the Kimmel Center [Insider]

Related: Hell’s Bells: Le Bec-Fin and Lacroix Downgraded; Zahav and Bibou Ascend to Elite Status

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Filed Under: rumor mill, amada, craig laban, empire building, jose garces, kimmel center, tinto, wolfgang puck

The Federal Donuts crew is stepping up its game a little today. The donuts and fried chicken joint is offering its full flock of crispy fried birds all at once for the very first time since it opened back in October. Beginning at 11:45 a.m., folks will have the opportunity to choose between the classic and crunchy buttermilk ranch, Harissa, coconut curry and, of course, the Israeli-Korean-fried masterpiece, za'atar. Get those birds while you can, because it won't be long before they've all flown the coop.

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Filed Under: fried chicken, federal donuts

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of hanging out at Loco Pez, sipping fruity tequila cocktails and snacking on tasty tacos while soaking up the room’s chill vibe and kitschy decor, you may be saddened to hear that the party’s over. Don’t worry, Fishtown’s coolest Mexican-flavored watering hole isn’t closing or switching up its game. It’s just that some recent developments will limit your ability to snag a seat at the bar or at one of its tables. First Craig LaBan let the proverbial cat out of the bag with a glowing review a few weekends ago, and now Eater’s outed it as the preferred hang of the War on Drugs’ bassist Dave Hartley.

In the post, Hartley, who when not touring with his band resides just around the corner, gushes over Loco Pez’s “slamming” pineapple and cilantro laden tacos al pastor and the pinball machine. And then in the next breath he channels Marc Summers and bemoans the lack of Mexican options in Philly. How is it that these guys are both oblivious to the countless number of quality taqueria’s and Mexican joints that have popped up in practically every neighborhood in recent years? At least he disses Pat's, Geno's and the whole cheesesteak scene.

Undoubtedly, all this attention is awesome for Loco Pez, and certainly well deserved, but it’s only a matter of minutes before it spurs the hipstrati with their skinny jeans and wallet chains to begin cabbing it in to Fishtown and crowding the place. And the rest of us will just cop the tried and true “we were hanging there before it was cool” stance.

The War on Drugs' Dave Hartley Dislikes Pat's and Geno's [Eater]

Related: Can Someone Please Help Marc Summers Find Good Mexican Food in Philly?

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Filed Under: the other blogs, fishtown, loco pez, mexican, tacos, war on drugs

• In the wake of Kobayashi’s record breaking victory at last week’s Wing Bowl, local competitive eating champion El Wingador is going back into retirement. [myfoxphilly]

• With seven new restaurants, plus several lounges and bars, Valley Forge Casino Resort, which is aiming for a spring debut, is looking to fill scores of food and beverage positions. [CBS Philly]

• Puerto Rico has cold-blooded plans to murder its iguanas and export their meat, since there are too many of the critters roaming the territory. Interesting plan, but who's buying? [NYDN]

• Juicing is huge, both with Starbucks folks and all over. [NRN]

• New research shows that friends eating together mimic each other bite for bite; so if your lunch buddy is a scarfer, you might put on weight. [NYDN]

• Basically, all the fun foods (coffee, booze, chocolate, ice cream) are terrible for digestion, while boring ones like bananas are what you should eat. [Health.com via Fox News]

• This woman must've really wanted her French fries: She pulled up to the McDonald's pick-up window and tried to order there, blocking drive-through traffic until police finally had to come tase her. [Fay Observer]

Filed Under: mediavore, competitive eating, el wingador, health cocnerns, juices, kobayashi, media, starbucks, studies, wing bowl

Here’s something you don’t see every day: Morimoto was at Morimoto last night. The old original Iron Chef blew into to town yesterday in advance of the special collaboration dinner he’s doing with his iron-clad compadre Jose Garces tonight at JG Domestic. The private feast is for the winning bidders from last year’s Japanese earthquake relief fundraiser. One eager tweeter spotted him coming out of the Ritz. Also yesterday LeBron James and several Miami Heat teammates took in a bite at Sabrina’s Callowhill location.

On Wednesday Wing Bowl champ and world renowned competitive eater Kobayashi chowed down with blogger Dan McQuade ar Osteria. Apparently when not gorging himself at the speed of sound, he appreciates a nice meal. [Phillymag]

That same night, Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall stopped in at Vedge, where she enjoyed the portobella carpaccio and washed it down with a Dogfish Head My Antonia. [Insider]

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Filed Under: celebrity settings, dogfish head, jose garces, kin cattrall, kobayashi, lebron james, masaharu morimoto, miami heat, morimoto, osteria, vedge

Sticks and stones can break bones, but owing back rent will almost always put you out on the street. And that’s what’s reportedly the case for the East Passyunk Ave. bar and restaurant Sticks & Stones. It’s closed. And the most painful part is, it was only in operation for about half as long as it was being readied for its debut back in November 2010. Insider reports that after just year and change in business, the building’s landlord locked out owner Nick Miglino. He reportedly is in hole for $9,750 in unpaid rent. Supposedly there’s another operator interested in the spot, that’s going to move in soon. We’ll keep you posted as things develop. [Insider]

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Filed Under: closings, bars, east passyunk ave., nightlife, south philly, sticks and stones

South Street hot dog haunt Hot Diggity will host “The Art of Hawk Krall” throughout the rest of February. The exhibit, which will be the largest showing of the local artist, tubed meats enthusiast and junk food blogger’s work to date, kicks off tonight with an opening reception at 6 p.m. Like most First Friday gallery events, Krall’s show will have some complimentary beers, and Hot Diggity’s menu will be in full effect, including a new Detroit Coney dog. Original paintings and prints that span the work Krall’s done for the “Hot Dog of the Week” column he does for Serious Eats, as well as other drawings will be on display. Many of the pieces will also be available for buyers. “It’s not everything,” Krall told Grub. “Its a good mix of stuff, though — some old and some new.”

Related: Illustrator Hawk Krall Freezes His Beans and Drinks Mind-Blowingly Good Beers From Wisconsin

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Filed Under: foodievents, art, hawk krall, hot diggity, hot dogs

With things settling into place nicely at 13th and Locust streets, newly relocated Fish begins hosting happy hours this week. Every Monday through Friday Fish will offer discounted drinks — $3 craft beers; $5 red and white wines; and $6 cocktail of the day — between 5 and 6 p.m. And then again for the weekend warriors on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 p.m. until midnight.

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Filed Under: the happiest hours on earth, bars, deals, fish, nightlife

This spring when Share Our Strength’s “Taste of the Nation” rolls around again, a new Chef Chair will be at its helm. And like the group’s last local chair, Jennifer Carroll, the new one is no stranger to viewers of Bravo’s Top Chef. He’s Kevin Sbraga, chef-owner of the restaurant that bears his name at Broad and Pine streets, and the winner of Top Chef Season 7. Share Our Strength’s mission is to end childhood hunger in America is put into action locally with donations to local hunger relief groups Philabundance, The Food Trust, The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, and The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center, with money raised during its annual “Taste of the Nation” event. This year it takes place Monday, May 7 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel’s Millennium Ballroom.

Earlier: What You Missed at Last Night’s Taste of the Nation

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Filed Under: foodies with benefits, hunger, jennifer carroll, kevin sbraga, share our strength, top chef