New Jersey Pho

About two weekends ago I went to New Jersey to seek out shoes for Cuz K.'s wedding. I meant to go to a DSW not so terribly far from Philly on the Jersey side but my phone got a bit confused and told me to drive to a completely different location. In the end I found myself shoes indeed I did. Then I decided that I was hungry and that I might as well go on a mini pho adventure. There were about five different pho restaurants within five miles of the shoe place and so I decided rather randomly to check out Pho Eden, which was located in an incredibly non-descript strip mall at not the busiest of intersections. Inside it was cute, if spare. Fewer tables than some of the pho spots in Philly. I got a booth to myself and quickly ordered a hot coffee with condensed milk, which came in a different format than I am accustomed to seeing: already brewed and with no need to pour your own hot water over the grounds. Still good, but I liked that hot water element because you can keep your drink hotter for longer. While sipping my coffee I continued to get into Margaret Atwood's newest nove. 

For my meal I chose to try their grilled pork rolls in addition to pho with steak and fatty brisket.

The rolls were okay, not not transformative or mind melting like those I've enjoyed in South Philly.

The pho was equally good in meeting my basic desire for a rich and hot beef noodle soup, though not quite as special as the South Philly spot I've been going to the most over time. I was glad to check it out and if you happen to be in that area of New Jersey, it's worth stopping by, but I wouldn't say it would be worth going out of your way to visit.

Pho and Darts

At some point in the last few months A. (my roommate) and I bandied about the idea of a field trip to Bullseye Darts so that A. could get his very own set of darts after a year of using mine or one of our other teammates'. I also was falling a little out of love with my darts and was thinking about getting a new set. Then LW and I also discussed such a trip with the added attraction of having a bit of pho, which would basically be a variation of our 2011 manapus adventure. Of course one often talks about doing something for an extended amount of time before actually doing it. And in this case I think it was at least a month between the idea being brought up and schedules aligning to make it so. I thought I remembered where the pho place we went to in 2011 was...but I was wrong and we ended up at Pho 75. This was a smaller shop than the place I actually meant to take us, and its menu slightly less expansive...no pork rolls to try. Though there were fewer bells and whistles, they still had the crazy coffee.

It turns out this was going to be a day of firsts for A. Not only was he about to get his own darts, he also had his first pho experience. I think it went generally well.

The broth was good, the whole thing was good. I still like our go-to South Philly spot a bit more, but I was glad to try a new place and to introduce the glory that is pho to yet another person. 

Once our meal wrapped up we were on our way east to Bulls Eye. I think the three of us probably tried out a minimum of six different sets of darts each. At one point I was convinced that I wanted one set but then saw a completely different set and all my certainty went out the window. LW was especially dervish-like in her pursuit of a new set of darts. In the end ALL three of us got slightly different weights of the exact same darts. I've been pretty pleased with the new darts they have a different kind of grip that seems to be a slightly better fit in regards to my small little fingers and weak arms. Our league starts up soon, so that will be the real test. It was still very entertaining when we all walked out of the store with the exact same cases. Funny stuff. 

Pho c/o Pho Ha Saigon

It had been a while since LW and I had gone to get pho together at Pho Ha Saigon. We remedied this a few weekends back. I went with the steak/brisket pho combo and also ordered the grilled pork rolls, which remain extremely tasty. Service as always was fast. Pho as always was rich and beefy. Coffee was just as crazily eye opening and thick with condensed milk as always.

Pho and Engagement of Others

On a Saturday not long after the sushi I had a work responsibility that involved seeing the newest Tina Fey movie. I decided to go to the earliest possible show, and to try a new-to-me pho spot beforehand. It met my expectations though the broth wasn't as excellent as the Oregon Avenue location LW and I often frequent. If you want to know my basic thoughts on the movie, you can go here...though you'll be kind of confused, I would think.

Also on that weekend's agenda was meeting up with SP and CG, as they had let me know they'd be in the city weeks before. In fact, when I returned to NYC after my trip I met up with T. and his girlfriend A. and clued me into the high probability that SP was going to propose while they were in town. I wondered if this would result in my not actually seeing them, and I also wondered if T. should have told me, so I did email SP separately to confirm that even with a proposal there would be time to hang. He responded in the affirmative. At first we met at the Ranstead Room, but there was an unsurprising 45 minute wait, so we concocted a quick plan B and headed to the Bards, where we took over a table and hung out for some hours. This included seeing J., his girlfriend, and a bunch of folks I didn't know and didn't really get to know, though they seemed nice. So SP certainly did propose. And CG definitely said yes. It was a very celebratory evening with plenty of beer and darts.

SP recreating his proposal. Maybe.

CG, engaged and hitting what she aimed for.

Engaged.

My face needs help.

A good evening.

Pho c/o Pho Ha

This past weekend I thought it was about time to return to Pho Ha for a round of pho with LW. She agreed, and so on Sunday we made our way to South Philly. This was made a little more complicated than it usually would be because of the Broad Street Run. LW and I live west of Broad, but the restaurant is just east of it, which meant that we would need to cross Broad at some point. Of course, this was made more tricky because of the race. With just a little planning I avoided the issue by taking 76 until we had crossed over Broad. LW exclaimed when she saw all the runners making their way towards the stadiums.

The last few times I've had pho I've been a little disappointed by just how cooked my steak is by the time it arrives at the table. To remedy this disappointment I asked for my steak to be brought on the side. This worked out quite well.

The broth was still super hot and the steak cooked properly, but had just a little more liveliness as a result of not being quite so steeped in broth before arriving in my mouth.

Mmmm. So good. So, so, so good.

I also ordered the grilled pork rolls because the pork within them is ridiculously flavorful. I basically just picked the meat out of the rolls.

At the end of the meal I still had a nice mix of brisket, steak and broth and asked our server if I could get a to-go container. He then took the bowl away to do it himself, a moment or two later he came back and said that my leftovers were only filling up about half of the container...would I like to top it off with more broth? The answer to that was, of course, a resounding YES PLEASE. What magic. What magic lovely magic times. That leftover broth/meat became a dinner and a lunch for me this past week.

While we managed to avoid any consternation as a result of Broad Street Run traffic on the way to our meal, we weren't quite as successful on the way back. I had assumed that just doing the same thing in reverse would be a fine plan, but hadn't considered that by the time our meal was over that most folks were done running and were all getting into cars and attempting to leave the area. This led to LW and I getting stuck in traffic for a good 45 minutes. I think we managed to stay in relatively good spirits.

Best of 2011: Meal Edition

Another year is wrapping itself up and I've been meaning to cobble together a look back on some of the meals I enjoyed most throughout the year. I finally sat down to do so was struck by what seemed to be a lack of new places to choose from this year, as it seems I relied more on a few old standbys. There are, of course, some notable exceptions to that general trend. I also found that the meals I enjoyed most that weren't out on the town usually were not created in my own Philadelphia kitchen, but in the country kitchen of M. and S. , which makes a fair amount of sense; I feel more connected to my own cooking abilities when I'm in a kitchen with enough counter space and outlets that I don't feel like I'm bumping into myself every ten seconds. As I looked back I remembered all sorts of activities that, while not being the best meals I enjoyed, were certainly memorable and meaningful moments. Perhaps one year I'll create a list of those top events ... but perhaps not. In either case, happy holidays to one and all and happy new year to boot!

The jerk chicken I so enjoyed in Jamaica last year was succulent, juicy and made all the more special by being consumed on a lounge chair right by the sea in 80 degree weather. You could count on me to be queuing up for my fair share each lunch time day.
Pho usually makes the list, but this year ushered in the era of Ha Saigon as king of the Philly pho joints, as far as I'm concerned. A little bit more of a trek than the Washington Ave. locations, its staff and pork rolls just added value to its already sumptuously beefy broth.
Hanging out with my erstwhile friend G. introduced me to at least two veggie-friendly restaurants, but I particularly enjoyed the extremely intimate experience of Hardena (maybe six tables total in a very cramped, non-descript space) - as well as its obscenely bountiful buffet plates. I keep meaning to go back to try their satay.
While I wasn't 100% wowed by their generous portion of scallops, D'Mitri's grilled octopus appetizer was some of the most tender and flavorful that I've had in my lifetime.
Another annual favorite that pops up is softshell crabs, and this year was no exception. I very much enjoyed frying a gaggle of these guys up in order to introduce them to L. and Fatty during our early Spring country soujourn.
The country made another appearance when I went up there solo for the July 4th holiday times. Did I cook skewers for six when I was just one? Yes I did. But were the two different kinds - Chipotle/Coca Cola and Soy Sauce/Garlic/Ginger/Lime/ - a revelation to me, even though I was the one who made them up to begin with? Yes.
My father's and my omakase experience at Morimoto may have been a challenge to my camera adjusting abilities and stretched my ability to appreciate neon and white leather, but the food itself was no joke. I particularly enjoyed this salmon morsel - as well as the sushi, of course.
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect when L. and I made our way to Manhattan for my first-ever ramen experience at Ippudo...but this meal surpassed whatever expectations I might have had. The rich, fatty pork broth and tender pork and spring noodles. Oh man. Just thinking about it makes me want it.
While my summer adventure with M. featured copious meals worth of a nod, I think the one that stood out the most was our extremely early-bird dinner at Au Pied de Cochon, especially our foie gras dish served simply with balsamic and bread. Though her steak tartar was not anything to turn your nose up at either.
Though one of my two early birthday beach adventures was derailed by Hurricane Irene, I can say that the one b-day dinner that I was able to enjoy at Fin's was quite something. The rockfish was a revelation and the company fantastic....I was also quite glad to try my first (and so far only) pickle martini.
While sometimes the lighting of restaurants prevents me and my limited skills from really taking the best of photographs, the food is still worth applauding. In this case, it was Cochon's charcoute garni - with its nicely grilled and slightly smoked pork ribs, backed up with sausage, pork belly and sauerkraut - that suffered the wrath of my camera ineptitude. It may not look like much, but it was good stuff indeed.
I log enough time and spend enough money at McCrossen's that it would be a damn shame if I wasn't recognizing and appreciating the place. I especially enjoyed the monthly cheese/wine/food pairings that T., L. and R. concoct for their guests. But it was this Rabbit "Porchetta" with speck, swiss chard, PX and lavender dish that really just blew my brains - and palate - away. The man knows his way around the kitchen, the woman knows her way around a cellar, and the other man knows his way around a cheese cave. Or something. Kudos.

Brunch at Bolete was another country meal I enjoyed quite a lot. The fried oysters had flavor and crispiness, the eggs perfectly cooked but still runny, the sauce delightful and not too heavy. There's something comforting about a restaurant of this caliber seemingly capable of thriving outside of a heavily urban environment.
I went to Modo Mio a lot this year, more than I really realized until I paged through the blog. And once I went through it all I was confused about which meal I wanted to highlight the most. There was that especially splendiferous raviolo, bursting with yolky goodness but there was also the greatness of a simple amatriciana with tomato and pancetta. In the end, however, I decided to go with what was freshest in my mind and most delectable on my tongue: the complimentary special beef cheek ravioli from my meal there just last month. Or earlier this month, maybe.
And that's the list for this year. Thanks to all who contributed to each one of the dining experiences that so tickled my tongue, warmed my heard and soothed my belly. I already have a few ideas of places I'd like to try in the new year, and hope that I will be just as amazed in the next 365 days as I did over the last ones.

You can see past years' wrap ups here: 2010, 2009, 2008.

Planatee Adventure

Last Saturday LW and I went on a bit of an adventure. We had three destinations, all in new places for me in Philadelphia. And the route, once determined on Google maps, resembled a manatee's body with a platypus' beak (beak?). It started with driving up Route 1 to Pho Hoa. This was a new pho place to try for us both. And unlike my still-favorite Pho Ha, this is a chain. They have locations in Philly, California, Florida, even Missouri. It was a big space, a little run down in the corners, but not to such an extent that I felt uncomfortable eating there. We sat in a booth with sprung springs and decided on what we were going to eat. I decided to try their summer roll to start, and then pho with steak, flank and fatty flank.
This was an ok roll, the the grilled pork version at Pho Ha had a lot more character and punch in terms of flavor. Decent, but forgettable.
The pho itself was pretty good. By the time my bowl got to me, however, the meat was all entirely cooked, which was a bit of a bummer. I don't need bloody steak or anything, but I like to at least start with something a little more pink. I think what I may have to do, no matter where I go, is to really make it clear that I want my meat rare.
Then we both had the hot condensed milk coffee treat that opens your eyes and wonders your mind. Yes. It wonders your mind. Deal with it.
This was sort of on the back of the manatee.

Pho c/o Ha Saigon

Last Sunday I woke up wanting something, and I quickly realized that what I wanted was pho. I texted L. to see if she was down and once she confirmed she was, a plan was made. It was rainy but we made it work. And here we are a week later and it is certainly about to rain. So much rain.
I got the steak and fatty brisket combo for my pho, though I must say that the steak wasn't very rare at all. I want it to still be a little pink. Maybe I need to ask for it on the side, and then put the meat in myself.
Mmmmm.
So I'm in a bit of a funk this morning. I'm still looking for a roommate, and it's getting stressful for reasons I can and cannot discuss. I thought I had found a perfect fit, and, ugh. Can't discuss. It leaves me, this morning, feeling gloomy. And the clear rain that's about to unleash on this day makes me even more gloomy. Is it too early to already give up on this day? Just hunker down and watch movies and read a book? I'm not sure that would even fix it. I need a hug or something. A squeeze. Or a lobotomy. Maybe a shower would be a good starting place, excuse me while I stand out on my porch and let the rain wash all my troubles away.

Coffee and Pho c/o Ha Saigon

I was shocked to learn that L. was unfamiliar with the glory that is pho. I had talked it up a number of times, but we never quite got L. to a pho establishment. That weekend I also learned that L. has never eaten soft shell crabs. Blasphemy! I just don't know how we've been friends for ten years and she hasn't experienced soft shell crabs, but we'll worry about that later. Right now we can focus on the pho experience. It was bustling that Sunday, more crowded than I've seen it in previous visits, but not so busy that we didn't get a seat immediately. We had a new server, and he seemed skeptical of our ability to know what we wanted to eat. But his doubts didn't thwart my knowledge. I ordered a hot condensed milk coffee. It was potent.
We also had pork rolls, but the photograph wasn't that exciting. I went with straight up rare steak pho, which made the fact that all my steak was already cooked a little bit of a disappointment. L.'s fared better and still had pinkness to it. L. liked the pho experience. I was happy.
L. and I had different eating styles. I usually slurp up all the broth and leave a fair amount of noodles behind. She, on the other hand, gobbled up the noodles and steak but left plenty of broth. We combined our leftovers and asked to take it with us, which then became my lunch on another day. Win.

Glory Be to Ha Saigon

L. and I originally had plans to do something entirely unlike having pho one Saturday morning, but when that plan was canceled we didn't give up. No we did not. Instead we decided that it was time for another trip to Ha Saigon. We ended up ordering the exact same coffees and meals, which prompted us to make our table settings nearly mirror images. See that?
Oh yeah buddy, that's some condensed milk coffee crazy.
We both went with the rare steak, well done brisket pho with more broth, less noodles and an extra side of limes. We also split the spring rolls, but none of the photographs were that great nor were the rolls ... well at least when compared to their grilled pork rolls, which I will unquestioningly order on our next trip. The steak was not all that rare. I don't know if this is because there was a little delay between the bowls being prepared and delivered, or if they thought that we weren't serious about the rare part. Still delicious. L. noted that the noodles seemed different, I agreed. They weren't as elastic and broke more easily. Still quite satisfying though.
Isn't that a nice photograph of pho? I'm kind of proud of it.

Pho and Ground Pork Rolls c/o Ha Saigon

L. and I were so happy with our first Ha Saigon experience that there was no question that we were going to return in a relatively quick amount of time. So, about two weeks later, we met up and made our way down south. They were out of limes, which was a little sad. But I'm not really complaining.
I went with rare steak and fatty flank. It was delicious.
Because the grilled pork rolls were so ridiculously good, I thought I would try another variation of the beast. I didn't find the ground pork variety quite as satisfying and would go back to the grilled version on my next visit. I made sure to order the coffee with condensed milk, which definitely improved my ability to drink the stuff ... and opened my eyes so I looked a bit like a crazy doll person.