Philadelphia's historic 9th Street Italian Market is truly one of the city's gems. I'm a sucker for open air markets and authentic specialty stores like Claudio's or DiBruno Brothers. You'll even find my mouth watering at more corporate chains such as Dean and DeLuca and Williams-Sonoma. Nothing compares, however, to Fante's Kitchen Wares Shop at 1009 South 9th Street in Philadelphia. From friendly greetings to fabulous products, I can't wait to return to this wonderful store.
The windows are lined in wonderful Le Creuset and All Clad pots and pans, along with high-end appliances that only someone comfortable in the kitchen would really recognize. I was impressed immediately by the homey atmosphere of the massive store. Well-worn hardwood floors and perfectly dusty shelves made me feel as though I was allowed to touch things, pick them up, and even play a little with some of the more obscure gadgets. Despite the wide array of products (much more expansive than even the most comprehensive Williams-Sonoma), everything was organized in a way that made sense. If I'd been searching for something in particular, I could have instantly found it. Instead, I chose to walk the entire store in a few laps.
I was struck by how, in each room, friendly staff offered assistance but never pressure me to buy anything. Everyone was knowledgeable, particularly a wonderful young associate named Jess at the front of the store. Even as an avid foodie, I found items with which I was previously unfamiliar. It was really quite an experience. For a family-owned shop that's been around more than a hundred years, there's no hint of obsolescence. I can picture the family who runs the place answering customer inquiries one hundred years ago in the same friendly tone that Jess answered my questions.
The best part was yet to be discovered until I sat down to write this post -- they have a wonderfully comprehensive website. They offer their products online to the entire country. From perusing the store for quite a while earlier today, I strongly encourage you to give them a look.
http://www.fantes.com
Fante's
1006 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215.922.5557
800.44.FANTE
mail@fantes.com
I offer Fante's my highest possible recommendation and look forward to buying cookware from them for decades to come.
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, November 13, 2009
Review: Strings Restaurant Denver
Strings Restaurant
1700 Humboldt St
Denver, CO 80218-1109
(303) 831-7310
Never have I enjoyed dining while on official travel as much as I did at Strings Restaurant in Denver, Colorado. I always enjoy my time in Colorado, and have spent a week in Denver and Boulder last year and this year respectively. I have eaten at numerous restaurants and cafes and enjoyed more than a few cocktails and some excellent bars. I love the mountains and climate. In short, I am inclined to be satisfied.
Yesterday, I arrived at Strings in Denver at exactly 12:00 noon. A courteous hostess greeted me with a smile and some curiosity, considering I was holding an obnoxiously orange carry-on sized suitcase. I explained myself and was welcomed to a place at the bar, where I set up my computer and ordered lunch.
I started with a diet Coke and beef carpaccio. It was rolled by hand at the table (bar) with capers, red onions, grated parmesan cheese, and a lemon aioli. I don't actually like aioli, but this one was pretty delicious. She sliced it almost like a sushi-maki. It was served with white toast points. I loved every bite.
For the main course, I enjoyed a half portion of "Mac 'N Chesse." It was caviatappi, perfectly cooked, with a white cheddar sauce, hearty chunks of smoked chicken breast, leeks, and toasted marcona almonds. It was transcendent. I must confess that it is not my personal point of view with regard to what "Mac 'N Cheese" could or should be... it was a delicious pasta dish. I will make this at home at some point this winter.
It is hard to believe that I actually stayed for dinner, but I did. I tasted the best shrimp cocktail I have ever enjoyed. Lemony, plump shrimp with zesty sauces reminded me of what fine foods should be. Flavor is always the most important thing, and Strings did not fail to deliver.
My main course was grilled wild salmon with a green salad dressed with a citrus vinaigrette. Such a simple dish could have easily been boring. This was anything but. A perfectly medium salmon just barely wilted the greens. I ate every bite. It was almost embarrassing to refuse to allow the server to take my plate when I took a brief break in eating to answer an e-mail.
My advice is that if anyone visits Denver, for work or pleasure, I would consider it a personal favor if you would have a meal at Strings Restaurant. Not only is the owner a new friend, but everything on the menu is delicious, fresh, sustainable, and... dare I say... close to perfect.
Review: Tono Sushi Happy Hour
Tono Sushi
2605 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008-1522
(202) 332-7300
This is a short one. We ordered almost all the nigiri at $1.00 / piece and a few slightly discounted rolls. Nothing was great, nothing was horrible. Worth a trip on a good night, but don't expect much. I have to say, Happy Hour is the only thing that has me going back to Tono. Every time I return, I wonder to myself... why?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Review: Ray's the Steaks
Ray's the Steaks
2300 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA
(703) 841-7297
Our party of three arrived 1 minute early for our 8:30 reservation on Friday night. There was a line out the door. A competent but visibly stressed hostess scribbled notes and names on a tattered yellow legal pad as we announced we'd arrived. She indicated we'd be seated soon. Within 10 minutes we were at our table. The restaurant was louder than I expected, but we sat in a smaller table in the back. Most of the noise didn't make it all the way back to us.
We were greeted at our table with a napkin, a fork, and a knife. A wine glass and water glass awaited our beverage choices. Within seconds, a few chunks of good foccacia bread and spiced cashews came with good, cold water. The menu was laminated and more extensive than I expected. Several offerings are not for the faint of heart (literally), including a 28-oz cowboy steak and a 32-oz top sirloin. I chose more responsibly. A cajun ribeye. My dining partners chose to enjoy starters of caesar salad and lobster bisque. Both were above average. The bisque was very buttery and generous on the lobster. The caesar dressing was garlicky, not mayonnaise-y and the lettuce was fresh and crisp.
We ordered what I considered the best value on the menu -- a $15.00 bottle of 1997 Tempranillo, a Spanish red with full and interesting flavor. It paired well with the fatty ribeye and the whipped potatoes, which came as a gratis side with creamed spinach. The potatoes were near-perfect, ideal texture and light flavor. The creamed spinach did not impress, but wasn't bad, either.
The stars of the show was really were the main courses. My steak was beautifully charred, generous in portion, and cooked perfectly. A medium rare steak is one of my favorite things, so to impress me with one is an accomplishment. The service was incredibly fast, almost as though we'd called ahead with our orders. My dining partners had blacked sea scallops with sauteed garlic (which also topped my steak) and a hangar steak. The aforementioned sides matched up pretty well. The garlic on my steak was soft and i spread it into my steak like spread. It was an excellent addition.
The seared scallops were unexpectedly spicy and certainly delicious. The hanger steak was, as described on the menu, not the most tender cut available, but stiff competition for my ribeye. Overall, I was pleased with our selections and eager to come back and try some of the other amazing cuts on their menu.
We ordered dessert. I ordered the New York cheesecake, which was good to very good... not too sweet. We also shared the dark chocolate mousse, whose flavors were classic but the texture was closer to that of cold cake frosting than whipped mousse. No one complained about that, though.
The food is truly 100% of the Ray's the Steaks experience. Do not expect frills, garnish, or even particularly warm staff. No one is rude, but their philosophy, as printed on their menu, is to serve as many tables as possible the most excellent meat at the lowest prices. Mission accomplished. We were in and out in an hour in and ten minutes. It's the best value on a steakhouse I have ever seen in the metro-Washington area, unless you'd like to try Outback. Ranging from $18.00 - $55.00, the entrees aren't going to break the bank... and are worth every cholesterol-laden penny.
Ray's the steaks gets a must try rating from this carnivore. Let me know when you want to visit the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington so I can try it again!
2300 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA
(703) 841-7297
Our party of three arrived 1 minute early for our 8:30 reservation on Friday night. There was a line out the door. A competent but visibly stressed hostess scribbled notes and names on a tattered yellow legal pad as we announced we'd arrived. She indicated we'd be seated soon. Within 10 minutes we were at our table. The restaurant was louder than I expected, but we sat in a smaller table in the back. Most of the noise didn't make it all the way back to us.
We were greeted at our table with a napkin, a fork, and a knife. A wine glass and water glass awaited our beverage choices. Within seconds, a few chunks of good foccacia bread and spiced cashews came with good, cold water. The menu was laminated and more extensive than I expected. Several offerings are not for the faint of heart (literally), including a 28-oz cowboy steak and a 32-oz top sirloin. I chose more responsibly. A cajun ribeye. My dining partners chose to enjoy starters of caesar salad and lobster bisque. Both were above average. The bisque was very buttery and generous on the lobster. The caesar dressing was garlicky, not mayonnaise-y and the lettuce was fresh and crisp.
We ordered what I considered the best value on the menu -- a $15.00 bottle of 1997 Tempranillo, a Spanish red with full and interesting flavor. It paired well with the fatty ribeye and the whipped potatoes, which came as a gratis side with creamed spinach. The potatoes were near-perfect, ideal texture and light flavor. The creamed spinach did not impress, but wasn't bad, either.
The stars of the show was really were the main courses. My steak was beautifully charred, generous in portion, and cooked perfectly. A medium rare steak is one of my favorite things, so to impress me with one is an accomplishment. The service was incredibly fast, almost as though we'd called ahead with our orders. My dining partners had blacked sea scallops with sauteed garlic (which also topped my steak) and a hangar steak. The aforementioned sides matched up pretty well. The garlic on my steak was soft and i spread it into my steak like spread. It was an excellent addition.
The seared scallops were unexpectedly spicy and certainly delicious. The hanger steak was, as described on the menu, not the most tender cut available, but stiff competition for my ribeye. Overall, I was pleased with our selections and eager to come back and try some of the other amazing cuts on their menu.
We ordered dessert. I ordered the New York cheesecake, which was good to very good... not too sweet. We also shared the dark chocolate mousse, whose flavors were classic but the texture was closer to that of cold cake frosting than whipped mousse. No one complained about that, though.
The food is truly 100% of the Ray's the Steaks experience. Do not expect frills, garnish, or even particularly warm staff. No one is rude, but their philosophy, as printed on their menu, is to serve as many tables as possible the most excellent meat at the lowest prices. Mission accomplished. We were in and out in an hour in and ten minutes. It's the best value on a steakhouse I have ever seen in the metro-Washington area, unless you'd like to try Outback. Ranging from $18.00 - $55.00, the entrees aren't going to break the bank... and are worth every cholesterol-laden penny.
Ray's the steaks gets a must try rating from this carnivore. Let me know when you want to visit the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington so I can try it again!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Bar Review - Tabaq on U Street
Tabaq Bistro
1336 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009-4445
http://www.tabaqdc.com
Last night, for a friend's birthday, I joined a group of people I don't know for cocktails at Tabaq Bistro on U Street. I'm only reviewing the bar / lounge upstairs on the roof. I can't speak to the food, as the kitchen closed within minutes of our arrival. It's all for the best, in the end, as I have been making chicken recipes all weekend and couldn't stomach the idea of more food.
The Americans with Disabilities Act must not cover chic urban rooftops, as it takes no fewer than four flights of stairs to finally reach the upstairs bar. Visually, it's worth the trek. White banners decorate the glass ceiling and views, although somewhat obstructed, of the Capitol Dome and Washington Monument remind you where you're drinking. A respectable drink menu outlines beers (five of which they were out of by 11:00 pm, including all draught beers) from roughly $6.50-$8.50 and martinis for $13.00. I started with a Heineken, and it took a while for our very kind, but overworked server it get it to me. It was cold. Good enough.
I decided to switch from beer to Scotch and enjoyed a neat Johnnie Walker Black Label with a splash of cold water. Again, the server may have flown to Aberdeen to get it. It was perfectly satisfactory when it did finally arrive. Many in our group concluded that service directly from the bar was more efficient, correctly so, and chose to deal directly with the pleasant and competent bartender. The birthday boy had more than a few drinks, and I tried one that looked interesting. It was a melon martini. Basic green liqueur in a chilled cocktail glass with a lonely cherry providing some color contrast. It was terribly sweet and better suited to a sorority party than a bar with printed menus.
Pick the right drinks, however, and the right company, and Tabaq is a real winner. I had a great time despite the imperfect service. The venue is especially attractive and its location on U Street makes it convenient to Dupont and Adams Morgan, if the service becomes too insufferable. I haven't devised a star rating system yet for my reviews so I'll just close by saying Tabaq deserves a try. Just stay away from the "martinis."
1336 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009-4445
http://www.tabaqdc.com
Last night, for a friend's birthday, I joined a group of people I don't know for cocktails at Tabaq Bistro on U Street. I'm only reviewing the bar / lounge upstairs on the roof. I can't speak to the food, as the kitchen closed within minutes of our arrival. It's all for the best, in the end, as I have been making chicken recipes all weekend and couldn't stomach the idea of more food.
The Americans with Disabilities Act must not cover chic urban rooftops, as it takes no fewer than four flights of stairs to finally reach the upstairs bar. Visually, it's worth the trek. White banners decorate the glass ceiling and views, although somewhat obstructed, of the Capitol Dome and Washington Monument remind you where you're drinking. A respectable drink menu outlines beers (five of which they were out of by 11:00 pm, including all draught beers) from roughly $6.50-$8.50 and martinis for $13.00. I started with a Heineken, and it took a while for our very kind, but overworked server it get it to me. It was cold. Good enough.
I decided to switch from beer to Scotch and enjoyed a neat Johnnie Walker Black Label with a splash of cold water. Again, the server may have flown to Aberdeen to get it. It was perfectly satisfactory when it did finally arrive. Many in our group concluded that service directly from the bar was more efficient, correctly so, and chose to deal directly with the pleasant and competent bartender. The birthday boy had more than a few drinks, and I tried one that looked interesting. It was a melon martini. Basic green liqueur in a chilled cocktail glass with a lonely cherry providing some color contrast. It was terribly sweet and better suited to a sorority party than a bar with printed menus.
Pick the right drinks, however, and the right company, and Tabaq is a real winner. I had a great time despite the imperfect service. The venue is especially attractive and its location on U Street makes it convenient to Dupont and Adams Morgan, if the service becomes too insufferable. I haven't devised a star rating system yet for my reviews so I'll just close by saying Tabaq deserves a try. Just stay away from the "martinis."
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