Philadelphia : Deals/News/Events

Tiffin Taps Elkins Park

BuzzEditor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:50:00 GMT

The highly regarded Indian Tiffin is at it again. The growing chain has just opened a new BYOB location at 8080 Old York Road in Elkins Park (215-635-9205). There is one difference between the newest Tiffin and its older siblings, though: you can't yet rent Bollywood DVDs from the restaurant to watch at home when you order online.

Come to Firecreek's Table

BuzzEditor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:23:00 GMT

Firecreek

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Downingtown's New American Firecreek would like to let you and yours into its open kitchen, or at least right next to it. On Tuesday nights the restaurant now offers seating at a 16-person communal chef’s table for a three-course dinner, with a weekly changing menu. N.B. budget-conscious diners, take heart – your party doesn't need to be 16 strong to partake ($35 per person, $50 with wine; 610-269-6000).

Salty and Sweet

BuzzEditor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:35:00 GMT

Golosa

Photo: Ryan Charles

South Philly's Golosa is getting salty. On November 19, the dessertery hosts a chocolate tasting called “Take It With a Grain of Salt,” which includes offerings like bittersweet chocolate with pieces of burnt caramel toffee, topped with gray sea salt and paired with Wynona's Big Brown Ale from Voodoo Brewery. Multiple menus are available that evening, from two three-course tasting menus to one five-courser. Each concludes with one or two hot chocolate shots, like a 70% dark chocolate infused with shiraz and clove reduction (6–11 PM; the two three-course menus are $12.50, while a five-course menu is $22 and serves two; 215-925-1003).

Trattoria San Nicola Gets Artsy

BuzzEditor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:10:00 GMT

Trattoria San Nicola

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

November 18 at the Paoli Italian Trattoria San Nicola, guests can observe local watercolorist Ardyth Sobyak at work while they dine. The night kicks off with an hors d’oeuvres reception followed by a five-course meal, during which the artist will talk about her craft. Afterward, the completed work will be auctioned to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going to charity (6 PM; $43.50 per person, wine flights for $15; 610-695-8990).

Turkey Time: Thanksgiving '09

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:42:00 GMT

Photo: Ion Sokhos

A Thanksgiving dinner where you don't have to clean up afterward is truly something to be thankful about. The following restaurants are offering meals for gobbling on November 26.

Bistro St. Tropez

2400 Market St.; 215-569-9269

This French by the Schuylkill serves a buffet for the holiday, including free-range roast turkey, pork short ribs and Alaskan crab legs (seatings at 1, 3 and 5 PM; $45 per adult, $20 per child).

Drexelbrook

4700 Drexelbrook Dr., Drexel Hill; 610-259-7000)

A T-day buffet, including carving stations, will be on offer at this Delaware County caterer (2–6 PM; $27.95 per adult; $12.95 per child 12 and under).

Fountain Restaurant

1 Logan Sq.; 215-963-1500

This tony New French–Continental in the Four Seasons will be serving brunch (11 AM–2 PM) and dinner (3:30–7 PM) for $98 per person or $49 per child aged six–12.

Joseph Ambler Inn

1005 Horsham Rd., North Wales; 215-362-7500

Diners can expect a buffet-style feast at this Horsham New American (1–6:30 PM; $39 per adult; $12.95 per child).

La Campagne

312 Kresson Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ; 856-429-7647

This French BYO in Cherry Hill is serving a choice of turkey ($45), salmon Provençal ($45) or prime rib ($55), accompanied by all the fixings (1–8 PM).

Lacroix at the Rittenhouse

210 W. Rittenhouse Sq.; 215-790-2533

Rittenhouse Square's ever-popular French serves its brunch buffet, supplemented with traditional turkey, for $75 per person from 11 AM–7 PM.

London Grill

2301 Fairmount Ave.; 215-978-4545

There will be a holiday buffet at this Fairmount New American (2–7 PM; $35 per adult; $20 per child under 11).

Maggiano’s Little Italy

multiple locations

This Italian chain is serving a traditional Thanksgiving feast for the holiday (11 AM–7 PM; $29.95 per adult, $14.95 for children ages five–12).

McCormick & Schmick’s

multiple locations

The seafood empire gets bird-brained on November 26, with traditional Thanksgiving fare available all day (noon–9 PM; $19.95 per adult; $12.95 per child under 12).

Newtown Grill

191 S. Newtown Street Rd., Newtown Square; 610-356-9700

In Western Main Line this Italian steakhouse is offering a traditional three-course prix fixe with all the fixings (1–8 PM; $26.95 per adult, $13.95 per child).

Nineteen (XIX)

200 S. Broad St., 19th fl.; 215-790-1919

This luxurious New American in the Park Hyatt is serving a buffet from 1–6 PM with all the T-Day fare you're craving ($65 for adults; $32 for children).

The Prime Rib

1701 Locust St.; 215-772-1701

In addition to its regular à la carte menu, this meatery in the Warwick Hotel will serve a turkey dinner (2–8:30 PM; $27.95 per adult, $14.95 per child).

Smith & Wollensky

210 W. Rittenhouse Sq.; 215-545-1700

For the holiday, this Rittenhouse Square steakhouse is offering a three-course turkey prix fixe alongside its regular menu (noon–8 PM; $49 per person).

Supper

926 South St.; 215-592-8180

This South Street New American is serving a three-course, family-style, farmhouse Thanksgiving supper (seatings at 2 and 5 PM; $50 per adult, $25 per child under 12).

Zagat To Go, Now On Android

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:28:00 GMT

Finally, something that both the iPhone and the Droid does: Zagat To Go, our popular smartphone application for finding ratings and reviews of over 40,000 restaurants, hotels, nightlife and shopping worldwide, has come to Google's Android phone OS. And not only can you search for your favorite spots, the home-screen widget will offer you a randomly selected nearby restaurant for you to try. To get the app, which costs just $9.99, point your finger to the Android Marketplace.

Chefs Place Their Bets at the Borgata

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:24:00 GMT

Photos: Hernan F. Rodriguez

Celeb chefs and 700 food fans gathered at The Water Club in Atlantic City this weekend for the second-annual Savor Borgata event. Wolfgang Puck worked his station for over four hours straight, serving up pad Thai, grilled shrimp, steak and scallop skewers, and Chinese chicken salad. When the Buzz asked the super chef if he was a gambling man, he responded that he used to be but since opening restaurants, he rarely gambles: “Opening a restaurant is a gamble in itself because of the investment of time and money. But unlike blackjack, if people sit at our table at least they get something for their money!” Puck also responded to rumors of opening an NYC spot, “It hasn’t happened yet, because I am very difficult, but it may finally happen.”

Bobby Flay took some time between assembling surf ‘n’ turf skewers to tell the Buzz about his recent visit to the White House to film an episode of Iron Chef America. “No matter what your politics are, I just found the Obamas so impressive as people. And the White House seemed to be a house in every sense of the word. The first lady can go from being as professional as she could possibly be as first lady, then spin on her heels and become mom two seconds later. The President made me feel so comfortable, he made me feel like I knew him 30 seconds into it.” When Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming came by to introduce herself, Flay was so awestruck he asked the Buzz to take a picture of him with the famous figure skater-turned-winemaker (her label Fleming-Jenkins provided wine for the event).

Geoffrey Zakarian, who is the culinary consultant for the hotel, served beef tartare with mostarda and pickled chanterelles. The chef said even though he’s not by nature a gambling man, his biggest gamble in life was leaving business school for cooking school. He confided to the Buzz about being a Chopped judge, saying, “There is certainly a lot of nonsense in reality TV because everyone wants to be a star, and everyone wants to think they are a chef. But in the real world, in a restaurant, we have to find competent people who understand what's on TV is not real. You can cook in 30 minutes but can you run a kitchen day after day? Can you make your money back to investors? The people who can't cut it get ground to the dust very quickly.” Zakarian also confirmed that his new NYC spot, The Lamb’s Club, his “luxury bar and grill” in Midtown’s Chatwal Hotel, is on target for a spring opening.

Other chefs in the house: Fornelletto's Stephen Kalt, who said that his recent opening in Atlantic City foreshadows a return to NYC; izakaya’s Michael Schulson; and SeaBlue’s Michael Mina.

– Kathleen Squires

She-Brew Studies

BuzzEditor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:37:00 GMT

The Naked Pint

Photo: courtesy of Perigree Trade

Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune, authors of the female-oriented craft-beer book, The Naked Pint, are organizing a book launch/beer dinner at Fork in Old City. The November 16 event features brews made by women in Philly's beer community accompanied by American tapas. For the full menu, click here (exact time TBD; $55 per person, including beer; call to reserve 215-625-9425).

The Fixe Is In at Bellini Grill

BuzzEditor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:19:00 GMT

Bellini Grill

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

At Bellini Grill, it's like Restaurant Week year round. The Rittenhouse Square Italian is now offering a three-course dinner, including a glass of red or white wine, nightly for $25.95. More of a lunch feaster? You're covered too, with a three-course lunch, sans vino, for $15.95 (215-545-119; reserve online).

Catelli Turns Quindici

BuzzEditor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:15:00 GMT

Catelli

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Cherry Hill Italian Catelli marks its 15th anniversary this month with a slew of deals. In addition to various $15 entrees, there will also be: “Wine Down Wednesdays,” when a bottle of wine is included with dinner for two; "Frugal Fridays," which feature a special small-plates menu with nothing over $10; and "Sunday Suppers," a three-course family-style dinner for $25 per person. If you are one of the first 100 to make a reservation for the actual anniversary, November 12, you'll receive a free entree. Want more? From now until November 7, each diner receives a $15 gift certificate for a future visit, and from November 15–21, there will be a special 15-course tasting menu for $50 (856-751-6069; reserve online).

Walking (and Tasting) the Town

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:30:00 GMT

In cities as foodie-friendly as New York and Philadelphia, sometimes even locals need a guide for eating adventures. Enter City Food Tours, run by Joyce and Robert Weinberg (who owned Beyond Measure in Philly), which leads walking tasting tours seven days a week in both cities. The tours themselves vary dramatically, with everything from a Top Chef tour to an ethnic-food trip around Nolita to a craft beer and artisanal cheese tasting in Philly. All include access to good food, good company and a touch of exercise. Interested? Book now and mention Zagat to get 20% off two or more tickets (prices vary; call 215-360-1996 for Philadelphia tickets; 212-535-8687 for New York tickets; For more information click here).

Cooking With Coco

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:15:00 GMT

David Chang's pork neck with succotash

Photo and recipe: courtesy of Phaidon Press

For its latest cookbook, Coco, Phaidon Press turned to 10 world-leading chefs – Ferran Adrià, Mario Batali, Shannon Bennett, Alain Ducasse, Fergus Henderson, Yoshihiro Murata, Gordon Ramsay, René Redzepi, Alice Waters and Jacky Yu – to each pick 10 contemporary chefs from around the world. In turn, each of those chefs then wrote a menu and recipes for the book. The final product is more than 400 pages of gorgeous photographs, mouthwatering recipes and interesting tidbits from kitchens around the world. Want a taste? After the jump, get the recipe for pork neck with succotash from New York chef David Chang (of the Momofuku empire).

Pork Neck with Succotash
Serves 4
Recipe by David Chang

For the pork neck
300 g kosher salt
270 g sugar
6 liters hot water
2 bay leaves
25 g black peppercorns
6 liters cold water
10 g pink salt
1 pork neck

Mix the salt, sugar, hot water, bay leaves, and black peppercorns.
Mix the cold water with the pink salt.
Add the pork neck and confit 5 hours at 300°F (150°C) covered.
When tender, press between 2 sheet trays. Portion into serving size pieces.
Crisp on a griddle or pan to heat through.

For the succotash
100 g ground (minced) smoked, think-cut pork belly
12 g chanterelle mushrooms
250 g lima (butter) beans
175 g corn (sweetcorn) kernels
Butter for sautéing
1 tbsp tarragon, chopped
4 ml buttermilk
120 g butter
130 g arugula (rocket)

Sauté the pork belly, chanterelles, lima beans, and corn in a pan.
Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper, chopped tarragon, buttermilk, butter, and arugula.

Series Suds

BuzzEditor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:01:00 GMT

You already know what team you're rooting for, but it can be harder to know where to go watch the World Series. Although most bars will be playing the game, here are some that are going the extra mile with specials and deals. Go Phillies!

The Bayou Bar & Grill

4245 Main St.; 215-482-2560

Stop by Saturday night for "Trick or Treat with the Phillies," which includes Adult Swim prizes, $2.50 Miller Light bottles all night and a $200 costume prize for best-dressed fan.

Bleu Martini

24 S. Second St.; 215-940-7900

Every night a game is on, there is an optional $20 open bar (serving vodka, gin, rum, tequila, wine and beer) from 8–10 PM. There will also be a DJ and half-priced appetizers.

Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse

1823 Sansom St.; 215-665-9500

Specials include $3.50 Bud and Bud Light drafts and bottles all night, $5 Jameson shots and 35¢ wings and clams.

Finn McCools

118 Sansom St.; 215-923-3090

Get $2.50 Budweiser drafts and Bud Light Golden Wheat drafts over the duration of the game.

For Pete’s Sake Pub

900 S. Front St.; 215-462-2230

Cheer on with $2.50 Miller Light drafts and Yeungling bottles, and $3 Kenzingers and Spaten.

Mad River

126 Chestnut St.; 215-923-5553

Join in on $3 Bud and Bud Light drafts, half-priced select appetizers and $1 hot dogs. It’s also offering private parties at three different levels ($10 per person for a choice of four appetizers; $15 per person for a buffet; and $30 per person for beer and mixed drinks).

McFadden’s

461 N. Third St.; 215-928-0630

The Third Street location is selling $3 domestic bottles and 35¢ wings. A DJ will spin during commercials and call out shot specials.

Smiths Restaurant

39-41 19th St.; 267-546-2669

This New American by day and lounge by night is serving $2 Miller Light drafts with $1 hot dogs, corn dogs and chili dogs.

South Philly Bar and Grill

1235 E Passyunk Ave.; 215-334-3300

Drink $2.50 Yeungling drafts and $2.75 bottles while chowing down on a $4.95 hot dog basket (two hot dogs and waffle fries with cheese).

The Whiskey Tango

14000 Bustleton Ave.; 215-671-9234

Get in on $1 pizza slices, $2.50 Coors and Coors Light bottles and $1.50 Coors and Coors Light 16-oz. drafts from 10 PM–midnight while watching the game on 20 50-in.screens and one 140-incher in the main bar. On Halloween, enter the costume contest for a chance to win the ultimate first prize: two tickets to Game 4.

– Aynsley Karps

A Deal You Can Trust

BuzzEditor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:54:00 GMT

Union Trust

Photo: Kristina Scott

Washington Square West steakhouse Union Trust is offering $7.17 weekday lunch deals, including a Kobe burger with fries, Yuengling beer–battered fish 'n' chips and duck breast salad (Monday–Friday 11:30 AM–3 PM), as well as $7.17 cocktail and snack specials from 5 PM–closing at the upstairs bar. 717, of course, is the meatery’s address (215-925-6000).

ZAGAT.mobi, Now With Your Tweets

BuzzEditor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:34:00 GMT

Read the latest Twitter entries on ZAGAT.mobi

ZAGAT.mobi just got Twitter-fied. Now when you look up restaurants on our award-winning mobile website, not only can you access our trusted ratings and reviews, you can also read up-to-the-minute comments about the restaurant on Twitter. You don't have to download or install anything to get in on the fun – simply visit ZAGAT.mobi on any web-enabled phone, be it an iPhone, a BlackBerry or a Pre, and see what people are saying about your favorite spot. Now that's something to tweet about.