Philebrity and hardcore assface Georges Perrier closed down Brasserie Perrier on New Year’s eve, alerting the staff 15 minutes before the end of their shift. While this may be the right thing to do from a business standpoint, as some restaurants have had pasta machines walk out with scheming employees, that’s quite a holiday gift for people who break their backs nightly in this shithole economy.
On the flip side, we got rid of a hefty amount of expense account sidewalk diners that stare down H&M bag-toting shoppers and overpay for Le Bec-Fin Lite. Apparently being Zagat Rated and advertising in Main Line Times doesn’t bring crowds the way it used to. Your little dog is not cute eating from your dish, sweetie. But fear not my snooty friends, as you can always visit his Wayne outpost which is still alive and kicking. For now.
Like we told you last month, Philadelphia Brewing Company will be powering through the winter months by releasing their Select Brews — limited-edition draught-only beers that serve as both experiments and seasonal treats. You thrilled to Feliz Navidad, right? Now meet joe. According to the press release:
Philadelphia Brewing Co.’s dedication to sourcing from local
producers led them to Fonseca Coffee in Norristown,
PA. The purchase of freshly roasted, organic, fair trade Peruvian French roast
coffee resulted in joe - a smooth and balanced porter (5% alc. by vol.), a
bounty for the senses, with a roasty malt flavor and an invigorating aroma of
freshly-roasted coffee. joe will be visiting the area for a limited time,
available in kegs only from Philadelphia Brewing Co. “Great for your holiday
hangover!” says Matt Nienhuis, Philadelphia Brewing Co. Logistics Manager. The
varied Select Ales are brewed every few months and are available on draught at
finer restaurants and taverns in the Philadelphia area.
Nice. joe is or will be on tap by the end of the day at the following pubs: Standard Tap, Khyber, P.O.P.E., Abbaye, Monk’s, Brownie’s Pub, and The Walnut Room/Alfa.
We were cruisin’ around the ol’ YouTube, and we came across this, the trailer for Salt Pepper Ketchup, which bills itself as “the first Philadelphia Cart Cuisine Internet show!” Sweet! Coming Spring ‘09.
Scuttlebutt round these parts is laying some sad news on us this morning. Phoodie drinkfave Azul Cantina seems to be closing or re-tooling in the short order. Valanni headman George Anni is apparently purchasing Azul from friend and colleague George Markakis, and will be reimagining the restaurant. We hear that a ten-tap beer system is going to be installed, which points to some local craft brew happiness. Azul will be closed for a couple of weeks during renovations, but we don’t know if the name is staying or not.
With the recent departure of mixologist Matt McHale and Chef Jesse Vega, there were rumblings something might be going down. We will sorely miss the Strawberry Menta if this news is legit. Azul was a spot the neighborhood needed, and Markakis put together a restaurant we loved. But the crew at Valanni has developed more than a few restaurants we also get behind (Mercato), so we’re keeping our hopes up for 2009.
Baking Christmas cookies is a right of passage in most families, our individual heritage and lineage providing the recipes handed down from generations long gone. Frankly, we’re cookied-out right now. But Zoe Lukas of Whipped Bakeshop gives us a snack we can all get behind.
The ubertalented local Ace-Of-Cakes released a clutch of Obama Inauguration Celebration Cookie designs that are ready to ship to your door. After a long election year that exhausted us physically/emotionally, we can’t think of a better way to savor the results than with baked goods and a big glass of Vitamin D. Victory smells like shortbread and almond icing.
For reasons other than the obvious fun-factor of saying “fishes,” The Feast of the Seven Fishes is definitely a good time. The Southern Italian Christmas Eve tradition involves a briny, wine-filled multi-course dinner free of meat or dairy but packed with Mediterranean delights. Small guys of the smelt and sardine variety abound, as do all sorts of shellfish. The numerological significance of the “7″ is a topic of contention, so hey, this meal even comes with its own dinner table conversation starter.
For those of you down with “the 7″ but not interested in going smelt shopping this weekend, various restaurants in the area are offering the feast this year. For $45, Chick’s Cafe and Wine Bar on South 7th (spoooooky!) is serving dishes including red snapper in mussel broth and tagliatelle with shrimp and scallops. Paradiso on East Passayunk has loads of plates to choose from in their $60 feast. Frito Misto, a classic basket of fried fish and shellfish is on the menu, which also offers spaghetti with white anchovies and golden raisins, stuffed calamari with peas, and Baccala, salted cod that is another “7 Fishes” superstar.
If you’re interested in crossing the bridge of your choosing into the land of Bruce and untaxed booze, loads of Jersey spots are doing Fishy Feasts as well. Blue2O in Burlington has a $40 menu including shellfish shooters in Cioppino broth and hot and cold baccala fritters. For $39 at Andreotti’s in Cherry Hill, Meyer Lemon seafood salad and Seafood Fra Diabolo are on the list.
Chick’s Cafe, (215-625-3700) 614 South 7th Street
Paradiso, (215-271-2066) 1627 East Passayunk
Blue2O, (856-662-0297 1906 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill
Andreotti’s, (856-795-CAFE) 1442 East Route 70, Cherry Hill
LATIN SUPERSTAR CHEF JOSE GARCES INTRODUCES CHIFA, A PERUVIAN-CANTONESE RESTAURANT
PHILADELPHIA, PA – In early 2009, Latin superstar Chef Jose Garces will debut his new restaurant, Chifa (707 Chestnut Street, 215-925-5555), named after the unique hybrid of Peruvian and Cantonese cuisines found in Peru. With a brilliant color palette, the stunning restaurant will feature a center-stage ceviche bar that sits atop a Chinese apothecary cabinet, a 16-seat gold resin communal table, a welcoming lounge for late night dining and Chef Garces’ dazzling menu of signature small plates. Chef Garces will be the first restaurateur to elevate this cuisine from its humble roots to what is destined to become one of the country’s most sought-after reservations.
Local 44’s arrival is imminent, and they’ve already published their nice big draft beer list. It’s 20 strong and has two casked hand-pumpers, Lagunita’s Hop Stoopid and Yard’s Brawler. Some other highlights include Coniston Bluebird Bitter, Russian River Blind Pig, and Harviestoun’s Old Engine Oil. Peruse the complete listhere.
They won’t tell us (seems they’re not sure themselves) when they will swing the doors open, but the keg-happy folks working on Local 44 have hinted at a very early 2009 opening. On their new website, they even mention New Year’s Day as a possibility. That old “Hair of the Dog” colloquialism that your grandfather always uses applies here, but does anyone know what it really means? Yup, this guy does. Now you do, too.
Local 44’s cool phone number is 215-222-BEER, seriously. It’s located at the northeast corner of 44th and Spruce.
Philebrity and hardcore assface Georges Perrier closed down Brasserie Perrier on New Year’s eve, alerting the staff 15 minutes before the end of their shift. While this may be the right thing to do from a business standpoint, as some restaurants have had pasta machines walk out with scheming employees, that’s quite a holiday gift for people who break their backs nightly in this shithole economy.
Scuttlebutt round these parts is laying some sad news on us this morning. Phoodie drinkfave Azul Cantina seems to be closing or re-tooling in the short order. Valanni headman George Anni is apparently purchasing Azul from friend and colleague George Markakis, and will be reimagining the restaurant. We hear that a ten-tap beer system is going to be installed, which points to some local craft brew happiness. Azul will be closed for a couple of weeks during renovations, but we don’t know if the name is staying or not.
Baking Christmas cookies is a right of passage in most families, our individual heritage and lineage providing the recipes handed down from generations long gone. Frankly, we’re cookied-out right now. But Zoe Lukas of 
For reasons other than the obvious fun-factor of saying “fishes,” 
