Philadelphia Trip: Pat's King of Steaks

I've been wanting to try a real Philly Cheese Steak for a while now and I finally got the chance last week. While on a business trip in Philadelphia I made some time to stop by Pat's for a sandwich. It's funny, the guy at the window didn't say one word to me. He took my order with a nod and shut the window. Then slid me my sandwich and took my money without a "Thank You" or "Goodbye" or anything. I guess that's Philadelphia for you. City of brotherly love, my buttock.

Anyway, the sandwich was great and I could care less about the service. They can be mean old guys all they want as long as they keep making these delicious, whiz-filled sandwiches.

Marc Vetri Replied to my Tweet!!!

I was in Philadelphia this week, so I decided to drop by Vetri... 

That sounded a little more casual than it actually was. No, I made a reservation the second I knew I would be in Philly. I have been looking forward to Vetri for weeks now. And it certainly lived up to every expectation I had.

antipasti: sweetbreads with piopini mushrooms and crispy romaine leaves

This was so good. I can't even describe what the sweetbreads were like...

Manna is probably my best description. The mushrooms were tender and whole thing had this light gravy-like sauce all over it. Some of the best antipasti I've ever had.

 i piatti nella tradizione di Vetri: spinach gnocchi with shaved ricotta and brown butter

I've had gnocchi before, but never the spinach kind. This was tender and creamy with a touch of the cheesy ricotta taste. And the brown butter sauce put it over the top, in terms of decadence, which is actually one of my least favorite words, but I have to use it.

pasta: casoncelli with sage and pancetta

This was the best pasta I've ever had: smokey pancetta, sort of a brown butter sauce, sage, and a cheesy filling. All in all, one of the best meals ever.

And to top it off, afterwards I tweeted Marc Vetri himself: "had a delicious meal tonight! thank you for making such wonderful dishes."

And he actually tweeted back: "Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!"

That made my night. Thank you, Marc Vetri. 

Tune In To Food Television

I have a new article that was just posted on Rhombus. It's on some of my favorite TV shows that are all about food.  Check it out!

http://www.rhombusmag.com/food/food-tune-in-to-food-television/

Sushi is love.

I've got a love-bug and it's called sushi.  There are times when I crave this stuff

so much that I would drive for hours...no, DAYS to get it.  Anything to dip these little rolls of deliciousness into a shallow pool of soy sauce and munch on them...

I've recently had some great sushi:  Over the Christmas holiday I was in California visiting my wife's family and we went to Roy's in La Jolla.  On a whim, I ordered the Lakanilau, which is a roll with Wagyu beef, snow crab, tempura asparagus, avocado, meso sauce, and truffled greens.  It's really mild in flavor and almost sweet.  The avocado is creamy and the asparagus adds some texture and crunch.  They use a blow torch to sear the beef and then they put this amazing sauce on top.  It' is indescribably good.  Well, I'll try...  

This roll is standing ovation, scream at the top of your lungs, "Oh my gosh, I'm going to cry," good.   

Check it out: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/index.asp

Vetri Ristorante

I'm headed to Philadelphia in a few weeks on business and I thought I'd stop by Vetri for dinner while I'm out there.  I've already set up a reservation for one.  To be honest, I don't think I've ever had a meal in a restaurant all by myself, but for this pasta I'll do it.

I first heard of Marc Vetri when he was on Iron Chef America.  I later heard Chef Michael Simon say he would choose Vetri's homemade pasta as his last meal on "Best Thing I Ever Ate."  Needless to say, I'm stoked.  I've had fresh pasta before, which was incredible.  But from what I've gathered this is some of the best pasta in America.  Vetri has received countless awards and acclaims from some of the country's finest chefs.  I'm going to check it out and you best believe I'll be blogging about it.  Stay tuned.

http://www.vetriristorante.com/  

Food Reviews

Please check out my food reviews on Rhombus:

http://www.rhombusmag.com/author/kasey-yardley/

Spicy Tuna Roll

When it comes to sushi, there is only one roll for me: the spicy tuna.  I had an amazing spicy tuna roll the other day in Murietta, CA at a place called Hana Sushi.  With a little cucumber and cilantro this bad boy went down like cotton candy.  Incredible!

Mexican Roll: Shrimp, Crab, Avocado, Eel Sauce.  

Veggie Roll: Veggies.  Eh, it was an okay supplement to the STR.