Category Archives: Food

Understanding Philadelphia-style Tomato Pie

It’s not easy to explain the concept of Philadelphia-style tomato pie to anyone not from the area.  Heck, it’s hard enough to get consensus from some Philadelphians about what true tomtato pie is.  There’s the square cut, thick but soft crust, made on baking sheets and topped with a substantial layer of tomato sauce.  Then there’s the thin crust dough, shaped like a regular pizza, topped with tomato sauce popularized by neighborhood places like Tony’s Place in Northeast Philly.  While that style is more similar to Trenton tomato pies, it’s the former version that’s more commonly regarded as Philly-style tomato pie.

To others, this type of pizza, at least on paper (and in pictures), doesn’t necessarily appeal.  A recent feature on Slice about Conshohocken Bakery’s tomato pie generated much more negative comments than positive ones from those who’ve never had this type of pizza. 

Continue reading →

Guapos Tacos Starts Feeding Hungry Public

Guapos Tacos

Jose Garces can pretty much do no wrong.  From his roles as executive chef at both Alma de Cuba and El Vez in the Starr Restaurant empire, to his initial Spanish specialty restaurants of Amada, Tinto and Mercat a la Planxa (in Chicago).  From branching out to the Peruvian/Cantonese fusion cuisine of Chifa to his Mexico City-inspired Distrito in University City.  From his whiskey bar venture of Village Whiskey to his BYO/wine store hybrid of Graces Trading Company.  From his elevation to Iron Chef America to, most recently, his domestic-centric JG Domestic.  The public (specifically, Philadelphia) flocks to and eats up just about anything in which he’s involved.

So it should be no surprise that Guapos Tacos, his latest venture in what is already a hot trend of food trucks, would debut for the public at13th and Chancellor last night to much anticipation and demand.  Guapos had previously done industry-only events and private servings for Garces Restaurant Group employees.  Announced only one night before its inaugrual public appearance, Guapos had over 30 people were eagerly waiting in line by the time it starting serving at 10:30 p.m.

Continue reading →

Cooper’s Wine Bar: Reason to Visit Manayunk for Good Pizza

In 2010, MSN.com, in conjunction with Gayot.com, published an article detailing its Top 10 list of pizza restaurants in the country.  As with all Top 10 lists, and particularly, with pizza lists, this one was subjective, though certain consensus favorites were present.  There’s Great Lake from Chicago (probably the best pizza I’ve ever had), Pizzeria Bianco from Phoenix and Serious Pie in Seattle.  Then, there was Cooper’s Wine Bar in Manayunk.  Considering I’ve never heard anyone else ever mention it in the discussion of great pizza in Philadelphia, let alone the country, I was intrigued.

Cooper’s is the less formal, more casual, no reservation wine bar portion of Jake’s, one of the more upscale restaurants on Main Street Manayunk.  The two establishements share the same kitchen, so you can actually order off the same menu.  So, you can choose to make your reservation and eat in a more refined setting at Jake’s or you can go at the spur of the moment and try waiting for a table or bar space at Cooper’s.  Either way, you’ve got access to a good menu.

Continue reading →