Top Chef Season 11 contestant, Jason Cichonski, hosts Alamos wine dinner at Ela

I was recently invited to attend a wine dinner at Jason Cichonski's Ela.

My dirty little secret? I'd never been.

I know, right?!

Cichonski is one of the best chefs in Philadelphia. I've interviewed him more than a few times, and he's never failed to impress. He's got a laundry list of accolades for his culinary prowess. His, ahem, other attributes aren't too bad either... Eater named Cichonski Philly's Hottest Chef in 2012, and Bravo gave the Bucks County native a whole package nod when they cast him as a Top Chef Season 11 contestant. Though he was the most recent chef sent packing, there's no telling if his Top Chef tenure is truly through... We'll just have to wait and see.

It's been a whirlwind year for Cichonski, for sure. But one thing's certain. Ela's doors are open and the food's divine.

The dinner at Ela featured five courses, each paired with an Alamos wine.

The affair was intimate, with about a dozen of us tucked into a candlelit chef's table at the rear of the restaurant. Cichonski was his usual eloquent self, entertaining the group with tales of Polish grandmas, and expletive laden dish descriptions.

We love it. Don't ever change.

Dinner was fabulous. Each course was better than the last. And as the courses kept coming, so did the wines.

The Alamos wines vineyards, are located in Mendoza, Argentina, are grown in what was described as a high altitude desert up in the Andes mountains, and are irrigated by glacial waters.

This geographical recipe for success is bottled and sold for a very approachable price; around $10 a bottle off the shelf. It's also available at Ela, to be paired with any of Cichonski's culinary creations.

Argentinian wines like Malbec are most well known, but Alamos also offers a full profile of wines. Cichonski paired the Alamos Torrontes, a crisp white wine, with spruce smoked amberjack for a first bite. The second course, a roasted beet tartar was paired with the Alamos Malbec. A very, very drinkable Red Blend, married perfectly with the flavors of his house made pasta. The way-too-good Wagyu beef dish went wonderfully with the Seleccion Malbec, and the Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon was perfectly paired with a final bite of soft, raspberry pistachio chocolate.

I was very impressed with the Alamos ambassador, the vibe at Ela and of course the food and drink. Thanks to Liz Conant of FleishmanHillard for the invitation, and to the lovely ladies who kept me company: The fabulous, Tara Nurin, Eileen Smith Dallabrida of EatShopGo, and Robin Shreeves of SouthJerseyLocavore.

The event was wonderful and more importantly, you've got an Alamos drinker for life.

Slackin' in the 215

2013.

The year of the dragon.

You know what?

I'm not a dragon.

I'm a cock, and this year's been a beast.



Self-perpetuated deadlines just didn't seem to happen.

Fulfilling my need to write took a back seat, as I find it does every once in a while. When the things I want to write begin to centralize around a few apocalyptic themes, I take that as a time to be more introspective and quiet the voice outside.

Take this montage of recent youtube videos I've played out over the past year or so as my gift to all of you -- an apology playlist, if you will.

Love you -- Mean it!

I've missed you all.

Time to get back on the horse.

M

Get the Foobooz Discount: Taste of the Nation, tonight

The city's food community gathers tonight to end childhood hunger during Taste of the Nation at the Loews Hotel, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. 

Why should you buy a ticket? Locally, Taste of the Nation goes to benefit The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, Philabundance, The Food Trust, and The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center. 

Meaning, you can help all of these organizations at once! Plus, there are tons of restaurants participating (check out the list below) and you can get a discounted ticket through Foobooz.

• 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge by Eric Ripert - Chef Nathan Volz (Bio)
• A Cupcake Wonderland - Pastry Chef Lily Fischer
• Avalon Restaurant/Avalon Pasta Bistro - Chef John Brandt-Lee (Bio)
• Bar Ferdinand - Chef James Howard (Bio)
• Belle Cakery - Pastry Chef Jessie Prawlucki
• Brauhaus Schmitz - Chef Jeremy Nolen (Bio)
• Cantina Feliz/La Calaca Feliz - Chef Tim Spinner (Bio)
• City Tavern - Chef Walter Staib (Bio)
• Cochon - Chef Gene Giuffi (Bio)
• Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse - Chef Thomas Heck (Bio)
• DiBruno Brothers - Chef Robert Sidor (Bio)
• El Camino Real - Chef Keith Bernstein
• Fish - Chef Mike Stollenwerk (Bio) & Pastry Chef Monica Glass
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - Chef Aaron Fleisch (Bio)
• Fond - Chef Lee Styer
• Funky Lil’ Kitchen - Chef Michael Falcone
• Golden Pheasant Inn - Chef Jon Ramsay (Bio) and Chef Blake Faure (Bio)
• Lacroix at the Rittenhouse - Chef Jon Cichon
• LoveBar Chocolate - Chocolatier Tegan Hagy
• Marigold Kitchen - Chef Robert Halpern (Bio)
• McCrossen's Tavern - Chef Townsend Wentz (Bio)
• Meme - Chef David Katz (Bio)
• Modo Mio - Chef Peter McAndrews
• Mugshots Coffee House & Cafe - Pastry Chef Zachary Scott
• MyHouse Cookies - Pastry Chef Marie Connell
• Ristorante Panorama - Chef Rosario Romano (Bio)
• Sole Food Restaurant - Chef Thomas Harkins

• South Philadelphia Tap Room - Chef Scott Schroeder (Bio)
• Spiga - Chef Brian Wilson (Bio)
• Square 1682 - Chef Guillermo Tellez (Bio)
• Tashan - Chef Sylva Senat (Bio)
• The Belgian Cafe - Chef Evan Seplow
• Trio/Isabel - Chef Michael Poole
• Valanni -Chef John Strain
• Verdad Restaurant & Tequila Bar - Chef Nicholas Farina (Bio)

Weekend Updates: The Feed

Missed me today? Find me manning The Feed every Saturday and Sunday on NewsWorks.org.

First Friday: Hot Stops for the Rest of Us

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a hipster or a starving artist to partake in First Friday. I know, I know, big shocker, right. And just because you don't have a friend showing a coffee shop full of 3x5 cards decorated with the feelings of the ocean, you shouldn't feel like you're on the outs.

Check out these stops and be part of the action. And even though Old City 'proper' has lost the unofficially exclusive rights to First Friday, its still the best place to start a First Friday crawl.


OLD CITY

• Drink Philly always hosts a First Friday shindig. This month, check out work by featured artists, Jessica Berlin, Monica Lui, Joi Washington, and Drew Scavello. There will be live jazz, and  drinks and snacks from The Boilermaker, Wash West's new tavern from the peeps over at Farmer's Cabinet. The event is free and open to all. You just have to sign up to be on Drink Philly's newsletter list.

• The Race Street Pier is kicking off a season of events tonight with Park After Dark. From 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., check out the Art Star Craft Bazaar teaser event. Live entertainment and great food are promised. (Art Star is back next weekend, May 12 - 13, on Penn's Landing).

NOLIBS

• Northern Liberties is getting into the action with its inaugural NoLibs First Friday tonight. There are tons of businesses involved, offering 10% discounts and some complimentary cocktails from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Check their Facebook page for a list of participating places. There are a bunch, on both 2nd and 3rd streets.

FISHTOWN

• A Food Truck Pop-Up makes Fishtown a must for tonight's festivities. From 6 p.m. -11 p.m., at the Lutheran Settlement House, at 1340 Frankford Avenue. The Philadelphia Mobile Food Association recruited Little Baby's Ice Cream, Pitruco, Spot Burgers and Zea Mae's Kitchen for tonight's events. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Lutheran Settlement House, a non-profit benefiting and educating adults and seniors and those affected by homelessness and domestic violence. 

'May the Fourth Be With You' at Please Touch

Today, Friday May 4, celebrate Star Wars Day at the Please Touch Museum. There will be outer-space themed activities, Star Wars toys on display, a Star Wars themed art experience, and characters wandering the museum throughout the day.

From 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers will lead museum guests in an Imperial March Parade.

So bust out those costumes and head over: Jedi robes recommended.

Finding Flea Markets: Fairmount

It's that time again. The time when only the threat of rain could put a damper on the haggling and browsing of the sidewalk market.

This weekend, head to 22nd & Fairmount from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., where over 200 vendors will be set up along the perimeter of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Last year's browsing was good: lots of old records, 'jungadells' (if someone knows how to properly spell that, post in the comments) and a ton of last minute Mother's Day gift ideas.

For more info, head to philafleamarkets.org or, in case of a flea market emergency, call the 24-hour info line...215-625-FLEA.

(really?!)

Free Lunch at Reading Terminal Market

If you're in the vicinity of 12th and Filbert, stop in to the Reading Terminal Market for a free lunch on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. To celebrate the market's 120th Anniversary, the Market will be offering $10 towards your lunch from 11am - 4pm.

I know. The offer is wonderful. But there's always a hitch.

Luckily, this one is pretty simple. All you have to do is pay for lunch using the LevelUp app, a mobile app that allows you to pay with your phone. It's making its way throughout the city's merchants (250 to date), but has yet to really take off.

But if nothing else, free lunch can do it! Get yours at one of the 30 participating vendors.

Reading Terminal Market 51 North 12th Street  Philadelphia, PA 19107

Champagne and Truffles in Fairmount, oh my!

The time for well thought out gifts and holiday meals is nigh, and McCrossen's Tavern has a great option for the foodie in the family. On Thursday, December 29, McCrossen's will be hosting a French Grower Champagne and Black Truffle event at 6:30pm.

The evening costs $100 per person and includes a four-course truffle dinner prepared by Chef Townsend Wentz (pictured), featuring black truffles from the Perigord, France and four grower champagne pairings by GM / Sommeiler Lauren Harris. Each growler served will come from the Champagne region of France and feature Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rose and Pinot Meunier grapes. View the entire menu below.

Seating is limited, so call ahead for a reservation for yourself, or someone you love.





McCrossen's Tavern 529 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA   215-854-0923

Roasted Sea Scallops with Roe
Bordier seaweed butter, truffles
Thierry Triolet Brut, Cote des Blancs

Coeur de Cochon Pithiviers
 creamed salsify, Perigueux sauce
Rene Goffrey Rose de Saignee Brut NV
Vallée de la Marne

 Sauteed Fois Gras
 pickled prunes, Sauce Foyot, truffles
Gaston Chiguet Traditional Brut NV
Vallée de la Marne

Wild Scottish Pheasant {demi-deuil}potato fondant, Salmis
H Billiot Brut Reserve NV
Montagne de Reims

Petite FoursCoffee/Tea

Holiday Bucket List: Eat A Mimosa

The holiday season is always one of the toughest to grapple with. From buying and giving to returning and regifting, things tend to get a little confusing. Months of jingles on the radio is sure to turn even the sanest of us on our heads. Sitting on an old man's lap is condoned...up is down, down is up. It's not crazy. It's the spirit of the holiday season, and Davio's has joined in the fun,  offering a tasty twist on a favorite cocktail.

The Mimosa Dessert offered looks absolutely amazing. True to form, they're willing to share the recipe (below), but its much easier to let the kitchen prepare one for you instead. The Mimosa is made up of a prosecco sorbet, orange segments, champagne grapes, and candied brioche. It's finished with a scoop of vanilla custard and orange foam and sells for $11.

The dining room at Davio's looks wonderful year round, but during the holidays it really is beautiful. So stop in, pull up to the bar, admire the holiday handiwork, and order up one of the festive treats that Davio's is offering.

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse 111 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

Mimosa

Orange Soda

1 1Ž2 oz  Fresh Lemon Juice

1 3Ž4 C Fresh Orange Juice

3 1Ž4 oz  Granulated Sugar

4 tspPowdered Gelatin

In a saucepan bring juices to a boil, dissolving sugar. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin.

Stir to combine, strain and refrigerate.  Pour mixture into soda siphon and charge.

Vanilla Custard

3 T Powdered Gelatin

5 C Crème Anglaise, Warm

7 oz Crème Fraîche or Sour Cream

Add Gelatin to warm Crème Anglaise, stir to combine and chill. 

Add crème Fraîche, stir to combine and refrigerate.

Prosecco Sorbet

10 oz Prosecco(Champagne)

7 oz Simple Syrup

14 oz Water

Pour contents into a 2-quart ice cream machine and turn until frozen.

Other ingredients:

One loaf of brioche

Simple syrup

Orange Segments

Champagne Grapes

Dice brioche, toss in small amount of simple syrup and lightly toast in oven.

Assembly:

In any glassware you choose, arrange orange segments and champagne grapes, then several pieces of candied brioche. Add a scoop of vanilla custard, some more oranges and grapes.  Follow with a scoop of Prosecco sorbet and finish with orange soda foam.

*Adapted from Art Culinaire Magazine

Inspiration vs. Motivation

Inspiration comes in many forms but ultimately, I believe it comes from within. A fleeting moment of greatness that you can recognize and grab ahold of, riding it until its wheels fall off, or until you find the next shooting glimpse of inspiration to keep you going.

Motivation on the other hand, comes from people like Tyler Morrison. Morrison is a local realtor who launched a "site" just days ago and would like to know if I'd be interested in working along side of him for KNOW PHILLY. A new website that will inform residents and tourists alike in the Philadelphia Region.

To this I say, suck it dude. 




Google his site, you find me. Google me, you find me. And while I've totally been slacking, that's over.

Bring it.

Finding Flea Markets: BREAKING NEWS ALERT

Finding flea markets will be so much easier this winter. When all of the other outdoor events are preparing to pack it in for the nastiest of months, the flea market circuit here in Philly is instead proudly announcing its new winter home.

Every Saturday from November 5 - April 28, 8am - 4pm, rotating vendors will be within the comforts of the walls, selling their antiques, collectables, wares and flat out junk, at the Spring Garden Indoor Antiques & Vintage Market, at 9th & Spring Garden.

This Saturday, October 22, from 9am - 5pm, the flea market will be setting up on Pine, from 9th - 12th Sts.

Beer and Doughnuts at Devils Den (Benefits PAWS!)

Ever since its opening, Federal Donuts, the new chicken and donuts spot in Pennsport has been overrun by diners who have successfully cleared out of its stocks every day so far. Now, Grub Street is reporting the Federal Donuts web site has crashed due to a volume overage.

The reality is, getting to try pretty much anything from Federal's new spot is definitely out of the question. At least for now. The rest of us, who weren't in line opening morning will have to wait for a hail storm to sneak in for a dozen.

But until then, there's at least one other upcoming doughnut-centric happening in the city, that could help to quench your hunger...and thirst.

This coming Tuesday, October 25, South Philadelphia's Devil's Den has teamed up with Krispy Kreme for a beer and donut pairing to benefit PAWS. Pairings are $10 each, $4 of which will go to charity. The pairing menu will be available all day, from 11am - 2am, but reservations are being recommended...just in case. You wouldn't them to run out of donuts, now would you??

On the beer and brews menu:

Original Glazed Doughnut & PBC's Joe Porter

Cinnamon Bun Doughnut & Yard's Thomas Jefferson Ale

Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut & Weyerbacher's Verboten

Devil's Den 1148 S. 11th Street, Philadelphia, 19147 215.339.0855 

Please note, the donut / doughnut spelling discrepancy...Federal Donuts / Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Finding Flea Markets: Headhouse Square

Start this Saturday off with a little rummaging. It’s good for the soul, like chicken soup. This week’s Antique & Vintage Flea Market will be set up along Headhouse Square from 9am – 5pm, Saturday, October 15. As usual, early birds are welcome.

Vendors from all over the area will be set up selling antiques, collectables, vintage furniture, jewelry, glassware, pottery and more.

It’ll be a day of wandering South Street. Start at the Headhouse Flea Market and end at Blocktoberfest.  

Blocktoberfest: Saturday on South Street

While thousands will be in Philadelphia for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, there’s more than one event in the city this weekend. On the West Side of South Street, that’s South Street between Broad and 17^th streets, this Saturday, October 14, Blocktoberfest kicks off at 12noon.

The outdoor, all day event is free to attend. Food at Bloktoberfest is pay-as-you-go, and drinks are available via drink tickets and passes, which can be purchased for a discounted rate, online, ahead of time, or in cash, at the event.

Check out all the event details and ticket links below.

FOOD

Restaurants all along the festival’s three blocks will be selling their delicacies curbside, from venerable South Street institutions like Jamaican Jerk Hut to relatively new additions like Indian Restaurant, Sweet Freedom Bakery, and Quick Fixx. Food trucks will include The Dapper Dog and Nomad Pizza

Food at Bloktoberfest is pay-as-you-go.

BEER

Beer will be available at several different locations, provided by Bella Vista Beer Distributors. Beer passes are required. Passes are cheaper, if purchased in advance here. Additional tickets are $5 each and Cash ONLY. Beer pours will be 12 oz, so not tiny tastes here.

A Basic Beer Pass is $15 online/$20 day of, and comes with 3 drink tickets.

A Bonus Beer Pass is $25 online/$30 day of, and comes with 5 drink tickets.

1 drink ticket = 1 beer of any kind on tap at Bloktoberfest.

· 

MUSIC 

There will be two stages set up within the event, One at Jamacain Jerk Hut, and One at Tritone. Music runs from noon – 10pm. The lineup can be found here. 

ART

In addition to the beer, food and music, Blocktoberfest will also be hosting a pop-up art gallery open from noon – 8pm offering selected works of art and festival souvenirs. Paradigm Gallery & Studio, will be hosting a children’s arts and crafts area, as well as artists including The Studio’s Sean Montorana who will be onsite with original watercolor and ink paintings, STUDiO necklaces and a few hand-painted/hand-dyed tote bags for sale, as well as some give-aways like stickers and flyers.

KIDS

There will also be a Family friendly zone with face painters, balloon artists, and other all-ages entertainment planned throughout the afternoon.

De-escalation: Non-Violence in the Face of Opposition

Here in Philadelphia, the police and the occupiers at City Hall have had an uneventful relationship so far. At shift change yesterday, I witnessed the captain on duty introduce the night shift captain to one of the organizers. But all is not so tranquil in all of the cities being occupied.

In Boston and Seattle, police have set in motion plans for clearing parks, said an article in the New York Times.

Those actions resulted in over 100 arrests today in Boston. The protestors had crossed two lines, said an article on boston.com. First, by threatening to tie up traffic and, second, by expanding their campground to a newly renovated area that the city had asked them to stay off.

A statement from Occupy Boston claims that the Boston PD “brutally attacked” the protestors, said the article.

Violence has yet to affect the Occupy Philly movement, and if Jeanne Schmolze has anything to do with it, protestors will know how to handle themselves, non-violently, in the face of opposition.

Schmolze is a 66-year-old Philadelphia resident and Katrina survivor. She moved to New Orleans in 2003 and came back to Philadelphia after the storm in 2005, when she lost her home. She is currently retired, unable to survive on social security, and will be reentering the workforce. Until then, she’s decided to be of service however she can and is planning for a de-escalation seminar this week, in order to better educate those participating in the movement.

“I’ve found that a group of people can turn into a mob very quickly,” she said in a phone interview this afternoon.

In order to manage a situation and try and retain some level of respect on all sides, there are certain tactics that demonstrators can use to protect themselves, while still occupying in solidarity. Most revolve around body language, group dynamics and communication.

Schmolze has had years of experience with conflict during her many years dealing with volatile populations of severely mentally ill and drug-addicted people as a social worker and union negotiator in Philadelphia, she said.

“I’ve taken a lot of training to know when something’s turning aggressive how to nip it in the bud,” she continued.

It’s these skills that have helped her to learn how much space you need, when to touch someone, when not to, how to react to different looks and how to deescalate an impulsive situation.

An aggressive action against officers could result in an aggressive response. But calling an officer by their name, could help to defuse a situation, before it gets out of control.

Coordinated, passive, civil disobedience in the face of police implements like nets is also a way to diffuse a situation, she said. “Five rows of people should sit down; three rows, the police can stomp right over you, but 5 rows…it shows that we will not be moved. We’re sitting. The aggression will come from the other side. ”

If a situation gets out of control, safety should always come first, she said, and an exit route should be communicated to the group. But “if people start bolting and running, it sets it off. If you’re walking away, there’s an assumption that you didn’t do anything. If you start running as a pack, [police] will intervene there.

“By taking two or three breaths, when you’re afraid or in a panic, you’re able to make a better decision as to what’s best for you and the group,” she said.