Top Chef Throwdown: Mike Isabella’s Graffiato vs. Spike Mendelsohn’s We, The Pizza
Washington, DC is the home to restaurants belonging to two of Top Chef’s most popular former contestants, Mike Isabella and Spike Mendelsohn, and a recent visit to the chefs’ eateries proved that one may need to pack his knives and go (sorry, I couldn’t resist). I dined at Mendelsohn’s We, The Pizza and Good Stuff Eatery and Isabella’s Graffiato and how they measured up against each other was an outcome even I hadn’t predicted. I will make the following disclaimers up front: 1. There are, obviously, a lot of variables that can factor into a...
Read MoreOff to the Races! Point-to-Point 2013
It just so happened that this year Delaware’s most elite horse race and Cinco de Mayo fell on the same day. Though seemingly unrelated, it was an excellent excuse to celebrate two traditions at once. (It is quite the sight seeing genteel, nattily dressed partygoers throwing back margaritas in the tailgating area.) For the uninitiated, there’s nothing like Point-to-Point–well, with the exception of the Kentucky Derby. Acres upon acres of Winterthur Museum’s grounds are dotted with hospitality tents (often hosted by major corporations like Mercedes-Benz and...
Read MoreFlavors of the Avenue Preview
One of the major perks of being a food writer is the scores of media passes, tickets, and invitations I get on a regular basis. Obviously, I cannot attend all of the culinary events to which I get invited, but every now and then an event so epic comes along that saying no isn’t an option. When I received an invite from Philly PR whiz Kory Aversa (of Aversa PR) to attend the Flavors of the Avenue preview, I jumped at the chance. Flavors of the Avenue is one of East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District’s (EPABID) signature events that highlights the many eateries that...
Read MoreErnest & Scott: A Downtown Gastropub with Uptown Flair
Photo courtesy of Ernest & Scott Wine lovers looking to enjoy a glass or two of vino in an elegant setting have their pick of restaurants, including Wilmington’s popular Domaine Hudson, from which to choose. But what about the discerning beer enthusiast who wishes for the same type of swank environs and upscale experience? Enter Ernest & Scott—a gastropub named for celebrated American writers and bon vivantes Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald—located in the lobby of the former Delaware Trust Building in the Rodney Square area. With much of its architectural integrity...
Read MoreA Pro Kitchen Store for the Amateur Home Cook
Dave McCormick is one of those food enthusiasts with whom you can get lost in an hour-long conversation about everything from the proper sweetness-to-acidity ratio of balsamic vinegar to his personal love of cookware. His store, Pro Kitchen Gear, is located in tony Greenville—just minutes from Wilmington and is equivalent to foodie nirvana. Geared toward the discerning home cook, the store’s carefully curated shelves are stocked with renowned brands like Emile Henry and Mauviel—brands that send any gastronome’s heart into overdrive. Like most creative entrepreneurs, Dave is a...
Read MoreOn the Road Again: A Weekend at Fairville Inn
As I mentioned in an earlier post, this weekend was about food, food and more food. I was in town for the MidAtlantic Wine and Food Festival and had the opportunity to stay at Fairville Inn in Chadds Ford, PA not far from Delaware’s border. In the true spirit of confessing, I must admit I am a bit obsessed with B&Bs; I much prefer them over standard hotels. It may be a combination of the intimate service and the often times interesting backstories of the properties themselves that make me swoon. Whatever it is, I have found a new favorite B&B right in the heart of the...
Read MoreWho is The Palate Princess?
Iris McCarthy is a food writer and author of the popular book Food Lovers' Guide to Philadelphia. This website is where she gets to sound off on all things culinary.