Nursing My Inner Cookie Monster at Beurre & Sel
I. Love. Cookies. Seriously. But I cannot stress the fact that I’m not a baker enough. And when I say I’m not a baker, not only do I mean I’m not a professional baker but I mean even the simple task of baking boxed brownies requires skills that escape me. Baking is far too precise a science to wrap my ‘pinch of this/pinch of that’ brain around. Who has the wherewithal for adding the exact amount of anything to a recipe? In my kitchen, the most underutilized tools have always been the measuring cups and spoons. It’s sad really and, as if to add...
Read MoreLunch at Styer’s Garden Cafe
Imagine a world in which dining in giant terrariums was the norm and elves and wood nymphs crafted magical meals and you’d come pretty close to describing the enchanted atmosphere of Styer’s Garden Cafe. Singularly focused on seasonal and local dining, Styer’s is tucked away in the far corner of Terrain–a massive, posh garden/home goods center in Glen Mills, PA. Overflowing with foliage of all sorts, the lush greenhouse has a cozy, romantic feel and makes even a routine lunch a memorable experience. The staff at Styer’s leaves no stone unturned and no...
Read MoreForgive Them Their CinCin(s)?
For over 15 years, Chinese stalwart CinCin–whose name literally translates to “fresh spirit of springtime”–has been a Chestnut Hill staple and has garnered a legion of fiercely loyal patrons. It would be nearly impossible to coax humble and soft-spoken owner Michael Wei into taking credit for introducing suburbanites to Asian-French fusion cuisine, but it’s true–Wei is to Chestnut Hill what Margaret Kuo and Susanna Foo are to the Main Line and Center City. Opened in 1996, the menu describes its fare as “Chinese kissed with French” and while...
Read MoreAmbler Donuts: Should FedNuts Be Worried?
Federal Donuts picture (right): Courtesy of foobooz First it was cake pops, then came the cupcake craze followed by that wretched phase of turning perfectly good food into lollipops. (Hey chefs, I’m sick of seeing lamb “lollipops” and tiny, precious little chicken drumsticks frenched to Hell on your menus–enough already.) Now it’s the donut’s turn to enjoy its 15 minutes of saturated fame. As with most food trends, the culinary world has helped ignite the general public’s interest–effectively elevating the humble donut to rock star...
Read MoreDon’t Get Your Kicks on ‘Route 6′: A Review
Throw a stone in Philadelphia and you’re likely to hit a Stephen Starr eatery–the man’s set up shop everywhere. In 2011 alone, he debuted Talula’s Garden (Washington Square), Frankford Hall (Fishtown) and Il Pittore (Rittenhouse Square). Love him or hate him (the jury’s still out for some), he’s a savvy restaurateur and somewhat of a culinary savant–he always seems to know exactly what Philadelphia wants and needs. Whether or not he knows how to execute it properly is debatable and therein lies the problem with his new Broad Street venture Route...
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.