curiouskitkatt

53 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

Where is this, Kat?

Gaul & Co  in Port Richmond. North Philly. 

A kielbasa cheesesteak is an actual thing, inquirer.com , November 2016

On 6/25/2019 at 12:51 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

I read there is a spot in Port Richmond that serves up a cheesesteak with a twist. I will be heading to said place this weekend to try this polish cheesesteak. This is how I honor the memory of Tony Bourdain by taking every opportunity to try something different, and hopefully connect with the people who make it as well as share their story. I have no idea what I am in for, but there lies the beauty of adventure. 

I read there is a spot in Port Richmond that serves up a cheesesteak with a twist. I will be heading to said place this weekend to try this polish cheesesteak. This is how I honor the memory of Tony Bourdain by taking every opportunity to try something different, and hopefully connect with the people who make it as well as share their story. I have no idea what I am in for, but there lies the beauty of adventure. 

My favorite flavor to date is the ice cream sandwich, although the recent running of Thiakry is taking that spot. The unusual mix is composed of couscous , sour cream, raisins, and spices. It comes across as carrot cake delivered as ice cream. With 3 locations around Baltimore, its hard not make a stop here while in the area. Delish. 

Jurors enter deliberation in Thomas Keller pregnancy discrimination trial, SFChronicle.com

On 1/19/2019 at 12:52 AM, curiouskitkatt said:

Add Koda to places that you must not miss while in Harrisburg. 

This was visit #2 , and I see this place entering my regular rotation. 

Mid State,

kat

Local write up of Koda, Mimi Brodeur, pennlive.com

1 hour ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Katt -- As a former Lancastrian who assiduously avoided the tourist throngs, my suggestion is to hit the volunteer fire halls in the autumn. Tourist traffic tends to wane after the school year begins, and the volunteer fire halls usually have the best food in the autumn, with or without a mud sale. The chicken corn soup on the eastern side of Lancaster County is absolutely spectacular, and the shoo-fly pies are homemade.

Thank you, @Kibbee Nayee!!

I love chicken corn soup, especially ones that contain little rivels. I find a lot of the spots in Lancaster that spotlight the Amish, a bit touristy, but theirs lies the challenge in exploring Old Lancaster. 

Coelum restaurant, bar and market to replace Gitan Bistro Cru in Canton , Baltimore Business Journal 

48 minutes ago, Count Bobulescu said:

Google "Seedlip".

Word on the street  that Seedlip is served at Mini Bar. I am trying to find more places that are serving drinks sans booze other than sodas and juices. 

This little nook on York Road is winning me over. Not only do they serve up the best brisket tacos, but this Friday they will be serving fire roasted pizza. 

Call your Mother coming to Georgetown!, Washington Business Journal

On 8/24/2018 at 1:23 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

 

  With so much area to cover, I wish there was a guide of sorts for Pop-Ups.  A directory if you will of upcoming pop ups in the Mid Atlantic region. Is there any out there in DR land that has an affinity for this style of dining,  like myself? If so,  how do you  find them, and how often do you go? Is it just a matter of following the local dining scene to see where I pop up next?

 

Dacha Owners Sued for Fraud and Over $270K in Unpaid Bills , washingtonian. com

response to article, per Dacha on their Facebook page, 

To All DMV Residents, Dacha Customers and Fans,

An article was published yesterday regarding our business, and we wish to set the record straight.

Most importantly, there is an automatic service charge on all bills at Dacha, but every single dollar brought in through this method is returned to Dacha's employees. Because this “automatic gratuity” or “service charge” is imposed on all guest checks, we have the flexibility of using this money to benefit all employees, including back of the house and support staff, who typically do not share in traditional tips.

There are misleading quotes in the article, and some have taken these to mean that Dacha is collecting and keeping “tips” for management or owners. This is not true. Our back of the house employees can attest that this auto-gratuity or “service charge” is an equitable system that benefits all, even if our description of it as an automatic gratuity may have mistakenly led the public or employees to believe that this is not the case.

Also, unlike the traditional tip system, this system allows our public-facing staff to earn performance related bonuses which have replaced tips in addition to at least $15 an hour rain or shine, summer or winter. We believe that employees who have stayed with Dacha Navy Yard through our opening growing pains appreciate the system as it stands now, and the fair compensation that they receive, and we will do more to make the system transparent to all involved.

Yesterday’s article also mentioned that a kitchen equipment supplier has filed a lawsuit against Dacha. This suit includes a frivolous claim of fraud, that arises out of nothing more than a contractual dispute concerning amounts allegedly due for kitchen equipment. The supplier has over-charged Dacha for what was provided, and when Dacha simply requested support for the charges, the supplier hired a national law firm to sue Dacha and its owners for fraud. Dacha expects it will prevail on the unfounded fraud claim and will vigorously defend the underlying breach of contract action which seeks recovery of amounts not due.

Our company has succeeded in opening an amazing, beautiful space at the burgeoning Navy Yard neighborhood. Our team grew by 70 incredibly talented people. Without a doubt, Dacha experience would not be possible without men and women who work very hard to make Dacha Navy Yard what it is today - a great space, a space without compromise. A community space for young or old, straight or LGBTQI, married or single, parents or single parents. Our entire team will continue to endeavor every day to earn the public’s trust and demonstrate that Dacha is a valuable member of the DC community.

With Great Respect,
Ilya Alter, Dmitri Chekaldin and Team Dacha

Please discuss. 

On 6/14/2019 at 2:48 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

I am revisiting this challenge to find  spots that serve creative non-alcoholic drinks. I think in the past, beverage managers weren't quite sure how to price out drinks without booze. I think they feared it would not make for a profitable endeavor, hence the surly eyebrow. I will be seeking out establishments that offer non- boozy selections outside sodas and juice,  and will report back. 

ZeroproofDC is a list of places in the District that serves drinks sans booze. The tip was provided by Jessica Sidman of The Washingtonian. 

On 4/3/2013 at 8:32 AM, porcupine said:

I've been wanting to compile a list of places with good non-alcoholic beverages for years now, but haven't because there aren't enough of them. In the 4 years since I've had to give up hard liquor, here's what I've found: Adam Bernbach and Todd Thrasher can make a great grown-up booze-free drink. Many other bartenders will give it a good honest go, but end up with something fruity and sweet - and like hillvalley said, a lot of them don't realize how many people can't have grapefruit.

Note that I mentioned two people but not the places where they work. In the dozen or so times I've asked waiters for a house-made tonic without the gin at Estadio, the reaction's been a furrowed brow and "uh, I'm not sure we can do that" or "I think we can do that, let me check".

I am revisiting this challenge to find  spots that serve creative non-alcoholic drinks. I think in the past, beverage managers weren't quite sure how to price out drinks without booze. I think they feared it would not make for a profitable endeavor, hence the surly eyebrow. I will be seeking out establishments that offer non- boozy selections outside sodas and juice,  and will report back. 

On 5/28/2019 at 2:46 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

Since moving back to the area, I am in continual awe of the richness of culture and sites Lancaster County has to offer. Ranging from the bounty that is offered at Lancaster Central Market, to the range of cuisine that is available at an abundance of spots throughout  the city. Although the mystique of the Amish Community is what draws travelers to Lancaster County , there is a group of people that are looking to expand what you may think you know about their not so sleepy city.  Lokal pronouced , "lou-call" is looking beyond the traditional tour, but rather curating experiences through out the region of Lancaster County which mostly run under 3 hours, and one that spans 4 hours that centers around the movie, "Witness".

I recently had an opportunity to speak to Phil Lapp, both founder and brand ambassador, of Lokal Experiences. He shared with me what led to creating a different platform of tourism for the Lancaster County. He was often asked to offer tours to people visiting the area, and took it beyond the standard Amish offerings that are often advertised all over town. The rich history of Lancaster County is what he focused on, and his father had a connection to the film, Witness, that was filmed on an actual Amish Farm. This gave birth to what will become, "the Witness Experience", which will be launching next month. I will be attending the launch of the Witness Experience , and will report back .  The experiences are featured on the website as well as listed on Airbnb. From what I know, Airbnb only features this service in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, etc, so having this feature is a healthy indication that the road for Lancaster, Pa to become a destination city is well on its way. 

 

On Saturday, ‘experience’ the Lancaster County farm where Harrison Ford’s ‘Witness’ was filmed, www.inquirer.com 6-13-19

On 2/1/2016 at 8:32 PM, DonRocks said:

Are they really that mediocre?

Philly natives: Get your Brotherly-Love asses on here and tell us who has the best Cheesesteak; otherwise, people from DC are going to decide *for* you.

Yes, you can consider this a challenge.

And I'm sorry, but the last time I went to John's Roast Pork, it was pretty lame.

Top 10 Cheesesteak spots

---

Gaul & Co Malt House (curiouskitkatt)

On 12/4/2016 at 11:19 AM, curiouskitkatt said:

A great explanation of the ,"Pop-Up-Taste Test Kitchen", taken place here in York. 

"York's 'Taste Test' Is Growing, Gaining New Home" by David O'Connor on cpbj.com

A great article on food incubators 

How Food Incubators Are Training America’s Next Great Immigrant and Refugee Chefs, amtraknational.com

Both butcher shop and the coffee spot  are lovely. I can not say enough good things about this spot of Baltimore County! There is ample dining space in the back of the general store, and if the weather shines beautifully, the outdoor area is so cute!

On 5/28/2019 at 2:46 PM, curiouskitkatt said:

Since moving back to the area, I am in continual awe of the richness of culture and sites Lancaster County has to offer. Ranging from the bounty that is offered at Lancaster Central Market, to the range of cuisine that is available at an abundance of spots throughout  the city. Although the mystique of the Amish Community is what draws travelers to Lancaster County , there is a group of people that are looking to expand what you may think you know about their not so sleepy city.  Lokal pronouced , "lou-call" is looking beyond the traditional tour, but rather curating experiences through out the region of Lancaster County which mostly run under 3 hours, and one that spans 4 hours that centers around the movie, "Witness". 

I recently had an opportunity to speak to Phil Lapp, both founder and brand ambassador, of Lokal Experiences. He shared with me what led to creating a different platform of tourism for the Lancaster County. He was often asked to offer tours to people visiting the area, and took it beyond the standard Amish offerings that are often advertised all over town. The rich history of Lancaster County is what he focused on, and his father had a connection to the film, Witness, that was filmed on an actual Amish Farm. This gave birth to what will become, "the Witness Experience", which will be launching next month. I will be attending the launch of the Witness Experience , and will report back .  The experiences are featured on the website as well as listed on Airbnb. From what I know, Airbnb only features this service in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, etc, so having this feature is a healthy indication that the road for Lancaster, Pa to become a destination city is well on its way. 

Lititz is another area that soon may become another reason to visit this area of Pennsylvania. The live production campus of Rock Lititz has gained a bit of notoriety in the last few years. Bands from the likes of the Rolling Stones, and musicians arrive here to run sound checks, and practice their sets before heading out on tour. Recently, both Taylor Swift as well as Ariana Grande were spotted in Lancaster. The recent opening of Hotel Rock Lititz has certainly become a go to spot with design features tied into live production details, and while you are there be sure to dine at Per Diem. 

I have said this many times over. There is so much to explore in Lancaster County, and with the  ambitions Lokal Experiences , you may come to see the Amish, but stay to experience the bounty beyond what you may expect. 

 

Explore Lancaster,

kat

Experience-based company LoKal to offer 'Witness' screening, farm tour,  Lancasteronline.com

This Philadelphian Has Eaten 275 Cheesesteaks in the Past Year and Rated Them All , foodandwine.com

The articles links back to one of our members, @PhillyGrub

Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure’s Best Cheesesteaks List

I would be interested in learning what inspires projects such as this one. From what I gather, most visitors that come through Lancaster County are in search of the of what makes this area distinctly unique.  That uniqueness being the Amish community and its aspects, not a megaplex .  I have on good word there is a journalist exploring Lancaster over the next few days, and you know what she is in search of, Amish and the culture of the Pa Dutch. 

On 2/2/2019 at 12:11 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

The Lancaster I miss is still there, but you have to swat away the yuppie gentrification to get at it.

It appears even Lancaster is not immune to gentrification. The upcoming developments of 101NQ is coming  and I am not sure how I feel about it. Sad actually.  Why would the city developers want to bring Starbucks to the area when we already have 2 distinct small coffee producers with in blocks of one another. SMH