The bar was great! Then the game got rained out. Then the septa lines shut down after an hour of waiting. Then the cabs dried up. Now a we’re cold, we’re wet, and we’re waiting for a cab that’ll never come.

Fuck this city.

Cause I’m told I should be in the city when the Phillies win the world series. And that may very well happen tonight, what with Hamels pitching and the big bats waking up. It all sounds very exciting. But I’m also not particularly fond of large, stupid, drunken crowds. The whole human-zoo factor makes my skin crawl. But then again, the electricity and excitement of a large mass of people all pumped for the same reason can be unparalleled. But then AGAIN, I have a lot of freelance work to get done and the three hours before the game at home would help. But then AGAINNNNN, will I regret having missed such an event to work?

Ugh.

Decisions. Help me.

So where’s everyone watching it? Should we be prepared to storm the streets of Philly if they win? Are people calling out of work the next day for the parade?

i just found out that Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds will be playing the Electric Factory on October 7th! tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10. anyone interested? as far as i recall, the EC is all general admission, which rules for dancing as well as one price for all tickets.

kev and i shall be there. Mister Cave hardly ever plays the U.S., let alone Philadelphia. alix, why the hell aren’t you going to be here?!

i just started working in Philly again and happen to be in the Suburban Station building. i realized today that the station itself connects to the Market at the Comcast Center so i checked it out this afternoon during lunch.

Johnny Mac resurfaces with an english pub inspired menu in my neighborhood… this will totally be my new hangout

menu preview:

• Oysters on the half shell from both coasts, which will change daily
  
• Fish and chips, featuring beer-battered hake with housemade fries and lemon aioli
  
• Roasted striped bass with apple potato cakes and cider broth
  
• Bangers and mash with mustard green beans
• Lobster BLT
  
• A domestic cheese plate with accompaniments like Guinness caramel
  

Anyone else get the new Roots Album, Rising Down? Got it yesterday and it’s AMAZING!

Philadelphia Brewing Company has released the first of its seasonal brews….... Fleur de Lehigh.

This brew is a nod to old tyme beverages – the kind of styles being re-invigorated by Belgians and Italians and foresighted Americans. The emphasis is on a unique line up of herbs and spices. If you must conform to styles think Belgian Pale … with herbs and spices: Cardamom, Ginger, Lemongrass, Rose hips, and Rhubarb root.

Is anyone going to this?

A friend of mine asked me to go, and I’m contemplating whether or not it’s worth my $32 to see Gogol Bordello.

look kev…no barbaro!

while i’m probably the only one who has been following the blog on the making of zahav , i figured at least john may be interested that it is finally opening. it’s michael solomonov’s (who used to cook at marigold kitchen) first restaurant. i’ve been pumped for it to open… menus after jump

Gosia just sent me this Craig Leban article describing some very delicious-sounding “soup dumplings” in Philly’s Chinatown. Apparently, “this Shanghai treat is a sleight of broth and dough that puts the “soup” inside a steam-puffed beggar’s purse twisted up tight and tidy.”

I WANT TO EAT THEM.

Anonymous protesters gathered at (Philadelphia) City Hall Sunday, April 13. The masked participants took on Scientology – and it’s reported practice of “disconnection”.

Georges Perrier’s Le Bec Fin drops the dress code and goes à la carte
and Eric Ripert previews the menu at 10 Arts’.......

the best brunch in philadelphia (outside of lacroix) returns in three weeks!
wooooo!

none of you care, but i do! woooooooooo!
go flyers!!! hockey!!! food!!!

so i’m stuck in new jersey at my parents house and can’t go home because of a standoff on the walt whitman bridge…

what the f….......

He’s debuting a new concerto at the Kimmel Center! I am so friggin’ pumped.

Osteria apparently is one of five restaurants up for best new restaurant in the country.

a boutique hotel designed by winka dubbeldam is in the works for 13th street which will be unlike anything else architecturally in philadelphia. thats all well and good, but more importantly, joël (fucking!) robuchon will be opening his third us restaurant in the space. as far as philly dining goes, this will be huge. i’m crossing my fingers this actually happens, even if i don’t really plan on being near philly when this project would be finished. picture to follow…....

And you guys were worried about the state of Philly restaurants.

http://welcometophilly.com/food

Please, PLEASE, read this before you ever go out to eat again.

This is an excerpt from one of the pizza places near Drexel that I used to frequent.

Opening in soil line needs to be capped – raw sewage is contaminating a large portion of the basement floor. Management instructed to initiate immediate corrective action. 7-01 (L) Mouse infestation is present. A severe and pervasive mouse infestation exists throughout this food establishment. Accumulations of fresh mouse droppings were observed inside the walk-in refrigerator on open pizza dough (this was condemned); under cooking equipment; on prep table shelves; inside fryers; on shelves under front serving counter.