SipsBitesandSites

This past weekend bought a bountiful pleasure of food and drink experiences.  If you have never attended Frank’s Golden Wine Event in Delaware, you have no idea what you are missing.  In it’s 13th year, this event, hosted by Frank’s Union Wine Mart on Union St in DE is a golden gala of great food and exciting wines all offered for your taste buds’ pleasure in the Grand Ballroom of the well established, ornately decorated, The Hotel DuPont.  This year the owner of the wine store, Frank Pagliaro, displayed the wine and food in pairing “pods” to better help those to understand the important role that wine plays when it comes to food of various cuisines.

The sushi and sake pairing was one of the most successful.  I however, prefer the old layout of the walk-around the room for wine tasting complemented by food offerings in the center, simply for the reason that I could make sure I wasn’t missing a single bottle being sampled.  I realized the next morning after my deep refreshing sleep in the hotel’s lovely Executive King, old-world-style suite, that I had indeed missed quite a few wines that I really would’ve loved to try. The evening ended with the closing of a silent auction of rare/expensive wines and exclusive events benefiting the John Hopkins Children’s Center.

My favorites of the many I sampled are listed here in no particular order:

Merum Prioroti 2004 Ardiles (Priorat Spain)

Tikal 2007 Jubilo (Mendoza, Argentina)

Stolpman 2006 Estate Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley, CA)

Wakatake Onikoroshi NV Diaginjo Sake

Shirakawaho Sassanigori NV Gifu Nigori Sake

Louis Latour 2007 1er Cru Chablis (FR)

Jean Pabiot 2007 Pouilly-Fume les Fine Caillottes (FR)

Chateau d’Agassac 2005 Bordeaux Superieur (FR)

Chateau Franc Mayne 2005 Saint Emilion (FR)

All these fabulous wines and more are available at Frank’s Union Wine Mart www.frankswine.com

Once back in town, Saturday afternoon started off with one of the few beers I actually like, Dogfish Head Word Wide Stout ($14).  At 18% Alc. this is no lightweight beer, and the flavors are full – espresso, vanilla, and creamy mocha.  Perfect to wash down the kick of a spicy hot pot of succulently large Thai curry mussels at Monk’s Café. The food at Monk’s is always a great value and with the high turnover of customers, you know you’re getting fresh food at this packed joint.

Next stop on the Philly food tour: Korean Tacos.  I thought I’d start with the original version at Ladder 15 (Anne Coll of Meritage also has Korean tacos on her menu).  Here, newly planted Chef David Ansil is behind the retooled menu consisting of innovative bar food. Unfortunately, the Korean Tacos were a major disappointment.  Stale tortilla wraps, purely fat, slices of pork belly (I need a little meat in there for my teeth to sink into) and an overly oily kimchee topping that was ice cold.  The short rib version was more appealing texturally, but lackluster in flavor.

A last minute decision to check out the crowd at The Coffee Bar in the Warwick Radisson Hotel at 17^th and Locust where we discovered an interesting Breakfast Stout brewed with 2 types of coffee and imported

chocolate and flakes of oats. A rich and frothy filling breakfast is the best description of this beer served in a snifter glass. A warming cup of chicken noodle soup, the broth rich in chicken flavor and dotted with the slipperiness of chicken fat was a surprisingly good snack.

Around 9pm as hunger began to set in again, I knew it was time for dinner.  Oh, the choices we have in Philly, so many!  The new GTC for a bottle of wine and a deep-dish pie?  Zavino for Gnocchi?  Valanni for paella?  Sampan for banh mi?  A stroll through the nicely crowded Garces Trading Co. (GTC) sent my senses in overdrive.  Smells of truffled olive oil, cured meats, salty cheese and sweet boozy baba rum cake filled the air.  I peaked at the PLCB “boutique” wine store, housed in a temperature controlled enclosed space in the far back of the Market.  Small selection.  Many wines over priced, like the Pascal Jolivet Sancerre with a $29.99 price tag that I recently purchased at the PLCB store on 5^th St near Spruce for just $15.29.  There is a much more interesting selection of Spanish wine….hmmmm why am I not surprised.

Opting to continue on for our dinner craving, Asian food somehow sounded the most appealing.  I should have known, after the free banh mi sandwich giveaway the day before, Sampan would be packed.  And packed it was, the bar 3 deep, the decibel level at an extreme high, fragrant herbs, sesame oil, and fish sauce perfuming the air.  “Are those available seats at the chef’s bar?” my man noticed and then asked.  “Why yes, just a moment” the reply from chipper Randal Mrazik, the GM.  Seated among the chaos, we were happy to indulge in the bold flavored bites and artistic sashimi presentations of our new favorite spot.  Bacon topped hiramasa ($11), a pungent shrimp pad Thai ($11), the swoon worthy banh mi sandwich ($9), and banana and nutella swirled, daily flavor changing, mini ice cream cones. And leftovers to take home for Sunday’s breakfast to boot! Each dish is checked by owner/chef Michael Schulson before it leaves the bustling kitchen, the service is prompt and friendly, the prices just right, a rock and roll vibe and the menu always showcasing a new item – how could you not love this place!

Speaking of breakfast, or rather brunch, have you heard that Distrito is has started weekend brunch?  A group of about 20 of us headed to Distrito to try salsa-laden eggs and celebrate a special someone’s birthday. Margaritas, and bloody marys were flying, housemade tortilla chips and fresh creamy guacamole passed down the long table.  Huevos rancheros ($9) were a favorite, as well as the chilaquiles ($9) but the torta de huevos ($8) was sadly too breaded and super sloppy.  Deals on drinks like the Hemmingway ($5) chile infused hornitas tequila, maraschino, with fresh grapefruit are sure to help with a Friday or Saturday night hangover.  Being with friends to try a new menu is always exciting.  Food, drinks, and friends, three of life’s greatest treasures.  Weekends should always be this much fun.  A la votre!

Filed under: Bites, Cities, Cocktails, Events, Sips, Sites Tagged: | Distrto Brunch, Dogfish Head, Frank's Golden Wine event, Frank's union Wine Mart, GTC, Ladder 15, Monk's Cafe, Sampan, The Coffee Bar Philly, The Hotel DuPont