Archive for the ‘Happenings’ Category
Kandy Kake Wannabe …
t says: welcome to my first completely mobile post. Typing on an iPhone isn’t that bad!!
I share with you here the introduction of a new “limited edition” brownie kandy kake.
I must say that I was a little surprised when I bit into one … here’s what I saw.
As you can see, there’s no layer of hidden topping for the brownie edition (on the right)!! No pb. No creme. Not even more chocolate! It was just a cake and thin chocolate coating. In my opinion, that is NOT a “kandy kake” – there needs to be a layer of something else in there! And the cake itself was pretty unremarkable – not like a brownie at all! Sorry Tasty – I don’t think this one’s a winner. Better luck next time …
g would also like to mention that she thinks the new design for the packaging looks ugly. Not as ugly as Duetto, but still ugly.
A true Philly institution closes its doors …
t says: Robbins 8th and Walnut is closing. Man, they’ve been there seemingly forever! I recall their cheesy radio commercials from my childhood growing up in south Jersey. Bummer dude! It’s a sad day. Perhaps not as sad as when other restaurants in Philly have closed, but still sad.
Fortunately, the Delaware location is remaining open (tax free baby!).
And it’s not a total loss – a Le Pain Quotidien is moving to this spot!
Dear Sneaky Credit Card Thief …
t says: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Dr. Credit Card Thief,
It has come to my attention that you have stolen my credit card number and used it to make ridiculous purchases at random websites. I regret to inform you that American Express is sneakier than you are. Apparently they know me so well (either that or they know your kind so well) that the moment you attempted a single one of your charges, they contacted me simultaneously by phone and email. That card has been shredded. I am not responsible for any of your purchases. Perhaps you would have had better luck had you purchased food or wine or kitchen contraptions.
Also, know that in an effort to help AmEx, I’ve ratted out any new-to-me vendors with whom I’ve had recent transactions in an effort to find you – I hope you were not so dumb as to have just obtained my credit card info from one of them (or maybe I do hope you were that dumb). While I realize that in all likelihood you will escape, I do secretly wonder if you’ll get caught like that infamous young couple in Philly who had like a bajillion dollars of purchases using stolen cards.
And so the hunt begins. Bonne chance.
Sincerely,
t
The customer is not always right …
t says: I like David Chang, and I agree with him … usually. For the most part I concur that the customer is not always right. However. I’d also be happy to do whatever a customer wanted … if he/she paid for it … through the nose … This way you “win” by getting extra money, and the customer is happier (even if it is a filet mignon oxymoronically ordered “well done”) and will even come back again in the future with – surprise – more money!
But I guess that, for at least right now, culture has dictated that good chefs are celebrities. They’re the all-powerful, all-knowing experts, given their years of training and experience. As a result, they get the upper hand and get to call the shots … in the name of artistry, or creativity, or taste, or “objective” rightness (e.g. that dude on Chopped who says that under no circumstance can cheese every accompany fish … there’s got to be an exception somewhere …), orr whatever. But I’m also sure that should dire times strike these guys, they’d be happy to give you whatever the crap you wanted if it paid the bills …
Which leads me to my only conclusion: I guess sometimes, you have to sell out, and right now is not that time for these chef superstars (which is totally fine – everyone is allowed some fame – and in most cases they earned it, so I’m ok with it). But, should the time ever come that someone is considering selling out, that they sell out big and sell out hard … like Snoop Dogg.
I wish I was this guy …
t says: I think this guy might be my new hero … So my new plan will be to somehow amass enough money so that when I retire, I, too, can do “scientific” experiments on whatever happens to cross my mind …
How many Philadelphia chefs in the next season of Top Chef?
t says: So it has been said that the “two chefs who know each other” tapped by Bravo were brother and sister Turney. While nothing has been absolutely confirmed about them, it’d be cool if either or both of them participated – I’d root for them. But really – does Barbuzzo need any more positive press – it’s already difficult enough to get into! I will say, however, that the sneeze has it on good authority that there is at least one more semi-well-known Philly chef who’s in the process of throwing his/her toque in the ring. Unfortunately, we cannot spill the beans here (we wouldn’t want to kiss and tell …) … or at least, not yet – want to make sure things are finalized first before spreading the word.
after dinner sneeze 