tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89182188363222695962009-11-21T08:04:51.956-05:00News Journal food editor Patricia Talorico dishes about dining, shares cooking experiences and offers scoops on the local and national culinary scene. The Food DOGs (Dining Out Guys) Peter Bothum, Jeff Gentry and Andre Smith give you the "Regular Guy" perspective. Reader Mail questions are posted every Friday. You ask. We answer. Feel free to email <a href="mailto:ptalorico@delawareonline.com">Patricia</a>.Administratornoreply@blogger.comBlogger838125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-45822697423422384212009-07-13T14:05:00.006-04:002009-07-13T14:21:57.358-04:00

Hey all. I’m back at my desk - hmmm, this time yesterday I was on a beach - and trying to readjust to wearing real clothes and not a bathing suit…OK, I have lots to share, but first need to catch up on a few things.Come back soon. We also are now using a new system - so I need a quick lesson before I really get going.Here’s the link to the blog in the new format: blogs.delawareonline.com/

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-65919763582318278882009-07-02T14:55:00.005-04:002009-07-02T16:45:25.486-04:00

Happy early Fourth of July, my little firecrackers.I know most of you are probably already starting the weekend early. That's my plan.I'm taking a break until July 13. I may have some updates while I'm away, but, to be honest, I'm looking forward to some R&R, a few good books, a little 5K training, umbrella drinks and great meals with family and friends.(Looking forward to seeing my good buddies

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-2819070860668608542009-07-02T11:42:00.002-04:002009-07-02T12:00:43.138-04:00

I know you'll be firing up the grill sometime this weekend and if you're looking for some new recipes, consider a few that ran in the Life section yesterday.The theme was red, white and blue foods - but we're not talking about kitschy blue Jell-o and the like. One of my favorite recipes is for Thai barbecued chicken that gets it heady aroma from a combination of coconut milk, fish sauce, lime

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-42030283291944132212009-07-01T19:06:00.003-04:002009-07-01T19:13:08.203-04:00

Russ Parsons totally rocks.The Los Angeles Times food writer is a tell-it-like it is kind of guy. And when it comes to the whole organic food movement, well, he's not so impressed. He shares why.I met Russ a few months ago after he gave a talk at Longwood Gardens and walked away even more impressed with his whole philosophy of cooking, writing and eating.Russ Parsons totally rocks.

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-2326034423209285562009-07-01T10:26:00.004-04:002009-07-01T21:54:35.041-04:00

Wilmington chef Julio Lazzarini may have gotten "Chopped" last night on the Food Network, but he emerged from the TV reality culinary competition as a true winner.Lazzarini, owner of Orillas Tapas Bar & Restaurant on Market Street, showed poise, professionalism, dedication and respect for his craft. He made Delaware's culinary community extremely proud. It was a pleasure to watch the 34-year-old,

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-17567946793565313032009-06-30T13:59:00.005-04:002009-06-30T14:28:44.848-04:00

I dropped into the Wilmington Riverfront Market today for lunch and it was first day opening for the new Harry's Fish Market + Grill.This is the new stall - across from Tokyo Sushi - which had been the former home of Lapp's Kitchen.Xavier Teixido - who also owns the next door Harry's Seafood Grill - was overseeing the operations and executive chef David Leo Banks was behind the counter checking

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-73939639064491492222009-06-30T13:55:00.006-04:002009-06-30T14:23:46.708-04:00

By ANDRE SMITHAs a part of Christiana Mall's redevelopment plan, it announced today that THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY chain will open a stand-alone store in 2010. Can you say, 'Outstanding!?'Read more here.

adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07637474958466110979noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-3998752427360638872009-06-30T11:16:00.005-04:002009-06-30T11:42:49.804-04:00

Headed out tonight to a book party for "Au Revoir to All That: Food, Wine, and the End of France." It's written by Slate wine columnist - and Hockessin resident - Michael Steinberger, who just so happens to be married to my old pal Kathy. The book has already gotten nods in Gourmet and New York magazine. I love this blurb from Marco Pierre White: "One of the greatest books I've read." Now,

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-60536185671496109792009-06-29T12:42:00.006-04:002009-06-29T22:20:52.427-04:00

New York City's annual Fancy Food Show is underway now through Tuesday. I was scheduled to attend the show - that is, until recent illness unfortunately curtailed my activities. So no roaming the Javits Center which features something like four football fields full of 140,000 plus specialty food/beverage products.(This show is always a crazy food circus - Chicago chef Rick Bayless who just won

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-50403783011343810482009-06-29T11:34:00.003-04:002009-06-29T11:40:08.867-04:00

Tune in to the Food Network on Tuesday to see if Wilmington chef Julio Lazzarini walks away with $10,000 or gets "Chopped."Lazzarini, owner of Wilmington’s Orillas Tapas Bar & Restaurant, is one of four contestants on the food competition series that airs at 10 p.m."Chopped" challenges four chefs to turn mystery ingredients into a dish. According to the web site, the chefs are cooking with whole

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-63546359616135123522009-06-28T19:55:00.006-04:002009-06-29T11:05:42.119-04:00

Hellloooo. I finally feel like I'm ready to be back among the living after more than a week of being under the weather. Still in a slower than I'd like to be recovery mode, but one of the best things I've had to lift my spirits and soul was a restorative bowl of pho.I'm a pho (pronounce it fuh) fanatic. My heart still remains with Pho 75 in Philadelphia - a truly great and cheap soup joint near

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-68768390913297203952009-06-26T16:30:00.003-04:002009-06-26T17:58:24.370-04:00

Sorry everyone, I still don't feel well enough to dig through the reader mail bag or write indepth updates.But I should be back on Monday.In the meantime, uh, Michael Jackson. Shock-o-roni. "Thriller" was the soundtrack of my life in the early 1980s.And we should have a story in tomorrow's paper about MJ's visit to the Brandywine River Museum back in 1985.The pop star loved the Wyeths and got a

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-43536119386616252902009-06-24T11:30:00.005-04:002009-06-24T12:17:28.756-04:00

Hey foodies,Unfortunately I've been down-and-out for the past few days and won't have a new post until Thursday or Friday. But, please, come back. I have so much to share!Chifa, Jose Garces's new Peruvian-Cantonese eatery at 7th and Chestnut streets in Philly, was an amazing experience - oh, those pisco sours! oh, the pork belly buns! - and Zahav, modern Israeli off Dock Street (just off Walnut

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-87733129473224253262009-06-22T13:56:00.004-04:002009-06-22T14:19:37.692-04:00

Word on the street is that Ameritage Bistro at Ninth and Orange streets in Wilmington, has closed its doors.The previous restaurant at that location - Brandywine Brewing Co. - lasted about six months.

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-31809913461782297092009-06-18T10:55:00.005-04:002009-06-19T12:54:11.435-04:00

Happy Friday. Is that the sun peeking out? I hope so. These endless days of gloomy rain are getting way too much for me. If I wanted Seattle weather, I would live in Seattle.I hope your weekend is filled with food and fun. I'm heading to Philly to check out some new places, hoping to fit in a visit to Chifa, Jose Garces new Peruvian/Chinese eatery, among them. I'll fill you in next week.Onto

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-506547163638328722009-06-17T10:48:00.003-04:002009-06-17T11:55:06.093-04:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: This isn't a review, per se, just a first glance at a new eatery.I've been curious about the new Vincente's on Kirkwood Highway since getting notice several months ago that Vincent Mancari was relocating his Italian restaurant to Library Plaza across from All Saints Cemetery. It opened earlier this month. A good many of the dishes are under $20, though the veal and steak can creep

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-87257079866586746952009-06-16T13:57:00.003-04:002009-06-16T14:13:21.456-04:00

Another one bites the dust.....P&S Ravioli, which has been a part of the Wilmington Riverfront Market since it opened nearly 10 years ago, has shut down its stall.A big white sign stretched across the deli cases thanks customers for their service. Some of the pastas will be sold at the City Market stall.I hope they get a new vendor soon. Wilmington's indoor market doesn't rival the carnival of

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-16357410026993094752009-06-16T13:35:00.005-04:002009-06-16T14:24:31.130-04:00

By Peter BothumYou've endured the barrage of ads and billboards for KFC's new Kentucky Grilled Chicken. You read about the controversy where the chain offered free chicken and then had to turn people away because they didn't have enough.But have you actually tried it?I took the plunge this week and ordered up a two-piece meal for lunch.At first I felt kind of sad about leaving my old fried friend

Von Hayes09http://www.blogger.com/profile/01834601682639940784noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-10071715011133561552009-06-12T09:02:00.009-04:002009-06-16T13:04:20.386-04:00

Happy freaking Friday. Is that the sun I see? It's been so long, I'm not sure.It's been one of the loonnngggest weeks of my life - illness and furloughs decimated our department and I'm one tired editor.Ooooh! One of my colleagues just handed me a scone from Liz Marden's Hockessin dessert and pastry shop. (Thanks Lucia! Air kiss, air kiss!) Just the little pick-me-up I needed to go along with my

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-21413658710668933082009-06-10T09:55:00.005-04:002009-06-10T11:48:08.319-04:00

Had a ball hanging last Friday with Chip Hearn and store manager Lisa Young at Hearn's Ice Cream Store on Rehoboth Avenue near the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach.A fun day even though it seems like we were in the middle of a monsoon with all the rain and wind.Hearn is a great guy with a terrific sense of humor and every summer he always comes up with really wacky flavors. Jim Mitchell of the

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-47430077222931622432009-06-09T17:51:00.007-04:002009-06-09T18:11:58.192-04:00

Here's one of the stories in Wednesday's Life section:By PATRICIA TALORICOThe News JournalForget the complimentary bread basket.Some restaurateurs are doing a little more for customers than handing out free rolls.Restaurant "freebies" or little extras given before, during and after a meal can be a savvy way to thank diners for their patronage and possibly ensuring their return.Wilmington's Moro

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-37975756917743120852009-06-09T15:15:00.009-04:002009-06-09T16:19:42.478-04:00

By ANDRE L. SMITHWhen I need a fast lunch that packs great taste and a portion that will feed this 350-pound appetite, there is one place that pops into mind right away: Pure Bread.Caught lunch there today with a friend, and had to send a Food DOGs shout out to Pure Bread for their friendly service and excellent sandwiches. While there are tons of choices, the sandwich of my choosing is a simple

adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07637474958466110979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-77168375361935473252009-06-09T12:25:00.006-04:002009-06-09T14:36:44.627-04:00

** NOTE TO READERS: Some people, who have called and emailed me, seem to think the great crab cake search is over. It has only begun. Eric Ruth and I are chasing down your suggestions. We'll have a story about the hunt and our findings, most likely in late July. Stay tuned. I'll let you know well in advance of publication. Thanks. PT.So the Great Crab Cake search is well underway and I promised

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-25215612614053237532009-06-08T16:04:00.002-04:002009-06-08T16:09:25.387-04:00

The new Harry's fish stall at the Wilmington Riverfront Market should be up and running in about three weeks, according to Xavier Teixido, owner of Harry's Savoy Grill and the nearby Harry's Seafood Grill.Teixido says the stall (formerly Lapp's Market) is under construction and he hopes to have it complete by the end of June.The stand will be selling fish sandwiches (made with cod or hake), crab

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918218836322269596.post-6890444335456942832009-06-04T11:29:00.017-04:002009-06-05T10:08:20.350-04:00

Hey, all. I'll be out of the office most of Friday in Sussex County.Lots on the agenda, including sampling spinach - yes, spinach! - ice cream. I plan to chase it down with a few other flavors, namely one called - wait for it, wait for it - "Better Than Sex."Did that grab your attention?Exactly.I'll fill you in on greater detail in Wednesday's Life section.IN OTHER NEWS: - Eric Ruth checks out

Patricia Taloriconoreply@blogger.com5