So I Turned 25 Recently... (Part 1)

I'm really glad my family "gets" me.

You'd be Proud...

The picture's not great, but that is a veggie burger. At a baseball game.

Go Phillies!

News

Friends,

As I write my resignation letter to my office today, I would like to share the news with you as well. While I will not be resigning my post as "The Worst Vegetarian Ever," I will be leaving Philly and its fabulous and unique foodie culture behind as I embark on the next chapter of my life.

Philadelphia has very much become my home. I feel as if I have been here for longer than six years when I think about how much I have experienced here. I distinctly remember the very first day I visited, feeling like a small town girl in a big city. I marveled at the countless shops and more importantly restaurants all within walking distance. The concept of buying your next meal off the food truck down the block was entirely foreign to me. Now I exist almost soley on breakfast sandwiches, Magic Carpet, and soft preztels. Ok and the occasional hot dog.

I have witnessed Philly embrace many of the values of the new food revolution taking place around the world. We have restaurants serving local products, farmer's markets, CSA's, community gardens that would make Alice Waters proud, and grassroots organizations working hard to educate the masses. In the past few years I have changed the way that I eat, cook, and buy food in remarkable ways. I'm far less dependent on the supermarket than I used to be, and I've accepted that I can only eat certain fruits and vegetables when they are in season. It used to be that eating locally and organically meant shelling out a few extra bucks, but I've discovered that it's just not true any more. I think I manage to eat very well on my meager budget.

My journey continues on to Charlottesville, VA where my budget might not increase but where I hope to have time and kitchen space to keep up with my culinary explorations. I have already begun researching farmer's markets in the area. I have been accepted into a co-op, and my understanding is that the philosophy centers around shared food preparation and sustainability. I can't wait to have the opportunity to compost again!

I will continue to write, I promise. Writing has given me a creative outlet and a chance to document some important memories whether I have a large audience or not. There are far more talented, entertaining, and original folks out there I know. If at the end of the day if I'm the only one who reads it that's ok with me. At the very least I'll have a scrapbook/journal of some of my favorite memories and recipes.

But then again, maybe my tv career will take off soon. They air my episode of Chef's Vs. City in July.

As always, thanks for reading.

-Wilma

I'm a Little Too Excited...

Food Network Here We Come

I have very few nice things to say about the Food Network. Even if I had the talent, charisma, and desire to share my cooking skills on TV I would avoid Food Network at all costs.

But that doesn't mean I can't be excited when I might have the opportunity to have my face shown on a Food Network show right? Ok I'm probably a huge hypocrite. I attribute it more to boredom than hypocrisy.

Whatever the case may be, here's the scoop for any foodies and television junkies in the area. The Food Network is taping a Philly episode of "Chef's Vs. City" tomorrow. If you haven't seen it, it's about as hokey as you'd expect it to be. Teams of celebrity chefs and wannabe Food Network "stars" race across major cities performing challenges like shoving fiery curry down their faces as quickly as possible.

I don't know what all the stops in Philly will be - I would imagine there are cheesesteaks and soft pretzels involved - but I do know that around lunchtime they will be filming at 34th and Walnut. As a loyal patron of the food truck Magic Carpet, I am thrilled that the challenge will include contestants making and selling falafel on the street. I'll be the first in line. Followed closely by Betty and Slagheap if only because I'll be dragging them down there to scope out the scene with me. I figure with 3 people we have a better shot at having someone's face end up in the final cut.

So look out world, WVE is officially making it's television debut. We're gonna be huge.

Happy Hour Just Got Happier

It's that season again, when warmer temps and lighter workloads tempt people to celebrate at the end of the workday and commiserate with their cubicle mates over a few drinks.

Any resident, employee or student of University City probably knows the same 3 or 4 bars with decent happy hour specials. While convenient, the cheese fries from New Deck and the half price margaritas from Mad4 start to get old after a few years. It may have something to do with the infamous purse melting incident at Mad4, but that's a story for another day.

All too often the happy hour dilemna is we either spend yet another night at New Deck or we venture downtown where we face higher prices plus the added transportation costs. Most times it's easier to stay within close proximity to our office. This is just a nice way of saying my co-workers (and I) are lazy.

No one was more excited than I was to hear about newcomer Landmark Americana opening up over by Drexel. Even better, they have happy hour specials to rival New Deck's half price appetizers. Ok, rival isn't the right word because they blow New Deck out of the water especially with their drink specials. I'm also a big stickler for places having an open layout that can accomodate a crowd. The place was incredibly roomy, but if you want to sit outside you'd best get there early.

We sampled the lobster quesadillas and the nachos, both of which were perfectly acceptable if somewhat predictable options for happy hour. For large portions at half price and washed down with copious amounts of beer and house made sangria, however, it's not a bad way to spend a warm summer evening.

Landmark Americana Tap and Grill
3333 Market Street
215-222-4500

2nd Annual Earth Day Adventure

Over a year has passed since I entered the blogosphere, and not much as changed. Last year around this time Betty and I celebrated Earth Day in a manner more suited for Cinco de Mayo. We went out for Mexican food. (Ok, and we also saw the movie "Earth.") I'm happy to say that we kept our promise of making this an annual tradition. Go see the cheesy Disney Nature movie that comes out on Earth Day and eat some tacos.

This year it was "Oceans" and late night dinner at Xochitl. I was tipped off to spectacular late night specials at Xochitl, Thursdays 10-close. Something along the lines of half off almost everything on an already reasonably priced menu.

Even though it required substantial planning for me to eat dinner at 10 pm (I'm an old man, I like my dinner at 6 and I'm in bed by 10) it was worth it. The set up is great, although a little dark in the basement bar where they sat us. The service could have been better, but at half price I think it's allowed. Just don't expect to get out of there any time before midnight.

This is the place for tequila drinkers. They're serious about it here. The knowledgable waitress steered us towards a glass (and I do mean glass, not shot) served with some spicy tomato concoction that's supposed to cleanse the palate. It was interesting.

The food lived up to my expectations. While the servings are small, it's perfect for a group of people who like to sample lots of different dishes.

You'd be proud. I ordered pretty much the only vegetarian options on the menu, the empanadas and the black bean and huitlacoche burger. Both were more than satisfactory.

Oh and watch out for Earth Day 2011: "African Cats" and Zocalo

Xochitl
408 S. 2nd Street
215-238-7280