Good Stuff Eatery (Rittenhouse Philadelphia, PA) 2014-08-02

Good Stuff Eatery (Rittenhouse Philadelphia, PA) 2014-08-02

Good Stuff Eatery
108 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Top Chef Spike Mendelson has expanded his Good Stuff Eatery Empire to Philadelphia, PA in the Rittenhouse neighborhood.

The burgers are quite good and you can now specify the temperature you want the burger cooked at.  The meat is thick and there are plenty of burgers to choose from.  The milkshake selection is quite large as well and many sauces are offered for their fries.  A worthy competitor to Shake Shack as the number of quality burger places in Philadelphia grows.

Good Stuff Eatery (Rittenhouse Philadelphia, PA) 2014-07-09

Good Stuff Eatery (Rittenhouse Philadelphia, PA) 2014-07-09
108 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.goodstuffeatery.com/philadelphia

Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn's Good Stuff Eatery has opened a location in Philadelphia.  Expanding from Washington D.C. I stopped in to see what the buzz was about.

The only disappointment is that you can't order the burgers to temp, they're all made one way.  Asides from that, the patty's are substantial and there are plenty of varieties to choose from.  I settled on a double pattied bacon melt that was definitely filling.  There are also plenty of dipping sauces for the fries and even the brugers if you wish.  I'll definitely be back to try different burgers and to try the various sauces with my fries.  Lastly, I rounded out my decadent meal with a red velvet milkshake.  There are plenty of flavors to try out there as well.  Definitely worth stopping in if you're in the neighborhood as it lives up to the hype.  Seating is available upstairs.

Sbraga (Rittenhouse Square/Avenue of the Arts Philadelphia, PA)

Sbraga (Rittenhouse Square/Avenue of the Arts Philadelphia, PA)
40 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 735-1913
Website: sbraga.com

I have been meaning to go to Top Chef Kevin Sbraga's Restaurant for a long time now.  Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity.  This was resolved recently.

My friend got us reservations for my birthday dinner.  Sbraga offers a 4 course prix fixe menu for $49 dollars along with a wine pairing.  With prix fixe menus, I generally know which choices to make, but the lovely thing about Sbraga are the item choices.  There are plenty of dishes to choose from and all of them are well done and appealing.

Highlights/Favorites included: Foie Gras Soup (possibly my favorite dish of the evening), Grilled Octopus, Pasta with Lamb Ragu, Deconstructed Key Lime Pie with Home Made Raspberry Sorbet.  I also really appreciated the birthday card signed by the chef and the signed menu from the entire staff.  It's such little touches that made the dining experience above and beyond.  Thanks to the entire restaurant management and staff.

Talde (Park Slope Brooklyn, NY)

Talde (Park Slope Brooklyn, NY)
369 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (347) 916-0031
taldebrooklyn.com

Talde is Dale Talde of Top Chef fame's restaurant in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn NY.   The genre of food is asian fusion.  Brunch had a slight dim sum feel as the waiter/bartender explained that ordering many items was how the menu was envisioned.  We ordered almost all the items on the brunch menu and I enjoyed my bloody mary.

Everything was delicious but the Korean fried chicken with waffles and coconut brown butter  and the lobster bao were my favorites if I had to pick.

Talde (Park Slope Brooklyn, NY)

Talde (Park Slope Brooklyn, NY)
369 7th Ave, Park Slope
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: 347-916-0031
Web: taldebrooklyn.com

This weekend I had brunch/lunch at Talde.  A casual Asian-American Restaurant and Bar from season 4 Top Chef Dale Talde.  As a Top Chef follower, I have been waiting for an opportunity to check out his restaurant.  Reminded of his restaurant from this season's Life After Top Chef where the chefs had lunch at Talde, checking out Dale's Brooklyn efforts was fresh on my mind.  I made a day trip to see a friend off as she transitions for work to a new city.  To commemorate the occasiona we decided on brunch for four at Talde.  Luckily it was a Sunday and we beat the crowd by 10 minutes.  We sat the the bar and had ordered the Korean Chicken and Waffles and Lobster bao with cocktails while we waited for a table.  Within 30mins we were seated and we almost ordered the entire brunch menu.

The bar has a very unique asian ambiance and it carries through the dining areas but the style is most heavy handed and fun in the initial bar space.  The restaurant has a classy asian restaurant appeal and the service was excellent.  The staff was very polite and prompt.  We sat in the back and got the see the kitchen prep, cook and work.  The layout is reminiscent of the new trend of showcasing the kitchen work for diners.

Overall the cocktails and food were delicious.  My favorites included the pork shoulder, korean fried chicken & waffles, and the shiitake mushroom and scallion chang fun.  A must go to for any Top Chef fan and anyone who enjoys well cooked asian inspired food.

Tall Bloody Mary

Bar Decorations

Bloody Mary and Bellini

Bar at Talde

Korean Fried Chicken and Waffles

Lobster Bao

Tater Tots

Sririacha Ketchup

Shiitake and Scallion Chang Fun

Pretzel Pork and Chive Dumpling with Mustard Sauce

Char Siu Braised Pork Shoulder

Shrimp Toast with Meat Gravy

Bacon Pad Thai with an Egg