BYOB
Posted by Alex Tewfik on May 17th, 2013

There’s the glitz and the glam, and then there’s the humble and the honest-to-goodness, the unaffected and the unassuming. To each his own, but I prefer the latter.
I get a kick out of the quirky buildings’ awkward seating arrangements and tiny menus—menus that need not say much, and food that says all too much; the chef-driven and food-focused holes, often orienting themselves in such a way that the preparer and prepared are shown off, experienced only through an intimate three-part channel between the chef, his food, and his guest. When done well, the following few weeks (or longer) will pale in comparison. That’s why the tasting menu is so important; it’s a facilitation of exchange between the hand of the cook and the consumed palate it feeds.
Some tasting menus you’ll find in places that don’t deserve them, and others are just a second menu to the main. Some are only available on weekdays, but there are those you can only take part in on a single day: Sunday, perhaps.
An ode to the tasting menus of Sunday »
Related: Events, Food, Food Nerd News, Bibou, BYOB, Little-Fish, Mildred, Modo-Mio, Pumpkin, Six-Pack, Sunday
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The Diving Horse opens for the season on Tuesday, May 21st. The menu at the Avalon BYOB, by the Pub & Kitchen crew will be overseen by P&K chef, Eli Collins and executed by P&K/Diving Horse vet Palmer Marinelli.
Reservations are now being accepted by telephone at 609.368.5000.
Related: News, Opening Soon, Avalon, BYOB, Diving Horse, Eli Collins, Jersey-Shore, Palmer Marinelli
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Posted by Foobooz on May 10th, 2013

The Trolley Car Cafe just off of Kelly Drive in East Falls has just added dinner. The BYOB is located in “The Bathey” building, a former pool house on South Ferry Road. The menu highlights include:
- Warm Baby Spinach Salad
- Zucchini Latkes
- Tilapia Tacos
- Lavender Chicken
- Lollipop Lamb Chops
Trolley Car Cafe is the sibbling of the Trolley Car Diner in Mount Airy. The Cafe also offers bike rentals and repairs.
Trolley Car Cafe Dinner Menu (PDF)
Trolley Car Cafe [Official Site]
Related: Food, News, BYOB, East-Falls, Schuylkill River, Trolley Car Cafe
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Posted by Alex Tewfik on May 10th, 2013

Besides having a beloved charcuterie program, and some of the most inventive farm-to-table fare in this city, Russet is now joining the league of BYOs in this city that offer a single day designated to their tasting menu. Sunday is their day.
They’ll be running their “Sunday Tastings in May” series throughout the month except for May 12th (probably something to do with Mothers Day). The menu will constitute Spring-appropriate ingredients from Steve Bowes Family Organic Farm, Green Meadows Farm, Lancaster Farm Fresh, and Wyebrook Farms.
The $45, four-course menu will change weekly (according to availability of ingredients). and reservations will be taken between 5:30-9:00 pm.
Sample Menu»
Related: News, BYOB, farm-to-table, Russet, Sunday
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Posted by Foobooz on May 8th, 2013

Tonight and every Wednesday, Miles Table, the new all-day BYOB on South Street West offers burgers for 50% off. Get the basic burger and dress it up with bacon, mushrooms, avocado, fried egg, caramelized onions and/or roasted peppers.
Miles Table [Official Site]
Related: Deals, Food, BYOB, Graduate Hospital, Hamburger, Miles Table, South Street West
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Posted by Foobooz on April 19th, 2013

New Jersey Fluke with Black-Truffle Scallop Mousse / Artichoke / Meyer Lemon
Chris Kearse has rolled out the spring menu at his Will on East Passyunk and it reads like a spring ingredient bingo board. If you’ve got rhubarb, meyer lemon and ramps in a row, you’re a winner (you’re also look to be a winner if you have reservations).
More photos and Will’s full spring menu »
Related: Food, News, BYOB, Christopher Kearse, East-Passyunk, Spring Menus, Will
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Posted by Alex Tewfik on April 13th, 2013

City Paper’s Adam Erace reviews Bufad, the BYOB pizza joint a stone’s throw away from Prohibition Taproom. Erace apparently experienced a different Bufad than what we’ve encountered here at Foobooz. Here’s what he had to say:
I tried two of Bufad’s pies and, sad to say, the excellent crusts couldn’t rescue either one. The “porcini cream” spread across a nightly special was more like condensed mushroom soup that liquefied in the 860-degree oven. Greensgrow watercress was a smart idea, but the past-prime leaves lacked their token zip, and piled on the wet, brown surface, gave the pizza the look of a muddy freshwater swamp. I didn’t know whether to eat it or look for beavers.
Alas, the second pizza was worse, combining two ingredients that are a logistical juggernaut to cook simultaneously: potatoes and eggs. Buried under fontina and gobs of pushy prosciutto, the former, sliced into thin rounds, had no chance of turning creamy or crisp. Cracked on top, the latter emerged with a properly runny yolk surrounded by whites so raw they should have been called clears.
Crust Fallen [City Paper]
Bufad [Official Site]
Related: Reviews, Adam Erace, Bufad, BYOB, Pizza, Poplar, Reviewed
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Posted by Foobooz on April 4th, 2013

Native Philadelphian Johncarl Lachman is coming home to Philadelphia to open Noord, a BYOB on East Passyunk Avenue. Tuesday night, Samuel Sherman, executive director of the East Passyunk Revitalization Corporation gave members of the media a preview of the Noord space. It still looks very raw inside but Sherman asures us that the 40-plus-seat restaurant with open kitchen will be ready to open the first week of May.
The design of the restaurant will be slightly reminiscent of Fond’s redo (especially the exterior), also an East Passyunk Revitalization project but will feature a large communal table down the middle of restaurant. Lachman will cook and interact with guests from Noord’s open kitchen. Outdoor seating will also be available.
The food and menus »
Related: News, Opening Soon, BYOB, East-Passyunk, Flavors of the Avenue, Johncarl Lachman, Noord, Northern European
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Posted by Foobooz on February 8th, 2013
2013 marks the 40th anniversary of Philadelphiamagazine’s Best of Philly issue. And all year we’ll be running polls for various categories. This month, readers may vote for the Best Italian BYOB.
So get to voting.
The Great Best of Philly Poll [Philadelphia Magazine]
Related: Food Nerd News, From the Magazine, Best of Philly, BYOB, Italian, Melograno, Mercato, Modo-Mio, Ulivo, Zeppoli
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Posted by Foobooz on February 1st, 2013

Today serves as the grand opening of Bufad Pizza at the corner of 13th and Spring Garden. The pizzeria is owned by Mike and Jeniphur Pasquarello (the tandem behind Cafe Lift and Prohibition Taproom) and they are turning out Neapolitan-style pizzas that rival the best in the city.
Check out the drool-worthy photo gallery below. And if you go, stop off at Prohibition first and grab a growler.
Pizza pics and the menu »
Related: News, Opening Soon, Bufad, BYOB, Growlers, Pizza, Poplar
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