P_Square Lounge at Macaroni’s Restaurant

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfood.com written by guest contributing writer William Knowles. He highlights his passions of of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)

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Macaroni’s Restaurant, located off Old Bustleton Avenue in the great Northeast, premiered their new outdoor lounge and restaurant, named P Square. The much anticipated locale debuted with a huge turnout and much fanfare as it will be one of the biggest outdoor bars and eateries in the Philadelphia region.

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The spot is named after the twin brothers who co-own Macaroni’s, David and Chef Gianni Primavera, and was designed by Gianni’s wife Gosia. A square bar that holds 40 (and is under cover) is at the center of the action, with outdoor lounge seats and group tables available, all in a garden like atmosphere. The kitchen itself is located outside as well, and guests have a full view of the Chef’s hard at work preparing their favorite dish. On those evenings when Mother Nature might cause a ruckus, folding glass doors will turn the lounge into an indoor experience until the inclement weather passes by…

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This evening’s festivities allowed guests to preview some food and drink selections. Specialty pizzas of many different varieties were sampled, and were delicious. Small sandwiches and raw bar offerings gave a glimpse into the full menu offering at sister restaurant Macaroni’s, and these have me looking forward to trying a meal there very soon.

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This grand opening generated much buzz in the region, as P2 is quite unique. In conjunction with Macaroni’s, P Square will prove to be a popular destination for group outings, a great date spot, or just simply to enjoy a drink and snack outdoors on a beautiful evening. Stop in and see for yourself when you are in the area, and I will see you soon “around town”…

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05-15-16 “Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com”

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com in studio we had the true authority on entertainment and events around the South Jersey Shore in studio Whitney Ullman of GoToWhitney The City Pulse with Gotowhitney who has given shore related news segments to FOX 29, TMZ-TMZ Live, and Atlantic City Weekly and is on SoJO 1049 regularly. Then we had two Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen finalist alums in studio with Chef Manda Palomino and “Small Bites” very own segment producer Chef Barbie Marshall. Also joining us was the food editor for South Jersey Magazine who also works with Suburban Family Magazine, South Jersey Biz, and House and Home. All the talking will had us thristy so we also had on Robin Shreeves the drink writer for Mother Nature Network and author of The One Year Women in Christian History Devotional. And as usual we had a food joke of the week from Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling.

To listen or download CLICK HERE

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05-08-16 “Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com”

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com on Wildfire Radio or TuneIn we had in studio The Hungry Love Cookbook author Cindy Buckstein Silvert. The book was highlighted by Larry King and is the perfect gift to get for Mother’s Day or any other day. Also in studio was Mark Rossi of A Taste of Philly – Ice Cream Parlor/Coffee Shop which was getting rave reviews for their Pickle Nickel Pretzel and it was enjoyed by Mike Jerrick on Ya Gotta Try This Tasting Party and will be opening up again shortly in West Deptford, New Jersey after a fire closed the business a few years ago. Then we had Dwight Furrow to chat about his new book with The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. Also we had what was on Chef Barbie Marshall’s mind, food news update from Courier-Post and John and Lisa Are Eating in South Jersey correspondent John Howard-Fusco, and food joke of the week from Jackie Martling.

To Listen CLICK HERE

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2016 Jersey Shore dining scene preview – Brigantine

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

2016 Jersey Shore dining scene preview – Brigantine

The Jersey Shore season is creeping up quickly so I decided to go down to Brigantine, New Jersey and get a sneak peek of what is going on down there. The first stop was “The Crab Shack” and it was AMAZING! The gentleman behind the counter was a jack of all trades and master of all. He manned the fresh seafood display case, read out the specials, hostess, waiter, busboy, chef and cashier and he could not have been better at each turn. He was warm, happy, welcoming, and one heck of a chef. I would have the Captain’s combo with flounder, three shrimp, three scallops, one crab cake with french fries, and applesauce with a Stewart’s soda cherries and cream to drink. A top notch place and highly recommend a stop to “The Crab Shack” no matter the time of year because they are one of the places on the island open ALL YEAR. Just be aware area that seating is very limited.

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Then without missing a beat we popped into Hooper’s Seafood Cafe. Hooper’s is much larger place than “The Crab Shack” and definitely more suited for a night out meal with a date, and the food here was tasty as well. The lobster bisque soup was a great way to start things off with nice cracker assortment and herb butter. The rolls were not as fresh as I would have liked and seafood a little under-seasoned, but the friendly and quick service and very nice nice fresh veggies picked up for any misgivings of the meal. If these two destinations are any indication of what the 2016 Jersey Shore dining scene has up its sleeve, then visitors are going to have a very tasty shore season indeed.

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05-01-16 Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com on Wildfire Radio – TuneIn we had have in studio The Original Pat’s King of Steaks in South Philly and they will talk about Cheesesteaks and their “Guest Chef” series that supports charity and has had guest chefs like Chef Jose Garces, also in studio was Blueplate a FARM to FORK establishment in historic Mullica Hill, New Jersey. Then Food Bank of South Jersey called in to talk about the “Food Bank Hunger Wars” that FOX 29 Bill Anderson hosted and our very own Scott Macom and Chef Barbie Marshall along with Tammy Paolino of Courier-Post and Marques Colston of New Orleans Saints judged. Chef Barbie Marshall called in to tell us what has her angry this week was getting served what she did not order, John Howard-Fusco of John and Lisa Are Eating in South Jersey and nightlife correspondent for Courier-Post will give us a food news update, and a food joke of the week from Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling.

To listen CLICK HERE

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The Garlic Poet and Culhane’s Steak House – New Cumberland, PA

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

During my stay in the Harrisburg/Hershey area I was lucky enough to find two great places to eat in New Cumberland, PA. The first “The Garlic Poet” was amazing with a really cool vibe throughout the place, a decent craft beer selection, and delicious food. The meal started with Chef’s Charcuterie and PA Creamery Cheese Board, then Calamari lightly fried with figs, duck fat roasted kumquats, shaved fennel, pea shoots, sorrel, lemon-cardamom vinaigrette, and chili glaze, main course was Five Hour Braised Short Ribs that were local harvest Angus beef short rib , balsamic grilled broccoli rabe, maple and hemp seed roasted rutabagas and turnips, seasonal stout demi glace, granny smith and lemon-cardamom kale slaw, and to top it all off ended with a bananas foster creme brulee. Chef Kurt Wewer really shined throughout the meal and has a gem of a dining destination. It is well worth a visit and you will not go away disappointed.

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The next foodie destination and another delicious meal was had at Culhane’s Steak House. I started the meal with king crab legs, then moved on to the main course of a Porterhouse topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions, steak fries, and lump crab cake. It is a little bit off the beaten path to get to Culhane’s Steak House if you are not from the area and may be a little confusing to get there off the highway, but their food was phenomenal and service was top-notch even with a table of 13 guests. I highly recommend any meat lover to give this place a try.

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Both of these restaurants are a tad out the way from the downtown of Harrisburg and Hershey which were the two towns I visited during my stay, but it was well worth the time to drive there and both were easily reached off the exits of Interstate 83 and both were very affordable.

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Waffles and Wedges 1st Birthday Block Party

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfoodcritic.com written by guest contributing writer William Knowles. He highlights his passions of of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)

On Sunday, April 24th, I stopped by Waffles and Wedges at 1511 Pine Street in Center City Philly to attend a block party being thrown to celebrate the eatery’s one year in business.  The owners and operators, Andrea Capecci and Laura Judy, entertained hundreds of guests during the course of the day with their unique food offerings, free beer and wine samples, and live entertainment.

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The setting, along with a beautiful spring day, made for a great turnout.  Patrons packed the street and shop to try the “Party Crasher” waffles, with icing and jimmies; the “PB&J”, a waffle with peanut butter and grape jelly; the “rEVOLution waffle” with banana, Nutella and fluff; and my favorite, the “Cookie Monster”, topped with Nilla wafers and Oreo’s.  On the Wedges side, we had the “Taylor” (with pork roll and cheese) and the “Loaded” (bacon, cheese and sour cream with chives).  For a dessert and potato lover like myself, these items hit the spot in a way I never experienced before.  This is another example of using great creativity and imagination to liven up your everyday foods that we consume…

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Two of the W&W food trucks were on hand, Pbons Fresh Food of Philly and Waffles on Wheels.  Bassett’s Ice Cream provided free samples to everyone, as did Chadds Ford, PA based winery Ten Gallon Hat.  Neshaminy Creek, Broken Goblet and Philadelphia Brewing Co. supplied their craft beer to any willing par takers.  And another local fixture, Philly Fair Trade Roasters, sampled their different styles of coffee.

Waffles and Wedges did a great service, both for themselves and for patrons, by throwing this anniversary party.  More local businesses should take similar steps to build their brand with such events.  There is no doubt that many people stopped and tried their offerings who otherwise might not have, and like me, enjoyed what they had to give.  See you next time, “around town”…

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04-24-16 Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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What a show last night! Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com on Wildfire Radio and TuneIn had some amazing food brought in by Joseph Schultice of Nick’s Bar and Grille in Old City District. Then Nancy Wall Hopkins of Better Homes and Gardens Meredith Corporation called in to talk about their May 2015 issues on sale now with their Food Factor Study that had contributions from Katie R. Workman, Joanne Weir, and Heather Jewett Christothoulou. John Howard-Fusco the nightlife correspondent for Courier-Post joined us in studio and was entertaining and informational talking about Top of the Tower and Brauhaus Schmitz Jeremy Nolen teaming up to create Skygarten and much more, Chef Barbie Marshall called in to talk about the importance of following directions in a recipe and the need to account for prep work time, and food joke of the week from Jackie Martling.

Stream and download – CLICK HERE

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Mandarin Cuisine – Blackwood, NJ

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Mandarin Cuisine – Blackwood, NJ

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The dining scene in New Jersey is very different than many different areas. I find a lot of hidden gems tucked far back in old underutilized strip malls that you would never think a decent restaurant would be. Looking to try my luck with such a scenario I came upon Mandarin Cuisine (MC). Upon entering MC it is easy to notice that take-out is MC’s bread and butter, but nonetheless, MC’s has a nicely decorated and large dining area to eat. An older woman was the server the night I dined at MC and she was fabulous, even though some bumps were in the service received. Her personality made you feel that you were personally invited to MC by her and that MC was her own home. MC started things off well, as one of my weaknesses is those delicious and greasy crispy egg noodle chips with duck sauce.

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For my entrée I would choose Subgum Wonton, which consisted of fried wontons served on top the usual melody of Chinese vegetables, roast pork, chicken, and beef topped with a Cantonese style brown sauce. The meal was above average for your usual “take-out” style Chinese food, but where MC really shined was the ability to provide service that was so far and above anything you would expect on a normal night from a place you had never been to. I would not go out of my way to visit MC or call them a “must” visit, but what I can tell you is that if I had had an itch for Chinese food and was around the area again, MC would be a welcoming place to dine.

 

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21 Main at North Beach – Myrtle Beach, SC

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Had a great meal at 21 Main at North Beach while I Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are just a stones throw away from Barefoot Landing, but a hidden oasis that if you are not from the area may take a little searching to find. Be sure to ask for Tarver has he was fantastic and tell them Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com sent you.

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