Nick’s Old City Bar and Grill – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 13, 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”)

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Nick’s Old City Bar and Grill – Philadelphia, PA
Nick’s Roast Beef, a staple in Old City Philadelphia dating back to 1939, again changed ownership in the past few years. Joe Schultice and Nicole Viechnicki (soon to be married!) have taken steps to redefine the well known spot on 2nd Street right off Market, as it is now known as Nick’s Old City Bar and Grill. They have introduced some delicious new menu options in the process.

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Though the time tested roast beef sandwich is still around, barbecue has taken the spotlight with the new offerings being rolled out. During an open house held on April 6th, I enjoyed pulled pork, specially smoked wings and St. Louis ribs, a burger slider with pork topping, and unique recipes of Mac and cheese and beans. From a drink perspective, there will now be cocktails available, in addition to the craft and domestic beers that have been a staple. The shop has been freshened up, with a minor remodel having also just been completed…

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The grand re-opening under their belts, Joe and Nicole were gracious hosts, eager to show off their new prize. Having eaten at this location numerous times in the past, I can say that the new concepts and menu is a welcome thing. The atmosphere still had the Old City pub feel, which I love, and the food delicious. Visit the new Nick’s now to give it a try. I will be back later this week “around town”…

 

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04-10-16 Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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04-10-16

Small Bites – Episode 07

Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com, we had Eric LeVine winner of Chopped, Joe Massaglia of Joe’s Table for 2 on Wond Radio Station ‪Ed Hitzel‬’s best friend and filling Ed’s former flagship station and time slot, Kathy Gold owner of In The Kitchen Cooking School in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and Bill Knowles of Bluejeanfood.com “Around Town” talking about Nick’s Roast Beef Bar and Grille, The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival, and Philly Farm and Food Fest. Also segment from Chef Barbie Marshall talking about making sure you let restaurant know food is bad before writing a bad review online and food joke of the week from Jackie Martling.

To stream or download CLICK HERE

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Adelphia Restaurant – Deptford, NJ

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Adelphia Restaurant – Deptford, NJ

Sitting on top of a tiny hill across from the Deptford Mall is Adelphia Restaurant (AR). AR is more than just a restaurant though, it is an empire. They have huge banquet facilities, dance floors, bars, a theme and special for every night of the week, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. No matter your age, gender, or background AR seems to bring to the table a little bit of everything for everyone. I would join AR for dinner and would be impressed, for the most part. The meal started with a New England clam chowder.

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The chowder was better than average and was accompanied by bread and butter. It did its job, but was nothing to really write or mention about. My entree prime rib would be next.

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The prime rib is where AR really shined. The price point was very affordable, yet tasty. They brought it out with a beautiful pink hue and it was tender and juicy with each bite. The green beans were fresh, sautéed nicely and crisp and the baked potato was large and not overcooked in the least like a lot of places do. A slip for AR was the service. The server would visit two times within a five minute period and then not be seen again for thirty minutes and it took a little longer than needed when the check was asked for. Visits to the tables should be timed in an evenly flow of the meal and is easily fixed with a little retraining or refresher to the staff. Even with tiny misstep in service, I must say I did enjoy AR especially since my son was dining with us the night we choose to visit AR and they had a balloon artist going around to all the tables for the kids which was a nice touch. I will definitely visit AR again.

 

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04-03-16 Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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04-03-2016

Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com had Adam and Shelly Zensinger of June Allan who are doing “low country” catering in and around Philadelphia and brought some of the tastiest chicken and even tastier butter we have ever had, Donato Marino and Lisa Marino of D and L Coffee Service Inc. and we talked about review of Sapori Trattoria from Danya Henninger who said about D and L Coffee Service Inc. espresso at Sapori “When dessert arrived, accompanied by two of the best espressos I’ve had in New Jersey, I was transformed into a Sapori fan” even though I couldn’t think of where I saw this on radio, then Chef Barbie Marshall talked about should or should you not bring young children to a restaurant with you, Food Bank of South Jersey called in to talk about “Food Bank Hunger Games” with Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm very own Barbie Marshall being a judge for the event as well as Tammy Paolino of Courier-Post judging with corporations Subaru of America, Inc., Panera Bread, GrayHair Software, Inc, Kennedy Health, and Wells Fargo competing against each other, John Howard-Fusco of John and Lisa Are Eating in South Jersey chatted about Teddy Sourias of U-Bahn and BRÜ Craft & Wurst opening Cinder, Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, Atco Brewing Company, and The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival, food joke of the week from Jackie Martling, and a mention of Manischewitz products for Passover. Below is link to listen to this amazing show:

CLICK HERE

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Parkway Corner Deli – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Parkway Corner Deli – Philadelphia, PA

The Parkway and arts district in Philadelphia is booming with new buildings, restaurants, stores, etc. The Parkway Corner Deli (PCD) is near the intersection of Spring Garden and the Parkway. PCD took over little while ago and gutted the space of a deli that was in the same location for many years. The makeover PCD did is remarkable as the old deli was quite old and beat down, and the selection of beers and things to buy at PCD is a large improvement compared to the last tenant as well. PCD is bright, stylish, and their ordering system for hot foods it completely digital. I would go with a chicken cheese steak with fries.

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The meal was quite average in all aspects, but the prices at PCD are extremely reasonable compared to others places to eat near PCD. You are not going to get any surprises on the menu or find a new trend, but PCD had friendly service at a great price and some neat little foodie and beer finds in their aisles. If I am in the area and looking to dine on a budget and grab a few items to go, I will not hesitate to stop in PCD again.

 

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Nunzio Ristorante Rustico – Collingswood, NJ

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Nunzio Ristorante Rustico – Collingswood, NJ

You already know that MANY – MANY restaurants line Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. Some are better than others, and some have been in business much longer than others. During a lunch time visit to this town, I would end up in Nunzio Ristorante Rustico (NRR) one of the restaurants that have been there the longest. The interior of NRR is very formal and I did like the feel of walking into an European neighborhood with NRR’s décor, but it did feel a bit dated and stale. I would start things off with the lobster bisque with lump crab.

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The soup was a little thinner than I enjoy my bisques, and it was a tad salty, but it did have many nice pieces of lump crabmeat throughout which always helps. For my entrée I would have Ravioli alla Aragosta.

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The Ravioli alla Aragosta in easier terms was lobster ravioli in vodka sauce. I had high hopes for NRR with the semi-upscale setting, staff dressed to impress and proper, and price points setting the stage for something special. Sadly NRR, did not impress. The presentation of the dish was a mess, the sauce and raviolis were bland, and service was sometimes non-existent with drink and bread refills. The service also disappointed when I asked for the check, I had to ask for it again fifteen minutes later, and it finally arrived past the twenty minute mark of my first request. NRR may have tried to recreate that European atmosphere and flair in their dining room, but the meal and service need to take a trip back to basics.

 

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03-20-16 Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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03-20-16

Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com on Wildfire Radio we had in studio Michael Sultan of Revolution Taco talking about a very secret “off-menu” item that you have to say the special word to get. Then Michael Mastrocola the CEO of Mastrocola’s Famous Philly Roast Pork which can be found at Williamstown Farmers Market is in studio. Also we have segments from NBC News-NBC Latino recognized Chef Hugo Campos from Philabundance, Hell’s Kitchen ‪‎alum‬ Barbie Marshall, Courier-Post nightlife correspondent John Howard-Fusco, and food joke of the week from Jackie Martling. Do not miss it!

To listen Click Here

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Agave Mexican Food – Bellmawr, NJ

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Agave Mexican Food – Bellmawr, NJ

I love finding little hidden gems whenever I go out to eat. Well in an unassuming parking lot with a Laundromat next door I found Agave Mexican Food (AMF). When you walk into AMF, the décor is nothing to write home, the place is huge and definitely underutilized, setup kind of strange, but the minute I set food next to the counter to order and looked over at the fridge and spotted Refrescos O-KEY bottle of Mexican Orange soda sitting there I knew nothing else ever matters except for the food, and AMF was headed in the right direction. To go along with my tasty orange soda of choice, my order would be four tacos.

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The taco order consisted of two pastor tacos and two beef tacos. The waitress started things out with a beautiful complimentary basket of fresh chips and dipping accompaniments, but I ate them so quickly and they were so delicious, I forgot to even take a picture. The beef tacos would continue the trend of being fabulous at AMF with crisp onions and nice cilantro topping the tacos with a squirt of lime to go along with a hearty portion of beef in each taco. The pastor tacos were just average, but better than most places and after the success of carrying a soda I enjoy, to join forces with fabulous chips and beef tacos that were just amazing, I will give AMF a pass on the pastor. I cannot say enough good things about this small family operated gem of a Mexican style restaurant. So if you are in the area, you should give AMF a try.

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03-13-16 “Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com”

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

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03-13-16

Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm. Scott Macom was not in studio this week as he was at Renault Winery Resort and Golf talking about his book “Devil Leeds” at the Lines on the Pines event. We had guest hosts; Your Unfinished Business Public Relations & Marketing President Sarah Doheny and Barbie Marshall finalist of Hell’s Kitchen chatting about everything from farm animals, fashion, and Wawa. Also, Meals On Wheels Delaware was in studio to talk about their ‪‎Celebrity Brunch‬. News update from John Howard-Fusco, and food joke of the week from Jackie Martling.

To listen CLICK HERE

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MTQ Café (Old City) – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

MTQ Café (Old City) – Philadelphia, PA

Taking a walk around Old City Philadelphia, one is not only entrenched with some of the city’s most interesting and important history, but also a tasty stroll as well with the variety of eateries around. MTQ Café is one of those places and I decided to pop in and give them a try. I would go with their Banh Mi Beef.

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The sandwich was your standard Banh Mi variety, and was very good for the location, but with it being slightly grisly and flank steak a tad tough, not the best version around town. The insdie of MTQ is nice and the staff was friendly, but service was a bit slow and they were so slow to take the check I had to walk it up to the counter myself. All in all, MTQ is a nice change of pace for this touristy for of Philly and I enjoyed them for the most part.

 

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