Now Open: Green Wasabi, Serving Ramen, Sushi and More on Chestnut Street

By Collin Keefe

Green Wasabi's ramen.Photo: Green Wasabi

We were only half-kidding a few weeks back when we wondered aloud just how long it would take until we had reached a gastropub-like saturation point with ramen restaurants. Now with the former Delicatessen space turning over for Green Wasabi, it’s looking like we’re going to reach that magnitude sooner than we could have ever imagined. Foobooz reports that the new ramen joint opened earlier today, and in addition to noodle dishes, it specializes in sushi, and bento boxes. But that ramen, which can be ordered with boiled eggs, sliced pork or sweet corn, runs just $10. And as part of its grand opening celebration, Green Wasabi is offering a 20 percent off of every order for the next two weeks. [Foobooz]

Green Wasabi, 703 Chestnut Street, (215) 922-1320

Earlier: Nectar’s Patrick Feury Bringing ‘High Brow’ Ramen to the City

Ring-a-Ding-Ding: Jamonera Scores Three Bells; ‘There Is Hope’ For Popolino

By Collin Keefe

• In his three-bell review of their latest effort, the Spanish tapas bar Jamonera, Craig LaBan gushes over Marcie Turney and Valarie Safran’s “talent for melding rustic flavors with… creative and seasonal touches,” and “eye for design details,” respectively. With its “smoky wisp of pimenton Spanish paprika, a squirt of lemon, and garlic chips,” the black, squid-ink-marinated calamari he calls “stunning.” The oyster sliders, he writes, “reverts to an old habit of overloading plates,” as well as gambas al ajillo and potato-mashed salt cod, which he says pairing was “a mistake.” Despite the missteps, he says that that “ambition” and “overall execution” are “compelling enough” and things that can be “easily tweaked as Jamonera continues grow.” [Inquirer]

• Adam Erace’s expectations for Peter McAndrews’ Popolino were “crumpled” with the clumsy execution of an “impostor” carbonara that was “the pallor and viscosity of skim milk.” Slips in service resulted in dishes being dropped off “with the reticence of bitter exes sharing custody.” With former Barbuzzo chef Chris Davis taking over, Erace writes, “there is hope” for Popolino. [CP]

The Obamas’ Latest Plot to Destroy America: Healthy Recipes

By Alan Sytsma

Plotting....Photo: Getty Images

We all know that the Obamas — especially Michelle — have a secret agenda: Force Americans to eat the elitist food that they themselves eat by pointing out that vegetables are "healthier" than super-sized bags of Doritos or Big Gulps or whatever the hell else it is that real Americans want to eat. (Just watch as Barack Obama forces himself to stomach disgusting-looking food in an effort to connect with John Q. Fatass.) Anyway, now FLOTUS's Let's Move campaign is asking America's children to send in healthy recipes, all under the guise of a "contest." Winners will get a trip to Washington, D.C., where the democrats will no doubt pump the kids' poor, unformed brains full of anti-American rhetoric. Ah, not really. It sounds fun, and totally harmless, but we're sure someone will take issue with this. Just remember: "No unsupervised knife tasks or cooking over open flame." Raw foodists, this is your moment! [The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge via Diner's Journal/NYT]

You Can Wear Them Ironically, We Guess

If you take your sartorial cues from Domino's, we have got some good news for you: That beautiful tee you see in the pic is the Pizza Shirt. Practically bubbles right off the cotton, doesn't it? This fetching number is on sale for a mere $29.95 from today until May 24, a small price to pay for clothing that promises job promotions and "exotic romantic partners." Lady Gaga's meat dress has got nothing on this. [PizzaShirt]

More Teens Have Type 2 Diabetes; Gila Monsters Are the Answer

By Hugh Merwin

A new report brings the not-great news that a "nationally representative sampling" of young Americans between the ages of 12 and 19 have dramatically higher odds of developing type 2 diabetes than the same age bracket did eight years before that, the Times reports. (You know how kids are these days: They see one celebrity chef on TV with diabetes and suddenly they all have to have it.) Researchers point out the study's data, published today in the journal Pediatrics, is subject to interpretation; nonetheless, the number of children who tested positive for diabetes in a sampling from 2007-8 was just about three times the amount of positives from a similar sampling in 1999-00. On the unmitigated side of things, the data suggests teenage obesity rates did not increase during the same time period. Over at Motherboard, however, may be the best diabetes and obesity news of the day: Gila monster saliva, it seems, holds the key to successful blood-glucose regulation, and a form of synthetic drool may turn out to be some kind of shady new next-gen wonder drug. [Well/NYT, Motherboard]

Han Dynasty Opens ‘Soft-Tofu’

By Collin Keefe

Han Chiang

Word circulated throughout the city this past weekend that Han “the Man” Chiang had quietly opened the doors to the fifth outpost of his sizzling Sichuan empire. The website today confirms it with the message, “Come on down we're soft-tofu open.” As you may recall, this iteration of Han Dynasty is located in the former home of Daniel Stern’s MidAtlantic at 3711 Market Street, which closed back in January. And what could possibly sweeten this deal more? Meal Ticket reports today that rock-star bartender Katie Loeb is signed on to develop the cocktail list. Expect Suffering Bastards, Flaming Volcanoes and other kitschy Chinese restaurant classics to be flowing in coming weeks. [Meal Ticket]

Han Dynasty, 3711 Market Street, no phone yet.

Earlier: Han Dynasty In University City Is a Go

Meat Substitutes: Tempeh-Based Salmonella Sickens 80

By Collin Keefe

"Don't blame us."

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan, it’s that there is certainly nothing pretty about meat processing. Images of crowded feed lots, filthy kill floors, and diseased livestock take much of the pleasure out of eating meat for many of us. But if you think you’re safe eating your faux meats, you’d better think again! In North Carolina, more than 80 people have been sickened with salmonella and they didn’t get it from eating cheeseburgers or pork chops. The culprit is the meatless wonder tempeh.

Read more »

Morgan’s Pier Opens This Friday

By Collin Keefe

Foremerly Octo

Looks like Morgan’s Pier, Avram Hornik and the Union Transfer crew’s revival of the seasonal riverfront space that once housed short-lived Octo and before that Rock Lobster, is making progress. A rep for the project told Grub Street that it’s now slated to open this Friday, May 25. Its arrival will surely set a new standard for bars and restaurants on the erstwhile nightlife strip. Meme’s David Katz is onboard, steering the menu for the Pier. Fried Jersey tomatoes, something billed as “snack bacon,” grilled pork and ramp sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, and vegan “chorizo” tacos are just a few of his menu items, which all come in at below $10, that have been announced.

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Study Confirms That Organic-Food Lovers Are Self-Righteous Jerks

By Jenny Miller

A recent study confirms what we already kind of suspected: People who insist on eating only organic food are a bunch of self-righteous jerks, says Time. Researchers found that subjects exposed to organic fruits and veggies instead of brownies were more judgmental about moral situations and less likely to help strangers, since apparently they felt they'd fulfilled their good-deed quota for the day by choosing organic. But the most important takeaway here: Brownies make you a nicer person. Bring 'em on. [Time]

05/18/12

Take Your Pick in This Weekend's Festival Food Grab Bag

By Marilyn S. D'Angelo

Don't forget that sipper.

With events happening all around the city this weekend, it’s more than just geographical proximity that will be a factor in picking which festival to visit. It’s all about the food, now isn’t it? There will be food trucks in Kensington, Center City favs on Walnut, Italian specialties on 9th Street and BBQ in South Philadelphia. Details ahead.

Read more »

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