Philadelphia’s "City Tap House"

Philadelphia’s City Tap House

University City, Walnut St.

　

Today, I just got a new roommate and, I was itching to get out and do something, To do a little taste bud exploration … We set out looking for another Restaurant, but failed to find it. I set back a bit and visited once again a place that I find inviting and unique, to the sports Bar setting…It is called The City Tap Room off of Walnut St. in University City in Philly.40^th and Walnut. Next to Bobbies Burger paradise. You walk in and, the restaurant comes alive to your senses. To the left there is a garden patio that over looks the city. The Bar is about 150ft round. There is an open kitchen to gaze at the Chef’s doing there Chefie thing.. Very Cool.. I am not a big drinker But, I do love to have a good beer that accompanies my meal with some great friends. They have a selection of beers that are brewed right here in Philadelphia.. There are so many style’s and, the names of them sometimes cracks me up… (like Victory Monkey Beer) LOL …

I went this time with my new roommate and was handed the new menu.. They made a few changes. And as far as I can see, they did a great job at it.. I choose a Rib-eye steak on a soft French Baguette rolls. The Steak was sliced nice and thin to enhance the flavor more... It had fine sliced fried onion strings, a fondue Cheese sauce with bourbon and I choose to have the Sweet Potato Fries with a honey mustard bourbon sauce… I coupled that up with a local beer that had a hint of honey/Cherry and a soft amber taste… Outstanding.. This is the second time I have been here and, they have always made my 5 senses come alive and look outside the culinary box.

Smell, Sight, Taste, hearing….LOVE (-:

The staff is always extremely informational and loving.. Is there a better place to go where you find great food, Friends and Game’s to watch on several Big Screen TV’s around the Restaurant. ?! If so let me know, and I will travel there.. The next time I go, I am going to be kicking it… out on the Garden patio…That would be a great spot to have a gathering of Friends and a Family reunion..

Just a note; I did find the original Restaurant I wanted to go. I will tell you about that soon... (-:

Now, Until we meet again~~ Many journey's into the Love, Style and Taste of food around you...
God Bless
Chef. Eddie A. Elsasser

A Journey of Love, Style and Taste

By Chef. Eddie A. Elsasser

Fairfield County CT.

The Southport Brewing Co

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Today was a journey not only for a great place to visit, but a journey back in time in my career and life.. I was visiting family this 4^th of July weekend and decided to set out and check out my past. The town that I grew up in and a town that built me.. For some reason when you have been away from home for a great length of time, Things seen not only different and still familiar, but smaller… I don’t know what made me think that, but the only thing I could come up with is that we grow in every aspect of our lives. I still may be a kid at heart, but I am matured in many different ways. That I owe to my Mom and Dad. Every time I look in the mirror, I see my Dad and when I speak, I hear my Mom.. If I was my Dad, I would be a “Mini Me” LOL

As I was driving up the post Rd in Fairfield and entered Southport. There is a place that just made me have to stop and check things out.. The Southport Brewing Co. When I 1^st started out in my Culinary career, I work at a place that was called The East Coast Bar and Grill. I walked in and I started to see my past come alive.. I sat at a table that was directly in front of the open kitchen that was there then as well. I could here the chef yelling at me and throwing food at me.. One night, I was cleaning out the fryer and it was a recycling frying. I started to pour the oil back in.. Yeah, maybe you have guessed it already.. I left the spout open and all the oil was on the floor…LOL, only I was not laughing then. They decided to call me Captain, and declared mutiny on me.. They ganged up on me and tided me to the post.. And started singing Yo Ho Ho, with a vat of oil on the floor… They were fun times. It was places like that, that gave me strength to carry on and never give up on myself or anyone else….

When I was working there, there was always a great amount of people coming to eat there. We did about 800 people a night. Many Celebrities visited as well and, one night I remember very clearly and, I’ll never forget this. Paul Newman came in with a group of people and he was there all night.. At the end of my night, I was the only one left in the kitchen and after I finished my cleaning. I looked out into the dinning room and, Paul was standing there looking into the kitchen. I don’t know what came over me but, I stood at attention and saluted Paul.. I was bowled over when I saw him put his 2 feet together and stood at attention and then saluted me… He was such a great man. My Mom worked with him in Easter Seals with the kids.. He had a heart of Gold and it was huge..

Oh yeah, back to the Restaurant at hand.. I ordered the Mahi Mojo sandwich that was on a ciabatta roll with Cajun remoulade dressing, Red Bermuda onions and tomato.. And Sweet potato fries and a half sour pickle on the side.. The sweet potato fries were perfect.. I have not been to many places that were able to succeed at frying the sweet potato. It is sort of an art to do so. Some what like making the perfect fry.. When the potatoes are 1^st cut, you soak them in water overnight and then strain. Then blanch them, When you blanch, do not fry and have color to it, just until they are soft and a little limp. Place on paper sheet trays and dry.. This means the starch is out. Then when the fries are cool. Finish in the fryer until a darker color to the sweet potatoes, and golden brown to the bakers. You will get a crunch on the outside and meaty and soft in the center.. Yum, Yum. They have achieved the perfect fry..

The Sandwich was tasty, but the cooks burnt my roll and dried out my Mahi.. I am not going to give up on them. I will give them at least 2 of more chances to see if there is any consistency…The service was great, they were very attentive to me and always smiled. I always believe in 2^nd or more chances. So I do recommend going out to the Southport Brewing Co. and having an experience. There is much to look at with all the Beer brewing going on., and watching the Chef’s cook.
Now, Until we meet again~~ Many journey's into the Love, Style and Taste of food around you...
God Bless
Chef. Eddie A. Elsasser

A Journey of Love, Style and Taste

By Chef. Eddie A. Elsasser

Philadelphia, USA