FINALLY!

We almost fell off of our chairs yesterday when we saw that the blog Consumerist had picked up a story from the comments–yes, the comments–of the City Paper’s online listing of Arbol Cafe. The big story being that commenters were sniping back and forth about Arbol’s purported policy of keeping server’s tips and Arbol’s owners had allegedly even written in, but seriously! It’s the internet and anyone can pretend to be anyone.

[Our current favorite comment: "Did anybody read the PW write up of Arbol this week? It seemed a desperate cry from the owners. It was all about how great the owners are. Not many mentions to the food. It seemed like it was geared at fixing this thread. The service wasnt mentioned until the last paragraph, when it stated that the service was poor, but it wasnt worth not coming. I am angered by PW printing this in a blatant remedy for Arbol. Looks like somebody was paid off!" Maybe the owners are using all those stolen tips to pay off our colleague Adam Erace? Ah, conspiracy theorists.]

Then, of course, the always-opining eGulleteers rang in with their pronouncements of doom and so did Phoodie and then Consumerist ran this ridiculous regurgitation and nobody ever bothered to actually go down there or pick up the phone and talk to the owners to see whether or not any of this was even accurate! Or maybe check with a former or current waiter for the same reason.

So we were glad to see this post from supersleuth Drew Lazor, promising the real story along with the full legalese from our favorite food-loving attorney PhilaFoodie. We are so looking forward to someone actually reporting on this story. We know you’re a famous Food Network star now, but what took you so long, buddy?

UPDATE: Arbol Cafe owner responds to Clog comments. The Arbol Cafe Question: Owner Beth Acuna says her piece [The Clog]

Adam Erace tries the Paraguayan eatery, Arbol Cafe in Northern Liberties and delivers this stomach awakening report.

For a heartier dinner, start with the earthy, full-flavored vegetable chowder and order the asado à la olla con kiveve. Traditionally part of a Paraguayan Sunday supper (and served at Arbol only on weekends), the dish consists of velvety polenta enriched with mozzarella and butternut squash and a boneless short rib braised four to eight hours into tender, pull-apart submission. Drizzled with sugarcane molasses, this sweet-and-savory dynamo is the best thing Arbol serves—and the best thing I’ve eaten in months. I can understand why customers call ahead to reserve an order.

Arbol Café [Philadelphia Weekly]

City Paper’s Elisa Ludwig takes a look at Northern Liberties’ Arbol Cafe, a Paraguayan restaurant with a sandwich to put the cheesesteak to shame.

For an intro to Paraguayan cuisine, look to the lomito. At Northern Liberties’ Arbol Café, the sandwich bears a striking resemblance to the Philly cheesesteak — the basic version is a golden, puffy Le Bus roll stuffed with slices of thin fried steak, a “broken” fried egg, turkey ham and melty Port-Salut cheese. It can be made even drippier with additional toppings, like fried onions and mushrooms.

Up the Right Tree [City Paper]

Daily Candy takes a look at Northern Liberties latest coffee shop, Arbol Cafe.

Stop by the quaint spot and try a yerba mate or a mate dulce: a concoction made from sweetened coconut and steamed milks. Add a shot of espresso and you’ll actually look forward to getting out of bed in the a.m.

Move on to toast slathered in orange or guava preserves imported from Paraguay. And if you’re truly hungry, try the Sandwich de Lomito: thin steak, egg, smoked turkey ham, romaine, tomato, and cheese on Le Bus bread.

Full to the Brim [Daily Candy]

It seems everyone is talking about Caribbean food. Yesterday Craig LaBan was talking about Brown Sugar at 52nd Street in his online chat yesterday. He follows that up today with a Caribbean feast he prepares and today in Feeding Frenzy we get word that Festivals is now serving Jamaican food at 52nd and Walnut. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Tomorrow is the official grand opening of the area’s first Jimmy John’s sandwich spot at 44 S 17th Street. Jimmy John’s is the latest midwest sandwich chain to come to town following on the heels of Potbelly Sandwich Works.

Look for Arbol Café to bring Paraguayan food to Northern Liberties in the former Ground Floor Coffee, opening expected for September. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

The Wasabi House at 627 South Street has become Gaja Gaja. According to our tipster Gaja Gaja offers Japanese and Korean food as including sushi and “a decent lunch menu.”

Sonam is coming to the defunct Table at 223 South Street. The BYOB “is taking all sorts of influences — American, African, Asian — and crafting fusion-y portions, 24 in all.” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]