We are of course very excited for our burger tour this evening but that’s not the only food related event that’s taking place during First Person Arts Festival.

The festival kicked off with Gourmet editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl appearing at a delicious dinner at Supper. Kitchenplay was there and has all the details.

Tomorrow, America Eats features food writer Pat Willard serves up stories of American food rituals past and present. And of course there will also be family style meal served at Jack’s Firehouse.

On Sunday, November 8th The Girl from Foreign rounds out the food events with author Sadia Shepard reading from her memoir about growing up in an ethnically diverse family. There will be a buffet by Ekta and a screening of the film, In Search of the Bene Israel.

First Person Festival [Official Site]

More than you might think. It would seem Girard Avenue’s Ekta failed to renew its domain name as the old site now loads up midget porn.

The new site is http://ektaindianrestaurant.com/, adjust your bookmarks accordingly!

Ekta Indian Cuisine [Official Site]

The Brew Lounge hits up  Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Holiday Party and then gets dinner at Earth Bread + Brewery. [Brew Lounge]

Mac & Cheese says don’t read this post, just get yourself to Cafe con Chocolate for Mexican and Japanese. Yep! Mexican and Japanese. [Mac & Cheese]

Adam Erace hits up his old stomping grounds in University City and has some Mexican from a cart and some chocolate from Naked Chocolate Cafe. [Blogalicious]

Mac & Cheese compares and contrasts Philadelphia’s Indian delivery spots, Ekta and Tiffin and picks a winner. [Mac & Cheese]

The 700 Club and Almanac Market have teamed up to offer “The Almanac Mulled Cider Martini. [Phoodie.info]

David Snyder learns it’s the ingredients that are the special ingredient at Ekta.

“Garam masala,” Bhattarai cited when asked about the ingredients in the dishes I ate. This spice blend is very common in Indian cuisine. But what is unique about Ekta’s, I learned after some gentle prodding, is that Bhattarai makes it from scratch by blending more than 10 different components, including coriander, black and green cardamom and star anise. “It’s hard,” Bhattarai told me, “but it brings real good flavor and good taste.”

The Magic Powder [City Paper]

Adam Erace feels pangs of guilt over his new love affair with Ekta, the Girard Avenue Indian takeout spot that is not Tiffin. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop.

When it comes to spice, normally I’m a heat-seeking missile, so I was surprised that my favorite dish at Ekta was among the menu’s mildest. Not the crisp, greaseless onion bhaji or the minty, tamarind-streaked samosa chat—though both of those not-hot starters charmed—but the chicken korma. Ekta’s cooks just killed it on this one: a mellow curry so deep golden it was as if Midas himself made it.

Thickened with heavy cream and cashew paste, spiced with green cardamom and mace, the nutty, buttery korma must be what Indians turn to in times of comfort. After the tender cubes of chicken were gone, I piled my plate with basmati Himalayas and poured on the surplus sauce. So good I smoked a cigarette afterward.

Ekta! Ekta! Read All About It [Philadelphia Weekly]

I Am Beer Wise was also at the opening of Earth Bread + Brewery and files a complete report. [I Am Beer Wise]

David McDuff enjoys a “fantastic” meal at Zahav and chronicles the Italian wines he paired with it. [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

Philly Grub went to brunch at Lacroix feeling skeptical but come out throwing around superlatives like genius and spectacular and unbelievable. [Philly Grub]

Foodaphilia visits Ekta, the most talked about takeout spot in the city. [Foodaphilia]

The Beer Lass comes up with a concept the only concept that can rival Oktoerfest, Porktoberfest. [Beer Lass]

Mac & Cheese finds that it’s slim pickings for the vegetarian at Parc but like just about everyone else she finds the people-watching bountiful. [Mac & Cheese]

Living on the Vedge won’t be back to Hummus at 40th and Walnut but if you work or go to school nearby it might be worth a look. [Living on the Vedge]

I Am Beer Wise visits Kite & Key and the Tiedhouse in the Art Museum area. [I Am Beer Wise]

Mac & Cheese heads to the self-proclaimed “originator of the veggie hoagie,” Chickie’s on Federal Street and discovers the fried tomato hoagie. [Mac & Cheese]

Planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest? Then you might want to check out Foodzings who review everything including the food at the airport. [Foodzings]

Buzz is definitely building for Ekta, the other Indian takeout spot on Girard Avenue. Phoodie.info says they’ve fixed all the problems that Tiffin has had and Brian Friedman of AroundPhilly.com pours on the praise.

Truth be told, the fact that such marvelous food is being served in such humble surroundings makes its deliciousity even better somehow. Not that it needs the help.

Because this is the kind of place that serves food of such layered precision, such finely filigreed detailing that you really need nothing else than what’s on the plate in front of you to make for a serious eating experience.

Review: Ekta [aroundphilly.com]
Takeoug of the Gods: Ekta [Phoodie.info]
Ekta [Official Site]

Ekta has opened on Girard Ave in Fishtown and we’ve been hearing good buzz. A tipster likes the place better than Tiffin and even scanned the menu for us.

Check out the menu after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

A couple of first impressions of new spots and a reminder that good times can be found at neighborhood coffee shops too.

April Annie guest blogs for the Beer Lass about opening night at Distrito. Firetrucks? [I'll Have Another Stout]

Living On The Vedge visits Girard Avenue’s new Indian spot, Ekta. [Living On The Vedge]

And newcomer blog EatingPhilly, reminds us that sometimes a coffee shop like La Va has all you need. [EatingPhilly]

A couple of new places are opening on Girard Avenue today. Former Tiffin executive chef Raju Bhatari is opening Ekta today. The bi-level spot at 250 E Girard Avenue. [The Clog]

Also opening today on the avenue is Sketch, a burger joint from the folk behind Canvas, the coffee shop across the street. And as you might guess from a spot named Sketch, there will be plenty of opportunities to doodle as you wait, unless you’d rather concentrate on that shake.

Sketch menu after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »