Craig LaBan reviews Rylei an ambitious BYOB in the dining wasteland of the Northeast.

Rylei is open for business, and Northeast Philadelphia, long a virtual desert of real culinary ambition, has a pleasant new oasis to feed its hungry.

The concept isn’t that far off from the dozens of BYO bistros that have sprung to life in gentrifying neighborhoods across the region: Husband-and-wife veterans of the restaurant scene decide to open a cozy little place closer to home, and name it after their kids, of course. “Ryan” plus “Leila” plus 38 seats and a dream equals “Rylei.”

Two Bells – Very Good

Rylei [Philadelphia Inquirer]

The PhillyFoodGuys head to the Northeast for some Brazilian Steak at Picanha Brazlian Grill and they even do a podcast of the good time.

Picanha Brazilian Grill was a fun and unique twist on Bar-B-Que that everyone will like. Situated on the corner of Castor Ave. and Hellerman Street, this churrascaria offers a variety of grilled meats with a unique flair. Served tableside, the meats are presented while still on the cooking skewer and cut directly onto the plate. So if you enjoy an interesting floor show with some really good food, you’ll love Picanha Brazilian Grill.

Brazilian BBQ in the Northeast: Meat-a-licious Picanha [PhillyFoodGuys]

Read the rest of this entry »

E from Foodaphilia had been craving barbecue. So she headed out to Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse and tried The “Double the Fun.” Two meats, BBQ chicken and pulled BBQ pork, and two sides.

Foodaphilia also tips us off to Lucy’s great Monday night deal. On Monday nights from 5 PM to 8:30 Sweet Lucy’s offers an all-you-can-eat BBQ night for just $17.95.

Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse [Foodaphilia]
Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse [Official Site]

The Daily News travels down Frankford Avenue sipping beers and memories as it hits the Grey Lodge, Yards Brewing Co. and Johnny Brenda’s.

The Frankford Ave. beer & nostalgia tour [Philadelphia Daily News]
Grey Lodge [Official Site]
Yards Brewing Co. [Official Site]
Johnny Brenda’s [Official Site]

It’s been awhile since we checked in with Uwishunu but that doesn’t mean they’ve been slacking on the posts.Here are some of their recent food and drink posts:

• Can you beat the old guys in Quizzo at Locust Bar?
• Sweet or Savory? Aye, there’s the rub. Especially at the Elixir Cafe in Northern Liberties. But no matter what, the consequences are invariably delicious.
• Why wait in line when you can get your egg fix at Pink Rose Pastry Shop.
• Looking for cheap Chinese food in West Philly? Try Choy Wong or Jackie Chans. Try this double feature.
• The Northeast, not the food wasteland you might think it is.

Uwishunu [Official Site]

Perhaps Craig LaBan’s review of Fogo de Chão has stoked your interest in trying out Philadelphia’s less flashy Brazilian churrasco, Picanha. The Northeast Philadelphia restaurant is not the same experience as Fogo but just read what LaBan said last March about the meat at Picanha.

Queiroz, who slathers each skewer in more rock salt before replacing it on the grill, will slice meats rare on special request – but the well side of medium seems to be his default. Interestingly, it didn’t matter much, as every morsel, seasoned with little more than salt and the scent of the carvao, painted my mouth with such beefy essence that I could taste it in my sleep.

Picanha Brazilian Grill [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Fogo de Chão [Philadelphia Inquirer]

We don’t know if it’s a Philadelphia only phenomenon but we think it’s cool that there are a number of lunch trucks that have become sit-down restaurants. Le Bus started in a bus as did the Greek Lady. Another of the wheel to building tribe is Sweet Lucy’s at 7500 State Road. Their ribs have become the standard for local barbeque spots.

Making a Fuss Over Sweet Lucy’s Ribs [Uwishunu]

Yesterday Beer Season began at the Grey Lodge. What’s beer season you ask? Well that’s where if come into the Grey Lodge between now and Sunday and sign up to have their beer of the week for 13 weeks, you can get a “free limited-edition, not for sale, not available in stores, not as-seen-on-TV, non-toxic T-shirt.” And you get to try some great beers along the way.

Complete rules are after the jump:

Read the rest of this entry »

Every Friday night at the Grey Lodge on Frankford Avenue they tap a keg of cask-conditioned beer, a firkin.

Will Dean goes into the details about the tradition and some of its dangers.

The Grey Lodge [City Paper, Watering Hole]
The Grey Lodge [Official Site]

Is their a type of pizza that Philadelphia can call its own? Of course there is, the Philadelphia area is home to the tomato pie. For much of the region a tomato pie is a large rectangular sheet of crust topped with thick, chunky tomato sauce and often a sprinkling of grated cheese on top. Served at room temperature the tomato pie is a staple of tailgaters and party throwers around the region.

Among the top purveyors of the tomato pie are Marchiano’s Italian Bakery, in Manayunk, Conshohocken Italian Bakery on Jones Street in Conshohocken and Norristown’s Corropolese Bakery.

In the Northeast along a sliver of Frankford Avenue another tomato pie has become famous. This one, served at Tony’s Place is a round crust topped with first cheese and then sauce. Across the street the esteemed Grey Lodge has paid hommage to this classic with their own version.

Trenton’s tomato pies get great praise from Craig LaBan to the common man. De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies have been an institution since opening in 1936 and is considered by many to be the best pizza in the area.

The Pizza Place [Daily News]
Photo via Slice.