The lost meals entries consist of meals that occurred at various times throughout 2012 which, for any number of reasons, escaped my documentation – some due to a cross country move and a new job, some due to the Los Angeles Kings run to the Stanley Cup, and some simply as a result of too much travel. Having enjoyed many of these meals with friends or family and with some of them amongst the year’s very best the reality is that with time my memory has deteriorated and as life moves forward I’ve realized there is little hope to ever “catch up” or document these experiences as well as I’d hope, yet in order to preserve them I present these pictures, notes, and thoughts on the experience.
Café Estelle
Green Street Coffee – selections including Sumatra, Costa Rica, and Rooster Roast
Strawberry, Rhubarb, Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup
A cute and airy space with great coffee and very friendly servers the French Toast at Café Estelle was simply a disappointment – the bread too doughy and not saturated; just a vein of cream cheese acting to give it a bit of moisture and a substantial disappointment compared to the quality offered at Lift or Green Eggs Café. Stepping up the game substantially with the coffee I’d consider giving them a second chance if I were in town for an extended period of time but I certainly wouldn’t rush back as I would for many others in the Philadelphia breakfast/brunch scene.
Kanella
Kanella Platter with Stuffed Grape Leaves, Tabouli, Falafel, Fried Eggplant, Spicy Tomato Salad, Tzanziki, Olives and Pita
Malohwa Pan Fried Savory Puff Pastry from Yemen, Boiled Egg, Spicy Tomato Salad and Greek Yogurt
Cyprus Crepe – Crepe Stuffed with Manouri Cheese Drizzled with Carob Syrup
Mousaka – Ground Lamb Layered with Grilled Eggplant and Topped with Béchamel
Chef’s Mother’s Coconut, Date, and Hazelnut Cake – With Date and Orange Syrup
Baklava – Fillo Pastry Filled with Walnuts and Pistachios, Soaked in Spiced Syrup
Galatopoureko – Fillo Pastry Filled with Semolina Custard, Drizzled with Orange Syrup
The second of two ‘breakfasts’ that day my visit to Kanella featured two of my favorite dining companions and ordering widely from the interesting Greek inspired menu I think we all walked away quite impressed by not only the quality of the food but also of the service; a small family run operation where everyone was more than happy to tell you about the recipes and heritage of each dish. Not well versed in Greek food and actually not at all a fan of grape leaves or Tzanziki the beauty of this menu for me was the more esoteric options such as the savory puff pastry and the sweets – the crepe and the Galatopoureko particularly excellent; I’d definitely revisit for breakfast or dinner, particularly given the wonderful family atmosphere and bargain prices for food I generally do not go out of my way for – an experience both delicious and educational.