When it comes to just about any institution, the name of the game is showmanship. So long as your product is eye-catching and unique, you’re in business. Flashing lights and pretty sights turn consumers into rooks, ready to grab anything that sparkles. The same cannot be said for restaurants. Sure, a restaurant can have all [...]
About Jared.Ely
Author Archive | Jared.Ely
Beck’s Cajun Cafe adds unusual kick to traditional bayou recipes
Have you ever had the urge to eat something out of the ordinary? That longing that emanates from deep within the pit of your stomach, the one that moans and cries out in agony for a delicacy it knows it wants but just can’t seem to find? The one that begs not only for sustenance [...]
Pure Fare a healthy, friendly option
Whenever a restaurant strives to be more than a just a business, it really shines through. The food can taste great, the staff can be polite, and the place can comfort with carefully arranged decor, but when there’s a purpose behind the service, it adds a whole new dimension to the eating experience. It’s that [...]
Sweetgreen offers fresh alternative
One of the absolute worst things one can do to oneself is to go on a diet. Now I fully understand that being healthy is important, but to sacrifice food for that goal is abhorrent. There is a small point of merit in that by starting a diet you may expose yourself to new foods [...]
Banana Leaf inspires customers to break out of their comfort zone
The art of enjoying food is governed by many rules. Truly, it is these rules that separate my craft from that of simple ingestion. Now, I must apologize to all of my readers, for I fear that I may have violated one of these most important tenets in my quest to bring you even closer [...]
Manakeesh expands the palate
Before regaling you with tales of culinary adventure, let me make something perfectly clear: judging food is difficult. Now, that may sound as if I’m being a braggart considering that I am, in fact, about to judge food (well), but that is simply not the case. All I wish to communicate is that for one [...]
Academy of Natural Sciences shells out family fun in malacology exhibit
You might not think too much of them, but it turns out seashells have a long and fascinating history, and that’s exactly` why they were the focus of the latest exhibit at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. The Academy hosted the Philadelphia Shell Show Oct. 21 and overhauled its facilities to house [...]
Doc Magrogan’s reels in comforting seafood
It’s rare, but every once in a while I’ll discover someone who doesn’t like seafood. They’ll tell me something along the lines of “they swim in their own filth” or “it smells funny.” I’ve tried to understand these people, but despite my best efforts I just cannot find it in me to sympathize with them. [...]
Lemon Grass is worth the price
As a food critic, I pride myself on my experience. What I mean to say is that when I see an interesting restaurant, I inevitably find myself itching to try out its spread so that I can justify my inflated food critic ego. That’s why I’ve been so disappointed in myself every time I’ve [...]
Rustica is worth the extra dough
When it comes to Italian food, you have to be adventurous. All too often I find myself attending group events where the organizers invariably make the decision to order the same dreary thing every single time: a tall stack of plain pizzas and another of, hold on to your seats ladies and gentlemen, pepperoni. Fine, [...]
Mizu Sushi is inexpensive, but Unagi Don lacks spice, texture
As I was making my way to Fresh Grocer (some food critics, myself included, possess the ability not only to assess a culinary masterpiece but also to prepare one), I came across Mizu Sushi Bar. Though inconspicuous when compared to its more flamboyant neighbor, Distrito, I recalled the name from an old friend’s recommendation and [...]
New Deck comforts customers with classic tavern staples
It’s pretty easy to identify a pub or tavern by its atmosphere, and New Deck Tavern is no exception. Upon entering I was immediately greeted by the pervasive scent of burgers and fries from the grill, classic rock blaring from behind the bar, and the traditional cart of shelled peanuts beside the front door. For [...]
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