This month's Q&A features one of my long-time, hometown friends, Dani, with whom I've become great friends since the fourth grade. It was our inner nerdiness that had us become friends in the first place, and it continues to be paramount for us, even today. We can unleash our full, uncensored geekery with each other without having to feel misunderstood. Our love for all things argyle, show tunes, French patisseries, cartography, making up new words (e.g., her latest one: splendidities :P), and candy shops always leads us into fun, unexpected adventures. Her discovery of her inner foodie lately just adds to the list of things that we enjoy doing together, and I look forward to many delicious meals ahead with her!
She was always a friend to me when others weren't, and she's had my back ever since. I also think she's my best reader here at Four Tines :) I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful friend like her in my life. Thanks again to Dani for participating in this month's Q&A session!
Dani on an apple-picking trip at Highland Orchards in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
NAME
Dani
CURRENT CITY
Philadelphia, PA
FAVORITE ALL-TIME RESTAURANT
SOMETHING YOU SECRETLY INDULGE
Ice Cream Palace soft serve in Aberdeen, New Jersey. People from my hometown know what I'm talking about! :)
DISH YOU MOST ENJOY PREPARING
I love making chocolate chip cookies. I use my own version of the Nestle Tollhouse recipe, so that the cookies are slightly cakey and super soft, even days later.
THE HOMEMADE DISH YOU ALWAYS LONG FOR
I absolutely love homemade mac and cheese, but I'm incompetent in the kitchen when it comes to non-baked goods. Hence I have to rely on friends to make mac and cheese for me. (And if you prepare mac and cheese for me, I will love you forever. Seriously.)
GASTRONOMIC GETAWAY/ADVENTURE OF CHOICE
Probably Paris for pastries. I adore macarons and tartelettes and croissants. Delicieux!
CULINARY ICONS
Stephen Starr is a legendary restauranteur in Philly, and the majority of the restaurants I frequent are owned by him. His restaurant repertoire includes Cuban, French, English, diner-style American, new-agey Mexican, traditional Mexican, Asian fusion, Italian and German food. He can do no wrong. Also, my stepfather, Bob, continually amazes me with his culinary concoctions.
MEAL YOU WISH YOU CAN REPEAT BUT SOMEHOW CANNOT
This is such a hard question! I have been thinking about it for days! Back in college, I was really involved with the on-campus EMS (emergency medical services) organization. My EMS friends were (are) some of my closest college friends. I also love annual Passover seders, for the food and the tradition and the conversation. My senior year, I decided to host a seder at EMS and invite each guest to bring a Jewish-style dish. I had a wonderful time leading the seder and explaining the various rituals to my non-Jewish friends in attendance. But when it came to food, my friends outdid themselves! We had potato latkes, brisket, noodle kugel, jelly donuts, several types of matzah ball soup, apple cake... all the foods from all the holidays combined! Definitely one of my favorite culinary memories! :)
ABSOLUTE "CAN'T-STANDS"
Anything with kasha, which is the worst type of wheat ever cultivated by humans. We Jews love to serve kasha varnishkas, and it drives me nuts. Also, mayonnaise.
FAVORITE DESSERT OF ALL TIME
The tiramisu from Carmine's is heavenly. I realize it's a bit clichéd, but I have never had a more delectable dessert.
NAME
Dani
CURRENT CITY
Philadelphia, PA
FAVORITE ALL-TIME RESTAURANT
Chilango's in Providence, Rhode Island -- It's a total hole-in-the-wall establishment, with the best tequila/tortilla chips/enchiladas... yum! And the best prices!
MOST REGULARLY FREQUENTED SPOT(S)
Sabrina's: fantastic brunch place in Philly; Misconduct Tavern: really great Philly gastropub with a misbehavior theme! ;)
DRINK OF CHOICE
Nonalcoholic: pepperminty hot chocolate
MOST REGULARLY FREQUENTED SPOT(S)
Sabrina's: fantastic brunch place in Philly; Misconduct Tavern: really great Philly gastropub with a misbehavior theme! ;)
DRINK OF CHOICE
Nonalcoholic: pepperminty hot chocolate
Alcoholic: Basil Lemonade from Misconduct Tavern; Fegley's Raspberry Saison, which I've only found at Misconduct Tavern and the Falls Taproom.
SOMETHING YOU SECRETLY INDULGE
Ice Cream Palace soft serve in Aberdeen, New Jersey. People from my hometown know what I'm talking about! :)
DISH YOU MOST ENJOY PREPARING
I love making chocolate chip cookies. I use my own version of the Nestle Tollhouse recipe, so that the cookies are slightly cakey and super soft, even days later.
THE HOMEMADE DISH YOU ALWAYS LONG FOR
I absolutely love homemade mac and cheese, but I'm incompetent in the kitchen when it comes to non-baked goods. Hence I have to rely on friends to make mac and cheese for me. (And if you prepare mac and cheese for me, I will love you forever. Seriously.)
GASTRONOMIC GETAWAY/ADVENTURE OF CHOICE
Probably Paris for pastries. I adore macarons and tartelettes and croissants. Delicieux!
CULINARY ICONS
Stephen Starr is a legendary restauranteur in Philly, and the majority of the restaurants I frequent are owned by him. His restaurant repertoire includes Cuban, French, English, diner-style American, new-agey Mexican, traditional Mexican, Asian fusion, Italian and German food. He can do no wrong. Also, my stepfather, Bob, continually amazes me with his culinary concoctions.
MEAL YOU WISH YOU CAN REPEAT BUT SOMEHOW CANNOT
This is such a hard question! I have been thinking about it for days! Back in college, I was really involved with the on-campus EMS (emergency medical services) organization. My EMS friends were (are) some of my closest college friends. I also love annual Passover seders, for the food and the tradition and the conversation. My senior year, I decided to host a seder at EMS and invite each guest to bring a Jewish-style dish. I had a wonderful time leading the seder and explaining the various rituals to my non-Jewish friends in attendance. But when it came to food, my friends outdid themselves! We had potato latkes, brisket, noodle kugel, jelly donuts, several types of matzah ball soup, apple cake... all the foods from all the holidays combined! Definitely one of my favorite culinary memories! :)
ABSOLUTE "CAN'T-STANDS"
Anything with kasha, which is the worst type of wheat ever cultivated by humans. We Jews love to serve kasha varnishkas, and it drives me nuts. Also, mayonnaise.
FAVORITE DESSERT OF ALL TIME
The tiramisu from Carmine's is heavenly. I realize it's a bit clichéd, but I have never had a more delectable dessert.
FAVORITE COOKBOOK/COFFEE TABLE BOOK
I love Mark Bittman's cookbooks. He is specific, conversational, unintimidating, and creative. Most of my successful non-baked good endeavors have been inspired and guided by Mark Bittman.
CULINARY WORDS THAT NEVER LOSE THEIR PANACHE
Glacé, which is French for ice cream. It sounds wonderful on the tongue, and it makes me crave ice cream even more than the words ice cream.
I love Mark Bittman's cookbooks. He is specific, conversational, unintimidating, and creative. Most of my successful non-baked good endeavors have been inspired and guided by Mark Bittman.
CULINARY WORDS THAT NEVER LOSE THEIR PANACHE
Glacé, which is French for ice cream. It sounds wonderful on the tongue, and it makes me crave ice cream even more than the words ice cream.
FOOD BLOG(S) YOU JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF
Four Tines, of course, and Two Eat Philly, for a similar take on Philly restaurants. Also, Fifteen Spatulas, Sprinkle Bakes, and Sprouted Kitchen for yummy photos and gorgeous recipes. Wait, swap that. Or not.
Four Tines, of course, and Two Eat Philly, for a similar take on Philly restaurants. Also, Fifteen Spatulas, Sprinkle Bakes, and Sprouted Kitchen for yummy photos and gorgeous recipes. Wait, swap that. Or not.
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