Delicious City Philly

The only thing that could bring people together more than a big plate of pasta is learning to make the pasta by hand. Our guest today, Natalia Lepore Hagan, can teach you how to do just that at her Midnight Pasta classes - think less "cooking school" and more "fun-loving dinner party" - booze optional! We also talk about what's in our refrigerators, how to make pasta while camping, and our favorite desserts in Philly.

• (00:00) Spoiler alert: how awesome was 'Deadpool and Wolverine'?!
• (02:24) Eli's out this week and we miss him, but Marisa and Dave are excited to welcome Natalia to the studio
• (06:38) Natalia explains the origins of Midnight Pasta Co, and passing down her family's recipes to over a thousand people in Philly (and counting!)
• (15:32) Natalia tells us how this city embraced Natalia's pasta concepts, and why Philly is the best food city in America
• (22:07) Guessing whose fridge is whose, QR codes on tombstones
• (32:06) In It To Win It: We choose a winner for the Rocco's gift card, and tee up a giveaway for two spots at a Midnight Pasta event in September! Natalia chooses the secret word, and it's the name for a violent-sounding pasta
• (37:00) Best Bites: Natalia's gas station breakfast, Marisa's eggplant parm, and Dave's small but mighty bite that he declared is now in his Top 5 desserts in Philadelphia
• (48:30) Big Announcement: The next *award winning* Voi~yage dinner is in September, featuring a local favorite collaborating with a New Orleans legends. Plus, a ton more pop-ups, collabs and events for you to feast on!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tagging us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Summer is for tomatoes, picnics, and happy hours. This episode is full of insider tips on new spots and classic faves, and we're giving you all the delicious details. Plus: Wit Wez returns with a gripe from Dave- let us know on Instagram if you agree… Now let's dive in!

• (00:00) Marisa's on vaca this time, but she'll be back next week! In the meantime we've got Sara in studio
• (03:30) Whatcha Been Eatin': Dave's got a new spot for crunchy, crispy Korean wings
• (06:20) Dave tried a new buffet in South Philly, and we get into pro tips for getting the most out of your buffet experience
• (12:20) Eli talks pies, Thai, and a prime pizza spot in Center City
• (19:36) How to tell the difference between real and ripoff KEWPIE mayo
• (20:19) Sara shouts out a Gayborhood happy hour, and we celebrate the dawn of pumpkin season
• (26:46) Wit Wez: why restaurants need to retire the QR code menu in favor of printed menus
• (35:52) Restaurant News: Philadelphia chefs helping the community, Fork's new menu, a pizza and cheesesteak spot that's baking their own rolls, and more that's happening in the Philly food scene

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tagging us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Fact: There's no shortage of great places for a sandwich around Philly. However, Rocco's Italian Sausages [Yup, the ones by the Home Depot] goes over the top. We're talking eggs and steak, jerk chicken, sweet and hot sausage, and vegetarian options, too! And we have one of the OGs in studio today, Dan Winter, who's going to tell us how he expanded the Rocco's brand over the years and what the Philly region means to the team.

• (00:00) A Rocco's sweatsuit: Do we need it? (Yes. The answer is yes
• (03:01) Dave has been eating Rocco's sandwiches for over 15 years now. Their trucks are posted up outside of Home Depots all over the area, where Dave used to work at. Gotta have a full belly to drive that forklift!
• (04:21) Dan tells Eli and Dave about bringing Rocco's from Queens to Philly, and how the menu has evolved over the years
• (08:52) What's Dan's favorite sandwich that he makes? Pro tip: get there early in the day to grab a seeded roll, Eli's fave
• (25:20) In It to Win It: Get the secret word to win a gift card from Rocco's, and then DM it to @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram to enter the contest
• (28:08) Best Bites include a Mexi-Korean mash-up, an A+ omakase, and Eli and Dave's dinner at Rice & Sambal. Plus: our favorite steakhouses
• (41:31) Events and Pop Ups: Eli's got an event coming up that mixes our love of music and food, a few cool collabs, and a hot sauce festival!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Yes, Chef! We binged Season 3 of the Bear and we're going over the highlights, the myths and the Easter eggs on the show. Plus: everything we've been eating this week, and a deep, dark, and crunchy confession from Eli.

• (00:00) Dave isn't here this week, so our producer Sara - and Marisa's fellow DJ at WMMR - is stepping in
• (04:27) Where in the world are you listening? We want to know! If you're an far-flung Delicious City listener, send us a message on Instagram (@deliciouscitypodcast) from your corner of the world and let us know how you found this podcast, and we'll shout you out on a future episode
• (06:54) Winner, winner, oyster dinner: we pull a name out of the hat for our Oyster House drawing. Thanks again to everyone who filled out our survey to enter!
• (10:44) Whatcha Been Eatin': Shore snacks with Marisa, Eli's salatim spread, a BBQ pop-up with Dave and Sara, and bites from the Jersey burbs
• (24:11) Eli gets a confession off of his chest that blows us away
• (29:36) Eli's Pop Quiz: How did this quintessential Philly food get its name?
• (32:04) Food News: Center City places have discounts for city workers, a Polish spot that Eli is excited to try, and the Delicious City Hot Dog launches this week at Royal Tavern - try it and tag us!
• (38:58) The Bear: we go over what we loved, what confused us, and Chef Eli answers YOUR questions about the show

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Chef Nicholas Bazik has worked his magic all over Philly for nearly two decades, and now his most exciting concept yet is bringing French flair to Headhouse Square. We talk culinary technique, the pain and pride of opening a restaurant, and why Paris vibes will never go out of style.

00:00 Eli tells us about a signature black and white pasta dish that came to him out of nowhere

06:47 Nicholas Bazik is opening Provenance in Headhouse Square, and reservations are now live! His resume in Philly includes La Chinesca, Fork, Russet and more. This next restaurant is going to be a Parisian experience unlike any that we've ever seen before here

09:16 Provenance, meaning "origin," is house in a 200-year-old building, and this week has been nuts for Nich trying to get things ready. How do you keep up?

14:00 French cuisine is back!

23:00 Nich recently did a collab in Paris and tells us about that, plus the restaurants that have inspired him

35:07 In It to Win It: We announce a winner for a Morea gift card, thanks to Center City District! We tee up the next giveaway, which is close to home for Eli 🙌

38:29 Best Bites: Eli has a perfectly simple dish at High Street, Marisa makes a pizza at a Mediterranean BYO, and Nich visited a restaurant that just got named in Philly Mag's Best of Philly list for 2024

47:57 Rosenbergers iced tea now has a buzzed beverage for summer! Marisa and Nich crack one open

50:26 Events and Pop-Ups: a cookbook release, a Japanese pasta pop-up, Vernick goes to New Jersey, a Semita festival… Keep an eye on our Instagram @deliciouscitypodcast for more!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Eli, Marisa and Dave have been eating around Philly a ton this week, so there's lots of tips and treats in this episode. Tag us on Instagram and Facebook to let us know where you've been eating.

• (00:00) What happens when you leave cabbage in the oven for 8 hours? Chef Eli has the answer
• (07:32) We're getting caught up on season 3 of The Bear, and you should too - recap episode is coming later this month (7/29)! Send us your thoughts on the show and your questions for our resident chef on Instagram: @deliciouscitypodast
• (09:14) Whatcha Been Eatin': Eli tells us about banana ketchup. Who loves orange soda? Dave loves orange soda! Marisa has been hitting as many pop-ups as possible this summer, and a recent fave is "Greek-ish"
• (32:46) Royal Tavern on Passyunk in Philly is putting a Delicious City Dog on their menu! We figure out what to top it with: Hot mustard? Relish? Roasted tomatoes?
• (49:50) Food News: Dumplings galore, a Picnic in time for summer, and a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT about the next Manna Main Course… you don't want to miss this chef lineup on September 26th!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

This episode is full of crunchy chicken ASMR. This isn't your typical fried chicken fare - it's even more finger-lickin' good, found in the heart of West Philly. We've got an exciting lineup of Best Bites, and a ton of events and pop-ups to fill your calendar.

• (00:00) Dave took a trip to the Fancy Food Expo, and Philly was well represented!
• (04:59) White meat, dark meat or vegan meat?
• (06:46) Mabruka Kane joins us in studio. She and her sister Hayat Ali serve up Ethiopian-inspired fried chicken at Doro Bet in Philly. Not only does it have that perfect crunch, it's gluten free, too. She tells us the secret ingredient in this heavenly chicken coating
• (12:35) Mabruka tells us about her journey from growing up in Ethiopia to meeting her husband while working in hospitality, and later opening three restaurants in three years here in Philadelphia, starting in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. She tells us about how opening the first spot, Alif, was a family affair, and led the way for Salam Cafe and Doro Bet
• (38:18) In It to Win It: We're giving away $100 to dine at Morea, thanks to Center City SIPS!
• (42:17) Save the date: we're talking about 'The Bear' on the podcast later this month, so send us your thoughts and questions about the show (and how it relates to real kitchens) on Instagram: @deliciouscitypodcast
• (48:15) Best Bites include the Bolo anniversary dinner, a tribute to Le Bec Fin, hot and cold crab, and rooftop oysters for a good cause
• (57:07) There's a ton of foodie events to satisfy your summer appetite. We'll celebrate Christmas in July, Bastille Day, and Mebruka tells us about a pop-up happening at Doro Bet… and much more!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Welcome to Week 2 of weekly episodes! Every Monday you'll be getting Delicious City wherever you get your podcasts, so make sure you subscribe for all the good stuff - and this week, it's REAL good. We catch up with our friends Justine McNeil and Ed Crochet from Fiore, who dish out pro tips for Philly summer dining, Ed gives up his secret to an indulgent grilled cheese, and we discover what's in vegan lox.

(00:00) Binge listening? Weekly listening? No matter how you listen, we love that you're here!

(03:03) Justine MacNeil and Ed Crochet peel back the curtain on the evolution of Fiore. They leveled up to a larger space and expanded their community in the process. Dave raves about their breakfast sandwiches, and Eli talks about paying homage to others through your dishes.

(17:29) Whatcha Been Eatin': Ed reveals the secret to the best grilled cheese, Dave shouts out his late-night picks, and Marisa tells us how she scored a table at My Loup at the last minute

(36:28) Pop-Up Run-Down: We run down what's happening with pop-ups, collabs and events this week in the Philadephia food scene - including an announcement from our guests!

(51:07) Fiore has amazing pastries, and we got to try a few in studio, ranging from traditional to a brand new, unusually flavored bite…

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

BIG NEWS, Delicious City fam: we're going weekly! You'll hear about what we've been chewing on, literally and figuratively, every single week. Best Bites, Food News, and conversations with the movers and shakers in Philadelphia - it's all here. These episodes will get delivered to this feed every Monday, so smash that SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW button if you haven't already.

(00:00) Episode 69? Niiiiice.

(02:12) We jump right into pastry chat with Robert Toland, who just won Food Network's 'Next Baking Master: Paris'. Prepare yourself for some crunchy ASMR

(07:23) Robert gives us a behind-the-scenes look at filming the show in Paris, describing the challenges he worked through to become the champion, and how his childhood influenced the way he bakes today. He also tells us about working for Jose Garces here in Philly, and what's next in his career. We also find out what a dessert terrarium is

(28:48) Robert drove an hour out of his way to bring us some insane pastries from Malvern Buttery, and our minds are blown by the canelé, so much that Eli calls it "life changing"

(33:03) In It to Win It: Thanks to our friends at Center City District, who are celebrating SIPS all summer, we've got another giveaway for you. Listen for the secret word to win a gift card to Time in Philadelphia, and DM it to @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram

(38:18) Thank you to everyone who filled out the feedback form! Head to our Linktree to tell us where you're from, what you like to eat and what you want to hear more of on this podcast. We extended the survey, and everyone who fills it out between now and 7/8 will be entered into a drawing for dinner at Philadelphia Oyster House

(42:14) Best Bites: Eli stumbles upon tasty tacos, Dave goes down the shore, Marisa is wowed by a recent guest on the pod, and Robert gives us his Philly picks

(51:09) Congrats to all the James Beard winners! Eli runs down a few openings to look forward to in the city

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Summer has arrived, which means al fresco dining, festivals everywhere you turn, and the weekly tradition of SIPS in Center City. Eli, Marisa and Dave dive into their warm weather favorites, debut a new segment, and have not one, but two tasty prizes that you could win.

00:00:00 Chewy vs. crunchy cookies: which team are you?

00:01:17 Dave is back! And no, he's not moving to Newark. He's happy to be back in Philly after a work trip back-to-back with a bachelor weekend (lots of Dirty Bananas were involved)

00:05:57 Gia Suraci, who has the most Philly accent ever (and we LOVE it), is here to roll out a summer tradition: SIPS in Center City! They're celebrating 20 years of this summertime happy hour, with dozens of restaurants participating. New this year: CCD is offering a limited-edition beer made in partnership with Broad Street Brewing. Dave can't wait to give this Mexican-style lager a try at Dilworth Park's Air Grille Garden!

00:20:13 In It to Win It: In partnership with Center City District and SIPS, this week's giveaway is a gift card to Village Whiskey. Marisa gives out the secret word that you'll need to DM to @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram for a chance to win.

00:29:50 Best Bites: Marisa's tiki party, Dave's family-style dinner that fused Indian and Mexican cuisine, and Eli has a rare out-of-state plate that's at the top of his list

00:47:41 We debut a spinoff of Best Bites, because we have too much good food to keep it to one pick per person! Whatcha Been Eatin' will cover all of the gang's honorable mentions this week. Dave shares how to find the hidden gems at Southeast Asian Market, and Marisa flexes her Dunkle Dare championship reign

01:00:59 We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the podcast via a quick survey. Everyone who fills it out will be entered to win a gift card to Philadelphia Oyster House. Find it HERE or in our Linktree and Instagram

01:06:30 Food Events + Pop-Up Run Down: a pescatarian dinner, a Juneteenth cookout, 90s night at the Please Touch Museum, and lots more!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!