My friend Deb sent me this lovely little link about the history of mac n' cheese.
Marvelous Macaroni and Cheese
My friend Rob sent me this one a long time ago about how to jazz up boxed mac n' cheese.
How to Re-Invent Box Mac n' Cheese
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Meeting #3
The Wishing Well
Wednesday, 2/16/2011
The Wishing Well wasn't the first choice for this meeting, nor was this the first date either. February was a month of changes, the date was changed twice and at the last minute the location. We were supposed to be going to Percy Street BBQ but, they have some policy if you are a party larger than 9 you must order the tasting menu for $26 per person. Ridiculous! I didn't want to speak to the manager, they just lost our business for that night. I was expecting around 15 people for this meeting but, I guess all the changes scared some people away.
I called ahead and left a message on their answering machine about our group and how many was to be expected. I lowered the number to 10-12, assuming I would lose a few. I, of course, arrived late because I had to take my cat to the vet and, ended up having to change my clothes because she loves me so much she just had to pee on me. Vivian and John arrived early to receive the happy hour price on many things, including two orders of mac n' cheese for me. Mac n' cheese is 1/2 off during happy hour bringing it down to $3. Both orders were waiting for me when I arrived. The place was actually a slew of other things before The Wishing Well, I had never actually stepped foot in it. It was well lit and not too loud, there were plenty of folks for a Wednesday night enjoying themselves. Anyway, back to the mac, I totally consumed one in a short amount of time, I was real hungry. The macaroni was chewy, deliciously cheesy (not stuck together) with crunchy breadcrumbs and scallions on top. It was a nice change from a normal mac n' cheese and the onion flavor was a nice addition. I was quite impressed with the mac n' cheese, especially at $3 a bowl, that's a total deal. Which I didn't get to eat my second bowl of mac n' cheese Lindsey ate it.
There are also other happy hour and game specials, 1/2 draft beers. I got a lager for $2!
My Bill: $5 (holy crap)
I'm not sure what the rest of the bill was. I didn't write it down and I think everyone ordered way more food than me. WAY MORE.
Service: The service was amazing! Our server was super nice and let us know when all the deals were taking place, asking if we wanted to wait to order things so they would be half off.
Mo: The Mac was delish! Got it half price before 7. The topping was a mix of breadcrumbs and crispy onions-yum! The sauce was creamy and the noodles were al dente. Overall, I really liked it but wished it was a little more gooey/cheesy. Could have done without the pile of sliced scallions on top...
Lindsey: This is the best mac n' cheese we've had yet! Nice flavor! Too bad my hungry husband ate most of it. :( Nice happy hour and game time deals too. :)
Danny: Mac n' cheese = super good! And, just to clarify, I ate most of the mac n' cheese but, not all! Game time buck-a-shuck is an awesome idea.
Vivian: My salad was $4 and worth it at happy hour. Grapes and bleu cheese made my day. The beef brisket was sweet and tangy . Onion rings had a wonderful flavor. Waitress was accommodating to our many comments and demands. Can't beat $1 oysters from the West Coast (she ordered 12, and the deal is during game times).
Deb: Unlike Mo's, my mac n' cheese was nice and gooey. I kind of wish it had a bolder taste though. It was very noncommittal on the cheesy flavor. I also got the smokehouse burger. After I took the very dry beef off, it was fantastic but, then I guess its just a pulled pork sandwich. I'll know better for next time.
Society Members present:
John
Vivian
Lindsey
Danny
Mo
Chris
Deb
Frank
Me (Michelle)
The Wishing Well
767 South 9th Street
Phila, PA 19147
215-238-6555
Wednesday, 2/16/2011
The Wishing Well wasn't the first choice for this meeting, nor was this the first date either. February was a month of changes, the date was changed twice and at the last minute the location. We were supposed to be going to Percy Street BBQ but, they have some policy if you are a party larger than 9 you must order the tasting menu for $26 per person. Ridiculous! I didn't want to speak to the manager, they just lost our business for that night. I was expecting around 15 people for this meeting but, I guess all the changes scared some people away.
I called ahead and left a message on their answering machine about our group and how many was to be expected. I lowered the number to 10-12, assuming I would lose a few. I, of course, arrived late because I had to take my cat to the vet and, ended up having to change my clothes because she loves me so much she just had to pee on me. Vivian and John arrived early to receive the happy hour price on many things, including two orders of mac n' cheese for me. Mac n' cheese is 1/2 off during happy hour bringing it down to $3. Both orders were waiting for me when I arrived. The place was actually a slew of other things before The Wishing Well, I had never actually stepped foot in it. It was well lit and not too loud, there were plenty of folks for a Wednesday night enjoying themselves. Anyway, back to the mac, I totally consumed one in a short amount of time, I was real hungry. The macaroni was chewy, deliciously cheesy (not stuck together) with crunchy breadcrumbs and scallions on top. It was a nice change from a normal mac n' cheese and the onion flavor was a nice addition. I was quite impressed with the mac n' cheese, especially at $3 a bowl, that's a total deal. Which I didn't get to eat my second bowl of mac n' cheese Lindsey ate it.
There are also other happy hour and game specials, 1/2 draft beers. I got a lager for $2!
My Bill: $5 (holy crap)
I'm not sure what the rest of the bill was. I didn't write it down and I think everyone ordered way more food than me. WAY MORE.
Service: The service was amazing! Our server was super nice and let us know when all the deals were taking place, asking if we wanted to wait to order things so they would be half off.
Mo: The Mac was delish! Got it half price before 7. The topping was a mix of breadcrumbs and crispy onions-yum! The sauce was creamy and the noodles were al dente. Overall, I really liked it but wished it was a little more gooey/cheesy. Could have done without the pile of sliced scallions on top...
Lindsey: This is the best mac n' cheese we've had yet! Nice flavor! Too bad my hungry husband ate most of it. :( Nice happy hour and game time deals too. :)
Danny: Mac n' cheese = super good! And, just to clarify, I ate most of the mac n' cheese but, not all! Game time buck-a-shuck is an awesome idea.
Vivian: My salad was $4 and worth it at happy hour. Grapes and bleu cheese made my day. The beef brisket was sweet and tangy . Onion rings had a wonderful flavor. Waitress was accommodating to our many comments and demands. Can't beat $1 oysters from the West Coast (she ordered 12, and the deal is during game times).
Deb: Unlike Mo's, my mac n' cheese was nice and gooey. I kind of wish it had a bolder taste though. It was very noncommittal on the cheesy flavor. I also got the smokehouse burger. After I took the very dry beef off, it was fantastic but, then I guess its just a pulled pork sandwich. I'll know better for next time.
Society Members present:
John
Vivian
Lindsey
Danny
Mo
Chris
Deb
Frank
Me (Michelle)
The Wishing Well
767 South 9th Street
Phila, PA 19147
215-238-6555
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Meeting #2
Hey Folks,
I apologize for such a long delay, not one but two meetings have gone by and the next is quickly approaching. Sometimes I don't think I'm quite cut out to be organizer/blogger of this club but, then again, it was my idea.
Meeting #2
Memphis Taproom
Wednesday, 1/12/2011
I called ahead to give them a heads up that we were coming, the man who answered the phone was very polite and enthusiastic. The type of person you want to be friends with even if you don't really know them. They don't take reservations but, it's just common courtesy. It also is nice to not be fussy about seating arrangements when this happens either, just chill.
It was a hard night for me to get into mac n' cheese mode. No pictures were taken and hardly any notes were recorded. I had to be coerced to bring the notebook out by Jen, I handed it over to her and it was passed around the table. Which is really much easier than me trying to record everything.
People obviously ordered different things, not just mac n' cheese. Apparently, the mac n' cheese that is served as a side is different than the main offering. I had no idea. I will offer everyone's reviews starting with mine.
Me: I didn't take any notes because, the experience is burned into my brain. I ordered the cauliflower mac n' cheese (w/fenugreek oil and bellavitano cheese) and the beer battered dills. I gobbled up the pickles and patiently waited for the mac n' cheese. I was confident in my choice, I've had it before. I had the kind before the cauliflower too, swiss chard, red onion, and feta (I absolutely was in love with this). The cauliflower mac n' cheese was just so disappointing, I wanted to cry in it. The cauliflower was burnt, the cheese was flavorless, and it was incredibly dry. I only ate a small helping of it. A month later and I'm still sad. I do love The Memphis Taproom and they usually get it right so, don't let this deter you from visiting.
Jen: The mac n' cheese was not hot enough, not enough cheese, needs to be more creamy. The fried cauliflower on top was burnt (over done). The other mac n' cheese (pepperjack maybe?) was much better.
Adam: I like the crunchiness. I love cauliflower, so this is kind of biased. Overall though, it's just ok. 6/10, other food is better (he ordered a mushroom sandwich).
Maureen: Not cheesy enough. Not hot enough (temp-wise). The cauliflower tasted burnt. Overall, I like the flavor and the crunchy bread crumbs but, I feel like we caught them on a bad night. The fried pickles were good and the portobella sandwich was sooo delicious.
Lindsey: I've had better mac n' cheese here before (with squash and asparagus). Tonight it's a little heavy on the breadcrumbs and too light on the cheese. I do like the toasted breadcrumbs on top but, I don't think they need to mix the breadcrumbs throughout. Could use a more flavorful cheese.
Kelly & Hillary: I was relatively pleased with the cauliflower mac n' cheese until Adam told me that they used to have squash mac n' cheese. That sounds freakin' delicious! I then wished I had it instead. Also, Hillary has the pepperjack mac n' cheese and I stole some and preferred it. They do use excellent noodles. So shapely!
Vivian: I think the pepperjack mac n' cheese is not my cup of tea. The dish is gooey and consistent with every bite. The mac n' cheese served on the side with the chicken fried chicken is delicious. It's served pseudo Reagan style with the tomato sauce.
Society members present:
Lindsey
Maureen
Adam
Hillary
Kelly
Jen
John
Vivian
Emma
Me (Michelle)
The Memphis Taproom
2331 E. Cumberland Street
215-425-4460
I apologize for such a long delay, not one but two meetings have gone by and the next is quickly approaching. Sometimes I don't think I'm quite cut out to be organizer/blogger of this club but, then again, it was my idea.
Meeting #2
Memphis Taproom
Wednesday, 1/12/2011
I called ahead to give them a heads up that we were coming, the man who answered the phone was very polite and enthusiastic. The type of person you want to be friends with even if you don't really know them. They don't take reservations but, it's just common courtesy. It also is nice to not be fussy about seating arrangements when this happens either, just chill.
It was a hard night for me to get into mac n' cheese mode. No pictures were taken and hardly any notes were recorded. I had to be coerced to bring the notebook out by Jen, I handed it over to her and it was passed around the table. Which is really much easier than me trying to record everything.
People obviously ordered different things, not just mac n' cheese. Apparently, the mac n' cheese that is served as a side is different than the main offering. I had no idea. I will offer everyone's reviews starting with mine.
Me: I didn't take any notes because, the experience is burned into my brain. I ordered the cauliflower mac n' cheese (w/fenugreek oil and bellavitano cheese) and the beer battered dills. I gobbled up the pickles and patiently waited for the mac n' cheese. I was confident in my choice, I've had it before. I had the kind before the cauliflower too, swiss chard, red onion, and feta (I absolutely was in love with this). The cauliflower mac n' cheese was just so disappointing, I wanted to cry in it. The cauliflower was burnt, the cheese was flavorless, and it was incredibly dry. I only ate a small helping of it. A month later and I'm still sad. I do love The Memphis Taproom and they usually get it right so, don't let this deter you from visiting.
Jen: The mac n' cheese was not hot enough, not enough cheese, needs to be more creamy. The fried cauliflower on top was burnt (over done). The other mac n' cheese (pepperjack maybe?) was much better.
Adam: I like the crunchiness. I love cauliflower, so this is kind of biased. Overall though, it's just ok. 6/10, other food is better (he ordered a mushroom sandwich).
Maureen: Not cheesy enough. Not hot enough (temp-wise). The cauliflower tasted burnt. Overall, I like the flavor and the crunchy bread crumbs but, I feel like we caught them on a bad night. The fried pickles were good and the portobella sandwich was sooo delicious.
Lindsey: I've had better mac n' cheese here before (with squash and asparagus). Tonight it's a little heavy on the breadcrumbs and too light on the cheese. I do like the toasted breadcrumbs on top but, I don't think they need to mix the breadcrumbs throughout. Could use a more flavorful cheese.
Kelly & Hillary: I was relatively pleased with the cauliflower mac n' cheese until Adam told me that they used to have squash mac n' cheese. That sounds freakin' delicious! I then wished I had it instead. Also, Hillary has the pepperjack mac n' cheese and I stole some and preferred it. They do use excellent noodles. So shapely!
Vivian: I think the pepperjack mac n' cheese is not my cup of tea. The dish is gooey and consistent with every bite. The mac n' cheese served on the side with the chicken fried chicken is delicious. It's served pseudo Reagan style with the tomato sauce.
Society members present:
Lindsey
Maureen
Adam
Hillary
Kelly
Jen
John
Vivian
Emma
Me (Michelle)
The Memphis Taproom
2331 E. Cumberland Street
215-425-4460
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