I don’t read food reviews until after I have written my own but you could not avoid the good things said about the place. This was most of our party’s first time at Matyson. On their website they use a quote from Philadelphia Magazine:

“One of the city’s best BYOBs, Matyson wows with vivid contemporary American flavors and down-to-earth, sophisticated service.”

Barbara, the hostess, pleasantly greets us and shows us to a table. Jonah is our amiable wait person. He provides us with menus.

Asked if we want bottled water or tap, we choose Schuylkill Punch. Say what you want, Philadelphia has some of the best drinking water right from the spigot than anyplace in the world.

Jonah pours all of us glasses of water.

He explains to us the specials of the night and the chef’s tasting menu. We all order the tasting menu at $45. Jonah compliments us on our choice.

He collects the menus and knocks a full glass of water onto the laps of the two women at the table. They are pretty much soaked.

Jonah hurries to get cloth napkins. Barbara the Hostess comes over to tell us not to worry- many people knock over their water. We let her know; it was not us that did the knocking. Oh! she says and walks away.

Jonah comes back with napkins and humbly apologies as he sops up the…is it a river of water…? yes it is. I try to make him feel okay about the accident. He is embarrassed. The women at the table have laps soaked with water.

Like most women they are troopers and do not complain enough to destroy the dinner.

After the second course I had to ask the server to take away a soaking wet napkin sitting on the table.

The dinner, a ‘Lobster Mania’ tasting menu.

You know what. I am going to ignore the value of the food. The way we were ignored by a gross mistake of spilled water onto two customers laps. The way Barbara the Hostess, after finding out her waitperson spilled the water and not us, slinked away to greeting others, doing nothing to help.

The way the wait staff reached over and across in order to serve us! Having to ask for bread.

Matyson is a BYOB so they could hardly come to the table and say they will buy you a drink for your wetness. We ordered a $45 tasting menu so it would be difficult to comp you a dessert for the uncomfortableness of eating dinner in wet clothes.

So how did Matyson with their “down to earth sophisticated service” take care of their mistake?

They ignored it.

You know my philosophy about dining is the hard working wait staff, the bartenders, the front of the house folks make or break a dining experience. If the food is just pretty good, good service makes it better. If the food is great and the service is bad, the food becomes ordinary. A dining experience begins when you walk in the door.

If you think I am being too hard or wrong just ask George Perrier, or anyone that seeks to be excellent. And if you are not striving to be the best at your level then you should pack up and go back home.

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone can bring a wrong order. But there is no reason to reach across a diner to serve another diner. No reason to spill a full glass of water onto, not one but enough for two patrons laps, and not do more to apologize.

Were it my restaurant, I would have bought the table dinner for the accident. But Matyson did not do that. They could have bought the two women dinner. But Matyson did not do that. They could have taken $10 off the check. Matyson did not do that. The chef and/or owner could have come to the table and apologized. Matyson did not do that. Matyson did nothing. They ignored their mistake and the customers discomfort.

I suggest you ignore Matyson.

I waited two weeks before I wrote this piece because I wanted to be fair. That is more than what we experienced at Matyson at a cost of $216 for four including tip.

I encourage you to ignore Matyson and pass the word. Manners go a long way when dealing with the public. Philadelphia Magazine may think this is what passes for “down to earth sophisticated service,” but PhillySpeak.com has higher standards, as do you.

I suggest you ignore Matyson.

Sometimes, Not so Lucky.

The dining room was almost empty except for an older party of four. The seats and tables in the rather small bar area were filled. I squeezed in and was able to order a cosmo and white wine, and opened up a tab.

A cute red head, Emily, with her hair tied back, was serving the rabble, but she took and served every order with a smile. Somehow or another Emily kept the crowd at bay and after the after work surge had left was in an almost even keel sort of way for a bartender.

The house wine was especially good even though it was an inexpensive brand. The place was so crowded we had to stand while we chatted. I would like to come back another day and snag a window table where I can watch the Chestnut Street parade go by.

Center City Sips is a great promotional effort. Lot’s of folks come into the restaurants and bars and order bargain drinks and appetizers between 5 and 7 P.M.

YO! No disrespect intended. But, every night, at almost every decent restaurant bar and every upscale bar between 5 P.M. and 7 P.M. is a thing called Happy Hour.

At Happy Hour there are always discounted prices for all kinds of drinks. You do not have to wait until Wednesday. There may be some special drinks or appetizers during Center City Sips, but usually Happy Hour, on any night gives you about the same thing.

So, whatever night you want to visit Center City, or any other part of the city, between 5 and 7..dude! dudettes! it is Happy Hour and drinks are at a discount.

How Lucky are we.

may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
and even if it’s sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not young

and may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there’s never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile

~ e.e. cummings ~

If you think this joke is appropriate for a presidential candidate to tell let us know by posting a comment. If you do not think this is a joke is appropriate for your next president post a comment.

Have a great weekend.

Thursday, July 24 to Thursday, July 31 2008 are the University City Dining Days and if you have not yet made reservations you better do it today. It is your opportunity to try a new restaurant, maybe at a bargain price, at the always happening University area.

So wonderfully diverse there are three different fixed priced levels for the participating restaurants. $15, $25 or $30 will get you a great 3 course taste at a good restaurant.

We already have reservations at two of the many wonderful restaurants and are looking forward to trying them. We have never been disappointed, always a good time and good food. I will be writing about them in future posts on PhillySpeak.
Here are, at least, a few of the participating restaurants.

Abbraccio - 820 S 47th St
Bubble House - 3404 Sansom St
Copabanana - 4000 Spruce St
Dahlak - 4708 Baltimore Ave
Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant - 701 S 50th St
Fatou & Fama - 4002 Chestnut St
Las Tarascas en Zocalo - 3600 Lancaster Ave
Marathon Grill - 200 S 40th St
Marigold Kitchen - 501 S 45th St
Nan Modern Food - 4000 Chestnut St
Pallet Restaurant at the Sheraton University City - 3549 Chestnut St
Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar - 3611 Walnut St
Pizza Rustica Restaurant & Bar - 3602 Chestnut St
Pod - 3636 Sansom St
Rae Restaurant - 2929 Arch St
Rx - 4443 Spruce St
Sláinte Pub & Grill - 3000 Market St
Vientiane Café - 4728 Baltimore Ave
Vietnam Café - 814 S. 47th Street
White Dog Cafe - 3420 Sansom St
World Cafe Live - 3025 Walnut St

Pendant quelques jours par le Fairmount Juillet célèbre le quartier français, utilisation de la Bastille comme une excuse pour sortir et profiter de nos grands restaurants, des voisins et un sentiment de joie de vivre.

Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille (a prison in Paris), which took place on July 14, 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution for Liberte, Egalite, and Fraternite.

Bastille Day, la fête nationale française, commémore la prise de la Bastille (une prison à Paris), qui a eu lieu le Juillet 14, 1789 et marqué le début de la Révolution française de Liberte, Egalite, et la Fraternité.

Here are Carolyn, Amanda, and Ali. Voici, Carolyn, Amanda, et Ali.

You see many strange and interesting sites at our ‘French Fling’ three day celebration.

Vous voyez beaucoup d’étranges et intéressantes à nos sites français Fling “trois Célébration de la Journée.

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Les images sont d’une valeur mille mots.

There was excellent jazz music by “Guys with Ties”. Il a été excellente musique de jazz “ayant des liens avec les gars”.

Wonderful Food Merveilleux Nourriture

Wine and Kronenberg Beer Vin et bière Kronenberg

The French love their dogs and here is ‘The Gipper’ winner of Best French Costume. Like a typical Frenchman he pretends not to notice me.

Les Français aiment leurs chiens et voici «Le GIPPER« gagnant des meilleures Costume français. Comme un Français typique, il fait semblant de ne pas remarquer moi.

Many of the restaurants became large bistros, expanding their space out into the streets making a party atmosphere for all. Beaucoup de restaurants sont devenus grands bistrots, d’élargir leur espace dans la rue faire une fête pour tous.

Jeanette, Millie, Madam De Farge, Chemise, and Sabine

Click here for the web site and be sure to join us next year. Cliquez ici pour le site et assurez-vous de nous rejoindre l’année prochaine.

How Lucky are We

Comment sommes-nous la chance

We went on a Thursday, fairly early; seven. Hoping for an outside table we were seated far in the back near the sometimes plate clanging kitchen.

Louis, the efficient front person, showing people to seats and making sure everything goes smooth, showed us to ours.

You bring your own tequila to Lolita. They have an assortment of margarita mixes they will add to your spirits. We choose a blood orange, basil concoction which was just right for a cool pitcher of Margaritas.

Zack, our waiter was helpful, patient, and all you want in a waiter. He was never there, but right there when you needed him. Somehow, when we wanted more waters or tortilla chips, they appeared.

We started out with Guacamole con Totopos mixtos. This was a refillable basket of light textured, good tasting tortilla chips along with a kicking guacamole dip, and tomato salsa.

This was plenty for the four of us to share and start the meal.

We had Halibut a la Plancha; pan seared Halibut, steamed coconut-puya Chile mussels, heirloom tomato salsa, which was excellent.

Chuleta de Puerco; ancho chile-rhubarb bbq glazed pork chop, grilled sweet potato, blackened corn salsa. This was a huge tender and juicy pork chop with a glaze that was, to my taste, just a little too hot, which caused the sweet potato and corn to get somewhat lost.
It was good but I am not sure I would order it again.

Two of us had the Enchiladas Verdes; which was served with shitake mushroom, chihuahua cheese, grilled gulf shrimp, salsa verde, herbed rice and refried beans. They raved about the taste and, like the rest of us, cleaned their plates.

The food and service were very good.

The restaurant is long and narrow with exposed brick walls, so when filled, which it was the night we were there, the noise level can get quite high, making it nearly impossible for quiet conversation.

One of us had a coffee, but we were too filled for dessert.

Total for the evening, for four, was $130 with tax and tip or $32.50 per person.

If you go here you need to bring your own alcoholic beverage. Cash only. No credit cards or checks.

Given that Dolly Madison introduced Ice Cream to Philadelphia, the food capital of the new nation, it seems only right we should have one of the top Ice Creamerys in the Country. Missed by the editors of Forbes is the Penn State Creamery in Happy Valley.

Here is where you can taste the best

Capogiro Gelato Cafes

27 flavors made fresh each morning!

Midtown Village
119 South 13th Street
(Corner of 13th and Sansom)
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.351.0900

Rittenhouse Square
117 South 20th Street
(Corner of 20th and Sansom)
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.636.9250

Capriccio Cafe
The Radisson Plaza - Warwick Hotel
1701 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
T 215-735-9797

Du Jour Market
Haverford Square
379 Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA 19041
T 610-896-4556

Although they are not French they do French and enjoy French Fries.
Last time to see and hear the Chimeras before they leave for NYC.

Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille (a prison in Paris), which took place on July 14, 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

In celebration, Patou is offering a special prix fixe meal followed by free admission to a great lounge party.

Chef Patrice serves up the menu…Red Richards, DJ Dozia, Obi 1, Jafar Barron & MikeFiveDeuce will feed your ears with music and live performance.

The cost is $25 for 3 small plates or $35 for 5 small plates. Price includes admission to party (or $10 admission for party only 9:30 PM - 2:00 AM). Our regular a la carte menu will not be offered.

Patou Restaurant and Bar
312 Market Street, Old City
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.928.2987

Saturday, July 12th at Bistro St. Tropez...

Join Bistro St Tropez for their over-the-top Bastille Day celebration.

Chef Patrice is creating a 3-course dining experience that’s sure to “wow” you!

Bistro St Tropez’s 3-Course Bastille Day Menu

Appetizer (choice of):

Paté

Duck Confit

Vichysoisse Soup

Boston Salad
with asparagus, roasted peppers, crumbled goat cheese and tarragon vinaigrette

Main Course (choice of):

Duet of Lamb and Petite Filet Mignon
with parmesan gruyere potato gratin,
string beans and wild mushroom sauce

Pan-Roasted Salmon Filet
with mussels, fingerling potatoes,
corn and clam chowder

Grilled Kajiki
with watercress risotto and lemon beurre blanc

Fettuccini
with asparagus and pistou sauce

Dessert (choice of):

St. Tropez Chocolate Mousse Cake

Warm Apple Tart
with vanilla ice cream

The cost is $38 per person. Does not include tax and gratuity. Call 215.569.9269 for reservations

“Only the educated are free.”
Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD), Discourses

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945), Speech, September 22, 1936

“To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.”
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894