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June 24, 2007
It's Bruchetta In A Glass!
Philadelphia restaurant recommendation: Tinto. Read this review in the Philly Inquirer.
My lawyer friend Jim took me there last night, and we had a meal that was worth a week of saving calories for. WOW! That's what we exclaimed between each incredible course.
Seriously, this is a gooooood restaurant. Perhaps I love food more than most. Perhaps being a little under calories makes you appreciate food more than your average overfed American. But I assure you, the food at Tinto would please almost anyone.
It's tapas style, so you share multitudes of tiny dishes. The most amusing thing was the chicken bruschetta served in a shot glass! Jim and I approached it with trepidation, as we'd been expecting something on a crostini. Apparently not. I grabbed it first, took out the skewer of chicken and vegetables, and said, "I think you eat it like this."
The point is to eat it. No one is looking. Put it in your mouth. Chew. YUM!
The whole experience of eating bruschetta in a glass made me think it would be fun to serve foods in dishes in which they clearly do not belong. "Here is your salad: in five tea cups!" "Here is your soup: in a frying pan!" "Here is your wine: in a soup bowl!" What an entertaining game! I love presentation (MR's mom is with me on that, and she gave us beautiful dishes that are much fun to serve dinners on) so I can imagine a million creative ways to riff off of Tinto's bizarre mixes of dish with dishes.
I loved the atmosphere too... tall tables, wine racks covering the walls, dark and loud so you feel like you can say anything without being overheard.
Jim loves to feed me... "You're wasting away!" he says, when obviously I am not. At 109 (that's my current weight with exercise muscle and a little campaign weight gain) I am slim but no woman's skinny. Jim loves to pour food into me because I appreciate good food and enjoy the game of trying a new restaurant, talking about it for days in advance and telling all our friends who were invited but couldn't make it what a good meal they missed.
Who says that CR folks don't love food??? We just balance out our big meals with low calorie, nutrient dense meals every other day. It's not that hard. I adore food, wine, and the experience of dining at a fine establishment. But I don't let that get in my way of my long term health goals.
Any of you who are planning a trip to Philly need to call Tinto for your reservations now. They're going to be very, very busy.
Posted by april at June 24, 2007 4:39 PM
Comments
Oh, my GOD! Take us there, please! It sounds like foodie heaven but please, book us a table in the lounge -- I can't stand noise. I love the idea of many tiny, delicious items, and have done it myself: at the end of a party last winter, I served chocolate mousse in shot glasses with a single raspberry atop each and a demitasse spoon with which to eat the marvellous concoction (only 22 calories per serving, too!) My mouth is already watering in anticipation of our Christmas journey to Philly! :-)
Posted by: Judith at June 24, 2007 6:57 PM
Thanks for the restaurant rec April! Going to be in Philly soon and will definitely check it out - sounds great.
Keep fighting those corporate bastards that want to keep out unions... those scumbags know that unions are the ONLY reason EVERYONE isn't working like animals, and the only reason we have the 40 hr week, healthcare (or what's left of it), etc. You're doing God's work, and we love you!
BTW… have you seen “Sicko” yet? Hear nurses are coming out in support of this film BIG TIME!
Posted by: Jim at June 24, 2007 8:01 PM
Sounds fabulous! Bruschetta or brochette though? A brochette is a kebab, so that might explain the confusion. :-) Thanks for the recommendation... if P and I ever make it to Philly we'll definitely check it out!
Posted by: Sara at June 25, 2007 2:06 AM
Aha! Sara solves the confusion! I think you're right... I mis-read the menu. That sounds exactly like what it was! Now I get it! Still, I love the idea of serving food in unexpected dishes. This place serves half the dishes in shot glasses. I am thinking salads in latte mugs would be fun. For MR's salad, though, you'd need an entire set of mugs, it's so huge.
Judith... I wonder how far in advance they take reservations??? Maybe I should call and ask, as this place will be packed till the end of time.
Jim... thanks for the kind words! I haven't seen Sicko yet but I definitely want to!
a
Posted by: april at June 25, 2007 2:18 AM
It's like everything is presented like an appetizer!
It's an old Mommy-trick too: make the food easier and more fun to eat. Don't you remember Little Mermaids?!?! Cher was always serving food up in odd ways. Cracked me up
Can't wait to try the restaurant..if we ever get there.
;-D
Posted by: Deborah at June 25, 2007 5:41 AM
Hey April! Love the blog. But not sure we should be taking restaurant recommendations from a CR devotee. They could put crap on a shingle and a starved CR'er would like it!
Posted by: Lynne at June 25, 2007 10:37 AM
April - have you thought about organizing restaurant workers? People who work in restaurants - from head chef to busboy - are some of the most exploited workers in America.
Posted by: NadineT at June 25, 2007 2:40 PM
Lynne, I've been reading all the CR blogs on a regular basis for over a year and have yet to read of even one CR practitioner who is remotely "starved". They all seem to be reasonably big eaters and are most definitely afficionados of delicious food. A recommendation from a CR practitioner is probably MORE likely to be worthwhile, because they're into real food, rather than gobs of starch, fat, sugar and salt. Just as an experiment, try one of their recipes!
Posted by: Judith at June 25, 2007 4:38 PM
Ugh, Lynne on a Shingle. That sounds wretched.
Posted by: allswellinhell at June 25, 2007 9:08 PM
You know April I have the feeling that we would get along very well if we were to meet IRL :D
I think we have a very similar outlook. No deprivation here - just balance. And I love good food too. A great meal out with new and exotic flavors can be the highlight of the week!
Posted by: Mizzi at June 26, 2007 2:40 AM
I was once at the Spago in Las Vegas and the chef brought out samples of a new pureed winter squash soup they were working on... served in little espresso cups!
Posted by: thatgirljj at June 26, 2007 11:21 AM