Hungry Detective Visits Philly
Food advice from a flatfoot is anything but beat!
As a former defense attorney, there aren't too many cops I like immediately. I had a good feeling about Chris Cognac; but then, you knew I'd like a guy named Cognac!
I had a good feeling about Chris Cognac when I first saw him on Alton Brown’s Feasting on Asphalt. Regular readers might predict I’d have a weakness for a guy with a name like Cognac...
Anyway, this week “The Hungry Detective”, that’s Cognac’s own show, investigates the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia. To my delight, he visits Capogiro Gelato Artisans. You can read or re-read my article about this wondeful treat and tell your friends you heard about it here first!
Capogiro Gelato
On the segment in Stephanie Reitano’s Rittenhouse Square shop, we see the master herself pureeing Lancaster County apricots for sorbetto with an industrial size immersion blender. One of the things that make Capogiro so delicious is that Reitano sources much of her fruit from local farms and cooperatives.
A delivery of this artisanal gelato or sorbetto is terrific idea for a holiday or wedding gift. See their beautiful website for more information about the ingredients they use and the options for ordering online.
For more on the topic of sustainable, organic, local and ethical food choices see:
Cheesesteaks - Iconic Food of Philly
In another segment, Cognac sheds light on the iconic Philly Cheesesteak. On my visit, we went to Pat’s King of Steaks on the advice of friends. Later we learned about the other guy’s xenophobic practices and were happy we made the choice we did. You can read my further thoughts on cheesesteaks in Pat's Rules, Geno's Roils.
True to character, the likeable detective sidesteps this controversy and finds a third cheesesteak vendor. One thing holds true for all: ordering “wiz” means Cheese Whiz and “wit” means with onions. Though cheese whiz is not a regular item in my diet, I had to have my first cheesesteak ever in the traditional preparation. It was delicious.
A great tip on getting great tips
One of the detective’s rules for scoping out good food in a new city is to ask the locals. I’ve had some of my most memorable meals following the same rule. In New Orleans for my first visit, I asked a cab driver where the locals go for a good meal, in Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler! I share the story. What a find it was!
Cognac finds a great restaurant by asking the guys behind the counter at the shop di Bruno Brothers in their original locations in the South Philly Italian Market district. The di Bruno Brothers have an award-winning shop and now, a second location in Downtown Philly. I’d done my research before our Philly trip and we took a stroll down through South Philly, and found the original shop. You get the true flavor of a place by walking through the non-tourist neighborhoods. Our visit to di Bruno brothers included a feisty debate on the merits of the Eagles wide receiver, now catching for Dallas. We also sampled some delicious housemade mozzarella and other cheeses.
- Here's another tip: Shops like di Bruno’s are also great places to find stocking stuffers for the cooks on your lists and for holiday entertaining ideas.
