Notes from the Weekend: March 24

Notes from the Weekend is a feature that sees the members of Team Meal Ticket compiling all the food/drink highlights uncovered during prime eatin' time, Friday to Sunday. Adam took the weekend off so it's just caroline chiming in this week. We'd love to hear all about YOUR weekend eating adventures in the comments. Go for it! (View past NFTW installments at citypaper.net/notes.)

Adam Erace: AE

Caroline Russock: CR

Friday was really chill with dinner at home. I made a pot of chili with La Frieda's short rib blend and five different chilies I got in New Mexico last month, and instead of rice, ladled it over Tom Culton's polenta, made from red corn he grows, dries and grinds. Best polenta I've ever had, including in Italia.—AE

Headed over to Pho Ha on Saturday afternoon for a late lunch of pho plus a killer chicken and spring roll rice plate and an iced coffee before a five o'clock showing of The Grand Budapest Hotel. I mixed up a few sidecars at home before going to an all girls birthday party with hoagies Comsi's, lemon-blackberry cupcakes and loads of prosecco.—CR

I ordered very-convenient breakfast delivery from Cousin's Grubhouse on Saturday morning: Chris Ritter's clever bacon-wrapped jalapeño tots and a pork roll, egg-and-cheese sandwich on a long, squishy roll. Details TBA, as review runs this Thursday. Don't miss it.—AE

C was sick, so I had to fly stag to the wedding of family friends on Saturday night at the Downtown Club on Washington Square. Chilled shrimp and lamb chops focused the cocktail hour; I had filet mignon over truffled risotto for dinner; and dessert was a funnel cake sundae and chocolate-dipped fruit. The Negronis flowed, and I spilled my Champagne toast all over my new Suit Supply suit. Can't take me anywhere.—AE

On Sunday morning I made a batch of lemon-ricotta pancakes with cranberries and then made my way up to Ristortante Panorama for the opening party of Philadelphia Wine Week. Aside from countless flutes of sparkling wine and a very good looking spread from DiBruno Bros., the real highlight of the party was watching George Perrier saber a bottle of Champagne. Clearly this was not Perrier's first ceremonial sabering. After the party I grabbed a late burger and an Ommegang Glimmer Glass at Fountain Porter before calling it a night.—CR