Delicious City Philly – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Roxanne was born from the experimental mind of Chef Alexandra Holt. Instead of taming her brain and fitting her ideas into stiff boxes of expectation, she embraced her provocative culinary vision to create dishes that have stirred our city’s food scene. The opening of her new space is imminent, and in this episode she tells Delicious City about why Philly is the first place she’s truly felt at home. 

• (00:00) Dave’s not here today… because he’s getting married today! Congrats Dave and Becca!
• (04:12) Alexandra’s been putting in a ton of work at the new location for Roxanne, which is named after her badass mom
• (10:41) Alexandra tells Eli and Marisa about how she moved around a lot growing up, why she decided to be open with her struggles with mental health, and how her relationship with food has evolved over the years
• (27:27) Creating Roxanne saved Alexandra: she says “I don’t think I’d be here at all” without it
• (35:11) In It to Win It: This week, you could win a seat at the next dinner in the Voi•ãge series, curated by Chef Eli and recently named in Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly list! Chef Donald Link from New Orleans is coming to Vernick Fish for a collab that you do not want to miss
• (30:58) What it takes to be a good leader in the kitchen and treating your team the way you want to be treated
• (38:28) Best Bites: Eli’s west coast trip, Alexandra’s Philly faves, and Marisa’s run-in with Charles Barkley in the burbs
• (54:49) Lots of foodie events in September, including a couple that combine our love of food and music - mark your calendars and get your tickets!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Chef Eli is out this episode...again, BUT he set up a succulent surprise for Marisa and Dave. Get ready for some serious oyster ASMR… Plus shucking tips, best bar bites, and we warm up our pipes for karaoke!

• (03:18) Our producer Sara reveals that Eli’s got a tasty surprise guest lined up: we're talking about Oyster House's own G-Shucks, aka Gary McCready, the man who’s shucked over a million oysters, and of course he brought Jersey-grown treats for the crew. We cover east coast vs. west coast, various spots he’s shucked at, and why he loves to share these oceanic gems with the world
• (10:20) In-studio oyster shucking begins. Gary teaches us the correct way to shuck, what to look for in an oyster, and creative accompaniments you can try. Check our Instagram this week to see him in action! @deliciouscitypodcast
• (19:45) Whatcha Been Eatin’: Sara’s B-BLT, Dave’s $6 cheeseburger, Marisa’s ice cream sandwich and Gary’s visit to Barcelona on Passyunk
• (26:45) An impromptu karaoke session breaks out. Sing it with us...Chickity China, the Chinese chicken 🎵🐔
• (32:38) Long distance listeners, we want to hear from you! If you’re from outside of the Philly area, especially if you are international, DM us at @deliciouscitypodcast and let us know where you are listening at
• (34:49) One more oyster break, and one more singalong

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

BIG NEWS, Delicious City fam: we’re going weekly! You’ll hear about what we’ve been chewing on, literally and figuratively, every single week. Best Bites, Food News, and conversations with the movers and shakers in Philadelphia - it’s all here. These episodes will get delivered to this feed every Monday, so smash that SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW button if you haven’t already.

(00:00) Episode 69? Niiiiice. 

(02:12) We jump right into pastry chat with Robert Toland, who just won Food Network’s 'Next Baking Master: Paris’. Prepare yourself for some crunchy ASMR

(07:23) Robert gives us a behind-the-scenes look at filming the show in Paris, describing the challenges he worked through to become the champion, and how his childhood influenced the way he bakes today. He also tells us about working for Jose Garces here in Philly, and what’s next in his career. We also find out what a dessert terrarium is

(28:48) Robert drove an hour out of his way to bring us some insane pastries from Malvern Buttery, and our minds are blown by the canelé, so much that Eli calls it “life changing” 

(33:03) In It to Win It: Thanks to our friends at Center City District, who are celebrating SIPS all summer, we’ve got another giveaway for you. Listen for the secret word to win a gift card to Time in Philadelphia, and DM it to @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram

(38:18) Thank you to everyone who filled out the feedback form! Head to our Linktree to tell us where you’re from, what you like to eat and what you want to hear more of on this podcast. We extended the survey, and everyone who fills it out between now and 7/8 will be entered into a drawing for dinner at Philadelphia Oyster House

(42:14) Best Bites: Eli stumbles upon tasty tacos, Dave goes down the shore, Marisa is wowed by a recent guest on the pod, and Robert gives us his Philly picks

(51:09) Congrats to all the James Beard winners! Eli runs down a few openings to look forward to in the city

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Summer has arrived, which means al fresco dining, festivals everywhere you turn, and the weekly tradition of SIPS in Center City. Eli, Marisa and Dave dive into their warm weather favorites, debut a new segment, and have not one, but two tasty prizes that you could win. 

00:00:00 Chewy vs. crunchy cookies: which team are you?  

00:01:17 Dave is back! And no, he’s not moving to Newark. He’s happy to be back in Philly after a work trip back-to-back with a bachelor weekend (lots of Dirty Bananas were involved) 

00:05:57 Gia Suraci, who has the most Philly accent ever (and we LOVE it), is here to roll out a summer tradition: SIPS in Center City! They’re celebrating 20 years of this summertime happy hour, with dozens of restaurants participating. New this year: CCD is offering a limited-edition beer made in partnership with Broad Street Brewing. Dave can’t wait to give this Mexican-style lager a try at Dilworth Park’s Air Grille Garden!

00:20:13 In It to Win It: In partnership with Center City District and SIPS, this week’s giveaway is a gift card to Village Whiskey. Marisa gives out the secret word that you’ll need to DM to @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram for a chance to win. 

00:29:50 Best Bites: Marisa’s tiki party, Dave’s family-style dinner that fused Indian and Mexican cuisine, and Eli has a rare out-of-state plate that’s at the top of his list 

00:47:41 We debut a spinoff of Best Bites, because we have too much good food to keep it to one pick per person! Whatcha Been Eatin’ will cover all of the gang’s honorable mentions this week. Dave shares how to find the hidden gems at Southeast Asian Market, and Marisa flexes her Dunkle Dare championship reign 

01:00:59 We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the podcast via a quick survey. Everyone who fills it out will be entered to win a gift card to Philadelphia Oyster House. Find it HERE or in our Linktree and Instagram

01:06:30 Food Events + Pop-Up Run Down: a pescatarian dinner, a Juneteenth cookout, 90s night at the Please Touch Museum, and lots more! 

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Beer lovers, belly up to the newest episode of Delicious City and pour yourself a pint. Rich Colli is in studio to talk about all the brewers from Philadelphia and beyond who are not only quenching your thirst, but throwing some of the most ridiculously fun parties in the city. From sours to stouts, we cover it all.

(00:00:00) Hat chat and Phillies jerseys

(00:06:10) Rich Colli is here to talk all things beer, which Marisa is VERY excited about. He also owns Varga Bar, and he tells us about the itchiest interview of his life… 

(00:11:00) Rich bought Varga Bar right as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, but he tells us how he got lucky with the bar’s setup. Can we bring back to-go cocktails, please? 

(00:16:07) Philly Beer Week is all about beer, but also about bringing people together for a good time. Think Jeopardy, karaoke, themed nights, contest and more - and of course, tap takeovers and happy hour specials all week starting on May 31st 

(00:26:09) Marisa compares the beer scenes of Pennsylvania and Colorado, and how the cannabis industry affects brewery business 

(00:27:37) Favorite Philly Beer Week memories, which may or may not include smashing a car with a hammer

(00:31:38) Varga Bar’s great list of sour and funky beers, and Rich shouts out other bars in the city with great beer selections 

(00:37:21) In It to Win It: Get the secret word that you’ll need to win a gift card to Scarpetta in Rittenhouse, and follow @deliciouscitypodcast to enter the contest

(00:42:54) Best Bites include a new chef residency, a hoagie spot on Washington Avenue, and Eli’s jazzed up Jim’s Steaks 

(00:59:39) We play Pair That Beer: Eli and Marisa throw some popular Philly dishes at Rich, who expertly names the perfect beer to pair them with 

(01:07:14) Food News: a new dish with crab fat butter catches our eye, plus a Tiki bar in the heart of Center City, the largest board game café on the East Coast, and more 

(01:20:16) Pop Up Run Down: wine dinners, lots of events for oyster lovers, and a party in a playground

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, the Delicious City gang have scoured the internet (i.e. we polled our followers) for the best beach experiences that’ll turn a typical holiday weekend into a legendary party. We’ve got the info for you, plus the scoop on the new restaurant from the mind of Liz Grothe, self-described “fearlessly silly” Philly chef. 

(00:00:00) Everybody vote for Dave Wez for Philly Mag’s Influencer of the Year award! 

(00:07:04) Liz Grothe tells us about how she landed in Philadelphia, via a food safety job involving cheesesteaks

(00:27:45) The story behind Couch Cafe, the in-home dinners that Liz began after she quit her corporate job. She tells us how her own couch became the hottest seat in town, and the crew discuss how collab culture in Philly has rapidly grown in the past few years 

(00:34:00) Liz reveals the debut plans for Scampi, and Italian concept opening this summer in the spot that Neighborhood Ramen currently occupies (but not for much longer!) 

(00:47:22) Best Bites include a mini golf breakfast, a classic pizza, oyster with ramp sauce, and a pork gyro

(01:00:47) Bored with burgers and dogs on the grill? Try something new this Memorial Day Weekend! Eli, Marisa and Dave suggest local businesses that’ll bring ice luges, mechanical bulls, oyster shuckers and even a mobile hibachi grill to your house party 

(01:14:04) In It To Win It! We’re partnering with Oloroso for your chance to win an amazing Spanish experience right here in Philly. Listen for the secret word and DM it to @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram to enter. Visit olorosophl.com to learn more.

(01:18:43) Food News: several Philly mainstays are celebrating milestone anniversaries, like Pumpkin and Vetri Cucina. Plus, two cheesesteak mainstays have big announcements, and a couple coffee shops opening up soon 

(01:26:46) Pop-Up Run-Down - Festival season is in full swing! 

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• Balancing a busy life and eating healthy is a challenge for anyone. Make your life easier and more delicious with Performance Meal Prep
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs

Heads up, Delicious City fam: due to some technical difficulties, this episode may sound a bit different. We’ll be back to normal next time, and no, we do not have drunken lisps in real life. Head to our Instagram @deliciouscitypodcast for videos from the studio (that all sound normal!). Speaking of Instagram, one of Philadelphia’s original foodie influencers @josheatsphilly is here to talk about social media, brunch spots you can actually score a reso at, and Cinco de Mayo plans. 

00:00 Marisa had to bail at the last minute, so producer Sara is joining in on the conversation

03:38 We discuss our favorite cheeses

06:05 Josh Eats Philly tells us his origins story, and he and Dave bond over the Pine Barrens and the Jersey Devil

12:03 When Josh got involved in the food scene in our city, and how “Instagram influencer culture” has evolved since then

17:40 Dave and Josh reveal the unspoken “rules” of foodie influencers, and discuss the importance of putting your mental health above algorithm attachment 

31:40 Dave’s Best Bite involves an oyster farm tour of Sweet Amalia in New Jersey for Earth Day

36:38 Eli had a phenomenal eating week, and he describes an outstanding dinner with his son at River Twice, his love for creamy rice, and the sushi omakase experience that’s flying under the radar right now (his advice: go there now before the price skyrockets!)

45:00 Josh’s Best Bite was at Sofi Corner Cafe in the Gayborhood - they just started doing dinner service there 

47:20 Cinco de Mayo is coming up! Eli, Dave and Josh try to pick from a TON of events that are happening around Philly on May 5th. Josh brought us tacos from Si Taqueria on Federal Street, and Dave names his favorite tacos South Jersey. Plus: we find out what a “drunken piñata” is 

54:07 The gang runs down their plans for Mother’s Day, including where you might still be able to score a reservation for brunch, where the best breakfast buffet is at, and Josh’s pick for a sweet treat for Mom

59:34 In It to Win It: This week, Delicious City is giving you a chance to win a $100 gift card to Rosey’s Banh Mi in Ambler. Listen for the secret word from Dave, and DM us at @deliciouscitypodcast to enter! 

01:06:04 Eli dishes out food news and upcoming events, and Sara handles the Pop-Up Run-Down

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Balancing a busy life and eating healthy is a challenge for anyone. Make your life easier and more delicious with Performance Meal Prep
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Eclipses, earthquakes and eats, oh my! Not even Mother Nature can stop us from trying every bite in the city of Philadelphia. Let’s dive into this jam-packed episode of Delicious City, complete with insider info, a giveaway announcement, and a special discount for listeners

• The solar eclipse was underwhelming for us here in Philly, but what does NOT disappoint is our good friends Jen Carroll and Billy Riddle joining us for an update on their many food projects
• We cover how they landed back in our city during the pandemic, get an update on their cooking classes and events, and they make a big announcement: Delicious City listeners are the first to hear about their new food experience, a walking tour of Fishtown that highlights all the best spots and snacks in the neighborhood (including very in-demand dishes)
• As a couple that cooks together, and works together, we need to know: what annoys Jen and Billy the most about sharing a kitchen
• Jen, who was on three seasons of Top Chef, recaps her most difficult challenge on the show
• Billy explains how an illness forced him to reprioritize his life, but ultimately, it put him on a much healthier and more fulfilling career path than he ever could have expected
• The gang recaps the Philly Makers Night Market, with pizza, butter and an insane ice cream taco
• Other Best Bites include a donut, an Italian cookie, and Eli’s best kept lunch secret in the city
• We welcome a new sponsor, Performance Meal Prep, and talk to Jesse about how he blends his influence from the fine dining world and the fitness world to create healthy, ready-to-go meals. BONUS: Listen for a special discount for Delicious City listeners that can be used any time you order from PMP!
• Merch Madness: The epic conclusion! We announce the winner of the bracket AND the winner of the merch bundle
• Pickle Party! Marisa gives out the secret word that you’ll need to enter our Instagram contest. We’re giving away two passes to The World’s Largest Pickle Party, happening at Xfinity Live on June 15th
• Plus, Food News, with lots of pop-ups in April!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Balancing a busy life and eating healthy is a challenge for anyone. Make your life easier and more delicious with Performance Meal Prep
• Social media and content are two of the most important things you can do for your business. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all digital needs for your company

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

What are your favorite snacks? Well, we all have our opinions, but today we have the perfect guests to be on an episode that is fully dedicated to those salty, crispy treats. “Hit it, Snacktime!” You hear us say it in every episode of Delicious City, and now, Snacktime themselves have joined us in the studio. We have a little April Fools fun in this hour of snacking, crunching, reminiscing, and looking forward to the future, including: 

• Merch Madness Update: The bracket has been narrowed down to the final championship round. Listen to find out how you can win a merch bundle from all of the competitors, and make sure you vote in the finals this Friday (4/5) on our Instagram stories: @deliciouscitypodcast
• We miss Marisa! She’s traveling this week, but in her absence, we have THREE guests: Sam, Mike and Ben from the Philadelphia based band Snacktime
• Snacktime tell us about how they garnered a loyal following during COVID lockdown by performing in Rittenhouse Park. They may have made a couple of enemies that way, but they made FAR more friends.
• Plus: they give us the details behind their new music that’s out now on all streaming platforms, and their recent feature in a Taco Bell commercial
• Snacks are the theme of this episode: the guys from the band give us their best bites *from the road*, the eats they request in their show rider (and debunk the Van Halen/M&Ms myth)
• We play a rapid-fire game of “This or That” and debate the more superior treats
• We run down our Best Bites of the week, and psychoanalyze Mike’s lack of enthusiasm for eating new and exciting things (but we do get some good taco memories out of him)
• Dave introduces Eli to the show’s new favorite snack. Hint: it has the perfect crunch
• Food News includes an annual charity event involving our sister podcast, Chef Radio, plus a couple of springtime openings, and the Pop-Up Run-Down!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level

We’re fresh off of our first Delicious City Happy Hour, and we can’t thank you all enough for joining us! We recap that great event, and on the other side of the coin, we run down a fantastic chef’s tasting that Eli, Marisa, and Dave all took part in. Plus, we welcome a guest whose Mexican dishes are getting national attention. There’s something for everyone in this episode.

Here's what you're going to hear in this episode:

• Happy Hour at Paulie Gee’s was a DC family affair. The beer! The pizza! The 90s decor! We had a blast getting to know our listeners IRL
• Chef Carlos Aparicio of El Chingon joins us in studio. He brings Pueblan cuisine to Passyunk, and his restaurant recently landed on the New York Times list as one of the best new spots in the country! 
• Eli talks about how, when opening a restaurant, you are running multiple marathons before that restaurant is fully hitting its stride
• The Philly famous mural artist who graced the building with their work
• Why they decided not to have reservations at El Chingon
• Carlos tells us why he doesn't drink tequila. His answer will surprise you
• How Carlos' exceptional height helped him get work right away when he came to the US even though he was only 13 years old
• Best Bites: We recap the Voi•ãge dining experience with Chef Jeremy Fox from Los Angeles. Plus, Marisa eats the tomato soup to end all tomato soups, some pickled shrimp make BB's, and a duck press machine
• Have you ever heard of a double shucked pea? Well, listen up because Eli explains this, and you're going to want to do this for your next spring dish;)
• Dave learns why his best bite was so delicious when Eli tells him of the other painstaking technique that Jeremy Fox applied to his dinner for Voi•ãge
• Everyone gushes at the beauty of the Lark dining room
• Merch Madness! Follow @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram to find out how to vote for your favorite foodie merch in our brand new bracket contest
• Food News includes a special collab that Chef Carlos is taking part in, the launch of Kampar, and the demise (and resurrection) of Dollar Dog Night

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level