Summer 2017 Checklist
Éclat Porcini & Thyme Chocolate
Master chocolatier Christopher Cur tin of Éclat Chocolate pushes past traditional sweets to offer region-specific tastes and inventive flavors. We love the porcini and thyme bar, with its umami-filled white chocolate layered onto silky, fragrant milk chocolate. The savory-leaning flavor is a conversation starter. Order the new bars online or visit Éclat Chocolate at 24 S. High Street, West Chester, 610.692.5206, eclatchocolate.com.
Manakeesh Café & Bakery
A tasting tour of the pastry case at this Lebanese hub in West Philly should be high on your summer culinary to-do list.The baklava is excellent, but even better is the basboosa—a dense, sweet, Middle Eastern semolina cake that demolishes all attempts at desser t self-restraint. If savor y’s your thing, order the namesake manakeesh; it’s like a Lebanese pizza with topping offerings including spiced lamb, labneh, and za’atar. Manakeesh Café & Bakery, 4420 Walnut St., 215.921.2135, manakeeshcafe.com.
Mulberries
These deep-purple, thumb-sized berries are super-sweet and a tad nutty. Take advantage of peak season—mid-June through early July—and cook them into jam, muddle them in a cocktail or dehydrate them and hide them from yourself to enjoy in midwinter. Mulberry trees are urban dwellers; make time for city foraging and you can skip the trip to the farmers’ market. (Pro tip: Look for the purple splotches on the sidewalk.) D Sweet Water Baking Co. Granola One key difference between the hundreds of ar tisanal granolas on the market and Sweet Water’s is that these oats and seeds get a long soak in water (with just a touch of local buttermilk) before they are drained; mixed with coconut oil, sugar and cinnamon; and hear th-baked. Almonds and raisins are tossed into the Swamp Mix, a satisfying summer snack. Find it at the Kimber ton Whole Foods location, Mom’s Organic Market, and Weaver’s Way Co-op. 540-593-3191, sweetwatergranola.com.
Poké Ono Bowl
The poke craze has made it to the Main Line, and we don’t think it’s going out of style anytime soon. Fast-casual Poké Ono (ono means delicious in Hawaiian) is doubly trendy; its version of the traditional Hawaiian salad of raw fish, tofu, or other proteins is served as a build-your-own bowl with unlimited toppings. Try mixed greens with tuna, scallions, cucumber, avocado, carrots, shredded nori, furikake, and a generous squir t of wasabi shoyu for a reviving summer lunch. Poké Ono, 59 West Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, 484.413.2058, pokeono.com
Drinks at Friday Saturday Sunday
Yes, the cocktail menu at the newly reopened Fri/Sat/ Sun is dazzling, but it’s just a promo for what head bar tender Paul MacDonald can do. Mention just a few taste preferences and he’ll make a personalized drink that will puzzle and delight you. Equipped with ingredients like Buddha’s-hand simple syrup, raspberr y vinegar and lemon-coriander shrub, the bar turns out compelling cocktails—and mocktails, too. Friday Saturday Sunday, 261 S. 21st St., 215.546.4232, fridaysaturdaysunday.com.
