Vernalicious

Sorry folks, another day of follow up Dr's appointments- PPA and other miscellaneous errands has us tied up! No lunch or dinner today....

Good morning chick-a-dees! Public service announcement...... No lunch service today or tomorrow & closed on Sunday but you can swing through for dinner 5-7 today & tomorrow. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Salmon club FTW

I forgot to update the menu Oven roasted wings rubbed with our proprietary rub w/ BBQ sauce Beet salad with ricotta, red onion & honey lime vin Ohhhhhhhh- and the mac n cheese is going to be griddled this week- until we find a different solution for packaging..... Order on Grubhub

Let's just say that I don't have to improve my photography skills when our guests take the most beautiful for us Thanks Amy! See y'all tomorrow

Due to excessive heat (our newer air co can't compete with Satan)- we closed early for a whiskey & ample air conditioning at our fav neighborhood spot Wander Inn! Hydrate hydrate hydrate!

I had started to post a "people behind the scenes" on Instagram when the journey of the funky ugly restaurant began. Unfortunately, I got distracted & stopped posting pictures of the people who have really been behind the scenes- the angels on my side who want nothing more than for me to succeed. You see- this funky, weird & dysfunctional spot had been shuttered for a few years when I took possession. It's in a South Philly neighborhood that has been relatively untouched by ...the gentrification that's been happening all around town. I knew it was off the beat & path, I knew the neighborhood would have preferred that I open a pizza/ steak n burger spot..... but if you know me at all- I had a different vision for this place. Long story short, it has cost a fortune (I could have bought a building & started from scratch & had the cutest, sexist little restaurant by now) & I ran out of money. It took sooooo much longer (and 10's of thousands of additional dollars) to open due to landlord/ tenant disputes and L& I incompetence. I was ready to close before it even opened.... and there was so much more to do before I could serve up my 1st sandwich. Some of you know my "no nonsense" approach to getting things done. Well, it's hard AF to get anything done without any money. Back to my angels...... My dear friend Rob & his guys (Ed to my left- Alex to my right- not pictued- Rob & PeeWee) have been just a few of my knights in shining armor. Yesterday- on their day off, they installed a new to me- recycled air conditioner from Green Line Hydroponics (my amazing new neighbors). They wouldn't accept a dime. Breakfast sandwiches & hugs paid the bill. Again- if you know me at all, I cried as soon as they walked out the door. I'm so uncomfortable taking- because I'm a giver. There are countless angels on my side. So many- that I can't even list them. So, I'll start my day with a full of gratitude. I'll also suggest that you do something today to raise people up- to help them succeed. I'll never be able to capture all of my angels in pictures- and I hope they read this post- because I APPRECIATE YOU See more

It might feel like the dog days of summer- but it like heaven. Red Jersey Fresh 1732 Meats bacon Green Line Hydroponics lettuce Bimbo Bakeries USA Texas toast... @Jersey Gina's Gems pickles Soom Foods tahini Yards Brewing Co. Philly Pale Ale Zucchini plucked from the vine cakes Golden beets that are blushing And if you ask real nice, I'll put some of the fattest anchovies on your salad Full menu on Grubhub super limited on Caviar See more

It's Monday- and I'm freaking exhausted I cannot tell a lie. Everything about the funky ugly restaurant has been challenging. It almost makes the food s seem like cake walk. The air co is less than ample, the equipment is older than me & temperamental (just like me), finding skilled labor has been frustrating.... etcetera etcetera...... What I can tell you is this- the long days on my feet, the hardships of owning a small biz, the blood, sweat & oh so many tears is valida...ted by the DMs, reviews, phone calls & return customers. Believe it or not- whatever business endeavor I am involved in- the product is secondary. Hospitality is really the name of my game. Despite the fact that I strive to deliver the best possible food & customer service- I truly enjoy meeting, greeting & getting to know you. I've said it before & I'll say it again- I appreciate you, your business & validation that I'm on the right track. See more

I have so much to say about these chiles rellenos, the people who made them & life in general. I found San Miguelito when I was opening the funky ugly restaurant. A friend and I came for dinner armed with a bottle of whiskey & tequila (yes, whiskey is perfectly paired with Mexican food). In our usual fashion, we ordered the whole left side of the menu. Everything here is made from scratch, with love & attention by a lovely husband and wife team (they like whiskey too). It was...- hands down, one of the best meals either one of us could remember in recent history. At the end of the meal, the nice lady let me into her kitchen to stir a pot of atole- and a friendship was instantly formed. I've been wanting to return to this tiny joint for so long, but to be honest- I'm exhausted at the end of the day, and haven't had "hankerings" for much of anything at all. Last night, I finally returned- with a Greek spread from my place. Lamb, chicken, hummus.... As y'all know, I'm terrible at taking photos of our food. I should be better at it, because it's the best marketing tool around. I guess I'm too busy preparing the food, living in the moment & creating memories without a phone (camera) in my hand. I find that it doesn't really capture the heart and soul of the food anyway. The moral of this story: put down the dang phone- find yourself a tiny joint with a strong- passionate woman at the helm of the kitchen- preparing the food with all her & soul. Trust me- you won't regret it. See more

Parents feeding children "whole" "fresh" foods- really warms my . These adorable twins tore up some beets, hummus & tzatziki

Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart when I can hear it beat out loud...... I'm here for you Philly! Full Greek menu available on Grubhub but not yet on Caviar.

For my sanity & yours- this is the beginning of Greek season. Get used to it, because it's sticking around for a while. Probably until the end of Jerz season. IMHO- it is the only season. More additions next week.