WAAALLLLLTTT!
and
Don't ever tell me what I can't do! EVER!
This one's for Jonny R.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
John Locke
I pretty much have two favorite quotes from Lost:
WAAALLLLLTTT!
and
Don't ever tell me what I can't do! EVER!
This one's for Jonny R.
WAAALLLLLTTT!
and
Don't ever tell me what I can't do! EVER!
This one's for Jonny R.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Ida Mae's
Most of you are pretty familiar with this local breakfast spot, and it doesn't need much analysis. That being said, it's the only place I went out to eat this weekend, so here goes.
If Ida Mae's wasn't so close to my house, I probably wouldn't ever go. Don't get me wrong, it has some great stuff going on, but nothing spectacular enough to make me leave my neighborhood.
Here are the things I really like: Ida Mae's opens at 7am (around 7, they're usually a bit sluggish in the morning). Sometimes I want to grab an early breakfast and most spots are not open until 8am or later. For me, the location is pretty convenient, too. The price is right. My favorite item on the menu is the beans and toast, which clocks in at $6.00. Great deal. The food tastes good, and there are new specials weekly. Lastly, the coffee is acceptable, and I'm usually pretty harsh with my coffee tastes.
Even writing that last paragraph, it sounds like I am making a pretty strong argument for the Ida Mae's. But it's not perfect: Despite the specials, the menu is pretty limited and doesn't change that much. My biggest complaint is the service. Unless there are three parties or less, the service can almost be guaranteed to be less than average. Sometimes on the weekend the place gets a wait that is really not worth the wait. The whole place is small, but considering that, I think the setup and atmosphere is done rather well.
Bottom Line: Ida Mae's is good enough to keep me coming back every couple of months and I am glad that it's in my neighborhood. It gets bonus points for a commitment to local ingredients. But there's a lot of other places that top it.
Essentials:
If Ida Mae's wasn't so close to my house, I probably wouldn't ever go. Don't get me wrong, it has some great stuff going on, but nothing spectacular enough to make me leave my neighborhood.
Here are the things I really like: Ida Mae's opens at 7am (around 7, they're usually a bit sluggish in the morning). Sometimes I want to grab an early breakfast and most spots are not open until 8am or later. For me, the location is pretty convenient, too. The price is right. My favorite item on the menu is the beans and toast, which clocks in at $6.00. Great deal. The food tastes good, and there are new specials weekly. Lastly, the coffee is acceptable, and I'm usually pretty harsh with my coffee tastes.
Even writing that last paragraph, it sounds like I am making a pretty strong argument for the Ida Mae's. But it's not perfect: Despite the specials, the menu is pretty limited and doesn't change that much. My biggest complaint is the service. Unless there are three parties or less, the service can almost be guaranteed to be less than average. Sometimes on the weekend the place gets a wait that is really not worth the wait. The whole place is small, but considering that, I think the setup and atmosphere is done rather well.
Bottom Line: Ida Mae's is good enough to keep me coming back every couple of months and I am glad that it's in my neighborhood. It gets bonus points for a commitment to local ingredients. But there's a lot of other places that top it.
Essentials:
2302 E Norris St (Norris and Tulip)
215-426-4209
Avg Ent: 6-11
Cash only: Yes
Reservations: No
BYOB: Maybe for a splash of Irish coffee
Friday, March 27, 2009
Grilladelphia
I've heard from a few friends that Grilladelphia serves up an awesome cheesesteak. Because Grilladelphia is inside of a gas station, I have to admit that I've always been skeptical. Still, after weeks of trying to meet up to try it out, my friend Ethan and I alignedc our schedules and made the trip last night.
First of all, I know a lot of people like this place because it's cheap. $7.50 gets you any size fountain drink, a large order of fries, and a 1/2 pound cheesesteak. It's more food than you should want to eat. That being said, I ate the whole thing. Health wise, its pretty killer, but makes up for it in taste.
First of all, the lady taking my order was extremely pleasant. Ethan told me that this isn't usually the case, but they get points for having such a nice employee serve me on my first visit. We were getting take out, and she quickly made our food and packaged it up with ample napkins and ketchup.
I ordered my steak in true Philly fashion: onions, peppers and cheese. And it was, surprisingly, the most flavorful steak I've ever had. The ratios of all of the ingredients were perfect. It was spicy, tangy, cheesy goodness. Also, the bread that they use is awesome. It's made from round shaped "pouch" roll that has its insides scooped out and replaced with the steak. Its quite a delicious innovation.
Even writing about it I'm getting a bit hungry. I didn't think a steak shop inside the "Rock and Roll" Exxon could be this good. The sandwich is also served with excellent fries. Lastly, Grilladelphia's website insists they use local, fresh produce, which is an added bonus. There's not much to say other than this place is some of the best takeout around. I'm sold.
First of all, I know a lot of people like this place because it's cheap. $7.50 gets you any size fountain drink, a large order of fries, and a 1/2 pound cheesesteak. It's more food than you should want to eat. That being said, I ate the whole thing. Health wise, its pretty killer, but makes up for it in taste.
First of all, the lady taking my order was extremely pleasant. Ethan told me that this isn't usually the case, but they get points for having such a nice employee serve me on my first visit. We were getting take out, and she quickly made our food and packaged it up with ample napkins and ketchup.
I ordered my steak in true Philly fashion: onions, peppers and cheese. And it was, surprisingly, the most flavorful steak I've ever had. The ratios of all of the ingredients were perfect. It was spicy, tangy, cheesy goodness. Also, the bread that they use is awesome. It's made from round shaped "pouch" roll that has its insides scooped out and replaced with the steak. Its quite a delicious innovation.
Even writing about it I'm getting a bit hungry. I didn't think a steak shop inside the "Rock and Roll" Exxon could be this good. The sandwich is also served with excellent fries. Lastly, Grilladelphia's website insists they use local, fresh produce, which is an added bonus. There's not much to say other than this place is some of the best takeout around. I'm sold.
Essentials:
2330 Aramingo Ave (Aramingo and York)
Avg Ent: 5-8
Cash only: No
Basically take out only
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Homecookin' Part 1
I don't go out to eat enough to post about new restaurants 5 days a week. Not even close. I like the balance I have between making food at home and going out to eat. Eating out too often can be a real budget buster. On top of that, I genuinely like making food at home, so it all works out.
For this first edition of home cookin', I'm going to post the pictures from when Jonny and I made falafel. We used a mix, which is easy and still delicious. We mixed equal p
arts mix and water and allowed it to solidify in the refrigerator overnight. The hardest part of the whole meal was frying the falafel. If the mix has been cooling long enough, it's pretty easy to form small balls or patties. We heated a generous amount of oil in a pot, and then fried the falafel until golden brown, flipping when necessary.The meal was perfected by the cucumber yogurt sauce. Jonny and I don't keep recipes, but the sauce was close to this:
1/2 med. cucumber peeled, seeded & chopped fine
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1/4 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cumin
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
Fresh Lemon juice
Add in some french fries, warmed pita, and lettuce and tomato tossed with cumin, and you have it. Overall, the work to taste ratio for this meal is VERY satisfying.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Muhammad Yunus
Here's a break from the food posts, because I want to write a short piece on Muhammad Yunus, a total badass. Yunus won the Nobel Piece Prize for his work in microfinance. Never heard of microfinance? Maybe that's because its counter-cultural nonprofit, unintuitive idea, but one that has the potential to change the world. In Bangladesh, Yunus just started lending out his money to people who were being screwed by banks, either with crazy interest rates or outright refusals to lend.
His initial $27 USD loan helped 42(!) women, and Yunus knew he was onto something. He wrote a book about how small loans disproportionally help those in poverty, especially 3rd world working women. He then started a bank whose the main purpose to loan out interest free cash to those in poverty.
Down the line, others realized Yunus was really onto something, and kiva.org popped up. I found out about it first from Haley, and I just signed up for it this morning. I gave some money to Soeun Mao raising pigs in Cambodia, and Nejua Remijo selling food in Sudan. Sounds downright awesome to me.
There's so much good being done here. And even if you want to be selfish, you can get
your money back (repayment for past loans is above 98%). Last night at cell we were talking about it's futile to recognize the bad in the world, and then sit around asking why. Life is about doing.
His initial $27 USD loan helped 42(!) women, and Yunus knew he was onto something. He wrote a book about how small loans disproportionally help those in poverty, especially 3rd world working women. He then started a bank whose the main purpose to loan out interest free cash to those in poverty.
Down the line, others realized Yunus was really onto something, and kiva.org popped up. I found out about it first from Haley, and I just signed up for it this morning. I gave some money to Soeun Mao raising pigs in Cambodia, and Nejua Remijo selling food in Sudan. Sounds downright awesome to me.
There's so much good being done here. And even if you want to be selfish, you can get
your money back (repayment for past loans is above 98%). Last night at cell we were talking about it's futile to recognize the bad in the world, and then sit around asking why. Life is about doing.Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Que Chula Es Puebla
I have passed Que Chula Es Puebla on my bike a few times since it opened earlier this year. Because I have the inclination to enjoy most Mexican food that I eat, I was expecting to enjoy Que Chula (almost) no matter what I came across.
When I walked in with my friend Lulu, they were blasting (what I think was) Mexican music. Further, I think we were the only native English speakers. This joint felt authentic. Without asking, they turned down the music a bit for us. The place was mostly empty, but clean and generally nice. We sat down right away, and were brought complementary chips. Our server, who I would guess to be one of the owners, was an adorable Mexican woman. She was sweet and attentive.
We ordered guacamole and chips as an appetizer, and I ordered a slow-roast pork grilled burrito while Lulu got a chimichanga. The guacamole was not the best I've ever had. But for being at 2nd and Master on the 2nd day of spring, I was impressed. Our food took a while, but neither of us minded. When it arrived, we had huge portions in front of us. We both got to the point in our meal where we could have stopped eating and been full, but it tasted so good that we didn't want to stop. In case I haven't made my point, the food really was delicious. Moreover, when you consider that everything was slightly less than $20, it was even more awesome.
I think I've already said enough to sell people on this place. But there is more: BYOB and free delivery. (Nick Filirdi, I garentee a more satisfying meal that your last Ekta order). I like to support local businesses, but Que Chula seems to have everything going for it. The menu is extensive enough for me to go back a few times and enjoy myself. Tacos, burritos, and other dishes can be filled with fish, meat or veggies. I would be hard NOT to find something to enjoy here. This is probably the best food you can get in the price range. If you want to go here, let me know. I am down. I've scanned the menu for your (and after I lose it, my future) reference. Menu on my flickr.
Essentials:
When I walked in with my friend Lulu, they were blasting (what I think was) Mexican music. Further, I think we were the only native English speakers. This joint felt authentic. Without asking, they turned down the music a bit for us. The place was mostly empty, but clean and generally nice. We sat down right away, and were brought complementary chips. Our server, who I would guess to be one of the owners, was an adorable Mexican woman. She was sweet and attentive.
We ordered guacamole and chips as an appetizer, and I ordered a slow-roast pork grilled burrito while Lulu got a chimichanga. The guacamole was not the best I've ever had. But for being at 2nd and Master on the 2nd day of spring, I was impressed. Our food took a while, but neither of us minded. When it arrived, we had huge portions in front of us. We both got to the point in our meal where we could have stopped eating and been full, but it tasted so good that we didn't want to stop. In case I haven't made my point, the food really was delicious. Moreover, when you consider that everything was slightly less than $20, it was even more awesome.
I think I've already said enough to sell people on this place. But there is more: BYOB and free delivery. (Nick Filirdi, I garentee a more satisfying meal that your last Ekta order). I like to support local businesses, but Que Chula seems to have everything going for it. The menu is extensive enough for me to go back a few times and enjoy myself. Tacos, burritos, and other dishes can be filled with fish, meat or veggies. I would be hard NOT to find something to enjoy here. This is probably the best food you can get in the price range. If you want to go here, let me know. I am down. I've scanned the menu for your (and after I lose it, my future) reference. Menu on my flickr.
Essentials:
1356 N 2nd St (2nd and Master)
215-203-0404
Avg Ent: 6-10
Cash only: Not sure
Reservations: No
BYOB: YES
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monk's Cafe
My great friend Jonny recently told me that Monk's was recently rated the #3 bar in the country by Beer Advocate magazine. Having a bar THAT good in my city, is phenomenal. On top of that, the prices are such that Monk's is accessible to most people who are going out to eat. Monk's really is an excellent bar, so it's hard to find much wrong with it.
I must start with the beer. When I visited on 3/20, the tap list was pretty disappointing. There wasn't anything that was interesting that I had not already tried. I was with my
good friend Quinn, and our server didn't tell us anything about the tap list at the back bar. The bottle list is quite extensive, so much so that I was a bit overwhelmed by it. Our server, Maggie, actually did a great job helping me find a beer that I wanted to try without seeming impatient or condescending. When people know a lot about beer, they sometimes seem to operate with an informational advantage. Monk's beer might seem expensive, but for what you are getting, everything is reasonable.
I'm not great at describing beers, but here's a short list. The beers I had were:
1) Aventinus wheat doppelbock - I have never had this, and I know it's a pretty standard and widely enjoyed beer. it was a bit malty, but still easy drinking. It went well with my food.
2) Jolly Pumpkin Bam Beir - A light and slightly sour saison. It was really different than I was expecting from a saison. Decnet, but I wouldn't have it again.
3) Chimay Grand Reserve - Finished the night with a classic beer.
As expected, the fries at Monk's are bangin' (mussels and fries are Belgium's national dish). I continued my search for the most delicious burger in Philadelphia by ordering the Antwerp burger, beef with truffle cheese and shitaki mushrooms. While being an excellent burger, it's not the best in the city (but is not too far off either), nor the best item on the menu. If you like cultural dining, or seafood, the mussels are the way to go. I've had them before, and with the right sauce, you have a near perfect meal.
Monk's does not accept reservations and get extremely crowded. Quinn and I didn't have to wait for a table, but after we finished our food there was an hour wait. We sat at our table for almost an hour just drinking and didn't recieve any pressure to hurry up or move to the bar. I love that. The atmosphere at Monk's cosy and inviting, especially in the front room. Lastly, the music selection was awesome all night. I was jamming.
Overall, Monk's is great. It might not be my favorite bar ever, but I'm glad to have it in my city. Each day I realize a little bit more how beer-rich Philadelphia is.
I must start with the beer. When I visited on 3/20, the tap list was pretty disappointing. There wasn't anything that was interesting that I had not already tried. I was with my
good friend Quinn, and our server didn't tell us anything about the tap list at the back bar. The bottle list is quite extensive, so much so that I was a bit overwhelmed by it. Our server, Maggie, actually did a great job helping me find a beer that I wanted to try without seeming impatient or condescending. When people know a lot about beer, they sometimes seem to operate with an informational advantage. Monk's beer might seem expensive, but for what you are getting, everything is reasonable.I'm not great at describing beers, but here's a short list. The beers I had were:
1) Aventinus wheat doppelbock - I have never had this, and I know it's a pretty standard and widely enjoyed beer. it was a bit malty, but still easy drinking. It went well with my food.
2) Jolly Pumpkin Bam Beir - A light and slightly sour saison. It was really different than I was expecting from a saison. Decnet, but I wouldn't have it again.
3) Chimay Grand Reserve - Finished the night with a classic beer.
As expected, the fries at Monk's are bangin' (mussels and fries are Belgium's national dish). I continued my search for the most delicious burger in Philadelphia by ordering the Antwerp burger, beef with truffle cheese and shitaki mushrooms. While being an excellent burger, it's not the best in the city (but is not too far off either), nor the best item on the menu. If you like cultural dining, or seafood, the mussels are the way to go. I've had them before, and with the right sauce, you have a near perfect meal.
Monk's does not accept reservations and get extremely crowded. Quinn and I didn't have to wait for a table, but after we finished our food there was an hour wait. We sat at our table for almost an hour just drinking and didn't recieve any pressure to hurry up or move to the bar. I love that. The atmosphere at Monk's cosy and inviting, especially in the front room. Lastly, the music selection was awesome all night. I was jamming.
Overall, Monk's is great. It might not be my favorite bar ever, but I'm glad to have it in my city. Each day I realize a little bit more how beer-rich Philadelphia is.
Essentials:
264 S. 16th Street (16th and Spruce)
215-545-7005
Avg Ent: 9-20
Avg Beer: 5-17
Avg Beer: 5-17
Cash only: No
Reservations: No
BYOB: No
Thursday, March 19, 2009
New Layout and Roundup
Hey everyone. I don't like to post more than once a day, but I just did a little work and cleaned up my blog layout and added a banner. You have to actually view my blog to see it, and if you're inclined, let me know what you think.
The toilet paper pole was overwhelmingly in support of "B" or over the top, 18 to 2. Sorry Jonny and Joshua.
I'm continuing to build readership, which is really cool, considering that I write about things that are interesting only to me.
Lastly, I signed up for a Yelp account and just started posting all of my reviews on there. Look at this cool map they made me:
I'm not into social networking much, but my user name on Yelp is wgkealey. According to the site, I have zero friends.
The toilet paper pole was overwhelmingly in support of "B" or over the top, 18 to 2. Sorry Jonny and Joshua.
I'm continuing to build readership, which is really cool, considering that I write about things that are interesting only to me.
Lastly, I signed up for a Yelp account and just started posting all of my reviews on there. Look at this cool map they made me:
I'm not into social networking much, but my user name on Yelp is wgkealey. According to the site, I have zero friends.
Agrement of Sales Addedum
After the inspection, I wanted to make add a few repairs to the agreement of sale so that they would be fixed before the house was in my hands. Unless a house is being sold as-is, this is a pretty standard procedure.
The biggest problem from the inspection was the furnace. Replacing it and the chimney meant I was looking at least $3100 in repairs. With that knowledge and Jeff's guidance, we crafted a addendum asking for the the following:
A fiberglass coating on the upper roof to strengthen and extend its life
Ungrounded outlets to be grounded
Small leak fixed in bathroom
PVC sewage vent pipe extended to top of roof (to get rid of poopy smells)
Replace two windows in poor condition
Cap and seal all windows on rear of house
Repair masonry joist pockets in basement
Settle accounts with PGW and restore gas service before settlement
$2,500 credit towards furnace replacement and chimney repair
Long story short: I got everything except the two windows replaced. The house isn't perfect, but I feel like I'm getting a lot fixed even before I move in. I still have some things that I need to work on over the next few months when I get in, but I've successfully passed another hurdle in the whole process.
Next up: Securing a commitment to loan from the bank, and getting an appraisal that meets or exceeds the sale price.
The biggest problem from the inspection was the furnace. Replacing it and the chimney meant I was looking at least $3100 in repairs. With that knowledge and Jeff's guidance, we crafted a addendum asking for the the following:
A fiberglass coating on the upper roof to strengthen and extend its life
Ungrounded outlets to be grounded
Small leak fixed in bathroom
PVC sewage vent pipe extended to top of roof (to get rid of poopy smells)
Replace two windows in poor condition
Cap and seal all windows on rear of house
Repair masonry joist pockets in basement
Settle accounts with PGW and restore gas service before settlement
$2,500 credit towards furnace replacement and chimney repair
Long story short: I got everything except the two windows replaced. The house isn't perfect, but I feel like I'm getting a lot fixed even before I move in. I still have some things that I need to work on over the next few months when I get in, but I've successfully passed another hurdle in the whole process.
Next up: Securing a commitment to loan from the bank, and getting an appraisal that meets or exceeds the sale price.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Memphis Taproom
I regularly give the Memphis Taproom a hard time. That being said, I realize that it is one of the best bars in the city, and I am lucky to live within walking distance of it. The Memphis Taproom is a no frills beer bar that serves up an excellent menu and complements the food with an even better beer selection.
I can't go without mentioning beer week. Memphis Taproom ran a week-long event called "No Repeat Beer Week" where each time a keg kicked, a new beer was put on tap. For the whole week. It was impressively delicious.
The Taproom is a bit small, but it makes good use of its space. The front bar area is for people drinking, and the back dining room is only for those who are buying food. Because space is limited, this is a understandable request. The atmosphere is nice; homely and not overly decorated. The place can be a bit overwhelming when it's crowded, which is a regular occurrence. The Taproom doesn't have a happy hour, which would be a nice addition.
The staff is pretty great. I've never had a server who wasn't knowledgeable about the beers, and the food service is great too. The kitchen is a bit slow. But when I'm drinking a good beer, I tend not to notice as much. The suicide rings and the sandwiches (at $8 or $9) are the stars of the menu. I've also enjoyed brunch here a few times. The coffee is a bit strong for my taste, so I opt for the tasty Belgian witbier mimosa instead.
Bottom Line: This spot is great, and I'm glad it is in my neighborhood. I recommend checking out the tap list, waiting until something you really want to try is available, and checking out this excellent bar.
I can't go without mentioning beer week. Memphis Taproom ran a week-long event called "No Repeat Beer Week" where each time a keg kicked, a new beer was put on tap. For the whole week. It was impressively delicious.
The Taproom is a bit small, but it makes good use of its space. The front bar area is for people drinking, and the back dining room is only for those who are buying food. Because space is limited, this is a understandable request. The atmosphere is nice; homely and not overly decorated. The place can be a bit overwhelming when it's crowded, which is a regular occurrence. The Taproom doesn't have a happy hour, which would be a nice addition.
The staff is pretty great. I've never had a server who wasn't knowledgeable about the beers, and the food service is great too. The kitchen is a bit slow. But when I'm drinking a good beer, I tend not to notice as much. The suicide rings and the sandwiches (at $8 or $9) are the stars of the menu. I've also enjoyed brunch here a few times. The coffee is a bit strong for my taste, so I opt for the tasty Belgian witbier mimosa instead.
Bottom Line: This spot is great, and I'm glad it is in my neighborhood. I recommend checking out the tap list, waiting until something you really want to try is available, and checking out this excellent bar.
Essentials:
2231 E Cumberland St (Memphis and Cumberland)
215-425-4460
Avg Ent: 8-13
Cash only: No
Reservations: No
BYOB: No
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Khyber
I like beer a lot. And while The Khyber will never really be able to compete with the great beer bars of the city, The Khyber is a great bar in its own way. There are a few reasons that I really like this spot.
Location and Atmosphere: Olde city is full of bad, crowded bars. In other parts of town, the Khyber might not be worth mentioning. But because it's so much better than a lot of bars in a three block radius, the Kyber gains some ground. Further, it's gritty bar where the real salt of the earth come out. I don't know where that phrase comes from, but when I sit at the bar, I'm surronded by a legit crowd.
Music: In addition to a good jukebox, the Khyber is a great small venue. It has a small stage next to the bar downstairs and another space upstairs with a second bar. Downstairs has decent bands for modest cover charges, while upstairs will play indie rock and ear-numbing levels. If you feel cool enough, you can dance the night away.
Specials: The Khyber has an awesome happy hour. 5 to 8 pm, which is a good start. Throw in $2 Yards pints and the $4 Royal burger. Results: Awesomeness. On top of that, $10 open bar, or "Kill Your Liver" is every Sunday.
Food and Drink: The Khyber has a a decent selection of beer. They don't have anything amazing, but the variety have something on tap to please any palette. And if not, go for the $2 PBR pounder. As for the food, the Khyber has a small but varied menu of greasy bar food that's surprisingly cheap and delicious. They even have veg and vegan options.
Service: I'm pretty sure I've had the same bartender a majority of times I've been to the Khyber, but he's a cool guy. There's not much in the way of traditional service, but that's not why you're at the Khyber.
With all of the above mentioned, The Khyber adds up to be a great spot. Maybe I'm a bit biased. I just like the place.
Music: In addition to a good jukebox, the Khyber is a great small venue. It has a small stage next to the bar downstairs and another space upstairs with a second bar. Downstairs has decent bands for modest cover charges, while upstairs will play indie rock and ear-numbing levels. If you feel cool enough, you can dance the night away.
Specials: The Khyber has an awesome happy hour. 5 to 8 pm, which is a good start. Throw in $2 Yards pints and the $4 Royal burger. Results: Awesomeness. On top of that, $10 open bar, or "Kill Your Liver" is every Sunday.
Food and Drink: The Khyber has a a decent selection of beer. They don't have anything amazing, but the variety have something on tap to please any palette. And if not, go for the $2 PBR pounder. As for the food, the Khyber has a small but varied menu of greasy bar food that's surprisingly cheap and delicious. They even have veg and vegan options.
Service: I'm pretty sure I've had the same bartender a majority of times I've been to the Khyber, but he's a cool guy. There's not much in the way of traditional service, but that's not why you're at the Khyber.
With all of the above mentioned, The Khyber adds up to be a great spot. Maybe I'm a bit biased. I just like the place.
Essentials:
56 S 2nd St (2nd and Chestnut)
215-238-5888
Avg Ent: 3-6
Cash only: Yes
Reservations: No
BYOB: No
House Inspection
This week has been a whirlwind so far. I've been feeling like stuff I normally enjoy doing has been taking more than a normal amount of effort. It's not fun to feel that way, and it's the reason I haven't written about my home inspection yet, but here goes:
I showed up at the property around 4:30 and met Jeff, Reid from US Inspect, and the seller's agent Tim. I also met Rod, the owner, but he didn't stick around for long. Reid was a great inspector and I would recommend him to anyone. The inspection itself went pretty well. It was a three hour intense investigation of everything that is wrong with the house, and that can seem pretty daunting.
Jeff told me that it went really well, and he has a lot of other inspection to use as comparison. Personally, I just felt like there was a huge list of problems with the place; a lot of minor things that I'm willing to overlook, and a few major things that need to be fixed.
Here are the major things: The chimney and furnace do not look good. The solution to solve both of these problems involves sealing off the chimney and installing a high efficiency heating system that doesn't use a chimney. It's a great solution, and I'd love to have a nice, efficient furnace, but it's also expensive.
The roof is getting old, and will have to be replace in the next few years. That's fine, but it immediately needs a silver coating to prevent leaks and extend the life a bit more.
There are some gaps between the joists where they meet the wall where I can see crumbling brick, and at one point, into the neighbor's kitchen. That's a major issue, but a relatively easy fix.
That's the big, bad stuff. Little bad stuff involves replacing some mortar, capping some window frames, repairing or replacing a few windows, a few ungrounded outlets, a small leak in the bathroom sink, and some siding damage.
And now good news: Structurally, all walls are solid. There is new electric service and it looks good. No termites. Everything in the kitchen works. I met two of the neighbors, and they seem really nice too. I'm sure I'll write about them more in the future. I'm starting to get attached to this place.
A few hours after the inspection, Reid sent out a detailed 24 page report that includes all of the problems, suggested repairs and costs, and pictures. It was a great part of the home buying process and really made me understand the place that I am looking to buy. Nothing came up in the inspection that is too big of a problem to fix.
Jeff and I are going to work on a letter that is a revised offer in light of the inspection results. I'm going to ask for a credit towards the purchase of a new furnace and that a few other repairs take place. More info as it comes in.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Microsoft Songsmith
This is one of my best finds. I don't like to post Youtube videos, but this is really great. Sometime in the recent past Microsoft developed and released a program called Songsmith. It creates music to go with user generated vocals and melodies. I'm guessing they thought this would be a big hit with the American Idol crowd.
Needless to say, it creates cheesy music beds that no one should ever want to use in a real song. Along the line, someone got the great idea to take acutal songs and put them back through Songsmith with only the melodies. The Police's Roxanne is the best result, but searching "Classic Hits by Microsoft Songsmith" should keep you entertained for quite some time.
Needless to say, it creates cheesy music beds that no one should ever want to use in a real song. Along the line, someone got the great idea to take acutal songs and put them back through Songsmith with only the melodies. The Police's Roxanne is the best result, but searching "Classic Hits by Microsoft Songsmith" should keep you entertained for quite some time.
Housebuying: Mortgage application
This house stuff is moving rapidly, and it's also taking a lot of work. I want to blog about every step of the process to refer to a friend in the future or to personally look back upon. I'm trying to keep up.
Once my bid was accepted, I needed to get moving with a bank. My settlement schedule is based on a 45 day timeline, so I don't have much downtime at any point of this process. I am working with two different mortgage bankers because I want them to be competitive with each other. Before looking for a house, I contacted both of them to get a pre-approval, which was a pretty easy process. Now I need to get the more difficult, and serious, commitment to lend.
I spent some time yesterday giving all of my details to the two different lenders. Here are some things I am learning: When talking about interest rates, they have to be at zero points to compare them. I don't want to explain the whole idea, but I was quoted 5.375 at 1.5 points or 5.5 at zero points. Essentially, when you calculate it, the 5.375 becomes and is equal to 6.0 at zero points. So the 5.5 rate is much better.
Again, credit score is so important. I might not qualify for the type of mortgage that I want. Not becuase I have "bad" credit, but just because I don't have enough good credit. Seriously, if you are reading this and don't have a credit card in your name, go get one and start using it. Pay the balance in full and on time, and don't charge more the 50% of the total limit. I'll even help you find a good card. Seriously.
The actual mortgage application was pretty easy, both lenders walked me through it. Now I am waiting to for them to evaluate everything and get back to me. Becuase of the current economy, underwriting guidelines have become important to my situation. Most mortgages are sold and do not stay with the intial lender for the lifetime of the loan (30 years in my case). To sell a loan, it has to meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines, which have become strigent in the last few months. In the end, I am going to get a much better deal from a bank that is not going to try and sell my mortgage right away. TD Bank seems to be willing to do that. The reason this makes such a difference is because if they decide to underwrite it in a few years, my credit will be much better and more established, making mortgage easy to conform to the guidelines. Currently, if my mortgage was underwriten, I would be offered 6% at zero points, which isn't very competitive.
All of the above is based on my understanding, and may be inacurate. It might not even be coherent. But that's where I am. Waiting to hear back from the banks. Next step is my home inspection. Because banks will not lend me money if I'm not investing in a good house.
Once my bid was accepted, I needed to get moving with a bank. My settlement schedule is based on a 45 day timeline, so I don't have much downtime at any point of this process. I am working with two different mortgage bankers because I want them to be competitive with each other. Before looking for a house, I contacted both of them to get a pre-approval, which was a pretty easy process. Now I need to get the more difficult, and serious, commitment to lend.
I spent some time yesterday giving all of my details to the two different lenders. Here are some things I am learning: When talking about interest rates, they have to be at zero points to compare them. I don't want to explain the whole idea, but I was quoted 5.375 at 1.5 points or 5.5 at zero points. Essentially, when you calculate it, the 5.375 becomes and is equal to 6.0 at zero points. So the 5.5 rate is much better.
Again, credit score is so important. I might not qualify for the type of mortgage that I want. Not becuase I have "bad" credit, but just because I don't have enough good credit. Seriously, if you are reading this and don't have a credit card in your name, go get one and start using it. Pay the balance in full and on time, and don't charge more the 50% of the total limit. I'll even help you find a good card. Seriously.
The actual mortgage application was pretty easy, both lenders walked me through it. Now I am waiting to for them to evaluate everything and get back to me. Becuase of the current economy, underwriting guidelines have become important to my situation. Most mortgages are sold and do not stay with the intial lender for the lifetime of the loan (30 years in my case). To sell a loan, it has to meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines, which have become strigent in the last few months. In the end, I am going to get a much better deal from a bank that is not going to try and sell my mortgage right away. TD Bank seems to be willing to do that. The reason this makes such a difference is because if they decide to underwrite it in a few years, my credit will be much better and more established, making mortgage easy to conform to the guidelines. Currently, if my mortgage was underwriten, I would be offered 6% at zero points, which isn't very competitive.
All of the above is based on my understanding, and may be inacurate. It might not even be coherent. But that's where I am. Waiting to hear back from the banks. Next step is my home inspection. Because banks will not lend me money if I'm not investing in a good house.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Prohibition Taproom
My first experience with the Prohibition Taproom was my housemate Jonny telling me that messed up his drink order and that he was not impressed. Despite that, I wanted to try out this new place.Before I even walked in, I was greeted by an awesome sign pointing out the business. It's a simple neon red sign that tersely states "BAR." I like it a lot. Once inside, I was loving the atmosphere. The bar is really great, as you can kind of see in this picture. It runs the length of the room, but also has a few peninsulas. The result is that you can sit at the bar and be across from whoever you are with, which is a great feature.
As far as beer goes, PT does not disappoint. There are about ten beers on draft. Further, the choices represent a well thought out variety of brews. PT also supplies a nice bottle list as a supplement. I had the Dogfish Head Aprihop and Brooklyn Brewery Blunderbuss and enjoyed both beers.
I can seriously recommend to anyone to go to Prohibition Taproom for one reason: deep-fried green beans. This phenomenal appetizer is a great way to start your meal and comes with a nice aioli. The rest of the food was average. Between Lana, J.Mal, and myself, we ordered two burgers and a grilled cheese, and these three dishes were fine, nothing more. I was happy to be full, but the main dishes are the lowest point of the experience.
Friday night this place got a little crazy, with a crowd from art museum area and plenty of "bros." Don't make this your Friday or Saturday night hangout spot.
Bottom Line: I like this new place. It has good atmosphere, beer, and one excellent appetizer. Prohibition Taproom has made it onto my list of bars to regularly visit. The biggest downside are the hours. No lunch, no brunch, and the bar opens at 4pm.
Essentials:
501 N 13th St (13th and Spring Garden)
215-238-1818
Avg Ent: 8-13
Cash only: No
Reservations: No
BYOB: No
The agreement and the bid
I found a place that I want to buy. I made my decision on Saturday and gave Jeff a call. We made plans to meet the next morning and draft an agreement of sale.
Because Jeff is such a great agent, everything seemed really easy. We spent a few hours filling out all of the necessary paper work, culminating in the 23 page agreement of sale. It's basically a highly specified play by play of the deal and its terms.
All of this was completed before we even talked about money. The buyer's agent was upfront that there are quite a few other people looking at the property, and Jeff told me that there may even be another offer on the table. With this knowledge, Jeff advised (and I agreed) that we should go with a strong offer. I offered close to the asking price, and still feel really good about my offer. I also recognize that the current asking price is already about $6,000 less than it was initially listed for.
With the agreement, I put down $1000 as a "good faith" deposit, which is refundable if the deal doesn't go through, and goes toward the price if it does. After Jeff scanned everything in and sent it over to the buyer's agent, and I received a seller's disclosure. It's a list of everything they know about the property, and from what it says, there are no known problems, which is great news.
Everything was a lot of work, but now that I'm writing about it, it seemed pretty easy. Today should be the day they respond to my offer. They could say yes, which is ideal. They can flat out say no, or negotiate. It's a waiting game, and I feel good...
Because Jeff is such a great agent, everything seemed really easy. We spent a few hours filling out all of the necessary paper work, culminating in the 23 page agreement of sale. It's basically a highly specified play by play of the deal and its terms.
All of this was completed before we even talked about money. The buyer's agent was upfront that there are quite a few other people looking at the property, and Jeff told me that there may even be another offer on the table. With this knowledge, Jeff advised (and I agreed) that we should go with a strong offer. I offered close to the asking price, and still feel really good about my offer. I also recognize that the current asking price is already about $6,000 less than it was initially listed for.
With the agreement, I put down $1000 as a "good faith" deposit, which is refundable if the deal doesn't go through, and goes toward the price if it does. After Jeff scanned everything in and sent it over to the buyer's agent, and I received a seller's disclosure. It's a list of everything they know about the property, and from what it says, there are no known problems, which is great news.
Everything was a lot of work, but now that I'm writing about it, it seemed pretty easy. Today should be the day they respond to my offer. They could say yes, which is ideal. They can flat out say no, or negotiate. It's a waiting game, and I feel good...
Monday, March 2, 2009
Housebuying...week 3?!?
I can't believe I only started the house search (about) three weeks ago. Thursday night I went out with Jeff again. This was by far our best session together. I am really honing in on what I am looking for. I only needed a few minutes in some places to know that they weren't right for me. The best part of the night was 2521 Emerald Street. It seemed to have everything that I was looking for in a house. On top of that, it was in my price range.
Friday was a day of serious thinking. I knew that the house on Emerald St. was great, and that a lot of other people were looking at it. But I kept asking myself "is it the one for me?" For a full day, I really thought hard. John Mallinen passed on some good advice to me, "When you're buying a house, you get to a point where you just have to close your eyes and jump." Conventionally, it might sound like bad advice, but it was what I needed to hear. Naturally, I also had a lot of doubts and reservations that I was thinking about on my own. That's why I mostly needed the people around me to be positive and encouraging.
My mom recommended that I look at the house one or two more times before I made my bid. Because this means coordinating schedules between myself, two agents, and a tenant, I didn't think I had time to do that before other bids came in. Luckily, I was walking by on Saturday with Jonny and Kashi and the women staying there was coming out and was more than happy to let Jonny and I have a look around. Seeing it again was good, unexpected, and made me sure I wanted to go for it.
This post is long, so more on the story later.
Friday was a day of serious thinking. I knew that the house on Emerald St. was great, and that a lot of other people were looking at it. But I kept asking myself "is it the one for me?" For a full day, I really thought hard. John Mallinen passed on some good advice to me, "When you're buying a house, you get to a point where you just have to close your eyes and jump." Conventionally, it might sound like bad advice, but it was what I needed to hear. Naturally, I also had a lot of doubts and reservations that I was thinking about on my own. That's why I mostly needed the people around me to be positive and encouraging.
My mom recommended that I look at the house one or two more times before I made my bid. Because this means coordinating schedules between myself, two agents, and a tenant, I didn't think I had time to do that before other bids came in. Luckily, I was walking by on Saturday with Jonny and Kashi and the women staying there was coming out and was more than happy to let Jonny and I have a look around. Seeing it again was good, unexpected, and made me sure I wanted to go for it.This post is long, so more on the story later.
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