Sizzling Fun and Focused Flavors at Cantina Laredo

Walking into the year-old Cantina Laredo restaurant situated in the King of Prussia mall about 30 miles west of Philadelphia is a pleasant if unremarkable experience. Furnished in rich browns and cool grays, with semi-circular banquettes set into the walls and a large bar situated to one side, the place is appealing without being overwhelming. Nothing particularly screams “Mexican fusion”—any type of cuisine might lie in wait.

All that changes once you sit and have a look at the menu. Arranged traditionally, with appetizers, soups and salads; specialties; entrees; and desserts, the menu is focused and clean—the mark of a restaurant that knows exactly what it is.

The general manager and proprietor, Mark Watson, came out to greet us, and informed us that we were in for a treat—a four-course tasting menu prepared especially for us.

To start, he had the bar send us two specialty drinks: A pineapple margarita, and a mango mojito. Both were excellent, if sweet (especially the mojito), with fresh fruit, and in the case of the mojito, freshly muddled mint and a sugar-cane stick.
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We also enjoyed chips and two varieties of excellent homemade salsa, one fiery-hot and served warm, and one on the milder side.

Our knowledgeable and friendly waiter, Abraham, then prepared our first course tableside—the homemade guacamole. This should be ordered just for the freshness of the ingredients and the spectacle at your table.

Fresh avocados were crushed with the zip of lime and jalapenos, cilantro, salt, and other fresh ingredients. Paired with Laredo’s whisper-thin homemade tortilla chips, this is a must-have.
My dining companion and I both found it a trifle salty, but otherwise excellent.

Next came our appetizers—a trio composed of two tuna tartare tacos, two carnitas tacos al carbon, and two shrimp and chorizo empanadas. My favorite was the carnitas taco; its meaty, sour flavor combined perfectly with the homemade soft corn tortilla.

It reminded me of the authentic Mexican street food I enjoyed in Houston. My wife enjoyed the tuna taco, made with sushi-grade tuna. The empanadas was doughy and delicious, yet the shrimp was a trifle scarce.

Our main course was ready just as we were finishing our appetizer. The house specialty, Camaron Poblana Asada, stopped us both in our tracks. Two thin slices of flank steak, each bearing diamond-shaped grill marks, wrapped themselves around a roasted poblano pepper, which was stuffed with melted Monterey Jack.

Gorgeous—and delicious. Served with excellent jasmine-lime rice and roasted asparagus, the steak was fork tender, perfectly seasoned, and tremendously addictive. It was easily our favorite of the savory courses.

Yet we couldn’t ignore the other two main offerings—a wonderful vegetarian enchilada with tender artichoke hearts, and two bone-in carnitas, or braised pork shanks. The latter, tender and smother with chipotle-wine sauce, were melt-in-your-mouth succulent and worth the price of admission.

But hang on folks—the best was yet to come. Another tableside treat, our dessert was something out of a gastronomic fantasy. Abraham first slid a large wedge of homemade apple pie onto a hot cast-iron plate. To this he added cool cinnamon ice cream.

And then, the piece-de-resistance:

A generous scoop of warm, sweet brandy butter that instantly bubbled to life on the hot metal. Delicious smells of apple, cinnamon, and warm brandy filled the air, and we dug in. Easily the best part of the night, the sweet, hot apple pie combined succulently with the butter and ice cream, and though we were stuffed to the gills, we couldn’t stop eating had our lives depended on it.

The service at Cantina Laredo was nothing short of excellent from the time we were welcomed inside to the time we walked out to our car, and we will certainly be back many times in the future.

Don’t let this laser-focused, authentically inspired restaurant’s suburban look fool you—this place knows exactly what it wants to be, and it achieves that goal with aplomb.

4.5 Stars out of 5.

We ended our night with a stay at the Hyatt House, in a tower suite overlooking the mall, with a fantastic breakfast in the morning.

PLUS: 

• Tequila Dinner- An exclusive four-course dinner with Don Julio Tequila pairings on November 11, beginning at 7 PM. The cost is $49.99/person and space is limited. 
• Veterans Day- All veterans and active military personnel can enjoy a complimentary meal (up to $15) on Veterans Day as a small thank you for their service.

Pictures by christine tarlecki and Stephen trimble. They may not be used, reproduced or reused for any reason. Please contact with any questions. 

By Stephen Trimble, guest blogger

Stephen Trimble is a freelance writer in the Philadelphia area.

Special thanks to:
Mark Watson and his team,
Ariel Vegotsky at Vault, and
Natalie McCrea at the Hyatt!

  

Eat, Shop, Stay, and Play in KoP!

This time of year is always so hectic, what with cleaning, entertaining, working…when does one get to relax? Maybe somewhere around the end of Christmas Day? And don’t forget the shopping and searching to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

Look no further- King of Prussia is the perfect place to embark on a shop-and-staycation! Stay, Play, Shop, & Eat- who says that hunting for the perfect gift has to be exhausting- turn gift giving into a gift for yourself as well! King of Prussia is home to the King of Prussia Mall, the largest mall on the East coast and is currently expanding to be even bigger- more stores and more places to dine!

Come for the weekend and stay and relax at the Hyatt House on Mall Boulevard. The Hyatt is a full service hotel with luxury rooms and suites, banquet and meeting facilities, a pool and hot tub, complimentary full breakfast every day, and a dining and bites area. Sink into your bed each night and drift away on a cloud, feeling accomplished and knowing you are treating others while treating yourself. King of Prussia has many great hotels and inns in the area, so stay and relax.

During a hard day of shopping for others, it’s time for a great meal for yourself- eat at Ruth Chris’s Steak House, which now offers lunch. Salads, chicken, and delicious grilled steaks are on offer for a quick and sumptuous lunch to fuel up before tackling the afternoon to shop.

Don't forget- the KOP Mall offers a free Holiday Shopper Shuttle to provide shoppers easy access around the property. When you come back to the hotel, relax in the hot tub, and take a nap, or head back to the mall for an evening of browsing. If you are bringing your child to see Santa Claus, skip the lines and make an appointment to be on your way faster, and less chance of a baby or toddler meltdown. Kids can't wait to meet Santa, but you don't want to wait in line- Make an appointment to visit Santa at simon.noerrsanta.com.

Stumped for gift ideas? Let the KoP gift guide assist you or utilize the Gift card promotion: Buy 3 or more Simon gift cards, receive complimentary packaging for each card-Available at Customer Service. 

Or try a special helper! Need some help finding the perfect gift, make an appointment with the Mall's Personal Shopper for some complimentary assistance! http://www.simon.com/king-of-prussias-personal-shopping-service

When a slice of pizza won’t cut it, try Morton’s Steakhouse for dinner. Complimentary valet parking, a relaxing bar, and an open air kitchen, this restaurant has it all. Begin with a drink – try the Ginger-politan or a dirty martini, and an appetizer or spicy lobster bisque and rich French Five-Onion Soup.  Try a tender fillet or fresh seafood with huge, ready-to-share savory side as such as potatoes au gratin or bacon and onion mac & cheese. During our dinner out, I opted for the crab cakes and shrimp Alexander- tender, flavorful and full of sweet crabmeat, while Stephen enjoyed the 8 ounce fillet with truffle butter.

We enjoyed so much delicious food, which fueled us for our evening outing- a night at the Valley Forge Casino. Just a short drive from the mall, or use the Hyatt’s complimentary shuttle service, we enjoyed a round of drinks while wandering the casino floor and discussing the coming entertainment- Smokey Robinson and then KC and the Sunshine Band. The VF Casino does a wonderful New Year’s Eve. The casino also does a great lineup of comedians.

Sunday found us refreshed from our comfortable bed and our delicious complimentary Hyatt breakfast- omelets to orders, eggs, sausage, fruit, waffles, potatoes and more- this was such a treat. After breakfast we checked out and headed back to the mall to continue our shopping, this time at the Court. We got a good deal done, then stopped for lunch at Legal Seafoods. We both enjoyed a drink – the old-fashioned old fashioned and white sangria with fresh oysters and the clam chowder- which Stephen has never had before- he loved it and said it was the best clam chowder he has ever had!

Finally we headed home, sated and happy, having shopped for everyone and had ourselves a mini-break. King of Prussia truly has it all!

Special thanks to Natalie McCrea at the Hyatt House in King of Prussia.

Special thanks to Morton’s Steakhouse Managers: Christopher Goss, General Manager, and
Kate Schumacher, Sales & Marketing Manager.

Thank you: Kathy Smith, Director of Marketing and Business Development, and Kate Johnson, Assistant Director of Marketing and Business Development.

A big thank you to Brooke Hersh at KOP-BID for all her assistance!

Shopping & a Weekend Away at the KoP DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton and T Burke’s Lounge and Gastro Pub

When people think of a hotel restaurant, they think of adequate fare with standard rooms, and not much imagination.

I’m here to tell you that it’s time to chance your perception of hotels, especially King of Prussia’s DoubleTree by Hilton. 

This place is a destination for all things in affordable luxury. Not just for business travelers, this hotel is a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Let’s start with when you walk in the door, immediately welcoming and accommodating, the front desk makes sure check in is quick and efficient, and I was given a delicious warm walnut chocolate chip cookie, which is what the DoubleTree is known for, along with impeccable customer service. 

Once I got to my room, I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, two queen beds and excellent amenities, coffeemaker, and super soft bedding and pillows. After chilling out with some wine and cheese, my best pal and photog Rach and I headed down to T Burke’s Lounge and Gastro Pub. The pub is warm and inviting, with small tables and candles offering a cozy, fun atmosphere.

The charming chef John Walsh sat down with us to discuss the entire small plates menu. He is looking for clients to create and enjoy their own small plates experience, essentially creating their own tapas entrees with a modern twist on classic American fare. 

The best part of Chef Walsh's creations is that you don't have to stay at the hotel just to enjoy his meals- go anytime! You don't have to be staying at the King of Prussia DoubleTree by Hilton just to enjoy drinks or dinner here- special occasion, after-works small plates with co-workers, date night or just a night out after shopping, you'll definitely enjoy your meal and the atmosphere.

We began with fresh cocktails, as the gastro pub means everything is created with fresh ingredients- mint in your mojitos, grated coconut or fresh juice are available. 

The first course was a fun surprise- shrimp and smoke, which sounds quite intriguing, and it was. The shrimp bisque was rich and satisfying and the bowl was atop dry ice- creating a smoking-soup effect.

After we settled in, Chef Walsh began to bring us the small plates, beginning with 4 hour braised short ribs over mashed potatoes and plum sauce, truffled mac and cheese in a small crock with fresh Wisconsin cheddar (for extra cheeseability, said Chef Walsh) and panko crumbs, gulf shrimp, Brussel sprouts with bacon and maple syrup.

Chef Walsh has studied extensively in many countries and his food demonstrates his delicious and eclectic style. The small plates offer quality restaurant style edibles in a hotel setting.

We then had mini ‘firehouse’ potatoes with a spicy sauce inside, creating a small burst of flavor when biting down! Several kind of flatbread was on offer, including Mexican and Italian versions.

We had also had little broiled chicken drumettes which were quite savory and atop the best bleu cheese I have ever had. Then came one of my favorite bites of the night: he brought out a chargrilled burger with the usual fixings, but with a sunny-side egg on top. 
The result- delicious! The flavors all merged delightfully. Add in a side of truffle fries with parmesan and it doesn’t get much better than that!

We were so full of delicious savory food, but we had to save room for dessert, which was an orange blossom honey covered with a chocolate hazelnut nougat, with whipped cream adorned with Pop-Rocks and crushed nestle crunch. 

Eventually, we had to leave the dinner table and go upstairs to our room to pass out from the food haze. The DoubleTree beds were quite conducive to a good night’s sleep!

In the morning, Rach and I tried out the hotel gym before breakfast- woo more food! Breakfast included a hot buffet with an omelet station, and all kinds of hot goodies- French toast, ham, scrambled eggs, waffles, plus muffins, croissants and fresh breads and jams.

After grabbing another warm cookie, we looked around the rest of the hotel. The King of Prussia DoubleTree has banquet facilities for trade shows, meetings and weddings, plus an outdoor pool and plenty of space for whatever you need.

I stayed at this hotel for a girls’ weekend, but it can be for anything you need- so try it out for whatever you need. Being so close to the mall and shopping, stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton on 202 and make a weekend of it- shopping, stay over, relax, eat, and shop some more! Get your holiday shopping done and relax at the same time!








A big thank you to my photographer Rachel Richards.

Special thanks to Jenn Shipman at the King of Prussia DoubleTree by Hilton, as well as a big thank you to Chef John Walsh at T Burke’s Lounge and Gastro Pub.

Day 7- Fun Friday! LUSH Soft Coeur Massage Bar

Ladies and Gents- welcome to Day 7 of 500 Days of Beauty. 

It's been a week of amazing products and today we're going to discuss one of the most fun companies out there: LUSH- because it’s FUN FRIDAY!

Massage this!

LUSH is gearing up for the holiday season (Too early for me to talk holidays just yet!) so my next LUSH post will include on their new holiday favorites, but today we are discussing their Massage Bars.

LUSH is more than just a pretty face, however, with virtually no packaging or wrapping on their items, and their website boasts products that are 100% vegetarian, 83% vegan, 60% are preservative free, 38% are packaging free.

Today- a super-fun LUSH item. Enter these little gems. Solid lotion, essentially.

LUSH massage bars are a unique product that I’ve never really seen anywhere else, as well as being preservative-free. They are created from silky moisturizing butters and lovely essential oils and they melt from warm skin contact. No need to mess about with bottles or pumps and waste.

They leave just enough on your hands and skin; and they don’t melt so fast that it becomes messy.

I got the Soft Coeur Massage Bar the other night at the King of Prussia LUSH store in PA because it smells of toffee and honey and chocolate and has a soft chocolaty core. The literature says that it’s for a honeymoon and lovers and wooo all kinds of smexy things, but I actually have this little accessory at my desk. It’s a cold Fall and my skin is so dry, especially my hands. Using the computer, touching clothes and paper and what have you, working out, hand washing…my poor hands look like they belong to a charwoman!

Thank Heaven for LUSH Soft Coeur Massage Bar! and coffee, too.

The mini heart massage bar sits next to my computer and looks cute, and I pick it up a few times a day, run it across my palms, fingers and knuckles, and relax for a moment. I wait a moment or two for it to sink in, but it generally doesn’t leave my phone, keyboard or mouse greasy.

I love how it smells, I love there is no waste, I love that I don’t have to wait for it to be absorbed (like a big splodge of hand-pump lotion), I love how it makes my hands soft not squishy, and you only use as much as you rub across your body.

Take care not to store this in a really hot room (like the kitchen or bathroom) the bedroom or living area works best, on a little dish or the LUSH massage bar tin. If you travel with it, make sure it’s stored safely so it won’t melt. That said, my office is pretty hot, and it’s not going to melt like a candle in an attic in summer, just be mindful of where you keep the bar when not in use.  

The Soft Coeur (the Honeymooner) massage bar is sold in LUSH stores and online for $8.95.

Made of Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Honey (Mel) , Cocoa Powder (Theobroma cacao), Fragrance , Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Glycerine, Sweet Wild Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis), Bergamot Oil (Citrus bergamia), Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate

Peace and Love and Beauty!

#500DaysofBeauty

Thirsty, my Friends...for BEER?? King of Prussia Beerfest Royale

 
King of Prussia Beerfest Royale

The First Annual Beerfest Royale will be a celebration of local craft beer and German beer over two days in two tents with more than 3,000 beer enthusiasts! The two-day festival will begin Friday, October 5th with a kickoff party and Saturday, October 6th, 2012 and feature different craft and German beers from local Philadelphia favorites to the newest and hottest craft brews. With two tents and two stages, live music, and a central plaza with your favorite food and unique vendors, this is one festival that will rock October!!

Guests at Beerfest Royale can enter to win a six-day, five-night trip for two to Germany, courtesy of Just To Travel.

This is going to be a great weekend- have some fun, meet some people, the weather will be great, the music will be amazing and the beer…well, you had just better get your behind HERE for BEER!

 

Friday, October 5th

5:30 pm – 9 pm

Saturday, October 6th

 Session 1 – 12:30pm – 4:00pm

Session 2 – 5:00pm –  8:30pm

PROMOTION SPECIAL!

 Six-Pack Discount available for ALL Sessions! Purchase 6 or more tickets to receive $5 off each ticket.
AND-

Group Rate available for Friday Night Preview Party, October 5th.
Purchase 25 or more tickets to receive $15 off each ticket.

Where the BEER IS:

King of Prussia Mall, Parking Lots Adjacent to The Court,  West DeKalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA 19406

PLUS- don’t miss the after-party at the Valley Forge Casino Resort!!! “The King of Prussia Beerfest Royale is one our Region’s premier events,” said Jennifer Reese, Valley Forge Casino Resort, Director of Marketing, Advertising and PR. “Valley Forge Casino Resort looks forward to hosting what will surely be a fun and exciting After-Party!”

Don’t forget: KOP Beerfest Royale is held rain or shine; no refunds will be given for advance ticket purchases. Proper ID is required to enter the festival grounds. No pets, weapons or outside food may be brought onto the grounds.

Event Website: www.kopbeerfest.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kopbeerfest
Twitter: @KOPBeerfest

 

 

Special thanks to Brooke H. Hersh and the King of Prussia District