Jim Burke
James, Philadelphia, PA
Menu | Reservations | Website
Jim Burke, 34, is the owner and chef of James, a seasonally-focused, modern Italian restaurant in the Bella Vista neighborhood. Before opening James with his wife, Kristina, in 2006, Burke worked with top Philadelphia chefs Marc Vetri of Vetri (a Best New Chef 1999) and Vince Alberici of The Marker. He later headed the kitchen at Stephen Starr’s Angelina. He also did a stint at the Michelin-starred Ristorante Frosio in Almè, Italy.
1 Apple Dumplings
Dutch Eating Place, Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch streets, 215-922-0425
Apple dumplings are comfort food to the nth degree. The ones here tantalize from afar with aromas that are both sweet and spicy. Their doughy outsides yield to the gentle pressure of a fork, rewarding snackers with a rush of tender baked apple swimming in a gooey pool of butter, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Our stubborn loyalty to South Philly-style pretzels has put the Amish's doughy gems on the back burner. But these loopier versions are moister and more airy, and the ones at Fisher's are outstanding.
5 Chow-Chow
Kauffman's Lancaster County Produce, Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch streets, 215-592-1898
A traditional Amish mix of beans, carrots, cauliflower, peppers, onions, sweet pickles, sugar, dill, celery seed and vinegar, chow-chow is a crunchy alternative to that homogeneous mush at supermarkets. The best way to enjoy its vinegary goodness is with a spoon straight from a freshly opened jar.
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