OCT 2023
The complexly refreshing Highball #2 is described humbly by the Cheu menu. Buried within the description are citrusy notes perfect for a long drive.
Yeah, that'll do
Highball #2 wows guests at Fishtown’s Cheu
Alex Hoffman
Philadelphia has been heralded as a restaurant city since the town began its revitalization arc in the mid-80s. Restauranteurs take the Peter Pan bus down from New York to lick their wounds and try their hand in a more hospitable environment. To an up-and-coming chef, Philly has many reasons to be appealing. It is supremely walkable, neighborhood populations are passionate about their local eateries, and the rat problem is under control.
There are award winning establishments from Point Breeze to the Great Northeast. Sitting somewhere between these two extremes, Fishtown has become a hotspot for cuisine and libations as chefs and owners follow the wave of gentrification along the Market-Frankford Line. One of Fishtown’s finest eateries is Cheu – a trendy fusion restaurant with an eye-catching interior. Phillies pitcher Zach Wheeler has toted it as one of his favorite restaurants in the city. Dishes such as black garlic wings, pork bao buns, and gluten free ramen cause diners to run, not walk, from far and wide for a reservation. The food is fantastic, but it’s not the prettiest girl at the square dance.
One option on the menu has been passed down from friend to friend to friend and back to the second friend. Many know its name, but only a lucky few know its story. This is, of course, the Highball #2. The nondescript name shields it from stardom. This drink is the Daniel Radcliffe of the beverage world – its appearances are rare, but when they occur, we are glued to the screen.
Highball #2 enthusiast Ali was among the first to learn about the local treasure. She described her first sip as ethereal. Effervescence carried notes of cucumber and yuzu in a perfect symphony with the warmth of whisky. Several diners interviewed had the drink tattooed as a permanent reminder that perfection is worth striving for. First time Cheu-er Neha poured a glass in her purse to carry her through until her next fix.
It is the opinion of this author that the Highball #2 is the best cocktail between the Schuylkill and the Delaware. The competition is not close. Liquor? We can finally say we know her, and we think it could go the distance.
Ring doorbell footage of the alleged thief sifting through our packages for the perfect frame to compliment his first painting
Picky Package Purveyor Peruses Parcels
Window Shopping in Wash West
Alex Hoffman
Package theft is a seemingly overtold and undermanaged problem in Philadelphia. We often hear the story from the perceived victim detailing what was stolen and how little time had passed between when the parcel was placed on their doorstop and when they went to receive it. There is no doubt that this is an inconvenience and can be ruinous depending on the value or urgency of the item. However, there is one voice that we are not listening to enough. This is the voice of the thief.
A few weeks ago, I made the pilgrimage to the suburbs for a day of work in my windowless cube farm and got an email that a treat had been delivered from the Container Store. It held four plastic boxes for underbed storage. I came home to see the box ripped open in my foyer. After some recreational detective work I determined that a neighbor, Kurt, had seen it torn apart after being delivered to the wrong address, which is FedEx’s version of a serial killer’s signature. Kurt then medevacked it to my doorstep, where my roommate carried it into the AC to recuperate. To my amazement, the damage was strictly external. Each and every item remained. After a moment my initial joy was replaced, first by wonder, then by despair.
Questions floated through my mind. Did the attempted thief not like what I ordered? Were they shopping for something specific? If so, where do they go to get inspired? Delancey Street is my recommendation unless they find that old money look too gaudy.
I wish I could say my ego escaped as unharmed as my storage bins, but I was a little hurt by their lack of interest. From now on, I vow to only order items I’d be proud to have stolen from me. Support your local package thief and do the same. You never know the situation someone else is in. They may have a new living room to decorate, a concert to find an outfit for, or a pet in need of a fun toy. A little bit of empathy goes a long way.
