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Ex-Top Chef Contestant Heats Things Up in Philly, No Seitan in Sight

Where: 408 S 2nd St. [map], Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19147
September 24, 2009 at 3:26 PM | by | Comments (0)

Pierced and tattooed to the nines, recently booted Top Chef contestant Jennifer Zavala claimed to have a fiery temper on the first episode of this season, but her dish—a disastrous seitan-stuffed pepper—was anything but hot and enticing. It looked and apparently tasted like a mealy, flavorless mess, which ultimately confused the judges and sent her packing.

But Zavala, like many other Top Chef hopefuls, isn't a culinary novice and won't be crying over her Santoku knife now that she's returned to Philadelphia. Hot like fire Zavala, whose cooking, we hope, doesn't always go the way of bland vegan fare, is a sous chef at Philly's Xochitl. Say it with us: so-cheet. There she helps whip up new Mexican cuisine that's familiar, but with a modern, elevated twist.

A look at the dinner menu reveals Ensalada de Pato, made with duck and dressed with a flourish of pumpkin seed vinaigrette. Ceviches are reinterpreted with creative additions like fried artichokes and a corn foam—Xochitl's take on molecular gastronomy. You might remember Season Two finalist Marcel Vigneron favoring the technique, with foams galore topping his dishes.

Notable main dishes include Venado con Mole Negro, or, venison with celery root puree and black mole, and Costillas de Res, braised short ribs with a sweet potato-chipotle mash. But expect to pay for these quality ingredients and highfalutin touches; Xochitl ain't your local taco truck. Starters are in the $8-9 range, and mains go as high as $26, or $42 for a House Special that can be split between two people.

Though pricey, the menu is diverse and—thank goodness—we don't see one mention of seitan on it.

Keep checking back with us throughout this season, as we continue to profile different cheftestants and their restaurants. Why should Tom Colicchio have all the fun?

Related Stories
·Top Chef Las Vegas [Official Site]
·Where Are They Now? Ex-Top Chef Contestants Love the Heat, Stay in the Kitchen [Jaunted]
·Top Chef coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Bravo]

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