Restaurant chat: Absinthe, gnocchi, cheese and more

Craig LaBan: Good afternoon, my hungry friends, and welcome back to the Philly food chat that puts the sizzle in your summer dining. Sorry about my unexpected absence from the chat last week - I was covering the Fancy Food Show in New York. It's a fun, but overwhelming event, what with five miles of olive oils, cheese, truffled butters, jams, miracle waters and salted caramels lining the Jacob Javitz Center. Still, I found some great things to nibble on, like a chile-spiced pineapple marmalade from Mauritius (made by Poivre d'Or), and some amazingly decadent lobster macaroni and cheeses from the Hancock Goumet Lobster Co. in Maine. One piece of good news there, those mac 'n' cheeses have plummeted in price on the company's website since it won an award at the show, from $48 (for two) to $33.95. Still a splurge for a "frozen" dinner, but that's more like it.

Craig: In the meanwhile, I'm getting back into my Philly dining groove since my hiatus down the Shore (Part 2 of which - all Italians - is coming out this weekend). Take a peak at this Crumb Tracker quiz and see if you've been eating (and drinking) in my wake. Be the first to name all three in order and win a signed copy of my book: (1) an absinthe fountain, (2) eggplant beignets dusted with powdered sugar, (3) Poori bhajee. (Hint: this place is pretty new). Ready, set ... start crumbing!

Gerry: Craig - Is Farmicia still open? I went when it first opened and it was great, seemed to downhill after that. Haven't heard anything about it in a while though.

Craig: Yes, Gerry, Farmicia is still open. It's not a place I hear a tremendous buzz about - I know it didn't start off so well with me. But still, I'm glad to see it has survived for so long in Old City, which is a tough, martini-driven market.

Julie: (1) Apothecary (2) Les Bon Temps (3) Ashoka Palace

Craig: Julie, you've got one of them. I'm not yet saying which.

Dombino: Craig, ate at Inlet this weekend, not bad. You been there yet?

Craig: Dombino - The Inlet was one of last year's big openings. It's part of the Mary Grims group of restaurants (Moshulu, Plantation, Daddy O). Certainly worth a visit for stylish New American small plates - but I don't recall liking it quite as much as either Plantation or the Moshulu. It has a great Bayside (liquor license) view of the OC.