Craig LaBan

Email claban@phillynews.com

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I joined the Inquirer as its restaurant critic in 1998, after a stint covering the food beat for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans. Having eaten about 500 restaurant meals a year here ever since, I never cease to be amazed by the diversity and sophistication of Philadelphia's kitchens. To travel from its many authentic ethnic neighborhoods to the gastronomic temples of Walnut Street to its beery gastropubs, cozy BYOBs and multitude of greasy-but-great steak joints, is to know this town delivers satisfaction at every level of the food chain. Including online dish.

Live chat: Join Craig at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays in the chatroom.

Book: The Philadelphia Inquirer Restaurant Guide is available through our online store.

4 Bells: According to Craig, the best restaurants in the Philadelphia area.

from Craig LaBan´s Ballymaloe recipe, a good match with Redbreast. CRAIG LaBAN / Staff

LaBan chat: Of brown bread and whiskey

03/21/2012

Get the recipe he uses ever St. Paddy's Day to make a splendid bread from Simon Pearce.

Video: Stateside
Gallery: Stateside

CRAIG LABAN Chocolate central 03/14/2012: Belgium - and especially tourist magnet Bruges - is the sweet spot for the making of bonbons, luscious and some downright strange.

By Craig LaBan, Inquirer Restaurant Critic

Craig LaBan finds that Belgium - and especially tourist magnet Bruges - is the sweet spot for the making of bonbons, luscious and some downright strange.
LABAN REVIEW Route 6 03/09/2012: By Craig LaBan, Inquirer Restaurant Critic

Stephen Starr has hit some bumps on the road to a Philly fish house.
LABAN REVIEW Ela: A feast to behold 03/02/2012: By Craig LaBan, Inquirer Restaurant Critic

It isn't easy being a beefcake chef who wants to be taken seriously for his beef cheeks. Meet Jason Cichonski, the sexy and talented co-owner of Ela in Queen Village.
Two from House Spirits 03/02/2012: Krogstad Aquavit and Coffee Liqueur are sold in Pennsylvania.
Drinking up Belgium's best 02/25/2012: By Craig LaBan
CRAIG LABAN REVIEW Vedge 02/24/2012: Chef Rich Landau has a way of making rutabagas sexy.

By Craig LaBan, Inquirer Restaurant Critic

In a smartly appointed 19th-century grand manse, a couple has stepped up with a full-on dining experience that adds up to one of the most exciting restaurants I've visited this year.
LABAN REVIEW Ulivo 02/17/2012: Joseph Scarpone's journey brings him to a Queen Village BYO and solo success in vivid Italian cooking.

By Craig LaBan, Inquirer Restaurant Critic

Joseph Scarpone's journey brings him to a Queen Village BYO and solo success in vivid Italian cooking.
The magical, marrow-shined luster that is Bibou 02/03/2012: A mom-and-pop BYOB from chef Pierre Calmels, who left haute cuisine to plunge deep into the rustic soul of his native French bistro tradition, and his wife, Charlotte.
Fountain chef William DiStefano is cooking like it's 2012 02/03/2012: I'm happy to send all splurging diners to the Four Seasons.
Vetri, our very best 02/03/2012: Our restaurant scene hasn't been the same since chef Marc Vetri first showed us the beauty of his elevated, rustic Italian cooking.