A crowd forms at The Flying Deutschman Saturday afternoon (Photo by Annamarya Scaccia / West Philly Local)

Chef Stirling Sowerby is all over the place.

Not in a bad way, though. Instead, as Sowerby and I are chatting in front of his food truck, The Flying Deutschman, the energetic German chef bounces between cooking on the line to mingling with customers and then back to our conversation. At one point, he even feeds a piece of his signature bratwurst to a 10-week-old grey and white pitbull mix named Sapphire.

It’s mid-day on Saturday when I stopped by Sowerby truck, which is parked on the Chester Avenue side of Clark Park. There’s a rotating line of people—some repeat customers—ordering from the Deutschman’s simple German street food menu of schnitzels, bratwursts, bockwursts, and hefty sides. It’s delicious food, and a first for the West Philly area.

Among the tacos and smoked meats, The Flying Deutschman stands out.

Chef Stirling Sowerby cooking on the line (Photo by Annamarya Scaccia / West Philly Local)

Launched on March 1st, The Flying Deutschman is an entirely new venture for the 55-year-old Sowerby, who’s owned restaurants back in Germany (he moved to the States 18 years ago). And being unknown territory is “kinda the reason” he dove head first into the business, he said, dropping about $120,000 into the truck. Sowerby’s also hired a few students from his alma mater, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill, to serve as his line cooks.

At the moment, he’s only stationed at Clark Park on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or 3 p.m., depending on the day), and on Tuesdays at the Navy Yard. He is currently working on other locations. But Clark Park holds a special place for him.

The Flying Deutschman’s first stop at Clark Park was his third day on the road—and his first successful day as a food truck owner. “That’s why I have some form of emotional attachment to that local[e],” Sowerby told West Philly Local.

So far, the Deutschman suits Sowerby well.

But how’s business? “I think very good, but you really should ask the customer that question,” he told West Philly Local. “For me as a chef, I look at repeat customers and those I have since day one.  If you have time just come by and try it, that’s the best way to judge food.”

We did, and this is what a couple of West Philly Local readers had to say:

@annamarya_s It’s good stuff. Hope they stick around all summer. The owner is pretty entertaining as well. — Tom Rose (@slurve) May 2, 2014

@annamarya_s @WestPhillyLocal Really good food, really good prices, entertainingly eccentric owner to boot. Recommend! — Nicholas McAvoy (@ohbadiah) May 2, 2014

But you be the judge.

–Annamarya Scaccia

We’re sad to report that one of Spruce Hill’s fixtures, Marigold Kitchen, is closing soon, according to various reports. The owner and chef, Robert Halpern, is moving on and selling the restaurant, which he has owned since 2009.

Marigold Kitchen has received great reviews and drawn customers from all over the city and beyond with its delectable dishes. Just recently, the restaurant went menu-free.

The final night of operation will be June 28, according to Philly.com’s The Insider. Regular dinner will be served until May 19, followed by a series of “small, super-seasonal ‘best of’ dinners” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from May 30 through June 28, 2014.

As the summer approaches, some of our readers may be looking for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) options in their neighborhood. The number of CSA programs that deliver fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies, as well as dairy, eggs, meat and other products to our area has grown, so we compiled this guide to help you navigate through some of the available options (for more, visit this page).

Also, please consider supporting local urban farms, like Mill Creek Farm, Farm 51, and Neighborhood Foods Farm. For information on local farmers’ markets and gardening options check our Civic Life page.

Greensgrow Farms Summer CSA

Schedule: mid-May through early November

Pick-up locations:

• Greensgrow West, 4912 Baltimore Avenue, Fridays 3–6 p.m.

• Lancaster Avenue, 37th & Lancaster, Thursdays 3:30–6:30 p.m.

What’s in the share? A variety of five-eight vegetables, plus fruit, and a protein choice (a dozen eggs, two cups of yogurt, a package of locally made tofu, a package of locally made seitan, or a wedge of butter). Eight times during the season, the share will include a locally made artisan cheese (vegan sub is available). Some weeks the share includes a locally made prepared food such as fresh pasta or locally made beer from Philadelphia Brewing Company.

Cost: Full share (24 weeks): $800; Half share (13 weeks): $448

Click here to sign up.

Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative

Schedule: TBA

Pick-up locations: Garden Court (5000 block of Osage Ave); Powelton Village (3700 Baring St); The Spruce St. Cafe at the Hospital of UPenn (3400 Spruce St)

What’s in the share? In the full vegetable share, you can expect to receive 9 to 12 varieties of vegetables per week. In the half vegetable share, you can expect to receive 4 to 7 varieties of vegetables per week. When abundant, fruit will be included in Full Vegetable Shares. Other options: a fruit share, which consists of 2 to 3 varieties of seasonal fruit, and other shares (bread, eggs, meat, chicken, cheese, herbs, flowers, and CSM (community supported medicine).

Cost: Full Vegetable Share: $750; Half Vegetable Share: $475. Info on other shares is available here.

Click here to sign up.

Philly Foodworks

Schedule: May 27 – October 23 (22 weeks)

Pick-up locations:

• Hibiscus (4907 Catharine St). Wednesdays 3 – 7:30 p.m.

What’s in the share: Your Choice option: You commit to spend $395 with Philly Foodworks throughout the season but what you get is entirely up to you. Choose from a variety of produce, meats, dairy items, fruits, breads, spreads and more. You do not have to buy something every week, so feel free to purchase as you choose. Mix Share option: In this option you get five produce items each week based on what is available. In addition, you receive a total of $65 in credits that can be spent throughout the season at the online market. Farmer’s Choice option: In this option you receive 10 items each week based on what local farmers have available (zucchini or yellow squash, sweet corn, cantaloupe, multi-colored peppers, heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, red or yellow onions, potatoes, basil and more).

Optional shares include: bread, eggs, jams, coffee, fruit, apothecary, cheese, bacon, flowers, and more.

Cost: Your Choice option: $395; Mix Share: $395; Farmer’s Choice: $625.

Click here to sign up.

West Philly Foods CSA

Schedule: mid-May through mid-October (22 weeks)

Pick-up locations:

Choose from one of pick up locations each Thursday:

• Walnut Hill Community Farm (46th and Market) from 4-7 p.m.
• Renewal Church (47th and Cedar Ave.)  from 5-7 p.m.
• Heritage Farms (4300 Monument Blvd.) from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• CHOP Hospital (Abramson Research Center Lobby) from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• CHOP Hospital (Karabots), 4:15-6:30 p.m.
• High Point Cafe (2831 W. Girard Ave.) from 3-6 p.m.

What’s in the share? The veggie & fruit share includes: Green beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, basil,  summer squash, zucchini, eggplant, sweet potatoes, okra, sweet & hot peppers, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupes, and nectarines. Full Share: Approx. 10-12 lbs; Half Share: Approx. 5-6 lbs. Value-added shares include: jams, artisan bread, nut butter, cheese, coffee, beer, cookies, ice cream and more.

Cost: Full fruit & veggie share: $610; Half share: $360. For more information on additional shares, click here.

Click here to sign up.

Photo via Greensgrow West Facebook page.

Community members are invited to check out the newest location of the urban farming hub Greensgrow Farms beginning Thursday, April 3. The opening party will be on Saturday, April 5!

Last month, we wrote about Greensgrow Farms’ plans to open a West Philly location at 4912 Baltimore Avenue, the former home of Elena’s Soul Bar & Lounge destroyed by fire in December 2012.

Greensgrow West will include a garden center featuring veggie starts, soils, tools, annuals and perennials, fruit trees, and expert help. The new location will also have a seasonal farmstand and CSA pick-up every Friday. Finally, Greensgrow West is planning to offer educational workshops for the community.

Greensgrow West hours, starting April 3, will be:

Garden Center: Thursday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
CSA Pick-up & Farmstand: Fridays 3:00-6:00 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.greensgrow.org/ or facebook.com/GreensgrowWest

Photo courtesy University City District.

The spring has officially begun today and the University City District has announced an exciting spring program for The Porch, a cool public space near 30th Street Station. The spring programming will begin April 1 and will include a variety of FREE events and activities, featuring music, food, fitness, and fun. Here are some more details on what to expect at The Porch next month.

FOOD

Gourmet Food Trucks – Mon, Wed, Fri (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); Tue & Thu  (7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.)

MUSIC

WXPN Local Wednesdays
Noon on the first Wednesday of the month
Live music from Philly’s rising stars.

Ginger Coyle: April 2

You hear Ginger Coyle’s vintage vocals grace your ears, you undoubtedly feel as if you’ve encountered an old soul. The South Jersey singer-songwriter-pianist-guitarist first caught XPN’s attention with the bluesy “Silver Lining” from her 2012 EP Homeward Bound and is currently working on her full length to be released in 2014.

Lunchtime Accordion Serenade

Tuesdays, Noon – 1 p.m.

Enjoy live accordion music while you relax and have lunch or take a break from the daily grind.

FITNESS 

Put your lunch break to work for you with fitness programming from BodyRock Boot Camp.

Thursdays, 6 p.m.

Zumba: April 3 & 24

Bokwa: April 10

Bootcamp: April 17  Continue Reading

Earth Cup is now Coffee Market. (Photo courtesy of Natasa Borcanin) 

Some of our readers have probably noticed a new sign, “Coffee Market,” outside of the Earth Cup coffee shop on 45th Street between Pine and Osage. Here’s what’s happening, according to the owner Natasa Borcanin.

The business has changed its name (but not its ownership) to better reflect its expansion of coffee choices, brewing methods, and coffee equipment selection. Coffee Market will offer a larger variety of coffee bean selection (new roasters, new single origins and blends, and more brewing methods) and coffee equipment (coffee presses, pour-overs, thermoses, and more). The shop will also showcase new selections of coffee through coffee tastings.

“This is a welcome change as this city lacks a one-stop shop for a wide variety of organic and fair-trade coffee choices,” Borcanin writes in an e-mail. “There is just about nothing more personal that people consume in a day than a cup of coffee. Therefore, having a variety is paramount.”

By the way, the old “Sam’s Place” sign will also stay, for nostalgic reasons. “This shop has been here for 30 plus years and has a long-standing tradition of its second and third generation customers that appreciate seeing the sign as they revisit,” writes Borcanin.