The Other Critics

Two Takes on Sammy Chon’s K-Town BBQ; Estia’s Lamb Meatballs Are ‘Tasty’

• Brian Freedman checks out the new Chinatown outpost of Sammy Chon’s K-Town BBQ and is thoroughly disappointed. From the “unfortunate lovechild of Spam and old tofu” that sank the banchan, to the “flaccid seafood pancake” that he writes seemed like it came “directly from a bad Atlantic City buffet,” the majority of the dishes were a let down. Even the Korean Fried chicken wings underwhelmed, with a “soupy garlic soy sauce” that threatened to make the whole dish “a soggy affair.” [PW]

• Meanwhile, Adam Erace walked away from Sammy Chon’s with a completely different take on the experience. He writes that aside from watery and under-seasoned dumplings, “everything else delivered.” From the banchan’s “rock-your-world” good bok choi kimchi, to the “gochujang-enflamed bulgogi” with chicken thighs, he has mostly positive things to say. [Citypaper]

• Though shocked by the $14 price tag for her “icy” Rob Roy, Phyllis Stein-Novack was mostly pleased with her $30, three-course dinner at Estia. The grilled calamari was “nicely seasoned” and not “akin to rubber bands.” Lamb meatballs were “tasty” served in a “light tomato sauce.” A braised lamb shank proved to be “tender” with a “slightly creamy texture,” but the walnut cake dessert was “too sweet.” [South Philly Review]

Two Takes on Sammy Chon’s K-Town BBQ; Estia’s Lamb Meatballs Are