Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Tanenbaum is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice.com, with interests ranging from technology and behavioral health to local community initiatives and cultural life. Michael has written for the Argentina Independent and Bespoke Magazine and previously served as a news editor for Xfinity.com before joining PhillyVoice. He received his B.A. in The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University.

tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

November 19, 2015

Inspections

Pa. officials cited unsafe conditions at two Philadelphia abortion clinics

by Michael Tanenbaum

As the contentious national debate over public funding of Planned Parenthood continues in Washington and states around the country, a pro-life news organization has called attention to an August report on Pennsylvania state inspections of two Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in Philadelphia.

November 18, 2015

Food

First Look: Malbec Argentine Steakhouse comes to Headhouse Square

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Argentine tradition of the Asado, a colossal grill accompanied by ever flowing Malbec, signifies far more than your average belt-busting barbecue. Argentines have an expression – la verdad de la milanesa – that equates “the real deal” with their signature breaded filets. Steak is Argentina’s way of life, and in less than a month, that proud cultural repast will take root in Society Hill. Stationed in the former digs of The Artful Dodger, Malbec Argentine Steakhouse is primed to bring Philadelphia a national cuisine that an otherwise diversified restaurant scene has sorely lacked. “There’s nothing in this area that is Argentine,” said Malbec owner Miriam Porto, a Cuban native whose thriving Madera steakhouse in Long Island City became a hit backed by her more than 30 years of restaurant experience. “We are going to cook our meat the gaucho way, and we promise to take the cooking of the country to the city with the same flavor you find in Argentina. Philly needs something like this.”Chef Will Anderson will employ the core cooking method that defines Argentina’s parilla style: a huge charcoal fired grill for preparing meats and vegetables.Porto fired off a mouthwatering list of steak cuts featured on Malbec’s menu: T-bone, porterhouse, rib-eye, lomito, filet mignon, milanesa. “All of the high-end meat at a very reasonable price – you don’t have to be rich to join us for a meal here.” All of the staples of Argentine cuisine will be available to flank your steaks, from half a dozen variations on the empanada to hearty pastas, pampeano (grilled vegetables) and sausages like chorizo and salchicha parillera. On the 29th of every month, In keeping with a time-honored superstition, gnochis will be served to bring good luck to those hard on financial luck. “Malbec brings a combination of Italian and Spanish foods cooked to perfection with our own seasonings and salsas,” said co-owner Walter Aragonez, who hails from the Argentine city of Rosario, home of soccer superstar Lionel Messi. “We serve our meat on a sizzling hot pan and pair it with our custom chimichurri sauce, sweet bread and delicious wine.” When Malbec’s doors open in December with a grand fiesta, patrons can expect an ambiance both cozy and flush with life. The smell of steaks searing in the kitchen permeate the restaurant, while the walls are adorned with the bold, tango-themed paintings of Porto’s husband, Daniel Sollosqui, of Buenos Aires, who studied under the Argentine master Benito Quinquela Martín. “Our idea is for Malbec to be an art gallery too,” Sollosqui said. “We’ll be changing out paintings regularly to keep the scenery fresh and interesting.”The interior is designed to accommodate every kind of guest, whether you’re stopping by for a bite or spending a full evening. In the back, near the kitchen, a private booth will seat a couple or a family in search of an intimate meal together. Around the classic U-shaped bar, one side will have a TV and the other side won’t, satisfying both the sports pub crowd and the conversationalists. Just blocks from Old City and South Street, located on the corner of 2nd Street in the historic cobblestone village of Society Hill, Malbec can expect to attract plenty of business while still enjoying a peaceful distance from nearby neighborhoods that tend to get swarmed.“Our main commitment is to work hard for our customers every day,” said Grisella Jara, Aragonez’ fiancé, who holds up Porto’s experience as an example of how superior service will generate success. “Milli is our leader and Danny demands perfection, so that’s what will make us stand out.”A purist in the kitchen, Porto explained that all of Malbec’s ingredients will be cooked the same day they’re purchased – meaning plenty of lunch and dinner specials from seafood to pasta. “I do not believe in freezing anything,” Porto said. “Food has to be fresh, and that’s our promise to our customers. Everyone who walks through our doors is a very special guest. From the kitchen to the front of the house, we’re bringing our customers quality every single day.”Malbec’s bar manager, Bash Abduhari, echoed that philosophy. “We want to return the freshness to cocktails,” Abduhari said. “So many bars in Philadelphia just make their drinks from the gun, but we’ll be squeezing and blending all of our ingredients from scratch. We’re also offering all kinds of Malbec and other red wines, some craft beers, and Argentina’s signature cocktail, Fernet and Coke.” Of course, no Argentine meal would be complete without dessert. You’ll have to create some room for the homemade flaming dulce de leche pancakes and flan, ice cream and coffee to stave off the food coma. (As locals might tell you, “a veces, tiene que echar panza,” or, “sometimes you have to let yourself go and get fat”). Everyone is welcome for a night of food, wine, sangria, and mojitos at the grand opening celebration, Porto says, which is slated for the first or second week of December. “We want everyone to come out and get to know us. We expect to be here for a long time.”

November 15, 2015

Health News

Single switch in a DNA base fuels prevalent form of childhood cancer

by Michael Tanenbaum

A team of pediatric cancer researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have identified a single change to one DNA base that predisposes children to an aggressive form of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma, accelerating the progression of the disease once tumors form.

November 15, 2015

Science

Harvard physicist proposes radical theory for human existence

by Michael Tanenbaum

The origin of humanity is one of the greatest and most challenging scientific puzzles to reckon with, in part because multiple disciplines approach the question from their respective knowledge bases and modes of investigation.

November 15, 2015

Investigation

Cops: Human remains discovered near Pa. Turnpike in Chester County

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Pennsylvania State Police announced human remains were found in the woods nearby the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Chester County.

November 15, 2015

Investigation

Police: Dead infant corpses found in North Philly park appear 'used for medical research'

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia police are investigating after the bodies of two newborn infants were discovered Sunday morning in an overgrown lot in North Philadelphia.

November 15, 2015

Investigation

Tioga-Nicetown drive-by shooting ends in car crash, 27 shots fired

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia police are investigating after a drive-by shooting in the Tioga-Nicetown section of the city resulted in a car crash Sunday morning.

November 15, 2015

Art

Local artist 'Dr. Octoroc' 3D printing Philadelphia, block by block

by Michael Tanenbaum

Local Philadelphia chiptune and pixel artist Levi Buffum, also known as Dr. Octoroc, generated plenty of buzz last year when he painstakingly constructed a model of the city using 20,000 LEGO blocks. That technical achievement was apparently just an appetizer for a far more exacting and ambitious project he's recently undertaken: 3D Printedelphia.

November 14, 2015

Technology

Center for Digital Government ranks Philly best in tech utilization

by Michael Tanenbaum

In an annual survey conducted by the Center for Digital Government, Philadelphia has been named the best city in the United States for technology utilization.

November 14, 2015

Miracles

Paris man saved by smartphone in stadium explosions

by Michael Tanenbaum

In the wake of the brutal terrorist attacks that killed at least 127 people across Paris Friday night, one man who was walking outside the Stade de France during the explosions that rocked Stade de France Friday night says he was saved from flying shrapnel by his smartphone.