While the current crop of local and high-end espresso bars and coffee shops are making a move away from giant coffee drinks, Starbucks is answering a call from customers for even bigger iced drinks.

According to a a release from a public relations representative, you’ll be able to grab a 31 oz. iced coffee or tea at some (undisclosed) Connecticut Starbucks stores. They’ve already rolled this out in other test markets like Pheonix.

I can’t endorse this for coffee, but I could go for a ginormous iced tea right now.

From a Starbucks release:

In response to customer requests for a larger size cup for their favorite shaken iced tea, iced tea lemonades and iced coffee, Starbucks is testing the Trenta size cup (31 oz.) in select New England stores. Unsweetened iced coffee, iced tea or iced tea lemonades in a Trenta cup are fewer than 90 calories, and sweetened, the beverages are fewer than 260 calories.  Starbucks is testing this cup size to provide customers even more refreshing options to enjoy their favorite beverages this summer.

ABOVE: The roast pork hoagie at Paesano’s.

PAESANO’S: 152 WEST GIRARD STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA

8/23/2010

Settling on a place for lunch in Philadelphia was an agonizing experience.

I’ve been meaning to visit a friend who recently moved back to her home city and since I was down that way shooting a wedding Saturday, this was my chance to catch up.

My guide, reporter Devon Lash, is an unapologetic booster of her hometown, so after being bombarded with links to Philly food blogs and magazines for restaurant ideas, she made a command decision.

We were going to Paesano’s.

In a city where the hoagie is a symbol of civic pride, being named the best in town at just over a year old is quite an accomplishment and deserving of a visit.

Sure, I’ve been to Philly before so I’m familiar with the cheesesteak. I’ve had Pat’s and Geno’s. I’ve had a few steaks on South. On this trip, I was even introduced to Dalessandro’s, a cult-favorite in North Philly. I’m not going to pretend to be an expert in this arena, but let’s just say I’m familiar with the ways of Cheez Whiz.

But the hoagie is a different beast altogether and Paesano’s outclasses the competition.

Roast pork is the dark horse favorite in Philly and at Paesano’s it comes from a roasted whole suckling pig, is topped with broccoli rabe and seasoned with a touch of red chili flakes. It’s giant, it’s $8 and it’s awesome.

I’m not going to tell you this is the best hoagie in Philly because I’m obviously not qualified to make that call, but it’s damn good.

Oh yeah, and the roasted potatoes ($2), dripping with fat and garlic are worth the drive to Pennsylvania alone.

–CP