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Coca-Cola Park, the home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs; Photo courtesy Ballpark Digest

On Friday, Pedro Martinez is expected to make his second rehab start for the Phillies. (It has not been confirmed, but it is expected.) This would be Pedro’s first start with the Phillies Triple A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. And it will be a home game.

The IronPigs play at the brand new Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA, which is one-hour north of Philadelphia and an easy drive. The ballpark has received rave reviews since opening in 2008.

If you combine Pedro’s likely start with a visit to Eagles Training Camp, it makes for a very appealing day trip.

Eagles Training Camp is taking place for the next few weeks just down the road from the IronPigs at Lehigh University. And the Eagles have always made their training camp very fan-friendly.

On Friday, the Eagles will hold two practice sessions during the day as well as a live broadcast session at 5 pm.

The IronPigs play at 7:05 on Friday.

Considering that Eagles Training Camp is only 5 miles away from Pedro pitching at the IronPigs game, logistically, this makes a lot of sense.

Any takers?

UPDATE: We just got word from the IronPigs that Friday’s game has since sold out.

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs [IronPigs Baseball]
Ballpark Digest Visits Coca-Cola Park / Lehigh Valley IronPigs [Ballpark Digest]
Eagles Training Camp [Philadelphia Eagles]

Photo courtesy of the Kimmel Center

There’s something very bewitching about Neko Case, the colossal-voiced singer and frequent member of The New Pornographers.

Writing alt-country anthems befitting her home state of Virginia, Case’s compositions sound like a bottle full of moonshine whiskey, engine oil and summer rain on a black top; yet, as with most red-headed women, she thwarts generalization at every turn.

(As for that voice of hers: On many a night, I’ve gone driving through the winding backroads of my hometown, trying to sing along with Case’s “Deep Red Bells” from her 2002 album Blacklisted. It’s a tremendous exercise for the vocal cords that, I’m convinced, only Neko Case could pull off.)

Which brings us to Philadelphia. Tomorrow night at 8 p.m., Case brings her thunderstorm of a voice to the Kimmel Center to perform songs from her new album, Middle Cyclone. Tickets are still available.

With its acoustic perfection, the Kimmel Center’s guitar-shaped Verizon Hall is possibly the best music venue in Philadelphia. I suspect Neko Case will blow the roof right off of it.

Neko Case @ the Verizon Center
with Jason Lytle of Grandaddy
Wednesday, 7/29 at 8 p.m.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts [gophila.com]

Millésimé, (me-LAY-see-may), with its sleek modern furniture pieces, kitschy yet chic house wares and elegantly clothed mannequins makes for a striking window display that is sure to catch the eye of any pedestrian looking for a truly unique retail experience.

I got a chance to speak to Jamie Merwin, a Millésimé employee and artistic & executive director of Olive Dance Company. Merwin, a good friend of the store’s owners, explained the eclectic nature of Millésimé’s inventory ranging from priceless icons of modern design to affordable, everyday house wares along with a carefully edited selection of men’s and women’s clothing.

Millésimé, which translates into “vintage” in French, is the aesthetic brainchild of Jinous Kazemi, resident fashionista known for her oft-raved-about invitation-only trunk shows and Eugenie Perret, already known to many Philadelphia design aficionados for her other shop, Minima at 118 N. Third Street. And it seems that Millesime is a perfect blending of Kazemi and Perret’s cosmopolitan tastes with hints of hometown elements, such as striking appliqués found on the store’s back wall, pillows and a stylized ceramic skull all designed by local artist, Candy Depew.

Located at the Piazza at Schmidt’s, a new retail, residential and artistic hotspot in Northern Liberties, Millésimé looks not unlike a chic European boutique transplanted into the middle of one of Philadelphia’s up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Millésimé
1001-13 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA

Butcher & Singer's beautiful dining room, where much burger-eating will soon ensue.
(Photo courtesy of Butcher & Singer)

Do our web-surfing eyes deceive us?

Not according to Grub Street Philadelphia, who confirmed the news that Stephen Starr’s Butcher & Singer — a Rittenhouse Square steakhouse with the chops to impress Craig LaBan — has lowered the price of its hamburger from a steep $16 to just $5.95 at lunchtime. With a side of fries! Inconceivable!

Great deals like this come around once in a blue moon. Why don’t you take Mr. Starr up on his offer? Let him know he did the right thing.

Note: the $5.95 burger is not available for take-out. Grab a seat and eat up!

Stephen Starr Walks Softly, Carries Big Burger [Grub Street Philadelphia]

Butcher & Singer [gophila.com]

Photos by L. Foster, George Widman, & R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Thursday night. Usually, Thursday evening is spent eagerly awaiting Friday and the weekend. How about a change of pace, and spend Wednesday anticipating a fun Thursday night? Crazy, I know. But with 5 After 5 at the NCC, it just might work.

5 After 5 at the National Constitution Center on Thursday nights, offers up full access to the museum and exhibitions (Napoleon, Into the Open) for $5 after 5PM. And for those of you with little ones, it’s the perfect opportunity to take the kids. Why? They’ve got a wealth of events planned for kids, including a moon bounce, Rock Band, and lives shows… though I’m sure there are a lot of adults out there who would indulge in Rock Band.

Evening tours will also be available through the Historic Philadelphia area, visiting the Independence Visitor Center, Franklin Square, and Independence Hall.

5 After 5 @ The NCC
Thursdays at 5PM

National Constitution Center
525 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 409-6600
www.constitutioncenter.org

I LOVE the beach. The ocean, sun, sand, dolphins – everything that goes along with it. So I’m down with anyone who wants to help preserve my favorite things. A young Temple grad started his own business, Sand Shack, his freshman year here in Philly. This eco-friendly apparel and jewelry line has emerged through the years and is now sold in over 150 stores in the U.S. with 5% of all proceeds supporting efforts to protect the world’s oceans and beaches, always. Go Temple grads!

An extra-special effort is going on in Philly during the first week of August. Many local spas and area salons are collaborating with Sand Shack for Ocean Week, including Eviama Life Spa, and Rejuvalux Body Klinic & Day Spa, located on Walnut St. During this week-long event, participating spas will offer special promotions and discounted rates on certain treatments and packages with 5% of all proceeds contributing to ocean conservation efforts.

Treat yourself to a mani-pedi, or get a soothing facial. All the while you are feeling and looking good, you’re helping the water world do the same. You’ll even receive a free Sand Shack gift for helping out, like a cool hat or pair of flip-flops!

Stay beautiful and keep the seashore beautiful, too.

Eviama Life Spa
262 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 545-3344
www.eviama.com

The Body Klinic Day Spa
2012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-8888‎
www.thebodyklinic.com

Joe Sixpack visits McGillin’s on August 4th

The oldest tavern in Philadelphia is having a party and you’re invited. Your book-loving, beer-sipping self, that is. McGillin’s Olde Ale House is kicking off its 150th Anniversary but there are no gold or silver gravy boat presents over here. Instead, McGillin’s has invited a group of authors who have noted the Center City staple (and it’s exemplar employees) in their writings to talk about the role the tavern played and of course, to have a few beers. Some of the noted authors include Philly’s own beer columnist, Joe Sixpack, and New York Times bestselling author, William Lashner.

The author series starts off at McGillin’s “Party of the Century-And-A-Half” on August 4th and will run on Tuesday nights through September. Each Tuesday will bring a new author and a new book that features the tavern in it. And the beer of choice? McGillin’s specially brewed celebratory 1860 IPA will be offered for $2 a pint during the events. All book readings start at 6pm and are free of cover charge.

Author’s Series:

August 4 – Joe Sixpack, Joe Sixpack’s Philly Beer Guide
August 11 – Lew Bryson, Pennsylvania Breweries
August 25 – Duane Swierczynski, The Punisher
September 1 – William Lashner, Blood & Bone
September 8 – Dr. Lewis Losoncy, Early Poppers: Secrets of Self-Starters

McGillin’s Olde Ale House
1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
www.mcgillins.com

You know, I’ve never been to the Pita Pit in Center City. I’ve passed it a number of times, always tempted, but never walked in. Well, here’s to trying new things. Tomorrow, July 29th, the Pita Pit over on 16th and Sansom celebrates their three year anniversary, and will be selling all the pitas on the menu for just $3.

You can score more details on the Pita Pit’s blog, and check out their official website for the menu. I’ll be there, trying out something new for lunch… and possibly dinner.

Philadelphia Pita Pit
1601 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 564-1080
www.phillypitapit.com

Summer dining at Parc is hard to beat; Bottom left photo by G. Widman, Top and bottom right courtesy Parc

Parc, Stephen Starr’s airy Parisian brasserie located right on Rittenhouse Square, recently celebrated its first birthday. Which gives us a good excuse to spotlight it.

Summer is a great time to visit Parc.

And for any meal really — breakfast, lunch, brunch, a mid-afternoon snack, happy hour, dinner, dessert, post dinner drinks, a late-night bite — they’re all perfectly good times and/or reasons to visit.

This post is mainly to serve as a reminder of as much. As well as a visual teaser.

(After all, the photos make it pretty hard to resist.)

Parc has seating for more than 75 along its sidewalk; Photo by G. Widman

Parc offers classic Parisian bistro fare; Photos courtesy Parc

Click for a bunch more after the jump. (more…)

The coveted outdoor seating at Twenty Manning. (Photo by K. Ciappa for GPTMC)

The price of a two-person dinner can escalate quickly — especially when the drinks start flowing.

So Rittenhouse Square favorite Twenty Manning is offering a special dinner menu for $100. Called the Chef Kiong Dinner for Two, the six-course (three for each person) meal includes a bottle of wine.

Your meal includes:

- Two appetizers (one if you order a two-person appetizer)
- Two entrées
- Two desserts (one if you order a two-person dessert, e.g. the chocolate fondue)
- One bottle of wine (from a list of eight)

I personally did the math, and a dinner roster like this could run you upwards of $120. So $100 would be less, wouldn’t it? Good enough for me to try it.

Also: Twenty Manning’s outdoor seating cannot be improved upon (in fact, we just named Twenty Manning one of our Top Five Places for Alfresco Dining in Rittenhouse Square). So grab a table outside, serenade your best guy or gal and enjoy having saved a buck or two.

Twenty Manning [gophila.com]

For the interested, here’s the full wine list (vintage years subject to change):

RED

- PEIRANO ESTATES “SIX CLONES” MERLOT  LODI, CALIFORNIA 07
- CHATEAU DUPLESSY    PREMIERS COTES DE BORDEAUX   FRANCE  03
- FOX GORDON “EIGHT UNCLES”   SHIRAZ    BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA   05
- MIGUEL GASCON   MALBEC   MENDOZA, ARGENTINA   08

WHITE

- CRISTALINO   CAVA    SPAIN   NV
- CRIOS    ROSE OF MALBEC    MENDOZA, ARGENTINA    07
- MARTIN CODAX   ALBARINO   RIAS BIAXAS, SPAIN  06
- PINE AND POST   CHARDONNAY    COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON STATE 06