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Amuse at the Le Méridien Philadelphia Hotel. (Photo courtesy of Le Méridien)

Today, Amuse at Le Méridien Philadelphia debuted their new Three Martini Lunch featuring three martinis, Onion Soup Amuse and the brasserie’s signature Steak Frites — all for just $30.

The Three Martini Lunch will be available now through September, during the hours of 11:30 a.m. through 2 p.m., and the menu will feature six martini options:

- The Dirty Martini: Svedka, olive juice and regular or Blue cheese stuffed green olives

- The Classic Vodka Martini: Stolichnaya, dry vermouth and regular or blue cheese stuffed green olives

- Cosmopolitan: Skyy, Cointreau cranberry and fresh lime juice

- Citrus Martini: Skyy citrus, with fresh lemon juice and Cointreau

- French Martini: Belvedere, Chambord and pineapple juice

- Parisienne: Hendrick’s, dry vermouth and crème de cassis, shaken up.

Take your time while enjoying your martinis, Amuse is offering Three Martini Lunch vouchers, which will allow you to redeem any remaining drinks within 30 days. Nice.

Amuse [Official Site]
Le Méridien [Visit Philly]

Don't miss your chance to sample a 100% locally-sourced cheesesteak. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Our sibling site Philly Homegrown has teamed up with Frog Commissary founder, chef and author Steve Poses to produce a farm-fresh take on the iconic Philly cheesesteak.

This Wednesday at 11 a.m., Chef Poses will be dishing out 250 authentic Philly cheesesteaks made entirely from ingredients grown and produced within the area’s 100-mile foodshed.

The 250 cheesesteaks will then be quartered providing 1,000 samples to be given out to attendees and passersby for free.

Some of the signature ingredients being used: 150 pounds of chipped grass-fed organic beef from Landisdale Farm; 50 pounds of organic colby cheese from Mountain Meadows Colby; 25 pounds of organic onions from Landisdale Farm; 25 pounds of sweet and hot peppers from McCann Farm; and 208 feet of bread from Sarcone’s.

After the event, the featured all-local cheesesteak will be available for purchase for a limited time (August 26-29) at Ben’s Bistro in The Franklin Institute Science Museum. Note: The restaurant is open to the public daily and does not require museum admission.

What: 1,000 Free Locally Sourced Cheesesteak Samples
When: Wednesday, August 25, at 11 a.m.
Where: The Mayor’s Farmers’ Market at Love Park

The Kimmel Center, Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

This is not the place to recount the long and infamous history of Philadelphia sports fans — their passion hitting a level of obsessiveness beyond most.

Now is the time, though, to look forward to the return of The Philly Fan, the one-man hit show starring Barrymore Award winner Tom McCarthy and written by award-winning playwright Bruce Graham that is becoming gospel at the church of Philadelphia fandom.

The limited six-week engagement beginning Sept. 23 – Oct. 31 at the Kimmel Center’s Innovation Studio features a slew of content since it first debuted to much fanfare in 2004 — including updates from a Phillies World Series win and a Donvan McNabb trade.

The one man tour-de-force is hailed as a biting, hilarious journey through a half-century of Philadelphia sports history, including all the requisite ups and downs and with a familiar sense of impending doom and undying love.

Tickets are now available at $35 for Thursday and Friday performances and $47 for Saturday and Sunday performances. For more information, visit the Kimmel Center’s official website.

The Philly Fan
Sept. 23rd – Oct 31st, 2010

The Kimmel Center
260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org

Closet Full of Vintage Dresses & Shades @ Katacomb

As the vintage and retro market continues to show strong growth, stylist Brooke Dillon is helping to bring the best of the best to Philadelphia.

Dillon, the owner and brains behind The Katacomb: Vintage, is offering a one of a kind shopping experience for the ultimate fashion girl.

In what feels like the closet of Vogue, Dillon has turned the lower level of her beautiful home into a chic showroom, displaying all of her stunning finds throughout her international travels.

Aside from having your choice of one-of-a-kind vintage clothing, jewelry and decor, you also get a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, as it is an appointment only boutique.

You’ll have the luxury of the entire showroom to yourself, with Dillon as your personal stylist. Browse through labels such as, Chanel, YSL, and Gucci throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s and even some rare items dating back to the 1800s.

Vintage pieces such as jewelry and scarves can also add the final touch to an otherwise simple outfit. These original pieces, once added to your usual dress can help you stand out and make your own statement.

Even better, it doesn’t have to break your bank. Those with the love and appreciation of fashion, but without the cash can still pick up a great bargain!

The Katacomb: Vintage [ www.thekatacomb.com ]

Garces is a big soccer fan. (Photo courtesy GRG)

World-renowned chef and restauranteur Jose Garces is lending his support to help bring the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ to Philadelphia.

Philly’s own Iron Chef has endorsed the city’s bid to bring the FIFA World Cup™ to the U.S. and Philadelphia in 2018 or 2022.

“The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and Philadelphia is one of the greatest sports cities,” said Garces.

“I can’t think of anywhere else that combines our world-class sports venues with the matchless passion of the fans. There is no better place for the World Cup than right here in Philadelphia, and I’m thrilled to support our efforts to bring the Cup to town.”

He’s absolutely right.

Philadelphia is currently one of 18 U.S. finalist cities vying to bring the World Cup back to the U.S., where it was last held in 1994. The World Cup is expected to generate between $300-500 million for each city and attract a global television audience. A decision on host countries will be announced in early December.

Philadelphia is currently in 6th place in petition signatures — with more than 47,000 — out of the 18 U.S. finalist cities, behind only Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Tampa Bay, but ahead of cities like Washington DC, Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver, San Diego, Dallas and Seattle.

As a sign of support to bring this worldwide sporting event to Philadelphia, fans are encouraged to sign the online petition to show the world “The Game Is In Philadelphia,” which you can do by filling out this form and clicking the “JOIN US” button.

Or text Philly to 22442 as many times as you want.

And after the excitement of this year’s World Cup, don’t you want to help bring some of that excitement to Philadelphia??

A packed house takes in a soccer game at The Linc. (Photo courtesy Go USA Bid)

Thought so.

The Game Is In Philadelphia [Official Philadelphia World Cup Bid Website]
Jose Garces Joins the Bid to Bring World Cup Soccer to Philly [Grub Street Philadelphia]
Jose Garces Restaurants [Visit Philly]

Citizens Bank Park in all of its glory. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

An annual poll that ranks the 30 Major League baseball stadiums just came out and Citizens Bank Park was rated the #1 ballpark in the entire league for 2010.

100 straight sell-outs yesterday, #1 ballpark in the country today.

Not a bad week for Citizens Bank Park.

Bill Conlin: Baseball fans love to love Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park [Daily News]
Phillies are hottest draw in town [Inquirer]

Phillie fan JT. Ramsay (photo by Matt Godfry, courtesy of the Fishtown Star)

Did you know that Philadelphia used to be a two-baseball team town? It’s true! From 1901 until 1954, the team currently known at the Oakland Athletics was actually a Philly institution. They won five World Series titles during their tenure in the city and the rivalry between the Phillies fans and those rooting for the A’s was stuff of legend.

Currently, one Philadelphian is trying to gather momentum to bring the Athletics back to where they started. JT. Ramsay has started a Tumblr and a Facebook page and his campaign is gaining traction – he was featured earlier this week in the Fishtown Star. He believes that this city could again support two teams and rebuild the healthy competitive spirit that we once fostered.

The Phanatic Around Town program has been very popular all summer long, but like all great things, it must eventually come to an end.

The 20 custom-painted Phanatic statues will be removed from around the city during the week of August 30th, leaving a little more than a week to snap your photo with them in their current locations.

After the statues are collected, they’ll be on display on “Phanatic Walk” at Citizens Bank Park beginning September 3rd through the remainder of the season.

Also… if you haven’t already, check out our time-lapse video in which we visit all 20 Phanatic statues around Philadelphia.

Phanatic Around Town Summer Promotion [Visit Philly]

Treat yourself to a night on the town. (Photo courtesy The Hotel Palomar Philadelphia)

The Hotel Palomar just notified us of a special last minute room rate they’re offering for tonight only. For $99, you can book a night’s stay at this awesome new hotel property (the #1 rated hotel in Philadelphia on Trip Advisor) located in the heart of Center City.

The special promotion is for accommodations in their Queen Deluxe Room, which features goose down feather beds fitted with Frette Linens, a 42″ flat screen TV, working desk, two telephones, iHome, and bath amenities by L’Occitane. (For $109, you can upgrade to a King Deluxe Room.) You’ll also enjoy the hotel’s complimentary evening wine reception held in the lobby and high speed wireless internet access.

Staycation anyone?

Click Here to check out the rate and room options.

Hotel Palomar Philadelphia [Official Site]

Food, music and more at Penn's Landing; Photos by R. Kennedy

The Caribbean Festival returns to Penn’s Landing this Sunday, August 22nd from 2-8 p.m. to celebrate the culture of 14 islands through cuisine, music and fashion as part of the PECO Multicultural Series.

The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing will come alive with the sounds of the Caribbean. Performances include live reggae, hip-hop, gospel and soca/calypso performers throughout the afternoon along with poetry readings, island skits and creative dances.

You’ll also find an assortment of delicious food. Vendors will be serving a variety of island cuisine, from jerk chicken to codfish cakes to roti. Also, don’t miss the festival marketplace, where you can browse authentic Caribbean fashions, crafts, souvenirs and more. And if you have little ones with you, take a trip to the Children’s Corner, where kids can explore African-Caribbean culture through games and other activities.

24th Annual Caribbean Festival
Where: The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
When: Sunday, August 22rd, 2 to 8 pm
Cost: FREE!