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In recent years, Philadelphia has gotten a whole lot of love for its beer scene. Between our amazing Beer Week (June 3-12, 2011), the many brew-focused bars and our top-notch breweries, we think the praise has been well-deserved.

About a week ago, new beer came to town and we think our status as a great beer city is part of why they picked us for their expansion project. That’s right, iconic New England brew Narragansett Beer is now available in the Philadelphia market.

Their classic lager is currently on sale at a variety of area restaurants and bars, including Fergie’s Pub, City Taphouse, Dandelion, Cichetteria 19 and The Electric Factory. What’s more, Narragansett’s craft brews, including ‘Gansett Fest, Bock and Porter, will soon be offered on a seasonal basis.

Philadelphia native Judith Jamison returns to the city with this performance.
(Photo courtesy Kimmel Center)

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates the 50 year anniversary of Alvin Ailey’s classic Revelations with performances Saturday, February 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, February 27 at 2 p.m. at the Academy of Music.

This Philadelphia performance marks the homecoming of city native Judith Jamison, who leads the dance group through her final season as artistic director. She describesRevelations as “a profound manifestation of how dance can celebrate the human spirit and impact our hearts and minds.”

The piece is an American classic with a short film shown prior to each performance as tribute to Ailey’s spirited modern dance masterpiece. It is accompanied by five company premiere pieces, plus a repertory favorite.

Book your tickets now for this can’t-miss two-day feature. Tickets are available online

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
When: Saturday, February 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, February 27 at 2 p.m.
Where: Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets
Cost: Tickets range from $26-$72
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org

The James Beard Foundation has released its 2011 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists, and Philadelphia snagged a whopping 16 nominations.

Check out who’s in the running for an “Oscar of the food world”:

Best New Restaurant:
• Amis
• Barbuzzo

Outstanding Chef
• Jose Garces, Amada
• Marc Vetri, Vetri

Rising Star Chef Of The Year
• Lee Styer, Fond

Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic
• Pierre Calmels, Bibou
• David Gilberg, KOO ZEE DOO
• Adán Saavedra, Paloma
• Michael Solomonov, Zahav

Check out the rest, below.

(more…)

CHOOOOOCH! Phillies Spring Training kicked off this week with pitchers and catchers reporting for the start of voluntary workouts.
(Photo by M. Kennedy/Courtesy the Phillies)

In light of the weather forecast for today and tomorrow, we’re in an especially spring-ish state of mind.

And what says spring more than baseball?

This week marks the beginning of Spring Training for the Phillies as pitchers and catchers reported to Phillies Clearwater, Florida facilities for the start of voluntary workouts.

Which can only mean that Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia is just a few — six, but who’s counting? — weeks away.

We. Can’t. Wait.

P.S. Single game tickets went on sale today. We recommend you get your tickets now before they are all gone.

Philadelphia Phillies [Visit Philly]

Escape the winter chill with a day of relaxation.
(Photo courtesy Liberte)

Beginning Monday, February 21, through Saturday, April 30, cocktail lounge and restaurant Liberté at the Sofitel Philadelphia will partner with Rescue Rittenhouse Spa for a Spa Day promotion, featuring: a 333 calorie or less, three-course lunch or dinner ($48) from Liberté’s new, healthful spa menu; a 60-minute Swedish Massage and Salt Scrub at Rescue ($120); and complimentary Valet Parking at the Sofitel.

The spa menu, with all dishes 135 calories or less, was created by Chef Kevin Levett in collaboration with five other Sofitel chefs from France, Canada and the United States. The three courses include dishes like Sauteed Hen Chicken with braised mushrooms, steamed vegetables and chicken jus (92 calories), Monkfish Casserole with lobster sauce (98 calories) and Vanilla Panna Cotta with raspberry coulis (88 calories).

Rescue Rittenhouse’s combined 60-Minute Massage and Salt Scrub includes a Swedish massage and a soothing body buff, administered by Best of Philly multiple time award-winning aestheticians.

Just when you need it most, indulge in utter relaxation for all your senses.

Liberte and Rescue Rittenhouse Spa’s Spa Day Promotion
Where: Sofitel Philadelphia, 20 S. 17th Street
When: February 21 through April 30
Cost: $48 for menu, $120 for spa treatments
More info: www.beautyaficionado.com

Case in point: Mayor Nutter enthusiastically kicking off Philly Beer Week each year with a ceremonial tapping of the first keg.
(Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Esquire Magazine has named Philadelphia to its list of the country’s best cities for beer in 2011, one of “seven craft-brew meccas that are revolutionizing the way we drink hops.”

According to the article, we’ve earned our self-proclaimed title as America’s best beer-drinking city. Needless to say, we agree.

For starters, Philly Beer Week (June 3-12 this year) is a full ten days devoted to beer dinners, tastings and pub crawls.

The article also calls out new West Philadelphia craft beer haven City Tap House, plus local breweries Victory and nearby Dogfish Head.

But it really only touches the surface. For more about the amazing local Philadelphia beer scene, check out Philly Homegrown as well as our archives.

America’s Best Beer Cities 2011 [Esquire]

Currently in the planning stages, the Center for Culinary Enterprises is shared-use kitchen in West Philadelphia that’s being designed to be an incubator for culinary businesses as they find their feet. Coming this spring, you’ll have an opportunity to kick in some cash to help them out and eat the food of some of the best chefs in the region.

It will be held at the Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons at WHYY and will feature Michael Solomonov of Zahav, Top Chef contestant Jennifer Carroll, Chip Roman from Blackfish and Brad Spence from Mark Vetri’s Amis. Guests will enjoy a 5-course sampling menu, featuring the evening’s “secret ingredient.”

This Ultimate Chef event will take place on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Tickets are currently on sale for the (slightly staggering) price of $500 each.

Ultimate Chef
Where: Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons
When: Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Cost: $500 per person
More info: www.philafood.org/ultimatechef/index.html

Don't miss out on 2011 Phillies tickets! Single tickets go on sale tomorrow at 8:30 a.m., and they won't be around for long.
(Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Demand for Phillies tickets is higher than ever before, what with an A-list pitching lineup, a new 7,372 square foot HD jumbotron (the largest in the National League!) and the most awesome mascot in all of sports.

To that end, we’re looking out for you: better to be safe than sorry. You should seriously consider buying tickets now rather than waiting until the season starts, because in all likelihood every Phillies ticket will be sold, and many in advance.

In fact, the Phillies are currently sold out of season tickets for 2011, but Phillies Three Game Packs and Six Game Packs only available until 7 p.m. tonight, February 16, are a great way to secure tickets to some of the hottest games of the year.

Then starting tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., single-game tickets will go on sale for 78 home games, all but Opening Day (sold out already) and three Red Sox games in late June (sold exclusively as part of Six Game Packs).

According to the Inquirer, over 3.1 million tickets are already gone, putting sales about a full month ahead of last year.

Insider tip: about 500 standing-tickets will be held back per game, then put on sale several hours before that game’s first pitch.

Set your alarm for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow to ensure you reserve a seat for at least one game. For early-morning motivation, check out this interview with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel on why he loves Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Phillies Tickets [Phillies]

Break out the sunglasses.
(Photo courtesy The Corner)

Signs of spring! The Corner, in the former APO Bar + Lounge space in Midtown Village, is heeding the exceedingly welcome spring-like forecast for the next few days and opening its roofdeck space starting today, February 16.

Featuring modern American comfort food — meatball sliders, chicken pot pie, fried cauliflower — plus creative cocktails and a full beer and wine list, The Corner has promise to be the next hot spot in an already bustling neighborhood.

Bask outside in the milder air, or else grab a table inside the cozy lounge. Either way, you get free appetizers starting today through Friday, February 18: sweet and spicy chicken wings, plus masa tots served with chipotle clam dip.

We love spring fever.

The Corner
102 S. 13th Street
www.thephillycorner.com

Chef Schulson prepares ultra-creative Asian food. (Photo courtesy Sampan)

Bon Appetit Magazine named Chef Michael Schulson’s popular modern Asian spot Sampan to its list of Top 6 places in the country for Asian fusion, a 1980s culinary trend that’s been revitalized of late to reflect lighter tastes and a preference for locally sourced food.

The writer calls out Schulson’s flair in taking “Chinese dim sum favorites and turn[ing] them on their head with results like edamame dumplings and crab wonton tacos.”

According to the piece, he is one of “today’s most deft practitioners” of the cuisine. Well-deserved accolades, in our opinion.

Plus, the featured photo in the article is of a Sampan dish: Philly cheeseteak on bao buns with sriracha.

The Top 6 Places to Taste the New Asian Fusion [Bon Appetit]