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A few micheladas and Mexican comfort fare, anyone? (Photo courtesy Xochitl)

On Sunday, May 29, Headhouse Square’s Xochitl will debut a delicious, much-anticipated new brunch menu.

Featuring a variety of Mexican-themed dishes and brunch cocktails, the new menu will be available every Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and marks the very first time that the spot has offered brunch.

Highlights include Chicharrones, house-fried pork rinds with radish, mint and salsa verde; Hotcakes de Maiz, cornmeal and black bean hotcakes with piloncillo syrup, seasonal fruit and whipped cream; and Coctel de Fruta y Granola, house-made almond granola with honey, seasonal fruit salad with chile and lime, and yogurt.

Brunch cocktails will include: the famed Xochitl Margarita, blanco tequila with hand-squeezed lime juice and simple syrup; Michelada, Dos Equis amber with spicy tomato and a chili-salt rim; and Bloody Maria, blanco tequila with house-made bloody mary mix.

Xochitl is co-owned by Steven Cook and recent James Beard Award winner Chef Michael Solomonov, so you’re dining in good hands.

Xochitl
408 S. 2nd Street
www.xochitlphilly.com

Get a look at life inside the prison's historic cell blocks, then grab a drink or food at nearby eateries. (Photo courtesy Eastern State Penitentiary)

As the sun goes down, the chilling history of Eastern State Penitentiary becomes even more poignant.

Debuting June 3 and running every Friday through August (rather than Wednesdays as in years past), Twilight Tours invite people to explore the abandoned prison until 8 p.m. — if they dare. In the evening, the massive penitentiary site takes on a more peaceful, almost eerie, atmosphere that makes for a truly memorable experience.

During these extended hours, prison-goers can check out “The Voices of Eastern State” audio tour starring actor Steve Buscemi of Reservoir Dogs fame, guided “Hands-On History” tours, exhibits and art installations.

Plus, unlike Al Capone and other real inmates of yesteryear, modern-day visitors can make it a night in the Fairmount neighborhood thanks to the new “Fridays in Fairmount” promotion. People who show their Eastern State Penitentiary ticket at local businesses will enjoy some great discounts and freebies:

• Three-course chef’s tasting for $29 at McCrossen’s Tavern

• Free sweet treat with entrée purchase at Jack’s Firehouse

• Free mini-cupcake with frappe purchase at Mugshots

• Child-size soft-serve cup or cone for $1 at Philly Flavors

• 15% off at Luigi’s Pizza Fresca and London Grill

Just for fun, when your mom asks what you did over the weekend, tell her you spent Friday night in the clink. After her heart drops out of her throat, invite her along the next weekend.

Twilight Tours and Fridays in Fairmount
When: Fridays in June, July and August
Where: Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue
Cost: Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students and kids $8
More info: www.easternstate.org

 
After 25 years of history-making television, Oprah hosts the finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show today.

In honor of the award-winning TV mogul, actress, producer and philanthropist, we have a special video to share, above. Oprah names a few things that makes Philadelphia special to her in this vintage “Philadelphia: The Place That Loves You Back” television commercial from our campaign in 1997.

We love you too, Ms. Winfrey. Check out a photo, below, of some of the With Love Letters dedicated to Oprah at a recent rally for her.

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Every June, thousands of fans line the 14.4-mile course to watch scores of pro cyclists tackle the road race stretching across the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Kelly Drive and, of course, the infamous Manayunk Wall, a 17% grade hill rising off the Schuylkill River in Manayunk. (Photos by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Philadelphia, named one of the best big cities for biking, also boasts the country’s premier single-day cycling road race. On June 5, the 2011 TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship arrives, drawing world-class cyclists and thousands of fans for an epic 156-mile race across the city.

In its 27th year, the championship has blossomed into a cherished Philadelphia tradition. Starting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, cyclists make their way northwest, climaxing at the Manayunk Wall — the legendary, endurance-defying incline that begins at Main and Levering Streets and continues through the neighborhood’s cobblestone roads — before looping back to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Ushering riders through Fairmount Park, the course is as arduous as it is scenic. The cyclists make ten laps of the 14.4-mile course so you will have plenty of opportunities to cheer them on.

Every year fans flock to cheer the cyclists on at gorgeous hotspots, including along the Manayunk Wall, Lemon Hill, the Art Museum and along Kelly Drive. Enthusiasts can also opt for VIP Access, which includes limited access, fully catered curbside tents.

Fun fact: check out the Family Friend Zone on the steps of the Art Museum as you wait for cyclists to return from their laps. From 9 a.m.-3 p.m., rides, games and giveaways turn the iconic area into a “boardwalk,” offering free entertainment for the family and an ideal locale to catch the action.

Stay tuned for a more detailed guide to the race!

TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship
When: Sunday, June 5
Where: Spectator areas line the entire course, stretching from Manayunk to Logan Square
Cost: Free (Except for VIP Access)
More info: www.procyclingtour.com

The re-release party for Victory's Summer Love Ale will launch the festivities at the With Love Beer Garden for Philly Beer Week 2011 — make sure you stop by and pick up a special edition With Love Koozie. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

A couple weeks back, we first told you about the With Love Beer Garden, a new pop-up Beer Garden that we are hosting for Philly Beer Week 2011 at the The Four Seasons Hotel, Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 10.

And now we have more good news: we are kicking off the With Love Beer Garden on Monday, June 6 with the official launch party for the re-release of Victory Summer Love Ale.

Victory Founder, President and Head Brewer Bill Covaleski is the Beer Garden’s featured brewer on Monday so he’ll be on hand not just to celebrate the re-release of Summer Love Ale, but also to talk about and show off a number of Victory’s other delicious brews.

The With Love Beer Garden will be located in the Four Season Hotel’s awesome outdoor courtyard. Stop by with some friends and meet Bill, sample some Victory suds, listen to music and enjoy tasty summer fare from the Four Seasons — all outside under the sun (and eventually stars).

Oh, and be sure to say hi to us too — we’ll be there live-blogging on Monday afternoon for the launch party.

RSVP on Facebook: Let us know that you’re coming; you can RSVP for the party on our Facebook event page right now.

Foursquare/Facebook Check-In Promotion: Take a piece of the beer garden home with you. Visitors who check into the With Love Beer Garden using Foursquare or Facebook Places will get an awesome Victory Summer Love Ale beer koozie, perfect for summertime outings.

Foodspotting: Be sure to spot your Summer Love Ale on Foodspotting and add it to our Summer Love Ale Guide to earn a Summer Love Ale badge.

Note: While this opening night party for the Beer Garden is certainly going to be awesome, the With Love Beer Garden is going to be Philly Beer Week Central each and every night, Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 10, with a different brewer featured each night. You should plan to start your Beer Week festivities at the With Love Beer Garden multiple nights and then move on to the other events around town (more Beer Week events here).

And stay tuned for a lot more Philly Beer Week and With Love Beer Garden coverage to come.

With Love Beer Garden Kick Off/Victory Summer Love Ale Launch Party
Where: The Courtyard at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, 1 Logan Square
When: Monday, June 6, 4-8 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.facebook.com/visitphilly

Previously: Introducing The With Love Beer Garden At The Four Seasons Hotel, A New Pop-Up Beer Garden Coming Exclusively For Philly Beer Week 2011

Think that all picnics consist of soggy sandwiches and lukewarm iced tea? Think again.

Stephen Starr Events is offering up a summer classic with style with their Perfect Picnics. You choose the location, and then leave it to the folks at Stephen Starr Events to handle the rest.

Choose from spectacular spreads such as the Red, White & Picnic, an all-American menu of burgers and dogs with all of the fixings. The perfect backyard party is served up with the A Taste of the South menu, with barbecue favorites such as bourbon-brined BBQ angus short ribs, or slow smoke hammer-pulled pork. For a more opulent event, the Steak and Chops menu includes tiered royal shellfish platters and prime cuts of meat or fish. All picnics come with staff and appropriate dining materials.

Don’t have a location big enough for all of your friends that are dying to attend? Stephen Starr Events has you covered, with the hook-up to fabulous hosts like the scenic Philadelphia Museum of Art’s East Terrace, and tranquil Franklin Square. For a picnic where the ritziest thing isn’t the crackers, contact Morgan Bedore at (267) 886-1474.

See also: Garces Trading Company To Offer Pre-Packed Picnics Beginning In May.

Stephen Starr’s Perfect Picnics
When: Available now
Where: Location of your choice
Cost: Between $35-$175/person, based on the attendance and length of event
More info: www.starr-restaurant.com

The annually displayed Garden Railway is fashioned entirely from natural materials: leaves, bark, vines, twigs, logs and more.
(Photo courtesy Morris Arboretum)

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city even for just an afternoon this weekend; with 92 acres of lush land and gorgeous gardens, the Morris Arboretum guarantees the chaos of the city will be nothing but a distant memory.

And this weekend is the perfect opportunity to check it out as Memorial Day Weekend coincides with the annual kick-off of the arboretum’s spectacular Garden Railway Display.

With a different theme every year, the Garden Railway Display is a miniature world set in the splendor of a summer garden that features meticulously detailed historic buildings created entirely out of natural materials. This year’s display, Painted Ladies, opens this Saturday, May 28, and is a replication of the magnificent Victorian-style homes that were first created after the California Gold Rush in the late 1840s.

From 1-3 p.m., guests can lose themselves in the intricate displays, enjoy the companionship of volunteers decked out in Victorian garb, partake in various art and crafts and treat themselves to free ice cream.

The display will continue through Labor Day Weekend. Other special events planned in conjunction with the exhibit are Pennsylvania Train Weekend on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, Train Enthusiast Night on Thursday, June 16 and Circus Week at the Garden Railway every Sunday from June 26 to July 4.

The Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway Display Grand Opening
When: Saturday, May 28, 1-3 p.m.
Where: 100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Cost: Kids 3-17 $7, Students and active military $7, Adults $16, Seniors (65+) $14, PennCard holders and Children under 3 Free
More info: www.morrisarboretum.org

Locals and visitors alike will appreciate the Doubletree's new dining spot, overlooking the Avenue of the Arts and the Academy of Music. (Photo courtesy Balcony)

The Doubletree By Hilton Philadelphia Center City has officially opened Balcony Restaurant, formerly The Academy Café.

Located on the mezzanine level of the hotel, Balcony affords a great view of the Avenue of the Arts. The restaurant offers a comfort food menu featuring new twists on old favorites. Think mac ‘n cheese, grilled cheese and tomato soup, lump crab cakes and homemade meatloaf, alongside interesting renditions like skillet lasagna and beef sliders.

The menu’s piece de résistance is Balcony’s signature, sinful dessert called The Doubletree Stack: a trio of homemade chocolate chip cookies (this is the only Doubletree that bakes them on the premises) served with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, caramel and chocolate sauce.

The hotel recently completed a two-year long $13 million renovation program. As part of those changes, a visually stunning new chandelier hangs over the atrium, treating diners at Balcony to a visual ”feast” of colors and design.

Locals and visitors alike should stop by!

Balcony Restaurant
237 S. Broad Street
www.balconyonbroad.com

Chase Utley returned to the Phillies lineup last night for the first time this season as a record crowd of 45,841 fans were on hand at Citizens Bank Park to welcome him back. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Chase Utley was in the Phillies lineup for the first time all season last night as the Phillies beat the Cincinatti Reds 10-3. While Utley went hitless in his season debut, he definitely brought a little added energy to the ballpark as the Phillies beat the Reds 10-3 in front of the largest crowd ever for a regular season game at Citizens Bank Park — 45,841.

Check out the deafening standing ovation Utley received when he approached home plate for his first at-bat of the season.

Welcome home, Chase.

With Utley back, Phillies’ bats awaken in win [Phillies.com]
Video: Utley’s Receives Ovation Prior To First At-bat of 2011 [Phillies.com]

Kick back this weekend at Chaddsford Winery's Memorial Day Picnic & Tasting Weekend, or do some museum-hopping, sightseeing or sports watching.
(Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

When it comes to patriotic holidays, Philadelphia doesn’t mess around. Whether you’re visiting town specially for the holiday weekend or you’re local and sticking around, there are plenty of options for celebrating.

Check out our top picks, below:

• National Constitution Center: Starting Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30, the center will host a slew of free events to celebrate the holiday, including Patriotic Karaoke; “Memorials: How a Nation Remembers,” a 20-minute interactive program showing the history behind monuments like Little Bighorn, U.S.S. Arizona and the Lincoln Memorial; and Memorial Day-themed craftmaking.

• Historic Philadelphia: Friday through Monday, you can choose from an Independence After Hours walking tour, the dazzling 3D Liberty 360 show hosted by Ben Franklin in the PECO Theater at the Historic Philadelphia Center, Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches, Franklin Square fun and games and Betsy Ross House festivities.

• Chaddsford Winery Memorial Day Picnic & Tasting Weekend: Sipping and sun on Saturday, May 28, Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30 from noon-6 p.m. Bring a picnic or purchase snacks at the winery. For $10 per person, enjoy wine tastings, a souvenir logo glass to take home and live music.

• Hang Free in Fairmount Park: On Monday, May 30, from 1-8 p.m., head to this free, bi-annual outdoor party in Fairmount Park, including DJ’s spinning music, plus sports like touch football and frisbee. Bring blankets, a picnic and any games.

We’ve got more Memorial Day Weekend observance options, below.

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