June 8, 2010
Photo courtesy Idina Menzel's official website
Long time Idina Menzel fans will recognize her from the original cast of Rent or for her role as Elphaba in Broadway’s Wicked. Newer fans might recognize her from her guest roll on Glee playing Rachel’s biological mother. But all fans will agree that her voice—bold and robust, yet endearingly beautiful—is one of the best of our time. She is a powerhouse songstress whose vocal talents have defined the projects she has been a part of.
On Thursday, June 24th, Idina Menzel will bring her song-stylings to the Mann Music Center for a one night engagement with the Philadelphia Orchestra. You can expect to hear Broadway classics, including favorites from Rent and Wicked, along with hits from her album Stand.
A truly dynamic vocal performer, Idina’s show at the Mann Center is sure to be an incredibly entertaining evening. Visit the Mann Music Center’s website to read more about the show as well as their entire summer concert season.
Idina Menzel with the Philadelphia Orchestra [ www.manncenter.org ]
May 26, 2010
Sushi @ Fat Salmon
Fat Salmon opened in early February, created by the same owners / chefs of the former Shinju Sushi that closed its doors back in October.
The inventive menu and the modern atmosphere at Fat Salmon are the perfect combination and a great pick for both adventurous sushi eaters and those with more tame taste buds.
Seafood Salad @ Fat Salmon
We sampled some seaweed salad and an assortment of specialty rolls and were impressed with everything we ate, which was a lot. Our favorites included the Old School Roll, a vegetarian option packed with fried onions and shitake mushroom and doused in spicy sauce; the Sleeping Volcano Roll, featuring spicy tuna, cream cheese and tomato; and the Locust Roll, topped with a freakishly delicious piece of cooked tuna.
What really impressed me about the menu here were the little additions to the rolls that were unexpected, yet absolutely delicious. Fried onions, tomatoes, cooked fish!? Who knew!
On top of the food and décor, the service was great too—professional and efficient and most important, no rush to turn our table. Fat Salmon is open seven days a week for dinner, with lunch served Monday- Friday. I would recommend calling for reservations and, while you’re on the phone, ask to reserve the table closest to the window. It is absolutely beautiful on a warm Summer night.
To get an idea of what else is on the menu, scope out February’s menu via Mealticket, here.
Fat Salmon
719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3208
(215) 928-8881
May 19, 2010
Inside the Spa, Photo courtesy Rescue Rittenhouse
As the weather gets warmer and hemlines get shorter, the desire to really pamper yourself is sometimes overwhelming. Manicure, pedicure, waxing, facial, massage? Why yes, I don’t mind if I do. And if you’re really looking for the celebrity treatment, be sure to make an appointment at Rescue Rittenhouse Spa.
Tucked inside the Medical Tower at 255 South 17th Street, Rescue is the premier skin care spa on the East Coast and, luckily for Philadelphians, it’s right here in our own city. When you step off the elevator into their 2nd floor establishment, you are immediately checked in at the front desk, ushered to a plush seating area, and asked if you would like coffee, tea or a cookie. Yes, I’ll have two of each, thank you.
Soaps and Candles @ Rescue
And while you wait for your appointment there are shelves and tables filled with the most beautiful skincare products, candles, soaps, lotions and cosmetics for your perusal.
If your appointment at Rescue is for a skin treatment, you will receive a comprehensive consultation about your skin, a treatment tailored specifically to you and a customized list of products that will help transform the skin you have, to the skin you want. One of the their most popular service is the Bio-Lift Facial, which combines the healing effects of serums and botanicals with non-invasive electrical currents.
Rescue Rittenhouse's Pedicure Station
If you’re not in the market for a skin treatment try a bikini wax starting at $30, a pedicure starting at $40, or a Swedish massage starting at $60.
If you act quickly, you can still capitalize on Rescue’s Mother’s Day Specials that are running until May 31st. These include a “Mother Knows Best” Bio-Lift Facial plus a manicure/pedicure for only $180 (without special: $215). Or a Harmony Essence Massage and a manicure for $100 (without special: $125). Rescue Rittenhouse also offers Gift Certificates for all of their services as well as their retail products.
Visit their website for a complete list of services and pricing.
Rescue Rittenhouse
255 South 17th Street (2nd Floor), Philadelphia PA 19103
(215) 772-2766
www.rescuerittenhousespa.com
April 30, 2010
Ceramic flowers and butterflies for the garden inside Verde
If you’re having trouble selecting the perfect Mother’s Day gift, stop by Verde, an exquisite boutique, flower shop and chocolaterie located in midtown Center City, in what has recently become a truly vibrant neighborhood.
The area is home to favorites like El Vez, Time, Zavino and Capogiro, but, what really defines 13th Street, are the businesses of Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran. Verde, Bindi, Open House, Lolita and Grocery are all owned and operated by the duo and each business bears the mark of their impeccable taste and superb talent.
Lamps and unique vases for sale in Verde
Verde features a wide array of fabulous gift ideas and can serve as one-stop-shopping for Mother’s Day this year. From flowers, to jewelry, to garden accessories, to chocolates, it is the place to go if you’re looking to spoil Mom, no matter what your price point. The staff at Verde designs floral arrangements in-house that range from $20-$60, and what’s Mother’s Day without a gorgeous bouquet?
They also carry specialty gift items like Lucia Soy Candles, Fringe Botanique soaps and Chameleon jewelry. And for the Mom who spends time caring for her garden, there is a huge selection of gardening accessories and patio décor to beautify her space.
Flower arrangements at Verde
On my trip to Verde, I had the pleasure of meeting both Marcie and Valerie, as well as running into a Philadelphia Chocolate Tour in progress. This allowed me to sample one of Marcie’s house-made artisanal chocolates, and for that, I will be forever grateful! Marcie, who is also the chef at Bindi and Lolita, explained her unique “food based” approach to chocolate making.
In their expansive case of sweets, you can find a variety of chocolates boasting flavors such as curry powder and coconut, hazelnut praline, vanilla cardamom and marshmallow, rosemary pine nut caramel and spicy peanut. In addition to the inventive flavors of her chocolates, Marcie also utilizes all locally grown and produced ingredients in her chocolate making. One of the newest additions to the chocolate fare at Verde is the Philadelphia Box that features pieces with screens like the “Love†sculpture and familiar Philly flavors like the “chocolate pretzel.”
Marcie Blaine's Artisinal Chocolates, the Philly Box!
Katie, one of the employees at Verde, helped me with some staff picks for the upcoming holiday. For those who need extra help in the creativity department, consider Katie your personal Mother’s Day shopper!
Katie’s favorites included some of my person picks as well.
Katie's staff picks at Verde
An elegant yet modern bouquet featuring bright pink roses for $58; White flower stone earrings by Chameleon for $28 (so beautiful I almost bought myself a pair… ahem… bought my MOM a pair); a Lucia Soy candle for $22; hot pink Butter nail polish for $12; and a small assorted box of Marcie’s chocolates for $7.95.
And if Mom’s true love just happens to be chocolate, consider taking her on a Philadelphia Chocolate Tour. I spoke with Valerie Beck—their President, Founder and Chief Executive Chocolate Lover—and they are offering special Flowers & Chocolate tours especially for Mother’s Day.
Verde
108 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 546-8700
www.verdephiladelphia.com
Philadelphia Chocolate Tours
(215) 833-0044
www.philadelphiachocolatetours.com
