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Bruce Springsteen purchased this Corvette in 1975, after the success of Born to Run. Photos of the car have appeared on various album and single sleeves. It will be on display at the National Constitution Center, starting next Friday, February 17.
(Photo credit: Frank Stefanko courtesy Bruce Springsteen)

The sure-to-be epic Bruce Springsteen exhibition — From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen — opens next Friday at the National Constitution Center.

Yesterday, one of the signature pieces from the exhibition — Springsteen’s 1960 Chevrolet Corvette — arrived at the NCC.

Bruce Springsteen purchased this Corvette in 1975, after the success of Born to Run. Photos of the car have appeared on various album and single sleeves.

The classic Corvette is just one of more than 150 artifacts from the iconic musician’s career that will be featured in the 5,000-square-foot exhibition, including:

• Family photos of Springsteen’s childhood in Asbury Park, N.J.
• Scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, photos and handbills from Springsteen’s early music endeavors
• Handwritten lyrics from all phases of Springsteen’s career
• Clarence Clemons’ microphone used for his saxophone
• Springsteen’s Fender Esquire from the cover of Born to Run
• The outfit Springsteen wore on the cover of Born in the U.S.A.
• Springsteen’s 1993 Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Streets of Philadelphia”

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen is a must-see exhibition, featuring a collection never before seen outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s the first major exhibition about the American songwriter that takes a comprehensive look at Springsteen’s catalog, from such early bands such as Child, the Castiles and Steel Mill through his work with the E Street Band and as a solo artist.

Bruce fans, plan ahead and get your tickets now. You’re not going to want to miss this.

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen
Where: National Constitution Center
When: February 17 to September 3, 2012
Cost: $24.50 for adults, $23 for seniors and students and $12 for children ages 4-12
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org

Chef Vetri says Alla Spina's look will be that of a converted car garage: lots of metal, wood, earth colors and graffiti. (Photo courtesy Marc Vetri)

Fresh off the resounding four-bell affirmation of Vetri in this Sunday’s Inquirer — in which critic Craig LaBan gushed: “the fact that [Chef Marc] Vetri refuses to rest on his classics is at the heart of why he remains a singular leader for his generation and why his namesake restaurant remains our very best” — Chef Vetri is busy preparing for the opening of his newest restaurant, Alla Spina.

Vetri and crew are now targeting February 27 as opening day for their latest venture.

Alla Spina will join Stephen Starr’s Route 6 as one of two new restaurants putting down roots in what used to be an old automobile dealership at Broad and Mount Vernon. And Marc Vetri is taking that theme pretty literally, saying that the look of Alla Spina “is basically a converted car garage. Lots of metal, wood, earth colors, graffiti. But you’ll feel [the] Italian theme.”

The main entrance will be on Mount Vernon, not Broad Street, right next to Route 6′s main entrance. Alla Spina will also boast three large garage doors that look out onto Mount Vernon Street. We’re guessing they’ll be open when the weather is right.

Both Vetri and Chef Jeff Michaud of Osteria took to Twitter recently to share progress inside the restaurant and bar, teasing photos of one of Alla Spina’s signature design pieces: an inside wall custom tagged by a graffiti artist.

Graffiti and a brand new tap system? Opening can’t be very far.

Alla Spina [Official Site]

LeBron James is in town today for the big showdown pitting the Miami Heat against your first-place Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat were out and about yesterday and King James was spotted during an afternoon visit to the popular Fairmount location of Philly’s lunch/brunch staple, Sabrina’s Cafe. Word on the street is that it’s a “go-to” spot for LeBron and company when they’re in town. While it’s good to see Bron Bron visiting authentic Philly restaurants, we have a feeling that no matter how good the meal was, it’s not going to help him tonight against your 76ers. Go Sixers! [@SabrinasPhilly]

Leo and La Colombe — breaking hearts and taking names. (Image courtesy La Colombe)

Philadelphia’s own La Colombe Torrefaction, the nationally acclaimed coffee roaster, yesterday announced a first-of-its-kind charitable alliance with none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.

La Colombe has formed the alliance with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and its initiatives to create a new, ultra high-end coffee line called LYON.

Under the alliance, 100% of the net profits from the sale of LYON will be donated to environmental charities supported by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.

“I am thrilled to be a part of this new project with La Colombe that will help aid the shift to a truly sustainable future for the planet and its inhabitants,” said Leonardo DiCaprio. “Raising awareness on the most pressing environmental issues of our time is more important than ever.”

The coffee itself is described as velvety, nectar like and sweet, boasting a unique taste achieved by blending directly sourced and sustainably grown coffees from the mountains of Haiti, Peru, Ethiopia and Brazil.

LYON is already available for sale at La Colombe Cafes, select Whole Foods stores as well as online.

With the introduction of LYON, La Colombe wants its customers to help make a significant impact on projects that defend lands and oceans, clean water, help endangered species, aid disaster relief and support alternative and green energy efforts.

Todd Carmichael, CEO and Co-Founder of La Colombe, is extremely passionate about both the quality of his coffee and the impact his company can have on the world.

“Sustainable coffee — specifically, coffee that is traded above fair prices and grown using earth conscious methods — not only adds much needed global biodiversity, but provides support for millions of families and communities in the developing world. The impact we are having in Haiti alone, just to bring this coffee to market, has changed the lives of thousands of peasant farmers, as well as the landscape of the country. We are excited to be working with and supporting The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and find it, as well as its namesake, uniquely qualified to carry out our hope, to make our planet a better place.”

A truly impressive and inspiring partnership for La Colombe. We hope it’s only the beginning.

La Colombe Makes First of Its Kind Charitable Alliance with Leonardo DiCaprio [La Colombe Torrefaction]

Draft Magazine has released its list of the 100 Best Beer Bars in America and good news: Philadelphia is well represented. Included in the list are six Philadelphia bars: the Grey Lodge Pub in Northeast Philadelphia, Memphis Taproom in Fishtown, Monk’s and Tria in Center City, Eulogy in Old City and Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. It’s a good start. What would make your list of the best beer bars in Philadelphia? There are clearly plenty of choices. Let us know in the comments. Post Updated. [Draft Magazine]

Vetri is one of four Philly restaurants that currently boast four bells. It's a lock to keep them. (Photo courtesy Vetri Restaurants)

Philadelphia Inquirer Restaurant Critic Craig LaBan employs a bell system for reviewing restaurants, awarding a restaurant between zero and four bells. No bells is poor; one bell is hit-or-miss; two bells is very good; three bells is excellent; and four bells is superior. And rare.

Right now, there are four restaurants in Philadelphia that LaBan has awarded a four-bell review: Le Bec Fin, Lacroix, Fountain Restaurant and Vetri.

This coming Sunday, Craig LaBan will add a fifth restaurant to that list. The curveball: he might add more than one new four-bell restaurant. Five restaurants will be awarded four bells. However, it’s no guarantee that four of those restaurants will be the ones that currently have four-bell reviews. Meaning, Le Bec Fin, Lacroix, Fountain and/or Vetri may or may not make the cut.

Predictions? LaBan says he considered 13 restaurants as four-bell contenders. What were the other nine? And which five restaurants will emerge as the five best restaurants in Philadelphia? Vetri is a lock. The other four are not as clear. We would not be surprised if there were multiple new additions, which would mean there would have to be a demotion. Maybe Zahav makes the jump to four bells? Maybe Bibou? Maybe Talula’s Garden (or Talula’s Table)? Or Morimoto, Amada, Barclay Prime, Osteria…

Looks like we’ll find out on Sunday.

Why 2/5 will be Super BELL Sunday [Philly.com]

The best place to watch college basketball in the country. Period. (Photo courtesy Penn Athletics)

Get ready for a classic college basketball showdown tonight at the Palestra on the University of Pennsylvania campus. If you’re looking for a solid Monday night activity, do yourself a favor and head over to one of the most historic sporting venues in America.

Since its opening in 1927, The “Cathedral of Basketball,” as the Palestra is known, has hosted more games, more visiting teams and more NCAA tournaments than any other facility. And the most historic rivalry in the Ivy League is Penn-Princeton. The Quakers and Tigers are meeting for the 225th time on Monday night with Penn holding a 122-102 advantage. Princeton, however, has won the last five.

On the year, Penn is 2-0 in the Ivy League; Princeton enters at 1-1. The winner of the Ancient Eight gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Harvard looms as the #23-ranked team in the country.

Penn-Princeton
When: Monday, January 30, 7 p.m.
Where: The Palestra, University of Pennsylvania
Cost: Tickets $14-20
More info: www.pennathletics.com

Actor and Philadelphia native Will Smith was joined courtside by his wife Jada and son Jaden as the family took in the Sixers' big win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night in South Philadelphia. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

As we reported earlier this week, Will Smith returned to the Wells Fargo Center on Friday night to watch his 76ers take on the Charlotte Bobcats. This was the first home Sixers game Smith has attended since he became a new partial owner of the team back in October of 2011 when the 76ers were sold to a new ownership group.

Smith was joined by his wife (and co-owner) Jada Pinkett Smith and their son Jaden, with whom Will is currently filming a movie in the Philadelphia area.

Meanwhile, the Sixers put on quite a show for their A-list owner. The Sixers routed the Bobcats 89-72. And it wasn’t even that close.

And fans serenaded the actor with “We’ve got Will Smith!” chants. Like those fans, we’re hoping Will makes a habit of attending games. Especially while he’s in town over the next few months shooting a movie with M. Night Shyamalan.

The Sixers want to get Jiggy with it. And so do we.

76ers rout Bobcats in front of ‘Fresh Prince’ [AP]

Amuse Bouche is back for 2012 and we're starting off by highlighting some of Philadelphia's most iconic foods. Next up, an authentic Philadelphia hoagie from Sarcone's in South Philly. (Photo by J. Varney for GPTMC)

[This is the latest installment in our ongoing post series "Amuse Bouche Philadelphia," in which we highlight must-try menu items at restaurants and eateries around the city. We're calling the post series "Amuse Bouche" because, like a traditional amuse bouche that you might receive before a meal, these posts are intended to tease and excite your taste buds. Only we'll have to try to do it visually. Hope you enjoy.]

Among Philly eats, it doesn’t get much more iconic than the hoagie. The hefty sandwich of Italian origin (but now adopted by many cultures) has been an affordable lunch mainstay for the region’s residents and visitors for at least a century. And while the hoagie continues to evolve with new ingredients and modern interpretations, the classic version is as popular as ever.

From South Philly to the suburbs, there are go-to hoagie shops in every town and every neighborhood.

And whether you’re seeking a traditional combo of spicy meats and fragrant dressing or a creative variation with artisan ingredients, there’s no shortage of places to go to sample one the Philly’s signature cold sandwiches.

Perhaps one of the best is Sarcone’s Deli, located on South Ninth Street at the top of the Italian Market in Bella Vista. Sarcone’s has spawned multiple locations, and it’s easy to see why. Freshly baked and perfectly crusty seeded rolls are lovingly stuffed in combos like the Italian Market (hot capicola, turkey breast, roasted peppers, sharp provolone) and the Junk Yard Special (turkey, prosciutto, sautéed spinach, roasted peppers, mozzarella, sharp provolone).

Above is the Turkey Sicilian hoagie at Sarcone’s made with turkey, abbruzzi cheese spread, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, asparagus, and oil and vinegar.

It’s probably time to go ahead and make your lunch plans.

Sarcone’s Deli
734 S. 9th Street
www.sarconesdeli.com

Back in October, we told you about how the 76ers’ new ownership group included Philadelphia native son Will Smith. Smart investment: the upstart Sixers are off to a 12-5 start and are in first place in the Atlantic Division. The Fresh Prince appears ready to stake his claim; Smith plans to attend his first Sixers home game as a partial owner of the team on Friday when the 76ers take on the Charlotte Bobcats in South Philly. Sixers CEO Adam Aron broke the news to CBS3 yesterday. Smith is actually in town these days because he’s currently filming M. Night Shyamalan’s next movie here. [CBS3]