May 23, 2012
The makings of a perfect warm-weather hangout: fresh river breeze, live music, craft beer, delicious BBQ, lush greenery, picnic tables. Happy sigh. (Photo courtesy Morgan's Pier)
Just in time for Memorial Day celebrations, Morgan’s Pier, named after George C. Morgan, the first person to cross the Ben Franklin Bridge while it was still undergoing construction, welcomes the weekend and the first of its visitors, Friday, May 25.
Developed by Avram Hornik’s Four Corners Management, responsible for a slew of establishments in town like Union Transfer, Ortlieb’s, Drinker’s and Lucy’s Hat Shop, the new backyard beer garden concept on Columbus Boulevard, formerly the short-lived Octo, provides a spacious seasonal venue for picnic-like menus and seating, live entertainment and of course, beer, beer, beer!
From sun up to sun down, the spot will boast a rotating selection of 20 all-domestic craft beer drafts, more than 20 craft cans, signature drinks and summer wines.
The man behind the grub, Chef David Katz of Mémé, has created a fun seasonal menu serving bites of corn and blue crab fritters, pineapple-ancho chicken wings, fried Jersey tomatoes, snack bacon and a selection of salads all coming in just below the $10 mark.
In addition, Katz has invited pals from Philadelphia’s culinary realm, Michael Solomonov of Zahav, Percy Street and Federal Donuts; Kevin Sbraga of Sbraga and Terence Feury of Fork, to show off their barbecuing skills throughout the summer season with their own takes on backyard picnic fare.
Through the efforts of R5 Productions and Making Time’s Dave Pinka, the outdoor stage will host a cast of international and local DJs, as well as free Saturday afternoon concerts beginning June 9 with Bleeding Rainbow and the Sundae Open Air Dance Party series every Sunday beginning this weekend at 3 p.m hosting Rich Medina.
A great complement to the Boulevard’s Race Street Pier, Morgan’s Pier offers lush greenery and classic playful elements like wooden picnic tables, vintage umbrellas and market lights combined with urban and salvaged materials to provide a unique outdoor setting for Philly.
So awesome.
Morgan’s Pier — Opening Friday, May 25!
221 N. Columbus Boulevard
www.morganspier.com
May 23, 2012
Come for the barbecue, stay for the baseball. (Photo courtesy Phillies)
Who needs peanuts and Cracker Jacks at the ballgame when you can have BBQ and beer?
Join fellow Phillies fans at the 5th Annual “BBQ at the Ballpark” at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, July 7, from 3-7 p.m. for an afternoon of tailgating that features the region’s best BBQ, craft beer and live music.
Afterwards, cheer on the home team as they compete against the Atlanta Braves at 7:05 p.m.
This package includes an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet from Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse, complimentary beers from Victory, Weyerbacher, Yards and Philadelphia Brewing Company, artisanal ice cream from The Bent Spoon, cigars from John Hay Cigars (for purchase), live music, prizes and games like speed pitch.
And naturally, a ticket to the Phillies game!
Head towards the enormous tent pitched outside the stadium to experience an afternoon of fun. And then root, root, root for the Phillies that evening!
This annual event benefits Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police. Get tickets online.
5th Annual BBQ At The Ballpark
When: Saturday, July 7, 3–7 p.m. (Phillies game immediately following)
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way
Cost: $87
More info: www.rollingbarrel.com
Meet Audrey Claire Taichman, the restaurateur behind two of the city’s most beloved restaurants: BYOB Audrey Claire and Twenty Manning Grill, both intimate, open-air restaurants located in Rittenhouse Square.
Audrey also owns COOK, an awesome kitchen/classroom that opened last year in the former Snackbar spot. Click here to check out the class schedule, and here to see what it looks like.
In the video above, see inside all three spots and hear from Audrey personally on what she wishes more people knew about in Philadelphia.
Audrey Claire
20th and Spruce Streets
www.audreyclaire.com
Twenty Manning Grill
261 S. 20th Street
www.twentymanning.com
COOK
253 S. 20th Street
www.audreyclairecook.com
Meet Audrey Claire Taichman, the restaurateur behind two of the city’s most beloved restaurants: BYOB Audrey Claire and Twenty Manning Grill, both intimate, open-air restaurants located in Rittenhouse Square. Audrey also owns COOK, an awesome kitchen/classroom that opened last year in the former Snackbar spot. Click here to check out the class schedule, and here [...]
Read more»May 23, 2012
Night Market takes over 2nd Street in Northern Liberties this Thursday with delicious street eats from 40 food vendors, live music and local craft beer from Yards. Above is a scene from one of last year's Night Markets. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
The super popular Night Market, an outdoor evening bazaar featuring some of Philadelphia’s best food trucks, is returning this Thursday, May 24 in a brand new location: Northern Liberties.
From 7-11 p.m. (new later hours!), 2nd Street from Fairmount to George Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic as hungry Philadelphians rove from food truck to food truck (there are 40 this time) enjoying delicious street eats with great live music in the background.
The 40 food trucks include 20 new-to-Night Market vendors like Smoke Truck’s BBQ, Lil’ Pop Shop’s popsicles and Zea May’s Native American cuisine.
Plus, there will be local craft beer from Yards Brewing Company to wash it all down.
Night Market Northern Liberties also marks the debut of the Friends of Night Market Experience, an opportunity to get early access and reserved seating.
Don’t forget you have until tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon to enter our contest to win 2 VIP Friends of Night Market passes!
How do you get to the Night Market? The Spring Garden and Girard stops on the Market-Frankford line are both close to Night Market. The 5, 25, 43 and 57 buses also stop nearby. Plus, there’s the 15 trolley.
Bonus: Night Market sponsor LevelUp is offering $5 for a Yards beer to anyone who signs up online (with code FOODTRUST) or at the Night Market. And LevelUp will also make a $5 donation to The Food Trust in your name.
View the Night Market map, below.
Night Market Northern Liberties
When: Thursday, May 24, 7-11 p.m.
Where: 2nd Street from Fairmount to George Streets
Cost: Pay as you go; $50 for VIP admission
More info: www.nightmarketphilly.org
May 22, 2012
Watch Jen Carroll turn up the heat in Love Park this Wednesday as part of the fifth season of Top Chef: The Tour. (Photo courtesy Top Chef)
Things heat up in Love Park next week as Top Chef All Stars and Season 6 contestant Chef Jen Carroll squares off against fellow Top Chef contender, Eli Kirshtein (we think), Wednesday, May 30 (Kirshtein is mentioned as Carroll’s contender on both Eater and Foobooz; however, Bravo has Ashley Merriman as her competitor).
Part of the fifth season of Top Chef: The Tour, a 14-city stint showcasing live cook-offs between the show’s favorite chefs, the free event hosts three demos at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.
Open to the public, the competition provides games like Top Chef cornhole toss, horseshoe toss and “tip the scale”, as well as the chance to meet the chef-testants and be the judge of the knife wielding showdown.
You’ll also be able to win prizes and pick up merch from Bravo.
Be sure to head out and support one of Philadelphia’s favorite chefs.
Top Chef: The Tour Philadelphia
Where: Love Park, 15th and JFK Boulevard
When: Wednesday, May 30, 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: www.bravotv.com
May 22, 2012
Channel your inner Francophile and celebrate National Escargot Day at any of the restaurants around the city honoring the special snails with dining events. (Photo courtesy Potironne Company)
National Escargot Day, another one of those wacky yet delicious holidays, is this Thursday, May 24.
From apps to four course dinners, we’ve rounded up a few spots to indulge in the French gastronomic delicacy right here in Philadelphia. Note that a few are celebrating a day early, May 23.
Check it out:
• Amis: Chef Brad Spence is celebrating National Escargot Day with a special Beast of Amis—Snails. General Manager Martin Cugine has also concocted a special cocktail for the occasion, too, to go with the four-course snail-centric menu. Make reservations online.
• Southwark: This month’s guest tasting dinner not only features the slow food dish, but Doug Dussault of Potironne Company, the U.S. importer of French Escargot, will host a $45 four-course with optional wine/beer pairing for $65, Wednesday, May 23, 7 p.m. Showcasing the Wild Burgundy Snails of Henri Maire, “the Kobe beef of snails”, the menu plates the slippery land mollusks from apps to dessert in an assortment of sausage, lasagna and cinnamon toast arrangements. Reservations can be made by calling (215) 238-1888.
• Bistrot La Minette: Chef Peter Woolsey casts the Helix Pomatia Linne as the star of Bistrot La Minette’s two day, four-course dinner special, Wednesday, May 23 and Thursday, May 24. The $35 menu with an optional wine pairing coming in at $50 sees dishes like Burgundy snails with bone marrow and anchovies as well as red wine-braised short rib and grilled escargot with potato confit. Make a reservation a (215) 925-8000.
• McCrossen’s Tavern: Chef Townsend Wentz of McCrossen’s serves a holiday-inspired dish featuring escagot with roasted garlic risotto and sorrell-vermouth cream for a cool $9.
• Ella’s American Bistro: The restaurant in Wayne serving American cuisine with flares of French technique honors the snail day with three classic dishes; escargot brochettes, escargot a la bourguignonne and escargot vol-au-vent. For more information call Ella’s American Bistro at (610) 964-3552.
• Lacroix: Doug Dussault (see above) will be at this Rittenhouse Hotel resto, where chef Jon Cichon will serve five courses, each paired with wine. The dinner is $75; call (215) 790-2533.
• Matyson: This Rittenhouse Square BYO will dish up a five-course escargot offering, including snails with romesco sauce, with fiddleheads and ravioli and even in a curry with Vietnamese sausage. It’s $45 a seat, and you can call (215) 564-2925.
And for restos that aren’t serving specials but you can still checkout to get your snail on: Fond, Caribou Cafe, Bibou, Beau Monde, Parc.
May 22, 2012
Le Virtu is opening up their awesome outdoor courtyard for the spring and summer, May 30. (Photo courtesy Le Virtù)
After a recent two-week tour of the Abruzzo region of Italy, Chef Joe Cicala of Le Virtù has debuted his new spring menu with seasonal dishes inspired by his trip.
And on Wednesday, May 30 from 6-9 p.m. he’ll prepare a special feast from the spring menu and officially open Il Campo, the restaurant’s charming al fresco dining area.
The garden-like space is decorated with rustic wooden picnic tables, warming fire pits and a hand-painted that depicts the breathtaking scenery of Abruzzo.
During the festive opening celebration, Chef Cicala will prepare Whole-roasted Pig, Roasted Leg of Lamb, Stuzzichini (traditional appetizers) and a few selections from the brand new spring menu.
For refreshment, Weyerbacher will supply its Blanche, Double Simcoe, Merry Monks and Verboten varieties and Dreadnought will pour red and white wines from the Abruzzo, Marche and Umbria regions of Italy.
Tickets for the event are $45 each, including beverages, and can be purchased online or at the event, depending upon availability. The main dining room will remain open for regular service.
Le Virtù’s Il Campo Opening
Where: 1927 East Passyunk Avenue
When: Wednesday, May 30, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $45
More info: www.levirtu.com
May 22, 2012
Dish on an exclusive happy hour menu whipped up by Ela's Chef Jason Cichonski, alongside great drink specials, starting tonight. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)
Beginning tonight, Tuesday, May 22, Chef Jason Cichonski debuts a fun new happy hour at his equally inventive American bar and restaurant Ela.
It’s called Happy Hour His Way, and it challenges expectations on every level. First of all, Ela’s happy hour will be offered Sundays in addition to Tuesdays-Fridays.
Plus, guests will enjoy an inspired menu of dishes that are only available from 5-6:30 p.m., rather than a selection of choice bites from the main menu.
In addition, rotating drink specials will include: $3 draught beer, beginning with local favorite Troeg’s Sunshine Pils; $5 wines, with a daily-changing white and red available; and $6 daily cocktail specials.
The happy hour menu will change frequently, but dishes may include: a house-cured Pickle Plate; Bacon Preserved Sardines; Puffed Oyster Cracklins with “Old Bayo,” that Chef Cichonski compares to “more addictive Cheetos”; Tots His Way, hand-rolled potato gnocchi breaded and fried, served alongside house-made hot sauce; and Soy Bourbon Burger, a nine-ounce sirloin patty with bourbon- and soy-glazed shitake mushrooms on a house-baked black sesame bun.
Ela’s happy hour will be available every Sunday and Tuesday through Friday from 5-6:30 p.m.
Ela
627 S. 3rd Street
www.elaphilly.com
May 22, 2012
With the historic opening of the Barnes Foundation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the surrounding Fairmount neighborhood is celebrating by hosting the first-ever Fairmount Restaurant Week, presented in partnership with the new With Art Philadelphia™ campaign, from Friday, May 25 through Sunday, June 3.
Nearly 20 local restaurants will participate by offering special three-course menus for $35 or less.
The week-long event celebrates local culinary delights and the exciting visual arts and cultural institutions along the Parkway and within the Fairmount neighborhood.
It’s a great opportunity to dine like a local if you’re visiting Philadelphia during this key artistic moment for the city, or else experience a new neighborhood if you live here but are from another section of the city.
Participating restaurants include newcomers to Fairmount like La Calaca Feliz, Lemon Hill, BlueCat and Fare Restaurant while others are neighborhood traditions like Rembrandt’s, Jack’s Firehouse and London Grill.
Fairmount’s Restaurant Week kicks off Memorial Day weekend and runs through the following weekend. The event is sponsored by Fairmount CDC in partnership with our brand new With Art Philadelphia™ campaign.
Menus for each participating restaurant, as well as information to make reservations are available online.
Fairmount Restaurant Week With Art Philadelphia
When: May 25-June 3
Where: Throughout Fairmount
Cost: Menus range from $12-$35
More info: www.fairmountsrestaurantweek.tumblr.com
May 21, 2012
JG Domestic brings the seashore to the city with a clambake and Allagash dinner this Wednesday, May 23. (Photo courtesy JG Domestic)
Heading to the beach for the holiday weekend, or perhaps looking to enjoy some mid-week Memorial Day fun?
Chef Jose Garces has you covered as JG Domestic rolls out the Memorial Day celebrations a little early in the city with clambake fixings and Allagash beer pairings, Wednesday, May 23.
The festive spread dishes tastes of dried pork sausage and cheese, mounds of little neck clams, Maine mussels and whelks, shrimp and sweet corn with sides of chowder, greens and whoopie pies for dessert.
Accompanying the family-style menu (PDF) are unlimited pours of six different Allagash brews like White, Four and Curieux rounding out the deal at $55 a person.
The seasonal seafood smorgasbord begins at 6:30 p.m., and guests can claim a seat by calling (215) 222-2363.
JG Domestic Clambake Dinner
Where: Cira Centre, 2929 Arch Street
When: Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $55
More info: www.jgdomestic.com
