April 26, 2012
The second annual Knight Arts Challenge, a community-wide fund for engaging Philadelphia through the arts, has awarded 35 creative thinkers with the resources to execute inventive arts-related ideas. Thanks to their Knight grants, AMLA will present “pop-up” performances via a portable stage; Art Sanctuary will present Hip H’Opera, a fusion of opera with urban life stories; and Dilworth Plaza will get a dramatic new public art installation. GPTMC was also awarded a Knight Arts Challenge grant — stay tuned for more on that soon. A full list of recipients is available online. [Knight Arts Challenge]
April 24, 2012
Headhouse Square's historic Shambles, home to the Headhouse Square Farmers' Market, are returning to their original 18th century calling with The New Market, an open-air local goods bazaar running on Friday starting May 11. (Photos by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
Entrepreneur Bob Logue of Federal Donuts and Bodhi Coffee is expanding his business developments in Philadelphia to Headhouse Square with an interactive vendor concept rooting from the square’s late 18th century history called “The New Market at The Shambles.”
Inspired by the many neighborhoods of families who worked in factories in our city, “The New Market is a showcase for the skilled workers who are bringing industry and farming back to Philadelphia, a place for our neighbors to buy and sell to each other once again,” says Logue.
With its launch event set for Friday, May 11 from 3-9 p.m., The New Market will be held on most Fridays in May and June and every Friday from July through October.
The open-air market will host a variety of products from local artisans and craftsmen featuring architectural salvage and vintage glass, composting services, industrial furniture design and of course snacks and cocktails accompanied by live music beginning later in the evening at 7:30 p.m.
A great excuse to start your weekends off outdoors, the new shopping destination will provide a weekly rotation of artists and entrepreneurs showcasing their skills.
An updated list of participants will be available online, and if you’re interested in being a part of The New Market send your inquiries to info@newmarketphiladelphia.com.
The New Market at The Shambles
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd and Lombard Streets
When: most Fridays in May and June, every Friday from July through October
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.newmarketphiladelphia.com
April 24, 2012
You don't have to be a Broad Street Run participant to get in on this giveaway. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)
The 2012 Broad Street Run, one of Philadelphia’s most iconic spring events, is just around the corner on Sunday, May 6.
In honor of the ten-mile race, we’ve packaged a great giveaway specially themed around the Broad Street Run. Whether you snagged a spot in the run, are planning to cheer on the runners from the sidelines, or simply love running in Philadelphia, you’ll want to get in on this sweet contest.
One winner will receive:
• $100 gift certificate to XIX Restaurant at Hyatt at the Bellevue right on Broad Street, perfect for carbo-loading.
• $100 gift card to Philadelphia Runner towards an expert shoe fitting/footstrike analysis and brand new pair of sneakers.
• $100 gift card to AMS Salon & Lounge towards a well-earned hair or spa treatment at their brand new Rittenhouse location.
• Two tickets to see the Penn Museum’s stunning new Run! The Super-Athletes of the Sierra Madre photo exhibition.
All you have to do is fill out the form below for your chance to win. You are allowed to enter once per day per e-mail address, so remember to enter daily!
The contest period has ended. We will contact the winner soon.
April 20, 2012
Drexel is working with the renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects to develop a brand new building complex that will transform Chestnut Street between 32nd and 33rd Streets with restaurants, retail space and housing. (Rendering courtesy Drexel)
Exciting design update for University City: Drexel University and American Campus Communities will transform Chestnut Street between 32nd and 33rd Streets into a new gateway for both Drexel and University City.
The stretch of street will feature 361,200 square feet of mixed-use student housing and retail space. The estimated $97.6 million project has a targeted construction completion date of September 2013; groundbreaking was this February.
Designed by internationally acclaimed Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the development will include two eight-story buildings on Chestnut Street while maintaining an open entry corridor to the adjacent Creese Student Center.
The building design will also include a 19-story residential tower at the corner of Chestnut and 32nd Streets, in which the two-story street-level space will include retail outlets, neighborhood restaurants and a new corner entry into the Barnes and Noble. Upper floors will feature student apartments.
It’s always promising to hear of development news in Philadelphia, but when it includes the renowned Stern architects, a powerhouse like Drexel backing the project and a multifaceted design, it’s as good as it gets.
Take a virtual look inside Drexel University’s Chestnut Street Development here.
April 20, 2012
There’s a brand new hotel restaurant coming to town: Urban Enoteca, opening in the vast ground floor space of the Latham Hotel in Rittenhouse Square.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner right on the corner of Walnut and 17th Street in the heart of Philadelphia’s bustling Rittenhouse Row shopping district, Urban Enoteca will dish up a Mediterranean menu with small plates, primi piatti featuring premium imported Italian pasta, salmu e formaggi, antipasti, insalate e zuppe, specialty sandwiches and delicious dolce.
Think Chicken Saltimbocca, Pappardelle Farnese with short rib ragu, Tasting of Bruschetta featuring three varities, Handcrafted Gnocchi with pecorino cream sauce and much more.
The wine program aspires to be one of the strongest in town, with an impressive library boasting something to match every plate.
We’re pretty excited to welcome another promising new wining and dining destination to Rittenhouse Square, already one of Philadelphia’s most happening neighborhoods.
Urban Enoteca — Opening June 2012!
Latham Hotel, 135 S. 17th Street
www.lathamhotel.com
April 18, 2012
In their online issue for May, Travel + Leisure has a feature celebrating the sandwich in all its global glory. And Philly’s chicken cheesesteak is included among other classics like the Parisian Croque-Monsieur, the New England Lobster Roll and the Vietnamese Banh Mi. T+L asked Mayor Nutter for his take on Philly’s famous sandwich: “I am a Philly guy, born and bred. My favorite sandwich is, of course, a cheesesteak. I don’t eat red meat, so I opt for chicken with American cheese, onions, sweet peppers, and ketchup.” Nutter’s go-to spot for the sandwich: Larry’s Steaks, near St. Joe’s. [Travel + Leisure]
April 18, 2012
The Sofitel's French flavor meets eco-chic with its new rooftop vegetable and herb garden, launching this Friday. (Photo courtesy Sofitel)
This Friday, April 20, just in time for Earth Day, the Sofitel in Center City will unveil a cool new rooftop herb and vegetable garden.
The plot will be named Jardin des Fleur de Lis, inspired by the Sofitel’s French flair, and will be composed of six raised gardens.
The hotel will grow a luscious collection of vegetables including tomatoes, green zucchini, peppers and yellow squash, as well as an aromatic sampling of fresh French herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil, tarragon, fennel, mint, lavender, parsley and sage.
Executive Chef Jim Coleman and Master Mixologist Marc Yanga will use herbs and veggies from the garden in cocktails and dishes at Liberte Lounge as well as in the staff dining room.
Pure Design, who provides the Sofitel’s stunning lobby floral arrangements, will sponsor the garden, specifically providing the soil.
Earlier this year, Sofitel Philadelphia was awarded with four Green Keys from the Green Key Eco-Rating Program in recognition of its outstanding accomplishments in implementing environmentally friendly program. The new rooftop garden is yet another feather in the hotel’s hat.
Sofitel Philadelphia
120 S. 17th Street
www.sofitel.com
April 17, 2012
This is your chance to be one of 101 Philadelphians telling Uwishunu and the world what they love about Philadelphia...
(Image credit: GPTMC)
We know that you, our dear Uwishunu readers, are some of Philadelphia’s biggest fans, so it only makes sense that we tap into your vast knowledge of the city and ask you to help show off some of Philly’s greatest spots.
That’s the idea behind our Philly 101 video series, in which we highlight one Philadelphian a day sharing one thing he or she wishes more people knew about in Philadelphia, turning “Youwishyouknew” into “Iwishyouknew.”
The video series consists of 101 short videos posted in 101 days, and today is day 34.
We’ve saved one spot for one lucky uwishunu reader before the series is over. Which means that one lucky Uwishunu reader will win the chance to star in their very own Philly 101 video.
Want to tell the world why you love Philadelphia? This is you chance. Using the form below, tell us why you love Philadelphia and one thing you wish more people knew about Philadelphia, and we may select you to be featured as the star of one of the remaining videos in the 101-installment video series.
Your “wish” for one thing more people knew about in Philadelphia can be anything, whether it’s an under-the-radar restaurant, a great little-known happy hour special, a cool tour you can take, your favorite place to take friends visiting from out-of-town or something else. Try to be creative and unique.
Perhaps you know someone else who you think would be a great fit for Philly 101? Be sure to send them over here so they can fill out the form below!
We’re accepting submissions through Friday, but don’t procrastinate for long. Put on your thinking cap — the submission that catches our eye the most will get their very own Philly 101 video.
Good luck! Enter below.
Uwishunu’s Philly 101 Video Series [Video Gallery]
The submission period has ended. Stay tuned for the video to be featured later on in the series.
April 13, 2012
Center City welcomed a new boutique last night, as Aoki Boutique celebrated its grand opening at 115 S. 22nd Street.
Situated just off Rittenhouse Square between Chestnut and Sansom Streets, the women’s lifestyle store houses an eclectic mix of trendy clothing, edgy jewelry, accessories and housewares inspired by the world travels of store owner Alina Alter (the Philly native’s passport boasts stamps from more than thirty countries).
While small, the boutique’s decor packs a punch. Teal wall color pops against hardwood floors and exposed brick, adding to the shop’s “funky and fabulous” vibe, while the store’s well-edited inventory promises to help every woman discover her inner “goddess and rockstar.”
Aoki’s store hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Head over this weekend to take a peek.
Aoki Boutique
115 S. 22nd Street
www.aokiboutique.com
April 13, 2012
Mercato, the popular Spruce Street BYO, will open for its first lunch service on Monday, April 16.
The menu will consist of lighter portions of the resto’s traditional dishes including a lobster and shrimp pyramid pasta, as well as paninis and salads.
Here’s a small preview of the new springtime lunch goodness:
• Truffled wild mushroom panini with grilled asparagus, fontina cheese and grilled spring vegetables
• Capricola, prosciutto and soppresata focaccia panini
• A bruschetta trio
• Market salad with grilled artichokes, fava beans, English peas, arugula and shaved parmesan with a lemon thyme vinaigrette
Of course, Mercato’s fabulous homemade desserts, including tiramisu, gelato and molten chocolate cake, will be made available during lunch as well.
On sunny days Mercato will swing open the dining room windows and set up sidewalk seating for those wishing to dine al fresco. Lunch will be served Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Mercato BYOB
1216 Spruce Street
www.mercatobyob.com
