March 8, 2012
Enjoy PAFA's new Lenfest Plaza tonight at the spring season's first PAFA After Dark event. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
[Evenings in Philadelphia are always action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we round up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]
It’s gorgeous outside today, so be sure to take advantage and get outside, whether it’s to grab dinner and drinks, or some other form of outdoor entertainment this evening.
• The Pennsylvania Ballet Presents Messiah: It’s Opening Night of the Ballet’s latest production. Choreographer Robert Weiss translates Handel’s world-famous libretto to the stage. The piece opens with a full choir on stage in an abstraction of a church. Dancers take the stage in a dramatic interpretation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Where: Academy of Music, 1420 Locust Street
When: Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.; show runs through March 17
Cost: Tickets start at $20
• PAFA After Dark: “Turned On”: Join PAFA for an evening of art plus live music and spoken word performances during a “Turned On”-themed PAFA After Dark tonight. The evening includes performances by percussion group Spoken Hand; gallery talks on the reality of the electric light bulb in the 19th Century; opera singer Alicia Mendoza; and spoken word poet Nina “Lyrispect” Ball. And of course, you’ll get to see the academy’s current exhibit, Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit, in a whole new light.
Where: 118 N. Broad Street
When: Thursday, March 8, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members
• New Happy Hour at Fish: 99 cent oysters anyone? Other happy hour specials include three select craft beers ($3), two select wines ($5) and a cocktail of the day ($6). A lot of the beer and wine isn’t available anywhere else in the city, according to Head Bartender Theo Webb, formerly of Noble.
Where: 1234 Locust Street
When: Thursday, March 8, 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
Continue reading, below.
December 29, 2011
Coming soon: Victory Beer Hall at Xfinity Live, Shake Shack(!!), a new restaurant at PAFA's Lenfest Plaza, and a new Barnes cafe... We can't wait. (Credits clockwise from top left: courtesy Xfinity Live, courtesy Shake Shack, courtesy PAFA, courtesy The Barnes Foundation)
2011 was a sensational year for Philadelphia’s culinary scene, and we were here to document it every step of the way.
From impressive accolades and huge awards to star-studded competitions and headline-making restaurant openings, 2011 was a year to remember for food and drink in Philly.
Perhaps even more exciting — 2012 promises to be another amazing year for eating in Philadelphia!
To whet your appetite of some of the many things to come, below we present the Top 12 things we’re looking forward to in 2012 when it comes to Philly’s dining scene, as well as our Top 11 Dining Stories From 2011.
Enjoy; and let us know in the comments what you’re most excited about.
Top 12 Things We’re Looking Forward To For Philly’s Dining Scene In 2012 (not necessarily in any particular order…)
1. Jamonera: Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney are enhancing their 13th Street Empire by replacing Bindi with Jamonera, a cozy Spanish tapas bar. It’s named after the clamp that holds down an Iberian ham for slicing. Expected to open in January. More on this soon.
2. Alla Spina: Marc Vetri is adding to his holdings on North Broad with another Italian restaurant and bar that will be located just down the street from Osteria, and right next door to Stephen Starr’s new Route 6. Tastings began a month ago. Alla Spina means “From the Tap,” and is expected to open in January.
3. XFINITY Live!: Formerly known as Philly Live, XFINITY LIVE! will be located next to the South Philly sports complexes, with an April opening date. Food-wise, there will be five major options, including Victory Beer Hall (yes, that Victory Brewing Company) boasting indoor and outdoor seating, firepits and a stage for live music. Additional dining options include the more upscale Italian Spectrum Grille, Broad Street Bullies Pub, PBR Bar and Grill and the Philly Marketplace with ice cream, coffee, fries and the like.
4. Shake Shack: The beloved burger stand from famed New York City restaurateur Danny Meyer will be opening its first-ever Philadelphia location in 2012 at 2000 Sansom Street right across from Village Whiskey. The menu primarily consists of burgers (which use a custom La Frieda blend), dogs, custard, fries, and shakes. Summer 2012. We can’t wait.
5. Frohmans Wursthaus: Jose Garces’ only Philadelphia opening slated for 2012 will be a beers and brats spot in Midtown Village at 13th and Chancellor. And while this project has been in the works for a while, it’s sure to be worth the wait.
6. The New Barnes Cafe: When the new Barnes Foundation opens on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in May 2012, one of the new building’s welcoming public spaces will be a 50-seat cafe with a courtyard for outdoor dining overlooking some of the campus’ sure-to-be beautiful outdoor gardens.
7. The Restaurant & Rooftop Lounge At The Hotel Monaco: Philadelphia has been due for a rooftop hotel restaurant for a while and Kimpton is making it happen in 2012. The Hotel Monaco will be opening in late summer complete with a yet-to-named ground floor restaurant and a sure-to-be amazing rooftop bar and lounge overlooking Independence Mall. This is going to be a game-changer.
To see the remaining five, and all 11 from 2011, click through to read on.
December 12, 2011
Grumman Greenhouse, the new sculpture at Lenfest Plaza crafted by PAFA alum and Center City resident Jordan Griska, transforms a 45-foot-long cold war era Naval plane into a functioning greenhouse. (Photo by Christian Carollo of PicturePhilly)
Lenfest Plaza, the new civic space outside the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, officially opened on October 1 with a 13-hour “Party on the Plaza” complete with an outdoor arts festival, free museum tour and the inaugural lighting of the 51-foot Claes Oldenburg sculpture Paint Torch.
But the Paint Torch isn’t the only sculptural element of the plaza.
PAFA alum (’09) and Center City resident Jordan Griska crafted a piece specifically for the space. It’s called Grumman Greenhouse, and it was installed in all its glory a few weeks after the plaza’s grand opening, as you can see in the nighttime shot above.
Grumman Tracker II was a 45-foot-long cold war era Naval plane with a 73′ wingspan, used to bomb submarines. Griska obtained the decommissioned plane and folded the metal of the nose and body of the plane so that it appears to be crumpling into the platform. In addition, he turned the existing sections of the plane into working greenhouses, leading to the name of the piece: Grumman Greenhouse.
The inside of the plane will grow nutritive and medicinal plants, provided by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The edible growth will be used for City Harvest, which feeds low income families in the region.
Griska’s Grumman Greenhouse inaugurates the temporary exhibitions program at Lenfest Plaza. Complementing the permanent, site-specific Paint Torch by Oldenburg, the platform at the west end of the plaza will display projects by emerging and established artists for about one year each.
Check out the sculptures at Lenfest Plaza as a break from your holiday shopping and attraction-hopping. It’s perfectly situated a few short blocks from the Christmas Village in Love Park, Macy’s Holiday Light Show and the new delicious restaurants in the North Broad area.
Sensational public art is part of what makes Philadelphia’s creative culture so exceptional. Make sure you see it for yourself!
[Photo courtesy Picture Philly]
Lenfest Plaza
118-128 N. Broad Street
www.pafa.org
September 30, 2011
It's an amazing weekend to be in Philadelphia, from the Game 1 of the playoffs for the Phillies to some of the year's biggest festivals, including Midtown Village Fall Fest and RiverCity Fest. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: G. Widman for GPTMC, by M. Kennedy for GPTMC, courtesy Phillies, by G. Widman for GPTMC)
In a fitting celebration of the first day of October, this Saturday has shaped up to be huge. We’ve got the 6th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival, PAFA’s “Party on the Plaza” Grand Opening Celebration For Lenfest Plaza, 4th Annual RiverCity Festival, Revolutionary Germantown Festival, LOVE Park Fall Fest and, oh yeah, Game 1 of the NLDS at 5:07 p.m.: GO PHILLIES!
Moreover, both Friday and Sunday as well are action-packed, with the Opening Night Philadelphia! Opera Company of Philadelphia’s live simulcast of Carmen on Independence Mall tonight and both Morris Arboretum’s Fall Festival and Victory Brewing Company’s Downingtown FallFest on Sunday.
All of our top picks for this weekend, below:
Friday, September 30
Opening Night Philadelphia! Opera Company of Philadelphia’s live simulcast of Carmen
Olive Dance Theatre’s “Brotherly Love” at the Painted Bride Art Center (Sat, Sun)
LOOK! on Lancaster Avenue Opening Event
Let Me Tell You About A Dream I Had at Philadelphia Art Alliance — Opening Day!
6th Annual Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Aspects of Love at the Walnut Street Theatre
Woodmere Art Museum’s Owl’s Eye Hay Maze
17 Swedish Designers at the American Swedish Historical Museum
Saturday, October 1
Game 1 of the NLDS at 5:07 p.m.: GO PHILLIES!
6th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival
PAFA’s “Party on the Plaza” Grand Opening Celebration For Lenfest Plaza
Revolutionary Germantown Festival
3rd Annual Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
Greater Philadelphia Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes
Brandywine Harvest Festival (Sat, Sun)
Philadelphia Zoo’s annual ADOPT Day
Fourth Wall Arts Salon to kick off Mural Arts Month
Kidsincentercity.com’s Birthday Celebration at The Market & Shops at Comcast Center
Philly Food Truck Competition (Sat, Sun)
Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival at the Academy of Natural Sciences (Sat, Sun)
CSI: The Experience at The Franklin Institute — Opening Day!
Sunday, October 2
Game 2 of the NLDS at 8:07 p.m.: GO PHILLIES!
Morris Arboretum’s Fall Festival
Main Line Restaurant Week — Closing Day!
Victory Brewing Company’s Downingtown FallFest
Culture Change, Adaptation, and Image Film Series: “Chinese Restaurants” at the Penn Museum
British soccer screened at The Dandelion
The 31st Annual Media Food & Craft Festival
Shop With The Chefs From Pumpkin At Headhouse Farmer’s Market
Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
September 26, 2011
PAFA is debuting Lenfest Plaza with a day-long party this Saturday, October 1. The Plaza is set to become a key public space on North Broad, connecting the Parkway with the Avenue of the Arts. (Photo by Linda Johnson courtesy PAFA)
This Saturday is shaping up to be huge in Philadelphia. There’s the always popular Midtown Village Fall Festival, which is easily one of the best festivals in Center City all year. Then there’s also the RiverCity Festival at Penn Treaty Park and the Revolutionary Germantown Festival in Northwest Philadelphia. And, oh yeah, a little thing called Game 1 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park — Go Phillies!!
And that’s before we’ve even mentioned one of Saturday’s biggest events: the grand opening of PAFA’s Lenfest Plaza, a 13-hour, festivity-filled celebration complete with an outdoor arts festival, free museum tours, the inaugural lighting of the 51-foot Claes Oldenburg sculpture Paint Torch, with an after-party to follow.
Construction began on Lenfest Plaza back in February, and it’s finally set to open to the public. The plaza is a 24-hour pedestrian court taking over about half a block of Cherry Street (between Broad Street and Carlisle Street), closing it to vehicular traffic and reclaiming it for public use. So you’ll be able to enjoy an outdoor bite, people watch and take a load off in a beautiful cultural setting, all year long.
Here’s a rundown of the opening day festivities:
• Family Arts Festival: noon-5 p.m.
The afternoon Arts Festival is free and open to the public. There will be free art activities, including Spin Art, Kite making and Face Painting. Other kid-friendly entertainment will include guest appearances by Kathy O’Connell from WXPN’s Kids Corner and a performance by The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale. Everyone can take advantage of complimentary admission to the Historic Landmark Building as well as free museum tours. The museum’s doors will remain open until 5 p.m. Outside there will be entertainment and a variety of food vendors on-site throughout the day.
• The Lighting Ceremony: 6:30-7 p.m.
After the festival, stick around for the dramatic sunset lighting of Claes Oldenburg’s Paint Torch. It’s sure to be a moving moment. The lighting and the unveiling event is also free and open to the public. Marguerite and H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, Mayor Nutter and artist Claes Oldenburg, among other dignitaries, will be in attendance.
• After Party: 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
Celebrate the new plaza into the wee hours with an After Hours Dance Party, featuring a DJ, late night food trucks and a cash bar. Click here to purchase After Party tickets, $25.
Lenfest Plaza is set to become a new anchor for North Broad Street, the portion of the Avenue of the Arts north of City Hall for which much exciting development is planned. We can’t wait to see it all come to life.
Lenfest Plaza Opening Celebration
Where: PAFA, 118-128 N. Broad Street
When: Saturday, October 1, noon-1 a.m.
Cost: Free (except for dinner and after party)
More info: www.pafa.org
August 22, 2011
Claes Oldenburg's Paint Torch will be the crowning design feature of PAFA's new Lenfest Plaza, opening to the public on October 1 with a full day of festivities. (Photo by Sean Tucker courtesy PAFA)
It’s here! The Paint Torch sculpture, the crowning design element of PAFA’s Lenfest Plaza, made by renowned sculptor Claes Oldenburg, arrived in town this weekend and was installed this past Saturday, August 20.
The 51-foot Paint Torch sculpture was shipped to Philly via truck beds, piece by piece. (Photo by Sean Tucker courtesy PAFA)
The piece is Oldenburg’s first large-scale work to incorporate light sources, and it makes Philadelphia home to four large-scale public sculptures by Oldenburg, more than any other city in the whole world.
Oldenburg titled the work Paint Torch in order to merge two ideas in this project: the paintbrush and the torch. He stated that the paintbrush is a good fit for PAFA to “celebrate a place where painting with a brush is really practiced.”
See below for more images.
August 19, 2011
With its focus on public space and connecting people and places, Lenfest Plaza is set to become a new anchor for North Broad Street — it will serve as a cultural gateway for the city and the starting point of Philadelphia's celebrated Museum Mile. (Image courtesy OLIN)
The debut of Lenfest Plaza, the awesome new public space coming to Cherry Street at North Broad Street, is quickly approaching. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) broke ground on the plaza this past February and now the project is getting close to its public unveiling, which will be in the form of a grand opening celebration outside on the plaza on Saturday, October 1.
The day-long celebration will begin at noon with a free family arts festival. There will also be free museum admission and free guided tours. The day’s activities will culminate with a dramatic sunset lighting of the 51-foot Claes Oldenburg sculpture Paint Torch, with an after-party to follow.
Meanwhile, the Paint Torch sculpture is actually arriving this weekend (!!) and will be installed at Lenfest Plaza tomorrow, Saturday, August 20. The piece by renowned sculptor Claes Oldenburg is the artist’s first large-scale work to incorporate light sources, and it makes Philadelphia home to four large-scale public sculptures by Oldenburg, more than any other city in the whole world.
Here’s a rundown of the opening day festivities set for Saturday, October 1:
• Family Arts Festival: noon-5 p.m.
The afternoon Arts Festival is free and open to the public. There will be free art activities and other kid-friendly entertainment, like guest appearances by Kathy O’Connell from WXPN’s Kids Corner and a performance by The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale. The entire family can take advantage of complimentary admission to the Historic Landmark Building as well as free museum tours. The museum’s doors will remain open until 5 p.m. Outside there will be entertainment and a variety of food vendors on-site throughout the day.
• The Lighting Ceremony: 6:30-7 p.m.
After the festival, stick around for the dramatic sunset lighting of Claes Oldenburg’s Paint Torch and the unveiling of PAFA alumni Jordan Griska’s 45-foot-long U.S. military bomber plane sculpture Grumman Greenhouse. It’s sure to be a moving moment. The lighting and the unveiling event is also free and open to the public. Marguerite and H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, Mayor Nutter and artist Claes Oldenburg, among other dignitaries, will be in attendance.
• After Party: 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
Celebrate the new plaza into the wee hours with an After Hours Dance Party, featuring a DJ, late night food trucks and a cash bar. This will be a ticketed event. More info to come.
Read more about the plaza, below.
Lenfest Plaza Opening Ceremony
Where: PAFA, 118-128 N. Broad Street
When: Saturday, October 1, noon-1 a.m.
Cost: Free (except for dinner and after party)
More info: www.pafa.org
February 2, 2011
The new civic plaza will connect Cherry Street with the Avenue of the Arts directly across from the new Convention Center.
(Image courtesy Olin)
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is breaking ground this morning on an exciting new public space called Lenfest Plaza.
Designed by landscape architectural firm OLIN and slated to officially open late summer 2011, Lenfest Plaza is a 24-hour pedestrian court that will offer outdoor seating and an upscale restaurant looking out onto the plaza from the ground level of PAFA’s contemporary Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building.
The Plaza will be taking over about half a block of Cherry Street (between Broad Street and Carlisle Street), closing it to vehicular traffic and reclaiming it for public use.
Unifying PAFA’s campus, Lenfest Plaza will stand between the Academy’s Historic Landmark building designed by Frank Furness and the Academy’s contemporary Samuel M.V. Hamilton building. The Plaza will open onto the Avenue of the Arts directly across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and help to further animate this stretch of the city. (There’s a diagram of the plaza’s layout below.) This is yet another pedestrian-friendly initiative we’re very excited to see come to fruition.
For the new plaza, PAFA has commissioned a major work of art, a 53-foot paintbrush sculpture titled Paint Torch, from renowned sculptor Claes Oldenburg of Clothespin and Split Button fame (across from City Hall and on Penn’s campus, respectively). In addition, rotating works of emerging and established artists will be continually on display, making the Plaza an exciting and inviting destination for art lovers, museum goers, and all visitors to Philadelphia.
Another detailed view of the plaza and the forthcoming restaurant with outdoor seating that will spill onto the plaza. (Image courtesy Olin)
Below, check out a birds-eye view of the Lenfest Plaza plan.
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