Art Star Craft Bazaar

Don't forget this weekend is the Art Star Craft Bazaar at Penn's Landing. It's going to be a beautiful weekend, fill it with beautiful crafts and original artwork! Saturday and Sunday, 11-6.

For Serious...

Please read this fascinating post by Will Bunch of the Daily News as I think he's right - it'll be over before it begins:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/We_need_an_investigative_reporter_to_investigate_the_reporters.html

Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy

Apothecary has just opened its ROOF DECK!!!

Bored in NoLibs on Saturday?

We've got a cure. The Northern Liberties Music Festival is at Liberty Lands!! (Which is at 3rd and Wilder).
And there's a flea market! And Philadelphia Brewing Company Beer!! (Which used to be Yard's. Or is made at what used to be Yard's. I forget which).
$10 gets you in and benefits the neigh-bro-hood association. Suuu, 3-10PM, Saturday May 31st, Liberty Lands. Be one with the hipsters.

Rain date June 7.

St. George's Greek Fest

We here at Jilladelphia have many friends of Greek heritage. Us, we just love the food. St. George Cathedral is the Greek Orthodox Church at 256 S. 8th Street (8th and Locust) and every year they hold a spring festival full of delicious Greek treats and good Greek music. It'll go from 11AM- 11PM, May 29 through June 1st!

Buy A Wedding!

Getting married? We are, but we've got it covered. If you don't, why not consider doing something good AND taking all that planning stress away. The Omni Hotel, along with tons of other local vendors, is offering a complete wedding package for auction, with all proceeds benefitting Alex's Lemonade. And they mean complete, from ceremony and reception to custom made gown, honeymoon, photo/video and more, there is nothing you'll need to worry about! Please consider this as a MUCH easier way to get married, while making a huge difference in the lives of those with cancer. Check out the website, and put in a bid. We're tempted to do it ourselves anyway.

www.weddingforalex.com

Who Says the Housing Market Sucks?

Not the good people at Waterfront Square, that's for sure! They're celebrating the opening of a new tower, The Reef, third in a planned five. If you stop by this swanky address on June 5 between 6 and 8:30PM, you'll get a tour of the penthouse, where the John Breslin Trio will be performing. You can take in a fashion show at Green Square, a DJ spinning in a 3 acre garden, food by Cuba Libre, free valet parking and Feng Shui consultations. If that's not enough, there will be a small car show hosted by Devon Hill BMW (isn't it always suspicious when suburban dealers show up at in-city events?) AND (our FAVORITE here at Jilladelphia!) a jewelry show by LAGOS!!

Oh, and they wouldn't hate it if you also picked up a condo or two. You know, to help with the beer money.

Important - Drink for a Good Cause

Attend a beef and beer for the family of Officer Stephen Liczbinski, the policeman who was shot and killed in Fishtown early this month. They could use the help. Remember someone who died in service to the city.

The Beef and Beer will be held Saturday, June 21 at Cannstaters in the Northeast. For tickets, contact the following:
P/O Gary Harkins (4th), 215-485-1453
P/O Kevin Hunt (4th), 215-686-3040
P/O Bonnie Bittinger (4th), 267-971-1779
P/O Kathleen DeNofa (24th), 215-685-9963
P/O Maureen Byrnes (24th) 267-767-3172
P/O Joe Hansen (HP), 215-669-7168
Capt. Christine Coulter (16th), 215-222-0722
Sgt. John Gorman (PAB), 215-686-3340
Sgt. Brian King, 215-227-8556
P/O Matt Quinn (7th), 215-686-3070
P/O Barbara Blackford (35th), 215-685-2854
P/O Jen King (5th), 215-685-8698
P/O George Lochnor (15th), 215-873-7576

Sopranos at Chima

Lorraine Bracco will be a guest at a special VIP dinner held at Chima, the new Brazilian steakhouse at 10th and JFK on June 11. She'll be promoting her wine line. Free samples?

And More Proof...

Center City Sips starts next week too! Each Wednesday from 5-7PM, over 70 downtown bars and restaurants take part in a happy hour extravaganza! $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half price appetizers! Here's details on participating places:
CenterCityPhila.org/life/Sips.php

It IS Summer

Because next week starts the Center City District Lunchtime Concert Series! Free concerts from noon - 1:30, at different locations around the city! Check here for bands and locations!

CenterCityPhila.org/life/LunchtimeConcerts.php

Back to the Grind

Well, a return to the grind for some of us. Others of us have worked this weekend. Which is for sucks, as a good friend would say. But summer is here, vacations lie shortly ahead, so who cares if it's about to rain...

Slow Day - Good Weekend

If you're around, head to Penn's Landing for Jam on the River tomorrow and Sunday. If not, havea great weekend and be safe!

Peek-A-Boo at Johnny Brenda's

If you're not shore-bound, come out to Johnny Brenda's tomorrow night for their adults-only burlesque show. Sexxxy....

Two shows, 7:30 and 10PM - tickets are $18 in advance, $30 at the door. Check it out!

http://www.peekaboorevue.com/

Cheap Art for Those of Us Who Need Things on Their Walls

The Art Star Craft Bazaar will be held at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 from 11AM - 5PM. Come out and suport local artists by buying their affordable, original artwork. That's right - no prints here, baby - all original. And, you can say you got it from a van down by the river! Wooo!

Taste of the Nation = Eating, Drinking AND Do-Gooding!

Come out Monday June 2nd to particpate in Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation, a collection of the country's hottest chefs and mixologists. All proceeds go towards ending childhood hunger. Here's the cool part: VIP tix are $125 each (5:30 - 9:30PM); General Admission is $75 (6:30-9:30) BUT if you enter the code "PhillyFF" at checkout, you'll receive a 20% discount, making the tix $100 adn $60, respectively. That's a pretty decent price for charity, drinks and dinner!
http://taste.strength.org/site/Clubs?club_id=1060&pg=main

Let's go feed some kids and ourselves!

"Sample the Vino" is Our New "Mantra"

We know, that headline is terrible! But it portends only good things for you, friends! Each Wednesday night at Mantra, 18th and Sansom, get a 3 course small plates meal and a 6 course wine tasting sampler for $20!! Yep - TWENTY BUCKS!! 25 person capacity, reservations obviously required. Starting next month, it'll be Tuesday nights. Dinner runs from 6 to 8PM!

Art Museum Pub Crawl Tonight

Sam Adams is sponsoring a pub crawl in the art museum area tonight, starting at 5PM. $3 drafts at each participating location!
Participating bars are:
Aspen, 747 North 25th Street
Bishop's Collar, 2349 Fairmount Avenue
Bridgid's, 726 North 24th Street
The Green Room, 1940 Green Street
Illuminaire, 2321 Fairmount Avenue
London Grille, 2301 Fairmount Avenue
Rembrandts, 741 North 23rd Street
and
Urban Saloon, 2120 Fairmount Ave

Rally for the Boyd

ALERT - at 11:30, Friends of the Boyd will hold a rally in front of the theater in hopes of raising awareness of the need for historical designation. If it's not granted that certification, the next buyer can (and sadly, most likely will) just tear it down. It's in the middle of a hot, hot section of town, next to an empty lot and VERY appealing to developers. Show up and give your support to this effort if you can!

Quickie on Apothecary

Website for anyone interested:
http://apothecarylounge.com/

Table 31 TOMORROW

And it sounds WONDERFUL! First off, and most important, that odd looking structure on the JFK side of Comcast Center? Oh yeah, it's an outdoor kitchen which will have patio seating on the plaza. You will find Jilladelphia here each and every Friday this summer, we bet! Continental, kiss my a**!

Now, Michael Klein's Food and Drinq has a food menu with prices. Not cheap, but about average for your Philly steak houses. What's great is you can get human sized portions as well as Texas sized, depending on your appetite. Check out the menu and some preliminary pics here:
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/

Sooo exciting!

A Superstar in the Making, without the attitude?

Things are looking up for the Eagles thanks to their draft pick DeSean Jackson. After 6 punt-return touchdowns in one season, he's definitely fleet of foot, and apparently, anti-diva as well. He may be a bit small, coming into combine at 2 inches shorter and 9 pounds lighter than he was listed in the Cal program, but small can mean fast. Very fast. Read the Inquirer's interview - it sheds bright light on the subject!

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20080521_Eagles_-_Eagles_draft_pick_DeSean_Jackson_sets_record_straight.html

Mikey Potato Reminder!

Head to Doc Watson's tonight to catch The Mikey Potato Show LIVE. They should hit the stage at around 10:30, and are definitely worth the wait! $5 cover gets you in, with great specials all night and even late night food! Everyone loves late night food...

Doc Watson's 216 S. 11th Street. Doors at 8!

Toe Sucker Nabbed!

The ladies of Fairmount can don their flip-flops in peace this summer. Richard Allen Casey was arrested for the string of gun-point robberies, which often ended with Casey licking or ksising the feet of his victims.

Read the details of the arrest here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080520_Man_sought_in_7_foot-fetish_robberies_is_arrested.html

Sameric Makes Endangered List

The Boyd Theater on Chestnut Street, known to most of us as the Sameric, has been designated as one of the most endagnered historical sites in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. LiveNation is the current owner of the property, and bought it with the intention of turning it into a live performance space. Sadly, they're out of the business for now and the place is back on the market. What should we do with it? What would YOU do with it?

Jilladephia hopes it's bought by the Ritz chain, restored and a mix of new releases and classic films could be shown, along with smaller musical and other live performances. We think there's an ability to cast a wide net and that it would be a money maker eventually. We'd pay to see things in grand old movie style!

Here's the Inqy article with details:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/rfs/687871431.html

Head Chef for Parc

Stephen Starr has named chef Dominique Filoni, formerly of Lacroix and some burbs places, as the new head chef of Parc, the bistro due next month for the Parc Rittenhouse. It will seat 300, with outdoor seating for 80 - a great summertime addition!

Happy Anniversary, Rouge!

Yes, it's been 10 whole years since the good folks at Rouge opened their doors (and windows) on Rittenhouse Square. Current owners Rob and Maggie Wasserman have a new and greatly expanded menu. Stop by and blow out some candles to celebrate!

Rouge - 205 S. 18th St.

Table 31 Soft-Opens This Week

Table 31, the newest from Chris Scarduzzio and the legendary Georges Perrier, will open this Thursday, May 22 for drinks and dinner. Lunch will follow shortly. The steakhouse marks the first major upsacle eatery for the Comcast Center, soon to be home to a DiBruno Bros., Mexican Post and many, many more.

JL Sullivan's Speakeasy is Open (but should we tell anyone?)

JL Sullivan's is open for business. With a wide selection of beers, a long wine list and serious cocktails, this is a place to get one's drink on. In secret, of course! But the abundance of flatscreens might mean this place isn't a secret for long, as it will nicely fill the longstanding need for a real sports bar with grown up food. In the Bellevue, 200 S. Broad. Check out all the details at jlsullivans.com!

Let's go Flyers!

And you didn't! Thanks, guys!

Old City Stroll and Sidewalk Sale

Over 100 vendors will be featuring outdoor tables, sales and specials tomorrow, Saturday, May 17th from 11AM - 6PM. Come out and enjoy the sunshine, while scoring a deal. There'll also be music, food and other entertainment, so go ahead - make it a day.

Check out the list of participating stores here:
http://www.oldcitydistrict.org/ShopSpecials.php

Oh, and not like we'll need it, but the rain date is Sunday.

Supoprt a Friend - The Mikey Potato Show Experience!

Come out next Tuesday, May 20 to Doc Watson's (11th and Walnut) to experience the sound stylings of The Mikey Potato Show, with $3 Sam Adams all night, and a late night happy hour of $5 pitchers, and $3 well drinks, burgers and cheesesteaks and $.25 wings from 11PM-1:30AM.

Original tunes and cheap food - a great time guaranteed!

($5 cover at the door.)

Sign of the Times?

The Eagles added two linebackers and another QB yesterday, bringing the stable of QBs to 4. Casey Hansen joins us from Norfolk State, you can check his stats here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20080515_Eagles_add_quarterback__2_linebackers.html

Somehow I don't think this is what Donovan meant when he asked for more offensive help...

Book Festival on the Parkway

The 2nd Annual Book Festival of the Free Library of Philadelphia kicks off this Saturday, May 17th. Barbara Walters, just out with a tell-all autobiography, will headline the event, and Broadway's Bernadette Peters will perform at noon Saturday on the main stage, reading from her new children's book and doing a song from the accompanying CD. There'll be music, food, entertainment for the kids - AND you can meet a journalism legend. Come on out to 19th and Vine...
http://libwww.freelibrary.org/bookfestival/

New Italian in Quiet Fitler Square

New from the owners of the fabulous Radicchio in Old City will be Sotto Pizzeria and Tavola Calda at 151 S. 24th Street (which we think is under the Market Street Bridge). Uber-casual Italian, with homemade pizza and appetizer specials. Something new for a quiet space!

Live Band Karaoke!!

Always wanted to sing in a band? Go to Paddywhacks, on the corner of 2nd and South, each Thursday for Live Band Karaoke! You'll be the frontman for Technical V, and there's no cover. Plenty of specials to get you warmed up if you need it - who wants to go???
http://eventful.com/events/philadelphia/1045s-rockstar-karaoke-live-band-/E0-001-009434639-9

Kanella is Open

Welcome Kanella at the old Logan's Diner spot at 10th and Spruce. It's a Cypriot BYO from Konstantinos Pitsilledes, the man behind to former Meze at 8th and Catherine. Look for small plates and homemade flatbreads in a neighborhood bursting with new additions!

Tiedhouse = Small World

New to the Cityview Condominiums, in the space that formerly housed Goji, will be the Tiedhouse, a gastropub from Chris Leonard of the General Lafayette Brewery and Restuarant on Germantown Pike. (Disclaimer: this is interesting news to Jilladelphia, as we personally know the Leonards, particularly the proprietor's wife. Contact us for private details about that.)

Now that that part is out of the way, look for a July opening, dinner and late night Mon-Fri with brunch on weekends. Focus will be small plate, and we'd bet the beer is local. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Let's Go Flyers!

At least don't get swept...

Cabbies Complain - How Much Do You Care?

This article by Monica Yant Kinney points out the many issues that beset cabbies in our town on a daily basis:(http://www.philly.com/philly/news/columnists/20080514_Monica_Yant_Kinney__Seeing_Phila__through_a_cab_driver_s_window.html). From the threat of physical violence to the exorbitant expenses of operating a licensed cab, they certainly have their share of fair comlpaint. But how many of us have been yelled at, misdirected, cursed, or forced to lsiten to constant cell phone chatter by these same drivers? Is there a happy medium? Maybe, as suggested by the article, they get a living wage guarantee, and we get respect as paying passengers, no matter how we choose to pay...

Earthlink - OUT

Earthlink is leaving Philadelphia - and the Wireless Philadelphia project- early next month. The project has been a spectacular failure from the start, with access limited at best and usually no better than trying to use your neighbor's unsecured network. No firm plans yet for who, if anyone, will take over as service provider for the project, though Mayor Nutter has vowed not to spend city money to shore up Earthlink's responsibilities.

Hours of Happiness at James

Every Tuesday from 9-11 PM, take advantage of half-off draught beer and those delicious house cocktails at James, Jilladelphia's current favorite restaurant. Go for the Hendricks and Honeydew - you won't be let down!
http://jameson8th.com/events.htm

Jam on the River Lineup

For those of you who don't understand those of us who are not shore-bound for Memorial Day weekend, here's what keeps us in town: Jam on the River, a two-day music fest held at Penn's Landing. This year's lineup features old favorites such as the Flaming Lips, Josh Ritter, Bassnectar, the Disco Biscuits and more!
Check out details here, http://jamontheriverphilly.com/ and join us on the riverfront for two days of great music in the sun!

Dollar Dog Night!!

It's Jilladelphia's favorite - Dollar Dog Night at the Phillies game. Tonight the Phils take on the Atlanta Braves, while you take on a hot dog an inning (at least!) Tickets still available.
www.philadelphiaphillies.com

The Closing of Kaizan

Kaizan, the 5 month old Japanese in the Academy House, has closed. This is sad news, as Kaizan had a charming and interactive omikase menu, and a decent wine list. They followed closely on the heels of previous tenatns the Smoked Joint, which lasted roughly a year. The site is hard to see from the street - does that explain it? The owners plan to reopen this fall with a new concept. Wonder what's next for Academy House...

Flyers Funk

It's been a depressing weekend for Flyers fans of all ages. Dropping 2 to Pittsburgh means it doesn't look good. At every other point in the playoffs, we'd manage to regain ground after losing the series opener. We'll keep our fingers crossed but it looks like Billy Penn might win again...

Comedy at the Urban Saloon

And, no, not from checking out the people who go there. Comedy Open Mic nights start Monday at 8PM (sign up from 6:30-7:30.) Admission is free, but you might NEED a few drinks!

www.urbansaloon.com

Art in the Park Tomorrow

No, not Rittenhouse Square "Art in the Park!" That's next month! This is Art in the Park at Mario Lanza, 200 Catherine Street. From 11AM til 5PM, over 30 artists will be selling their paintings, jewelry, photography, pottery, sculpture, textiles and more. Come support local artists and dress up your nest (or yourself!) for cheap!

Rain location (sadly likely) will be Philip Neri Church at 2nd and Queen Streets.

JL Sullivan's Speakeasy Brings Life Back to the Bellevue

Next Thursday, May 15, marks the opening of JL Sullivan's Speakeasy. The Speakeasy takes the place of the old Zanzibar Blue in the Bellevue at Broad and Walnut. It's described as sports bar, restaurant and lounge. Check it out here - you can make Grand Opening reservations:
www.jlsullivans.com

Philadelphia Wine Festival

The Philadelphia Wine Festival will be held this Saturday night at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Featuring selections from nearly 200 wineries, it's one of the largest wine events of the year. VIP tasting is from 5:30-6:30, and the general admission Grand Tasting goes from 6:30 till 9. If you're VIP, you get to try additional exclusive wines and sample dishes from various Philadelphia restaurants. There will also be an on-site PLCB Wine and Spirits Shoppe, so if you try something you like, you can buy it then and there!

VIP tickets are $225; General Admission $125, and the proceeds from the evening's silent auction (held during the Grand Tasting) will benefit the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Get your tickets here:
http://www.phillymag.com/files/html/winefest2008/tickets.html

Parc Bistro Set for June

Opening in June, Stephen Starr's latest will have something this city has been waiting for - internal outdoor seating. Yes, folks, we can now enjoy eating al fresco without staring at the dented rear-end of some guy's Volvo! We can imbibe under the stars without sitting next to a street cleaner! More details will follow once a website is up, but for now, here are some details from the Parc Rittenhouse website:
http://www.parcrittenhouse.com/features.php?gallery=Parc_Bistro

Franklinville Places

This is just cool - read about it!
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/2008/05/abandoned_taproom_may_get_a_li.html

Jilladephia is always happy to hear about new cool places in old abandoned spaces. Nothing brings new life to a neighborhood quite like a bustling resto-bar with great food and better drinks. If it brings people in from out of the area, they may want to stay, and that can only ever be good.

Comcast Market Makes You Fat and Happy in a Gourmet Way

The lineup for the Markeplace at the Comcast Center has just been announced and you'll never need to go anywhere else for a Center City lunch again! The stores will begin to open on June 2, and (courtesy of Michael Klein's Food & Drinq) they include Di Brono Bros.; Termini Bros.; Susanna Foo, whose place will be called Sanxi (up for November); Jake & Max's Deli; Bucks County Coffee Co.; Tokyo Sushi & Catering; LaScala's (the restaurant at Seventh and Chestnut, doing quick-serve pizza and pasta); Frank's Old-Philly Style Sandwiches (run by LaScala's); Under the C (a seafood stand from the operators of Ardmore Seafood at the Ardmore Farmers Market); Sook Hee's Produce (also from Ardmore Seafood); Mexican Post (an offshoot of the local mini-chain, and two blocks from the 16th Street restaurant); and of course Table 31, the Georges Perrier/Chris Scarduzio steakhouse on the street level, opening for beverage service May 18 with lunch and dinner to start June 3.

Holy Moly and lots of eating ahead!!
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/2008/05/susanna_foo_too_to_the_comcast.html

Row, Row, Row Your Boat...

It's time for the Dad Vail Regatta! This 70 year tradition kicks off May 9th, and is usually the first best place for drunk college kids to meet drunk college kids before summer officially starts. Oh yeah, and there's rowing, too. The banks of the Schuylkill is the place to be this weekend! Check it out:
www.dadvail.org

More Apothecary Deets!

So they have these pre-mixed cocktails available in bottles for four people at a time! The more we hear about this at Jilladelphia, the more we can't wait to check it out!

apothecarylounge.com

4th of July Lineup

John Legend will highlight the Welcome America Concert on the Parkway this 4th of July, part of a week's worth of Welcome America events. Fireworks will light up the sky directly after the show (and hopefully this year won't be such a surprise!).

The following night, Philly's own Boys to Men will also perform at a Welcome America event at Penn's Landing. Fireworks will again follow the show.

http://www.americasbirthday.com/

Apothecary is Official

In case you haven't noticed our excitement here at Jilladelphia for the newest entry on the cocktail scene, here's yet another reminder - it's open!!
Check out their website!
http://apothecarylounge.com/

Goodburger has Landed

Goodburger opened it's doors Monday at 1725 Chestnut. Early reports say great fries, juicy burgers, bring the ATM card. Fries, burger and shake put one of our mystery eaters out $15! But he claims it was worth every cent.
You can even order online!
http://www.goodburgerpa.com/

Cheap Lunch at XIX

Have lunch in the cafe at XIX at the Bellevue for just $19. It includes a salad, meat and cheese buffet, an entree from the kitchen and a dessert buffet! XIX is one of our favorites, with a sommelier who's actually helpful, and a raw bar to die for. It's a real steal at $19!
Oh - and they have balcony seating. Now that the weather is warm, take a long lunch and get some sun, enjoying cheap deliciousness while eye-level with the skyline.

New BYO - Root

Root is scheduled to open late May, early June at 1033 Spring Garden in yet another sign that the neighborhood is springing to life up there. More details to come.

Apothecary, Apothecary, APOTHECARY

We here at Jilladelphia have been eagerly (understatement) anticipating the opening of Apothecary at 102 S. 13th Street since we first heard of its tasty, tasty-sounding menu of cocktails. And it soft-opens TOMORROW!!
Check the Food and Drinq entry with menus here:
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/2008/04/apothecary_ready_to_join_the_m.html

Melograno Moving

This summer, the verrry poopular BYO Melograno will be moving from its home at 22nd and Spruce to new digs at 2010 Sansom. Will there be a liquor license? Will they finally take reservations?? Only time will tell...

Cinco de Mayo the Israeli Way

Zahav, the Israeli/Middle Eastern whose opening has been the subject of Michael Klein's widely read 'The Making of Zahav" finally bows tonight in Society Hill. Give it a week, then check it out!
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/makingofzahav/

This is really just the first in a month of long-anticipated openings - new offerings from Georges to a Goodburger. Busy eating days ahead!

Rittenhouse Roundup

As always, we hit up Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival this year, and as always it was a huge hit. Though cold and a bit dreary, the weather was no match for the day's activities. The annual fashion show went off without a hitch, though judging from the outfits parading down the catwalk, we were a little sad we weren't brought onstage ourselves. There were the usual selction of tasty bites, most for $5 or less. And the highlight - the free cocktail lesson at the Steven Starr Restaurant Organization cooking demonstration tent. We arrived in time to scoop up some deelish lobster risotto and cheese leftover from the last demo, and sat down to samples of three delicious cocktails from the Continental Midtown - two of which are brand new!
If anyone has the recipe for the Bing Cherry Martini, please leave it in the comments - and we promise to make it next time you're over. It's like the Squirt, but kind of kicks its ass....

http://www.continentalmidtown.com/

Kolb Up for #2?

Eagles QB Kevin Kolb spent the post-draft mini-camp taking snaps with second team all weekend. Looks like he's moving up. Check out the story here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20080505_Eagles_-_Eagles_giving_quarterback_Kolb_a_second_look.html

This Weekend: We Party with Kate Moss and More

Kate Moss flew into town to supoprt boyfriend (fiance?) Jamie Hince, lead singer of the Kills, as they performed at Johnny Brenda's this weekend, and we were there too. But in the next room, because the show was sold out. Close though...

Happy 10th Birthday to the Barbary, still with great tunes and not enough AC a decade later!

Philly Goes Green (Maybe)

Bike sharing may be coming to Philly. Many cities throughout the world encourage their citizens to leave the car at home by providing a bike sharing system. Usually people pay a small fee, either monthly or annually, and are entitled to borrow bicycles from stands around the city. The bikes are then returned to a stand when the rider is done. It's convenient, cheap and great for the environment. The costs will be footed by an ad agency, who in return will get the right to set up additional street furniture (bus stops and benches) around town. With programs in Miami, DC, Paris and now Rome, we really can't afford to be behind the curve. For mroe details, here's this link to the Planphlly.com article:
http://www.planphilly.com/node/3023

American Commerce Center Coming Along

Walnut Street Capital, developers of the proposed American Commerce Center at 18th and Arch Streets, met Tuesday with the City Planning Commission to begin the re-zoning process that will allow them to build the fourth tallest building in the country (1500 feet). The ACC as planned includes business, residential and retail space, and is being plugged as the building which will put Philadelphia on the map. (I wonder how the ACC's neighbor, current tallest-building-in-Philadelphia Comcast Center feels about that?)
Within two weeks, the developers expect that both the traffic analysis and a study on the feasibility of connecting the building with SEPTA's underground tunnels will be completed. Check out the whole story at PlanPhilly.com:
http://www.planphilly.com/node/3021

This might just happen after all...

Wexler on TV

Here's Sienna's world television debut, discussing the opening of her show this evening at the Wexler Gallery:

http://cbs3.com/video/?id=56408@kyw.dayport.com

The reception startws at 5 as part of First Friday festivities - if you're in the neighborhood, swing by for some wine, appies, and a reflection on mortality!

The Roundup - May Openings

I can't even re-write this - I'm just gonna link. Too much food!!
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/

A Night in Bella Vista

Oh, last night we had a wonderful, WONDERFUL dinner at James on 8th Street. (http://www.jameson8th.com/). The crispy sweebreads served with soft egg priovided just the right amount of crunch to offset the rich velvet texture of the sweetbreads. The homemade tagliatelle topped with duck ragu and bitter shaved chocolate was dee-lish, the pasta light as tissue, the duck ragu thick with earthy flavor. For a main dish, the potato-encrusted halibut was a solid triple, topped by an out-of-the-park pink snapper in a teriyaki sauce. It ws exactly what you'd expect from a place headed by a guy named by Food and Wine as one of the 20 Best New Chefs of 2008 (http://www.foodandwine.com/bestnewchefs/)
But as always, the atmosphere is what makes James really shine. The talented bartender is a great source of the building's history, providing us with an outline of previous tenants. The place has always housed a restaurant, beginning in the '20s with The Wine Barrel, which turned over into DiTourino's. It then transformed into DeMedici's (anyone see a theme here?) and was last known as Michael's, a restaurant decorated in everyone's favorite suburban-banquet-hall style.
Go, get the Hendricks and Honeydew, relax in the lounge and ALWAYS order the pasta.

Next it was on to Chick's Wine Bar (corner of 7th and Kater), a great local place with an impressive wine list and a more impressive bartender, the only lady who can get the ladies to drink the evil brown liquors. She hides them in delicious girly drinks! (http://www.chickscafe.com/)

These two destinations combined make for a great night out, with flowy drinks, edible flowers - an evening worth the headache the next day!

New Indian in CC - TODAY!

Welcome, Ashoka Palace - the new Indian restaurant on 19th, just south of Market. We are pretty new to Indian, having only tried it last year, but it has quickly become our favorite. We expect to be getting lunch there pretty often, esp. with platter prices of $8.50! We'll review shortly!
Check out the entry in Michael Klein's Food and Drinq:
http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/

Dining Out for AIDS

Tonight, over 200 restaurants will donate a percentage of your tab to fight AIDS. Go. Out. Eat.
http://diningoutforlife.com/Philadelphia

Fresh Eats

The Farmer's Market at Headhouse Square reopens for it's 2nd year this Sunday. Spring has sprung, so get all the fresh, locally-sourced produce you can handle, plus homemade sausages, tasty ethnic dishes for munching, and a reason to hit up Dark Horse for a veg-ercovery draught when you're done. Every Sunday, 10AM-2PM:
http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/headhouse/

Deals of the Week

Zagat's Philly site runs a Deal for Each Day of the Week, which you can check out here:
http://www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SNP=NPH&SCID=38&BLGID=11748&zagatbuzzid=april08week5

Thursday night is 50% off food in the lounge at Xochitl late night (11PM - 1AM). Too bad they don't have 50% off the tequila menu. Oh, the delicious, delicious tequila menu...

Friday, Art After 5 at the Art Museum. Free drinks and appies with admission. Also a decent signles scene for the 40 and over crowd. Get some play along with your Picasso!

Saturday, Mystery Theater (yeah, me too, right?!) at Bistro Romano. Hors d'ouevres and a 4 course dinner with the show - seating at 7, dinner at 8., $42.95 per person. Not a bad deal for a tale of terror with your tagliatelle.

Come celebrate Sunday Night Light at the Prime Rib - 3 course dinner and half price wine (or BYO with no corkage) . $33 for the food dealie, wine separate.

Flea Market Frenzy

If you've decided you like your fun on the cheap (and used!) hit up the Fairmount Flea Market, Saturday May 3 at Eastern State Pen. It's a 9 to 5 dealie, with tons of hidden gems and dirty doilies. (Kidding! I'm sure all doilies will have been thoroughly washed!)

Check out the schedule for all Philadelphia Flea Markets here:
http://philafleamarkets.org/