Day: July 5, 2015

There’s no slowing down for Philly restaurants, even in the dog days of summer. This season, the options for excellent local eating continue to expand in all neighborhoods and at all price points. Popping this summer: a new Center City outpost for Marc Vetri’s eponymous pizzeria (Pizzeria Vetri), a farm-to-table fast foodery (Farmer’s Keep’s), a South Indian bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot (Imli Indian Kitchen), a classic dinner club reboot (Vesper) and a fusion taqueria (Revolution Taco).rnrnHere are a few more restaurants to add to the must-try list:rnrnEasygoing Eats & Comforting Cooking:rnrnThe Awesome Grilled Cheese (with basil oil and tomato cream dipping sauce), chicken meatballs Florentine and veal breast hoagie with shaved fennel thyme slaw are just a few examples of Pennsport shop 1st Ward Sandwich’s high-level comfort food. 100 Morris Street, (215) 551-8000, 1stwardphilly.comrnThe Loft District welcomes a new neighborhood hang with a classic tavern feel. Brick & Mortar offers chic but easygoing fare like hoisin hangar steak, buckwheat linguine with kale pesto and sticky toffee muffins, along with house cocktails like the Blinker (rye, grapefruit juice, raspberry syrup) and an interesting list of draft beers. 315 N. 12th Street, (215) 923-1596, brickandmortarphilly.comrnThe healthy fast casual trend surges on, but Center City newcomer Farmer’s Keep’s mission is manifold. In addition to light, fresh meals such as build-your-own salads, the offerings also include seasonal cocktails and health-inspiring activities such as a running club and yoga breakfasts. 10 S. 20th Street, (215) 309-2928, farmerskeep.comrnEvery neighborhood needs solid brunch, lunch and dinner options. Pennsport gets all three with Fourth and Cross, where the farm-to-table menu focuses on simple, accessible eats like pancakes, burgers and an oyster po’boy, plus a six-layer chocolate cake that is baked on the premises. 1527 S. 4th Street, (215) 551-5200, fourthandcross.comrnOpening any minute, Scratch Biscuits promises down-home food that just might be better than mama’s. Gluten-free and regular biscuits supply the foundation for breakfast sandwiches (Pennsylvania Dutchman: homemade sausage, apple butter, grilled onion and cheddar), lunch sandwiches (Kentucky Klassic: Benton’s country ham, house pickles and pimento cheese) and sweet biscuit puddings (Fluffernutter; Nutella). 1306 Chestnut Street, (267) 930-3727, eatscratchbiscuits.comrnIt’s a brilliant concept: Pairing the region’s best craft beers with a celebrated barbecue truck’s eats. Located in a former warehouse in Bridesburg, Smokey Pint brings together beers from Yards, Philadelphia Brewing, Stoudt’s, Victory and others with the Oink and Moo BBQ Truck’s pulled pork sliders, chicken tacos and ribs. All are available to enjoy onsite or to go. 2549 Orthodox Street, (267) 343-4266, smokeypint.comrnSecond & Third Acts:rnrnThe down-to-earth cooking at Port Richmond’s Mercer Café always satisfies, and now a second location in the Navy Yard brings those easygoing banana pancakes, creamed chip beef, turkey clubs and crab quesadillas (plus Taconelli’s pizza) to a different audience. 4920 S. 15th Street, (267) 457-5585, mercercafephilly.comrnNo such thing as too much of a good thing, and Pizzeria Vetri’s new Rittenhouse Square branch proves the point. The original location’s char-freckled crusts are replicated here, with the same delicious toppings (Tonno: Sicilian tuna, onion, peperoncino; Salsiccia: fennel sausage, roasted fennel), along with the same inventive salads, creamy soft serve ice cream and bottled cocktails. 1615 Chancellor Street, (215) 763-3760, pizzeriavetri.comrnThe owner of Grey Lodge Pub and Hop Angel Brauhaus teams up with Troy Everwine for a third Northeast Philly venture. SawTown Tavern reinvents an historic bar, boasting custom-crafted house beers; hearty, scratch-made brunch and lunch eats such as biscuits and sausage gravy and French toast; and pub fare, including barbecue pork skewers brought in from neighboring Pasiano’s. 4717-19 Princeton Avenue, (215) 332-1699, sawtown.comrnA legendary restaurant opens its third location: White Dog Café’s sustainability focused cooking prevails in a new Haverford outpost, with local artisan cheese plates, Kennett Square mushroom soup and Jersey scallops served with pea shoots and jalapeño sweet corn cream. Desserts like strawberry and cream bread pudding, serious cocktails and local beers round out the offerings. 379 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford Square, Haverford, (610) 896-4556, whitedog.comrnNotable Potables:rnrnThe hotly anticipated Guild Hall Brewing Co. has finally tapped its kegs in Jenkintown. Meanwhile, the kitchen turns out colcannon tater tots, the Aberdeen burger (salami, fried egg and garlic aioli) and mains like honey-roasted pork with garlic spinach, plus sweets like berry cobblers and beer milkshakes. 208 York Road, Jenkintown, (267) 287-8698, guildhallbrewing.comrnA revival of a classic Philly private dining club, Vesper brings the lush mid-century era back to Center City, replete with live music, dancing and a speakeasy behind a secret bookcase door. The menu features a raw bar, filet with shallot tarte tatin and seasonal vegetarian pot pie, along with classic cocktails and wines by the glass. 223 S. Sydenham Street, (267) 930-3813, vesperphilly.comrnThe Kennett Square location of Victory Brewing Company, Victory at Magnolia makes a rotating selection of beer produced on the premises available. There’s also a small menu of beer absorbers: sautéed PEI mussels, burgers and Carolina pork sandwiches. 650 W. Cypress Street, Kennett Square, (484) 730-1870, victorybeer.comrnAn International Affair:rnrnThe homemade corn tortillas at Dos Tacos encase fillings like the Phat Pig (bacon, braised and crispy pork belly, radish and pico de gallo), The Frenchman (herb-braised chicken with truffle lime vinaigrette and foie gras) and Ta-Korea (flank steak, kimchi and pickled cucumber). Late night hours accommodate bar-goers’ cravings for all of the above. 120 S. 15th Street, (215) 567-8226, dostacos.rocksrnQueen Village gets a taste of coconut curry with the arrival of Imli Indian Kitchen, an airy BYOB focusing on the flavors of South India. The aromatic fare includes medhu vada (lentil donuts with chutney), avial (vegetables with mango, coconut and cashew paste) and meen molee (grilled striped bass with condensed coconut milk, shallot and urad dal). 769 E. Passyunk Avenue, (267) 858-4277, imliphilly.comrnComing Soon:rnrnChef Peter McAndrews (Modo Mio, Paesano’s) turns out some of the city’s most inventive Italian food, and a Fishtown shack will soon become Heffe, his first foray into tacos—albeit with Italian and Mediterranean influences. Frankford Avenue & Marlborough StreetrnChef Scott Schroeder’s creativity knows no limits and soon, with the opening of Hungry Pigeon on Fabric Row, he'll add an all-day café with dinner service to his restaurant portfolio. 743 S. 4th Street, hungrypigeonphilly.comrnThe only thing missing from the city’s vast taco scene? A great vegan option. Nicole Marquis of HipCityVeg will remedy that issue with the opening of JoséJosé in Rittenhouse Square, two doors from her flagship fast food restaurant. 133 S. 18th StreetrnA former Momofuku Ko chef will helm SouthGate, a Korean pub on the site of the beloved Tangier bar that promises enticing eats like Korean fried chicken and bulgogi burgers. 1801 Lombard StreetrnGreat news for Queen Village: The new owners of Southwark, Chris d’Ambro and Marina De Oliveira, are preparing to open Restaurant Ambra next door, with an Italian wine bar concept.rnThree popular food trucks—Street Food Philly, Say Cheese and Taco Mondo—join forces to open the forthcoming Revolution Taco, a BYOB with counter service and seating for 30. The menu could include smoked mushrooms or Korean fried chicken tacos and burritos, as well as bacon and cheese empanadas. 2015 Walnut StreetrnVISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.rnrnOn Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.rnrnContact(s):rnDonna Schorr, (215) 599-0782rnE-mailPrintrnShare

Fourth of July ParadernAs the calendar zooms towards Independence Day, Philadelphia, where the nation was born 239 years ago, revs up for a full week of flag-waving, heart-swelling, hand-clapping, patriotic fun. The annual Wawa Welcome America! celebration lasts for an entire week, and come Friday, July 3, the revelry really picks up with 48 hours of fun. That means patriotic ceremonies, parades, concerts, fireworks and festivities that mark the 50th anniversary of a protest demonstration that laid the groundwork for LGBT civil rights. Here’s a look at what’s happening on July 3 and 4:rnrnJuly 3:rnrnVisitors are free to celebrate at the Liberty Block Party, the largest block party of the summer. Some of the most historic streets in the city will be packed with revelers nibbling treats from local restaurants and jamming to live entertainment. On 5th & 6th Streets between Market & Chestnut Streets, welcomeamerica.comrnThe BYOB (bring-our-own-blanket) POPS! On Independence concert has become a traditional holiday favorite and for good reason. The combination of The Philly Pops under the baton of Michael Krajewski, a lively score of family-friendly tunes and the dramatic backdrop of Independence Hall creates a perfect setting for a night of music under the stars. 6th & Chestnut Streets, welcomeamerica.comrnWith Dumblonde’s Aubrey O’Day and Shannon Bex handling hosting duties and a musical lineup headlined by GoGo Morrow, Ferras, America’s Got Talent’s Jonathan Allen and others, the LGBT Civil Rights Movement 50th Anniversary Concert features a night of dancing and entertainment. A who’s who of drag performers, including Adore Delano, Mimi Imfurst, Satine Harlow, Ariel Versace and others, add glitz and glam to this evening of fun. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street, (800) 745-3000, ticketmaster.comrnJuly 4:rnrnInspiring remarks, music and a reading from the Declaration of Independence kick off the Independence Day festivities at Independence Hall. This year’s Celebration of Freedom Ceremony commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first major LGBT protest in the United States, the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 50th anniversary of the Immigration & Nationality Act of 1965 and the 150th anniversary of the addition of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A naturalization ceremony for new American citizens is also on the agenda. 6th & Chestnut Streets, welcomeamerica.comrnPatriotic pageantry is on display when more than 6,000 participants from across the nation hit the streets for the Independence Day Parade. Marching bands, floats, military groups, Miss America and special performance teams will be waving the red, white and blue during this hometown-style parade. The parade steps off at 5th and Chestnut Streets and ends at Front and Chestnut Streets. welcomeamerica.comrnDescendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence lead a ceremonial tapping of the Liberty Bell during this program hosted by the Sons of the American Revolution. Liberty Bell Center, 6th & Market Streets, welcomeamerica.comrnA star-studded line-up awaits at the National LGBT 50th Anniversary Celebration. Comedian Wanda Sykes will emcee the tribute to gay pioneers in a program that features performances by the Washington, New York and Philadelphia gay choruses, Jonathan Allen and Gogo Morrow, Bishop Gene Robinson, Judy Shepard, James Obergefell, Edith Windsor and others. Between 5th & 6th Streets and Market & Chestnut Streets, lgbt50.orgrnThe day-long Party on the Parkway features blocks of games, food and live entertainment on two stages. Pogopalooza, the world championship of extreme pogo, and the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Road to Rio Tour will be among the activities that make this a festive frolic. 20th Street to Eakins Oval on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, welcomeamerica.comrnAs the sun goes down, the lights go up for the Philly 4th of July Jam concert and fireworks grand finale. Hometown musical group The Roots serve as headliners and are joined by Miguel, Jennifer Nettles and others. Then all eyes turn to the skies for a dazzling fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, welcomeamerica.com rn rnVISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.rnrnOn Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.rnrnContact(s):rnDonna Schorr, (215) 599-0782