Day: September 21, 2015

Local Chefs And Brewers Create Pope-Inspired Specialty Itemsrn

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rnIl Papa (Pope Pizza)rnThe crowds who gather in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families and the much-anticipated visit by Pope Francis will find sustenance more delectable than loaves and fishes. Inspired by this once-in-a-generation event, many of the city’s restaurateurs, brewers and purveyors are offering specially created dishes and items to honor the Holy Father, his Argentinian heritage and his Italian roots. Pilgrims can savor the humorously named Pope-Hat Pasta, nibble on cross-shaped Philly soft pretzels and wash them down with a pint of refreshing YOPO (You Only Pope Once) ale.rnrnHere are some spots serving up victuals in the Vatican spirit:rnrnPope Francis Food:rnrnDuring papal weekend, Brigantessa tavern and pizzeria will debut Pope Hat Pasta, a meatless pasta dish stuffed with beet and sheep’s milk ricotta and tossed with butter and poppy seeds. Guests can wash it down with a discounted artisanal draft Italian beer or a Peroni. 1520 E. Passyunk Avenue, (267) 318-7341, brigantessaphila.comrnBufad Pizza will offer a Holy Trinity special from Friday through Sunday (September 25-27) of the pope’s visit. Diners can snag two slices of the restaurant’s traditional Roman pies and a coconut sorbet dessert for lunch, available until 5:00 p.m. 1240 Spring Garden Street, (215) 238-9311, bufadpizza.comrnSpecialty food emporium Di Bruno Bros. offers three fun papal items: The Epiphany Sandwich (tenderloin of beef, house-made mozzarella, roasted tomatoes and grilled romaine with chimichurri sauce on focaccia), pope cookies on a limited basis and German, Italian and Spanish bites to represent the three languages Pope Francis speaks. 834 Chestnut Street, (215) 519-3115; 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, (215) 531-5666; 1730 Chestnut Street, (215) 665-9220; 930 S. 9th Street, (215) 922-2876; 120 Coulter Avenue, Ardmore, (484) 416-3311, dibruno.comrnThe Steak Franwich (a tribute to the Philadelphia cheesesteak, with brisket with mild provolone and caramelized onions), the Holy Pork (pork with sharp provolone cheese and broccoli rabe) and the Vatican Turkey (turkey with black-cherry spread, bacon and baby arugula) from Jake’s Sandwich Board can satisfy even the hungriest pilgrims. 122 S. 12th Street, (215) 922-0102; 125 S. 40th Street, (215) 921-9580, jakessandwichboard.comrnDuring September, Le Virtù is serving a four-course papal meal. One highlight: pallot cac’e ove, a main course of meatless “meatballs” made with day-old bread and sheep’s milk cheese and served dressed in a meatless ragu. 1927 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-5626, levirtu.comrnThe oldest continuously operating pub in Philadelphia, McGillin’s Olde Ale House is getting in on the fun with a handful of food and drink specials celebrating the pope. Think Popetini, Good Shepherd’s Pie and Basilica-High Meatloaf. 1310 Drury Street, (215) 735-5562, mcgillins.comrnCheese-loving believers, rejoice. South Philadelphia’s Pastificio Homemade Pasta Co. is crafting six-inch-tall, one-pound blocks of mozzarella cheese in the shape of Pope Francis. 1528 Packer Avenue, (215) 467-1111, pastificiophilly.comrnPizzeria Vetri’s Neapolitan-style Il Papa pie features ingredients with Pope Francis’ Argentianian and Italian connections in mind—Black Mission figs, mozzarella, lardo and Pecorino Toscano, oregano and fresh basil. Much to the delight of pizza lovers, it’s available at both locations during the entire month of September. 1939 Callowhill Street, (215) 600-2629; 1615 Chancellor Street, (215) 763-3760, pizzeriavetri.comrnA focus on microbrews and a jukebox stuffed with early rock make the cavern-like Pub on Passyunk East (P.O.P.E.) a hipster haven. The inclusive menu—ranging from the P.O.P.E.’s namesake burger (topped with a juicy fried tomato) to vegetarian specialties like the seitan cheesesteak—complements the extensive 80-bottle and 14-tap beer list. 1501 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-5125, pubonpassyunkeast.comrnRusset chefs/owners Andrew and Kristin Wood will roast a pig outside their restaurant on what they’re calling a Holy Spit. People can indulge in the porchetta sandwiches with Roman potato salad, braised greens and pickled hot peppers at the BYOB restaurant or take it to go. 1521 Spruce Street, (215) 546-1521, russetphilly.comrnCenter City hot-dog shop Underdogs unveiled a new menu item for holy and hungry patrons: the Pope Dog, also called the Francis Furter (made with chorizo sausage, chimichurri and pickled red onion salad). 132 S. 17th Street, (215) 665-8080, underdogsphilly.comrnBurger and dark-liquor haven Village Whiskey is grilling The Basilica Burger, topped with Berkshire porchetta, tomato jam, broccoli rabe, herb pork jus aioli, sharp provolone and egg. 118 S. 20th Street, (215) 665-1088, villagewhiskey.comrnTreats & Sweets:rnrnPutting a twist on the ultimate Philadelphia snack, Center City Soft Pretzel Co. toyed with the shape of its doughy delight to make a religious cross. 816 Washington Avenue, (215) 463-5664, centercitypretzel.comrnFrom The Night Kitchen Bakery in Chestnut Hill comes a series of Peaceful Pope shortbread cookies that are long on taste. 7725 Germantown Avenue, (215) 248-9235, nightkitchenbakery.comrnThe Philly Pretzel Factory created knot pretzels—based on the painting Maria Knötenloserin (or Mary, Untier of Knots) that inspired a young Pope Francis when he was a cardinal in Germany in the 1980s. Many locations, including 132 S. 11th Street, (215) 625-0910; 1839 Chestnut Street, (215) 496-9320, phillypretzelfactory.comrnWhipped Bakeshop pays tribute to Pope Francis’ visit with an adorable cake shaped just like him. Choices of flavor include vanilla chocolate chip and red velvet, with fillings ranging from old-fashioned vanilla buttercream to peanut butter meringue buttercream. Call in advance to order. 636 Belgrade Street, (215) 598-5449, whippedbakeshop.comrnWater, Wine & Beer:rnrnPater Noster—“Our Father” in Latin—is a patersbier, a style usually made in a monastery by Trappist monks for the monks themselves to enjoy with a meal or on special occasions. 2nd Story Brewing Co. concocted its own version for this very special occasion. 117 Chestnut Street, (267) 314-5770, 2ndstorybrewing.comrnIn celebration of this once-in-a-lifetime event, Cape May Brewing Co. created YOPO (You Only Pope Once), a hoppy pale ale that the brewers suggest pairing with juicy beef from Argentina. It’s available at only at the South Jersey brewery. capemaybrewery.comrnA recent addition to Philadelphia’s bursting beer scene, Crime & Punishment Brewing Co. opened just in time to roll out their pope-related gose-style Jesus Wept, a wheat beer brewed with salt and coriander. 2711 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 235-2739, crimeandpunishmentbrewery.comrnThe folks at the Chestnut Hill branch of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant did their research for its upcoming Pap-Ale. A session-style, low-gravity version of an Abbey Dubbel, the beer includes a surprise ingredient: yerba mate, an Argentinian drink similar to tea that Pope Francis has said he sips every day to calm him and to stay healthy. 8400 Germantown Avenue, (215) 948-5600, ironhillbrewery.comrnThe brewers at Manayunk Brewing Company incorporate ingredients from Pope Francis’ home country of Argentina in Papal Pleasure, a Belgian amber brewed with South American candi sugar and infused with oak from Malbec wine barrels. 4120 Main Street, (215) 482-8220, manayunkbrewery.comrnPhiladelphia Brewing Company welcomes Pope Francis in a big way with Holy Wooder, a limited, draft-only, Belgian-style Tripel with a name that plays on the Philadelphia pronunciation of “water.” 2440 Frankford Avenue, (215) 427-2739, philadelphiabrewing.comrnDuring papal weekend, wine drinkers can take advantage of Tria Cafe’s Châteauneuf-du-Pope special by sipping two different Châteauneuf Du Pape wines. Tria Taproom will offer a bevy of Trappist beers, from Chimay to Spencer, at special prices. 123 S. 18th Street, (215) 972-8742; 1137 Spruce Street, (215) 629-9200; 2005 Walnut Street, (215) 557-8277; 2227 Pine Street, (215) 309-2245, triaphilly.comrnDining & Drinking Events:rnrnOne of the city’s most popular waterfront gathering spots takes the charitable route for Popepalooza. For every customer who enters Morgan’s Pier on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of papal weekend, the restaurant/beer garden will donate $1 to the customer’s choice of one of three charities: Project Home’s Francis Fund, Mil Mujeres or PennEnvironment. Guests can expect pope-inspired snacks and beers. September 25-27. 221 N. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 279-7134, morganspier.comrnThere are no frills at South Philadelphia’s Stogie Joe’s Tavern, but the joint is sprucing things up and getting in on the papal action on with an outdoor block party and a DJ throughout the weekend starting on Friday evening. September 25-27. 1801 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 463-3030, stogiejoestavern.netrnPope Crawl 2015 participants can raise a glass—or two—with new and old faithful friends. Kicking off at noon on Saturday, the massive bar crawl will include stops at Ladder 15, The Raven Lounge and Drinker’s Pub, to name a few. The event will raise funds for Philabundance. September 26. facebook.comrnCelebrating the arrival of its namesake (of sorts), the P.O.P.E., a.k.a. the Pub on Passyunk East, will host a weekend-long outdoor block party. In addition to food specials, live music, games and a photo op with (a cardboard cutout of) Pope Francis, the bar will offer special beers such as Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Holy Wooder and Saucony Creek Brewing’a gose-style Pope Dennis the Phyrst, plus religious-themed brews including Russian River Consecration. September 26-27. 1501 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-5125, pubonpassyunkeast.comrnSpectacular views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway enhance four events on the 50th and 51st floors of the Top of the Tower. The Saturday and Sunday SkyBrunch boasts views of the Festival of Families while Saturday’s and Sunday’s Caelum Cena provides six-hour access during and after the Saturday concert and Pope Francis’ mass on Sunday. All four events include a remote broadcast of all papal activities. September 26-27. 1717 Arch Street, (215) 567-8787, topofthetower.comrnAttendees at either of the papal events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be just a short walk from London Grill, which will be serving special Argentinian dishes inspired by Pope Francis’ birthplace. September 26-27. 2301-2303 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 978-4545, londongrill.comrnVISIT 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