BRU Craft & Wurst to Open 9,000 Square Foot Uptown Beer Garden Outside the PNY Mellon Bank Building On Wednesday, July 1, 2015

BRU Craft & Wurst to Open 9,000 Square Foot Uptown Beer Garden Outside the PNY Mellon Bank Building On Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Outdoor sips and eats are coming to the heart of Philadelphia’s business district. BRU Craft & Wurst announces the opening of Uptown Beer Garden at 1735 JFK Boulevard in the courtyard of the PNY Mellon Bank Building on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 4:00pm. The 9,000 square foot summer pop-up will run through September and feature picnic tables, granite benches, tree slab communal tables, outdoor lighting and rustic decor in the tree-lined courtyard. A 35-foot bar will feature a full selection of spirits, select wines, six craft drafts and nearly a dozen craft cans. Signature cocktails will include frozen margaritas, stone fruit and berry red sangria, and peach and apricot white sangria. The on-site kitchen will serve a selection of bar snacks, sliders, sandwiches and even dessert.

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Philadelphia 84th Easter Promenade Set to Hop Down South Street on Easter Sunday April 5, 2015, Plus Philadelphia Easter Brunch

Philadelphia 84th Easter Promenade Set to Hop Down South Street on Easter Sunday April 5, 2015, Plus Philadelphia Easter Brunch

Hop on down to South Street Headhouse District for some FREE, egg-citing family fun during the 84th annual Easter Promenade on Sunday, April 5, 2015.  Come dressed in your Sunday Best and promenade down South Street in this grand and popular tradition that last year drew record crowds. Master of ceremonies Henri David returns to lead the parade from the corner of Passyunk Avenue/South Street down to Headhouse Square (2nd Street). Enjoy Easter treats, live music from the Philadelphia Freedom Band, the Bunny Hop, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cottontail and much more until 2:00pm. Bring your camera and stick around to meet the Easter Bunny himself, and see who wins the best dressed contests! 

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New Restaurant: Me N Mo Meatballs and More Now Open on South Street with Meatballs, Pasta, Desserts, Bar and Catering

New Restaurant: Me N Mo Meatballs and More Now Open on South Street with Meatballs, Pasta, Desserts, Bar and Catering

Me N Mo Meatballs and More is now open at 214 South Street with hand-rolled meatballs, house-made pasta and tasty sauces made with high-quality, fresh and local ingredients. Enjoy up to eight meatball and sauce varieties daily that include beef and spicy meat sauce, vegetarian and pesto, lamb and rosemary red wine reduction, and chicken with sauce a la vodka. Pick your own meatball and sauce combination, or let chef suggest his favorite pairing.  At the bar, enjoy a selection of wine by the glass and bottle, plus sangria, bottled beer and a selection of spirits. Me N Mo is open for lunch and dinner, from 11:30am to 11:00pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Take-out and catering are available, with delivery to be added soon. For more information, visit www.menmophilly.com, follow @menmophilly, like Me N Mo Meatballs and More on Facebook and call (267) 928-3262.

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BRU Craft & Wurst in Midtown Village Hosts My Smutty Valentine with 20 Smuttynose Rare and Vintage Brews

bru craft and wurst, bru, midtown village, smutty, beer, brew, valentine

Celebrate your one true love: Beer. BRU Craft and Wurst (1318 Chestnut Street) hosts My Smutty Valentine Party on Saturday, February 14, 2015 starting at 2:00pm. Fall head over heels (figuratively, of course) for 20 Smuttynose drafts for only $5.00 each, including vintage and rare selections. Plus enjoy beer-infused chocolate desserts from Chef Andrew Gaspar. My Smutty Valentine will be hosted by Joanna Manzo of Smuttynose Brewing Company.  Selections will include:

  • Finest Kind IPA
  • Shoals Pale Ale
  • Smoked Peach Short Weisse
  • Durty
  • Winter Ale
  • Old Brown Dog
  • Big A
  • Really Old Brown Dog
  • Bouncy House
  • Imperial Stout
  • Farmhouse Ale
  • Gravitation
  • Zinneke
  • Tripel
  • Smuttlabs Schmutzig
  • Smuttlabs White IPA
  • Smuttlabs Brett & I
  • Smuttlabs Short Weisse
  • Scotch Ale, vintage 2012
  • Wheat Wine, vintage 2010

Twenty-one and only to drink. All selections are limited in supply and available until the kegs kick. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go. For more information, visit www.bruphilly.com, follow @bruphilly or call (215) 800-1079.

Chef Luke Palladino Hosts First Valentine's Brunch at Palladino's on East Passyunk

Chef Luke Palladino Hosts First Valentine's Brunch at Palladino's on East Passyunk

Chef Luke Palladino announces a week-long Valentine's celebration at Palladino's (1934 East Passyunk) that will include Valentine's menu additions from Tuesday, February 10 to Saturday, February 14, and a special Valentine's Brunch on Sunday, February 15 from 11:00am to 3:00pm. The brunch will be the first brunch service since Palladino's opened - and it is a preview of weekly service that will launch in time for warmer weather in March or April. Full menu information is listed below, along with a link to photos. Reservations are now available on Open Table or by calling (267) 928-4339. Thank you for considering!

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Taproom on 19th (South Philadelphia) Introduces New Executive Chef Christina DeSilva and New Must-try Menu

Taproom on 19th (South Philadelphia) Introduces New Executive Chef Christina DeSilva and New Must-try Menu

Recently appointed Executive Chef Christina DeSilva announces her first menu since taking leadership in the kitchen at Taproom on 19th. The new menu features upscale pub fare, bar snacks, must-try entrees and desserts, and includes several vegetarian options. Taproom on 19th is located at 2400 South 19th Street. For more information about Christina, the new menu or other exciting things to come, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call 267-687-7817, follow @TaproomOn19th or like Tap Room on 19th on Facebook.

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Diner en Blanc Philadelphia Hosts French-Inspired New Year's Eve Party at Down Town Club

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia co-hosts Natanya DiBona and Kayli Moran have partnered with Cescaphe Event Group to throw a French-inspired New Year’s Eve Party at the Down Town Club this Wednesday evening, December 31, 2014.  The Historic Down Town Club (Public Ledger Building at 6th and Chestnut streets) will be transformed into a beautiful evening in Paris with three themed rooms from Hôtel Costes in the Place Vendôme to Moulin Rouge and Versailles. Live music and entertainment, specialty French cocktails, and top shelf open bar will be available all night. General admission from 10:00pm to 2:00am is $145.00 per person. VIP experience tickets cost $200.00 per person and a special VIP cocktail party at 9:00pm plus a phase one registration to 2015 Diner en Blanc Philadelphia (ticket registration still required). Complimentary valet parking included. Tickets are on sale at www.philadelphianyeparty.com

New Year's Eve, Party, Philadelphia, French, Diner en Blanc

DiBona and Moran are combining their passion for planning unique events with the culinary and hospitality expertise of the Cescaphe Event Group to provide a delightfully Parisian New Year’s Eve experience.  “We know how much Dîner en Blanc guests love the event’s French heritage, so we decided to expand on that really have fun with the theme”, said DiBona. Cescaphe's signature food stations will offer a culinary tour of France in each space, featuring such classic dishes as Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon, Ratatouille, Bouillabaisse and much more.

As with Diner en Blanc, the co-hosts are working with Mole Street to provide the entertainment for the evening which includes New York’s La Vie en Rose and two European-trained DJ’s: DJ Sabeel Chohan (who performed at the inaugural Dîner en Blanc in DC this past September) and DJ Sean Smoove.  Edith Piaf will also make an appearance with members of The Bearded Ladies cabaret.  The Professional Dance Ensemble from Philadelphia Dance Academy will also be performing and fashion illustrator Denise Fike will be sketching guests.  There will be a midnight toast and the Down Town Club’s floor-to-ceiling windows will offer spectacular views of the fireworks on the Delaware River.

TICKETS

Tickets are on sale at www.philadelphianyeparty.com. General admission from 10:00pm to 2:00am is $145.00 per person. VIP experience starting at 9:00pm is $200.00 per person and includes a phase one registration to 2015 Diner en Blanc Philadelphia (ticket registration still required). Complimentary valet parking included.

VIP EXPERIENCE 

Guests may start New Year's Eve at the Down Town Club an hour early! A very special VIP reception will be held from 9:00pm to 10:00pm that includes a tasting of grower champagne, curated by local wine expert Brian Freedman, paired with a pre-party menu from CEG Executive Chef Eric Hall that includes: American Caviar, Crème Fraiche, Golden Potato Blini; House Cured Duck, Mango Compote, Black Pepper Crisp; Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Potato Gaufrette; Seared Diver Scallop with Parsnip Crème, Benton’s Bacon; and Roast Chiogga Beet, Chevre, Apple Chip; and Seared Foie Gras, Sweet Potato and Black Currant Gastrique. Live music, engraved tasting glass and valet parking included. All VIP ticket holders will receive phase one invitations to next year’s DEB (ticket purchase required). Space is limited.

FULL MENU 

** Les Fromages & Charcuterie
An array of French cheeses and charcuterie; Baked Brie de Meaux en Croute with fresh Raspberry filling, Boucheron, Roquefort, Cow Affinois, P’tit Basque, and St. Andre.  Pate de Campagne, Garlic Sauccisons, Smoked Duck Breast, Vegetable Pate, Herbes de Provence Salami.  Accompanied with fig jam, orange marmalade, port wine preserves, Marcona almonds, pistachios, honeycomb, and dried fruits.

** Fruit de Mers
Chilled Shrimp, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Crab Claws, and Canadian Lobster; Freshly shucked Oysters and Clams; Alaskan King Crab Legs and Cold water Lobster tails;  accompanied with horseradish, cocktail sauce, shallot mignonette, and lemon.

** Les Poissons
Chef Carved Salmon en Croute with sauce aux fines herbs, garlic aioli; Griddle Seared “Loup de Mer”, Mediterranean Sea bass with caper and herb olive oil, “Truite Amandine”, crisp Trout fillet with Almond Sauce.  Escargots, sautéed to order in Pernod Butter, served in a pastry shell. Accompanied by Saffron Pilaf, Haricot Verte with red peppers.

** Salades Composées
Salade Niçoise – composed salad of Mesclun greens, Seared Tuna, Haricot Verte, Egg, Tomato, Fingerling Potato, and Lemon Anchovy Vinaigrette, served in a mini martini glass.
Salade Betteraves - Roasted Beets over greens with candied Walnuts, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Pickled Shallot and Aged Sherry Vinaigrette, served in a mini martini glass.

** Les Classiques
Carved Meats:
Carre d’ Agneau Rôti a la Provençale -  Chef Carved Provençale style Rack of Lamb with minted Tomato Coulis;  
Herb Roasted Tenderloin of Beef with Roast Garlic-Horseradish Aioli and Mushroom Demi-glace;   served accompanied with Artisan French rolls
Coq au Vin – Roasted Chicken with bacon, Pearl onion, in a Red Wine Sauce;  
Boeuf Bourguignon – Slow Cooked Short Rib with Root Vegetables, Burgundy Wine.
Bouillabaisse – Traditional Fisherman’s Stew with Scallops, Monkfish, and Shrimp in a Fennel laced Tomato broth, served in a pastry shell
Pommes “Dauphinoise” - Classic garlic and onion flavored scalloped potatoes.
Ratatouille – Provençale dish of slow cooked eggplant, zucchini, tomato and peppers.

** Soupe et un Sandwich
Mini Grilled Brie and Brioche
Mini Croque Monsieur with Sauce Mornay

Served with shooter glasses of:
Fall Spiced Butternut Squash Bisque
Lobster Bisque
Tomato Basil Bisque

** Les Desserts
Fondue au Chocolat – Bittersweet Chocolate fondue with strawberries, bananas, pineapple, pound cake, lady fingers, apples, and marshmallows
Butlered French Miniatures – A variety of miniatures including Palmiers, Chocolat Pots du Crème, Tarte Tatin, Eclairs, Truffles, Berry Financier, Mille Feuille, and Macrons
Crouquembouche – classic French dessert tower of profiteroles bound with spun caramel.
Crème Brulee – miniature Vanilla Crème Brule, topped with a burnt sugar crust.

Diner en Blanc, New Year's Eve, Philadelphia, Co-hosts

** French Signature Martini
Midnight in Paris: AbsolutPear Vodka, Domain DeCanton Ginger Liquor Simple Syrup, Fresh lemon juice

ABOUT DINER EN BLANC PHILADELPHIA

Diner en Blanc Philadelphia is an annual outdoor pop-up dining experience that celebrates community, friendship, public space and "dinner as an artform." It has been held annually since 2012 in such beautiful spaces as Logan Circle, the JFK Bridge over the Schuylkill River and the Avenue of the Arts.   Diner en Blanc Philadelphia will return for its fourth year in the summer of 2015.  For more information, please visit http://philadelphia.dinerenblanc.info or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DinerEnBlanc.Philadelphia.

ABOUT CESCAPHE EVENT GROUP

Cescaphe Event Group orchestrates over 600 weddings per year at five distinctive Philadelphia locations, including Cescaphe Ballroom, Tendenza, Vie, The Atrium at The Curtis Center and The Down Town Club. Learn more about Cescaphe Event Group by visiting http://www.cescaphe.com.

Chef Luke Palladino Opens First Restaurant in Philadelphia Palladino's on East Passyunk Avenue

Chef Luke Palladino Opens First Restaurant in Philadelphia Palladino's on East Passyunk Avenue

Chef Luke Palladino is excited to announce that Palladino’s at 1934 East Passyunk Avenue will open for business this Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 5:00pm.  Palladino’s will join LP STEAK, LukePalladino Seasonal Italian Cooking and Luke Palladio Catering as part of Luke Palladino Hospitality Group. The stylish fine dining restaurant with full service bar will focus on seasonal Italian, steak and seafood, and will be Chef’s first restaurant in Philadelphia. Situated at the intersection of Broad Street and East Passyunk Avenue, Palladino’s will be the premiere property at the gateway to one of the hottest restaurant rows in America.  

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Mt. Airy USA Presents Holiday Edition of Brunch Sessions with Three Courses at Seven Restaurants for Only $16.00

Mt. Airy USA Presents Holiday Edition of Brunch Sessions with Three Courses at Seven Restaurants for Only $16.00

Mt. Airy Brunch Sessions: Four Seasons of Prix Fixe returns with three courses of winter and holiday-inspired fare for only $16.00 at seven local restaurants on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 2014. Additional holiday activities this weekend will also include a tree lighting at Lutheran Seminary at 4:45pm on Friday, December 5, 2014, plus a visit with Santa and other activities along Germantown Avenue. On Saturday, December 6, 2014, pair brunch with shopping with pop-up crafters vendors inside Mt. Airy businesses, a holiday market by Mt. Airy Art Garage, storytelling, holiday card making, holiday movie screenings and family portraits. For a full list of activities, schedules and menus, visit www.gomtairy.com

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Christmas Village in Philadelphia Returns to LOVE Park for 2014 Holiday Season with Festive Sights, Sounds and Shopping

The Christmas Village will again transform Philadelphia’s LOVE Park (15th and JFK Boulevard) into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market, open daily between Thanksgiving and Sunday, December 28, 2014. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousand of twinkling lights, the LOVE Park Christmas Tree, live music, children’s activities and photos with Santa Claus. Warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot cocoa while enjoying European and American food and drink. Admission is free, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Spread the cheer by following @philachristmas on Twitter, liking Christmas Village on Facebook and visiting www.philachristmas.com.

Now in its seventh year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia has grown into one of the region’s most unique and charming holiday attractions. It expects to attract more than 550,000 people in 2014. Sixty-five international and local merchants and artists are busy preparing high-quality gifts that will be sold in decorated tents and wooden houses that will pop-up throughout Center City’s famous LOVE Park. With toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations, homegoods, artwork and more, there will be something for everyone on Santa’s list.

For the second consecutive year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia is presented by an NRG company.

“NRG Home is once again proud to be the presenting sponsor of Christmas Village in Philadelphia, a growing tradition that brings the community together,” said Heather Farber, Managing Director, NRG Retail Northeast. “We look forward to connecting with consumers at Christmas Village, listening to what their energy needs are, and sharing how NRG Home can help power their holidays both at home and on the go.”

Follow the smell of gingerbread and waffles to a full menu of European food, sweets and drinks, including mouthwatering German bratwurst or schnitzel served on a warm roll (Brötchen). Look for new menu additions this year, including Döner Kebab (a German specialty featuring fresh meat shaved right off the rotisserie spit, placed in a warm pita pocket with tomato, onion, and our delicious homemade sauce). Wash it all down with a warm mug of traditional German Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) or rich hot chocolate.

On top of the great shopping and dining experiences, visitors will enjoy the glorious Christmas Tree in LOVE Park, a Wish Wall in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a new kid’s zone on the weekends, theme days and weekends, tasting tours with Chaddsford Winery, live music during evenings and weekends, and other surprises to be announced.

The Christmas Village previews for two days on Thanksgiving Day (9:00am to 5:00pm) and Black Friday (11:00am to 7:00pm). Stop over after Philadelphia’s annual Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 27 and beat the mall crowds on Black Friday, November 28, 2014.

Daily market hours starting Black Friday through the last Sunday in December will be Friday through Saturday 11:00am to 8:00pm, and Sunday through Thursday 11:00am to 7:00pm. Christmas Eve hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm (closed on Christmas Day).

The market will have a Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday, November 29, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Invite your family and friends to come sing-a-long to holiday selections by local choirs, marching bands and other entertainers. Meet the original Christkind from Nuremberg after she officially opens the market by reciting her traditional prologue and rings in the official lighting ceremony of the Chritmas Village Fountain (not the tree), presented by NRG Home. Take photos with her as she does her traditional walk of the market. In Germany, she is the person that brings the Christmas gifts to the kids, and she won’t be coming to Philadelphia empty handed!

Vendor lists, food and drink menus, theme weekends, special event details and special promotions will be released in mid-November. Follow @philachristmas on Twitter, follow Christmas Village on Facebook and visit www.philachristmas.com for more information.

ABOUT NRG HOME

NRG Home empowers residential energy customers with a new way to think about, buy and use energy. Innovative, exclusive energy products give customers unprecedented choice and control through customized electricity plans with unique rewards and access to emerging energy technology solutions. NRG Home is part of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 250 company that serves almost three million retail customers across the country. NRG Energy creates value through reliable and efficient conventional power generation, while driving innovation in solar and renewable power, electric vehicle ecosystems, carbon capture technology and customer-centric energy solutions.