February 05, 2014

East Passyunk Hosts Top Chef Finale Tweeting Party for Chef Nicholas Elmi from Laurel

February 05, 2014/ Kory Aversa

Show your ‘Passyunk Pride’ during tonight’s season finale of Top Chef Season 11 featuring Chef Nicholas Elmi from newly opened Laurel (1617 EPA). From 9:00pm to 11:30pm (showtime 10:00pm), East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) will host a Twitter party. Stay in during the cold and ice, and join the fun by including @epassyunkave and #passyunk4elmi in your tweets. One Tweeter will win two tickets to sample Laurel’s delicious cuisine during Chef Elmi’s debut at Flavors of the Avenue on Saturday, April 26, 2014. Chef Elmi will be joined by over 20 of his East Passyunk’s colleagues by serving up signature dishes at South Philadelphia’s largest outdoor food and drink festival. Make sure to save the date for this event that sold out in 2013. Stay tuned for big surprises coming for 2014. Two alternative winners will receive a free limited edition, locally made East Passyunk tote bag.

Whether you're on Twitter or not, make sure to tune into Bravo at 10:00pm to watch live as we surely won't be able to contain the spoilers on this one!

Flavors of the Avenue Announced for Saturday April 26, 2014

Want even more from our nationally-loved East Passyunk stars? Visit and interact with our newly launched Pinterest board featuring Chef Elmi, the Super Bowl Gecko, Alicia DiMichele (Addiction Boutique) from this season of VH1 Mob Wives and more.

For more about Chef Elmi and Laurel follow @nicholaselmi @laurelepx on Twitter and visit www.restaurantlaurel.com. For More info about Flavors of the Avenue, visit www.visiteastpassyunk.com or call 215-336-1455.

January 13, 2014

East Passyunk Restaurant Week Returns to 24 Award-Winning Restaurants with Three Course Meals for $15 to $35

January 13, 2014/ Kory Aversa

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) announces the return of East Passyunk Restaurant Week on Sunday, February 23 through Saturday, March 1, 2014. Twenty-four award-winning restaurants along Philadelphia’s “Best Dining Neighborhood of 2013” will serve up three course, value-priced brunch, lunch and dinner menus for $15, $25 and $35 each. From low key BYOBs to elegant candlelight dining to Italian “red gravy” joints to Mexican street food, East Passyunk Restaurant Week boasts a diversity of dining experiences and cuisines that offer something for everyone. East Passyunk top chefs will offer special off-menu surprises in addition to their standard signature dishes. Select restaurants will further personalize the experience with drink pairings, add-on specials, dessert debuts, extended hours and day of operation, and other rewards to delight foodies from around the region – and the country. Specific menus and restaurant availability will officially start to roll out live starting on January 29th at www.eastpassyunkrestaurantweek.com. Reservations are being accepted starting this week at most restaurants. Mark your calendars and remember to come hungry!

December 12, 2013

Serrano Restaurant Hosts Special Five Course Beer Dinner

December 12, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Serrano Restaurant, 20 S. Second Street in Old City District, will host the dinner that beer lover’s dreams are made of on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, starting at 6:30pm. Executive Chef Gina Rodriguez and Eulogy’s Christopher Topham have created five courses that are as eclectic as they are adventurous. Seating is limited for this special one night only partnership that also serves as a memorable farewell to Topham before he moves to Denver, Colorado. Reservations are required. Tickets are $60 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and available by calling 215-928-0770.

December 11, 2013

East Passyunk's Holiday Second Saturday Features Santa, Strolling Music, Food, Sales and Fun

December 11, 2013/ Kory Aversa

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) hosts the largest and most festive Second Saturday of the year on Saturday, December 14, 2013, starting at 9:00am and running into the evening. Holiday Second Saturday highlights will include the finale of the shopping spree contest, pet photos with Santa, music by the Joe King Trio, Holiday Crafty Balboa, Nice Things Handmade ornament show, Traveling Wares Holiday shopping, free food and drink samples, and tons of holiday sales. For the most up-to-date information about Holiday Second Saturday, follow @epassyunkave on Twitter or RSVP to the event invite on the East Passyunk Avenue Facebook page. Holiday Second Saturday is part of the on-going “Deck the Ave” campaign on East Passyunk. For more information on the larger campaign, visit www.visiteastpassyunk.com/events

December 11, 2013

Mt. Airy Restaurants Host Charity Coat Drive with Tasty Reward

December 11, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Restaurants in Mt. Airy are giving back this holiday season through a new “Give and Get” charity coat drive. From now through January 15, 2013, bring a winter coat for a donation to one of nine participating Mt. Airy restaurants and get a signature dessert for free with your meal (minimum $15 purchase). From chocolate crème brulee to bread pudding, apple crisp and much more, your taste buds will receive an apt reward for your generosity. Restaurants include Earth Brew & Brewery, Wine Thief, Avenida, Little Jimmies Bakery Café, Jyoti Indian Bistro, Geechee Girl Rice Café, Trolley Car Diner, Goat Hollow and High Point Café. For more information on the Give and Get promotion, call 215-844-6021, tweet @gomtairy or visit www.gomtairy.com/events

December 10, 2013

South Street Headhouse District Doubles Holiday Fun with Christmas Village and Santa's Stumble

December 10, 2013/ Kory Aversa

South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) doubles the holiday fun on Saturday, December 14, 2013 with the first Christmas Village and Santa’s South Street Stumble. Enjoy a full day of handmade shopping at the Christmas Village under the Headhouse Square Shambles (Second and Pine streets) from 11:00am to 9:00pm. Festivities will include 30 handmade artisans curated by PHAIR, a visit from Santa, holiday photos at Posey Booth, and food and drink from Brauhaus Schmitz. Christmas Village is a free event, with shopping, food and drinks pay-as-you-go. From 6:00pm to Midnight, SSHD will be filled with jolly laughter and the sight of Santa hats during Santa’s South Street Stumble. Participants pay $5.00 for a special SSHD Santa hat that entitles them to holiday beer and cocktail specials at 13 participating bars and restaurants. Both events are rain or shine. For more information, visit southstreet.com, call (215) 413-3713 or follow @officialsouthst on Twitter.

December 04, 2013

Join us! Aversa PR Holiday Open House + East Passyunk Tree Lighting After Party

December 04, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Aversa PR Holiday Party, East Passyunk Tree LIghting

Get ready to rock your way around the Avenue! On Thursday, December 5th, join us for one of Philadelphia's biggest tree lighting parties followed by our first-ever Aversa PR Holiday Open House/ After Party. Don't miss the festive fun!

Start the party early, from 5-7pm, with the Tree Lighting Party + Deck the Halls Kick-Off at the Singing Fountain on East Passyunk Avenue (at EPA + Tasker Streets). Enjoy holiday music, sweet treats, free food/drink samples, visit from Santa + the lighting of the magnificant tree ABOVE the historic, world-famous Singing Fountain.

After the ceremonies, from 7-9pm, come get your holly jolly on with us as we present our first Holiday Open House /After Party with lite bites, holiday spirits and more. Ms Goody Cupcake truck will have free cupcake minis, The Tot Cart will serve tots and beer cheese and Sum Pig Food Truck will offer sliders, stews and more (all at big discount). Noir Restaurant will offer pasta and rice balls (yum), Bitar's will have new flavored hummus and Middle Eastern platters, candy displays, sweets and treats, more!

The party is free but we're hosting an optional holiday drive for two great organizations. Bring school supplies to support City Year's work in the Philadelphia schools. Donations will go to several classrooms in need of supplies for the second half of the school year. We will also collect toileties, gift sets, toys, etc. for Bianca's Kids to help foster children. Small gift cards are also welcome for Staples, Wal-mart, etc.

November 27, 2013

East Passyunk Rocks Around the Christmas Tree with Tree Lighting Party at the Singing Fountain

November 27, 2013/ Kory Aversa

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) and Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation (PARC) kick off the holiday’s with the annual Tree Lighting Party at the Singing Fountain (Tasker and EPA) on Thursday, December 5, 2013, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The free celebration will include carolers from Alphabet Academy, music by students from Andrew Jackson School, a visit from Santa Claus, holiday cupcakes for sale from Ms Goody Cupcake truck. Free food and drink samples will be provided by Belle Cakery, Black n Brew, Noord, Stateside and other restaurants to be announced. At 7:00pm, revelers are invited to the first Deck the Ave kick-off with free candy canes and treats at the shops, extended shopping hours, specials and sales, giveaways and other festive surprises. The Joe King Trio will stroll down the Avenue, leading shoppers to seasonal fun. Select restaurants and bars will offer dinner and drink specials, including Noord’s Chef Joncarl Lachman preparing Kabritu Stoba (whole braised goat).

November 26, 2013

Ray's Happy Birthday Bar Celebrates 75th Anniversary

November 26, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, 1200 East Passyunk Avenue, celebrates 75 years of birthday wishes, cheap drinks, familiar faces and jokes of the day. Ray’s, celebrated as one of America’s top dive bars, will host its 75th Anniversary Party on Sunday, December 1, 2013, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Turn back the clock to the late 1930s, where you can celebrate the end of Prohibition, gas at ten cents a gallon, and Ella Fitzgerald serving up "A Tisket A Tasket." Owners Lou and Rose Capozolli will offer drinks at “throw back” 1938 prices (SELECT drafts, whiskeys, more). Lite up your free pack of (candy) cigs as you say hubba-hubba to our Ray’s authentic cigarette girl. Get flapping to live music and jukebox sing-a-longs. Blow out the candles on our special anniversary cake. Chow down on candy and snacks inspired by and originating from 1938. Dress in 30s costume for a chance to win best dressed.

November 20, 2013

Philly Free School and Nice Things Handmade Present Holiday Shopping at Superfantastic Craft Bazaar

November 20, 2013/ Kory Aversa

East Passyunk's Nice Things Handmade and The Philly Free School announce the first annual “Superfantastic Craft Bazaar” on Saturday, December 7, 2013, from 11:00am to 5:00pm, at 2001 Christian Street, Philadelphia. Over 35 local artisans and crafters will transform the school’s roller-skating rink into a holiday wonderland filled with one-of-a-kind gifts, sculpted jewelry, home décor, handmade paper, art prints, hand painted glassware, aeriums, apparel, stuffed toys and much more. Family fun will include face painting, caricatures, make-and-take ornaments, paint-your-own ceramics and free candy canes. Ultimo Coffee, Weckerly’s Ice Cream, Philly Free School and other vendors will provide hot beverages, seasonal treats and lunchtime snacks. Admission is free. Proceeds benefit the programs of the Philly Free School, where kids rule (for real). For more show information, visit www.nicethingshandmade.com or www.phillyfreeschool.org, call (267) 455-0256 or follow @nicethingshandmade.