South Street Debuts New Gospel Brunch and Struts Stuff with Mardi Gras Parade

South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) comes alive this weekend with new and old traditions that celebrate Philadelphia’s most vibrant neighborhood. With the warmer temperatures it will be the perfect time to get out of the house for live music, exciting entertainment and great food.

NEW MONTHLY GOSPEL BRUNCH

On Saturday, February 22, 2014, Theater of the Living Arts (TLA), Pyro Arts Solutions and Redwood Restaurant present the first monthly “South Street Gospel Brunch,” at TLA (334 South Street)  with entertainment by Marc Britt & Restored, Thomas TC Clay, Selfless Ministry and Melissa T.  This unique collaboration is the first in a monthly series that will feature a rotating line-up of Philadelphia's best gospel entertainers. Redwood will serve up brunch favorites that include Eggs Benedict, omelet station, homemade waffles, salads, pastries, bacon, sausage, fruit and other dishes. Coffee, tea, orange juice and milk are included. Pay-as-you-go brunch cocktails will be pouring from Wolfgang Puck. Doors open and entertainment starts at 10:00am. Tickets are $40 each for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for youth and $15 for children. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at http://cncrt.ly/1aD4zZQ or by calling 610-784-5426. Tickets will be available at the door.  

30TH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS PARADE

On Sunday, February 23, 2014, The Wild Bohemians strut their stuff up and down South Street during the “30th Annual Mardi Gras Parade, kicking off at 1:00pm outside Fat Tuesday (431 South Street) and ending at 6:00pm. The parade route swings by Copabana, Redwood, O’Neals Pub, Paddy Whacks, Downey’s and Café Nola (in this order). The band of revelers, which you are invited to be part of, will dress in bright colored costumes and groove down the street as a huge ensemble of musicians provide traditional New Orleans beats and tunes for their dance moves.  For more information, visit The Wild Bohemians on Facebook, or call South Street Headhouse District at (215) 413-3713.

 

Snow Day Philadelphia Specials Sassafras: Four New Reasons to Day Drink #OpeninPHL

The fine gents at Sassafras Bar (48 S. 2nd Street, Old City) are giving you four extra reasons to day-drink during tomorrow’s winter storm.  Sassafras will be open in Philly during the storm!

Stop by starting at 11:30am to preview four new hand-crafted cocktails created by lead mixologist Neill Laughlin.  Mascot John Deer will be dressed in his Valentine’s finest to preside over the shenanigans!   Cocktails will continue to pour for Valentine’s Weekend on Friday and Saturday.

Snow Day and Valentine’s Specials:

• Lavender Champagne -- Dried lavender will be transformed into a simple syrup, mixed with champagne, and served with a sprig of lavender.  $6.00 Thursday, Friday, Saturday
• Chocolate Orange Dream Cocktail -- Stoli Orange and Godiva Dark Chocolate are topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. &nbsp;$7.00 Snow Day Special on Thursday, $9.00 Friday and Saturday</span><br></span>
• Rainbow of Love Cocktail – Dry Gin, Cointreau, chilled pineapple, orange juice and grapefruit are topped off with champagne and a strawberry. $7.00 Snow Day Special on Thursday, $9.00 Friday and Saturday
• Winter Love – Malibu Coconut Rum, White Crème de Cacao and Kahlua are topped with warmed whipped cream and chocolate shavings. $7.00 Snow Day Special on Thursday, $9.00 Friday and Saturday

In addition to the above special cocktails, Sassafras will be serving up Sassafras signature Smoking Bishops (featuring slow cooked burgundy wine with nutmeg, grapefruit studded closes, cinnamon, vanilla bean, anise, whole spice, oranges and a few secret ingredients) and items from the newly launched lunch menu. Comfort food classics popular on recent snow days have included:

• Grilled cheese and tomato soup combo (Homemade creamy tomato soup paired with a sharp cheddar, grilled  onion and apricot jam on toasted kaiser bun)
• Beer battered fish and chips with house-made tartar and malt vinegar
• Burgers (sirloin, ostrich, bison, veggie) with lettuce, tomato and onion (add on Gruyere&nbsp;cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon and caramelized onions)

For more information, visit www.sassafrasbar.com or call (215) 925-2317.  For additional updates, please like Sassafras atwww.facebook.com/sassafrasbar.  

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

Photo courtesy of Bravo 

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.