Taproom on 19th Hosts One Year Anniversary SpecTAPular with Pigheaded BBQ, Gin Canaries, Tap Takeover and Fatties

Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th, Philadelphia) celebrates its one year anniversary with a special night of brews, barbecue and live music. This Saturday, November 8, 2014, from 4:00pm to 2:00am, owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry will host the “One Year Anniversary SpecTAPular” featuring a chef pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ, performance by the Gin Canaries, tap-takeover with Bella Vista Beer Distributor, and visits with representatives from Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, DuClas and Clown Shoes Beer. A special version of Neshaminy Creek's brand new "JAWN" ale, made just for Taproom on 19th, will pour on the cask. Admission is free. All food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink. For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call 267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

One year ago, on November 8, 2013, current owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry took over ownership of Taproom on 19th and revamped the South Philadelphia staple into a top destination for local and seasonal upscale pub fare, 14 rotating taps of craft beer (including a cask engine), a classic cocktail menu, a knowledgeable staff and a warm vibe.

“What a long and strange trip is has been,” said Strauss. “Pete and I are grateful for all the people that have supported us. We truly love South Philadelphia and our neighborhood. We are also honored to be part of the city’s thriving food and beer scene.”

Taproom’s Anniversary specials for the SpecTAPular will include:

• Anniversary Burger - Lafrieda beef patty with collard greens, black pepper bacon from 1732 Meats, barbecue fried chicken skin ($13.00)
• Mac and Cheese - Fontina and sharp cheddar, bacon bread crumbs and stewed tomato ($11.00)
• Collard Greens - Featuring black pepper bacon from 1732 Meats and pork jus ($6.00)
• Anniversary Chili - Chef’s family recipe with venison ($8.00)

The national barbecue competition team Pigheaded BBQ will pop-up in the kitchen with:

• BBQ Fatties - House-rolled sausage stuffed with bacon and mac-n-cheese, coated in barbecue rub and smoked with peach wood for 2.5 hours ($5 half Fattie $10 whole Fattie)
• Pulled Pork Nachos - Kettle cooked potato crisps smothered in slow-smoked barbecue pulled pork, topped with brisket and pork studded baked beans, slathered in cheese sauce and dressed with barbecue sauce, sour cream and jalapenos $8.00)
• Brisket - Full packer cut brisket, rubbed with salt and pepper, smoked low and slow using peach wood for 12 hours, sliced to order ($10 for half lb. and $20 for full lb.)

Taps during the anniversary event will be taken over by Bella Vista Beer Distributor’s Jason A Miller. The night’s selection will feature:

• Clown Shoes - Pecan Pie Porter
• DuClaw - Retribution (2013 Vintage!)
• Stillwater - Classique
• Evil Twin - Femme Fatale Kabuso
• Pizza Boy - Sunny Side Up
• Carton - Boat Beer
• Cigar City - Good Gourd
• Ballast Point - Sculpin
• Prairie - Cherry Funk
• Traunstein - Pils

Representatives from Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, DuClas and Clown Shoes Beer will also be on hand to discuss their beers. A special version of Neshaminy Creek's brand new "JAWN" ale, made just for Taproom on 19th, will pour on the cask.

The Gin Canaries will perform from 7:00pm to 11:00pm with a full set of jazz age and American songbook. The concert is free. Food and drink are pay as you go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink (with identification). For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call 267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

ABOUT PIGHEADED BBQ

Pigheaded BBQ is an award-winning KCBS Competition BBQ Team based in Middletown, DE. Retired Philly Police Diver turned pitmaster Ron Templeman co-founded Pigheaded BBQ in 2006 with his son Ron Templeman, son-in-law Mike Sadgwar and nephew Brian Milito. Other team members include Norma Templeman (Ron Ron's wife), Trina Sadgwar (Ron's daughter & Mike's wife) and Stephanie Sadgwar (Mike's sister). Pigheaded also provides catering services and collaborates with restaurants in the tri-state area for pop-up barbecue events.

THE STORY BEHIND TAPROOM ON 19TH

What happens when two longtime friends from Central Jersey become disillusioned with their respective careers, and decide to follow their shared passion for good food and drink?

In 2012, after 25+ years in the printing business, Pete Fry decided he had had enough and needed to do something that he actually loved as opposed to just paying the bills. A quick call to good friend Michael Strauss consisting mainly of “hey, so I hate my job, want to open a bar?” and they were on their way, with Strauss leaving behind his career in commercial real estate.

With no specific locale in mind, and after checking out several locations, they homed in on the current 19th the solid neighborhood, and the good bones of the tavern that was there at the time. With Strauss being the driving force behind the overall food style and Fry putting his extensive

knowledge of craft beer into play, they brought on some of Philadelphia’s best young talent in Chef Christina De Silva, Sous Chris Myers, and Bar Manager Brian Padgett to complete the team. Taproom on 19th opened in its current format on November 8th, 2013.

Grand Opening Photos: Brunch Hot Spot Chhaya Cafe Opens New East Passyunk Location

chhaya café opened its doors to new larger home at 1819 East Passyunk Avenue on Thursday, August 21, 2014. Chef and owner Varnana “V” Beuria brings her passion for delicious coffee and simple flavorful food to a new kitchen doors away from her original restaurant in the heart of Philadelphia’s restaurant row.

chhaya, which means shelter and tranquility, will now offer nearly double the seating but continue to offer an intimate, warm and cozy atmosphere. The breakfast, lunch and brunch menu still focuses on unique waffle preparations, playful twists on classic dishes, rotating entrees and a selection of seasonal weekend brunch specials. The new location will be open seven days a week, operating Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. The kitchen will close daily at 3:30pm.

chhaya’s new space is nearly double in size (1,100 square feet) and features seating for 50 inside and 10 outside. Despite the expansion, the floorplan was designed to provide guests with the same intimate, quiet and tranquil feel of the former space. Beuria wanted the new chhaya to feel more modern, but preserve a warm and cozy feeling. “I used a lot of wood to bring the warmth in, to make it feel intimate even though the dining room will be much larger,” said Beuria.  

Beauria collaborated with Toner Architects on the unique floor plan that provides for dedicated areas for dining, relaxing, laptop use, working, socializing and more.  The final layout was designed to be set up like a bar, not a traditional coffee shop.  Beuria wants guests to communicate and interact with the baristas like a customer does at a bar.  “The centerpiece of the new location will feature a coffee bar with seating in the front for baristas and customers to interact with each other, not just place to order and run,” said Beuria. “Our employees have always had an intimate relationship with customers, and will continue to in the larger space.”

 Other notable features include:

• Floor to ceiling windows have been installed along the storefront, that open out to East Passyunk, framed in Mahogany with tempered glass, seating will feature comfy chairs with a low table, new outlets spaced between seating for customers that wish to plug in
• Laptop area with live edge wood slab with bark, featuring ample electrical outlets for customers to plug in
• Ambrosia Maple tables and chairs handmade by a family friend; other chairs made from dark Walnut
• New floors made from a combination of White Oak from Lancaster county, plus ceramic tile and concrete
• Coffee bar that will feature seating for up to six people, with no outlets to encourage old fashioned conversations, a dessert and food case, and a striking finished wood top
• Pillars covered with creamy off-white plaster inlaid with a lace pattern to add another layer of texture and warmth
• “Windows seats have always been a favorite to customers,” said Beuria. “I expect the new nook with shelves and books and sofas will become a favorite.”

Expanded space also means additional room for chhaya’s art program. Local and regional artists will be able to hang more pieces on the walls, and chhaya will have space host three dimensional pieces.  The art program will be led in-house, with two long-time baristas taking over the program. Details for the opening show are in development.

chhaya’s opening menu is very similar to the current location, with the possibility of small changes. The breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch menu still focus on unique waffle preparations, playful twists on classic dishes, rotating entrees and a selection of seasonal weekend brunch specials. chhaya’s food and drink menus are simple but carefully crafted with a focus on quality ingredients and heartfelt preparation. chhaya pours organic, fair trade coffee that is locally hand-roasted in small batches and delivered to the café weekly.  Now that the new spot is open, chhaya will announce the arrival of late summer and early fall seasonal dishes in the near future.

Down the road, the menu at chhaya may evolve and grow. Beuria will also explore adding later hours, ramping up baked goods, additional vegan and vegetarian offerings, increasing our popular pie of the day program, and some other surprises in the kitchen.

For more information, visit the new www.chhayacafe.com (coming soon), call (215) 465-1000, follow @chhayacafe and like chhaya café on Facebook.

East Passyunk's Flavors of the Avenue Returns with a Top Chef, New Restaurants, VIP Perks and More

Flavors of the Avenue is back and bigger than ever! East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) welcomes a record-setting 27 restaurants to South Philadelphia’s largest outdoor food and drink festival on Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Enjoy a true taste of East Passyunk as award-winning restaurants and bars offer samples of their signature dishes and drinks under the cover of a big top tent between Morris and Dickinson streets. Exciting debuts this year include Laurel BYOB by Top Chef Nicholas Elmi, plus previews of yet-to-open restaurants Townsend and Brigantessa. Outside the Flavors tent, guests will enjoy a free street festival with vendors and live music. At the Singing Fountain, Crafty Balboa presents the annual April Showers craft market from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The event is rain or shine. VIP tickets are $50 per person and include early access and special perks.  General admission tickets are $30.  Tickets are on sale today at www.visiteastpassyunk.com/flavors.htm or by calling (215) 336-1455. Save $5.00 off each ticket when purchased before March 19, 2014 at 11:59pm.  The event sold out last year, so act fast!  

In 2014, Flavors of the Avenue will feature more food and drink than ever before from an expanded roster of restaurants that include:

*  Belle Cakery 
*  Birra 
*  Brigantessa (debut)
*  Cantina Los Caballitos 
*  Chiarella's 
*  El Zarape 
*  Fond 
*  Fuel 
*  Garage
*  Ippolito’s
*  Izumi 
*  Laurel BYOB (debut)
*  Le Virtù  
*  Lucky 13 
*  Mamma Maria Ristorante 
*  Marra’s 
*  Ms. Goody Cupcake 
*  Noir 
*  Noord 
*  Paradiso 
*  Plenty
*  POPE (debut)
*  Stateside
*  Stogie Joe’s
*  Townsend (debut)
*  Tre Scalini 
*  Will BYOB 

Four restaurants will make their Flavors debut, including the yet-to-open Brigantessa and Townsend, as well as recently opened Laurel BYOB by Bravo’s Top Chef Nicholas Elmi.  POPE will also join the Flavors fun for the first time this year.

In addition to the above line-up, EPABID Executive Director Renee Gilinger says, “Stay tuned for an exciting surprise announcement. Guest chef? Special collaboration? New restaurant? You’ll have to wait and see!”

Other exciting news for this year includes an extra 100 VIP tickets on sale, bringing the total to 400 for the first time. VIP perks include early access to the main tent, all-day access to a new VIP-only tent sponsored by Beneficial Bank, plus premium menu items, Pollyodd liqueur samples, and Pinnacle Vodka and Bai cocktails.  VIP tickets are $50 each and include access from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.  As of today, more than 50% of VIP tickets are already sold as a result of EPABID’s Top Chef Finale “Twitter Party.”

Free valet parking for VIP ticket holders will make the food fun even easier, courtesy of ParkOps. The valet stand at East Passyunk Avenue at Morris Street will also be open for general admission ticket holders for only $8.00.

General admission tickets are $30 each and include access from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. All tickets are $5.00 off when purchased before 11:59pm on March 19, 2014 at www.visiteastpassyunk.com/flavors.htm. This event is rain or shine.

In conjunction with Flavors of the Avenue, Crafty Balboa will preset April Showers craft market at the Singing Fountain between 12:00pm and 5:00pm.  Crafty Balboa will feature a record-breakig 40 crafters and artisans this year.

Flavors of the Avenue is an annual benefit to raise funds for EPABID’s public safety programs.  Special thanks to our sponsors Olitsky Family Foundation, Aversa PR & Events, Bai, Beneficial Bank, Gold Medal, Origlio Beverage, ParkOps, Philadelphia Weekly, Pinnacle Vodka, Skinny Girl Wine, South Philly Review, Urban Jungle, UBER, Where Magazine and Yelp.

For more information and directions, like East Passyunk Avenue on Facebook, follow @epassyunkave on Twitter, pin East Passyunk Avenue on Pinterest, visit www.visiteastpassyunk.com or call 215-336-1455.
 

Office and Co-Working Space Available in Heart of East Passyunk Avenu

Aversa PR announces that our friends and officemates at FrontStretch leaving our cozy office for some exciting plans that they will share soon. We're sad to see them go, but excited at the opportunity this opens up. 

Looking for a peaceful workspace to conduct business? This affordable office space in East Passyunk may be exactly where you need to help your business flourish. Whether you are an entrepreneur, accountant, freelance, or work from home, this location is perfect for you. This office is peaceful yet busy and decorated in a tasteful and modern decor. There are plenty of renowned local eateries and coffee shops in which you can conduct lunch meetings or spend your lunch. The locals are very friendly professionals that are always open to network. 

Location: Directly in the heart of the East Passyunk in South Philadelphia (12th and Passyunk). This area is among one of the most exciting and most diverse neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Plenty of professionals and business owners are relocating to East Passyunk because of the convenience and local events.

Pricing: $400 per month allows 24 hour access 7 days a week compared to other shared offices only allow Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm!

Background check and References required.

Features:

• Plenty of Storage!! The empty full basement is perfect storage for your office supplies

• Wi-Fi

• Air conditioning

• Printer

• Plenty of free and 2 hour parking

• Telephone

• Microwave and Refrigerator

• Keurig  fully stocked with coffee and tea

• Spacious and clean bathroom

• Kitchenette and Sink

• Walking distance to Broad Street Line, and just over the Walt Whitman Bridge for commuters

If you are interested in bringing your business to a great co-working space, contact Kory at (215) 840-9216.

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

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.