January 16, 2023

Chef Juan Lopez Debuts as Chef in Residency at Volvér on Kimmel Cultural Campus

January 16, 2023/ Volver/ Kory Aversa

Chef Jose Garces announces Chef Juan Lopez as the next Chef in Residency at Volvér on Kimmel Cultural Campus. Chef Lopez’s residency will run from January 11, 2023 to February 12, 2023. Funding will both help Chef create a new catering division and new culinary jobs, while supporting the next generation of chefs through the Culinary Program at Jules E. Mastbaum High School. Currently, Lopez’s menu will include French Onion Soup, Burrata, Potato Gnocchi, Pan Seared Duck Breast, Butter Basted Scallops, Crispy Short Rib, Poached Meringue "Fargoias Congeladas", Port Custard "Pudim" and Rice Pudding "Arroz Doce." For the new Chefs in Residency Program, each Chef will showcase their top signature dishes on the Volvér menu for four to eight weeks, alongside Chef Garces' signature Portuguese-inspired dishes. Through a special donation program in partnership with the Garces Foundation, each Chef in Residency will have the opportunity to raise money to support their work with their current restaurant, or to use for the start of their next culinary journey. Volvér's hours for the season will be from Wednesday to Sunday, from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, with a special pre-theatre menu served from 4:00pm to 6:30pm, and happy hour from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Reservations are now available at www.volverrestaurant.com, via OpenTable, or by calling 215-670-2302. Celebrate the art of fine dining by following Volvér on social media at @volverphl @chefjosegarces and @garcesgroup. All guests to Volver must be vaccinated per Kimmel Cultural Campus policy. Volver is located at 300 S. Broad Street, in Center City, Philadelphia.

January 12, 2023

Northern Liberties Restaurant Week Moves to Winter with Two Dozen Restaurants Jan 27 to Feb 5

January 12, 2023/ Northern Liberties/ Kory Aversa

Northern Liberties Business Improvement District announces the return of Northern Liberties Restaurant Week from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, February 5, 2023. The city's hottest NEW restaurant week to hit the food scene is back with new dates, more restaurants, new restaurants, updated price points, indoor and outdoor options, take-out and delivery, and tons of the city's best eats! Moved to winter to support restaurants during the colder months, Northern Liberties Restaurant Week is back with nearly two dozen of the neighborhood's biggest names that will offer two course or more lunches for $10 or $15, and three or more course dinners for $15, $25 and $40. Look for special features and signature favorite dishes, outdoor options, artful and colorful dining rooms, cocktail features, and much more. For outdoor options, several Northern Liberties restaurants have patios, sidewalk seating, courtyards - and yes, the Igloos at Figo even join the line-up this year. Book your reservation and enjoy a diversity of cuisines, vibes and settings. New restaurants joining the line-up this year will include Nourish Cafe, Hikari Sushi, Las Cazuelas, The Winston, The Shake Seafood, D’Oliva EVOO Pizza and Grill and others to be announced. Neighborhood favorites will also include Añejo Philly, Pera Turkish Cuisine, El Camino, Cantina Dos Segundos, Figo Ristorante, Apricot Stone, Urban Village, Bagels and Co., Bourbon and Branch, Standard Tap and more. Menus are live now online. The growing list of restaurants will be updated and new spots will be added as the event gets closer.

December 01, 2022

Banksy Was Here Exhibition Makes World Premiere at Philadelphia Fashion District

December 01, 2022/ Philadelphia Fashion District/ Kory Aversa

Banksy Was Here: The Exhibition, an "unauthorized" Banksy exhibition, opens at Philadelphia Fashion District this Saturday, December 3, 2022 and runs through January 31, 2023. Don’t miss its arrival and debut in Philadelphia! The experience will plunge visitors into the universe of the enigmatic Bristol-born street artist, offering an incredible journey featuring over 80 genuine and certified artworks from private collections. This experience and collection will make its world premiere right here in the city of brotherly love, after select pieces have toured the globe in 15 other cities. Tickets are $22.90 and up, with children under four free, and discounts available for seniors, students, military, and groups (15 or more tickets). The exhibition will take place at Philadelphia Fashion District, at 901 Market St, with the entrance on the outside of the mall at the 9th and Market intersection.

November 21, 2022

Philadelphia's Original Christmas Bar Tinsel Opens for the Holidays on Black Friday

November 21, 2022/ Tinsel/ Kory Aversa

Teddy Sourias and Craft Concepts Group announce the return of Tinsel Christmas Pop-up Bar at 116 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia. The mad elves from Tradesman's, BRU Craft & Wurst, Blume, U-Bahn, Uptown Beer Garden, Kontrol, Sueno and Finn McCool's Ale House have spent months decking the halls bringing back this holiday sensation. Look for all new designs, new artists, more decor, extra twinkle, added glitter, festive holiday tunes, new cocktails, custom cups and ornaments, and much more bling. There are tons of new surprises to share this year - including the largest amount of original art pieces and installations ever in the history of the space. Merry-makers will find 10,000+ twinkling lights, 2,000+ glittering ornaments, thousands of ribbons and bows, 100+ giant hanging presents and packages, dozens of naughty and nice elves, and a record number of Santas! Must-see new installations include a snowman made from spinning disco balls, a new augmented reality holiday light show, a holiday tug-of-war between Santa and the Krampus, a giant advent calendar with surprises to be discovered, a giant naughty and nice list, a gingerbread village and a Gritty Santa. Tinsel is first come, first served and standing room only. There are no reservations accepted.

November 15, 2022

Grace and Proper Grand Opens in South Philly by Hawthornes Restaurant Group

November 15, 2022/ Grace and Proper/ Kory Aversa

Hawthorne's Restaurant Group announces the grand opening of Grace and Proper at 941 S. 8th Street this Friday at 4:00pm. Husband-wife duo Chris Fetfatzes and Heather Annechiarico have teamed up with their long-time operations director Susan Freeman on the opening of this new vintage Eurobar located in the Italian Market. Grace and Proper is named and designed to celebrate both the New and Old World together, where classy meets comfortable. While the Portuguese-inspired food menu will surely entice locals and visitors, it is the cocktails and wines that will be the star of the show at this latest addition to the thriving Philadelphia bar scene. The 660 square ft. space will offer seating inside and outside for 70+ guests, with bar and high-top seating. Opening hours will be Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4:00pm to Midnight, Friday and Saturday, Noon to 1:00am, and Sunday, Noon to Midnight. Grace and Proper is closed on Tuesdays to the public, but bookable for private and special events.

November 15, 2022

Bagels and Co. Celebrates Grand Opening in Fishtown with Free Bagels and Coffee

November 15, 2022/ Bagels and Co. / Kory Aversa

Bagels and Co. is about to take over Philadelphia with a citywide expansion that will see six new bagel and coffee shops expand to six new locations. Glu Hospitality and co-owners Derek Gibbons and Tim Lu announce that the popular Northern Liberties-based bagel, coffee, lunch and deli shop will now open new locations in Fishtown, Brewerytown, Temple Campus, Rittenhouse, Midtown Village and Center City. The first new location is now ready! Bagels and Co. Fishtown will grand open this Friday, November 18th, with a free bagel and cream cheese giveaway between 8:00am to 10:00am and no purchase necessary. On Saturday, November 19th the grand opening continues with free coffee from 9:00am to 11:00am.

November 09, 2022

Made in Philadelphia Announces Vendors and Artists for Holiday Season at Dilworth

November 09, 2022/ Dilworth Park/ Kory Aversa

The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market will once again return to Dilworth Park from Saturday, November 19, 2022 to Sunday, January 1, 2023. Dozens of artisans, designers, and small businesses from the greater Philadelphia region will offer decorations, fashion, and gifts inside white, festively lit tents. Visitors will have the unique chance to shop gifts and products that can’t be found at a usual shopping mall - including artwork, home goods, ornaments, sweets, toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations, and more. There will be something for everyone on Santa’s list! After exploring the large selection of local vendors, Philly Phamous Foods is a great spot to enjoy Philadelphia inspired favorites like roast pork sandwiches, or locally crafted sodas and snacks. The Market will be back in conjunction with other attractions like the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, the “Deck the Hall” Light Show presented by Independence Blue Cross, and the Wintergarden at Dilworth Park. Along with the Christmas Village vendors in the City Hall Courtyard and North Broad section, both holiday markets will complement each other and turn Center City Philadelphia into an extravagant winter wonderland! The open-air pop-up market is curated by organizers of Christmas Village in Philadelphia presented by Bank of America, which will also be set up across the street in LOVE Park for its 15th season. Admission to the Market is free.

October 24, 2022

Christmas Village in Baltimore Expands German Christmas Market at Inner Harbor for New Season

October 24, 2022/ West Shore Park / Kory Aversa

Christmas Village in Baltimore announces it will return to Inner Harbor for the coming 2022 holiday season with its largest footprint ever and a record number of vendors. Charm City’s beloved holiday tradition is ready to transform West Shore Park (501 Light Street) into a traditional indoor and outdoor German Christmas Market, opening on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24th and running through Christmas Eve (December 24th), with a special Preview Weekend on November 19 and 20, 2022. Visitors and locals alike are invited to enjoy big holiday vibes with the return of the 30-foot-tall stunning Christmas Pyramid from the Ore Mountains, the 65-foot-tall illuminated Ferris Wheel, and the Christmas Village Carousel with horses and festive reindeer. Fifty-five local small businesses, makers and international vendors, with something for everyone on Santa’s shopping list. This includes the most vendors in the event's history - with new wooden vendor booths extending along the picturesque Inner Harbor Promenade. Famous German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt will return with thousands of glass ornaments, nutcrackers, pyramids, and limited-edition holiday decorations. Vendors will be located outside in traditional festively-decorated wooden huts, plus inside the giant heated festival tent. Other highlights will include a large selection of Glühwein (mulled wine), the warm glow of the open-air Bratwurst Grill, an expansive outdoor seating area, the Hofbrau Beergarden, photos with Santa Claus, appearances by Gingy the Gingerbread Man, and theme weekends with live entertainment. Foodies will find Raclette Cheese sandwiches, bacon on a stick, wine and beer tastings, all-new spirits tastings, and much more. The traditional German Christkind returns for the first time since before the pandemic on November 26th.

October 19, 2022

Christmas Village in Philadelphia Returns with Ferris Wheel, Two Story Carousel and Holiday Lights

October 19, 2022/ Love Park/ Kory Aversa

Christmas Village in Philadelphia will again transform LOVE Park (1500 JFK Blvd.) and City Hall's Courtyard and North Broad section into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market. Christmas Village returns for its 15th season, running from November 24 to December 24, 2022 with a preview weekend on Saturday, November 19th to Sunday, November 20th. Follow the smell of German gingerbread and Swiss raclette cheese to Philadelphia’s largest holiday attraction! Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with tens of thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations, live music, and multiple children’s activities. Attractions this year include a double-decker Christmas Village Carousel, Ferris Wheel, and Kids Train. Get ready to shop for high-quality international and local gifts and decorations. Warm up with a glass of warm Glühwein (mulled wine) or a variety of spiked beverages featuring Boardroom Spirits. The whole family can indulge in non-alcoholic offerings, like deluxe hot chocolate and fresh pressed apple cider. Keep an eye out for the return of the German American Weekend on December 3rd and 4th and other themed weekends, plus wine and spirits tasting events. Feel the Christmas spirit thanks to open-air outdoor seating, endless food options, and even more decorations! Plus, Santa always has a surprise up his sleeve – stay tuned for new additions and all new huts in LOVE Park. Admission is always free, while food, beverages, and shopping are pay-as-you-go.

October 10, 2022

Philadelphia Zoo Lights Up Million Holiday Lights for LumiNature

October 10, 2022/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo’s dazzling winter light show experience is back! LumiNature returns for another season of breathtaking sights, sounds and surprises from Thursday, November 17, 2022 to Saturday, January 7, 2023. With more than a million twinkling lights across 14 one-of-a-kind artistically illuminated zones, LumiNature is sure to wow adults and children alike as they take a magical journey celebrating the wonder of wildlife and the beauty of our planet during the holiday season. Highlights will include a brand new Penguin Prismatic show featuring a 40 ft. tall penguin, plus a new coral and under the sea holiday tree, a new 15 foot tall glowing blue gorilla, 100 ft-long aquarium tunnel, enormous jellyfish, a 21-feet tall brilliant colored snake, hundreds of illuminated penguins, giant cat eyes glowing in the dark of night, a 22-feet-tall Butterfly Tree, a Wilderness Express Train, and a 25-foot tree made entirely of lit flamingo lawn ornaments. LumiNature is a nighttime experience, with timed entrance tickets available every half hour from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. All guests must pre-purchase timed-tickets at philadelphiazoo.org/luminature.