5,000 Guests Expected at Diner en Blanc Philadelphia on August 18, 2016

5,000 Guests Expected at Diner en Blanc Philadelphia on August 18, 2016

From global phenomenon to highly sought-after “secret,” Dîner en Blanc returns to Philadelphia on Thursday, August 18, 2016 for an unforgettable evening filled with food, wine, fashion, culture and music. In honor of the event’s fifth anniversary, the très chic picnic will expand to 5,000 guests in 2016, tying New York City as the largest in America. Dressed in white from head to toe, attendees will celebrate and re-purpose an unexpected public space that is revealed only moments before the event begins. Past locations have included Logan Circle, JFK Bridge, Avenue of the Arts and The Navy Yard. Where will Diner en Blanc Philadelphia pop-up in 2016? Stay tuned for the biggest secret of the summer!

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Chef Luke Palladino Debuts New Pop-Up Restaurant at Valley Forge Casino Resort

Chef Luke Palladino Debuts New Pop-Up Restaurant at Valley Forge Casino Resort

Chef Luke Palladino debuts his second restaurant, Fianco, in time for summer.  Chef’s second culinary endeavor at Valley Forge Casino Resort is timed to open just for the region's summer season, which also sees the opening of Valley Beach Poolside Club.

The comfortable and intimate dining spot will not only showcase Chef Palladino’s modern seasonal Italian favorites, it also features his new interpretations of more classic Italian-American fare. Fianco shares a bar with LP Steak and includes a selection of California and Italian wines, as well as new cocktails designed specifically to pair with the chef's Italian cuisine.
 

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Chef Luke Palladino Hosts Easter Brunch at Palladino's, LP Steak and Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking

Chef Luke Palladino Hosts Easter Brunch at Palladino's, LP Steak and Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking

From the Main Line to the Jersey shore to the top 10 foodie street in America, Chef Luke Palladino announces special Easter Sunday offerings at LP Steak, Palladino’s on Passyunk and Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking. A pioneer of South Jersey’s farm-to-table movement, Palladino will serve up inventive seasonal selections that showcase the early flavors of spring. On top of seasonal specials, look for family recipes, long-time signature dishes and other crowd pleasers. Other special happenings for Easter Sunday will include cocktail specials and additions, extended hours, and the debut of an Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet at LP Steak. Menus, specials, hours and other details are outlined below for each property. For more about brunch or any of the three restaurants, visit www.lukepalladino.com.

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Palladino's on East Passyunk Launches Free Bar Bites During New Late Night Happy Hour

Palladino's on East Passyunk Launches Free Bar Bites During New Late Night Happy Hour

Chef Luke Palladino puts his Northern Italian spin on bar snacks starting tomorrow at Palladino's during Late Night Happy Hour features complimentary bar bites, drink specials and half off his "Best of Philly" Focaccia di Recco.  Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 10:00pm to Midnight, look for complimentary bites from the kitchen, along with drink and other food specials for the late night East Passyunk crowd. Late Night at Palladino's will also cater to the industry crowd who spent all day working in neighboring kitchens and dining rooms. 

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Celebrate Valentine's Day and Weekend in Philadelphia with Heart-Shaped Pizza, Sunday Brunch, Special Cocktails and More

Love is in the food in Philadelphia this Valentine's Weekend! Aversa PR clients present 11 unique menus, parties and events to celebrate Valentine's Day and Weekend for 2016. 

Slice, Valentine's Day, Heart Shaped Pizza, Heart Pizza, South Philadelphia, Aversa pR

1) SliCE
Rittenhouse (1740 Sansom Street, 215-557-9299)
South Philadelphia (1180 S. 10th Street, 215-463-0868)
Washington Township (137 Egg Harbor Road, 856-302-5099)


HEART-SHAPED PIZZA-GRAMS AND CONTEST

This Valentine’s Day, love is in the pizza!  Say “be mine” with a specially delivered heart-shaped pizza-gram from SliCE.  Customize your pie with his/her favorite toppings or select one of SliCE’s signature pie combinations.  As a bonus, SliCE will surprise one lucky pizza-gram delivery recipient with a Passyunk-made silver LOVE necklace from Sermania Jewelry (1719 East Passyunk). Sermania’s made-on-Passyunk collection pays homage to Philadelphia’s famous LOVE statue. The winner will be drawn at random based on delivery orders on Sunday, February 14, 2016. Heart-shaped pies are the same price as a traditional pies and are available at all three SliCE locations. Heart-shaped pies are also available for dine-in and take-out, but the jewelry contest is valid on delivery only.

For more information about SliCE or to place an order, call the location directly, visit www.slicepa.com, follow @slicepa on Twitter and like “SliCE” on Facebook.

The Little Lion, Old City, Aversa PR, cocktails, valentine's day, coctail pairings, champagne

2) The Little Lion
243 Chestnut Street (3rd and Chestnut)
(267) 273-0688

3 COURSES AND CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL PAIRING

The Little Lion in Old City celebrates its first Valentine’s Weekend with a special three course, three champagne cocktail pairing for $45.00 per person. Selections include menu favorites as well as some special new dishes. The standard a la carte menu is also available.

1st Course: (Select one)
(Paired with Lemon Fizz: lemon shrub, mint, champagne)


Macaroni & Cheese: stewed tomato
Farmers Cheese: grilled bread, local honey
Oysters: raw, fried, or grilled: peach mignonette, house cocktail
Charred Brussels Sprouts: lardons, sherry vinegar
Kale Caesar: cornbread croutons, grana padano, baby kale, roasted garlic caesar

2nd Course: (Select one)
(Paired with Raspberry Crush: raspberry shrub, sparkling pinot noir, apricot brandy)

Prime Rib: truffle mash, whiskey jus, crispy onions
Kale Pesto Pasta: orecchiette, farmers cheese, cauliflower “steak”, crispy kale chips, roasted tomato
Shrimp & Grits:  tasso ham gravy, sharp cheddar grits, gulf coast shrimp
Blackened Catfish: crawfish cream sauce, succotash, broken rice grits
Fried Chicken: jalapeno cheddar cream cheese hot cake, local honey, sour slaw

3rd Course: (Select one)
(Paired with Blood Orange: blood orange shrub, blood orange vodka, orange juice, champagne)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cornbread Pudding: Chantilly cream, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce
Chocolate Mud Jar: chocolate pudding, cookie crumble, Chantilly cream
Blueberry Cobbler: brown butter gelato
Lemon Custard Crème Brulee: burnt sugar crust

3) Palladino’s on Passyunk
1934 East Passyunk
(267) 928-4339

VALENTINE'S WEEKEND ADDITIONS
(Friday, February 12, 2016 to Sunday, February 14, 2016)

Wine and Cocktails:
Segura Viudas Rose Cava. $11
12 Mile Limit - rye whiskey, brandy, white rum, house made grenadine, lemon juice. $12

Antipasti:
Scallop Crudo - fennel soubise, blood orange, golden caviar. $19

Pasta:
Capellini Lobster Bolognese "In Brodo" - chilies, garlic roasted tomatoes, tarragon, sunchoke gremolata. $32

Main Plate:
Filet Mignon & King Crab - grilled filet, butter poached king crab, red pepper marmellata zabaglione. $59

Dolci:
White Chocolate Mousse - passion fruit composta . $11
Chocolate-Caramel Torta - flaked sea salt, blood orange crema. $12

VALENTINE'S SUNDAY BRUNCH ADDITIONS

Main Plates:
Maine Lobster Poached Eggs - red pepper - prosecco hollandaise, sweet potato latkes. $32
Filet & King Crab Omelet - stracchino cheese, fine herbs, roasted tomato hollandaise. $35

Dolci:
White Chocolate Mousse - passion fruit composta . $11
Chocolate-Caramel Torta - flaked sea salt, blood orange crema. $12

The standard a la carte menu will also be available. For reservations, visit Open Table or call (267) 928-4339.

4) LP Steak
1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia
Valley Forge Casino Resort
610-768-5003

THREE COURSE WITH PROSECCO MENU

Enjoy a romantic experience designed by Chef Luke Palladino with three-courses and a complimentary glass of prosecco for $85.00 per person. Available Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14, 2016. The standard a la carte menu will also be available.


Appetizer Course: (Select one)

KOBE BEEF TARTARE -
parmesan potato skins • black truffle hollandaise

SMOKED SCALLOPS
fine herb crème fraiche & caviar

SEARED FOIE GRAS
amarena cherries • brioche toast

Main: (Select one)
STRIPED BASS BOUILLABAISSE
with shrimp • clams fennel • & saffron in papillote

VEAL TENDERLOIN
white puree • maitake mushroom bordelaise sauce

FILET MIGNON
truffle madeira sauce

8OZ. KOBE RIBEYE
supplement $45

Dessert: (Select one)
CHOCOLATE CHAMBORD CAKE
raspberry glaze, raspberry infused dark chocolate mousse • devil’s food cake

GRAND MARNIER & DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Special Cocktails:

“ROSE MALLOW”
absolut hibiscus | cherry liqueur
orange & lime juice

“TRUTH SERUM”
glenfiddich | luxardo maraschino
patron café incendio | lime
orange & jerry thomas bitters

5) Valley Tavern
1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia
Valley Forge Casino Resort
610-768-5004

Valley Tavern offers a casual, last-minute and tasty option for couples with three-courses (with a complimentary glass of champagne) for $70 per couple on Saturday, February 13, 2016 and Sunday, February 14, 2016.

Course 1: (Select one)
Caprese Salad
Classic Caesar

Course 2: (Select one)
Grilled Filet Mignon with Roast Portobello Sauce Béarnaise
Stuffed Flounder with Crab Imperial Limoncello Sauce

Course 3:
Impossible Flan

6)  The Vault
1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia
Valley Forge Casino Resort
610-768-5004 - is this right?

STEEL CITY STUDS REVUE
Friday, February 12, 2016
8:00pm to 9:30pm

This action packed Magic Mike style male strip show consists of six gorgeous male strippers in a 90-minute choreographed male revue. Tickets are $25.00 on Ticketmaster or www.vfcasino.com.

CUPID IS STUPID ANTI-VALENTINE'S PARTY
Friday, February 12, 2016
Starts 9:30pm

Who needs a Valentine when you can boycott Valentine's Day at The Vault. On Friday, February 12th, from 9:30pm to 2:00am, celebrate the single life at the best anti-Valentine's Day party of the season. The party is free when you RSVP ahead of time at upcomingevents.com. RSVP includes one complimentary drink or beer, a light food buffet, Fireball and JD McGillicuddy’s drink specials from 11:00pm to 1:00am, beats from DJ Reed Streets, prizes and giveaways, and tons of singles to mix and mingle with.

 

7) P’unk Burger
1823 East Passyunk Avenue
(215) 468-7865

FREE SHAKE GIVEAWAY PLUS ADDITIONS

Last year, on Valentine's Weekend, Marlo and Jason Dilks (also owners of SliCE) opened East Passyunk's organic burger, fries and shake BYO. One year later, the couple celebrate their first year in business by partnering with Sweet Box Cupcakes (339 S. 13th Street) for a free shake giveaway! Kick-off the weekend from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Friday, February 12, 2016 with a free boozy Red Velvet Raspberry Spodee cake shake, or a birthday cake shake. On Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2016, enjoy special shake features (like Little Baby’s Box of Chocolate), the new Alpine burger and other surprises for young couples and families.

 

8) Me N Mo Meatballs and More
214 South Street
267-928-3262

FOUR COURSE DINNER

South Street’s romantic Me N Mo will feature a four-course dinner for two for $75 per couple, or $85 per couple with glass of champagne. Tax and gratuity not included. Valid February 9, 2016 through February 14, 2016.

Course 1: (Select one)  
Lobster bisque
Shrimp cocktail
Beef Carpaccio

Course 2: (Select one)
Lobster ravioli in a blush sauce
Pappardella in a wild boar ragu
Bowtie pasta w broccoli rabe and four cheese

Course 3: (Select one)
Branzino, served with old fashioned mashed potatoes and sautéed escarole
Rack of lamb in a Barolo red wine reduction, hints of rosemary, served with Yukon gold potatoes, broccoli rabe
Pork osso buco oven baked, served over carrots and potatoes in a tantalizing broth

Course 4: (Select one)
Dark chocolate covered strawberries
Tiramisu
Limoncello, mascarpone cake

9) Taproom on 19th
2400 S. 19th Street (19th and Ritner)
(267) 687-7817

MENU ADDITIONS

Taproom on 19th is the perfect spot for those who want to celebrate but don’t want the hassle of reservations. In addition to the regular menu, enjoy special features including Filet Medallions with Sauteed Mushrooms and Port Wine Reduction for $18.00, Sauteed Striped Bass with Crispy Potatoes and Asparagus Puree for $16.00. Look for other specials over the weekend, and don’t forget to pair with the extensive selection of craft beers. No reservations required.

10) ELA
627 S 3rd Street
(267) 687-8512

Ela offers three great options to celebrate Valentine’s Weekend - Prix Fixe Dinners, Valentine’s To-Go and Valentine’s Sunday Brunch.

Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu will be offered from Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14, 2016. Four courses for $65 per person with optional wine pairing, or six courses for $100 per per person with bottle of sparkling wine included.

A special Valentine’s to-go option is also available - three courses for two for $100 with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. Chef will prepare your meal and all you have to do is reheat and hide the evidence!

Enjoy a special two-course prix fixe brunch menu for $25.00 per person (with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary included) from 10:30am to 2:30pm on Valentine’s Sunday.

All menus are available at elaphilly.com.

11) Society Hill Dance Academy
409 S. 2nd Street
(215) 574-3574

DANCES OF LOVE

Society Hill Dance Academy presents their 12th year of “Dances of Love.” Pair your Valentine’s Day dinner on Sunday, February 14, 2016 in South Street Headhouse District with a special one-hour lesson in Rumba or Tango. Times are 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm and 9:00pm. Cost is $40.00 per person. Space is limited, call (215) 574-3574 to reserve. 

 

75+ Philadelphia Restaurants Help Local Charities During City-Wide Food Fest Restaurant Crawl

75+ Philadelphia Restaurants Help Local Charities During City-Wide Food Fest Restaurant Crawl

Over 75 restaurants in 24 of Philadelphia’s top neighborhoods will offer discounted small bites and make a donation to three local charities during their greatest time of need. Philly2Night.com and UpcomingEvents.com, with support from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, present Food Fest 2015, a city-wide Philadelphia restaurant crawl & food drive on Saturday, November 21, 2015, from Noon to 8:00pm. Ticket holders are invited to visit new restaurants around town, or stop by long-time favorites, while savoring discounted small-bite foods and enjoying drink specials. Tickets are free but participants can make an extra difference by purchasing a special $10 donation option. All guests are strongly encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to drop at 25 drop-off sites. Charity beneficiaries for this year include Philabundance, The Food Trust and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. For more information and for tickets, visit http://www.foodfest.org

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Valley Forge Casino Resort Hosts Queen of Southern Cuisine Paula Deen as Part of Taste Philadelphia Festival

Valley Forge Casino Resort Hosts Queen of Southern Cuisine Paula Deen as Part of Taste Philadelphia Festival

Valley Forge Casino Resort will host Queen of Southern Cuisine Paula Deen for the 17th Annual Philadelphia Festival of Food, Wine and Spirits on October 16-18, 2015. Deen has lost over 40 pounds and will share her favorite recipes lightened up on stage for two demonstrations on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Recipes will come from her soon-to-be-released 15th cookbook, entitled Paula Deen Cuts the Fat. Deen joins over two dozen other top chefs from the region and country including Chef Nicholas Elmi (Top Chef) and Nicole Gaffney (Food Network Star). Deen’s demonstration is sponsored directly by Valley Forge Casino Resort. Tickets are on sale now at www.vfcasino.com.

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Chef Luke Palladino Cebrates Squash Blossom Season with Complimentary Fiori Di Zucca

Squash blossoms are in bloom! In celebration of the delicate flower’s return, Chef Luke Palladino presents two opportunities to enjoy complimentary samples of Fiori di Zucca at Palladino's on Passyunk (1934 East Passyunk) and Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking (199 New Road, Central Square, Linwood, NJ). 

Palladino's, Luke Palladino, Chef, Squash Blossoms, East Passyunk, Passyunk, Linwood, Aversa PR

Fiori di Zucca, which features locally sourced squash blossoms, is stuffed with sweet corn, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmigiano reggiano, tempura fried and tossed with parmigiano reggiano, chives and parsley. 

"Fiori di Zucca is our most popular antipasto ever,” said Luke. “Italians have fond childhood memories of their Nonna making these in the kitchen. The batter is so light that the flavor of the flower itself really stands out.”

Fiori di Zucca is now back on the menu while supplies last at both restaurants ($12.00/order). Enjoy two opportunities to sample this must-try dish. Details are below: 

1) Palladino's on Passyunk 
Squash Blossom Happy Hour
(Reservations/info: 267-928-4339)

Starting today, through June 5, 2015, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, enjoy complimentary samples of Fiori di Zucca when you join chef for happy hour. As a special pairing, chef will also offer a complimentary taste of Limonata. 

Limonata is one of several new cocktails to debut on a new drink menu at Palladino's later in the month. This thirst-quenching cocktail features Limoncello, Bombay Gin, St. Germaine, lemon, simple syrup and club soda. 

2) Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking 
Annual Squash Blossom Party
(Reservations/info: 609-926-3030)

Celebrate the return of squash blossoms at the shore on Monday, June 8th. Dinner guests will receive a complimentary tasting of Fiori di Zucca AND a complimentary glass of prosecco. Available during dinner hours which are 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

ABOUT CHEF LUKE PALLADINO

Chef Luke Palladino is a graduate of the esteemed Culinary Institute of Aemrica (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY and spent many years living and cooking in Italy. From 1997 to 1999, Palladino was executive chef and partner at Venice’s internationally celebrated Ristorante al Covo. Prior to his time at al Covo, Chef Palladino immersed himself in the culture and cuisine of Italy’s varied regions, spending time at restaurants in Rome, Piemonte, Puglia, Fruili, Sicily and Tuscany.

In the United States, Chef Palladino has worked with some of the country’s most respected culinary talent, including Paul Bertolli Jeremiah Towers, Emeril Lagasse and Todd English. Currently, Chef Palladino owns and operates Luke Palladino Hospitality Group, Altantic City, NJ.