April 05, 2024

Grand Opening: New Brunch Cafe Expands to Philly with Smoked Lattes, Tempura Fried Scrapple and Tons of Heart

April 05, 2024/ Almost Home General/ Kory Aversa

One of New Jersey's most popular brunch hot spots and coffee shops will make its grand debut in Old City Philadelphia starting next week. Robert Doran and partners Glu Hospitality present the grand opening of Almost Home General at 205 Race Street, in the former home of United by Blue, at the base of Bridge on Race apartments. Almost Home brings Old City District, a brand new breakfast, lunch and brunch cafe and coffee shop that offers unique and fun coffee and food paired with amazing customer service, priority on local ingredients and small businesses, and a welcome and ‘almost home’ vibe. The spacious and lofty 3,000 square foot space features seating for 60 guests.

August 12, 2022

Philly Sushi Whisperer Chef Kevin Yanaga and Glu Hospitality Debut Omakase by Yanaga in Fishtown

August 12, 2022/ Omakase by Yanaga/ Lexie Fleege

Philly's Sushi Whisperer Kevin Yanaga and Glu Hospitality announce the grand opening of Omakase by Yanaga in Fishtown at 1832 Frankford Avenue. Omakase is a Japanese cuisine style “menu” that is completely left in the hands of the Chef. Chef Yanaga will be preparing his Kaiseki style Omakase, in the intimate and exclusive eight-seat dining area attached to the already existing Izakaya by Yanaga restaurant. Through the discrete double doors to the back of Izakaya, each guest will enter a unique tasting room where they will sit facing Chef around a custom sushi bar, where Chef will perform his culinary craft nightly. Every diner will spend the 90 minute experience with the Chef watching his artistry, sharing stories and learning about the dishes. All 25 courses served will be specially selected by Yanaga. No two experiences are ever the same. Alongside the exclusive dining experience, sake and wine pairings tailored to the experience will be offered, as well as tea service and unique cocktails. Omakase by Yanaga is open Thursday through Saturday, with seatings at 6:00pm and 8:30pm. Reservations are required in advance.

January 17, 2022

Chef Jose Garces Announces Two New Locations for Buena Onda Coming to Philadelphia and the Main Line

January 17, 2022/ Buena Onda/ Kory Aversa

Iron Chef Jose Garces announces the expansion of Buena Onda across the region with two new locations coming to Center City Philadelphia and the Main Line. Buena Onda is Chef's famed taqueria that is inspired by the spirit and good vibes of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. The new locations will open in early to late spring in the Rittenhouse neighborhood, at 114 S. 20th Street, and in Radnor, at 200 Radnor Chester Rd. Each new location will offer Buena's signature dishes such as environmentally conscious seafood tacos, classic tacos, Buena bowls, nachos, guacamole, chips and salsa, rice and beans, churros and many other offerings. Garces fans can also pair their favorite dishes with drinks that will include margaritas (classic, baja, frozen and seasonal), beer, wine, sangria, sodas and more.

November 17, 2021

Craftsman Row Saloon Debuts Christmas Pop-up with Crazy Shakes and Festive Vibes

November 17, 2021/ Craftsman Row Saloon/ Guest User

Craftsman Row Saloon, at 112 S. 8th Street, announces the debut of their annual Christmas Pop-up that is bigger, brighter and has even more bling for the 2021 season. The Jewelers' Row restaurant and bar is known as Philadelphia's most festive sit-down restaurant. After a break in 2020 due to the pandemic, owners and operators brother sister duo George and Vasiliki Tsiouris are thrilled to welcome back all the holiday merry-makers into the Christmas wonderland that features over 5,000 feet of garland, thousands of twinkling lights, thousands of sparkling, shiny and colorful ornaments, hundreds of vintage and unique tree trimmings, hundreds of bows, stockings, santas, and of course an Elf on the Shelf hidden among the festive decor. Along with the floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall transformation, look for giant signature over-the-top holiday milkshakes like Ugly Sweater with eggnog, crushed gingerbread cookies, holiday m&m and sprinkle rim, gingerbread sandwich, holiday marshmallow peep, rock candy, and Pumpkin to Talk About Milkshake with pumpkin pie and munchin, edible leaves and caramel drizzle.

November 15, 2021

Oldestone Restaurant Makes Grand Debut In New Hope's Former Home Of Marsha Brown's

November 15, 2021/ Oldestone/ Guest User

Owners Wilfer Naranjo, Michael Sklar, Gaspar Ferrara and Vincent Ferrara announce the grand opening of Oldestone restaurant at 15 S. Main Street, New Hope, in the internationally recognized 1872 old stone church. The space was the former home of Marsha Brown's restaurant, which closed at the start of the pandemic. Marsha Brown herself passed the baton and her legacy to the new owners, that include Naranjo who worked for her in 2003 as a food runner. Naranjo's story comes full circle from food runner to restaurant owner, as he and the new owners debut their new concept for the iconic space. Oldestone is an elegant and refined steak and seafood restaurant, featuring New American Cuisine by Executive Chef Seth Wheeler. Oldestone will also feature several signature creole dishes from Marsha Brown's recipe collection. The 9,000 square foot space features a main bar, lounge and private dining room on the first floor, a grand dining room on the second level, and a third level in the former balcony overlooking the dining room that is now a speakeasy, bar and lounge with a stage for live music.

November 11, 2021

Flight On Ice Heads To Delaware County With Festive Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

November 11, 2021/ Flight On Ice/ Guest User

Flight on Ice is gliding into Delaware County with a giant outdoor ice skating rink and winter village that will pop-up in Newtown Square. Four Philadelphia region business partners and friends are bringing a festive winter village to Delaware County, in an area next to Bonefish Grill, at 4889 West Chester Pike. Flight on Ice will bring with it ice skating, festive lighting and decor, light dining, hot cocoa, special events and lots of outdoor fun. This brand-new, full-sized ice rink will debut just in time for the holiday season, and it will run through at least February of 2022. Break out those mittens, sweaters and scarves, and get ready to lace up your skates! All ages and experience levels are welcome. There will also be plenty of fun for those that don’t skate but who want to come out with their friends and family. Additional details, and a roster of special events, and individual ticket sales will be posted in late November after Thanksgiving. In the meantime, season passes are now on sale for $99.99 and family four session passes are on sale for $39.99.

October 12, 2021

Figo Ristorante and Figo Pizzeria to Debut in Northern Liberties by Glu Hospitality

October 12, 2021/ Figo Ristorante and Figo Pizzeria/ Guest User

Glu Hospitality and partners Derek Gibbons and Tim Lu announce the grand opening of Figo Ristorante and Figo Pizzeria this Friday, October 15th at 1033 N. 2nd Street. The two side-by-side restaurants will debut in the heart of the Northern Liberties Restaurant Row, in the former home of Darling's Diner and Wahlburgers, next to the Piazza. When opened, Figo will be the largest restaurant in the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, offering nearly 10,000 square feet of space and 250+ seats. Figo Ristorante will be a full service restaurant, kitchen, bar and outdoor patio offering Italian cuisine by Chef Hee "Chino" Chang, with craft cocktails, espresso martini flights, Italian soda flights, two dozen taps, and over two dozen wines by the glass, bottle and flight. Opening services will include dinner, indoor dining, outdoor dining, delivery and take-out, with late night, happy hour and brunch service to be launched later in the fall. Next door, at the North end of the property, Figo Pizzeria will offer pizza pies and stuffed hoagies with lunch, mid-day and dinner service, with cafe seating outside and take-out/pick-up and delivery.

September 30, 2021

The Story Brings Stunning New Coffee Shop and Bookstore to Downtown Ardmore

September 30, 2021/ Ardmore Initiative/ Guest User

Continuing the explosion of new businesses opening in Ardmore, downtown now welcomes The Story – a coffee shop and bookstore located at 45 E. Lancaster Avenue. Most recently, the building was the 843 VFW outpost, where it served veterans in the Ardmore area for over 30 years. Owners have taken the former outpost and renovated it with thrifted, repurposed and donated decor that all hold hundreds of years of history - including the 1893 Schomacker & Co. piano, the circa 1923 bar chairs, the custom lion-head bar from a local mansion, the book wall with chapters unfolding above the plush vintage lounger - and the feature wall designed and hand-papered by Carissa Robinson from Creator Studio in Philly.

September 13, 2021

Ancient Spirits And Grille Opens In Philadelphia As America's First Herbal Restaurant and Bar

September 13, 2021/ Ancient Spirits and Grille/ Guest User

Owners and lifelong friends Syam Namballa and Mahi Reddy announce the grand opening of America's first Ayurvedic herbal restaurant and cocktail lounge right here in Center City, Philadelphia. Ancient Spirits and Grille will officially open its doors at 1726 Chestnut Street on Friday, September 17th, with a special grand opening party from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The three-story, 7,000 square feet, 150-seat dining destination offers contemporary European cuisine inspired by Auyervedic and herbal elements. The service and chef-driven concept highlights organic and herbal-based offerings with the beloved Executive Chef Chris Tavares formerly of Davio’s. The menu will feature creative and beautifully presented dishes with ample vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Guests are invited to take a short survey on their phones that creates a special customized menu based on body type and metabolic energy.

August 30, 2021

Philly's Sushi Whisperer Kevin Yanaga Debuts Izakaya by Yanaga in Fishtown

August 30, 2021/ Izakaya by Yanaga/ Guest User

Glu Hospitality and Philly's Sushi Whisperer Kevin Yanaga announce the opening of Izakaya by Yanaga in Fishtown at 1832 Frankford Avenue. Yanaga brings over 10 years of experience in the the top sushi restaurants in the region, including at Izakaya at Borgata, Double Knot, Pod, Morimoto and Zama. After working with Stephen Starr, Michael Schulson and some of the biggest names in the business, Yanaga will now open his very first restaurant as Executive Chef and Partner. For his first outing, Yanaga will debut two concepts under one roof. Izakaya by Yanaga will open first just in time for fall dining season, followed by chef's tasting room Omakase by Yanaga in late fall. Izakaya will open for a Labor Day Weekend preview on Thursday, September 2 to Saturday, September 4, 2021, from 5:00pm to 10:00pm nightly.