At first glance, the elaborate cakes that come out of Whipped Bakeshop in Fishtown are too extraordinary to eat. But when you finally do cut into your custom creation, you'll find that it tastes just as brilliant as it looks. Most of baker Zoë Luka's highly detailed cakes and hand-painted cookies are incredibly realistic. Ask for anything - Lukas will try to make it happen.
The bakeshop is right in the heart of Fishtown on Belgrade Street at Berks. It's only open to the public on Saturdays from 10-6pm, to dole out luscious cupcakes to those lucky enough to happen by. The rest of the week, Lukas and staff are hard at work in the kitchen preparing orders for weddings, birthdays, and all types of events. They're always whipping up something daring and challenging, and you can follow along on the Whipped blog, Twitter, or Flickr to be dazzled by the results. Her famous LOVE cookies are available in a variety of colors and she's even done a LOVE sculpture cake, Star Wars cookies, and a sushi cake. For the opening of the bakery last year, they made a cake shaped like the store building to celebrate. If you're interested in something way outside the box, this is the baker for you.
What a fun place to work at, right? Inside, there's a whimsical chandelier from Bahdeebahdu,and colorful stripes along the walls, with a custom cupcake gate outside. We can't think of a sweeter addition to Fishtown.
"Free is sure delicious!" Harry Howe uttered through a mouthful of food and a very satisfied grin.
Harry, who works at Bernard's Signs in Old Kensington, is a regular at Murph's Bar. Even the other regulars call him "a fixture". It was our first time at Murph's, and we had just met Harry who was sitting at the long bar partaking in the free food being served that night. We chatted with Harry about the old days in Fishtown as we watched him eat the most delicious looking vegetarian dish made with baked eggplant patties, layered several times over with fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, spinach, and drizzled with a mouthwatering balsamic and honey reduction.
Then Mike Engler stole our attention by graciously offering us some of his crispy baked french fries, lightly seasoned with Old Bay and insanely delicious. Who can say no to guilt-free fries? Mike is a professional Horse and Carriage Rider for the stable in Northern Liberties. He was filmed and televised on the Dr. Phil Show as the romantic rider for the Marriage Carriage episode. We were thrilled to be sharing fries with someone so famous. We were starting to get very hungry watching everyone enjoying the new food selections that will be served now every day at Murph's. Beth Colfer, a very hip and pretty bartender, who has been working the Wednesday night crowd at Murph's for years, told us that people were so excited for the new menu. She waived us over to taste a slice of the shrimp scampi pizza where we met the one and only "Black-out Sundays" bartender Kevin Bonner. Apparently, Sundays with bartender Kevin are so much fun, you might not remember! Kevin was digging an ice cold beer on tap and his favorite, the Beef Brisket sandwich that melts in your mouth. We hear that the 22-hour roasted pork sandwiches on homemade rolls are darn tasty, too.
We had never been to Murph's Bar, located in Fishtown on 220 E Girard Ave, but we heard the news about the new goings on and popped by for the specific purpose of sampling some of the new bar food menu that Chef Charlie Philips was cooking up. Charlie, with a classical French and Italian background, an executive chef for the last 17 years, is a trained pastry chef and he definitely knows his way around a kitchen. As rumor has it, the owner Greg Walton, simply woke up one day and decided to toss the greasy old fryer (nicknamed heart attack) in exchange for a state of the art cooking facility, a trained cook staff, and a variety of scrumptious comfort foods that are lean on the wallet and the waist. Brilliant! The full menu started this past Friday and includes lunch and dinner, specialized vegetarian dishes, gourmet salads and super fresh rolls which are all baked daily.
There is a lot more on the menu but if you want to know more, go stop by for a taste and a beer. Maybe you'll be lucky like us and meet some of the cool regulars, a fixture or two, or even someone famous! That is, if you can you take your eyes off of your plate for a second!! If you go on Wednesday, it is piano bar night and the weekends have live entertainment. I know one thing is for sure - we will be going to Murph's Bar more often, both to hang out and to enjoy a delicious meal!
This article was first published in the Spirit newspaper.
There is a stunning full bath on the first floor (convenient for overnight guests) and on the lower level where there is the 1 bedroom suite with laundry area.
Areas of specialty include: Northern Liberties, Old City, Center City, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Art Museum, Queen Village, Pennsport, Old Kensington, Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Society Hill, Loft District, Spring Garden and more !
But on top of that, whenever I walk into 3rd Federal Bank, the folks are always friendly and fun. I really feel at home versus some of the other banks I have used in the past. When Stephanie and I popped in yesterday, Led Zeppelin was playing on the radio. The time before it was the Foo Fighters ! How cool is that ? Definitely not your ordinary bank ! On top of that, there is exposed brick and great art work by a local artist in Northern Liberties. Below are a couple of photos of the branch right on N 2nd St in Northern Liberties:
One of the most important factors in turning Philadelphia into a more sustainable city is our building codes. Attend PlanPhilly's forum, Cracking The Code: How 21st Century Building Codes Will Make Or Break Our Communities, on March 18 for more information on how these essential codes can influence the shape of our city in years to come. Zoning codes decide what goes where and how it is built. As time passes and the world changes, some of these codes need to be adjusted to ensure a better future. Find out what zoning reform efforts are being made in your community.
Speakers include:
Fran Burns: Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections, City of Philadelphia
Maureen Gutman: Executive Director, the Governor’s Green Government Council, State of Pennsylvania; Committee Member, International Green Codes Council
Patrick McDonald: Owner and Co-Founder, Onion Flats
Don Elliot: Senior Consultant, Clarion Associates
The free event, at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, runs from 6-8:30pm. Please register if you plan on attending.
West Oak Lane is a Northwest neighborhood composed of tree-lined streets. It is close to East Mount Airy, East Germantown, East Oak Lane, and Fern Rock. Large, distinct homes with tree-lined streets give West Oak Lane a look and feel all its own. Every summer, the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival draws many music-lovers and players. La Salle University is nearby.
Time for a new sofa? Moving into a new place or even adapting to a more modern interior can call for upgraded seating that fits the look. Maybe you're transitioning from a minimalist approach to something that's more cozy. There are plenty of options in Philadelphia for all of your settee-shopping needs.
We like Minima in Old City for all things mod and cutting edge. The name says it all. We can see this Showtime sofa from Barcelona Design in the single modernista's airy loft.
Showtime Sofa from Barcelona Design
Cole Sofa from HOST
For something that's more warm and inviting, the Cole Sofa at HOST Philadelphia can be customized in over 1000 fabrics and is available in a four-seat size. You can really make this sofa your own and have it match the rest of your furniture. There are so many choices at HOST, if you're looking for seating that you can really sink into.
Frank Lloyd Wright sofa from DWR
Couchoid from Blu Dot
Your plan is to make a real investment, a couch that stands on its own as a real work of art? Head over to Design Within Reach in Rittenhouse Square. The caramel leather Frank Lloyd Wright sofa (originally designed in 1912) is back in production there. Scope the many classic options at DWR, long-lasting designs that leave a real impression.
The aptly named Philadelphia sofa by Matthew Izzo is just one of the many selections you can order from the edgy fashion boutique in Old City. Izzo also stocks a variety of contemporary GUS sofas in vinyl upholstery or the super cool leather alternative Couchoid from Blu Dot. It's worth checking out Fosters down the street for similar designs.
Bolla Sofa from CB2
On a budget? We recommend shopping at CB2 online, where you can snag a fun loveseat, sectional pieces, or this hip, tweed sofa for under $1,000.
Unit 7 is a unique and exquisitely tasteful interior corner flat w/ 12'+ ceilings. This 2nd floor unit includes GARAGE PARKING, a walk out deck and interior views of the European style interior Atrium.
The interior has:
an open floor plan
master bedroom
pristine Brazilian hardwood floors
giant exposed timber beams
a loft level that can double as the guest bedroom or live/work space
Designer lighting, Pella windows and doors, double stacked custom cabinetry, the finest quality hardware, and a tantalizing variety of textures and finishings are all STANDARD in this unit!
Even the common areas have expertly polished concrete floors and walls lined with bright modern fixtures and art, an interior garden atrium with 20' ceilings. There is a 10 year tax abatement and low condo fees. High efficiency HVAC.
Areas of specialty include: Northern Liberties, Old City, Center City, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Art Museum, Queen Village, Pennsport, Old Kensington, Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Society Hill, Loft District, Spring Garden and more !