Who’s on 13th Street in Philadelphia?
What's to love about 13th Street? We can think of plenty, but it's nice to see that business owners Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran have turned it into a blog.
We Love 13th Street is the blog's name, and it lists all of the inspiring duo's restaurants and shops. They have quite a few, so it makes sense for them to promote their destinations with one big love letter. Shall we count the ways?
Bindi - The yummy modern Indian BYO that heats up 13th St with a Thali Tuesday special for carnivores and vegetarians.
Barbuzzo - Set to open any day now, this Mediterranean kitchen and bar will feature house-smoked meats and fresh pasta dishes.
Grocery - The charming takeaway shop has a multitude of gourmet products and healthy, creative options from their salad bar and hot food case. There is no reason to settle for leftovers with the quick grab and go dinners and desserts that make you feel like you're dining at one of Turney and Safran's restaurants. Even if you're parked out in front of your television watching Top Chef. Lolita's Mexican Tiramisu from the comfort of your home...
Lolita - Inspired Modern Mexican that is perfect for a date or for groups.
Open House - Our favorite place to admire cheese boards, furniture, and home goods. The choice selection of conversational pieces is careful, thoughtful, and always chic.
Verde - Home to Marcie Blaine Chocolates, this flower and gift shop should be on your list whenever you need a special touch or thank you. The chocolates are created with the flavors of Turney and Safran's restaurants and Philadelphia in mind. So if you want a La Colombe coffee-flavored whiskey chocolate? You got it. The Mango Lassi chocolate? It's yours. A Love Park printed raspberry ganache? That, too.
13th Street has been a lucky number for these successful hotspots. What do you love about 13th Street in Philadelphia?
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A Rosy Welcome for Almeidas Floral Designs
A woman emphatically handed me a single red rose last night at 12th and Spruce. What on earth was she doing? Promoting the grand opening of Almeidas Floral Designs.
One flower shop closes and another opens in the same exact storefront? It was meant to be.
Chartreuse, the former florist on the corner of 12th and Spruce, has moved to 1616 East Passyunk Avenue, where it keeps its colorful name next to Green Aisle Grocery.
Almeidas has moved in and on Tuesday night, they were giving away free rose stems with their business card attached. What a sweet-smelling way to say hello to your new neighbors and curious passersby, right?
Thanks for the rose, Almeidas, and welcome to Washington Square West.
Almeidas Floral Designs
1200 Spruce Street
215-545-5555
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A Lush Summer in Philadelphia: Center City Sips
Remember when you used to leave the office in time for happy hour? Now there's added enticement to get all of your work done on time, in the form of Center City Sips. The annual ode to happy hour is back with plenty of sips and bites to snag before 7 pm. Stay for dinner and receive a 15% discount.
You know the rules. The participating restaurants will feature special $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-priced appetizers every Wednesday from June 2 through August 25. This year, you can keep up with the deals via Twitter/CCDSips. They're already taunting us with deals. You can view the list of participating bars and restaurants and their special offerings at the CC Sips website.
Newcomer Cooperage in Washington Square West whips into the Sips fray with two inventive cocktails and all of their appetizers marked half off. The Johnny Be Good sounds like our summer drink.
Specials: Cooperage
Beer
Stella (Draught)
Miller Lite (bottled)
Wine
Shiraz
Pinot Grigio
Cocktails
Sangria Rose: Grapefruit & Rosemary infused Leblon, white wine & rosewater
Johnny Be Good: Pimms No.1, muddled citrus, cucumber, rhubarb bitters, ginger ale
Rittenhouse Square's Noble Cookery will be pouring quite nicely, with the rye whiskeyed LBJ, and the scrumptious chickpea fries that we love to dip in their housemade catsup.
Specials: Noble
Wine
Bridlewood Chardonnay, William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
Cocktails
The Ladybird: vodka, fresh squeezed lemon, simple syrup, clubsoda, Peychaud’s
The LBJ: rye whiskey, fresh squeezed lime, simple syrup, clubsoda, Angostura
Appetizers
Chickpea Fries, Fried Chicken Wings
Specials: Chifa
Chifa, in Washington Square West, is your ceviche chill spot. Get your Vitamin C with a lychee sangria.
Beer
Cusquena, Peruvian Lager
Cristal, Peruvian Pilsner
Wine
Terranoble, Sauvignon blanc
Terranoble, Cabernet Sauvignon
Cocktails
Lychee Sangria: crisp white wine, lychee, orange
Chicha Morada: spiced rum, Peruvian purple corn, fresh pineapple
Appetizers
Ecuadorian Ceviche: fresh shrimp, yellow tomato gel, avocado
Pork Belly Buns: grilled pork belly, hoisin glaze, pickled daikon & carrot, togarashi mayo
[photo: centercityphila.org]
Philadelphia Fish House Punch and Where to Find It
It all started with the Fish House Punch. While reading Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails by Ted Haigh, we learned a little more about the contents of Philly's original punch bowl. Grab a copy of the handy book for the recipe, but know that it involves a ton of rum and oddly, green tea. Members of the Schuylkill Fishing Company created the crowd-pleaser. According to Haigh, "a recipe as old as Fish House Punch, fervently slurped by the Father of Our Country, has inevitably gone through many fanciful formulations." However, you can still find the drink on the menus of cocktail bars like Village Whiskey, APO Lounge, and a variation at the Oyster House and the Franklin Bar.
At Village Whiskey in Rittenhouse Square, the Philly Fish House Punch combines peach brandy, cognac, dark rum, tea, lemon, and spiced sugar for a veritable punch of old-school flavor in a classy setting.
A few blocks away at the Franklin, the Flowing Bowl menu lists some punchy concoctions like Pass and Stow Punch, Professor's Punch with green chartreuse, and Passyunk Punch with aged rum and chai tea.
The Oyster House, also in Rittenhouse, has an Oyster House Punch, which separates itself from the Philly version with gin and sparkling wine.
And finally, APO Lounge in Washington Square West will serve up a Fish House Punch that will please a crowd, of brandy, peach cordial, rum, strong tea, and lemon.
You can always whip up your own at home with Esquire's recipe. Cheers!
[photo credit: Esquire.com]
One Hour in Washington Square West
Oh, Washington Square West. You're just a few short blocks of so many to-dos and never enough time.
Get a classic shave from Joe the Barber at Groom,where old school meets new. Cuts start at $20 and shaves are $35.
Groom, 1324 Locust St
Considering new glasses? Try on some bizarre specs at Modern Eye for a what-if moment. From the retro to the uber-geek to the ultra-modern, this eyewear retailer stocks some of the craziest bifocals we've seen, and you should take your time trying them all on before you make a final decision.
Modern Eye, 145 S. 13th St
Fresh bouquets, artisan chocolates, and home and garden supplies are all in stock at this modern flower shop. The sidewalk flowers at Verde will beckon you in and the case of assorted liquor, herb, and spice laced chocolates will keep you there for a few minutes. Pick up some gifts for your green thumbed friends and a truffle for a quick pick-me-up?
Verde 108 S. 13th St
Peruse the wine cellar at Garces Trading Co. for something special at the PLCB's first boutique wine shop. And while you're at it, might as well pick up a bag of Garces brand coffee and some house-baked bread.
Garces Trading Co., 1111 Locust St
And let's not forget about Washington Square, land of R&R and zen squirrels. If you've got one hour and a busy day ahead, the best way to recharge is a relaxing visit to the square itself.
Washington Square, Walnut between 6th and 7th
If your one hour happens to be happy hour? Spend it on the rooftop lounge at APO with a Matcha Fizz (gin; shochu (distilled Japanese liquor); lemon; local honey; matcha (very concentrated Japanese green tea); finished with egg white foam and sage).
APO, 102 S. 13th St
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Washington Square: R&R and Zen Squirrels
Washington Square: R&R and Zen Squirrels
What's so amazing about Washington Square? For one thing, it's unlike the other squares, which tend to be extremely crowded on beautiful days. That's nice if you want to do some people-watching or meet some interesting folks, but what if you're looking for some rest and relaxation? Washington Square at 6th and Walnut it is. There's a tranquil, subdued vibe in the air at Washington Square. One is compelled to read a book or spread out on the grass, and there's no struggle to find an empty spot or bench. There's no frenzy, no rush.
The square, which is set between Society Hill and Washington Square West, is very convenient to South Street and Center City. It is set over former burial grounds that were used during the Revolutionary War, with a memorial statue for George Washington on the western side of the square.
If you're spending the afternoon there, we suggest picking up some baguettes and charcuterie from the newly opened Garces Trading Co. There is a small block of boutique shopping to be done across the street if you decide to seek asylum from the sun for a few minutes.
Even the Washington Square squirrels are content to hang out for a bit.
Discover more about Life in Washington Square West. Ready to search for Washington Square West properties?
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Be In On It: Philly Retailers are Reshaping the City
Open House in Washington Square West
Vacant storefronts don't stay empty very long in Philadelphia. Instead of giant malls and big box stores, the neighborhoods of Philly are lined with eclectic boutiques and specialty shops. Retail and restaurant business owners, both large and small, are profiled at philadelphiaretail.com, where you can go to find out more about success stories and how to start a business.
Retail experts like Joan and Ellen Shepp of Joan Shepp boutique and Bill Mignucci, co-owner of Di Bruno Bros. are featured here. Considering the crowds that pack both stores on any given day, they know a thing or two about what their customers want. It's not just Rittenhouse Square that draws in shoppers, however, Philadelphia Retail also makes note of Philly's other retail neighborhoods, like Washington Square and Old City.
Whether you're interested in starting a business or simply curious about how these Philly go-getters made it happen, Philadelphia Retail wants you to Be In On It.
Two New Additions Bring Fresh Pasta to Philly Neighborhoods
Spelt pasta at Apollinare
Philadelphia is quickly becoming a city of sumptuous fresh pasta. If you ever plan on opening an Italian restaurant around town, be forewarned: you'd better crank out some fresh dough, because Philadelphians will know the difference. Homemade pasta cooks in minutes and is simple to make, but there are two new kitchens in town that are rolling out some particularly tasty noodles.
In Northern Liberties, Apollinare put in a direct call to Italy, sourcing Umbrian restaurateurs Fabio Auguadro and Andrea Scotacci for the Piazza space formerly known as Vino. Now, you'll find pasta made on the premises, from traditional carbonara and potato gnocchi to spelt pasta ribbons and cauliflower tortelli. The fresh pasta really makes a difference in a new restaurant that is trying to make a name for itself.
When Marc Vetri decided to open his third Italian spot in Philadelphia, a trattoria named Amis in Washington Square West, critics and fans everywhere were intrigued. Could Vetri bring a budget-minded trattoria to a quieter section of the neighborhood that bordered so closely to South Street? By the power of fresh pasta, he could. The casual restau-bar is still sharp and stylish, with sleek wood and plenty of group seating. Like any Vetri affair, the service is superb and the food is exquisite, but the mood is toned down and the volume is definitely higher. We bet that's because everybody is talking about the fresh pasta. All pastas are housemade, but it's the creamy, peppery tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" that had us twirling our forks lovingly.
Forget the dry stuff. We recommend that you visit both A-lettered pasta houses for a plate of fresh noodles.
Apollinare, 1001 N. 2nd Street, the Piazza at Schmidts
Amis, 412 S. 13th Street
PA Ballet with Attitude: Shut Up and Dance 2010
You've seen the provocative posters and flyers around town. The dancers are posing in barely there scraps of gunmetal gray fabric. This is one ballet event that you can take your hockey-loving significant other to.
It's MANNA's Shut Up and Dance 2010, a one-night-only stand with the Pennsylvania Ballet. The performance raises money for patients with life-threatening illnesses. Each ticket sold will provide 20 meals for one person.
Sometimes, the only thing you can do is shut up and dance. This year's performance will be on Saturday, March 20 at 8pm at the Forrest Theatre in Washington Square West. We expect that it will be edgy and experimental.
Tickets are on sale at MANNA's site. The dancers will also be selling tickets during a pub crawl this Sunday in Northern Liberties. They'll be at Cantina Dos Segundos from 6-7pm and Swift Half Pub from 7:15-8:30pm.
Modern Urban Living at Open House
After you move the furniture into your new home, you often find yourself wanting some new bits and pieces. Lighting, frames, flooring: you can find it all at Open House on the bustling 13th Street in Washington Square West. The selections here are some of the most inspired, cheeky, and eclectic in the city. Even if you're not shopping for something in particular, browsing the wares at the contemporary boutique is bound to unearth something. If you're tired of your fall/winter decor, maybe it's time to find a few home items to freshen your look for spring.
We have a fondness for their kitchen items in the back of the store, where we've come across Claude Dozorme cheese knives, wooden serving trays, and espresso cups and sauces in an array of two-tone colors. Looking for unique barware or a mini Bodum french press in an electric hue? The collection here pops and is an easy way to add instant personality to any room in your home.
Decor enthusiasts can sort through whimsical floor designs, frames, candles, and pillows. There is an assortment of furniture worked into the store layout from which shoppers can choose. Gift ideas fill the room, whether you are shopping for a baby or a handbag-obsessed best friend, or in need of a fun, modern card or stationary. We walked by their window the other day and the Philly display caught our eye, proving that embracing your roots can still be stylish.
Open House
106 S. 13th Street
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