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Save on Lodging, Food in Bermuda with Celebrity Cruises
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler This Spring and Summer have been really heating up in my world! Since getting back from Breathless Resorts in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and catching the traveling bug again, I’ve been doing a lot more travel which alway makes my soul happy. I promised one of my besties to go on a cruise with her through Celebrity Cruises which were very nice… and old. Not so much the ship itself but the crowd. Our favorite couple at dinner asked us why we were on this ship with a bunch of old people and we immediately adopted them as our cruise parents. Celebrity is known for…
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DoubleTree by Hilton Celebrates Opening 500th Hotel in Times Square West, NYC
Photos by Deja Cromartie/Hilton, story by Explore NJ Start spreading the news! DoubleTree by Hilton, one of Hilton’s 14 market-leading brands, is celebrating the launch of their 500th hotel with the grand opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York Times Square West, located in the heart of bustling Manhattan. “We are beyond thrilled to celebrate the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square West,” said Michael George, President and CEO of Crescent Hotels & Resorts, the management company for the hotel. “This event marks the 500th DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, and we are extremely proud to be a part of this incredible milestone.” The newly-built high-rise hotel officially…
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Bertucci’s is Not Just a Chain Restaurant, It’s Italy on the East Coast
Photos, story by Tyra Gardner Bertucci’s is not a chain restaurant. Bertucci’s is a family owned restaurant founded in Boston, Mass. in 1981. Bertucci’s is known for their Brick & Wood Ovens. Chef Chris Snyder, the head chef, explained that the wood ovens in some of their locations had to be replaced with brick due to them being outlawed, however there meals are the same amazing quality and great taste. The temperature of the oven is over 600 degrees. Chef Chris is the remarkable Head Chef in the Philadelphia Region & Nikki S. Is the Powerhouse District Manager for the Eastern Region that keeps the restaurants a float. The service…
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Eat All the Farm Fresh Food at White Dog Cafe in Haverford
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler What if we told you a supernatural story? Once upon a time there was a woman who broke her leg. A white dog lay on it for a week while it was healing and all of the sudden it was healed. This is the tale of why there are multiple locations all named White Dog Cafe, according to our excellent server for the evening, Sara with no H. Known for award-winning contemporary American Cuisine and friendly service with three neighborhood locations in Philadelphia and the Main Line, Judy Wicks, social activist and original founder, opened White Dog Cafe in January of 1983. Located in three…
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Garces Foundation Gala Urges to Think Local, Give Local at Lowes Hotel
Story by Jennifer Ferrell, photos by Renee DiPietro “America is immigrants.”- Chef Jose Garces The Think Local, Give Local Gala hosted by Philadelphia’s very own restauranteur and Iron Chef, Jose Garces, gave patrons an opportunity to aid in the Garces Foundation created to benefit Philadelphia’s immigrant community. As a child of immigrants hailing from Ecuador, Garces’ created a foundation that provides health and education services to the underserved immigrant population under his employment. To celebrate this worthy cause, the gala, held at the Loews Hotel in Center City, boasted delicious tastings from numerous Philadelphia restaurants while attendees bid silently on food themed items whilst sipping Tito’s Homemade Vodka and tasty wine.…
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Celebrating the Kentucky Derby, West Laurel Hill Style
Story by Tiffany C. DuBois, Photos by Eric Morales When one thinks of the Kentucky Derby, you think of mint juleps, good food, bowties, women’s fashion and hats. Especially the hats. West Laurel Hill’s derby day had all this and so much more. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. West Laurel Hill is a well know cemetery located in Bala Cynwyd. It is the site of many notable burials and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It also has an arboretum and an outdoor sculpture garden. So, how do you throw a derby party in the middle of a cemetery? Not to worry,…
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Look Out Philly Chefs, Local Culinary Kid Kills It on Chopped Junior
Story by Cassie Hepler Marty Snyder, age 9, from Berwyn, Pa., loves to play baseball, basketball and bowl. You can often find him outside hanging out on his hover board with his dog Sophie and his favorite subjects in school are science and art. He’s what you would call a pretty typical 9 year old boy. But when it comes to meal time, this is when this 9 year old is anything but typical because he’s the cook in the family. From a very early age when most children were ordering chicken nuggets and pasta with butter in restaurants, Marty was eating off his parent’s plates. Not only was he eating…
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Smart and Sexy Day Making Women Feel Fabulous with Career Wardrobe
Story, photos by Tyra Gardner Smart and Sexy Day at Career Wardrobe was held at the end of March with Guest Speakers Karima Renee, The Philly Bra Lady and John Wind and Robbin Cook, John Wind Maximal Art. Karima conducted a workshop titled Bra 101 Bootcamp where she educated women on the importance of wearing proper undergarments. “For 5 years, I wanted this moment and it’s finally here, I’m officially becoming an Ambassador for Career Wardrobe,” said Karima. John Wind and Robbin Cook conducted a workshop titled Accessorizing for Impact where they educated women on the importance of proper accessories and clothing when conducting a career search. This event had 15 participants…
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Spring Was in the Air (and the Food) at the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party
Story, photos By Jill Beckel The 2017 Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party featured cuisine from Rittenhouse Row’s best restaurants, cocktails from their best bartenders, informal modeling of spring trends from Rittenhouse Row member boutiques and salons, and a silent auction with Rittenhouse Row experiences and merchandise. Located at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, food and beverages were provided by: 24 Wood Fired Fare, a.bar, a.kitchen, Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Baril, Ben & Jerry’s, Butcher and Singer, CODA, The Dandelion, D’Angelo’s, Davio’s, Devon, Di Bruno Bros., Garces Restaurants, Lacroix, Marathon Grill, Metropolitan Bakery, Mission Taqueria, Parc, Rita’s Italian Ice, Rouge, Schweid & Sons, Termini Bros. Bakery, Verts, Bar Volver, Wrap…
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Carrabba’s Italian Grill Begins Wine Pairing Dinners for a Steal
Story by Meg Arbo Let’s face it, Tuesday is generally nothing to get excited about. In fact, it can be pretty ho-hum at best. So when Explore Philly was invited to a wine pairing meal at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Willow Grove, we were pretty happy because, hey, that beats the usual Tuesday night of nothingness. This was a chainwide, national event for Carrabba’s and was touted as the World’s Largest Wine Dinner with over 4000 bottles of wine uncorked for the 7000 diners’ viticultural pleasure. Four curated wines with four courses for $40 – a steal! The dinner began with a salad course with a Northern Italian pinot grigio…
