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Wine Loving Tria Taproom Adds Cocktails to the Boozy Menu
Story by Tiffany DuBois, photos by Eric Morales On a beautiful and warm afternoon, local Philly favorite Tria Taproom launched a new series of cocktails that will leave you feeling really good. The trio of Tria restaurants have always been known for their incredible selection of wine and craft beers but now they have thrown their hat into the cocktail ring with four new cocktails and all four were delicious. Your hardest decision will be which one to try first. I recommend you try them all but make sure you have a safe way to get home afterwards! Tria has always been in the forefront of being environmentally conscience. There…
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With Burgers, Wings AND Tacos, No One Left Hungry at This Year’s Burger Brawl
Photos, story by Jill Beckel On a hot and humid Sunday, the 7th Annual Philadelphia Burger Brawl took over the parking lot of Xfinity Live. Over 60 local Philly area restaurants competed for the title of best burger, best taco and (for the first time ever), best chicken wing! This year, Explore Philly was excited to be a part of the judging panel! When it comes to food, we are always more than eager to help out. We got to judge the first burger round. Each burger sample was judged on its taste, look, bun, meat and originality. All restaurants were kept anonymous so that the burger tasting would be fair.…
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Simon’s Soiree, a Heartfelt Evening for a Great Cause at Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel
Story, photos by Jill Beckel This year’s Simon’s Soiree was an elegant, heartfelt affair. The soiree is held annually to benefit Simon’s Fund and this year’s 8th Simon’s Soiree was held at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel in February. Simon’s Fund aims to provide free heart screenings at schools and raise awareness for undiagnosed heart conditions. Per their website, “The organization provides free heart screenings to children, advocates for life-saving legislation, hosts awareness events, and promotes research. Its mission is to save a child’s life… and then another, by raising awareness of conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death.” The evening opened with a cocktail hour and open auction with all proceeds earned going…
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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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Taste and Tour at Philadelphia Distilling’s New Location in Fishtown
Photos, story by Dana Prophet Gaining popularity in the 17th century and still going strong today, gin lovers can tell you they appreciate the herbal flavors derived from juniper berries and citrus that make a wonderful array of cocktails. In the past, gin was once used for medicinal reasons. As you devour a cocktail, tell yourself that you are indeed “drinking to your health”. Now you no longer need to rely on imported gin, we can covet our own hometown made, award-winning Bluecoat® American Dry Gin. Philadelphia Distilling relocated to a prime location in Fishtown much to the praise of anyone who truly appreciates a classic cocktail such as Gin…
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Sing Along and “Howl at the Moon” with Dueling Pianos at The Vault
Story by Jill Beckel / Photos by Cassie Hepler Do you love music, dancing, great cocktails and good grub? Then The Vault is where you should spend your next Saturday night! Located at Valley Forge Casino, The Vault is the area’s newest hot spot for live entertainment featuring Dueling Pianos every Saturday night from 8pm – 2am! Howl at the Moon (a national chain of music-oriented party bars that currently operates in nearly 20 locations throughout the U.S., including one here in Philadelphia) jump-started this weekly event with their opening night at The Vault on Saturday, January 14. With two pianos onstage, two singers kept the party going all night long with a high…
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Autograph Brasserie in Wayne Celebrates Those Who Left Their Signature on American Culture and Cuisine
Story by Jill Beckel, photos by Cassie Hepler If you’re looking for a relaxing night out and an elegant meal you won’t soon forget, Autograph Brasserie is your answer. Their wonderful dishes and cocktails are inspired by France, Spain, Italy and America. The restaurant provides engaging, celebrity photo covered decor with stellar food and a creative cocktail menu coupled with an extensive curated wine and spirits list. Autograph is a modern American brasserie that celebrates those individuals from past and present, who left their signature on popular American culture. Located at 503 W. Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, PA, it first opened in May 2016. Vintage vinyl and signed celebrity photos cover the walls of…
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There’s a Food Revolution Going On at Grub Burger Bar in Willow Grove
Story by Kelly Kusumoto, Photography by Robert Apodaca Across from the Willow Grove Park Mall, a food revolution is going on. It’s called Fast-Casual and the folks at Grub Burger Bar are behind the movement. There, they believe in Good people, Real food, a Unique vibe, and Big flavors (G.R.U.B.). For an afternoon, I joined the resistance to see what was cookin’. Market Partner Kevin Cross gave me a tour of the restaurant and let me sample some of their most popular fare, which features much more than just burgers and fries. He introduced me to Managing Partner Tom Stevens and some of the engaging staff who define the Good people…
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National Honey Bee Day Buzzes Over to Sofitel
Story, photos by Deja Cromartie Explore Philly was on the scene to celebrate National Honey Bee Day and savor the delectable honey produced by Sofitel’s rooftop bee hives with the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild. Sofitel and Liberté Lounge take their advocacy for the freshest ingredients to a whole new level – the Fifteenth Floor, as a matter of fact. The hotel and restaurant lounge plant an annual seasonal rooftop garden and provide a home for 100,000 honeybees that yield ingredients for Liberté Lounge’s menu. We had the pleasure of meeting the beekeepers from the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild as well as sample honey from the Sofitel hives and other hives around the…
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Cool, Refreshing Drinks and Tasty Bites at The Watering Hole in the Philadelphia Zoo
Story by Jill Beckel, photos by Cassie Hepler The Watering Hole Beer Garden & Oasis is your new summer spot to be! Explore Philly visited The Watering Hole on a hot summer day at the Philadelphia Zoo, which is now open to the public. Sponsored by Victory Brewing Company, it’s a great place for guests to relax, grab a refreshing specialty beer, glass of wine and a bite to eat while also enjoying the great outdoors in this open-air hangout. As the Philadelphia region’s leading family destination, the zoo welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors last year. One of the region’s foremost conservation organizations, it is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many which are…