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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Shake Shack’s Chicken Creation is White Hot Meaty Goodness!

    May 16, 2018 /

    Story by Kelly Kusumoto, photos by Colleen Cahill Shake Shack unveiled its newest item to an already difficult-to-choose-from menu. The “Hot Chick’n” sandwich made its debut and ever since it has been taking over sales at the King of Prussia establishment. Store manager Charlotte was kind enough to take a few minutes from her hectic schedule to tell us a little more about it. She said there had been more orders for the new sandwich than for their regular chicken sandwich and that it is on par with sales for their famous ShackBurgers over the past week. While we were waiting for our food, we overheard patrons say they’d rather…

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    Kelly Kusumoto

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    The Turtle Always Wins the Race at Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille

    October 18, 2017

    Put A Fish Called Avalon Restaurant on your Miami Beach, Florida Bucket List

    May 19, 2025

    First Tonino Lamborghini Store in the United States Opens in Las Vegas, Nevada

    May 7, 2020
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Luke’s Lobster has One of the Best ‘Lobstah’ Rolls in Philadelphia

    March 15, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Meg Arbo I am a  lobster snob. In fact, I am so particular about lobster, I don’t even eat it outside of New England. Heck, I don’t even eat it outside of Maine; that is how much of a lobster snob I am. I  take my lobster very seriously. Then Luke’s Lobster changed all that when they came to Philadelphia four years ago. Simply put, Luke’s Lobster makes the best “lobstah roll” you can get outside of New England. So you can imagine how excited I was to hear that Luke’s Lobster was opening a second location in Market East! Luke is from Maine and the man…

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    Meg Arbo

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    Heritage Hosts Hip Hop Artist Chill Moody and Dock Street IPA Release in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

    March 7, 2019

    Protect Your Skin from the Sun and Look Chic in Tenth Street Hats Featuring the Cloche Hat

    October 15, 2019

    Explore 24 Hours in the Beautiful French Provençal Town of Lourmarin, France

    December 22, 2025
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Old Man Winter Is No Match for Zoup’s! Comfort Soup

    March 7, 2018 /

    “A Jewish woman had two chickens. One got sick, so the woman made chicken soup out of the other one to help the sick one get well.” – Henny Youngman Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Full disclosure: I don’t much care for soup. I fault my mom for that as well as for having sent me to charm school at 12 years of age. But that’s another story altogether, which I’ll reserve for my memoir. The onset of my soup-phobia began in childhood, when our soup staples alternated between thin chicken-noodle with two pea-sized bits of poultry of questionable authenticity. It’s alternative was chicken with rice, equally runny and with the same meager addition of a barely-there protein…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Holiday Gift Guide for Last Minute Shoppers

    December 19, 2023

    Run, Don’t Walk to theVillage’s Third Annual Health and Wellness Fair

    March 14, 2018

    Drop Down South to the Wine World of Willcox, Arizona

    October 11, 2021
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Not Your Typical Pizza Joint, &pizza Jazzes Up Pizza Pie Biz

    February 28, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Lauren Aynn Incoming pizza fanatics, there’s a new player in town and it’s name is &pizza (and-peet-suh). From its clean design to its new innovative take on take out, &pizza is a real stand out in its class. They haven’t reinvented the pizza wheel so to speak, but they have found ways to make it their own. &Pizza also proudly partners with local causes to help strengthen the community around them. In fact if you have a cause close to your heart they encourage you to make a request on their website. Truly a great way to keep in touch with the needs and wants of the…

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    Lauren Welinsky

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    Hurricane Irma Displaces Single Dad, Daughter to New Jersey

    September 25, 2017

    Don’t Steal from the Petrified Forest in Arizona

    April 23, 2021

    Explore Lehigh Valley Humane Society’s Garden Paw-ty at Domaine Pterion Vineyard

    July 22, 2024
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Chima Brazilian Steakhouse Sets the Bar Higher for Other Steak Houses

    February 27, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) One a chilly Philly Friday night, we ventured out into the East Coast tundra for some meat. Well, technically all the meats. We tried some other super meaty places nearby before (ahem) and were not impressed. However, Chima Steakhouse pretty much blew us away from the moment we sat down. The drink menu is on an iPad which is cool and trendy however I like to have a physical copy in my hand as I like to study the wine list. But our server was knowledgeable and soon we had exactly what our taste buds were asking for. The full menu including…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Sabores de Tucson Festival Celebrates Mexican Culture, Community and Culinary Flavors

    June 2, 2025

    Live Out Your Wild West Fantasies at White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona

    August 18, 2020

    Cool Down at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona

    October 10, 2023
  • Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Discover the Fine Art of Making Limoncello While Eating Amazing Italian Food at Osteria

    January 4, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet Made with the simplest ingredients and a wee bit of testing plus patience, Limoncello is a drink most willingly embrace. Delicious and versatile enough to combine into cocktails and even desserts, Osteria’s Sommelier Frank Kinyon showed his eager students how practically anyone can make this refreshing liqueur with a surprising ingredient – Everclear grain alcohol! As Frank demonstrated, the students and myself were delighted to enjoy a full course of the best dishes Osteria had to offer. Some were made from family recipes and it was easy to taste the love and tradition in every morsel. Along with each course, a regional Italian wine…

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    Dana Prophet

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    Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party

    September 22, 2025

    Explore Retro El Cortez Hotel and Casino on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada

    February 24, 2025

    Best Las Vegas, Nevada Photo Spots from a Model and Photographer

    March 2, 2026
  • Day Trips,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Vault Brewing Company Expands Bank Brewery to Yardley Warehouse

    December 21, 2017 /

    Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Located in the suburbs of Philly, the Victorian town of Yardley in Bucks County houses Vault Brewing who does not consider themselves a bar, a pub or even a traditional brewery. Entering in the “faux vault entryway,” you’ll notice you may have entered an old school bank except that the entire brewery and wood-fired kitchen oven are completely open to view. The brewery that once sat directly behind the bar is now expanding down the street and up the hill. The décor is a combination of regal bank, stark industrial, old-world and modern. What is not modern is there are no TVs, pub traditional menu items and no pop or rock…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA Electrifies Audiences Under the Big Top in Oaks, PA

    January 16, 2019

    Go Backroading to Cleator and Crown King, Arizona

    April 6, 2026

    Ride in Style with Aall In Limo’s Mercedes Benz to Temecula Wineries in California

    January 30, 2019
  • Day Trips,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Saint Benjamin Brewery Offers Craft Beer with a Side of History

    December 19, 2017 /

    Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet If you drive a bit past Temple University’s Main Campus, you’ll come to a brewery and tap room that’s within the Kensington section of the city. Saint Benjamin Brewery offers modern brewing techniques and also holds onto history that reaches back to the days of prohibition while presenting both distinctive and magical craft brews along with a menu of tantalizing food. The brewery is nestled within the middle of the street and it was also previously a historic carriage house and stables of the defunct Theo Finkenauer Brewery. Sadly, that brewery is now an empty lot. Fear not though because Saint Benjamin has all…

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    Dana Prophet

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    Workhorse Brewing Company, a New Hidden Gem in the Philly Suburbs

    June 26, 2019

    Exploring the South End of the Strip at The Berkley, Las Vegas in Nevada

    February 23, 2026

    Feeling United by Flowers at the 195th PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

    April 20, 2024
  • Day Trips,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Take a Walking, Eating and Drinking Chew Philly Tour Through Chestnut Hill

    November 30, 2017 /

    Please feel free to offer promo code EXPLOREPHL for $29/adult tickets to our Manayunk or Chestnut Hill tour. Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Meet the first Northwest Philadelphia food and culinary tour since 2011, Chew Philly. With tours led by the lovely Elyse Castillo, these tours aren’t just for tourists. You can discover one of the many cultural gems and neighborhoods Philly has to offer. Perhaps you enjoy sampling delicious ethnic foods in historic neighborhood or want a taste of that perfect tomato pie, dip your tongue into decadent cappuccinos or lick ages old ice cream from the best specialty shops in Philly. The walking tours make you feel like you can…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Escape to Valley Kitchen at Carmel Valley Ranch Resort for Otherworldly Cuisine

    August 21, 2018
    St Joseph Catholic Church

    Rent a Car and Road Trip through Northwest Kansas

    January 15, 2024

    Hopping into Spring with Fishtown Hops at Sugarhouse Casino in Philadelphia, PA

    May 9, 2019
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Pizzeria Vetri is Brick Oven Pizza Served Family Style

    November 3, 2017 /

    Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Brick oven, thin pizza pie with fluffy crust and only the best and freshest ingredients… that pretty much describes Pizzeria Vetri. We chose to go to the Art Museum area location because if you get there early enough, there’s plenty of parking nearby (other locations near Rittenhouse Square and King of Prussia). Good food, good drinks & good people. Get delivery, dine in but make sure to sign up for the e-mailing list for a free rotolo (trust us, it’s soooo worth it). Not all pizza is created equal and as a person who eats it at least once a week and have eaten it in…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Luke’s Lobster has One of the Best ‘Lobstah’ Rolls in Philadelphia

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    Escape to a Private Island in San Diego, California at Loews Coronado

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    Holiday Gift Guide for a Tough Year and Tight Budget

    December 8, 2025
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