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Get Your Squab on at Hungry Pigeon in South Philly’s Fabric Row
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler We stumbled upon this chef at Feastival in Philly where we scarfed down a quick sample they were slinging like all the other vendors. However, it was so memorable that we snagged a card and emailed them. Without a storefront location, Scott Schroeder told us to check back. And that we did. Most journalists will wax on and on about Scott’s chef background talents but we went in blind… and followed our tastebuds instead (which have never led us astray so far minus that hella spicy Indian gratuitous appetizer after too much red wine). This is our first time eating squab, which is a young domestic pigeon. The…
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Off the Chain: Bonefish Grill Boasts Tasty, Fishy New Warm Weather Menu
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler For being a chain restaurant attached to the somehow still poppin’ KOP mall, Bonefish Grill sure knows just how to handle fish right. Waiters and waitresses in chef’s jackets and upscale decor are the tell tail (see what I did there) signs that you might have a totally tubular dining experience. The wood-grilled fresh fish experts at Bonefish Grill are springing into the season of sunshine (we hope) and lollipops with the recent launch of a new spring and summer menu. Featuring fishy delights like fresh, hand-cut Norwegian Salmon with choice of Jim Beam Bacon Butter Jam or Fresh Tomato Salsa and Rockefeller Cobia which is moist, sweet fish,…
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Nick’s Adds New, Fall Off the Bone BBQ Items To The Menu
Story, photos by Deja Cromartie Explore Philly was on the scene for an exclusive tasting party for the new BBQ menu at Nick‘s in Old City. Owners Joseph “Joey Dog'” Schultice and Nicole Viechnicki invited us to celebrate the exciting changes to the restaurant. New dishes included smoked applewood chicken wings, St. Louis BBQ spare ribs, pulled pork with jalapeño slaw, pulled pork sweet potatoes, a 7-layer “Jar-BQ” parfait, mac ‘n cheese, house-made sauces and more. Along with the new dishes, we sampled whiskey and spirits to accompany the delicious food. This was my first time visiting Nick’s , but it won’t be my last visit. I’m looking forward to visiting again!…
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Philly’s Oldest Tavern Continues Tasty Tradition of Nosh, Drink at McGillin’s Old Ale House
Photos, story by Jill Beckel Explore Philly stopped into McGillin’s Old Ale House on a chilly Thursday evening in February. Known as the “oldest continuously operating tavern” in Philadelphia, it was established in 1860 on 1310 Drury Street. According to their website, “McGillin’s Olde Ale House threw open its doors the year Lincoln was elected president. That’s shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked and long before ground was broken for Philadelphia City Hall. The beer taps have been flowing since 1860 — making it one of the oldest taverns in the country.” With such a rich history, McGillin’s Old Ale House is a must-stop for locals and tourists alike. The bar is filled with history…
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Tredici Enoteca Restaurant Way Much More Than Just An Italian Wine Bar
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Sure, they dub themselves as an Italian wine bar but Tredici Enoteca is pretty full of it. Multicultural food options, that is. And delicious wines, bubbles, booze and beer. Rolling out with dinner only in 2015, surely 2016 will bring an extensive hot-spot option for midtown lunch at the 114 S. 13th street location across from the sister restaurant, Zavino. This is entrepreneur Greg Dodge and Zavino Hospitality Group‘s third endeavor into the foodie world, this time encouraging tapas style sharable plates with Italian influences. The architecture is clean, cool and precise with a NYC vibe. The front is full of boisterous bar patrons and cozy, casual…
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Taste Thanksgiving Season in One Bite with Di Bruno Brother’s The Leftover Sandwich
Story. photos by Jordan Price After a long day (or several days) spent in the kitchen preparing for the big meal on Thanksgiving, the last thing you wanna do the day (or weekend) after is cook. Luckily, our friends over at Di Bruno Bros. always have you covered, offering prepared meals, sandwiches, cheese, meats and treats for every time of the year. And why would Black Friday and the post-Turkey weekend be any different? So when you’re shopping in Center City this weekend, we suggest you try their latest sandwich for a sophisticated taste of the season. The Di Bruno Bros. team says “from now until the end of the month, Di…
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Haven’t Eaten at Abe Fisher Yet? You’re Missing Egg Cream with Bacon!
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler We went in expecting a Jewish restaurant. Boy, were we wrong. But we didn’t know for sure until the double sacrilicious chocolate bacon egg cream dessert arrived! (Because there’s bacon, cream and egg drizzled with honey in one deliciously tall jar equals a double no-no: no bacon, period, and no mixing dairy with meat!) Michael Solomonov’s (of Zahav, a modern Israeli restaurant) Abe Fisher opened in September 2014 and has been making tastebuds drool since then. Co-owner Steven Cook claims everything is fair game, not just Jewish Diaspora from around the world. Located across the street from the addicting FedNuts (Federal Donuts) on Sansom Street, it is a smaller space in an upscale diner setting.…
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Extend Your Summer! Get Your Pool Day on at Valley Beach Poolside Club ’til Sept. 30
by Cassie Hepler No, summer is not over! If there is still a pool open to swim in, summer is still alive and thriving in our book. And it’s always still hot as balls still in September in the city anyway. The much-dreaded pool closing time aka Labor Day does not apply at the Valley Beach Poolside Club at Valley Forge Casino. Simply pay the $10 cover at the door (or get 50 percent off your beach tag purchase for the rest of the 2015 season for all you die-hards. Mention code: BEACHBALL. Must be 21) and you will enter a place with actual sand, sun and not really surf… but…
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Explore Revisits EGO Lounge at Trump Taj Mahal
Story, photos by Lou Perri Explore recently received an invite to Atlantic City’s Trump Taj Mahal and its EGO Lounge where some of the hottest Latin Ballroom Dance couples heat up the dance floor. Kathy Krauthause, the marketing and public relations expert at the casino/hotel, also invited this photo/journalist to taste some of the fine appetizers at the hotel’s Il Mulino Trattoria. Eric Velasquez, a young chef who learned his expertise from the Il Mulino’s New York executive chef, Michele Mazza, learned his craft well. A table in the bar section was filled with classic Italian dishes including special meatballs, ricotta rice balls, and tender rings of calamari lightly coated in a…
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Grand Opening of The Chelsea Beach Bar
Story and Photos by Lou Perri Celebrity Corner owner Dominic Gaggiano has a winner in The Chelsea Beach Bar, which opened on August 6th and is located on the beach at the Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City. He also selected a wonderful interior designer Cynthia Cortopassi, to create a casual venue to sip a brew or enjoy a menu option. The night’s entertainment featured the Philly band, Steal Your Face, providing music for a crowded dance floor. Guitarist Paul Baroli is also the band’s leader. Opening night featured Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian snipping the ceremonial red ribbon to celebrate the arrival of one of Atlantic City’s unique beach bars. It highlighted a fun…