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Eighth Annual Audi Feastival Celebrates FringeArts 21st Birthday
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “I think eating is one of the most delectable experiences of radiant, sweet, sour, hot splashes biting at your taste buds that you could ever have. Now imagine knowing how to maneuver and manage these flavors from a cook’s perspective. Pure power.” – Christopher Staab I’m remembering with gastronomic bliss the evening of September 28th, when Audi FEASTIVAL joined FringeArts for what arguably deserves its reputation as Philadelphia’s “Party of the Year.” For eight years running, an assembly of over 75 of Philadelphia’s renowned restaurants and bars has combined their award-winning fare samplings with FringeArts raise-the-bar, always innovative entertainment, artistic and cultural wonderment. FEASTIVAL first came to light, life and belly (in…
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An Apple a Day Doesn’t Keep the Judges Away: Best In Pomme at Manayunk’s StrEAT Food Festival
Chowing in the StrEAT (sorry, not sorry to Bruce Springsteen’s “Racing in the Street”). Kicking off Restaurant Week is the Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits.” – Henry David Thoreau Autumn and apples “pear” well together. What can I say about this pun but that I’m fruity? Separating fall from those crisp, pomaceous and antioxidant-laden fruits would be akin to depriving myself of post-meal desserts. So when I was pegged (along with Explore-Philly team member Dana Prophet and Dana’s friend Amy) to spend two hours judging the best apple-themed desserts at Manayunk’s StrEAT Food Festival on the evening of September 14th, I was all in. Arriving at a…
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Meltdown at Ruby’s Diner with Debut of 35th Anniversary Burger
Photos, story by Sharon Kozden Celebrating 35 years of all-American classics, Ruby’s Diner has introduced a new, aptly named 35th Anniversary Burger. As a kid, a burger dine-out the Kozden way meant a meal comprised of single patty, small order of fries and an equally small-sized cola. No frills, no deviation from the spare. Little Sharon, a minimalist before her time. My father had four hungry mouths to feed on a humble meter reader’s salary, which ensured that I lived for years in ignorance of the vast and varied manners in which foodstuffs could be prepared. Descendant on both sides from Anthracite coal miners (as far from to-the-manor-born as one can get), imagine my bugged-out eyes when I discovered such grub-stuffs as toppings,…
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Get Licked at Ritz-Carlton’s Aqimero ‘Yappy Hour’ Benefit During Dog Days of Summer
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Welcome to the dog days of summer. The Ritz-Carlton’s Aqimero Lounge hosted their inaugural Yappy Hour to benefit Hemlock Edge Rescue, a non-profit organization “dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned and abused animals”. As I made my way to the iconic hotel on one of the hottest days to date, I pondered the dog days of summer phrase. Its perception as we know it – one of listless and seemingly catatonic canines stilled by heat so sultry and oppressive – allowed me to feel at one with man’s best friend. I ascended the Ritz-Carlton’s steps, panting and tugging my dress loose from sticky skin as sweat rivulets collected…
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From Taco Truck to Brick and Mortar Restaurant, Revolution Taco is Livin’ the Dream
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Before Revolution Taco had a brick and mortar store at 2015 Walnut St., they were a wee little food truck. But that food truck was serving foie gras and lobster, unlike any others. Celebrating a one year anniversary in January 2017, owners Carolyn Nguyen and Michael Sultan are adding to their self described “gringo taco” menu with some tasty treats and fan favorites. One year ago this week, two of the city’s well-known food trucks Nguyen and Sultan opened their first brick and mortar in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. Revolution Taco joined their growing food empire, that today includes 33rd Street Hospitality Catering, The Mill’s Cafe, Say Cheese…
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Restaurant Wister BYOB Bringing Some Solid Taste to Old City
Story, photos by Jae Rich Looking for a great place to dine in the historic Old City in Philadelphia? Well, the brand new Wister BYOB is the just the place. This modern brick house restaurant that specializes in quality seafood is bringing the flavors of the ocean and beyond right to your table. The name Wister was pulled from Old City Philadelphia’s Historic Wister building named after master ironworker John Wister. Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted by exposed brick walls dating back hundreds of years, fine metal work and dimly lit tables. Explore Philly had the opportunity to enjoy a private tasting of the upcoming fall menu…
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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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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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Discover a Trumped Up Weekend at Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal
Photos and Story by Dana J. Prophet Some people shy away from Atlantic City if they are not interested in gambling or that particular part of the Jersey Shore. You don’t have to be a high roller or spend more than a weekend to have an excellent time in America’s Favorite Playground. In 24 hours, it’s possible to have a fun-filled, nostalgic weekend in Atlantic City without going bankrupt. Arriving on Saturday afternoon, you can avoid much of the AC shore traffic. If you are riding shotgun, it just may be your responsibility to keep your driver comfortable with coffee and snacks. Want to miss the drive completely? Take Greyhound, Amtrak…
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Rooftop Gardens and Beehives: A Farming Trend That Never Grows Old
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Just because you live in the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection doesn’t mean that you are completely out of touch with your neanderthal roots. Sometimes you want to dig your fingers (and toes, c’mon don’t deny it) in some fluffy, scruffy dirt… or maybe some grass. And if that means you can eat the bounty of your fruit (and vegetables), even better! Many city dwellers go to the rooftop to build an urban jungle, a sort of high-as-the-sky garden and zen place to get away from the hustle and bustle below. Restaurants are savvy to organic and home-grown cooking as well as producing nature’s…