Moshulu Renovation

The historic Moshulu just completed a renovation! It still remains the only restaurant in the world aboard a tall ship. The renovation includes a large lobby bar, perfect for happy hour and welcoming guests.

Barbara Balongue of Balongue Designs completed the new renovation. Luxurious, seafaring, and with plenty of maritime surprises, including a 69'' high Natural Beachwood fish light sculpture that hangs above the rich gold and marble Captain's Dining Table. 

As an iconic Philly landmark, the Moshulu still offers the expansive views of the city skyline and waterfront a la carte dining. Be sure to stop by this Fall to check it out! 

*Media Alert* Giant Heirloom Market is now open in Graduate Hospital

Graduate Hospital / Southwest Center City now has additional grocery options with Giant Heirloom Market opening up at 23rd and Bainbridge! The new and highly anticipated market will carry food that's locally grown and made by Philadelphians for Philadelphians. There's an onsite Produce Chef to encourage exploration and to cut fresh veggies and fruit on demand. Patrons will also notice a wide array of plant-based foods, local bread (High Street on Market!), pastas (Talluto's!), and pastries (Isgros!). You can even get kombucha on tap and create your own olive oil and vinegar blends infused with your favorite flavors. Additionally, there's going to be a curated selection of craft, imported, and domestic beers & wines. Be sure to stop by! 

*Media Alert* Galentine's Day at Autograph Brasserie & Louie Louie

This Galentine's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate the ultimate Girl's Night Out on Friday, February 13th! Both Autograph in Wayne, PA and Louie Louie in University City will be hosting Galentine's Day the day before Valentine's Day. In fact fashion blogger Dani Maiale will be hosting an event at Louie Louie - tix here. At Autograph, Suburban Soapbox will be hosting an event as well! 

Both locations will offer great cocktails, shopping, and giveaways. Tickets are only $10 and include one signature cocktail, a gift bag, and a raffle ticket to enter a drawing to win great prizes! Wear your best V-day inspired outfit and you'll receive a 2nd raffle ticket. Fun begins at 7PM and space is limited so get your tix now! 

Galentine’s Day at Autograph Brasserie includes:

Touche Accessories

Deneen Marcel Lashes

Addison Bay

Orangetheory

Main Line Cosmetic Surgery Center

Kendra Scott

Laura Mercier Cosmetics

Center Massage

Zoi Brand Fitness

First & Marley

Galentine’s Day at Louie Louie includes:

Kin Boutique

Lanette Aloi Artistry

Kaitlyn Nelson, PA—Bucks County Plastic Surgery

Laura Mercier

Center Massage

Bucks County  Plastic Surgery & Dermatology

Nellie by Elizabeth Maar

She

Addison Bay

Bumble

White Dog Cafe's 31st Annual New Year's Day PJ Brunch

This New Year's Day, head over to any of the three White Dog Cafe locations to enjoy a PJ brunch. Seriously, feel free to wear what you wore to bed! Offered from 9AM to 3PM, White Dog has partnered with Bucks County-based Justin Jean Pajamas to benefit Alpha Bravo Canine. ABC provides trained service dogs to U.S. military veterans suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other combat-related disabilities.  

Just Jean's owner Lauren Rajas has created a special PAWsome print pattern pajama to celebrate White Dog Cafe New Year's Brunch. Something special for all dog lovers, Raja used the paw print of her 11 year-old Goldendoodle, Finnigan, for the pattern! JJP will offer free shipping and donate 25% of the purchase of the PAWsome print PJs, so head over to Justin Jean Pajamas and use code WDC to help benefit ABC from 12/1 through 1/15/19. 

In fact, if you do head over to White Dog's New Year's Day brunch, take a photo of you in your JJPs and then share it on the White Dog Facebook page to win a gift card, PJs, and a chance to model with one of the ABc puppies in training & be featured on the JJP website! 

Here's to a very PAWsome & giving holiday season! 

*Media Alert* PA Blue Victory - Blue Plate Special

At the Franklin Institute on Monday, September 17th, Philly's top chefs will be coming together for a delicious event to support Southeastern PA's Blue candidates. It's your chance to mingle with candidates who are seeking change, all while indulging on dishes from nearly 40 of our city's top food artisans. Head over to PA Blue Victory to get your tickets now! 

Philly Classic Cook Off presented by Budweiser

On August 23rd, Budweiser is presenting the inaugural Philly Classic Cook Off, in coordination with Philadelphia Magazine. Think plenty of ice-cold Bud, live music, and most importantly, Philly's favorite dishes re-invented by some of your favorite restaurants. And guess who's judging? This guy! Along with Philly Food Girl & Philly Grub! 

From 5:30PM - 8PM on the 23rd, the Philly Classic Cook Off will be at the Piazza at Schmidt's (1001 N. 2nd Street). Six restaurants will battle it out live in front of guests to compete to see who can put their best twist on a Philly classic! Two winners will be crowned in the form of a Judge's & People's choice. Competitors include Milkboy, Molly Malloy's, the Union Tap, Mad Rex, Revolution Taco, and Slice! Be sure to grab tix as they're going fast! Pro-tip: Use code BELLYOFTHEPIG to get 20% off your tickets! 

Philly Classic Cook Off

Piazza at Schmidt's 

1001 N. 2nd Street

August 23rd, 5:30PM - 8PM

White Dog Cafe's 2nd Annual Dining out for the Dogs

*Media Alert*

Once again, White Dog Cafe will be partnering with Alpha Bravo Canine for the 2nd annual Dining Out for the Dogs on Monday, August 20th! Starting at 5PM, each of the three White Dog Cafe locations will be raising funds for Alpha Bravo Canine, which provides trained service dogs to U.S. military veteran suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other combat-related disabilities.

 WMMR's Preston & Steve, along with other on-air personalities will be at each of the locations as well. They'll be dining with the guests and hosting drawings for fantastic prizes including the opportunity for a commissioned pet portrait valued at $2,200 by artist Jay McClellan! There will also be puppy-kissing booths and you can even sign up for a VIP booth (very important puppy, natch) outside, so you can sit with your own pup! Last year's Dining out for the Dogs event raised $25K. I know that Philly can do even better this year! 

Dining out for the Dogs

Monday, August 20th at 5PM

White Dog Cafe Locations in

Haverford, Wayne, & University City

Scarpetta Philadelphia Happy Hour

I had the pleasure of being able to stop by Scarpetta earlier this week and indulge in their latest creation. In collaboration with locally-distilled Stateside Vodka, the Executive Chef at Scarpetta is bringing forth the city's first boozy pizza. 

Clockwise from Top: Scarpetta x Stateside Vodka Pizza [$10] | Negroni Invecchiato [$15] | Palermo Old Fashioned [$15]

Not only is the dough vodka-infused, the creamy blush sauce, ricotta, and sun-dried tomato all have notes of Stateside Vodka as well. It's not overpowering at all and certainly apropos for the Happy Hour crowd. I appreciated the bright acidity from the sun-dried tomato, which helped to balance out the richness of the ricotta and blush sauce. Easily enjoyed with a cocktail or two. By the way, drinks are half-off during Happy Hour Sun - Fri from 4-7PM! 

Scarpetta's Bread Basket with Prosciutto & Broccoli Rabe Roll-Ups | Mushroom Arancini [$9] | Gorgonzola Crostini [$8]

The majority of Scarpetta's small bites are $6 during Happy Hour as well. The bread basket came with two favorites in particular - the broccoli rabe embodied South Philly flavors and a prosciutto roll-up offered up the salty savory flavors that satisfy with a proper drink in hand. The wild mushroom arancini were deftly fried, with al dente risotto within. There are several crostini on offer - we enjoyed a funky, yet sweet gorgonzola spread, with red-wine poached figs and crisp green apple on top. 

Crispy Fritto Misto [$13]
Calamari, shrimp, squash, eggplant, herbs

The fritto misto is a must. Not at all greasy, these were perfectly fried and allowed the calamari, shrimp, squash, and eggplant to shine. And the fried lemon slices? Really made each bite and easily enjoyed! 

Gnocchetti Fritti [$9]

Ricotta salata, fonduta, prosciutto

The fried gnocchi were light within, but great texture on the exterior. Each bite was well-seasoned as well, with a burst of salt from the prosciutto and ricotta salata, along with the richness of the fonduta.

Whether you're looking to grab a drink with your business partners or seeking out a sleek setting in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, be sure to check to stop by Scarpetta for Happy Hour. 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Scarpetta Philadelphia & Cashman Associates for inviting me in. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Bank and Bourbon: 4th Annual Bourbon Bash

Regular readers know I'm a huge fan of Bank and Bourbon's annual Bourbon Bash. In fact, I've made sure to stop by every year. Now in their fourth year celebrating great food and bourbon, they're continuing to support Donors Choose, with proceeds from this event benefiting education. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Making of a Manhattan | Charcuterie & Cheese | Steak Tartare | Manhattan

Bourbon sponsors abounded at this event, with Jim Beam small-batch bourbons on full display and on offer. Knob Creek single barrel and Basil Hayden were enjoyed neat, on the rocks, and in craft-made Manhattans or Mint Juleps. For those that opted to skip the whiskey, there was plenty of champagne and wine as well. Hors d'ouerves were passed around and included crabcakes and a stunning steak tartare on crispy potato skins. I could eat a whole tray of those! And of course, the charcuterie and cheese station was an eye-opening array of Benton's and Creminelli ham, local cheeses (including Birchrun Hills blue!), grilled bread, and fresh fruit.

Clockwise from Top Right: Ahi Tuna | East Coast Oysters | Hamachi Poke | Knob Creek all around! 

And from there, revelers were able to enjoy plenty of fresh seafood including ahi crudo, East Coast oysters, and a wonderful hamachi poke.

Clockwise from Top Right: Knob Creek Single Barrel | Duroc Pork & Seasonal Greens | Pastrami Short Rib | Salmon & Morels

For the more voracious eaters, Executive Chef Tom Harkins pulled out all the stops. Fresh whole-plank salmon and whole-roasted rock fish were plated to order with morels. A juicy Duroc pork chop was enjoyed along with fresh asparagus and spring peas. There were plenty of Cowboy ribeyes being carved, along with a gorgeous pastrami short rib that had horseradish and whole grain mustard to provide balance to the heft of the meat.

Clockwise from Top Right: Coconut Macaroons | Bourbon Glazed Donuts | Blueberry Trifle | Chef Amanda's Dessert Spread

Pastry Chef Amanda was not to be outdone and offered up an incredible display of sweet treats. The donuts are always a standout - crisp on the exterior and perfectly fluffy within. Adorned with a bourbon glaze and popcorn (!), the salty and sweet elements were easily enjoyed. Blueberry trifles, banana s'mores, and coconut macaroons were also enjoyed by the belly of this pig.

And I couldn't leave the event without enjoying the goat cheese cheesecake. Tart, tangy, and wonderfully smooth, this had better be on the regular menu at Bank & Bourbon! If you missed out on this year's Bourbon Bash, be sure to be on the look out for tix next year. You won't be sorry! And in the meantime, be sure to stop by the restaurant for great food and drink. 

Flavor by Loews Philadelphia *Media Event*

Having been to every Bourbon Bash over the past three years, I'm always excited to hear about new events held by Loews Philadelphia in coordination with Bank & Bourbon. Flavor by Loews is a new program with select Philadelphia partners, providing patrons with the very best our great city has to offer. This is a national program that extends to all of the cities that are home to Loews Hotels, with local flavors being brought right to their guests. 

It makes sense that at Loews Philadelphia, they start by waking up their guests with Philly-born La Colombe coffee. We enjoyed draft lattes as well as Pastry Chef Amanda's always-great doughnuts, filled with La Colombe coffee cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. The Banker's Choice was a favorite cocktail of mine, with bourbon-infused coffee mellowed out by the sweetness of creme de peche, amaro, and maple syrup. Easy drinking. Loews Philadelphia is also partnering with Saint Benjamin Brewing Company, a craft brewery and taproom operating from Kensington! A bourbon-barrel aged ale is made exclusively for guests of Bank and Bourbon, with the barrel-aged flavors balanced by the lightness of the lager. 

And who can say no to boules of bread from the Metropolitan Bakery. A perfect crust on the exterior belied pillowy innards within. It made for a great vehicle for both the lemon-pear ricotta & avocado-brussels toasts that Executive Chef Tom Harkins put out. He also provided us with Saint Benjamin's Beer-Braised Short Ribs with Pommes Puree & Horseradish. 

So if you have guests from out of town or are looking for a staycation, Loews Philadelphia has got you covered, with plenty of Philly flavors to boot. Also - be sure to be on the lookout for tickets to the 4th annual Bourbon Bash. It's sure to be another stellar event, with great bourbons and food to be enjoyed! 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Loews Philadelphia for hosting us. Regardless my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

The Revivalist Spirits Event at Rouge

It's highly likely you've seen the Revivalist Gins as part of your favorite Philly mixologist's portfolio. Enjoyably light, these are unlike any British gins you may have previously encountered. And by that I mean that after you've had a taste of these locally distilled products, you won't associate gin with pine cones or being overly juniper-forward. With five expressions, Revivalist Gins seek to embody each of the seasons, along with a jalapeno botanical infusion that provides a nice juxtaposition between spice and nice. 

Founders & Brothers Don and Scott Avellino | Rouge Executive Chef Sam Noh

After speaking with founders and brothers Don & Scott Avellino, their passion for producing a quality local product is clear. Understanding the lack of U.S. distilled gin-based products, they both quit their day jobs to distill these spirits in hand-hammered copper stills. And to great success - their product was voted Top 100 Spirits of 2017 by Wine Enthusiast! And why the seasonal expressions, you ask? It came with the understanding that appetites and palates change along with the climate. Seeking the refreshing nature of spring? Look no further than the Equinox expression - perfect for a G+T. Need cooling citrus married with a compelling warmth? Summertide has got you covered. Autumnal vibes will certainly take you to their Harvest expression, emanating complex spices. And keep warm during the winter with Solstice on the rocks. 

If you're looking for a bit of spicy kick, be sure to grab DragonDance. Rouge's mixologist, Nathan Weigert, married the jalapeno-infused gin with the house-made Bloody mix perfectly - who needs boring vodka? Not to be outdone, Executive Chef Sam Noh paired each cocktail with small bites, including a fresh caprese salad [Equinox G+T] and a shrimp cocktail [DragonDance Bloody Mary], among others. 

Looking to pick up a bottle or five of the Revivalist Gins? The DragonDance, Summertide, and Equinox expressions are available at Fine Wine & Good Spirits. Solstice and Harvest are available through special order at the PLCB. And heads up - they're also expanding to ride the whiskey wave with the Original Resurgent Whiskey. Cask-strength at 118.4 proof, I know I'll be on the look out for that. 

Yakitori Boy 10th Anniversary Party

Regular readers know I'm a fan of Yakitori Boy. Where else in Philly can you get your inner karaoke diva on, coupled with premium drinks, sushi, and yakitori skewers? This past Wednesday, Yakitori Boy celebrated their #EatDrinkSing mentality with a 10th Anniversary Party! 

Gregarious owner Jimmy Shen welcomed guests with traditional Lion Dancing, fire dancers, open karaoke rooms, live music, and dancers, Yakitori Boy's 2nd floor lounge was positively popping. A 10th Anniversary ice sculpture was surrounded by Effen Vodka, right by the open bar/

Reps from Suntory Whiskey, Avion Tequila, Johnnie Walker, and Jameson were on hand!

Beverage Manager Carlos Orellana organized various tasting rooms throughout the venue. Over the past few months, I've really taken to Japanese whiskies, with Suntory's offerings being an easy favorite. Harmony and Toki were being poured, as well as Hibiki 12 - smooth with great caramel notes. You've also got to have Johnnie if you're mustering up the courage for karaoke. And the boys from Avion Tequila and Jameson were also on hand to pour a nice Reposado and Caskmates, respectively.

Sushi, Dumplings, Marinated Ribeye, Sashimi, and Tuna Tartare were a few of the tastes available!

And this being Yakitori Boy, we had to indulge in tasty bites. Sushi and sashimi were beautifully presented, with plenty of passed dishes. Think pork dumplings, tuna tartare crisps, marinated ribeye, and takoyaki octopus balls, to name a few.

As usual, Jimmy & Carlos put out all the stops to celebrate a successful ten years in Philly. A stalwart contributor to the community and one of the city's top destinations for Happy Hour and karaoke, here's to another 10 years!

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Philly PR Girl & Yakitori Boy for inviting us. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.

Umai Umai

Nestled in a cozy corner in Fairmount, Umai Umai is easily the most oft-recommended for those seeking out sushi in the neighborhood. The BYO hot spot offers a sleek, intimate setting and serves some of the most creative flavors I've had outside of omakase. Chef Alex McCoy is most known for thinking outside of the box and deftly wrangles technique and flavor to provide his patrons with a bevy of inventive sushi rolls. 

Rollin' with Chef Alex McCoy of Umai Umai

Established in 2006, Umai Umai still maintains its 38 seats. Chef draws upon his international experiences and techniques honed under the likes of Morimoto and other sushi masters to offer up food that seems to embody his affable and unique personality. 

Clockwise from Top Left: Tamarind Chili Brussels Sprouts | Beef Carpaccio | Oyster Shooters

I stopped by for a media tasting this past Sunday night and we started off with a few favorites. Oyster shooters are a great way to kick off your night - Kumamotos (personal favorite!) were immersed in a citrus broth, with quail egg and marinated roe to be dropped right in. Enjoy the clean, bright flavors that meld upon mastication. It wasn't hard to see why the crispy brussels sprouts are a mainstay hit. The bitter, nutty notes of the halved brussels were nicely balanced by the sweet chili-tamarind soy glaze and hits of red onion and purple cabbage. Crispy shallots helped to provide additional heft to each bite, along with texture. A must order in my mind is the beef carpaccio. Subtly sweet and garlicky oil lightly sears the thinly pounded beef, with a crispy contrast in textures offered up by the accompanying ingredients. Easily one of my favorite bites.

From there, it was an onslaught of Chef McCoy's designer rolls. The Traffic Light is a visual stunner. Crispy soft-shell crab, avocado and spicy mayo is studded with wasabi, yuzu, and red tobiko, bursting with sweet salinity upon each bite. The Pingu's another favorite - deftly fried cream cheese and chive surrounding spicy red crab salad and topped with potato crunch. Eternal Sunshine was on my mind for sure - escolar (one of my favorites ... in doses of course) was fried, then topped with salmon, an apricot miso and blueberry balsamic, avocado, and crushed pine nuts. Sweetness to balance out the fattiness of escolar and salmon - I can see where you're going with this.

The Krakken's a delicious monster with shrimp tempura, eel, avocado, and soft-shell crab. It's topped with a cherry reduction and worcestershire aioli, along with almond bits sprinkled on top. As inventive as Chef McCoy gets with his designer rolls, restraint is shown when you look towards the simpler rolls you might typically find at other establishments. Case in point, spicy tuna wasn't indiscernably diced and the spicy mayo didn't inundate. The King Kong featured tuna, salmon, and yellowtail in larger, clean cuts, with only cucumber and avocado offering up a counterpoint. 

I'm looking forward to returning with the GF for a quiet BYO night. The crispy brussels and the beef carpaccio are definitely must orders. I'm also going to set my sights on a chirashi bowl and nigiri. And obviously, a few of the designer rolls will be on the hit list as well! 

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited to this media event by Plugin Rewind & Umai Umai. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

2017 C-CAP Ignite Benefit

This past Monday, I stopped by the Cira Centre to attend the annual Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) benefit. C-CAP is a non-profit dedicated to working with culinary high school vocational students throughout the Philadelphia region. Whether it's job training, scholarships, career or college advising, the program helps to ensure that these students thrive in the industry. 

Renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson is a Board Co-Chair. And did you know that Maison 208 chef Sylva Senat is a C-CAP alum and board member? Yes, the same chef who did Philly proud with his run on Top Chef. Coincidentally, Senat met Samuelsson while volunteering at a C-CAP event back in the day. Chef Senat notes that this was a particular turning point in his career when he was leaving Aquavit and was introduced by Samuelsson to his next adventure at Jean Georges.  Along that vein, it was great seeing the C-CAP students prepping dishes with the Chefs at each and every station. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Zeppoli's Tuna & Bean Salad | Jezabel Studio's Pincho de Escalivada con Pinones | JG Domestic's Green Eggs & Ham | Walnut Street Cafe's Butternut Squash Soup

 In addition to wine, cider, and cocktails being poured for guests at the Cira Centre, benefit attendees were treated to a flurry of tastes. Walnut Street Cafe's butternut squash soup offered a mouthful of fall, replete with some texture from the pumpkin seeds. JG Domestic's green eggs and ham had a bright acidity from the lime that had me going back for more. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Drexel Food & Hospitality Management's Fall Harvest Pork & Smoked Squash Stew | Essen Bakery's Tunisian Tuna Sandwich on Housemade Challah | Distrito's Shrimp Ceviche | Osteria's Chicken Liver Pate Della Nonna | Maison 208's Island Taro Lollipops

Speaking of seconds, it's no surprise that Chef Senat's lollipops were a crowd favorite. Served with a truffle emulsion at Maison 208, here, the crisp curry potato croquettes were balanced with taro. Osteria's chicken liver pate was a deliciously hefty bite, with a nice sweetness from the conserva on top. Certainly was nice to have Distrito's shrimp ceviche at the next station - light, bright, and acidic.  

Clockwise from Top Right: Creme Brolee's Caramelized Onion & Blue Cheese, Sweet Potato, and Creme Brulees | Frosted Fox's Dessert Station | Evergreen Cheese

For dessert, Creme Brolee (not misspelled!) offered up a trio. In addition to creme brulee in its expected form, they also had a sweet potato as well as a unique caramelized onion and blue cheese iteration. All bruleed to order by the C-CAP students! A gorgeous display of desserts from Frosted Fox & cheese from Evergreen helped close out the night. 

R2L's Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake, Candied Cranberries, & Speculoos Cookie Butter

I'd be remiss if I didn't highlight R2L's great pumpkin spice cheesecake - a pure punch of fall flavor beyond your typical PSL. Supported by the speculoos cookie, the tang of the candied cranberries were a nice contrast to the bite. 

So be on the look out for next year's benefit. C-CAP supports the next generation of Chefs and industry professionals that you'll likely be looking to in the years to come.  

Ariana Restaurant Media Event

This past Wednesday, I was invited to Ariana Restaurant for a media night. The ignorance clearly lies with me as this restaurant is an Old City stalwart with almost 20 years of service under its belt. 'Ariana' is the old name of Afghanistan and the Hashmi family along with owner Beheshta have been serving Afghan cuisine to Philadelphia since 1999.

Bottom Right: Belly Dancer Ewelina | Bottom Left: Owner Beheshta & the always lovely Kate of Philly PR Girl

A big part of Afghan culture is hospitality and it clearly shows though Beheshta's passion and cooking. A melting pot of eastern European influences impart flavor and soul into the dishes, with Persian, Indian, Asian, and Mediterranean cultures all playing their part. Think less spicy then Indian, but with the familiar flavors of the Mediterranean. 

Clockwise from Top Left: Aashak Dumplings | Sambosa Pastries | Bulanee Gandana Turnovers

Along with wine (Ariana is BYO!!!) to start, we enjoyed several Afghani appetizers. Aashak are steamed scallion-filled dumplings topped with a spicy yogurt and mint sauce, with fresh mint sprinkled on top. Delicious and a definite must order. Sambosa were deftly fried and stuffed with chickpeas, ground beef, and a tempered hit of spices, served alongside a cilantro sauce. Bulanee were crisp turnovers filled with scallions and herbs - perfect to top with the accompanying yogurt sauce. I'd definitely recommend starting off your meal with a few of these bites. 

Clockwise from Top Left: Chalow Sabzi, Kadu, & Palow | Bread | Chicken Kabob | Kabuli Palow 

With our mains came fresh bread that had a nice crisp texture on the exterior, yielding to a light, fluffiness within. Slightly sweet, it was perfect to sop up the vegetarian sides that accompanied our entrees. These sides included spinach sauteed with sun-dried lemon and garlic (sabzi), pumpkin cooked down and topped with yogurt (kadu), and seasoned eggplant with tomatoes (palow). For my main, I opted for Afghanistan's flagship dish - the Kabuli Palow. Lightly seasoned chunks of lamb were interspersed throughout a lovely mix of brown basmati and topped with almonds, pistachios, carrots, and raisins. A delightful mix of savory and sweet. 

Firnee - Afghan pudding with ground pistachios, almonds, and rose water

To end our meal, we were treated to two desserts. I've never had firnee before, but I enjoyed the texture that was slightly firmer than flan but just as enjoyable. The rose water permeated throughout with some texture coming from the ground nuts. 

Baklava

And who can say no to baklava, with the thin layers of pastry dough housing plenty of syrup and walnuts. 

In addition to being a BYO, Ariana also offers late-night hookah and they're able to hook(ah?) you up for private events, including entertainment. On this particular night, we were treated to a performance by Ewelina, a local belly dancer. She had most of the patrons up and dancing by the end of the night, including yours truly (I'll spare you shots of that). And while I'm sure we all have a favorite spot in Old City, if you've never had Afghan cuisine or are looking for great food beyond your typical haunt, be sure to hit up Ariana. 

FTC Disclaimer: Special thanks to Beheshta of Ariana Restaurant & the Philly PR Girl team for hosting me. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

2nd Street Sunday Funday Stroll (Hosted by In Between Rivers)

This past Sunday, I was invited by Briana of In Between Rivers to participate in their inaugural 2nd Street Sunday Funday Stroll. IBR is a professional content creating service that's seeking to partner with restaurants and local businesses to engage with their followers. They're unique in that they have a passion for photography and produce higher-quality content than what you might find on your local Insta. 

United by Blue

144 N. 2nd Street

We started off our stroll by meeting up with other local bloggers at United by Blue's Old City storefront. Created by Temple alums Brian Linton and Mike Cangi in 2010, UBB is focused on outdoor products with a sustainable, environmental focus. From organic cotton tees to responsible, durable goods that include bags and accessories, they also put their money where their mouth is. 

United by Blue

UBB removes a pound of trash from the earth's oceans and waterways for every product sold. In fact, they hosted a cleanup the same week they sold their first T-shirt! Their next cleanup is at Pier 68 and thus far, they've removed over a million pounds of trash! 

United by Blue - Pastries and Baked Goods from Frangelli's & High Point Bakery

At UBB, they also emphasize local. Quality coffee (Reanimator) and pastries (Frangelli's & High Point Bakery) are on offer. On this hot day, I grabbed an iced Americano and enjoyed scones and cronuts. 

Tartes Fine Cakes and Pastries

212 Arch Street

Tartes - Key Lime Tartes, Pumpkin Pie Cakes, Cannelles

The second stop on our 2nd St. Sunday Stroll was Tartes. Owned by Pastry Chef Teresa Wall, you can stroll up to the pop-up window to grab pastries to go. Better yet, step inside for a revealing look at the creations from someone who's responsible for many of the city's desserts over the years (Monk's, Grace's Tavern, Nodding Head, and Anthony's Coffeehouse, to name a few). Chef Wall brought out a trio of tasty delights for us to try, including texturally perfect rum & vanilla cannelles, pumpkin cakes, and key lime tartes. Regular readers know that I'm a sucker for key lime pie and Wall's tart hit all the notes I was looking for. 

Sassafras

48 S. 2nd Street

Sassafras Bar - Barbados Redux [Bottom Left] & Gypsy Eyes [Bottom Right]

For our final stop, we were treated to a few craft cocktails and the seasonal menu from Sassafras. A classic Philly bar in the best sense of the word, the bartenders are charming. Sassafras itself has been serving Philadelphians for more than 35 years. And while the owners have changed over the years, this has resulted in sleek updates that maintain the Old World charm. Their Barbados Redux was easy summer drinking and perfect for the hot weather. It featured aged Trinidadian rum (Scarlet Ibis) married with velvet falernum, the latter of which flavored the smooth rum with a light spice and citrusy tones. The Gypsy Eyes was boozier, but just as delightful. I never say no to local Bluecoat, with the light floral essence amped up with the sweet and bitter essence of aperol and the herbaceous chartreuse. 

Sassafras Bar - Mac n Cheese Bites, French Onion Soup, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chicken Pot Pie [Clockwise from Top Left]

Sassafras has a small menu, but the Chef executes well. Mac n Cheese bites were a favorite - crisp on the outside, gooey within, and just enough tart marinara to brighten things up. Other bar staples included French onion soup, spinach and artichoke dip, and pulled pork sandwiches. Their chicken pot pie was down home as well with a nicely crusted puff pastry revealing tender chunks of chicken and root veggies.

Without hesitation, I'd highly recommend stopping by all three of our stops I visited during the IBR 2nd Street Sunday Funday Stroll. I know I'll be by again soon! 

Autograph Brasserie: Scent & Food Pairing Event

Regular readers know that if you're in the Wayne, PA, I highly recommend Autograph Brasserie. And there's no better excuse to check out what Executive Chef Ralph Fernandez has to offer than on October 11th, they'll be hosting a Scent & Food Pairing Event! Sure, we've all had the perfect wine pairing, but have you ever had the perfect candle scent or perfume to accentuate your mood, or meal? In an effort to provide a unique experience, Autograph is partnering with diptyque for a home fragrance and food-pairing event. 

Guests will be able to discover the fragrances and raw materials behind diptyque, with Chef Fernandez translating three iconic eau de perfumes into three courses: dyptique's Philoskyos scent of fig leaves, wood, sap, and black pepper will be paired with Humboldt Fog goat cheese toast with black mission fig jam, barrel aged black pepper balsamic, and fall herbs. L'Ombre dans L'Eau of Bulgarian Rose, black currant buds, petit grain, and black currant leaves will be paired with black currant honey-glazed duck breast, autumn spiced root vegetables, Red Jewel sweet potatoes, and cassis huckleberry duck jus. Finally, Eau Duelle, which has notes of bourbon vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, and calamus will be paired with vanilla creme brulee, barrel-aged bourbon maple berries, and pink peppercorn shortbread! 

Be sure to purchase tickets here before they sell out of this unique event! 

Autograph Brasserie

Wednesday, October 11th

7-9PM

503 W. Lancaster Ave.

Wayne, PA 19087

Shoo Fry: Breakfast Menu Review

After traveling through Canada, Matt and Rachel Baida decided to share their passion for poutine with Philly. After a 6 month stint as King of Prussia pop-up, they decided to take over the previous Underdogs space with a permanent location in Rittenhouse. The craze for poutine has clearly taken off, so they've recently expanded with a second location in Fishtown.

Top Right: Shoo Fry Proprieters Rachel & Matt Baiada

But that's not all that's been going on. They've also expanded their menu to include breakfast offerings. Think breakfast sliders and diced hash browns covered with all of your typical poutine fixings!

Breakfast Sliders
Original [American Cheese, Pickles], The Blue [Blue Cheese, Bacon, Fried Onions, BBQ], Scrapple [Fried Egg, Cheddar, Ketchup], Pepper Goat [Goat Cheese, Bacon, Pepper Jelly], Poutine in a Cup [Fried Onions, Cheese Curds, Gravy]

With the exception of the Poutine in a Cup slider for $4, the rest are only $3! It doesn't get more Philly than with a scrapple slider. The thin patty was nicely crisp and redolent with porcine flavors. This melded well with the fried egg and cheddar. It's all housed in a soft, pillowy, potato roll. Just the right size and perfect for breakfast. Grab two or three of these to go!

Breakfast Hashbrowns

Looking for something more substantial? You know Shoo Fry's got great poutine. So expect the crisp texture of hash browns to soak up all of Shoo Fry's toppings. I tried a trio of the chipped beef, cheesesteak, and the Sugar Shack.

The latter's a clear ode to Canada. Maple sugar shacks offer up sweet treats by dripping maple syrup into cold shaved ice. Shoo Fry's maple bacon melded sweet and savory flavors nicely, emanating a nice balance for breakfast. And obviously, everything's better with an egg on it.

So stop by Shoo Fry and check out their new offerings. Satisfyingly satiating, Shoo Fry's breakfast menu will get you through the work week.

Shoo Fry 

132 S. 17th Street 

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(267) 639-2104

www.shoofry.com