Get the Foobooz Discount: Taste of the Nation, tonight

The city's food community gathers tonight to end childhood hunger during Taste of the Nation at the Loews Hotel, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. 

Why should you buy a ticket? Locally, Taste of the Nation goes to benefit The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, Philabundance, The Food Trust, and The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center. 

Meaning, you can help all of these organizations at once! Plus, there are tons of restaurants participating (check out the list below) and you can get a discounted ticket through Foobooz.

• 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge by Eric Ripert - Chef Nathan Volz (Bio)
• A Cupcake Wonderland - Pastry Chef Lily Fischer
• Avalon Restaurant/Avalon Pasta Bistro - Chef John Brandt-Lee (Bio)
• Bar Ferdinand - Chef James Howard (Bio)
• Belle Cakery - Pastry Chef Jessie Prawlucki
• Brauhaus Schmitz - Chef Jeremy Nolen (Bio)
• Cantina Feliz/La Calaca Feliz - Chef Tim Spinner (Bio)
• City Tavern - Chef Walter Staib (Bio)
• Cochon - Chef Gene Giuffi (Bio)
• Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse - Chef Thomas Heck (Bio)
• DiBruno Brothers - Chef Robert Sidor (Bio)
• El Camino Real - Chef Keith Bernstein
• Fish - Chef Mike Stollenwerk (Bio) & Pastry Chef Monica Glass
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - Chef Aaron Fleisch (Bio)
• Fond - Chef Lee Styer
• Funky Lil’ Kitchen - Chef Michael Falcone
• Golden Pheasant Inn - Chef Jon Ramsay (Bio) and Chef Blake Faure (Bio)
• Lacroix at the Rittenhouse - Chef Jon Cichon
• LoveBar Chocolate - Chocolatier Tegan Hagy
• Marigold Kitchen - Chef Robert Halpern (Bio)
• McCrossen's Tavern - Chef Townsend Wentz (Bio)
• Meme - Chef David Katz (Bio)
• Modo Mio - Chef Peter McAndrews
• Mugshots Coffee House & Cafe - Pastry Chef Zachary Scott
• MyHouse Cookies - Pastry Chef Marie Connell
• Ristorante Panorama - Chef Rosario Romano (Bio)
• Sole Food Restaurant - Chef Thomas Harkins

• South Philadelphia Tap Room - Chef Scott Schroeder (Bio)
• Spiga - Chef Brian Wilson (Bio)
• Square 1682 - Chef Guillermo Tellez (Bio)
• Tashan - Chef Sylva Senat (Bio)
• The Belgian Cafe - Chef Evan Seplow
• Trio/Isabel - Chef Michael Poole
• Valanni -Chef John Strain
• Verdad Restaurant & Tequila Bar - Chef Nicholas Farina (Bio)

Weekend Updates: The Feed

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First Friday: Hot Stops for the Rest of Us

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a hipster or a starving artist to partake in First Friday. I know, I know, big shocker, right. And just because you don't have a friend showing a coffee shop full of 3x5 cards decorated with the feelings of the ocean, you shouldn't feel like you're on the outs.

Check out these stops and be part of the action. And even though Old City 'proper' has lost the unofficially exclusive rights to First Friday, its still the best place to start a First Friday crawl.


OLD CITY

• Drink Philly always hosts a First Friday shindig. This month, check out work by featured artists, Jessica Berlin, Monica Lui, Joi Washington, and Drew Scavello. There will be live jazz, and  drinks and snacks from The Boilermaker, Wash West's new tavern from the peeps over at Farmer's Cabinet. The event is free and open to all. You just have to sign up to be on Drink Philly's newsletter list.

• The Race Street Pier is kicking off a season of events tonight with Park After Dark. From 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., check out the Art Star Craft Bazaar teaser event. Live entertainment and great food are promised. (Art Star is back next weekend, May 12 - 13, on Penn's Landing).

NOLIBS

• Northern Liberties is getting into the action with its inaugural NoLibs First Friday tonight. There are tons of businesses involved, offering 10% discounts and some complimentary cocktails from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Check their Facebook page for a list of participating places. There are a bunch, on both 2nd and 3rd streets.

FISHTOWN

• A Food Truck Pop-Up makes Fishtown a must for tonight's festivities. From 6 p.m. -11 p.m., at the Lutheran Settlement House, at 1340 Frankford Avenue. The Philadelphia Mobile Food Association recruited Little Baby's Ice Cream, Pitruco, Spot Burgers and Zea Mae's Kitchen for tonight's events. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Lutheran Settlement House, a non-profit benefiting and educating adults and seniors and those affected by homelessness and domestic violence. 

'May the Fourth Be With You' at Please Touch

Today, Friday May 4, celebrate Star Wars Day at the Please Touch Museum. There will be outer-space themed activities, Star Wars toys on display, a Star Wars themed art experience, and characters wandering the museum throughout the day.

From 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers will lead museum guests in an Imperial March Parade.

So bust out those costumes and head over: Jedi robes recommended.

Finding Flea Markets: Fairmount

It's that time again. The time when only the threat of rain could put a damper on the haggling and browsing of the sidewalk market.

This weekend, head to 22nd & Fairmount from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., where over 200 vendors will be set up along the perimeter of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Last year's browsing was good: lots of old records, 'jungadells' (if someone knows how to properly spell that, post in the comments) and a ton of last minute Mother's Day gift ideas.

For more info, head to philafleamarkets.org or, in case of a flea market emergency, call the 24-hour info line...215-625-FLEA.

(really?!)