Le Virtu Hosts Winter Festival to Benefit Project H.O.M.E.

Philadelphia offers more than its fair share of Italian restaurants that run the gamut from cliché to half decent to lauded and authentic. Le Virtu has praised as the latter and boasts being one of only a handful of Italian restaurants in the country dedicated to the region of Italy known as Abruzzi. The area, about three hours east of Rome, is rich in history, food, tradition and for my family in particular, home.


The thing about Abruzzi is that while the land is rich, those who work it generally aren't. Luckily the Abruzzese (people of Abruzzi) know how to make the most of what's afforded. In the dead of winter, hearty soups, meats and breads can make every meal a feast.


At Le Virtu this Thursday, January 19, from 5pm - 8pm, owners Francis Cratil-Cretarola, Catherine Lee and Chef Joe Cicala will host La Cottora, a traditional Abruzzese winter festival.

The menu includes Sagne e Fasciul’, the Chef's variation of Abruzzi's pasta fagiole served with panini made with porchetta. There will be house-made hot mulled wine, apple cider with spiced rum and warm Abruzzese punch. There will also be biscotti, pizzelle cookies and roasted chestnuts.  

The entire event will be held in La Virtu's outdoor space around several wood burning fires. And the best part? No, not the mulled wine. All the proceeds go to Project H.O.M.E., a non-profit aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness in Philadelphia.

Tickets are $30 per person and are available online.

Le Virtu 1927 E. Passyunnk Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19148

Style Me Hired is Looking for Participants

In September, Philadelphia’s beauty industry will come together for Style Me Hired, a worthy cause helping to give 100 unemployed women a much needed makeover. The event is meant to help boost the confidence of local women that have lost their jobs due to the recession. Marc Voci of Marc Voci Salon and Colorbar has partnered with the Career Wardrobe to champion this cause.

Style Me Hired is looking for salons to donate their time and effort, as well as participating women who are in need of a makeover.

Salon services will be done before the September 26th event, when winners will be revealed at a reception held at the Omni Hotel.

Women looking to be made-over can fill out an entry form here.

Salons interested in participating in the event can download the event participation form here.

For more information, visit www.stylemehired.com.

Philly Unleashed: Charity Happy Hour at Mac’s Tavern

Mac’s Tavern will be hosting Philly Unleashed, a free happy hour for charity, tonight, Thursday, July 21, from 7pm – 9pm. The event is to support Citizens For a No-Kill Philadelphia and is meant to raise awareness for The Monster Milers, a charity working to connect Philadelphia runners with homeless dogs as volunteer running companions.


Carrie Maria, owner of Monster Minders, a local dog walking and pet sitting company, founded Monster Milers. This is a people only event. Sorry, no dogs.

Mac's Tavern 226 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19106

Night Market Heads to Mt. Airy

That's right - the increasingly popular Night Market has set its latest destination. Mt Airy!
THe folks from the Food Trust, the non-profit organization who coordinate the Night Market have just released the next locale for their outdoor food fair.

On Thursday, August 4, from 6pm - 10pm, Night Market will roll into Mt. Airy and set up shop on Germantown Avenue from Sedgwick to Mt. Airy Avenue.

Tackle Bullying with Todd Herremans

Even though the school year is over, the problem of bullying persists around the city. On Thursday, June 23, Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Lineman Todd Herremans will be hosting a “Don’t Mess With Todd” Anti-Bullying Fundraiser at Sugar House Casino from 7 – 10pm. Tickets are $30 each and include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and select complimentary cocktails.

The event will benefit No Place for Hate, a program developed by the Anti-Defamation League to provide a model for challenging bullying and bigotry in communities, schools and college campuses.

An Evening at the Ball Park to Benefit Camp Erin

The Moyer Foundation is set to host another of its high-end charity events to benefit Camp Erin. On Tuesday, May 11, at 6pm, join Philadelphia’s elite at Citizens Bank Park’s Diamond Club for a night of dining and entertainment as well as silent and live auctions.

Tickets to the event are limited and must be reserved. Seats are $250 per person, and all proceeds go to benefit the Moyer Foundation and Camp Erin.

Pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen founded The Moyer Foundation in 2000. It creates and funds programs to benefit children including its largest benefactor, Camp Erin, a free bereavement camp for grieving children and teens, helps over 2,500 kids each year.

High Steaks Cheesesteak Challenge

So here we are again. Back to the ever-raging Philadelphia debate – who’s got the best steak in town? This Sunday, October 17, Square 1682 is hosting its first annual Cheesesteak Challenge: High Steaks Chef’s Showdown and block party on Sansom Street between 16th and 17th from 3pm – 5pm to celebrate its first anniversary.

Nine of the city’s top chefs will face off in a gourmet cheesesteak throw down, creating their interpretations of the classic wiz wit / wiz wit-out. Chefs include Guillermo Tellez of Square 1682; David Boyle of Davio’s; Brinn Sinnott of Noble; Peter Woolsey of Bistro La Minette; Jason Goodenough of Happy Rooster; Mike Stollenwerk of Fish; Paul Healey of Domaso; Dennis Marron Jackson of 20 and The Grille at Morrison House; and Massimo De Francesca of Nios.

Who better than to judge the festivities than the Philly cheesesteak professional himself, Tony Luke, of – duh, Tony Luke’s, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Michael Klein and others chosen from the city’s media and marketing sectors.

Tickets to the showdown are $20 and include tastes of all of the entries plus, three Victory Brewing Company brews. All of the proceeds go to benefit Philadelphia Academies, a Philadelphia based charity dedicated to career focused programming in our public schools.

The event will be held rain or shine and tickets will be available both online or at the door.

SQUARE 1682 121 S. 17th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 Adjacent to Hotel Palomar Philadelphia 215-563-5008

This article was written for and can be viewed at philly2night.com.

Phillies, Eagles & Playboy Bunnies On The Diamonds & Denim Red Carpet

Last night, Cole Hamels and his wife Heidi hosted a Diamonds and Denim event at Union Trust Steakhouse at 7th and Chestnut in Philadelphia. The invite only, inaugural, red carpet party benefited The Hamel’s Foundation: Dedicated to Supporting Education in the US and Africa.

The city’s top media and philly2night’s own paparazzi waited behind the velvet ropes to sneak a peak at some of the city’s biggest names in sports and entertainment. You’re going to want to check out the star-studded photo gallery for the who’s who that came out dressed in their hottest diamonds and denim to support the Hamels’ cause.

The most popular style of the night was overwhelmingly True Religion with corsets coming in a close second. And everyone looked hot – especially the Playboy Bunnies that were there to heat up the red carpet including Playboy’s Miss May 2007, Shannon James, Miss June 2004, Hiromi Oshima, Miss July 2007, Tiffany Selby, and Playboy Playmate of the Year 2006, Kara Monaco.

Guests made their limousine arrivals beginning around 6pm and still came trickling in at nearly 8pm with the exception of J Roll who rolled up in the Bentley and opted to enter through the rear doors instead.

But not all the Phills were so reclusive. Hamels teammates Chase Utley, Ryan Madson, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, Roy Halladay and the very cool Ryan Howard all walked the red carpet. And FYI, the wives looked fabulous. Eagles lineup Brent Celek, Stewart Bradley and Todd Herremans were there too.

There were also appearances by Danny Bonaduce and his girlfriend who sported matching, custom bedazzled Hamels jerseys and Survivor cast members, including Playboy Cover Girl September 2001, Jerry Manthey, Eliza Orlins, Bobby Jon Drinkard and Big Tom Buchanan.

The event featured cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, carving stations, both a silent and live auction and Bernie Robbins diamond giveaway. Stand-up comedian Joe Conklin and singers Tony Orlando and LeAnn Rimes kept the crowd entertained during the night.

All ticket sales went toward Philadelphia school grants in order to help local schools receive equipment and materials that they are lacking. All other proceeds raised by the event support the Hamels’ school in Malawi Africa.

This article was written for and can be viewed at philly2night.com.