The Red Wedding at Franklin Mortgage & Investment: Do it.

One of the best drinks I've had in quite some time came in quite the unexpected place. While I've written about Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. on many an occasion in the past, I hadn't actually been there...

I know. It's terrible to admit. But in its non-vodka offerings, I felt nearly offended. Gin makes this girl rowdy. And I've stayed away from whiskeys and the like, since I was about 14, so there was no particular rush to head to the popular speakeasy.

But I can happily report, that I have finally made it there; and low and behold, they have a destination worthy drink for a gal like myself.

Having gotten over my initial hesitation of entering the dark and kinda scary sub basement entrance of Franklin Mortgage & Investment, I opened the heavy door to find life; lights, people and the smell of fermentation, completely hidden from the street above.

I joined my friends and had a look at the new fall menu. Being a wine / vodka drinker, it took me a while. I almost wished I had a drink while I decided on what I should be drinking. But ultimately, I feel like the allure and mystery of the cocktails, so foreign to me, almost heightened that first sip.

I've decided that The Red Wedding is a sort of winter sangria. The mulled wine served over ice is dangerously delicious. It's offered in the House of Leaves portion of the menu and actually includes Applejack, El Dorado Rum, Lemon Juice, Mulled Wine Syrup, Orange, and some other fancy ingredients. But for a wine drinker like myself, it was perfection.

And while this may have been my first visit to this Rittenhouse speakeasy, it certainly won't be my last. Go try one for yourself, while it's still in season. Cheers!

Franklin Mortgage & Investment 112 South 18th Street  Philadelphia, PA 19103

Moveable Feast: the Newest Idea in Philly Dining

When it comes to special dinners, there are so many trends in the Philly food scene. Pop-up dinners, wine dinners, beer dinners, farm to table dinners…one might think we have seen them all. But on July 20, Davio’s and the Wine School of Philadelphia are teaming up to bring the Philly foodie something new.

A Moveable Feast; two events, two locations, one ticket price.

The evening will begin at 6pm with a Northern Italian wine tasting at The Wine School of Philadelphia led by Founder Keith Wallace. After that, the event will move on to Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse for a dinner prepared by Chef David Boyle including Braised Beef Shortribs, Sweet Corn Polenta and Heirloom Tomato Salad. The full menu is below.

Tickets to the event are $65.99 per person. A wine flight pairing will be available with dinner for an additional $25.00. Reservations are highly recommended (215-563-4810).

First Course
Hawaiian Tuna Tartar, Avocado, Grapefruit, Baby Greens

Second Course
Heirloom Tomato Salad, Garlic Croutons, Aged Balsamic

Third Course
Braised Beef Short Ribs, Sweet Corn Polenta, Spinach, Thyme Jus

Fourth Course
Key Lime Pie

Rum Dinner at Cuba Libre

To celebrate its 10th Anniversary, Cuba Libre Philadelphia has partnered up with Bacardi Rum to offer guests a different Daiquiri for all 31 days during the month of July. To kick off the festivities, the Old City location will be hosting a Rum Dinner, this Wednesday, June 29 at 7pm.

Chef Guillermo Pernot will be preparing a four course rum dinner, showcasing a few of the daiquiris and seafood specials that will be featured during the coming month. Tickets are $85 per person and include dinner, drink pairings and a cocktail reception.

If you’re wondering, why seafood and daiquiris, there’s a perfectly simple explanation. It’s in honor of Earnest Hemmingway. The Nobel Prize winning author’s birthday falls during the month. He was one of Cuba’s most notable American inhabitants and his love of deep sea fishing and daiquiris was well known.

It’s also National Daiquiri Month so there’s more reasons than not to celebrate.

This Wednesday’s menu will include

Ceviche de Ostras, oyster ceviche with roasted banana-tamarindo sauce and Tooloom balls; Atún Señor Lopez, Coco Lopez-BACARDÍ Solera rum-glazed blue fin tuna anticuchos with cucumbers, smoked, dried shrimp and roasted peanut salsa; Matambre de Cordero, lamb flank steak roulade stuffed with spinach and carrots served with a warm, Boletus mushroom salad; Serrucho al Escabeche, grilled swordfish fillet, red snapper and black olives escabeche with crispy tomatoes and cilantro-caper aioli; and Piña Asada, vanilla-cardamom-clove-glazed, slow-roasted pineapple served with mango ice cream.

Cuba Libre 10 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-627-0666

Summer School is in Session

This summer, Franklin Mortgage & Investment will be teaching its patrons all about the classics...cocktails that is; every Monday - Friday, from 5 - 8pm, beginning tonight, June 20, and continuing through August.

Wednesday = Center City District Sips

It’s Wednesday, and that means cheap drinks at some of the city’s most pricy establishments. Center City District Sips, the weekly Wednesday night Happy Hour Series continues tonight with $4 cocktails, $3 wines, $2 beers and half price apps from 5pm – 7pm.

And don’t forget about the CCD Sips app that’s available to download. Some say it makes it harder to choose. My opinion? Download it and decide for yourself. It’s always good to know your options. Sometimes you’ll forget about a place that was on your mind and the app might just jog your memory. It’s available here for iPhone and Android.

If you find a great place that has awesome drinks or really good specials, feel free to comment below and share the wealth!

Click here for a full list of participating bars. For more information visit centercityphila.org.

Mixers for Sale at Midtown Village's Grocery

Chef Marcy Turney and Valarie Safran are now offering Mixers, sold in the freezer section of their prepared foods shop Grocery. Having started in the BYO business with Lolita and Bindi, the ladies would provide tasty mixers for those who wanted to bring their own and have a little something special to pair with the flavors of the food.

Made of fresh fruit juices and sold by the quart (5 servings) for $12, the Mixers can be blended with any liquor, but probably work best with vodka, rum or tequila. Right now, they are available in Traditional Lemon-Lime, Black Cherry, Mango Cardamom, Blood Orange and Pomegranite-Ginger.

As the season progresses and other fruits are available new varieties, like Watermelon, will be added. Directions are included with each bottle and if there’s anyway that the blood orange mix can help me to replicate the Sanguinello (pictured) from Barbuzzo, than I’m sold!

Grocery 101 S. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19107

Center City Sips Goes High-Tech

Wednesdays just got a little more interesting and the usual Philadelphia summer schedule of a 3 3/4 day workweek may have just gotten shorter. Center City District Sips is back and officially launches tonight. Every Wednesday throughout the summer, the Center City District offers happy hour specials and discounts at all of its participating restaurants and bars.

From June 1 – August 31, from 5pm – 7pm, Center City District Sips will offer $4 cocktails, $3 wines, $2 beers and half price apps. Some places will even be offering 15% off dinners for those who stay on past 7pm. There are so many restaurants participating it’s pretty much impossible to keep track…

Or is it???????

This year, CCDS has gotten tech savvy and commissioned an app to help move the “where should we go” process along. The free CCD Sips app is available for both iPhone and Android and includes a map and full list of bars and specials. Sorry Blackberry people...time for an upgrade.

Click here for a full list of participating bars. For more information visit centercityphila.org.

Nerd Nite Philly: May Edition!

Like the pied piper of nerds, this series has Philly’s intellectuals flocking to its monthly events. The May 2011 Edition of Philly Nerd Nite is upon us and on Thursday, May 12, MarBar will again host the drink and lecture series.

As usual, doors open at 7:30pm and the show starts at 8pm. This month’s topics and speakers include bits about investigative reporting, the photography interests of Central Asian hipsters, Muslim elephants, music and comedy.

Here’s the full line-up:

“Investigative Science Reporting,” by Kerry Grens
“Real Lomos, Fake Lomos, and the Politics and Practice of Analouge Photography Among Central Asian Hipsters,” by Erica Pelta Feldman
“The Strange Case of Charlemagne’s Muslim Elephant,” by Paul M. Cobb.
Music by Kassie Richardson c
Comedy by Aaron Hertzog

MarBar 40th & Walnut 200 S. 40th St., Philadelphia, PA 215-222-0100

Mr. Greengenes Brings It To McToberfest!

Having Ocean Drive withdrawals? Haven’t gotten your fix of packed parties and awesome cover bands in a while? This Saturday, October 9, head to McFadden’s for the 7th Annual McToberfest. Doors open at 2pm and the party won’t stop until 2am.

Join philly2night and Coors Light to enjoy some great Oktoberfest foods as well as $3 Coors & Coors Light and $5 Pinnacle Vodka and Red Bulls all day long.

With Kristen and The Noise opening up for headliner Mr. Greengenes, the party under the tent is going to be wild! Plus, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, so you’ll also be doing something good for the world.

Get on the Coors Light VIP Party Guest List to get free admission and two complimentary Coors Lights to start the afternoon off right! But in order to take advantage of this day drinking deal, you have to arrive between 3 and 5pm. Keep your eyes out for the philly2night Street Team for a VIP Admission Pass OR just sign up for the Guest List here!

If you're not on the guest-list and you arrive after 5pm, it is a $15 cover and NO complimentary Coors Light. So, get yourself and your friends on the list, arrive early and DON'T MISS OUT!

McFadden’s Saloon 461 N 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 215-928-0630

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

Tria’s "Fun Little Cousin," Biba, Finally Comes To Town!

As hanging out with “fun little cousins” can sometimes go, there are usually some surprises in store that weren’t expected. Maybe they are a little more grown up than previously anticipated, maybe their friends are wild and crazy or maybe they just love to drink wine and all this time hanging out with the little cousin could have been really cool. Who knew?

The team from Tria. That’s who. They knew that an upscale wine bar was just what University City needed. And this Friday, October 8, at 4pm, Biba will open its doors to the public as something a little younger, a little hipper and a little trendier than its older and more distinguished fam in Center City - Rittenhouse Square Tria, 18th and Sansom and Washington Square West Tria, 12th and Spruce.

Biba, though young and hip is absolutely anti-techie, aka, no TV’s, no Wi-Fi, no live music or karaoke. I guess we can safely rule out a facebook page. The “farmhouse – industrial” interior feel is just the right mix to make desperate internet seekers forget that their computer won't connect to anything. Maybe picking it up out in the patio seating next spring will be a possibility!

The intention is to have guests be distraction free long enough to enjoy one of the 26 wines by the glass or 10 hand selected artisanal beers as well as the simple, affordable cheese, charcuterie or chocolates offered on the menu at this chic, yet back to basics location.

Good food, good drinks and as long as the people that are there to join the party are in good spirits, good company too. Biba will be open Sunday - Thursday from 12noon - 12midnight and Friday and Saturday from 12noon - 1am.

Biba Wine Bar 3131 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 215-972-7075

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

This Little Piggy Went To Ladder 15 - And He Tastes Delicious!

So after this weeks heartbreaking / rib shattering loss to McNabb, a Vickless Eagles squad will be on the road for next Sunday’s matchup against the 49ers. Obviously, tailgating is out of the question and if you drug your feet on the Green Legion trip, don’t worry, there’s still hope for your Sunday.

Ladder 15 pig roasts are a solid bid, even if the plan is for a couple weeks away. Ladder Chef David Ansill will roast up a full porchette as well as collard greens, corn bread and one draft beer (via the hot bartenders, not Ansill) for $25 a person for parties of 10 or more.

Orders need to be a week in advance, so think ahead but if you’re quick on the draw, you might still make this week’s order!

Otherwise, Ladder 15 is always offering Chef David Ansill’s NFL Tailgate, all day, every Sunday with NFL Sunday Ticket. Food specials, a Bloody Mary bar, $4 craft beers and $12 buckets of beer.

Ladder 15 1528 Sansom St. Philadelphia, PA 215-964-9755

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

Baby Blues BBQ Brings West Coast Love To U City

After making its presence known with three locations out in Cali, Baby Blues BBQ is bringing it home to the Philly scene with a new BBQ joint up in University City at 34th and Sansom that is set to open Friday October 8, at 4pm.

And after a year and a half of searching for the perfect location, Baby Blues decided that University City had the perfect mix of students, professors and professionals to fill the 125 seat double-wide townhouse to capacity.

An open kitchen surrounded by a u-shaped marble counter top sits dead center of the two properties allowing BBQ lovers to sit and watch as the chef’s prepare Baby Blues’ time tested, finger lickin’ dishes recipes. (The counter itself has historical ties to the city and is said to come from the streets below Independence Hall – good to know.)

The menu, recipe and preparation of the ‘Q’ is identical to what’s found in any of the other Baby Blues BBQ locations in West Hollywood, Venice Beach or San Francisco, CA, a Memphis dry rub/ North Carolina hybrid, if you will.

All of the meat, pork, ribs and chicken included, are cured for between 24 – 48 hours and slow cooked for 10 – 16 hours, depending on its weight. All of the dishes are served and then sauced at the eaters discretion with house made sauces like the Eastern Carolina a vinegar and pepper sauce, the Central Carolina a mustard based sweeter sauce, the Sassy Molassy more of a Kansas City style, the XXX Sauce made with seven or eight different kinds of peppers and even a Ginger Tabasco sauce.

Sides are also all house made including the “crack and cheese,” I mean, mac and cheese, sweet potato mash and collard greens. Plus, 11 of the 14 side dishes are vegetarian friendly.

Though Baby Blues is predominately a restaurant, its bar scene, possibly its fabulous BBQ and presumably years rooted Philly clout, has managed to wrestle away the 610 WIP Live Post Game Show from heavyweight, Chickie and Petes, even BEFORE its opening night. After last night’s fiasco of a Birds game, the Post Game Show was broadcast from Baby Blues BBQ.

Opening night is Friday and for the first couple of weeks, Baby Blues will be strictly a dinner locale. But after getting through the opening kinks, the UC spot will be open every day from 11:30am – midnight and until 1am and 2am on the weekends.

Baby Blues BBQ 3402 Sansom St Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-222-4444

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

The Midtown Village Fall Festival Is Bigger-Than-Ever!

Some like to call it the Gayborhood. Others call it the Midtown Village. But a rose by any other name is still a rose. This Saturday, October 2, the whole neighborhood is getting into the spirit and setting up for the “Bigger-Than-Ever” 2010 Midtown Village Fall Festival. The free to wander block party begins at 12noon and runs until 8pm, with the main hub at 13th and Sansom, the epicenter of the 6 blocks that will be closed down for the day and we have the rundown on the best of the festivities.

Bier Gardens - After a month of Oktoberfest celebrations, McGillin’s Old Ale House (the city’s oldest tavern) will be finishing strong, transforming Drury Street into a giant beer garden. The tented area will have with live entertainment, including karaoke, German food and beer.

Vintage and Time will have a beer and wine garden as well, offering cocktails, 60+ wines by the glass wines, and tons of beers on tap with live DJ.

Outside of Fergies Pub will be a forty-foot bar with beer and food for sale including Scotch Eggs, Bocodillos and Fish & Chips. They will also have a traditional Irish Music Session from 1pm - 4 pm and Soul Piece, a rock cover band playing from 4:30pm to 8pm.

New Eats On The Block – Making their inaugural appearances at Fall Festival, Tweed, Zavino, Barbuzzo, Sampan, Fuel, Jakes Sandwich Board and Bar will all be offering snacks to the interested crowds. Food lovers that haven’t been in to check these places out yet have the perfect opportunity to try, without having an entire meal to weigh them down for the rest of the afternoon.

Old Favorites - Lolita and Bindi, 13th Street’s staple Mexican and Indian BYO’s will be serving up pork carnita tostadas and fresh tamales or Chicken Tikka wraps and Saag paneer.

Share The Love – Ok, so maybe it doesn’t seem like sushi and sake fit into the beer loving festivities, but diversity is totally the name of the game in this hood and all are always welcome. Especially when they come correct like Raw Sushi & Sake Lounge, bringing what it does best to the party - sushi rolls, BBQ skewers and sake bombs!

On The 1’s & 2’s - Q102's DJ Richie Rich will be mixing it up from Noon – 3pm while raffling off tickets to upcoming events. From 3pm – 6pm 94WYSP Philly Rock Station will also be on the street, spinning and handing out prizes.

All For A Good Cause – The Loews Hotel is sponsoring Alex’s Lemonade Stand as well as the Little Villagers section with a free kids moon bounce and carnival games to benefit childhood cancer research.

Heart.Muscle.Mind will also have a Dunk-a-Trainer dunk tank to raise money for its project to build a fitness center for a local school in need.

FYI - Parking will be a nightmare, so find alternative means. Day drinking and driving is never a good combo anyway, so the phrase of the day for the 2010 Fall Festival is definitely public transportation.

With food, cocktails, wine, beer, shopping, art, live music, and even a dunk tank, the Fall Festival offers a little something for everyone. Come out and enjoy!

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

Brews For Boobies Pub Crawls

In support of our favorite gals, we are again looking to save some boobies. This week, it’s brews and pub crawls which are absolutely, no doubt about it, boobie friendly activities. This Saturday, October 2, Philly Beer Scene is hosting its 3rd Annual Pub Crawl for Breast Cancer, Brews for Boobies 3.

With a $25 donation to Brews for Boobies, supporters receive a tee shirt plus food and drink discounts at eight different bars over 12 hours. There are four different crawls in all but only the South Philly and Northern Liberties still have spaces available. Center City and Old City booked up fast!

The South Philly Pub Crawl begins at noon and will stop at Lucky 13 with $1 off drinks, 1601 with $3 drafts, POPE and Devil’s Den with $1 off drafts, The Dive getting in the spirit with free pizza and $2 liquor specials, 12 Steps Down with $3 women brewed craft beers, Tattooed Moms is giving $.50 off drinks for life and half priced drafts, Brauhaus Schmitz has $4 specials and Varga Bar will be rounding out the night with ½ price beer, cocktails and wine.

The NoLibs Pub Crawl will definitely be a surprise with many of the specials still TBD, but stops include Kraftwork, Johnny Brenda’s, Cantina Dos Segundos, Standard Tap, 700, Abbaye, North Bowl and finishing off at the Varga Bar after party.

All proceeds go towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation. For tickets, visit the Brews For Boobies 3 website.

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

Margarita Mondays At Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant

After a solid first weekend, Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant has done what no one has managed to do in years. Bring life back to the corner of Market and Letitia. Yes, there is Franklin Fountain but unless you’re looking for delicious ice cream served in Chinese food take out containers, it doesn’t count.

The old Triada space has been dormant for way too long – just begging for someone to open up and kill it with something a little more foodie, a little more crafty and a little less clubby than the rest of Old City on a Friday night.

Didn’t make it out over the weekend? No sweat. You’re definitely still ahead of the curve. The menu is adventurous offering items from char grilled octopus to pork belly sandwiches and a scrapple cheese steak that sounds like an absolutely, fabulously, home grown Philly combination. Go and try it out – tell me what you think.

There’s also some tamer items like crispy eggplant, a cheese plate and a burger that has gotten some positive online user reviews. Bar snacks sound tasty as well with fried mac and cheese stepping up PBR’s game.

As for the drinks specials, try out the Soco Happy Hour from 5pm – 7pm, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with $4 Soco drinks and $5 Southern glazed wings. Also, beginning this week, try the rotating list of $3 craft pints that will be available every day all day and night. Tonight, PBR is pushing their Margarita Mondays promo with ½ priced tacos and ½ priced pitchers of margaritas.

PBR is open seven nights a week from 3pm – 2am Monday - Friday to and will be launching brunch this weekend beginning 11am Saturday and Sunday.

Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant 120 – 122 Market St. (Between Front & 2nd) Philadelphia, PA 215-925-7691

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Outdoorsy Type? Blocktoberfest & Vendemmia This Weekend!

How would you rather spend this weekend? Drinking wine or drinking beer? Whichever one you choose will allow you hours of outdoor drinking and festivities. Can’t decide which one you like better? How about both.

This Saturday, September 25, celebrate Ocktoberfest with Fado Irish Pub and Misconduct during Blocktoberfest, an all day, outdoor, German beer drinking festival that will block off 15th and Locust. From 11am – 8:30pm enjoy a German beer specials, join in the bratwurst eating contest, enter a strongman stein holding competition and listen to live music including the sounds of a German polka band.

It’s free to enter either bar but to gain access to the tented festivities it’s a $5 cover. There will be German pretzels, bratwurst and wienerschnitzel and the best part is the festival prices - all beer and food costs between $3 and $6 bucks.

On Sunday, September 26, everyone’s got a little Italian in them during the 14th Annual Vendemmia Festival. Wine lovers gather every year to celebrate the harvest with wine, food, live music and wine tasting. Now, everyone knows a guy who makes the best dego-red in the city – myself included. But during Vendemmia, the homemade wine competition puts the debate to rest until next year –foggetaboutit.

Tickets are $40 per person or $50 the day of the event, but for all the red wine and delicious Italian food available, it’s totally worth the ticket price. This year, the event will be held in its new home, moving from Girard Park to Vendemmia Square between Pattison Ave & Hartranft St. at 20th and Broad, north of FDR Park.

Fado Irish Pub 1500 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 215.893.9700

Misconduct Tavern 1511 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 215.732.5797

Vendemmia Tickets | 215-551-3859

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Ride A Bull, Save A Boobie

Whether or not bull riding qualifies as a boobie friendly activity is still up for debate but supporting boobies by bull riding is one of the most original concepts I may have ever heard of. So out of sheer intrigue, lets just say yes, bull riding IS boobie friendly.

That said, on Thursday, September 30, in preparation for October’s Rock The Ribbon campaign presented by breastcancer.org, a 10th anniversary celebration of cancer awareness, Buckhead Saloon on North 3rd St. will be hosting the Bull Riding for Boobies charity event.

With the mention of Bull Riding for Boobies, at the door, guests will be given free entry as well as a wristband, treating them to discounted beer towers for just $8, instead of the usual $15 and a $2 discount for the mechanical bull at just $3 a ride.

Buckhead is also offering its usual Thursday night specials including $1 domestic drafts, $3 well drinks, $4 Miller Light pitchers and $3 Soco lime and kamikaze shots. So saddle up and come out to save the boobies.

Buckhead Saloon 461 N 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 215-925-8170

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

Sugar House Casino Sneak Preview!

After years of planning, neighborhood protesting and 11 months of building, Sugar House Casino will be open for business on September 23 at 1pm. Philly2night got a sneak preview of Sugar House and all the games, food and atmosphere that Philadelphia’s first casino has to offer. Here’s the rundown.

The Rules - Once Sugar House is open to the public on Thursday it will remain open 24/7. But thanks to the Pennsylvania liquor laws, drinks will only be served until 2am, like the majority of other bars in the area. Casino bars will open at 7am on the weekends and between 10 and 11 on the weekdays, so at least day drinking and a martini lunch are still definite possibilities.

Smoking will be permitted on 25% of the gaming floor, to start, with the possibility to open up to 50% down the road. Parking will be free and valet is available. Like in Atlantic City, guests will be treated to complimentary cocktails while at the machines and tables.

The Games - The 45,000 square foot gaming floor is home to four pits, 1,600 slot machines and over 40 table games including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Mini Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Thee-card Poker and Four-card Poker.

The High Rollers - The high limit room has slots ranging from $.01 - $100.00 as well as eight table games with minimum bets starting at $50 and maxing out at $10,000. High limit players are also given access to the high limit lounge with all the refreshments and house baked cookies they can stomach.

The History - The interior of the casino was designed to pay homage to the Jack Frost Sugar Refinery that used to stand on the very same plot of land, which had been vacant for years before site preparations began in 2009.

The Bars - As for the bar scene, Sugar House will offer beverage service, as well as two bars. Lucky Red the smaller of the two, features a 20-25 seat bar with digital poker machines built into the bar. Think B Bar in Borgata. Lucky Red’s bar surrounds a 160 inch HD LCD TV made up of 12 different screens and is crowned with a running ticker with all of the sports scores you could want. The 12 screens can each be set to a different game, or coordinated to be one giant TV screen playing one game on the entire screen.

The next stop on the Sugar House bar crawl is The Refinery. The space is Sugar House’s ”high end” restaurant with familiar food like burgers, hot dogs and floats. The circular bar is also outfitted with digital poker machines. The view of the Ben Franklin Bridge is phenomenal – and when the whether is nice, the windows fold in, creating open-air seating for the bar and patio area with live music four nights a week. Add in the cafeteria-style tables and The Refinery seats around 365 guests.

But if all you're looking for is a quick caffeine fix to hold you over until the bar reopens in the morning, Jacks is a 24 hour grab-n-go sandwich and salads spot that's right up your alley.

The Food - The menu was developed internally, so no big name behind the food or beverage services but the Fishtown Stacker, a hand breaded cod sammie, served to us on Le Bus bread was quite tasty - as were the shoestring fries and the mini burgers.

Wells Meat Company is supplying meat for the tasty tidbits. Bread will be baked and delivered by LeBus and Amoroso and all cold cuts will be Dietz & Watson, so local is the word of this menu. Sugar House anticipates ordering, preparing and serving around 8,000 lbs. of rib eye for its cheesesteaks, 1,500 lbs. of fresh hamburger meat, 3,000 burger buns and 2,000 hoagie rolls each day.

The View - As for the waterfront, Sugar House has created a $4.5 million dollar landscaped and hardscaped community green space and scenic pathway for running, biking or just checking out the view of Camden.

The Job - There are over 900 employees currently working in the new facility. Once the initial opening is complete, talks of “Phase I,” the fist expansion of Sugar House will be in store. As well as the opportunity for more Philly jobs. The casino plans to continuously hire – so if you’re in the market, there are still and will be positions available.

The Security – Sugar House is fully equipped with over 500 cameras, both inside and outside the premises- 508 to be exact. And at any one time there could be up to 50 “Eyes In The Sky” zeroed in on you. So watch yo self, cause there’s guaranteed to be somebody watching you.

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

Let Lumiere Plan A Night To Remember

We all know that looking like a million bucks and having a million bucks are two very different things. But a little brush with the elite can make you feel like your part of the action and Lumiere, a new Philadelphia based lifestyle management company, slash luxury suite and cigar bar can make you feel just as important as all of the stars you follow on Perez.

Philly’s own concierge service opened its doors in Rittenhouse last week and will soon be fully functional in the Wachovia Center. Like lifestyles of the rich and famous, most people only dream of flying in a private jet, driving a Bentley or ever chartering a yacht and unless your rolling down Rodeo Drive with Puffy riding shotgun, knowing where to go for such extravagant services is only half the equation. Affording it is the other.

But Lumiere has brought all of those services and more to Philadelphia. And for a price, you can be part of all the fabulous finds they have to offer – over 30 services in all. But it’s not just things we all know you and I cannot afford – like yachts and jets –at least without access to somebody else’s black card. Some of its services are definitely attainable. Lumiere offers access to its private luxury suite and cigar bar to members and nom-members alike.

Picture this. You and your friends have a celebration at hand - maybe a high-end bachelor party or a romantic night out with someone special. Starting your night in Rittenhouse is as common as being heckled by a rowdy homeless woman on 2nd and Market.

Starting your night at Lumiere for a $25 one night membership fee allows you to sip complimentary cocktails or BYO, purchase and smoke one of the exotic cigars Lumiere stocks in its humidor and allows you to employ the services of the concierge staff who will then plan the rest of your evening. Calling ahead might not hurt either.

But whether it’s last minute or months in advance, Lumiere will put together a night of drinking, dining, and VIP access along with transportation, tickets and hotel rooms. No matter what you’re looking to do, Lumiere can provide dreams for most budgets.

For one night only members, their services are available at an hourly concierge rate of $55 an hour, plus the cost of whatever you’re looking to do. Monthly memberships come in three levels – orange, yellow and blue flame – each with its own list of benefits. They offer entertainment and travel arrangements, personal assistant services, nutritional counseling, personal shopping, errand services and even security.

This company can not only book your vacation, but they will walk your dogs, water your plants and pick up your mail while you’re gone. This is the stuff the Kardashians are made of. And now, it’s all within reach. For a price, of course.

Lumiere 128 S. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 800-578-4142

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

Come Out & Play For Recess Lounge’s 1st Birthday!

Remember your first birthday? Probably not but most likely your family gave you a piece of cake and let you dig in face first, while laughing and taking pictures. Setting the precedent all those years ago, there’s only a couple times a year when people let you get away with whatever you want. And breaking the rules during birthday week is all part and parcel of getting another year older.

Well this weekend, it’s Recess’ turn to break all the rules and getting it in, is what this Virgo does best! When the rest of Old City shuts down at 2am, Recess keeps the party going until 3:30am but getting into Philadelphia’s most exclusive playground is usually pretty pricey and if you don’t have a membership you’re out on the street dodging cops, cabs and crazy drunk chicks.

But Saturday night, September 18, Recess is letting the party in with free admission and an open bar from 10pm - 11pm. Sign-ups for this exclusive birthday party also include a membership, so you’re never left out in the cold again. Plus, DJ Ronnie D will be spinning sets all night long.

For bottle service reservations be sure to email info@recesslounge.com.

Click Here To Sign Up For The VIP Open Bar!

Recess Lounge 125 S. 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA 215-351-9026

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