Holiday Bucket List: Eat A Mimosa

The holiday season is always one of the toughest to grapple with. From buying and giving to returning and regifting, things tend to get a little confusing. Months of jingles on the radio is sure to turn even the sanest of us on our heads. Sitting on an old man's lap is condoned...up is down, down is up. It's not crazy. It's the spirit of the holiday season, and Davio's has joined in the fun,  offering a tasty twist on a favorite cocktail.

The Mimosa Dessert offered looks absolutely amazing. True to form, they're willing to share the recipe (below), but its much easier to let the kitchen prepare one for you instead. The Mimosa is made up of a prosecco sorbet, orange segments, champagne grapes, and candied brioche. It's finished with a scoop of vanilla custard and orange foam and sells for $11.

The dining room at Davio's looks wonderful year round, but during the holidays it really is beautiful. So stop in, pull up to the bar, admire the holiday handiwork, and order up one of the festive treats that Davio's is offering.

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse 111 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

Mimosa

Orange Soda

1 1Ž2 oz  Fresh Lemon Juice

1 3Ž4 C Fresh Orange Juice

3 1Ž4 oz  Granulated Sugar

4 tspPowdered Gelatin

In a saucepan bring juices to a boil, dissolving sugar. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin.

Stir to combine, strain and refrigerate.  Pour mixture into soda siphon and charge.

Vanilla Custard

3 T Powdered Gelatin

5 C Crème Anglaise, Warm

7 oz Crème Fraîche or Sour Cream

Add Gelatin to warm Crème Anglaise, stir to combine and chill. 

Add crème Fraîche, stir to combine and refrigerate.

Prosecco Sorbet

10 oz Prosecco(Champagne)

7 oz Simple Syrup

14 oz Water

Pour contents into a 2-quart ice cream machine and turn until frozen.

Other ingredients:

One loaf of brioche

Simple syrup

Orange Segments

Champagne Grapes

Dice brioche, toss in small amount of simple syrup and lightly toast in oven.

Assembly:

In any glassware you choose, arrange orange segments and champagne grapes, then several pieces of candied brioche. Add a scoop of vanilla custard, some more oranges and grapes.  Follow with a scoop of Prosecco sorbet and finish with orange soda foam.

*Adapted from Art Culinaire Magazine

Inspiration vs. Motivation

Inspiration comes in many forms but ultimately, I believe it comes from within. A fleeting moment of greatness that you can recognize and grab ahold of, riding it until its wheels fall off, or until you find the next shooting glimpse of inspiration to keep you going.

Motivation on the other hand, comes from people like Tyler Morrison. Morrison is a local realtor who launched a "site" just days ago and would like to know if I'd be interested in working along side of him for KNOW PHILLY. A new website that will inform residents and tourists alike in the Philadelphia Region.

To this I say, suck it dude. 




Google his site, you find me. Google me, you find me. And while I've totally been slacking, that's over.

Bring it.

Veterans Weekend at South Philly Bar & Grill

Looking to land a Marine? Or maybe, you are one. Either way, it’s the Marine Corps Birthday today, and Veterans Day tomorrow. And in honor of American soldiers past and present, South Philly Bar & Grill will be offering specials and holding four days of fundraising events to help soldiers and veterans.

Beginning today, Thursday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 13, enjoy $2 Devil Dogs (Spicy Chili Dogs), $5 Jager Shots, and a “Power Hour” from 7pm-8pm with $2 Yuenglings.

A voluntary door charge of $2 will be donated to America 4R Marines, as well as a portion of every dollar spent on the items listed above.

So go: eat a chilidog, do a shot of Jager, and pound Yuenglings in honor of the Marines.

South Philly Bar & Grill will also be hosting events over the weekend, including a Marine Corps Birthday Party, from 12pm – 2am today. They’ll be cutting the cake at 10pm. On Friday, November 11, SPB&G will be throwing a Veterans Day Party, a Pancake & Beer Breakfast ($10) on Saturday, Nov. 12, and a Family Day / Mom’s Brunch ($10) on Sunday, Nov. 13.

South Philly Bar & Grill 1235 E. Passyunk Ave. Philadelphia PA

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

Philly Needs More Political Ads Like This One

Philadelphia is apparently reporting less than 200,000 voters turned out to the polls yesterday. I have a feeling that if the East Coast had political campaign videos like this, the numbers would rise.





While I'm at it, this one's pretty priceless too.

Herman Cain’s Campaign Promises with Mike Tyson from Mike Tyson