Did you know that Xochitl offers a great dinner for two on Monday nights? Pollo Frito is 24 hour brined chicken, flour dusted and fried to perfection. It’s drizzled with a sweet chile sauce and served with a side of chorizo mustard greens and corn bread. Choose from a glass of sangria or a draft beer to wash down this very affordable dinner for two. Cost – only $40 per couple.

Xochitl serves dinner 7 days a week from 5 pm – midnight and is located at 408 S. 2nd Street. For reservations log onto www.xochitlphilly.com or call 215.238.7280.

Today we had our Christmakkuh party at Breslow Partners– the only requirement was to bring FOOD. As you can see from the pictures, we had a nice assortment of food, and a tasty holiday potluck lunch. Our goodies ranged from home-made cookies to banh-mi. We even had the traditional Chinese food meal to represent the Jewish Christmas Eve (as half of our office is Jewish).

We had a good time. Enjoy our festivities, and your own holiday celebrations this week.

Alea & Patrick

Brittney & Rachel

holiday cookies

cinnamon buns

Since Breslow Partners’ office is located right by Rittenhouse Square, we walk through the park a lot. The other day we noticed ornaments went up on the Christmas tree. Walking closer, we realized they were decorated soup can lids and bottoms, hung by a wire. This idea is so cute, and a great way to recycle all the soup cans we know you’re using this chilly December.

This idea is great for any age and any tree, inside or out. The kids who did these ornaments colored them with permanent markers, but you can use paint, glitter, rhinestones or glue other little baubles onto the lids for more creative ornaments.

Ever thought about Miniature golfing in December? Linvilla Orchards is now making this a possibility, and it’s a “hole” lot of fun!  Beginning December 26^th, Linvilla will open its doors to their newest attraction, Fore! The Planet, an interactive indoor 18-hole mini-golf course with an environmental message at each hole! Want to brush up on the butterfly life cycle or the extinction of dinosaurs? Or how about introducing the young ones to recycling and helping the planet? There’s a lot to discover, so come out and take a swing!

The course is perfect for the entire family. Kids are able to explore a tropical rainforest while experiencing the food chain!  With different themed holes, Fore! The Planet offers a wide variety of interesting facts, ranging from the way nature works to how to preserve the environment. Treat the kids to a game of mini-golf while sneaking in some education. Parents are encouraged to join in on the fun and test their own knowledge!

Linvilla Orchards is a family trip for all seasons. The indoor mini-golf offers an exciting and educational way to spend extra time with the whole family.  Because the course is conveniently located in the brand new Garden Center, it is open even in rain, sleet and snow! Fore! The Planet is an activity you can count on. To learn more, visit www.linvilla.com or call 610-876-7116.

What will you be doing on Christmas Eve? Chef David Katz of Meme is opening his doors for the first time on Christmas Eve from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Chef Katz will be serving up roasted goose, glazed ham, cornbread stuffing, pies and free eggnog. Dinner is served for only $35 per person.

As a special Christmas treat there will also be a competition for the best Christmas sweater. The winner eats for FREE, Chef Katz says on his Twitter.

Meme is located at 22nd & Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103. To make a reservation, call 215.735.4900.

We love getting crafty over at Breslow Partners, but don’t always want to break the bank. The holidays are a time when we can combine our love of food and crafts, and do it inexpensively. Here we complied a list of some easy, economical, and most importantly, edible holiday decorations. Yum!

The Very Berry Holiday Tree

Supplies:

1 green Styrofoam cone,measuring 4-5 inches in diameter at the base and 12 inches high
1 box of toothpicks
4 one-pound containers of fresh strawberries
1 bunch fresh mint
1 slice from a star fruit

Read Natural Home and Garden’s article for assembly instructions.

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A Candy Wreath  from Etsy is pre-made, but to DIY all you need to do is tie the candies onto a wreath with red ribbon, hang and enjoy.

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Watch the simple how-to video for the Cranberry Garland, Candy Stand and Sweet Centerpiece from Real Simple.

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The Food Channel’s Web Site provides a few colorful seasonal decorations, as well.

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Our favorite idea to make with small children are these Edible Christmas Trees from EasyFunSchool.com. Read the article for instructions, plus a few more fun ideas here.

Happy decorating!

Holidays are a great time to eat lots of delicious food with friends and family. And Christmas is especially festive. That’s why chef Clark Gilbert will be celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes at his restaurant Gemelli on Main from Tuesday, December 20^th through Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24^th. If you’ve never experienced this Southern Italian tradition, this is your chance. The menu includes delectable dishes from the sea, including fried salt cod risotto balls; linguini and clams with tomato, garlic and white wine; shrimp and lobster cannelloni, to name just a few. The cost is $45 a person.

Gemelli is located at 4161 Main Street, Manayunk, Philadelphia. For reservations, call 215.487.1230. For more information, log onto or on their website at www.gemellionmain.com.

“What’s on draft?” is one of our favorite questions to ask bartenders when trying out a new bar. But when he or she asks back questions like do you want an IPA or a porter, there’s always a moment of hesitation. What’s a porter again?

Local beer guru, Joe Sixpack, aka Don Russel, who writes a weekly beer column in the Daily News, is clearing it all up for us. In his new book “What the Hell Am I Drinking?”  Mr. Sixpack will go through all of the varieties of beer, and will describe the flavor profiles for each one,  so we can knowledgeably pick our next new beer.

Joe Sixpack will be at Parkway Central Library, located at 1901 Vine St, for a book reading on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 7:30 to 9 p.m (sponsored by the Free Library of Philadelphia). You can also join Joe for an after-party, I mean post-event tasting at the Kite & Key (1836 Callowhill St.) where you can taste some of the beer styles featured in Joe’s book and show off your new-found brewski brilliance.

To keep up on Joe Sixpack’s beer-ventures, follow him on Twitter at @beer_radar.