Attention Brunch Lovers! Four Philadelphia Hotspots You’ll Want to Check Out

As warmer weather approaches and more and more city destinations open up, there’s never been a better time to check out some of Philadelphia’s hottest spots for an absolutely unforgettable brunch. Not sure where to start satisfying your brunch cravings? We’ve got delicious options all over the city for you to try!

If you’re in South Philly… check out Miles Table’s new location at the Bok building. This eclectic neighborhood eatery is serving up some truly mouthwatering brunch dishes, like chicken and waffles or tres leches French toast with fresh fruit, that you won’t want to miss out on.

If you’re in University CityWhite Dog Cafe has recently opened back up for dine-in, pickup and delivery. This campus favorite has always been the place to go for delectable, sustainably sourced food, and their brunch menu is no exception, whether you’re in the mood for a breakfast pot pie or caramel apple churro waffles.

If you’re in Fairmount… the Art Museum location of Sabrina’s Cafe is always a classic option. With three restaurants in Philly alone, this family owned hotspot has become popular for serving breakfast all day long. Some of their best signature dishes include stuffed challah French toast and huevos rancheros in a smoky chorizo sauce.

If you’re in Northern LibertiesEl Camino Real puts a Tex-Mex spin on their brunch that you’ve got to try for yourself. This vibrant spot fuses Texas barbecue and classic Mexican cuisine, and while they bring in a sizable crowd for lunch and dinner, they also have great brunch options like fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits or breakfast quesadillas.

Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market Hosts Dozens of Local Vendors Year Round

There are multiple ways to support your community’s businesses and making sure they thrive, one of which is to shop at your local farmers’ market.  The Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market has managed to keep supporting its dozens of vendors, many of which offer fresh produce, baked goods and seafood year round. Here are just a handful of the vendors you can expect to see this Saturday.

Good Spoon Soupery is a Fishtown-based café with a rotating selection of hearty seasonal soups, sandwiches and salads. 

Shore Catch brings a variety of locally sourced seafood to the market, including freshly caught scallops, tuna and swordfish from the Jersey Shore.

Market Day Canelé is a Philadelphia vendor specializing in canelés, French custard-filled pastries flavored with rum and vanilla, but they also have some other equally delectable baked goods for sale.

Shellbark Hollow Farm offers fresh eggs as well as an array of goat milk-based products, sourced from its award-winning Chester County location.

Buck Wild Bison sources premium, grass-fed bison meat from its farm in Port Norris, NJ, available in ground form as well as burgers, steak or jerky.

Hands on the Earth Orchard from Lititz, PA, specializes in hand-picked apples and other fruit, but they also offer apple cider donuts, cider and caramels.

Finally, The Pasta Lab is a Philly-based vendor offering homemade pasta as well as fresh cheese, pancetta, and ingredients to make your own sauce.

You can check out these businesses, as well as lots of other great local vendors, at the Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market. They’re open every Tuesday and Saturday at Rittenhouse Square Park, located at the intersection of 18th and Walnut Street. Weather permitting, the outdoor market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (267)-586-5675 or click here for more information. 

Philadelphia Flower Show to Be Held Outside in 2021

The nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event, the Philadelphia Flower Show, is still on board to make a comeback next year. Recently, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society announced that the 2021 show – titled “HABITAT: Nature’s Masterpiece” – is set to be held from Saturday, June 5 through Sunday, June 13, 2021. Normally, the event is held in the winter.

In addition to the date change, organizers have made other changes regarding the 2021 Flower Show. For the first time in the show’s nearly 200-year-long history, it will be held entirely outdoors. While the event was previously housed in the Philadelphia Convention Center, next year’s attraction will take place at FDR Park in order to comply with COVID-safe event regulations.

15 acres of South Philly’s largest park will be reimagined as a stunning floral display. In preparation for the event, the world’s premier floral and landscape designers are creating an immersive experience centered around three specific “districts”, all related to the exhibition’s theme.

Tickets for the 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show can be purchased on the PHS website in January. To limit attendance, attendees will be required to indicate a specific date and select an A.M. or P.M. time slot.

Five Frightfully Fun Attractions for Your 2020 Philadelphia Halloween

Pumpkin season is here! Even though it’s bound to be an unconventional Halloween this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the exciting – and safe! – events that Philadelphia has to offer. Unsure where to start? Here are some suggestions for you!

If you’re a fan of the supernatural, check out the official Ghost Tour of Philadelphia for a candlelight walking tour of some of the historic district’s most ghostly landmarks. With its rich history, Philadelphia is considered one of America’s most haunted cities – you’ll be sure to see it for yourself after touring the highlights of Old City, Society Hill, and Independence National Historical Park after dark.

Looking for a more family friendly activity? Spooky Mini Golf returns to Franklin Square for the whole month of October. The park’s Philly-themed golf course gets a seasonal makeover with lights, fog, cobwebs, and a variety of decorations to get visitors of all ages into the Halloween spirit.

The Franklin Institute is embracing spooky season by hosting its first-ever Franklin Fright Weekend from October 31st to November 1st. Guests are invited to tour the museum in costume, trick-or-treat through its many iconic exhibits, watch live Scare Shows, and encounter some surprises along the way.

Some movie theaters might still be on hold when it comes to reopening, but the Philadelphia Film Society has been catering to the city’s community of film lovers since August when they opened their drive-in theater at the Navy Yard. This Halloween night, the PFS will be screening four classic scary movies that you can enjoy from the comfort of your car – and as a special treat, they’ll be playing for free.

To round out this year’s lineup of exciting autumnal activities, the Philadelphia Zoo is hosting a socially distanced – but just as festive! – version of its annual Boo at the Zoo attraction. Guests are encouraged to explore the zoo in costume, with kids receiving a free bag of candy upon exiting.

Center City Residents Get Into the Howl-o-ween Spirit with Pet Photo Challenge

Halloween may look a little different this year, but that won’t stop the Philadelphia community from making the most of the spook-tacular holiday season. From ghost tours to drive-in movies to pumpkin picking, there are plenty of socially distanced, outdoor or even virtual activities to enjoy in and around the city. 

One way the Center City Residents’ Association keeps the fall spirit alive is by encouraging the community to take part in a Howl-o-ween pet photo competition. Over the next few weeks, CCRA residents will be sharing photos of their furry friends costumed up here. Anyone can share love for their favorite pets and “vote” by hitting the like button. The winner of the contest will be announced after Halloween.

CCRA’s last pet photo challenge in April was a great success, with submissions generating hundreds of likes and comments. With the neighborhood’s sense of community growing stronger than ever, we’re expecting this contest to create just as much of a buzz. 

To keep track of the competition and stay up to date with future CCRA events, visit http://facebook.com/CCRAPhilly.

Neighbors Stick Together Through Furry Friends

For a volunteer-led civic association, fostering community is tough when volunteers can’t engage in their normal events, attend their scheduled meetings, or even roam the streets of their neighborhood. As the COVID-19 outbreak made its way to Philadelphia, Center City Residents’ Association started brainstorming ways members could engage with one another from the comfort (and safety) of their own homes.

CCRA members flocked to Facebook to participate in a Facebook Photo Competition. Members posted their favorite photos of their pets on social media and friends and family helped to choose a winner by hitting “like” on their favorite photos.

At the end of the week, Sara King-Dowling and her dog Penelope (shown above, top left) were chosen as the winner of the contest with a total of 248 likes. Sara received a gift certificate from CCRA Business Member Di Bruno Bros., as well as a gift certificate from local small business, World of Animals at Rittenhouse

Overall, over 50 CCRA members posted photos of their pets to enter the contest, which received hundreds of “votes” via Facebook comment likes, as well as hundreds of comments from members chatting with one another about their favorite pet photos.

The opportunity to have some lighthearted fun with neighbors is invaluable during such a difficult time. To stay up to date with future Center City Residents’ Association photo contests, visit facebook.com/CCRAPhilly.

Fashion District Now Open!

Fashion District Philadelphia just opened! Mixed with Philly staples and brand names, the Fashion District has something for everyone. Tiffany’s Bakery, the only remaining store from the former Gallery, is back in business along with local favorites like Chickie’s and Pete’s and Yards Brewing Company. Name brands like Aerie and Nike Factory Store as well as noteworthy stores like Uniquely Philly and Chinese department store Yoyoso will suffice your shopping needs. 

Shopping isn’t all that you can do while visiting the Fashion District. Check out the art exhibitions that line the walls. Not only is art and shopping abundant, but there are also loads of entertainment including Round 1 for arcade games and AMC for movies. Upcoming creators will be happy to hear that Rec Philly, a new co-working hub for creators, is coming along with Industrious Philly. The Fashion District has your whole family covered.

Phillips Seafood and Steak Now Open In Washington DC

Phillips Restaurant Group is excited to announce the opening of Phillips Seafood and Steak. This new restaurant features the best premium steaks, seared over hot hickory to lock in the natural juices, alongside an expansive menu of seafood items, including Phillips’ famous family-recipe crab cakes, fresh raw bar, seafood appetizers and entrees.

Join Phillips Seafood and Steak for happy hour every Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. Settle in at the bar for the $4 specials. Enjoy draft or domestic beers, select wines by the glass and select cocktails while snacking on Phillip’s peel and eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell, crab ragoons, and more. Keep an eye out for Sunday brunch, patio seating, and online ordering coming soon!

This dynamic new restaurant design showcases an open kitchen to give guests an action-packed view of the chefs at work. Located at 1460 P Street, NW Washington, D.C., is open Sunday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 202.919.2200 or visit www.phillipsseafood.com.

University City Dining Days

Join University City District from July 18 to 28, 2019 for University City Dining Days, an exploration of the neighborhood’s innovative and diverse dining options. From exceptional craft beer bars to celebrity chef restaurants to cozy BYOBs, University City’s international dining scene features dishes from India, Ethiopia, China, Vietnam, and beyond.

Enjoy over 30 of University City’s finest restaurants featuring three courses at three different price points ($15, $25 or $35). From Vietnam Café to Zavino University Pizza there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out the lunch and dinner options here.