Philadelphia

Todd Herremans and Brent Celek bar 879 No More – Now There’s a Restaurant in the Works

January 29, 2013 by HughE Dillon

Sorry you Gorgeous fans, I will write up Sunday’s event tomorrow. Today I worked on a column in Philly.com on The 109th annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Awards Dinner, and now I have to run out for another gig.
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Back in 2011 two of our favorite Philadelphia Eagles, Todd Herremans and Brent Celek were tired of going to other peoples bars and decided to open up one that fit their specifications which they called 879, (which is a combination of their jersey numbers) in 2010. I was there for their 2nd grand opening in 2012 (PhillyChitChat was there)

 
I ran into Todd Herremans with with his lovely lady Elizabeth Dee (wearing Helmut Lang,) last night at The 109th annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Awards Dinner, which was held at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill (He was honored with the “Good Guy Award” for his philanthropic deeds in his community in Michigan where he grew up (read all about it in my Philly.com column link below). He returns there in a few weeks, so look for some fun ice fishing tweets like last year.) It’s a new day as the bff’s (Todd & Brent) have closed 879. They plan on opening a restaurant in the same space in late Spring. Look for a bistro, which is a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. As of last night Todd didn’t know what the name of the restaurant would be, and I vaguely remember chatting with Brent when they came up with the 879 name and the signage, so this time I’m suggesting:
Bistro 879
 Their Twitter account remains active so look for updates here.

Oh I just love this photo of Heidi and Cole Hamels with Jimmy Rollins giving me a great shot. I have another fun one with Charlie Manuel & Ruban in it in my Philly.Com column today with news of the new baby that Heidi & Cole Hamels adopting a baby girl on Christmas Eve, Reeve. Keep checking the site til the column appears. Lots of fun stuff in there, especially about The Hamels. I spoke with Johari Rollins and she tells me that Jimmy is excited about going to Spring Training, but first he’s heading out on the road as he was selected for the Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.  Team USA will gather at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick complex
in Scottsdale, Ariz., on March 1 and open its leg of the tournament
against Mexico at Chase Field in Phoenix on March 8. Canada and Italy
are the other two teams in its bracket. The final is scheduled to be
played at San Francisco’s AT&T Park on March 19.

 Kerry O’Connor, Pens & Lens  & The Weekly Press, wearing Bernie Parents 1974 Stanley Cup Champion Ring. Bernie said it was the first time in 40 years any one asked to wear it. Now let’s not start a trend. Wait, 40 years? Holy cow just about. Hi Maria Papadakis’ photo bombing the photo.