I love Boston Market, I love the chicken, I love the sides, I love the convenience, and Mike and I went on our 2nd date there, yes 26 years ago. They’ve been around for a long time, coming in and out of my life. I’ll be talking more about that in the future. Today let’s get to the important stuff, stuffing and a delicious Thanksgiving feast I enjoyed this week from Boston Market.
Boston Market sells a Thanksgiving Feast for 12 or in these Covid social distancing days, a smaller one for 4 – 6 people. Or you can order a la carte. I’m going to give you all the links for the info but let me tell you about my meal the other day.
You put in your order with Boston Market directly. You can either pick it up or they will deliver it to you. Remember to tip your delivery person.
This is what’s inside the box, lots of delicious sides, pies and instructions on how to heat up the turkey. It’s already cooked, you just heat it up in the oven. You can heat up the sides on the stove, but I did them in the microwave and they tasted delicious. Maybe I’ll do them on the stove next time and feel more chef like.
Although I must confess I did feel accomplished after I baked this beauty. I know so big. We did share it with our neighbors next door and still have leftovers for ourselves.
This is what the spread looked like, it felt like Thanksgiving a week early. I even broke out the new Kate Spade glasses I got over the summer which I mentioned before. It was nice to sit down and eat at the dining room table together with all the dishes we’d have at Thanksgiving, and very little mess to clean up. The containers can be reused as well.
I must confess, what I thought was creamed spinach turned out to be artichoke dip . If you look on the photo below you can see what the Thanksgiving Spread looks like, and it shows a cracker and dip combo. Well the dip was delicious for dinner as well and now I have crackers for the future, lol.
Head on over to Boston Market to check out all the details for the Thanksgiving Dinner. It was delicious, convenient, and a fantastic price.
A friend of mine is selling his cute three story trinity style town home located on one of the most beautiful tree- lined blocks in the heart of Washington Square West on Camac Street.
This carefully and meticulously renovated home has it all. Step into a spacious and light-filled living room with soaring ceiling height, with a handsome marble faced fireplace (gas) Schuylkill River Pine hardwood floors. crown molding and tall original baseboards plus a clever built in create an elegant and gorgeous living space.
The recessed lighting and dimmers maximize the perfect illumination throughout the home. Proceed into the amazing kitchen with granite countertops, colorful subway tile backsplash and professional grade stainless steel appliances plus radiant heated floors perfect for warming your feet on cold winter evenings. There is a pretty window overlooking the private patio which adjoins the kitchen.
Private patio
Light filled bedrooms are large enough for queen size beds, with two closets of ample space.
The newly renovated bathroom features a large glass enclosed shower with body jets, two shower heads, Toto sink and luxurious stone finishes. A few steps up to the third floor with pretty exposed brick wood -burning fireplace with a stunning tray ceiling with loft-like space. The basement has storage space, as well as a washer/dryer.
I’m confused a little. I read the news sites, and then I read more news sites. On one it said no gatherings inside, I didn’t realize it mean casinos too, of course we only have one Rivers formerly known as Sugarhouse. When I read Philly Mag they spelled it out for me. So I found the press release and here it is with a link so you can look it up as well.
Philadelphia announces new “Safer at Home” restrictions to fight rising COVID-19 cases
The following businesses and activities are not allowed:
High schools and colleges must move to online instruction only, with the exception of clinical instruction for students in health sciences.
Indoor dining at restaurants and other food service businesses. (Takeout, delivery and outdoor dining may continue. Additional restrictions on outdoor dining are detailed below.)
Theaters, including movie theaters, and other performance spaces.
Bowling alleys, arcades and game spaces.
Museums.
Libraries. (Those serving as Access Centers may continue to operate. Curbside dropoff and pickup services for patrons are allowed.)
Casinos.
Recreational activities and sports for youth, community groups, and schools.
Gyms and indoor exercise classes. (Exercise groups and classes may continue outdoors.)
Senior day services (senior centers and adult day care centers) remain closed.
Changes to events and gatherings include:
All indoor gatherings and events involving people from more than one household are prohibited, in public or private spaces. This includes private events such as weddings and showers, listed as “celebrations” in previous guidance, as well as funerals.
Religious institutions are permitted to have people indoors, but density must be capped at 5 people per 1,000 sq. ft. or 5 percent of maximum occupancy.
Outdoor gatherings and events are limited to 10 percent of maximum capacity of the space, or 10 people per 1,000 sq. ft. for venues with an undefined maximum capacity—not to exceed 2,000 people in any outdoor space. In addition, all individuals at outdoor gatherings must wear masks at all times, and—to reinforce mask use—neither food nor beverages may be served.
Additional changes to capacity limits and other precautions will be instituted for businesses and activities that are able to continue:
Restaurants offering outdoor dining must reduce table sizes to four people. Guidance will make it clear that groups dining outdoors should be household members only, because mixing different households promotes community-wide spread.
Retail stores and indoor malls may continue to operate, but with a maximum density of 5 people per 1,000 square feet. The City will require these stores to enforce mask use and distancing of customers and staff.
Offices are permitted to have only employees that cannot work remotely.
Barbershops, beauty salons, and similar personal services may continue to operate, but all staff and customers must wear masks at all times. These businesses cannot work on the face or otherwise perform services that require that masks be removed.
College sports may continue if their plan is specifically approved by the Department of Public Health and no spectators are present.
Zoos may operate only their outdoor areas.
Parks, trails, playgrounds, and athletic fields will remain open for individual use only. (No group sports.)
The following businesses and activities can continue to function under current guidance from the Department of Public Health:
Grocery stores and farmers markets.
Pharmacies.
Banks.
Construction.
Landscaping.
Home-based construction, renovation, repair, and maintenance.
Manufacturing and warehousing.
Real estate operations and transactions.
Health care services.
Home-based support services, such as home health services.
Taxis and ride share services.
Transit.
Outdoor mobile food carts and trucks.
Hotels.
Drive-in events in which people remain in their vehicles.
Child day care and early learning centers.
Elementary and middle schools.
Access Centers for children in elementary and middle school.
In every permitted setting, be sure to follow our Safety Checklist to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
#MaskUpPHL to block the virus from spreading and require others to wear them.
Use barriers such as sneeze guards or plexiglass screens.
Keep people who may be infected away from others (ideally at home).
Practice social distancing (6 feet!).
Reduce crowds.
Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Keep surfaces clean (don’t forget your cell phone!).
Communicate with staff, customers and others taking part in permitted activities and ensure everyone understands and follows this Safety Checklist.
It’s that time again, to give thanks on ThanksgivingDay, the annual national holiday celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year or in this case we’ll be thanking the harvest of 2021, which no doubt will be much better. Warning do not read this post on an empty stomach: Philly restaurants offer The Ultimate Thanksgiving Day Menu – dine in, pick up or delivery you can enjoy all the thanksgiving tradition feast prepared by an expert chef, and best of all your supporting local restaurants.
Photos by: Eddy Marenco
Garces Events Thanksgiving Dinner is Available for pick-up at The Olde Bar, 125 Walnut St, Philadelphia Order through Saturday, 11/21 and pick-up on 11/25 Order online at www.TheOldeBar.com
Package One – $95/package (serves 2 with leftovers), $60 per additional guest
Garces Events serves up a Thanksgiving feast with turkey and all the trimmings, includes: -Butter Lettuce Salad, Tart Apple,Candied Walnuts, Creamy Cheese, Maple Vinaigrette -Rosemary Parker House Rolls, Crème Fraiche Butter, Apple Butter -Herb Roasted Hudson Valley Turkey Breast & Gravy from the Drippings -Cranberry-Orange Relish -Challah Bread Stuffing, Sage, Rosemary, Dried Fruits -Salt Roasted Beets, Whipped Chevre, Arugula, Pecan Crumble -Brussel Sprouts, Guanciale, Pecorino -Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Pecan, Brown Sugar -Whipped Mashed Potatoes -Garces’ Green Bean Casserole, Mushroom, Crispy Onions -One piece per person-Select your pie. Pumpkin Butternut Squash, Bourbon Pecan or Caramel Apple. Smoked Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Package Two – Cheese & Charcuterie Display $30 addition Aged Manchego, Roquefort, Prosciutto di Parma, Speck, Chorizo Pamplona accompaniments
Package Three – Whole Pies, $18 each – Pumpkin Butternut Squash, Bourbon Pecan or Caramel Apple, with Smoked Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Thanksgiving Dinner at Devil’s Alleyin Rittenhouse Square is an annual tradition! Leave the cooking to the chefs with a full three-course dinner. First course – Butternut Squash Soup; Main Course – pick one Roasted Turkey or Bourbon Glazed Ham; select three sides including mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, charred brussels sprouts, whipped sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese or grilled sweet potatoes;
Dessert – pick one Apple Pie or Pumpkin Pie. Available for $45 per person for adults, or $20 per person for children (minus the soup). Non-alcoholic beverage included! Cocktails to go available for order as well. Delivery available through Doordash and Grub Hub – orders must be placed that day – and leave extra time for delivery please! Otherwise for pick-up order through the Devil’s Alley website.
ORDER AHEAD AND PICK UP GREAT DEALS!
Devils Alley will be open from 12:00pm – 9:00pm on Thanksgiving! We will be serving a prix fixe dinner for $45 per person, available for DINE-IN and TAKE-OUT.
Fork 306 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 625-9425 Folks sticking around the city for Thanksgiving will be happy to know that Fork will be open and taking reservations from 1:00 to 7:00PM on Thanksgiving. Available for parties of up to four inside, and groups of up to six outside, guests can enjoy Fork’s feast at $75 per person. To start, each person at the table will have their choice of Green Salad with Walnuts and Pears, Grapes and Burrata, Carrot Ginger Soup or Boston Mackerel with Sweet Potato. Similarly, each guest will choose their entree from the line-up of: Trout with Shaved Leeks, Short Rib with Jus and Horseradish or Green Meadow Farm Turkey with Cranberry Chutney and Gravy. Family-style sides, served for every table, include: Roasted Apples and Brussels Sprouts, Anadama Herb Stuffing, Parker House Rolls, Mashed Potatoes and Wild Rice Stuffed Squash. To cap off the meal with something sweet, each guest will take their pick of Classic Apple Pie, Kabocha Squash Pie, Salted Honey Custard Pie or Dark Chocolate Budino.
Panorama 14 N. Front Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 922-7800 Thanksgiving Menu To Go Dinner for 4 people – $200 + tax (Pickup Only) 4 person minimum – $50 + tax for each additional person All packages will be ready for pickup Wednesday, November 25 between 12:00-6:00pm Heating instructions will be included Pay online in advance all orders by Wednesday, November 18
TAKE-HOME MEAL KITS! Hudson Table 1001 N 2nd St Unit 01, Philadelphia, PA 19123 (215) 982-2580 Order: Order by 11/20 for pick-up 11/25 between 2-6pm Feeds four people $125 per kit
Our high-end meal kits are back for a limited time! Reheating/finishing instructions will be provided and we will be offering streamlined pickup / take out. This meal kit is intended to be 4 servings. Everything will be prepared in our controlled, sanitary, fully compliant kitchen in small-batches each day with a rotating menu, along with a small team of highly-trained team members each day to ensure cleanliness and precautions are taken. Pickup procedure is intended to be minimal to no person-to-person contact for the health and safety of our guests and team.
Brined and Roasted Turkey Breast with Gravy and Cranberry Sauce Roasted Garlic and Sage Stuffing Creamy Pumpkin Soup Twice Baked Potato Casserole Glazed Brussell Sprouts Seasonal Berry Cobbler
Hawthornes Beer Cafe (215) 627-3012 738 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Hawthornes Beer Cafe has a brand-new pastry chef and baker – and will do holiday pies for the first time. This is also a preview of a special new bakery-oriented concept from the owners coming soon! Pre-order Holiday Pies with Hawthornes Cafe! We’ve got Dutch Apple Crumb Pie, Streusel Pumpkin Pie, Gluten Free Almond Apple Pound Cake Loaf, and Crumb Coffee Cake Loaf. You can order via our website @ Hawthornecafe.com or call ahead @ 215.627.3012 Pick up dates Tuesday Nov 24, & Wednesday Nov 25th from 9:00am to 8:00pm.
Stove and Co Restaurant Group The Bercy in Ardmore 609-870-3027, 7E Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003 Al Pastor in Exton484-341-8888, 560 Wellington Square, Exton, PA 19341 Stove and Tap in Landsdale215-393-8277, 329 W. Main Street, Lansdale Stove and Tap in Malvern484-450-8890, 245 Lancaster Ave, Malvern/ Frasier
Stove and Co Restaurant Group will offer take-out/ pick-up order ahead at all four properties -leave the cooking to Al Pastor, The Bercy and Stove and Tap this Thanksgiving with a Thanksgiving Feast for 2 or for 4-6 people. Order by November 19th and pick-up by November 25th. Chef Joseph Monnich and his culinary team present turkey and all the trimmings with mixed green salad, cornbread, traditional mashed potatoes, traditional stuffing, cider glazed brussels sprouts, smoked turkey and pumpkin walnut cake. Price is $90 for two people, or $225 for four to six people. Add on mulled wine for $30 or Mac N Cheese for $25. Other cocktails to go packages are available as well. Call and place your order today!
Thanksgiving Day Menu 2020 Sponsored Post – All Photos Provided
Philadelphia’s premier wintertime attractions at Dilworth Park returned last week with new safety protocols in accord with City, State and CDC guidelines..
The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, featuring a new online reservation system and an open-air layout to support safe social distancing and limited rink capacity. TICKET INFO FOR Ice Skating Rink at Dilworth Park.
What can you eat at Dilworth Park: Besides the menu at the cabin, you can enjoy pizza from the Oath Pizza truck, located next to the Winter Garden. Prices are reasonable with pies going for $8.50 to $11, with a kids mini pie for $6. There’s also Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks for $7, with savory sweets chocolate chip cookies or a chewy marshmallow bar both priced at $2.50 or chocolate brownie at $3.
Guests 21 and older can purchase warm mulled wine at the Chaddsford Winery kiosk conveniently located within the space.
My favorite part of the park is the Winter Garden: Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn returns to Dilworth Park this season with whimsically-crafted reindeer topiaries, seasonal plantings and an open-air layout. Visitors are welcomed with festive twinkling lights, a new rustic arbor and generous seating throughout the garden. Children and adults are free to explore the Wintergarden at no cost all season long. As a reminder, masks must be worn at all times except when eating or drinking. Head to DILWORTH PARK for info you’ll need on your next visit.
STAY TUNED FOR: The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market will once again return to Dilworth Park from Saturday, November 21, 2020 to Friday, January 1, 2021 with all new safety precautions and a reduced amount of vendors to allow proper social distancing. Dozens of artisans, designers and small businesses from the greater Philadelphia region will offer decorations, fashions and gifts inside white, festively lit tents. Visitors will be required to social distance and wear masks while shopping for their loved ones. Vendors will be spaced out in a new layout and set up at least 10 feet from each other. Organizers are also getting ready to set up the lovely wooden huts of Christmas Village across the street in LOVE Park.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Sorry I have been missing in action from posts, and if you sent me an email. I will be catching up on them this week, and going forward will do at least 3 posts on beloved blog. YOU can always find me on social, over sharing. Have a great day!!
Throughout the fall Mike and I went on numerous trips in Pennsylvania, especially to enjoy leaf peeping. We saved the best for last, Chestnut Hill. Chestnut Hill is a short drive from Center City, about 25 minutes. Or take Septa Bus Route 23, 77, 94, 97, L or Chestnut Hill East train. Chestnut Hill is one of the neighborhoods of Philadelphia, but it can seem a world away with it’s leafy, quaint shops, eateries and art galleries.
I’ve gone shopping and eating many times in Chestnut Hill, but this time Mike and I stayed over at the historic Chestnut Hill Hotel, 8229 Germantown Ave. (sadly no ghosts to report)
We loved it. Out of all the hotels we’ve stayed on our fall journey, this was the very favorite. The decor of the whole hotel was simple, historic, and the staff was very friendly especially at the front desk Lisa and Mindy. They also have a grab & go breakfast, which they didn’t have at a lot of other places we went to. Plus they had covid19 safety measures in place and we felt very safe. (We will be returning, sometimes you just need a staycation in someone else’s bed (looking up the rates for Thanksgiving as we speak.)
I’ve only really been in Chestnut Hill during the day, as that’s when most of the shops are open. But because we were out dancing in the streets on Saturday after the Biden/Harris win, we didn’t make it to Chestnut Hill until nearly 9PM. The eateries were open, but the shops had closed for the night. We still found magic in the streets.
The next day I took a morning stroll, stopping in a few stores, most are local, small family owned Philly shops stopping and marveling at the fact Main Street USA is right here in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. I love a good Main Street, other favorites are Doylestown and Haddonfield. It was a good trip, so perfect to end our fall “close to Philly” 2020 excursions. Normally Fall is the busy social season for PhillyChitChat and I never have a chance to take a full weekend away.
I can’t wait for Holidays on the Hill especially the long standing Chestnut Hill Stag and Doe Nights every Wednesday in December leading up to Christmas. I’ll have more on this in the coming weeks as Chestnut Hill is advertising with Philly Chit Chat to promote the holiday tradition.
Sorry I have been AWOL from PhillyChitChat blog, but I have been very active on Social Media, covering what’s happening in Philly regarding the counting of the votes, where to eat and especially what a beautiful autumn week we had, and will be having. Tonight I’m going to share some photos I’ve taken over the past 24hrs as Philadelphian’s, Democratic and Republican, away the counting of the mail in ballots. It was crowded, but not unfriendly.
Gritty’s where there, in fact a video I took of the Gritty’s dancing went very viral and has over 600ks views now. I wish I had attached to it a message like donate to cure cancer or house the homeless.
Hey Gritadelphia 0n the far right!! We follow each other on Instagram but have never met. In fact I never knew what he looked like.
2nd Amendment Rights!!
COUNT EVERY VOTE
This is what Democracy Looks Like !!! Thank you to everyone who got out the vote, went out and voted and dropped their ballot in the voting box. FINALLY I hope everyone sees that their VOTE DOES COUNT!!
In another series of Fall in Pa weekends, I spent Halloween in Lititiz, Pa. It was adorable, quaint, close to the countryside and the Wilbur Lititz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel former chocolate factory and the place smelled of chocolate. I wanted to lick the walls, but instead broke my diet, again, and bought some Wilbur Chocolates from the front desk. Some of these photos are “instagram” and might not show in the email blast so you’ll have to click the PhillyChitChat link.
But Philly showed up and proved that Halloween wasn’t cancelled this year, it wasn’t the same as other years, but this is 2020. Danielle Hankin and Chris Young were “Feeling toasty on a cold halloween. Swipe for s’more kids in costume.”
Spectacular!!! So glad people still had a blast on Halloween, whether celebrated with a few people at home, at a party or at a restaurant or just taking a selfie. 2020 can’t win!!
Last weekend Mike and I headed out of town to Bucks County to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and a concert at James A. Michener Art Museum in their courtyard.
“Concert in the Courtyard” withAnthony Green and child Luke (they) last Friday night.
April 22, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, founded in 1970 to educate the public about environmental issues impacting our planet. To commemorate this event, the Michener Art Museum will feature work by contemporary artists from the Bucks County and greater Philadelphia region that are investigating the effects of global warming, climate change, pollution, and related environmental concerns on bodies of water and aquatic species. Including large-scale painting, works on paper, sculpture and installation, this exhibition will celebrate the power of art to visualize ecological crisis and global change through the eyes of seven local artists. The exhibition runs July 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021.
Friday night Mike and I stayed at the Golden Plough Inn at Peddler’s Village. We had never been to Peddler’s Village and it was fantastic. I know my people on SM were shocked I had never been here before; it’s not that we hadn’t ever heard of it, we just never went. It was so adorable.
We loved all the shops and the grounds were beautiful. It being Halloween they had a cute scarecrow competition, which is still going on this weekend so go check it out. I’ve posted a few of my favorites.
Before we headed home we stopped by The Hellerick Family Farm in Doylestown. Right now is their Fall Festival with lots to do. It’s free to roam around the lower area of the farm, which is what we did, but to enter the main farm grounds it’s $12 and then pay as you go to participate in some of the activities. If we had more time we would have explored the farm more, but it’s nice to know there’s an alternative in the area to the really crowded farm experiences. Plus there’s ample parking. I’ll be in Philly for the weekend, in Center City and Chestnut Hill looking for all youse dressed in your Halloween finest. Hope to see you. Stay Safe, Wear Your Mask and Vote!!
One of the perks of my job is meeting so many people, really nice people, and one of them is definitely Alicia DiMichele. You may remember Alicia from her popular VH1 show Mob Wives, but I only really know her from afterwards as a business women, a single mom, a popular social media star, who later married her best friend Rob LaScala, a successful restaurateur.
I attended their wedding 2 years ago at City Hall officiated by former Gov Ed Rendell. It was so beautiful.
And now their new venture, definitely a collaborative effort as Alicia helped with the interior design (the dining floor is the same one they have in their very white walled house) of the newly reopened formerly known as LaScala, nowLaScala’s Fire 615 Chestnut St serving delicious, simple dishes created with recipes from Rob’s mom Rosemary LaScala, as well as Alicia, Rob told me.
Sausage and Rabe, so so good. I never have had a better dish as good as my grandmother Madeline Libertella made. She’s now passed, and the LaScala’s Fire dish brings back memories.
Chicken wings, Salmon, and the Ricotta Board. Mike loved his Chicken Parm, it was so big he’s having it for lunch today.
Rob told me he wanted to serve good Italian food, at decent prices, where people could pop in and out on their way to someplace exciting. He recommends people reserve a table via Open Table during these times. There’s indoor and outdoor dining. They have heat lamps. I felt safe, there’s hand sanitizer through out the place, and the staff was wearing their masks properly.
In addition to the beautiful dining area, they had a very large bar with lots of TV’s to catch up on your favorite sports team.
Alicia and Rob with their family on the left is my other BFF is my head Maureen Vecere, with her husband and Vince Vecere. Follow Alicia on Instagram and get to know her family. I just adore them, and her authenticity connecting with her followers. Also she shares her recipes with us as she prepares dinner, as well as what it’s like to live in a house with 5 men.
The LaScala Restaurant Group has several eateries in our area, in South Jersey and a newly opened LaScala’s Fire in Villanova.
LaScala’s Fire was a great experience. I loved the new bright look, the big windows looking out on Chestnut Street, great scene watching. The food was so good, each dish made with a little love and it tastes it. Mike wants to go back already, you know happy husband makes me happy.
The homemade Tiramisu was the best Mike’s ever had and that is his go to dessert. ( I snuck a bite and I concur.) Best of all LaScala’s Fire is easy on your wallet with most dishes under $20. HEAD ON OVER TO CBSPHILLY to see who was there last night at the Friends & Family fete, including her mom who I immediately recognized from Alicia’s InstaStories (2nd to last photo). What a doll!!
