Category: Philadelphia

Sunday Philly Chit Chat: Milk House Closes; Chris Long Says Goodbye and Dad Says Hello from the Grave

Good usurious Sunday, today is going to be a bit warmer and very sunny, but don’t get to used to it event though Tuesday is the first day of Spring, it’s going to be winter weather through Thursday. Let’s get to chit chat

Milk House on 19th Street closed yesterday.  You’re going to have to head over to the Milk House locations at Suburban Station and 30th Street Stations to get your Milk House grilled cheese and delicious tomato soup fix. Friends tell me that Milk House on 19th will become a Korean take out restaurant, opening before the summer heat hits 90F.

Seems like Eagles player Chris Long is saying good bye too – to twitter. He left this message on Friday. Whether he met just for the weekend or forever I guess we’ll have to wait and see, but

don’t fret we always have his fans keeping us informed on what he’s up to. Thanks John Cooke @CookeCapeMay of Cape May for sending me this tip. I did a little research

and saw that Chris Long has not given up on his instagram account. Seems he attended a wedding at Congress Hall in Cape May yesterday with his dad Howie Long, and other family members.  Although the wedding reception took place inside, the photos took place outside with the scenic hotel in the background. The wedding party nearly frozen in time. After the reception that night, guests headed to The Boiler Room at the hotel, and enjoyed Irish tunes by John Byrne who played Tir na Nog Irish Bar & Grill, Philadelphia earlier in the week

 
where he posed with Rocky as well. You know who was with Rocky this week, right?

Look who had a going away lunch at Penrose Diner last week. Jason Kelce and Connor Barwin feted Beau Allen who was just picked up by Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pix by SouthPhillyReview)
Now could someone go in the parking lot and find my wedding ring. I had a snowball fight with Kory Aversa last year there and it flew off. Yes my wedding ring the one blessed by the Pope, yikes right.

I took this last week as I had never seen the Studebaker sign before. In today’s inky Inga Saffon has a nifty article about it.

Every St. Patricks Day I publish the article about how my dad, who died in 2004, spoke to our family from the grave, in 2005.

Have a great day, see you here tomorrow!!

CREED II News – Dolph Lundgren & Michael B Jordan; Jon Dorenbos & Doug Pederson

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. If you didn’t catch my celebrity segment on WOGL this morning, here’s what I chatted about at 8AM. Yesterday I photographed the 17th Annual Zarwin Baum March Madness party. On my way to the event I noticed

there was snow near the Rocky statue. Now I pass the Rocky statue everyday since I live across the street, and I know all that snow melted from last week so it was perplexing, I took this shot but didn’t post it cause the next minute I knew I was in the midst of the NCAA party time at the Crystal Tea Room.

Then last night someone sent me a tip that Dolph Lundgren was spotted by the Rocky statue. I heard he flew in on Tuesday night, even though principle filming wasn’t to start until April, I guess they wanted to film this “winter scene” in the winter before the buds started sprouting on the trees. Dolph Lundgren and Florian Munteanu (who plays his son, who is poised to fight Michael B Jordan’s character Adonis Creed)  filmed scenes at Rocky Statue and on the ‘Rocky Steps’ at The Philadelphia Museum of Art around 3PM yesterday
It was a thrill for one tourist Mrs. Fiorini from Houston, Tx who spent the day visiting Independence Hall then catching Creed II filming
Michael B Jordan, who arrived in Philly a few weeks back in preparation of filming Creed II, is currently starring in Black Panther which just past the billion gross reciepts, was spotted again at the Sixers Training facility. In Creed II he plays Adonis Creed, Apollo Creed’s son, who was killed by Dolph Lundgren character Ivan Drago . Jordan wasn’t on the set yesterday, but was seen in Center City Wednesday at Butcher & Singer. Last night he was spotted at Vetri Pizzeria.
Wednesday Jon Dorenbos performed at the Paradigm Awards honoring Wendy Hamilton https://www.instagram.com/p/BgUES-shqAd/?taken-by=phillychitchatLast night he performed his first of two shows at Sugarhouse Casino. The crowd welcomed him with a standing ovation. Later in the set coach Doug Petersen joined him on stage for a magic trick.

Congrats Gabbi Townsend on your new job with Soul Football

Check out TMZ for a video of Creed II filming at the top of the Art Museum Steps

The finalists in the 2018 James Beard Awards sometimes called the Oscars of the food world were announced Wednesday morning at Stephen Starr’s Parc restaurant on Rittenhouse Square.

Stephen Starr was named the James Beard Foundation’s best restaurateur in America last year.

Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia greets guests at the early morning event.  Philadelphia is on fire, we’re Super Bowl Champions, and a delicious food scene. “We’re a City of neighborhoods, immigrants and traditions, with affordable rents, a rich 100 mile food shed for ingredients and a remarkable spirit of brotherhood, and sisterhood within out kitchens. Everyone in this room has a story about any one of those things.”

Clare Reichenbach, chief executive officer of the James Beard Foundation, who recently stepped into this dream job position. “It’s a profoundly exciting time for the Foundation,” Reichenbach tells Eater. “The very powerful marriage of purpose and pleasure, which is unique to the Foundation, is something I’m going to be focusing on and working with the team on how we can deepen and amplify the impact across both those areas.”

Local chefs received 14 nominations across seven categories as semifinalist in February, and the event held yesterday was held to narrow down the field, not only here in Philly but for others culinary professional around the country.

David Whitaker, President & CEO Choose Chicago

Let’s see who will be heading to Chicago for the May 7 James Beard Award Ceremony.

Richard Landau, of Vedge nominated for best chef, mid-Atlantic region. This is the moment right after his nomination was announced.

Congrats to everyone. Here are additional photos from the day.

Nicole Cashman, Cashman & Assocs, welcomes Chef Michael Solomonov, Zahav “Solo 2” followed by his dad “Solo 1”
Chef Eli Kulp, a.kitchen and Mitchell Davis, James Beard Foundation

The moment Chef Michael Solomonov finds out his restaurant Zahav was nominated for Outstanding Service. He’s hugging Zahav’s GM Okan Yazici,

Solo congratulating Rich Landau of Vedge for best chef: mid-Atlantic as “Rising Star Chef of the Year Camille Cogswell, Zahav” looks on

Stephen Starr congratulation Ellen Yin on her nomination

The 2018 Philadelphia Flower Show ended yesterday on a high note, despite 2 nor’easter’s taking aim at our area during the show, a record number of people still attended.

This past weekend was packed everyday, even during the snowstorm there were decent crowds as I was there. The day before Tuesday’s snowstorm a record number of bus trips (104) brought people to see the show.

One of my favorite displays was Shaffer Design’s Mural Arts collaborative colorful display

Sally Lemheney and Sam Lemheney, Vice President, Chief of Shows & Events

Shana Heidorn, Victoria Rothwell and Flo Celender at the PHS Flower Show Gala

I also love to shop. I bought a squeegee for my new glass balcony panels.

The Flower Show is more than just amazing displays, it’s a learning experience.

This year we learned about water.

There’s also a lot to do – see butterflies, make a flower crown, have tea with a bear, learn how to arrange flowers, enjoy the beer garden, attend a wine tasting and so much more. It’s an entire day. I went 3 times and still missed a lot.

The PHS Shopping Center

During the week there were several celebrity appearances including Smokey Robinson who signed his signature wine, here with socialite Dr. Thanuja Hamilton.

Martha Stewart stopped by the Designer’s Studio on Tuesday to chat about flowers with flower show guests. She also chatted about her new book: Martha’s Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and Enjoying which she wrote with Kevin Sharkey, who was also in attendance.

It was jammed packed

Tu Bloom, of Tu Bloom Designs, put in an appearance at the Subaru Studios to talk about what else – blooms.

I love the tiny displays and competitive plants
Every one captured the show whether with a camera,

cell phone, I even saw people sketching

I loved the layout of the flower show this year, exhibits were spaced out and folks had plenty of room to gawk.

Saturday night was the 2nd annual Flowers after Hours 70s themed party, with a special performance by the Village People, with music by DJ Robert Drake

2nd annual Flowers after Hours 70s themed party best 70s dressed. The winners were the two ladies on the left.

Blue Bell Kitchen’s Wayne Grand Opening Party

Select industry professionals and valued partners were among the first to view the latest in high-end kitchen design at the new showroom for Bluebell Kitchens

At the event guests met Bluebell’s design and installation experts and were able to check out exciting grand opening give-aways sponsored by Sub-Zero and Wolf.

Light fare, fine beverages and this magnificent cake were served.

Lisa Abdalla and Kevin Sprague   

The designers will create a 3D Sketch Up walk-through of your new kitchen or bath, which also helps make the blueprints come alive.

Michael Dugas, Olga Carlson, Lori Kurnitsky, Claire Lacing, Jake Taylor, Pete Cardamone, and Lukas Steltzer

Blue Bell Kitchens can include many modern elements including Built-in Ovens, Cooktops and Rangetops, Ranges Coffee Systems, Microwaves, Module Cooktops, Ventilation, and Warming Drawers

Leslie Morgan, Tim Ernst, Cynthia Curley, and Joe Ernst

Jake Taylor shows a guest the ample storage in one of the cabinets

Bluebell Kitchens has been the standard for quality and innovation in kitchen design
since 1985. Over time the company has expanded, skillfully designing beautiful
bathrooms as well as other interior spaces. Bluebell Kitchens creates classic designs
that span the spectrum from traditional to modern, and complement both period
and newly constructed homes.

  Trudy Anderson, Ty Anderson, and Kevin Martin
Chris Casella and Ken Cassella

According to their website:  Bluebell Kitchens has been the standard for quality and innovation in kitchen design
since 1985. Over time the company has expanded, skillfully designing beautiful
bathrooms as well as other interior spaces.

Bluebell Kitchens creates classic designs
that span the spectrum from traditional to modern, and complement both period
and newly constructed homes. The success of our business can be attributed to
the friendly staff of talented designers as well as the attention that is paid to every
detail.

Thanks to Andre Flewellen for shooting this clients party celebrating the opening of their new showroom in Wayne.

Winter Storm Quinn Made for Nice Photos, and a messy commute

Unlike the storm last Friday, it wasn’t nearly as windy, or really windy at all
I know the burbs got slammed, and for a long while I thought it be the case in Center City

15th & Walnut
the streets were fairly sparse with people

OMG this mailman makes his way up Broad Street crossing over Sansom.

The snow was wet, I was drenched and cold within minutes.

I stopped in Wawa to warm up
I’m always in awe of people on bikes in snowstorms

I headed to the Pa Convention Center to check out the Flower Show, I wanted to see if their was a crowd there. I was surprised there was one there. It wasn’t jammed packed, but comfortable for the patrons. In anticipation of the storm, a record number of buses went on Tuesday I was told – 104 buses of flower lovers.

I would have loved more fluffy snow
Before I knew it the snow was over about 430PM, a bit earlier than predicted.
But it made for pretty pictures

Rush hour was non-existent. I took this about 520PM

I do like how dads headed to the Art Museum Steps with their kids to continue the tradition of sledding down the steps, unfortunately Center City got the lesser amounts of the predicted snow, just 6.1 inches. I don’t know if you can see but there’s a child on the steps in a Scooby outfit, and one at the top next to the red sled, so cute. There’s a dad on the right in orange with a shovel helping to create the “sled trail.”