Feastwellfoods.com is the at-home meal program of Feast Your Eyes Catering, a premier Philadelphia on and off-premise caterer. We began the program when it became apparent that clients wanted well-made food while they sheltered at home, without always having to order food on a meal-by-meal basis
Pinefish Restaurant – 1138 Pine St
Pinefish – This seafood specialist offers a raw bar, lobsters, steaks, happy-hour oysters & a full bar. 1138 Pine St.
Shout out to Joe & Karen in Litiz. Thanks for the wonderful afternoon on Sunday. Plus as I’ve been chitchating about recently I appreciate my readers telling me that they get all their chitchat on the blog, as they’re not on SM, (imagine that, my mom too). Karen’s a busy OR nurse, volunteer, raising a family and tells me she only has time to read my blog when it arrives in her email. (BTW you can subscribe too in the top left corner and the blog will be delivered full post in your email) Let’s check out This & That Thursday: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Midtown Village as Tinsel Philly celebrates Christmas in July starting Friday July 17 at 3pm. Craft Concepts Group — the crew behind spots like Bru, Tradesman’s, Finn McCools and Blume — is converting some of its concepts along 12th Street into a pop-up “Tinsel in July” open-air Christmas bar and restaurant. The outdoor lineup includes Finn McCools and holiday-themed bar Tinsel, along with a 114 S. 12th location the group recently acquired that formerly housed Midtown Restaurant and Penn Six. Go Popcorn, a neighbor to Craft Concepts’ locations, is also participating.
Photo: Aversa Pr
Tinsel in July will strictly follow social distancing guidelines and health restrictions, including requiring masks outside of tables, wiping down all surfaces and using digital QR code menus. He emphasized the pop-up will be available for several weeks, so crowds don’t need to rush to experience it at the same time.
Salty’s Seafood and Ice Cream Shack has popped up in the former Jamonera Restaurant space (which I reported earlier this month had closed for the summer) at 105 south 13th Street in Midtown Village. The beach themed cafe serves lobster rolls, steamers, burgers, and of course ice cream along with wine, beer, and cocktails. Opened Monday-Thursday 4pm-10pm, Friday 2pm-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-10pm.
Guess what else is popping: Congratulations are in order to Representative Malcolm Kenyatta who popped the questionto long time boyfriend Dr. Matthew Jordan Miller last week. Check out this article on the happy day in OUT Magazine.
photo: Kory Aversa
Looks like the Penns Landing Waterfront is opening up the Blue Cross River Rink area and Spruce Street Harbor. Chef, entrepreneur and owner Charisse McGill who you know from her years at Christmas Village and Philly Made at City Hall has now brought her sweetness to Spruce Street Harbor. French Toast Bites by Lokal Artisan Foods will bring the sugar and spice and everything nice to Spruce Street Harbor Park by Univest for the summer of 2020. On the menu look for French Toast Bites and Vegan French Toast Bites at $8 each, French Toast Milkshakes for $7 each (OMG YES!!), Bacon on a Stick for $5 and other summer-time treats. French Toast Bites will occupy the former pod of HipCityVeg across from the floating Barge in the heart of the boardwalk. Plus check out SummerFest where the Blue Cross River Rink is usually located there is now a beach with socially distant chairs, and Minigolf ($5 per person; $4 per person if you’re an Independence Blue Cross Cardholder) will be available on-site. Equipment will be sanitized regularly. Info to come on the xoxo Ferris wheel located nearby.
Hope you can get away for a little zen, or at least catch a sunrise or sunset this weekend. Be Safe, Be Sane and thanks for visiting. ~ HughE
Over the weekend I mentioned that I would be publishing parties previously published in print in Philly Mag which were never online, or listed in a file on my computer I call “Still to Blog.” PhillyChitChat as you know is a for hired party photographer and I create columns for the media. Once in while I have time and I will cover a non-client and I may or may not place the photos in the media, but most likely I’d place them on PhillyChitChat. In really busy times I would place them in a file called “Still To Blog”, and they never get posted. Through out the summer I’ll be posting these photos as well with tidbits and throw back photos of Philly folks.
The Four Seasons Hotel’s 30th Anniversary Party was celebrated at their former flagship location on 9/26/13. (It’s now The Logan Hotel): The press release: The Four Seasons Hotel is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an ’80s-themed party in the courtyard . Enjoy food, wine, beer, including an exclusive Dock Street Brewing Company brew and a DJ spinning the hottest ’80s songs.
When: Thursday, September 26, 5-8 p.m. Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Square Cost: Tickets are $50 for VIP tickets (three hours of access to the party) and $35 for general admission (one-and-a-half hours of access to the party).
The guest list was chock full of folks in the hospitality field. I remember it was a fun evening, and I loved the 80s theme as I had just celebrated my birthday a few months earlier with an 80s prom theme party. I’ll have those photos next Thursday on the 7th anniversary of my party.
This was a super affordable, fun party, one of which I imagine will be coming back in the new normal.
Speaking of the Four Seasons, welcome back to the new Four Seasons at Comcast Center. Last week they broke the news on their Instagram. Now I realize with the new Instagram it doesn’t always show the photo anymore so you need to click the link to see the photos. Here’s a little of what they wrote.
After months of spreading love from afar, we are thrilled to announce that we will be re-opening our doors on Monday, July 27, 2020. Philly, it’s time to say goodbye to the heart in the sky and hello to our staff and guest’s hearts within ❤️ 📸: @elevated.angles
Fare in Fairmount where you will dine in the shade of the summer sun
BTW for those who receive the blog in an email form, click the link above to go to the website and see the Instagram posts appear. Ever since I recovered from Covid19, and was able to meet the take out delivery guy in our condo’s lobby, I’ve been making an effort to support local restaurants, especially the many who have supported me and my business for the past decade. These days with out door dining, I’ve been trying to support as many restuants as possible, but I tend to melt in the sun so shade is really important to me if I dine before 730PM. Here are a few shady ones for dayside dining. The list is not in any particular order.
Just dined here Monday night with Kristin Detterline. The company was fantastic, as was the food and the atmosphere. Parking was fairly easy nearby on the street.
I think everyone knows how much I love Pinefish, but to stay cool while dining there sit on the 12th Street side where it’s a shady for most of the afternoon. If you do prefer to sit on the sunny side of the street, you might want to wear SPF 50 and a sombrero.
Aaah one of the newest eating spots in the City, Juno. So delicious, beautifully decorated, shady with beautiful trees and foliage. A real joy of an evening. The only thing that’s going to make you sweat is too many jalapenos.
Another FCM Hospitality hot spot is everyone’s favorite Morgan’s Pier. I ate there shortly after it opened and was not disappointed. Almost every table has an umbrella, and a fantastic view, but remember if you get up to shoot it, wear your mask.
Another beer garden with shade and delicious food is Independence Beer Garden. Unfortunately there’s no bar games as in years gone by, but there’s a fun atmosphere with socially distant picnic tables. They’re not taking reservations, just walk ins, and there needs to be a table available to enter the space. No standing and no ordering at the bar for now.
Order the Meatball Stromboli it looks delicious ! Outdoor seating available, no reservations necessary! Marisa Magnatta recommends the Purple Haze Frozè and ask about All About The Benjamins Baby!
The Fitler Club, so delicious. I can’t wait to go back and try the burger. My husband Mike had it and he still raves about it. ~ Welcome to The Garden – a magical garden restaurant tucked into an urban landscape. Join us for lunch, dinner or brunch. Members reserve in the Portal. Non-member walk-ins welcome! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hours (weather permitting): Lunch: Monday – Friday, 11:00a-3:00p . Dinner: Monday – Thursday, 5p-8p Friday & Saturday, 5p-9p . Brunch: Sunday, 11a-3p
I’m fond of Fond all the time, they have beautiful awnings to keep you cool as you dine across the street from the East Passyunk Singing Fountain.
There won’t be an Oktoberfest this year, but you can still sing great German songs while you enjoy your Bavarian feast at Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street in the shade.
Estia, what can I say, the best lamb chops, Estia Chips, tomato salad, delicious, delightful and friendly. I had dinner last week, not only was there a big awning to shade the diners, but Estia had their air condition on full blast with the windows open to cool the curbside diners. OK I lied, this might actually be the winner of the shadiest restaurant in Philly.
I have to confess Social Media – Instagram, InstaStories, Facebook and Twitter have taken over as my preferred sharing of info, as it has for so many bloggers. It’s easier to do, much faster to get the word out, share news in real time, recommendations, what’s happening in my life and lately movie reviews. A lot of stuff I used to publish on PhillyChitChat blog before Social Media came about. So when it came to writing my blog since the pandemic began, a lot of what I was to say was already said in social media and I got in a rut about what I should publish.
Twisted Tail has a cute little outdoor dining spot at 509 S. 2nd
Every week I receive messages from you, my blog readers, wondering when I am going to publish again. I’m going to recommit to you, again. I know I keep saying that, but I love my blog and perhaps I’ll save good material here as well. I know the one thing that irritates me about Philly Inquirer is reading so many articles online, before I get the actual paper. Why don’t they publish the stories after the Sunday paper comes out. For some reason my subscription is less expensive if I get the Sunday paper and digital. In reality I really only want online. Anyway…
I am also going to start publishing parties I’ve published years ago. Everyone seemed to like my 13 anniversary party post. I love visiting the old photos as well. WOW 13 years chronicling Philly. It went by quick. I realized over the weekend many folks would tell me they don’t see their photos when they appear in Philly Mag, as the photos aren’t online. My contract with them has a 3 month exclusive clause. Meaning the photos can’t appear elsewhere for 3 months. Rarely do I publish them after 3 months as I used to be too busy to do so, and equally rarely do I send or sell my photos. I never wanted to be in that business. Al For, Andre Flewellen and Susan Scovill do a great job with selling their photos of you. You should always support them, and not just screen shot their published photos of you. I like being the media photographer, creating columns for various media outlets.
Don’t feel like cooking this weekend. Let Feast Your Eyes Catering do the cooking for you! Check out the delicious menu and additions. Feast Well Foods
The former Aramark building at 1101 Market Street is now the Jefferson Center with a brand new entrance. Looks amazing. I used to work in the building during the 90s and the entrance always looked so drab. The lobby on the other hand was amazing, with a beautiful fountain.
A couple times a week I’m going to run This & That columns. It used to be called HughE Around Town, but during the pandemic I don’t run around town as much anymore. I do see lots of fun news, tidbits online as well as readers send me tips. I like these columns. They remind me of the beginning of PhillyChitChat 13 years ago. There wasn’t much happening in Philly then as far as events, but there was always something to gossip about at work. Back then I was still a paralegal, and of course I was always curious about what was happening in town. I was always bringing the news back to work where we would chitchat about it for hours. I realized others might be interested in this Philly Chit Chat as well.
The Unicorn Grand-mom Maureen Sweeney, who picked up this cute costume to hug her grandsons last month which I filmed, made an appearance on Kelly & Ryan on July 3. Check out the clip here. I can’t wait til they return to the studio, they’re so blah from home.
Happy One Month Old to Zoey Amour Long beautiful daughter of Brittney Shipp, NBC10 Meteorologist and Jontue Long, financial advisor
Happy One Year Old to Azuri Elizabeth with parents Brandon Morrison and Stacey Kracher. What a joy year it’s been to watch her grow, and blossom. Can’t wait to see the photo shoots her mom has in store for her this year.Bradley Cooper waves to the crowd at the Prince Theater on Sept. 12, 2018
I had two Bradley Cooper sightings in our area last weekend. One in Ocean City, where he’s been spotted before, and one in Longport, perhaps grabbing take out from Cookie’s & Steve’s another favorite spot of his. Cooper’s mom Gloria, has a home in Brigantine according to the Inquirer, although don’t camp out there this summer as it’s been reported the Hollywood heartthrob is renting in Fairfield Connecticut this summer. Bradley Cooper was recently spotted with another man about town, Leonardo DiCaprio on a boat cruising Long Island Sound in June.
Philadelphia looked to the sky last year when a total lunar eclipse occurred on January 21, 2019. For the rest of July we should be looking skyward again as the newly discovered comet Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) which has been putting on a grand show at dawn this past week. It’s very far to the north on the sky’s dome, becoming visible now (with optical aid) to observers in the northern U.S. and Canada in the early evening skies as well. Writers for Space.com said the best evening viewing will occur about 80 minutes after sunset in the July 14 to July 19 time frame. By July 19, the comet will appear about 20 degrees from the horizon and will be in the northwest horizon. Check out more info HERE. Philly don’t let me down, start posting those photos. #phillyneowise
EASY STREATS DINING EVENT THIS SATURDAY IS NOW POSTPONED
Philadelphia, PA – After further consulting with the City about planned street closures for Saturday, July 11, the Office of Transportation Infrastructure and Sustainability asked that Northern Liberties Business Improvement District postpone the street closure. All parties had concerns over weather, and felt that additional time would be needed to coordinate on logistical issues so any concerns over public health and safety could be more squarely addressed. The City will continue to work with Northern Liberties Business Improvement District to ensure the rescheduled closure is a success.
“Closing a street is a complex process with many considerations,” said NLBID Executive Director Kris Kennedy. “The unique geography of N. 2nd St presents a great opportunity for social distancing and safe enjoyment of outdoor dining, but also logistical challenges. We feel confident that, working with the City’s multi-agency team and other business districts, we can strike the right balance for expanded outdoor seating that meets the requirements of public health officials and evolving needs of businesses. We have notified and been working with the restaurants – and we will continue to work with them hand-in-hand to best meet their needs during this difficult year. A new date and event logistics have not been selected but we will advise as soon as those details are 100% confirmed with all participants and coordinating agencies.” She added, “While the street closure will not take place this week, for those looking to keep with the original spirit of the event and support our restaurateurs, over two dozen restaurants in our District and adjacent neighborhood streets have wonderful, inventive and welcoming outdoor seating areas, sidewalk cafes and parklette extensions.”
These restaurants include brand new, refurbished and/or expanded seating outside popular Northern Liberty favorites like Urban Village Brewing Company, El Camino, Heritage, Jerry’s Bar, Bourbon and Branch, and North Bowl. Sidewalk seating is also available at N. 3rd, Jaxon, Hello Vietnam and other popular restaurants. In the next week or two, please watch as we welcome several brand new restaurants with outdoor seating, including the soon-to-open, first outside New York City location for Anejo. Additionally, restaurants along Liberties Walk also feature outdoor seating that is available for this weekend and beyond for those looking for a meal under the stars and festive lights, including Apricot Stone, Baan Thai, Hikari Sushi, and D’Oliva evoo Pizza & Grill. On behalf of the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, and businesses working hard on this project, we thank everyone for their interest and support – and we look forward to sharing many open-air meals with food lovers and neighbors this summer.
The Philadelphia Zoo is once again up to the public. Thursday marks the first day the general public can visit the zoo since it closed on March 17.
On Monday the Philadelphia Zoo officially opened with remarks by Zoo President and CEO Vikram H. Dewan, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, Rep. Donna Bullock and Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier. Afterwards members were welcomed to enjoy the park.
Vikram H. Dewan
Dr. Thomas Farley
Rep. Donna Bullock
Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier
The Zoo has new safety precautions put in place for your comfort.
NEW SAFETY PROTOCOLS: * All visitors MUST reserve / pre-purchase timed-tickets for admission. * Tickets will not be available for purchase onsite. * Social distancing and Masks are required for guests 2+ * Indoor animal exhibits and attractions remain closed.* Touchless toilets, faucets, paper towel and soap dispensers. * Hand sanitizing stations throughout the campus. * More grab and go food selections and touchless transactions at food locations. * Guests can bring their own food in the Zoo. * “Clean Team”- staffers dedicated to sanitizing and cleaning high touch areas. * New procedures that allow public safety officers to check bags without touching.
Kory Aversa, Aversa PR represents the Philly Zoo
How cute, these girls each found a peacock feather for a souvenir.
High-touch attractions — such as the swan boats, carousel, and WildWorks climbing course — will stay closed to create less touch and more distance. Also on hold are activities like educational talks from zookeepers to avoice large crowds gathering.
Although the beer garden is closed for now, food is still being served outdoor dining is still happening at a social distance.
Animals are on the move like never before at Philadelphia Zoo with Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of see-through trails passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, giving animals like amazing big cats, majestic primates and marvelous meerkats the opportunities to travel and explore.
Visit our young western lowland gorillas, baby sloth bear cub, giraffes, hippos, white rhino, zebras, Amur tigers and more at America’s first Zoo.
Philly Chit Chat is Lucky 13 today, in 2020 and that’s a good thing. The business is but the concept is not. In fact it reminds me of when PhillyChitChat first started, it wasn’t a business, it was a hobby. That’s where we are today. PCC covering things I find interesting, that I think you might find interesting as well. Thanks so much to all my subscribers for supporting me over the years, nearly 40,000, ok more like 39, 261 but that’s a darn lot of you who put up with my run on sentences, and writing as if I’m having a conversation.
Thanks to hubby Michael Toub who is my everything. He supports my unorthodox career, it was his idea for me to do a blog to share my photos, he’s my IT guy, he’s my best friend, the nicest guy you could ever meet, funny and friendly. I’ve become a better person because of him. Happy 26 years together too, and your birthday next week. Thanks to his parents for raising a great kid.
What started as a hobby has now turned into a career. I had no idea, nor did I ever plan it to go that way. I am grateful to you my readers who support me in this endeavor & especially for those who allow me to photograph them.
Since I was a little kid, I was always the one friends and family would come to and ask what the latest chit chat happening, and I enjoyed sharing it; dad called me Hedda Hopper (google it). Fast forward to when I was a paralegal at a law firm, Kohn, Swift & Graf, (yes I took those pixs on the website) where at one time one of the partners told me I had to stop gossiping and concentrate more on my work. Eventually in the 1990s I would become the traveling paralegal of the firm….
KSG, specifically my boss Bill Hoese, sent me to NYC to work on a great case. I figured out how to live there cheaper than commuting every day thus crossing off a goal I wanted to do all my life – live in NYC. After working 8 – 12hr days, I found I still had time to explore, and discovered I liked chronicling the celebrity nightlife in Manhattan. It was so much fun, and this was before many of the current celebrity sites were online, before FB got big, or twitter or Instagram were added to the Webster Dictionary.
At the urging of Mike Toub I started a blog about photographing celebrities, the photographers, the fans, the professional autograph seekers, basically the whole scene calledConfessions of a Paparazzi. It was exciting time, I had a knack at finding out info on where the celebs would be, and using the info to my advantage where celebrity photographers would let me tag along with them as long as I didn’t get in their photos. The blog allowed me to share these adventures with a larger audience. I also contributed stories and photos to Perez Hilton and Gawker for links back to my blog.
A few of my paparazzi friends at the Waverly Inn in NYC capturing Anne Hathaway and her boyfriend in 2007
After returning to Philly when the assignment was up, surprisingly to none, I became a professional celebrity photographer, part time. I would continue to travel to NYC to photograph celebrities for the next 5 years after work, over night and then would go to work in Philly the next day very tired. It was a lot of fun. All my vacation days – 4 weeks, were spent living in NYC so I could pursue my hobby
Over the July 4th weekend 2007 with my friends Kati & SimonCurtis, who were visiting from NYC, we brainstormed. Simon coined PhillyChitChat and the rest is history. Thanks!! (We wanted to be able to include a lot of topics, not just celebrities.) Greta and Alan Greenberger on right. (2007) Greta has been a great mentor and friend for years.
Although over the years I have been able to shoot a lot of celebrities in Philly. I have to thank many of my readers, businesses and friends for their kind tips over the years in order for me to shoot so many of these celebrities or report on their whereabouts. Thank you so much!! (Thanks Michael Klein and Dan Gross for publishing my photos in the Inquirer and Daily News so many years ago, which really helped me grow.)
Renee Reese, GN Kang, Big Rube, Michelle Miller and Erin Elmore at the opening of the Barney’s Co-OP in 2009 (Thanks GN Kang & Michelle Miller for introducing me to the Phila Eagles – Brent, Stewart, LeSean, AJ & Todd and the Phillies – Cole, Chase, Shane, Kyle, which helped me establish trust from back in the day until now)
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Stewart Bradley (what a great guy, boy did we have fun), AJ Feeley and Brent Celek
Thanks Marilyn Russell for my radio gigs and being a great mentor
Thanks Justin Pizzi for more than a decade of friendship and advice. Thanks to Justin for getting me on the air doing Philly Gossip segments, on NBC10 on his “The Scene” in 2009
For many years I was “Paralegal by day, Paparazzi by night” until I parted ways with Kohn Swift 12/31/10, Mike said let’s see if you can make a living doing your blog cause I know you love it so much. I’ll support you for a year. A few months later I realized the only way I could make money was to be hired by PR/Clients to shoot parties as an event photographer, I would suggest they keep their house photographer if they had one, and I would use the photos took to place in the media as well as on my blog, promote their events on Social Media and pr give them photos for their social media. I then told my readers I would be starting an event photography business, but would still write as I did the previous 3 years – who, what, when and where of the parties and the rest as they say is history. (These days they call it a pivot.)
Thanks Nicole Cashman for all you do.
Lance Bass clubbing at G Lounge Saturday Night. Thanks Aly Green, Reggie Berry and Jacky Wright for always hooking me up with the right people as I made my way. (2008)
Thanks to Jen Fred, Fox 29 who then said I’d be perfect for Fox 29 in 2011
Fox 29 came calling, where I appeared weekly for about 3 years, these days I contribute my work weekly (And appear occasionally. I was just on 2 weeks ago) This month, I celebrate 9 years as a regular contributor to Fox 29 and Philly Mag with my own column in the magazine. I also create content for PhillyStyle Magazine, Metro Philly, Phila Business Journal, Phila Tribune, Philly Voice, and my pride and joy CBS3Philly, and am often featured on TV news shows, and I appreciate that people appreciate my mission of Philly cheerleader. I’m so glad to have played a part in photographing the City as it came into it’s own in the last 13 years. I now have 3 photographers that work for me Andre Flewellen, Mike Hirata and Talya Hailey, and my sister Janine DeFeo who does our scheduling, and invoicing. We Will All Be Back Before You Know It!!
Thanks Stacey Kracher for believing in me.
Thanks to Thom Cardwell for mentoring me in the beginning, and Laura Burkhardt for many years, even today she’s there for me to bounce things off of.
Grace Flanigan (r RIP Grace)
Philly Chit Chat’s 6th Anniversary Party, but really it was my 50th Birthday Party and that was a real surprise as more than half my friends never knew how old I was, and I never revealed my age in interviews, they never asked, LOL. Thanks Christie Mandia for organizing the party.
Former Governor Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, Holly Kinser, Charlotte Bascomb, Lucy Flannigan and Lena Kinser after blowing out the birthday candles.
David Maser, Zoe Maser and Alison Young
Thanks Sabrina TamburinoThorne for being my first “It” girl.
Philly Mag took notice of the who’s who of who I photographed and wrote this piece: I really did p/o a few Mainliner’s calling my girls “socialites” Just like I called me a paparazzi, when it should have been paparazzo, I felt anyone who went out socially, especially supporting charities even if it was buying a bar drink, should be called socialites. It worked. I got noticed.
Kristen Alderson, Jordon Matthews and Eddie Alderson
Thanks Phyllis Halpern for being a good friend and for introducing me to Gov Ed Rendell and Thom Cardwell in 2007 (here w/Bob Connolly)
Judy Munroe, Ellen Churchill and Fran Lallie
Robin Stevens and Shirley Kaplan
Kristen Herrmann, 95.7 BEN FM, Cartney Herrmann, and Ashton Wagner
Zack James, nosh Poobalan, Bryan Clark, Kyree Terrell and Bonh Nguyen, all of MyNewPhilly.com
Mary Dougherty, Mitchell Kaplan, Zarwin Baum and Nicole Miller
Philly Mag wrote about another “it” girl I featured – Maria Papadakis. This was a fun story, so much behind the scenes. Ahh I’ll never write a book.
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Gwendolyn Jenkins, Dara Byrd, Michelle Green and Linda Harrison
Brandon Morrison (Custon Tux by LR2, and walking stick by Tobox) and Stacey Kracher, wearing Nicole Miller
Happy Anniversary Alex & Mike (standing)
Jim Donovan, Dr. Thanuja Hamilton, Alicia Vitarelli and Rosemary Connors
There has never been a better friend, mentor, I’ve got your back to me in my life than Kory Aversa. Especially magnified in these trying times. Thank you so much for your friendship and for making me take selfies to chronicle moments even during that frightful storm yesterday, LOL. I’m glad you didn’t video me whimpering with fright from the lightning.
Thanks to the Ritz-Carlton and Aqiremo for hosting my 10th Anniversary Party; and Lynsie Solomon for organizing the party. She was fierce and kept the guest list at 325 people. Sorry for those I missed on the list. Only 7 more years until my 20th Anniversary Party and I’ll make sure you get an invite. Check out photos from my 5th Anniversary Party Here. Thank You All So Very Much, my heart is full with gratitude. To read more about my story head to Philly Mag,Philly MetroBilly Penn. Thanks again. Stay Safe, wear a mask (I know i hate it too) and be kind to one another. xoxo HughE
Hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Fourth of July weekend. I escaped to Cape May, which I will write more about later this week. It was the first time in decades when I left town. Even before I was PhillyChitChat I stayed in town to enjoy our activities. Let’s chit chat about this and that.
Last week I shot the announcement and a key exchange celebrating Independence (photo provided)
From left to right: Gregory E. Deavens, CFO Independence Health Group; Mayor Jim Kenney; Dan Hilferty, CEO, Independence Health Group and Sharmain Matlock-Turner, CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition, at an event Tuesday at 1901 Market St
Independence Health Group (“Independence”) announced that it has completed the purchase of its corporate headquarters located at 1901 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia. The purchase builds upon Independence’s ongoing commitment to the Greater Philadelphia region and continued investment in the West Market Street neighborhood. In addition to 1901 Market Street, Independence’s Center City campus includes a leased state-of-the-art customer service call center at 1900 Market Street and Independence LIVE, an award-winning customer experience center at 1919 Market Street, which connects to the company’s headquarters via a courtyard that is open to the community.
Mayor Jim Kenney greets Dan Hilferty, CEO, Independence Health Group with what will now be the norm handshake going forward.
Menu Planning for the weekend with Feast–Well Foods. no minimum for curbside pick-up delivery minimum: $65 + delivery. Philly center delivery: +$12. Delivery Friday, July 10th 3pm – 5pm or Curbside pick-up Thursday, July 9th 4:00 – 5:00pm Friday, July 10th 1pm – 5:30pm
Congrats to Fabiana Ferrarini Creator of “QueenWarrior” Workout who went sky diving for her birthday this weekend. She’s super inspirational and g good follow.
Design by Sara Brown, Misha Kachman, Matt Saunders
In this age of comminicable diseases so many business are hurting, as well as arts & culture. Last week the Wilma is thinking outside of the box you could say. The Wilma, seeking to reopen in Philadelphia, says it will erect a new seating structure in which every party is in its own separate box, creating the Wilma Globe. You can read more about it on their site, as well as help them achieve their goals.
15 years ago, on 2 July 2005, a Live 8 concert was held in Phila in front of Phila Museum of Art, with a densely packed audience of nearly a million people stretched out along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The event was organized by the ONE Campaign. #JayZ performed at the concert and no doubt envisioned a future concert here ~ #MadeInAmerica, which was cancelled this year because of COVID19. But you knew it’d be cancelled as I wrote about it on This and That a few weeks ago when I noted they weren’t selling tickets anymore on their website. See you on Social Media, although I am going to do less of it in the coming days as I have to finish a few projects before I pivot with a new business venture in the coming weeks.
Thanks Kimmie Ragone for inviting Mike and I to the Fitler Club to enjoy the Philly Drag Mafia performance. It was one of the first “events” we have attended in months and it was so much fun. The Fitler Club (1 S. 24th Street) is now serving food the public and members in their outdoor space. Members have to make reservations, for the rest of us it’s walk up and wait for a table. Trust me it’s worth it. The food and ambiance are terrific.
There are a few safety protocols you must pass before your entrance into the dining area. First you must sign this health form which asks you if you have traveled to the 14 day quarantine states. Then they take your temperature. Remember to take off your hat as it keeps your head warm. It was the difference of 3 degrees for me. Then you are taken to your table and to begin your dining experience.
This is the special drag brunch menu but I’m sure the prices are the same for the regular menu. Very reasonable. **** Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday for lunch; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Sunday brunch.
Crab Salad, $14 Heirloom Tomatoes, Cucumber Chili Vinaigrette
Mike had the burger which he loved: Fitler Burger, $16American Cheese, Special Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato Onion, Fries Add Bacon – $3, Add Avocado – $3. Now on with the show.
Aaah my friends, how are you today. These fireworks are crazy. Monday night wasn’t as bad as Sunday night in my area. I heard on Fox29 that the supply is getting exhausted. Makes sense as fireworks is not an all year production product since they’re mainly used in the USA around July 4th. Maybe the summer will be quieter. Maybe the dogs can finally sleep. Let’s check out This & That on PhillyChitChat. I like that title better than Around Philly with Hughe, or HughE Around Town. What are your thoughts. Leave comments on my FB page. Thanks.
Congrats to Ben Waxman, who I first heard about when he worked on DA Larry Krasner campaign, and then became his spokesperson for the first year in office. I was surprised when he left, thinking he was going to run for office. I had never met him before, and ironically on his last day I ran into him on the street. He said stay tuned: Yesterday I received a press release from him, I didn’t know he had a consulting firm, which he founded in 2017, A. Waxman & Company. Here’s what was written: Today, Philly business owners Ben Waxman of A. Waxman & Company, LLC and Nathaniel Parks of Print for Progress, announced a new partnership to make PPE vending machines widely available in Philadelphia. More information, including how to request a machine online, can be found at PhillyPPEVending.com Head over to Billy Penn for an article on them.
Macy’s is open, and although it’s a national chain, it’s our local Macy’s. It’s nice to have a large department store in Center City. It’s also nice to keep the memories alive “Meet Me At The Eagle”, come here the organ concert and the annual holiday light shows.
Grammy and Emmy winner Harry Connick Jr. hosted United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes last week on June 21 on CBS. He highlighted an Mainline company ANEU and their pivot during the pandemic. Check out the interview here with Janelle Burrell, CBS3Philly and read about who else they visited in our area on Penn Live. BTW Harry Connick Jr’s mother in law Glenna Goodacre, the renowned sculptor created our very own Irish Memorial near Penn’s Landing.
Dilworth Park is open for socially distancing. Their a food truck near the umbrella tables for delicious bites to enjoy while people watching or reading that book you need to get to before we all return to work.
The best dish I ate all week was this crab and shrimp gazpacho at Pinefish. So good. I can’t wait to go back.
And now a word from our sponsor. Pass me a napkin, whenever I talk about their food I get a little messy.
The sweetest little handmade flower cupcakes made for Feast Your Eyes latest socially distanced wedding! This weeks Feast Well Foods take out menu it out. Going down the shore? Get your bbq or other foods on your way out of town. Don’t cook tonight, call Feastwell for take out delights:
BBQ spare ribs full rack, whole bbl chicken pit smoked, extra BBQ sauce, Monterey mac and cheese, sweet potato salad, lime cilantro slaw, corn bread $98.75
1 1/2 lobster whole steamed and cracked lobster, steamed shrimp, drawn butter and lemon, corn on the cob, steamed potatoes, lime cilantro slaw $38
I have ordered the BBQ spare ribs meal and it was so so good. Let’s chit chat tomorrow. See you on Social Media. Have a great day, stay safe, wear a mask!!
