Categories
Philadelphia

Tom and Linda Knox host Jose Garces and his wife, Dr. Beatriz Garces for Pre-Party for The Garces Family Foundation Gala 10/3

Tom Knox and his wife Linda hosted 

Jose Garces and his wife, Dr. Beatriz Garces on Monday evening at their Center City home at Liberty Residences along with supporters of their philanthropic organization the Garces Family Foundation. The organization, which was founded to help provide access to healthcare and education for immigrant families in and around Philadelphia, hosts its second big fundraising effort October 3 with the Garces Family Foundation Gala at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Michael DelBene, Vice President, Development at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Alison Young, Executive Director, Institute of Strategic Leadership. Dean’s Office – Drexel and David M. Maser, of counsel Chimicles & Tikellis LLP

 Kieran Slevin, Christophe and Claudia McGill and Ivan Lugo
Bela, Geri Lincoln, Leah, Juhi Saigal-Shah and Gordon Bermant
 Jason Spillerman, Melisa Scully, and Chuck Bruihikos
 Sharon Moore, Darell Martin and Beth Koenig
Nicole & Glen Outten
 
 A.J. Marsico and 6ABC reporter Annie McCormick

    

Attorney George Bochetto takes a photo of Tom Jordan, Sales at Termac Corporation, Jose Garces and 2015 mayoral candidate Tom Knox
 Linda Knox, George Bochetto (Tom Knox’s campaign manager) and Christy Adams
Pick up tickets here
 Tom Knox’s home overlooks the next place he’d like to occupy
 Garces catered the event. Look for his new restaurant, located at The Kimmel Center, to open in November.
Saturday, October 26th
Community Health Day from 9am to 2pm at the Garces Dental Group, 212 Race Street.
Categories
Philadelphia

AMY GUTMANN NOMINATING HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT & THE RESPONSE OF THE PANEL ON STAGE

The first person to mention that Hillary Clinton should run for president in 2016, was Penn President Amy Gutmann, a National Constitution Center trustee who chaired the committee that selected Clinton. The audience responded with thunderous applause.

This is how the dignitaries on the dais responded. I think it says a lot. Mayor Nutter very pleased, Cynthia MacLeod, smiling no applause, Doug DeVos, President, Amway and National Constition Center Executive Committee Chairman enthusiastically applauding. Now for that back row, can’t really tell with William R. Sasso, Esq., chairman of Stradley Ronon Stevens and Young, LLP.(he did give a very nice toast to Hillary Clinton during the cocktail party [those photos you’ll see in my Philly Mag column]), polite appaluse from Liberty Medal 2013 sponsors Ira M. Lubert
not so much from Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank President and CEO for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, but a big smile, and
Governor Jeb Bush, chairman of the National Constitution Center Board of Trustees is thinking, “I hope one of these guys ‘nominates’ me when they get up to the microphone.

 Now when Mayor Nutter mentioned it, Amy enthusiastically applauding, big smile Doug DeVos, love the side eye from Ira M. Lubert and now there’s polite applause from
Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, and

Governor Jeb Bush is hopefully thinking Bush 2024 sounds good. Check out my PhillyMag Column
Categories
Philadelphia

Event: The 4th annual Bellevue Gets Engaged at the Hyatt at The Bellevue on Sunday, September 29th

The Hyatt at the Bellevue 
will host about 350 highly focused bridal fashion conscious individuals gathered
to enjoy cocktails, champagne, and elegant hors d’oeuvres while viewing
the Nicole Miller 2013 collection, mingling with area wedding experts, and sampling decadent cakes from Philadelphia’s best bridal cake specialists.

You can be one of the guests- Tickets $50
Join us on Sunday, September 29th 
The Bellevue Gets Engaged, a truly all-inclusive wedding event
experience for the most fashionable bride and groom-to-be, is returning
to Hyatt at The Bellevue on Sunday, September 29th from Noon-4pm!
Attendees will enjoy creative cocktails, bubbly champagne, decedent
cakes, and delicious hors d’ouevres, while mingling with the area’s
leading wedding innovators. The event will showcase a high-energy
fashion show featuring the 2013-2014 Nicole Miller Bridal, Bridesmaid,
Mother-of-the-Bride and Groom Collection. Guests will receive a fabulous
goody bag and much more! Tickets are limited. Presented by Mary K. Dougherty and Associates.
Categories
Philadelphia

OCEAN PRIME: FOOD PHOTOS, MY RECOMENDATIONS & LINK TO PHILLY MAG OPENING NIGHT PARTY

From
their compelling menu, to imaginative cocktails, a superb wine list,
and impeccable service, Ocean Prime is the perfect place to celebrate
and entertain with friends. As pledged by representatives of this Cameron Mitchell Restaurant,
“When you enter Ocean Prime, our associates have an hour or two to take
you somewhere wonderful and transform your day with their genuine
hospitality. Our passion is to deliver an extraordinaryexperience to
each and every guest.” In my book, they kept to this promise and
definitely exceeded all of the local hype. – See more at:
http://askmissa.com/2011/03/01/ocean-prime-in-denver%E2%80%99s-larimer-square/#sthash.8ahkshcM.dpuf

From their compelling menu, to imaginative cocktails, a superb wine list, and impeccable service, Ocean Prime is the perfect place to celebrate and entertain with friends.

 

As pledged by representatives of this Cameron Mitchell Restaurant, “When you enter Ocean Prime, our associates have an hour or two to take you somewhere wonderful and transform your day with their genuine hospitality. Our passion is to deliver an extraordinaryexperience to each and every guest.”

Take a seat
I should have put a quarter next to this baked potato, it was huge

Crab Legs, Colossal Shrimp Cocktail, Crisp Wedge of Iceberg, and Red Onion, Smoked Bacon, Grape Tomatoes, Bleu Cheese, Cabernet Buttermilk Dressing

Point Judith Calamari, Sweet Chili Sauce, Candied Cashews (This is also on their Happy Hour Menu and we might become good friends.)
 
 I ate this Friday night, an 8oz petite steak. It was delicious.
 Saturday night I had the twin lobster tails. Very good, but the asparagus, out of this world especially since it’s not in season. Where’d they get it?

 I fell in love with the luxurious supper club booths at Butcher & Singer, as you’ll recall when I covered their opening a few years back. What I didn’t mention in my Philly Mag column, is OP has really captured the intimacy of dining this way. Craig LeBan is going to love it, they have used material through out the building to absorb sound. You can actually hear your dinner partner from across the table, even with the chattering of hundreds of people around you. Now that’s something to write home about.

Mary Pat Kessler with her orchid martini. It’s pretty delicious.

 Nick Lauria, executive sous chef.

The mezzanine level

Make sure you check out the Wall of Fame, which leads to the bathroom. I took all the photos that will fill these frames.

I forgot to get a decent photo of one of my favorite sides and I highly recommend
 Jalapeño Au Gratin, Sliced Potatoes, Aged Swiss
People also raved over –
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Sweet Corn Cream, Succotash
Crème brûlée, that Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte and Cheesecake

Baked Alaska as mom used to make
I know this seems like a lot of pixs at one sitting, but I wrote a completely different story that I hope you’ll read at Philly Mag – Thanks & please like the page over there.
CHECK OUT MY PHILLY MAG COLUMN TODAY FOR THE WHO’S WHO THAT ATTENDED THE WEEKEND EVENT & MORE
Categories
Philadelphia

The Videos: It’s getting hot in here, Men’s Shirtless Bull Riding Competition at PBR Bar at Xfinity Live

Over at Philly.com I have a column on the Jack Daniel’s Sponsored Men’s Shirtless Bull Riding Competition, here are the videos. Yes they are as crazy as you think they’d be when the ladies see a little skin.

The fun continues on September 12th. Come check out the show while these guys
get in the bull ring and show us what they’ve got. The audience and the
VIP tables will be making the call on who will be going to the final
round which will be on Friday September 27th. 
 Check out Philly.com for the photos and see which ladies were judging and who was in the audience.
Categories
Philadelphia

A LATE IN THE SEASON TRIP TO DIAMOND BEACH’S ICONA HOTEL & Chef Al Paris’ COASTALBLUE RESTAURANT

Late in the season Laura Burkhardt and I planned a late getaway to Wildwood

 to check out the new hotel Icona at Diamond Beach,

 

and have dinner at Chef Al Paris’ new restaurant Coastalblue

 

Located on the white sands of Diamond Beach, tucked between Wildwood
Crest and historic Cape May, Hotel Icona is just minutes from Wildwood,
NJ. Bask in the sun and take in the splendor of the ocean at our private
beach club and they have a lovely pool just steps away from the beach, which features a kids pool.
 Chef Al Paris, who also helms the kitchens of Chestnut Hill’s Heirloom Restaurant and the upcoming as well as the upcoming Paris Bistro in the Chestnut Hill Hotel, creates a specialty of the house Crab Benedict for breakfast!
 At Coastalblue you can dine indoors or outdoors.

 

 The waffles were huge.
I loved that all the rooms were suites, which included a kitchen and a bedroom
Many of them have views of the ocean from the balcony. I loved having a balcony as I’m not much of a pool or beach guy. I was really able to tackle my 3 weeks of mail and still get my vitamin d from the sun.
 I really enjoyed my stay here, and wish I had discovered it earlier in the season. Because it’s at the end of the island, it’s much more quieter here.  Although Miss B Where and I did have a fantastic time on the Boardwalk, which was only a 5 minute drive from the Icona at Diamond Beach. Did I mention they have free parking too.
Coastal Blue is closing at the end of September, but opening for
Christmas, New Years, President’s Weekend and Easter. That’d be a great getaway during the off season, which is when I really love going to the beach. Next year book your stay at Icona  if you want something different, quiet, spacious and a view. But definitely make it a point to stop by Coastalblue and enjoy Chef Al Paris down the shore. Up next for Chef Paris is the
incredible Paris Bistro & Jazz Cafe, opening at 8229 Germantown
Avenue later this fall.
(PS a few of these photos were provided by CoastalBlue as my camera decided to take an unplanned vacation.)

Categories
Philadelphia

Rumor Has It: Table 31 is Closing Mid-September

I’m really going to miss Table 31, the restaurant really played a significant part in my life and career. Whether it was the people I covered, the friends I made, the business meetings I had, Table 31 really played a major role in my life. It saddens me to see it close.

 

 But it makes sense too, as Chef Chris Scarduzio (center) is busy these days, very busy. He has a lot of exciting new projects happening including two new restaurants on the horizon (as well as running the successful Mia’s at Caesars in Atlantic City.) Scarduzio, who led Braserie Perrier, will serve as director of operations at the former Le Bec Fin space, now called Avance and helmed by Chef/owner Justin Bogle. Scarduzio is also bringing an Italian restaurant that focuses on seafood to the corner of 12th and Morris on the white hot East Passyunk corridor.

 Who can forget their Thursday night dance parties.
  I covered several parties that occurred on the plaza. What a great outdoor space to have a party.
 In my opinion one of the best al fresco dining experiences. (Yelp Photo)

Another rumor, the guy who owns Chops is taking it over. I hope he has SIPS as it was one of the most successful spots for the Center City District Program. (Foobooz photo) Look for a big blow out dinner on or about September 14, 2013, stop by and give the grand old lady a proper send off.

Categories
Philadelphia

Inside Look at the New Glass Tower called 2116 Chestnut. Plus could Girard Square finally get developed thanks To Johnny Doc, who also had a hand in this project

Yesterday I attended the official opening of anticipated the beautiful glass tower known as 2116 Chestnut

WOW the place is really beautiful. I love how they architects, Hartshorne Plunkard Architects & Voith & Mactavish Architects, created the “brick” concrete aluminum storefront and glass on the first four floors of the building, before the tower soars into the air with it’s floor to ceiling windows.

The 35-story apartment building consists of 319 units including one model unit, 130 enclosed above grade
parking stalls on levels 2 through 4, approximately 9,400 SF of at
grade retail and 28,400 SF of office space. The project was a partnership between The John Buck Company and the
INDURE Fund, a commingled real estate investment fund managed by
National Real Estate Advisors.

From the time you walk through the front door, with the modern sleek lobby, big bright windows and fireplace, you know the builders were keen on the attention to details.

 This is the studio model apartment. A generous size between 610 t0 617 square feet.
 In this unit the kitchen was the focal point at 14’3 x 6’9
 Studios will start at $1,600 per month. This studio unit features floor to ceiling windows, gourmet kitchen and side-by-side washer and dryer.
Plus a sunset view.
 cute bathroom too
 I love the views from the building, views that I had never seen before. This unit faced west with a view of 30th Street, and overlooked the 5th floor landscaped sundeck featuring a spacious lawn, green roof, hot tub,
lounge seating and 
a grilling area with outdoor kitchen and there’s a dog run, but there’s a restriction on the type of dogs.


Indoors, an
entertainment suite featuring a catering kitchen and a club room.

 
Great one bedroom corner unit with floor to ceiling windows, private balcony, and side-by-side washer and dryer.
 Great one bedroom corner unit with floor to ceiling windows, private balcony, and side-by-side washer and dryer.

 The unit boasts granite counters in kitchen, individual controlled thermostat, stainless steel appliances and individual washer/dryers in the unit.

 And floor to ceiling windows. The One Bedroom units range from $2168.00-2595.00


The Chicago John Buck Company (JBC) was convinced to build in Philadelphia by John J. Dougherty, the business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 98, who regularly reaches out to developers to convince them that Philadelphia is a great place to do business in, said 
Jeffrey Kanne, President and Chief Executive Officer
National Real Estate Advisors
Washington, DC at the opening press conference. Above John Buck II, Chairman and CEO, The John Buck Company. (This nugget was impressive, he went to the University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Austin and University
of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School to earn his bachelor’s, law and MBA
degrees, respectively – wow.)
 
 It didn’t take long to get the City on board with Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger  excited for the new project which would employ 800 people and bring new development to the western side of Center City.
Brian Stevenson, Business Rep. IBEW Local 98,  Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger and Jeffrey J. Kanne, President and CEO, National Real Estate Advisors and
Manager of INDURE Fund said, “We are very proud of the extraordinary
quality of 2116 Chestnut and have never doubted its merits. 

 

“Today’s opening of 2116 Chestnut brings exciting new homes, retail
space, and jobs to Philadelphia in yet another investment in the future
of our city,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “With about fifty projects
currently under construction across the city, investors are placing
their money and confidence in Philadelphia. I appreciate The John Buck
Company and INDURE Fund’s investment and thank the men and women whose
contributions to the development of 2116 Chestnut have brought us to
today’s Grand Opening.”

(Underneath the black “rug” is grass)
State Rep. Brian Sims D-Philadelphia and Mason Lane, Office of Rep. Sims
State Rep. Brian Sims, D-Phila., will host the House Democratic Policy
Committee for a hearing on public education and education funding from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Franklin Institute, Fifth Floor Conference Center, 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19103

 I loved all the Philadelphia scenes framed throughout the building
 
On the 5th floor there’s a state-of-the-art fitness center with a yoga room, great views of the City.
 Luke Butler, and Katie English, Kathleen English Communications
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson – 2nd District | Philadelphia City and Bob Billick, Project Manager at The John Buck Company

 Susan Hammersley, The John Buck Company’s Senior Vice President in the Development Group and Andy Romanosky, Union Bank

More of the 5th floor outside patio
with a great view of downtown
 I loved the media room. Those chairs reminded me of a Hollywood screening room.
What other amenities does 2116 Chestnut offer:
 Wi-Fi on the fifth floor
Dog run
Storage areas for resident belongings and bicycles
Secure indoor parking
Car share in the garage
Coffee bar

And, in
another sign of our commitment to Center City Philadelphia, the
organization is now
planning the complete revitalization of the Girard Trust Property on
Market Street, with a targeted construction date of 2014.” It’ll be a
substantial project, they’re going to succeed where others fail. Look
for a commercial resident, mix use of the property that is bordered by
11th and 12, Chestnut and Market. It’ll be the revitalization that will
really turn Market Street East around.

Categories
Philadelphia

Event: End Of Summer Jam 2013 Teves, Jaye In and A Toduh At TLA 9/18/13

End Of Summer Jam 2013

Date: Wed, Sep 18, 2013 07:00 PM

Ticket Price:
$15.00

Supporting act(s):
Atoduh
, End Of Summer Jam 2013
, Jaye Ink
, Teves

Tickets for sale online prior to one hour before door time. After that tickets available at box office window.

Tickets subject to
all applicable facility fees and service charges. Please note we may
cancel any ticket orders that exceed the published ticket limit. Tickets
may not be available in all price levels and sections. Small personal
cameras are allowed in the venue. Commercial photography, flash
photography, professional cameras and recording devices are not
permitted. – See more at: http://tlaphilly.com/event/02004B15AF1E9881#sthash.c45MKZ8c.dpuf

End Of Summer Jam 2013

Date: Wed, Sep 18, 2013 07:00 PM

Ticket Price:
$15.00

Supporting act(s):
Atoduh
, End Of Summer Jam 2013
, Jaye Ink
, Teves

Tickets for sale online prior to one hour before door time. After that tickets available at box office window.

Tickets subject to
all applicable facility fees and service charges. Please note we may
cancel any ticket orders that exceed the published ticket limit. Tickets
may not be available in all price levels and sections. Small personal
cameras are allowed in the venue. Commercial photography, flash
photography, professional cameras and recording devices are not
permitted. – See more at: http://tlaphilly.com/event/02004B15AF1E9881#sthash.c45MKZ8c.dpuf

End Of Summer Jam 2013

Date: Wed, Sep 18, 2013 07:00 PM

Ticket Price:
$15.00

Supporting act(s):
Atoduh
, End Of Summer Jam 2013
, Jaye Ink
, Teves

Tickets for sale online prior to one hour before door time. After that tickets available at box office window.

Tickets subject to
all applicable facility fees and service charges. Please note we may
cancel any ticket orders that exceed the published ticket limit. Tickets
may not be available in all price levels and sections. Small personal
cameras are allowed in the venue. Commercial photography, flash
photography, professional cameras and recording devices are not
permitted. – See more at: http://tlaphilly.com/event/02004B15AF1E9881#sthash.c45MKZ8c.dpuf

http://tlaphilly.com/event/02004B15AF1E9881
End Of Summer Jam 2013

Date: Wed, Sep 18, 2013 07:00 PM

Ticket Price:
$15.00

Supporting act(s):
Atoduh
, End Of Summer Jam 2013
, Jaye Ink
, Teves

Tickets for sale online prior to one hour before door time. After that tickets available at box office window.

Tickets subject to
all applicable facility fees and service charges. Please note we may
cancel any ticket orders that exceed the published ticket limit. Tickets
may not be available in all price levels and sections. Small personal
cameras are allowed in the venue. Commercial photography, flash
photography, professional cameras and recording devices are not
permitted. – See more at: http://tlaphilly.com/event/02004B15AF1E9881#sthash.c45MKZ8c.dpuf

Categories
Philadelphia

MADE IN AMERICA FESTIVAL 2013 AN INSIDER’S VIEW plus Philly Mag Link

As stated in many of my media columns & interviews, this year’s Made in America really was great. One of the reasons it was great was the layout of the festival grounds.

The main entrance was at 22nd and The Parkway, but there were entrances at 22nd and Pennsylvania Ave, and on the south side at 22nd and the Parkway. At these entrances their were bag checks, and the security seemed to be more focused on weapons, 
 Sean and Scott at the water stop filling their camelback
thankfully they were laxed in allowing each person to carry more than one water bottle. The only drawback of each day was the heat, and the long lines at the water spots. Water was for sale at a reasonable $7 for a 24oz, but they sold out each day.

The crowds 6PM Saturday night

backstage
On the top of the Art Museum Steps was JayZ’s and Beyonce’s lair. On Saturday night, Beyonce’ descended the stairs onto the stage.
There were a lot of beer gardens at the Festival. Chicken Fingers and Fries $8


 This was one of the best moves from last year, moving the EDM/Electronic Dance Music stage off of the ball fields. Last year they were destroyed, mostly because it rained. This year they put the charity organizations here. Last year they were located near the entrance at 22nd Street, and people really just whized by them. This year they put them on the expansive field and added lots of picnic benches. It became a destination point and really got the attention it deserved.

I met two girls from Ireland at the Bud/Charity Park.



Backstage – There’s Wiz Khalifa catching the Kendrick Lamar show. He has his skateboard in his hand.
The Iroquios VIP Seats

 The press area
a few media people. So excited to have the media tent close to the Iroquois VIP seats.
There’s JayZ and Beyonce

Here’s the front shot from the Festival grounds. They were right there in plain site, some people noticed, but most were just really into the music. 


The fans for Solange
There’s the local VIP bi-level tent.
On Saturday I heard nearly the entire Flyers team was hanging out there, as well as Jason Thompson from the Sacramento Kings.
I checked it out on Sunday cause I wanted to see what kind of view they had. Thankfully I knew a few people and I got in. Marc Vetri was on the menu
Here are the photographers at the NIN concert. I had never heard their music before, I really liked it. I’m going to get the new CD which dropped Tuesday.  Nearly all the photographers were on assignments from newspapers, magazines, etc. I was credentialed under my blog, but serviced PhillyMag, Fox29 and B101. Not my wireservice. That was an exclusive for the top tier Getty Images shooters (the guys I worked with when Beyonce hired me to shoot her opening concert at Revel last year. Reme their were only three of us shooting. So fun.), like last year. Except last year a lot of shooters did send to the wires ervices too. They were not invited back. Maybe they were sued too because we have to sign exclusivity contracts stating where we are going to put the photos.
This year they added the “Bud Swing”
The festival goers did the best they could to contain the trash. Over night the Philadelphia Trash Department did an amazing job at trash clean up. The following day after the each concert, the grounds were as good as new.
  Budweiser arranged pick up service at the various hotels for VIP guests.

I can’t understand why I even heard one person grip about the ticket prices. I thought they were very reasonable $128 plus per day. Isn’t that a normal price for up close and personal spots at a concert? This is not the July 4th concert where it is free, this is 44 acts, some major headliners, and well that’s a lot of entertainment. Seems a lot of people gave up their 20 drinks at a bar, a pair of sneakers, a nice dinner or an outfit to attend and wasn’t looking for free. 
If worse comes to worse, you could’ve always hang outside the gates and hear the music for free.

 The only thing I didn’t love was the placement of the EDM stage. It was
kinda close to the Park Town Apartments, and so very loud. I know the
building is full of students, but there are some long time residents
there too.

You wanna know the story behind this Philadelphia inspired guitar, check out my Philly Mag column HERE