Philly Chit Chat

All year long swarms of investigative reporters from Playboy ping-pong across the
nation, hitting juke joints, mixology meccas, beach bars and dives by
the dozen. “We look under every maraschino cherry, jotting down notes on
wet napkins with steeled nerves and steady hands. To make our bar guide
as definitive as possible, we spare lots of sleep and no expense. If you
know of a drinking establishment that belongs on this list, clue us in.”

Principal owners Chris Doggett and Chris Gali
with friends at last week’s Playboy party hosted by Tanqueray at The
Franklin

Yesterday I reported that Franklin was expanding into the upper floor of the building where they are located. A move much anticipated by everyone since the bar is just exploding with accolades every month. In the afternoon Eater’s Colin Flatt posted an interview with  The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. owner Mike Welsh “We’re going to use the space for R&D, and we’re also probably going to open a teaching environment, so people can learn about cocktails and liquor,” Welsh told Eater, as well as a spill over waiting area for people cooling their heels to get into the main bar. No reason to have them freeze outside waiting to get into the party. Most importantly my article dispelled their original plan which was to open a noodle house in the space, which I always found to be odd. Maybe a story just to float out since we have such a ravenous foodie community. (eater)

After landing spots on the NBC hit singing competition “The Voice”, Juliet Simms and Tony Vincent make their Parx Casino debut last Friday, September 21st – Juliet Simms, who killed it in her blind audition doing the Beatles “Oh Darling“; which she later told me was performed after a 3 hour sleep because she had to wait up til 2AM the night before to hear if she was picked for the show, and eventually she ended up being the second
season runner-up, along with Broadway star and The Voice’s famed
contestant, Tony Vincent, took to the Parx Casino 360 stage for a live concert.

 After the performance there was a Q&A
session that will focused on their experience with The
Voice and they discussed their futures.Tony wants to move away from Broadway even though he found great success there with Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar and American Idiot in 2010

 The crowd was strong with lots of questions from their fans. Juliet Simms fans were out in droves.

I really have a lot of respect for the people who appear on The Voice. They’ve been in the business for awhile and most are at a crux in their career on whether to go forward or find an office job. They have paid their dues and for what ever reason the door to stardom did not open. I think even getting airplay and not getting selected at the Blind Audition is a success for that artist.

 Check out this rocker fur. She reminds me of a fiesty Janis Joplin. Juliet later told me that that was an honored comparison, but she was going to make a mark on the world all her own.

Andy Biersack of the  Black Veil Brides nearby his lady love Juliet Simms as Tony Vincent signs for a fan

 See my signature here?  Parx Casino sometimes auctions these off for charity. How much would you pay for this one?

  Andy Biersack, Juliet Simms and I sat down (with Parx marketing & advertising director Carrie Nork Minelli) after the meet and greet and had a bite to eat. I found the duo to be fascinating, Mensa intelligent, and not too bad on the eyes. Tell me she doesn’t look like a young Demi Moore here?

Juliet Simms and her boyfriend Andy Biersack of Black Veil Bride, who
she had met on the Vans Warped Tour, 2010. Unlike American Idol, The
Voice is for more seasoned performers, singers with a proven track
record (she had been touring for several years with her band Automatic Loveletter) but ones that just haven’t reached the next step yet. A
singer songwriter, she was sought out to audition for The Voice (and
encouraged to participate by Andy who had seen season one of “The Voice”
while laid up in bed from jumping off a balcony and breaking nearly
every rib on his left side, during a stage performance with his band),
which was a 3 month process before “the blind audition” in front of
judges Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, and Cee Lo Green. 

The show has the contestants review nearly 200 songs. They then pick 75 favorites in the order of their appeal. As they get closer
to the “blind audition” everything happens in a frenetic pace; being moved from one hotel to another climbing the ladder closer to the “blind audition.” You see they might bring several hundred people to Hollywood to audition, then they wittle it down to 200, then 148 then during the blind audition it gets down to the 48 individuals that must compete each other for the title.  After killing it with “Oh Darling”, Cee Loo, Christina and Adam Levine turned around; She choose to work Cee Lo Green
and picked up your life and move to Hollywood to obtain the title of
“The Voice”. It was a life changing experience for her, but also
exhausting to the finale where she was fairly ill for
her last performance when she sang “Free Bird,” and when you see the video, triumphantly, and although she didn’t
win as the voice 2012, I would say 2013 looks to be a year of fantastic success for her,
talent and the love and support of Andy Biersack.  And then lots of off the record conversation was held, but stay tune…

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Jax sports bar, Finish Line bar,
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The accolades for

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. (112 S. 18th St.) keep rolling in, so it’s not especially surprising that they changed their minds from opening a noodle restaurant in the old Liquid Hair Studios, above the bar, and instead just expanded the bar upwards into the space.

PLAYBOY  AUGUST 2012

BEST BARS 2012

PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE  AUGUST 2012

BEST OF PHILLY

DETAILS JUNE/JULY 2012

FOUR SUMMER SPINS ON THE GIN AND TONIC

MEN’S FITNESS MAY 2012

25 BEST BARS IN AMERICA

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL APRIL 6, 2012

GINGER COCKTAILS: REFRESHING BURN

FOOD & WINE APRIL 5, 2012

WHOLE EGG COCKTAILS

ESQUIRE MARCH 5, 2012

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: ALWAYS CRASHING THE SAME CAR

Word on the street is the opening is within a few weeks.

I stopped by Tuesday and found the place wrapped tight, but there was a little itty bitty rip in the paper near the door, but I was blinded by the light fixture that was shining brightly inside. Can’t wait to see the place.

A few weeks ago Jason Matthew Salon and Knit Wit participated in Fashion Night Out

Ann Gitter– Knit Wit, Emily
Goulet – Philadelphia Magazine, Melanie Johnson – City Rep of Philadelphia. – Melanie Johnson was key in creating the Philadelphia Collection, along with CCD’s Michelle Shannon. It was marketing genius to marry the excitement of fashion and center city retail. It was Emily
Goulet – Philadelphia Magazine and Rakia Reynolds persistence to bring “Fashion Night Out” to Philadelphia. Which was a few days before the Fashion Collection began, but the enthusiasm of the month made both events seem seamless.

 Kristin Munro – Philly Style Magazine, Jamie Reibenbach–
Addison RE, and Paige Wolf – PR

• Book Festival September 30th (Ed Rendell is keynote)
• Fall for the Arts Festival October 7th
• Harry Potter Festival October 27th weekend

  Thanks to Mike Hirata for shooting this party for PhillyChitChat.com

The Kimpton’s Monaco Hotel is just about to make it’s debut. The property at 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. will have several restaurants “The Stratus” and the “Red Owl” and

Hotel Palomar’s Square 1682 Executive Chef Guillermo Tellez will wear the chef’s whites at Red Owl as well as oversee the kitchen at Square 1682. At about the same time as the opening of the Monaco restaurants downtown Square 1682 will start to undergo a drastic renovation all the while the restaurant will remain open, so no employees will be effected.

Although the restaurant is a popular spot for lunch & dinner and has a very happy hour, there’s something missing, a steady stream of people, despite having rave reviews for the food, and a great PR team. It’s a shame especially since it’s has the one thing most hotel restaurants want, an exterior door.  I took a random poll of people over the past week or so since I was tipped off, to find out what people would like to see change at Square 1682.  #1 – Of the people who didn’t know what Square 1682 was, I asked them what cues would help them realize it was a restaurant. They said a sign that said restaurant. A menu on both windows and maybe awnings with the name in it over the windows. Several people didn’t like the facade. I hear they’re going to change it so that’s good.

 While the downstairs is being worked on, the upstairs dining area will be opened for business. Then when that is done, the opposite will happen. I loved the look of the downstairs, but when I asked people what they would like to see happen, everyone mentioned regular size furniture and real tables, especially for business meetings while eating lunch.

Everyone had a complaint about the bar. It’s too large, their fannies didn’t fit on the small stools and it should be set back from the doorway. I hear they’re not moving it, but I think they should think about it. Most people said that when it’s too clogged at the front, they don’t even want to bother to see if there’s a table on the other side in the seating area, I concur.

The upstairs is also going to be renovated. I always liked it, but I guess they want it to match the downstairs. OK a few people didn’t like the cushions on the chair as they slid off, and occassionally the air escaping would make an embarrassing noise. 

I hear it’s going to be very modern, with much lighter colors. I’m excited to see the results, and to see a restaurant that does well, do even more fabulous. I hope they move the bar back a tad away from the bar. Wouldn’t it be cute with a table or two in the front window near the door? The renovations begin in November.
** Special Event. The Annual Square 1682 Cheese Steak Contest is coming up again on October 14, 2012

King of Prussia Beerfest Royale

The First Annual Beerfest Royale will be a celebration of local craft
beer and German beer over two days in two tents with more than 3,000
beer aficionados! The two-day festival will take place Friday, October
5th and Saturday, October 6th, 2012 and feature different craft and
German beers from your local Philadelphia favorites to the newest and
hottest craft brews. With two tents and two stages, featuring live
music, and a central plaza with your favorite food and unique vendors,
this is one festival you won’t want to miss!

http://kopbeerfest.com/.  Amazing food, local craft and german beer, and great live music.

Sunday I headed out to Glen Mills, PA to enjoy Joseph Anthony’s Salon 3rd Annual Style Wars benefiting “Adopt A Pig”.

It’s also a fundraiser for Adopt a Pig – Adopt a Pig is a program designed to help children and their families cope as they face their greatest challenge, fighting cancer. Proceeds benefit a variety of support services for patients and their families.

Joe Petrusky, CrossFit Love, his lady love Stylist & judge of Style Wars Jen Abrams, Dana Farrell, Dana is partner at Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, which was the delish bites we all enjoyed at the event, and guest, cause I forgot to get his name. opps

The Eagles Cheerleaders were on hand and looking cheery, this was before the big loss. Cheryl, Amanda Grace, Cat and Claudette

Stephenie Kendrick and Lisa Gaudio. Stephenie told me that Kyle was home have daddy daughter time with their baby, who is over a year old already. Lisa Gaudio’s dad, Bob Gaudio’s Broadway show “Jersey Boys” was just certified as the 18th longest playing Broadway show in NYC on Saturday.

These two ladies, Mary and Cassandra Booth were very happy when I placed them in my 2nd row row seat along with my nearly date of the days Sheena Parveen, who stayed at home to watch the Eagles game. I think Sheena the Florida native is becoming a home town girl.

Newly engaged Irina Libman and Rich Goldberg, Safian & Rudolph Jewelers. Rich popped the question while they were in Cabo. Safian & Rudolph Jewelers also provided the jewlery that Jenn Frederick was wearing which included a gorgeous saffire necklace worth $11,500; a $40,000 tennis bracelet that I know Jenn loves, I’m looking at you Steve Frederick,		and a $7,500 ring with 3.78 carats of sapphires and 1.24 diamonds.

The audience was fashionably dressed and excited to be there. Can you see Donna Coghlan and Charlie Pasquale?

Kellie Gagliotti Anthony and Joseph Anthony Jr in the front row, with Joseph Anthony Sr and his lovely wife Kim, and on crutches Jennaphr Frederick of Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia. Jenn just returned to work after having knee surgery August 30th. She injured herself while performing a stunt with an Olympic gold medalist in South Jersey, wait it will come to me. Nope all I can recall is the pop of her knee, ugh.

Congrats to my bud, camerman Brad Berner from NBC10 for his second Emmy win with reporter Justin Pizzi (his first Emmy win was a documentary that I was in, it was the start of my TV career, but it was about my weight loss journey.) Todd Gorsok and Lauren Dunn

This is team 3’s models styled. I probably should have shot it from the front of the room, but I was going for the audience reactions. Next year maybe I’ll stand there.  This year the Style judges were giving their unvarnished opinions about each of the team’s styling. It was a refreshing approach.

Dallas Shaw, a fashion illustrator for brands like, CHANEL, DKNY and Kate Spade; Jen Utley, mommy, married to Chase, and co-founder of The Utley Foundation, and the no holds bar Jimmy Contreras, who’s motto is “The Truth Hurts”, were judges at the Style Wars. At one point the judges were in agreement That Team 3’s fall inspired outfits were just spotted on the runway in NYFW the week before, when Contreras pipped up and said “ladies I don’t know what fashion show you were watching, but those clothes were not at NYFW as they were doing Spring 2013.” – Thursday Chase Utley and his wife Jennifer are dedicating the 2nd annual Be Kind to Animals mural with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts program at its permanent location, McVeigh
Recreation Center.

Spotted in the crowd Matthew Vlahos, Vlahos Pr. They’ve been super busy gearing up for the Red Owl restaurant opening at the Monaco Hotel at 5th and Chestnut Streets, plus this week he’s helping out with the Anne Klein opening on Walnut St.

Joseph Anthony Jr gives Adopt a Pig co-founder Rob Amand a $25,000 check from the proceeds of The Style Awards. WOW that is just awesome!!

PhillyChitChatter: It’s been forever since I did this fun column.

Celebrities Coming to Town:

(Source) Guess who’s gonna be entertaining us in January at this year’s The 156th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACADEMY BALL?
Yes my sources say it’s Hugh Jackman. WOW now that is some entertainment.

Arrianna Huffington is making an appearance at the Pennsyvania Conference For Women
When: Tuesday, October 2, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street
Cost: Registration starts at $70; enter PACP98 for $10 off
More info: www.paconferenceforwomen.org

Philly native Jimmy Shubert
‏Get tickets to Philly show @HeliumComedy Sept 26 8:00PM http://www.heliumcomedy.com/philadelphia/calendar.php?month=9&day=26&year=2012 …

Congratulations to Maria Papadakis for winning an Emmy on Saturday night. Also Justin Pizzi and his photographer Brad Berner. You might recall the duo won their first Emmy in 2010 in a documentary I was involved in. (Photo: Felicia Perretti)

Not much news about the Cory Montieth/David Morse movie, McCanick, Ive been busy busy with the social calendar of events and well this production is fairly low key. A friend did tweet to me on Saturday that they added a new role starring one of my buds favorite actors – Maura Tierney.

You may recall Tierney from the television medical drama ER. Earlier last week I got a report they were at Franklin Institute shooting.
Wednesday they filmed a few scenes inside the Parker Hotel at 13th and Spruce. Sounds like a horror film to me.

Actor Kevin Daniels tweeted the only known photo of Cory Monteith in Philly, about a week ago. It seems the Glee actor has left the City and is now back on the set of Glee, filming final scenes with his real life girlfriend Lea Michelle.  Aww Finn where you going?

The movie Backwards, which filmed here all last summer, with Sarah Megan Thomas (hat) and James Van Der Beek opened to rave reviews last Friday in a few select cities including Philadelphia. It’s fun to read all the FB pages of the local actors that have caught a glimpse of themselves or their friends. Maybe you’ll see me in the scene filmed on the Schuylkill River, I’m there on camera for a split second I hear. Speaking of filming on the Schuylkill River, Do No Harm will be shooting all day near Boat House Row. It’s gonna be a beautiful day for a walk in the park, and maybe you’ll see a celebrity.  (Did you see my coverage of the filming of Do No Harm on Friday, it’s here.)

I found that photo that DeSean Jackson tweeted about his winning meal at Del Frisco’s last week. I guess he won’t be going there tonight.