Philly Chit Chat

Thanks to Opa restaurant at 1311 Sansom St, Phila. for throwing PhillyChitChat.com a 4th Anniversary Party. It was a hot time and I am grateful for all the peeps that came out in the suffering 100F weather to celebrate with us. Earlier in the day I had sent out a note to a bunch of people telling them I would understand if they couldn’t make it, and even Mike backed out. Thanks to Midtown Springboard Media president Everett Katzen for the computer set-ups that showcased the pictures that I took in the last 4 years. And to my friends brother-sister team George and Vasiliki Tsiouris who own Opa restaurant.
I can’t thank all my friends and supporters who showed up, did I mention in the 100F weather. Really have we ever had such an oppressive winter. (Update: I usually keep it a secret that I am dyslexic, but just now I see I wrote winter instead of summer. It’s so irritating to be dyslexic. I often forget the last letter on words too. Writing a blog has been very helpful to me. Although I am also orally dyslexic and have been know to say the opposite of what I mean. Mike doesn’t cross the street unless he actually see that the light is green. In our early years together I almost got us killed a couple times thinking the light was green. That’s my 4 yr anniversary confession.) But the parties and life go on, and that’s my bread and butter for PhillyChitChat.com Here’s two stylish peeps: Elaine Graber and Julianne Glatz. Julianne as I mentioned last Friday, was in town from Chicago, for the Philly Style Magazine party.

Ellen Rohlfing and Dave Maser
Thanks to Springboard for setting up these monitors to show some of the photos I’ve taken over the past 4 years.

Magee Rehab’s Meg Rider, G-Philly’s Natalie Hope McDonald and Jimmy Contreras, PhillyStreetStyleSara K, Ashley Brielle and Nnamdi
Karen Gross, who is now behind the scenes with the Constitution Center and friends stop by.Thanks to Opa, George Tsiouris and Vasiliki Tsiouris, Garden Wellington, and Noel Zayas, from Noel Zayas events for throwing me this party. And to all my readers for an amazing 4 years. Thanks so much for supporting my advertisers, if I didn’t have them I’d have to get a real job and hang up my key board. Follow me on twitter @iphillychitchat as I usually give out info & sightings there hourly, that doesn’t make it here. Back to the party.
Greta Baith, guest and Autumn Ashby
Thanks to photographer Patrick Hagerty and DJ Rahasaan for spinning. To see Patrick’s pixs go here. It was hard to give up the power of shooting pictures even at my own party. It’s just not in my nature. Thanks to Sandy Smith and the others who I may have missed cause I’m a dizzy blogger.
George Tsiouris, Vasiliki Tsiouris and Maria Papadakis
Kristyn Aldrich and Lauren Smith looking fabulous!!
Honeymoon glow Dan Reinherz and Hasdas Kuznits with best bud Marlo Polonsky
If you had told me that two of the guys from ABC’s Bacherlor show, that women fantasize all over the world, would come to a party held in my honor, 4 years ago, I would have called you crazy. But it was reality when Craig Robinson and Reid Rosenthal both came out on Thursday night. Thanks guys.
Sleek, sexy, stylish Lianna Shabin, Jaimie Donahue and Danielle Shwendman
Fran Fattah, Noel Zayas, Noel Zayas Event and Megan Smith, Brownstone PR
Craig Robinson, Monica Glass, Pastry Chef from 10Arts, guest and Ilana Waber, Gloss PR
Kei Kurimoto, Yakitori Boy (There’s a great article in Phila Weekly about Brittany Lynn’s weekly drag show.) Eden Blair and Matthew Vlahos, Vlahos PR
Thanks to the Cool Kids, especially because they were having a party that evening at Recess for their friend’s bday. Reggie Berry, and Jackiem Wright with Lauren Smith, Kristyn Aldrich

Thanks to the Where Magazine team for coming out and their continuing support (I promise to stop in soon), including the years that Laura Burkhardt was at the helm. Bret Copol, Kristina Jenkins, and Kari Oriolo, with Ilana Waber, Monica Glass, George and Demetri Pappas, Xochitl
Michael Biwa, George and Shelton Mercer. My tweet from Saturday night made it into the new revamped Phila Daily News today: http://lockerz.com/s/123542841 which I then saw on Fox 29 only because they were commenting about Dan Gross’ column.

WMMR’s Marisa Magnatta, and Marissa Nalani. And yesterday’s mysterious question can now be revealed it was Marisa. Question here.

Behind these non-descriptive doors you will find
a beautiful space, an unique idea and an engaging visionary named Lêe who created “Hop Sing Laundromat,”. He says it will serve the best Chinese food in Philadelphia, but don’t call it a restaurant, it’s a bar that serves food. Why is he so confident it will serve the best Chinese food? He’s come up with a novel idea where his menu will consist of the top 5 best meals from the top 5 best Chinese restaurants in Chinatown (25 items). (Thursday night at 1AM he took me and a few of my friends to one of the restaurants. It was the best I’ve ever had and I didn’t even know it existed.) After the guest orders the dishes, the Hop Sing waiters will pick up the food and deliver it to the tables in Chinese wedding banquet boxes.
The entry to the restaurant, don’t call it a lobby, it’s the waiting room or shoe shining room, will house yes a shoe shine stand and a dozen chairs from an old movie theater to sit in (He doesn’t want anyone cooling their heels outside on the sidewalk.) There’s a dress code at Hop Sing, and sandals are not allowed. If you bothered to get dressed for a night at Hop Sing, more along the lines of the dress code you would wear to the Union League in the summer (no suit, but a collared shirt), then he is happy to shine your shoes for free as a thank you. The floor of this room has nearly $400 worth of pennies all on tails. He says there is one on heads, but it will never be found. He’s right I don’t have the patience to look for it, which Lêe seems to possess.
Especially with his attention to details like this chandelier that he’s hung in the shoe shine room, as you walk through the doors. The books he’s chosen to display in the main room, the light fixtures from an old church with the crosses still attached.
Elements stressed by Lêe was his customer service, everyone should enjoy themselves in his bar without the stress of a photo showing up somewhere. Posted right in the lobby will be a NO Cameras, Video or Phones allowed in the main dining room. He even has a room for you to tend to your important phone calls so that you don’t have to go out side and cool your heals. (I’m not going to sweat it as there is no sign that one can’t observe and then report, just no twittering at that moment or a nice, but large man may come over and crush my phone. OK not really but )
Although the kitchen is in place, the only equipment that will be operational is the fancy Kold Draft ice machine, capable of making up to 12 different kinds of ice including crushed. Lêe is a fan of days gone by, where women were ladies and men held the door for them. He is a fan of the golden years of Hollywood and I think is trying to capture that era with the cool sleek feel of Hop Sing Laundromat. The attention to detail, the message he is trying to convey. When you go into Hop Sing Laundromat and see something that stirs you, know that Lêe probably placed it there after a long thought out process; nothing is where it is coincidentally.
Along the far wall couches will line up with end tables between them. The outlets are already in place for the lamps and your laptop. Between the wall and the 40 foot bar, on the opposite side of the room, there will be a few well placed dining tables for dinner as well as lounging.
The only thing Lêe wants you to call mysterious is probably who is my mysterious friend that checked out the place last Thursday at 1Am with us and what are those prints of framed so nicely by Gould Frame in Philly. He doesn’t like mysterious as an adjective, his bar is more like surprise. A gift that will be unwrapped in due time (with lots of off the records for me as he describe the surprises that await his guests each and every day even.) He keeps telling me it’s just a bar, but I’m telling you it’s something special. Nothing of the likes has been conceptualized like the Hop Sing Laundromat in Philadelphia, opening soon. (Great articles regarding design and tidbits await you here Meal Ticket, Michael Klein, and one of the best articles I’ve read on the place and in general of late, really captures my afternoon with Lêe can be found at Foobooz; Hop Sing Laundromat represents the American dream.

Friday night while I was at the Italian Market’s Anastasi Seafood enjoying the broiled seafood combo, Dawson’s Creek James Van Der Beek was sitting in the window at Rouge enjoying his dinner. Earlier in the week he had filmed a few scenes from his movie “Backwards” up the street at the Art Alliance.
Part time Actor, new resident of Philly, Larry Giuffra poses with Juventus’ forward Alessandro Del Piero outiside the Four Seasons Hotel on Sunday. They are using Philly as their home base this week between games played in NY 7/26 and NC 7/28, using the empty Eagles NovaCare Center. Philadelphia Union loss to the Real Madrid, who stayed at the Ritz-Carlton with what seemed to be their entire families. Saturday night I was down in Atlantic City at Scarduzio’s at Showboat. When I returned home I saw a big tour bus. Thinking in was Rihanna’s I gave it a chase. Turned out to be the Real Madrid players, their parents, spouses and wives. Look for Giuffra in the James van Der Beek movie Backwards.

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Friday kicked off the 9th Annual Charlie Mac’s Party 4 Peace in Philly. The star power that flies into Philly to lend their support to the charitable organization was very impressive, but the biggest surprise was actor Will Smith, who surprised the audience who turned out for the Charlie Mack Talented Teens Finals Competition Saturday night at the Yesha Fellowship Hall. Started in 1990 solely as a celebrity basketball game, The Charlie Mack Party 4 Peace Celebrity Weekend has evolved into a charitable benefit to raise awareness and money for organizations that work tirelessly to eradicate violence in Philadelphia. Smith also walked the red carpet at the Suzanne Roberts Theater for the Sunday premiere of “Streets,” a film Mack produced and which features local actress Nafessa Williams. Also appearing during the weekend Tyrese, Toccara Jones, Lil Mama, Reggie Berry, Jackiem Wright and above with Smith is Arthur Kade.

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Tuesday I had dinner at 10 Arts with my buds from Fox29 Good Day Jennaphr Frederick and Sheinelle Jones, as Mike Jerrick enjoyed dinner at an adjoining table with Food Channel’s Marc Summers and David Neff. (Look for my segments with Jenn beginning this Friday at 9:40AM [nervous])
Owner and Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin came to Philadelphia to help kick off the 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge tasting menu that benefits Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization. Top Chef alumnus and Chef de Cuisine of 10 Arts, Chef Jennifer Carroll has created an exclusive tasting menu that has been carefully crafted and is available for lunch and dinner. For each tasting menu ordered, $1 will go directly to Philabundance and help drive hunger from the Delaware Valley.
Susie Celek, Amber Stires, and Julie Dorenbos, outside their new spray tanning salon and so much more store, Skin Palette on 19th Street a stone’s throw from Rittenhouse Square. Friday was opening day. Stop on by and tell them PhillyChitChat.com sent you.
Newman’s Gallery on Walnut Street is closed for renovations. The sign says they will open in the fall, but where I wonder? The permit says the first floor is going to be a clothing retail store.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel holding his 1210 radio show at the Shops of Liberty Place. Once a month he broadcasts his radio show from the Center City shopping center.
Talking Phillies it’s been rumored that they’re willing to trade Jonathan Singleton for the San Diego Padres’ Mike Adams, seen here leaving the Ritz-Carlton on Friday afternoon as he heads out for the game.
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Saturday night as I mentioned I headed to AC for my birthday and celebrated at the opening night of Scarduzio’s – Steak Sushi Lounge inside the Showboat Casino. I had a 12oz sirloin, that was delicious and Mike had the rack of lamb which he declared was the best he ever had. We even had a dueling fork fight as I tried to grab a few off his plate. For dessert we had the chocolate cake mouse prepared by Pastry chef Deb Pellegrino (above, who just won the chocolatier’s crown and $10,000 on last Sunday’s popular TV series Food Network Challenge. ) with Chef Chris Scarduzio (also owns Mia at Caesars and Table 31). It was delicious. Mike said he would drive down to AC just to buy the cake, and that says a lot since we go to NYC every once in awhile just for his favorite seafood paella. The space is gorgeous with a sleek dining area with reds and dark wood. On the other side of the room is a beautiful lounge area, which I for see will be a beautiful place to hang out for a glam evening.
Today Saxby’s at 21st & Walnut is offering two for one Froyo’s.

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Upcoming Philly Celebrity Sightings:

Top Cheftestant Jennifer Carroll is going to be a busy girl on Monday, August 1st as she will be hosting the Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR. The charitable motorcycle ride supports amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research and takes place July 31-August 6, 2011, making five stops along the East Coast to raise funds and awareness for amfAR. The ride will be led by Chris Salgardo, President, Kiehl’s USA and Alain de Cadenet, Le Mans racer and ESPN “Speed Channel” host, with reputable motorcyle enthusiasts eager to join the fight against HIC/AIDS, icluding Tyson Beckfor, Saved by the Bell’s Mark-Paul Gosselaar, actress/model Tricia Helfer, actor Justin Chatwin and many more. The August 1st 11AM the route will be from KOP Mall to the Center City Kiehl’s on Walnut Street where a ceremony take place until 1PM For Info: www.kiehlsgives.com

Also Monday for Jen, her 10Arts team is hosting Industry Night at Marc Vetri’s Amis for those folks in the restaurant business. Their theme: Down The Shore. No word on if Jen or pastry Monica Glass would be wearing their bikinis when preparing the seafood dinner.

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Check this out:

July 28 at the Philadelphia Library check out Josh Ritter, singer/songwriter, signing copies of Bright’s Passage at 7:30PM

Check out Ryan Howard’s Charity Event with his Phillies team mates at Morton’s http://www.phillychitchat.com/2011/07/ryan-howards-celebrity-servers-at.html

Last night at Morton’s steakhouse in Center City, Philadelphia Phillie Ryan Howard and teammates traded in their uniforms for aprons and acted as waiters, all for a great cause as proceeds from the $350-a-ticket event went to benefit The Ryan Howard Family Foundation.
The place was more packed than any of the other previous years, and the price of the ticket went up $100. Do you know what that says, people are very charitable and the Phillies are HOT!!
Trading in home plate for dinner plate was Chase Utley and Kyle Kenderick. I swear they kept getting in the weeds as they exchanged notes on what it will be like to be new dad’s in just a few short months. Chase’s wife Jen is due in December and Kyle’s wife Stephenie due next month.
Raúl Ibáñez with a few fans including Juliet Gabriel next to him.
Ryan Howard’s fiance Krystle Campbell chats with some of the Phillies wives including Melissa Victorino and across the table Johari Rollins.
Teryvette Ibanez and Johari Rollins were in a mean battle at the silent auction for this Muhammad Ali signed boxing glove. Last bid I saw was near the end of the night at $2300 going to Johari. (A bargain I think)
Cole Hamels better get used to it as his wife Heidi Hamels, on right is just about to have their 2nd child soon and she’s gonna need a little help around the house. I’m looking forward to covering their big shindig at the Crystal Tea Room 8/11. I think all the tickets are nearly sold out, but there are sponsorship opportunities.
I caught Cliff Lee checking out the bidding on the sports jerseys. I asked him if he was planning to pick up one for himself, but he responded he was checking to see who was in the lead with bids. He was proud to say that his shirt was going for $220 more than Roy Halladay’s, as he gave out a chuckle.
Ryan Howard showing off a young man’s art work that he just signed.
Jimmy Rollins posing for a pix for some fans.
Shane Victorino was in the weeds most of the night, but got some assistance from John Mayberry Jr and Donnie Brown. It was a great night for a good cause.

Goodbye over priced Academia del Caffe by Massimo Taurisano and Carrie Lapp. Hello City Hall Coffeehouse, Seth Williams is gonna have a new place to hang his hat when he leaves his office next door. The Coffeehouse will still be offering a delicious lunch selection including sandwiches, salads, coffee, home made Italian soda’s as well as home made ice cream and water ice. And the owner might also be familiar to you as
Cosimo Tricarico is no stranger to the restaurant business as he already owns three other business including Caffe Valentino in Pennsport, pizzeria’s Paolo’s Pizza on Pine St. and Mama Mia on Spruce Street; and the recently closed DiVino, a small-plates wine bar.
To celebrate his grand opening he’s going to be giving away free water ice beginning at Noon on Friday for about an hour depending on how long it lasts. So get there early and tell him you saw it on PhillyChitChat. I had the mozzarella, tomato and fresh basil from his own garden, salad, and it was delicious!

Last Night I went to Delilah’s 9th Annual Diamond G-String Award. Delilah’s would be the first to tell you they are a gentleman’s club with standards. There’s an air of old time cinematic Las Vegas excitement in the air when you walk through the big black doors into the lobby. The crowd is a little more dapper than say the Gold Club or Cheerleaders. I didn’t have to mark this year’s entry as NSFW cause like Madonna at Live Aid in 1985, they weren’t taking much off tonight, it was about the talent.
Hosted by owners Jenn Shamy-Exley, Bryan Exley, Brian Taylor and Christie (Thanks for allowing me to shoot the event.)The “celebrity” judges were not revealed until the night of the event and consisted of many of Philly’s out and about PR peeps (who have all been making upwardly moves this year) and some of the front end managers of Philly’s finest happening spots. Above Aly Green, Silencia PR. Aly’s been flying cross country these past few weeks arranging hot happening sports dinners for clients this past year as well as growing her business. Drew “the Mayor” Carbello, is one of two mangers at Del Frisco’s making sure that all your needs are being met. It’s great to see his talent get recognize.
Tom Conte, (Judge) Dana Spain and John Kelly. The Delilah’s event brings out a lot of Philadelphia sophisticates who enjoy a little something on the wild side. It’s all done in fun and style. Men usually are the majority on most nights, but on these entertainment nights women are right up there, coming with friends, partners, husbands who are all there to be entertained for the evening.
Dana owes her sexy physique to this guy who works her hard in the gym
Out of nowhere and now everywhere Jimmy Contreras, PhillyStreetStyle, Drew, and guests
Will Welch and arm candy Lindsay Furman (Judge). Lindsay just signed with two modeling agencies and is back where she belongs in front of the camera and looking good.
Ashley, Eric Conte and Carol Drumsta, Brown & Forman
Choking the snake. Jimmy (Judge)
Brothers from another mother Bryan Exley and Drew Carballo
Chris DiGeorge and Ali Warren with a few friends.
Comedian and host of tonight’s event Bret Ernst with Delilah’s GM Alp Aktan
Gary Thorpe, G Lounge with Lane Kelly from Smith & Wollensky
Evan, Gianni, Marc and friend enjoyed the amazing athletic ability demostrated by all the athletes.
Bret Ernst was pretty hysterical.
The pre-opening act. Tonight was pretty tame compared to some of the nights I’ve been there, and by tame I mean entertaining almost in a Disneyfied Las Vegas way but not in a showgirl way as not a stitch of clothing came off just sheer hula hoop talent. Foreplay if you will.
Tre Rios, Voyeur, Waylon Nelson, G Lounge and Drew at the edge of the runway ready to judge.
The Card Girls in their Diane Furs bikini’s. It might have been hot outside, but it was even hotter inside. The winner of tonight’s event goes home with $10,000 and a new fur coat.
Football is on everyone’s mind lately
but the girls wanted to give the audience a little distraction while the details are being ironed out to settle the lock out.
Don’t try this at home: Earlier in rehearsals one poor lady got her thumb nearly severed when the digit got caught on a prop. I hear she is doing much better. I always want to hit the gym the next day after going to Delilah’s.
Next up it was urban cowboy chic.
The place was packed, and the audience was hooting and hollering as they enjoyed themselves. Spotted: Jason Thompson (Forward/Center for the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise) who’s in town for the Charlie Mac Charity weekend, plus “In Living Colors” Tommy Davidson, who declined a photo, but didn’t decline a lap dance from a bevy of babes. After their game there were also a few Union players as well as a few Eagles players, names withheld at their request.Lauren Beloff, GM Rogues Gallery near 21st & Market StreetsAngela, need I say more. I’m sweet for her.
Group #4 did the very Disneyfied Arabian Nights. It was very popular with the audience. Other judges: Shy Peled Blue Martini; Carmen DeMarco Cuba Libre; Marshall Young, Mad River.
This is one time you don’t mind a little meat around your belly so the sword doesn’t slip and give you a trim.
The men were on their feet with delight with this spectacular spectacular
The finale
I’m a bad judge of entertainment. I have never picked the winner correctly. I thought the first group would win as they did a lot of pole and acrobatic work, or maybe the 2nd group as they did a lot of choreography. The third group was a whole lotta different themes, without real continuity. But in the end
the winner was the Arabian nights. Congratulations!! I’m looking forward to the Entertainment of the Year Awards where the staging is more spectacular that Spiderman on Broadway, and reminds me of the good ole’ Gypsy Rose Lee movie.

Last night Philly’s latest Bachelorette contestant, Craig Robinson lent his million dollar smile and time to the Pat Croce Multiple Sclerosis charity fundraiser at Del Frisco’s steak house
Craig Robinson and Alexa Lustig, no doubt discussing the spelling of Alexa’s last name and how a lot of people probably add an “n” and think it’s lusting. Or maybe they’re discussing his write up on Perez Hilton about the Bachelor Pad sexual harassment. He’s ready to leave that in the dust behind him he’s ready to move on with his life. Maybe even settle down for real, he’s looking better than ever and ready to lend his name for a worthy cause.
Approximately 400,000 Americans acknowledge having Multiple Sclerosis, and every week 200 people are diagnosed worldwide. Most people diagnosed with MS are between the ages of 20 and 50 while women are two-three times more likely than men to get the disease.Hosts Lynsie and Evan Solomon with Lynsie’s parents Mr and Mrs Feinberg.Jimmy Contreras, PhillyStreetStyle (co-sponsor of tonight’s event) and Julianne Glatz. Julianne currently lives with her beau in Chicago, but returned last week to attend the Philly Style Magazine party. Friday she heads to Connecticut to visit friends before heading back west.
Linda Huss and Jim Werner stopped by to lend their support.
Amy Brazina, Abby Karasick and Meghan Grady. They might stop by Opa restaurant for PhillyChitChat’s 4th Anniversary Party Thursday night. Just RSVP on the 2nd page of Noel Zayas Events.
Kathy Walsh and Michelle Boyles, SouthPhilly Fashionista
Jenny Perkins and Diana Lipschutz

Kristina McGraw, National MS Society , Evan Solomon, nominee of the National MS Society 2011 Leadership Class and Craig Robinson greet the guests then pull tickets for the raffle of several terrific prizes including a basket of Neuro Water, and a dinner gift certificate to Del Frisco’s