Philly Chit Chat

There’s an Update to this Story at the bottom of page and as I say in this entry the restaurant plans to open in a month or so again, and they have a dance club & Tequila Bar that remains open and serves food, but not a full dinner menu again until after August 1. I spoke on with two people at that door who verified what my sources told me.

It’s particularly sad for me as I knew many of the Chef, staff and management, the food was great, the people were warm and friendly. But the delicious southwestern restaurant
has closed it’s doors. The staff was told Friday night, and there were many tears of disbelief.
Headed by Chef Gina Rodriguez, who came here from Arizona to run the kitchen, she was the first female chef at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort’s Ventana Room in Tucson, when that restaurant became one of only 57 restaurants in the country to win the AAA Five-Diamond Award. (source)
The restaurant opened December 2 with managing partner Adam Solomon at the helm and business partners Rich Brenner and Kenny Nevsky working behind the scenes. Going forward it will continue to operate its upstairs dance club Keva. Rumor has it that the partners might try and open up the restaurant again in the Fall. Don’t expect Chef Gina Rodriguez to be in the kitchen, I hear she is considering other options. (My suggestion keep it as a nightclub/lounge and how about catering to the 30 – 50 year olds. The market is there and currently we only have D’Angelo’s filling the need.)
UPDATE:I stopped by Kokopelli last night and found out that club Keva & Lounge was indeed open. Promoter Frank tells me that the club was always doing well and now they will develop it into a 4 day a week destination. Monday, Wednesday thru Saturday you will find the club open. There is a $5 cover after 11PM and Melissa will check you in. No hats, sneakers or t-shirts is the dress code. They said the restaurant plans to open in another month under a different concept, but that concept could include a lounge. I told them my idea of an older crowd club and they thought my reasoning were viable. I hope that’s what it becomes as my 40 yr old plus readers always ask me for a place to go.

Yesterday Mike and I went to the NYC Gay Pride Parade. We try and make it up there every year but it doesn’t always happen. This year it was important for us to make it as the State of New York just passed the right for same sex couples to marry. Mike and I have been together almost 17 years so that’s a very important issue to us especially regarding taxes, inheritance, life issues and the other 186 benefits that go along with being married.

Gov Guomo (third from right), Councilwomen, Openly gay NYC Councilwomen Christine Quinn, then two people over from her Mayor Bloomberg.
Dykes on Bikes kick off the 5 hour long parade every year at Noon



Familiar faces in the crowd: Our friends Katie and Simon. (When I travel to NYC to shoot fashion week, movie premieres, celebs, I stay at their house.)

Our favorite sex/relationship columnist Dan Savage




Is someone missing a stuffed animal?
The members and supporters of the GLBT NYC Police Force and Fire Department


Harvey Milk High School representing the youth
Sage organization representing the elderly
Team New York Aquatics is a Masters-level swim/water polo/diving team
Times Square Cow Girl


Our friend Tim went to NYC with us. He liked this best.


Check out the person on the left. Great outfit





Some people just shouldn’t



Mike’s exhausted and after a delicious meal at Dallas BBQ we headed home.

Taste of Philadelphia, Philly’s official summer food festival, kicked off the 11-day Wawa Welcome America July 4th celebration in Philadelphia Friday with three days of delicious food at Penn’s Landing. On Saturday I strolled over there for a bite to eat, and to watch the fireworks.
Leah Smith performs on the Old City stage near Penns Landing and Chestnut Street.
No cash was to change hands so they arranged to do it another way. Foodies had to buy tickets from cashiers and exchanged them for food. Each ticket was worth $1. Here this girl cashed in three tickets for an ice cream.
Food lines moved quickly, but the longest lines were at the burgers, smoothies and funnel cake
Cuba Libra, Jamaican Jerk Hut and Marabella Meatballs had decent crowds too.
everyone found something delicious to munch on
yum. Sundayyou can enjoy another day of Taste of Philly, which also includes day long entertainment. Today there will be cooking demonstrations at the
Old City Stage Cooking Demo 1 (12:05) – Feast Your Eyes
Cooking Demo 2 (1:05)– Keating’s River GrillThen at 2pm the sound from gossip choirs will fill the air.
There was an entertaining concert with Aaron Neville. (He has a cross tattooed on his face.)
I found two stylish girls
two Spivaks – Harry and Jon, grilling some burgers. Next time you see them asked what a curd burger is?
On the right is Aaron “Don’t know much, but I love you” Neville
After the show was the big fireworks show. I found the best place to sit in a jiffy is on the far left, next to the vendor tents. There are steps there and it wasn’t that crowded.
Great view of the fireworks and bridge too.
The grand finale. The next fireworks show is July 2nd, it’s also going to be at Penns Landing. Then the grand daddy of all the fireworks will take place behind the Art Museums, but can be seen on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

There are events scheduled every day this week so keep up with the latest information by visiting http://www.welcomeamerica.com or check out the event on Facebook or Twitter

This post is brought to you with the support of Wawa Welcome America.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia made it’s annual visit back to Philadelphia to film exteriors for the show, in Center City.
Thursday’s filming was on Jewelers Row between 7th & 8th Streets on Sansom Street
All the major players were on the scene including the great Danny DeVito
Most of the scenes took place in a jeep that Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton) is driving, with his passengers being Deandra ‘Sweet Dee’ Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson), Mac (Rob McElhenney) and Frank Reynolds (Devito)
The foursome was supposed to be stuck in gridlock traffic, which is exactly what they caused in the surrounding streets which was perfect for the background shot.
There were a lot of fans there, and I was surprised at how lenient the crew was in allowing everyone to take photos and film clips.
At one point Glenn Howerton came over and posed with fans. (Sandee Clark who I went to high school with. She owns Proformance Hair Salon in West Berlin, NJ and was always the star of our class musicals.)There were a lot of fans, giggling and squealing in delight. There weren’t a lot of fans, just a lot that were giggling and squealing in delight.
Rob & Danny
Not Rob, Danny, Glenn or Charlie Day, but their stand ins.
The real Charlie Day who plays Charlie Kelly
Filming went on for the better part of the day and I had to head out to prepare for an event photography gig for the Variety Club Gala, which I will write about next week including a whole slew of events that I am behind on but I will get to them in the next two weeks, sorry about that just slammed busy, and THANK YOU FOR THAT and for reading me each day or every other day;)
Did I mention Rob McElhenney’s weight gain for the final shows of the season. Seems he wanted to shake it up a bit with a little humor. Usually Rob has a chiseled body, but this year he splurged on the donuts and fried food to pack on 50lbs adding another dimension to his character, literally.
Last year you’ll recall his wife, Kaitlin Olsen did gain a lot of weight during her pregnancy (which was worked into the show for her character, Dee Reynolds). You would have thought he would have gained the weight then as a sympathy pregnancy. Maybe that’s the story line.
Did I mention the heat. I shot this photo of Kaitlin Olsen with her hand held personal fan. I love it. The only thing better would have been to have Rob and her in the same shot. He with his new belly, she with her hot new post-baby body. – Later in the day they shot a scene at Franklin Square. Filming locations for next week are at the bottom of the next section
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Today they’ll be on 23rd to 25th Street between Spruce and Locust near the Schuylkill River, then late in the afternoon at Fitler Square. On Monday they will be filming on 10 Street between Pine and Spruce. Tuesday they will be filming in Ocean City

The Summer Solstice ushered in summer on Tuesday as well as the long anticipated opening of Serafina, the NYC based Italian restaurant is now a stones throw from the Rittenhouse Square restaurant row.
The prime location, located at the 10 Rittenhouse Square Residential building right off the Square, has two floors of seating as well as an array of outdoor seating and window’s that open wide on warm days. Yesterday and today it was hot and the windows were closed.
Strike a pose: KB Consultants & Associates Kelly Boyd looking fabulous as she chats with Society photographer Susan Scovil; Kelly put together a remarkable list of people who came out to sample the wares of Serafina (I hear they have 17 different kinds of pizza’s) and imbibe on the spirits that flowed freely event past the original end time of 9PM.
Erin Tideman and SouthPhilly Fashionista Michelle Boyles. I had arrived a tad late as I was busy working on the Kimmel’s Solstice shoot I did the previous Saturday. It was so packed inside I decided that I would just catch people hanging out on the sidewalk. It turned out that a lot of people thought that was a great idea too. I could only stay 30 minutes as I had a job shooting a Parkinson Fundraiser at Table 31 at 7PM and I wanted to get as many peeps in front of my lens before I had to run off. (I’ll be writing about that on Monday. BTW tonight is the very popular Thursday’s It’s Ladies Night party.)
Del Frisco‘s Gm Rich Furino, Jessica Kiefer and manager Carmen Tedesco. Corie Moskow, Ilana Waber, (Gloss PR) Amy W and Brian Lipstein (Henry A. Davidsen)
Jennifer Lea Cohan, Tom Jordan and Carol Serena, Starr Restaurants
Fox29’s Mike Jerrick and John Bolaris
Aly and Wendy Rosen. Behind them are two KB Consultant employees Joan Kessler and Jack Schell, who manned the door and kept the 7 people who weren’t on the list out. Only kidding, but there weren’t that many people not invited, I think everyone who ever appeared in PhillyChitChat.com, Philly Style Magazine, Philly Magazine and walked through Rittenhouse Square was at this party. It was packed. Including many surprises…
Linda Sandler, Lenny Kahn with Arnie and Sonia Silverstiein in the 2nd row.
Brett Rosenbloom, Courtney Grant and John Westrum.
Carol and Nino Tinari and guest.
WMMR’s Preston & Steve’s Marisa Magnatta, David Grasso and Aly Green (Silencia PR)
The ladies who lunch will definitely be choosing Serafina Philadelphia. Some of the ladies spotted were Kristin Foote, Danya Henniger, Sabrina Tamburino, Liza Tedeschi, Jill Rizen, Tiffany McElroy, spinning at the gig Inga D’Angelo, Julia Morley, Stacey Kracher, Aida Sparta, Elaine Graber, Stacey Margo (Tonight she’ll be at the Philadelphia Eagles Todd Herremans Anti-Bullying event at Sugarhouse 7PM $35) and Friends of Rittenhouse Square president Betsy Hummel
Eric Cahill and Dana Spain. Dana’s big PAWS event is this Monday at the Union League.
Hilary and Harry Platt. A few men spotted in the crowd, Mayor Nutter, Former Gov Rendell, Bill Sasso, Robert Abrosi (who I later saw around 9:30PM at 18th and Market in one of those taxi bike contraptions), Philly Style Mag’s John Colabelli, Philly Daily News’ Larry Platt, John Stanley, Chris Widell, and Carl Dranoff
New couple alert: Tom Coyne and Andi Pescov. Andi had a hand in getting Serafina at this location. She works for Michael Salove. I later did a “drive by” of the restaurant and still found it to be buzzing around 10PM so I grabbed a few shots. (Just a note – I wrote last week that a Dunkin Donuts is planning to open across the street below the Nail Bar. Last week I ran into a few folks involved in the Rittenhouse Square Residents Association, and they say it’s not gonna happen. They are going to fight it. So we’ll wait and see. What are your thoughts about a DD within sight of the Square?)
Serafina owners Fabio Granato, and Vittorio Assaf with Hacina Saadi. Hacina is fresh off the plane from supporting her friend Amber-Joi at the Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas. These days you’ll find Hacina at the Serafina hostess desk happy to greet and seat you. (Arthur Kade was also in Sin City to lend support and you can check out his blog with the details, HERE, but after you finish reading my blog.)
Dennice Anderson, Cayleigh Ashmin, G-N Kang (Hamels Foundation – The Diamond & Denin event is coming up 8/11/11 or click on the advertisement in the side bar of PhillyChitChat.com), guest and Steve Gartner
Mia Colona, Caitlyn Joyce, Vittorio Assaf, Co-owner of Serafina. Mia tells me tonight is the grand reopening of the Manayunk Nicole Miller shop after some 14 year old kid decided to drive his car through the shop window almost hitting two sales girls. Tonight’s Party is called: CRASH NICOLE MILLER MANAYUNK’S GRAND RE-OPENING PARTY”Beck and friends after finishing a delicious meal on the second floor of the restaurant.Carol Tamburino and her girls run in for a night cap about 10PM.
As I was heading out I ran into Kelly Boyd, who 5 hours after the event began, was still beaming with the knowledge that the grand opening was a success and the boys had made a big splash in our little town of Philly.

PS I walked by last night (Wednesday) and the place was packed with a line out the door. Maybe it was because it’s the new kid in town, but most likely because of the raves I heard about the food and the hospitality. Bon Appétit!!

Singer Chris Brown was in town to performed at the Susquehanna Bank on Father’s Day Sunday 6/19/11, and the After Party was held at Whisper (1712 Walnut Street) at 10PM. I heard he stayed at the Loews. He ate at Sole Food, and after his concert Sunday night munched in the lounge on burgers, fries and chicken wings about 11:30PM (While I cooled my heels at Whisper waiting for him. He and his posse hung out in the lobby Monday for a bit before heading back to NYC.) But on with Sunday night’s story…
Sam Trasatti and Drew Coblitz came by to hang with Chris Brown at the after party. Sam was on the cover of a Delaware Magazine after being voted Best Beach Body a few years ago. I bet now that she lives in Philly she could win that spot here too.
While waiting for Chris Brown a bunch of walking billboards showed up. Hmm hey guys wanna advertise on PhillyChitChat.com, write me buzz @phillychitchat.com I’m sure I will be able to reach a lot more folks than the walking billboards at midnight on Walnut Street
The Chris Brown After Party was not a “Whisper” Party. Brown rented out the place and brought in his own gigantic body male and female door people. Everyone got searched. At one point I tweeted that the TSA would blush with the pat downs these folks got. I usually have a cigarette after being man handled like that.
Although some girls clothes left little to the imagination that a dangerous weapon could be hidden on the love machine.
After waiting 3 hrs for Chris Brown, he arrived. We were told he was going in the back door, yes there is a back door on Chancellor Street, usually reserved for throwing out the trash. It is also the shortest distance to the VIP cube that over looks the dance floor so I can understand why he would want to go in through there. We were then positioned on the opposite VIP cube to get shots of Brown partying.
Here comes the bottle service. Chris Brown’s posse told us not to shoot Brown at all and to exit the club at this point or they would break our cameras. One even threatened the TMZ videographer. (I refrained from spouting off to twitter my acerbic thoughts at that moment, although later the cool kids said they were waiting for it. I thought my blog would be a better venue.)
That wasn’t going to happen, I found a nice little spot across from where he was and shot a few for you guys. These aren’t very marketable, but I felt I needed something to show for my night as you can imagine my disappointment.
Here he gives a little love to his fans in the house, which were 75% women. Forgot to mention, when he arrived at his VIP cube, he had his people go through the crowd picking out the hottest booties to fill the space.
These girls work at Whisper and are preparing the bottle service
Promoter for the night was Caesar Carter, who tells me this is called raining the crowd. See the money that was thrown up. I love the new dance floor VIP lounge near the DJ booth. They have put in banquette seating; looks great and comfy.
Eventually security found me and I had to exit the club. I could have waited by the trash for Brown to exit, but knowing his past anger management issues, and the fact that his bodyguards were bigger than Godzilla, I decided to save myself a medical deductible and call it a night.

Wawa Welcome America!’s Taste of Philadelphia is bigger & better than before Taste of Philadelphia kicks off Wawa Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s free 11-day July 4th Festival, with a weekend of culinary favorites and all-star entertainment starting June 24-26 at Penn’s Landing, Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard. This year’s Taste of Philadelphia is even bigger and better than ever before, as the Festival footprint is expanded two blocks over the Chestnut Street bridge to Front Street. Philly’s famous Food Trucks, a new and innovative addition to the event, will set up shop along the bridge, including favorites La Marqueza, Insomnia and Dapper Dog and treats Call Me Cupcakes and Sweet Box. Also, a second stage for entertainment, in addition to the RiverStage, will be introduced this year on the corner of Chestnut and Front Streets. Throughout the weekend, this Old City Stage will feature a DJ playing world music, and notable Philadelphia chefs from Cuba Libre, Sampan and Feast Your Eyes will showcase cooking demonstrations. “We are thrilled to expand Taste of Philadelphia in all categories – entertainment, food and location,” said Melanie Johnson, city representative and executive director of Wawa Welcome America!. “We anticipate people will be very impressed with the wide variety of top-notch artists and delicious dishes set to delight people of all ages throughout the entire weekend.” New participants this year include Chenango, Tiffin, Stella Jeannes, Kuzina by Sophia, Feast Your Eyes, Marabella Meatball Company, Gigi Restaurant and Innovative Catering Concepts. Additional restaurants include Jamaican Jerk Hut, Keatings River Grill, Darlings Diner, Hard Rock Café, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Irish Ice. Another new twist this year is the enhancement of music genres, with jazz, blues, Latin jazz, gospel and world music now in the mix. Friday night’s line-up includes Philadelphia’s own Gerald Veasley; he will round out opening night at 7:30 p.m. with jazz favorites performed under the stars after a performance by the Philadelphia Freedom Jazz Orchestra. During the day on Saturday, find a seat along the waterfront and enjoy performances by acclaimed and local musicians such as the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz, Odean Pope Saxophone Choir, Toy Soldier, Deb Callahan, Brass Heaven featuring Jeff Bradshaw and Venissa Santi with special guest Eva Cortes. Also, at 3 p.m., the finalists of the Wawa Welcome America! Singer/songwriter Competition will showcase their talents and compete to impress the judges on the RiverStage. Then, on Saturday, June 25 at 8 p.m., singer and songwriter Somi will open the evening’s concert with her acoustic, culture-merging elegance. She has recorded songs in English and three East African languages. Headliner and hitmaker Aaron Neville then rocks the stage with his famous combination of rhythm and blues, followed by a fireworks extravaganza over the Delaware River — the first of three fireworks displays during Wawa Welcome America!. Taste of Philadelphia concludes on Sunday, June 26, dishing out more savory flavors and sounds Philadelphia is known for. Local gospel choirs, jazz musicians and blues bands will perform including Frank Bey and the Swing City Blues Band, Delton Walker, the Sounds of Life Choir and Zak Williams and One Akord. Ending on a high note, James “JJ” Hairston and Youthful Praise, the inspired pen and iconic sound that introduced such gospel hits as “Awesome God” and “Incredible God, Incredible Praise,” will headline the concert at 6 p.m. on the RiverStage.*********************
Stay tuned as I cover the WAWA Welcome America! events. This post is brought to you with the support of Wawa Welcome America. Connect with WAWA Welcome America on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @July4thPhilly.

If you weren’t at the Kimmel Center on Saturday then you missed a whole bunch of fun entertainment under one roof. The Kimmel Center kicked off it’s annual Summer Solstice extravaganza in style with a drum roll at noon. It was followed by an afternoon of kid-friendly activities, classical, jazz and dance performances.

When the sun set, the party heated up with indie bands, singer-songwriters, club dancing, and even a drag show—an audience favorite every year with Bob & Barbara’s!Hosting the event was Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers
The first event I hit up was Sarah van Aken’s SAVA Fashion Show in the Perelman Theater. Above I met Sol and Barbara Vetri. Guess who’s parents they are?
sisters Kat Swift and Regina Swift were excited for the show
as were sisters Connie Conyers and Erin Conyers. It sounds like it was a great day to hang out with family. SA VA Boutique Fashion Show- Sarah tells me that she created this line especially for the showing during the Summer Solstice.
Sarah Van Aken thanks the audience for coming. She tells me she recently went out to Seattle and fell in love with the City and country side. She grew up on a farm and it reminded her of home.
Then it was over to the SaVa Pop-up shop where people could buy the fashions they just saw on stage. Harriette Mishkin and Ron Friedman
Sammy Shrestha and Jeffrey Weathers
Vincent and Frances Ballassano were checking the schedule to see what they should see next. The cost was only $10 to get through the doors and then there were 14rs of entertainment to see. It was a bargain. I wish they had it twice a year.
Shows were also going on in the Commonwealth Plaza. Wolfgang Puck catering was serving up the vittles. I had a delicious rib eye sandwich.

Then at 8PM I went over to Verizon Hall to check out Phil Roy with Marc Vetri in concert. “Singer-songwriter Phil Roy and acclaimed chef Marc Vetri met five years ago and immediately recognized that each had more than a passing interest in the other’s art form. Phil had been expressing his culinary talents by cooking 4-course meals served during private concerts in his home.

Marc had long been a serious guitar student and was eager to share his unique and growing talents. Together they created an instantly popular, intimate series of “dinner concerts” at Marc’s Philadelphia restaurant Osteria. Now the two bring their music to the Verizon Hall stage for this special Solstice performance. ” (source)

Then it was downstairs to check out Urban Celebrity Magazine Showcase with Young Savage, Chill Moody, R6 Cypher at 10PM
Back upstairs at 10:15PM to see The notorious Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show crowd. They were rowdy and were really enjoying the show and comedy by the MC.
Lady GagaDiana Ross, Patti LaBelle and a whole bunch of original divas all on one stage
Late into the night the third tier at the Citibank Kimmel Center Solstice was buzzing with folks getting downhenna tattoo’s, tarot card readings and
hanging out on the terrace. This shot was taken about 1AM when I decided to call it quits. See you next year at the Kimmel Center’s Solstice celebration.