Philly Chit Chat

Philadelphia Celebrity Sightings & Musings:

Friday I attended a “science of food” event at Stephen Starr’s Continental restaurant for the upcoming Philadelphia Science Festival April 15 – 28.I should have eaten before I went or read the press release as it was a tasting of the “miracle berries” which is not very filling, but an interesting subject. Then I went to dinner at Kokopelli with Where Magazine Publisher Laura Burkhardt and ABC6’s Monica Malpass. Monica tells me all her boys are doing well, and the twins are about to celebrate their first birthday, can you believe it!!
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Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes’ wife actress Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted Sunday: I need the power of ur prayers to help my dad thru chemo. Pray please. Thank you.
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SATURDAY: Chynna Phillips husband, Billy Baldwin, was spotted Saturday afternoon at the Marriott Downtown’s Circ Bar. Earlier in the day Megan Haines tweeted he was at the Reading Terminal and then in the afternoon Steven Spangler tweeted what the fuck Billy Baldwin is in Pac-A-Deli (What no pictures people?) On Friday Philebrity reported that he was in town for the NCAA wrestling championships and Deadspin published pixs from Mac’s Tavern when he was celebrating St Paddy’s Day there. Chynna I’m sure he’s not in love with that chick who kissed him, and it was just impulsive.

Saturday afternoon Fox29’s Jenn Frederick who has a celebrity eagle eye as she spotted Friend’s star Matt LeBlanc heading into Dick’s Sporting Club on Saturday. She’s a big fan but a bigger fan of golf and headed for the greens instead.
Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Philadelphia Carson Kressley joined Madonna’s back up singer of 18 years, Niki Harris, who entertained the crowd, in a night to honor Delaware Sen. Chris Coons at the Hyatt Penns Landing. Later in the evening Carson was seen in the lounge at Ten Arts in the Ritz-Carlton. (Photo: Lex Ruby Howe)
Uptown: Shelita Buffet hosted the opening of the new club ICandy, 254 S. 12th St in the Gayborhood (the former 12th Air Command)
Philadelphia City Councilman-at-Large James F. Kenney stopped by to wish them well.

Back downtown in Old City to check out season 1 winner of Master of the Mix DJ Scratch spinning Saturday night at Trust for an exclusive Smirnoff party with Power 99.
DJ Sparkles was the opening act for DJ Scratch (r)

My dates for the evening Kristyn Aldrich and Megan Smith, Brownstone PR. It’s good to see Megan out as she is busy repping Cinefest this April as well as Dancing With The Philadelphia Stars on April 10 and tonight charity event with 76er’s Andre Iguodala hosting ‘Bowling for Promise” at Lucky Strikes TONIGHT 5PM $35.

DJ Scratch (r) with surprise rapper guest rapper Freeway (l) Also spotted Reggie Berry, Hacina Saadi, Jackiem Wright, Rosa Swinton, Tara Lassiter and Bill Andrews. It was tough getting names out of this crowd and I tweeted around midnight: “after photographing folks, no one wants to give me their names. Its like being at a karma sutra party.”

We then headed over to the private late night club Recess at 125 South 2nd Street for a nightcap. I love the place as everyone is chill, but you have to love body contact cause the place gets packed.

Sunday: Congratulations to Marny Baxt, Body Pump/Fitness Instructor at Drexel University who participated in the NY half marathon. At the end of the race she was rewarded with a Hugh Jackman sighting!! The day before she saw Lea Michele while eating brunch at Le Pain Quotidien (See yesterday’s entry about the glitch in Philly’s Le Pain Quotidien).

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Relativity Media’s “Limitless” topped the weekend’s domestic box office with an estimated debut purse of $19 million from 2,756 locations. Us Magazine reports that Bradley Cooper celebrated by dumping Renee Zellweger. The only wedding ring he plans to wear in the near future is his dad’s Charles Cooper who passed away in January.
Shot from the special Limitless screening in Philly on March 5th at the Rave. BC is seen hugging his aunt as his mom Gloria Cooper looks on. TMZ reports that

Michael Klein reported on his blog the Insider, that Le Pain Quotidien was opening a second location in Center City at the old Robbin’s Jewelery Store at 8th & Walnut close to the summer.

There might be a snag as it seems someone may have challenged their right to have seating outside. Would that affect their business decision to open there? I walked by on Friday and saw that there is a Washington Square West Meeting Monday night at 7PM to discuss an Appeal with the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
Seems there is a variance with bakeries, cafe’s and restaurants on Walnut Street regarding seating on any sidewalk on Walnut Street.
Applicant has approached Washington Square West for their Non-Opposition to the variances sought.
Hmm I wonder if someone could wander up the street a bit and take care of this fiasco? I love al fresco dining, I don’t like anyone or anything clogging up the sidewalk. PS. It’s the first day of Spring – Go out and get some free Rita’s Water Ice today!!

A room with a view
Yesterday I mentioned about my bud Big Rube who is going to shoot street style for The Daily News. The style of shooting he is going to do is direct candid shooting where the subject may know he is photographing them to capture their style. I try and shoot that way but often get intimidated if folks can see what I am doing. I hate to invade their private space & or wrath of a tongue lashing. I often will shoot from the hip as they call it, no not to upskirt, just a very candid, natural setting shot.

Although these folks knew I was shooting them because their dogs are so adorable, and well they are being pushed in a doggie carriage.
I also do a lot of shots like this, especially for my twitter folks. It about getting the outfit, the most outlandish the better. And I mean outlandish and not always in a good way. These girls are styling it though.
I love this shot. I can’t figure out those shoes the guy on the left is wearing. They look very flat.
The end

Get Ready for Your Close Up, a familiar face is armed with a camera and is going after the style hit-stirs in Philadelphia
Comedians Kyle Erby and Sheryl Underwood are at the Liacouras Center tonight to appear in the Mike Epps Comedy Tour. Last night they were at the Ritz-Carlton enjoying a few late night snacks from Top Chef Jennifer Carrol at 10 Arts. Above Big Rube (Ruben Harley) and I rolled in after a party at Zarwin Baum law firm to chat about an upcoming column he is going to have in the Philadelphia Daily News. It’s based on a photographer that we both love who has been shooting for the NY Times for decades, Bill Cunningham. No doubt Big Rube is excited that Sheryl is rocking a green jacket for St Paddy’s Day.
As I’ve mentioned before my career inspiration is NYC celeb & social diarist photographers Patrick McMullen & Ron Gaella. I also admire, street fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, but it takes a certain talent to take candid street photos without permission (the ledgendary photographer Robert Capa did a series of my favorite candid street photos which once had an exhibit at the Phila Art Museum.) The Philly Daily News is just about to expose it’s readers to Big Rube who is going to be doing a similar photo column & video in it’s paper beginning in April. Above is an example of the kinda work that Big Rube produces now. You can check it out on his blog StreetGazing. The kinda shots he will be going for are candid, sometimes with very little interaction of his subject. Big Rube will be covering the City on his bike, just like Cunningham. You are in for a treat as he’s got an expert eye for fashion having been reared by his grandmother who was a millinery, and his uncle who taught him how to use a camera. I really look forward to his video too as he’s going to do a narrative on how he chooses which subjects to shoot. To say I’m excited is an understatement, I’ve always been a fan of Big Rube’s work.
Wednesday night I headed out to Mica for a friends and family night. My invitation said HughE we need your unbiased opinion. It’s a practice run for the new Chestnut Hill restaurant
from chefs Chip Romanand Jason Cichonski, which opens TODAY.

Mike had the halibut. Mike really is a much better food critic than I as he is the cook in our house. He was in LOVE with this dish. OH but first let me tell you about my mix up. Mike and I actually arrived at Mica last Wednesday as I can sometimes be dizzy. After a few phone calls I realized that I was there on the wrong day. Last weekMica looked like this. No sign, no tables, just a space. I successfully won a buck from Mike when I told him that the restaurant would be in operation in a week. Sure enough the place looked awesome a week later. When Mike and I saw the 70 seat restaurant last week I had thought the space housed an old antique store or cobbler, but after chatting with Chip I learned that the flooring was reclaimed wood, as well as used in the tables. Chip told me the space was completely gutted from the previous tenant, a Mexican restaurant, down to adding the wainscoting. They even installed the original door that was stored in the basement. It then dawned on me, this is the exact kind of decor that fits right in with the landscape and sense of Chestnut Hill. The R7 Chestnut Hill East and the R8 Chestnut Hill West lines both terminate at Chestnut Hill and are nearby. I really need to spend a little more time there, it’s really adorable.I had the Baby Spanish octopus, licorice mayo, white asparagus, bacon. Delicious
I had the lamb which was
delicious
for dessert I had the coconut mango, which again was unbelievable.
On the recommendation of another diner, who seemed to have a Meg Ryan moment at the next table, Mike enjoyed this chocolate dessert that had tequila in the center. I had to restrain Mike from licking the plate. I think it was about this time I tweeted: Mica was fine dining and was more than just fine, it was awesome and fine enough for Craig LeBan to come by & review on opening night.
Run don’t walk to Mica for your next meal. You won’t regret it. I’m confident you’ll find the it foodelicious. 8609 Germantown Avenue 267-335-3912

The Philadelphia Belle invited a few bloggers for a boat ride last Saturday night.Christened as the Mississippi Belle II in 1994, our four-deck, paddlewheel-style riverboat operated on its namesake river for much of her early career. After undergoing extensive $2 million remodeling, the new Philadelphia Belle will cruise upon the Delaware River from her new homeport of Penn’s Landing, between Chestnut and Market Streets, in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Belle is the largest vessel of its kind on the East Coast. The top deck is open, with three enclosed decks below where guests can enjoy first-rate entertainment, delicious food and beverages, and original artworks—all inspired by the best of Philadelphia. Total passenger capacity is 1,000 guests, with seated dining space available for approximately 700.Welcomed aboard by Captain Tim Gasparovic and John Carter
When I got the invite it said it was a night of bloggers on the Belle, I was thinking sounds good I like mixers with my fellow bloggers, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn there was going to be a whole bunch of bloggers I didn’t know. On Saturday I saw happy mommies tweeting about their up coming night on the Philadelphia Belle. Recently I had heard about the cult of Mommy bloggers and was excited to observe them in a setting not surrounded by their charges. What I learned from them is that they are organized and monetized. Like a mother bear they are protective and out to earn extra dough to put food on the table. Not much leaves their lips without a sponsor attached and money in the bank. They have created the new sales model for the future and business’ are paying attention.
One of the most popular mommy bloggers & tweeters is Cecily Kellogg with husband Charles O’Hay above (& who has his own interesting blog.)
Mike was with me, he liked the view from our window table. I’m happy when he’s happy cause he keeps us all happy allowing me to do this crazy fun blog.
Philly Frugal Mom (Linda Pham-Vertleih was on board too with her husband, Nicholas VertleihSugar House looked packed last Saturday night about 9PM
NJ Aquarium. Looks like the Nipper Dog stain glass windows have been replaced again on the old RCA building.
The Menu. There is several different menu options and price ranges for various cruises for the Belle which I have linked here
Mike LOVED the lobster bisque and
and his ravioli dish. I had the salad and the steak. I guess I am just spoiled eating at Del Frisco’s as I wasn’t a big fan, especially because of the demi glaze which was like brown gravy, but it could just be me as Gen Mom, who was seated next to me loved her steak. I heard the salmon was delicious. The salad was good, but I think I would go with the bisque next time, and I should have as the boat has an upscale feel and I should have gone with something I can’t get at Ruby Tuesday’s.
But the ride, the views, the band and dancing was well worth the price of $40 lunch tours – $75 (Saturday night) price tag, especially on a beautiful night, 3 hr tour.
Karla Trotman and Shannon Choe of Premier Baby Concierge
These two mommy bloggers business compliment each of and have become friends. Karla has Belly Button Boutique which specializes in products of comfort for pre- and postnatal women. Shannon’s business is about preparing the new mom for having a baby. Such fun and unique business ventures these two mommies created.
Many of the “mommy bloggers” don’t necessarily focus on their “blogs” anymore, what with raising a family, some running business’, etc can now get the word out through Twitter which allows them to micro-blog. It’s all very fascinating, and educational on how one can monetize their blog and branding. A few mommy bloggers on board http://www.queenmotherblog.com/
Gen Mom
Then it was off to dancing.
I would be surprised if the Philadelphia Belle wasn’t tapped by Philly Magazine and many other media outlets, as one of the most romantic dates in Philadelphia. It’s fun for friends and couples, and has some of the most beautiful views of the City from almost every point of view.

Yesterday afternoon I finally got out and took a walk around Center City. Whenever I do that I always find stories to tell.
I Goldberg at 13th & Chestnut. As the weather gets warmer the last thing I want to think about is anything wool, but hey I do like sales.
Yesterday I had lunch with my friend Joan from Kohn, Swift & Graf (also stopped by to visit my old office mates) at McGillin’s on Drury Lane. On my way to lunch I caught this crew of friends all wearing orange jackets. Today this street is going to be packed. It’s a tradition for me to stop by on St Patrick’s Day, but someone hired me for an event so I won’t be making it this year. Also I recommend Moriarty’s, Kokopelli and the Irish Pub.
Check out the Graffiti Bar sign just installed at Sampan. Today for St. Patrick’s Day their drink special is Emerald Isle Martini. It will be vodka, cointreau, midori, and a splash of pineapple for $6 all day both inside and outside. The 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships are in town and the organizers have done an excellent job at directing them to the subway for their trip to the Wells Fargo Center. If you look closely the subway is wrapped in the wrestling logo and a sign that says enter hear.
I love when the ladies who lunch walk down Walnut Street dressed to the nines, which is decked out with a hat.
A new LED traffic light at Broad & Walnut
The bike rack outside of the dorms for the Art Institute.
The DoubleTree is owned by Hilton now
Broad & Spruce
PIFA starts April 7. Really check the schedule, so many amazing events. This is the 80 foot Eiffel Tower they are constructing at the Kimmel Center. Unbelievable!!
Applebee’s near 15th & Locust has Line Dancing on Wednesday nights, where? Guess the 2nd floor, which was where the locker rooms were when I worked at Bookbinder’s 15th Street back in the 90’s. See the lobster on the railing.
Alan Rubin appearing at the Holt Cigar shop on Walnut Street 3/25/11; The clerk tells me he’s new to the cigar business, but hugely popular. His cigars called Alec Bradley is the combined name for his sons.
10% of all sales bought at Joan Shepp will be donated to the American Red Cross for the people of Japan. I went in today to see if I could photograph the dress Anne Hathaway bought the other day. They only had one. Joan asked how I knew and I told her a reader who shops at her store told me. Then she said 4 significant people had read it on my blog and called her. She said do you know the power of your blog? (Sounds like a good sound bite for my advertisement campaign.)
What happened to Details? I loved that place. I know that the original owner retired and two of the girls that worked at the shop took over about 4 years ago. They opened a 2nd place at the Comcast Center. Even their website is gone. NOTICE: This domain name expired on 03/05/2011
City Paper honor boxes look brand spanking new. I think the Onion needs to go here, there’s a space
Sharp
New bar Xchange near 20th & Market. Sorry ass neon sign on the roof
Whisper (1712 Walnut) is having a Pickle Back special for St Patrick’s Day.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Keep it safe!! Hope it wasn’t too lame of a post. I had to do my taxes tonight and it bogged me down.

PhillyChitChatter:

Charity News:

Someone just wrote me yesterday about how they can meet a celebrity, well Saturday Night March 19, 2011 some of the finest celebrity chefs in Philadelphia gather for a good cause the 30th Anniversary ACHIEVEability Benefit:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT (I’m so stealing that name for my new food column) presented by PNC Bank – Helps single parent families break the generational cycle of poverty, achieve economic self-sufficiency and self-reliance. 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM call 215-748-8804 or visit www.achieveability.org
Get Your Rear Into Gear
The Greater Philadelphia Region is looking forward to more than twice the attendance at Philadelphia’s third annual Get Your Rear In Gear, presented by the Stop Colon Cancer Now Campaign, new 10K and 5K Run/Walk to be held in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Martin Luther King Drive (AKA West River Drive) on Sunday, March 20, 2011. To date, more than 2,000 participants are registered and the number is growing daily.
http://www.getyourrearingear.com/events/list/2011/philadelphia-pa/

Philly Notables:

Fox 29’s Mike Jerrick & his niece, he says it was his niece and I did hear her call him Uncle Mike, were at The Ritz-Carlton lounge and 10 Arts last night for some of Chef Monica Glass’ sweets. The niece was in town for a teachers convention. Her first time to Philly. Favorite sites City Hall, Reading Terminal & the Liberty Bell at night.

It was Philly Talk Show Heaven Tues Night with home town boy Bradley Cooper on Letterman, (Dave Robert’s boy) David Boreanaz on Jimmy Kimmel and Delaware County’s Wanda Sykes on Leno.

Inside Edition is looking for Philly’s Hottest Bachelors. Maybe you know someone, or once dated one, send him this link, but get a promised for 10% of his cut if he’s picked: http://www.insideedition.com/submissions.aspx?submitID=21

Food For Thought:

Last night @chefmoni had me taste a ducky dessert (Duck fat financiers, pineapple, pistachios, and foie gras ice cream) which will be served at Executive Chef Peter Woolsey Bistrot La Minette duck dinner on March 26

The South Jersey Independent Restaurant Association (better known as the SJ HOT Chefs) will host their bi-annual South Jersey Restaurant Week from March 20th through March 25th.

Pennsylvania Ballet’s Swan Lake Auction & Gala
Last week I was invited to a most interesting event, The Swan Lake Auction where guests a walk down the red carpet and to meet the stars of Pennsylvania Ballet on Friday, March 11 at the Academy of Music.
Amy Holihan and Amy Statton;
A leading Philadelphia cultural institution, the Company has earned a national reputation for its impassioned artistry and technical virtuosity, and has received widespread critical acclaim for extraordinary performances from an increasingly diverse repertoire. Call 215-893-1955 for subscription packages or visit www.paballet.org. PA Ballet Soloist Barette Vance and fiance Chris Widell; “When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.” -Wayne Dyer
PA Ballet Dancers Lillian, Di Piazza, Kaia Annikatack, Ryoko Sadoshima, Sarah Hochman and Logan Martin
Ought oh how did I miss the names of these stylish people.
Anne Titerton and Jamie Cleary
Guests bid on one-of-a-kind items like the chance to watch a performance from the wings or a walk-on role in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker!
I wish I had checked out what Deneen Williams was pointing to that had Alicia Williams oooowing
Jacqueline and Gabrielle Meister, Karen and Scott Cooper, Anthony Haller, Pa Ballet Principal Dancers (and husband and wife) Arantxa Ochoa and Alexander Izilliaev
Linda Rogers, Melissa DeRuiter and Marilyn Jefferies
Michael and Stephanie Haugen
Cocktails and a silent auction in the Academy’s exquisite ballroom began
at 6:30 p.m.Metro Reporter Laura Goldman, Susan Tillery and Rita Rome make their way down to the
STAGE. So gorgeous, and to eat dinner on the stage with the dancers among the magnificent Swan Lake sets how cool was that? For the dancers remembering each step, moment, looking into the audience, and the guests to be eating on the very stage they enjoyed so many productions that were produced there. Me I still have fresh memories of the Academy Ball just a few weeks ago, the crowds, the prestige, Renee Flemming and Paul Simon. Event design was by none other than Evantine Design, Inc.. Those peeps are amazing.
Tickets to the black tie event started at $175 and tables were $3,000 and look at the magnificent setting where they enjoyed their meal. WOW. Next up for the Ballet:

Building on Balanchine April 14-17 at the Merriam Theater

Did you know that 1 in 110 kids are diagnosed with autism. It’s true. It’s touched my family and I can tell you that with special education and attention the progress made with the kids is amazing. You can help and have fun too. On Monday, March 21st Bowl with 76er Andre Iguodala and Friends to raise money and awareness for high school students impacted by poverty and autism. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here. I’ll be there to cover the event and I would love to see you there.

Philadelphia, PA-March, 15 th 2011 Delilah’s, the Nationally Acclaimed, Gentlemen’s Club and Steakhouse, will award over $12,000 in cash and prizes at its annual “Entertainer of the Year” competition on Wednesday, March 23rd 2011. This highly anticipated event will deliver powerful performances from some of Delilah’s most talented dancers as they compete for the coveted title of “Entertainer of the Year 2011.” The evening begins at seven o’clock with select open bar sponsored in part by Grey Goose Vodka and Corona Beer. To seduce your palate, gourmet butlered hors d’oeuvres will be prepared by Delilah’s award winning culinary team.As always, a panel of celebrity judges will be deciding this year’s outcome, which will include: former Philadelphia Eagle & Fanatic personality Brian Baldinger, PhillyChitChat blogger Hughe Dillon, 2011 Wing Bowl Runner Up Bill “El Wingador” Simmons, Daily News’ gossip columnist Dan Gross, Season Six Bachelorette Star Craig Robinson, Apprentice Star Erin Elmore, and the dynamic duo of Eagles Wives Susie Celek and Julie Dorenbos.

To be placed on the VIP list for “Entertainer of the Year 2011”, credentialed members of the press need only contact
Buffy Varanese at 215-625-2800 Ext.101 or buffy@delilahs.com. (Buffy’s with Justin Pizzi who returns to NBC 10 tomorrow after having surgery. We tape a brand new segment for The Scene which you can watch on Thursday Ch 248 or 10.2 at 9:30PM.)

Never been to Delilah’s –
Then you’re missing out on the multi-award-winning experience that members of the National Association of Gentlemen’s Club Owners named “Best Overall Club” in the Country 2007. Rated Excellent by Zagat Survey & voted Best Gentlemen’s Club & Best Place for a Bachelor Party every year since 1998 by the Philadelphia City Paper’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Delilah’s gets better every year! Check out more info at Philly2Philly Here