#PCCBuzz DelFrisco’s Grille Headed to Broad Street, Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff ; WXTU’s Crockett on the Move

August 5, 2017 by HughE Dillon

Hope you’re Friday was awesome!! Yesterday morning I made my debut on WOGL radio and then prepared two columns about Thursday night’s party – Philly Mag Best of Soiree, check out photos here: Philly Mag and one for Metro Philly ; I ran kinda late getting my post up earlier today so let’s just call this Saturday Scoop

P.S. Did I photograph you this week. Click on the links at the bottom for the links to the party pictures, but first check out what’s happening around town

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What a dream come true to be live on air on my favorite radio station WOGL FM Thanks to the extraordinary producer Kevin Crockett, and the legendary Marilyn Russell for today. Listen to me again next Friday at 830am, and hopefully every Friday afterwards til eternity. I’ll be chatting about events around town and dropping some dope news, and celebrity stories that happen in Philadelphia, just like you’re about to read below:

Good news for Crockett on the horizon..

Cumulus Media announces that veteran Philadelphia on-air personality Kevin Crockett has been named co-host of 100.7 WLEV/Allentown’s new morning radio show Selena and Crockett. The new show will air weekdays from 5-10am and debuts in mid-August. Crockett joins 100.7 WLEV and Cumulus-Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA, from CBS Radio-Philadelphia, where he’s been heard in the market for the last eight years. Crockett most recently served as the Executive Producer of 98.1 WOGL‘s The Breakfast Club and was previously heard mornings on 92.5 WXTU. He also spent time at the former Wired 96.5, where he started his career.

OH I forgot to mention Kevin and I both graduated from Paul VI High School, 20 years apart – ha

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Ok let’s get to the big breaking news. Everyone has been wondering what restaurant is going to be a part of the new CAMBRiA hotel & suites Philadelphia project being built in Center City at Broad & Locust Sts.

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On June 8th, 2016 Choice Hotels International Inc., Pearl Properties (who owns the parcel of land – 3 lots running from mid block to the corner of Broad and Locust Sts) and Concord Hospitality Enterprises Co. broke ground for the for the CAMBRiA hotel & suites Philadelphia ( 219 S. Broad St.)

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Ground Breaking Shot: Rob Wonderling, President and CEO, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Meryl Levitz, President and CEO, Visit Philadelphia; Steve Joyce, CEO, Choice Hotels International; Reed Slogoff, Partner at Peal Properties; James Pearlstein, Founder and President of Pearl Properties; Janis Cannon, Senior Vice President of Upscale Brands, Choice Hotels International (photo provided by PHI-TNC)

The 15-story, 223 room hotel is being designed by DAS Architects Inc. (they do most of Pearl Properties) and will be managed by Concord. The hotel sounds spectacular in the amenities they are planing including a state of the art fitness room, free wi-fi, a grab-and-go gourmet salads, sandwiches as well as a barista bar and a 3,000 square foot rooftop bar with views of the city where I can’t wait to hang; And it’s just been announced that

8-4-2017 7-38-45 PM (Custom) Del Frisco’s Grille . “a more casual take on the upscale Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House” will offer seating for 230 in the main dining area, with a private dining room to accommodate special occasions and celebrations for up to 35 people, as well as patio seating for 30 fronting Broad Street. There will be an extensive selection of wines in custom designed displays throughout the dining area and the space will highlight the high ceilings, expansive storefront windows, and a prominently positioned curved bar to create a modern, elevated and vibrant feel. (According to DelFrisco’s spokesperson in a DM on Aug 1, 2017, they stated it’s going in at Broad & Locust Sts., which could mean the Perch/Varalli Restaurants, of the main hotel since the whole project is at Broad & Locust Streets) and the press release

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The company describes its’ Del Frisco’s Grille delivers a more creative twists on American classic comfort food. Menu examples at the eatery include ahi tacos, wild mushroom flatbread, steakhouse salad, burgers, chopped chicken and farm greens salad, Filet Mignon, prime rib-eye and mesquite smoked pork chop.

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(Illustrations from website and press releases)

Del Frisco’s Grille is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2018 and is going to have spectacular views of Broad and Locust Streets. The Grille, will be located across the street from the very hot, newly renovated and opened Palm Restaurant at the Bellevue (had lunch there yesterday, they’re starting to put up fun caricatures), and a couple blocks away from the delicious DelFrisco’s Steakhouse down the street (Was there Thursday night, and it was jammed packed with singles. Better than Tinder.)

Summer, summer, summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
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You might have read last year that Actor/rapper Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff are “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit it” as they are reuniting and touring this summer. They’ll be headlining Livewire Festival in the UK on August 27, and then stopping by Croatia’s MTV Summerblast on August 25 and 26. The duo will no doubt performed songs from their new CD Consequence Of Sound, as well as songs from the five CDs they did together, including 1991’s Homebase, which spawned the Grammy-winning “Summertime”. For the three weeks running up to the tour, the West Philly guys are rehearsing the tour in Philadelphia. There have been sightings of Will Smith running on Broad Street, and unfortunately for Jazzy Jeff, his car broke down on RT 95 near the Linc the other day as he was heading into town from the Wilmington area, where he lives.

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The Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Comcast NBCUniversal held a special screening of Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ animated film, “Despicable Me 3” while it is still in theaters. CHOP President and CEO Madeline Bell and Comcast Corporation Senior Executive Vice President David L. Cohen delivered opening remarks prior to the movie screening. Patients got to interact with Minions in the Hospital’s atrium. Following the screening, the movie was streamed into hospital rooms for patients who were unable to attend in-person.” (Photo provided) HD1_6279 (Custom)
I could write a whole blog on what’s happening on Walnut Street, this week bad news True Religion is going out of business after nearly 6 years at the Ritt Row location. The good news everything is 50% off. You can still buy them at Macy’s across from Broad Street.

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On Thursday, August 10 the PSPCA will partner with 62 Chipotle locations throughout the Philadelphia area, Central Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey as part of their community giving efforts.

For the second consecutive year, Chipotle will invite customers to make eating a selfless act, by joining the fundraiser to support the PSPCA. Those who visit any Philadelphia or Central PA Chipotle on Thursday, August 10 from 10:45am-10pm, bring the below flier, show it on their smartphone or simply mention the fundraiser will have 50% of the proceeds from their meal donated to the PSPCA.

The participating locations will donate 50 percent of their sales from August 10 (10:45 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.) to the PSPCA’s life saving-mission when the fundraiser is mentioned at check out or the designated flier is presented via hard copy or smartphone.