Candis R. McLean
The Spotlight of the Week: CO-OP Partners with Little Baby’s for Summer Solstice Pop-Up
CO-OP Restaurant & Lounge, the bustling modern restaurant located on the corner of 33rd and Chestnut Sts., is teaming up with local small-batch, hand-made ice cream company, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, for a one-day-only ice cream pop-up in celebration. On Friday, June 21, To celebrate the first day of summer, these two great establishments will partner up for a free, fun, and delicious event. Starting at noon, CO-OP will be giving away a FREE scoop of ice cream. Ice cream lovers can choose between two flavors: Bourbon Vanilla or Vegan Smoked Cinnamon (made with coconut milk). On top of a complimentary ice cream cone, you can play a game of corn hole on CO-OP’s beautiful patio while enjoying the first few hours of the summer sun.
Rosé Popsicles ($13) will also be available, boasting rosé, fresh blueberries, and fresh strawberries. Little Baby’s Ice Cream cones will be available for pick-up at CO-OP’s to-go window (to the left of the host stand). Guests should enter via the Chestnut Street entrance.
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This Week in Cocktails: National Martini Day
National Martini Day is Wednesday, June 19th. Don’t forget to stop by these hotspots in the city for some phenomenal deals.
• CO-OP: CO-OP Restaurant and Lounge is shaking up the Tipsy Farmer Martini, made with Plymouth Gin, elderflower tonic, and lemon shrub, to celebrate National Martini Day. Available all day for $13, this take on a gin martini can be enjoyed inside the chic restaurant or outside on the open-air seating on Chestnut St.
• Royal Boucherie: Royal Boucherie, Old City’s lively American brasserie from award-winning chef Nicholas Elmi, is offering a selection of $2 Martinis to anyone who orders a lunchtime entrée. Martini options include a Classic Martini, French Martini, and Gibson Martini. Guests can pair their cocktail of choice with favorites such as the Boucherie Burger ($18) with bacon, American cheese, truffle mayo, half-sour pickle, and pork fat fries. You can dive into a savory quiche ($15) with kale, gruyere, fine herbs, and bacon.
• Square 1682: Square 1682, located steps from Rittenhouse Square, is inviting lunchtime tipplers in to enjoy a $3 Martini every weekday during lunch. Drink options include both a classic and dirty martini made with either vodka or gin. Guests can enjoy entrées from the new lunch menu. Bite into a Hot Turkey Club ($15) with Benton’s bacon, chipotle ranch, and thick cut challah bread or Salt Roasted Beets ($12) with honey crisp apple, spicy pistachios, arugula, and whipped feta. Whichever dish you choose, it will be the perfect pair for your favorite lunchtime libation.
• The Twisted Tail: The Twisted Tail, Society Hill’s vibrant bar, restaurant, and live music venue, is offering Martini Day imbibers a Classic Gin Martini made with Dolin Blanc Gin and a lemon twist for $14. Guests can enjoy outdoor dining and Southern-inspired dishes while sipping their martini and taking in the sights and sunshine.
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Opening this Week: Old City Eats
The celebration of food and drinks in Philadelphia’s historic areas is resurrecting this week. Old City Eats is back on the menu. Each Thursday between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Philadelphia participates in Old City Eats. Over 25 participating locations have half-priced appetizers, $4 beers, $5 cocktails, and other drink specials. This week there will be a kick-off block party at 2nd and Market.
Old City Eats kicks off this Thursday, June 20th, with an outdoor Block Party on 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. Running from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can dance to live music, sample the flavors bursting from local eateries, and sip the night away. DJ Decybals and dancers from AlgoRhythm Studio will be performing at Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar! Nauti Mermaid Crab House + Piano Bar will have pianos on the street for some fun sing-a-longs.
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Center City Sips Picks: Abe Fisher, Bare Burger, and Brickwall Tavern
Each Wednesday between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the areas of Avenue of the Arts, Center City East, Center City West, and Rittenhouse Square participate in Center City Sips. Over 80 participating locations have $5 cocktails, $4 wines, $3 beers, and appetizer discounts. Here are this week’s best deals.
• Abe Fisher: Sansom Street gem, Abe Fisher, offers up a casual dining experience with a retro twist. Try a $6 So Much To Say cocktail (EFFEN vodka, celery, vermouth, and soda) or a $5 glass of Scarpetta Friulano or Sangiovese Rose. chicken liver mousse, borscht tartare, sweet potato, and asparagus are served up as the half-priced appetizer.
• BareBurger: If you stay for dinner after Sips at BareBurger, your meal is 15% off. The $4 beer during the special is Lionshead Pilsner 20 oz. Macho Nachos, Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, or Chuck Wagon Fries would go great with Holland Mule (EFFEN original vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, and candied ginger) or a Cucumber Minted Man (EFFEN cucumber vodka, mint, lime sour, sea salt)
• Brickwall Tavern: for those looking for some fantastic pub grub during Center City Sips, stop by the Brickwall Tavern. The award-winning location has staple favorites such as oysters, a 3-bean burger, mac & cheese, a fried fish sandwich, and more at discounted prices. Don’t forget to get a Brickwall Lemonade with Whiskey or a Peach Moscow Mule with Peach Infused EFFEN Vodka with each dish.
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Weekly Events
Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.
• Parks on Tap: Parks On Tap is at Campbell Square this week. The beautiful terrain will be bursting with lively guest, food trucks, the best brews, and more. On Thursday from 6-7 pm, there will be free yoga in the park. The hours for this roaming beer garden are Wednesday and Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• All-American Cookout: This Wednesday through Sunday, the All-American Cookout will be outlining City Hall. There will be drinks, tremendous BBQ food, and more. Dilworth Park will be booming with the sounds of live entertainment, DJs, games, and plenty of other activities. The weekday hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The weekend hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Night Market Overbrook: This Thursday, the Night Market will be taking over Overbrook. West Philadelphia will be filled with this amazing summertime night food blowout. This is the second pops up in the series. There will be countless food trucks, live music, drinks, and masses of people enjoying great food and beautiful weather.
• Summer Ale Festival: Bring your friend’s out to the Philadelphia Zoo this Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the 2019 Summer Ale Festival. The will feature specialty brews from over 150 vendors, food trucks, animals, live entertainment, music, games, and more.
• Molestice 2019: This free annual block party is one of the highlights of the Summer season. Mole street will feature the sounds of Camp Candle, Great Time, &More (Chill Moody and Donn T), and others. There will be food trucks, brews, and cocktails for this live music festival running from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Bluebird Bonanza: Bluebird Distilling, Phoenixville’s award-winning grain-to-glass craft distillery, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this Sunday, June 23. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., the indoor-outdoor party will be rocking. Guests will enjoy new and unique gin and brandy cocktails, live music courtesy of The Holts and Chris and Kellina, and a newly expanded outdoor patio with food trucks and lawn games such as Hook & Ring Toss and corn hole. You can also get an exclusive first taste of three limited spirits.
• Black Restaurant Week Ends: Philadelphia Black Restaurant Week runs through this Sunday. You’re days away from missing out on the best African-American, African, and Caribbean food in the city for a discount. Delicious specialty menus, happy hour deals, and more await you.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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