Candis R. McLean
The Spotlight of the Week: Via Locusta
Michael Schulson, founder and CEO of Schulson Collective, has brought a new Italian eatery to the City of Brotherly Love this week. The owner of Double Knot, Giuseppe & Sons, Harp & Crown, Sampan and several other trendy restaurants in the city, will be serving up exquisite pasta dishes each night. Via Locusta is the creation of Schulson, his wife and business partner Nina Tinari, and chef and business partner Jeff Michaud. The new Rittenhouse Square restaurant opened its doors last night. Located at 1723 Locust St, this intimate and Ed Pinello led new hotspot features a variety of sharable plates, pasta staples, and more.
Come taste Via Locusta’s in-house focaccia and variety of large dishes with fish, poultry, and meat. The new restaurant also features handmade pasta made from locally-sourced fresh-milled flour and palatable dishes.
Via Locusta is open Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 12 p.m.
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Fond’s Pop Up Bake Sale
Fond Co-Owner and Pastry Chef Jessie Prawlucki-Styer’s and fellow Philadelphia Pastry Chef Monica Glass’ Pop Up Bake Sale by Monica and Jessie is coming back to Fond this Saturday, December 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — just in time for the holidays. Guests in search of a last-minute Christmas gift are invited to stop by the restaurant and indulge in and take home some of Prawlucki-Styer’s and Glass’ most acclaimed pastries and baked goods for the holidays while sipping on hot beverages such as coffee, tea, homemade chai, and spiced ciders.
The highlight of the fun menu boasting sweet, savory, and gluten-free options, will be a festive 8″ Bûche de Noel ($42). The vanilla-almond cake with chocolate buttercream will serve 8-10 people and will stay moist and fresh-tasting for a few days. The cake may also be refrigerated. Guests are encouraged to reserve the limited item via [email protected].
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Happenings at Royal Boucherie
Royal Boucherie, Old City’s utterly festive American brasserie from Top Chef winner Chef Nicholas Elmi, is decked for the holiday season and ready to invite kids and those young-at-heart to Not Your Basic Santa Photo – a fun photo op with Saint Nick aka Chef Nicholas Elmi on Saturday, December 21 from 1-3 p.m. at the restaurant. Chef Elmi will be donning his finest Santa gear for this very special photo-op, while complimentary Christmas cookies will accompany this fun event.
Speaking of cookies – Additionally, Royal Boucherie will host an evening of Cookie Decorating with Ommegang on Monday, December 23, from 6-9 p.m. For $10, guests are invited to step up to Royal Boucherie’s tented second-floor patio and decorate cookies while sipping on Ommegang Ciders. Cookies and the first Ommegang cider are included in the price.
Last-minute shoppers will also have the chance to purchase a signed copy of Elmi’s cookbook, Laurel: Modern American Flavors in Philadelphia!, for $35 at both events.
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Join Royal Boucherie for their new express lunch! You can get three exciting and delicious courses for just $25. The deal includes your choice of soup or salad, and entree pasta or chicken frites and a decadent pot de crème dessert. Pair your amazing meal with Royal Boucherie’s fantastic $2 lunch martinis and experience once of the best lunches in the city.
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Holiday Hours & Specials at Emmy Squared Queen Village
Emmy Squared in Queen Village has tremendous holiday deals for you. Between Sunday, December 22 and Monday, December 30, you can get Crispy Potato Skins (Crispy Potato Skin with spicy purple horseradish creme, fried capers, and smoked trout roe). From Tuesday, December 31 through Sunday, January 5 try their Truffle Tots (melted truffle sottocenere, truffle cream drizzle, parsley).
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🎄Weekly Events
Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.
• Sittin’ In: Sittin’ In will be taking over the Kimmel Center this evening. The musical jam session features new cutting-edge artists playing everything from classical jazz, to spoken word, to hip-hop. This unique experience always has plenty of entertainment, talent, and fun. The DJ will be primed at this free monthly series.
• Stag and Doe Night in Chestnut Hill: Stag and Doe Night in Chestnut Hill is tonight from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. You can eat, drink, and be merry during Chestnut Hill’s oldest holiday tradition. The celebration fills the picturesque village with holiday charm and festivities, perfect for a family-friendly evening. Activities along Germantown Avenue include a meet-and-greet with Santa, rides in a horse-drawn carriage, and the sounds of holiday carolers and a brass quartet – all while snacking on roasted chestnuts, treats, and seasonal sips
• ¡Feliz Año! Bonn Ane: Come to the Free Parkway Library this Thursday night for ¡Feliz Año! Bonn Ane. Chefs Chris Paul and Selena Natal have developed a Haitian and Puerto Rican menu at this fantastic holiday cooking class. There will plenty of Haitian joumou, savory pasteles, and arroz con dulce to go around. Tickets are $25 per person.
• Philadelphia Moth GrandSLAM: This Thursday night, come to Union Transfer to see who will be crowned Philadelphia’s GrandSLAM champion. Ten of the city’s previous StorySLAM winners, in participation with The Moth, will be front-and-center. Come see this amazing war of words live.
• Vango Fridays: Every Friday you can enjoy amazing rooftop views of Philly at Vango Lounge and Sky Bar from 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. Club King DJ, DJ Spontane, and other DJs will be making their rounds throughout the night. There will be drink specials, bottle service, and more.
• Emo Night Brooklyn: Emo Night Brooklyn will be at The Foundry this Friday starting at 10:30 pm. ENB through the years has featured tremendous guest DJs including Ryan Key of Yellowcard, William Beckett of The Academy Is, Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory, and many more. Come out for a night of the best hits from The Used, Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, and more.
• Sips & Selfies with Santa: There’s plenty to on this final weekend before Christmas. This Saturday is the last weekend of Sips & Selfies with Santa and the last chance for guests to snap FREE photos with Santa, participate in a charitable selfie contest benefitting Cradles to Crayon, and to enjoy spirited libations in the pop-up Bourbon Lounge by Bluebird Distilling. In addition to free photos with Santa, this weekend guests have the opportunity to meet and snap free photos with Frozen’s Elsa and Olaf. Guests can bring their smartphones and personal cameras to snap free memorable photos with all of the characters from 12. p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Green Legion Tailgate: Come to XFINITY Live! this Sunday for Green Legion’s tailgate party. Before the battle for the NFC East crown, this tailgate will have drink specials, a sizeable buffet, and more. You can get Unlimited Miller Lite, unlimited Workhorse Brewing products, unlimited Stateside Vodka drinks (exception energy drinks), and more.
• Festivus at Grey Lodge Pub: Come to Northeast Philadelphia to indulge and celebrate Festivus. The Grey Lodge Pub will be hosting the Seinfeld-inspired soiree. There will be fun games like the traditional airing of grievances, tests of strength demonstrations, live music, drink specials, and more.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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