Candis R. McLean
The Spotlight of the Week: Vegan Restaurant Week
Vegan Restaurant Week is continuing in the city through October 19. Here are two places in the city to stop by through the weekend.
• Café Ynez: Café Ynez, the Mexico City-inspired all-day diner in Point Breeze, is offering a special veg-centric meal to celebrate Vegan Restaurant Week. Veggie-lovers can celebrate with a sizzling platter of Veggie Fajitas — featuring tofu, red and green bell peppers, poblano peppers, cauliflower, white onions, guacamole, and soft corn tortillas for just $10. The dish pairs perfectly with a blood orange margarita or glass of horchata and the best part? Cafe Ynez is BYOT — bring your own tequila!
• Khyber Pass Pub: Khyber Pass Pub is offering a full spread of Southern-inspired vegan options for hungry guests:
- Blackeye Pea Hushpuppies, roasted cauliflower, spicy tomato jelly, molasses butter
- Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese, tempeh bacon, barbecue jackfruit, grilled corn, charred green onion
- Nashville Hot Tofu, waffle, bread and butter pickles, peanut remoulade
- Seitan Brisket Cheesesteak, fried onions, mushrooms, peppadew peppers, Cajun cheese whiz, chipotle ketchup
- Khyber Beyond Burger, pimiento cheese, tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, dijonnaise
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This Week in Cocktails: Global Champagne Day at a.kitchen +bar
Global Champagne Day is Friday, October 18. a.kitchen+bar offers foodies and champagne several options to celebrate the bubbly occasion.
From 12 p.m. to 10 p.m, you can expect an impressive offering of champagnes at celebratory reduced prices. There are also special champagnes by the glass, including:
- Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Quality Brut Champagne $60 (normally $120/ bottle)
- L. Aubry Fils Champagne 1er Cru Brut Rosé $61 (normally $122/ bottle)
- Christophe Mignon Brut Nature Meunier Blanc de Noirs $69 (normally $138/ bottle)
- Laherte Frères Champagne Extra Brut Rosé de Meunier $74 (normally $148/bottle)
- Larmandier-Bernier Champagne 1er Cru Extra Brut ‘Longitude’ $75 (normally $150/bottle)
- Marie Courtin Champagne Extra Brut ‘Efflorescence’ $100 (normally $200/bottle)
a.kitchen’s acclaimed Chef Eli Collins will be featuring a line-up of equally-as-exceptional food offerings, including a waffle rösti accompanied by full caviar service (market price), a seafood plateau served with lobster crab claws and a marinated seafood salad ($75) and more.
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National Pasta Day
National Pasta Day is this Thursday, October 17! Whether you’re searching for simple, saucy, or savory, we’ve got everything you need to know about the most delectable pasta creations in Philadelphia – and, of course, where to find them.
• A Mano: A Mano, acclaimed Italian BYOB from Townsend Wentz, boasts a seasonal ever-changing menu with handcrafted pasta dishes. Chef Michael Millon’s menu follows the seasons; from Italy’s hearty Alpine winter dishes to the heat of spicy Calabrian summers. Standouts include the
Bucatini All’ Amatriciana ($15/$29), Parsley Cavatelli ($16/$30) with escargot, beech mushroom, bone marrow and toasted garlic; and the Mushroom Ravioli ($16/$30) with foie gras hazelnut and mugolio.
• Bronze Table: Bronze Table, the fast-casual pasta purveyor at The Bourse Food Hall helmed by the team behind Vera Pasta, is known for its handmade signature pasta, such as Nona’s Ricotta Gnocchi, Wild Mushroom & Sage Ravioli, Mac N’ Cheese, among the mix. Guests can also create custom creations with their favorite sauce and preferred noodles. Additionally, Bronze Table offers fresh dry pasta to-go for the at-home cook.
• CO-OP: CO-OP is offering guests a decadent pasta feature for one-day-only in celebration of the holiday. On Thursday, pasta lovers can enjoy the Potato Gnocchi ($23) with chanterelle mushrooms, pancetta, tarragon, crispy shallots and pecorino.
• Forsythia: Forsythia boasts show-stopping pasta dishes such as Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe ($15) with aged pecorino Toscano and black & pink peppercorn and Corn Agnolotti ($18) with lamb neck, pecorino, and cèpes. Seafood fans will adore the Spaghetti Alla Chitarra ($15) accompanied by shrimp head butter, shiso, and caramelized tomato.
• Ocean Prime: Ocean Prime is celebrating National Pasta Day with its Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli ($16), a year-round appetizer, served with golden oak mushrooms and delicious home-made white wine garlic sauce. Additionally, Ocean Prime’s secret off-menu creamy Lobster Mac and Cheese ($21) is sure to satisfy any pasta lover’s desires.
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Urban Farmer Pumpkin Beer Fest
Urban Farmer is embracing fall with a one-day-only family-friendly Pumpkin Beer Fest, featuring local pumpkin brews, pumpkin cocktails, pumpkin eats, and more – on Thursday, October 17th from 5-8 pm on the Urban Farmer patio. Guests will enjoy live music from Sunshine Rob, a Halloween-themed play dough sculpture contest and a “Happy Halloween” Card Station so attendees can write notes to children at CHOP.
Pumpkin lovers can enjoy local pumpkin brews, pumpkin cocktails and pumpkin eats, including pumpkin gnocchi and house-made doughnuts!
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Pennsylvania Wine Month
October is Pennsylvania Wine Month. There are special things to do, taste, and discover all across the city. High Street on Market. Several great locations like High Street on Market, Fond, Good King Tavern, and several other establishments have selected great wines for you. Jet Wine Bar will have a wine garden event featuring local wines this Saturday. From flights of PA wines to an expanded wine glass menu, there’s something for everyone.
For more information, click here
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Weekly Events
Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.
• Independence After Hours: Independence After Hours programming will call it quits on its 2019 season this Saturday. From the Tippler’s Tour to dining at the historic City Tavern, don’t miss out on getting drinks and food in Old City with a twist.
• Players Night at SPiN: Stop by SPiN Philadelphia this Friday night to play against the best. The trendy ping-pong hotspot and bar hosts two professional each week. There will be great music, food, and drinks.
• Oktoberfest at 23rd Street Armory: This blowout Oktoberfest celebration is a highlight of the season each year. Come to 23rd Street Armory this Saturday for all of the beer, pretzels, schnitzel, and more at this German-themed event.
• Hands Up Fest: Hands Up Fest is a music festival and dance party benefitting the homeless population of Philadelphia on Sunday, October 13 from 2 p.m.-9 p.m. at Penn Treaty Park. Guests can look forward to DJ acts from Cosmo Baker, DJ Royale, Deana Sophia, and more while enjoying a dance party on the Delaware River waterfront for a good cause. Pheed Philly will be available onsite with more information on the organization and ways to give back and join the cause. The event is free to attend with a recommended $15 donation
• Golf & Social Eagles Viewing Party: Golf & Social will be hosting a brunch with bottomless mimosas and margaritas from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. After the brunch, stick around for an amazing day party starting at 3 p.m. Eagles fans can watch the Cowboys game at this Delaware Ave hotspot. There will be DJs, drinks specials, and more.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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