Candis R. McLean
This Week in Cocktails: Fundraisers for our Mates Down Under
You don’t have to be an Aussie to feel for the people and wildlife affected by the catastrophic bushfires ravaging Australia night now. The Philadelphia community has been mobilizing to raise much needed financial support for our mates down under.
On Saturday, January, 25th Kylie Flett, Director of PR + Strategy at Punch Media, will be hosting a Bushfire Benefit in conjunction with my client Khyber Pass Pub From 12-4 pm. attendees will enjoy Aussie beer, wine, meat pies, sausage rolls, a raffle, live music — and more! Our fundraising goal for this event is $5,000 and all proceeds will be donated to the Adelaide Koala Rescue and Kangaroo Island Mayoral Fund
Across town, Jet Wine Bar kicks off a week long Wine Relief event beginning January 23, boasting a menu featuring over 10 Australian wines as well as the Shiraz 75 — a unique take on the French 75 made with Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin. $5 from each cocktail, glass of wine, and wine flight will be donated to Nature Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund — which aims to re-establish habitat, particularly for threatened and vulnerable species. Optional Aussie fare will also be available!
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The Spotlight of the Week: Butchering at the Boucherie
Royal Boucherie, American brasserie helmed by Top Chef winner Chef Nicholas Elmi, is excited to bring back Butchering at the Boucherie, an educational pig butchery demonstration, on Thursday, January 23 from 6-9 pm.
Guests are invited to join Chef Elmi and Heather Thomason of Primal Supply Meats, a female-owned, Philadelphia-based butchery and local sourcing company, for an educational evening of whole animal butchering while enjoying pig-themed cocktails featuring Boardroom Spirits. During the three-hour event, Elmi and Thomason will explain more about the process of butchering, including cutting and cooking techniques, and introduce attendees to the importance of sourcing meat products. Moreover, all participants will learn how to choose the best pieces of meat for charcuterie while the two experts break down a whole pig into primal cuts.
Tickets for the event are $25 and include admission plus one pig-themed welcome cocktail. Special charcuterie bites and a la carte menu options will be available (PAYG)
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Center City Restuarant Week Picks: High Street on Market, Lolita, and Oroloso,
Center City Restaurant Week will continue to run through Friday, January 25th. Several restaurants across Center City offer three-course dinners for only $35 per person. In addition, many will also offer three-course lunches for $20. Here are some dinner picks or this week.
• High Street on Market: High Street on Market invites guests to try the first course of Tuna Crudo (citrus, fennel, olives), Brussels Sprouts (fish sauce, peanuts, torn herbs), Caulkin’s Cheese Curds (shishitos and pepper jam), Hubbard Squash (ricotta and pepitas). The popular eatery features a Roku Rickey (Roku Gin, simple syrup, yuzu juice, premium chilled premium soda, shiso leaf) as its signature cocktail.
• Lolita: Mexican hotspot Lolita has many options for your palate during Center City Restaurant Week. Try their Crispy Fish Tacos, Mexican Chopped Salad, Pork Carnitas Tacos, and Crispy Cholula Fried Chicken Tacos as a second-course option. Roasted Winter Squash Enchiladas, Carne Asada A La Lolita, Seared Bronzino A La Veracruzana, Grilled Achiote Chicken Breast, and Seared Cauliflower Steak (Vegan) are all tremendous options for your entree.
• Oloroso: I had to pleasure of dining at Oloroso for restaurant week over the weekend. The menu was sublime and each dish was bursting with flavor. For starters, try their Belgian Endive Salad (shaved fennel, apple, spiced walnut, Valdeón, sherry-mustard vinaigrette), Roasted Beets (lemon crema, mint pistachio dukkah), and other amazing offerings. Charred Eggplant (honey, ginger, pipparas, tagine spice, scallions), Gambas Al Ajillo (shrimp, chili, lemon, chickpea), Albondigas (pork meatballs, tomato sauce, Manchego), and more round out the third-course menu beautifully.
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Weekly Events
Each week, Philly Influencer picks the best parties, events, and social gatherings the area has to offer.
• Science After Hours: The Franklin Institute will be kicking off the modern 20s with a nostalgic look back at the Roaring 20s. This Thursday night, there will be whiskey tastings (including 1920s medicinal bourbon), hands-on science activities, live music and dancing with Swing that Cat and the Old City Sweethearts, and prohibition-era artifacts. Your first drink at the soiree is free.
• Kimmel Center Happenings: The Kimmel Center will be hosting a new jazz residency and BYOB showcase each Thursday. The sounds will be amazing and highlight all shades of the rhythmic genre. Bring some wine, friends, and have fun.
• Dinos After Dark: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will be hosting Dinos After Dark this Friday night. Stop by the beer garden in Dinosaur Hall during this extended hours gathering. There will be specimen and fossil inspections, a scavenger hunt, live animals, and more at this wild night of fun. The event is pay-what-you-wish admission (with a $10 suggested donation).
• The Second annual Manayunk Chowder Crawl: This Saturday from 11 am- 4 pm will be the Founders Philly Freeze-Out in Manayunk. There will be samples of Founders Brewing Company beer throughout the event that will feature ice carvings, a chowder crawl, and more. Brews and cider will be flowing at this neighborhood event spanning several bars and restaurants.
• Self-Care Lunar New Year Celebration: This Sunday, come to the BOK building for a skincare workshop followed by a boozy movie screening of Bong Joon Ho’s “Mother”. Irwin’s pop-up bar will provide libations for purchase a la carte, such as a soju cocktail, beer and wine. They will also have a make your own boba tea station. There will be some Korean food and snacks provided! VIP tickets are available for the skincare workshop, starting at 2 pm. Regular admission (screening only) will start at 4 pm. Guests are invited to come at 3:30 to get a drink and eat some delicious Korean food.
Featured Event
Palizzi Social Club Takes on High Street Pizzeria
Where: High Street on Market | 308 Market St
When: Friday, February 7 | 5 – 10:30 p.m.
For one night only, the coveted Palizzi Social Club experience will be offered at High Street on Market — no membership required. The “Palizzi Club x High Street Pizzeria” event is the latest installment of the ongoing High Street Pizzeria pop-up series which transforms the contemporary all-day cafe into your favorite local pizzeria just once a month. On Friday, February 7, from 5 to 10:30 p.m., beloved South Philly chef Joey Baldino will be serving some Palizzi Club greatest hits, straight from his new cookbook, Dinner at the Club: 100 Years of Stories and Recipes from South Philly’s Palizzi Social Club, co-written by Adam Erace. Guests can expect family-style starters, and of course, PIZZA, alongside Italian sweets, aperitifs and digestifs.
Space is limited for this exciting collaboration, which allows folks to get a taste of the exclusive Palizzi Club experience so many are curious about and score a copy of the new cookbook. Guests can secure their spot for $75 via credit card reservation with High Street. The evening will include family-style dinner and a signed copy of Joey’s cookbook; wine and cocktails will be available a la carte.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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