Philadelphia Weekly

Share this Story:

Festivals

Outdoor food events kick in this weekend with an Italian double header on both the north and south sides of town. In Northern Liberties, the Piazza at Schmidt’s at Second and Germantown opens with an all-day party on Sat., May 16. Located on the site of the old Schmidt’s Brewery, it will feature shops, galleries and four new restaurants: Darling’s Diner; Vino; the Swift Half, a gastro bar; and P.Y.T. Bar and Lounge. You can dine al fresco and enjoy free movie nights and live concerts all summer.

In South Philly on Sat., May 16, and Sun., May 17, the flaming barrels that grace the market in winter give way to the sizzles and smells of street vendors and their snacks at the Ninth Street Italian Market Festival. The festival closes down the streets of the Italian Market district so you can stroll and sample South Philly’s best foods and enjoy cooking demos, live entertainment and parades.

Farmers’ Markets

All over town this summer, farmers and artisan food vendors are setting up shop in the city’s outdoor markets. On Sundays at Headhouse Farmers’ Market at Second and South, you can fuel up at the new Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse BBQ booth and then tackle tables of farm-fresh goods. Headhouse has added Saturday hours. On Wednesdays, June through September, get out of the office and into the City Hall Farmers’ Market. The market at the southwest corner of City Hall will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature locally grown produce and cooking demos.

Specials

XIX Restaurant at the Bellevue is now offering a hangover and a cure all in one place. The restaurant, known for its expertly mixed cocktails, has added fresh fruit juices and smoothies specifically tailored to guests in need of a healthy boost. For $10, you can get all the vitamins and antioxidants that you need in one tall frosty glass.

Every Sunday this summer, Il Bar at Ristorante Panorama will serve Sunday Sommelier Samplers where you can taste a specially selected flight of five wines for $10.

At Bistro 7, what was once a staff-only Burger Night will now be offered to the public on Sunday nights starting May 31. The burgers are made with local grass-fed beef, topped with Lancaster cheddar cheese and bacon and served on a house-made brioche bun. They come with a side of crispy fries cooked in duck fat. You can upgrade that heavenly burger with a foie gras filling should you need more luscious fowl-fat flavor.

Openings

Speaking of Bistro 7, chef Michael O’Halloran and his wife/business partner Sophia Lee will be busy this summer introducing their second restaurant, Kong at 702 N. Second St. The restaurant will serve Chinese street food inspired by the outdoor food vendors of Hong Kong.

In late May/early June, Oyster House will open in the former Sansom Street Oyster House space at 15th and Sansom. Oyster House will offer East Coast-inspired seafood dishes and a raw bar.

Parties

On Wed., May 20, celebrate Zahav’s First Anniversary Party with $5 hummus, icy lemonadas, Israeli wines and belly dancers.

If you like to feed your mind as well as your belly, check out some of the local events pairing fine art and food like Pinot Boutique’s First Friday party on Fri., June 5, featuring the wine-inspired paintings of Samuel Formica. He’ll debut his first paintings in 10 years, many of them incorporating his large collection of wine corks.

Special Events

For a taste of Philly’s best unknown historical and architectural landmarks (and a snack to go along with them), hop on the Hidden City Bus Tour on Saturdays through June 28. The Hidden City Arts Festival will place visual and performing artists in some of Philly’s forgotten architectural gems. The bus tour includes a picnic lunch. At the Hidden City Soiree on Thurs., June 25, you can party with the artists, sample food from local restaurants and sip on the special Hidden City cocktail.

A food fest for serious foodies convenes at Osteria on Wed., June 17. At the Great Chef’s Event, 20 chefs from all over the nation—including Bobby Flay, Dan Barber and Marc Vetri—will cook to benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

On Sat., July 11, London Grill Restaurant & Bar will celebrate Bastille Day with an afternoon of French street fare and costumed revolutionaries. London owner Terry McNally dresses up as Marie Antoinette, tosses cake to the masses and then loses her head. Vive la France!