September PACA Business Dinner Meeting at Steak 48
Jessica Keifer and Steak 48 hosted our members for a fantastic dinner in a beautiful setting
Parks on Tap 2017
Fran Nachman, our Director of Business and Social Events, attended all 20 Parks on Tap sites this year. Born and raised in Philly, she had the opportunity to visit parks she had never been to previously. For their dedication, she and her boyfriend David, were awarded a t-shirt! Check out some of their pictures.
The Plough and the Stars
The PACA held their September Meeting at The Plough and the Stars, a traditional Irish Pub located in Old City. While it was a warm day in September, the restaurant has real fireplace in the dining room, making for a cozy atmosphere just in time for fall. Upstairs, the group was served a traditional 3 course dinner accompanied by loaves of bread made fresh on-site. The quarterly meeting was marked by presentations and updates from our PACA Allied members. Philadelphia Trolley Works offered special religious walking tours of the Parkway neighborhood and the Old City neighborhood. To prepare for the Popes visit, full day bus tour of the Catholic shrines were offered from September 18th to September 24th. Please Touch Museum is rolling out Clifford The Big Red Dog is from October 17th to January 18th Where Magazine is welcoming new editor, Julian van der Tak. LiveNation informed the group that the Fillmore is opening soon! TheTower Theatre and TLA are continuing to host shows.
The Union League
The PACA recently had the opportunity to host their June meeting at one of Philadelphia’s most infamous historical venues, The Union League. Known for its rich history and picturesque entrance on Broad Street, the space is coveted for weddings, meetings and events year round. Members of The Union League enjoy the opportunity to socialize, dine, attend events and much more. Each quarter, Allied Partners are invited to meetings to meet, network and provide various updates on the state of affairs to the general membership. The valuable relationships we have built with our partners through the organization help the PACA thrive in the hospitality industry. Together, we work as ambassadors to provide trusted recommendations and referrals to thousands of visitors, clients and residents. The event was catered by Barra Rossa Restaurant, with delivery services from Caviar. Barra Rossa is “a bustling burst” of Italian flavor and energy and features creative and traditional dishes made from locally fresh ingredients. The PACA was treated to an expansive spread of pastas, antipasti and a decadent assortment of desserts. Caviar is a new food delivery service and only works with the best restaurants in town. Customers can order via photos from their website with no minimums and low delivery costs. An enjoyable evening was had by all!
Franky Bradley’s
The PACA recently had the opportunity to dine at Franky Bradley’s – situated on Chancellor Street in Rittenhouse Square. With throwback decor, wood paneled walls and even swords on the wall, the owners have personified the American Medieval atmosphere within the confines of the city. The menu features a taste for everyone (with starters like French Onion Soup, Lobster Pierogies or Grilled Escarole, a House Smoked Brisket Sandwich, Grilled Ribeye as noteable main dish selections and even more decadent desserts. Looking for plans this summer? Don’t miss the musical entertainment upstairs featuring a variety of eclectic shows. A full schedule can be found here.
Strangelove’s
The PACA recently enjoyed a wonderful experience at Strangelove’s – a two year old gastro pub operated by Brendan Hartranft, Leigh Maida and Brendan Kelly. The trio also own the popular Memphis Taproom. Open for lunch, Monday through Friday, dinner 7-nights a week, and serving a festive Saturday & Sunday a la carte brunch, Strangelove’s offers a casual yet tasteful menu filled with pub fare that’s given a distinctive, flavorful New Orleans riff. The all-day menu features a deeply satisfying smoked chicken & dumping soup, crunch-filled Russian kale salad, a notable burger, plus delicious entrees including pan seared chicken breast with pan jus, and an over-the-top crawfish mac & cheese. Beer-lovers flock to Strangelove’s for its 20 rotating craft brew selections and two beer engines. There’s also a festive Happy Hour, Monday-Friday from 5-7pm with $4 food & drink specials. Note: The upstairs holds a large bar area for private events as well as a private dining room which seats 40. Visit www.strangelovesbeerbar.com or call 215-873-0404 for more information.
Gran Caffe L’Aquila
The PACA recently had the opportunity to dine at one of Philadelphia’s newest restaurants, the Gran Caffe L’Aquila. Featuring a full service Coffee and Gelato bar upon entering it was hard to resist having dessert first! As we made our way to the second floor dining room, it felt as though we entered the heart of Abruzzo, Italy – where much of the decor was inspired. Gran Caffe L’Aquila’s dinner service features a rotating weekly menu with a twist on authentic Italian dishes(our first course was ravioli topped with truffle gelato)! We can’t wait to go back and try lunch, as well as all of the gelato flavors. For those over 21 – don’t forget to bring your ID as the alcohol infused Gelato is a must! A big thank you to Riccardo Longo and his staff for an exceptional evening. For more information, or to make a reservation – please visit the website.
a.kitchen
The PACA Board held their latest meeting at a.bar and a.kitchen located in the epicenter of Rittenhouse Square. Known for their focus on the dining experience – the staff’s attention detail from drinks to dessert did not miss a beat! a.bar features modern twists on traditional seafood and lighter fare, while a.kitchen has dishes that are simple yet casually sophisticated. Thank you to Ellen Yin and Chef Eli Kulp for their generous hospitality.
Bistro 7
The PACA had the honor of dining at Michael O’Halloran’s BYOB Restaurant, Bistro 7, for our February meeting. Surrounded by an understated elegance – the menu features fresh, seasonal takes on French fare. A special thank you to the chef/owner Michael O’Halloran, and staff who did a wonderful job in making the evening très merveilleux!
