Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
One Block of 18th Street to Become Outdoor Cafe June 5
One block of 18th Street – between Locust and Walnut – will be closed on Saturday, June 5 from 11 AM to 8 PM for the first Outdoor Café event, organized by and benefitting the Friends of Rittenhouse Square.
Said Wendy Rosen, president of the Friends, “Tables from Parc, Devon, and Rouge will be set up in the street, and music will be provided by Curtis Institute students. A percentage of all sales from these restaurants will go to the Friends of Rittenhouse Square to help us preserve, protect, and beautify the park.”
With artists’ booths already ringing the Square Friday through Sunday for the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, the tables in the street and the music of Curtis students will lend additional European flair to the neighborhood. Admission to the Fine Art Show is free. Lots of good reasons to visit the Square this weekend!
Cichetteria 19, Rittenhouse Square
Just south of the Square on 19th is this relatively new place, tried it for the first time this weekend. They have some of the usual Ital-American stuff, the pasta, the pizza, but where they really shine is on the small plates. (Cichetti).
These plates are really the way people in Italy eat, especially in Venice. These are small portions of GREAT food, prepared in an authentic, careful way. This is not what you will get in a typical "Italian" restaurant in America, which is what makes it so good!
They have 5 plates for $19, and 3 plates for $12. We ordered 8 plates together, which was a good thing, because we were stuffed sharing them. They look small, but they are very filling, and very satisfying! Everything was quite different, and quite wonderful. We had, among other plates, the Baccala, caponata, crudo scallops (raw), roasted shrimp, and the highlight for me was the Broccoli Rabe with canelloni beans. Had a really unusual, wonderful, pan seared flavor. Yum!
The owner is from Venice, he says he was a gondolier but I suspect that may be an "exaggeration". (Why would anyone leave such a lucrative occupation?) But whoever's doing the cooking in the back is a great talent.
It's a fun place, and the food is terrific and reasonable. Highly recommended.
http://www.cichetteria19.com/
Permalink | Reply
menton1 Jun 01, 2010 10:13AM
From: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/711442
These plates are really the way people in Italy eat, especially in Venice. These are small portions of GREAT food, prepared in an authentic, careful way. This is not what you will get in a typical "Italian" restaurant in America, which is what makes it so good!
They have 5 plates for $19, and 3 plates for $12. We ordered 8 plates together, which was a good thing, because we were stuffed sharing them. They look small, but they are very filling, and very satisfying! Everything was quite different, and quite wonderful. We had, among other plates, the Baccala, caponata, crudo scallops (raw), roasted shrimp, and the highlight for me was the Broccoli Rabe with canelloni beans. Had a really unusual, wonderful, pan seared flavor. Yum!
The owner is from Venice, he says he was a gondolier but I suspect that may be an "exaggeration". (Why would anyone leave such a lucrative occupation?) But whoever's doing the cooking in the back is a great talent.
It's a fun place, and the food is terrific and reasonable. Highly recommended.
http://www.cichetteria19.com/
Permalink | Reply
menton1 Jun 01, 2010 10:13AM
From: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/711442
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Funds forcing a battle over Rittenhouse Square
By Stu Bykofsky
Philadelphia Daily News
Daily News Columnist
WITH THE trees dressed in emerald finery and colorful azaleas in bloom, Rittenhouse Square is a pretty, peaceful patch in the midst of a big city's brass.
But beneath the feet of the park's iconic billy-goat statue, an ugly battle is raging for the heart and soul of the ageless beauty, pitting Romantics against Realists.
Money - more specifically, the lack of it - set opposing forces in motion.
The skyscraper-rimmed jewel in the crown is arguably Philadelphia's most prestigious address. Residents of the surrounding condos, hotels and townhouses comprise a core of the city's wealthy elite, yet not even they are rich enough, or perhaps not committed enough, to maintain the genteel glamour of one of America's most beautiful open spaces.
The square is "as important to the city and downtown Philadelphia as Rodeo Drive is to L.A.," says Joanne Davidow, a member of the board of the Friends of Rittenhouse Square, a citizens group that shoulders the responsibility - and the cost - of maintaining the park's Old World elegance.
The park is under the control of the Fairmount Park Commission. Executive director Mark Focht tells me that the city pays for such things as water and electric, maintaining the fountain, snow and trash removal, most pruning and trimming of trees. One full-time Fairmount Park staffer oversees the park during the week and another works the weekend.
The Friends fund their own employee from April to October and pay for all of the turf moving, lawn mowing, private landscaping, mulching, flower planting and maintenance of the benches.
The unrest began last year. Seeing increasing costs and decreasing support from traditional donors, the Friends of Rittenhouse Square executive committee hired Dan Biederman as a consultant, Friends president Wendy Rosen told me yesterday.
Biederman transformed Bryant Park, in midtown Manhattan, from what was known as "Needle Park" for the drug trade that flourished there, to a lovely oasis. For Rittenhouse, he came up with several ideas to, basically, enhance revenue.
That's when one faction went to the mattresses. Some were horrified when they heard that Rosen might bring a food stall to the heart of the park, plus advertising and the occasional closure of 18th Street for special events.
The first fusillade was an anonymous, aghast flyer that circled the park like a pigeon, forecasting dire commercialization.
Board member Joanne Berwind resigned because she was unhappy about where Friends was heading, I was told. I reached her yesterday in Florida; she said she was busy and would call me back. She didn't.
Rosen answered the anonymous flyer with a three-page letter in which she explained that Friends has fewer than 300 members and a budget of $450,000, adding that private firms and sponsors are "cutting back."
She ruled out advertising inside the square, said that 18th Street might be closed for special events in which Friends would share in vendors' revenues. There might be a seasonal 8-by-12-foot concession booth in the square and maybe more special events within the square, she said.
That letter was answered by an anonymous two-page letter calling Rosen's plan a "disaster," adding that it would be "opening the square to hoards of people and businesses," which sounds a touch, mmm, elitist.
"We have a fabulous square that only needs support from its surrounding residents," wrote the anonymous author.
Ah, yes. But where are they?
The Romanticists want to keep Rittenhouse Square pristine and bucolic, welcoming strollers, students, babies, dog walkers. The Realists don't disagree, but note the nagging fact that bills are rising and donations are not.
Which vision of Rittenhouse Square will prevail? The side that comes up with the money.
If the Romanticists want to keep commercial intrusion out of the Square, all they have to do is open their wallets.
E-mail stubyko@phillynews.com or call 215-854-5977. For recent columns:
http://go.philly.com/byko.
Philadelphia Daily News
Daily News Columnist
WITH THE trees dressed in emerald finery and colorful azaleas in bloom, Rittenhouse Square is a pretty, peaceful patch in the midst of a big city's brass.
But beneath the feet of the park's iconic billy-goat statue, an ugly battle is raging for the heart and soul of the ageless beauty, pitting Romantics against Realists.
Money - more specifically, the lack of it - set opposing forces in motion.
The skyscraper-rimmed jewel in the crown is arguably Philadelphia's most prestigious address. Residents of the surrounding condos, hotels and townhouses comprise a core of the city's wealthy elite, yet not even they are rich enough, or perhaps not committed enough, to maintain the genteel glamour of one of America's most beautiful open spaces.
The square is "as important to the city and downtown Philadelphia as Rodeo Drive is to L.A.," says Joanne Davidow, a member of the board of the Friends of Rittenhouse Square, a citizens group that shoulders the responsibility - and the cost - of maintaining the park's Old World elegance.
The park is under the control of the Fairmount Park Commission. Executive director Mark Focht tells me that the city pays for such things as water and electric, maintaining the fountain, snow and trash removal, most pruning and trimming of trees. One full-time Fairmount Park staffer oversees the park during the week and another works the weekend.
The Friends fund their own employee from April to October and pay for all of the turf moving, lawn mowing, private landscaping, mulching, flower planting and maintenance of the benches.
The unrest began last year. Seeing increasing costs and decreasing support from traditional donors, the Friends of Rittenhouse Square executive committee hired Dan Biederman as a consultant, Friends president Wendy Rosen told me yesterday.
Biederman transformed Bryant Park, in midtown Manhattan, from what was known as "Needle Park" for the drug trade that flourished there, to a lovely oasis. For Rittenhouse, he came up with several ideas to, basically, enhance revenue.
That's when one faction went to the mattresses. Some were horrified when they heard that Rosen might bring a food stall to the heart of the park, plus advertising and the occasional closure of 18th Street for special events.
The first fusillade was an anonymous, aghast flyer that circled the park like a pigeon, forecasting dire commercialization.
Board member Joanne Berwind resigned because she was unhappy about where Friends was heading, I was told. I reached her yesterday in Florida; she said she was busy and would call me back. She didn't.
Rosen answered the anonymous flyer with a three-page letter in which she explained that Friends has fewer than 300 members and a budget of $450,000, adding that private firms and sponsors are "cutting back."
She ruled out advertising inside the square, said that 18th Street might be closed for special events in which Friends would share in vendors' revenues. There might be a seasonal 8-by-12-foot concession booth in the square and maybe more special events within the square, she said.
That letter was answered by an anonymous two-page letter calling Rosen's plan a "disaster," adding that it would be "opening the square to hoards of people and businesses," which sounds a touch, mmm, elitist.
"We have a fabulous square that only needs support from its surrounding residents," wrote the anonymous author.
Ah, yes. But where are they?
The Romanticists want to keep Rittenhouse Square pristine and bucolic, welcoming strollers, students, babies, dog walkers. The Realists don't disagree, but note the nagging fact that bills are rising and donations are not.
Which vision of Rittenhouse Square will prevail? The side that comes up with the money.
If the Romanticists want to keep commercial intrusion out of the Square, all they have to do is open their wallets.
E-mail stubyko@phillynews.com or call 215-854-5977. For recent columns:
http://go.philly.com/byko.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Farmer's Market
While I appreciate the efforts to get Philly a modern, yet old fashion Farmers Market in Ritt Square, hopefully we can expand it to get more eat-in food booths.
If you have been to the Ferry Building in San Francisco on a saturday morning, you will know exactly what I mean.
There is the guy with the chicken/pig truck. There is a local italian restaurant that has a breakfast tent with a great omelette, there is the smoked fish place and the mexican post that has fabulous breakfast/brunch/lunch along with all the fresh produce, olive oils, breads and more.
Sound yummy? Sure does to me!
If you have been to the Ferry Building in San Francisco on a saturday morning, you will know exactly what I mean.
There is the guy with the chicken/pig truck. There is a local italian restaurant that has a breakfast tent with a great omelette, there is the smoked fish place and the mexican post that has fabulous breakfast/brunch/lunch along with all the fresh produce, olive oils, breads and more.
Sound yummy? Sure does to me!
My choices on some of Ritt Square's best
Pizza:
Gusto on 22nd Street between Locust and Spruce 215-546-7200. They deliver!
Italian
Melograno on Sansom between 20th and 21st 215-875-8116. BYOB Amazing! tell Rose or Ann that I recommended the place
Chinese
Best- Lee How Fook on 11th Street between Vine and Race (In Chinatown) Great food, no delivery :(
Square on Square on Chestnut between 19th and 20th. They do deliver
Steak
There are plenty of overpriced steak houses, but the steak a Melograno is fabulous
Supermarkets
The in the pinch basic stuff can be found at the market on Spruce near the corner of 18th
Trader Joes is 22nd and Market
DiBrunos (more upscale, but excellent) for Italian specialties and other good stuff, Chestnut between 17th and (closer to) 18th.
Sue Produce- right across from DiBruno 18th Street entrance
Gelato
Capigero- 20th and Sansom.
Seafood
Devon on the East side of Rittenhouse Square (18th Street) between Locust and Walnut
Dry Cleaner
He enjoys being eclectic in his own way, but Arthur (yes, he is French) at Rittenhouse Cleaners at 17th and Pine is an interesting place to bring your shirts, skirts and the I can't fit it in my washing machine stuff.
Coffee
La Colombe for the granita, Starbucks (if you like Starbucks) and LaVa at 21st and South
Breads, etc.
I am a freak for the Metropolitan pumpernickel.
Dive Bar
Bonners at 23rd and Sansom. Home of the Wharton Wildmen's weekly post-hockey beer drinking. Meet a future CEO!
More to come and life in Ritt Square continues!
Gusto on 22nd Street between Locust and Spruce 215-546-7200. They deliver!
Italian
Melograno on Sansom between 20th and 21st 215-875-8116. BYOB Amazing! tell Rose or Ann that I recommended the place
Chinese
Best- Lee How Fook on 11th Street between Vine and Race (In Chinatown) Great food, no delivery :(
Square on Square on Chestnut between 19th and 20th. They do deliver
Steak
There are plenty of overpriced steak houses, but the steak a Melograno is fabulous
Supermarkets
The in the pinch basic stuff can be found at the market on Spruce near the corner of 18th
Trader Joes is 22nd and Market
DiBrunos (more upscale, but excellent) for Italian specialties and other good stuff, Chestnut between 17th and (closer to) 18th.
Sue Produce- right across from DiBruno 18th Street entrance
Gelato
Capigero- 20th and Sansom.
Seafood
Devon on the East side of Rittenhouse Square (18th Street) between Locust and Walnut
Dry Cleaner
He enjoys being eclectic in his own way, but Arthur (yes, he is French) at Rittenhouse Cleaners at 17th and Pine is an interesting place to bring your shirts, skirts and the I can't fit it in my washing machine stuff.
Coffee
La Colombe for the granita, Starbucks (if you like Starbucks) and LaVa at 21st and South
Breads, etc.
I am a freak for the Metropolitan pumpernickel.
Dive Bar
Bonners at 23rd and Sansom. Home of the Wharton Wildmen's weekly post-hockey beer drinking. Meet a future CEO!
More to come and life in Ritt Square continues!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Melograno is Closing
Yes, it's true Melograno, our favorite local Italian BYOB is closing.
Ok, now get off the floor. They are just closing the location they are at and going to the 2000 block of Sansom.
No more Paris-like outdoor seating though. That is the biggest loss from leaving this location.
I have heard it is not be choice. The landlord made the rent so ridiculous that they could not afford it. So, we in Ritt Fit lose.
I have also been told that this is the same landlord that tried to change the property at 24th and Locust where Sandys is into something that the neighbors did not want.
Enjoy Melograno in it's present location while you can. The good news is that it will be right near Capagero so great gelato will be near!
Hey Mama, where's my Wawa?
I can't believe the furor over people being overcharged for butter, eggs and water! The Wawas that were at 20th and Locust and 20th and Chestnut are gone!
The Wawa corporation decided that Philadelphia does not want to be here anymore. They decided that the suburbs is where they want to be. They picked Mr Douglass over Lisa.
If you have not been to the burbs with an SUV, they have big Wawa stores with about 100 gas pumps that seem to be full all the time.
Was it because of high taxes, crime, ability to deliver without getting a ticket? We'll never know because they were mum about the subject.
As for 20th and Chestnut, it has quickly reopened with basically the same items, so nothing is lost. But 20th and Locust is available for rent. It probably won't be a restaurant because there is no cooking allowed in the unit.
It is a big space, but we could sure use a Trader Joe's like place there. Or if you have other ideas or would like more information about the space, please contact Fred Glick at fred@fredglick.com or 215-852-4469.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Want to Blog here?
If you want to blog, email me fred@fredglick.com your email address and I will ad you as an author.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Ritt Fit
Welcome to the RITT FIT Blog.
We welcome all those in the area that is Rittenhouse and Fitler Squares to talk freely about items that are of news.
Share your favorite restaurants, coffee shops, gas saving tips, etc. Also, let's talk about the items that we have to live with everyday.....trash, crime, housing, kids, tennis courts, dog walking, etc.
We will not monitor postings right away, but we do not encourage commercial postings (you know what I mean!) along with rants of untrue innuendos (You know who you are!).
Let's have fun with this!
We welcome all those in the area that is Rittenhouse and Fitler Squares to talk freely about items that are of news.
Share your favorite restaurants, coffee shops, gas saving tips, etc. Also, let's talk about the items that we have to live with everyday.....trash, crime, housing, kids, tennis courts, dog walking, etc.
We will not monitor postings right away, but we do not encourage commercial postings (you know what I mean!) along with rants of untrue innuendos (You know who you are!).
Let's have fun with this!
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