September 23, 2015
Renata’s Kitchen owners Kate and Yasser (right) Aiq at the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll this summer.
Renata’s Kitchen (formerly Café Renata) owners Yasser and Kate Aiq are ready to open their new food-focused spot at 4533 Baltimore Avenue.
A fire heavily damaged Café Renata at 43rd and Locust last March, prompting the couple to find the new location. The grand opening party for Renata’s Kitchen is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6 – 9 p.m. Everyone is invited.
We asked Kate what customers should expect to see at the new location and what is the same and what is different about Renata’s Kitchen compared to Café Renata, a Mediterranean café and breakfast and brunch restaurant.
“The main difference this time around is that we are taking the opportunity to share more of our culinary expertise than we could previously at Cafe Renata. With our focus on food, we’re hoping to launch a dinner menu soon,” Kate wrote in an email.
We’ll let you know about Renata’s Kitchen hours and more details as soon as this information becomes available.
UPDATE: Renata’s Kitchen is hiring line cooks. Please call the restaurant at 267-275-8254.
September 18, 2015
Dollar Strolls always bring huge crowds to Baltimore Avenue looking for $1 specials from neighborhood restaurants and other businesses, but last night was something absolutely crazy. Reader Marshall Ledger sent us this panoramic photo with the following commentary:
“Two lines to Desi [Village] (its tables of samosas, pakoras, and mango lassi on the left): one stretching to and past Melville, the other up toward 46th Street, past Renata’s Kitchen (tables of croissants, chocolate cookies, and sodas on the right).”
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Also check out photos by Bob Lannon: Continue Reading
September 16, 2015
Photo courtesy UCD.
This year’s second and final Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, the bi-annual event showcasing neighborhood businesses, is happening this Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. from 43rd to 51st street. As always, there will be tons of $1 specials – all kinds of food, drinks, sweet treats, merchandise, tickets, special memberships, mini lessons and much more! In addition, the event will feature live music performances, jugglers and Polynesian dancers.
The event is presented by the University City District (UCD) and Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA).
For more information on participating businesses and their offerings check out the map below or click here.
Click to enlarge
September 14, 2015
Starting this week, The Food Trust‘s healthy food incentive program, Philly Food Bucks, will be available at a West Philly location of The Fresh Grocer (56th and Chestnut). Philly Food Bucks offers free-food coupons to SNAP participants who use their ACCESS card at area farmers’ markets (if you spend $5 in food stamps, you get $2 extra to spend on more fruits and vegetables at the market). With funding from the USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant program, The Food Trust now has the opportunity to expand this model in other retail settings in Philadelphia and across the state.
“We’ve seen firsthand the impact Philly Food Bucks has at our regional network of farmers’ markets, allowing customers to make healthier decisions while sticking to their budget,” says Yael Lehmann, Executive Director of The Food Trust. “This grant allows us to offer the same opportunity in additional retail settings, like corner stores and supermarkets, to help more people bring home fresh, affordable food for their families.”
In addition to increasing the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, this expanded Food Bucks program will benefit local farmers as well as local grocery businesses.
The promotion will run Sept. 13-Oct. 17 and will be available only at The Fresh Grocer at 56th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia. During this period, Price Plus® club card members who use their ACCESS card will receive a $2 digital coupon for every $5 they spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.
September 11, 2015
Chef Jose Garces, whose well-known restaurant Distrito (40th and Chestnut) serves some delicious Mexican fare but could be damaging to your wallet, has recently revamped the restaurant’s first-floor area and opened a less expensive and “uber casual” eatery, Distrito Taqueria, downstairs. The grand opening of the taqueria was on Thursday.
Here are some items from the taqueria’s menu: tacos (you can choose from chicken, beef, pork, goat barbacoa or tofu) are $3.50 each, extras for additional price; burritos and quesadillas are $9.50. Super nacho is $12 ($9 without meat). An order of guacamole will cost you $8, and salsa is $5. Soups and salads are also served. And the place has a full bar. The full menu can be downloaded here.
Distrito Taqueria is open daily 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
September 8, 2015
Annie Baum-Stein behind the counter at Milk and Honey Market (Photo West Philly Local).
Milk and Honey Market is celebrating its 6th anniversary this month with a “much needed spruce-up.” The popular corner store and cafe at 45th and Baltimore is currently closed for some “exciting improvements” and is expected to reopen with a “whole new look” on Thursday, Sept. 10.
“After 6 years (September 4th) we have learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t with our original line and want to help our staff be more efficient and our customers more comfortable,” Milk & Honey co-owner Annie Baum-Stein wrote us in an email. “Look forward to shorter lines and waiting and double the seating!”
Milk & Honey owners have been tweeting about the progress with remodeling the space, so check out their Twitter account for updates.
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