Results tagged “northernliberties”

Today we venture over to Northern Liberties to check out Liberty Lands park, the only park located in the NoLibs (do people actually call it that?) neighborhood. Liberty Lands has a terrifc back story. It rests on the site of the former Burke Brothers Tannery. The land was donated to the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA) in 1994. The original plan was to renovate the former tannery buildings, but the city stepped in, deemed the structures condemnable, and demolished them all. NLNA was then left with an empty lot that had over $1,000,000 in demolition and tax leins on it. Some donation. (Although the city did later forgive the $500,000 demolition lein).

We were thrilled a few months ago when it was announced that Chef Michael O'Halloran of Bistro 7 on Third Street in Old City had acquired the former Sovalo location in Northern Liberties and would be converting it into a Hong Kong street food-style restaurant, inspired by visits to the Hong Kong home of the chef's wife and partner, Sophia Lee. And now we're even more excited, as it appears Kong is nearing its opening, currently is slated for July, with menu items like dumplings, noodle bowls, steamed buns all capping out at $20. We'll post more details as we receive them!

This, Phillyist readers, is shaping up to be the best. weekend. ever. With no less than three major outdoor events this weekend—all of which involve food or drink in some capacity—we'd be fools to tell you to do anything except going outside and exploring Philadelphia. We know we'll be out and about this weekend, even if thunderstorms are in the forecast. We never let a little rain get in the way of good times.

The New York Times' Travel section ran a piece today that calls Philadelphia a "destination city"—something we could have told them years ago. We're happy that The Times has finally decided to show the City of Brotherly Love a little affection (instead of that Sixth Borough crap from a few years ago), but we'd like to point out that their recommended schedule is almost as improbable as the route of the Rocky run.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. Hell, it's not even a holiday celebrated in all of Mexico. (Wikipedia actually has a decent explanation here.) But, here in America, we like to use the holiday as an excuse to get wasted anyway. (It's like St. Patrick's Day, but with tequila.)

Well, if the producers of Tool Academy ever have a casting call in Philly, at least we can suggest a location for them! (Just look at all the striped shirts!)

Every weekday of December (except for December 25, that is), Phillyist will be counting down to 2009 with our highlights from the past year and our predictions for the next. If you have a list you'd like to submit, let us know!

The Inquirer this morning ran an interesting piece about the latest controversy swirling around the proposed SugarHouse casino site on the Delaware River, on the border of Northern Liberties and Fishtown. It seems that the foundations of Batchelor's Hall, a building of some historical import (see Chapter 69 here), have been excavated beneath the casino's billboard on Delaware Avenue near Frankford. Needless to say, historians and SugarHouse are at-odds about what this discovery means. More on this story as it develops.

To the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies:

A note to those wishing to go through somebody's wallet: you might want to make sure that there's not a surveillance system in place. And if there is, like the one at DnA Salon in Northern Liberties, you should probably check to make sure that there aren't cameras all around the surrounding area, like there are in Liberties Walk. You're just asking to get caught.

Dear Business Week:

A new art venue, Area919, is set to launch its grand opening to the public on Thursday, September 25th, 6-9PM with two shows.

Why are cupcakes so trendy? Is it the whole Magnolia Bakery thing in NYC? Whatever it is, you can’t deny that cupcakes are good. Local Philly fav Brown Betty in NoLibs, is opening Brown Betty Petite today in Rittenhouse. The petite size shop only serves cupcakes, but they’re not your plain ‘ol vanilla and chocolate. The store offers everyday favorites like red velvet with cream cheese frosting and vanilla poundcake. And, on certain days of the week flavors like carrot cake, coconut poundcake, or fruit-filled poundcake will be available. Stop by their new location on 269 South 20th Street, or call 215-545-0444.

Dear SEPTA El Operator #55:

A little over a year ago, I wrote about a solid meal Ross and I shared at a place in Northern Liberties called Isla Ibiza. Unfortunately, the fact that the restaurant was empty was a bad sign, and the place was closed just a few months later. Fast forward to last Saturday night. Ross and I have since moved quite near the old Isla Ibiza space, now occupied by a restaurant called Q-Ba. Since the move, we'd passed a few pleasant evenings sitting at the bar there, and had become friendly with a couple of bartenders and one of the managers. We figured it was high time we tried the cuisine that the staff had been bragging about.

We're big supporters of new emerging artists and thus we're really looking forward to seeing Northern Liberties' Projects Gallery open its 2008-09 exhibition season with Fresh! 2008.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

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Dear Dog Owners:

Head to Northern Liberties tonight to eat at any of the many establishments that will be donating 50% of tonight's business to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Participating eateries will apparently be serving "breast-inspired foods", so check out the details and fill up for First Friday. The launch party already started (4pm to 6pm) at North 3rd (801 N 3rd St) so get going!

Dear Old City Movers:

March 15 through March 24, starting at 7PM