3 New Ideas for Entertaining in Philadelphia

Here's a look at what's new for meetings and events in the Philadelphia area.

Amy Gordon
January 22, 2019

Get inspired with the latest ideas in dining, food trucks, and more in and around Philadelphia.

In October, health-centric mini-chain Fuel launched a line of “Dream” smoothies infused with CBD oil, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. The new drinks are available in three flavors (Green Dream, Berry Dream, and Orange Dream) and can be purchased in stores and are available as a catering item. CBD oil can also be added into existing smoothies to help consumers manage anxiety, stress, and depression. Additional items that incorporate CBD will be added to the menu in 2019.
In October, health-centric mini-chain Fuel launched a line of “Dream” smoothies infused with CBD oil, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. The new drinks are available in three flavors (Green Dream, Berry Dream, and Orange Dream) and can be purchased in stores and are available as a catering item. CBD oil can also be added into existing smoothies to help consumers manage anxiety, stress, and depression. Additional items that incorporate CBD will be added to the menu in 2019.
Photo: Courtesy of Fuel
After an extensive renovation, the Bourse, a landmark building circa 1895 and a member of the National Register of Historic Places, reopened in November as a world-class food hall. The Bourse, which is located across the street from Independence Mall, now houses 30 artisanal vendors serving up delicious food and drinks ranging from authentic Chinese dumplings to gourmet grilled cheese to grain-to-glass spirits.
After an extensive renovation, the Bourse, a landmark building circa 1895 and a member of the National Register of Historic Places, reopened in November as a world-class food hall. The Bourse, which is located across the street from Independence Mall, now houses 30 artisanal vendors serving up delicious food and drinks ranging from authentic Chinese dumplings to gourmet grilled cheese to grain-to-glass spirits.
Photo: Neal Santos
TruckBux, an app that enables diners to pre-order from food trucks and pay with a credit card, is launching a new catering feature in early 2019. Via the app, planners will be able to browse a selection of food trucks that are available for events in and around Philadelphia. Planners can even book their preferred vendor directly through the TruckBux app, which includes ratings, photos, menus, and pricing for each truck.
TruckBux, an app that enables diners to pre-order from food trucks and pay with a credit card, is launching a new catering feature in early 2019. Via the app, planners will be able to browse a selection of food trucks that are available for events in and around Philadelphia. Planners can even book their preferred vendor directly through the TruckBux app, which includes ratings, photos, menus, and pricing for each truck.
Photo: Courtesy of TruckBux
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Franco’s Barbering in Moorestown, New Jersey, launched a mobile service that offers men’s grooming services from a custom-designed Airstream trailer. Franco’s On Location offers haircuts, beard shaping and detailing, shaves, facials, and waxing in a setting reminiscent of a 1920s-era barbershop. The trailer typically parks at designated locations in the Greater Philadelphia area, but planners can reserve it for private events.
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Seasoned Philadelphia restaurateurs and collaborators Stephen Starr and Aimee Olexy opened the Love in Rittenhouse Square in November. The sophisticated yet relaxed café celebrates creative and seasonal American cuisine, with dishes such as crispy duck salad, truffle gnudi, seared New England scallops, and rosemary-garlic lamb roast. The 2,500-square-foot, bi-level restaurant seats 100, which includes an 800-square-foot upper-level loft that fits 45 for receptions or 20 for seated meals at a communal table.
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New Jersey-based mini-chain Porta opened a Philadelphia location in January. The Midtown Village restaurant serves authentic Neapolitan pizza in varieties that appeal to vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters, as well as pastas and shareable dishes. The venue includes a variety areas for events. The main floor measures 4,500 square feet and includes a “classic” side and a “fancy” side; the former seats 144 guests and features communal tables and mismatched chairs, while the latter includes smaller tables and seats 34 total guests with an additional 14 seats at the bar. A 2,200-square-foot mezzanine with seating for 78 overlooks the main dining room.
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Big Red Pedal Tours has introduced a Philadelphia food tour. While riding on the company’s signature 15-passenger bikes, guests enjoy a two-hour tour of some of the city’s standout culinary destinations, including Reading Terminal Market, Barra Rosa, and Destination Dogs. Tours typically start and end in Philadelphia’s Historic District, but planners can reserve private group tours and arrange for pick-up at hotels, meeting venues, or other locations. The tour fleet includes four bikes, which can accommodate groups of as many as 60 people. Weekday tickets cost $46 per person.
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East Passyunk Avenue welcomed Barcelona Wine Bar Passyunk in July. In addition to an award-winning wine list, the menu offers dishes inspired by the bold flavors of Spain and the Mediterranean, including charcuterie and cheeses, tapas such as spiced meatballs and patatas bravas, and entrees like vegetable paella and squid ink noodles. The restaurant features an open kitchen and is divided into several spaces that can accommodate groups of varying sizes; the 2,206-square-foot dining room seats 156, the 215-square-foot bar seats 23, and the 739-square-foot patio seats 70.
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Walnut Street Café opened in the FMC Tower in University City in June. The modern venue offers both casual and fine dining areas, as well as a cocktail bar and a patio. In total, the 3,000-square-foot restaurant can seat as many as 130 guests or accommodate 200 for cocktail-style receptions, with room for 60 additional guests on the patio, weather permitting. The American menu spans breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with diverse offerings such as gourmet croissants, scrapple, pork belly sandwiches, pastas, and steaks.
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Known for serving health-conscious dishes with 500 or fewer calories, Philadelphia mini-chain Fuel renovated its Midtown Village outpost—called Fuel Center City—in April. The menu includes salads, juices, sandwiches, desserts, and more, all of which are made with locally grown produce. The 1,700-square-foot space now offers flexible seating options, Philly-centric artwork, a community table, and a second-floor private event space. Planners can book events for as many as 72 seated guests in the main dining room, 20 seated guests on the outdoor patio, and 20 in the private event space.
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Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains will unveil an extension in March. The addition includes 520 guest rooms and suites, bringing the total number of accommodations to 977. The property will add two new dining venues: Double Cut Charcoal Grill and Sortino’s Italian Kitchen. The Africa-theme resort also offers 65,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including two ballrooms measuring 25,000 square feet and 19,000 square feet, respectively, and 18 different meeting rooms. Event space is equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art lighting and audiovisual capabilities, and built-in HD projectors and monitors. Elsewhere on the property are amenities including the country’s largest indoor waterpark and a full-service salon and spa.
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In the summer of 2016, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation launched Parks on Tap, a mobile beer garden that traveled to different city parks each week. In addition, the program offers catering for private events with three tiered options, ranging from a small, four-tap beer truck and seating area to a 10-tap beer trailer, generator, tables and chairs for 200 guests, hammocks, and lighting. Bathroom trailers are also available at an additional cost.
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