*$129 PER NIGHT


Appreciate the rich heritage and culture from Philadelphia s landmark luxury hotel infused with 21st century technology. From private-key concierge club rooms with amazing city views to
award-winning locally inspired cuisine at SoleFood, you re steps away from all the city has to offer.


For reservations, book online at www.loewshotels.com
using Partner Promotion code "HOLIDAY,"
or call 1-888-575-6397 and mention code "HOLIDAY."



*Based on availability starting November 27 – January 7, 2011. Does not apply to previously booked groups or events. Check on line for restrictions and availability.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The ever-popular and trendy Midtown Village neighborhood "struts off" the holiday season with music, Mummers and special treats! Join hundreds of holiday shoppers on Wednesday, December 1 from 5:30P to 7:30P as the Mummers perform at 12th & Walnut streets (5:30P), 13th & Walnut streets (6:00P), 13th & Chestnut streets (6:30P) plus various Midtown Village establishments in between.

Participating retailers will be offering everything from free holiday cookies to hot mulled cider and candy canes while participating restaurants, bars and pubs will have specials to revitalize shoppers and offer the chance to put down the shopping bags and warm up with a glass of holiday cheer.

Why not spend the night at one of Midtown Villages fine hotels after shopping or after a holiday party?

Midtown Village is bordered by Market and Spruce streets and Broad to 11th streets.
Eat – Shop – Play – Stay. Theres something for everyone!

The Holiday Inn Express located at 1305 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 is offering a fantastic holiday rate of $99 + Tax. After your holiday party don’t worry about the drive back home with this low rate.

This offer is valid 11/14/10 – 12/30/10. For more information call (215) 735-9300 or book directly by clicking
Midtown Village Holiday Rate

This “Beaujolais Day,” Thursday, November 18th, 13th Street in Midtown Village becomes Rue Treizième as more than a dozen establishments Celebrate the Grape! Visit neighboring retailers and enjoy a complementary glass of wine before selecting from a variety of Midtown Village restaurants offering Beaujolais Nouveau specials.

Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine made from Gamay grapes, is produced in the Beaujolais region of France. This most popular vin de primeur is fermented for just a few weeks then officially released for sale on the third Thursday of November when the whole world becomes a little French for the night.

Bars & Restaurants

Vintage Wine Bar
129 S. 13th Street
Complimentary Gougeres (French cheese puff) all night and Beaujolais soap samples from Duross & Langel. An accordion player will grace the front entrance from 6:00P – 10:00P plus special $8 glasses of Beaujolais Nouveau.

Barbuzzo
110 S. 13th Street
5 course, $45 per person Beaujolais Nouveau wine/food tasting menu

Zavino Wine Bar Pizzeria
112 S. 13th Street
Beaujolais specials include $15 Beaujolais-braised Short Rib Pizza and sparkling $8 Beaujolais Cocktails

McGillins Old Ale House
1310 Drury Street
1/2 priced McGillins Famous French Onion Soup and $5 glass of Beaujolais Nouveau

Time Restaurant
1315 Sansom Street
Beaujolais and cheese pairing, discounted Beaujolais and cheese plate

BAR - 1309 Sansom Street
Special Beaujolais Jell-O shots

El Vez - 121 S. 13th Street
$4 Beaujolais Sangria


Retailers

Duross & Langel
117 S. 13th Street
Complimentary wine tasting offered while observing the creation of Beaujolais soaps and lip balms in the soap masters kitchen. Select sale on all French Milled Soaps.

Verde
108 S. 13th Street
In the chocolate kitchen there will be Beaujolais chocolates plus wine tasting and chocolate samples.

Absolute Abstract Art
141 S. 13th Street
Serving complimentary Beaujolais and offering 25% discount on all French artwork.

Open House
107 S. 13th Street
Complimentary wine tasting and tabletop sale on serving pieces from France

Paper on Pine
124 S. 13th Street
Complimentary wine and special discounts

Scarlet Fiorella
113 S. 13th Street
Complimentary wine tasting and sale on select French furniture and pillows

Must be 21 or over to receive complimentary alcohol sampling. All offers are subject to change.

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU, a red wine made from Gamay grapes, is produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks then officially released for sale on the third Thursday of November when the whole world becomes French for one night.

Please join us as we turn Midtown Village into Village de Centre-Ville for one spectacular night of celebrating the grapes of the Beaujolais region of France. Stroll door to door for free wine tasting from the local merchants and make a reservation at your favorite Midtown Village restaurants for a Beaujolais inspired meal

The folks over at Zavino Pizzeria & Wine Bar have been serving up great ROOT and SNAP cocktails since their opening so we were thrilled when they agreed to let us to film them in action!

Zavino’s seasonal food and beverage pairings are not to be missed and the menu changes daily–just check out the chalkboards. The tiny corner space offers guests upscale Italian inspired dishes with an emphasis on fresh, local product. The energy coming out of this place is fantastic but it’s their nightly specials and approachable wine and cocktail list that seem to have folks lining up in the friendly neighborhood of Midtown Village.

We got in touch with the guys running the place, General Manager, Jason Brooke and Head Chef, Matt White. These guys do all they can to support local business and kindly welcomed us and our cameras! Check out the videos below to recreate cocktails like the ROOT Bean Soda or the appropriately named SNAP WIT–made with mascarpone cheese!

If you’ve been lucky enough to catch Matt’s yummy ROOT or SNAP Panna Cotta then you how valuable this recipe really is. We can’t wait to make this at home:

Next time your in Midtown Village stop into Zavino and let them know AITA sent you!

The newest addition to the exciting Midtown Village community is Blue Lotus Gallery at the corner of Sansom & Juniper in the space formerly occupied by long-time favorite Nova Hair Salon (dont fret- Nova is thriving at its new location down the street in the Arts Condominium at Juniper & Locust).
Blue Lotus Gallery imports antiques, decorative arts and Himalayan Couture, mostly from Nepal, but with key additions from Tibet and other regions of South Asia. The collection is nowhere else to been seen in Center City, let alone New York or the world. And surely there is no gallery that serves Nepali Tea after shopping.
Antiques range from Tibetan chests, and other furniture used by monks as long as a four hundred years ago, to rescued architectural elements,vernacular household items and oddities such as a 200 year old yak collar and a south Indian snake charmers box. In addition, the mezzanine of the Gallery displays a carefully assembled array of collector and museum quality antiques.
Blue Lotus Gallery also offers a line of newly crafted furniture and home decor which reinterprets traditional Himalyan designs for the modern home or office. Hand knotted carpets made in the age-old Tibetan method are custom made at direct importer prices. For the dining room, bedroom, reception area or patio, these pieces provide a dramatic accent to any decor. Contemporary thangkas, or devotional paintings, by Mukti Singh Thapa are based on the careful study of the themes and techniques of a traditional art form. As Nepal rapidly modernizes, these painting represent the last, best work of a disappearing art.
So whats Himalayan Couture? Its a fabulous collection of coats, shawls, jewelry and accessories. You wont find these coats anywhere else except Kathmandu and Paris. Designed by Tenzin Tseten, a Sikkimese designer based in Kathmandu, the striking collection takes traditional Tibetan and Himalayan motifs right to the runway of Midtown Village. Near 100% pure silver jewelry and clutch purses are made by artisans in the hill country of northern Thailand. From the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, Blue Lotus features sterling fillagree with turquoise, coral, and other semi-precious stones. From a small village in Cambodia, the collection includes shimmering hand-made silk handbags.

Midtown Village Celebrates Family Style Halloween

Trick or Treaters of All Ages Expected to Overrun Trendy Neighborhood

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - October 31, 2010 - Halloween has always been a rather untraditional event, and where better to celebrate this frightful day than with the most untraditional of trendy neighborhoods? Midtown Village takes it all very seriously (wink wink) with merchants dressed in costume and handing out candy, cider and seasonal treats to everyone who dares to stroll through on Sunday, October 31 from high noon to 5PM.

The stroll begins at 13th and Walnut streets where you can wind your way through the various cross streets for a peek at the local ghouls and goblins who pass themselves off as merchants and restaurateurs most days of the year, many of whom are offering some great deals throughout the day and well into the night.

Whether you bring the kids or your best friends, you’ll find plenty to do, taste and a great deal of playful fun that will inevitably end up on your Facebook page. Visit www.midtownvillage.org for a complete list of haunted happenings and deals.

6th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival
Saturday, October 1
Noon to 8:00PM

Midtown Village, the area that spans between 11th to Broad Streets from Spruce to Market, is preparing for its 5th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival. The Midtown Village Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 2nd, and will run from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A highlight of the annual Midtown Village Fall Festival is the cuisine, and the 2010 Festival will be a dream for foodies. The district has gained seven new restaurants over the past twelve months, all of whom are offering specials during the festival. New culinary and cocktail additions to Midtown Village since the festival last year include Tweed, Zavino, Barbuzzo, Sampan, Fuel, Jakes Sandwich Board, and Bar.

James McManaman, the owner of art store Absolute Abstract and President of the Midtown Village Merchants Association explains, "We expect that the 2010 Fall Festival will be bigger than ever. We are very excited that the neighborhood has welcomed new establishments this year, and the Festival is a wonderful opportunity for patrons to get a first peek at the new Midtown Village."

The lead sponsors of Midtown Village Fall Festival are Goldman Properties, Holiday Inn, Specialty Productions and Quaker City Mercantile. Additional sponsors include Starr Restaurant Organization, Upcoming Events, Beneficial Bank, Philadelphia Pass, and Where Magazine. To learn more about Midtown Village and the Fall Festival, visit its website at www.midtownvillage.org.

Every Wednesday, Midtown Village retailers, restaurants, bars and galleries are offering special discounts and will stay open later than usual. Shop local and save!

Midtown Village Wednesdays Deals for 7/22/09:

Fruit Flowers: 50% off a select item of the week.

Absolute Abstract: Buy any Art Block or Tin sign and receive the second one at 50% off.

Blue Lotus Gallery: 10% off everything in the store.

Open House: Buy one Votivo candle, get the second at 50% off.

Scarlett FiorellaBuy one home accessory & receive 50% off any other home accessory of equal or lesser value!

Verde:Buy one box of Marcie Blaine artisanal chocolates, get the second box (same size) for 50% off. (available on 8 piece, 18 piece and 32 piece boxes only)

Bindi & Lolita: Buy one dessert, get the second one free

Grocery: Buy one homemade Grocery cookie and receive the second one free.

TBar: Buy any retail item valued at $20 or more, and receive 50% off a Large Steep Beverage.

Fergie's Pub:Buy one entree and receive the second entree or special at 50% off.

McGillin's Olde Ale House:: Buy one entree, receive the second at 50% off.

Zio's Pizza: Buy any two slices and receive a small soda free.

Vintage Buy one dessert, get the second at 50% off.

Andre Richard Salon :Half price gift cards.

Danny's Buy two dvds priced $9.99-$14.99 and get the third one free.

The City of Brotherly Love has been hailed America’s best beer drinking city. Midtown Village will be toasting that honor from June 3-12. If you love the suds, then Midtown Village is the place to be. The area, which encompasses 11th to Broad streets and Market to Spruce streets in Center City, will be overflowing with everything beer.

Activities will range from beer tastings, special beer menus, hotel beer weekend packages, a beer garden, 6 pack abs workouts, walking pub tours, beer infused soap-making along with ‘nips’ one-third of a pint tastes, beer bottle jewelry and trunk shows, deluxe bar furniture to beer spiked chocolates, truffles and assorted dessert treats. Midtown Village boasts the arrival of the golden tap on June 3 delivered by a series of custom “bikes and trikes.”

Chefs and brewers will team up to tempt your taste buds by creating special dishes or by pairing their concoctions with thirst quenching ales and lagers. A small sampling: Opa, will feature Greek beers and cheese; Zavino, pizza made from all beer ingredients; Lolita, a Monday night beer BBQ; Bindi, an Indian beer menu; Barbuzzo, a 5-course beer dinner; Verde, beer truffles; and Capogiro, beer infused gelato.

Check out Scarlet Fiorella’s trunk show spotlighting jewelry with beer bottle caps; Open House’s Philadelphia-inspired pint mugs; Duross and Langel’s beer soaked soap-making class and tasting; 12th Street gym’s 6 pack abs Insanity Workout to get rid of that beer gut; Loews Philadelphia hotel’s “Last Call” weekend package; Lucky Strikes’ Pints and Pins; and Philadelphia Urban Adventures pub crawls visiting a number of the bars and pubs in the neighborhood.

Don’t get yourself in a froth. If you savor the brewed beverage, Midtown Village will hit the spot.

Nestled in the heart of Midtown Village is the highly anticipated Opa. The word “opa” is a traditional Greek exclamation of glee, used to express the carefree aura that embodies the Greek spirit. The new Modern Greek restaurant-bar, opening February 10, 2011, evokes the Gazi neighborhood of Athens, with a warm and welcoming ambiance. The striking design features an expansive bar, dramatic wooden canopy and an intimate banquette area, providing a perfect setting to feature Opa’s fresh interpretations of traditional Greek fare.
Raised in the Philadelphia area, Greek-American brother-sister team, George Tsiouris and Vasiliki Tsiouris have deep family roots in the local restaurant scene. This dynamic pair is excited to bring their passion for Greek food and hospitality to their hometown.
“Our focus was to ensure a comfortable setting that promoted social interaction,” says George Tsiouris.
“We wanted everyone that steps through the door to leave with a taste of Greece’s hospitality and food,” says Vasiliki Tsiouris. “Great cuisine, dynamic conversation and festive moments are staples of our culture.”
Opa’s appetizing menu includes traditional family recipes finessed and plated to contemporary standards. Among the mezedes include Gyros, served slider-style with grilled lamb, yogurt sauce, cucumber, onion and tomato; Octopus, cured, grilled and plated with a chickpea fondue and chili oil; and Zimi, a baked pita filled with feta cheese. Mezedes range in price from $3 to $14. Opa features large plate offerings that span land and sea. They include the hearty Pastitsio, made with semolina pasta, ground sirloin and béchamel, baked individually in a cast iron pot; Bifteki, a feta-stuffed local grass-fed burger topped with a tomato, dill,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Opa Brings Modern Greece to
Midtown Village Philadelphia
cucumber relish and served with oregano fries; and Striped Bass, served with a garbanzo bean soufflé and sautéed spinach. Entrees range in price from $11 to $24. Executive Chef Andrew Brown has been cooking professionally for 20 years and his culinary philosophy is based on simple freshness. His strong relationships with Lancaster County farmers result in consistent procurement of fresh organic, locally grown foods. “Greek food is intrinsically bold and inventive,” Brown said. “We are introducing a fresh take on the cuisine with a focus on natural ingredients and sustainable seafood options – basically, let the food speak for itself.”
Celebrated designer Jun Aizaki of Crème, transformed the formerly vacant space on Sansom Street with the Tsiouris’. “We wanted to challenge how people generally associate Greek restaurants in terms of concept and design by creating a global platform for Greek cuisine that is both authentic and modern,” says Aizaki. “Blending Vasiliki’s personality which is warm and earthy with George’s vision of a modern sleek destination spot was vital. The space transcends from a restaurant to a great place to gather and socialize in the banquette area and the island bar that exude energy and vibrancy.”
According to Aizaki, Opa captures the essence of a bohemian yet sophisticated setting boasting a 24-seat bar made of river rock that is back-dropped by an impressive canopy constructed of birch branches. A plaster wall houses candle-lit lanterns in colorful recesses, casting a warm glow among the back wall and suspended hand-made terracotta fixtures. Tables made of reclaimed oak complement the natural elements used throughout the space. A custom-made metal screen with a circular motif sets the stage for fun and celebration.
The signature beverages at Opa infuse Greek-inspired flavors such as the refreshing Antho made with cucumber vodka, lemon and dill; and the succulent Kerasi made with bourbon, lemon and cherries. Signature cocktails will range in price from $9 to $11. The wine selection focuses on Greek varietals designed to complement the flavorful dishes.
Opa seats 70 and is located at 1311 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. For reservations, call 215.545.0170 or go to www.opaphiladelphia.com. Opa is open for dinner Monday through Saturday beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Media inquiries, please contact Garden Wellington-Logan at 267-307-0922.