"philadelphia" news and stories

When the makers of Four Loko set out to produce their canned caffeinated liquor concoction, we doubt they saw a four-course pairing dinner in their future. Philadelphia chef Matt Levin will, in fact, hold such a meal at Adsum restaurant next Monday, December 13. (Did we just hear the engines of every student-owned car in America begin to rev?)

Like many wacky ideas, the Loko dinner began as a joke on Twitter, but 15 minutes later, chef Levin already had 37 would-be RSVPs, reports the Philadelphia City Paper. The beverage faced its first ban in New York last month and may soon follow suit across the country, but Levin had already started stockpiling the drink when he found out it might potentially be gone for good.

What pairs best with Four Loko? Other than Funyuns and Easy Mac? Meat, of course. As in the "BBQ Picnic" featuring Loko pearls and pickled watermelon paired with Lemonade Loko. Then there's the Morrocan Lamb 'Sausage and Peppers' paired with a "Loko Yoko" cocktail. To satisfy your need for sugar and carbs, see the vanilla pain perdu (essentially a New Orleans-style French toast) served with Loko slushy and gelée paired with a Watermelon Loko. To finish: a Loko Pâté de Fruit (a fancy name for fruit jelly candy) to drink with Fruit Punch Loko.

OK, it's not dinner at Jean Georges, but it's pretty inventive. And maybe even delicious. The dinner runs $35 with two seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. That's a lot of Loko in two hours. Designated drivers highly recommended.

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly bars across the country.

The Fourth of July has come and gone, but What's On Tap wanted to continue a tradition of celebrating Independence Day in the city where it all started -- one of America's greatest craft beer destinations -- Philadelphia!

Earlier this year, the Resurrection Ale House made national news after a controversial run-in with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. But like the Patriots who built this country, they've fought the good fight, and in the end, continued to do what they do best: serve craft beer.

Resurrection Ale House opened in September 2009, one of three bars in which Brendan Hartranft is part owner. Though all of his locations feature amazing draft selections, he believes that Resurrection's list is the one that's currently most exemplary.

Read on about Resurrection Ale House and find their most recent draft list, after the jump...

While Schlitz was the beer that made Milwaukee famous, it's not the only town synonymous with suds. San Francisco is linked with Anchor Steam, while Pittsburgh is known for its Iron City. Now, Philadelphia may have its own defining brew.

Last month, in conjunction with Philly Beer Week, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation moved its "With Love, Philadelphia XOXO" motto from billboards to bars. "To be totally legitimate, we might as well have our own beer," says Bill Covaleski, the brewmaster at nearby Victory Brewing. He collaborated with the GPTMC to craft Philly's flagship beer, the Summer Love Ale.

When it comes to brews, Philly's no slouch. The town's packed with killer taverns, from Johnny Brenda's to the Standard Tap, along with stellar breweries such as Yards (its Pale Ale is my beer of the week) and Philadelphia Brewing. But as far as the defining taste of the City of Brotherly Love, Summer Love is a serious contender.

More after the jump...

Happy National Sticky Buns Day!

Also known as Philadelphia sticky buns, these pastries are thought to have entered the United States in the 1800s, with the influx of German and English immigrants to the City of Brotherly Love. According to This Week magazine's "Best Recipes of 1949," "Sticky cinnamon buns belong to Philadelphia as do Independence Hall and the Twelfth Street Market. This is a bun of true cinnamon flavor, of a stickiness incarnate."

Aside from increasing significantly in size -- they were once thought to be served as "dainty" delights -- cinnamon buns haven't changed much today, still using a sugar-and-cinnamon-flavored yeast base topped with brown sugar or honey glazes, with sweet additions like raisins, making a sticky-sweet delight to start off any day.

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Phillies scrapple. Photo: Melody Kramer, Flickr.

There is more to New York City and Philadelphia than cheesecake and cheesesteaks, but don't tell that to the U.S. Senate.

The most powerful elected representatives from both New York and Pennsylvania have made a polite World Series food wager on the eve of the baseball match-up. If the Phillies win, Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey will get New York cheesecake. If the Yankees win, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand get Philly cheesesteaks.

What cliché and unoriginal choices, especially since both those old standbys can be found in the food court of any American mall. They don't accurately reflect the soul of either city. What two foods best sum up these two complex metropolises?