The kickoff of the NFL season is upon us as the Steelers and Titans face off this evening. Oddly there isn’t a football special to be seen in Philadelphia Weekly or City Paper this week. But hey,that’s why there’s the Internet!

Here’s what we know that’s going on:

Tonight, Jose Pistola’s is kicking off the NFL season with Troegs Brewing Co. There will be a firkin of Nugget Nectar, Dead Reckoning Porter and even a keg of Mad Elf for the night.

Also on each Sunday during the NFL season Jose’s will be offering, $3 Sly Fox Pils and Pale Ale cans plus $3 Ithaca Apricot Wheat. They’re also introducing the “Surf & Turf Bloody Mary.” A be a gourmet hot dog, wing and breakfast taco menu will round out the offerings.

Misconduct Tavern is doing an NFL Club this season. Join the club for $30 and you are entitled to a special menu of apps, sandwiches and beer packages at a special price of $25. For instance you could get balsamic glazed ribs, Misconduct Chicken Cheesesteak and 4 pints of Kenzinger. You do more that two weeks and you’ll be ahead. Not a terrible way to build up some loyalty. And of course the menu will change so you won’t get bored.

Bridgid’s has a Longtrail Brewmaster Promo tonight. They’ve got Imperial Porter, Belgian White, Coffee Stout and Double IPAs for just $4.

Update: The Piazza at Schmidt’s is throwing a big party for the Eagles/Carolina game. It starts at 11am when Vino kicks off its $15 sandwich and drink deal. The game will be televised on the big screen in the Piazza and you can even rent a cabana for you and up to 10 friends. After the game ends, ?uestlove will be DJ-ing the last of the season’s Sundae parties.

The Misconduct Tavern has always had at least a decent beer selection but it looks like it’s getting downright geeky.

Tomorrow the Locust Street bar will be throwing a release party for the 2009 edition of Bell’s Oberon. Larry Bell Derek from Bell’s will be in attendance and Bell’s Amber and Two Hearted Ale will also be pouring.

Mondays will be known as “Beer Geek Mondays” and will feature unusual beers on special. This Monday will have Southern Tier’s Phin & Matt Pale Ale pouring at 6pm. The following week will be Flying Dog’s In Heat Wheat.

Down the line will see Ommegang Three Philosophers, Troeg’s Mad Elf, Left Hand’s Juju Ginger and more.

Misconduct Tavern [Official Site]

The Misconduct Tavern is offering free drinks from their new cocktail list tonight from 6:30 to 9pm. There will be old time favorites like basil lemonade, Goslings Dark and Stormy and newfangled cocktails as well.

Misconduct Tavern [Official Site]

City Paper asks if there are any good spots to watch sports in this city. A surprisingly difficult question. But luckily for us they came up with some varied and decent answers.

Are there any places in this city where a discerning sports fan can go to see a game, drink good beer, enjoy decent grub and not have to listen to the rantings of overemotional lunatics? Are there bars here — not sports bars, necessarily, just good bars — that serve up both plenty of college and pro football action and a decent atmosphere?

• Misconduct Tavern
• Nodding Head Brewery and Restaurant
• McNally’s Tavern
• Barristers Bar & Grille
• Eulogy Belgian Tavern

Pint, Pass & Kick [City Paper]

Local caterers Christine Fischer and Clara Gomez are bringing back the Astral Plane as Astral Plane Millennium. You won’t recognize the interior or the menu when they’re done . Chef Gerardo Cortez’s international menu “will include, but won’t be limited to, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Jewish and Indian specialties.” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Who knew if you named a restaurant Joe Pesce that Joe Pesci (Goodfellas, My Cousin Vinny, Lethal Wepon) would soon be sniffing around for a location. Rumor has it that Philadelphia jazz guitarist Pat Martino and Pesci are looking for a spot to open a large jazz club. [Taste Daily, Philadelphia Magazine]

It’s just a matter of days before we’ll see the Beneluxx Tasting Room open on South 3rd Street. But we won’t see a Blue Bell location as Mike Naessens has sold off his interest in the Broad Axe Tavern. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Tinto now has outdoor seating at two lantern lit wooden tables. [Tinto Restaurant]

Whatever the hanky panky was that had the Misconduct Tavern closed Tuesday night it was resolved yesterday as the Violation placard was gone and the customers had returned to their spots at the bar.

Brian McManus loves the burger at the Misconduct Tavern despite it taking four trips to get the sandwich at the advertised $5 price.That must be a tasty burger.

Sometimes you just need a burger. Fortunately there are plenty of places in Center City to score a fix for that jones when it inevitably hits, but none of them compares to the meaty, moist and delicious patties at Misconduct.

Their version is simply divine. Possibly the best in the city. It tastes like it’s made of ground tenderloin. After first bite I knew I’d be back for it two, maybe three times a week. Heart be damned. This burger is $5? It’s too good to be true.

Then the bill came, and it turned out it was too good to be true. On it, the burger—advertised on a chalkboard outside as $5—was $8.50.

The waiter’s explanation: “You need to order the lunch burger to get it for $5.”

Code of Misconduct [Philadelphia Weekly]
Misconduct Tavern [Official Site]

Where to go to watch the Kentucky Derby? With Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby colliding it seems that the horses are taking a back seat to Mexico’s celebration of beating the French. But there are a few places out there that are focusing on Derby fans.

At the Public House they’re hosting “Hats and Horses” where picking the winning trifecta will net you a $500 gift card and ladies wearing their best hat get a complimentary cocktail.

The recently reopened Misconduct Tavern is also catering to the race fan. There will be the pre-requisite Mint Juleps, as well as a special Southern menu served all day.

O’Neals, named one of America’s best sports bars by the Sporting News gives you the best of both worlds with high-def horse racing, mint juleps as well as $3 Mexican beers.

Or if you want to see some horses up close, head to Philadelphia Park where there is live racing as well as simulcasting of the Derby. And of course you can bet there.

Expect huddling hipsters to descend on 18th and Callowhill awaiting brunch at the second Sabrina’s Cafe. Opening is about four weeks out. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney of Lolita/Grocery/Open House fame are considering an Indian restaurant. And not just for dinner but to own! [Food and Wine via TheIlladelph]

The paperwork is squared away for Tavern on Green to become Tom Peter’s second Monk’s. But don’t expect it to be just Monk’s when it opens, expect the name “to tie in the nearby Art Museum and avoid confusion with Monk’s on 16th Street.” [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The Misconduct Tavern on Locust has re-opened. the new Misconduct will feature more plasma TVs and some interesting dishes from chef Christopher Lee. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

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Michael Klein’s Table Talk took last week off and comes back loaded for bear.

The Misconduct Tavern returns under new ownership. Christopher Lee, of Pumpkin and L’Oca background will man the kitchen. The re-opening is set for this Monday.

Knock knock. Who’s there? Knock. Knock who? Knock, the latest spot to try and end the curse of 12th and Locust, that’s who. Bill Wood who recently sold Woody’s is teaming with his brother to bring “a global restaurant-lounge” to the corner location.

The Jefferson Hospital area (J Ho?) Marathon Grill is two to three weeks away. Expect a “rustic” look with exposed brick iron and wood.

And finally Legal Sea Foods has opened at the Court at King of Prussia.

Table Talk [Philadelphia Inquirer]