Insti-Tuesdays kick off at the Institute. After half-priced happy hour ends at 7pm, it is 30% off the entire check the rest of the night.

And as we mentioned yesterday, Bosteels Brewery and delicious Kwak, Tripel Karmaliet and Deus beer will be pouring at the Pub on Passyunk East.

The Saturday Beer Geek Happy Hour is a regular occurrence at the Institute. It runs from 4 to 6pm and craft drafts and appetizers are $2 off. This Saturday the Institute is serving up three St. Somewhere drafts as well as other American brewed Belgian style beers.

We just spotted a very pretty bottle of St. Elsewhere Somewhere at Village Whiskey the other night. As bartender Steven Siebert said, “who knew they brewed good beer in Florida, in fact who knew they let it in the state.”

The lineup:

• St. Somewhere Pays du Chene
• St. Somewhere Saison du Chene
• St. Somewhere Pays du Soliel
• PBC Bi-Berry
• Dark Horse Sapient Triple
• Bruery Orchard White

The Institute [Official Site]

Chew Man Chu is a new dumpling, noodle and wok restaurant replacing Marty Grim’s DuJour at the Symphony House at Broad and Pine. Tyson Wong Ophaso is the chef with extensive experience in France, New York, Los Angeles and now in Philadelphia. He’ll also run Marty Grim’s Commerce Square restaurant which is looking like 2010. [Grub Street]

Grub Street has details on Square 1682 in the Kimpton Hotel at 17th and Sansom. Former Charlie Trotter second-in-command, Guillermo Tellez will be the chef. Sounds promising. [Grub Street]

Texas Wieners is opening in Collingswood. Grand opening of the long time South Philadelphia staple is September 12th.

A.D. Amorosi says Strongbox is coming back September 10th. Maybe this should be in the Bad News edition? [Ice Pack, City Paper]

Con Murphy’s is the name of the Irish bar heading to 17th and the Parkway next month. [The Insider]

The Institute begins brunch service this Sunday. Look for good Yards deals too.

Hey Foobooz readers.  Happy Friday.  The sun is shining just brightly enough that I can’t see my laptop screen. I’ll take it.

While Foobooz has left the World Foobooz headquarters for a few, I’ll be updating you on a some happenings. Don’t be too surprised if they’re beer related.

At 5 pm today, The Institute’s Heather and Charlie Collazo get their kitchen.

The couple has Brian Bosch formerly of Parc, stirring up Puerto Rican Fusion Cuisine.

They put their culinary thinking caps on by providing many vegan and vegetarian options.  Vegans and Vegetarians seem to travel further for food than  competitive wing eaters like myself.  This is just what the Institute, which has been referred to “as a true locals bar” needed to entice fellow Philadelphia to their way of 12th and Green.

The Institute mentions on their website that they’ve brought “good beer to an under served area of Philadelphia.”  Now, they’re doing the same with the cuisine of Puerto Rico.  And our stomachs should be just as happy as our livers.

They’ll be ready for diners at 5.

Also from 5 till 7- all drafts are $1 off and wine is $4

They’re also trying to kill kegs of Victory Schwarz Pils and Rogue Latona for $3.

Here’s a few options-=or you can see the whole enchilada here…

Island Style Seafood Chowder: Light cream base, chayote squash puree, shrimp and crab

Bacalaitos:Classic Salt Cod fritters with Sofrito dipping Sauce

Mofongo Stuffed Chicken Breast Bacon wrapped, Sofrito topped Ensalada Verde, Avocado slices

Cold Curried Mango Soup

Summer Salad with Tomatoes, avocado, mango, onion

white balsamic vinaigrette served with or without queso fresco (vegan without)

Selection of Artisan Cheeses: Rotation of 3 Artisan Cheeses, sliced breads, tropical fruits, honey

and somethings sweet like

Joel’s “Damn You Float”

12oz bottle of New Holland Dragon’s Milk Oak Aged Stout

Vanilla Ice Cream and a House-made chocolate truffle lollipop

The Institute’s often delayed kitchen is getting closer. Chef Brian Bosch is aiming for on or around May 29th.  Bosch comes from Parc and is installing a “Puerto Rican Fusion” menu, combining authentic Puerto Rican spices and sauces with preparations that range across the board.

Living on the Vedge got to sample the vegetarian options a bit back. Check out the latest menu highlights after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ladder 15 opens to the public this evening. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

The Institute will be debuting its kitchen in late April. Expect elements of  Puerto Rican cuisine to be mixed in with American bistro fare. [Meal Ticket]

The P.O.P.E. is overhauling their food program. Pete Miller’s brunch rolls out this weekend. [Meal Ticket]

Susanna Foo, defender of Philadelphia against the PPA, has been named to Michael Nutter’s tax policy panel. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Tiffin launces its Tiffin Products today at an exclusive event for Tiffin Card members at Foster’s Homeware. Among the products for sale are Mango Chile finishing sauce and Dhania roasted coriander powder.

Newbold’s Ultimo Coffee has a logo and it’s fly. [Ultimo Coffee]

What to do this weekend? Here are two not-too-expensive ideas North of near Spring Garden…

Saturday
Starting at 4PM, check out The Institute’s Beer, Bourbon and Cheese event. They’ll have $4 Bulliet Frontier Bourbons, Stone Smoked Porter on draft, Arrogant Bastard in bottles,  a selection of cheeses from Downtown Cheese in RTM and homemade bourbon chocolate truffles. Cash bar, free Wii.

The Institute [Official Site]

Sunday
Why not investigate Cafe Estelle’s brunch? The Yelpers are raving about it and in these rough-and-tumble recessionary times, it’s good karma to support independent restaurants.

Cafe Estelle [Official Site]

Meal Ticket has photographic evidence of the second floor at the Institute. Yep, tall-backed booths with Nintendo Wii game systems. [Meal Ticket]

The Mad River guys are planning on opening Ladder 15 at 1528 Sansom this February. The menu will be designed by Little Fish’s Mike Stollenwerk. [The Insider]

Drew Lazor manages to pull a couple more details from Susan Schlisman regarding her non-Smokin’ Betty’s concept. It’ll be south of Lombard, west of Queen Village, an area we commonly refer to as Bella Vista. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Frugal and not quite discerning beer drinkers take note: Lionshead has a new look. [Brand Week]

Pub & Kitchen’s Jonathan McDonald and his Shepherd’s Pie is featured in the January 2009 issue of Men’s Journal. [Men's Journal (PDF)]

Northeast Philadelphia’s Rylei has moved to Richboro, Bucks County. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

A.D. Amorosi won’t give up on the dream of Silk City’s Beer Garden so neither will we. He reports owner, Mark Bee was spotted outside the diner jack hammering the beginnings of said beer garden. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

And yep, that was Georges Perrier dining at Girard Avenue’s Modo Mio last night.

The 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition is tomorrow and naturally we and bars are celebrating.

If you’re out early hit up the Memphis Taproom from 3 to 4pm when they’ll pouring all beer on draft for just a buck.

Chick’s Cafe will be featuring several old school specialty cocktails priced at $7.50 that are made using all American spirits – the Ward Eight (bourbon), Sazerac (rye), Scofflaw (blended American whiskey) and the Jack Rose (applejack).

The Institute gets in on the repeal day specials with 3.50 Tullemore Dew, $3.50 flavored Bacardi $1.50 PBR  all day.  From 9pm until 11pm there will be $2.00 Philly Brewing and Yards drafts. And they go all 1933 crazy at 19:33 (that’s 7:33pm), they’ll be offering all their draft beer for 10 cent beers for 19 minutes and 33 seconds. Never tried a Backwoods Bastard, it’s a worthwhile gamble for a dime.

On Saturday from 7 to 10pm APO Bar and Lounge (formerly Apothecary) and Philadelphia Distilling will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Repeal with big of Punch and some early jazz. APO will be offering bottles of punch (which serve 4-5), featuring Bluecoat American Dry Gin and Penn 1681 Organic Rye Vodka, for $19.33. They’ll also have select cocktails available for $6. [Facebook Invite]

Resist Prohibition is the tag line for Victory Brewing, so do your part and lift a pint of cask-conditioned Hop Devil at the London Grill.

And where could be more appropriate to go than to the recently opened Prohibition Taproom.

WineO has finally opened, replacing the Ministry of Information in Northern Liberties. Meal Ticket has the menu and some photos too. [Meal Ticket]

Pub & Kitchen is adding Friday and Saturday lunch to their repertoire. We’re eying the smoked salmon platter with the Metropolitan Bakery’s fennel pretzel. Also P&K is making their Friday firkin a weekly thing. Tapping is at 4pm.  [The Insider]

The Institute’s upstairs lounge isn’t finished yet but when it is, expect highbacked booths, dancefloor, DJ booth and Nintendo Wii. [Phoodie.info]

Avram Hornik’s Jumbo Theatre project at Front and Girard is dead. [Philebrity]