Midtown Village is kicking off a special Wednesday night promotion where retailers, restaurants, bars and galleries are offering special discounts and will be stay open late.

Check out some of the food related deals after the jump.

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Philadelphia Weekly’s Field Guide lists six Philadelphia wine bars worth visiting.

Wine of the Times [Philadelphia Weekly]

We just got off the phone with Vintage owner Jason Evenchik and he gave us the full, unadulterated scoop on the closing of Ludwig’s that we previously reported.

Evenchik and his partner/wife Delphine have indeed taken it over and will be reopening it sometime in March (if all goes smoothly) as Time.

The Bavarian vibe will be replaced by a sleeker look, although Evenchik says that most of the work he will be doing is cosmetic and involves mostly cleaning, painting, redecorating and, of course, “getting rid of the smell.” There will be still be beer: 20 on tap and 50 by the bottle with a focus on craft brews. Which is good news, but the even better news is the focus on brown liquors. Evenchik plans to have a superior selection of single malts, ryes, whiskeys and bourbons and hopes to make it a destination for the best Manhattans and whiskey-based drinks in town.

Food is going to be “American”, which Evenchik defines in this instance as “old school updated country club,” but is not firm yet. He’s in discussion with several chefs. There will still be live music downstairs and a lounge with DJs is planned for upstairs.

For real estate junkies: Tony Goldman bought the building, but is not an owner of or investor in Time.

As much as we’re bummed to see the quirky weirdness of Ludwig’s leave, this sounds very intriguing. Very.

Vintage [Official Site]

The Inky’s Michael Klein has tucked a delicious morsel into an otherwise innocuous post on Finn McCool’s today:

…talk is growing that Jason Evanchik of Vintage on 13th Street is planning to renovate a watering hole on Sansom into something considerably more stylish and (lest I identify the existing joint) less Teutonic.

Please, Jason Evanchik of Vintage, do not add any stylishness to the hideous wonder that is that Teutonic joint on Sansom Street. Clean it, improve the food, tidy up the beer list and, for Pete’s sake, keep the dirndls. For inspiration, you might look to the new and improved, yet still appealing Ortlieb’s.

Midtown Village has enough style, it needs a little old-school quirkiness to keep it real.

Finn McCool’s, reborn [Food and Drinq]
Vintage [Official Site]

Midtown Village is hosting a Holiday Week from December 12th to the 16th and there’s printable coupons online.

In addition to great retail options you can also find discounts for Caribou Cafe, Lolita, McGillins Old Ale House, Midtown II and Vintage.

Midtown Village Holiday Week [Official Site]

Why not sample the burger from Vintage. It’s an excellent Angus burger topped with apple wood smoked bacon, roasted red pepper, and shaved Manchego. The roasted peppers are what really take this burger to another level.

Don’t even think about missing the Fall Festival at 13th and Sansom Saturday, September 29th. The centerpiece of the festival is Ludwig’s Oktoberfest which is always a can’t miss event. But last year the event was expanded with an “around the world in 80 yards” theme that might be a bunch of marketing mumbo-jumbo but whatever, it’s a good reason to close down some streets and have a big party. In addition to Ludwig’s, Fergies, Raw, McGillin’s, Vintage and El Vez among others all contribute to a great time.

2nd Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival [Midtown Village]
Ludwig’s Oktoberfest [Official Site]

For his final review of 2006, Craig LaBan visits Vintage, the wine bar next to El Vez on 13th Street. He finds good values in the wine and a “versatile and affordable menu.”

You can come to Vintage for a glass of house rouge and a nibble of pate. Or you can settle into one of the church-pew booths for some Rosenblum zin and a more substantial repast of braised lamb shank with brandied cherries.

Two Bells – Very Good

Vintage [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Vintage [Official Site]

Ludwig’s annual Oktoberfest is getting bigger this year, and a bit less German. This year Oktoberfest will just be one part of the Fall Festival At 13th & Sansom.

• Ludwig’s Oktoberfest will feature 12 German beers on tap outside and another 25 inside. There will be a 12-piece German band playing authentic music and a roast pig.
• Fergie’s Pub will feature a traditional Irish music session as well as a rock band.
• McGillin’s Olde Ale House will celebrate St. Practice Daze – halfway to St. Patrick’s Day – with live Irish music, green beer, Irish food favorites and Oktoberfest beers.
• Vintage will serve grilled food, wines from around the world and Stella Artois outside. Inside, a special autumn menu will complement the extensive, international wine and beer selection.

Other nearby restaurants and stores will also be participating.

Fall Festival At 13th & Sansom [Official Site]
Ludwig’s Garten [Official Site]

Drew Lazor visits Vintage and finds the husband and wife team’s wine bar has struck the balance “between chic and unpretentious.”
The decor is wine all the way, from the crate top decorated wall to the wine bottle chandelier there’s no doubt you’re in a wine bar. But Vintage manages not to kick up the pretense, developing a wine list that is pleasing to both experts and novices.
The food goes beyond the expected cheese and charcuterie dishes and features “real food” as well. Head chef Jason Gleichman’s favorite is the Vintage Burger, featuring applewood-smoked bacon, roasted red peppers and Manchego cheese.

A Good Year – City Paper
Vintage Wine Bar & Cafe [Official Site]