A group of local non-profits and Reading Terminal Market are teaming up to bring more fresh and healthy food to Parkside residents this summer. The first-ever Parkside Fresh Food Fest kicked off on Viola Street between 41st St and Belmont Ave on July 6 and will be held on select Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. throughout this summer. The festival brings fresh food to residents (via a food share program) and also includes cooking demonstrations from Reading Terminal, live entertainment and activities for families.

The next event in the series will take place this Thursday, July 20, and the remaining four events are scheduled on the following dates: Aug. 10, 24 and Sept. 14, 21.

The food share program was created after gauging residents’ interest in a potential subsidized Community Supported Agriculture service for East Parkside. Each food share includes fresh fruit, vegetables, locally-sourced eggs and/or dairy, and an assortment of other grocery items from Reading Terminal. Participation in the food share program requires a subscription (four-event subscription is $35), and some limited single shares ($10) will be available at each event. Information on each item in the food share package will be included along with a recipe card.

The series seeks to use food as the foundation to build community and utilize common public space. Attendees can also participate in organized art activities, bicycle safety workshops from the Indego Bike Share, and a Philadelphia Free Library Book Nook for children. Activities will vary each week and may include live music performances and a movie night.

The program is supported by the Knight Foundation.

More information about the fest can be found here. To subscribe to Parkside Market Food Share, click here and type the password “viola”.

Construction of a new restaurant, the Trolley Car Station, began last month at 40th and Baltimore. To celebrate the beginning of this major University City construction, which is part of the Trolley Portal Gardens project, the public is invited to enjoy free water ice from the Trolley Car Ice Cream Shoppe.

The event will be held on Wednesday, July 19, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 40th and Baltimore.

The construction of the new two-story 125-seat restaurant (see rendering below), is expected to be completed in Spring 2018. The company that owns the Trolley Car Diner in Mount Airy will operate the restaurant.

Chef Jezabel Careaga, a native of Argentina whose Jezabel’s Café at 26th and Pine has been named one of Philly’s best “under-the-radar breakfast places,” is bringing her empanadas, alfajores, specially made mate tea and coffee to an intimate storefront near 45th and Walnut.

Jezabel Careaga, chef-owner of Jezabel’s.

Jezabel’s Studio will open tomorrow, July 12, at 208 S. 45th St. At only 400 square feet, Jezabel’s Studio will definitely not be a place to park with your laptop. But Careaga is making the most of the space, which includes a small indoor sitting area (there are a couple of seats on the sidewalk too).

Offerings will include a variety of her signature empanadas (yes, they have a vegan option) as well as alfajores, Argentine shortbread cookies that are filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut shavings.  Continue Reading

University City Dining Days, the annual event where you can try food prepared at some of the best area restaurants at a discount, kicks off this Thursday (July 13). As always, dozens of University City-based restaurants will offer three-course dinner menus at three fixed prices – $15, $25 and $35.

Over 30 restaurants will participate in this popular event this year – from those run by famous chefs to ethnic cuisines to cozy BYOBs.

Some of the area’s well-known restaurants and bars are offering $15 three-course dinners, including Dahlak, New Delhi, Vietnam Cafe, Dock Street Brewery, Kabobeesh and more.  Continue Reading

Atiya Ola’s participated in Thursday’s Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (Photos West Philly Local).

Atiya Ola’s, the vegan, vegetarian and raw foods restaurant at 4505 Baltimore Avenue, has been given 60 days to vacate the space, according to its owner. The business has been asked to move out by June 30 after eight years in the space.

“[The landlord] said he needed the space,” said owner Atiya Ola. “He gave a letter to the cook, then a letter in an envelope to me… Then a certified letter that says the same thing. Then he came by to check we got that mail…. He said we could move across the street, down the street.”

Prior to receiving the letter, Ola said their landlord complained about cooking in the space, which was followed by complaints about the restaurant vent. The request to vacate the space was his final request.  Continue Reading

The summer’s first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will take place Thursday, June 15, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., and the location of this extremely popular annual event has now expanded. Neighborhood businesses will be offering $1 food samples, drinks, pet supplies, vouchers, theater tickets, merchandise, and more along Baltimore Avenue from 43rd to 52nd streets. Click here for a detailed map showing what and where the participating businesses will be selling.

Along with veteran businesses, it’s great to see many new businesses participating in the event. While doing the stroll this Thursday, please stop by to say hello and check out offerings by such recently opened businesses as Amari’s Restaurant, Black Hound Clay Studio, Greensgrow West at their new location near 52nd and Baltimore, Ice Cave, and more (see more details here).  Continue Reading