I was walking along 13th, minding my own business.  Not looking for any trouble.  I had just done a work out at Optimal Sport Health Club with Antonio, feeling really good about myself, my muffin top and the world in general.

Then BAM!  I ran into it.  I ran into Sweet Box!  I was seduced by the adorable pink logo, the Carrera marble counter, the pastel cake platters with the glass domes.

I opened the door and that all too familiar scent of sweet love floated out of Sweet Box.  Freshly baked cupcakes!

I tried one and fell in love!  There’s a reason that Gretchen, the owner, decided to open a store after 2 successful years of running Sweet Box Truck!

The gayborhood is so much better off with her!

Cupcakes, brownies, bars, mini-cupcakes and coffee coming next week.

Want to learn more?  Tweet with Gretchen at Sweet Box Truck

If you love cupcakes, if you love pink, if you love adorable, if you love sweet.  You’ll love Sweet Box!

13th AND Pine.

215-237-4647

From global phenomenon to highly sought-after
“secret,” Dîner en Blanc returns to Philadelphia this summer for an
unforgettable evening of elegance, beauty and magic. On Thursday,
August 22, 2013, twenty-three hundred participants will celebrate and
re-purpose a highly-visible public space by enjoying a night filled
with food, wine, fashion, culture and music.  This très chic picnic,
now celebrating its 25th year internationally, is part mystery tour,
part pop-up feast and part je ne sais quoi.  The waiting list to
secure an official invitation is now open at
philadelphia.dînerenblanc.info.

Last year, Dîner en Blanc made its grand debut in Philadelphia when
1,300 guests descended upon the secret pop-up location that was
revealed to be Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle.  In its second
year, event co-hosts have worked hand-in-hand with top city officials
to again secure a memorable spot that is unexpected, well known and
celebrates the cultural spirit of the event.

“The thing I loved hearing most from guests at last year’s event was
the sense of community they felt and how they fell in love with
Philadelphia all over again, ” said Co-Host Natanya DiBona. “The focus
of our event is to really celebrate the great public spaces the city
has to offer and how they can be creatively used.   Sharing an elegant
meal in a beautiful space with new friends creates an everlasting
memory. As one participant said after last year.. every time I pass
Swann Fountain my heart smiles!”

Registration for this exclusive event will be limited and available on
a first come, first served basis. Invitations are available first to
all registered members who participated in the 2012 Philadelphia
event. Other interested parties can also secure an opportunity to
register by placing themselves on a waiting list.  Once potential
participants add their name, they will join a growing list of
interested parties who share a common love for the event – as well as
for the City of Brotherly Love.  A sense of community is fostered
through preview events, such as the one last Wednesday at
William-Sonoma, as well as online discussion forums, Pinterest boards
and social media outlets.

In early to mid July, all waiting list members have an equal
opportunity to register themselves and a guest after a summer of
suspense. Each registration will sign up their date, pick a meeting
spot for the day of the event, and have the option to pre-order picnic
food from the official event caters, Garces Catering and DiBruno
Brothers.

On the day of the event itself, true to tradition, bystanders around
the city will witness groups of 200  people gather at specific
rallying points and then converge on the final location by foot or by
other means of transportation.  All participants are asked to dress
elegantly in white, from head to toe, as well as bring an epicurean
feast, chairs, fine china, silverware, white tablecloth and elegant
table decor.  .

Over the course of the evening, participants will celebrate dinner as
an art form through time-honored traditions, live music and even
dancing.  Visually breathtaking moments will include the waving of a
cloth napkin to mark the beginning of the dinner, as well as the
lighting of sparklers to let participants know they are now free to
circulate, mingle and dance.

Mole Street Productions has returned again to help assemble a musical
line up that will dazzle guests.  Carte Blanche, a highly unique
revivalist jazz group, will provide dinner music featuring sounds of
the classic American 20′s and 30′s to jazz, French and Latin American
music.  After dinner, DJ Bruce will get the crowd up and get the dance
party rolling.  While the accessories and fashions are white, the
event is green and eco-friendly, leaving the public space exactly as
it was found.  When it is time to leave, guests pack up their
belongings, pick up all their litter and head to the official after
party, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.

The Sofitel Philadelphia will also serve as the official hotel partner
by offering a  special package for an overnight stay in the city.  The
special rate of $199 USD (plus tax) includes luxury king
accommodations, breakfast for two in Chez Colette, one French baguette
and one large bottle of limited edition Evian Water for dinner.  Other
sponsors include Williams-Sonoma at the Bellevue and XIX Restaurant.

Prizes awarded during Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia will include Most
Elegant Man, Woman and Table.  Additional details will be posted
closer to the date of the event.  “Philadelphia really shined last
year and we will be watching for even more elegant attire and
tablescapes this year,”said DiBona. “As many of our guests showed,
this is a unique opportunity to wear your finest white gloves, hats,
fascinators and perhaps even unpack that  gorgeous wedding gown you
haven’t seen in a few years!”

Dîner en Blanc is BYOB and therefore all participants must be at least
21 years old.  Dîner en Blanc’s Philadelphia is produced entirely by
local volunteers that include two Co-Hosts, eight Group Leaders, 48
Table Hosts and several on-site volunteers.  For more information and
to sign up for the waiting list, visit philadelphia.dînerenblanc.info.
To join the growing online community, join in discussion forums on the
website, or follow Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia on Facebook, Pinterest
and Twitter (@debphl).

Kraft is under attack from One Million Moms, the group who boycotted JCPenny for their selection of Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson.

The One Million Moms are calling this ad by Kraft “disgusting”.

In other news, gyms across the country are reporting better than expected Father’s Day sales in 2013 as One Million Moms are buying One Million Dads gym memberships and are forcing the Dads to workout and get rock hard abs.  The Moms are accomplishing this by boycotting coitus.  The gyms are reporting that the increased earnings are coming from funds normally  set aside for Kraft food purchases.

In an unrelated topic, the U.S. is expected to experience an increase in births by approximately 1,000,000 over the next year to 16 months, at which point, Kraft will be launching their newest line of baby formula.

…because 3 personal trainers took me there, these trainers all had bangin bodies, so I was all like, “Hell yeah, this is a great place to eat!”

However, as I approached the area to order, I was overwhelmed, it’s really confusing on how you order, there’s all these photos showing food, but nothing is really clear.

Honestly, here’s what I know:

1. It’s a Korean style of eating
2. You can get them hot or cold
3. It’s a mix of salad, protein and rice
4. You can select what salads toppings
5. I think there’s a dressing
6. They serve the dish in the photo with a spoon…?

Ok, so it’s confusing to order, there’s hot, there’s cold, there’s rice or no rice, but after you make your way through all of that [ps the language barrier with the Asian ladies behind the counter doesn't help at all.....] it’s tastes pretty good.

I don’t even remember the name of the dish I ordered and I couldn’t find it on their website because – they dont have a site.

Brace yourself, the Koreanean (sp?) bowl with multigrain rice (extra $1.50) and extra meat (extra $3.00) with an iced tea and tax was $16.50.  Now, I’m sorry, but that’s a nice dinner, not a lunch.

Good food, but at that price, I’ll pass.

A majority of the world looks at spring as a time of rebirth, the return of the Robin, the first Crocus blooming, and warmer temperatures.  Then there’s the body dysmorphic world [my world], the onset of spring sends them screaming to the gym dropping leaf lettuce from salad bowls as they run.  Cleaning up the diet, sweeping away the Christmas cookies;  the New Year’s treats; the Valentine’s Day candy; and finally,  the Easter Candy.   Making amends for all the empty calories consumed that were safely hidden under the protective covering of bulky sweaters and layers.  It’s time to pay recompense to the idealistic Greco-Roman body type and begin the slow process of eliminating literally everything good from one’s meal plan while simultaneously submitting to the masochistic demands of fitness professionals that are paid top dollar!  

With all this chaos brewing, I decided to try a new spot [Square Peg] for lunch this week, with sheer terror blazing through my brain, I scanned the menu.  BURGERS.  FRIED CHICKEN.  DEEP FRIED.  TACOS.  I began to breath normally after I saw they offered salads.  The downside – everyone of them was covered in CHEESE!

I opted for a Turkey Club – the worst part was 2 pieces of bread, I subbed  a side salad [with the MOST DELICIOUS CHAMPAGNE Vinaigrette I've ever tasted] instead of fries, and no cheese.  The sandwich was good, but the side salad was spectacular.  Downside was the $14 price point.  Boo!

So, If you’re not on a diet, and want to eat like a trucker at a road side rest.  Run on down to Square Peg for some fried chicken or one of their many burgers, but if you’re on the “I can’t be seen naked diet.”, I’d recommend someplace where dairy isn’t the main ingredient in a salad.

As my neighborhood continues to grow there’s more and more great spots to choose from for a good brunch.  While Cafe Lift was the first to pop up in the desolate industrial ‘hood, there’s a few new spots that have popped up in the past few years.  Llama Tooth Cafe  is on Spring Garden between 10th and 11th.

My friend Bowman and I hit it up for a brunch this weekend.  They have a limited brunch menu:  french toast, eggs your way, and “llama-tatas”, haha.  They also offer their regular pub-style menu during brunch and an extensive beer menu.

I think the brunch menu could have a few more “fun” brunch selections:  eggs benny, pancakes, or maybe huevos rancheros?  The llama-tata and homefries were good [i had swiss, mushroom and arugula]  I opted for a light brunch and not the stuffed french toast.  I want to go back for their Mojo Cuban 11 Sandwich or one of their Mac-n-Cheese selections.  If you look at their regular menu – it’s really creative and cool, I’d love to see that creativity in their brunch menu.

They have a great outdoor dining area enclosed by painted murals.  The outdoor environment was really nice, I’d go back to be able to eat outside and to try the Stuffed French Toast [peanut butter & jelly with fried banana] maybe after a 15 mile bike ride. hahaha.

The epic struggle – enjoy something delicious that tastes amazing and won’t leave this gay boy gasping for air as he button flyes his jeans.

Well, I ‘ve found it!  On Gray’s Ferry Avenue of all places.  It’s not really a unicorn, as we all know unicorns don’t really exist, but a sweet, delicious treat really does!

The Igloo features frozen, soft serve Greek Yogurt, that the serve with warm honey and granola!  BAM!  4 oz of the yogurt is 120 calories with 15 grams of protein.  Go gently on the honey and granola and you can be guilt free in your skinny jeans.

Recently, I was invited to the Grand ReOpening of their Market Street location here in Philly and after the fishy tasting shrimp and soggy Philly Cheesesteak Egg Roll, I decided that The Hard Rock Cafe peaked in the 80′s. They do however, get an honorable mention for the mini cheesecakes.

Get Bobby’s Autograph!

Bobby’s gonna be at Williams-Sonoma in King of Prussia on 4/26/13 for a special book signing. He will be signing copies of his new cookbook, Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction.

Bobby Flay, a New York Times bestselling author, is the chef-owner of six fine-dining restaurants, including Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, and Bobby Flay Steak, and numerous Bobby’s Burger Palaces. He is the host of many popular cooking shows on the Food Network, from the Emmy-winning Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction, Grill It! with Bobby Flay and Boy Meets Grill to the Iron Chef America series, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star.

We hope to see you there!

Please note: Space is limited for this ticketed event.  You must call the King of Prussia the store to pre-order a book for the signing!    Books will be on sale starting 4/23/13; however you may pre-order your books to secure a ticket. Call 610-265-5970.  Bobby will only be personalizing copies of Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction purchased at Williams-Sonoma. Proof of purchase required.

King of Prussia

Friday, April 26, 2013 at 12:00pm
160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA, 19406
(610) 265-5970

There’s a cute spot on Fairmount that I went to for coffee a few weeks in a row on Sunday morning.  OCF Coffee House.

Last Sunday, I decided to grab a bite and check it out.  I’m all about omelets for brunch, which they don’t sell, so I tried a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese with Swiss Chard.  Totes delish!

Here’s what I loved the most.  The manager, who is a tall, purplehairdontcare kinda gal, has a bangin’ sense of humor.  On top of that, the girl who took my order, remembered me from the few other times I was there and chatted me up about being a regular.  [LOVED THAT!]  She was also, all about making sure I got my B,E + C all done up right!  I got a choice of like 4 kinds of cheese and like 3 different bread product options.  I went with Swiss and a bagel.

They have amazing coffee drinks, killer pastries [many of which are baked on site], lots of sweet brunch options and some fresh juices.

It’s a great spot if you’re looking for something quick and easy!

xo