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Client News: Serrano Celebrates Summer with Debut of "Street Fare" Food, Drinks and Entertainment

During a normal year, Serrano would close its doors for vacation in July. This year, however, the fun is just heating up as this Old City staple will remain open on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays for the debut of "Serrano Street Fare," casual and discounted food and drinks, plus free entertainment.

The new "Serrano Street Fare" menu will offer eight to ten specially priced "grab n go" items that showcase Chef Gina Rodriguez's love of authentic street food. All food will be served casually (think paper, not china) as if they came fresh and hot from a local food truck. Special low prices will make patrons think they were outside reveling at their favorite food festival.

On top of delicious eats, proprietor Donal McCoy will serve up specially priced sangria, Aqua Fesca with an adult edge, signature cocktails and a tap takeover by Yards. McCoy also pays homage to the musical heart and soul of Tin Angel (upstairs) by arranging for great tunes during Street Fare, including Zach Brown on 7/13, and local legend Kenn Kweder on July 20th. Other acts will be announced soon. Entertainment is free.

Dates:
July 5, 6**, 11, 12, 13*, 18, 19 and 20*
(* Music, ** Old City District's Inside Out Festival )

Starting Menu:

• Pulled Pork Soft Taco (Braised pork, bacon, lettuce and pico de galo served in hand-made flatbread)
• Sonoran Hot Dog (Jumbo hot dog wrapped in bacon, topped with beans, guacamole, pico sauce and chipotle aioli)
• Cheesy Cornbread Jalapeno Poppers (Filled with cheddar cheese, fried in a cornbread batter)
• Chicken and Rice (Grilled chicken kabob served over Spanish rice with roasted green chili sauce)
• Grilled Corn (Finished with cayenne honey butter and green onion)
• Yucca Chips with Charred Salsa
• Sopapillas aka "Donuts" (Fried dough dusted in cinnamon and powdered sugar)
• Fish Taco (Grilled mahi-mahi, shaved cabbage, pico de gallo, lime crema in corn tortilla

"Serrano Street Fare" is the perfect way to celebrate the success of Serrano's new spring menu and high profile chef appearances at COOK, Philadelphia Magazine's Wine and Food Festival, Taste of the Nation and the PAWS Chef's Dinner. Serrano will resume standard nights and hours of operation after July 20th. Later in summer, McCoy will debut his highly anticipated new drink menu in its entirety and Chef Rodriguez will announce her new seasonally-inspired fall menu.

For more information, please visit serranophilly.com, call (215) 928-0770 or tweet @serranophilly

 

 

Client News: Aversa PR Clients Present 10 Top Events to Celebrate Philly Beer Week

From a Drunkin’ Elvis to “beer queens,” from a battle of the brewers to craft beer day, from soft-shelled crabs infused with Allaghash to a Troegs four-course dinner, Aversa PR & Events clients offer  unique roster of events to quench Philadelphia’s thirst for Philly Beer Week.  

ONE DAY EVENTS

Friday, May 31, 2013
PBW Kickoff: Local Tower Takeover

Smokin’ Betty’s (116 S. 11^th Street, Philadelphia) invites you to celebrate the start of Philly Beer Week with PBW Kickoff: Local Tower Takeover, on Friday, May 31, 2013, from Noon to closing.  Spend a day with the locals as you enjoy limited edition brews from Yards, Manayunk, Slyfox, Victory and Troegs, plus newcomers Boxcar, Round Guys, Old Forge, Neshaminy Creek, Evil Genius and Vault Brewing. All beer is pay-as-you-go. Drink specials, giveaways and prizes available.  Special appetizer menu will feature ingredients from local farmers and purveyors.  For more information, call (215) 922-6500.

Saturday, June 1, 2013
4^TH Annual Broads, Brews and Queens (BBQ)

Hail to the queen(s) of Philly Beer Week! Smokin’ Betty’s (116 S. 11^th Street, Philadelphia) celebrates the women of the beer industry during the 4^th Annual Broads, Brews and Queens (BBQ) on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 9:00 PM.  Meet the broads behind the beers and enjoy a tower takeover of lady inspired and driven drafts from Dogfish Head, Stoudts, Flying Fish, Allagash, Ommegang, Brookly, Yards, Rogue, Evolution, Sixpoint, Dominion and more. The Goddess Isis will preside over drag performances from “The Sisters in Sin” with special appearances by supporting “beer queens,” our supportive male industry counterparts in drag.  Admission is a suggested $5 cover to benefit the William Way LGBT Community Center.  Beer is pay-as-you-go.  For more information, call (215) 922-6500.

Sunday, June 2, 2013 (Two events)
Craft Beer Day on East Passyunk Avenue AND Italian National Day “La Festa Della Repubblica”

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) serves up a double dose of summertime fun with two festivals on Sunday, June 2, 2013.  Starting at 11:00 AM, Philly Beer Week kicks off with 15 hours of craft beer events during Craft Beer Day.  East Passyunk restaurants and retailers will present opportunities to meet the brewers, try new craft beers, enjoy beer-infused foods, and shop for beer-related gifts.  Starting at Noon, Italian National Day Festival “La Festa Della Repubblica” will feature a full day of live music, Italian draft and bottled beer specials, Italian food vendors, kids’ activities and a spaghetti eating contest.  La Festa activities are held on East Passyunk Avenue, between Mifflin and Moore streets.  Events are held rain or shine.  Admission is free, unless otherwise noted. For more information about Craft Beer Day and La Festa visit www.visiteastpassyunk.com, follow @epassyunkave or call (215) 336-1455.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Troegs Beer Dinner

Join Executive Chef Brian Fidiam and the brewers from Troegs Brewery for a four course tasting dinner at Devil’s Alley (1907 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA). From 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, enjoy four courses and four pairings for $50.00 per person. Reservations are available by calling (215) 751-0707.  Menu includes:

* 1^st course: Lobster & Sweet Jersey Corn Chowder, with micro tarragon, paired with Troegs Perpetual IPA
* 2^nd course: Fried Green Tomato Stack, with Miatake mushrooms, basil puree, fresh mozzarella, balsamic honey reduction, paired with Troegs Nugget Nectar
* 3^rd course: Sunshine Pilsner Lavender Seared Ahi Tuna, with sweet pickled summer vegetables, green curry  pilsner pineapple sauce, paired with Troegs Sunshine Pilsner
* 4^th course: Beer Sorbet Trio with raspberry, apricot, blackberry, paired with Troegs Mad Elf

Saturday, June 8, 2013
Battle of the Brewers

Devil’s Alley (1907 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA) pits 12 breweries and 12 beers head-to-head in the 4^th Battle of the Brewers on Saturday, June 8, 2013, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  Enjoy all you can drink locally brewed beer, paired with all you can eat sinfully good comfort food.  Meet the brewers and watch them battle to the last drop. Confirmed participants bringing beer to the competition are Doylestown, Evolution, Fegleys Brew Works, Ithaca, Longtrail, Manayunk, Old Dominion, Round Guys, Shawnee, Sixpoint, Troegs and Victory. Tickets are $35 and sold online at www.devilsalleybarandgrill.com/ticket_purchase.html. For more information, call (215) 751-0707. 

MULTI DAY PROMOTIONS AND MENUS

Friday, May 31, 2013 – Sunday, June 9, 2013
Serrano Debuts “Staff Shot” and Beer Battered Soft-Shelled Crab BLT

Serrano (20 S. 2^nd Street, Philadelphia) celebrates Philly Beer Week by debuting a special dish from Executive Chef Gina Rodriguez. Fresh from appearances at COOK, Taste of the Nation and Philadelphia Magazine’s Wine and Food Festival, Chef Rodriguez presents a Beer Battered Soft-Shelled Crab BLT,  featuring Allagash White. The dish is served on a grilled brioche bun, with lemon aioli and house-made fries.  Owner Donal McCoy debuts “Staff Shot, a shot of beer and vitamin C all in one neat little package.  This new Serrano signature shot will be available for $6.00, and features Ketel One Vodka, fresh squeezed orange juice and Allagash White.  For more information, reservations or hours, call (215) 928-0770 or visit serranophilly.com.

Friday, May 31, 2013 – Sunday, June 9, 2013
Drunkin’ Cupcake Has Elvis ‘All Shook Up’

Ms Goody Cupcake (1838 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA) debuts new beer-infused desserts to sweeten up Philly Beer Week. Between now and Sunday, June 9, 2013, baker/owner Gigi Andrew puts a spin on her best selling Elvis cupcake with the Drunkin’ Elvis featuring a banana chocolate chip cake, infused with Wells Banana Bread Beer, topped with peanut butter buttercream, and accented with chocolate covered bacon. Additionally, Andrew debuts the Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwich with oatmeal and peanut butter cookies, infused with Wells Banana Bread Beer, filled with peanut butter buttercream.

On June 2, Ms Goody Cupcake will open for Sunday hours from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM with fifty cents off all cupcakes, beer-infused cake truffles and two additional Philly Beer Week flavors.  The popular Youngs Double Chocolate Stout cupcake will return with a beer-infused chocolate cake and buttercream. Andrew will also debut Bx3 (Blueberry Beer Belch), featuring a white cake with blueberries soaked in Fegley’s Brew Works Blueberry Belch, topped with a tart lemon buttercream, and accented with lemon rind shavings. 

Ms Goody Cupcake is open Tuesday through Saturday, plus Sunday, June 2, 2013 for Craft Beer Day.  For more information, call (215) 334-2253.
Friday, May 31, 2013 – Sunday, June 9, 2013
Three BIG Courses, Three GREAT Beers

Devil’s Alley (1907 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA) celebrates Philly Beer Week with a special menu that runs every night from Friday, May 31, 2013 through Sunday, June 9, 2013. Enjoy three courses and three local beer pairings for $35.00 per person. Reservations are available by calling (215) 751-0707.

1^st course, choice of:
* Troegs Mad Elf Fried Green Tomatoes, with fresh mozzarella, basil puree, mad elf & honey balsamic reduction, paired with Troegs Mad Elf
* Shawnee Biere de Guarde steamed P.E.I. Mussels, with Jersey corn, jalapeños, andouille sausage, tarragon butter, paired with Shawnee Biere de Guarde Wheat Ale
* Evolution IPA Pretzel Fondue with aged cheddar fondue with IPA, homemade pretzel bites, sea salt, paired with Evolution Lot 3 IPA

2^nd course, choice of:
* Doylestown Fountain House Battered Fish n’ Chips with remoulade, grilled lemon, Old Bay fries, paired with Doylestown Fountain House Summer Ale
* Lancaster Milk Stout marinated Hanger Steak, with scalloped summer vegetables, milkstout mushroom demi, paired with Lancaster Milk Stout
* Yards Brawler infused Jerk Pork Tenderloin, with mango salsa, fried plantains, basmati rice & black beans, paired with Yards Brawler

3^rd course, choice of:
* Car Bomb Bread Pudding with Guinness and Baileys soaked brioche, Jameson caramel, paired with Guinness Irish Stout
* Beer Sorbet Trio with raspberry, apricot, blackberry wheat, paired with Framboise, Magic Hat #9, Long Trail Blackberry Wheat
* Youngs Double Chocolate Stout Float with double chocolate chip cookies, homemade vanilla bean ice cream, paired with Youngs Double Chocolate Stout

 

Thursday, June 6, 2013 – Saturday, June 8, 2013
Three Arttful Courses + Three Killer Beers

Enjoy “Three Arttful Courses + Three Killer Beers” at Smokin’ Betty’s (116 S. 11^th Street, Philadelphia) on Thursday, June 6, 2013 – Saturday, June 8, 2013, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Chef Artt Ward pairs three special off-menu dishes with three of the best brews from near and far. Dinner is $35 per person. Reservations are recommended by calling (215) 922-6500.. The full menu is listed below.

1^st course, choice of one:
* Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with IPA mixed cheese dipping sauce, paired with Stoudts Four Play Batch 2 IPA (Adamstown, PA)
* Beer Braised Pork Cheek Flatbread with shaved manchego, fennel, orange segments, paired with Victory Summer Love Golden Ale (Downingtown, PA)
* Farmhouse Steam Mussels with coconut curry sauce, grilled French bread, paired with Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Saison (Cooperstown, NY)
* Blackback Brisket Empanadas with black IPA and tomato barbeque sauce, paired with Round Guys Blackback Black IPA (Landsdale, PA)

2^nd course, choice of one: 
* Grilled Filet Tips, with linguini, baby brussels sprouts, brawler mushroom jus, paired with Yards Brawler (Philadelphia, PA) 
* Beer Battered Shrimp Tacos, with pickled cabbage, refried black beans, avocado, orange segments, 
crispy shallots, cherry tomato salsa, paired with Old Forge Celestial Blonde Ale (Danville, PA)
* IPA Braised Bratwurth, with IPA mustard sauce, creamed green beans, paired with Brooklyn Blast IPA (Brooklyn, NY) 
* Tipsy Chicken brined and smoked, drunken collards, whiz scalloped potatoes, paired with Allagash Belgian White (Portland, ME)

3^rd course, choice of:
* Dark Chocolate Brownie, with strawberry porter ice cream, walnut brittle paired with Rogue Chocolate Stout (Newport, OR)
* Bruleed Cheese Cake with drunken cherries, Sly Fox Dry Stout whipped cream paired with Slyfox Royal Weisse  (Phoenixville, PA)

Client Event: Executive Chef Gina Rodriguez Previews Spring Menu for Food Press

Serrano's Executive Chef Gina Rodriguez will host a special tasting dinner in mid-March to sample selections from her new spring menu paired with wine's from Serrano's boutique list.  Chef Rodriguez will also preview Serrano's first ever hand-crafted cocktail list.  Members of the Philadelphia food press are invited.  For inquiries, please call Kory Aversa at 215-840-9216 or email [email protected].

Spring Flavors + Signature Dishes

The first day of Spring is a fitting time to introduce the new menu from Serrano's Executive Chef Gina Rodriguez.  After living in Philadelphia for nearly a year, Chef Rodriguez is excited to take inspiration from the feel of the four seasons. For her spring menu, she will bring together bountiful flavors, local purveyors and a twist of fun.  

Meet the Chef

Hot off her appearance from COOK, Executive Chef Gina Rodriquez is excited to personally present her dishes, talk about her inspiration, discuss her time in Philadelphia and give some insight about other exciting updates to Old City's historic restaurant and bar. 

Although always her life-long passion, cooking is the second career for Arizona native Chef Gina Rodriguez.  Rodriguez earned a degree in psychology and worked for a Tucson behavioral health center before enrolling at Scottsdale Culinary Institute. After graduating SCI Le Cordon Bleu, an externship in New Orleans under noted chef John Besh, and mentoring by French Master Chefs, Rodriguez worked along the San Diego coast in luxurious resort restaurants such as DH&R’s beautiful Estancia LaJolla (Adobe El Restaurante) and KSL’s La Costa Resort and Spa (the 350 seat Bluefire restaurant).  She has worked at major restaurants in New York, New Orleans, Arizona and California before arriving in Philadelphia. Chef Rodriguez' creative talents also led to her to consult for the Nestle Corporation in Ohio and Denver.

In Philadelphia, Rodriguez served as Executive Chef at Kokopelli and Max and David’s before joining Serrano Restaurant in Old City.  Serrano has been a staple on 2nd street for over 25 years and was searching for a chef who could re-invent the menu. Rodriguez wasted no time marrying  the restaurant’s Old world feel with her own dynamic creations such as her signature Jumbo Scallops with Mushroom, Sausage & Fingerling Potatoes In Arbol Chili Gastrique.

In a male-dominated profession, Rodriguez is proof that women are a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen.  She served as the first female behind the stoves at the acclaimed Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona, earning the coveted AAA 5 Diamond award in 2008, the only female awarded in the US that year.  

About Serrano 

Serrano had been a staple on second street for over 25 years. You could say it was on the street prior to the neighborhood being "hip". Named after the pepper, not the ham, the food can be described as internationally influenced contemporary cooking. Recently, Chef Gina Rodriguez came on board to relaunch the menu and restaurant's reputation for producing exceptional dishes at neighborhood prices. The vibe of the restaurant is very laid back. On any given day you can find a doctor next to an artist sharing a drink.