Legends never die, especially a legend like Ron Burgundy. We were first introduced to this iconic character in 2004’s “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”

 As San Diego’s top-rated anchorman in the 1970s, Burgundy had it all: a celebrity-level reputation, adoring women, scotch, his pooch Baxter and a beautifully trimmed coiffure, not to mention his loyal news team. Alongside lead field reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), sportscaster “Champ” Kind (David Koechner) and chief meteorologist Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), Burgundy (Will Ferrell) was in his prime. Then came along Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), who challenged the male-dominated work environment as an aspiring newswoman and, eventually, Burgundy’s co-anchor.

The rest is history; or so it now seems, nearly 10 years later, with the imminent release of “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” As the name suggests, Burgundy and crew are back and readier than ever as they take on the nation’s first 24-hour news channel.

Unfortunately, that’s about all we are allowed to know; the entire production has been conducted in a very close-lipped, secretive manner. From a journalistic perspective, this is considerably aggravating — actually, it’s annoying for any fan of the franchise. That said, in typical Burgundy fashion, it will make the film’s debut even better.

For those of you reading now, though, you’re in luck. Carell and Rudd participated in a college conference call Nov. 1 and revealed a few minor but exciting details about the film.

The actors are just as candidly funny in real life as their characters. It was instantly clear that the two are good friends off-screen as well, which is not entirely surprising because they’ve appeared in other movies together, including “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Dinner for Schmucks.” It made for an extremely entertaining question-and-answer session, to say the least.

The moderator of the call pointed out that not all participants on the call would have a chance to ask a question; luckily enough, I was one of the few who was able to speak. As a disclosure, I thought my question was solid. Now, I’m not so sure. You can be the judge!

To start, neither actor knew where Drexel University was, but that was cleared up. Then I posed my question: “There’s a lot of buzz about some big-name cameos appearing in this movie, such as Kanye [West], Drake, and Sacha Baron Cohen. How do you go about recruiting people for this?”

“Well, we didn’t because we’re just the actors,” Carell said. He continued to explain that Ferrell and the movie’s director and writer, Adam McKay, handled this part of the process. If anything, it appears that people called them to be part of the film simply because of the appeal of the first one. As Carell put it, “[P]eople just wanted to be a part of the silliness.” Rudd added, “I also think a lot of people like Adam and Will, too. … I feel lucky enough to be in their orbit.”

This collective response was satisfying, but there was more.

“All of those people that you said are actually not in the movie,” Carell said. I needed to save face — particularly my flushed, frantic face. A number of articles have speculated countless celebrity cameos in the “Anchorman” sequel, such as Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Jim Carrey, and the ones I listed seemed to be confirmed with photographs and sightings on set. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, it appears that the cast and crew are attempting to keep as much of the movie as possible under wraps.

So, my follow-up question: “Are you lying, or is that true?”

Carell’s answer: “I don’t know. Am I?” “Yes, you just have to see it,” Rudd said. Okay, fair enough.

While my speaking time with them was not especially informative, other participants were able to get a little more out of the actors. There were a few personal questions, including where on a naked body they would prefer to eat sushi from first (by far the most private inquiry, although Carell answered with McDonald’s because he doesn’t like sushi).

In terms of “Anchorman 2,” they explained that the cast was thrilled to revisit the story because it was such a pleasure to do the first time around. “Even if there was no film [or] any camera, we would have come back and done it because it’s so much fun,” Carell said. In fact, they approached the sequel with the same “indie” spirit they had for the first installment even while knowing, as Rudd put it, “there were more eyes on [them].” All in all, the improvised quirkiness of the original tongue-in-cheek comedy is a guarantee.

Although the pitch for an “Anchorman” musical was a bust, the cinematic “Anchorman 2” is sure to deliver, or so it sounds from the tidbits of information they’re giving away. As Rudd said, we’ll just have to wait and see.

“Anchorman 2” premieres in theaters Dec. 20.

The post ‘Anchorman 2′ stars discuss new film appeared first on The Triangle.

The Philadelphia Tweed Ride

Are you itching to make use of your classic tweed blazer and driver cap? Then grab your bicycle and meet up at 11 a.m. at the Water Works Restaurant and Lounge behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a day of fashion picnicking, bike riding and charity. You’ll ride around the city, stop for a picnic (BYOP), and then ride to the end at Rembrandt’s in Fairmount. The ride is free, but donations for Philabundance will be collected.

640 Water Works Drive
Saturday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.
Cost: free
www.tweedride.phlbikes.com

Craft Beer Express

The Craft Beer Express is returning for its fall edition Saturday, Nov. 9. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can go on a citywide bar crawl via bus through 12 participating bars. Each bar will have its own special event in celebration of craft beer. For example, head to the Institute Bar for stouts and porters as well as screenings of the “Star Wars” trilogy. Tickets are available online and at the participating bars.

Participating bars, Saturday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $10 plus beer
www.craftbeerexpress.com

One Day in Pompeii

The Franklin Institute’s latest exhibit, One Day in Pompeii, opens Saturday, Nov. 9. Visitors will have a chance to see artifacts straight from Italy and the area around Mount Vesuvius. Over 150 archeological pieces are on display, on loan from the Naples National Archeological Museum in Italy. Come and enjoy an immersive multimedia experience and grab a snapshot of life at the height of the Roman Empire.

The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.
Nov. 9 through April 27
Cost: $27.50; $18 after 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
www2.fi.edu

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Sixers look for a win against Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday, Nov. 8 at the Wells Fargo Center in an Eastern Conference matchup. This game has some added intensity, as it marks the return of Andrew Bynum, arguably the most notable flop in Philadelphia sports history. Come out and help rain down the “boos” on Bynum as he plays for his new team. Tickets are available online and at the door.

Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.

Friday, Nov. 8
Cost: $15 and up
www.nba.com

Terror Behind the Walls — REMIX: Lights Out

Come see Eastern State Penitentiary’s iconic and award-winning haunted house close its haunted Halloween season with one last show. Even if you have seen the show before, this creepy finale is guaranteed to scare with one big twist: The entire show will be in complete darkness. The darkness of all of the interactions between the actors and guests raises the stakes to a horrifying new level. Use the online code VISITPHILLY13 for $3 off tickets.

Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue
Saturday, Nov. 9
Cost: $29-$35
www.easternstate.org

The post What’s Happening in Philly appeared first on The Triangle.

Johnny Knoxville is arguably a millennial household name, if not for his outrageous stunts then at least for his iconic guffaw. He and his goon crew have risen among the ranks of run-of-the-mill celebrities with the unorthodox, oftentimes offensive “Jackass” television series and feature films.

Photo Courtesy Paramount Pictures. Johnny Knoxville (left) and Jackson Nicoll appear in “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa,” hitting theaters Oct. 24, as 86-year-old Irving Zisman and 8-year-old Billy, respectively. The duo takes off on a cross-country road trip full of hidden camera pranks.

Before delving into Knoxville’s soon-to-be-released movie, “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa,” it’s worthwhile to know how the Jackasses got their start. Knoxville, born Philip John Clapp (what a surprisingly normal name!), first traveled to California from Knoxville, Tenn., to pursue an acting career — giving rise to the hometown-inspired stage name. Though he landed a few modest roles in commercials and as an extra, the aspiring entertainer wanted a bigger break and turned to print media to find it.

Fittingly enough, his idea to test self-defense equipment on himself was the initial stepping stone to his big break. His pitch captivated Jeff Tremaine, then the editor of skateboarding magazine Big Brother, which led to the filming of Knoxville personally enduring self-defense methods like the stun gun and pepper spray. The footage became part of Big Brother’s movie “Number Two.”

Around the same time, Bam Margera and his friends, all local boys from West Chester, Pa., were creating their own stunt videos as the Camp Kill Yourself Crew. Tremaine recognized the self-destructive potential of the CKY Crew members — namely Margera, Ryan Dunn, Raab Himself and Brandon DiCamillo — and drafted them for the “Jackass” productions.

With the additions of Chris Pontius, Steve-O, Jason “Wee Man” Acuna, Preston Lacy, Dave England and Ehren McGhehey, the main “Jackass” cast was complete for the show’s debut on MTV in 2000 under executive producers Knoxville, Tremaine and Spike Jonze.

The shenanigans expanded into the film industry for three “Jackass” films, and now Knoxville is at it again with “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.”

The newest installment from MTV Films and Dickhouse Productions is based on the recurring fictional character Irving Zisman, played by Knoxville, of various “Jackass” pranks. Instead of the entertaining but brief appearances typical in the television and movie series, the movie is all about Zisman. Well it’s about him and his adorably inappropriate 8-year-old grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll, who appeared alongside Knoxville in 2012 in “Fun Size”). The film follows the duo on their cross-country road trip to visit Billy’s father after his mother’s jailing (already an interesting start), incorporating hidden-camera stunts and pranks into the loosely bound plotline.

Knoxville gave 27 college students around the United States and Canada, including myself, an inside perspective on the upcoming movie Oct. 4.

The inspiration for the narrative came from Peter Bogdanovich’s “Paper Moon” (1973), which involves a misguided road trip of sorts. However, it seems safe to say that the creators of “Paper Moon” underwent a much different writing process than the “Jackass” masterminds. As Knoxville put it, he and his team would think of “just awful stuff, way over the line.” Once the terrible ideas were out of their systems, though, they were able to produce the usable, slightly more appropriate content that will be seen in the movie.

Although Knoxville incorporated many of his own mannerisms into Irving’s character — he noted that his body is so banged up as is that it wasn’t too difficult to master the gait of an 86-year-old — there were only a few rare instances when bystanders recognized him. That being said, all the pranks involved real and unsuspecting people. The reactions on screen are entirely candid, including a cringeworthy funeral experience, a wedding crasher’s nightmare, and a raunchy beauty pageant performance by Billy — in drag.

Even over the phone, it was clear that Knoxville genuinely enjoyed and admired his 8-year-old companion. He described Nicoll as a talented, fearless actor with little shame and plenty of fire.

Indeed, my question had to do with the boy, specifically his parents. Granted, I was so excited to be called upon (because not every participant in the call had the chance to speak) that the first words out of my mouth were “Yoooooo, Johnny, great to talk to you man.” Yo? Who do I think I am? Thankfully, Knoxville seemed entertained and responded with an equally enthusiastic “Yooooo.” I take that as we’re best friends, but I digress.

Once I composed myself, I was able to ask the question, “Was it difficult to persuade Jackson’s parents to let him be part of such an outrageous movie?” My new friend (just give me that at least) was just as fond of Jackson’s parents as he was of the boy. He credited them for Jackson’s competence and confidence and assured us that they trusted him and the crew and even wished for them to continue to procreate more wonderful children.

Based on Knoxville’s responses and descriptions, “Bad Grandpa” will surely live up to the expectations of “Jackass” fans. Aside from the in-your-face humor, it sounds like there will also be a subtler, unexpected emotional aspect of the movie. Knoxville said he believes that viewers will develop a surprisingly strong investment in the duo’s relationship as Zisman and Billy take audiences along on their bumpy and thankfully fictional ride.

Fortunately, you won’t have to wait too long to find out for yourself. The movie is scheduled to be released Oct. 25 in participating theaters.

The post Knoxville gives thoughts on upcoming ‘Bad Grandpa’ appeared first on The Triangle.

For the end of my first year at Drexel, two of my friends and I decided to go out. We wanted to celebrate our triumph of surviving freshman year in addition to saying goodbye before the three of us separated and spent our summer holiday in different states. Therefore, we opted to try a restaurant that none of us had eaten at before. We took a risk and selected Amada. By the end of our dinner, we had no regrets.

Photo Courtesy Amada Restaurant. Amada, located at 217-219 Chestnut St., features a tapas-style menu that allows patrons to try several different menu items in smaller portions to share. Dishes include a range of authentic Andalusian cuisine such as jamon serrano, chipirones fritos, cocas, pastel de chocolate and bunuelos.

Amada is situated in the neighborhood of Old City, located at 217-219 Chestnut St. Iron Chef Jose Garces opened the restaurant in 2005, and it was the first of now over a dozen eateries run by the renowned Latin-American chef.

Amada is open daily for lunch and dinner, and brunch is offered on the weekends. Caution, though — the lunch menu is limited. To ensure a minimal wait time, you should call ahead or book a table online through Open Table before arriving at the popular restaurant.

Before you choose Amada, you should be informed of several details. To begin, you will be eating Spanish tapas. With tapas, you are able to taste a larger variety of foods served in small portions to share. The menu is filled with over 60 Andalusian tapas and an extensive bevy of cocktails, sangrias, wines and beers.

Amada demonstrates a “rustic chic” style with both traditional Spanish and modern touches. The rustic-looking furniture, aged black cabinetry lining the walls and dimmed lights create a comfortable ambience. Decorations like authentic Spanish plates, sangria barrels and wine barrels top off the overall style of the place. There is also a state-of-the-art kitchen that opens up to the guests and allows a view of the chefs in action.

There is both a bar and dining area, which together can accommodate approximately 150 guests. Small black lanterns sit on each table for an intimate and cozy feeling. In addition, there are flamenco dancers who perform on specific days to enhance the Spanish-style dining experience.

I began my dinner with an order of jamon serrano (thinly sliced cured meat), aged manchego and truffled lavender honey. My friends and I then split a traditional tapas plate known as chipirones  fritas, or fried baby squid. After the short wait, our first round of food came out. We instantaneously devoured the tapas.

We proceeded with cocas, Spanish flatbreads. We ate the alcachofas y setas flatbread that included artichoke, wild mushrooms, black truffles and manchego. For those who are vegetarian, there is a verduras (vegetarian) section of the menu that offers meatless tapas. Afterward, we tasted lamb chops, filet mignon, and Madre e Hijo (chicken breast, fried egg, mojama and truffles). Additionally, there are a number of other tapas options: a la plancha (from the grill), pescados (fish) and carnes (meats).

After all that food, the three of us were still determined to try some of the desserts. The pastel de chocolate (chocolate cake) and bunuelos (doughnuts) were both decadently delicious. The chocolate cake was topped with caramel sauce and accompanied by banana ice cream, and the doughnuts were filled with a salted caramel pastry cream, pine nuts and orange sherbet. It was a perfect way to end the meal.

The tapas are priced inexpensively, but if you buy many tapas it will add up. However, it is unquestionably worth it. You will not regret dining at Amada, which is Spanish for “beloved” or “loved one.” Appropriately, my fellow diners and I loved all aspects of Amada.

The post Amada offers classic Spanish tapas appeared first on The Triangle.

Stephen Starr never fails to impress. I’ve been a huge fan of his restaurants since coming to Philly, and I become excessively excited and even proud every time I visit one of his places. This is partly because the costs of said visits make them infrequent; his restaurants are not outrageously expensive and unaffordable, but they are definitely higher than what a college kid wants to spend on a regular basis. The way I see it, Starr restaurants are lovely for date nights or special occasions with the BFFs.

Photo Courtesy Yelp. El Rey, located at 2013 Chestnut St., is among Stephen Starr’s repertoire of well-known eateries. Diners can enjoy authentic Mexican dishes in a trendy setting.

That being said, my boyfriend and I decided that we hadn’t splurged in a while (in terms of food, for us that’s about a week), so we started weighing our Starr options. Collectively we had already tried El Vez, The Continental Mid-town, POD, Parc and The Dandelion Pub, so those were off the table. Then, considering that I crave Mexican food on a daily basis, we narrowed our choices down to one: El Rey.

Because El Rey is located at 2013 Chestnut St., I have walked past this place countless times on my way to Rittenhouse Square and Center City, but I only just realized this when we went to eat there the other night. It blends right into the surroundings! Not to mention that it doesn’t even look like a restaurant, let alone a Stephen Starr one!

Granted, there’s a large vertical sign out front, but all you can really see is the word “RESTAURANT.” For some reason, I immediately relate that style of signage to Italian cuisine, something more appropriately placed in the Italian Market; it seems old school, traditional. Aside from that mounted sign, the only other designation was posted on the wall, so I would have had to turn my head to see it. And let’s be honest, that’s just asking too much of me. What’s more is that this sign is what you would find outside a concert venue; actually, it’s exactly the same type as that for the Theatre of Living Arts.

Think of the sign in front of a library or your elementary school: a white background with the block letters that have to be inserted from the side. That’s it, showing “El Rey El Rey El Rey El Rey.” Now that I write about it, I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to realize that this place was, in fact, El Rey.

Well, it’s better late than never, especially in the case of this restaurant — El Rey is superb. For one, the interior decor is just as unexpected as the exterior appearance. It could have come straight from “That ‘70s Show,” for all I know, with eccentric wallpaper, a marbled laminate countertop as the bar, pleather seats, vintage lamps and light fixtures, and wooden accents. It is elegantly retro in a way that I imagine only Stephen Starr can pull off for a restaurant. It is really a hipster heaven.

The amount of young, trendy adults eating at El Rey admittedly surprised me; I assumed a restaurant of this price range would discourage people in that age and style group. Once I saw the happy hour deals, though, and took my first bites of food, I was no longer shocked. This is a place worth budgetary exceptions. Many exceptions.

To start, my boyfriend and I ordered a $3 shredded chicken quesadilla. For a quesadilla, it was terrific — but it was just a quesadilla, and a small one at that. In fact, it was so small — or at least small in terms of our oversized perception of portions — that we also ordered chips and salsa. I’m a sucker for homemade fried tortilla chips and not too picky when it comes to salsa. This one was refreshing; the freshness of the tomatoes perfectly balanced the spiciness of the peppers.

The chips and salsa came in handy later during the meal as well, particularly for my dish. I ordered the alambre de pollo with refried beans, and my boyfriend got the short rib enchilada. Mine was way better. Don’t get me wrong, I love a hearty enchilada, and his was nothing short of that with a flavorful salsa roja and beautifully cooked short rib. But I preferred mine because it was different than any other Mexican dish I’ve had and it was also tastier.

I tried looking up the meaning of “alambre” with regard to Mexican cuisine. I came up with nada, but because the menu’s description read “guacamole, chicken, mushroom, bacon, poblanos, onion, habanero cheddar, flour tortillas,” I figured it would be worth a shot. Oh yeah, it was worth it. The plate was divided into three sections by the food itself: guacamole; refried beans; and the most wonderful concoction of chicken, cooked peppers and onions, bacon, and mushrooms smothered in melted cheese, all to be eaten in warm, soft tortillas. Plus, it worked out extremely well that the guacamole was on the side (and we hadn’t ordered it as an appetizer) so that I could use the remaining chips to savor it on its own.

Needless to say, we were throwing the white flags of surrender, aka our napkins, on the table. I tend to overeat Mexican food because it’s just so good (just like Indian cuisine), so there was no way I could fit a dessert. However, for those with more self-control, don’t hesitate to ask your server about the dessert options. Judging by the feast my boyfriend and I had — or rather, demolished — I’m positive that the sweet dishes are equally enjoyable.

While El Rey might not be “The King” of Mexican restaurants, I can say that my entree was the king of the Mexican food that I’ve tried in the city so far. So if you’re looking for a nicer but affordable and unique eatery, El Rey es perfecto.

The post El Rey upholds Starr’s foodie fame appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo Courtesy Sarah & Russ Seehafer. Bistro La Baia, located at 1700 Lombard St., is a classic Italian BYOB that serves up comforting dishes like fettuccine in a vodka cream sauce and baked mushrooms and shrimp. The small restaurant holds only about 10 tables and is cash only, but it is a popular neighborhood eatery.

If you plan on going to Bistro La Baia, located at 1700 Lombard St., bring cash, and if you’re of age, a bottle of wine. The alcohol is optional, but the payment method is non-negotiable. I had a brief panic attack when I heard the hostess say “cash only” to another set of diners after we were already seated and had placed our order — no turning back! But luckily my boyfriend had planned ahead and took out money on the way to the restaurant.

Admittedly, a cash-only policy is to be expected at a family-run Italian restaurant (BYOB is pretty much implied by family-run, and even more so by Italian). What’s more, it’s tiny. The place was crammed with only about 10 tables; however, it didn’t feel cramped. It also helped that we grabbed a table near one of the windows. Granted, there were only two other parties in the restaurant when we walked in for our reservation at 6 p.m. While the number of clientele present at one time can be a useful indicator of an eatery’s popularity, this is not applicable to Bistro La Baia.

It was difficult choosing an appetizer because any one of them would have been a good choice. They offer grilled calamari; mussels; Caesar salad; and the closest contender, grilled eggplant with goat cheese, roasted peppers and pesto sauce. Fortunately, my boyfriend and I have similar tastes and were able to agree on the funghi gratinati con gamberi. Full disclosure: Everything on the menu is in Italian, but there are helpful descriptions under each dish.

So our starter was baked mushrooms and shrimp with garlic parmigiana cheese and herbs. Honestly, it was one of the best appetizers I’ve had in quite a while, which is saying something because I eat out too frequently for a college student. I think what made me appreciate it even more was its simplicity; it was a mix of mushrooms, breadcrumbs, cheese and shrimp, but I couldn’t get enough of it. The only reason I didn’t order another serving of it for dinner was because the entrees were just as tempting — and that would have been downright silly.

It was equally challenging to pick an entree. I knew it would have to be pasta because I feel guilty going to an Italian restaurant and not enjoying the pleasure of handmade pasta, but that didn’t narrow things down much. The menu features linguine and clams, homemade ravioli stuffed with lobster, homemade gnocchi (potato pillows of pure joy), and cappellini with a seafood medley. And those are only the pasta platters! Protein dishes include a variety of preparations of salmon, chicken and veal with decadent sauces and accompaniments. In a word, it’s overwhelming (but in a good way, of course).

When it came down to it, I ordered the fettuccine pasta in a vodka cream sauce with spicy Italian sausage, and my boyfriend got the risotto in a tomato cream sauce with generous chunks of salmon. Both of us were more than satisfied; however, I don’t think you could go wrong with any dish from Bistro La Baia.

We didn’t even touch the dessert menu because we were so stuffed — that is, until we passed Shake Shack (an easy walk away at 2000 Sansom St.) and ordered a concrete. But based on the quality of the food at Bistro La Baia, I’m sure the desserts are similarly delicious. I will definitely be going back.

The post Bistro La Baia keeps the tradition alive with timeless Italian cuisine appeared first on The Triangle.

Smooth Jazz Summer Nights

Smooth jazz will fill the waterfront every Friday night in August. One of the summer season’s most popular events, the Penn’s Landing Smooth Jazz Summer Nights series, plays host to nationally renowned acts. Be prepared to listen to some of the country’s best smooth jazz artists in a beautiful riverfront venue. Stay after the show for a landside fireworks display. All Smooth Jazz concerts are free, family friendly, general admission and open to the public. Najee will perform this Friday, Aug. 9.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Fridays in August, 7:30 p.m.

Cost: free

www.delawareriverwaterfront.com

Festival of India

The Council of Indian Organizations of Greater Philadelphia presents a Festival of India each year in August at Penn’s Landing. This popular annual event is held to celebrate India’s Independence Day and has been very successful in portraying the vibrant Indian-American community in the Greater Philadelphia area. Now in its 20th year, the Festival of India reflects many facets of the local Indian-American diaspora and provides a colorful panorama of art, music, dance and cuisine. Thousands of people come every year to enjoy this day of free, fun-filled entertainment for the whole family.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Friday, August 8, 1-7 p.m.

Cost: free

www.delawareriverwaterfront.com

Caribbean Festival

Come celebrate culture, music and food from 14 Caribbean islands with wholesome family fun. In its 27th year, this festival continues to celebrate Caribbean culture and raise scholarship funds for college students of Caribbean descent. As always, the event will also feature the ever-popular steel drum band Philly PanStars, along with a Caribbean Culture booth — Tings Caribbean — where one can feel, touch and sample “tings” from the islands.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Sunday, Aug. 18, noon to 8 p.m.

Cost: free

www.delawareriverwaterfront.com

24th annual Pennsylvania Dutch Festival

Celebrate the traditions, foods and crafts of the Pennsylvania Dutch at the 24th annual Pennsylvania Dutch Festival. The three-day festival will take place in the Market’s Center Court seating area and will feature handmade crafts and traditional foods. On Aug. 10, the festival also moves outdoors on Arch Street to create a country fair in the city. Amish buggy rides and horse-drawn wagon rides around the Market, a farm animal petting zoo, and live bluegrass music round out the entertainment.

Reading Terminal Market

Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 8-10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: free

www.readingterminalmarket.org

Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival

What better way to enjoy the last weeks of summer than spending a memorable day at Penn’s Landing with family and friends for the third annual Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival? Delight in the delicious flavors of Southeast Asian foods with traditional spices and themes to be savored. Get ready to cheer and enjoy the adrenaline rush of witnessing the sponsored teams on the Delaware River racing in dragon boats to win the Festival Cup and cash prizes; uniformed coast guards will be on alert to ensure water safety. Prepare to watch and perhaps join in cultural dances, lively music and talented performances that embrace the Southeast Asian region.

Penn’s Landing

Saturday, Aug. 10, noon to 7 p.m.

Cost: free

www.seadbf.com

The post What’s Happening in Philly appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo Courtesy Rangoon Restaurant. Rangoon’s menu includes dishes reminiscent of Thai favorites, like the Shan Rice Noodles, as well as vegetarian options. Though close to the busy restaurants of Chinatown, Rangoon maintains a quiet environment and stellar cuisine

Rangoon Burmese Restaurant is an unexpected find. But once you find it, plan on visiting it more than once. The menu is enormous, and if the quantity isn’t enough of a draw, the quality of food seals the deal. The fact that it is a Burmese restaurant helps! I, a self-proclaimed foodie, had never tasted  or even thought about Burmese cuisine. I’ve enjoyed my fair share of Asian-inspired dishes but not explicitly Burmese. Truth be told, that most likely would have continued had it not been for one of my co-workers.

The details for the evening: A friend and I wanted to go out to dinner. That was about it. I love the opportunity to search around for prospective eateries, but work was hectic and left me little time for what is normally an extensive, exciting research session. So instead of Yelp, I relied on face-to-face reviews from colleagues at my co-op and eventually settled on Rangoon.

It was a stellar suggestion. The restaurant is stationed on a corner of Chinatown but away from the hubbub that may come to mind (particularly around the iconic arch). At 112 N. 9th St., it is an easy walk from the 8th Street subway station. Granted, it is worth a tougher trip, but the convenient location is just another appealing feature of Rangoon. It has a fairly large dining area with understated decor, and the lack of customers at the time of our arrival fueled my initial wariness of the place. But when it comes to restaurants, I have learned to avoid judgment solely based on appearance. When it comes down to it (assuming the place is at least sanitary), the integrity of a restaurant depends on its food. And when it comes to Rangoon’s food, there is no questioning the establishment’s integrity. It is spot-on.

As I mentioned earlier, the menu is quite overwhelming in its number of choices; that’s where Yelp comes in handy. Practically every review insisted on ordering the Thousand-Layer Bread and Potato Curry for an appetizer, so we did. Majority rules. Literally, they guided us in the right direction, or as Guy Fieri would say, to “Flavortown.” Although the bread did not have the thickness of 1,000 layers — I could barely count two layers — the thinness served as a delicate base to the heavy, powerfully flavorful potatoes. What’s more is that it was drenched in butter, which is never a bad thing. While the Yelp crowd helped us choose a starter, opinions greatly varied regarding the entrees.

Taking a look at the menu, this is not surprising. There are dishes that highlight the protein, whether it be chicken, pork, beef or a variety of seafood. There are dishes that put unusual flavor-packed spins on rice and others that feature noodles with or without meat. There are also a multitude of vegetarian dishes. After much deliberation, we made our final decisions. My cohort ordered the Northern Burmese Noodles, a spicy stir-fry of rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, scallions and bean sprouts. We deemed it to be a successful Asian spin on the American coastal surf ‘n’ turf meal, the seasonings giving a surprising but appreciated punch to balance the savory sauce. While I preferred my dish, this other plate was so delicious that I kept stealing bites. I personally got the Shan Rice Noodles. It reminded me of pad thai, but instead of an emphasis on peanuts — which I think is why I love this Thai staple so much — it had the distinct flavor of sesame seeds. While I must say I’m a sucker for the peanut-buttery goodness of pad thai, I enjoyed the pairing of this taste with sesame.

For dessert we reverted back to customer reviews and ordered the highly praised faluda. A disclaimer: When I first read the description (and still, even when I read it again), it did not sound appealing. But hear me out. It is a tall glass of rose syrup, milk, ice cream, pudding, raisins, tapioca and gelatin. Like I said, it seems a little funky, but one spoonful made me a believer. It can be likened to a milkshake, just with a few surprises from the mix of textures.

All in all, I agree with the other self-proclaimed foodies that led me through this meal (on the Internet, that is). This is one of few restaurants I’ve written about that is compatible with the budget of a college student. In other words, you don’t have to go with your parents to try it. Then, expenses aside, the food is different from many other places in the city, which is hard to come by due to the diversity of restaurants in Philadelphia. In this case, different doesn’t mean expensive, weird or avant-garde. It was just very tasty.

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Cat Circus

The Amazing Acro-Cats, one of the four “cat shows” in the United States, performs to sold-out venues across the country, and now they’re coming to Philadelphia! They perform and educate the public on animal treatment and pet care. The purr-forming purr-sonalities have as much fun as their audience with obvious content with their limelight status as they demonstrate astounding feats of agility. On their trainer’s cue, they perform tricks with various hoops, tumblers, skateboards, hoisting flags, reading signs, and even rolling balls over parallel ropes. And now that they’re coming to visit the City of Brotherly Love, you can see for yourself!

Painted Pride Art Center, 230 Vine St.
Friday-Sunday, July 12-14, times vary
Cost: $20
www.circuscats.com

Hispanic Fiesta

The Hispanic Fiesta is a fun-filled, two-day showcase of Latino culture held at Philadelphia’s premier waterfront location, the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. One can sit back and enjoy the multicultural rhythms and melodious harmonies of salsa, merengue, bachata, samba, cumbia, mariachi and flamenco.  Attended by over 30,000 people over the course of the weekend, the Hispanic Fiesta is one of the most popular and best-attended events at Penn’s Landing. This regional celebration features music, dance, entertainment, ethnic foods and artisan crafts from Puerto Rico and many Latin American countries, making it a true family event for children of all ages.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14, 2-8 p.m.
Cost: free
www.elconcilio.net

Yoga on the Race Street Pier

Every Sunday morning in July and August, yoga enthusiasts of all levels can enjoy a yoga class out on the beautiful Race Street Pier. Dhyana Yoga, an established yoga studio with five locations, will be running these free Soulful Sunday classes. Donations will be accepted.

Race Street Pier, North Columbus Boulevard
Sundays in July and August, 9:30 a.m.
Cost: free
www.delawareriverwaterfront.com

Third Thursday Live and Local

This music event is part of the newest series offered by the Delaware River Waterfront. At Race Street Pier, the third Thursday of the month is dedicated to local talent and curated by a collective of artists, producers and promoters. On July 18, take part in the record release party for Young Robot’s “Philadelphia Maneto” as well as a showcase of global sounds brought to you by DJ Apt One and Ben Arsenal, one of the founders of Worldtown Sound System.

Race Street Pier, North Columbus Boulevard
Thursday, July 18, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: free
www.delawareriverwaterfront.com

String Band Music Under the Stars

On Thursday evenings from May through September, the Mummers Museum holds a free outdoor string band concert. Refreshments are served at 7:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Bring friends, lawn chairs (a must) and hearty appetites. Enjoy an old-fashioned block party while listening to a famous string band and/or learning the Mummers Strut.

Mummers Museum, 1100 S. 2nd St.
Thursdays through September, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: free
www.mummersmuseum.com

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Given that my idea of Greek food is a chicken gyro with French fries on it — and to make matters worse, I pronounce it as “jeye-roh” like a true ‘Murican — I did not expect the cuisine I was fed at Kanella: Greek Cypriot Kitchen. There was still pita bread (thank goodness), but that was somehow even more delicious than normal at Kanella.

The meal came with a starter, a trio of seasonal dips. Because I am such an avid fan of pita bread, I barely realized that the dish was meant to feature the dips; I only saw, heard and thought pita. But the day had come: the reign of pita supremacy had faltered. The dips were just that good. Granted, my dining partner and I asked for an alternative to the one made with beets — we both agree that beets might as well be called dirt — but the waiter was more than happy to accommodate.

In fact, the replacement dip turned out to be our favorite of the three, and surprisingly it was simple tzatziki. It was satisfyingly thick in texture with the balanced tart and sweet flavors of yogurt and a hint of bitterness from the herbs. Even though the Americanized gyros I’m used to contain this sauce, it was unlike any I’ve tasted before, which disguised the fact that it was indeed a common sauce.

I don’t mean to overshadow the other two dips, though, as they were similarly tasty and even more creative. One of them was a creamy pumpkin mash — an ingredient I wasn’t expecting on a summer menu — with feta cheese and herbs, and the other was pureed potato drizzled with a refreshing lemony oil. We were also served a complimentary side of artisan bread that came with a tahini sauce that I found to be bland and oddly grainy. However, we were able to utilize the extra slices to finish the other dips; actually, because the pumpkin blend was heavier, the artisan bread was a better base for it than the pita bread. What’s more was that I could greedily sop up the pool of lemony oil left from the potato dip that I was weirdly fond of.

We were surprisingly satisfied by the dips, which is understandable considering that they were meant to be shared between more than two people — but no matter, my friend and I are self-proclaimed heavyweights when it comes to eating. That being said, we were not entirely disappointed when our entree portions were not as large as we normally prefer. We both ordered the Cyprus tortelloni, which seemed to be the love child of an Italian tortellini and an Asian dumpling in shape and texture. The pasta was clearly homemade, though, an extra effort I greatly appreciate. The tortelloni were stuffed with mint and halloumi, a Cypriot cheese, and topped with a Greek yogurt sauce and spinach. There must have been something else deceivingly scrumptious and (especially) filling in the sauce, though, because by the last tortelloni we were ready to tap out and go to bed.

Needless to say, we didn’t have much room left for dessert. Even so, we couldn’t allow ourselves to forgo the final step in our food escapade; to us clean-platers, that would be shameful. As a compromise, we wrapped up with a glass of soumada, an almond drink served warm or cold — we opted for cold because we needed to combat the flop sweat on our foreheads caused by consuming so much food earlier. Although we had to waddle out of the restaurant by the end of it all, each course was worth every bite.

The only part of the meal that didn’t sit so well for me was the cost. For some reason I tend to write about pricier restaurants, but then again, they are typically the ones deserving of reviews. While Kanella is too expensive for weekly visits, it is definitely worth the trip. All in all, I consider this my first true Greek experience, and based on its quality, it will certainly not be my last.

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