FINALLY: It's REALLY About To Happen, Yes?

Palm Philadelphia Offers Great Dinner Deal!

We stopped by the Philadelphia Palm restaurant this past weekend and enjoyed this fantastic dinner with friends. It was great!:

Introducing Our Newest Prix-Fixe Menu

Featuring Filet Mignon with Cognac Lobster Cream Sauce

$49.95 per person

Only Available Through March 31st*

Click here to make your reservation.

Click here for recommended cocktail & wine pairings.

FIRST COURSE (Choice Of)
Classic Caesar Salad Garlic Focaccia Croutons and
Parmigiano Reggiano
Lobster Bisque Fresh Lobster Meat, Cream and Brandy
Mixed Green Salad Romaine, Iceberg, Baby Greens,
Cucumber, Carrots, Radish, Scallions and Cherry Tomatoes Tossed in a Garlic Vinaigrette
Wild Mushroom Ravioli Porcini Broth

SECOND COURSE (Choice Of)
Filet Mignon 9 ounce Cognac Lobster Cream Sauce
Tamarind Glazed Sea Scallops Grilled Baby Bok Choy with a Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
Wasabi and Panko Crusted Jumbo Shrimp Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

SIDE DISH (Choice Of)
Choose any one of our Signature Vegetable or Potato Side Dishes from the á la carte menu

ALSO FEATURING
Nova Scotia Lobster Mac and Cheese $3 Additional Charge

Hurry -- this offer expires at the end of March! 

* This offer is available January 15-March 31, 2012 at all Palm locations excluding London, Mexico City and the Palm Bar & Grille at JFK Airport. Price does not include beverage, tax, or gratuity. This offer cannot be combined with 837 Club birthday entrée certificates. No substitutions. Dine in only, please

Bag 'O Doughnuts! And, Oh . . . That Loster!

It's called a bag 'o doughnuts.
But it's ooohhh so much more.
Yes, it does come in a bag. Eight doughnuts all together. But they're not actually doughnuts.
Instead, they're freshly-baked, warm, cinnamon and sugar doughnut balls. They're shaken in the bag just before they're served and then, like a small miracle the bag is opened and the intoxicating aroma invites you into the sweet, warm surroundings.
It's doughnut heaven. They're crunchy and crispy on the outside but soft and dreamy on the inside.
This is one of the new desserts at The Palm restaurant, long a favorite haunt of ours.
We urge you to get over to the nearest Palm and try it soon, along with the incredible summer lobster special. Here's what you get:
NOW THROUGH AUGUST 31st
Enjoy a 4 lb. Jumbo Nova Scotia Lobster split for two with melted butter and lemon, starter salad, and sides for just $95!
STARTER
Mixed Green Salad - romaine, iceberg, baby greens, cucumber, carrots, radish, scallions and cherry tomatoes tossed in a garlic vinaigrette
Classic Caesar Salad - garlic focaccia croutons and parmigiano reggiano
Watermelon Salad - frisee, grilled fennel, pickled onions and feta cheese
ENTREE
4 lb. Jumbo Nova Scotia Lobster Split for Two with melted butter and lemon
$15 each additional lb. of lobster
CHOICE OF TWO SIDES
choose from The Palm's signature vegetable and potato sides served family-style
This is about as good a deal as you're likely to find anywhere -- probably better! And it's all coupled with The Palm's legendary hospitality and wonderfully attentive service; not to mention those icy drinks from the world's best bar.
Don't miss this summer-only attraction.

Your Favorite Steakhouses

Our poll on your favorite chain steakhouses is complete and the winner is (tah dah....!) Ruth's Chris.
Yes, more than a third of you (35%) voted for that sizzling Ruth's Chris cooked-in-butter steak.
Ruth's Chris was followed by Outback (20%), Capital Grille (14%) and Palm (11%).
All of the rest of the choices scored in the low single digits.
So, after Ruth's Chris, Outback, CapGrille and our beloved Palm, there isn't very much to say about steak houses. The rest of them don't even show up on the radar screen.
Thanks for participating!

BTW: That photo to the right is Ruth herself -- Ruth Ann Udstad Fertel, the "Ruth" behind Ruth's Chris. When Ruth purchased Chris' Steaks in New Orleans in 1965, Ruth's Chris was born. Still, the restaurant did not formally change its name to Ruth's Chris until 1976. The reason why the name was changed is that Ruth's agreement with Chris (of Chris' Steaks) prevented her from using the "Chris" name unless and until the restaurant relocated. When a fire forced the relocation, the name changed. And so it remains -- one of the most unusually named restaurants ever.
You can read the full story by clicking on the photo of Ruth.

Great Eats, Favorite Places!

We've been frequenting some of our favorite eating places and him found them to be just as wonderful as ever. Here's a quick tour:

We dropped in at Season's 52 at the Cherry Hill Mall and discovered that it's just as good, if not better, than it was when it first opened back in the spring.
The place was crowded but we were quickly escorted to a plush booth where we enjoyed Seasons 52's distinctive fresh, seasonal dishes -- all 475 calories or less. This was a first-time visit to Season's 52 for our companions and they loved the atmosphere, food, service and the icy martinis.
The menu changes four times a year at Seasons 52 and that means that the restaurant's new fall menu arrives on Tuesday, September 15. The exciting fall menu offerings include a hearty Buffalo Chili, Chicken Breast Cabernet, Maple Glazed Quail, Black Mussels Marinara, Asian Grilled Duck Salad and a Pumpkin Pie Mini Indulgence to complete your dining experience!
Congratulations to Manager Shannon Earley and his entire staff at Seasons 52 for one of the fines dining experiences in the region.

We also dined at Philadelphia's legendary Palm restaurant in The Bellevue where we were treated to the usual superior service, succulent dishes, huge portions and convivial atmosphere. Did you know that The Palm represents true dining value?
The Palm offers a classic steak dinner for just $39.95. This memorable meal includes soup or salad, 14 ounce filet mignon or 16 ounce New York strip and two Palm signature sides.
The Palm's summer lobster special has been extended through September. It includes a gigantic four pound lobster dinner for two with two side dishes for just $89.95.
On weekdays from 5 to 7 PM and from 9 PM onward all Palm prime bites at the bar are just $3.50 per serving. These include kobe beef sliders, filet mignon capri sandwiches, veal parm sliders, mini crab cakes, calamari fritti chicken strips and prime cheese steak.
On top of all that, there's The Palm's three-course $17.95 lunch. And don't forget The Palm's three-course $35.00 dinner during Philadelphia Restaurant Weeks through September 25.

And then we spent some time at the new California Pizza Kitchen at Cherry Hill Mall (our second visit) and were as pleased as ever.
You can't beat CPK for fresh, fragrant, tasty pizza, pasta and salads as well as incredible desserts.
I enjoyed the asparagus and spinach spaghettini. This is a a light pasta with sautéed asparagus, spinach, fresh tomatoes, basil garlic and Parmesan cheese. You can add grilled chicken breast, shrimp or sautéed salmon but I enjoyed it without any additions at all. It's absolutely dreamy and way more than enough to satisfy even the most ravenous appetite. For dessert we shared a hot fudge brownie sundae. Unbelievably good!
The staff at CPK is so friendly and attentive. We arrived with a fairly large party but were accommodated promptly and efficiently.

Palm's Lobster Special Extended!

What would you like - a four, five or six pound lobster?
Yes, you can have the whole lobster plus two side dishes and a salad.
And we're no talking just any lobster dinner here. We're talking lobster at the legendary Palm restaurant - the preferred meeting place for people who demand the best in quality, value and service.
Over the weekend at the Philadelphia Palm the two of us enjoyed the five pound lobster with two sides and two salads for $99.95 for two. If you want the six-pounder it's just a bit more while the four-pounder is just a bit less. Trust me, the four pound lobster is more than enough for two: huge, plentiful, tender, succulent. Still, it's always nice to have options that fit your appetite.
Of course we brought along another couple and they also enjoyed the four pound lobster. For our sides we chose fried onions and potato crisps and creamed spinach. And yes, the martinis were icy, refreshing and wonderfully bracing.
We topped it all off with the Palm's rich, hot coffee and that spectacular mile high chocolate chocolate cake.
Thanks to the Palm's wonderful general manager Jim Haney and his teammates, Clemente, Danielle, Robert and the inimitable Gus for their excellent service and attentiveness, as always.
And here's the best news of all: The Palm's super summer lobster special has just been extended till the end of September. Plus, the Palm is now featuring incredibly affordable three-course lunches.
Hurry on over!

Palm: Specter Treads Lightly

The legendary Palm restaurant at the Bellevue is Philadelphia's official Playpen for Power Brokers and today was no exception with newly-minted Democrat Senator Arlen (aka Benedict Arlen) Specter huddled with real estate impresario Ron Rubin and combed-over lawyer Charlie Kopp at Rubin's corner table with two other friends.
Darlin Arlen was in a jovial mood as he entered the fashionable Broad Street eatery, greeting everyone around with the closest approximation of a smile that someone with Specter's calculated reconstruction and advanced age can muster.
Hey, this guy's had more comebacks than Judy Garland and he's made more promises than Bill Clinton.
Let's not forget that when Senator Jim Jeffords switched parties a few years back Specter vowed to introduce legislation to prevent such switches in the future. Funny how that vow fell by the wayside, huh?
Anyway, also in the house at the Palm were Big Time Lawyer Steve Cozen (whose Cozen O'Connor law firm is the city's new legal powerhouse) and old time politico Marty Weinberg.
As always, the Palm's management team welcomes all (Democrats, Republicans and even those who can't seem to make up their minds) with an irresistibly friendly atmosphere, superb service and real, honest-to-goodness great food.
But if I were waiting tables at the Palm today I'd check the silverware before Senator Specter departs.

Palm Power Lunching

Anyone who thinks the King of Philadelphia steakhouses is anything but prime should have been at The Palm yesterday to witness power lunching at its loftiest.

Among those assembled in The Palm's dining room at The Bellevue were Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association President Fred Anton, Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News honcho Brian Tierney, Commerce Bancorp founder (and now Metro Bankcorp founder) Vernon Hill, Bellevue Communications President Kevin Feeley, Family Law SuperLawyer David Hofstein, Electronic Ink Chair Joe Weiss, Philly PR Hall of Fame member Judy Garfinkle, Playbill ad sales powerhouse Michelle Manzo, Philadelphia Ballet marketing manager Laura Steibitz and The Palm's irrepressible "den mother," the great Arleen Weitz.

As always the atmosphere was lively, intimate and altogether delicious with lots of table-hopping. The food and service were top notch.

I'll say this: Palm GM Jim Haney and his incredibly professional staff know how to take care of some of Philly's top movers and shakers.

And I kept wondering: What was it that had Tierney and Hill so intensely huddled?

Carole's Big Day!

Carole Cirucci celebrated a Very Special Birthday at Philadelphia's legendary Palm restaurant yesterday and Senator Arlen Specter was among the guests who dropped by to wish Carole a happy birthday and many more to come. Looking over those assembled to fete Carole, Pennsylvania's senior U. S. Senator (and one of the Senate's most powerful and most respected members) said it was an honor to join the guests for a moment and convey his wishes to the honoree. The Senator was joined by longtime Montgomery County GOP Committeewoman Gayle Michael and more than a dozen other friends of the honoree for a "ladies who lunch" afternoon celebrating the finest lady of them all.

Special thanks to Aimee Cirucci for helping to put the event together and to Julie Duffy, Mary Barczak the incredible Palm staff and the Palm's amazing Arleen Weitz for making it happen.

Carole's Very Special Birthday was a Very Special Event!

Mark's Moment

One of our town's top public relations pros was welcomed onto the wall of notables at the city's premier watering hole last night when Mark Tarasiewicz witnessed the unveiling of his likeness at The Palm.

Mark who is the Director of Communications for the Philadelphia Bar Association is also chairman and past president of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. A Philly native, he's a graduate of Temple University. Mark is a nationally-recognized PR practitioner who shares his expertise with students as an adjunct professor at Temple's School of Communications.

But here's the important part: Mark is one of the nicest people we know. He's caring, helpful, friendly, funny, thorough, bright, incredibly hard-working and admirably meticulous.

Once in a great while nice things really do happen to nice people.

This is one of those moments. This is one of those people.

Congratulations, Mark. And thanks to our favorite restaurant, The Palm, for making it happen!