Festivities. Part deux.

Hi friends,

Part two of my festival overview includes events happening Saturday and Sunday. 

On Saturday check out the Rittenhouse Row Festival that spans Walnut Street between Broad and 19th Street. This festival typically hosts outside food tents from the restaurants along Walnut Street, along with adult beverages, fashion shows, music and dog-related events. I don't typically love this festival, I know I'm in the minority on this one, but my friends Allison, Lee and their little girl, Stella, are going to be there, so I'll go and say hello to them.

The RRF runs from 12-5 on Saturday. See you there along with 30,000 of our closest friends.

And finally, it is time for the greatest festival in Philadelphia - this Saturday and Sunday marks the annual the Peroni Festival (formally known as the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival).

photo credit: wiki

Now this is my favorite festival for a hundred different reasons, and lucky for me, my friend Desi lives nearby so not only do I get to enjoy the festival with a friend, but when we want to escape (highly unlikely) we can go to her house and use a real bathroom. The perks of knowing someone in high places, I'm telling you.

The festival is like all other street fairs and 9th Street, located in the Italian Market district, is open and festival goers are invited (and encouraged) to drink a cold Peroni (in a plastic red cup) from one of the many vendors and walk around with it while deciding what to eat (corn-on-a-stick with chile butter, tamales, dozens of Italian pastries, and pretty much anything else you can think of).

Here are my tips for you: decide to go either day, or both, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. but make your first stop the beer stand outside of Villa di Roma for a Peroni. Then wander throughout the tiny streets of the Italian Market. You'll want to return to this restaurant later to sit at the bar and order the fried asparagus. I shouldn't need to continue, but I will. The eight or so pieces of the lightly battered and fried vegetable are served atop a butter sauce with a hint of lemon. Your mom always told you to eat your vegetables and this dish will make you love vegetables. Every bite is crunchy and there is usually a fight for the last spear.

You don't need to just take my word for it... read this review of the fried deliciousness.

Stop into Anthony's coffeehouse for a warm Sfogliatelle, which means many layers in Italian, that is a clam-shaped pastry filled with ricotta cheese with a tiny trace of vanilla and orange throughout. If you want to try to make one, here is a recipe. 

 photo credit:tumblr

I can taste it now. 

You can also check out DiBruno's for cheese and olive oil, and Talluto's for pasta.

The best part about this festival is the very relaxed vibe everyone seems to exude while they are there. The surrounding streets are open only for pedestrian traffic and you can wander aimlessly throughout the market. The weather will be gorgeous this weekend, perfect for summer dresses, plaid shorts and drinking Peronis on a hot day. Enjoy!

I hope I see you there!

xo.
Your friend,
Caroline