Last year, to combat the cold in an inventive way, Germantown Garden Grill in Northern Liberties debuted outdoor igloos for dining along with unique entertainment during the holiday season. This year, it’s now new hotspot Figo Italian’s turn.
When Figo (1033 N. 2nd St.) first opened its doors in October, it became the largest restaurant along the Northern Liberties Restaurant Row with 250-plus seats and just under 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Now, the new brunch experience curated by different princesses will take place in their heated cocktail garden.
“Glu Hospitality is proud to bring back a brand-new Igloo outdoor dining experience just in time for the holidays,” said Glu Co-Owner Derek Gibbons in a statement. “Based on our success and pivot in 2021 with the Igloos at Germantown Garden Grille and Vesper Day Club, we are back with an elevated experience that will provide the best heated, winterized and most festive outdoor views in the city — with decor, protective covering, fire pits, and a 16-foot Christmas Tree as the backdrop. We are also so proud to bring back and support our partnership and major princess pivot — and cater to the exploding number of young families in Northern Liberties.”
As a release states, the Igloos are available now, with four set up this week, and more on the way for the second week of December. They can be booked through the website and open table. Each Igloo can seat eight people and comes with a fire pit, carpet, lite decor, protective barrier from the cold and winter wind, and enchanting views of the stars, night skies, and the Northern Liberties Christmas Tree.
Each Igloo is around 12 feet in diameter and took over 10 hours to make and assemble. These are unique and are an elevated Igloo experience new to the city and region. With the Igloos returns the princess pivot and partnership with A Dash of Magic Events. However, for the princess in the spotlight, Aisha Maria Loeks, getting to this point was not exactly a magical journey.
The New Mexico native currently resides in Northern Liberties, and like many others, she had her eyes set on huge sights for 2020. Her Adorned by Aisha business was set to hit the stage at Philadelphia’s major festivals like the Philadelphia Flower Show and Christmas Village. Her second business, A Dash of Magic Events, was her backup sideline business that brought joy to kids at birthday parties and special events across the region. Once the pandemic swept the world back in March of last year, however, all the access she was going to have to promote her business at in-person events was essentially nulled. Loeks did what she needed to do and instead used her skills for her socially-distanced styled business.
In 2017, A Dash of Magic Events was born, and through her pivot, it became Loek’s primary source of income during the pandemic. The high-end themed party and events company was a perfect fit for Loeks who did musical theater all through junior high and high school and then went on to study theater and costume design. She also received her BFA in technical theater from Santa Fe University of Art and Design—it was there she learned to act, sing, make props, design costumes, and so much more.
Loeks’ partnership with Glu is here again at Figo, and Philadelphians can make reservations to partake in the magic themselves.
The show (which spans from brunch to dinner depending on the character) will last 90 minutes in length. Families are invited to get try this special open-air dining experience, which is aimed for kids of all ages that love Elsa and Disney. The safe and socially-distanced photo opportunity, songs from the princess’ story, and grand entrance. Each table will also receive a private visit from their favorite princess, a souvenir, and a princess-themed activity sheet. The igloos are heated just for you and your immediate family members. The outdoor seating is completely covered with additional heaters.
As a release states, right now, the schedule includes the Snow Queen (Dec 4, 12) Snow Princess (Dec 11), Cinderella on Sunday (Dec. 5), Beauty Queen Dinner with Belle (Dec. 21) and all day seatings for Countdown to New Year’s with Cinderella on December 31.
Food and beverages will be pay-as-you-go. Along with the Igloos and Princess Brunches, Glu and Figo will also present Brunch with Santa on December 18 and 19, from 10 am to 2:30 pm. with Santa photos, cookie decorating, hot cocoa station, brunch specials, and holiday beverages.
The updating line-up, tickets, and more information are available at figoitalian.com
