These Philadelphia bars and eateries are transforming the city into a garden oasis for the sunny season.
Rosé Garden at Aqimero
The Ritz Carlton’s top-rated restaurant from Chef Richard Sandoval has transformed a section of its venue into a new pop-up for the summer season. The new Rosé Garden is officially described as a multi-sensory experience transporting guests to the seaside of Mexico’s Baja Coast as they sit underneath a canopy of bougainvillea enjoying a crisp glass of rosé and Latin-centric light bites.
In an already elegant space, the new bar set-up is donned with chic lounge-style seating and tucked away areas to post up for the experience. The food and drinks, however, are what really make the atmosphere blossom.
Aqimero’s new oasis comes with a robust wine list, a rosé flight and rosé-forward libations including the Petal Paloma (Patrón Silver, lime, rosé simple and Fever-Tree Grapefruit), Watermelon Basil Mule (Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Basil, lime and ginger beer) and Strawberry Frosé (Côté Mas rosé, elderflower liquor and macerated strawberries).
While there, you and your group can sip and share handcrafted punches created with fresh fruits and botanicals served in vintage punch bowls (with some dry ice to add a bit of a smoky addition). The bites menu, exclusive to the pop-up, also include rosé-inspired Latin sharing plates showcasing seasonal ingredients, such as the Rosé Ceviche (made with dragon fruit, coconut, lychee, lime, guero chili, jicama and leche de tigre), Garden Guacamole (spicy coulis, salami chicharrón and edible flowers) and Chilled Oysters (rosé and tomato mignonette foam).
Dessert, on the other hand, includes a Truffle Flight (with cabernet, champagne and chocolate) and a Paleta y Prosecco (a Lil’ Pop Shop popsicle served in a glass of Chandon Brut). It’s all tied together with a living bar full of fresh herbs that serve as a garnish for guests’ food and beverages.
The Rosé Garden is open (through July 17) Wednesdays through Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 2 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Reservations are available on Aqimero’s website and on OpenTable.
10 Ave Of The Arts, aqimero.com
Garden Bar at the Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum’s outdoor gardens already act as a picturesque venue to sit and soak in the season—now just add a pop-up with spirited drinks and gourmet light bites, and you have the Garden Bar. Acting as a scenic oasis in the middle of the city, the bar will serve up wine, craft cocktails and tasty small plates from Constellation Culinary Group, with close access to check out some of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures. Speaking of, admission to the Garden Bar is free, while admission to the Rodin Museum is Pay What You Wish.
New on the menu this year is a selection of cocktails, plus fresh additions in the dishes category including Whipped Ricotta, a Tofu Bahn Mi, Chilled Citrus Marinated Shrimp, a Mezze Platter, Plantain Chips, and Curry House Pickles.
According to a release, The Rodin Garden Bar will be open weather permitting, and leashed four-legged friends are also welcome. For evenings when the outdoor pop-up will not open due to rain, guests will be invited to the Friday Lounge at the Philadelphia Museum of Art main building. The Lounge will feature live music, locally sourced wines, and tasty small plates. Galleries will be open to exploring from 5 to 8:45 p.m. as well with admission during these hours being Pay What You Wish.
2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, rodinmuseum.org
PHS Pop-Up Gardens
Both PHS Pop-Ups (in Manayunk and on South Street) will follow the traditions of the gardens in years past by blending horticulture and the culinary arts right in the heart of Philadelphia— but there will also be some new additions at both locations to look out for this year.
On top of food and drinks, patrons at both PHS Pop Up Gardens can expect a rotating roster of activities and events this season including the Garden Cocktail Giveaways, aka an interactive demonstration that will showcase the potential of many common garden ingredients to make delicious, fresh cocktails along with free sampling of these drinks. And for those looking for hands-on activities, several craft making programs will be held all season long, such as teacup plantings, natural plant dyeing, beeswax wrap making, macrame making, leaf printing, and so much more to suit all interests and experience levels, with events ranging from $10 to $35 per participant, according to a release.
Multiple locations, phsonline.
The Grove at Assembly Rooftop Lounge
Described as a lush tropical haven in the sky, Assembly Rooftop Lounge’s latest activation gives the city a paradise garden feel while 9 floors above Philadelphia—and it’s now officially open, and will be through Labor Day Weekend.
Designed by local production designer and stylist Elizabeth Barrella, The Grove features vibrant textures, patterns and décor and exotic plant life on top of Assembly’s great views, comfortable seating and fire pits. The menu on the other hand is seafood-focused and features tuna poke, lobster rolls and halibut aguachile from Executive Chef Sonny Ingui, plus an Oyster and Prosecco Bar (and along with it comes a new happy hour.) Patrons can wash it all down with island-inspired sippers curated by General Manager Abigail Remington, and vino lovers will enjoy a global-inspired selection of reds, whites, roses, and sparkling from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and more. Local brews will also be on tap.
The Grove at Assembly will be open Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. And that happy hour that was mentioned? While there, patrons can enjoy glasses of draft Prosecco and a selection of East and West coast oysters shucked to order. According to a release, the custom shucking and pouring station will be in full swing every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and will feature $8 glasses of draft Prosecco and $1 off market price for oysters.
1840 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, assemblyrooftop.com
