Eat, drink & be merry: Where to savor holiday flavors in Philly

Craftsman Row Saloon has pulled out all the stops for the holidays once again with this year’s theme dubbed Miracle on 8th Street. Specialty cocktails include the Peppermint-Ini (vodka, chocolate liqueur, peppermint, cream and a candy cane), the Fireside Chat (Screwball, marshmallow simple, cream and cinnamon sugar), the Gingerbread Man Whiskey Sour (whiskey, amaretto and gingerbread syrup in a keepsake gingerbread cup) and many more spirited options.

 

Food-wise, locals can find bites like the white Christmas pizza-calzone mashup, candy cane caprese, buffalo chicken seasonal wreath, Christmas dinner burger, shepherd's sleigh pie, their signature over-the-top milkshakes and more.  

 

Bloomsday is celebrating the holiday season with a special culinary classic—a gingerbread house decorating event. This 21+ experience lets guests sip on their choice of wine, beer, or a mocktail while decorating a personal gingerbread house. The next class is set for Wednesday, Dec. 17 (6:30 p.m.) and comes out to be $68.25 a ticket.

 

Saturdays at High Street have now been dubbed the “Ever Eve Holiday Pop-Up Cocktail Bar.” For five sessions during the festive season, guests can expect seasonal cocktails, gourmet bar snacks, and live jazz from Dave Brodie, along with a rotating lineup of local artisans offering holiday gifts and treats. Highlights span brown butter shoestring fries, crispy fried oysters, a signature dessert cart, plus a creative list of holiday-specific cocktails, including a boozy hot chocolate. The pop-up will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. Reservations are $5 per person via Opentable, and walk-ins are $10 per person based on availability.

 

W Philadelphia’s Beverage Director Isai Xolalpa has concocted three elegant holiday cocktails for the season. The Golden Hour Reverie offers a lemon-forward, orange liquor sipper, the Velvet Vigilante is their “rebellious reinterpretation of the Bloody Mary” with guajillo chile, and the Midnight Monolith features coconut and coffee oil.

 

The seasonal offerings at Assembly span Raclette & Gruyère Fondue ($17) served with toasted sourdough and honeycrisp apples; Mushroom Toast ($16); an Alpine Burger ($20) fashioned with house-ground beef, caramelized onions, Alpine cheese, pickles and garlic aioli served on a brioche bun; and a series of flatbreads.

 

Drinks and dessert-wise, the former features picks like the Autumn Affair ($18) crafted with Rittenhouse Rye, pumpkin, lemon, brown sugar, vanilla, and Fee Foam, and the Golden Hour Toddy ($16) with Jim Beam Black, chai tea, cinnamon, clove, and vanilla, among other sippers. The latter feature indulgences like Dark Chocolate Fondue ($15) and Caramel Beignets ($14). Reservations (including sections with your own firepit) are currently available online.

 

Those who want a festive pick-me-up to start their day can head to Spread Bagelry for their fresh holiday menu. New offerings span a French toast bagel ($2.25), gingerbread latte ($6) and cinnamon vanilla sugar cream cheese,  available on any bagel, as a side ($4.50), and by the 8-ounce pack ($8). Additionally, during the season, Spread is also offering a limited-time gift card promotion where anyone can buy $25 and get $5 back (available in-store and online.)

 

Back for another holiday season, locals and visitors can book The Rittenhouse Hotel’s Teddy Bear Tea Sleepover Package this winter. The experience boasts a holiday-themed tea service, sparkling wine, and a keepsake Rittenhouse teddy bear for each child. As a release notes, the private in-room experience accommodates up to two adults and two children, offering an assortment of seasonal treats, with dietary substitutions available upon request. Future date availability windows include Dec 20-24, Dec 26-31 and Jan 2-4. Bookings must be made 72 hours in advance; pricing depends on your booking date.  

 

The holidays and ice cream go hand in hand at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The brands holiday collection spans flavors like cranberry panettone with chocolate sprinkles, white chocolate peppermint, boozy eggnog, pistachio macaron, dulce de leche, plus, the return of Jeni’s wedding cake and the launch of their new Dubai chocolate bar flavor.

 

Loretta’s always boasts a bevy of both sweet and savory treats, but for the holiday season, locals can also try out their Breader Together gingerbread latte, made in partnership with Together Athletics. Served with house-made gingerbread syrup, milk of choice, espresso, mascarpone cold foam, and garnished with black sea salt and a Teddy Graham, the drink will be available at the locale through Dec. 31.

 

Dolley Madison will be hosting a few more sessions of her Holiday Tea at Carpenters’ Hall this season. Tea-time is set for Dec. 14 and 21 (3:30 to 5 p.m.) and will feature an assortment of tea, sweets, and savory treats by The Hart of Catering. Highlights span cranberry-orange scones, crudite in truffled cream cheese, egg salad tea sandwiches, potato pancakes with apple creme fraiche, and four mini desserts.

 

As a release notes, the event will also feature hot cocoa made with American Heritage Chocolate, an authentic historic recipe from the 18th century. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be available. Tickets come out to be $85 per person.