by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/26/2009
Photo/videographers from the Inquirer/Daily News; Channel 3 and 10.
Rick Olivieri's daughter takes a photo of her dad with the cake from Termini Brothers.
Chef and waiter from Capitol Grill came by to welcome Rick to the neighborhood.
Ceremonial pepper ribbon is cut and the peppers fall to the grill with a sizzle.
Aditi Roy of Channel 10 tries her hand at frying a steak.
Rick shows George Rubin of PREIT how to put the meat on the grill.
He seems to have the hang of it.
Frankie and the Fashions provided some doo wop and fun.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/26/2009
If you spend ten minutes with June Donaldson head of security at The Bellevue you'll discover that he loves movies. Spend ten minutes more and you'll find out about his love of line dancing but that's for another post.
Here are June's reviews of first-run and DVD movies:
The Transformers: Disappointed. Not for kids. The producers forgot to give Philadelphia credit. No skyline shots. Not as good as the first one, but entertaining.
Hangover: Must see! Very funny. Supposed to be a guy's movie but even women like it.
DVD: He's Just Not That Into You: Very good!
Crossing Over: Must see! Will remind you of Crash.
What June's watching this weekend: The Inkwell with Brendan Frasier; Up with the grandkids.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/25/2009
Rick at the grill:
Kenn Kweder and fan.
A fourth generation of Olivieris with William Penn. That's Chelsea, and Kristin, Rick's daughters.
Author Carolyn Wyman with copies of her book, The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book"
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/24/2009
The festivities start Thursday with a performance by Kenn Kweder. The Philly-born rocker's website describes his performances as "a circus," "a riot," and even "a religious experience" : three things that don't traditionally happen in the food court (and we kinda hope won't happen tomorrow.) Carolyn Wyman will also be there autographing copies of her new book, The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
But Friday's when the big deal happens: a ribbon of hot peppers will be sliced by local and state officials (Nutter's confirmed, if the Governor can get away from his Budget Business in H-burg he'll be there); Frankie and the Fashions will bring a bit of deep South Broad doo-wop to the event. NBC 10's Adhiti Roy will be grilling and chatting up folks in the food court.
And if you hear the roar of motorcycles coming up Broad Street, it's the members of the FOP highway patrol coming to support Rick as he's supporting them by donating proceeds of his Friday sales to their Hero Fund.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/24/2009
Simon PR (11th floor of The Bellevue) got a new staff member and updated their photos with a classic shot on the median in front of both The Bellevue and City Hall. That's photographer Steve Ehrlich photographing (from left) Beverly Volpe, Lisa Simon, Frank Sinatra (yes, nic) and new staffer Meredith Wertz, back in Philadelphia after four years in sigh, Hawaii. More details on their blog.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/22/2009
In September the Grande Dame (that's us) of Broad Street turns 105! In honor of this auspicious occasion the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at The Bellevue will offer a special $105 anniversary rate for a limited number of guests per evening leading up to the anniversary date. Simply enter the offer code "105TH" when making your reservation.
The culinary team at XIX has put together a specialty chef's tasting menu offering a four-course meal for two at $105 in addition to a delicious $105 dessert of decadent chocolate cake with a peanut butter caramel mousse center encrusted in sugar diamonds and served in a Tiffany & Co. (you know they're part of The Bellevue too, don't you?) keepsake crystal bowl.
We're also launching a "You and The Bellevue" story contest. Share your memories of The Bellevue, past and present for a chance to win a weekend's worth of experiences in our national historic landmark. Letters or e-mails with 100 word descriptions can be sent to Molly O'Shea, Park Hyatt Philadelphia at The Bellevue, 200 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or molly.oshea@hyatt.com. 10 finalists will be invited to an award reception where the winner will be announced. Winners and their stories will be shared on the Park Hyatt Philadelphia and Bellevue websites. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, September 4, 2009.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/19/2009
As seen by the City Paper's blog, mealticket.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/17/2009
Ed Bronstein put together a group show of member-artists from The Sporting Club at The Bellevue. From 6 to 8 p.m. we celebrated with a wine and cheese reception and a chance to catch up with the artists.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/17/2009
Young fans get him to sign their book.
Guarding Tom Colicchio is Richard one of the super nice sales associates at W-S.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/17/2009
Noon to 2 p.m. today. He'll be signing copies of his new book, 'wichcraft. There will be lots of samples for those who wait in line and demos by the W-S staff.
Where he'll sit...
The line is forming
First in line: Lynnanne Feairheller!
Williams-Sonoma Bellevue store manager Will Steigerwald with publicist from W-S.
by Anna Iredale
on 06/16/2009
Members of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association gathered in The Bellevue prior to a trip to New York City.
Shown, from left, bottom row: Lisa Simon, Simon PR; Stephanie Spagnola, Shriner's Hospital; Joni Irwin, Shire Pharmaceuticals; second row: Matt Cabrey, Shire Pharmaceuticals; Dan and Carole Cirucci (Dan's a PPRA Hall of Famer); Lisette Breslow, Philadelphia Folksong Society; Pam Rosser of Rosser PR;Frank Aycox, Philadelphia Museum of Art; third row: Lauren Somers; Danielle Gibson, Star-Toplin; Karlyn Messenger; John Golden, Valley Forge Convention Visitors Bureau, and Heike Ross of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Standing in front of John Golden is Terry Diamond.
Chris Dukach of Anne Klein
Larry Rubin of Rubin PR on the bus.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/15/2009
Steaks on the grill.
You'll see your favorite grillhands at The Bellevue.
Rick sells the first cheesesteak to Bellevue Property Manager Andrew Speizman.
Meaty, cheesey deliciousness.
My first receipts. I forgot to get punched,
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/15/2009
Philadelphia, come on down!
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/12/2009
Things look ready to go.
Most importantly, Mandi Davis of the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services made her inspection and Rick is now officially ready to open on Monday!
by Anna Iredale
in Fashionable
on 06/11/2009
It only happens twice a year and the starting date for Nicole Miller's Summer Sale is July 15th. They're making pre-sale appointments now. So much is marked down, there are savings of up to 75%.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/11/2009
According to Rick, although they'll be grilling Monday, the GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION will be on Thursday, June 25. Another famous Philadelphian, Ken Kweder will be providing music, Al Roker is scheduled to stop by and cook up a few steaks as well as the gov, Ed Rendell.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/11/2009
The Metro's been by so look for a story there. Josh Valocchi of Thrillist.com is talking to Rick right now. In the meantime, here's what the tile looks like:
and here's the man in his office:
Inspection still scheduled for Friday so fingers crossed for Monday!
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/10/2009
Tomorrow I'll be able to go behind the scenes and take some photos.
In the meantime, The Inspector is due out on Friday with Monday slated for opening.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/10/2009
Did you know about the three-course Business Lunch at The Palm? Three courses, $17.95. First course: salad (mixed greens or Caesar) or soup of the day; Second Course: twin tenderloins, blackened tuna salad, chicken or Palm burger; Third Course: cheesecake or Key Lime pie. And these are portions that can only be described as Palm-sized.
by Anna Iredale
in Fashionable
on 06/10/2009
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/09/2009
The health inspector won't be out until FRIDAY so it looks like next week.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/08/2009
The inspector from the Office of Licenses and Inspections was due here at 9 a.m. and it turns out that he/she is sick.
Really.
Opening is pushed back to Wednesday.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/05/2009
That's a brand spanking new hood. Untouched by steam or smoke. Well, it was put through a test run and worked just fine. We'll see how it really does on TUESDAY when Rick's Philly Steaks throws some meat on the grill.
Rick and his team will be working feverishly all weekend to get it all done. Stop by on Monday for another update.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/03/2009
Rick Olivieri unpacks his famous sign.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/03/2009
Tony Award winner and former "All My Children" cast member Tonya Pinkins Monday and Tuesday evenings.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/02/2009
It's one day closer to the opening of Rick's Philly Steaks but unfortunately it won't be opening on Thursday or even Friday. We're still talking Tuesday. Tomorrow I'll go behind the scenes and try to locate the classic neon sign. In the meantime, here's what we're looking at:
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/01/2009
Until it opens I'll be posting daily updates on the progress in the Gourmet Food Court. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's hungry for one of his famous cheese steaks.
It looks like it will be Tuesday, June 9 folks.
by Anna Iredale
in What's New
on 06/01/2009
Spend a couple of hours with Flyers legends Dave Schultz and Bob Wilkie when they host their live internet hockey radio show Bubba and the Hammer at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays. For reservations call 215-790-1919.
by Anna Iredale
in Delicious
on 06/01/2009
On Wednesday, June 17 from noon to 2 p.m., Tom Colicchio of Craft Restaurant and Top Chef will be at Williams-Sonoma to sign copies of new book Wichcraft. It's free and open to the public but you have to purchase a book. He's known as a warm and friendly book signer who will personalize beyond belief.
