This Weekend: 150th Schuylkill Navy Regatta

If you're like me, then you may be looking for a way to cool off in the city this weekend. Venture over to Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive for the 150th Schuylkill Navy Regatta held on Saturday, June 14.

Lucky for me, I don't have to be a coxswain to enjoy the excitement as rowers glide swiftly and gracefully down the Schuylkill River. Before long, I am cheering them on and wondering why I don't get my own boat.

While there are other regattas planned for this summer, I find this particular competition interesting since it is open to all amateur oarsmen including novice, intermediate and senior skill levels. There are 48 races in total featuring womens, mens, and co-ed races with one, two, and four rowers to a boat. Races range from 1000-2000 meters in length.

The first heat begins at 9am with finals likely to start before noon. Since Kelly Drive typically closes down for regattas, I recommend you bike, rollerblade, or walk over. Parking can be found in Fairmount Park, as close as you can get to Kelly Drive.

If the regatta is enough to inspire you to row, you can read more about how you can kayak on the Schuylkill River.

Mimosas at The Belgian Cafe

If there's one thing I know, it's that no brunch is complete without a mimosa. Two parts champagne, one part fresh-squeezed orange juice, mimosas are pretty standard and easy to make.

But recently at The Belgian Cafe, I discovered a mimosa unlike any other: the Blanche Mimosa. In fact, I find myself spoiled now, resenting "ordinary" mimosas. Instead of champagne, the Blanche gets its unique, frothy taste from Blanche de Bruxelles, a refreshing wheat beer with hints of coriander and orange peel.

Beer and orange juice?

I must admit, that at first I thought the combination unthinkable. And yet, quite ingeniously, the Belgian Cafe takes what it does best (beer) and transforms mimosas into a drink that anyone can enjoy. Even those who find it too pretentious or would rather cure their hangover with a Bloody Mary are sure to enjoy this mimosa with a Belgian twist.

For those still missing the Bloody Mary, the Belgian Cafe offers mussels, marinated in tomato juice, celery, horseradish, pepper and vodka. The brunch menu also features Charcuterie Mussels, boasting flavor from garlic sausage, ham, goat cheese and charcuterie mustard.

Looking for more traditional breakfast fare? The Belgian Cafe also features eggs benedict, hearty steak and eggs, poached eggs with salsa, and even a croque madame egg sandwich. You can also order french toast and a number of clever vegetarian options.

If The Belgian Cafe sounds new to you, that's because it only opened last year, at the former site of Tavern on the Green. However, its collection of beers from around the world and steaming crocks of mussels have been satisfying local palates for years at Monk's Cafe, which is owned by the same duo, Tom Peters and Fergus Carey (Read more about Monk's at PhilaFoodie).

If you enjoy a wide variety of seasoned mussels, I would recommend The Belgian Cafe for dinner, though I have found the rest of the menu to be lackluster. But, as far as brunch is concerned, I can't get enough of the Blanche Mimosas.

Get Directions

Reflections from the Rodin Museum

Countless times I have walked by the Rodin Museum, stopping to admire the renowned “Thinker” sculpture that sits outside its gates. I've peered through the gates into the garden, wondering what might be within. For many years, I resolved to come back during visiting hours, but it was only recently that I took the time to discover the magnitude of Rodin’s influence on art.

Now, the Rodin Museum can be a bit tricky to find. It's administered by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but it occupies its own space on Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 22nd St, near the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Upon entering the main gates (shown above left), I found a small courtyard. Immediately, I was able to block out the sounds from the bustling city and let the tranquility of my surroundings come over me. My eyes fixed on a reflecting pool made for just that, and absorbed the rich, green foliage that framed the pool, conjuring up childhood fairy tales of enchanted gardens.

Walking past the pool, I realized that in order to enter the museum, I must pass through one of Rodin's most famous works, “The Gates of Hell.” And yet, the experience of walking through the The Gates of Hell was quite the contrary to its name. My head remained clear and my mind at ease as I examined Rodin's unfinished masterpiece that is said to be a summation of his life works. Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, Rodin sculpted characters that would later become works of their own, such as “The Thinker,” "Paolo and Francesca," "Ugolino," and others.

I entered the museum and was asked to give only a donation ($3 is recommended). In return, I was given insight into the life of a gifted sculptor whose forte was revealing the emotion, the personality, and the character beneath the surface of his subjects. The first sculpture I saw was massive. Scaled to be just larger than life, “The Burghers of Calais,” features not just one man, but six Calais leaders as they made their slow, but decided walk toward death. In a famous tale, these men sacrificed themselves to save their city and Rodin captured with frightening detail their agony, nobility, and fearlessness.

Beyond the burghers, I admired variations of other telling sculptures in which Rodin experimented with emotions, such as The Clenched Hand , Youth Triumphant, and Crying Woman. Rodin clearly understood that one's emotions can be interpreted not only with a face, but with a flexed fist or slumped shoulders, using almost every muscle in the human body.

I was also surprised to learn that Rodin had been commissioned to sculpt a number of well-known literary figures, including George Bernard Shaw, Victor Hugo, and Honore de Balzac. In fact, there is a whole room dedicated to various sculptures of Honore de Balzac, which made me realize that more often than not, Rodin practiced with multiple sculptures before perfecting the final piece.

Get Directions

Rocky: The Art Museum's Guest of Honor

Even though it's been over 30 years since the release of the first Rocky movie, it amuses me to find that the Philadelphia Museum of Art still attracts locals and tourists who come to pay tribute to Philadelphia's most beloved boxer.

No matter what day of the week, I can stroll by the museum and catch a few Sylvestor Stallone imitators running up the 72 front steps while others pose triumphantly at the top, fists clenched and arms held high in the air. And if that isn't enough, I can see more Rocky fanatics posing for photographs with the larger-than-life Rocky statue that stands proudly on the front lawn.

This 8' 6" bronze sculpture was originally created for the filming of Rocky III, released in 1982. After filming ended, Mr. Stallone donated the statue to the city of Philadelphia. Rocky was given a temporary home at the top of the art museum steps, much to the dismay of museum curators. After many polls and surveys, it was decided that the famed fighter would be better suited for a home near the Wachovia Spectrum.

Except for a brief move to promote Rocky V, the statue remained in the shadows of the Spectrum until the summer of 2006. It was then, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the original Rocky film, that the heavyweight statue returned to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it stands today, attracting as much attention as ever.

Now newlyweds and tourists alike wait in line to have their pictures taken with Philly's favorite boxer. Next time I'm out for a run, I'll be sure to pay my respects to Rocky and join others in a sprint to the top of the steps.

If you are interested in learning more about the hopes and dreams of many "Rocky runners," then check out Rocky Stories, a book authored by two Pulitzer Prize-winning writers from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Note: When trying to find a video on YouTube of Rocky running up the museum steps, I had the most difficult time because so many people had filmed their own versions. Here's a look at one that might inspire you to post your own version:

Thursdays at Fairmount Farmers Market

Nothing scares me more than a crowded grocery store in the summer, which is why the Fairmount Farmers Market makes a nice alternative. Every Thursday from 3-7 pm, there are a half dozen blue and green tents nestled alongside Eastern State Penitentiary on 22nd and Fairmount Ave.

Although small, the Fairmount Farmers Market has plenty to offer, including fruits and vegetables, honey, dairy products, baked goods and more. The assortment of goodies changes weekly, but I recommend keeping an eye out for the fresh berries -- luscious strawberries, tart raspberries and blackberries the size of a quarter. At the market, I found all the makings for pie, and better yet, a fresh baked pie for instant enjoyment.

If it's too hot to bake, I peruse the market for veggies to throw on the grill. Sweet corn, juicy beefsteak tomatoes, and spicy bell peppers can easily turn a barbeque into a sumptuous feast! And when I want to brighten up the house, I can choose from a myriad of roses, gerbera daisies, lilies and other flowers.

All in all, the Fairmount Farmers Market has a large selection of food to choose from and gives me another excuse to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Interested in finding more farmers markets? Check out the Citypaper's listing of markets and find one available almost any day of the week.

Get Directions

Brews at the Bishop's Collar

If you think The Bishop’s Collar is an apparel shop for clergymen, then you need to get out more. This tavern, favored by those in the neighborhood and beyond, is named for what every good Irishman refers to as the perfectly poured pint of Guinness. But it’s not just the dark stout that keeps drinkers and diners like myself coming back for more.

Like the locals, I refer to The Bishop’s Collar simply as “the Collar" and have come to think of it as the quintessential “friendly bar around the corner." It boasts a wide selection of regional microbrews and superior pubfare in a classy, but low-key setting, much like that of a traditional Irish pub. While the gents can catch a Phillies game on tv, the ladies will enjoy the outdoor seating, warm atmosphere, and the long list of cocktails and brews.

In addition to offering favorites like Guinness, Hoegaarden, Magic Hat, and of course Yuengling, the Collar regularly rotates its selection of microbrews from Yards, Victory, Troegs, and Stoudt’s Brewing Company. In fact, the founder and brewmaster of Yards Brewing Company happens to live right around the corner and has been known to frequent the Collar.

With fine drink, there must always be fine food, and time and time again I've seen the Collar take pubfare to a whole new level. When I think of pub grub, I assume there will be a choice of greasy fish and chips, chicken wings, and cheesesteaks. But the Collar has a much more diverse menu of delicious entrees to choose from, all for less than $10 (fun fact: each menu is delivered inside a classic children's book). My favorite is the the flank steak sandwich that comes dripping with melted provolone and caramelized onions, but I also enjoy the burger wrap, chicken spring rolls, and the Jersey tomato, basil and mozzarella salad. If you enjoy the food as much as I do, be

sure to stop by Sunday brunch for mimosas, bloody mary’s, and a hearty plate of steak and eggs.

The Collar is located on the corner of 24th and Fairmount and accepts both cash and credit cards.

Get Directions
Bishop's Collar website
Learn how to pour a perfect pint of Guinness

Sushi, Sashimi, and Saki, Umai!

Umai Umai (pronounced oo-my oo-my) is one of the best-kept secrets in the neighborhood. Sushi secrets, that is. With its modest location on the corner of N. 22nd and Green, Umai Umai (meaning: savory taste sensation) is easy to pass by without knowing how savory it really is.

Since it's BYOS, I'm always sure to bring my own saki or wine, and due to the small space, reservations are recommended. Upon arrival, I am greeted by an inviting staff and seated in a dining room that exudes warmth with its hues of red and black. Simply decorated with bamboo shades and paper lanterns, the atmosphere is ideal for sharing a romantic evening or a night out with friends.

While the menu has a complete listing of contemporary Asian cuisine, including sesame chicken, kobe beef carpaccio and shrimp pad thai, I find the best bet is leaving the choice up to the chef. Chef Alexander McCoy, formerly of Teikoku on the Main Line, always delights and surprises with the Chef's Special. McCoy creates an ever-changing arrangement with the freshest cuts of bluefin tuna, yellowtail, freshwater eel, mantis shrimp, and scallops paired with lime.

No matter how much sushi I devour, I can rest assured that there is always room for dessert at Umai Umai. My favorite is the banana spring roll, sautéed in cinnamon and nutmeg, fried and served warm on a red bean sauce with vanilla ice cream. When looking for a more traditional taste, I sample the crème brulee, baked to perfection, and served with a caramelized sugar crust and topped with a sweet Japanese mountain berry.

Umai, indeed!

Get Directions
Visit Umai Umai's website