By Bill Gelman
For those who enjoy trying seasonal holiday dishes from around the world, make sure to include Puyero Venezuelan Flavor, 524 S. 4th St., on the list, as owners Gil and Simon Arends and Gil’s wife, Manuela Villasmil, introduced several new traditional Christmas dishes earlier this month.
“We are trying to share as much of the Venezuelan Christmas spirit as we can at Puyero,” Gil Arends said. “We’ve changed our dining room playlist, but most importantly, we are adding hallacas to our menu.”
Hallacas, which are very similar to a tamale, are only prepared during the Christmas season. Each one is made from corn dough and stuffed with a stew made from the meat of choice. The fat from the stew is also used to add extra flavor to the corn dough. It is then wrapped in plantain leaves, tied with strings, and boiled.
Pan de jamón, or Venezuelan Christmas bread, and Andres-style hot chocolate, are other holiday additions.
For more details, including pricing, visit puyeroflavor.com, or call, 267–928–4584. …
The South Philadelphia Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St., is ringing in the holidays with St. Benjamin Brewing, Kurant Ciders and Levante Brewing on Tuesday (Dec. 19). There will be rare and seasonal drafts from each of the breweries, a holiday raw bar and winter cocktails. A portion of each draft sale will be donated to Unity in the Community. There will be half-price drafts and appetizers from 4 to 6 p.m. The establishment will remain open until 2 a.m. For more information, visit southphiladelphiataproom.com. …
The Hungry Pigeon, 743 S. 4th St., is gearing up for a special Christmas Eve dinner on Dec. 24 from 5 to 10 p.m. The special pre-fixe menu is $45 per person and includes classic shrimp cocktail, camembert tart with pears, butternut squash bisque, a choice of roast beef or vegetable lasagna and black forest cake for dessert. To make a reservation, call 215–278–2736. …
For those who don’t feel like making Christmas dinner, the quick solution may be a phone call away. Ela, 627 S. 3rd St., is offering customers a to-go option that will feed five to seven people. The package will include a choice of honey ginger glazed ham or bone-in rib-eye, with shaved green kale salad, rustic garlic crushed potatoes, sweet chili glazed carrots, baked cauliflower, aged cheddar and truffle mac ’n’ cheese along with honeycrisp apple cobbler and vanilla chantilly. All orders must be placed by Wednesday (Dec. 20) and picked up on Dec. 23. Call 267–687–8512. …
Barcelona Wine Bar, 1709 E. Passyunk Ave., is now offering brunch on Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 a.m. Some of the brunch tapas items include pancakes with caramelized apples, vegetable frittata, hanger steak and egg, torrijas (Spanish french toast) and Serrano ham benedict. For a more detailed menu, visit barcelonawinebar.com/location/philadelphia. …
A couple members of the Philadelphia Flyers alumni will be hanging out at the Broad Street Bullies Pub, 1100 Pattison Ave., on Monday night ( Dec. 18) prior to the home game against the Los Angeles Kings. Besides saying hello to Bob Kelly and Bernie Parent, fans have the option of enjoying a bite before the game.
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