The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. is no stranger to being recognized. Within the past few months, the Philadelphia destination won a spot as one of the 50 Best Bars in America by Food & Wine, had their “Always Crashing the Same Car” named Cocktail of the Week by Esquire, and were recognized for their great seasonal cocktails by The Wall Street Journal and Food & Wine.

This time, The Franklin has been named one of the 25 Best Bars in America by Men’s Fitness.

What is it that Men’s Fitness writer Sharon Feiereisen appreciated most about the subterranean bar? “The menu is conveniently divided into self-explanatory categories – think ‘Rebellious Spirits’ and ‘Easy Going.’”

It’s safe to say that sipping a cocktail at The Franklin has become one of the must-do’s in Philadelphia – right after seeing the Liberty Bell. If you live here and haven’t been, tisk tisk.

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

112 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
267.467.3277 | www.thefranklinbar.com

This past weekend, Square 1682′s Chef Guillermo Tellez brought his playful puppy, Milee, to New York City to appear on CBS’s “This Morning: Saturday.”

Chef Tellez and his vege-loving, four-legged friend explained why it’s important for dogs to eat just as well as their two-legged owners – as demonstrated in the new cookbook, Culinary Canine.

For his apple and chorizo recipe, Chef Tellez picks the apples himself from a local farm. He believes all natural, freshly prepared, home-cooked food takes away the worry of purchasing contaminated, mass-manufactured dog food.

“The quality and kind of food that you will make for your dog is worth it,” said Chef Tellez.

Chef Tellez will feature Milee’s treats for the upcoming Bring Your Own Dog (BYOD) season on the patio, which launches soon and benefits Operation Ava!

Square 1682

121 S. 17th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.563.5008 | www.square1682.com

From noon to 8p.m., Square 1682 will host a pop-up outdoor barbecue, called Q Street, next to their restaurant on Sansom Street (btwn 16th & 17th).

Main Line Today urges “you should make it a point to swing by.” Uwishunu says the menu “makes us crave the taste of summer days” and Drink Philly says “there’s no excuse to miss this outdoor party.”

Whether you’re a barbecue-lover, a hard worker in need of a cool drink, or someone looking for an excuse to soak up some sun rays, Square 1682′s Q Street has it all. Chef Guillermo Tellez’s one-day only menu includes beer brats with roasted peppers and onions, St. Louis barbecue pork ribs with either Korean barbecue or chipotle-pineapple sauce, chicken chorizo with avocado and more. Side dishes range from spicy baked beans to creamed cabbage.

And of course, a drink from a full bar will help accompany your meal. Square 1682 offers drinks from ONEHOPE, a West Coast winery that donates money from each bottle to causes like autism and breast cancer.

Come out to Q Street this Wednesday to relax after work, enjoy the best of barbecue, and sip on a wine that supports a great cause. Multitasking never tasted so good.

  Square 1682

121 S. 17th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.563.5008 | www.square1682.com

In his Wall Street Journal article “Refreshing Burn,” Luke O’Neil describes ginger as a spice with infinite potential due to its ability to give a warming or cooling effect depending on its use – as evidenced by The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.‘s Staring at the Sun.

“Mr. Shearn’s Staring at the Sun cocktail makes [cane-sugar-distilled] Snap the star of the show, with the bittersweet vermouth and light citrus notes playing nicely with the ginger,” said Luke O’Neil.

According to GM/Bartender Mr. Colin Shearn, it’s the perfect after-work drink this spring. He knows what he’s talking about, so we know what we’re drinking at 5.

See the entire recipe here and drink it here.

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

112 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
267.467.3277 | www.thefranklinbar.com

“Besides hard-boiled pastel eggs and quiche on the buffet, flips—drinks made with whole eggs—can make fantastic holiday cocktails,” says Food & Wine.

The Franklin’s Elephant Flip contains a long list of ingredients, including Ramazzotti, Smith and Cross rum, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, pomegranate molasses, Angostura and Bitter Truth Xocatl Mole Bitters and IPA. And of course, a whole egg.

So follow the advice of Hulk Hogan and add a raw egg to your diet at the Franklin.

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

112 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
267.467.3277 | www.thefranklinbar.com

McCrossen’s Tavern is looking to build off last month’s fabulous Wine-Cheese-Food event, which brought Brooklyn Brewery’s Miles Moser down the turnpike with more than a few kinds of kick-ass beer.

However, wine returns for April, and the date is set for Wednesday, April 25. For $32, guests are served four seasonal dishes from Chef Wentz and four cheeses selected and provided by Rocco Rainone of Di Bruno Bros – all accompanied by four spring wines. It truly is the best culinary value in Philadelphia.

McCrossen’s Tavern

529 N. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215.854.0923 | www.mccrossens.com

For Philadelphia Weekly‘s Michelle Mass, it was a post-vacation, back-on-the-grind sadness that brought her to AMS Salon. In her blog post for PW Style, Mass recommends AMS Salon for a fully needed hair revamp.

“The new space is bigger (all on one floor), brighter, and will have all new equipment and tools so that the talented team can continue to provide customers top-notch services. There’s even going to be a serene backyard where clients can relax while they wait.” she explains.

The new AMS Salon at 262 S. 16th Street opened on April 11 – above is a shot of their super-cool new digs.

Super-cool is a fitting adjective. The outdoor area ensures a relaxing experience during your visit. The brand new equipment will give you results that will leave you strutting out the front door and ready to tackle the work that piled up over vacation (if you’re so lucky).

 AMS Salon

262 S 16th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.569.1515 | www.amssalon.com

Executive Chef Guillermo Tellez of Square 1682 is featured in “Philly 101” – Uwishunu’s new daily video series.  Chef Tellez’s spot is the second of 101 videos featuring Philadelphians sharing what they wished more people knew about their city.

In the video, Chef Tellez describes his food at Square 1682 as modern American and also explains that they use tons of local and sustainable ingredients.

So what is it that Tellez wants people to know about Philadelphia? The Reading Terminal Market, and more specifically, the homemade, deep-fried, softball-sized apple fritters.

“All you need is just one of those to share with the family,” Tellez says.

 Square 1682

121 S. 17th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.563.5008 | www.square1682.com

Esquire was impressed by the Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. not once but twice when they named “Always Crashing the Same Car” Cocktail of the Week. The Franklin beauty can be found on the ‘I Asked Her For Water, She Brought Me Gasoline’ section of the winter menu. In the article, Franklin GM Colin Shearn shares the theory behind the cocktail’s name and what the it’s like to drink.

“It’s big and boozy and stiff. It’s kind of a bear of a drink, but it also has those beautiful Chartreuse high notes, and the roundness of the Bonal gives it a little more scotchy mouthfeel. You could think of it as an entry into the Manhattan.” —Colin Shearn

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

112 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
267.467.3277 | www.thefranklinbar.com

Square 1682

121 S. 17th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.563.5008 | www.square1682.com