Urban Axes Comes to Philly!

September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 / foodsweatandbeers / Leave a comment

If you’ve ever thought any of the following:

I love darts… I wish there was something bigger and sharper I could throw competitively at a target, though.
Why don’t more intramural leagues in Philly let me wear street clothes and eat pizza while I’m playing?
I don’t spend enough time in converted warehouses in Kensington.
Axe puns are great. I should use more axe puns.

…then you should probably continue reading.

Urban Axes is a new competitive axe-throwing spot in Kensington and unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

There are heaps of intramural sports leagues in the city where you can play everything from kickball to cornhole to volleyball to broomball to ultimate frisbee. But, apparently, in Canada, the trendy move is axe-throwing leagues. And you know what I always say,

“If it’s trendy in Canada, sign me up.”

This got me in heaps of trouble during the poutine shortage of 2014, but that’s another story entirely.

I schlepped up to Kensington with beau in tow to check out the scene and we were promptly introduced to our Axe-pert (if this job sounds perfect to you, UrbanAxes is hiring!) who quickly showed us the ropes (REALLY quickly. Like… 2 minutes. This isn’t rocket science.) And then, it was throwin’ time.

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You may have a few questions about how I went from gentle giantess to axe-throwing Amazon in two minutes. Or just about Urban Axes. I’ll answer a few now:

Wait. How can I do this exciting activity?!
Well, just hit up their website and click UrbanAxes – BOOK NOW. They offer axe adventures for the die-hard (leagues that run 8 weeks long) to newbs like myself (walk-in sessions every night except Monday and Wednesday!) Costs range from $20 for a 2 hour session to leagues for $120, and even some group events if you think this would make a great Bachelor party or potluck spot. Not good for a Sweet 16, though. Urban Axes is 21+ only!
Did you just say potluck?!
I did! You can bring food, or have it delivered! We nibbled on some Federal Donuts and soft pretzels because I’m fairly sure axe-throwing requires carbo-loading. They even have refrigeration to keep your treats (or your drinks) chilly.
DRINKS?! ADULT DRINKS?!
You bet. No hard alcohol, but they allow you to bring beer and wine. I know this may sound counter-intuitive (sharp objects + booze = ???) But their Axe-perts aren’t gonna let you get sloshed and toss axes. So be responsible.

If you have more questions about what to wear and how you get their and parking, check out theirUrbanAxes FAQ Page!

Their first leagues sold out, but they’re selling space for their October league already, so get moving!

Urban Axes
2019 E Boston St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(267) 585-2937

MBFW: A British Bach Bash

March 15, 2016March 15, 2016 / foodsweatandbeers / Leave a comment

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” – The 1997 hit featuring a young Julia Roberts pining for Cameron D’s man just moments before their wedding.

My best friend’s wedding (MBFW): the upcoming 2016 ~~production~~ wedding featuring my boon companion Claire and her fiancé, Theo, a strapping young Brit who’s taken a shining to my favorite Brooklyn babe.

Where we last left off, these lovebirds were celebrating their future wedding with tarts and Pimm’s Cups at a Rustic Engagement Party. It was a classy affair.

The Bachelorette Party…. decidedly less so.

Ok, I kid, I kid. If you know Claire, you’ll know that she strictly forbade any of the typical debauchery of a Bachelorette Bash. No sexy police officers or firemen went Magic Mike on us. There were no phallic tiaras or necklaces. The only sign of the corruption of Claire was this artfully done wall courtesy of this garland kit from Paper Source. Maybe there were some questionably appropriate straws, but don’t worry, they didn’t leave the confines of our quaint Asheville Airbnb.

From all along the East coast (ok, let’s be honest, Jersey, NYC, and rogues from Philly and Richmond), 8 of Claire’s nearest and dearest (and one gorgeous puppy) gathered in Beer City, USA. We made sure that, immediately after arriving, we enjoyed a few of the city’s signature cocktails (spoiler alert: it’s BEER!)

Don’t worry, she shared.

And after visiting Burial Beer Co. (where we appreciated their INCREDIBLE Bolo Coconut Brown and their gorgeous Tom Selleck painting), we figured “Hey, let’s keep this party going.”

Luckily, Twin Leaf was merely a stone’s throw away (seriously, I could probably throw a stone from the one and hit the other. I LOVE ASHEVILLE SO MUCH!) We enjoyed some spirited competition….

Laser-like focus

And some competitive spirits (ok, you got me, it was beer again).

Flights at Twin Leaf: A MUST!

We also hit up Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium. Unfortunately for y’all, my camera could not capture the glory of this house of sours, this barrel-aged paradise…. Or maybe I was too busy sipping the nectar of these brewing gods to whip it out. Either way: it was amazing.

Thoroughly versed in the fermented brews of the town, we scampered (Uber’d*) home for some homemade tacos and gal time.

Fueling up while cooking

I’m gonna shoot you straight: after a day of travel and brewery hopping, I’ll be the first to admit: I was asleep before 10pm.

No shame in my well-rested game.

Plus, we had a big day ahead of us. Trombatore Trail and the Blue Ridges beckoned, and we could only heed the call. So, we suited up.

Holly channeling her inner Damian a la Mean Girls

SHE DOESN’T EVEN GO HERE

As a non-hiker (I walk to the bus stop like, every day. Sometimes I walk to get a hot dog when I’m on the beach. That’s nature, right?) This 5-mile round trip hike… was tough.

But I’ll do almost anything for a good photo op, right?

Sorry, Ashleigh. Blame the crummy log/tripod

There was a light at the end of the tunnel, though. And that light…. was more tacos.

Bangkok Shrimp and Crispy Fish

White Duck Taco Shop: MUST visit on any Asheville jaunt.

We bopped for a bit, napped, showered, and dolled up. Because we had rezzis at Rhubarb.

Angel or bride-to-be?

Our resident videographer, Marianne, nabbed a shot of the blushing bachelorette before we ate our faces off.

There was goat cheese burrata, there were lobster corn dogs and rabbit rillette, and there were, of course, drinks.

As for where the night went from there…. well, we’ve all gotta maintain some mystery around these female bonding traditions. Right?

See you at the wedding, ladies. Thanks for the memories. And the tacos.

Pinup Themed Bachelorette Party, Anyone?

July 24, 2012 / foodsweatandbeers / 5 Comments

You know what I haven’t enjoyed NEARLY enough of in my life?

Bellinis.

Bellini Mix-ins!

Following the recipe of Food Network’s Italian heartthrob herself (You might know her as Giada), and with the aid of a SERIOUS Vitamix power house (courtesy of Renee, the hostess with the mostess), we whipped up a DIY Bellini Bar for my girlfriend Katie’s Pinup Bachelorette Party!

All we had to do was puree some fruit (frozen and/or fresh), add some simple syrup, and buy approximately a case of cheap champagne. VOILA!! Instant party! (and, alas, delayed reaction hangover the next morning… but that’s neither here nor there.)

The guest of honor was simply told exactly what to wear by her sister (the mastermind behind this amazing fete!), and when to show up. And show up she did.

Classic Beauty Katie, all ready for a night out on the town!

Some presents were given, MANY Bellinis were consumed (my favorite combination: Strawberry Puree, a splash of cranberry juice, and lots of Extra Dry Andre. Because I’m classy like that), and the Goodie Bags contained CANDY CIGARETTES AND FAKE TATTOOS!!!

Probably the most fabric of any present given… gotta keep it relatively clean here.

I call it “StrawCrAndre”

Puffing… or maybe chewing.

After we were all lingerie’d out (if there is such a thing…), we Pinup Posed, and head out the door!

Fierce, yes?

Mother Nature, however, wasn’t in the mood to party. She was weeping (maybe because Katie was off the market?)

Dear Sky – Please close, thanks. -JP

Luckily, our seats at Top of the Hill were indoors, so we stayed dry (for a bit). I enjoyed their “Marco Polo” – tender ginger & soy braised Korean beef with fresh kimchi, cilantro & sweet onions salsa & creamy asiago risotto.

Kimchi MAY not directly translate to a bunch of cabbage, but delicious otherwise.

And then, it was onto the bars.

Lemondrops, anyone?

We soon realized that all we REALLY wanted was a cup full of sugar-covered lemons. But beggars can’t be choosers. Or something, I don’t know.

Another drink, please.

That nameless drink where you can’t use your hands. Shhh.

We got to know each other better with some hilarious stories, and demanded that all bartenders play 90s music.

It was ideal. Though the rest of the night was definitely snapped with the point and shoot, we’ll keep that stuff off the blog world. The evening ended the only way Katie and I know how to end any evening – Snacks. Namely a grilled ham and cheese sammy for me.

I’ll just leave on this note:

I make The Shades of Shame look GOOD.