Introducing The 1st ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS Interview with Producer Floyd Marshall. Wednesday, May 11, 2016. AWARDING EXCELLENCE IN INDIE FILM. By Tinsel & Tine Editor, Le Anne Lindsay. Since 1995 The Barrymore Awards have honored excellence in theater in Philadelphia, so it has been time to have something similar for all the Philly Filmmakers producing engaging, thought-provoking and entertaining films/movies in the city.  Enter Floyd Marshall, Angelique Marshall & Keyon Smith on the scene to produce the 1st Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Awards. ...
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Got invited to another fun, blogger eating fest last week, this time at EAST COAST WINGS & GRILL which recently opened in the North East - 2539 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19134. As the name suggests, East Coast Wings caters to chicken wing lovers offering 75 WING FLAVORS - everything from traditional wings to Bacon Ranch, Kick'n Thai, Grand Caymen, Harvest Apple and soooo many more! You can do a ECW Wing Flight (Choose from 30 boneless or traditional with a maximum of 5 flavors) for $27.99. ...
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I just love to find a cute, cozy one and create a little office for a couple of hours.  There's something about having the energy of others around me, but not involved, that creates a pleasant work atmosphere.  But when a coffee shop is actually a little cafe, I'm in heaven!  Although in this case, I didn't discover this week's Philly Spotlight, Sarah Levine of Luna Cafe (317 Market Street Philadelphia 19106), she discovered me, on Instagram, and invited me for a tasting! ...
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from top to rt: Jeff Belonger, Soc. Media Mgr, Gabrielle & Thaddeus of PhillyPhoodie, Kory Chester Contrib for PhillyGrub, me, and Jamie of MidtownLunch:Philly. Got an invite for a special food bloggers dinner at IMLI INDIAN KITCHEN (769 East Passyunk Ave. Near 6th & Catherine, where Ulivo used to be) from Jeff Belonger of My Philly Alive.  I've followed this site for a while, but never met the editor behind this extensive Things to Do in Philly resource site. Thanks Jeff, for being a wonderful host. ...
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I truly welcomed the quiet week between Christmas & New Years, because starting January 3rd I went from The Barnes Museum Free First Sunday, my first visit after all this time, so I stayed all day. Hosted a giveaway for subscribers to see preview of Jennifer Lopez in her new cop drama "Shades of Blue" on the big screen. Attended Reelblack's screening of Kerry Washington's first major film role - Lift, written and directed by DeMane Davis and Khari Streeter, who Skyped in after the screening to talk about developing the film as part Sundance Labs, and its premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2001 - recommend you add Lift to your streaming/rental list. I attended the press opening for Revolution Taco (20th & Walnut), stay tuned for them to be featured next in the Philly Spotlight. And last, but certainly not least, I also attend the press opening for a new Olde City Restaurant THE LITTLE LION. ...
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Philly Spotlight: RENATA'S KITCHEN. Thursday, December 17, 2015. Cafe Renata is Renata's Kitchen.  By Tinsel & Tine Editor, Le Anne Lindsay. This past summer I got to work from home. It was one of the best summers of my adult life.  One reason being, I really got a chance to walk around my neighborhood. I moved to West Philly the prior summer, but having more free time to go to the park, work from coffee shops and explore, made a big difference in getting to feel more at home. ...
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The Winner of Lunch for 2 at the Christmas Village is Molly Pitcher! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to T&T Newsletter for fun Giveaways!. Philly Spotlight: Chinatown Izakaya - YAKITORI BOY and other Philly Highlights. Friday, December 4, 2015. This week's invite came from Philly PR Girl in celebration of the 8th Anniversary of  YAKITORI BOY  211 N. 11th Street (11th & Race). The establishment is called an Izakaya, which is the equivalent of a pub, in Japan.  Different from a bar in that emphasis is put on ordering food to accompany your cocktails.  Wikipedia says Izakaya: is a compound word consisting of "i" (to stay) and "sakaya" (sake shop), indicating that izakaya originated from sake shops that allowed customers to sit on the premises to drink. ...
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This month Tinsel & Tine's "Philly In the Spotlight" features new upscale Mexican restaurant BESITO, which opened at the end of October and is located in the Suburban Square Shopping Center in Ardmore PA (105 Coulter Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003). Translated as “little kiss,” Besito was conceived by restaurateur John Tunney III who founded the brand in 2006 after traveling extensively throughout Mexico to establish a connection with its people, cuisine and culture. Believing that each restaurant location is a unique extension of the original vision, Besito Mexican strives to delight its guests with the warmth of a private hacienda offering thoughtful details and authentic dishes. ...
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Those that follow me on social media know I often bring whole meals into the movie theater, take a picture before the movie starts and tag them #CinemaSneaknSnacks. The thing missing from my enjoyment of my smuggled edibles is a hard surface in which to eat.  So ideally, I'd love to go to Studio Movie Grill with my own food and happily use the little dining desk which comes with each seat. Of course that wouldn't be fair to the staff depending on food sales, nor would it be easy to get away with, as the servers are in and out of the aisles all during the movie. ...
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Philly really loves beer! How many 15 or more beers on tap, changing frequently therefore written on a chalkboard, upscale pubs are there now? I should try and find out.
Strangelove's is pretty typical of the genre. It boasts a Cajun style menu, but I don't think anyone from Louisiana would agree. But it's cozy, our waiter was friendly and knowledge about beers & dishes. And it's super close to the Forrest Theater which is why we went for a little pre "Book of Mormon" repast.

We each had a stout with a medium body and lighter notes of chocolate and coffee, but I can't believe i forgot to write down the name.

I had the Crawfish & Safron Mac n Cheese, with red roasted tomato soup. It was such a lovely fall, comfort food meal choice that I couldn't go wrong, but it wasn't spectacular 3 Tines

My theater companion had The Oyster Po'boy with homemade coleslaw, which he said was good, but he was a little disappointed the oysters weren't very plump 2.5 Tines.


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We are all enticed by a lechon that’s crispy on the outside and yet juicy on the inside. In fact, we don’t only look forward to seeing a nicely prepared suckling pig on weddings and birthday parties. We also go to restaurants that sell roasted pig simply because we love eating its flavorful, tender meat! Why not? As people often say, enjoy life. Eat pork! Now we just want to ask you. Have you ever wondered when did people start pig roasting? Or from what place did hog roasts originate? Apparently, the Cubans and Americans aren’t the only fans of roasting a whole pig. There are many other places around the globe that love pig roasts!...READ MORE - Pig Roasting: A Walk Down Memory Lane by La Caja China Magic Roasting Box (lacajachina.com) ...
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My sister LeVonne's birthday (7/7)  just happened to fall on a Tuesday this year, which made it perfect for checking out Mercato (1216 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107) Tuesday Tasting Menu - 3 Courses for $33.00  #TastingTuesdays . In terms of the decor, I like the simplicity, intimate size and natural lighting of Mercato, yet it had been over 5 years since the last time I'd dined there. It's an Italian BYOB, but not how you'd think of a traditional Italian restaurant; it's really more the type of place I like to go to for small plates, antipasti, inventive appetizers, grilled veggies, artisan cheeses etc... ...
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