PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It’s the super bowl of horse racing. The Kentucky Derby and many folks will be cheering for “Union Rags” of Chadds Ford stable. The horse is one of the favorites in the race.

With all the glitz and glamour, there’s nothing like being at the derby on race day and even better if your horse is in it. Just ask Michael Chapman of Philadelphia; his family’s horse is Smarty Jones, the thoroughbred who won the derby in 2004.

“It’s a celebrity scene actually. When Smarty was in it Jessica Simpson had actually picked Smarty to win the race so it’s a total happening.”

And if you want to participate in festivities and cheer on local horse Union Rags, Reserve restaurant and bourbon bar in Old City is hosting a “Run for the Roses” viewing party.

“We have all the excitement and the glamour of the derby; everything but the stinky horses. We’ll be here in Philadelphia. So we are encouraging our guests to come out in their derby finest,” says organizer Ryann Richardson.

A portion of proceeds go to a children’s charity.

By John McDevitt

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I arrived a little late as I was shooting a cocktail party at the law offices of Zarwin, Baum, DeVito, Kaplan, Schaer & Toddy with City leaders, and I don’t say that lightly as almost every council person was there, the mayor and other power people in the City. Check out my coverage on Philly Mag today as well as on Fox 29 on Tuesday. When I arrived at Reserve it was packed, I got whiplash catching all the good eye candy I wanted to capture through my lens.

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The steak and seafood restaurant is housed in the former Corn Exchange Bank Building, boasting a classic raw bar, a well-crafted menu of steaks, live jazz and an elevated bourbon (100+ varieties!) and cigar room.

Reserve will be celebrating their grand opening this Saturday, February 25 (with doors opening the day before, tonight) offering diners a refined and affordable three-course prix fixe menu including their signature steaks, organic salmon and decadent chocolate cake ($55 per person).

With a culinary team led by Executive Chef Ken Deiner and Executive Sous Chef Adam Brod, Reserve features a local and sustainable menu using purveyors in Lancaster and Montgomery Counties.

Reserve is open daily starting at 11 am, serving lunch with an assortment of sandwiches and brick-oven pizzas.

Call (215) 964-6262 for reservations.

Reserve
123 Chestnut Street
www.reservephilly.com

via: uwishunu

“Bourbons, cigars, and steaks — that’s our main focus,” he tells KYW Newsradio.

(Jean Jacques Didier Lafontant of Reserve restaurant. Credit: Hadas Kuznits)

What is it about bourbon that goes to well with steak?

“I think it’s just traditional,” he says.

Listen to Hadas Kuznits’ interview with Jean Jacques Didier Lafontant of Reserve Restaurant in this CBS Philly podcast…

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via: CBSPHILLY

In its second week in Old City is Reserve, a sexy reinvention of the soaring-ceilinged space that started in the 1990s as Rococo and sank into a series of sketchy clubs (see: Cebu).

Reserve (123 Chestnut St., 215-964-6262), fronted by Cuba Libre alumnus Didier LaFontant, offers moody lighting, a dramatic bar, live jazz Thursdays through Saturdays, and dinner nightly (entrees start at $22 for chicken); weekend brunch starts Feb. 19.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-insider/A-steakhouse-for-Old-City.html#ixzz1n5Kg0xtT
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Old City’s proverbial aha moment happened somewhere between the rebrand of Khyber Pass Pub, the opening of PBR and the realization that 2nd and Chestnut really needed one thing to make the neighborhood worthy of some serious foodie patronage: a steakhouse.

Occupying the space at 123 Chestnut Street (remember Cebu?), the newly opened Reserve Restaurant, Bar and Lounge brings something to the table that we’ve been missing for some time–a reason to skip the $7 cab ride to Center City’s certifiable treasure trove of surf-and-turf menus and a solid excuse to stay put. A project of Cuba Libre alum Didier LaFontant, Reserve fuses everything we love about spaces like Union Trust and Del Frisco’s (high ceilings, a dark and dramatic bar space, an expansive menu) with the ease of being steps away from a slew of after hours spots that aren’t situated next to McDonald’s (ahem, Whisper).

The locally sourced menu features expertly chosen steak, fresh seafood, raw bar items (oysters on the half shell) and appetizers that go a long way in keeping you sated until the main courses arrive/blow your mind. Coupled with gelato (for after dinner) and the aged bourbon list (you can grab a flight of four for $20 during happy hour), we’re pretty sure Reserve has carved a niche that restauranteurs throughout the area are kicking themselves for missing. Stay tuned for more buzz when Reserve begins serving brunch on February 19; you can book your reservations by calling 215.964.6262 or by booking online here.

Friday: Philadelphia’s newest steakhouse will hold its grand opening on Saturday, but beef lovers can get a first look at Old City’s Reserve at a special preview dinner at 7 PM. Cuba Libre alum Didier LaFontant has outfitted the high-ceilinged space at 123 Chestnut in the former Corn Exchange Bank Building with a 50-seat, poured-metal bar, an elevated bourbon and cigar room, and plenty of locally raised eats. The special $75, three-course preview dinner will benefit Philabundance, and reservations are required (215-964-6262).