Fabulous Philly Friends

Why You Should Join Us:
Golden Gates isn't just a restaurant; it's a culinary destination. Known for its lavish Russian and Eastern European cuisine and vibrant, celebratory atmosphere, it's the perfect place to toast to two years of friendship and community. We'll be indulging in their renowned deluxe banquet, a feast designed to delight all the senses. The venue also features a lively entertainment program with live music, a DJ, and performers to keep the energy high all night long. This was us last time.

What's the Plan?
We will be enjoying Golden Gates' famous banquet, a multi-course culinary journey that includes a wide array of appetizers, main courses, and dessert. It's a true feast fit for a celebration!

The Deets:

• The Menu
• Cold Appetizers
• Assorted Smoked Fish
• Assorted Cured Meat
• Assorted Pickled Vegetables
• Asian Style Eggplants with Almonds
• Kani Salad
• Grilled Vegetable Antipasti
• Caesar Salad
• French Salad
• Greek Salad
• Caprese Salad
• Vegetable Tartare with Croutons
• Hot Appetizers
• Fried Potatoes w/Garlic
• Puffed Meat Tarts
• Julienne baked with Cheese
• Deep Fried Basa with Truffle Sauce
• Roasted Lamb Shanks with Side Dish
• Blintzes Stuffed with Chicken
• Main Course
• Grilled Lula Kabab
• Pork Shish-Kebab
• Chicken Shish-Kebab
• Pork Ribs
• Chicken Wings
• Dessert
• Pastries
• Fruits
• Soda, Coffee, Teas
• BYOB: This restaurant is BYOB so feel free to bring a bottle of wine to share.
• Dress Code: This is a special occasion, so let's dress to impress! Think cocktail attire—something elegant and festive to match the ambiance.
• Cost: The total cost for the banquet is $122 per person (including tax and gratuity). To secure your spot, a deposit of $50 per person is required via Venmo to @Randee-Frankel (see me if you would like to make your deposit another way). The remaining balance of $72 will be due in cash on the night of the event. To make the process smoother, please bring the exact amount if possible.
• RSVP & Waitlist: You will remain on the waitlist until your $50 deposit has been received. Once your deposit is confirmed, I will move you to the "Going" list.
• Important: Given the nature of the banquet and the reservation, please be committed once you send your deposit. This allows us to have an accurate headcount for the restaurant.
• Parking: Golden Gates is located at 11058 Rennard St, Philadelphia, PA 19116. They have a private parking lot available for guests.

Let's raise a glass to two incredible years and many more to come! I can't wait to celebrate with all of you!

What's the Plan?
We will meet at Hikari and dive into their extensive menu of Japanese specialties. We'll share some appetizers to sample a variety of dishes, and then everyone can order their own rolls or kitchen entrées. Get ready to explore the freshest sushi the city has to offer! You can get a preview of their menu here: https://www.hikariphilly.com/menu

The Deets:

• BYOB: This is a BYOB restaurant, so feel free to bring your favorite wine or beer to complement the flavors of the meal.
• Cost: As we will be ordering a la carte, the cost will vary based on what you order. Please anticipate the total cost to be approximately $40-$55 per person (including tax and a 20% tip). To make bill-splitting easier, please bring cash if possible.
• Allergies: If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let me know as soon as you RSVP so I can inform the restaurant in advance. They are known for being very accommodating.
• Important: I will send a confirmation message a day or two before our visit to finalize the headcount. If your plans change, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" promptly. This allows those on the waitlist to join us and helps me adjust our reservation accordingly.
• Parking: Hikari is located at 1040 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Street parking is available, but public transportation and ride-sharing are encouraged.

Can't wait to share this amazing dining experience with you!

• Oh Brother Philly a highly-rated cheesesteak spot located in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia (206 Market St). They are celebrated for using 100% freshly sliced ribeye meat on a toasted Italian roll, offering classic options like Whiz, American, and Provolone, along with the local favorite, Cooper Sharp cheese and a seeded roll. Beyond the traditional steak, they are well-known for creative options like the Special French Onion Cheese Steak Sandwich: A highly recommended item with fresh sliced ribeye, a creamy horseradish sauce, caramelized onions, and Swiss cheese. Reviewers praise the sweet-and-savory combination. And the Special Shroom Truffle Cheese Steak Sandwich: Features fresh sliced ribeye with truffle crème fraîche, Gruyère cheese, grilled portobello mushroom, and shredded fried onions. It's a popular, quick-service, and family-friendly spot that also has a BYOB policy. You can check their website here http://www.ohbrotherphilly.com/ (0.9 miles to the next stop approximately 20 minutes)
• The 2nd Stops is Uncle Gus's Steaks a newer, highly-anticipated cheesesteak concept located inside the historic Reading Terminal Market in Center City, which opened in late 2024. This simple, cheesesteak-focused stand is a collaboration between Philadelphia food veterans: the owners of Tommy DiNic's and Pearl's Oyster Bar (both also in the Market), and Danny DiGiampietro of Angelo's Pizzeria South Philly. Their main draw is the high-quality 12-inch steak sandwich served on house-made seeded rolls from Angelo's, which many consider among the best in the city. The menu is kept minimal, focusing on the basics: steak, a choice of cheese (including Whiz, Provolone, or the popular Cooper Sharp), and toppings like fried onions and long hots, with an intense focus on fresh, premium ingredients. You can check their website here https://readingterminalmarket.org/merchant/uncle-gus/. (0.9 miles to the next stop approximately 20 minutes)
• The 3rd stop is Sonny's Famous Steaks a highly-rated cheesesteak establishment located in the historic Old City neighborhood (228 Market Street), known for offering an authentic Philly experience. They were famously named "The Best Cheesesteak in Philadelphia" by GQ Magazine. Sonny's uses premium Angus ribeye beef, which is sliced in-house daily, and local Italian rolls delivered fresh every morning. While they offer classic options with Cheez Whiz, American, or Provolone, their signature is often cited as the Sonny's Famous (with Whiz and fried onions). You can check their website here https://sonnyscheesesteaks.com/
• Bonus Stop if you have not had enough Campo's Philly Cheesesteaks is a legendary, family-run sandwich shop located in Philadelphia's Historic Old City at 214 Market Street. They have been serving up authentic cheesesteaks and hoagies since 1947. Specialty Steaks: Campo's is known for its creative and signature cheesesteaks, including: The Heater: Rib-eye steak and jalapeños cooked in Buffalo wing hot sauce and covered in jalapeño cheddar cheese. (It's the official cheesesteak of the Philadelphia Phillies!) Flyers Ice Steak: Rib-eye steak with Philly cream cheese, fresh tomato, and hot pepper cheese on top. (The official cheesesteak of the Philadelphia Flyers!) The Works Cheesesteak: Loaded with sweet bell peppers, mushrooms, fried onions, and melted cheese. You can check their website here https://camposdeli.com/ (The bonus stop is on the same block)

The Deets:

• Cost: The estimated cost is approximately $20 per person, The final cost will depend on our group size and the number of cheesesteaks we order at each location. Please bring cash to make payment easier.
• RSVP & Ordering: To make sure everything runs smoothly, I've created a Google Form to get everyone's cheesesteak preferences in advance. I will use your responses to pre-order at each location. This will help us avoid long waits and maximize our time enjoying the food and company.
• Please complete the Google form below (the menus are linked to the form) after you RSVP (It will open when RSVPs open). You can check out the menus and list your pizza preferences.
• Google Form Link Here: https://forms.gle/x4ai7NkNV4Caj87S7
• Drinks: Everyone is responsible for bringing or purchasing their own beverages.
• Weather: This event is weather-dependent. In the event of heavy rain, we will reschedule to a future date.
• Important: Our events are popular and fill up quickly! RSVPs for this event and the form will open exactly one week before the event date at 12 PM. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me! This is expected to be a popular event. All Attendees Must Confirm Their Attendance. In the event of a long waitlist, any member who has not confirmed by 24 hours before will be moved to not going so that someone on the waitlist may attend.
• Guests: The guest option is turned off for this event, but you are encouraged to invite your guests to become members and sign up to attend.
• Parking: There are several lots available in the old city area.

I can't wait to explore Philadelphia's amazing cheesesteak scene with all of you!