Fabulous Philly Friends

Get ready for a culinary adventure right in our own backyard! Our next dinner destination is Helm, a renowned BYOB in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood that focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Helm is known for its ever-changing blackboard menu and its creative, delicious dishes. It's a true hidden gem that we can't wait to explore together!

Why You Should Join Us:
Helm offers a unique and intimate dining experience. Their chefs craft a prix fixe menu that highlights the freshest ingredients from local farms. This isn't your typical dinner out; it's a chance to savor a menu that is a true reflection of the season. Expect inventive flavor combinations and a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. If you love discovering new restaurants and appreciate a farm-to-table approach, this event is for you.

What's the Plan?
We'll be gathering at Helm to enjoy their three-course prix fixe menu. The menu changes frequently, so the specific dishes will be a delightful surprise. You can anticipate a selection of appetizers, entrées, and desserts that showcase the best of what local farms have to offer.

The Deets:

• BYOB: Helm is a BYOB, so please bring your favorite bottle of wine or beer to complement your meal. This is a great chance to bring something special!
• Cost: The three-course prix fixe menu is $70 per person. Please anticipate the total cost to be approximately $90 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. Helm is 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: Helm is located at 1303 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Street parking is available, but public transportation and ride-sharing are encouraged.

I can't wait to share this exceptional dining experience with you!

Get ready to kick off the holiday season with a special Thanksgiving Eve Meet & Greet Happy Hour at Curtain Call in the Kimmel Center! They are hosting an exclusive happy hour just for our group with discounted food and drink specials. It's the perfect opportunity to beat the holiday stress, unwind, and mingle with fellow members in a stylish, vibrant atmosphere.

What's the Plan?
We're gathering at Curtain Call, the chic café and cocktail lounge nestled inside the Kimmel Center's soaring Commonwealth Plaza. Whether you're catching up with old friends or joining us for the first time, this is a relaxed, come-as-you-are gathering to kick back, toast to the long holiday weekend, and enjoy discounted bites and drinks.

• When: Wednesday, November 25th, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Feel free to drop in whenever you can make it!
• Where: Curtain Call at the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Located right inside Commonwealth Plaza.

The Deets:

• Atmosphere: Expect a sophisticated yet casual lounge inside the stunning, light-filled Kimmel Center plaza.
• Food: Enjoy discounted happy hour small plates and light bites arranged specially for our group.
• Drinks: Exclusive drink specials featuring specialty cocktails, craft brews, and wines.
• Purpose: A fun, festive Thanksgiving Eve holiday kick-off and relaxed meet and greet, perfect for new members to get acquainted with our group.
• Parking: Paid parking garages are available underneath the Kimmel Center (entrance on 15th Street) and nearby on Spruce Street. Public transit is highly recommended, as the venue is easily accessible via the BSL (City Hall or Walnut-Locust stops)

Why You Should Be There:

• Meet new people and expand your social circle right before the holidays.
• Take advantage of special group-discounted food and drink offers.
• Enjoy the festive, dramatic atmosphere of the Avenue of the Arts.
• It's a low-pressure, high-fun way to get involved with our Fabulous Philly Friends community!

We're looking forward to seeing you there for a fun and festive evening! I will arrive early to find an area for us and I will post in the group where you can find me before the event.

🇮🇹 Welcome to Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy)! 🇮🇹

Get ready to eat, drink, and explore Italian cuisine—one restaurant at a time! Each month, we gather around the table at a different Italian restaurant, from classic favorites to hidden gems, for an evening of delicious food, good conversation, and your favorite bottle as we continue our culinary tour. 🇮🇹🍷

🍽️🍷 Next Stop: L’Anima

Our fourth Giro d’Italia dinner takes us to L’Anima, a contemporary Italian BYOB featuring Roman-inspired cuisine and a symphony of Italian flavors in an attractive, bright, modern setting. Located in South Philadelphia, L’Anima is known for its house-made pastas, Roman-style pinsa, seafood, and other Italian specialties. The restaurant also features a beautiful outdoor courtyard for dining when the weather permits.

Come hungry, bring your favorite bottle, and get ready for a fun evening of great food, drinks, and good company! 🇮🇹🍷

📍 L’Anima
1001 S. 17th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-595-2500
L’Anima website⁠

🍷 BYOB

Feel free to bring your favorite wine or other alcoholic beverage to complement your dinner.

A note about BYOB etiquette: While most people are happy to share, please be considerate of your fellow diners and contribute to the table by bringing a bottle to share.

🍝 Food & Cost

I will order several shared appetizers for the table so we can sample a variety of dishes. Everyone will then order their own entrée from the menu.

You can anticipate the total cost to be approximately $50–$60 per person, including shared appetizers, entrées, 8% tax, and a 20% tip. Because the bill will be divided equally among everyone attending, the final amount per person will vary depending on the entrées ordered by the group.

Please DO NOT ORDER additional food or beverage items.

If you wish to order anything extra, please speak with me first so I can make sure it is accounted for when we split the bill.

Please bring CASH to make bill-splitting easier and to avoid any restaurant credit-card surcharge.

⚠️ Allergies / Dietary Restrictions

If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please let me and the restaurant know when we gather for dinner.

Please review the menu online carefully and make sure there are suitable choices for you before joining us. L’Anima’s current menu includes a variety of meat, seafood, pasta, and vegetable dishes, but menu items and ingredients can change.

📅 Important RSVP Information

I will send a confirmation message a day or two before the dinner asking everyone to confirm that they will be attending. This allows me to finalize our headcount and make any necessary adjustments to our reservation.

If your plans change, please update your RSVP to “Not Going” as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist has an opportunity to join us.

🚗 Parking

Street parking is available in the area, although finding a convenient space during dinner hours may take some patience. A paid parking facility is also available nearby at the Sprouts/Target area on 15th Street between Carpenter and Washington Avenue.

NOTE: Please read all parking signs carefully. Do not leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle, and make sure you are not parked in a location where you could be ticketed or towed.

🚌 Public Transportation

L’Anima is located near several SEPTA bus routes and is also accessible from nearby subway and trolley connections. Rideshare services are another convenient option.

NOTE: Public transportation and rideshare services are especially good options if you plan to enjoy a few glasses of wine.

⚠️ Waiver of Liability

By joining this activity organized by Fabulous Philly Friends Meetup group, you acknowledge that activities involve risks, including injury, illness, or death. You voluntarily participate at your own risk and agree to assume full responsibility for any harm or loss you may suffer.

You hereby agree to release and hold harmless Fabulous Philly Friends, its organizers, volunteers, and members from any liability, claims, or demands arising from participation, including those caused by negligence.

You affirm that you are physically and mentally able to participate and understand that this waiver is binding. You also consent to the use of any photos taken for group purposes.