Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party

Philly VIPs get a sneak peek at the restaurants that will participate in the annual street festival on May 18th.

On Monday night, at the Rittenhouse Hotel, the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party previewed many of the eateries that will be participating in the popular annual street festival that closes Walnut Street from Broad Street to 19th Street. The preview party honored Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of GPTMC, for her promotion of all things great in Philly. Pictured with her: Corie Moskow, Gloss PR, and Evan O’Donnell, GM AKA Hotel.
 

 
Below: Lucy and Alyssa Devore, with Pearl and Piper Rodgers.
 

 
Below: There was also a fashion show and drink contest. Maria Papadakis was modeling an outfit from Plage Tahiti and was a judge along with Marisa Magnatta, of WMMR. Both ladies had to taste more than 14 drinks. Also pictured: Richard Cohen.
 

 
Below: Elaine Graber, with Rittenhouse Row board members: Sal D’Angelo, D’Angelos, and Sarah Van Aken, SaVa.
 

 
Below: Alexandria Patton, Randyl Case, Leah Kellar, Haley Samsi, and Allie Fumo will all be heading to the Preakness on the Piazza after the Rittenhouse Row Festival on Saturday.
 

 
Below: Jonathan Cichon, chef at Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, whipped up a little something topped off with caviar.
 

 
Below: Artist Lori Balistocky recently moved to the square from the burbs and tells me she loves the neighborhood, as well as the vibrancy of the city. She’s with Katie English, who’s wearing a lovely outfit from Knit Wit, which at 18th and Chestnut streets is still considered part of Rittenhouse Row.
 

 
Below: Geoff Gross has been working hard to execute the Preakness on the Piazza to raise money and awareness in the fight against multiple sclerosis. That event starts at 5 p.m. as the Rittenhouse Row Festival begins to wind down. Jason Mandel tells me he’s going to hit all the big events that day, heading to the Rittenhouse Row Festival Party at noon, then hitting the Radnor Hunt mid-afternoon, then going to Preakness on the Piazza to kick off his evening. Now that’s an agenda to admire.
 

 
Below: Fashion standouts of the evening: Alexander Hankin and Dominic Christopher.
 

 
Below: Fresh off getting a sweeping—and necessary—piece of legislation through City Council that guarantees protections for both gays and transgender individuals throughout Philadelphia, Councilman James F. Kenney, with the ladies of Joan Shepp: Tuesday Gordan, Ellen Shepp and Joan Shepp.
 

 
Below: Joe and Ursula Augustine.
 

 
Below: Taking her job seriously, Danya Henninger, editor of Drink Philly, judges one of the drinks from the night’s competition; she’s with friends Beverly Arum and Jessica Lopez.
 

 
Below: Courtney Beck, Neil Shah, Laura Weathers, Stacey Hudak, Fred A. and Irene Shabel, Linda Swain and Robert Zuritsky.
 

 
Below: Susan Schwartz, president of Sophy Curson. The winning cocktail of the evening was created by Bradford of Le Bec Fin.
 

 
Below: Jenice Armstrong, Daily News, Drew Milstein, Whisper Nightclub, and Tony Rim, of the Corner, the Foodery and Raw. The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival will be held on Saturday, May 18th, from noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine.