Old City Eateries Welcome Museum of the American Revolution and Cross Keys Café to the Neighborhood

PHILADELPHIA, April 17, 2017 —Taste the Revolution! Not only is the Museum of the American Revolution officially joining the landscape of Historic Philadelphia on April 19, but so is a brand new eatery: the Museum’s Cross Keys Café. Local restaurants and breweries are welcoming these new neighbors by creating everything from Hamilton-inspired entrées to a gelato flavor based on Martha Washington’s cake recipe and offering discounts to Museum ticket-holders.

Cross Keys Café

101 S. Third St. 215.309.8791, www.amrevmuseum.org

The Museum’s café, Cross Keys Café, named for an 18th century tavern that previously stood nearby, offers Revolutionary fare in a colonial-inspired setting with red Windsor chairs and Revolution-themed imagery. Managed by the Museum’s exclusive caterer Brûlée Catering, the café features indoor and seasonal outdoor seating on the terrace with a view of Hamilton’s First Bank of the United States and Independence National Historical Park. Cross Keys Café will offer grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, as well as items that pay tribute to the colonial era, such as Philadelphia Snapper Soup, Potted Smoked Trout, Chicken Pot Pie, and Tun Tavern Bread Pudding. Patrons can enter the café directly from Third Street – no Museum ticket purchase necessary. Brûlée Catering also offers Revolutionary Era-inspired catering in the Museum’s elegant event space, Liberty Hall, as well as customized menus for groups.

The Little Lion

243 Chestnut Street, 267.273.0688, www.thelittlelionphilly.com

With an Alexander Hamilton-inspired name and colonial-era décor, The Little Lion restaurant is the perfect complement to its new neighbor. In honor of the Museum’s opening, the restaurant has added a new entrée to their menu – the “Hamilton Steak” special. The entrée, based on research on Hamilton’s favorite foods, will be marinated and grilled, served with pickled red onions and green tomatoes, along with an herbed butter compote. Proceeds from the entrée on April 19 will be donated to the Museum. The restaurant is also announcing new hours of operation to coincide with the Museum’s opening, beginning with a continental breakfast buffet from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. seven days a week.

Capofitto

233 Chestnut Street, 215.897.9999, www.capofittoforno.com

Located directly across Chestnut Street from the Museum, Capofitto Pizzeria and Gelataria created a new Revolutionary-flavored gelato created especially for the Museum. The flavor is based on Martha Washington’s “Great Cake” recipe – it has a cream base with sherry, candied currants, orange and lemon zest. Capofitto unveiled the gelato to guests at the Museum’s 285th birthday celebration for George Washington in February. It will be available on a rotating basis at all Capogiro/Capofitto locations.

City Tavern

138 S. 2nd St., 215.413.1443, www.citytavern.com

Operated by Chef Walter Staib, host and creator of the national television series “A Taste of History,” City Tavern is a grand restaurant originally opened in 1773 and was host to the first Fourth of July Celebration in 1777. Located just steps away from the Museum, City Tavern boasts three floors of dining, staff adorned in historically accurate attire, a large garden area and, of course, authentic 18th century Philadelphia fare. Offering the famous West Indies Pepperpot Soup served by Washington to his troops before the famous Delaware River crossing, Martha Washington’s Turkey Pot Pie, The Ales of the Revolution made by Yards Brewing, fresh bread and desserts baked daily and much more. In honor of the Museum, City Tavern will provide a complimentary toast of Madeira for diners with a ticket stub from the Museum. Madeira was enjoyed by our Founding Fathers and is the perfect way to end your meal at City Tavern. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily starting at 11:30am. City Tavern’s Chef Staib also serves as a historical consultant to the Museum’s Brûlée Catering.

Shane Confectionery

110 Market St., 215.922.1048, www.shanecandies.com

Shane Confectionery, the candy shop owned by the Berley Brothers, will offer several Revolution-inspired items in anticipation of the Museum’s opening:

• Christopher Ludwick Gingerbread Cookies: Baked using a replica of German-born Philadelphia baker Christopher Ludwick’s cookie board, which is in the Museum’s collection, the cookies will be sold at the Confectionery as well as in the Museum’s gift shop. Ludwick made invaluable contributions to American Independence during the Revolutionary War, and was appointed by General Washington as Superintendent of Bakers for the Continental Army. Nearly 250 years later, on the same Old City block that Ludwick got his start, Shane Confectionery has begun baking these traditional gingerbread cookies in his honor.
• Thomas Jefferson's Chocolate Nightcap: Now available at Shane Confectionery – both ready for consumption and in a make-at-home jar – Thomas Jefferson’s Chocolate Nightcap will be served in the Museum’s café seasonally. Thomas Jefferson was known to enjoy a cup of chocolate in the evening, sometimes spiked with a dram of brandy. The drinking chocolate is based on Jefferson’s own recipe.
• Benjamin Jackson Chocolate Bar: In 1756, Benjamin Jackson sold chocolate from his shop in Letitia Court. Today, Shane Confectionery continues this tradition on the very same block, roasting and grinding cacao to reproduce the flavor and texture consistent with 18th century ingredients and milling. Each 70 percent chocolate bar is molded to resemble the etched design that adorned Jackson’s early advertisement. It too will be available at Shane Confectionery.

The Franklin Fountain

116 Market St., 215.627.1899, www.franklinfountain.com

The Franklin Fountain ice cream parlor and soda fountain, also owned by the Berley Brothers, is a living museum in its own right. The Franklin Fountain is selling single servings of pre-packaged ice cream in the Museum’s Cross Keys Cafe. Flavors include Washington Vanilla, Jefferson Chocolate and Creme de Lafayette (French Vanilla with Raspberry and Blueberry compote).

2nd Story Brewing Co.

117 Chestnut Street, 267.314.5770, www.2ndStoryBrewing.com

Old City brewery and restaurant 2nd Story Brewing Co. collaborated with Museum curator Mark Turdo, who has a wealth of knowledge about historic fermented beverages, to create Drinker’s Table Beer, featuring brown malt, flaked oats, and a portion of smoked malt in the grist. The historically-inspired beer is named after the Drinker family of Philadelphia who brewed table beer for themselves and their guests. Drinker’s Table Beer will be available at 2nd Story Brewing Co. beginning April 8.

Revolution Diner

239 Chestnut St. 215.238.6900, revolutionphilly.com

Located across Chestnut Street from the Museum, Revolution Diner reopened to the public this month. The diner, now open from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m., features a Revolution-themed menu featuring items such as Revolution Wings, the Colonial B.L.T. Burger, and the Americano Burger with American cheese, pickles and onions all wrapped up in pizza dough. The recently renovated restaurant will offer 20 percent off to all Museum ticket-holders on April 19.

Art in the Age

116 North 3rd St., 215.922.2600, www.artintheage.com

The Art in the Age Tasting Room and Home Bar Supply in Old City is the workshop and testing ground for Quaker City Mercantile, and the only place to taste the company’s newest innovations. Art in the Age is a one-stop-shop for the home bartender. The shop stocks bar tools, mixers, bitters, and glassware. They also offer educational workshops, tastings, and home mixology training. Art in the Age will offer a 20 percent discount on any branded merchandise, including the George Washington mug that is a reproduction of the original that is housed at the Museum, for any Museum ticket-holders.

About the Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution, opening in the heart of historic Philadelphia on April 19, 2017, explores the dynamic story of the American Revolution using its rich collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, letters, diaries, and works of art. Immersive galleries, theater experiences, and recreated historical environments bring to life the events, people, and ideals of our nation’s founding and engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, and Franklin Court, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.