City Cast Philly

Every year restaurants in Philly push the boundaries of culinary excellence — and 2024 was no exception. Host Trenae Nuri sat down with The Infatuation’s senior editor Alison Kessler and senior staff writer Candis McLean to talk about their favorite restaurants of the year and which ones excite them for 2025. Read more about Candis and Alison’s favorite restaurants on The Infatuation. Restaurants mentioned in the episode:  Provenance  CJ & D's Trenton Tomato Pies El Mictlan Amy's Pastelillos Nepali Momo Kitchen Royal Tavern  Little Walter’s  Middle Child Pearl & Mary  My Loup Jaffa Bar Little Water Best Cannoli Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Jones Dairy Farm Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today the team is talking about the City Council vote on the 76ers arena, which came after multiple delays. Also, MOVE members ask for newly identified remains of the Africa family to be returned as well as their Osage Avenue home. To break all this down, host Trenae Nuri is joined by executive producer Matt Katz. Plus, they cover some good news about Kylie Kelce’s new podcast “Not Gonna Lie.” Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  ‘It is criminal’: Africa family wants MOVE bombing victims’ remains returned and Osage Avenue home back Penn says it has found more human remains from the MOVE bombing at its museum Kylie Kelce Knocked Joe Rogan Off the Top Podcast Slot, In Just One Episode Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Jones Dairy Farm  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Chin, executive director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, grew up in Chinatown. He’s spent his career preserving, promoting and protecting this neighborhood. Now, he’s the face of the opposition to the proposed 76ers arena slated to move in next door. Host Trenae Nuri talks with John about why he says he’s not against the idea of an arena – he’s just against it hurting Chinatown.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Jones Dairy Farm  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Wednesday politics roundup! First-year City Councilmember Rue Landau is anticipating the changes that could come to Philly in the new year. Host Trenae Nuri talked with the councilmember about hearings she's planning to address how to protect residents from policies that might come out of the new Trump administration. They also talk about how she's one of just a few councilmembers publicly opposed to the proposed 76ers arena in Center City. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Jones Dairy Farm  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your SEPTA Key card does more than just get you on your train, bus, or trolley. It comes with a load of discounts to restaurants, museums, and shops. Host Trenae Nuri and Abby Fritz, City Cast Philly producer, dish on the ways you can save just by flashing your SEPTA Key card. Here are the discounted spots referenced in the show:  Federal Donuts Greene Street Coffee Company  The Franklin Fountain and The Franklin Fountain Ice Cream Bar Kismet Bagels Campo’s  Hatch & Coop   The Franklin Institute  Philadelphia Museum of Art Museum of the American Revolution The Academy of Natural Sciences  Wilma Theater  Arden Theater  Beyond the Bell Tours  Betsy Ross House  Ghost Tour of Philadelphia  Philadelphia Zoo Ten Pennies Florist SEPTA Store A Novel Idea New Era Phillies Team Store Rothman Orthopedics Ice Rink- Christmas Village Find out about more SEPTA perks here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Jones Dairy Farm Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the perfect time of year to get cozy and watch a movie…a Philly movie. Host Trenae Nuri talks to Len Webb and Vincent Williams from The MICHEAUX MISSION podcast as they delve into a list of essential Philly films, analyze the ways that actors portray fictional Philadelphians, and discuss how Hollywood portrays our city. Films mentioned in this episode:  Creed  Trading Places Philadelphia  A Night Catches Us  The Sixth Sense Unbreakable  Rocky  Concrete Cowboys  12 Monkeys  Brotherly Love  Beloved  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Jones Dairy Farm  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We talk about why City Council delayed the vote on the Sixers arena proposal and how a new law bans stopping, even for a minute, in bike lanes. Also, Caroline LeCount gets a street named after her, finally, and Philly has a first snow, already. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Philly may get its first (barely) measurable snowfall of the season Thursday Philly City Council postpones vote on the proposed 76ers arena as negotiations continue Drivers can no longer stop, stand or park in bike lanes in Philly Philly Mayor signs bill to rename Taney Street to honor civil rights champion Why Philly Residents Want to Rename Taney Street Listen to Your Guide to December 2024 in Philly. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X & Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You bring a date to some coffee shops, and a laptop to others. Some coffee shops offer fantastic meals, and others sell you…sneakers? Since Philly has such a variety of independent coffee shops, we made a guide to help you sort through them. Host Trenae Nuri sat down with executive producer Matt Katz and producer Abby Fritz at Mr. Rabbit Coffee in Fitler Square to break this all down.  Coffee shops mentioned in the episode:  Mr. Rabbit Last Drop Satellite Coffee Càphê Roasters Jezabel’s Cafe Arterial Coffee iMUNCH Cafe Tela’s Market and Kitchen Rival Bros Coffee Red Hook Coffee and Tea Alif Brew and Mini Mart Elixir Coffee THANK YOU THANK YOU Persimmon Coffee OX Coffee Enswell Two Persons Coffee High Point Cafe Encanto Kicks & Coffee Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books The Monkey & The Elephant Herman’s Coffee vernick coffee bar Gleaner’s Cafe Caffé Ida Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The powerful sound of The Crossing Choir — a multiple-Grammy award winning chamber choir based in Philadelphia — just hit a new record: The 25-member group received its 10th consecutive nomination this year. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Donald Nally, conductor; Nate Barnett, tenor; and Chelsea Lyons, alto and the group’s community engagement manager, about their latest album Ochre, their soulful sound, and the secret to winning big in the music industry. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsor of this episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bagels, omelettes and home fries seem to be standard breakfast items, but more Philly restaurants are adding breakfast tacos to their menus. We’re revisiting a conversation with host Trenae Nuri and Jenn Ladd, food reporter at the Inquirer, about what breakfast tacos are, why they deserve the hype they’ve been getting, and some of the best breakfast taco spots in Philly.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s starting to get colder, so why not warm up near the fire pits at Dilworth Park, sip mulled wine in the Christmas Village, or get cozy with a bowl of spaghetti rusticana (and a side of opera) at Victor’s Cafe? In this episode you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying December in Philly, like eating sweets from Beyonce’s baker and shucking oysters for just a dollar. And for even more tips on how to make the most of December in Philly, check out Hey Philly’s take on what to do this month.  If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Philly community. City Cast Philly is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like BetterHelp. And we’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Generations of Philadelphia children have walked through The Franklin Institute’s 18-foot-high Giant Heart. The heart was recently renovated as the centerpiece of a new $8.5 million Body Odyssey exhibit featuring three rooms of high-tech interactive activities. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and four kids who they both know very well. Sadie and Reuben are Matt’s kids. Nabi and Yahara are Trenae’s kids. And each has an opinion about the exhibit.   Have a question or just want to share some thoughts about the Giant Heart or anything else? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Want some more Philly news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X & Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocky is a beloved character in Philly and beyond. Millions of people come to visit the Rocky statue and run up the steps at the Art Museum each year. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Kathryn Ott Lovell, president & CEO of Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, who’s behind the first-ever RockyFest. This festival is eight days of fun, from a bus tour, yappy hour to date night ideas and a movie marathon!  Read more about RockyFest here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hottest Christmas album in America is as Philly as it comes. “A Philly Special Christmas Party” from the group known as The Philly Specials features Eagles greats Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and the recently retired Jason Kelce, plus guest tracks from Boyz II Men and Stevie Nicks. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with album producer Charlie Hall, the drummer from Philly's own War on Drugs. They talk about why Philly is the perfect inspiration for Christmas music and how a song about a stoned Santa driving down Broad and Pattison is both climbing the holiday charts AND raising money for Philly kids. Need more Philly news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. Have thoughts about The Philly Specials or why Philly in so special? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. We’re also on X & Instagram: Follow us @citycastphilly. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about the hearings on the proposed Center City basketball arena, the deal that averted a SEPTA strike, and the questions surrounding the shooting death of Robert Jones by an off-duty cop. We also have news on behind-the-scenes drama with the Sixers and a loud karaoke taxi driving around town that’s bringing both joy and distress. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and producer Abby Fritz.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Chinatown advocates tell City Council 76ers arena would push neighborhood 'toward the precipice' City Council needs to take the Sixers arena proposal seriously | Editorial Man shot and killed by off-duty Philly homicide detective was unarmed, sources and family’s lawyer say A karaoke taxi has come to town but some want the plug pulled on the Center City attraction SEPTA strike averted in last-minute deal with transit workers union How is SEPTA funded? Inside the Philadelphia transit agency's budget – and what's behind the "death spiral" Shapiro says he won’t let SEPTA ‘fail’ as struggling transit agency warns of looming cuts Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices