FYI Philly | Holiday nights out, ways to unwind and wines to try

FYI Philly FYI Philly | Holiday nights out, ways to unwind and wines to try By 6abc Digital Staff Thursday, November 12, 2026 12:33PM Share PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- This week on FYI Philly, we're fired up for the holidays with places to gather for a night out, including a new brewery and arcade rolled into one. Plus, we share ways to unwind and beautify and a whole list of wines to try. Corte Oven & Bar brings seasonal Italian to East Market corridor Corte Oven & Bar is a beautiful new dining destination on the revitalized Ludlow Street corridor in the East Market neighborhood of Center City. The seasonal Italian cuisine is highlighted by an open kitchen featuring a wood fired oven that creates ambience in the dining room and flavor on almost every dish. The restaurant has three rooms; a bar area, a dining room and a covered outdoor patio that can be used in all 4 seasons of the year. The eatery is open for lunch and dinner and has a happy hour menu already in place. The vibe is elegant with diners able to choose their own adventure from an upscale elevated meal like a steak fired in the oven or something more casual like a sandwich made on the house ciabatta bread. The owners opened Corio in University City just over 18 months ago and have since added this second restaurant. Corio makes pastas and breads daily and shares them with the Corte kitchen. Corte Oven & Bar | Facebook | Instagram 1175 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia Pay-What-You-Can lunch service at Honeysuckle Restaurant When you talk about Philadelphia's culinary scene, one name keeps making headlines and earning honors: Honeysuckle. The chef-owners call it an Afro-centric experience, from what's on the plate to what fills the space. They just launched a pay-what-you-can lunch service so everyone can sit and soak in the joy of Black food traditions. "We are tired, but excited," says chef and owner Omar Tate. "It's a blessing, honestly," adds his wife and fellow chef-owner Cybille St. Aude-Tate. "It's like a dream come true." At Honeysuckle on North Broad Street, it's clear that this couple isn't just serving food. "We're telling stories and sharing culture and sharing histories," says Cybille. "To do it at this level, on this type of stage is really remarkable." They opened this space last year, and the accolades started pouring in. They were recommended by the Michelin Guide and made the list of Bon Appétit's Best New Restaurants in the country. They also earned the title of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs, and received a prestigious James Beard Award Nomination, among other nods. "It's exciting for us, it's exciting for Philly," says Omar. "I grew up here, and I didn't really seeing this kind of stuff going on." "It feels like we have this responsibility to continue this work," says Cybille. Food is at the heart of Omar and Cybille's love story. "We actually met cooking at a food festival in Charleston, South Carolina," she recalls. "It was like love at first sight. It's always corny when we tell the story, but it's beautiful." In 2022, they opened Honeysuckle Provisions, an Afrocentric grocery store and cafe in West Philadelphia. When they moved to the spot on North Broad, they wanted to make sure their faithful felt supported. "We just started this pay-what-you-can lunch program," says Cybille. "Folks can come in, and you have an option of paying $20, $35, or $55." The menu features produce from the farm they share in Bucks County. "The team gets to go to the farm and kind of help plant and harvest," Cybille explains. "We also get to have fun and experiment, and be really curious about ancestral crops and seeds from war-torn countries." All of this is steeped in their mission. AccuWeather: Gusty thunderstorms today in the Philadelphia region 1 hour ago Baby buried alive for 24 hours released from the hospital; father charged Malayshia Allford case: Medical examiner's report reveals new details in murder of missing girl "Honeysuckle, we always say it's more than a restaurant," she says. "It is a literal cultural preservation space. When you walk in, you see an altar that has the faces of folks that have influenced us. We're bringing them into our space to hold reverence for them." The space also serves as a sort of archive. "We're collecting so many different aspects of Black culture, but specifically Black food culture," she adds. And with each dish that comes out of their kitchen, Omar and Cybille say they finally see themselves on a plate. "This is a place for art, a place for gathering, a place for learning and sharing, and just a place to have fun," says Omar. For more information, visit: HoneysucklePHL.com. Battle Royale combines brewery with arcade for fun night out in Delco Matt and Stephanie Courchain created a space they wanted to see for their Delaware County neighborhood. Battle Royale is a brewing company and an arcade. The space is a destination for families during the day and a bar after 7 PM for gathering with friends. There is a mix of pinball and nostalgic games packed into the space. Six screens line the bar where guests can watch a game or play a game with video game consoles connected to the screens. The games are quarter operated, but Matt makes sure that a couple are on free play for guests. Matt built the brewery and is cranking out his first rounds of beer. They also partner with neighboring brewery 2SP for selections to fill out the ten-tap system. Craft seltzers created in the brewery can be flavored and Stephanie made a menu of cocktails with names to match the theme. Matt and Stephanie took over the building with help from Janet Lyons, Stephanie's mother. They did much of the construction and design themselves including chandeliers and lighting, the black walnut bar and sourcing the arcade games. Family hours are available until 7PM. After 7PM it is 21 or older only. Battle Royale | Facebook | Instagram 21 East Springfield Road, Springfield, PA 19064 Beauty gets an about face with emerging options for skincare and wellness Whether a glowup is of interest for the holidays, or any time of year as a treat, facials and spa days have always been popular. Now there are new treatments and modalities to check out in the Philly area. At Face By Inna, a basic 1-hour session works on the muscles, the lymphatic system, and circulation to see where tension is being retained so it can be addressed. At Blissface Acupuncture, treatments combine acupuncture with aesthetics, and use the tenets of Chinese medicine in their approach -- to keep the body's energy flow positive. Sarang Head Spa comes from the Korean practice of visiting a 'head spa' on a regular basis. Treatments involve multiple ways to clease, stimulate, and massage the scalp to promote a healthy hair and skin. All products used are brought in exclusively from Korea and can be purchased there as well. FaceByInna | Instagram 980 Brown Ave Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 215-917-4306 Blissface Acupuncture | Instagram 7047 Germantown Ave Ste 102 Philadelphia, PA 19119 617-858-1560 Sarang Head Spa | Instagram 1900 Waterloo Street Philadelphia, PA 19122 609-479-1114 Turks Head Wines brings a taste of California to West Chester Turks Head Wines is giving West Chester a taste of California wine country. Owner Allison Owen opened the tasting room after years of traveling to Napa and Sonoma and developing a passion for California wine. She left her corporate career in 2022 to launch her own label. The winery specializes in California wines, focusing on Bordeaux-style varietals. Executive Chef David McDonald complements the wines with a seasonal menu featuring dishes like roasted beet and chicory salad, roast pork over creamy polenta, and apple cake. Guests can also enjoy guided wine flights, live music on Saturdays, private tastings, and the exclusive Cru Club. For Owen, the goal is to create more than a place to sip wine. She hopes guests l