Photo courtesy of Caathba @Flickr

Brunch is always a treat, and whether or not you treated mom to one on her special day; you should keep Lime&Tonic’s brunch tips handy for when an ‘I need a little indulgence this weekend’ moment strikes. Birthdays, anniversaries, and heck-why-not days are all enlivened with a relaxing delightful late morning meal.

Green Eggs Café is not indicative of the overdue label on their food, but of their commitment to the environment. Locally sourced food products, herbs grown in their rooftop garden, plus massive recycling and composting efforts means you’ll feel extra good about dining here. Smoked lox Benedict, vegan French toast and stone ground grits are only a few of the morning delights on offer. This is a casual place, perfect for a quick weekend catch-up with friends. Cash only and no reservations on the weekends

3 Locations: 1306 Dickinson Street; 215-226-3447; Google map

719 North 2nd Street; 215-922-3447; Google map

212 S. 13th St (@ Locust); 267-861-0314; Google map

If you are looking for a more traditional brunch experience, head to Matyson. Their BYOB brunch (Sundays only, 10:30am-2pm) includes a sweet potato waffle with marshmallows, but also omelets and a wild mushroom quiche. This is BYOB, and on the menu are handy mixers like a carafe of OJ and one of Bloody Mary mix.

37 South 19th Street; 215-564-2925; Google map

And a heads up brunch alert: Alla Spina, the yummy Italian joint, will be offering brunch, Sundays only starting June 3.

Courtesy of Space 1026

First Boston, then New York and now Philadelphia. The creative Paint it Now artistic collaboration is showing at Space 1026 until May 25. Paint it Now is a multi-city exhibition of site-specific painting installations. In Philadelphia, 15 local and international artists participated and the show is free.

Paint it Now organizers fuse individual exhibition and collaboration by inviting participating artists to paint solely in opaque black paint directly on the white walls of the gallery. Given only a week, artists must come together to create a visually appealing installation. Developed by Scott Chasse and Thomas Buildmore, the outcome is a unified, high-contrast, edgy installation.

Space 1026 is a creative endeavor for making, producing and creating.  Calling themselves a creative community, participating artists hold gallery shows but the crew is also open to holding readings, lectures and other creative discussions. No set opening hours, just ring the bell. There’s usually someone on hand to let you in!

Space 1026; 1026 Arch Street; 215-574-7630; Google map

Nosh your way through the streets of Philadelphia courtesy of the Night Market. These way-cool food festivals popped up last summer and are back for another season of strollin’ and eatin’.  Cool neighborhoods, the best ethnic restaurants and some fun food trucks are all awaiting your hungry stomachs.

Sponsored by the Food Trust, the Night Market is a great way to discover a new corner of the city via its food. Tens of thousands of Philadelphians have participated in the four markets held so far and the buzz on them just keeps growing. Besides the food trucks and participating neighborhood restaurants, beer and cocktail bars show up to share their goodies. Taste a little something here … try a little something new there … you get the idea. At the last Night Market held in October in Chinatown, foodies were treated to delights from France, Italy, Indonesia, China, Mexico and more.

The Food Trust works with neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers and policymakers to develop a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education and greater availability of affordable, healthy food.

May 24, 2012; Night Market at 2^nd & Poplar, 7pm-11pm; Google map

June 28, 2012; Night Market at 9^th & Washington Ave, time TBA; Google map

Courtesy of Milk & Honey Market

Those yearning for locally sourced seasonal goodies should mark May 10 on their calendars with a big red smiley face. That’s when Milk & Honey Café will be throwing open the doors to their new digs at Sister Cities Park.

The same bunch who run Milk & Honey Market in West Philly are behind this venture. For those unfamiliar with them; Milk & Honey specializes in food from Lancaster County and the surrounding area, offering fresh cheeses, meats, bakery products, fruits and veggies and more every day. The Milk & Honey Café will take up the freshness challenge in a new part of town.

You’ll discover lots of local goodies on the Café’s breakfast and lunch menu, including sandwiches, salads, coffee and desserts. There’s not a separate website for the café yet, but you can find out more about Milk & Honey on their website.

Milk & Honey Café; Sister Cities Park—18^th and Logan Square; Google map

Courtesy of Painting With a Twist

Picture this: you and a friend, or you and your spouse, or you and your child. Enjoying an artistic evening together, doing something fun and learning something new. It’s time to check out Painting With a Twist, a novel concept that offers evening amateur art lessons for everyone.

The franchised company has two locations near Philly–one in Wayne and one in Skippack. The concept at both is the same—they provide canvas, brushes and paint; you provide your creativity, openness, willingness to have fun and experiment, oh and a bottle of wine. Yep, Painting With a Twist is BYOB so make sure you have a bit of your favorite tipple on hand – or some chocolate milk for the kids. Each open session works with one painting, or you can arrange for a private party. Classes are led by experienced instructors who will put the fun in fine art!

Cost is $35 per person for a 2 hour class or $45 per person for a 3 hour class, plus they have special Family Days so you can bring the kids. By checking out their online calendar, you can see what piece of art will be painted that evening so choose your favorite. There are also special days arranged—like paint your pet. And remember—Painting With a Twist is all about having fun and being creative. No artistic experience necessary!

1240 Bridge Road Suite C; Skippack; 610-584-4232; Google map

107 E. Lancaster Ave; Wayne; 484-367-7254; Google map

Courtesy of Philadanco

Spring is a time for new beginnings and fresh ideas. Why not treat yourself to something different this spring season? PHILADANCO is a local contemporary dance troupe famed for its innovative choreography and pioneering take on modern dance. The company has danced around the world, introducing audiences to their creative mix of African American-based dance with ballet, jazz, and modern.

If you haven’t seen this talented group of dancers in action—now is your chance. April 20, 21 & 22, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will be presenting PHILADANCO’s The Philadelphia Collection in the Perelman Theater. Four dances are on the lively bill: Gatekeepers, Tribute; Suite en Bleu and Wake Up. You’ll get a true feeling for the inspired choreography and amazing dancers that make up PHILADANCO. Wake Up, for example, is a new piece that explores the birth and evolution of hip hop, while Tribute is a full-company piece celebrating the soulful sounds of Philadelphia International Records.

Tickets can be purchased on the Kimmel Center website.

Courtesy of Poetry247

Lovers of poetry, or anyone interested in a live spoken word evening should keep an ear on the Poetry247 website. Here you can find out where and when the best poetry events in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC are happening.

Titled “The Art of Conversation” these events host both professional poets and first-timers. With a tag line that promises the intersection of open-mic poetry with open-minded conversation, this is your chance to meet and interact with not only a range of poetry lovers, but people looking for some good conversation as well.

In Philadelphia, Art of Conversation events are held most Mondays. On April 9, you can hear Rebecca Dupas; April 23, Seff Al-Afriqi will be on stage and April 30 is a special double feature of Tiger Rose and Major May. If you’d like to give it a try, show up at 7:30pm to register. Show starts at 8pm.

The Arts Garage; 1533 Ridge Ave; 215-765-2702; Google map

Keeping you on the cutting edge of Philly foodie news—Lime&Tonic has two suggestions for dinner this weekend. Check out the newly opened Square Peg or Rimedio.

Opened March 21, Square Peg is Chef Matt Levin’s latest venture, and is all about Americana. The food is diner-inspired; the design consists of brick walls, brightened with colorful paintings; and the vibe is local, casual and fun. As for the menu, you’ll want to head over if you are craving some childhood favorites, revamped. Think mac & cheese grilled cheese, or meat loaf, but also some originals like herb falafel and a Moroccan lamb meatball ‘hero.’ Chef Levin, formally of Lacroix at the Rittenhouse and Adsum, is known for his creative, quirky cooking style.

For some tasty medicine, head over to Rimedio (no website yet) which opened in the premises of a former pharmacy (and the Rx restaurant) on March 23. Those who remember and miss the Italian food at L’Oca will want to head to Rimedio as chef Dan Freeman is now in the kitchen here. Northern Italian food is the mainstay with a fabulous-looking brunch menu and homemade pasta, among other goodies for the evening. We are drooling over the lamb shank with goat cheese potato gratin, butter braised mustard greens, black current and lamb demi-reduction as well as the stunning dessert selection–which you’ll just have to see for yourself!

Square Peg; 929 Walnut St.; 215-413-3600; Google map

Rimedio; 4443 Spruce St; 215-222-9590; Google map

Courtesy of Academy of Natural Sciences

You are still so active for being 200 years old! Yep, the Academy of Natural Sciences is celebrating its bicentennial this year, and if you haven’t visited since some field trip eons ago, head over this weekend. The museum is kicking off its birthday year March 24-25 from 10am-9pm, both days, with family activities, educational programs, music and of course, cake! A full schedule of events is on their website.

This will also be your chance to be one of the first to see the museum’s newest exhibit, The Academy at 200: The Nature of Discovery. Here, curators have outlined some of the discoveries Academy scientists have made in the past and you’ll get a glimpse into what they are doing for the future.

The Academy of Natural Sciences is America’s oldest natural history museum. They are internationally known for their work in biodiversity and environmental research. Their collections are renowned, containing over 18 million specimens. Permanent and rotating exhibitions range from a live animal center with more than 100 birds, mammals and reptiles, to a What Eats What exhibition explaining the food chain.

The Academy of Natural Sciences; 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway; 215-299-1000; Google map

Courtesy of Bards

Yep, St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching and for all those green beer lovers out there – TGIS! The merry day falls on a Saturday this year so to make sure you make the most of it we’ve found two quirky (and one classic green) good time things to do.

If you’d prefer to do something really un-Irish–start you morning at the Whole Foods Market in Jenkintown.  A Leprechaun will be on the roof tossing out green bagels to the awaiting crowd. Get there early to grab a good spot–free coffee and cream cheese for your bagel too. March 17, 8-9am

Whole Foods Market; 1575 The Fairway; 215-481-0800; Google map

After your green bagel breakfast, it’s time to head to the cemetery and hit the 5^th annual Tastes and Toasts at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Here you’ll be treated to stories about the city’s best Irish ancestors, and something of the alcoholic variety will be on offer as well. March 17, 1pm, $17-20

Laurel Hill Cemetery; 3822 Ridge Ave.; 215-228-8200; Google map

If you just wish you could be in Ireland, head over to Bards, the pub some argue is the most Irish in town. Spend your day feasting on Irish stew or fish and chips, washed down with a couple pints of Guinness. Enjoy the cozy cottage environment, and create your own Irish beer tasting or go for a special cocktail, like the Tully Cider which offers up Tullamore Dew Whiskey, Magners Cider and Muddled Mint.

The Bards Irish Bar & Restaurant; 2013 Walnut Street; 215-569-9585; Google map