MARTORANO’S PRIME AT RIVERS CASINO PHILADELPHIA VOTED ‘BEST NEW RESTAURANT’
Steve Martorano’s spring homecoming celebration set for Saturday, May 18
PHILADELPHIA — May 10, 2024 — The buzz continues for Martorano’s Prime just ahead of the celebrity cook’s spring homecoming celebration in Fishtown. Today, South Philly’s Steve Martorano and his team at Rivers Casino were voted “Best New Restaurant” by Casino Player magazine.
The issue’s “Best of Dining & Nightlife Awards 2024” highlights the founder’s renowned Italian American menu with high-end steakhouse staples. The honor comes a week before Martorano features his world-famous meatballs along with live music for a unique “dinner and a show” event at Martorano’s Prime on Saturday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m.
After a four-course meal that includes classic casaerecce macaroni, prime ribeye cap steak, Martorano’s Meatball, broccoli rabe, a prosecco toast and more, guests will enjoy performances by France Joli and Pretty Poison featuring Jade Starling.
“Thank you to our loyal Martorano’s Prime guests and readers of Casino Player, who consistently vote for Rivers as the No. 1 choice across multiple categories,” said Eric Althaus, general manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia. “Steve’s homecoming celebration will be a high-energy party that you won’t want to miss.”
Available reservations include tables for up to six people and VIP booths for up to five, plus single tickets for bar-top dining; all guests must be 21 or older to attend.
Tickets, starting at $150, include dining and entertainment and can be purchased at RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia.
Weekend Kicks Off with the Martorano’s Prime Stage at Italian Market Festival
South Philly native Steve Martorano returns to his roots for this year’s South 9th Street Italian Market Festival. Martorano’s homecoming includes the Martorano’s Prime Stage presented by Rivers Casino, located at 9th Street and Washington Avenue, near where he sold deli sandwiches out of his mother’s basement four decades ago.
Martorano will make periodic appearances throughout the weekend at the restaurant and casino’s booth near the stage. The festival runs Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to meet Martorano, pose for pictures, grab “Yo Cuz!” swag and enter for a chance to win a free chef’s table dinner at Martorano’s Prime. The winner will enjoy dinner for eight guests and an overnight stay at the recently opened Riversuites luxury boutique hotel.
For more information about the festival, please visit ItalianMarketFestival.com.
Steve’s Spring Homecoming Celebration Menu and Post-Dinner Live Performances
In between his festival appearances, Martorano will personally serve the meatballs Gourmet magazine famously called the best meatballs in the world.
The spring homecoming celebration is a four-course meal, plus antipasti al cucchiaio and a toast of Benvolio Italia Prosecco. After enjoying authentic Italian American dining, guests will be transported to the 1970s and ’80s with the familiar sounds of disco and pop music performed by France Joli and Pretty Poison featuring Jade Starling.
Jade Starling is best known as the lead vocalist for Philadelphia-based Pretty Poison, which rose to prominence in the late 1980s. Their hit single “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1987 and also achieved significant success on the pop charts.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Pretty Poison’s Billboard top-20 dance hit, “Nighttime.” After Pretty Poison, Starling pursued a solo career and released several solo albums and singles.
France Joli is best known for her disco classic “Come to Me,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Dance chart in 1979 when she was 16 years old. She followed that with the single “Gonna Get Over You,” which reached No. 2 on the dance charts.
Though she is best known for her disco tracks, Joli has continued to perform and release music across various genres throughout her career.
Martorano’s Prime is the acclaimed cook’s first Philadelphia signature restaurant in over 30 years.
Visit RiversCasino.com for hours of operation and to make your reservation today.
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ABOUT RIVERS CASINO PHILADELPHIA
Located along the Delaware River waterfront in Fishtown, Rivers Casino Philadelphia features more than 1,500 slots, nearly 75 table games, 24 hybrid gaming seats, a 28-table poker room and a designated sportsbook area for live sports betting. Rita’s Italian Ice and Dunkin’ are among the popular grab-and-go locations in the casino’s Marketplace. The casino also offers an array of distinctive restaurants and bars — among them are Martorano’s Prime, an Italian-American Steakhouse; Mian; Jack’s Bar + Grill; Martorano’s Sicilian Slice; and FLIPT, which serves classic burgers and shakes. Guests will also enjoy riverfront views, live performances in The Event Center, free parking, and daily promotions and giveaways. Riversuites at The Battery is the casino’s luxury boutique hotel. For additional information and current offerings, please visit RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Shurilla
For Rivers Casino Philadelphia
215-764-2376 (cell)
jeff@hornercom.com