Sure, the Piazza At Schmidt’s has become a citywide must-see destination faster than we ever thought it might, but can it become a destination for all of Philadelphia’s phoodies? After all, with the lone exception of The Swift Half, all of the Piazza’s eateries thus far have been no strangers to controversy and smack-talkin’; this is not a model U.N. of the Philadelphia food scene we’re talking about here. Nevertheless, unity of some kind is what is proposed by The First Annual Spring Restaurant Weekend At The Piazza at Schmidt’s, slated for the first weekend in May and set to coincide with The Equality Forum’s SundayOUT! event, also in the Piazza. Promising 50 local restaurants all setting up shop to offer sample dishes, the Piazza’s SRW is sponsored by Bar Ferdinand is promising appearances from El Camino Real, Rustica, P.Y.T., Darling’s Diner, Fado, Apollinaire, Varga Bar, Wine-O, The Latest Dish, Hikari and Elevation Burger. Which begs the question: Aren’t most of those spots either in the Piazza or within a three block radius of it? Why yes they are! The challenge here will be to get other, non-NoLibs places to sign up in time for the big weekend. Meanwhile, there’s a full schedule of related events after the jump.

“WEEKEND AGENDA

SATURDAY, MAY 1

· 10AM – 2PM – PIAZZA FARMERS MARKET – The region’s largest independent farmer’s market featuring over 25 local, sustainable, and organic vendors

· 12PM – 7PM – FIRST ANNUAL SPRING RESTAURANT WEEKEND AT THE PIAZZA – Fifty restaurants from around the region. Sample dishes from all types of cuisine including American, Italian, Spanish, Tex-Mex, Japanese and more

· 12PM – 7PM – PIAZZA ARTISAN MARKET – A selection of Hand-Picked Artists and Crafters from all artistic disciplines and backgrounds

· 12PM – 1PM – P.Y.T.’s FIRST ANNUAL “BURGERDELPHIA” – Burger eating contest on stage featuring P.Y.T’s famous and delicious burgers

· 1PM – 2PM – DARLING’S DINER PRESENTS CHEF HARRY – Be amazed as Chef Harry from Darling’s Diner and Darling’s Famous Cheesecakes creates his Best of Philly masterpiece live on stage

· 5PM – 7PM – SUMMER BLOCK PARTY AT THE PIAZZA – Enjoy awesome live music from the best local rock bands on stage

SUNDAY, MAY 2

· 12PM – 7PM – FIRST ANNUAL SPRING RESTAURANT WEEKEND AT THE PIAZZA – Fifty restaurants from around the region. Sample dishes from all types of cuisine including American, Italian, Spanish, Tex-Mex, Japanese and more

· 12PM – 7PM – PIAZZA ARTISAN MARKET – A selection of Hand-Picked Artists and Crafters from all artistic disciplines and backgrounds

· 12PM – 7PM – EQUALITY FORUM’S SUNDAYOUT! The region’s largest GLBT street festival takes place at Philadelphia’s chic new open-air plaza in Northern Liberties. SundayOUT! at The Piazza features live and Jumbotron entertainment, and over 100 artisans, vendors, and community organizations. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend.”