Philly — Pleasant St.

Last week, I spent a few days and nights amongst the smells and sights of downtown Philadelphia. Being that I was there on a trip for work, I had a couple of tiny windows to take advantage of.

I ate A TON of different things (classic).

Chinatown:

After an early wake up call and a lonnnnngggggg day of flight delays, my friends and I headed to Chinatown for some whiskey sours and dirty / wonderful Chinese wontons and chicken and rice.

David's Mai Lah Wah

Downtown:

The next evening, we ate right downtown on Market Street at Bank & Burbon

Everything was good. My happy place is alongside wine, charcuterie, and sweets.

And then! you throw in carmelized brussels with mustard vinagarette and some sort of roasted carrot with queso fresco, sour cream, chipotle vinagarette, AND candied pecans, and I get real excited.

oh AND.

Vanilla Doughnut wtih brown butter crmbles, ice cream, and Whiskey Caramel Reduction alongside a bite of a peanut butter sundae with pretzels and caramel popcorn.

Reading Terminal Market

Alright, yes. So much food. This market is so sweet! It reminds me so much of the Centrale Market in Florence and the Toronto market! I ate here everyday for lunch. Oh my stars.

You will be tired of scrolling if I try to post all the foods from the market. So, you just wait for a late April rainy day...

Southside:

Geno's vs. Pat's

So I mean, any Philidelphian (??) will tell you, Geno's and Pat's aren't the actual best. But. They are both pretty darn good. I mean grilled steak, a full ladle of what I think is stadium nacho cheese, and some onions slapped into a hoagie? Way good. That'll keep you cozy for the rest of the night.

The attraction is the "rivalry" of the two. After reading the history of these two stops, I understand the faux bitterness that draws tourists to do exactly what Emily and I did-split one at each and decide which is better. PATS WINS ALWAYS EVERY TIME. Way gooier.

Gayborhood:

Valanni.

Small plates of grilled veggies, smoked Brie, and oysters alongside some great cocktails placed in white leather couch and pink lit up bar kind of setting. haha

Alright y'all. There are a lot of attractions in Philly.

Never seen Rocky, didn't go to the steps (sorry.)

Liberty Park/Mall

This was pretty great. This little square has the First Church that the people of Philadelphia met in while breaking away from the England church. The first bank. The houses and meeting houses of a lot of famous men. The burial grounds of Ben Frank and others.

The cherry blossoms were totally out and about around the downtown. Ahhhhhhh.

Independence Hall

I spent a long time reading the plaques and monuments in the square. Gosh, I so take for granted the freedom in the United States. The Declaration of Independence set the culture of the states in motion right off the bat. The Constitution brought slaves out of bondage, what a horrifying season of history.

I loved having time to look and stand and think about the cobblestone streets and the conversations that took place in this hall.

The Liberty Bell

Also pretty great. Originally in the tower of the Independence Hall, then sent around to some towns in America, now resting behind a lot of glass. The inscription reads "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land and to the inhabitants thereof"-Leviticus 25:10

Also the crack?? Would like to understand the crack more.

I got to walk and be a part of the downtown crowd and walk with the flow of the bicyclists that seriously zip in and out of traffic. And it was a good breath of fresh (and way cold air). I like downtown because it's very urban/dirty/busy feeling but the new steel buildings are mixed in with old buildings. A good representation to the history and ambiance of the city.

City Hall

Before I headed to Brooklyn, I had some time to head to Old City.

Elfreth's Alley

This tiny street is the oldest continually inhabited area in America. (Hollllaaaaa at Sherman Hill for being that for Iowa).

I popped into United by Blue and got some coffee (finally something other than Starbucks) and shopped a bit.

Coffee in one hand, oh and work tote on shoulder, oh and 50 lb suitcase in the other. I seriously made my way down a cobble alley to Art in the Age of Mechanical Production. Another great shop-Warby Paker (my 20/20 will have to wait to experience the tortise shell Warbies) and great bar mixers and tools are in the front of the store. As well as carefully curated bathroom goods. I was into it.