A Whole New Philly

     My Mom was from Philadelphia.  My grandmother and sister also lived there the whole time I was growing up in the Bronx.  We went to Philly often.  Spent lots of time with my sister.  But the "Philthadelphia" that I knew from the 70's and 80's is different now.   I've taken trips there from time to time since of course but my image of the city was biased and unfair.  We tend to do that as grownups.  Part of this new eye that I see the world with has returned me to a youthful optimism that lets me see things for the first time.  This day in Philly was wonderful.  Now I am a little sad that the gritty punk scene of South Street has been taken over by fro yo joints and Starbucks but in the summer I will look at the street with a whole new eye as well.  For a girl that grew up spending a lot of time in this city I sure did experience a whole day of new...

1.  Shake Shack.  I've been to one in NY but never this location.  It was small and not overly packed and the one employee took time to come over and speak with us. 

2.  A few doors down we checked out a comic book store and a record shop.  Both cool.

3.  The shopping district included stops in Anthropologie (the building was worth the shopping experience not really being a huge fan of the store), Mac store, Urban Outfitters and the like.  It's been a long time since I've perused the items in stores like these and though no major purchases happened it was nice to window shop a bit. 

4.  Parc.  Gorgeous restaurant recommended by my foodie buddy, Ryan.  I stepped back in time with the decor and devoured my scallops and pureed celery root with chestnuts and truffle oil.  I see these types of dishes on Top Chef and this evening I got to eat one. 

5.  Red Mango.  A tiny squirt of frozen yogurt with some blueberries and strawberries as dessert.

6.  Louis CK.  These tickets were a Christmas gift to John.  I hurt from laughter after an hour and a half of his hilarity.  I still just randomly laugh if I think of one of his jokes.

7.  Pat's Steaks.  Yep, I went 40 years splitting time between NY and Philly and NEVER ate at the famous steak joints.  Shame, shame, shame.  Finally can check that one off of my list. 

Oh and how could I forget...we started off the whole trip with a surprise detour to the site of Rocky Balboa's house on some nasty garbage ridden street that reminded me in retrospect of the Philly I remember.  All cities have their nasty and their glory but it's finding the beauty in both that counts I guess. 

So to Philly I say...I'll be back...and way MORE often.  I can't wait to take the kids to more museums and more restaurants.  I am way excited to take them to the historical parts.  I will also drive them down the ghetto streets of their grandmother's old neighborhood and remind them that it's never where you are from but where you are going.  Thanks, Philly...for everything.