Finding Philly

Sofitel Hotel
120 S.17th St.

Sofitel is a french chain of hotels with simple and chic decor. The Sofitel in Philly has floor to ceiling windows looking out on 17th and sansom street (good for people watching)…. (more…)

VALANNI
1229 Spruce St.
Philadelphia
19107

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. It’s great day to catch up on much needed rest. Plus, it’s the only day of the week when you’re allowed to drink alcohol for breakfast and no one looks at you funny! Maybe, that’s the real reason brunch is my favorite meal. And Valanni is my favorite spot to eat it.

(more…)

When i decided i was going to start this blog i solicited ideas from friends and people i work with. One that intrigued me was from Jason, a fellow server at Ansill. He said simply, “Go to Southwark. Get a Manhattan.”

And so i did…
(more…)

There are two and a half comic retailers in Philadelphia. If you read comics in Philly you probably know about Atomic City on South Street and Fat Jack’s on Sansom and 20th. They are both killer shops that have all the weeklies and a nice selection of trades and back issues. But one is northwest of Rittenhouse Square and one is pretty far east on South Street. Where does this leave the comic-starved Center City businessman though? How to escape the dreary drudgery of the Daily Planet and escape to Elseworlds? This comic-lover was pretty psyched to discover a teeny little newstand in Center City delivering the goods!

(more…)

This is a bit out of line with the idea of findingphilly, but i just gotta post it! Last night i was lucky enough to catch the end of a set by the infamous Biz Markie at the Rittenhouse club Tragos!

You KNOW i requested Pickin’ Boogies and he played it right before he freestyled for a good 10 minutes.

YouTube has a whole bunch of Biz Markie videos

The distance between Matt’s place and 23rd and Lombard is quite a hike (especially in this ongoing winter weather). But I only had one thing on my mind when i woke up on my day off. Cafe Lutecia!

(more…)

Vietnamese Hoagies (wikipedia) are one of my favorite sandwiches. I’m lucky enough to live in a location central to the three South Philly cafés that make them!

More info and pics after the jump!

(more…)

Shank’s and Evelyn’s (google maps) is the quintessential South Philly Experience.

I’d heard about it from a couple of people a while back but didn’t know exactly where it was. When i was recently reminded of it and realized it was just two short blocks away i decided to stop in with Karen for some breakfast. As you can see in the photo Shank’s has a sweet old RC Cola sign outside and not much more.

(more…)

Maxx’s Produce (google maps)

Maxx’s is a venerable (I think) produce shop just a block west of Rittenhouse on 20th. I only lived over there for a summer but every time I walked in the door I felt like a whole bunch of (richer than me) neighbors were hanging out in there getting their veggie on. But it was an unwitting discovery by Karen (who forgot to look at the price label) that made this place a regular destination for us and led to the creation of this weblog.
(more…)

It was bitter cold today in Philly but Karen and I decided to have an adventurous day anyhoo. We walked straight north with our minds set on visiting Chinatown. Just as it was getting too cold to talk we ducked into The Curtis Center to check out the Dream Garden Mosaic, a famous piece of Philadelphia art that chef made reference to a while back. It was gorgeous and intricate as promised, but most importantly a brief respite from the cold.
(more…)