ndr: Philly

[munkii]

ktzmoh's sista-sista (schenkertobe) reminded me: I think I'm going to Philly in March, specifically the week of St Patrick's day. Should I go or skip?

Pros:
-I haven't seen my own sister in almost 5 years (my womb-mate!).
-MH has never been.
-It would be a real vacation.

Cons:
-It's cold in March.

Also, is the Ritz-Carlton worth it? I only want to stay there since it looks like the Pantheon, but I can be swayed to stay somewhere else (especially if it's less costly). 

[auntie]

Philadelphia has lots to recommend it.

March is less than lovely, but much of the best Philly has to offer is heated.

As for hotels, at that price point I like the Four Seasons better. I typically do museums in PHL- the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the PA Academy of Fine Arts, the Barnes and the science and history themed ones.

St. Patrick's Day is a South Street thing mostly peopled by college students. Serious dining is all around, the bar scene is awesome. I like Hop Sing Laundry for drinks.

What do you want to do there?

[munkii]

So, avoid South Street if we're actually there on St. Patrick's Day. I wish it could be the week before or after, but it's when my spring break falls.

What do I want to do there? Anything. I like museums, food (I'm veg but know there are lots of options.), and shopping. I really want to eat at Zahav, other than that I could do anything.

Every other time I've been it's just been hanging out with my sister. We did the duck tour and a ghost tour and shopped at KoP, but we didn't do anything else.

Is Chinatown worth visiting? MH enjoys Chinese cultural places/events/etc.

[auntie]

Chinatown is worth visiting, but it's a tiny hemmed in place. There's a Chinese Cultural Center that puts on events that he may enjoy. There's also a secondary "Chinatown" in the area near Washington Avenue at around 11th Street- this area has a lot of shopping for Chinese foods and products. If he's a culture junkie, the University of PA Archeology and Anthropology Museum is amazing. Definately worth a visit and easily accessed from the train/public transportation.

www.penn.museum/

The Barnes and The Philadelphia Museum of Art have night events that include live music.

www.philamuseum.org/artafter5/

www.barnesfoundation.org/programs/?type=Music&month=Show%2Ball%2Bupcoming

Foodwise, there are a lot of very vegetarian friendly options even among regular restaraunts. Zahav is amazing, but also check out Veg (13th and Locust) for amazing vegetarian food. My favorite Chinese restaurant- Han Dynasty- is not vegetarian friendly, the owner is distinctly hostile toward the practice- but the dan dan noodles are to die for.

There are lots of shopping options.

If you have a need for fabric, the 4th Street area south of Bainbridge/South Street is Fabric Row- a great source for home dec and fashion fabrics. KoP is the best mall, but there's good premium outlet shopping in Lancaster (Pottery barn)and Limerick (Restoration Hardware and Cosmetics Co. Store). There's also nice shopping around the area of Rittenhouse Square.

[boiler717]

Philly is fun! I went with a bunch of girlfriends this summer and had a blast.

Zahav is AMAZING. The lamb is incredible if you are going with any meat eaters.

We also had a great meal at Buddakan and it was veg friendly.

We stayed at the Radisson on Warwick. Nice and convenient.

[boiler717]

Oh we went on a food tour that was pretty decent but obviously had cheesteaks. The same company offered a prohibition cocktail tour which I think would be really fun!

[auntie]

Dec 13, 2013 7:55:18 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

Oh we went on a food tour that was pretty decent but obviously had cheesteaks. The same company offered a prohibition cocktail tour which I think would be really fun!

Did they take you to Hop Sing Laundry in Chinatown? That is the coolest place ever.

[sailorgray]

Dec 13, 2013 7:45:40 GMT -5 auntie said:

My favorite Chinese restaurant- Han Dynasty- is not vegetarian friendly, the owner is distinctly hostile toward the practice- but the dan dan noodles are to die for.

Have you been to his other locations? The owner lives in my little town and a few blocks from me. we keep meaning to go bc I always hear such good things. Exton would be so much more convenient than Philly.

OP, my friends come to philly to go to Ikea bc we have 2. My favorite place to eat is Reading Terminal bc it is quick. 

[munkii]

This is great information. Thanks, everyone!

[auntie]

sailorgray

I've not been to any location but the one on Chestnut (or is it Market?). If I got as far wast as Exton, I'd probably stop by Victory brewing and eat there. I often hit Han Dynasty when I go to buy fabric and drag DH along to haul stuff. It's a bribe.

When my niece was working in restaurants in grad school, she had an ugly confrontation with the owner at the Philly location one night with some friends after completing their shifts. Her friends still talk about it.

She eats in strange ways in that she's not consistent- mostly vegan, sometimes raw. Lately she's doing vegetarian and fish/cheese. But when she travels, facebook is full of plates of whatever meat specialty the locals offer. She's currently living and eating with me, so I am very familiar with her diet. She's the one who gave kudos to Veg and Zahav. We also did Garces Trading Company which was fun. I think there's a Han in University City as well. My favorite part of the restaurant apart from the noodles is their web address- handynasty. I always see it as "handy nasty".


ETA: I am all about the the Terminal Market for grazing. I love it. One of my niece's friends had a wedding reception there last year. A few of her family have stalls- most of the vendors contributed something. It was an amazing event according to her.

[wawa]

Dec 13, 2013 8:20:38 GMT -5 auntie said:

sailorgray

I've not been to any location but the one on Chestnut (or is it Market?). If I got as far wast as Exton, I'd probably stop by Victory brewing and eat there. I often hit Han Dynasty when I go to buy fabric and drag DH along to haul stuff. It's a bribe.

When my niece was working in restaurants in grad school, she had an ugly confrontation with the owner at the Philly location one night with some friends after completing their shifts. Her friends still talk about it.

She eats in strange ways in that she's not consistent- mostly vegan, sometimes raw. Lately she's doing vegetarian and fish/cheese. But when she travels, facebook is full of plates of whatever meat specialty the locals offer. She's currently living and eating with me, so I am very familiar with her diet. She's the one who gave kudos to Veg and Zahav. We also did Garces Trading Company which was fun. I think there's a Han in University City as well. My favorite part of the restaurant apart from the noodles is their web address- handynasty. I always see it as "handy nasty".


ETA: I am all about the the Terminal Market for grazing. I love it. One of my niece's friends had a wedding reception there last year. A few of her family have stalls- most of the vendors contributed something. It was an amazing event according to her.

My mom loves that place!  And also calls it handy nasty.

[ktzmoh]

Sister had this great apartment in Rittenhouse square before - There were some fantastic little restaurants on the corners. I loved that neighborhood. schenkertobe what was that place that had that name that was two random animals? I want to say pigchicken but I know it's not that lol. That place was cool.

[sailorgray]

wawa

I call it that, too. It's bc of the website:

handynasty.net/

How can you not call it that?

[auntie]

wawa

sailorgray

Thanks guys. I'm stuck out here in the northern hinterlands with snow imenent craving dan dan noodle. Grrr