What's Up With the Brotherly Love, Dude?

What's up "Bro's?"

This morning was a gorgeous start to a gorgeous day as I woke up at the Courtyard Marriott in Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love.” It’s hard to believe that a city that is filled with so many friendly people could actually have a high murder rate. I feel super-safe there, at least in Center City.


















Last November, I made my first visit to Philly to do a live segment on classic toys on Fox 29. I totally fell in love with the city, at least the parts that I got to experience. In February, I made another overnight trip there, and this weekend, I decided to drag my friend Kate along to experience my favorite Philly things, including food, discount shopping and art.

Here’s the rundown for anyone visiting Philadelphia:

Fabulous Food:

New Harmony vegetarian Chinese restaurant—My new faves--the vegetarian sesame chicken and vegetable wonton soup. So good and lunch special is only $6.95!

Valanni—Check out the herb crusted rack of lamb with creamy potato and asparagus “risotto” and wild mushroom jus. Fantastic! One of my new Philly favorites.

Mixto—The tostones Bruschetta and crab empanadas...Increíbles! Melissa the bartendress made some kickass drinks like the Tamarindo margarita. The food is always good there and if you like Colombian and Cuban food, you'll be in Heaven.

Marthon Grill--Whole wheat apple cinnamon pancakes and turkey sausage. The service was slow but food is delicious.

Shopping:

Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, antique stores on South Street, and dollar stores in Chinatown.

Cool Places:

The National Constitution Center

South Street—Awesome $1 per 1 minute massage here (glutes and legs too!).














We stumbled upon this George Segal (My favorite sculptor) sculpture, "Woman Looking Through a Window," in in the entrance to an office building (southside of Chestnut Street between 6th and 7th.)



















This is a very cool cemetery in Society Hill. Look how the camera picked up the sunlight casting a very eery but calming hue on the whole scene.















This display window creeped me out, so had to take a picture. It reminded me of Seattle in the 1990s.
Enjoy!