I didn’t cook this weekend!  Philadelphia was too fun to be in a kitchen.  That being said, we did have some great food while we were there, not to mention a lengthy tour of Eastern State Penitentiary, a visit to the Mutter Museum, hangin’ with Emma’s mom and other adventures (like breaking out in hives! All over my face!)
Food:Parc BrasserieStopped in for lunch here on Friday with Emma and her mom.  Not only is the place impeccably designed, but it’s open air with great sidewalk seating so that you can people watch around Rittenhouse Square while you eat.  My salad was so pretty that I had to snap a picture:
Audrey ClaireThough Em and I were unsuccessful getting a table on Friday, I ended up sharing a spread of small plates with Brian, Adam and Diane for dinner Saturday.  It was incredible: 
Seared Haloumi with candied dates and sesame-fig compoteGrilled Baby Romaine Caesar with crispy lavash and shaved locatelliBaby Arugula Salad with candied figs, fresh berries, french lentils and warm goat cheeseGrilled Flatbread Bosc Pear and Gorgonzola with toasted sunflower seedsSeared Brussels Sprouts with shaved parmesanI also oogled the local vegetables at the farmer’s market on Saturday. 

Activity:There’s no better way to break in a new camera than with a trip to an abandoned prison (yeah, I realize I hung out in a cemetery last weekend…)  Case in point, the hours we spent at Eastern State.  I literally took over a hundred photos in there, but I’ll just share a handful.





On Sunday, while Emma went to a baby shower, Adam and I went to the Mutter Museum, home to a bunch of creepy medical oddities and a strict “no camera” policy (sad!)  The place was both interesting and nauseating.  People sure swallow a lot of safety pins.
Over the course of the weekend, we also visited the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin’s Grave and Betsy Ross’ house, where I made a new friend.

I’m really unsure of how to handle the great time I had.  I used to think Chicago was my favorite city outside of New York, but Philly was some steep competition.  There’s still a ton of neighborhoods to explore, so there’s no doubt I’ll be returning soon.  Believe it or not, I’m leaving again on Wednesday for Montreal.  After that, I think I’ll take a bit of a travel break…