Buddakan • 6 comments • We went to Stephen Starr's restaurant, Buddakan. It's great when you can sample a variety of different fare on the menu and not just one dish. Although the prices (and perhaps fear of gluttony) at Buddakan don't really make it feasible to try the entire menu, the portions make it conducive to sampling several different dishes - which is what we did when we went to their location in Philadelphia. We both tried grape leaves for the first time. We used to order a bowl of edamame every time we went to sushi restaurants, until we found out that it could be made at home (at which point it became a go-to snack). So, when we saw edamame ravioli (accompanied with white truffle oil) on the menu, we knew it had to be ordered. The ambiance and decor in Buddakan is worth noting. Upon entering, you are greeted by what seems like a 50 foot gold Buddha statue, which apparently requires all of the property's electricity because the dining room is under-illuminated. This was our last dinner in Philly before hopping on a train to the 'Big Apple'! <<<>>>
philadelphia museum of art • 10 comments • Modelled after the Champs-Elysees in Paris, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia runs from downtown to the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Forever immortalized on celluloid in the Rocky movies, the museum has a huge collection of art spanning various eras and we were fortunate to visit during the showing of a Picasso exhibit. Considering neither of us have seen any of the Rocky movies, it seemed more than a little silly for us to pose in front of the statue. There was a long lineup of fans though, including this lady who enthusiastically mimicked the sculpture: It seems entirely possible that you could spend more than a day browsing each of the halls at the museum. We devoted a little more time to some of the modern pieces, but still had a chance to see most of the older works as well.
hershel's • 3 comments • Our introduction to Jewish-American food came in the form of a knish from Hershel's East Side Deli at the Reading Terminal Market. We cautiously ordered one (unsure of the pronunciation at the time) and quickly devoured it. Potato filling baked into a pastry: simple yet satisfying, and aptly accompanied by mustard. On our way out, we ordered a second one and threw it in our bag to enjoy during our sightseeing in Philadelphia.
reading terminal market • 14 comments • Reading Terminal Market sits in the heart of downtown Philadelphia. Look up and you'll see neon signs advertising everything from greasy cheesy goods to produce. Look around and you'll see fresh lobster, Amish snacks, and restaurant stands selling a variety of local or locally influenced cuisine. Half the fun is just walking around seeing and the crazy things being sold (see Mike Tyson special below). One of the stands was selling the oddest assortment of chocolates we've ever seen. Is there really such a large novelty chocolate market in Philadelphia? I'm not aware of any other place where one can you purchase a miniature effigy of the person who served them (effigy and server pictured below):
parks • 6 comments • These pictures don't really do them justice, but the parks in historic Philadelphia are really lush and beautiful.
