We're comin to America

Well. I just flew back from Ireland and boy is my liver tired. But seriously folks. I'm all for vacations but after 7 days in the van with your family, the daily grind seems like a distant little cloud of cotton candy with unicorns pooping ice cream onto it. One thing I do have to say is that the mens over there love them some American women. And I dunno if it's the sprightly (albeit, unintelligible) accents or the fact that the Atlantic between us means no clingy yanks, the dudes seemed very welcoming. Very welcoming. 

I'll follow up with more, including our attendance at Europe's largest matchmaking festival. But for now there's work to catch up on. And the unicorns are fading. Fast. 

Love, 

Colleen

Hits the Zot

Philadelphians have always been fans of Belgian-style cafe/bars that specialize in mile-long beer lists and serve up mussels and frites regardless of the last letter of the month. Monks enjoys a following that rivals that of our beloved sports teams, and unfortunately the lines and crowds to prove it. The aptly yet less creatively named Belgian Cafe, on my favorite lane and former home Green Street, boasts a Monks-style menu minus the mania- but minus some of the atmosphere as well. And Eulogy, well, I'd love to comment on it and I think I managed to squeeze in one time a few years ago, but...its in Old City. Enough said.

And then there's Zot. Just laid back enough to be a bar, but just classy enough to be a restaurant. When I arrived here I felt like Goldilocks - I had finally found the place that was "Juuuuust Riiiiiggght." You know how you'd always like to take out-of-town guests to a Philly classic like Monks but you just can't because it's sure to be a mob scene and impossible to get a table? Well Zot offers the ideal alternative. With every kind of mussels you can imagine (and a few you can't believe would taste good - I think one option included chocolate), a beer list the size of a dictionary, and a significantly more comfortable space than its Rittenhouse rival, Zot is sure to please. My only negative was the limited choices of beers on tap. But as long as one is a Belgian wheat, this girl is happy.

Zot
2nd & Lombard
www.zotrestaurant.com

Wall Street Shmall Street, Go Eat!

Ok so the economy might be crumbling like dominoes around us but fear not, I have some good news for all. It is officially restaurant week in Philly! Now mostly I think restaurant week is a scam but I do like to participate because it means I try new places. This time around, the powers that be upped the price for a 3-course meal. Now you will pay $35 bucks for an appetizer, entree and dessert. Of course, alcohol and tips are extra.

While there are standard gastro pubs on the extensive list of participating restaurants, I recommend trying a normally pricey place to get your $35 bucks worth. Tonight I am eating at Hawaiian Fusion restaurant Roy's which has been on my "to do" list forever. You do always have the option of ordering from the regular menu should you not like your limited "restaurant week" menu options.

Restaurant week runs until Friday, Sept. 19th. Be sure to make reservations as everyone and their mother tends to come out this week.

As the bankruptcy continues to mount, I urge everyone to drown their worries in a bottle of wine at a restaurant you probably can't afford anymore.

http://www.centercityphila.org/life/RestaurantWeek.php

City of Brotherly Laughs

While I lie here staring longingly at Colleen's little Charlie whom I'm cat-sitting, I am reminded of one of my favorite things- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. (Note- Colleen named her cat after one of the lead characters. And I'd love another kitten- hell I'd love 10 more kittens.) I can confidently say that it is indeed one of the best shows to debut in the last couple of years.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia does great things for this beloved little city. And let's be honest- we could use the help with the unfair recent notoriety- "ugliest city," "fattest city," and "murder city/killadelphia." The show, which shoots around town quite a bit, is about 4 friends who run a terrible bar in South Philly. Always scheming and manipulating, this gang of friends is the Central Perk Friends crew on crack, heroin, glue, barbiturates and lots of sauce. With classic episodes such as "Sweet Dee is Dating a Retarded Person," I am convinced that this is a television classic in the making on par with The Honeymooners and MASH.

Dear readers, I urge each and every one of you to tune in this Thursday to the season premiere at 10pm on FX. Hey I even encourage you to watch the repeats on Fancast- http://www.fancast.com/tv/Its-Always-Sunny-in-Philadelphia/2157/main .

I assure you that you'll have water cooler conversation for weeks.

http://www.fancast.com/tv/Its-Always-Sunny-in-Philadelphia/2157/episodes/Mac-%26-Dennis%3A-Manhunters/599431

Philly Bleeds a New Kind of Green

Anyone who knows a thing about Philly knows that when Eagles season starts, its all Eagles, all the time. Eagles green is everywhere, on everyone, and people from all walks of life come together to hope and pray that maybe, just maybe, McNabb will make it happen this year.

So I found it quite appropriate that today, on the day of the Eagles home opener, Philadelphia showed how it has embraced a new kind of green. Greenfest Philly took place today on Headhouse Square, featuring over 200 environmentally- friendly and sustainable businesses and showing that Philadelphians are serious about reducing our carbon footprint. Everything from car shares, to no-flush toilets, to solar roofs to organic cotton t-shirts were on display, with knowledgeable and zealous tree-huggers on staff to educate the public on the benefits of thinking about the planet in all our daily decisions.

While the festival was a one-day deal, it was a perfect excuse to pick up some locally grown produce at the weekly Headhouse Farmers' Market. Here green is the main event but definitely not the primary color. It's a virtual rainbow of nature's bounty, with fresh flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables all straight from local farms, not to mention artisan breads, pastries and other goodies. Even if you're not buying, just perusing the market makes for a relaxing Sunday morning.

Headhouse Farmers' Market
2nd & Lombard Sts.
Sundays, 10 am - 2 pm

Procrastination

It's Tuesdaymonday. You know, the Tuesday after a long weekend, that has all of the pitfalls of a Monday but's a touch closer to Friday. Wow, even writing that cheered me up a little. That and I feel gross today so I'm wearing a sass little outfit. I have soooo much work to do before heading off to Ireland, the home of my drunken ancestors, that I figure I should put it off with a little blog action.

It was a good weekend filled with many bad dance dance floor decisions. Music provided by DJ Deejay DJ both nights. Thanks again, yo.  

Dude I made out with was nice, but not my type. Very... pretty. He asked for my phone # and if I recall I was listed as "ajsadh" so I figured I wouldn't have to dodge him later. Cut to last night, I never get phone calls and was expecting one from the rents so when it rang, I answered without looking. Whoops. It was him. I was so caught off guard, I agreed to go out with him this week (saying I would get back to him on the day thinking that would buy me time to think of an excuse.) The more I talk to people I think I may just go. Whatever. 

So my parents came for dinner and met my new cat. I had the sinking feeling that they think this is the only grandchild they will ever have. As they came bearing gifts for him and my dad said Charlie bears a striking resemblance to my mother's side of the family. Le sigh. 

OK time to get crackin on some work, aka stare at my computer screen for 2 hours then go to lunch.