Feelin' Philly

Dateline: Philadelphia

I’m here in the City of Brotherly Love for a few days and I have to say this is clearly a food town. Maybe not a food town like San Fran or New York where it’s almost a tourist trade, but more like a food town full of serious eaters.

I’m not going to weigh in on the whole Philly Cheese Steak, Pat’s vs. Gino’s, thing yet. That’s lunch tomorrow.

What I do love is the proliferation of “hot trucks” on every corner. Hot egg and sausage sandwiches, Italian grinders, sausage and peppers all nicely wrapped in foil for easy noshing as you walk by Independence Hall or check out the Franklin Museum.

And the Philly pretzel will be my thickening downfall. Doughy, salty, hot, somehow better than the weak and plastic-like knots in New York that always smell burned.

Stephen Starr is the local restaurant luminary, owning a small empire that includes Buddakan which he has recently exported to NYC. Cocktails at The Continental Midtown were fun and sassy, but small. A quick bite at Jones was satisfying and comfortable, but still innovative (potato pancakes, crispy calamari salad). Next: Morimoto and sushi love.