Philadelphia Eats and Treats

Of course, when I plan a trip, I plan for everything but the weather. Yesterday, Mark and I along with some dear friends took the bus to Philadelphia to meet with some other dear friends for a day trip. It was something I had looked forward to since planning it nearly a month ago. The possibility that it would be the coldest day of the season thus far just did not occur to me. It was freezing outside. Freezing, like my cheeks are now badly wind burnt and I still do not feel completely warm, whatever I do. But honestly, it was the best time ever. No regrets, not even the Geno's outdoor seating--ok well maybe that!

When my companions and I first arrived, we decided to wait for our other friends at the most charming cafe called, "The Swiss Haus", made even more charming by the fact that one of my friends who joined me is actually from Switzerland.

 
It is a very warm and friendly cafe (key word:warm) where we learned, from its very friendly staff, that it has been around since the late 1800's and has a celebrity fan following of the Dali Lama whose favorite cake is strawberry shortcake (who knew?). They had so many yummy treats.

 
We were planning on picking up lunch shortly after, so we just had a small appetizer of incredibly moist and just sweet enough apple muffin cut into four--so yum!

As soon as we met with our other friends, we immediately set off to grab lunch at Tria located in the Rittenhouse Square area. Since I knew we were going to have a cheesesteak at some point of the trip, I decided to keep it light and have a soup and a salad. The soup was a velvety cream of tomato basil with white bean puree which sounded so good that almost everyone at our table ordered it. It was some of the best soup I have ever had, I think I will be craving it for awhile and it was in placed in cup. It really was a cup of soup!

I also had a goat cheese, beet, and almond salad which was just right and so pretty too. Doesn't the goat cheese look like fresh snow?

I also had a chance to have a taste of Marks bruschetta. So mmmhmmm good, luckily for Mark, I only promised myself one bite. Okay, well a large bite!

We then worked off some of this lunch off by exploring the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It was a really great experience made better by such a great company. Who better with to discuss art and subjects such a head to toe denim suits, Han Solo encased in carbon, and Miami Vice? Did I mention that the Philadelphia Museum is also the home of the Rocky steps?

After walking through some of the city and getting to know Philadelphia's public transportation system, we took a bus, a train, and trolley--it was that cold, we decided it was now or never with the cheesesteaks. Most of us had watched all the Food Network and Travel Channel features and we expected a long line at the two most famous restaurants, Pats and Geno's. After some discussion, we settled on Geno's Steaks since it had proven victorious in most challenges. Also because it invested in an intense light show. Seriously!

It was about 28 degrees out and the mind was howling. Since it was about 5pm, the line wasn't very long and we placed our orders within 15 minutes. I am a big fan of tasting the local flavor, so I had no choice but to get my cheesesteak with the whiz, however scary cheese whiz can be. I will likely still be digesting it two years from now.

I wish I could say that I sat and savored my cheesesteak, but if you didn't notice my blue fingers in the image above, I was freezing! I had no idea there was no in-door seating until arrived. I was so cold and I am a person who can not eat comfortably with my coat on. I think I may have pretty much swallowed my cheesesteak whole! From the little I can recall of my incredibly brief experience, the whiz and onions were like butter and moistened the bread in a pleasing manner, but the actual steak itself--to be honest---a little flavorless. I think that in comparison, I would recommend the less famous Jim's. Maybe because Jim's cooks the steak with the onions and added peppers? I don't know, but I have to say that my Geno's steaks experience was freezingly unforgettable. We all were glad to take a cab ride close to our next destination, Naked Chocolate Cafe. 


Considering the fact that we had eaten so heavily at Geno's, we still had no problem ordering dessert. Especially in a nice warm cafe! Look at this spread we all ordered!

My absolute favorite was the drinking chocolate. It is the most divine thing ever. I will always have the best food memory of this. It is hot chocolate done European style with very little milk and lots of chocolate. It was like very fine, very rich, warm, thick, chocolate pudding.

This was sipping chocolate and it is every child's and every kid at heart's fantasy. It is basically just very well done melted dark chocolate bar. So good and extremely indulgent.

I only had the tiniest sliver of this decadent peanut butter mousse. It can only be described as a fluffy cloud of peanut butter cup cake.
 

This was the Oreo mousse and strangely enough, the lightest dessert we ordered.  It went so quickly.

This was an American hot chocolate, done right by my friend who used the pictured cookie as a straw. How tasty the straw must have been too eat afterwards?
 

Are you going to Philly anytime soon? Layer up and be prepared to eat up! xoxo happy nibbling!