Tag Archives: travel

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Good Food, Good Travels – Philadelphia’s London Grill

I was browsing pictures today and wanted to revisit some wonderful culinary experiences from the past year. Perhaps this is related to my rather bland diet lately, or an upcoming, highly anticipated happy hour tomorrow evening. Whatever the reason, enjoy.

The area surrounding the Phila Art Museum is crowded with restaurants. Not so much as in Texas, I’ve been told several times that Texas has a ridiculous number of restaurants, but there is still a lot to c hoose from. I selected London Grill, based on reviews from sources varying from Fodor’s to the girl at the info booth in the museum.  I thought it was a bit cold, but there were plenty of people on the patio.

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This place is split into a fine dining section, where waiters will ask you 16 times if you want to see the wine list, and a pub, where waiters might listen to you if you yell your drink order loudly enough. Apparently the burgers at the pub are great, though that’s a topic for another time. The food was overall fantastic – seafood wrapped in bacon, perfectly steamed asparagus, one slice of cornbread as an appetizer on a special little plate just for me. This place felt expensive (and easily could have been). Though I really enjoyed my dinner, I think I enjoyed the restroom more.

London Grill Bathroom

What a hilarious find! I would love to know the story behind that monkey, who stares at you while you try to fix your hair in the miniscule mirror. If I ever return, I’ll make sure to bring a man who will check out the men’s room for me, I’m dying to know if the monkey has a mate. Note: The bathroom is about the size the picture indicates. Tiny. Don’t bring your whole family in there.

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San Francisco Step by Step

There is a lot to be said about San Francisco, but by far my favorite thing about it was walking.

I love to walk in a new city. You are able to find new things on the way to your touristy guide-book destination. One morning I stopped at the coffee shop in Union Square and found this lovely breakfast (or dessert), a mocha cappuccino with a chocolate croissant.almost too pretty to eat

 I also found pigeons inside the little restaurant! And sparrows waiting for a crumb outside. imgp0320.jpg

That day they were putting lights on the gigantic Christmas tree. It looked quite precarious, and this is the closest picture I could get. Proof that it is an ENORMOUS tree. Also proof that I need to work on my photography skills.  imgp0248.jpg 

As I sat drinking my cappuccino and watching the brave man put up Christmas lights, an art show started to develop in Union Square. Artists started bringing in easels and paintings, chairs and tables and filling the square with their wares. I certainly had no idea that I would be treated to an art display on a weekday morning during my visit. That, however, is the joy of walking, and the joy of leaving the hotel for breakfast!

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Navy Pier, Chicago

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This is an old visit, but on a blustery cold day like today, I was reminded of it.  October 2006 I spent a day in Chicago. I went for a business meeting, and had the afternoon to myself at Navy Pier.

Navy Pier is certainly a tourist trap or theme park type venue.  In early October it was cold and looked ready to rain at any second, but the Children’s Museum and stores seemed relatively busy. Many of the rides, restaurants and outdoor activities were closed, but one could tell it had potential to be packed.  The view of Chicago from Navy Pier is quite nice, and the plaza in front of the museum deserves a photo opportunity as well. With a cup of coffee from the Starbucks inside the mall area, I walked around the outer edge of the ‘pier’ looking out at the water.  There were several boats available for hire on warmer days, cruises, rides, a German beer hall, plenty of places to buy gifts and eat.  dsc00181b.jpg

If you have some time and money to kill, and don’t mind overpriced parking, try Navy Pier for a few hours. If you have a child or two, it could be especially rewarding as the Children’s Museum and the fast food are conveniently close to each other. 

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Alligator Crossing at Brazos Bend State Park

The outdoors has always been one of my passions. Wildlife, fresh air, beautiful scenery, it’s difficult to find in downtown Houston. Luckily about 45 minutes away is Brazos Bend State Park, an often busy South Texas haven.

I last visited the park in February and it was COLD. You have to get there a bit early, or make reservations even on cold, wet days. RV-campers take up many of the prime spots, and if it rains some of the spots can get very soggy.  

The wildlife makes this park worth the visit. Birding is very popular, and the park delivers, with more than 270 species spotted in the area. If you are lucky you can also spot reptiles, amphibians and mammals like fox and raccoon (or maybe not so lucky!) 

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There are some nice nature trails and hiking areas, in particular the Creekfield Lake Nature Trail, which is a leisurely walk around a lake that is nearly always filled with ducks and egrets.

I haven’t seen any alligators yet, but rest assured I will be on the lookout the next time I visit.

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Neshaminy State Park

Looking to get some exercise after a long day at a desk, I trekked down to Neshaminy State Park for a visit. After a brief bit of confusion which ended me up in New Jersey (yikes!) I arrived at this small park situated on the Delaware River.
My first adventure was this guy:
He was running across a large open field. I’m still not sure what he is, I’m guessing a skunk. Either way I was desperate to get a good picture! I’m glad for those 6 megapixels now.

 

The park is overall in disrepair. The playground equipment suffices, but the greenery is lacking and it can’t really be called beautiful. The shore of the river is a bit depressing, as garbage is constantly washing up and ruining the riverside scenery. Nonetheless couples come here to talk and children play along with water; in an area this densely populated I suppose you take what you can get. It doesn’t hurt that coming here is entirely free. 

I went for a bit of a hike around the park grounds, and found this strange sight:

 

A playhouse in the park? It doesn’t look as if it’s often used, but I hope that I’m wrong.  I also hope that the next time I see this park it will be much more beautiful, without litter washed on shore and that the empty fields will be filled with trees or gardens.

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Philadelphia Museum of Art

Having visited El Prado, Musee D’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, the MET and dozens of other museums throughout Europe and the US, I didn’t really expect much from the Phila art museum. I was pleasantly surprised to find a vibrant museum full of beautiful, unique works displayed in a wonderful way.

Friday evenings during the summer you can enjoy drinks, food and music in the museums central stairwell. I found couples and friends sitting on the steps drinking red wine and listening to an indie-sounding band during my Friday evening visit. But I wasn’t there for the food or the music, I was there for the art. I picked up a voice tour, which greatly enhances any museum experience in my opinion.

In my evening tour I was able to experience American art and furniture, Japanese literati culture in the Edo period, a Japanese tea garden, middle eastern mosaics and some wonderful sculpture. 

One of the museums star pieces is this one, Ghost, by Alexander Calder.                   
I encourage visitors to Philadelphia to not overlook this gem of a museum. It is constantly growing, already beautiful and interesting, and surrounded by parks and nice restaurants. You can even get a Segway tour of the area, like these folks.

  

Skip the Liberty Bell, go here instead.  www.philamuseum.org

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Reading Terminal Market

I’ve always been a big fan of finding something beautiful and fun that even gets the locals involved. That’s why my trip to Philadelphia wasn’t centered around the Liberty Bell or a museum, but Reading Terminal Market was high on my to-do list. With world famous cookies, chocolates shaped like rats and vats of pickled vegetables of all kinds there was something for everyone.

If you arrive a bit earlier than I did, the choices for lunch are limitless and parking is much cheaper with a validation from the market. If you’re too late for lunch, try some 4th street world famous cookies, they really are delicious (and I’m a cookie connoisseur).

You can also get a wide variety of Amish treats, like pickled anything, homemade baked goods, and these great pretzels from Fisher’s Dutch Treats.   

The Amish aren’t huge fans of having their picture taken, but I did get a great shot of the barrells of homemade goodies.

Sour Kraut and pickled tomatoes? What else could a person need! If you’re shopping for groceries, Reading Terminal Market has great deals on vegetables and fruits, and wonderful spice stores for buying spices or coffee in bulk. You can even find some of the rarer spices and gourmet accessories. No matter if you’re in the area for the day or you live there all year, the market has something to offer.