This past weekend was so much fun! I travel to PA frequently for my job, but literally, get off the plane, get my rental car, go to the office, go to the hotel, rinse and repeat for a day or two. People from the PA office, friends, and family would ask me if I went into the city…ate here or saw this or that. I WISH!
So this time around, my friends and I decided to make a girl’s weekend out of this trip. I arrived on Friday, and off we went to the hotel. We made friends with the person at check-in and scored free drinks at the bar – a nice way to start off the weekend! Dinner was at a well-known spot, Talula’s Garden. Described on their website as:
A leafy oasis in the heart of the city, Talula’s Garden pairs carefully sourced-ingredients with a light, European-touch to create a menu that changes with the seasons. Aimee Olexy has curated the upbeat vibe, beautiful patio, sustainable spirits, and the unforgettable cheese program.
It was delish. We started off with one of their signature cheese dishes (and a separate dish of their special cheese of the evening – a blue cheese with a red wine tinge and rind). My choice for dinner – brisket with sides of mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts – was as well-praised as my other dinner guests’ choices. Stuffed and ready for a nightcap, we meandered out to their twinkling garden, snapped a photo, and jumped back into the car. It was COLD out!
Saturday morning we woke up so excited for a fun-filled day! My friends actually created an agenda in Excel…I was one lucky gal! Brunch was at Sabrina’s by the art museums. No reservations are allowed, and there was a nice group of people waiting outside (in the cold). The wait was not as long as we expected, and as we sat down I took in the eclectic atmosphere and the great smells coming from everyone’s tables. The menu was insane, filled with one amazing choice after another.
Trying to keep my girlish figure (ha-ha), I opted for the frittata.
S chose the french toast, 
and if there is a pumpkin laden item anywhere on the menu – K is going to order it.
After officially stuffing our faces, we headed out to the art museums to do the usual touristy thing – go up the Rocky steps and take a picture with his statue. I didn’t run up the stairs (although many people did and do regularly for exercise).
Next, we were off to Constitution Center to learn about “We the People”. They also had a special exhibit all about prohibition. It was super interesting – I am an avid Boardwalk Empire fan. There was a dance floor with different popular dance steps of the era painted on it. Foxtrot seems to be more my pace as opposed to the double Charleston.
There was this fun section where you can pretend you are in a line-up with some of the most well-known gangsters. (Note: this is my second picture. I laughed during the first one and didn’t get the full “tough girl” effect I was going for.)
Next, we traipsed over to check out the Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin’s grave,
and some other historic sites. Back to the hotel for a quick cap nap and off we went to dinner at Chloe’s. What a cool, interesting place. They are open Wednesday through Thursday from 5:00p – 9:30p. That’s it. And there are 10 tables. No reservations. BYO. I had never been to a place like this, so it was a new experience. Thankfully we sat rather quickly (we got there around 6ish, early bird by Florida standards). Mussels and baked feta cheese for the table as an app, and for dinner gnocchi stuffed with Maine lobster for me – DELISH! Our nightcap was at Devil Alley (I think that was the name). There we had a drink and shoot the sh*t with two great ladies that I only get to see sporadically when I am in PA.
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