On a recent day off, my brother and I took my mom out for a birthday lunch. Due to scheduling conflicts, work, and my mother’s class schedule (she’s a new student at University of Delaware – Go MOM!) we couldn’t coordinate a day until three months AFTER her birthday. Ashamed by this, my brother and I decided to go all out. So we made a day of it and went to Philadelphia, which is about 40 minutes from my house.
Spend the day with us and enjoy an early lunch, as well as a little shopping, sight seeing, and movie going.
Our lunch spot was divine. FARMiCia (or The Farm) boasts a seasonal menu, using ingredients from local farms. Everything was simply prepared and SO FRESH.
Cozy, yet lively window spot
Roasted Beets with Spinach, Goat Cheese, and Shaved Fennel. Because of this salad, fennel is my new favorite thing. And I’m feverishly trying to replicate the citrus vinaigrette that perfectly dressed each scrumptious bite.
It was still a little early in the day so my brother ordered Huevos Rancheros. Muy Bueno!
My mom ordered the St. Peter’s Fish (which is really just tilapia) with Spinach and Lemon. Light and perfectly cooked.
I opted for brunch – Goat Cheese and Herb Omelette. Even this side salad was flavorful and SO FRESH.
The bar looked delightful, but no patrons at 11:30 am. The Farm has a huge selection of craft (local) beers on tap as well as an array of tasty-looking, unique cocktails which they call “tonics.”
Our next stop was Elfreth’s Alley, a must see for anyone visiting Philly. Elfreth’s Alley is a sweet reminder of our nation’s past. Neat houses in miniature line a narrow brick alley; their brightly colored doors facing each other in a long line. Once home to Philly’s first artisans and craftsmen, Elfreth’s Alley still exists as a residential street.
“Our nation’s oldest residential street”
Colorful Shutters
I could not stop taking photos of these cute and historic doors
Red Door
Alley Cat
This three-sided mirror is called a “busybody” – the perfect tool for spotting creepers on your street or at your front door.
Narrow passage between two houses
My mom and brother are delighted to visit Elfreth’s Alley. Seriously, how cute are they?
We took a walk in Old City and ended up on Second Street to browse a few shops and used bookstores. A visit to my favorite gallery was disappointing–a painting I’ve had my eye on for over a year, sold. I hope that lone little chair with the bright blue background found a good home!
Street Sign
Cobblestones
No city is complete without its food carts but Philly has Cheesesteak Carts
The walk over to the theater is dotted with historic landmarks and interesting architecture.
Tiny house for our nation’s favorite seamstress
Betsy Ross was here
This is my brother’s favorite building in Philly – The Merchant’s Exchange Building. Built in 1834 in Greek Revival style, it now houses the headquarters of the Independence National Historical Park
Sibling love (for architecture)
Curvy
Another, larger door
Our theater of choice whenever we visit Philly is Ritz. They show independent films or movies not yet released in our neck of the woods. We saw Lincoln, a film I highly recommend. Even though I knew the ending, so to speak, and the history behind the film, I was still on the edge of my seat the entire time. I even shed a few tears. Oh, and cheers to Sally Field and Daniel Day Lewis for rocking it out as Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln.
The Ritz
Before ending our day, my mom posed with a street sign that said “Glor,” her nickname. Across the street is The Continental, another delicious stop and Philly landmark. Happy Birthday, Mom!
Glad you could spend the day with us! Next time we’re hittin’ the clubs!
Rachel's Table 
So fun! Never been to Philly, but the photos took me back to memories of Boston. That narrow “road” between buildings…wow. Horse and carriage come to mind. Roast beet salad? Rasberry vinaigrette? It’s the reason we frequent a particular restaurant near us, sans the gorgonzola of course.
Love your photo posts, Rachel.
PS — I sent you an email, but may have sent to the wrong address.
I’ve taken an email hiatus, Shannon! But I’m back in the saddle on this fine Monday.
Yes, only this part of Philly reminds me of Boston. Philly is much smaller and not quite as charming. But they do have some great restaurants.
And I can attest to the fact that a Range Rover can fit in that narrow road. Apparently that’s what you drive when you own one of these houses.
Happy bday to your Mom! You do have a very cute family. Love the bricks, the cobblestones photos. And I need to remind myself to stop reading your blog first thing when I wake up because all it does is make me super hungry.
Thanks!
Sometimes little parts of Philly remind me of Boston. Like the cobblestones and the brick. But Boston has my heart!
I’m hungry too, but I’m eating oatmeal, which is kind of a drag when I think of that roasted beet salad and that omelette.
I just ate at FARMiCia last month – GREAT place! I had their butternut squash ravioli in brown butter – yum!
They have so many good things to try! I’ve had a shrimp dish that was heavenly. I need to go back.
I haven’t been to Philly since I was a little girl. It’s time for a road trip. Aw, who ami kidding? I want that beet and goat cheese sandwich! 😉
Let me know when you make it to Philly. I’ll meet you there!
Yeah, you will. I’ll need you to tell me where to eat! 😉
First of all, a happy belated birthday to your mom, the student! She rules! But now, are you SURE this is the same family in the pictures you submitted to Angie?? I don’t buy it.
Too bad your painting sold, but I think one of those “tonics” would have eased the pain. If I lived in Philly, that bar wouldn’t have been empty at 11:30am.
FANTASTIC pictures, as always.
Thanks!
This is the SAME family, Jules. Hard to believe, right? The 80s were not kind to us.
I wanted a tonic later in the day but we sneaked wine into the movie theater instead.
I like “St. Peter’s Fish” much better than “tilapia.” I bet it even tastes better when you call it that.
Yes, isn’t that better? They’re tricky over there at The Farm.
I’m going to start renaming foods whose names I don’t like. For example, I’m going to start calling turnips “joy knobs,” and I’m going to call liver “lover”.
Ha! I LOL-ed. What do you do to turnips to turn them into “joy knobs”? It’s like calling beets “bulbs of fun.”
Just so long as you didn’t LSHMCOYN-ed (laughed so hard milk came out your nose). Must have to involve some kind of candying, and maybe some rendered pork fat, to turn a turnip into a joy knob.
How adorable is your mom??? In fact, if you got your mom and Jules’ mom (the infamous Babs) together to go bowling, it would send the cuteness needle off the charts!!
You know, although I have driven through and around Philly over a dozen times, I have never actually been TO Philly. I have always wanted to go, and it being only about an hour and a half away, it’s criminal that I have never been. Our school trips usually were more DC history than Philly, so I never got up there for schoo tripsl, and like anything just close enough, you never think to make a trip. My hubs used to travel there about once a week for work, and still, I just have never been. Gotta make that happen at some point.
I was just over at your blog when you commented on mine. Aw.
If you every make it to Philly, let me know. We can coerce Jules to come down and make a day of it!
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Healthy blog.Very interesting pictures.Regards.jalal
Thanks, Jalal! I’m glad you found your way over here. 🙂