The City of Never Ending Surprises

As a fairly new traveller to Philadelphia, I now feel placed to be able to not only call it Philly, but to admit a rapidly growing fondness for the City of Brotherly Love. Why you ask?

Because it just won’t stop surprising me.

The Philadelphia you expect is still there. History, Blue Collar walk in Cheese Steaks. The bleak temperatures. The attitude.

But behind it sits another side of the city that just will not stop poking you and making you smile.

Take South 13th Street, right off Walnut and near the famous Rittenhouse Square. Sure, it’s a nice neighborhood, and the street is buzzing with a string of eateries and bars. But how does Barbuzzo just appear and then make probably the best pizza I’ve eaten in ten years? And how did I stumble upon such a place, when walking back to my hotel after a long days work?

Such is Philly.

As to Barbuzzo, it’s a riot. Sit at the bar and soak up the bustle - just don’t stand in the way or you’ll be strongly encouraged to move. I had the Funghi, which came with roasted local mushrooms, Swiss chard, smoked mozzarella, thyme and garlic. And I threw on some spicy Coppa to FULFILL my carnivore needs. And it was SENSATIONAL.. Especially washed down with a nice Chianti.

So, rather than a taketheworld for one place, I’m going to suggest something more radical. Go to Philly. Take a couple of days. And be surprised.