South Philly Y'all

Needless to say I was excited when I got the message that Alex made it down from New Haven to visit his brother Brett in Philly. Being in NJ all morning surfing, I didn't have to think twice about driving into Philly Saturday night to have some wine, go out for dinner and stay out too late with the brothers. Seeing old friends is always great, especially when it's two of your best friends from childhood.

Brett's got a new dog, which pleasantly greeted me upon my arrival at his new apartment. The thing is a nuts ball of energy, but really a good pup that loves the attention I'm sure Brett provides. We ended up chilling and catching up at the apartment for awhile about Alex's new job in wine and liquor distribution, changes in Brett's life, as well as my own. We continued the conversation at a great BYOB Italian restaurant on 20th street called D'Angelo's Ristorante. While it was 100 degrees in the place, the spicy bacon wrapped grilled shrimp I had as an appetizer were worth dealing with the oppressive heat and lack of AC. A pear and beet salad was also a cool, fresh and perfect completion to my meal.

We continued down 20th to visit one of Brett's bartending buddies, had a few drinks at Twenty Manning for old time's sake, visited big Mike at Barristers and then finished the night up at The Bards. Alex and I were the last standing, so we jumped in a cab to soak up the night's events with a greasy classic philly cheesesteak (wiz without) from Pat's King of Steaks. Had to stop at a couple ATMs to get cash for our chow, but when all was said and done, it was a necessary notch in belt to cap off a great weekend in the Philadelphia area.