Pennsylvania

Supper on South Street

| Verónica

On my trip to Philadelphia, I had a few precious hours on Sunday afternoon in which to soak up as much of the local culture as possible. After a mad dash to the Historic District to visit Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell, I made my way to South Street. South Street is an eclectic, bohemian neighborhood which has managed to maintain a historic look through years of gentrification. Some of the building facades with their stripped paint have a decaying quality while brand new structures like the Whole Foods grocery store serve as a focal point for the funky blend of South Street residents.

As I meandered my way past tiled mosaic exteriors, bars and boutiques, I almost walked past Supper. I had not eaten except for an apple at the airport so I was famished. I took a quick glance at the menu posted on the window and instantly knew I had come to the right place. Supper is a chef-owned restaurant that “serves seasonal farm-direct American cuisine.” Through a partnership with Blue Elephant Farm, a privately owned organic farm, they cook with and serve fresh produce grown exclusively for them.

Providence was with me because it happened to be Restaurant Week and Supper was serving a four-course meal for $35.

The Beverage

River Horse Double Wit, a Belgian style wheat brew with orange peel, lemon peel and coriander. Brewed in Pennsylvania.

The Hors d’oeuvre

Sriracha deviled eggs, freshly-baked rosemary bread and sweet cream butter.

First Course

BE Farm greens and herbs salad with ben’s apples, smoked chicken cracklins, cornbread croutons and buttermilk dressing.

Entree

BE Farms farro risotto with butternut squash, caramelized apple and mint.

Dessert

Butterscotch bread pudding with poached pears and spiced whipped cream.

Location

Supper is located at 926 South Street, Philadelphia, PA, in the South Street Headhouse District.

The Streets of Philadelphia

| Verónica

I was in Philadelphia for a business conference the first full week in October. I arrived as early as possible on Sunday and had a few hours of daylight in which to see as much as I could. I managed to visit Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell. Here are a few highlights.

The spire atop Independence Hall.
Left: Weathervane atop Independence Hall. Right (Top & Bottom): Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber.
Top: Assembly Room where the delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. Bottom: The black walking stick belonged to Thomas Jefferson. Right: Independence Hall was the site of many key events in American history.
The inscription reads, “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof” Leviticus 25:10.
Left: The Liberty Bell weighs 2,080 pounds, is made of bronze and its strike note is an E-flat. (Source: http://www.nps.gov) Top: A historical building covered with ivy. Bottom: The eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Left: A tiled mosaic covered the facade of a building on South Street. Right: The bell last rang in 1846 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. (Source: http://www.nps.gov)
Statue of Benjamin Franklin on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

Should you find yourself in Philly, I highly recommend these historic sites. The National Park Service provides information on operating hours and things to see and do. If you plan to visit Independence Hall, you will need tickets. They are free but you have to reserve them.

Nangellini’s in Philadelphia

| Verónica

As many knitters do, I like to buy yarn from places I visit. More than a postcard, it helps me remember a certain place. When possible, I buy local – fibers from local farms, hand-spun, locally-dyed yarns. In a short Sunday afternoon, I made a beeline to Nangellini’s on the hip and quirky South Street in Philly. These are my souvenirs.

Super Something Hand Spun, by Nancy’s Custom Spinning (that would be Nancy, the owner). Made from strands of Merino and a Merino, Mohair, Silk combo plied together; 90 yards, 146 grams, 5.14 ounces. Nancy has a special bartering arrangement with a local dyer. Nancy spins, the dyer dyes and they each keep half of the fiber.

Nangellini’s Best.Batts.Ever are made from fine fibers including Merino, Mohair and Silk with a little Firestar for that hint of sparkle.

This is Nancy, owner, spinner, knitter and overall cool person. She explained that “Nangellini” was a childhood endearment her father used for her. When I asked if I could snap a photo, she agreed and grabbed that skein of hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn for the occasion. (I almost bought that skein). If I lived in Philly, my needles and I would hang out at Nangellini’s.

My memories of Philadelphia will include Independence Hall where the Constitution of the United States was signed, the Liberty Bell with its famous crack, workshops on leadership at the Wharton School at UPenn, a visit to Gettysburg, and yarn from Nangellini’s.