Serving a straightforward selection of slowly smoked meats and homey side dishes alongside craft beers and tasty cocktails, Percy Street is an ideal venue for Chef Erin OShea much-lauded Southern cooking, and is on its way to become the city top spot for barbecue.

Working with J&R smokers sourced from Texas, Chef O´shea and her crack team of barbecue wizards headed down to Texas – tested no fewer than 20 beef briskets – as they perfected the ideal balance of salt, smoke and seasoning. Check out this video about their culinary field trip to the Lone Star State.

The Eats

That Brisket which is Percy Street´s signature dish, served – as is the custom in Texas – by the half pound or pound, in three distinct cuts: Moist, Lean and Burnt Ends.

Other menu items include: Spare Ribs; house-made Sausage; half or whole Chicken; and Pork Belly, all slowly smoked and served with white bread and pickles. Sides, available small or large, include: Pinto Beans; Green Bean Casserole, Root beer Chili, Coleslaw; Collard Greens; Macaroni and Cheese; and Vegan Chili.

The Drinks

In keeping with their bare-bones, Texas-frontier aesthetic, Percy Street´s craft beers are served exclusively on draft at the poured concrete bar, lit from above by illuminated green glass beer growlers. Beers include Sly Fox Rauchbier (available in Pennsylvania exclusively at the restaurant) as well as a hand-crafted Root Beer from Yard´s Brewing Company.

Cocktails include: FM 423, with Tito handmade vodka, peach juice and sweet tea; Jack & Ginger, with Jack Daniels, Canton ginger liqueur, lime cordial and ginger ale; and Cherry Cola, with Beam rye, cherry Heering, DiSaronno and cola.

Atmosphere

Percy Street´s simple, rustic decor was created by Elisabeth Knapp, who also designed Cook and Solomonov Xochitl and Zahav restaurants.

Her frontier-influenced design focuses on the fire engine red smokers, visible through a window in the dining room and bar area. The restaurant features light wood floors, weathered red paint, a working jukebox and custom “blackboard walls,” large panels of schoolhouse blackboards that can be rearranged to create private dining areas throughout the 80-seat space.

Seating in the form of repurposed church pews, and bare light bulbs overhead in the dining room lend to the restaurant Texas-esque aesthetic.

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Additionally rated as the best restaurant in Philadelphia by Zagat´s, the Fountain Restaurant overlooks the majestic Swann Memorial Fountain sculpture by Alexander Stirling Calder in the center of Logan Square. You´ll also enjoy sweeping views of the grand Benjamin Franklin Parkway and its gorgeous Beaux Arts architecture.

Fountain is definitely an incredibly romantic restaurant, so if you´re visiting with a special someone, you will surely impress them with a meal at Fountain.

You can order a la carte or select the prix fix option to enjoy the “spontaneous tastes” menu which gives the chef control of a few courses. The menu changes regularly, but you can expect to see globaly influenced items like Pan-fried Veal Sweetbreads, Braised Dover Sole Roulade, Sautéed Venison Medallions and Roasted Australian Lamb Saddle.

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Located on the second floor of the Rittenhouse Hotel, Lacroix features elegant décor and a broad view of Rittenhouse Square, which combine to make the ambiance at Lacroix as enjoyable as the meal itself.

The creative French menu changes with the season and in the past has included favorites like pumpkin soup with fried shallots and tuna steak with salmis sauce. The wine list is excellent and extensive – thanks to the 4,000-bottle wine cellar .

The tasting menus can be catered to your preference – three-, four- and five-course selections are offered at set prices during lunch and dinner.

Sunday Brunch at Lacroix – which features such delectable dishes as baby lamb chops with garlic crust and banyuls sauce, niman ranch smoked bacon, quail eggs with artichoke, golden beet and shiitakes, and french baguette toast with apple, raspberry and rosemary jam – is also highly recommended.

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One of the most important architectural works of the 20th Century, the PSFS (Philadelphia Savings Fund Society) Building has been converted into the new 585-room Loews Philadelphia Hotel. Designed by George Howe and William Lescaze, the building was erected in 1932 and was the first international style, modernist high-rise building.

Today, the building retains period details, such as Cartier clocks, bank vault doors and polished granite, as well as modern amenities such as a full service health spa, business center, spinning room, lap pool and over 40,000 square feet of multi-purpose space, including three ballrooms.

THE HOTEL

Loews Hotels is proud to have restored the landmark PSFS Building to its original grandeur, while transforming it into a hotel that people from all over the world can experience and enjoy.

The hotel takes full advantage of the building´s historical features. The three-story former banking room has been preserved as Millennium Hall, a dramatic banquet space. The historic, rooftop boardroom has been converted to a spectacular setting for catered events.

The building retains period details, such as Cartier clocks, bank vault doors and polished granite, as well as modern amenities such as a full service health spa, business center, spinning room, lap pool and over 40,000 square feet of multi-purpose space, including three ballrooms.

Feel the comforts of home in accommodations that perfectly balance the contemporary with the elegant. Where every detail from the lofty ten-foot ceilings to the miles of spectacular views is designed to serve one purpose – yours. Whether you´re working hard or playing hard, you can always rest easy.

The Loews is perfect for families. The hotel offers special kid-friendly programs and features dedicated to the principle: “the family that stays together plays together” (and that includes four-legged family members too).

Learn more about Loews Signature Family Travel Benefits.
DINING AT THE HOTEL

Solefood

SoleFood is a fusion of seafood and cutting edge culinary expertise, offering seafood inspired dishes at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy a cozy table for two or make new friends at one of the communal tables featuring a center display of river rocks and candles.

In order to create a memorable culinary experience in an upscale, hip environment which mixes eclectic cool with classic style, Solefood Restaurant continues to create exciting food and drinks that are mixed with just the right amount of attitude. SoleFood has received local and regional accolades from the media including 2008 Best of Philadelphia Award, Philadelphia City Paper Best Bar and Best Seafood restaurant.

SoleFood features hard to find wines, served by the glass, bottle and half bottle for when a bottle is too much and a glass is too little.

Special Prix Fixe Dinner Offer

SoleFood is offering a special “Diversify your Palate” prix-fixe dinner menu through 2010. For $29, you get to choose an entree and two “investments,” which can be an appetizer, a glass of wine, a cocktail, a dessert or a draft beer.

To make a reservation at SoleFood restaurant please call (215) 231-7300 or visit opentable.com

Hours:

Breakfast: Daily, 6:30 am – 11:00 am
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday,11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Lunch: Monday – Friday, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Dinner: Daily, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm

SoleFood Lounge & Happy Hour

SoleFood Lounge provides one of the best happy hour options in the city. Gather with your friends and take advantage of some great specials, including hors d’oeuvres, wines by the glass, draft beer, and a wide selection of martinis from 5 to 7 p.m. daily. The lounge is the perfect place to meet up with old friends and make new ones.

SoleFood Lounge has earned recognition for its creative bar menu that includes a wide array of signature drinks and one of the best martinis in Philly.

Solefood Lounge Hours: Daily, 11:30 am – 2:00 am
Lounge Menu is offered daily: 11:00 am – 12:00 am

Solstice and SoleFood Special Events & Private Parties

Solstice and SoleFood provide fabulous settings for receptions, private parties and meetings. Solstice Private Dining Room is a great place to host cocktails receptions, dinners and meetings.

SoleFood is available for private parties and events. The main dining room can accommodate up to 85 people; each of the two communal tables seats 16; The Bar and Lounge at SoleFood with its luxe decor and inviting banquettes and white leather chairs can accommodate 200 for cocktails.

Menus can be customized to meet your needs, including family-style.

Starbucks Morning Coffee Bar

Daily, 6:30 am – 10:30 am

SoleFood Restaurant is proud to be serving Starbucks. Come in and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee during your morning rush. The Coffee Bar also offer small breakfast items for your enjoyment.

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Located on the second floor of the Rittenhouse Hotel, Lacroix features elegant décor and a broad view of Rittenhouse Square, which combine to make the ambiance at Lacroix as enjoyable as the meal itself.

The creative French menu changes with the season and in the past has included favorites like pumpkin soup with fried shallots and tuna steak with salmis sauce. The wine list is excellent and extensive – thanks to the 4,000-bottle wine cellar .

The tasting menus can be catered to your preference – three-, four- and five-course selections are offered at set prices during lunch and dinner.

Sunday Brunch at Lacroix – which features such delectable dishes as baby lamb chops with garlic crust and banyuls sauce, niman ranch smoked bacon, quail eggs with artichoke, golden beet and shiitakes, and french baguette toast with apple, raspberry and rosemary jam – is also highly recommended.

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Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia Zoo
Franklin Institute
Historic landmarks such as the Liberty Bell & Independence Hall
Pennsylvania Convention Center
University of Pennsylvania
Upon entering these suites at the Embassy Suites Philadelphia – Center City hotel, the spaciousness of the living room gives way to the warmth of each of the appointments. All of the newly renovated 288 two-room accommodations feature an entry foyer, queen-size sofa bed, and a range of in-suite amenities, including: well-lit work area, high-speed Internet access, dining area with balcony, kitchen area with microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, and wet bar.

Guests of the Embassy Suites Philadelphia – Center City hotel in downtown Philadelphia are also welcome to enjoy a range of hotel-wide amenities and services, including: fitness center, hotel business center, and meeting rooms.

A delicious, complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is offered each morning, and a hotel Manager´s Reception every night – featuring complimentary refreshments and great company.

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Schulson returns to Philadelphia after having opened Buddakan in New York City for Stephen Starr and Izakaya at the Borgata in Atlantic City and then having gone on to star in Style network´s popular series Pantry Raid and TLC Ultimate Cake Off.

Chef Schulson has been looking forward to a time when he could come back to Philadelphia and cook in a small, personal space, which he has now achieved with Sampan. To him, Sampan is a place where he can prepare serious food from across Asia while interacting with guests and sharing his love of the cuisine with them.

Design

Designed by Philadelphia´s Sparks Design, Sampan features distressed metals, reclaimed timber and a rustic, natural aesthetic anchored by a custom-crafted, color washed painting that lends a warm ambiance to the space. In contrast to the large scale restaurants such as Manhattan´s Buddakan and West Philadelphia´s Pod, where Chef Schulson served as executive chef, this 80-seat gem is a cozy setting that allows his passion for Asian flavors, thoughtfully prepared, to shine.

Cuisine

Schulson´s says his mission at Sampan is to make the more exotic and unfamiliar flavors of Asian cuisine accessible and inviting to American palates.

Sampan menu is composed of a variety of small plates – Chef Schulson´s preferred way to cook because it is ideal for sampling and sharing. Tempting dishes include: his signature Edamame Dumplings, with truffles, shoots and sake broth; Thai Chicken Wings with pickles, mint and basil; Pekin Duck with tamarind pancakes, scallions and cucumbers; Lamb Satay with yakitori, penko and ginger; Crispy Chili Crab with Hong Kong noodles, black beans and ginger chips; Mao Pao Tofu with pork, ginger and garlic; and Wild Mushroom Salad with goat cheese, puffed rice and truffles.

Prices range from $5 to $19.

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Location

Located right on the Avenue of the Arts at Broad and Locust Streets, this high rise occupies one of the city´s most ideal locations. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam and Wilma Theaters are all within a block.

To the west you have great shopping and dining in Rittenhouse Square. To the east are Philadelphia´s famous historic attractions, South Street, Washington Square and Old City.

Guest Rooms

Spacious and well-appointed guest rooms offer paroramic views of the city, traditional décor, generous work areas and high-speed internet access. Other amenities include a restaurant, lounge and a health club with an indoor pool.

The Doubletree´s spacious guest rooms are decorated in a warm contemporary style, which includes a Herman Miller ergonomic chair at an oversized desk featuring task lighting and easy-access power source. Work with ease and efficiency from your room, utilizing two dual-line telephones with data port, speakerphone, and private voicemail. High-speed internet access ensures productivity by providing you with quick and convenient access to email and the Internet.

All rooms feature the popular Sweet Dreams by Doubletree bedding, one king or two queens.

Suites

If you prefer additional space, try a suite. The Junior Suite is an oversized guest room with a seating area separated from the sleeping space by a half wall. For more privacy, reserve an elegant two-room suite, which offers twice the square footage of a standard guest room, with a door to separate bedroom and sitting areas.

The suites at the Doubletree are perfect for business stays when you need convenient space to conduct a small meeting or the ability to spread out and get the job done. Guest suite living areas also feature a sleeper sofa, great for vacationing families. And closets in both areas ensure you´ll have plenty of wardrobe and hanging space for relocation or extended stays.

The Standing O Bistro and Bar

The Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia boasts a great option for enjoying a bite before heading out into the city: The Standing O Bistro.

Stop in the restaurant – which serves lunch and dinner daily – for a drink and some light fare. With its location right on Broad Street, you´re close to everything you could ever want in a night on the town.

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The restaurant´s namesake and head chef, Morimoto (of Food Network´s Iron Chef fame), has created a menu offering the very best in contemporary Japanese cusine. While regulars flock here for the exquisitely prepared sushi, Morimoto offers diners a broad spectrum of flavors that delve beyond nigiri and sashimi.

In recent years, the restaurant has made it onto Gourmet magazine´s “Best Restaurants in America” list and Conde Nast Traveler magazine 50 Hot Tables in America. Today Morimoto remains one of the hottest spots to dine in Center City and continues to receive rave reviews from regulars and first-timers alike.

That said, be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Insider Tip

The mezzanine level lounge is a great spot to have a pre-meal cocktail while waiting for your table. You can enjoy a sake or try a “Sakura” – a cosmo made with Sake – in the sleek space that overlooks the brilliant restaurant below.

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This incredibly modern hotel is located just five minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, offering a great convenience to travelers looking for fresh and fun accommodations.

Guest Rooms

The hotel´s spacious guest rooms make you feel right at home with extra large windows, iPod docking stations, high-speed wireless internet, 42” LCD televisions and king- or queen-sized beds. Like the rest of the hotel, the guest rooms feature ultra-modern touches and a fun, energetic design.

Things to Do

Want to socialize? That´s easy at aloft – just step into the re:mix lobby to relax and chat, work on your laptop or shoot a few games of pool. Ready for cocktail hour? The w xyz bar has great drink specials and tasty bar fare. Time for a snack? The re:fuel shop offers self-serve bites like sandwiches, salads and fresh fruit.

The Splash indoor pool and re:charge fitness center complete your overnight experience. And lucky for you – self check-in kiosks allow you to print out your next flight´s boarding pass! Talk about convenient.

Re:Fuel

Just off the plane and craving something to nibble? Thanks to Aloft Philadelphia Airport´s innovative eating options, you don´t have to make do with bland in-flight meals or unhealthy airport fare. Enticing edibles are here, from sweet treats to healthy eats and more.

There is something to please your palate at any hour. Help yourself at the 24-7 re:fuel by Aloft(SM) for a quick bite whenever hunger strikes. Or mix and mingle with a drink and snack at the w xyz(SM) bar.

Fun

For the traveler open to possibilities, Aloft Philadelphia Airport is a fresh, fun, forward-thinking alternative. Breeze into a hotel that offers more than a comfy bed and a friendly smile, and enjoy a whole new travel experience. Energy flows and personalities mingle in a setting that combines urban-influenced design, accessible technology, and a social scene that´s always abuzz.

Energizing public spaces draw you from your room to socialize, or just enjoy the hum of activity as you do your own thing. Sip a drink, read the paper, or work on your laptop in the re:mix(SM) lounge or w xyz(SM) bar, where lighting and music change throughout the day to set the perfect mood.

The hotel´s open flow of features and help-yourself services inspire you to step outside the one-size-fits-all travel routine. Customize your stay and celebrate your style in a place where anything can happen.

Aahh…breathe deep at Aloft. This hotel is smoke-free.

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