Thymeline is back, and I’m making up for lost time with an update on my recent Philadelphia day trip and an extra-long link round-up!
***
It’s been two weeks, but Thymeline is back!
Apologies for the time off – it’s been one busy summer. As a life update, things are really good. This last week I was lucky enough to a part of a wedding between two friends of mine, and the entire event and turnout was fantastic. Even the spats of rain we got on Saturday couldn’t put a damper on it.
***
Two weeks ago, I spent a fabulous day in Philadelphia with another one of my friends, Paige. We started our day with lunch at Dim Sum Garden, which more than lived up to its reputation for both the most fantastic soup dumplings I’ve ever eaten, and for incredibly reasonable prices.
Working our way from Chinatown through Old City, we did a lot of boutique shopping. Honestly, she always has a bit more luck in that department than I do (I mostly just try things on and window shop), but we both found a few great items to take home with us.
My primary shopping destination was a little place called Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction. We were able to get a visit in just before they closed for renovations. If you haven’t heard of the company, it’s beautifully well-curated home bar supply store and tasting room, where they feature a selection of their in-stock bitters and the small batch liquors the company produces in partnership with Tamworth Distillery.
After over a year of drooling over the new product lines, I was finally able to try a respectable number of them. Our favorite was the Tamworth Garden Apiary Gin – sweet to the tongue, unique, and really one of the best sipping liquors I’ve had in awhile. The only downside is that the shop can’t sell most of the liquors directly – they need to be ordered through local distributors – but they aren’t to blame for that. If you’re anywhere near the area, I highly recommend a visit once they re-open. I hope they keep their amazing wall of bottled bitters after the remodel – You can see some of it in the mirror behind me.
Next stop was the Franklin Fountain, a vintage-style ice cream parlor with amazing handmade confections. I used a picture of their fabulous bar in the header image of this post.
We ended our visit with a quick peek at the Liberty Bell and then a final drink at the Hop Sing Laundromat – a speakeasy-style bar located back in Chinatown (conveniently right across the street from Dim Sum Garden and near where we left our vehicles). Once we managed to find the entrance, we were greeted by a rather taciturn doorman who sternly explained the house rules – including no photographs. Both of us are rather experienced with modern-day speakeasies- such rules are understandable to keep up a bit of mystery. Once we got inside the lovely location, the service was fantastic and the drinks top notch. I look forward to visiting all of these places again.
***
And now, what you’ve been waiting for – the links:
- Nothing says comfort food like a Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich!
- August is over but you still have time to utilize these Popsicle Tricks and Tips before the weather cools for good.
- This Bourbon-Soaked Cherry Pie with Cocoa Nibs (and accompanying Bourbon-Soaked Cherry Old Fashioned) is welcome in my home anytime.
- Speaking of staying home, I’m loving this better-than-takeout Kung Pao Chicken.
- How about making this Pancetta, Mushroom, and Spinach Gnocchi for your next date night, and this Broccoli Salad with Avocado Dressing for your next picnic?
- Check out this rum and lillet cocktail called The Shipwreck – gorgeous!
- A whole wheat twist on a classic treat with these Kamut Marshmallow Squares.
- Nate Appleman shares some tips on eating healthy with some delicious looking recipes.
- How many of these iconic cookbooks do you own?
- Everything is better with bourbon – especially in cooking.
- Do you know about the Brazilian liquor cachaça? If not, you should.
- September 11-16 (next week!) is the Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week for anyone in the Delaware area! I can’t wait.
Cheers!
***
