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Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I visited Philadelphia – the home of Rocky & the birthplace of the USA, full of fascinating history & incredible food
PHILADELPHIA is a city that punches way above its weight - and I'm not just talking about the iconic Rocky statue that looks out over the classy metropolis. The 'City of Brotherly Love' is the birthplace of the United States and is packed full of rich history, art, culture and fantastic cuisine from around the world. Advertisement 9 Philadelphia skyline Credit: Getty 9 Our man at the Rocky statue 9 Philadelphia - a classy city on Amerca's east coast 9 The Philly skyline with the William Penn statue atop City Hall You can stroll from one side of town to the other in around an hour - before running the final 48 steps up the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs immortalised by Sylverter Stallone in the 1976 movie. Known as Philly to the locals, you can now fly direct from Scotland for the first time in six years with American Airlines. I wasted no time in taking up the opportunity to immerse myself in the city that is extremely proud of the warm welcome it gives visitors, along with a cultural experience to rival anywhere in the world. Philly is sometimes known as the 'City of Firsts'. It was the first capital of the United States and the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed at Independence Hall. Advertisement It's also home to America's first skyscraper, the PSFS tower built in 1932 - now transformed from a bank into the luxury Loews Hotel, my base for the week. 9 The luxury Loews Hotel is now in the historic PSFS building 9 Many of the rooms at Loews have panoramic views over the city It's an art deco masterpiece and retains all the charm of the 1930s while incorporating modern touches to satisfy the most exacting of clients. Advertisement From your well appointed room, with all mod cons and lots of comfy pillows, you can plot your day's adventures with a panoramic view across the city. My first port of call was the hotel's classy eaterie Bank & Bourbon. The signature cocktails were a knockout and the menu, a mix of American and fusion flavours, was equally fab. The spa was also particular favourite of mine with a sauna and steam room to relax and invigorate weary travellers. Advertisement Philadelphia Eagles get their revenge with hammering that proves Patrick Mahomes still has a long way to go to catch GOAT Tom Brady Just across the road from the hotel was the absolute must-visit for foodies - the Reading Terminal Market. Around 80 different vendors from all over the world ply their trade in the former railway warehouse and it is quite simply magic. I arranged a guided tour with City Food Tours to make sure I didn't miss anything. 9 Foodies heaven Reading Terminal Market Credit: Daniel Knoll Advertisement There's American cuisine like cajun and gumbo, pancakes, burgers and the famous Philly cheesesteaks. But they also have Central American, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Moroccan, Japanese…and an Irish pub called Molly Molloy's. There's always an Irish pub! My guide said that food brings people together and that's what Philadelphia was all about, it's not called the City of Brotherly Love for nothing. Speaking of Irish pubs, the city's oldest bar, McGillan's, was just around the corner from the market. Advertisement 9 McGillan's Old Ale House Opened in 1860, the legendary watering hole even survived prohibition and was absolutely bouncing when I arrived - probably because the local baseball team, the Phillies, were playing. The cool funky vibe was maintained in every restaurant I visited. Jim's on South Street was a rite of passage for a cheesesteak while the Harp and Crown was a classy dinner joint for a Friday night. Advertisement Chris' Jazz Cafe was like going back in time. I had the jambalaya while the live band entertained us with exceptional tunes, both new and old. Talking of going back in time, no visit to Philly is complete without checking out Independence Hall, the birthplace of the nation. The building has been lovingly maintained from the days in 1776 when America came into being and broke away from the British Empire. Across the road, the Liberty Bell is one of the most recognisable symbols of freedom across the globe. Advertisement 9 Gordon, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in the background It became a powerful sight during the abolition of slavery and, despite cracking over the centuries, has stayed a massive part of the American identity. Nearby, the Museum of the American Revolution is another must-visit part of Philly. The immersive experience brings the fight for independence to life and is a fascinating walk through the tumultuous time. Advertisement It was heartening to see so many schooltrips there to help the kids understand where they had come from and the struggles their forefathers had to create their own nation. History buffs will also love the tour of City Hall and the William Penn statue which towers above downtown. Penn was granted the land now called Pennsylvania and the monument in his honour was created by Scot Alexander Calder. There is also the story that the city's sports teams began losing when skyscrapers taller than Penn's statue were built. Advertisement So the story goes that a builder put a miniature Penn statue atop the new Comcast Tower in 2017 - another fine place to take in the view and enjoy a drink at the Skyhigh bar. The following year, the Philadelphia Eagles won their first Superbowl - and they won it again this year. GO: PHILADELPHIA GO: PHILLY GETTING THERE: American Airlines flies daily direct from Edinburgh to Philadelphia until October 5. See for best fares. STAYING THERE: For best room rates at the 5H Loews Philadelphia Hotel. See MORE INFO: See for all you need to know to visit the city. For art aficionados, the city has a dazzling array of galleries that would grace any city in the world. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is absolutely enormous and packed with valuable pieces, some of them hundreds of years old. Advertisement You could spend days exploring the three floors and not get bored. Just a few minutes walk away, the Barnes Foundation is another treasure. There are Picassos, Renoirs and fantastic art that can't be seen anywhere else in the world. On the other side of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a museum dedicated to the man himself. Advertisement He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and was a scientist among many other things, including being a signatory to the Declaration of Independence. The building that bears his name, the Franklin Institute, is an awe-inspiring celebration of cutting edge science and technology, delivered in an easy-to-understand way. As if that wasn't enough art, the South Philly Art Tour by WeVenture is another must. The two hour wander around the funky neighbourhood is illustrated by street art by Isaiah Zagar. Advertisement His mosaics that cover entire building walls and lanes tell stories about the people who stay in the area - some alive and some as a tribute in death - along with his views on historic events. It's a lifetime's work that surrounds you and it's incredible stuff to see. On my walk home, I decided to have a seat at Dilworth Park, just outside the City Hall. An impromptu live gig was taking place with Motown classics being played while a local councillor was dancing with a delighted citizen. Advertisement Everyone was smiling and chatting in the sun, no matter their race or background. That will be my abiding memory of Philadelphia - a city for all and an experience for all to enjoy.
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Travel + Leisure
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
Epic Universe Has a Restaurant Honoring Pan-Asian Cuisine With Food, Decor, and Hidden Motifs
There's one lone dragon making a huge roar at Universal Orlando Resort's new theme park Epic Universe, the first American theme park to open in 24 years on May 22. While there's an entire world dedicated to the mythical creature at How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, across the in Celestial Park section is a mega-sized statue of another dragon, greeting visitors into the pan-Asian restaurant The Blue Dragon. 'We definitely wanted to pay respect to the cultures,' Robert Martinez, Jr., Universal Orlando Resort's director of culinary and executive chef told Travel + Leisure about the full-service restaurant located near the park's Universal Helio Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel. 'We didn't want to recreate our own twist, but have pan-Asian influence, touching on different areas of Asia.' To do so, the menu includes chicken khao soi and peanut shrimp noodles inspired by Thailand, tonkotsu ramen by Japan, double fried chicken wings by Korea. There are even more nuanced Chinese dishes, like dan dan noodles and wonton in chili oil highlighting southwestern flavors of Sichuan, beef noodles from the western province of Xi'an, and dim sum from the Guangdong region. Also on tap are snowflake potstickers, fused together with a lace crust just like I'd seen in Taiwan. Adding even more inclusion, the traditional mapu tofu recipe with pork was instead switched out for tofu to provide a vegan option, the chef explained. 'What's great about Universal and our culinary team is that we're so diverse,' he said, noting that many of the team's chefs are of Asian heritage. 'A lot of us working out the recipes was asking them, 'Does this bring you home? Is this how your mother or grandmother would make it?'" To double down on the authenticity, the food was tested in team member dining locations with an even broader audience. 'More team members that are more diverse and absolutely have their own twist and would say, 'You know, and my family does it this way,' as they made adjustments to get the flavors just right. 'The only dish that we did put our own little twist on it was the moon cakes,' he said, referring to the Chinese sweet treat traditionally filled with red bean paste. "In our case, we have delicious passionfruit cheesecake, with a little mango jelly in the middle.' The change, he said, comes from a place of love and kept guest preferences in mind. On top of the food itself, the serving style is also thoughtfully executed. 'We have a special place in our heart when it comes to Asian cuisine—it's how we like to eat,' he said, explaining that it's not just about the dishes, but about the communal style of dining too. 'Things come out as they get made, allowing for the cultural environment of sharing and eating with your family at the table, which is very much associated with Asian culture. So it's not just the flavors, it's the experience.' Indeed, from the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I squealed with delights seeing the neon street signs, so reminiscent of my Asian travels, with one of too-cute cartoons of soup dumplings getting snatched up by chopsticks and another featuring shapes of foods I recognized from Taiwanese night markets. My favorite piece of decor—perhaps in all of Epic Universe—was the happy noodle cat over in the restaurant's Tiger Bar. It's a combination of two Asian traditions: a beckoning cat, believed to usher in good luck and fortune, and the slurping of noodles, which is considered a polite way to show you're enjoying your food. The main dining room stunned with a traditional red pagoda under a faux night sky that Rodriguez described as a 'golden garden with lanterns moving up and down, so that you're literally dining under the stars with music that has an upbeat kick.' To the left was a separate room, with place settings and tableware that gave me an instant nostalgic feel of the Asian restaurants I grew up going to both in California and Taiwan. The room had traditional screen doors and it wasn't until Rodriguez clued me in that I noticed art was of Celestial Park's skyline but in the style of traditional Asian illustrations—a little Easter egg hidden for those in the know. Another unique aspect Adam Rivest, Universal Creative vice president of creative management and branding, told T+L is The Blue Dragon's full tea service. 'It's nothing normally offered in a theme park,' he said. 'But it's so awesome in the middle of the day to go sit and have a relaxing Asian-inspired tea.' After all, Epic Universe's dedication to offering a diverse range of true dining experience can be proven in pure numbers: it has just 11 rides but 30 dining establishments, which show a 'crossroads for all cultures,' Rivest said. Whether that's French-inspired fare at Café L'air De La Sirène, Nordic eats at Mead Hall, or barbecue at The Oak & Star Tavern, it's all about getting the dishes just right. 'We didn't want to make it anything that was going to disrespect the cultures,' Rodriguez said. 'We want to hit you in the heart with authenticity in a way that show we're really trying to pay respect.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Find Out How Much Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes Are Paying Staff at Their New Steakhouse
Have you ever wanted to work with Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, but can't catch a football to save your life? We've got good news! 1587 Prime, the glitzy steakhouse co-owned by Kelce, 34, and Mahomes, 29, is hiring for a trio of positions before the restaurant's grand opening this summer. Located inside the Loews Hotel in downtown Kansas City, 1587 Prime — named after Mahomes and Kelce's jersey numbers — is on the hunt for an executive chef, a bar manager and an operation manager. The executive chef position requires at least seven years of experience and boasts a pay range of $90,000 - $110,000 annually. Jason Kelce Hilariously Roasts Travis Kelce for His Old Easter Tweet: 'Best Thing Ever' According to the job posting, the executive chef must identify training needs and conduct training for all back of house team members and positions, maintain constant quality control of all food prepared and ensure it meets corporate and restaurant standards and is served on time and have an ability to 'touch base with guest and wow guests on floor.' The bar manager position is a full-time job that pays between $70,000 - $80,000 annually and requires three tofive years in a management or supervisory role, preferably in a full-service restaurant. With oversight from the general manager and beverage director, the bar manager will oversee all day-to-day beverage functions and operations, including marketing initiatives, staff scheduling, training and execution, cost control and driving top line revenue. The operation manager position is a full-time job offering a salary ranging from $55,000 - $90,000 annually. Reporting to the general manager, the operation manager is responsible for 'driving the company's vision during the daily operations of the restaurant.' The operation manager will also have direct oversight for a designated group of employees and will be responsible for all hiring, training, scheduling and performance. Applicants are suggested to have three to five years of experience in a management position, preferably in an upscale or lifestyle brand hotel. Where the Stars Go Out to Eat: Taylor Swift, Beyonce and More Celebs' Favorite Restaurants Worldwide 1587 Prime promises 'a brand new, immersive and upscale dining experience' in a massive 10,000 square-foot space covering two floors. The restaurant will boast multiple private dining rooms, a world-class chef's kitchen and a meat display, according to restaurant group Noble 33, who is overseeing operations and hiring. "[It's] just another thing that we want to bring to Kansas City, to be able to show our appreciation for the city, knowing how much they love their food and how much they love their football,' Kelce told People in April 2024. 1587 Prime is scheduled to open this summer, before the start of the 2025 NFL season.
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Miami Herald
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Here are the best ways to pamper Mom (and yourself) in Florida for Mother's Day and beyond
Whether it's Mother's Day or just a well-deserved treat any time of the year, Mom deserves the best. Celebrate her in style throughout Florida with unforgettable brunches, a chic gals' getaway and elegant afternoon teas — complete with cocktails and bubbly. We've even thrown in adorable experiences like yoga with bunnies for the wellness mamas, and a dreamy garden experience where blooms and brews intermingle in one enchanting space. Pinkies Up With Mom Just in time to toast to Mom, Loews Hotel Miami Beach is putting a spirited spin on the classic afternoon tea. Every Saturday in May from 2-5 p.m., during Tipsy Tea & Treats at Bar Collins, guests can indulge in savory bites such as avocado toast and local burrata with heirloom tomatoes, while nibbling from a beautiful birdcage filled with decadent mini-cakes like a strawberry olive oil cake and blackberry Champagne cake, mini scones and a salted caramel chocolate tart. Sip on tea and flowing cocktails, including rose spritzes and lychee raspberry martinis. (We won't judge if you 'spill the tea' after a few cocktails.) Reservations can be made via Resy. $110 for two people, plus tax and gratuity In Fort Lauderdale, treat Mom to a lovely teatime at the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, known for its incredible ocean views and grand mansion-feel with covetable spots like a row of rocking chairs on the beachfront terrace. The resort recently launched Tea by the Sea on the oceanfront veranda the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 4-5:30 p.m. Nosh on tea sandwiches made with cucumber and cream cheese or truffle egg salad, assorted scones, and petite sweets like fruit tarts and lemon-lavender shortbread cookies. Enjoy a selection of Harney & Sons master teas and a glass of Chandon Brut Rosé. Reservations are required. $50 for adults, $30 for children Coffee and Flowers In Naples Is it the coffee, the freshly backed croissants or the flowers? It's hard to tell which delicious smell hits your nose first when you walk into the Kaleidoscope Garden Club, a collaboration between Wolfmoon and Kaleidoscope Floral in Naples. 'It's the perfect combination. When everyone walks in here they say it smells amazing,' says Wolfmoon barista Thea May. Don't let the obscure location off Commercial Drive fool you — at this hidden gem, you'll uncover a shop housing specialty coffees and croissants by Wolfmoon and a floral shop by Kaleidoscope, with a secret garden dotted with pink fringed umbrellas out back. Wolfmoon's menu is kept small, with salads, sandwiches and a selection of buttery, flaky croissants filled with everything from chicken salad to prosciutto and melty provolone. Their coffees showcase made-in-house syrups — don't miss the coconut-infused cold brew topped with coconut foam. 'Every cup of coffee, we're putting a lot of love and thought into each of them,' says May. 'Quality takes time.' It's the perfect place for a day date with Mom, and florists at on-site Kaleidoscope will put together a gorgeous bouquet for her. You can also shop their well-curated store for the perfect Mother's Day gift. Mother's Day Brunches Worth Booking If you're looking for a special brunch to celebrate Mom's big day, make a rezzie for the annual Mother's Day Brunch at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' downtown campus in Sarasota — the gardens were voted as one of Time magazine's 'World's Greatest Places' in 2024. No floral gifts are needed, as this event mixes blooms, nature and a decadent brunch. Wander the gourmet buffet, provided by Michael's on East, lined with a carving station, omelet and pancake station, and a dessert bar. While you're brunching, the vintage girl-group The Vocalitas will mix jazzy tunes in a modern way. Tickets include access to the bayfront gardens where you can view 'George Harrison: A Gardener's Life', an exhibition that honors The Beatles singer's love for horticulture. Three seating times are available. $85 for members, $95 for non-members, $50 for children For a regal Mother's Day celebration, treat Mom to the legendary Sunday brunch at Sails restaurant on Fifth Avenue South in Naples. The seafood-centric restaurant is renowned for its extravagant champagne brunch, where guests enjoy endless pours of bubbly and an unlimited course menu for two hours. The menu is huge and features traditional brunch items such as their popular French toast crowned with Grand Marnier custard; eggs Benedict, quiche and omelets, and a large array of dishes such as pasta, fresh raw oysters, wood-grilled fish and more. Guests can also elevate brunch with signature steaks, lobster and caviar service for an extra fee. The brunch is popular, especially on Mother's Day, so be sure to reserve well in advance. Brunch is priced at $129. Pampering Retreat For Mom In Palm Beach If you'd like to whisk Mom away on a girls' getaway centered around bonding and pampering, the oceanfront Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan is offering the Eau Spa Experience for Two package. The resort boasts one of the best spas in Florida with blissed-out amenities such as a relaxation garden fitted with hanging chairs over a shallow pool, a cascading waterfall hot tub, sauna, steam room and gratis bubbly — and with this package, you'll have daily access to those amenities. You and Mom will be spoiled with indulgent treatments such as two 60-minute signature massages and two 60-minute Seaside Solution facials. Spend your retreat gabbing and sipping on a coconut drink at the adults-only pool or on a beach chair in the sand. Bonus: Enjoy the property even longer with a late checkout of 2 p.m. This package includes overnight accommodations with a two-night minimum. Getaway package starts at $4,538. Bunnies and Kittens — Cue The Cuteness For Mom in Miami Melt the wellness mama's heart by booking a yoga class with bunnies or kittens. Yoga pop-ups by The Bunny Yogi and The Kitty Yogi take place twice a month in Miami, mingling movement with animal therapy, and often, themed experiences for special occasions like Mother's Day. Depending on which class you choose, you'll stretch and flow as kittens or bunnies snuggle up on your lap and mat, and freely roam around the room. Look forward to playtime with the adorable animals (the kittens are adoptable), along with social media-worthy photo activations, healthy bites from Vale, matcha lattes and coffee. Follow their Instagram accounts for upcoming event dates and locations. Prices start at $75.
