Four Course Friday

So it’s Tuesday… but Friday’s dinner is still rolling around in the back of my brain, so I HAVE to share it with you guys!  As I mentioned last week, it is restaurant week here in Philly, and I was lucky enough to follow up my Three Course Thursday with a Four Course Friday! 

My Friday was pretty excellent, if you’d allow me to back up for a minute.  At 4pm, my seniors decided to send us home!  Considering our dinner reservations weren’t until 7 (and the fiancee doesnt get out of work until 6:15…) I did what any normal girl would do with a few hours to kill would do: SHOP!

I started here, at the cutest little second-hand shop on Chestnut Street.  Everything was an additional 50%!  Unfortunately I didn’t find anything in my size, despite my most valient efforts

Next on my shopping tour of Center City was Ann Taylor Loft in Liberty Place.  I may or may not have walked out with this cutie… picture it in black though.

I found banana republic too, and got an olive green turtleneck for $13!!  Fabulous.  No pic though… it was only a turtleneck!

Right outside of Banana was a gorgeous stretch of Broad Street… check out the sights:

 

The Union League is one of my favorite buildings in Philadelphia.  I attend an SJU dinner there every year, and the history and beauty of the building blows me away. 

Finally, it was time for dinner.  I was meeting Robert at the restaurant we chose – Smokin’ Betty’s on 11th and Sansom.  It was a cute place, with a bbq theme.  While I was waiting for Robert to get there, I sipped on a raspberry lemonade cocktail, which was DELICIOUS!  It was so sweet and light, and it reminded me of summer!

Unfortunately, this was the last picture I took of the evening.  I’m still a  little camera shy, even around my darling fiancee.  Any suggestions for getting over this fear while blogging?!

Anyway, our dinner was ah-maz-ingg!  The whole meal reminded me of my childhood.  My first course was a cheesesteak springroll.  While it wasn’t very bbq-y, it was so good!  The chinese restaurant in my hometown used to make something similar, and it brought me back to the good ol’ days!  It was paired with a yummy tomato jam that gave it a nice tangy flavor.  Robert’s appetizer was enough for a whole meal… 3 bbq sliders.  He didn’t seem to have any problem polishing them off though!  One was pulled chicken, one was beef brisket, and one was pulled pork.  I stole a few bites – I think the brisket was my favorite! 

There was a quick garden salad course, which freshened our palattes for the humongous plate of ribs heading our way.  I have always had a soft spot for good bbq, as my family vacationed in the south every summer of my childhood.  These ribs were perfect – delicious tangy bbq sauce, and the meat just fell off the bone.  Just thinking about them makes my mouth water!   About 6 big ribs were paired with grilled asparagus, and mac+cheese.  I ate all of my veggies (and Robert’s too!), and most of the ribs.  The mac was actually very garlicky, and not what I was hoping for… but I certainly didn’t miss it amongst all the other great food on the table! 

By the time dessert came around, we were both stuffed.  I only had room for a few bites of my chocolate mousse – it was so rich.  It tasted just like chocolate gelato, but it had such a fluffy texture.  It was truly divine.  Somehow I managed to find room for the whipped cream and berries that came with it though  

All in all, our dinner at Smokin’ Betty’s was so much fun, and a great dining experience.  Our server was so happy and enthusiastic, and the service was fast.  Both Robert and I agreed that it was a fun change from the typical italian BYOB that we usually frequent during restaurant week.  I highly recommend it!