Eat, Think, Drink
February 26, 2017
The time has come to turn 51. And so celebration ensues—in the city, with friends.
Last minute plan refactoring required use of a federal style rental vehicle. You see, nobody has any kids left at home, and so cars no longer fit six in one go! (Unless you count the one Eli “borrowed” and took to Wisconsin.)
Das Rental Beast
Special last licks at Le Dip while Baker Bob remains in power (a one week reprise before retirement really kicks in).
Amy strikes her best Vanna pose by the bread at Le Diplomate
Larry Kilbourne is a master (and a philosopher to boot)
Fois gras parfait (huckleberry)
Then a play at Studio Theater. The Hard Problem is written by my friend Tom about the philosophy of my friend Dave. The play is very good if you can ignore the god coincidence nonsense.
Stage set at Studio Theatre for The Hard Problem
And then the crowning glory of the evening, drinks at the venerable Columbia Room in the secret booth. Thanks Dante!
Cocktail time!
Woman themed drink menu
Inspired by many of these incredibly great bartenders
Is that you Audrey?
A cocktail inspired by Becky Harris from Catoctin Creek
Yo! Forty Year Old Calvados
Last delicious licks
A perfect evening.
Philadelphia Freedom Anchored at the Monaco
December 15, 2015
Independence Hall
Wow. Our first visit to the Monaco was so fantastic that it even eclipsed it’s big sister the Palomar. Well done Monaco! Thanks to GM James Adamson for queueing things up perfectly (and Steph Vogel for the intro).
We were in town to see our old friend (and famous philosopher) Dave Chalmers chat on stage with our very favorite playwright of all time Tom Stoppard. The chat was fantastic. Tom wrote a play based on Dave’s catchy “Hard Problem” phrase. Two astounding minds interacting live.
Tom Stoppard and Dave Chalmers Talk Consciousness
But it got better. After the chat, a bunch of us in Dave’s cadre retired to Charlie Was a Sinner for some delicious cocktails, vegan (?!) eats, and some conversation. About which more in a minute.
Charlie Was a Sinner is a great bar. NO TV! Real cocktails. Great eats.
Philly was dressed for the holidays.
Perhaps our Republican politicians should read this. Can they read?
When we arrived in the convertible (with the top down in December) we were greeted in classic Kimpton way with great style and extra brushes (?!).
Monaco Philly has a Flying Glowing Boat
Would You Like a Brush with That?
We checked into gorgeous suite 316 after passing a flying pig.
When Pigs Fly (you go Pink)
316 Sitting Room looks out over Independence Hall
316 Couch
The Bedroom in 316
Of course regular NPS readers know we immediately went to see the shower storage area, er bathroom, which we are happy to report has a shower so big that it has a soaking tub IN it.
Great Shower. NPS Approved.
Now back to Charlie Was a Sinner. Boy were they accommodating to the group of philosophers, psychologists, computer scientists, cognitive scientists and theater people we gathered. The highlight of the evening? Tom Stoppard stopped in too.
Talking about why Searle’s Chinese Room thought experiment is wrong with Tom Stoppard
My companion’s favorite drink was an invention by master barman (and baseball legend) Mathias Bable. The Say What:
5-6 basil leaves (spanked then muddled)
2 oz gin (beefeaters)
.75 simple syrup
.75 cranberry shrub (equal parts demerara, apple cider vinegar, fresh cranberry)
.25 lime
Stir down. Serve in a collins over rocks.
Say What? by Mathias Bable
Sparkling water, a midnight snack and some personal notes.
Breakfast came a bit early, we must admit. But it was off to Green Eggs Cafe for a massive breakfast. Lunch was elided for obvious reasons.
Still wagging our tails over this incredible visit to Philadelphia. Five showerheads and some absolution for Charlie for the Philly Monaco. How will we ever top this visit??
“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.”
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
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