Hi dolls! Is it seriously already Monday…?! The weekend flew by, but that’s probably because I had such a great one 
Yesterday I spent the day downtown visiting my friend Sara (who just so happens to be my supervisor at work too, haha). Isn’t she lovely?
You know, I’ve lived outside of Philadelphia all of my life, but the amount of time I spend in the actual city is seriously lacking. I live right near one of the greatest cities in the county, and I really want to start taking advantage of that. Not to mention that with amazing restaurants and specialty food markets on every corner, it’s pretty much foodie-heaven.
We met at her place (which, is in thee most fun/adorable neighborhood) where I also met these little rascals.
First Sara and I headed to her favorite local cafe where we got coffee and caught up for a bit. I ordered an iced coffee.
And then…we were off! Sara showed me around her neighborhood…aka where all of the best shopping is 
We went in a few amazing thrift stores and walked away with some great finds. I also picked up these fun feather earrings from a store on South Street.
We also stopped at Phileo Yogurt for my very first pimped-out-fro-yo experience.
I must admit that I’ve envied other bloggers for the longest time because these fro-yo joints just don’t seem to exist around me. My exact words to Sara: “Wow, I feel like a real food blogger now!” haha 
My bowl contained peanut butter and cupcake batter yogurts, topped with fresh fruit, cookie dough, and coconut.
This might not seem like the best of flavor combinations, but it was. Trust me.
After some more shopping and meeting up with Sara’s roommate Elya, we headed to an early dinner. We went to Alma de Cuba, which is arguably one of the best restaurants in the city. Elya is actually a server there, so we didn’t need much help deciding what to order. We ended up getting a hodge-podge of appetizers, each of which were to die.
Truffled Guacamole - Guacamole with red onions, chives, black truffles and plantain chips:
Lobster Ceviche - Pickled coconut and kaffir lime-coconut puree:
Smoked Marlin Tacos - Iceberg, pickled jalepeno and malanga:
Empanada de Verde - Red kale, manchego cheese and artichoke escabeche:
Yellowtail Kingfish - Yuzu, Thai basil, sweet soy glaze and sichimi togarashi:
Royal Palm Dates - Almond-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with cabrales blue cheese (my favorite!):
Rainbow Ceviche - Tuna, salmon and black bass marinated in lime juice and jalapeno with roasted sweet potato slices:
We also munched on this killer bread. It was crumbly and sweet, and also happens to be gluten free.
This was hands down some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. If you’re ever in the Philly area, you must go to Alma de Cuba!
We rounded out the day with some even more shopping, and then I headed home. All in all it was a really great day I’m definitely going to make it a point to go downtown more often!
- Have you ever been to Philadelphia?
- What city(s) do you live near?
It must be a Pa thing - the froyo doesn’t exist here, either!
I’ve honestly never been to Philly! I spend the vast majority of my time in Minneapolis, but have been traveling a lot more for work which is always fun!
Been to Philly once and loved it! Loved all the photos from your lunch!!
Oh yum! Latin food is my favorite ever. You had some of my favorites, I would kill for those plantain chips.
I’ve never been to Philadelphia but we are going next year and I am so excited!
That is such a great idea to order a bunch of appetizers instead of a main dish. You get to sample more
Just came across your blog- love it
That guac looks a.ma.zing.
I’m in North Carolina and for some reason there is no yogurt place nearby… no pinkberry, no tcby, no red mango, no phileo yogurt… how sad, right? Hopefully we’ll get one soon because the combos people get always look delish!
Her gray cat looks SO much like mine! I miss her so much…
This sounds like so much fun! I have only been to Philly once, which I am bummed about, I would like to explore it more. I have lived right outside of NYCity, and then went to HS not too far from San Francisco, and then lived in LA. Which I LOVE. When I move back from Mozambique I want to go back to LA, or to NYC or San Francisco, which I am pretty sure is the best city in the world.
OH. MY. GOD. That all legitimately sounds like THE MOST AMAZING FOOD EVER. I am so so jealous. And apparently in desperate need of a trip to Philly. FO REAL. Like, I’m actually drooling.
I know what you mean about no fro yo! Connecticut is seriously lacking. Peanut butter and cupcake batter froyo would survive an overnight freezer ship right???
I have a kitty that looks just like that gray one!
Wow, Alma de Cuba looks AMAZING!
I’ve driven through Philadelphia a few times, and we stopped momentarily. I’ll make it a point to visit this place when I do have a significant visit, though!! 
Jenn
So jealous of the Galaxy granola, I’ve been wanting to try it forever!!
And that meal.. oh WOW girl!! You are SO lucky!
I haven’t been to Philly yet…BUT I’m going this summer for a friend’s wedding. Could it be? Could we possibly have the chance to schedule a meet up?? Eep! Let me know if you’re interested. I know we’ve always mentioned it, but if we could make it a reality…AWESOME!
All that food looks so divine!
I lived in Philly for over three years and I love that city. I still feel like it’s home even though I’ve moved to DC. There really are so many great restaurants there. When I moved I felt like there were still a million I wanted to try.
Gracie says
@Tina - oh, yay!! Definitely keep me posted with when you’ll be in town. I’m usually at the beach for most of the summer, but maybe I’ll make sure to be in the area around that time
I have never been to Philly…but I hear it is a fun city!
Philly represent!! I’ve grown up and lived in the suburbs here my whole life too…and spent summers in OCNJ. We’re such typical Philadelphians, all we need is a glass of wooder and to watch the Iggles.
There are SO MANY awesome restaurants in Philly that I’ve never discovered either! I’m dying to try Horizons right now, but my parents have been to Alma de Cuba and give it rave reviews as well! Funny story about the Phileo Yogurt- it’s a Philly chain that recently expanded to NYC, and there was one a block from my apartment this year. Such a coincidence! Hope you have a wonderful day love!!
I love love love Philly and posted about it a bunch last week. My sis went to college there and it has a totally chill vibe and is definitely foodie central! I am a New Yorker though…but now living close to Detroit for work..there isn’t much here!
Hayley @ Breath of Fire says
I was born in Ft. Washington. A suburb of Philly, I think? I don’t even really know, because I haven’t been back since moving to Colorado at age 3. I don’t remember anything about it, but it looks fun! I’d love to go back someday.
I just found your blog and love it! You are too adorable…
I am jealous of that lobster pic, it looks delicious. As does the guac. I live in between Raleigh and Durham but other than clubbing I rarely go to either one. Maybe I should branch out a little lol.
Your friend is tooo cute!! Gorgeous eats, tacos look lovely, iv never had tacos! xx
Sarah says
looks like such a fun day! i grew up in the burbs of chicago and now live in city on the northside. even after living there for two years i feel like there is so much i want to do and see!
I’m from Philly as you know but barely went into the actaually city when I lived there! My parents never let me go out at night there either. That restaurant seriously looks amazing. Next time I am there I am going!
oh my gosh now i REALLY WISH i coulda been in philly with you! AMAZING!! that meal looks so good girl! yall are both so cute.
love your granola snack! EVERYTHING is better w. a scoop of pb! love you girl!
I’ve never been to Philly but we almost moved there several years ago. I did a lot of research into the area then and still have an interest in going. Someday. I live in Austin and about an hour and a half from San Antonio and 3 hours from Dallas. Austin isn’t a huge city but is no small town either. There are lots of great restaurants, shopping, and just recently brought in the FroYo. Love it!
I live in Reading, PA. I’ve been disappointed about the lack of froyo shops around here. Now I know where to go if I really want some!
girl those are some INSANE food pics!! so glad you got to get some fro yo!! your bowl looks absoutely DELICIOUS i want some right now!! thank you for making me drool
the rainbow ceviche also looks stellllllarrr
You should definitely hang out in the city more often - your food looks amazing!
I live near Salem Oregon now but previously it was Memphis, TN.
Amy says
All that food looks amazing!!
I wish I had been to Philadelphia, or anywhere in the US for that matter, because i live in good ol’ Down Under (Australia).
I actually live in a suburb next to the city, melbourne
xx Love.
Jessica@Healthy Exposures says
foodie heaven x10!! those dates look to die for, and I, too, have been totally eyeballing all of this blogger fro-yo! so cool that you live semi-near somewhere that has it.
I guess Burlington isn’t so bad, but it’s not what I would consider worth driving two hours for either! Oh well 
and…i live near no where exciting
(and about the chickpea cutlets you asked about - the ones i made yesterday are actually a Veganomicon recipe. since it’s from a book I don’t want to post it, but CHOW has it posted here: http://www.chow.com/recipes/11364-chickpea-cutlets they’re absolutely amazinggg! definitely good for your “food boredom,” I’d say!)
thatShortChick says
Hi! first time commenter here but I’ve been reading since late March/early April. My best friend used to work at Alma and I LOVED the food!! I also enjoyed the royal palm dates (amazing!), the bread and some chicken dish that I can no longer recall the name of. I’m going to be visiting her in a couple of weeks and can’t wait to fall back in love with Philadelphia.
Alex @ IEatAsphalt says
I’m so excited that you made it into the city! Next time, definitely check out Yogorino (20th and Locust). YOU WILL LOVE IT! And any of the Steven Starr places are winners in my book. My favorites are definitely Jones or El Vez. Glad you enjoyed your day in the city!
Annie says
Freaking LOVE South Street. I found a really gorgeous multi color hair clip to wear to prom my junior year that stood out against my white dress. NO clue which store. But I’m sure if I went back I could scope it out!
Ever notice all the gum stuck to the trees in the area? Absolutely crazy.
*Official blogger fro yo stamp* Congrats!
Gracie says
@Annie - hahah yes the gum tree is pretty cool/gross. Only in Philly, right?! Do you live in the area??
Mariel says
Hi! I’m originally from NY, but moved to the Philly area four years ago. I lived in Center City for a year on 15th and Locust, which was a lot of fun. Now, I live 30 minutes outside the city, but I love going back because there’s so many great restaurants! What town do you live in?