Jack’s Firehouse, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Cello's Corner | Leave a comment

Located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, and set in a 19th century firehouse, Jack’s Firehouse is definitely worth a visit! Jack’s Firehouse is located directly across from Eastern State Penitentiary on Fairmount Avenue.

Even though we sat at the dog-friendly outdoor seating area, Brian and I each took a moment to explore the inside of this unique establishment. Most of the original mahogany interior, wooden plank flooring, and yes, even the brass fire pole are still intact! There is also a racing shell suspended over top the bar.

What great history this place has! The fire company that originally occupied Jack’s was Truck A, now referred to as Ladder Company 1 and located on Parish Street in Philadelphia. Truck A was the first paid Philadelphia Fire Department in 1871.

We enjoyed a glass of wine and ordered the Calamari with Hot Pepper Chips, Carrots, and Hot Lava – and it was absolutely amazing! We enjoyed being able to take in the historic, yet sometimes eerie views of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Cello visited here on April 27, 2014.

Margarita visited here on August 19, 2019.

Urban Saloon, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Cello's Corner | Leave a comment

Located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA on Fairmount Avenue, Urban Saloon has outdoor seating, is dog-friendly (they even bring our a bowl of water for your pup!) and is situated directly across from Eastern State Penitentiary.

Margarita visited here in 2019

Cello was here on April 27, 2014!

“Not a worry in the world, a PBR on the way – Life is good today. Life is good today.” ~ Zac Brown Band

It was exciting, yet eerie to enjoy a glass of wine at their outdoor seating area while gazing at the historic Eastern State Penitentiary.

The Bishop’s Collar, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Cello's Corner | Leave a comment

“The Bishop’s Collar – Salvation by the Pint. Come worship with us.”

~The Bishop’s Collar

Limoncello visited here on April 27, 2014

Named after a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, The Bishop’s Collar is located in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA on the corner of 24th Street and Fairmont Avenue.

This was our first stop after my Birthday Hike at Wissahickon Park. Here we enjoyed Risotto Balls appetizer, served with marinara sauce (YUM!)… and of course washed them down with a Bloody Mary (Jen’s choice) and a pint of Boddington’s (Brian’s choice).

The atmosphere was fun and lively on this day, as the Flyers were playing. Cello enjoyed people and dog watching along Fairmount Avenue, and we very much enjoyed our food, drink, and the jubilant atmosphere here!

Cello people-watching:

Hickory Lane American Bistro, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Cello's Corner | Leave a comment

Hickory Lane American Bistro is located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, on Fairmount Avenue.

While enjoying a glass of wine at their outdoor seating area, we ordered the “Warm Wild Mushroom and Spring Ramp Bruschetta” – – and it was delicious! These dog-friendly folks even brought a water bowl out for Cello, and were very attentive to her!

London Grille, Paris Wine Bar, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Cello's Corner | Leave a comment

Located in the historic Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, London Grille is a short walk from several museums, including The Franklin Institute and The Philadelphia Museum of Art. This establishment has been featured in Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Style, The Wall Street Journal, and US Airways Magazine.

Although we did not try the well-known food at London Grille, we did enjoy a glass of wine from Paris Wine Bar, the “sister-establishment” to London Grille. Six wines are offered here “on draught,” tapped from kegs that have been specifically filled by the winemakers for Paris Wine Bar. The wine selections change frequently in order to showcase the best of Pennsylvania’s winemakers such as Allegro, Pinnacle Ridge, Galen Glenn, and Manatawny. The rotating selections always include 2 whites, three reds, and one dry rose.

Cello enjoyed the attention she received from 2-legged and 4-legged passerby’s, and the Sauvignon Blanc we ordered was delicious.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Cello's Corner | Leave a comment

Located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Eastern State Penitentiary is chock full of history, and quite a site to see! Be sure to take a moment to read the history and timeline of this place…you won’t be disappointed!

If you ever want a REAL scare, visit this landmark at night in the month of October for “Terror Behind the Walls!” …by far THE scariest Halloween Haunted tour I’ve ever been on!!

If you look closely, you will see Jenny and Cello standing just to the left of the front opening of the penitentiary:

Opening in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was the most expensive structure of its time, and became the most famous prison in the world. The penitentiary was also “home” to many famous criminals including:

Al “Scarface” Capone – Chicago’s most famous mob boss
William Francis Sutton – one of the most famous bank robbers in American history
William “Blackie” Zupkoski – Self-proclaimed “Toughest Man in Philadelphia”
Leo Callahan – the only prisoner to ever successfully escape from the penitentiary

You many even recognize the penitentiary in some of these movies/videos:

Tina Turner’s One of the Living music video, 1985
The Dead Milkmen’s Punk Rock Girl music video, 1988
The movie, 12 Monkeys, starring Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis, 1995
The movie, Return to Paradise, starring Vince Vaughn and Ann Heche
The movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, 2009
Whitney Peyton’s music video, Crazy, 2010

If you are ever in the Philadelphia area, a visit to Eastern State Penitentiary is a must!!

Valley Green Inn, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Cello's Corner | Leave a comment

Located along Forbidden Drive in the Wissahickon Valley Park area of Philadelphia, Valley Green Inn is a great place to end a hike in the Wissahickon Valley Park, and has some great history behind it!

We started my birthday hike in the park at the Inn, and were planning to end our hike here with a reward of good food and drinks. We made reservations for the dog-friendly porch seating area, overlooking the Wissahickon Creek. However, Cello had her own agenda planned. We did not realize it was Wissahickon Day, which included a horse parade down Forbidden Drive. Cello has been very vocal in displaying her distaste for horses lately (something we have begun working on immediately and hope to correct). We decided it would be best for the horses outside of Valley Green Inn if we had lunch elsewhere! We decided to head over to the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia instead.