The blogging circus has begun – friends are sprinkling in! I met a handful of fun new faces tonight and reunited with a few old ones.
Hangry Heather and I went for a quick sightseeing tour this afternoon. I had her fill me in on Philly history 
There were several Thomas Jefferson spottings. After all, he and I are BFFs in Cville
We returned with sweat and blisters and I recouped with an Alliebar that I had frozen from a batch this summer, thawed, took to California and back and finally ate! Yum!
Allison organized a lovely dinner for a handful of us in town tonight at a local Cuban restaurant, Alma de Cuba
It was quite swanky, and we had the whole back room to ourselves
I kicked off the weekend with a cuban Manhattan – made with POM seeds instead of cherries! It was PERFECT tonight. Sometimes I’m just in a big cocktail mood!
The highlight of the dinner for me were these Smoked Manchego Rolls – the newest Dough Ball flavor – ha! They were INCREDIBLE in texture – really chewy, and the flavor was great as well.
Feed me 10 more!
The restaurant was incredibly dark, but for dinner I had a Shrimp Stew with coconut, cashews and collard greens.
The flavors were incredible – reminded me a bit of a green curry minus the curry? – but it was a bit too rich. I couldn’t have a bite of anything without also getting a gulp of cream. But I still enjoyed it a lot – especially the shrimp!
I also tasted other dishes at the table, including a Smoked Gazpacho that I loved!
After dinner we piled into cabs to avoid a major thunderstorm and headed to Sabrina‘s condo for desserts and hot tea!
A genuine hostess – she had three different desserts for us – a Strawberry Shortcake, a Tiramisu (from Whole Foods – it was excellent) and a Blueberry Pie, plus a fruit salad.
I tasted the two, making sure I got plenty of whipped cream (my fav!) Delicious.
Sabrina is 35 weeks pregnant so there was lots of girl talk : )
We’ve been friends since the very first days of KERF when I was still a member of Calorie King. xoxo
I’m all cozy in my bed VERY excited to be turning off the light in 2 minutes! I’m solo tonight, but my roommate comes tomorrow!
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
ok, you win the award for fastest posting!! such great photos – it doesn’t look dark in the restaurant anymore. so much fun meeting you and we can catch up more tomorrow
You are getting after it in the city! So much catching up to do!!!
Have fun & enjoy!
I’m from the Philadelphia are but I’ve never heard or been to Alma de Cuba! Those rolls sound/look delicious. I’ll have to check it out. I hope you have a good time while you’re here!
Kaitlyn
the photos in the restaurant came out great for bad conditions! wow.
good job beating the thunderstorms. i holed up in my apartment tonight to pack a day early; it was rumbling all around nonstop. now at least i can play tomorrow instead of stress.
HAPPY HLS TO Y’ALL!!!
ahhhh I can’t wait to get there and eat all of the FOOD!! Seriously going to be the best trip evvaa. You all look beautiful!!
Yayyyy for HLS! Can’t wait to meet you, Kath!
Those rolls do look AMAZING!!!
I would love to Philadelphia again! I went when I was a teenager but I don’t think I appreciated it then as much as I would appreciate it now.
Welcome to Philly
! My boyfriend and I once shared an anniversary dinner at Alma de Cuba… SO yummy. Hope you enjoy yourself here… and that the storms tonight didn’t scare you off!!!
Have a blastyyyy
Looks like a great evening with fellow bloggers! I think those dough balls at dinner would have been the highlight of it for me too. LOVE doughy bready things. And your entree sounds fab, too.
Enjoy!
Looks like tons of fun! Wish I was there. Looking forward to seeing your recaps as the days go on! Have a great time.
I love reading a few of the different bloggers takes on dinner tonight (Meghann’s Blog)… it is great how you both have different views on the dinner, the atmosphere, and what part of the meal to blog about! However the rolls seemed to be tops on both! Have a great time, and keep it coming!
Ah what a blast to meet new and old blogger faces! have fun!
philly phaves: soft pretzels w mustard and water ice!!! my husband’s entire family is there. if you see a middle aged couple with a standard black poodle named nellie in rittenhouse square, those are my in-laws!
dessert! YUM!
Have so much fun at HLS!
Those desserts. Holy moly. Love that she had three to choose from. I would’ve had to sample all three (not just two). 
Ha!
Looks like you’re having a great time! Is the recipe for that YUMMY looking bar somewhere on the web? I’ve been looking for a good granola bar recipe for a while and I’ve not found anything that stands up to being carried around in a backpack…
They aren’t
Looks like sooo much fun!!
Have a philly cheese steak while you’re there!
That Alliebar looks good!
What a great first evening!
I wish I was there so much! Enjoy it for everyone who can’t make it
Wow Kath, awesome post, awesome adventures in Philly!
The Alliebar, the time with friends/bloggers, the adorable pictures of you all…love it.
And “Sometimes I’m just in a big cocktail mood!”– I wish we had done that rather than fro-yo when you were in San Diego..haha!
And Sabrina put on QUITE the spread there..major hats off to her! And whipped cream is my fave too
I went to school outside of Philly and I loved going into the city as a tourist. Great historical sites and eats. There is a marvelous crepe place just south of South Street; I forget what it is called but is is closer to the river. Have fun!
I’m so looking forward to catching up with you while we’re in Philadelphia! Having lived there for 3 years I definitely have a soft spot for the city. Alma de Cuba used to be one of our favorite spots for cocktails and dinner. I’m so elated you were able to enjoy it!
I’m definitely coming to your room today to give you a big hug and your gifts. Too bad I didn’t convince you to bring some bread North. It would have made great long run fuel instead of my little bagel thin.
Can’t wait to see you!!!
There will be GH bread at lunch tomorrow
When do you arrive?
I’m glad you had a good day! Alma de Cuba is one of my favorites! I did a post a month or so ago about my love of Stephen Starr restaurants and it’s really hard to pick a favorite! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Looking forward to meeting you
Looks like you guys are having a blasty!
WOah! quite the swanky looking affair. Sounds amazing
I live an hour from Philly and I think you’ve already seen more of the city than I have. I’m all geared for for HLS tonight! Chia cocktails are calling my name!
What a fun day!! I can’t wait to join everyone tonight! Have a great Friday.
The AllieBar went to CA and back?! I hope it still tasted alright!
looks like a great time. loving your dress too:)
Calorie King: the making of a dietitian? ha
lots like you’re having a blast so far! I’m in love with both of your outfits.
Looks like so much fun! I LOVE cuban food! So flavorful and delicious! Those rolls look incredible!
Wow, that dinner looks good! One day I’ll come to one of these events:( Last time I was in Philly, I liked it enough to move there. What do you think?
It’s very pretty – more neighborhoody and cleaner than Boston – but I just couldn’t ever live IN a city
I love Stephen Starr restaurants! I’ve never been to Alma de Cuba but the food looks delicious!
What a fun, delicious day and a great start to the festivities!! Can’t wait to read more recaps!
What a great first day in Philly! Looks like the Summit is off to a good start, huh?
PS–where did you get that dress? It is absolutely adorable!
At a clothing swap!
Aw, snap! You got so lucky with that one!
Yay! I’m so excited for you guys!! Have so much fun
WHERE did you get that dress, Kath? Gorgeous!!!
Thanks – it’s from a clothing swap!
The only time I’ve been to Philadelphia was at 2AM for a Pat’s cheesesteak, on our way to Atlantic City.
Needless to say, I need to go back.
Looks like a good time so far!
Sabrina is quite the hostess!
That duck is the cutest thing to me though..:)
That is quite a set-up she had back at her condo! I can’t wait until I have a real house and salary to do things like that… haha. Have a great weekend!
You definitely win the award for fastest posting! I’m just getting to Starbucks now
I LOVE little dessert get-togethers! So fun. Have a great time! Looks like you are already!
Ohh, Alma de Cuba is awesome! I’m a Philly girl … I’m looking forward to seeing your posts from here.
oooooh have FUN! Looks like a grand time is being had
I have never been to Philly, but want to go. I want to eat an official philly cheese steak sandwich when we go there.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
You guys are in my hometown! Hope you enjoy your stay!
Manchego rolls?!?!?!?! Holy deliciousness.
What a fun first day! And all those desserts look like the perfect ending. Can’t wait to read more!
Enjoy your stay in the Cradle of Liberty! Lots of great sites and cultural happenings and a foodie destination.
i love alma de cuba! cant believe you were in philly – i am so close! love that city