FINISHING PHILLY

Having written a few on Philly, I still have one more focus...namely, the Q-Fest.  It was opening night for this GLBT film festival.

Philly is noted for having a “Gayborhood”, located in the downtown area.  My focus was on the Q-Fest, an annual GLBT film festival.  Opening night had the award winning movie called Elliot Love.  Expect it to be out on DVD. Festival went from July 12 to 22^nd with some other excellent movies and after parties. Movie venue was at one basic movie theatre.  You can see the fest by going to www.qfest.com. 

I checked into the luxurious Loews Philadelphia Hotel, located on Market and 12th.  This former bank, first sky scraper built in Philly, has some fabulous views of the downtown area.  City Hall is just a few blocks away going uptown and a the walk in the other direction will take you to Independence Plaza and ultimately Penns Landing with Reading Market just across the way.

I loved my room.  It was in a corner with an almost panoramic view.  Having a refrigerator is helpful for both leftovers and a supply of bottled water.  Being on a floor with access to the concierge club, I was able to have a nutritious breakfast each morning as the buffet was way above, "Continental".

A spa called Breathe is located in a huge fitness center. With a menu of massages, body treatments and facials, it was the later that I choose.  A most fabulous esthetician donned a facial that made my skin soft and supple.  Most of the facial centered on massaging it while putting on and taking off all kinds of skin care.  In addition, my shoulders and feet got a massage as well so that they wouldn't feel left out.

Sole Food is the name of the restaurant located on the ground floor, lobby level specializing in...seafood.
A chef's tasting included: Snapper Filet with calamari escabeche, swiss chard, red bliss potatoes, saffron aoili; Grilled Spanish Octopus with fingerling potatoes, melted leeks, citrus, chorizo vinaigrette; Pastrami Pork Belly of which the pork is in brine for 4 days, smoked 4 hours, covered with a pastrami crust and served with a roasted tomato jam; Seared Diver Scallops with freshly made ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and corn, served with salty corn and truffle butter; Grilled NY Strip Steak with trumpet mushrooms, crisp potato, bleu cheese, shallots and tomatoes.