3012: First stop Philly with a dash of D.C.!

This past weekend was the start of the 3012 Tour...can you say excited?! We had planned to spend the whole weekend in Philly, instead we spent one night there and one night in D.C. to help celebrate the 30th birthday of a friend. We had a great time filled with laughs, cocktails, dancing, great food...and more cocktails!

WHERE WE STAYED!

Club Quarters Philadelphia
Club Quarters is a new concept hotel for members-only business travelers during the week and available to non-members (like myself) on the weekend. Although the rooms are tiny there are many things I liked about this hotel.
LOCATION:Prime! It is on 16th and Chestnut next to tons of shopping, restaurants and public transportation.
AMENITIES: Complementary bottled water via a self-serve dispenser (very cool), fridge and microwave in the room....great for pre-gaming and leftovers ;-)
LIKES: Quick self check-in and check-out via kiosk, key-activated elevators, and prompt housekeeping services
DISLIKES: Tiny bathroom (think airplane size,
lol), $35.00 for late checkout (we decided against it)


WHERE WE PLAYED!

Located in Old City, Philladelphia. This place was packed with party goers. Getting a table meant buying only two rounds of drinks, with one drink averaging $10...needless to say we got a table! My drink of choice was the Voodoo Martini...yummy! This is definitely a place to party on a Friday night, with reasonably priced delicious drinks and a constant flow of great music.

The Palmer Social Club A stifling sweat box with two floors of a hot ghetto mess...please do not enter!

WHERE WE ATE!

Pho Cali
This authentic Pho gem is located in Chinatown at 1000 Arch street (a block behind the greyhound bus depot). I ordered the Pho Tom (Shrimp) and it was delicious. This was my first time trying Pho and I am hooked! The ingredients were fresh, the broth was hot and tasty. Service here was satisfactory and prompt.









D.C.- WHERE WE STAYED!

St.Gregory Luxury Hotel & Suites
LOCATION:Prime! This fab hotel is located in the wonderful Dupont Circle area of D.C.
AMENITIES:Mini fridge, valet and bellmen services
LIKES: Courteous staff, free late check out, spacious room with a designated make-up area!
DISLIKES: n/a


WHERE WE PLAYED!

Timehri International

Located in the Adam's Morgan section of D.C. this basement-like bar plays laid back reggae music and serves fruity island drinks such as rum punch. It is a small space that can get packed quickly. The burning incense smell horrible, but if you make your way past the entrance to the small dance floor the smell is no longer a problem.

WHERE WE ATE!

Lauriol Plaza
This restaurant boasts "The best Mexican food in D.C."
Without tasting Mexican food at other places in D.C. I would have to say they are spot on. To say that this place was crowded is an understatement. Luckily we were there for a reserved birthday party and had no wait time, but I overheard people mentioning a two hour wait. I knew the food had to be good just by the amount of people in there...and boy was it!
As recommended by friend we ordered the seafood enchiladas with shrimp and scallops (an off the menu item). Trust me when I say this dish is heaven on a plate and this restaurant is a D.C. must! Just make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS!

Austin Grill

On the way home we stopped for lunch in Silver Spring, MD. Austin Grill has an awesome drink menu that is worth checking out...the food was nothing special. They have a few Maryland locations and one in D.C.
That is a picture of my mango lime margarita that I invented...lol!


NEXT MONTH: Washington D.C. (officially) We will be staying in a different hotel, trying out one or two interesting tourist attractions, dining at different restaurants and of course partying the night away at two different D.C. hot spots!