Steve’s Steaks –THE best cheesesteak in all the land. 

It was our first trip back to Philly since we left in July (2015) and aside from a couple hours of sleep (total) we literally enjoyed every minute of it.   Upon arrival on Friday at 10pm, Gabe and Alex scooped us up and we immediately headed to Cantina in South Philly to throw back frozen margaritas.  To make it an even better start, some of our favorite people surprised us and it was a full on party.

(Working on tracking down some pictures, I know they’re out there!)

It was a fitting start to what would be an eventful visit.

In a nice turn of events, Becka happened to be in Philly to attend a wedding.  Amy, like a trooper, woke up at an ungodly hour after a late night of boozing to go meeting her sister.

And from there Amy headed to NYC to get it in with Becky, Rachel and Jack.

For some more unwholesome time in NY, Amy met up with Elana for what I can only imagine was silly debauchery and, well, more raging.

I on the other hand attended Darrin’s post marriage bachelor party – don’t ask – which was just a group of guys enjoying an easy night out in Atlantic City.

We kept it light with a couple of drinks and got a good night’s sleep.

Rendezvousing back in Philly on Sunday, Amy and I met up with Steph, Jeff and Zoe for a chill night and some baby time.

The fun continued on Monday with a happy hour at Sardine Bar.  If there is a better way than discounted booze to get all your favorite people in one place at one time it’s news to me.

Just amazing to see so many people that we’ve missed so much.

A much needed night of relaxation followed on Tuesday with Amy heading up to see Aunt Deb

While Nick and I watched “Little Big Shots” with Ester.

Picking up the pace again on Wednesday, Amy went for a night out with Alex, Robbie, Ashley, and Missy

While that crew was tearing up the town, I was in a more civilized state visiting Jeremy and Dana’s new pad and playing with my girl London.

From there I shot back to Philly to pick up Josh, had a beer with our tenants, and grabbed dinner/drinks with Eric, Jon and Gabe.

No picture though.  Damn it! Where’s Amy when you need her?  Oh yeh, she was getting routy taking tons of pictures with her crew.

Thursday was mom time.  We met up for Drinks at Del Frisco’s and a yummy vegan dinner at Charlie was a Sinner.

Yes, we recognize the irony of having drinks at a steakhouse leading up to a vegan dinner.

The Home Stretch

Oh yeh, we still have a wedding to attend!  Friday was the rehearsal dinner and it could not have been at a better place.  Jesse and Mary, in all their culinary wisdom, picked one of THE go to spots for home-style Italian, Villa di Roma.

Picture an old Italian woman stirring a big vat of gravy (tomato sauce) with a cigarette dangling from her lips pushing some of the tastiest food you can get:  THAT is Villa.

We consumed food for days and countless carafes of table wine.

Needless to say, it was about as official as it gets.

With full bellies we resisted the temptation to stay out knowing that we had one more day of going hard ahead of us.  We headed back to Gabe and Alex’s (our gracious hosts for 10 days!) and hung out with them, Dan and Whitney (who were also in town for a wedding).

On our last full day in Philly Amy and I again separated.  Her heading out to brunch with her girls

And me doing groomsman stuff.

Jesse and Mary’s Wedding

Stole this from Dana’s Facebook post.  She always gets amazing wedding shots!

It was a beautiful thing to see my long time bro get married to such an incredible woman.  Pretty sure the whole crew felt the same and to celebrate, we got it in hard.

Philly, it’s truly been real.