Bank on Delicious Tastes, City Views at Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, PA
When in Philly, stay and eat at Loews Hotel and Bank & Bourbon; both rate high marks in my playbook.
“New York is a place where people go to reinvent themselves; Philadelphia is a place where people discover who they are.” – Chef Peter McAndrews
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
Maybe like me, you’re a country mouse, living outside Philadelphia’s suburbs while still close enough to identify Philly as your home city. Country life has its pluses: falling asleep to the sounds of crickets, sweet silence for lack of passing vehicles on long and winding roads and land expanses with more nature than neighbor views are just a few. I’m talking porch-karaoke-in-one’s-birthday-suit private! That said, even pastoral-setting dwellers can at times yearn for the hustle and bustle of city life. I know that I do.
The City of Brotherly Love holds a special place in my heart. Having run marathons through its streets, the beauty, diversity and distinctiveness of its many eclectic neighborhoods would often almost stop me in my tracks (were I not pacing to BQ … runner speak for “Boston Qualify”). Old City. Fishtown. Rittenhouse Square. Logan Square. Northern Liberties. South Street. A mere sampling. But if you’re not in the habit of rolling out of bed and running 26.2 miles (and who is?), there are many other ways in which to discover the 5th largest city in the country. Day trips. Extended weekends. A week or more-long vacations. And yes, even a runcation!
My December 20th city adventure included an overnight stay at Loews Hotel, one of Philly’s finest. Equally notable is the in-house restaurant, Bank & Bourbon. For my money, both places truly deserve their award-winning, stellar reputations. Take it from a known fuss pot; however, if you need more than one writer’s favorable ratings, do some research and confirm my findings. May I regale you with details … express the many ways in which Loews management and staff rolled out the red carpet to ensure that my stay was made memorable? Expect to receive during your stay a stellar level of exceptional pride of guest(s) and attention to detail. On arrival and check-in, front desk employees proved professional, cheerful and accommodating. Going above and beyond, they kindly upgraded my room, where awaited a personalized welcome card along with a treat tray of fruit, cheese, bread and FIJI-brand water. How could they know said goodies were exactly what I needed before nipping out to explore Philly? With those moves, they set the bar to high standards, indeed.
Having donned my favorite Mizuno Wave Riders, I was out in the street and ready to explore things my way, which involves choosing an area in the immediate vicinity and trekking a bunch of nearby city blocks until I’m either a) exhausted or b) feeling as if I’ve locked in a sense of familiarity. With each successive city visit, I then incrementally expand my previous radius and touring horizons. Baby-stepping is just how I roll.
Staycation day was unseasonably warm and accompanied by a steady drizzle. No matter (and even better in some regards), as the trickles and droplets cast the decked-out city in one very pretty glow. Multi-colored lighting and rain-slicked decorations were visions of glistening beauty. The city was dressed to the nines for the holiday, yet I wasn’t prepared for the magnitude of effort and attention involved. Just a step out of the hotel and there sat a festooned Septa bus. I’d half expected Santa to be in the driver’s seat.
First on my sight-seeing list was the architectural wonder that is City Hall, where nearby towered the grandeur of the chosen Christmas tree. Both were redolent of lights from top to bottom and simply glorious. Large white snowflakes (surrounded by colorful lighting) were projected onto the sheer largesse of City Hall’s façade. Walking toward Philly’s historic area led me past Macy’s, where the rite-of-holiday-passage window display lured crowds. I fell hard for the lil’ puffer-clad tot doll making a snow angel. Who doesn’t remember such nostalgic playtime? My final destination was the tourist-packed trio comprising Christmas Village, Rothman Orthopaedics Institute‘s seasonally sponsored skating rink located at Dilworth Park and Philly’s iconic LOVE sign, where folks queued in wait to capture photographic memories beneath it. I waited my turn to pose, then blew a Christmastime kiss to all. Christmas Village itself was a treasure trove of conjoined booths with pretty much any- and everything for purchase … food, snacks, drinks and all manner of items typically found at artisan-populated fests. One could find handmade creations for gifting those who have everything or singular items for the uber-discerning (it’s not always easy to shop for certain friends or family members). CBD product as stocking-stuffers? All there and ready for your credit card max-out.
Just nearby at the ice rink, the drizzles were letting up to the point where a behemoth Zamboni was rumbling to life and being eased out of its cage to smooth the glacial expanse. Would that I had packed my skates. Truthfully, by then my body was demanding rest and a snack repast within the confines of my comfy hotel room. Back in the lobby, I scoped the bounty of decorations. Loews went all out with gorgeously decorated trees and more. So many balls and baubles of varying color schemes vied for attention. Blue and silver. Silver alone. My favorite holiday décor charmer was a gingerbread house set near Bank & Bourbon’s entrance doors. The Loews name was spelled out in icing on the ornamental, candy-coated house. Cuteness overload and fabulously festive.
I delayed my room rest a smidge longer in order to check out the spa, workout and pool areas. Somehow knowing dinner would be feast-like, I predicted a treadmill sighting in my early-next-morning future and wanted a location and facilities look-see before then. My morning workouts set the day’s tone; I’m a frequent presence in hotel gyms. Loews Hotel met all sport-taking requirements of spaciousness, cleanliness and equipment availability. Refreshing fruit-infused water carafes and a water cooler provided hydration, a fruit bowl some refueling options and treadmills jettisoned boredom with virtual-runs (or walks) programmed along scenic paths the world over.
Either my tootsies would be put up on the quick (no more avoiding downtime!), or those heels I planned to wear to dinner weren’t leaving my luggage, period. And as I do glam for evenings out, I beat a hasty retreat to the room-suite. Easily the first thing I noticed was the presence of not one but two adjoining wall-sized windows for the ultimate in stunning city views’ viewing. That’s a lot of curtain flinging back. The room was pristine and crisp-looking in its modernity with plenty of black, white and chrome. A bright orange chair with ottoman and a few hints of similar hues in a wall photograph and bed pillow added complimentary color accents. A sleek, comfortable and roomy work area allowed for spreading out laptops and other tech accoutrements. All furniture pieces are positioned for maximum comfort. Good show, Loews! One of my favorite guest comfort treats is their in-room sound system, featuring “bedtime beats” with synced loops of nature sounds ranging from sleep-inducing rainfall, gentle ocean waves and more.
The time I spent in my room at rest was a perfect transition between a day of play and my anticipated evening of fine dining and spirits-imbibing. I enjoyed the hotel lobby’s educational and artful “Progression of Bourbon” display, which traced for the curious the stages involved in bourbon’s creation process. The bar itself was well-stocked, an organized wall of available liquors. A roomy area expanded outward from the bar. Cozy furniture in which to sink with drink abounded. I was hungry and not about to drink on an empty belly, so I opted to enter the restaurant and order a cocktail with my starter rather than sit at the bar.
Mealtime had finally arrived and, after being immediately greeted and seated along an extended segment of leather banquette near a window, I settled in for my culinary extravaganza. Passersby navigating the streets during a rainy evening proved imminently watch-worthy. Bank & Bourbon’s décor is welcoming and relaxing. Traditionally rustic wooden beams meet contemporary exposed ones. While both rain and people-watching appeal to me, I had other priorities, namely ordering my favorite drink, a margarita … served just as requested (straight up with glass rim lightly salted) by an expert mixologist. I ordered my starters and cocktail simultaneously. If oysters are on the menu, I’m all over those slippery, succulent delica-seas. A spritz of lemon, a swipe of cocktail sauce and down the hatch. Mine were a blend of both East- and West Coast suck-backers. My terrific server suggested the crispy Crispy Meatballs stuffed with raclette cheese, herb pesto and parmesan, promising I wouldn’t be sorry for having ordered them. Great balls of gastro-desire. When Olserge recommends, you’d do well to listen. Trigger word alert here for any West Coast-based readers: carbohydrates. Since I’m on the East Coast, I do do bread. In fact, an establishment’s bread is like a dating meet-greet. Let’s say I meet a wrapped, cold rectangle of butter along with a quotidian dinner roll. I’m out-never again to be seen. But place before me a semi-sliced log with chewy crust and goose-down soft interior of airy depressions along with a pot of creamy butter, and said meet-greet just may end with a nightcap invite. Yes: that is the allure of bread, carb of the Gods.
In addition to no eats on a barren belly, my other cardinal rule is to piggy red meat only when dining out. Bank & Bourbon’s filet mignon is a carnivore’s dream, done to perfection-medium rare in my case and now permanently ensconced in memory as one the best filets of beef I’ve had to date. The glaze topping was flavorful and a perfect touch. Two sides I covet are Brussels sprouts and mushrooms. Like oysters, if either sprouts or ‘shrooms are on the menu, they’ll find a home on my plate. Presentation at this establishment is clearly a priority. A medley of roasted mushrooms along with Brussels sprouts duck fat and champagne vinaigrette served in a cast iron-like dish became my sides. Perfecting the art of veggie roasting on a charcoal grill is on my summertime to-do list. Of course, there was a sweet-treat ending to my singularly gorgeous meal, although it had to be relegated to midnight-snack status. I was thoroughly sated by all that preceded it. The dessert menu features a plentiful variety of appealingly decadent offerings.
From the website, I gleaned the following about the restaurant chef’s meal preparation style and ingredient preferences. To wit: “Chef Joe Thomas brings his excitement and energy to the menus at Bank & Bourbon where he blends traditional, inherently American dishes with a modern flair. Using only the freshest ingredients, these menus change seasonally and are always the perfect combination of classic and American infused with the unexpected.” Exactly! Buffet-style brunches at Loews are offered throughout the year on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. My departure happened to coincide with brunchtime set-up, so I snooped around. The price is right and brunch item offerings run from the typical to the pleasantly unexpected (and quite possibly everything in between). It’s like the Harrods (of London) of brunches, where any item can be gotten. A manager kindly offered to send a few enticing photographs (see below) of what I’d missed.
The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection beckons with many examples of top-rate accommodations and fine dining. Hopefully, my experiences resonated with your own city travel expectations and sensibilities. Loews Hotel and Bank & Bourbon Restaurant provided such an exemplary experience that I enthusiastically recommend both with the highest of accolades. They haven’t seen the last of this country mouse!
For more information about both Loews Hotel and Bank & Bourbon, check out loewshotels.com/philadelphia-hotel.
Lobby scene. Check-in awaits!
Impressive array of awards are displayed with pride.
It clearly is Christmastime in the city. Loews Hotel’s tree glitters and sparkles in its finery.
City Hall astonishes with an extravagant holiday display.
Philadelphia’s Phinery includes this magnificent Christmas tree.
Sharon Kozden blows a kiss beneath the iconic LOVE sign.
Welcoming treats greeted me. How often the little things most linger in memory. I kept the note.
Inviting, cozy and comfy meets freshie and modern. Orange is a becoming accent color.
For this voracious reader, an enveloping chair and ottoman beckon.
Dial “M” for modern.
Everything a gal could want for dinnertime primping was at the ready here.
Nature sounds from bedtime beats guarantee a proper bedtime drift-off.
Readying the Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park as the rain abates.
Even SEPTA was onboard with the making-merry.
Same bus, different angle. Not sure if it was a fleet-wide gig or just the one chosen to deck the décor.
Where’s a Santa’s helper when one is needed to help a youngin’ mount a carousel horse?
Macy’s never fails to put on a stellar show with its window dressings.
What an adorbs picture in puffer!
Among the expected ornaments and other craft items, I found a CBD purveyor at Christmas Village.
Topicals, tinctures and other forms abound of CBD abound; here merch makes the scene.
A+++ for the work-out slash gym area!
Pool area. Last one in is a egg of some smelly sort.
Silver, not gold was a better décor-wise match for the restaurant’s entrance.
Close-up of the charmingly displayed gingerbread house. Note the Loew’s name above the door.
There’s a bar within Bank & Bourbon; however, this is a snap of the well-stocked hotel bar.
Progress is made along the road to bourbon perfection.
Interior of Bank & Bourbon features a room with a view of Philly’s street scenes. Looking out at the rain as dusk neared was a hearth-like warming contrast.
Bank & Bourbon’s mixologist knows his way with my fav cocktail.
Just gape at that bread’s crispy crust with soft and airy interior and swoon over the creamy baby pot of butter. The two must meet and did do!
First up, starters … pictured here are Sweet oysters from Maryland’s Choptank River.
One of life’s greatest foodie pleasures, a mon avi (French for “in my opinion”), is to slurp and suck back a couple dozen oysters from both the east- and west coasts.
Why not have a second starter when it’s Crispy Meatballs stuffed with raclette cheese, herb pesto and parmesan? *rhetorical question*
Meat! Just meat. ‘Nuff said.
My entree selection done to perfection. Love me this rich source of B vitamins.
Brussels sprouts! Love- or hate ’em, I call the former. These really hit the sprout.
Local ‘shrooms of many varieties … perfection in every bite.
Brunch is served!
Plate me one of everything!
Holiday sweet treats at brunch are presented with whimsical charm.
Sharon Kozden angles for a dramatic end to her Christmastime staycation; however, the Christmas spirit must’ve been with this officer, as his smile is as large as is mine, he refused to write me up, and-despite my, erm, body lingo, he refused to arrest me.
