PHILLY’S NOW IN THE SUPER BOWL OF FOOD AND DRINK!

So says Travel + Leisure magazine:

It was easy dismiss Philadelphia as a place forever languishing in New York City’s shadow. But when it comes to food, Philly is actually one of the more exciting destinations in the USA right now. The city’s lower prices and young, scrappy energy have given chefs and restaurateurs free rein to experiment, allowing them to reinvent its classic cuisine and add influences from around the globe.

Despite the Eagles defeating the Patriots in February’s Super Bowl, Philly will always be proud of its underdog spirit. It’s a place where servers befriend you, and strangers in bars talk you into taking shots. It’s not uncommon to see someone break into a dance while making your sandwich. The vibe is more personal and upbeat than that of many U.S. cities —there’s simply more space to play.

Philly native Stephen Starr, who owns 20 restaurants in his hometown and seven in New York City, recently opened the Love, a chic, informal restaurant in Rittenhouse Square that serves updated versions of classic American dishes. “I’ve always thought that Philadelphia and New York shared a lot of the same energy, virility, and heart,” he said. “But in Philadelphia, we have bigger footprints in which to create.”