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Apparently, Deuce has the best BLT’s in Philly, at least according to Gridskipper.

Stephen Colbert would be so proud.*

Deuce Restaurant & Bar
1040 N. 2nd ST.
215-413-3822

* Colbert has called the BLT the greatest sandwich of all time. He also recommends the “BBBLT” with extra bacon.

The lighting and textiles by Manayunk’s Galbraith & Paul studio have a tremendous presence in big-time home and garden photo shoots. For 20 years now, this little Philly company has been creating colorful and bold patterned textiles and lighting. Without a shop open to the public, for 363 days a year the studio focuses principally on trade customers. The rest of us get to sample their sophisticated wares at their annual post-Thanksgiving-weekend sample sale on Saturday, December 2.

Light it up.

Galbraith & Paul Lighting + Textiles
116 Shurs Lane, Manayunk
Philadelphia PA, 19127
215-508-0800

The lighting and textiles by Manayunk’s Galbraith & Paul studio have a tremendous presence in big-time home and garden photo shoots. For 20 years now, this little Philly company has been creating colorful and bold patterned textiles and lighting. Without a shop open to the public, for 363 days a year the studio focuses principally on trade customers. The rest of us get to sample their sophisticated wares at their annual post-Thanksgiving-weekend sample sale on Saturday, December 2.

Light it up.

Galbraith & Paul Lighting + Textiles
116 Shurs Lane, Manayunk
Philadelphia PA, 19127
215-508-0800

I used to work at a job where we received mail from all over the world, and my favorite part of opening up all the packages was taking time to examine the more beautiful stamps from other places. I’d silently thank the sender for being so incredibly thoughtful and sending little old me something so nice.

At the Philly Stamp & Coin Company it’s an absolute pleasure to peruse the small collections they have on sale at very reasonable prices, categorized according to place and topic. If you like, for $5 you can find a sorted bag of exotic animals or, more specifically, horses, if that’s more your thing. China got your fancy? Well, OK! What a nice way to add a more personal touch to a gift. And since they’re for collecting or decorating, there’s no limit to the possibilities of a beautiful bag of stamps, a reminder of places far and exotic.

Philly Stamp & Coin Co Inc.
1804 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-563-7341

Image courtesy of greenvillelibrary.org.

Want to know a secret? They best cheesesteak in Philadelphia does not come from Pat’s, Geno’s, Jim’s, or Gooey Luey’s. It’s not even in South Philly. It’s at Fifth and Poplar Street in a little bodega called Rodriguez Grocery.

You’d never guess it, but Rodriguez has been serving up the best cheesesteaks for as long as I can remember. The regular steak is $2.50. But the real deal is the double cheesesteak hoagie, which will run you $4.50. It’s dynamite. Lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, steak, with salt-pepper-ketchup my friend. And the cheese–provolone. Man, for my money, it can’t be beat. And it’s huge! Get into it.

Rodriguez Deli & Grocery Store
883 N. 5th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-627-3969

Chris DiPinto plays guitars and makes guitars right here in Philadelphia. And he does both very, very well. So being a Philadelphian guitar craftsmen, and a local guitar god, he decided to make a guitar he calls The Philadelphian.

And it’s a truly beautiful creation. A classy single cutaway, arched top hollow body delight. Single humbucker pickup, pretty block inlay on a rosewood neck. Two knobs: tone and volume (keep it simple). Headstock’s wide and graceful. Looks like a six you might see hangin’ round that handsome Chet Atkins fellow from Tennessee. But it was born here in Philly, you see?

It comes in natural color with chrome hardware or honeyburst with gold. The Philadelphian sells for between $700 and $1000, which is a steal for an instrument that’s so masterfully crafted.

If you’d like to pluck it, go see Chris at his shop in Fishtown.

DiPinto Guitars
407 E. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 1912

I counted up my “going-out” shirts the other day, and came up with”¦ four. I only have four shirts I like enough to wear out at night. One of the four is a great brown-and-gold cowl-neck tee shirt (who ever heard of such a thing?) from designers Abby & Katie of little Old City shop Smak Parlour. I think I have to head back there soon to increase my nighttime clothing options, and here’s the incentive: If you spend fifty bones at Smak Parlour on Black Friday, they’ll give you a free rose ring, bird necklace or skull ring… your choice, for free!

Thank you in advance Abby & Katie, for giving me something more interesting than work clothes to wear, and a free accessory to boot.

Smak Parlour
219 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-625-4551

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at uwishunu. Be safe and don’t forget the elastic pants.

There are three things I love about Thanksgiving weekend:

1. My brother’s pre-dinner toasts, which make us laugh until we snort wine out of our noses.

2. My sister’s pumpkin roll.

3. Rounding up whoever’s in town and heading to Penn’s Landing for the opening of the Blue Cross RiverRink the day after Thanksgiving.

The RiverRink has evolved from a lumpy surface to a pretty decent Olympic-sized outdoor rink. Be aware that it’s not the best spot for serious skaters. Changing weather conditions affect ice quality and the occasional flocks of skating-challenged amateurs turn even simple jumps and spins into a life-threatening activity.

But for a fun afternoon family outing or evening date, you can’t beat it, because the actual skating is just a small part of the fun. First, there are the views of the river. Then there is the warming tent where you can snuggle up with a mug of hot chocolate or play the video games. Even non-skaters can have fun watching the giant video wall that shows their friends stumbling around the ice.

Throughout the season, which runs through mid-March depending on the temperatures, there are a number of special events including an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration.

River Rink
Columbus Blvd. & Market Street

I believe I’ve mentioned my ongoing search for affordable art. Well, don’t get excited, I didn’t find any in my price range yet. But I did find a Philadelphian’s work that I would love to get my grubby little paws on (figuratively of course”"I wouldn’t really want to smudge the canvas). I was wandering around Old City the other day when the paintings inside the Artists’ House Gallery caught my eye, and drew me across the street and inside the gallery.

Anthony Palumbo’s portraits in gritty urban settings are intriguingly haunting, and the subjects seem familiar, like you just sat next to them on the bus or passed them by on a sidewalk. Possibly I feel that way because the people in his paintings look to be about my age”"and indeed, I heard the gallery owner say the artist is just my age too (26 if you must know). That’s a lot of talent for someone so young.

Anthony, like many of the emerging artists featured in the Artists’ House, is a recent PAFA grad (2002). His work, and the work of three other talented artists, will be on display through November 26. That means it will be gone before the next First Friday, so move it or lose it.

Artists’ House Gallery
57 North 2nd Street
Artists’ House Gallery

Image courtesy of http://www.artistshouse.com/

Philadelphia is full of great brunch spots. On the weekends many of them have lines down the street and waits that push an hour. The one exception to the rule is Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant in West Philadelphia. The lack of a bustling brunch crowd must be because most people tend to think of Abyssinia as a night spot. On the weekends they have live Ethiopian music and two great little bars that stay open to 1 a.m.

Granted, they have only one actual brunch option, but it’s so great that you really don’t need any other choices. It’s pronounced FULL, but unfortunately misspelled as FOUL on the menu, and it’s the most amazing concoction of hot fava beans and spices that I’ve ever had. It comes with butter and cheese, but easily be made vegan, and is served with your choice of French bread or injera (Ethiopian bread) for about $5.00 total.

It can never sound as good on paper as it actually tastes, but all of my friends from West Philadelphia who have moved out of town make it their first stop as soon as they come back. Don’t go for a quick meal though. Nothing happens quickly at Abyssinia.

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant
229 S. 45th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Couture anyone? One of my favorite times of year in Philadelphia is late fall. The city is full of life, there are parties and events a-plenty, and thus the NEED to be fashionable. Did you know the best outlet for vintage couture in Philadelphia comes but once a year to Freemans Auction House? This year’s top picks at the sale are: A raspberry colored silk Christian Dior cocktail dress, pristine condition sable furs and more Louis Vuitton than 5th Avenue. Oh, and OF COURSE a nice selection of Chanel jackets.

The auction is December 4th at 11 a.m., but you can sneak a preview of the collection at the opening reception on Monday, November 27th, or see the exhibit that will be on display from November 28th through December 1st. Absentee bids and online bidding are accepted.

Freemans Auction
1808 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-563-9275