Philly Tour (part 2) 🖤 Rocky & Adrian

I am a girl with simple tastes, I like traveling the world and visit all the sites of the movies that I love :) Philadelphia was in my list because of the Rocky films and when I finally got there I discovered that the city had so much more to offer, the architecture and urban planing, so much history and so many cool places I fell in love immediately!

Here's the second part of our travel diaries.. on my second day there I visit other famous sites like the Italian Market and Adrian's Restaurant, I hope you like it.

(the collection from Adrian's restaurant, they use another restaurant to film the movie scenes: the Victor Cafe, where I took this photo)

While I'm writing this post I'm listening to Rocky's soundtrack - the same thing I was doing during my walks through these iconic places. It's impossible not to feel emotional when you get to the Italian Market, where they taped the scene of the Italian Stallion training. Running in the morning through these streets when it all began..

Gonna Fly Now

Curious fact: As Stallone runs through the market, the stall keepers and the people on the sidewalks can clearly be seen looking at him in bemusement. While this works in the context of the film to suggest they're looking at Rocky, in reality, they had no idea why this man was running up and down the road being filmed from a van. During this scene, the famous shot where the stall-owner throws Rocky an orange was completely improvised by the stall, who had no idea that a movie was being filmed and that he would be in it.

Vegetable vendors, butchers, fresh seafood and Italian goodies of all kinds can be found in this legendary district.. try to go there in the morning time for a great experience.

In 'Rocky Balboa' Sly was seen buying fresh food for Adrian’s Restaurant. Rocky’s protege, Adonis Creed, took to the market’s thoroughfare in 2015’s 'Creed' as he jogged here alone.

Seen In: Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky V, Creed

919 S 9th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

italianmarketphilly.org

FIY the market is closed on Mondays. From the there I kept walking to other near locations..

The Pat's King is a real-life eatery is where loan shark Tony Gazzo brought Rocky to grab a bite to eat in the original 'Rocky'. Pat’s is still going strong today – is open 24/7 – and even boasts a plaque on the cement which reads “On this spot stood Sylvester Stallone filming the great motion picture Rocky. Nov. 21, 1976”. I had to see it!

This Philly restaurant staple has been beloved by cheesesteak fans since 1930.. I didn't had the chance to try it because I was going to eat on my next stop also nearby (the Adrian's restaurant) but I'll sure be stoping by on my next time in the city and have a bite of their delicious sandwich.

Another curiosity: The film 'Rocky' (1976) was shot in 28 days.. just what I need, 28 days in Philly!

Seen in: Rocky

Pat’s King of Steaks

1237 E. Passyunk Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19147-5060

patskingofsteaks.com

And here it is: the Adrian's Restaurant - which is actually Victor Cafe, a real eatery located near the intersection of Dickinson and 13th Streets. This intimate Italian restaurant opened in the 1918 and quickly became South Philly’s shrine to opera due to the DiStefano family’s love of music and their impressive collection of operatic recordings, photographs and memorabilia which decorate the walls of this charming Italian restaurant.

In January, 2006, Victor’s was first outfitted as both the fascade and interior of Rocky Balboa’s Italian restaurant called Adrian’s Restaurant, named after Adrian Balboa, whose pictures appear on the walls of the restaurant in the movie, alongside photos of Rocky Balboa’s boxing career highlights and real-life operatic portraits which are permanent fixtures in Victor Cafe.

I had an exquisite time at the place.. tried out some delicious dishes and wine while listening to opera music (live! All the waiters of the restaurant are professional singers, can you believe it?). And look at the coincidence: the restaurante was celebrating 100 years since it's opening that week!

(The famous painting “Rocky vs. Apollo” by LeRoy Neiman is also displayed there.. love it!)

Rocky fan or not, this is a must go!

Seen in: Rocky Balboa, Creed

The Victor Cafe

1303 Dickinson Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

(215) 468-3040 / victorcafe.com

Last but not least, The British Pub was also an easy going place for me. Specially because I was staying in a hotel a few blocks from it: the Philadelphia 201 Hotel.

At the pub Rocky's son Robert Balboa (Milo Ventimiglia) has a few drinks with his friends as they watch news reports of Rocky’s computer match with Mason Dixon on the bar’s TV. Real interiors were used for this location, too - in 'Rocky Balboa' (2006).