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Cannoli and Philadelphia: The Logan Hotel

23 August, 2017 by Tara 9 Comments

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We recently spent a long weekend visiting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the first time and I’ll be covering our experiences in a series of four blog posts. I am starting with our stay at The Logan Hotel and pairing the review with a recipe for the iconic Cannoli.

Disclosure: I received a two night stay at the The Logan Hotel in exchange for my honest review. All comments and opinions are my own. Prices listed are for the time of this post (August 2017), subject to change. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Three cannoli covered in powdered sugar with more stacked in the background on a wooden board.

Check out my other posts for Philadelphia here:

  • Strawberry White Chocolate Milkshake and Reading Terminal Market, Academy of Natural Sciences, Rittenhouse Square
  • Philly Cheesesteak and The Franklin Institute, Old City, Independence National Historic Park
  • Cheung Fun (Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls) and Please Touch Museum, Chinatown, Franklin Square

The Logan Hotel

Outside building of the Logan Hotel with a tree on the left.

The Logan Hotel, named after James Logan (a colonial secretary to William Penn, Mayor of Philadelphia, chief justice of the PA Supreme Court, lieutenant governor and acting governor, and a founding trustee of the College of Philadelphia), is a part of CURIO, a collection by Hilton.

It opened in 2015, taking over the building previously occupied by the Four Seasons, and sits at the northeast corner of North 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the Center City of Philadelphia.

Car pulling into the entrance of The Logan Hotel.

The location couldn’t have been better for a family vacation to Philadelphia. It is next door to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and a short walk to The Franklin Institute.

The Philadelphia Museum of Arts, Chinatown, Reading Terminal Market, and Rittenhouse Square are all within a mile. Independence Hall is about 1.5 miles away and the Delaware River waterfront is a bit further at a little over 2 miles.

Entrance of The Logan Hotel with two large light installations, a statue of a man, and a large blue rug.

We left Northern Virginia around 6 am on Saturday morning to avoid the beach traffic that often hits I-95 during the summer weekends in our area. It was an easy drive and took about 3 hours. With our kids and luggage in tow, we took advantage of the hotel’s valet parking with in and out access for 55 dollars per night (allow 10 minutes for car retrieval).

Collage of the decor in The Logan Hotel- light fixture, white sofa, yellow sofa, and marble hallway.

Upon walking into The Logan, we were greeted with an urban-style interior mixed with historical inspiration and local artwork. I personally loved the upscale feel while still being accessible to families. I was able to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere without feeling out of place for having a 2 and 5 year old in tow.

Bright abstract paintings lining the hallway wall at The Logan Hotel.

The ceiling of the lobby is adorned with the many faces that helped shape Philadelphia. There are plenty of secluded seating areas if you need a breather and local artwork lines the halls. Check out more information about the art collection here.

Hotel Room

Hotel room with two beds at The Logan Hotel.

The hotel is home to 391 bold guest rooms and suites. The modern, yet traditional, theme through the lobby and halls of The Logan continues in the rooms with locally curated artwork and nods to the city.

We had a quiet courtyard view in a 400 square foot standard room. It was perfect for our family of four and particularly spacious compared to other city hotels we have visited. The bathroom itself was also a comfortable size, which is particularly helpful when trying to give the kids a bath or in the mornings when we are all trying to get ready. In-room amenities include a single-serve Kuerig machine with coffee and tea, mini-beverage cooler, bluetooth radio clock with charging station for iPhone and Android, toiletries, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, same day laundry and dry cleaning service, WiFi, 42″ HDTVs with cable and HD channels, and a laptop-sized safe. The beds were quite comfortable and we all had no issue getting a great night’s sleep.

As a note, there isn’t a microwave and the mini-refrigerator had a notice on the front that it was only to be used to keep beverages chilled and wasn’t safe for food/dairy.

Collage of hotel room with bed, desk, bathroom, and sink.

Other room options include Standard Rooms with a parkway view (of Logan Square), 600 sq foot Junior Suites, King Balcony suites, 700+ sq foot corner room Pennsbury Suites, 950 sq foot Bristol Suites, the 800 sq foot Canterbury Suite, 1,270 Commonwealth Suite, 1,400 sq foot James Logan Suite, and the impressive 2,500 sq foot Presidential Suite.

Blue robes and coloring books for kids.

I especially loved the personalized touches. The kids enjoyed their mini bathrobes that matched our larger Rocky-style robes. They were also each given a pack with sunglasses, crayons, and the hotel’s own Philadelphia-themed coloring books.

Evan was able to recognize and color pages that featured the different sites he visited during the weekend like the Swann Fountain in Logan Square, the Academy of Natural Sciences, The Franklin Institute, the Rocky statue at the Art Museum, the Liberty Bell, and the carousel at the Please Touch Museum.

Cannoli

Build your own cannoli set on a white plate with "Welcome to Philly  #LiveLogan" written in chocolate.

We were also surprised with this Build-Your-Own Cannoli platter. There were two filling options, Chocolate Chip and Candied Orange, along with a small bowl of chopped pistachios. The mini cannoli shell size was perfect for the kids. Claire developed a love for whipped cream during our trip to Maryland’s Eastern Shore and that love apparently includes ricotta cheese.

Other areas at The Logan Hotel

Indoor pool and exercise equipment at The Logan Hotel.

The first thing Evan asked when I told him we were going to a hotel was if it had a pool. The saltwater indoor pool was perfect a place to unwind after a day touring Philadelphia. It has a beautiful deep blue color and the temperature was just right. Kickboards are also available for the kids to enjoy.

Adjacent to the pool is the well-equipped 24-hour fitness center with treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, a rowing machine, weight machines and free weights. This floor also houses the #1 Rated Spa and Wellness Center in Philadelphia with massages, skin care, body treatments, and nail services.

Courtyard at The Logan Hotel with armchairs situated around small tables.

If you want some fresh air while still staying on the property, the hotel has a large courtyard with seating and a cascading fountain. This is a great spot to relax or enjoy a drink while the kids get to stretch their legs.

Collage of courtyard with cascading fountain at The Logan Hotel.

Urban Farmer

Urban Farmer restaurant at The Logan Hotel with red stools lined up at a bar, booths, and Urban Farmer sign.

For dining, The Logan Hotel is home to Urban Farmer, Philadelphia’s Steakhouse. Designed by the Sage Restaurant Group, this stylish Philadelphia restaurant “translates the art, culture and classic elegance of the Northeast into artful cuisine prepared with fresh, local ingredients.”

Open from 6:30 am to 10 pm (11 on weekends), menus are available for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Don’t feel like dining-in? You can enjoy a selection of cocktails in their lounge or order room service with Urban TO GO.

Brunch at Urban Farmer in The Logan Hotel- tomato salad, bagel, eggs Benedict, Panna Cotta, and eggs.

We stopped by for breakfast before heading out for our full day taking in the sites. We were first brought a seasonal bowl of heirloom tomatoes with local blue cheese which was a welcome sight after my over-indulgence with sweets the day before. Some of Claire’s favorite foods are tomatoes and cheese, so she was particularly excited about this dish.

From the menu, Chad picked the Eggs Benedict while I had the Vanilla Yogurt Panna Cotta (which Claire also ended up taking about half). The yogurt panna cotta was so light and paired perfectly with the granola and fresh berries. The kids split a Bagel and Evan had the Scrambled Eggs from the kids menu with Toast and a Crispy Potato. I loved the added touch of the seed packet placed on top of the check as we were leaving.

Assembly

Assembly bar at The Logan Hotel with views of Philadelphia from the rooftop.

We didn’t get to fully utilize the bars since we were traveling with small children, but each made separate small trips during the evenings. I explored Assembly, the rooftop bar on the 9th floor. Here, you can enjoy cocktails in the open-air lounge area with a beautiful view of Logan Square and the surrounding area.

View of Logan Square in Philadelphia from the rooftop of The Logan Hotel.

View of Logan Square from Assembly, along with the nearby Free Library of Philadelphia, Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the background.

Commons Lounge

Commons Lounge with bar at the Logan Hotel

Chad enjoyed a couple of beers in the Commons Lounge, located in the lobby. It was closed for a private event while I was exploring the grounds, but the other side of the fireplace reveals a quiet room with a billiards table and small library.

Outdoor entrance to The Logan Hotel with tall buildings in the background.

We didn’t bring our dogs, but the hotel is also pet-friendly with a $50 enhancement fee. Upon request, your dog can feel right at home with homemade treats, bowl and bed, downtown pet guide, and dog-shaped waste bag dispenser. For those hosting events, The Logan holds 12,700 square feet of indoor and 6,300 square feet of outdoor event and meeting space.

The staff was always friendly and there to help when requested. Check-in is at 4 pm with check-out at noon. We did request an early check-in and our room was available when we arrived at 10 am. If our room had not been ready, the front desk does offer to store luggage. They also had water bottles available upon request. Overall, we had an incredible weekend and I can’t wait to share the rest of our visit to Philadelphia.

Cannoli

Cutting out the Cannoli dough and wrapping it around a metal form.

The Cannoli has been on my list of things to make for a while now. I even bought the molds a couple of years ago and had yet to put them to use. With the strong presence of the Cannoli in Philadelphia (and the many I tried over the weekend), I thought this would be the perfect time to feature them.

Cannoli originated in Sicily and were brought to Philadelphia by Sicilian immigrants. I tried my first in the city at Reading Terminal Market, then again at The Logan Hotel. These pastries are formed by wrapping thin circles of dough around a mold and frying until golden. They are then filled with sweetened ricotta. I included the recipe for my favorite filling, the traditional ricotta with some mini chocolate chips mixed in.

I used a pasta machine to roll the shell dough into thin sheets, then used the top of a large cup (4 inch diameter) to cut out the circles. Each circle is wrapped around a mold and sealed with water or egg white to keep them from unraveling in the hot oil. They are fried just until golden (this happens quickly) and gently removed from the mold. I removed the shells by holding the mold steady with tongs and using a spoon to gently slide off the fried shell. Cover the uncooked rounds of dough during this process to keep them from drying out.

The cannoli shells can be made a day or so in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not fill them until right before serving. With time, the ricotta will soften the shells.

I haven’t tried this product yet, but you can also make mini cannoli with this mold from Norpro.

Aerial view of Cannoli topped with powdered sugar and next to scattered pistachios and mini chocolate chips.

Cannoli Recipe

Adapted from Mangia Bedda and Buddy Valastro

Cannoli
Print Pin

Cannoli

A recipe for Cannoli with a sweet ricotta filling inspired by our visit to Philadelphia!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Keyword cannoli, dessert, fried, Italian, Italy, ricotta
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 25 Cannoli

Ingredients

Shell:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • Pinch ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lard or shortening
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup Marsala
  • Vegetable oil or lard for frying

Filling:

  • 4 cups ricotta
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

For serving:

  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Finely chopped pistachios
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

To make the cannoli shells:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Mix in the red wine vinegar, lard, egg, and marsala until dough comes together.
  • Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside. In a large saucepan, add oil until 2-3 inches deep. Place over medium heat to 375˚F.
  • Divide the dough in half. Cover one half with a towel or plastic wrap and place the other on work surface.
  • Use a pasta machine or rolling pin to roll the dough into a sheet about 1/8th inch thick. Use a 4 inch round cookie cutter or top of a glass/bowl to cut out rounds from the dough. Cover the formed rounds with a towel and repeat with remaining dough.
  • Wrap one round around the cannoli mold, sealing the edges together with water and pinching to close. Repeat with remaining molds. Gently add the molds, 3-4 at a time, to the hot oil and fry until lightly golden. Carefully remove the molds from the fried dough using tongs and fry the shells for a few more seconds, setting the molds aside to cool. Remove the golden shells to the towel-lined baking sheet. Once the molds are cool enough to handle, repeat with remaining rounds of dough. Allow to cool.

To make the filling:

  • In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, powdered sugar, and cinnamon. Fold in the chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate until the cannoli shells are cooled and ready to be filled.

To serve:

  • Transfer the filling to a large piping bag or plastic bag with a 1/2 inch corner snipped off. Pipe the filling into each side of the cannoli shell to fill completely. Dip each side into the mini chocolate chips or chopped pistachios. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
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Filed Under: Desserts, European, North American, Travel Tagged With: cheese, dessert, europe, European, Italian, Italy, north america, North American, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ricotta, travel

Previous Post: « Prosecco Waffles
Next Post: Tahina Cookies and King Solomon’s Table Cookbook Review »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dana

    23 August, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    Omg these cannoli are beautiful! And it looks like you had a great time in PA. We have family there, though I’ve never been to Philly!

    Reply
  2. Rae

    23 August, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    For some reason, I always associate cannoli with Christmas. I’ve never made them myself, now that I have a recipe I think I need to try. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Prasanna hede

    23 August, 2017 at 2:07 pm

    Wow what amazing cannoli! Loved the recipe with stuffed ricotta and cinnamon combo!

    Reply
  4. Sally

    23 August, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    Thank you Tara. Makes us want to jump in the car and take the trip and stay in the same place you did. I enjoy reading about your travels and food.

    Reply
    • Tara

      25 August, 2017 at 9:04 pm

      Thanks! It was our first time visiting Philadelphia. Such a great weekend.

      Reply
  5. Dahn

    23 August, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    looks like a really nice hotel, I absolutely love the robes and really enjoy hotels with special little touches like that. It always makes you feel so much more welcome and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to a vacation.
    I am salivating over the cannoli as well .. yummmy

    Reply
  6. Ginny

    24 August, 2017 at 12:32 am

    I love Philadelphia and The Logan Hotel looks like a dream hotel. Just beautiful. What a nice cannoli recipe too! Yum!

    Reply
  7. Tara

    25 August, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    Thanks everyone!

    Reply
  8. Sally

    12 September, 2017 at 10:33 am

    Loved reading of your trip and it makes us want to duplicate the hotel and places you visited. You describe everything so vividly. Love to you and your beautiful family.

    Reply

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