We’ve fallen a little behind in our Beer Week Countdown, but we’ve got news that will more than make up for it. A hot tip, courtesy of Joe Sixpack, who has found it in his heart to forgive us…

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We wrote it before and we’re writing it again, Michael Nutter may not just be our favorite mayor ever, he might be our favorite person in all of Philadelphia. Even though he doesn’t even eat meat, this man is a raging foodie. Case in point: he took all seventeen City Council members out to dinner at Morton’s to give them a sneak preview of the budget:

During the Street administration, City council members got an advance briefing on the budget usually an hour before Street made it public. For Michael Nutter’s first budget, he took them out to dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse on Walnut Street. Nutter was clear that he wants Council with him, not apart:

“I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again: the eighteen of us — seventeen council members and me as the mayor — we have to work together on behalf of the citizens of this city and the region.”

What better way to bring them together than over a nice steak dinner? Quadruple swoon.

Nutter Briefs Council About His New Budget Over Dinner [KYW1060.com]

We usually save all of our breathless hyperventilating for Rick Nichols, but last night we discovered there’s enough room in our heart for two exceptional fellas. We had the opportunity to hear Mayor Michael Nutter speak at an event at the Union League (no, we’ve never been before and no, we’re probably never getting invited back) and we cannot hyperventilate enough about this guy. It might have been the open bar, but we we just about teared up while listening to him talk–honestly and with pride–about our town.

He took questions! He encouraged us to have pride in our city! He dismissed our Philadelphian negativity as balderdash! He agreed that the streets were inexcusably filthy and we had no one to blame for letting the trash pile up there but ourselves! In between addressing crime, taxes and the Philadelphian shoulder chip, he even found time to patiently explain to one very peeved lady why there wasn’t a proper department store in town (ladies of a certain age take the closing of Strawbridge’s very personally). Also, he’s very funny.

So it’s no surprise to hear that this forward-thinking, optimistic, intelligent gentleman is mulling over a farmer’s market in City Hall.

Sorry, Rick, but until your next article, we’re totally and completely Nuttered. Swoon.

Under Nutter, City Hall May Become More Visitor-Friendly [KYW1060.com via Philebrity]

It is shockingly uncold out today. Global warming? A meaningless hiccup from Mother Nature? Is the universe smiling down on the new era of Nutteriness dawning in Philadelphia?

Michael Nutter was sworn in as mayor today, but one of his big scores (or stinkers, depending on your viewpoint) as a city councilman was getting the smoking ban passed. Mark the occasion by having a smoke-free experience in a local restaurant or bar. Or shake your fist at the man while puffing away to your heart’s content at an exempt bar using this interactive map of smoking-friendly bars.

You could also have a Nutter Butter. Mmmm, Nuttery.