It's 10 p.m. on a Thursday night in the Italian Market, and a transformation is under way.
Italian restaurant Victor Cafe has become Adrian's Restaurant. Though the sky is clear, a production assistant with a cigarette in his mouth sprays the street with a hose, making it look like it has just rained. Actors have replaced the usual diners.
From behind a barricade, onlookers peer into the restaurant.
"Hey, where's Stallone? Is he here tonight or what?" asks a newcomer in a thick South Philadelphia accent.
It's the fourth week of filming for Rocky Balboa, the sixth installment of Philadelphia's most famous cinema series. And after 15 years off, the return of Sylvester Stallone, who plays the title role, and company has generated quite a buzz.
"It's nice to have him out here. There's a little excitement in the neighborhood, you know what I mean?" said area resident Ray Balestini as he waited for a glimpse of Hollywood stardom around the corner from his home.
Greg Distefano, the owner of the Victor Cafe, has been on the set throughout filming. He said that Stallone is "a really great guy, you know, he calls you by your first name. ... He hangs out with the kitchen staff, with the cooks and everything."
As for Stallone's favorite dish, Distefano says he's a fan of the Costoletta di Vitello Otello.
"It's just a beautiful veal chop," Distefano said.
He added that his restaurant was chosen for the film when a location scout discovered it and "absolutely went crazy over the place."
"He flew in the very next day and they scouted the place out," Distefano said. "They came back a couple hours later and stayed and had dinner, and the rest was history."
According to Sheryl Main, a spokeswoman for the production, other filming locations around Philadelphia have included Kensington, Center City, City Hall and the Philadelphia Art Museum -- whose steps still inspire imitators of Rocky's famous run.
"This is the home of Rocky," Main said. "It's been really exciting to be back here. [Stallone] loves it. The city has opened its arms to us while we've been shooting."
The big-budget Hollywood flick could prove to be a boon for the city as well.
"We couldn't be more thrilled," said Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office.
Pinkenson expects tourism, city pride and the local economy to benefit from the production.
She estimated that the movie will generate about $20 million in revenue for the city.
The film will hit theaters around this time next year, but fans of the Rocky movies are already eager for what's expected to be the last in the series.
"I'm a huge Rocky fan. I'm really excited," College freshman Stephanie Searles said, adding that she hopes to visit the set soon.
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