sylviag's Profile
Special Occasion Restaurant in Philadelphia
The Fountain Room at the Four Seasons would be perfect.
We have been at a few 80th birthday dinners there. The food and service can't be topped, the tables are spaced apart so that you can talk, and it is beautiful. What more could you want?
Best Carrot Cake in the mont/bux burbs?
If you have a Whole Foods near you, I can recommend their carrot cake. I bought one last year at our Whole Foods (Fairmount) and everyone enjoyed it.
Jenkintown/Abington/Glenside/Willow Grove
We went to Rollers with a group of people in their 80's and 90's recently and it was perfect.
I believe it's now called Rollers/Flying Fish - or maybe jusst Rollers. It moved from up the hill to
its location on Germantown Avenue - easy parking.
A place we like very much is on Oxford Avenue just below Rhawn, where Rhawn turns into Huntingdon Pike. It's Moonstruck. It's beautiful, the food is very good, and it's divided into small rooms so it's always quiet. it has a parking lot. it's a step above Rollers as far as the quality of the food. Might be closer for you than Chestnut Hill.
And Marco Polo might be fine for her.
looking great food in a low decibel atmosphere
Matyson - which is delicious - can be quite noisy.
We were at the Fountain recently (we were being treated) and although we could talk,
it was quite busy and there was a vibe.
I understand what you mean. LaCroix might be too quiet.
looking great food in a low decibel atmosphere
The Fountain Room should be perfect - it's excellent. Tables are spaced apart and very comfortable.
A less upscale favorite of ours is Meritage, especially if you ask for the back room.
Another possibility is R2L, which has gorgeous views and good table spacing. I wouldn't call the food amazing, but everything was quite good. (Only been there for lunch.)
ISO restaurant for private party, ADA accessible, vegetarian options:
For how many people? Any price range?
Need mid-price suggestions for a small group.
We have been seated with a large group in the back room at Meritage and it has worked out well.
You can look at the menu online. It's one of our favorites.
Please critique my itinerary
Fuji is great. Sagami and MIkado in NJ are good, but Fuji is outstanding.
We don't currently favor any of the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. If you're driving around near Bryn Mawr, we go regularly to Yang Ming. Always good.
We have so many good places in Philly! We have not been to Fond but it's high on our list; several foodie friends have told us they love it.
Brunch at Lacroix is wonderful.
Recent disappointment at Amis - good food, but we were in and out in 45 minutes. Rushed service, high noise level - we'll stay away for awhile.
Need 30 person private room good food (italian?) (from san francisco)
I should add that Palm would be fine, too.
Need 30 person private room good food (italian?) (from san francisco)
Prime Rib should be just right. Their prix-fixe menu offers choice of meat, poultry or fish so everyone should be satisfied.
Capital Grille is another one to consider. Before 6pm, there is an excellent prix-fixe menu for $39, with choice of filet, fish, poultry as an entree.
Both of these places have lovely private rooms.We have been at private parties at both,
and they have always had excellent food, drinks and service.
Fork has a very good chef - I don't know their prices, but the food would be good.
I would cross off la scala, valentino, and bridget foy. Haven't been to Chifa, but I think you are better off with a regular "American" menu .
We have many terrific Italian restaurants in Philly, but most of our favorites are not in center city or are byob - no full bar - or have no private room.
What day of the week is it? You may have a problem with 4pm.
ISO Schmaltz
Look in the freezer section in the supermarket, where they have frozen Empire chicken breasts. That's where I used to find it when I made the best matzoh ball soup - but it's been a while.
Thanks for the Chestnut Hill suggestion
We ended up at Rollers at Flying Fish, on Germantown Ave in Chestnut Hill, and it was perfect for us.
We had a comfortable, round table (for 6 people) a few steps up and at the window. It was as quiet as if we were in someone's living room, and everyone could hear everyone else. The place is light and attractive.
The food was fine. Everything was good, not great, and we were all pleased. Four of us got the special three-course dinner for $19.95, which featured soup or salad and about five choices of entree. The salad was quite nice - and large. Two of the entrees were tilapia Francaise and crabcake. Accompanying were maple mashed sweet potatoes and mixed vegetables featuring lots of squash and tomatoes. Four desserts were available on the special, or we could pay $2 additional and take a choice from the menu. Very good pies, or Capogiro gelato.
The regular menu was large, and some of the dishes sounded appetizing. Two friends ordered the corned beef and cabbage special ($17.95, I think) and relished it.
Even when some of the tables in the lower area were filled, it was very quiet. Some comments on Yelp were that it was too quiet; this was a big advantage for us. We are seniors and two people have a hearing problem. Oh, what wonderful quiet!
Street parking was easy on a Sunday evening.
Thanks for the great suggestion. And when we are on our own or with more adventurous eaters, we will try the other suggestions.
Need help in Chestnut Hill
Thanks to all for the good suggestions.
Our friends are very traditional eaters so I made a reservation at Rollers at Flying Fish. The menu should suit them perfectly.
We love Japanese food and Heirloom sounds great - we will save them and the other ideas for when we are going ourselves or with more adventurous eaters.
New Yorker in Philadelphia for One Night
Some of our favorites -
Amis, on 13th St., is one of Marc Vetri's more casual restaurants. Great food. It's several blocks south, walkable, near Pine Street.
Meritage, at 20th and Lombard. Excellent young chef. Cab or bus.
Ela, 3rd and Baimbridge - another excellent chef, small plates, terrific food - a long walk or short cab.
You are near Barbuzzo - haven't been, but good reports - don't know if they have a liquor license. the others do.
And yes, you have to get to the Reading Terminal Market for breakfast, lunch, or in-between.
Need help in Chestnut Hill
We would like to meet friends for dinner in Chestnut Hill this Sunday. There will be six of us, and we need a place that's not too noisy. We like CinCin, but the noise level is high. Mica would be too pricey for this occasion.
Any suggestions?
Hot & Sour Soup
My husband still loves the hot & sour soup at Lee How Fook, even though we no longer give the restaurant a high ranking. Worth a try.
He also enjoys the version at Yang Ming in Bryn Mawr. Of course, we love just about everything there.
NYC Hound Weekend Trip Report- Thanks for all the suggestions!
Thanks so much for the wonderful report. Great job, really informative.
We'll look for you on the NYC Board.
Fine dining in Philadelphia… what is it and who provides it?
I will add this, cw -
our son did the tasting meny at Vetri and while everything was delicious, he felt the food was too rich for him. He is a very good cook and knows his food.
The advantage of Fountain's menu is that if you are on any kind of food regimen, you can
choose the lighter offerings and still have an outstanding meal.
Fine dining in Philadelphia… what is it and who provides it?
There were two choices. On the left side of the menu, you could do three courses for $80; on the right side, six courses for $140. You could choose two appetizers and an entree and skip dessert - no way for me!
Our small group all chose the three courses. There were lovely little extras - an amuse bouche, something before dessert, etc. Good breads, of course.
You can look at the menu online, but everyone loved what they had. The accompaniments and embellishments were beautiful and delicious.
There were some specials not on the regular menu that went with the more expensive choice.
Although the service was impeccable, at no time did you feel it was pretentious. We were offered ice water, with no mention of bottled water. That was refreshing!
Our hostess is petite, and was given a pillow to put behind her.
The drinks were great.
All in all, a great place to celebrate!
Fine dining in Philadelphia… what is it and who provides it?
We had dinner Saturday night at the Fountain Room at the Four Seasons and it met every criteria for fine dining.
We hadn't been there for dinner for years. It was superb!
The ambience, service, food and presentation could not have been better.
This ranks at the top of my list for taking out somone for a special occasion. This time, we were the fortunate guests!
close to the Kimmel Center
I'm glad you mentioned Amis. We love it! And it's a short walk to the Kimmel Center.
Thanks for letting us know about the Sunday prix fixe.
close to the Kimmel Center
I had heard that you can only order a la carte if you are sitting at the bar. Can you now order a la carte when you have regular table service? That would make a big difference. We usually don't want all those courses before a concert.
close to the Kimmel Center
Of these, we've only been to Good Dog. Love that burger!
We usually eat before the concert, so the food is more important than the beer. Have to stay awake! Thanks, as usual.
close to the Kimmel Center
Just a brief report on places near the Kimmel Center where we've been recently:
Russet - one block away, at 1521 Spruce
It was lovely. Food was delicious, creative, well-prepared. My husband (the cook) thought his Striped Bass was outstanding. My duck breast was excellent, with a great accompanying sauce.
Only criticism might be that the menu is very small and might not have something for everyone.
It changes frequently; you can check it on their website. byob.
Branzino
Hadn't been there for a while, but it was as good as ever. Only two and a half blocks away. Food and service were a pleasure. byob.
Shiroi Hana - two blocks away, on 15th Street
Always dependable, sushi is fresh, fried oysters quite good, service excellent.
Oyster House
No reservations but we have never had a problem. As always, terrific!
Wonderful chowder, oysters fresh or fried, etc.
We would love to have more reasonably priced places to go before our concerts,
but so far there is limited choice. We will be returning to the ones listed above.
Jenkintown area, Best of the Best?
I should have mentioned that we haven't been to 211 York for many years. I really don't know anything about it.
Is Timber the one that was a steakhouse for many years? It used to be a good place.
Jenkintown area, Best of the Best?
I have never found a top notch place for lunch in Jenkintown or nearby. Just good, casual places.
Best bet is probably Marco Polo, pleasant with an interesting menu. Good salads, good service, easy parking. It's at Church Rd and York Rd.
I looked up 211 York but they are only open for dinner. That's classier.
One Dinner in Philadelphia
Zahav is very good, but not everyone's top favorite. We know quite a few people who are not wowed by it.
If you like excellent French cooking, try for a reservation at Bibou. You might enjoy sitting at the "bar" - not a liquor bar, but a place near the food preparatioin. It's a warm, comfortable atmosphere.
To sit and relax in a beautiful atmosphere, I would go to Lacroix or the Fountain.
Talula's Garden, from what I hear, would be quite lovely.
We very much like Osteria and Amis, two Vetri restaurants with great food at more casual prices.
We are a great restaurant town!
By the way, lunch in the Art Museum is very pleasant. Reserve ahead.
Philly Weekend in Late March -- How's My List Look?
Sounds wonderful. But I hope you're getting the early seating for brunch at Lacroix.
It's not to be missed, but you might not want to eat anything else all day!
