If neither of you minds heights, take her to R2L at the top of Liberty Place. It's a big elevator ride and a terrific view.
I'm sure they can make her a plain hamburger. In fact, a hamburger is what I have ordered there. It is different and will feel special.

Another suggestion: Bistrot La Minette. Delicious food, and it feels like you are in France.

Wow! Now I wish that we were staying a week!
This is wonderful information.
Non doctor, was your article printed in a magazine?
It will accompany us on our trip.
I can't wait!

If you will be in Center City, you have many options.

Butcher & Singer is in a beautiful space - an elegant old bank building with high ceilings - and has a varied menu, which you can see online. It's a steak house but has plenty of salads, sandwiches etc. for lunch.

R2L is fun because it is very high up. It's at the top of Liberty Place, and has great views.

If you are located more toward old city, there's Buddakhan. I remember having a nice lunch there many years ago.

This is wonderful!
Thank you so much.
You told me everything I need to know, and I will definitely report back.

Anyone hear of it? American Express sent us a coupon for $25 off.

We will be coming to the Stratford Festival at the beginning of July, so of course I have been reading your Board to find out where to have dinner.

We will be there for three days and I have some questions:

Where would be a good place for an early dinner before an evening show? We will be staying in town.

Can you recommend a place that is open on Sundays?
Saturday and Sunday we have matinee performances, so we will have time for a leisurely dinner.

I read good things about Rundles Sophisto Bistro, but it looked like the only option is a very pricey prix-fixe. Do they do a la carte also?

I have read about Bijou, Rene Bistro, Resto at Mercer Hall, etc.
Any favorites we shouldn't miss?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sylvia in Philly

I suggest Vernick, but reserve NOW. I think it has the vibe you want, and the food is terrific.

If you weren't in Center City, I would also suggest Fond, but that's a drive away.

The Four Seasons has had a midweek discount for a long time, in one form or another. Go and enjoy it. We were there for a friend's birthday celebration about a year ago and it was excellent.

About Savored:

The person who told us about it has used it for La Buca and enjoyed it very much.
I used it to make a reservation at Girasole, which was listed at that time for the 30% offer.
Two hours before we were supposed to be at Girasole, I received an email saying that Girasole couldn't take us because they were having a private party that evening.
I checked Open Table and Girasole had openings at every time slot.

I emailed both Savored and Girasole; never heard back.
I believe that Savored changed ownership right about that time.
As for Girasole - we used to go there occasionally, because it is close to the Kimmel Center. Never again.

But Savored should be okay.

Sorry to hear that. I wonder if the new chef is there full time.
Or what could be going on in the kitchen . . .
I hope your experience was just an "off night" and that this isn't the future. That would be sad.

Faye, thank you so much for telling us about Sola. We are not in the western suburbs often, and when we are, we usually just get to Yang Ming.
We value your recommendations. We will get there!

As you can see, we've been eating very well lately.
The very best: Fond. It's my husband's new favorite.

We had an outstanding dinner there last weekend.
Drinks were great. I loved the Rhubarb Cosmo, and cant wait to have it again.

Among four of us: foie gras, sweetbreads, tuna crudo, soup dujour,
softshell crab, cod, and swordfish. I don't usually care for swordfish, but my husband's entree of it was wonderful.

The amuse bouche was a delicious hot mushroom soup/puree.

And they did something thoughtful for dessert. We were sharing, and they served each of our portions individually - and beautifully presented.

It's quite wonderful to have so many great options in our city. I know I'll have to start skipping desserts. (Never.)

We ask for the upstairs room, where the noise is moderate.
The night we were there, a very large wedding party was in the new back room - someone said over 100 people.
But we tend to eat early, so we don't have a problem.
We did eat once in the back room, and it did get noisy.
Unfortunately, that's true of too many places.

We have been going to Branzino for a long time. It is one of the places for a good, reliable dinner before attending a concert at the Kimmel Center.
This last weekend we were there for the first time since Mike Stollenwerk, previously of Fish and Little Fish, took over as chef. Everything has gone up a notch!
The menu has changed; you can see it online. We all enjoyed every course, but I really loved the special of skate wings, one of the specialties that was a favorite at Fish. If you've never tried this - and they have it as a special - do.
Service was excellent, as always. byob.

Jan, thanks so much for your report. We will certainly put Fitler Dining Room on our list. We always trust your judgment!

Oh no, one needs the sauce! I understand completely.

What an interesting review! Thanks so much for posting.

I am curious as to why the princess didn't enjoy the quenelles at Bibou. I love quenelles and considered going there sometime when they were on the menu. Anything wrong here?

Osteria is open for lunch on Thursdays.
It's great for lunch, and you can find street parking.
In the Fairmount area, Figs, on 25th Street north of Fairmount, has a pleasant lunch and street parking.
If you want to take a ride north on Kelly Drive, In Riva is less than 10 minutes north and has a parking lot. Informal, pizza, small plates, etc. and pretty fast.

I meant to post before this.
Your suggestions were great!
As it happened, events kept me from getting to any of the suggested places.
You have given me an enticing list, and since I have an ever-present sweet tooth, I hope to try all of them.

For this occasion, since time was short, we stopped at Whole Foods and bought a Tropical Carrot Cake. The Tropical meant that it had pieces of pineapple running through it.
It was actually pretty good. Since it had plenty of icing, the kids loved it.

And the other treats await me!

Here is the link to the lunch menu from R2L:

http://www.r2lrestaurant.com/uploads/...

When I have been there, we usually get the burger or another sandwich - $11 to $14. The salads are another option.
It's on the 37th floor, and really stunning.

If you think it's too expensive and want to go to Chinatown,
I suggest Vietnam Palace. It's attractive and quiet, and I have often seen large groups there.

I suggest R2L. It's on 16th Street, about 4 blocks walk.
It's high, with a beautiful view of the city. I have found it to be always quiet enough to talk. You can see the menu online.

What is a lemon cooler cake? Sounds interesting.

We need to bring a cake - layer or ring cake - for our family Mother's Day cookout, and I feel too lazy to bake this year.

Any suggestions for a good cake in Center City?

Not strawberry shortcake; someone is bringing that.

Thanks.

Most of the tables are up a flight of stairs. There are only a few tables downstairs, in the back. You can request downstairs when you reserve if there is a table available.

On the menu at Fuji (Haddonfield) and at Yang Ming in Bryn Mawr.

Have you been to Zorba's? If you don't have any special connection - a relative or something - it's not a place I would choose to celebrate an occasion. Also, the parking is not easy around there.
You could see if August could take you. Great food, nice atmosphere, street parking. It's at 13th and Wharton.

We haven't been to F & F or Mica, but both get good reviews.

Like Fond very much. Warm, friendly atmosphere. Loved their foie gras!

Was disappointed at Heirloom. Menu looked great, but food was bland, lacked taste. May have been chef's night off.

Matyson is always good, but think you'd prefer the vibe at Fond.

What a delicious review!
Can't wait to get back there.
Thank you so much!

Thank you, Barry - I knew I could count on you to solve the mystery. We definitely won't make that our destination.

Does anyone know anything about this place?
Friends of ours said they had an enjoyable light meal here.
We were thinking of trying it before a concert at the Kimmel,
but I can't find anything about it - not even its hours.
I am wondering if they saw an older sign on a new place.