rachelef's Profile
Nice place for dinner with parents--Philly
Thanks for the recs!! I didn't even think of Caribou Cafe! And the Bistrot La Minette looks awesome.
Thanks again!
Nice place for dinner with parents--Philly
Hi, all.
Here's the details. My mom and her new husband are visiting me this weekend. Mom asked that I make dinner reservations for somewhere nice--french or italian--that I wouldn't normally treat myself to. Now, I know there are a TON of lovely restaurants in Philly, but I just don't know which to choose!
I'm inclined to lean away from BYOs, just to simplify the situation. And I want nice--but maybe not Le Bec Fin nice, you know? I was thinking Zinc, Rouge, and other places in Center City. Any specific places that y'all would recommend?
Thanks!
Unusal restaurant for dinner date in Philadelphia?
Try Apamate (16th and South) for a really cute BYOB, tapas experience. The food is excellent. I went on a really great date with my sweetie there about a month ago and it was wonderful. Bring a bottle of wine and they'll make a pitcher of sangria for you. Defintiely in your price range and its really good.
Also, since you mentioned it, Bump (14th and Locust) has a gorgeous back outdoor patio. Very secluded and romantic. However, I don't know about the food and it is a club, so be warned.
And I agree with the comments about marrakesh--excellent food, very dark and romantic!
Phila coffee houses?
I would cast my vote for LaVa--its really delightful and friendly. I would also recommend the Last Drop on 13th and Pine--fair trade local, pretty ambiance (even better if you're a hipster). It looks small at first, but there's also outdoor seating and a downstairs!
Fun, interesting places in Center City
Apamate (16th and South) is delicious, cozy and has a pretty fun atmosphere. Its also BYOB
Where to Find Goat Cheese Brie
Try Murray's at 254 Bleecker Street--its a cheesemonger and they're bound to have what you're looking for.
French Fries, Chips, Frites
I really enjoy Monk's and the Abbaye's fries (they're very similar, both being Belgian places).
I also enjoy the fries at the New Deck in University City--its a certain brand and I just adore them.
I'm glad to meet a fellow fry craver :)
dinner favs near Bryn Mawr Film Institute?
There are 2 sushi places, both of which are quite good:
-Sushi Land, on Lancaster Avenue. Very informal, but very friendly.
-Fuji Mountain, a personal favorite. A pretty restaurant with slightly high prices. This place has alcohol, the other does not.
Both are excellent!
The Continental in Philly
The Continental in Old City is definitely more of a "small plates" type of place. The best thing for your wife and her friends to do would be to order 2 or 3, especially if one is a salad. I once ordered 3 (a salad and two others, including a quesadilla type of dish) with a friend and it was quite simply too much for us. The drinks are a little pricey, but nothing mindblowing. And they're quite tasty, so they're worth it.
To sum up: share 2 or 3 orders, only get 1 or 2 drinks. That should keep the bill down :)
Your favorite restaurant...
I agree! I do love everything! I just love the cheese list most of all :)
Center City dinner advice
Even though they don't take reservations, go to Lolita's! Its exceptional!!
Vegetarian Spots in Philly
For a great and decidedly NON-formal meal, go to Gianna's on 6th and Lombard. They have cheesesteaks, pizzas, hoagies, and vegan and vegetarian cheesesteaks, pizzas, hoagies. All are awesome. AND they have really delectable vegan desserts!
Your favorite restaurant...
Right now, my fave is definitely Tria. If you bypass the salads and sandwiches and concentrate on the cheeses, beers, and wines, you can get great food and really great drink for a good price. I like the new Tria (12th and Spruce) better than the older location (18th and Sansom, near Rittenhouse) because its a little bigger, has outdoor seating, and a generally better ambiance. The service is also really, really good.
And honestly? The cheese list alone is to die for (unless you're vegan....)
Italian in the Burbs
Steer clear of Fellini's in Ardmore!
I went there recently and the service was AWFUL! I've been there several times (being the closest, more reasonably priced, non-Bertuccis italian near my college) over the years, and its never been anything like it was the last time I was there. Here's what happened.
1) Opened for Sunday lunch 10 minutes late
2) Both waiters were late
3) The chefs were 30-40 minutes late
4) We waited over an hour and still didn't get our food
5) When we had to leave for another appointment, we asked for the food to be boxed. They didn't knock anything off our bill, even though we were there for 1.5 hours and had to get our food to go.
I was hearing rumors that the management changed? Is that true? Either way, it was a disaster. Primavera in Ardmore is better! Excellent sangria and its a really pretty restaurant as well.
Alternatives to Starbucks
The Last Drop (12th and Pine, I believe) is really cute, filled with eclectic art and snooty hipsters. The coffee/tea is good, the atmosphere chill, and the bathrooms are pretty snazzy too.
Indian restaurants in West Philadelphia??
New Delhi on 40th, between chestnut and walnut is pretty good, as is the Indian buffet on 38th, just above Chestnut (the name is escaping me at the moment). It has a $8.50 lunch buffet that's really great!
There are some other places, but those are the ones I've visited and enjoyed.
The great cheesesteak debate...what would you trade it for?
I agree about the iced tea! I miss REAL sweet tea!
Though I would only trade the bad cheesesteaks for it....
30-odd Philadelphia Restaurants--favourites?
Amada is one of my favorite places here in Philly--they have a dirty martini to die for. But its very busy, so make reservations or go at an off-peak time.
My other two favorite places are Tria (not on your list, but excellent nonetheless) amd Valanni.
James is a strange place--I went for happy hour once and was not impressed.
