Thanks for the ideas, everyone. We also love Kanella and Bistro La Minette, but had eaten at both recently. We ended up at Talula's Garden--had a delicious meal on the patio, and they treated us great!

My wife and I don't make a big deal about our wedding anniversary, but we do like to have a nice meal together. We're on a Sunday this year, so it's a little easier to get reservations. We've been to Matyson several times over the years, and always had a great experience.
On the other hand, we've never been to Amada, despite several attempts in the past. They've both been around for awhile, so I was wondering if anyone has some insight into how well they are holding up and if one is cooking better than the other these days. It looks like we're locked into a prix fixe at Matyson on Sundays, so any thoughts about that would be appreciated too!

My wife and I are coming to Manhattan for the Big Apple Backyard Barbecue in Madison Square Park this weekend. We're set for food on Saturday, but we'd like a cool Manhattan experience for Friday night dinner. Can you guys recommend anything fun and hip in the area around the Ace Hotel and Madison Square Park? We're open to any cuisine (except barbecue!). Entrees under $30 and some attention to bartending and cocktails would be a plus.
We can travel out of the neighborhood if you have a great recommendation a little further away.

I wanted to see if you guys would share your thoughts about great lunch specials in Center City? This could especially include places that are kind of expensive for dinner, but more reasonable for lunch. I've had a nice lunch special at Chifa, and I've heard that Amada also has something for lunch.
Other options that you like? This is for a Monday lunch, if that rules out anyplace....

We're meeting a couple of our friends and their families for Jazz Fest weekend--we're staying in the Garden District and we need some dinner help for Thursday night. There will be 10 of us, including 4 kids from age 7 up. Does anyone know a good casual place in the Garden District (or not too far of a drive from there) that could accommodate a party of 10 without reservations? We can eat early if that would help.
It doesn't have to be Louisiana food, but that would be great--just some place with some New Orleans flavor.
If that doesn't work, how about ideas for take-out in the same Garden District zone--we like to hang out and eat by the hotel pool.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows the summer status of the Tacos Don Memo cart on 38th St. I need their tacos al pastore, but I don't want to go down there and find that they've vanished for the summer! Has anyone eaten there lately?

We're a group of Jazz Fest regulars that ended up with reservations for a hotel in Metairie this year. Can you folks help us with some recommendations for local restaurants in that area? Nothing too fancy--just some good seafood/Louisiana cooking around Metairie. There will be 8-12 of us for dinner, so a place that could accommodate a large group would be helpful. Thanks!

Rye House sounds good--we're having dinner at Aldea, so that's pretty convenient for before or after...
I've heard good things about the Blind Tiger--is that a place that might fit our criteria?
Thanks for Swift, the Summit, the Tavern Room, Ginger Man, and Shoolbreads, too. I'm plotting them all on Google maps for a potential pub crawl!

Wow--I was hoping that the "no TV" option wouldn't be so hard! There are a handful in Philadelphia--we have an Irish guy who has several popular bars, all TV-free. OK, I'll ease up on the TV thing, but I think you understand what we mean. A place where people talk to each other, rather than to the TV... Thanks for the answers so far!

My wife and I are looking forward to a kid-free long weekend in Manhattan, and we're hoping that you can help us find the best places to get a festive afternoon drink. We need bars that make a good cocktail, have a reasonable (doesn't have to be huge) selection of fresh U.S. microbrews on tap, and are TV-free. We're staying in Gramercy, but are willing to travel for a memorable, relaxing bar. We'll be trying to avoid anything too trendy or exorbitant. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone--they all sound like great choices. Right now I'm leaning towards Pasha--we can't get into Nougatine until 7:30, and the idea of my 7-year old eating a couple of bites of her $18 hamburger and saying that she's full will probably spoil our mood! (unless Nougatine has a kid's menu with lower prices...).
Kebabs will probably work well for our kids, and my wife will love the Turkish flavors. We'll have to save Nougatine for when my wife and I can dine their on our own!

We're taking our kids to NYC (from Philadelphia) on January 2nd to see the Big Apple Circus. We should be out by 6:30, and I'd like to have a memorable family dinner afterwards somewhere nearby (walking distance, 6-8 blocks?). Our daughters are 7 and 10 and know how to behave in a restaurant. They have the usual picky tastes for kids their age, but they occasionally branch out to things like Ethiopian or Indian food. Can anyone recommend someplace that has a little Manhattan glamor or excitement, but where we won't be out of place with kids? Our price range would be entrees in the low $20's. Mom and Dad like all kinds of food, so the main considerations for us are proximity to Damrosch Park and a nice dinner experience.

Thanks, everyone--XIX sounds perfect. I made reservations tonight--I think she'll love it.

My wife and I are going out for our anniversary, and we'd like a Center City choice that has a good view of the city. We're used to eating at ground level--does anyone have a recommendation for a nice romantic meal higher up?

I've been wondering the same thing--for years, this was our go-to place for a nice occasion. We always had fantastic meals and nice service there. But the last time we went (about a year ago now), it seemed like the magic had faded. Even the floral arrangements weren't as impressive (my wife always loved their flowers). Anyone have a recent report or explanation?

We're in Chattanooga for the weekend. Any tips on local bars or brew pubs with great food and a cool vibe? Fresh microbrews on tap would be a plus. Thanks!

I want to heartily second Pete's vote for Tony Luke's. I think that their roast pork sandwich is the best value in the park. It takes about an inning to get it, though. Make sure to get the little container of spicy greens to add to it--great with the sharp provolone!

How about Pastoral, on 13th St. in Center City? I'm not an expert, but we had a really nice lunch there a few months ago--the banchan were especially fresh and tasty.

My wife and I tried to go there for lunch last week. The door wasn't locked but the restaurant was empty and they tried to tell us that they were closed. The man and woman in the dining room didn't speak much English, but they seemed to be saying that they would be open for lunch in a few weeks. Here's my question to those who have already been: is it accessible to those who don't speak Korean? I noticed that the website is entirely in Korean, as were all of the signs in their window. Is their menu translated into English? Just curious--we'll probably go back anyhow!

We were there with a party of 6 a couple of weeks ago. So far, cash only and BYOB (we brought our own martinis, and tried to be discreet...). The oysters were very clean and fresh, nicely presented. I had a marvelous braised rabbit; others had fish and steak dishes. Everyone was really pleased (even a finicky trout connoisseur). The frites were fantastic--I had to order them on the side after I stole some from my friends with steaks. Service was still a little shaky, but they're still in "soft opening" mode.

Thanks, connie and flyerfan--we had a nice stay in Bismarck (beautiful scenery). We ended up not choosing our own restaurants, but we got taken to Peacock Alley, Meriweathers, Fiesta Villa, and the restaurant in the Ramkota hotel. The hotel meal was actually the best (a nice sauteed walleye fillet there). Meriweathers had a nice relaxing atmosphere and good food. I made a bad choice at Peacock Alley (Cajun combo=orange glop, mostly), but everyone else enjoyed their meals. We weren't able to get a table outside in the back at Fiesta Villa, so we ate inside and I wouldn't recommend it for the food. It looked like the people out back were having a great time drinking margaritas, though! Sorry that I missed some of your other recommendations--I walked by Pirogue and the menu looked very impressive.

I'm going to be in Bismarck for a few nights next week--can anyone recommend some good local restaurants? Thanks!

Note to Jay: I haven't tried Mi Puebla yet, but no one I know in Mt.
Airy has had much good to say about it. We're desperate for Mexican here, but this doesn't seem to be the place that people were hoping for...

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Fatty's yet. It's on Willow Grove, on the far side of Stenton from Chestnut Hill. It may not be a destination burger, but they're reliably good, and they have a nice microbrew selection on tap. It's a friendly neighborhood bar--I recommend the Black and Blue burger.

The best thing in the park, and the best value ounce for ounce, is the roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone at the Tony Luke's stand. It will take you about an inning of standing in line to get it, but for $7 (maybe more this year?) you'll get a full meal and a true Philadelphia classic. Make sure to get the spicy greens--it comes in a little plastic cup and you'll have to add it to your sandwich yourself. Messy, but worth every drop.

Thanks, Marjorie, for saving me a lot of gas and heartache. Buffalo Trace came up in my original web search, but $10 for shipping seemed high. But, if that's the only way, I'll pay. It will be worth it for a real Sazerac!

I hope I'm not off-topic for this board, but does anyone know where I can find Peychaud bitters in the Center City or Northwest area of Philadelphia? Thanks!

I'm looking for a new place to buy beer. I usually go to Brewer's Outlet in Mt. Airy, but they seem to be steadily raising their prices over the last 6-12 months. Does anyone know a place that keeps their stock fresh (nothing like buying a $30 case of beer and finding out that it's 9 months old) and has reasonable prices? I'm willing to travel out of northwest Philly to find a store that I can trust. I need a place that has a good selection of microbrews, with enough turnover to keep them fresh. Thanks!

I'm taking my two girls (4 and 7) to a matinee at the Keswick Theater in Glenside. Can anyone recommend a kid-friendly place for lunch in the area? Thanks!

I posted a couple of weeks ago about my recent Estia experience (first time there). I wouldn't put it as vehemently as Joenphilly, but my impressions were along the same lines. Service was a little aggressive, and prices seemed inflated. Great octopus appetizer, though!