PhillyA's Profile
50+ Taps for Husband
A great resource for a local beer lover is www.phillytapfinder.com.
It's generally pretty accurate, and it'll give him a chance to scout what he'll find at a lot of the top area beer bars.
University City - Rimedio? and others
Yeah, I've walked that stretch plenty of times and would say it's just fine.
I love Vientiane and have enjoyed Dock Street. I do recommend going to Abyssinia prepared for it to be slow, but I think it's the best Ethiopian in the city.
University City (close to Penn) engagement party rec. pretty please!?
City Tap House has a GREAT beer selection, meh food, and a paint-by-number feel. I'd recommend it for drinks on a slow night, and it definitely has space, but you aren't going to have a great meal there.
Travelers-PA airport food
Vino Volo is the ONLY place I'd recommend in the airport. I mean, it's nothing mind-blowing, but it's close to the only airport food I've ever had that tastes like real food.
Dinner/drinks near Union Transfer
This is too late for you all, but for anyone else looking for recommendations there, check out Llama's Tooth (directly across from UT). It's nothing groundbreaking, but the food is a solid casual meal, they have a great bottled beer list, and the staff is friendlier and more welcoming than just about anywhere I've been. Also, with it getting warmer they have a great patio.
Lunch/Dinner next weekend.
That's a tougher spot for something quick & close, but if you're looking for ethnic, you're not toooo far from Chinatown. I'd recommend checking out Rangoon (Burmese) for something you can't really get anywhere else.
Italian BYOs around 17th & Pine
While I like Italian, I rarely seek it out so of that list I have only been to La Viola.
That said, I love La Viola, and have been more than once. It's simple, inexpensive, and just plain good. It IS loud, but I highly recommend checking out La Viola Oest - it's right across the street, with the same menu and everything, but usually quieter. It's basically just overfill space.
Bar Ferdinand tonight... scene and/or recs
It's been a little bit (too long) since I've been there, but I love Bar Ferdinand. It's pretty casual - generally not McDonalds style sloppy, but jeans and sneakers won't look out of place.
A couple favorites:
- Manchego Frito (that's the apple foam one)
- Date empanada
- Pan con tomate (simple, but I love it)
- Baked Goat Cheese
- Both the vegetable & chicken/chorizo sandwich
Restaurant Week tomorrow - Chifa, Zahav, Amada or El Vez?
El Vez is fine, and I wouldn't NOT go there if someone was picking and that was where they wanted to go. On the other hand, it's JUST fine, so it's nothing I would seek out.
thai?
It's been a little bit since I've been to either, but my favorite 2 in Philadelphia are, hands down, Chabaa Thai in Manayunk, and Vientienne (actually Laos) in West Philly.
Near 12th and Sansom
The Corner is OK, but there's better in the area. I've always found Smokin Betty's to be pretty mediocre (I'm actually quite surprised it's still open, given the better options nearby). I LOVE Tria, although if Zavino isn't "special" enough, Tria may not be either. Varga is pretty good, albeit also on the casual side.
Sit By A Fire With Friends? Special Bar/Restaurant Happenings for Christmas?
I don't think I'd suggest Plough and the Stars for conversation on a Friday night. It's more of a club at that point.
Romantic picnic location, bringing food, wine, and blanket, any suggestions?
While it's true that there is no alcohol in City parks, if you are remotely discreet about it and not causing problems, no one will bother you about it.
Breakfast near Rittenhouse Square
It's been a year or so since I've been, but I used to do a simple breakfast at Parc a couple times a month. I loved it.
Philly July 4th weekend
Love Kraftwork. I particularly appreciate that I can get a flight of (pick my own) mini-beers, since I can never decide. And although they've taken my favorite thing off the menu, the food is solidly quite good.
Tonight - very quiet/Rittenhouse
I need somewhere in the Rittenhouse area for a meeting late tonight. I'm assuming a bar, because we're looking at probably 10-midnightish - it would be nice if food is an option, but I'm more concerned that: A) it's quiet, for a serious conversation, and B) it doesn't feel overly romantic. As quiet and romantic tend to go together, I'm at a bit of a loss. Ideas?
TODAY--In Philly for roast pork sandwich and Tony Luke's is closed on Sunday. Please help
DiNics at Reading Terminal.
Ethiopian
Abyssinia. It has slow, somewhat surly service and no ambiance, but the best Ethiopian food in the city.
Your Favorite Ethnic in Philly
I love Abyssinia - strictly by food, I think it's the best Ethiopian in the city.
Service can be snail-slow, and it's not a place for atmosphere. As long as I expect that going in, it's always been fine with me, and the food is great.
PHL Airport Dilemma -- Is there a solution?
Yes! I got stuck in the airport with a friend one day, and that was a lifesaver. Light, actually somewhat good snacks and wine. Definitely not what I expected at PHL.
Barbuzzo Review
I got to try the antipasto plate at lunch the other day, and it was a perfect lunch. While not vegetarian, there's nothing I love more than well done vegetables and cheese, and this was perfect.
Bachelorette BYOB Dinner and Lounge Drinks
Salento's a great option. Not the prettiest space, but well priced, good food and BYOB.
I'd also try La Viola. It's tiny, but they'd likely just set you up at La Viola Oest (across the street), which is bigger. I've seen groups of 10 there.
BYOB with GOOD Gnoochi?
It's been a while since I've been there now and it looks like they changed the sauce for it (it was a really good, simple mushroom/olive oil sauce before) but I LOVED Salento's version of Gnocchi.
Looking for a quiet, not too expensive restaurant close to Walnut Street Theater
Yeah, Moriarty's is fine, but merely fine. It's not a place to seek out for food (or atmosphere, actually.)
Good place for informal dinner near convention center?
The food is terrible. Worst chicken sandwich of my life (and it's hard to find spectacular chicken sandwiches...but just about everyone can make an OK one. This was awful), and my friend's pizza was pathetic as well. Avoid.
Romantic Evening in Rittenhouse
I've had great meals at both Salento and La Viola (both locations). My experiences:
- I'd put the food equal
- The space at La Viola is prettier/less institutional
- The atmosphere at Salento is calmer and probably better for intimate conversation
- The service was more efficient at La Viola but very impersonal; it was much more formal at Salento
- La Viola is a little cheaper, if I recall correctly. Not by a lot though.
I'd recommend either though.
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Best vegetarian Mexican dishes in Philly?
Assuming you aren't vegan, the La Lupe queso tacos are awesome. I'm not sure I'm ready to say BEST, but it popped to mind and I can stand by them being both good and cheap.
Di Bruno Bros at Rittenhouse Square for lunch, yay or nay?
I'm a fan of their salad bar, but then, I'm a fan of all salad bars.
In general though, it's meh. It'll work, but if you have time to go elsewhere there are definitely better options.
