OlderPhiladelphian's Profile
My first time in Toronto and I dont have a car
My friend is Chinese and is very much immersed into that culture.We will be staying at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. I am caucasian (jewish). We do not have a car. I would prefer Italian food. We would prefer nothing to fancy, but would like to sit down and have a glass of wine.I am also partial to French. My Chinese lady friend will let me decide. We will be there next weekend. Please can you help?
Spring Garden Deli
The name has changed and you really dont want to eat there. The deli is across the street from the gas station and it is really nothing special at all. Perhaps you were thinking of Silk city Diner at 3rd and Spring Garden and although it is something special, it is 18 blocks away. If Jewish Deli is what you want head south on 19th till you pass Market St. On your right you will see Famous Deli and you cannot do better then that in the center city area.
There is nothing that I know of that is on Spring Garden st near the Art Museum that is worth stopping at.
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Market St Cafe
315 Market St, Charlestown, MD 21914
Lunch near the Art Museum
The restaurant right in the back of the Art Museum would work if it is open for lunch. The name escapes me for the moment, but others will surely tell you the name. It is right on the water and overlooks the waterworks and that I think is the name!!
If you walk along Fairmount Ave, there are lots of places to eat, but none of them "upscale". If you walk down the Parkway towards the center of the city, you will pass the Four Seasons Hotel at 19th St. If you keep walking south on 19th another five blocks will get you to Rittenhouse Square and Lacroix. Although I often make that same exact walk (and I am 70 yrs old), most people will tell you it is too far to walk. However, once you are on the Square you can choose from Lacroix, Parc, Devon or Rouge, all very good places to eat.
If you dont want to walk and you dont want to drive, then a cab will set you back 8 bucks with tip from the Art Museum to Rittenhouse Square.
Parc's Roast Chicken
I have had the roast chicken twice now at Parc, and I agree. It is delightful. Cooked with crispy skin and perfectly moist, although the leg always leaves something to be desired. I have this idea that they are roasting tons of chickens for all kinds of things and the drippings are what makes the sauce, but I will agree that it is the best chicken jus I have ever had. Just a great dish.
Johns Roast Pork - What happened??
There is no cheesesteak in the area that even comes close to John;s. It is my favorite meal. It is better then the Prime Rib at Prime Rib. It is better then the roast pig at paesano's. It is better then D'Nics at RT. Once every six months I go there to treat myself to the greatest sandwich in the USA to eat the sandwich that won the James Beard Award. Last week I made my pilgramage. When I got there the grill cook told me and all the people behind me that there would be a 30 minute delay while they filled a take out order. Hmm..I never rembered that happening before, so instead of waiting I ordered a roast pork with cheese and greens. I took the sandwich outside. The weather was freezing, but I knew I could stand the cold by just smelling the sandwich. I will never forget the first time I ate the sandwich. The first bite melded into the second bite and by the third bite the juices were running down my arm. but what I remember was the complexity of the flavors. Every flavor one after the other.The flavors were on parade in my mouth. Never had I experienced such complexity in one sandwich and I started to cry. I cried for happiness. I cried for joy. I cried because I had finally eaten the perfect sandwich. The perfect seasoning, the beautifully cooked greens and the sharp cheese. what had God wrought?? But this day was different. I sat outside in the freezing cold weather and unwrapped the sandwich. When I took a bite something was wrong. I could not taste the cheese. I could only taste the seasonings. These were not the same seasonings, I tasted before.This was not a Johns Roast Pork. This was unpleasant. I could not finish it. Again, I had tears in my eyes, but this time from a deep and never ending disappointment.Somebody, tell me what had changed? What has gone so wrong with the best sandwich in the city. My heart is broken. Now I am afraid to try the cheesesteak. God have mercy on my soul.
Two Days of Eating in Philadelphia - Really Long!
I think she meant Union Trust. In either case, I am surprised they liked it so much.
Restaurants Near Academy of Music
Bronzino is a wonderful Italian BYOB restuarant. Warm and inviting and compared to Capitol Grille a great price. Stay away from Parc and Rouge. They are only for the beautiful people.
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Parc
227 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Thoughts on Garces' restaurants, and the Next Iron Chef
So, he sweats. I volunteer for MANNA where we cook for 1,000 people every day. Three meals a day. Try doing that in the summer and not sweat.
The BEST hamburger you will ever eat is at Village Whiskey. Better even then Good Dog.
Anyway the coolest thing was the other night we were eating at the new Famous Deli on 19th St and in walks Chef Garces to pick up a take out order. With him was his girlfriend or wife. My, talk about sweat! Was she hot???
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Good Dog Bar & Restaurant
224 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Famous 4th St. Deli on 19th St.
Just finished my 4th dinner there. What is amazing to me is how they have held on to very traditional Yiddish cooking. The only complaint so far is that the servings are so big, they are obscene. For instance, tonight we shared a bowl of split pea soup that was a meal unto itself. Then we had a platter of brisket. The brisket was cooked perfectly to melt in your mouth. The sides included potatoe pancakes, spinach and best of all kishka. The kishka was cooked perfectly. Not as good as my mothers kishka, but close. To top it off, Chef Jose Garces came in and ordered takeout.
I have had their chicken noodle soup and their mushroom barley soup, both exquisitely prepared. Their corned beef is cooked perfectly, but there was so much left over and I dont really like left over corned beef.
Where else in the city can you get 1/2 sour pickles, health salad and onion roll as part of your dinner?
Every other restuarant has faled her. Famous will thrive.
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Famous 4th St Delicatessen
700 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Where to take my girlfriend's dad to ask for her hand in Philadelphia
If it is just you and your future father in law, why dont you try Woody's? They have excellent fish as well as other dishes, plus you and your future Dad will be able to enjoy quiet conversation.
Good luck and God bless you.
Philly question---Union Trust or Butcher and Singer
Barclay Prime, no doubt about it.
$18.00 Cowboy Ribeye at Butcher and Singer
I had to get out last night because it was raining all day and was stir crazy. I decided to try the special rib eye at Butcher and Singer. Got there around 7:00 Pm and the bar was empty. Being alone, I dont much like crowded bars as they make me feel even more lonely. Took a seat at the far end of the bar and ordered a glass of Zinfadel. Mike, the bartender, was an old pro. I ordered the Butcher salad and the rib eye medium rare. The butcher salad (9.00) was very tasty. It was more on the order of a chopped salad with smoked mozerrella, pepporicino, etc. I really enjoyed the flavors. Then came the rib eye. Cooked perfectly. Seasoned even better, but the fattiest steak I have ever had. Probably 1/2 of it was edible. The bar started to fill up with older couples my age. One more glass of wine. Check please. The 2 glasses of wine=$24.00. I could have had a better steak at Little Pete's or a cheeseburger at Good Dog. With the tip, the check was 60.00. I left half the steak on my plate and went home to watch the Phillies.
Where can I find good Giardiniera?
You can find it at the deli at Kennedy House on JFK between 19th and 20th St.
Table (or bar seat) for one
I am a widower so I often eat alone, however I always eat at counters, never tables. My favorites are: Osteria for everything Italian, Tintos for everything tapas, Mix for good pizza, O!Sheas for friendly, Marathon on Spruce for salads, Sassafras for memories, and anywhere in Reading Terminal.
Rittenhouse Square
Try Mix on the corner of 20th and Chestnut. Good salads and decent pizza and very kid friend.y
Best Dinner in Philadelphia?
John's Roast Pork for the best food and the best ambiance by far.
Philly Gastropubs - Early Friday night w/kids?
Urban Saloon on Fairmount Ave. Huge place and they love kids.
Good restaurants for kids in Philly Center City
Very near you in the Fairmount section of the city is the Urban Saloon. You will not often find people on here recommending places in Fairmount, but this one loves kids! It is big and sprawling. My grandson even brings his bike here and rides all over the place. Just go early so as not to upset all the young adults who hang there. Order the hot roast beef or the caprese, and you will be happy.
Mix on Chestnut Street
I go there fairly often. They have great salads. Try their Italian Mixed Green Salad. Surprisingly very good.
Where will you go back again (and again)?
John's original roast pork, cheese, and spinach sandwich and their mushroom, cheese steak with fried onions. Can't get that in a Chinese restuarant.
Suggestions for rehearsal dinner resto in Rittenhouse Sq- Midtown Philly?
Try Square on Square on Chestnut St. Steven, the owner, will work with you to develop delicous dishes that do not have to be spicy and your group can be seated upstars.
Where will you go back again (and again)?
If there is one place I will always go back to again and again, then that would be John's Roast Pork.
good charcuterie and BBQ?
Well, I think there is a HUGE difference between charcuterie and BBQ. For charcuterie try Osteria. For BBQ, I have no idea.
What places must i check out in the italian market?
Claudios for Mozzarello and Sarcones for bread and hoagies and tomatoe pies and rolls.
Smith and Wollensky? Other steakhouses?
Please dont go to S&W. Save your money. Go across the Square to Barclay Prime. It is a wonderful experience. Try the Kobe sliders for an appetizer. If you insist on going to a chain the it is Capital Grille.
Tria
It is a wonderful place. Although I have never been there for lunch, it does get very crowded at dinner time. I dont like crowds so I rarely go there anymore unless I can get a table outside. Any and all of their salads are perfect.
Philly - Best Cheesesteak near the Ritz Carlton
Jims is very touristy and you will be disappointed. My suggestion would be to take a cab. You can go to Chinks which is on Columbus Blvd and Christian St (lunch only) or take a cab to Front and Oregon for Tony Lukes or go to Front and Snyder for Johns. None of them are far apart and none of them will even think of asking stupid touristy questions like wit or wit out. If there are three of you and you are really serious then hire a cab and go to all 3 places. Slice the sandwiches up into threes and you become instant cheese steak experts.Save Johns for last since you will feel like you have died and gone to heaven.
