Hi! I'm going to meet a couple friends for brunch on Sunday. I was thinking about going to Cafe Orlin but I think I read somewhere that they were closed for renovations. Does anyone know if they have reopened? Also, is there usually a long wait if we go around noon? If the wait is really long, are there some good alternative brunch places within a couple blocks? Thanks!

Hi! I'm going to be staying in the Oakland neighborhood at the Holiday Inn Select (100 Lytton Ave) for a conference this weekend. I'm looking for affordable places preferably within walking distance for a burger and a beer (local microbrews) and coffee and breakfast during the week. I'm not a fan of chains, so please recommend independent places where I can a little local color.

Just got back from Reading Terminal. Kauffman's carries grits (and a million other types of grains). Thanks everyone!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I was reading a review of Cafe Cortadito and it sounds really good. Has anyone been there? Also, if you have, which would you choose - Supper or Cafe Cortadito?

My husband and I are going to be in NYC next weekend. I'm looking for a cozy, romantic, but fun (but not overly hip) restaurant preferably in the East Village area that isn't too loud, inexpensive (entrees under $25), with hearty food (no teeny portions). Please help!!!

Hi! My husband and I are going to be staying in Battery Park for a long weekend in a couple weeks with another couple. I am not familiar with that part of Manhattan and need some suggestions for casual, affordable, good places to eat (good places to get a burger and local microbrew, brunch spots in particular). We usually stay in East Village or Lower East Side, so we're used to places that are reasonable, somewhat edgy and diverse. We will probably head up there as well, but want some suggestions closer to "home" as well. Your help is much appreciated. Thank you!

Hi! I need to make grits for dinner this Saturday and I can't seem to find real grits. Does anyone know where to purchase them in the Center City/South Philly area? Please let me know. Thanks!

Does anyone know if the food in the National Gallery itself is good? I noticed that they have several cafes and was wondering if one is better than the other. Thanks!

We're going to the National Gallery this Sunday. I was wondering if anyone can suggest any casual, inexpensive places that are close to grab a bite to eat and a beer (preferably a microbrew). Thanks!

Has anyone been here recently? If so, is it still as delicious as it sounded from the reviews that I read a couple years ago? I was also wondering if it would be a good place for a birthday party. Another question: do they still make caipirinhas for you if you bring cachaca and limes?

Hi! My husband and I are going to brunch tomorrow morning with 2 other couples and was wondering if we should go to Salt and Pepper or Southwark. Please give me your thoughts and suggestions if you've been there. Thanks!

Hi! My husband, our friend and I are going to Santa Monica Pier for the free concert on Thursday. We really want to go to Father's Office, but I've been reading that the wait can be pretty long. Just in case the wait is crazy I would like to have some other options that may not be as busy. We're looking for places that are similar to Father's Office (good affordable food and good beer). Please help! Thanks!

Any good fish taco places close to Hermosa?

Hi! My husband and I are going to visit LA for 5 days around Labor Day weekend. We're staying with our friend who lives in Hermosa Beach. We're going to go to Santa Monica while we're there and probably Hollywood for a night, but we'll mostly stay around Hermosa Beach. I was wondering if I could get some recommendations. My husband and I are in our early 30's, live in Philadelphia (the city, not the suburbs), are adventurous eaters but don't have a lot of money, like dive bars and enjoy microbrews. Please help! Thanks!

Hi! My husband and I were driving back from Target the other day and noticed that there's a new Indonesian takeout in South Philly. I'm not sure which street it's on (maybe 8th & Moore?). Does anyone have any info about this place? It looks really interesting.

Hi! I read Craig LaBan's review of Tre Scalini on Sunday and decided to book a reservation for tonight since I haven't been there yet and it's been on my list for years. Has anyone been to the restaurant since the move? Any recommendations from my fellow Chowhounds? Any appetizers that would be good to share? Any entrees that we should try? Thanks!

My husband and I are spending the day in Baltimore this Sunday for our anniversary and want to go to a non-touristy, not too pricey crabhouse in Baltimore that serves crabs for lunch (Mr. Bill's is only open for dinner). I've been doing some research on the internet and have come up with LP Steamer's as a possibility. Does anyone have some other choices (or feedback on LP Steamer's)? It would be great if we could find a place where we could get less than a dozen crabs. I usually only wind up eating 2 or 3. Thanks in advance!

Hi! My sister and I are going to stay in downtown Pittsburgh at the Marriott for a bridal shower the weekend of May 4-6. We live in Center City Philadelphia, so we're used to being within walking distance of most places. We are in our early 30's, like places with character (not chains), local specialities, microbrews, and good food. We would also like some suggestions for good places to get coffee (not Starbucks) and light breakfast. Thanks!

Thanks so much for all of your great suggestions! I really appreciate it. I have another question: Does anyone have any suggestions for a quick place (non-chain) to grab a bite that is midway between Philadelphia and Newport? Once again, I'm looking for a place that serves local specialties like great chowder. Also, I would like to stay as close to I-95 as possible. Thanks!

Hi! My husband and I are going to be staying in Newport January 19-21. We're from Philadelphia (the city, not the suburbs), we're in our early 30's and we're looking for some good, casual, affordable suggestions for lunch, dinner and post-dinner drinks. We would especially like some suggestions for places that serve good local specialties and microbrews. We'll most likely go to Providence for a daytrip, so suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi! We're going to Cape May for a wedding next Saturday, 11/11. We're renting a cottage for the weekend on Kearney Ave. between Howard & Jefferson. I was wondering if I could get some recommendations for great, casual places for lunch on Saturday and brunch on Sunday that are within walking distance of our cottage. I've heard that the Mad Batter is really good for brunch. Any opinions? Also, some recs for places to get a beer and watch the Eagles game on Sunday. Thanks!

Hi! I'm going to work at 17th & Arch and was wondering if there are some good places for lunch within a few blocks. I'm also looking for good food carts too. Thanks!

Hi! I would like some suggestions for lunch near the Met that is open on Monday. Are there any good pubs where you can get a great burger? I don't want to go to a chain restaurant and am looking for a classic NY place along the lines of Fanelli's and JG Melon's. Thanks!

Hi! My husband enjoys burgers in an old-timey atmosphere. From what I've read, PJ Clarke's seems to fit the bill. Is it worth it? Should we go somewhere else? We really like Corner Bistro and Fanelli's a lot.

Wow! They just had a festival in June. It was so much fun! I'll have to check it out. Thanks for letting us know. We moved away from that neighborhood this summer, so I haven't seen any signs.