I just wanted to post a follow up - we went to Jaleo and loved it. It turned out to be about 69 dollars/person including tax, tip, and Sangria. I also had several other meals - dinners at Ripple and Mintwood Place, and lunch at Rasika, all of which were outstanding. Every morning I got coffee at New City Cafe - yum! I love your city - had such a great food experience here.

Hi my colleagues and I are descending to dc from Philly for a work meeting and I am looking for a crowd pleaser restaurant that doesn't break the bank. I have a reservation at Lebanese Taverna as well as Old Ebbitt Grill. Lauriol plaza and estadio are booked. Rosa Mexicana requires a predetermined menu 44$/person, which is more than what we wanted to spend. I called Graffiato but didn't get an answer. It's one week away. Can you suggest something?

I wanted to report back that I found out the baker melts chocolate chips and mixes it with special K to give it that crunch, and then spreads it on the shortbread. I bought a half tray from Top of the Hill for my party, and they were delicious. I also think the baker spread a thin peanut butter layer on top of the shortbread, right below the chocolate, but I wasn't sure. I am going to experiment and make my own version at home with my son!

I bought a few sandwiches at Top of the Hill in Chestnut Hill Saturday and also bought a peanut butter shortbread topped with a dark chocolate layer, as an afterthought. The dark chocolate had a crunch to it, like cornflakes or maybe rice krispies. It was the best dessert I have had in YEARS!!

I called Top of the Hill twice to try to find out more about the cookie and they said they get it from a private baker, but couldn't tell me more.

I tell you, its so good, that I went back Sunday and they didn't have anymore. I was quite upset.

Does anyone know more about this cookie? I am going to call Top of the Hill again tomorrow and talk to another person, hopefully who is in the know. I am trying to get the recipe or at least some guidelines on how to make it. I want to make it for my Diwali party (Indian Happy New Year) on Saturday.....

Has anyone tried Mah Li, a new vegan/vegetarian restaurant on 16th near chestnut/locust? I am thinking of taking a friend there for her birthday.

Yes, it opened a few days ago. I haven't been there yet, but it looks good.

It must be Al Dana, which is at the top of the hill, across the street from Border's. I went to a private party there recently, and the food was excellent. Prior to that, I thought the food was hit or miss, but that was years ago. The food is better now. I think you should give it a try.

I believe the prices are less than Osaka, but I am vegetarian (no fish), so I base this on what my husband tells me. I love the mushroom tofu teriyaki dish. I cannot tell you what the standout fish dishes are! You should definitely try this restaurant and let me know what you think.

I recommend Mario's Pizza in the Superfresh Shopping Area (Crittenden/Willow Grove). I like it the best in Chestnut Hill, but they don't deliver. When I was pregnant, I craved their pizza every day. It has a thin and chewy crusty with perfect amount of sauce. Occasionally the crust is not as thin as I like (depends who is making that day). I always get broccoli or spinach on top to make it semi-healthy. Give it a try! 215-248-3232

I just posted this on a recent post:

I have lived in Chestnut Hill for 5 years, and agree that there are not enough good (ethnic) eats. Our new favorite restaurant is Hokka Hokka, a Japanese next to Cin Cin that offers many more tasty vegetarian options than Osaka, and has a modern yet charming and inviting setting with a fantastic fireplace. It is our new place to take friends from out of town.

I found a web site that lists many of the restaurants I go to in Chestnut Hill.

http://www.conniesjazz.com/html/dinne...

We also really like Umbria (Italian eclectic BYOB in Mt Airy), Citrus and Flying Fish/Roller's (both in Chestnut Hill). Cafe Barcelona and Al Dana are okay/good. I have not yet been to Hamlet Bistro, a BYOB in Mt. Airyon Emlen close to lincoln Drive, but I hear its good.

Other casual places I really like for lunch are Top of the Hill on Evergreen, McNally's Tavern at the top of the Hill across from Border's (you can get the schmitter there, which is an all meat sandwich also featured at the Philadelphia pro sports stadiums). I find Bitar's to be hit or miss. I used to love that place, but their falafel sandwiches are very dry, and the tabouli salad varies in freshness. Mi Puebla (the new mexican) is cheery but I find the food okay/good.

Anyway, I am praying for quality Indian and Mexican restaurants to round out the hill, and some kind of upscale place as well. Why can't Munish Narula, Daniel Stern or Steven Starr come out here?

I have lived in Chestnut Hill for 5 years, and agree that there are not enough good (ethnic) eats. Our new favorite restaurant is Hokka Hokka, a Japanese next to Cin Cin that offers many more tasty vegetarian options than Osaka, and has a modern yet charming and inviting setting with a fantastic fireplace. It is our new place to take friends from out of town.

I found a web site that lists many of the restaurants I go to in Chestnut Hill.

http://www.conniesjazz.com/html/dinne...

We also really like Umbria (Italian eclectic BYOB in Mt Airy), Citrus and Flying Fish/Roller's (both in Chestnut Hill). Cafe Barcelona and Al Dana are okay/good. I have not yet been to Hamlet Bistro, a BYOB in Mt. Airyon Emlen close to lincoln Drive, but I hear its good.

Other casual places I really like for lunch are Top of the Hill on Evergreen, McNally's Tavern at the top of the Hill across from Border's (you can get the schmitter there, which is an all meat sandwich also featured at the Philadelphia pro sports stadiums). I find Bitar's to be hit or miss. I used to love that place, but their falafel sandwiches are very dry, and the tabouli salad varies in freshness. Mi Puebla (the new mexican) is cheery but I find the food okay/good.

Anyway, I am praying for quality Indian and Mexican restaurants to round out the hill, and some kind of upscale place as well. Why can't Munish Narula, Daniel Stern or Steven Starr come out here?

I went to Mama's for a falafel today, and compared to Bitar's, it was much more moist, flavorful, and delicious. I think the fact that Mama's fries the falafel, and Bitar's grills theirs has a lot to do with it. I agree that Mama's is the best in the city, and that's where I'll go when I get the craving.

I am planning a party for my hubby's 40th in March 2007, but am having the hardest time finding a place to host it. It'll be about 100 people with dinner and drinks, and I don't want to break the bank. Better to keep it in 5 mile radius of Chestnut Hill, but would travel to art museum area. (Basically don't want parking to be an issue). I was thinking a boathouse with catering, spring mill cafe, rembrandts....I heard waterworks would be $15,000 + which is out of my league. flying fish is a possibility, but the restaurant has too many nooks and crannies, I don't think it would work. North by northwest is a cool place, but the food is poor. any other ideas?