holdtheline

There is better pizza in DC the past few years than previously (including Pietanza in Arlington near our home), and there is great high-end Italian, but not nearly as much good Italian in the mid-price range as in Philly or Boston or NY, at least from what I understand from others. So I thought that would be a good idea. And I'm a plain margherita pizza fan myself -- simple tomato sauce, fresh cheese, basil or other herbs, thin crust. I'm not looking for Asian -- we've eaten our fair share of Chinese recently, and we've got great Vietnamese within a few minutes of our home, and we're eating Japanese Friday night. Are the fireworks at midnight or earlier?

So I'm surprising my wife with a visit to Philly for New Year's. We have dinner plans for Friday night (at Morimoto's), but I need advice/recommendations for New Year's Eve dinner. Since this is last minute, I have my doubts that reservations are available at prime dining time at the best places, and I don't know where to even start looking. I'd rather not have to wait for an hour or more for a table -- but I would be willing to go early to a no-reservations type of place. My first choice would be Italian or pizza, or something else not available in DC (where we're from), though I'm open to other suggestions. My wife is not a meat eater, so it has to be veggie/seafood friendly. Price should not be too expensive, since we're doing Morimoto's on Friday. Lastly, a non-dining question: any suggestions for what to do after dinner? Are there any good Web resources on events in Philly? Thanks in advance for all your help.

As someone who has lived in Falls Church/Fairfax County/Arlington for almost thirty years, and has worked in Tyson's for eight, I'd like to weigh in with some confirmations and disagreements with earlier posts in this thread. Tyson's has an abundance of decent chains in the mid-upscale range, includnig several steakhouses and seafood places (Palm, Morton's, Sam & Harry's, McCormick & Schmicks, Legal). I also like Maggiano's and PF Changs, Daily Grille is OK, but I don't understand the wait times people go through for these spots. I've been to Lebanese Taverna in the Galleria a couple of times for mezze in the bar after work; what I've tried has been excellent. I also agree that Da Domenicos is a nice spot. Thai Pillin and Taste of Saigon are both very good, each in their own way. ToS has wonderful soups, and anything in their black pepper sauce (sweet, not spicy) is always good. ToS has a nice atmosphere, and outdoor dining in nice weather, as well. In my experience, Colvin Run Tavern is very good, but by reputation, service can be spotty. And it's nowhere near as good as Maestro -- hands down, the best restaurant convenient to Tyson's. As for the suggestions for restaurants in Vienna or Falls Church: do not be fooled by the "2-3" miles description. At best during mid-day, it will take you 10-15 minutes to drive. In rush hour traffic, it can take 45+. I'm not exaggerating at all, the traffic getting in and out of Tyson's, especially between 5-6:30 in the afternoons, can be a nightmare. That said, I love having Panjshir, Haandi, Crisp & Juicy, and the Eden Center as neighboorhood places.

I've always been partial to the steaks, especially the filet, from the Great American restaurants (Carlyle, Sweetwater Tavern, etc), but I don't see their restaurants discussed much on eGullet. Of course, at popular times it's a long wait to get a table.