robertruelan

I would also recommend the prior posts for Amada (which also has a great wine selection and available by the glass) and Panorama (both an Italian restaurant and the best wine bar in the city, Il Bar) and Kabul (Afghan). You mentioned 'upscale', so for Middle Eastern I would also recommend Tangerine, which is in Old City. Geez, I just realized all of the above mentioned restaurants are a few blocks of each other in Old City. I guess there is alot of diversity in just the few blocks. Another new place (in Old City again!) is Beneluxx Tasting Room, for wine and cheese. I've never been there, but I've seen some good reviews on it, definitely unique in Philly. I know I'm leaving out some great places in other parts of the city, but I'm sure others will provide some other (non-Old City) options. Enjoy!

Yes that's the one, it's the Autopark at Olde City. I found out about it recently from the parking authority updated website and I even confirmed it with a phone call, since they don't really 'advertise' it with any signs or anything. I believe the other Autopark in Jefferson (on 10th) has a similar deal. Ah, thanks for the clarification.

My wife and I just ate here for restaurant week and I agree with Katie that it's location near the Ritz theaters make for an excellent dinner and a movie night. Especially on Wednesdays when you add the $1 parking (after 5pm) at the Ritz East parking garage and discounted admission ($6 all night) at the Ritz theaters. I was fortunate to get an early reservation on short notice and we had a very enjoyable meal. I had the seared flank steak and my wife had the poached pear salad. The steak appetizer itself was enough for a meal, with a few slices of lightly seared pieces of steak with the goat cheese crème brulee, made for an interesting mix of tastes that was outstanding. My wife kept raving about her pear salad, which she stated was one of the best she’s had in awhile (if ever!) The slices of poached pear along with the pecans were amazing. I saw a lot of people order the stuffed acorn squash, which if I wasn’t allergic to crab, I would have gotten instead of the steak. I overheard everyone raving about that appetizer. Next was the Intermezzo, which was a nice lemon sherbet (or was it mint?). I had the crispy atlantic salmon with black sticky rice and Swiss chard in a mussel lemongrass broth and my wife got the five spiced cured duck breast in a herb jus with vanilla-scented sweet potato puree. I really liked the salmon, it was very fresh and the rice in that broth was a nice mix and as my wife commented ‘added a nice ‘fishy’ (mussel) taste to the whole meal.’ My wife’s duck was tasty with the sweet potato puree. For dessert, we got the chocolate chip cheesecake and a fudge brownie ala mode (with Capogiro’s olive gelato). Overall, it was a wonderful meal and it was a great start that ended nicely with a viewing of the very funny ‘Tristram Shandy’ at the Ritz.

Looks like it's true see today's Inquirer here. Happened yesterday and most what everyone said here is true. New owners want to keep everything 'the same, but different'.

I agree with Katie that most of the Old City places would be 'over budget'. Are you having dinner before or after First Friday? If afterwards, then most of the places around the area might be busy, so Chinatown is a good bet (along with the Northern Liberties option of Standard Tap). There are numerous posts on places to go but I would second the previous Rangoon recommendation and I would add Chinese Lakeside Deli (open till 8pm I believe) and Sang Kee. I believe most of the Chinatown restaurants metioned are NOT BYOB's (except Lakeside Deli), just FYI. As far as bars, I just stopped by this new place on 3rd St. between Market and Chestnut, called 'A Bar Named Sue'. They have beer specials, like $2 Genesee Cream Ale, but no food, except free shell peanuts. But, there's numerous bars that have 'specials', just check CityPaper. Enjoy and stay dry!

You got some good advice here, but I would second the advice of a few : - First Friday (if it's a nice night out, expect big crowds) - Philadelphia Art Museum (Sunday's is 'Pay what you wish all day', I think they 'suggest' $5. You can stop by the Rodin Museum, since it's very close by) - Reading Terminal Market (If I had one food 'must-see' place to visit, this would be it) - Matyson for lunch/dinner (only a few blocks away) I would add (all fairly closeby): - Pre-dinner/theater drinks at the Rotunda Bar in Ritz-Carlton hotel (Ten Avenue of the Arts) on Broad Street near Chestnut Street. - Capital Grille (Steakhouse) 1338 Chestnut St. (on Broad Street, across the street from Ritz-Carlton) - Nodding Head (Brewpub that also has decent food, especially the fries) 1516 Sansom St. - Melograno (BYOB Italian) 2201 Spruce St. - It's near Reading Terminal, but Rangoon Restaurant (Burmese) (112 N. 9th St.), in our Chinatown section, if you've never had Burmese, you gotta try this place. - Not a food place, but take a stroll around Rittenhouse Square (or any of our great squares). From 18th to 20th Street, near Walnut Street. It's probably 3-4 blocks South from your hotel. You'll probably enjoy the walk after all the eating If your looking for nightlife ideas, one of the first things to do is pick up a copy of a free paper called CityPaper(look for orange-ish boxes on most street corners) you'll find alot of local entertainment information there. CityPaper recently did an article on various tourist tours, you can find it here.. I actually took the Big Bus tour last year and I would recommend it, especially if it's a nice day outside. Also, it's a good mode of transportation, since you can ride it free all day (get / on off as much as you want). There's so much, but I hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

I second Jaleo. I went there a few years ago and their tapas were great, along with their sangria. Hmmm.. tapas....

I agree with everyone on La Colombe and Old City Coffee (I can't say no when I visit RTM). As both a coffee and espresso drinker, both are very good, but Old City's espresso's are 'automatically' double shots (not really sure why). But, as far as espresso like in the 'old country' (ala Italy), my current favorite is Hausbrandt on 15th between Walnut and Locust (next to Pasion). I've tried many other places in the city (obviously not all) and so far, it's the best. Strong, but not bitter and smooth. Oh, they also have free Wi-Fi, so there's alot of people in there with laptops.

DOH! Thanks for clarifying. I'm a big Fork fan, but now there's a whole separate thread on the Moshulu: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=72011 Coincidence? I don't think so. I would recommend Moshulu if it's a nice day/night when your in town.

No problem, just order the 'steak' only, here that's called 'without' (meaning you order your cheesesteak without cheese, cheese whiz that is). Or if your here on Saturday, stop by Tony DiNic's (in Reading Terminal, which is a suggestion to visit anyway) for the 'unofficial' (how can we get that voted?) Philly Sandwich, Roast Pork with Greens (of course, no cheese for you, but the sharp provolone is great).

Any of the above recommendations are good, I would second Fork recommendation. If your thinking about taking the ferry to Tweeter (which is an excellent suggestion, btw), here's the website for more information: http://riverlinkferry.org/expressservice.html Another suggestion which is in Old City (area near Ferry departure) is Kabul (2nd and Chestnut) for excellent Afghani food. It's also BYOB and a few blocks away from the ferry. There's alot of good choices near the ferry, just do a search on places that are in Old City. Oh, wait, I forgot about Moshulu. Moshulu is a boat moored in Philadelphia that serves great food and wine. A few blocks on the river from the ferry. You can park at Moshulu, eat dinner, walk along river and catch the ferry. Have fun!

I haven't been to Rx, so I can't personally recommend it, but it's been highly praised on this board. I can vouch for Nan as an excellent choice. BYOB, thai-fusion, what's not to like? I just went to Lolita for the first time the other week and I had a great time. A few things to consider for Lolita, BYOB and BYOT (T=Tequila). They give you mixes (I had a mango mix) and you add your Tequila. Food was fresh (especially the salsas) and guac appetizer and pork was superb. But, besides the good food, there's nothing like Capo Giro across the street for dessert. Only downside is I don't think they take reservations on Friday night. Good luck!

Tried the before mentioned Thai Coconut milk and now one of my favorites too, creamy and coconut, how can you go wrong? Also tried the Pineapple with sage, also very good (at least I think it was sage). And the Caribbean Papaya, which was okay but the prior two were my favorite.

You were so close to having the roast pork! Next time, you gotta try it, remember with cheese and greens The chicken thingy is the Thai place's chicken satay (I believe). It's a bargain at $2/stick (I think that's the latest price) and you get 3 whole thighs. I recommend it to my poor co-workers on Atkins (I can't believe people are still on this diet). I hope you had the Olde City Coffee when you mentioned coffee at RTM. If not, tsk tsk, you missed out.

There was so much discussion on WaWa here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...=0entry964248 Someone mentioned it should have it's own thread. So, here it is. To answer the last post: actually that one was at 8th & bainbridge, and is now an independent place, not closed. don't forget --20th & locust --20th & chestnut --4th & ... like, queen or so? --18th & arch --is there still one down at 2nd & south? ... maybe wawa discussion should be its own topic. ← Yeah, the 2nd & south is still there and you can search for locations on their website here: http://www.wawa.com/default.asp As a former employee, there have been numerous changes since my days, but I think they still offer good hoagies, coffee and convenience. I just miss the 'interaction' I used to like with the customers behind the deli. Is it just me or ordering your hoagies by kiosk is okay, but how do you specify, 'slice my ham razor thin' on that thing? LOL....