robertruelan

For funding, have you looked into the Small Business Association (SBA) for loans? Their website for funding is here: http://www.sba.gov/financing/index.html As for names, I kinda agree sometimes a name is not 'too' important, but can be. I have a suggestion, though: Black Belt Sushi I know it might be too late and it's sorta corny, but conveys both the 'Belt' and Japanese themes in one. Thanks again for sharing and hope we can help. Good Luck!

SG- Sorry to hear your latest experience. I've been trying to get my wife to try the omekasi dinner at Fuji, but not sure now. If I do go, I will post my experience. We have been here before and found it pretty good, but it was just their 'regular' dinners. Off night maybe, but it sounds like you've had similar bad experiences.

Wow. Thanks for the clarifications on Egg Cream and Phosphates. On Egg Creams, I was a little put off on the 'egg' part of the name, but definitely sounds like something I would like. I look forward to Sandy's review. Great story! I wonder how this place matches how you used to make it. Chocolate coke, now that would be something. I wonder if anyone's ever tried to make it?

I don't think I saw anyone else bring up Frankin Fountain (at least lately), but with the heat and all, I thought it was a good time. I stumbled upon this place (almost literally, since my wife and I were coming out of Il Bar at Panorama ) last Friday night. It's at 116 Market Street (between 2nd and Front, on a corner, next to Drinker's Tavern). It's an old fashioned ice cream shop that has some interesting items. Everything looked good, but we ended up getting a Stock Market Crunch Sundae, here's a description of it from their website : "ROCKY ROAD ice cream coated in thick peanut butter sauce and paved with crumbled salt pretzels. William Dreyer and Joseph Edy concocted the first batch of rocky road ice cream in 1929 following the great stock market crash to give consumers something to SMILE about during the impending Depression." Some other things I'd like to try sometime were the 'Phosphates' (not sure what this is), floats, milkshakes, and Egg Creams (not sure of this either). Maybe someone can help me choose for my next visit? Thanks

I'm hard pressed to think of one place that fits all your requirements of BYOB, 10+ people, Saturday night reservations, fun and close to Walnut Room. btw, if/when you do find one, please let us know, I'd be very interested ;) Most of the BYOBs I can think of are fairly small and not sure they take reservations, most of the ones I though of are already mentioned, but I would add Matyson (19th & near Chestnut). Now, non-BYOB's, I'm not sure if the following take reservations, but have okay food and a 'fun' atmosphere: - Nodding Head (On Sansom, between 16th & 15th), micro-brew with decent food. Should be pretty lively on Saturday nights, has a separate room that can hold 10+ easily - McGillians (near 13th & Drury) oldest pub in Philly, has a good selection of beers and standard pub food which isn't too bad. It has an upstairs (which you might be able to reserve a table). I imagine it would be kinda crowded on Saturday night and can be loud. Also, I think after 9pm is karaoke, downstairs. Good Luck

No brisket review? I was hoping someone would have tried it, because it's hard for me to try anything else besides the pork with cheese and greens. I think it's a good excuse to have lunch there this week.

I second some of the other posts, especially Last Drop and Caribou Cafe. I would add my current favorite espresso bar, Hausbrandt Cafe, 207 S. 15th St, near Locust Street. Although it's more like an Italian cafe than a Parisian one, IMHO the best espresso in the city. I've been to France and Italy a few times and it's the closest I've ever tasted. Since it has free wi-fi, a lot of people with laptops will be in the cafe. Just look past that and enjoy the espresso.