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Katie, Epicurean's at 43rd and Spruce, not the 40th and Walnut space--which yes, has been many many awful things over the years. Did anyone else notice that the "American Diner" on Chestnut, near 42nd, has finally reopened--this time, as some sort of Indian/Halal joint? This place was closed (and for sale, for $50K) for so long...Any reports? Also new in the neighborhood--the Palladium guys have opened an Italian place--Abraggio (sp?) on 47th somewhere near Baltimore--any details on that? I drove by it a few weeks ago, it looks pleasant.

I'm not sorry to hear about Epicurean--the food sucked! The pancakes were like cardboard, often, the potatoes underdone..the owner was surly (he once yelled at me for helping his waitress move a table, when I was nice enough to bring a group of 8 into his nearly empty restaurant)..he refused to open anytime but the weekend (well there was that one half-assed go of it last summer, but that hardly counted. the owner spent my whole dinner complaining about greg and rx, and how they took his business. in the meantime he served some lousy food w/ sloppy service during inconsistent hours). I've been waiting 5 yrs for a real restaurant to step into that corner--can't wait to see what the new place is like! The neighborhood can sustain more than just Rx, I'm sure (not that Rx isn't wonderful, it is, but we need a lower priced non-pizza, non-Ethiopian option).

L2's been at 22nd and South for quite a while now...maybe 3 years? It's definitely known as a gay restaurant, and that's certainly the crowd I've seen at the bar. Been to dinner there once--IMO totally forgettable and overpriced. Plus I dislike the overdone atmosphere--it's a bit reminiscent of Astral Plane. Not worth a trip--if you're in the area, you're better off at Bella, or Dmitris. Roma was also in that area--but it closed, and the sign says Dmitris Italian, coming soon. Anyone know more on that?

As some of you know, I' ve been jonesing for a Vietnamese restaurant to open in West Philly for some time now...Well, my prayers have apparently been answered: Campus Epicurean at 43d and Spruce has closed,and the sign on the door says "Vietnamese Restaurant Coming Soon"!! I'm beside myself with joy--I live less than 1/2 blk away! Now let's just hope the food is good.

I second, third, and fourth the Elizabeth's recommendation. If I could only eat at one N.O. restaurant over and over again, for cheap, it'd be Elizabeth's. I've been craving that place nearly everyday since returning home to Philly. Take a cab--GO!

I've been to Alma de Cuba several times, including last week, and I'd say it's certainly worth hitting on restaurant week. I had a spectacular snapper ceviche special last week that was to die for. Also, I'm a big fan of the oysters Rodriguez. And their French lemonade really hits the spot.

Had yet another lovely experience at Nectar last night. Good friend and I stopped by for a glass of wine before our dinner reservation at Kinkeads (OY, more on that later) to celebrate his 40th bday. We arrived to an empty bar and very friendly bartender, who proceeded to dazzle us with many tastes from their white wine list..we eventually ended up with a glass of the Torrontes from Uruguay (me) and the pinot gris from Oregon (him). Delicious way to start the evening. Even more fun for us was the opportunity to spend nearly an hour chatting with Jared, Jamie, and the super-funny bartender. The wonderful wine, sparkling conversation, and fantastic gazpacho we were treated to was a great way to start the birthday evening. We should never have left... Kinkeads was AWFUL. Jared warned us, we should've listen. Oh well, live and learn. (I'd rather not get into the whole negative review, but suffice it to say most everything was bad--the fumbling hostess, inept server, mediocre clams, horrific oversauced entrees--monkfish & scallops with watery vegs, the bday candle in a mug...Saving grace was a great Turley Zinfandel.) What a study in contrasts--everyplace that Kinkeads fails, Nectar succeeds. Which is why we'll be going back to Nectar, time and time again.

This is great! I'm going to Pasion...

I ate at Cafe Asia in Arlington about 2 months ago, and ordered a large variety of sushi, including amebi, sea urchin etc. I was a bit nervous, and honestly the low prices made me even more uncertain, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The sushi was quite fresh, nicely cut, professionally served. And at very reasonable prices,as I mentioned. We have nothing like this in downtown Philly at the moment (we have plenty of very mediocre sushi at low prices, and wonderful sushi at very high prices tho)--tell your friend to come open another location here!

Ah yes, along with Miel, I'd add (in the same shopping center)--Bobby Chez's crabcakes (take home and cook for dinner) and Corkscrewed.

Posting in synchro! Also, you should all know that Tac's is quite near some very good shopping (besides the two obvious malls)--you'll pass Canal's on the way (good wine selection), and around the corner from Tac's (go a little farther and make a left at the light) is Loehmann's --and they're having BIG sales at the moment (25% off, plus). Also, Trader Joe's is only another 10 min or so away in Marlton. So it's easy to make a full trip to Jersey out of it for us city folk.

Address: 450 S. Lenola Rd Ph: 856-638-0338 Directions from Philly (mine, not theirs): Take the B.F. Bridge to Rt 38--go straight past the Cherry Hill Mall, keep going til you start to see Moorestown Mall. BEFORE the mall, turn right on Lenola Rd and less than 0.25 miles down on your right you'll see Tacconelli's. If you pass Moorestown Mall on your right when you're on Rt 38, you've gone too far. I strongly suggest going early as it got quite crowded later--they open at 4 pm. Again, they are CLOSED MONDAY--so don't go tonite!! I, happily, have 2 slices left in my fridge for lunch. That's a good Monday kickoff...

Holly, I didn't get a look at the ovens (tho I now realize they were right out front, I must've walked right by them). A family member was at the register (attractive dark haired 30 something woman), but I didn't see any laundry! By the way, it's cash only. And I think BYO--I saw many different kinds of beer and wine present and none on the menu.

Hi Well, I confess to never having visited the origina Tacconelli's in Port Richmond, partly b/c I was intimated by the reserving dough policy...but tonite my aunt and I ventured over to the new location, on Lenola Road, across from the Morrestown Mall. We arrived at 5:15 and were seated immediately--but by the time we left, around 6, there was a long line. We had the marinara pie w/ roasted peppers and prosciutto. It was an awesome combination--there was a great kick in the sauce, the peppers were gorgeous, the crust was thin and crispy and yet held up. Only complaint-one slice was soggy with grease--but all others were fine. And I loved the homemade hot peppers-delicious. All this for $17.50 w/ two sodas (pie was $10 plus $1.75/topping). Service was very very casual (they put threw two plates, a stack of napkins, and our menus in a big stack in the middle of the table when we arrived) but friendly. They're open for dinner only starting at 4 pm daily, except for Monday when they're closed. Definitely worth a trip across the bridge.

Wow--that's a steep price for a cafe! I looked at the menus online and wasn't convinced that the cafe looked like a real alternative to the restaurant, as the menus are quite different... Also, for that amount of money, wouldn't it be better to eat at one of Philly's great restaurants on our way to Maine, rather than taking a detour (i.e. my DC cousin is picking me up here in Philly-so that part's not a detour)? That's partly what I meant when I said 'is it worth it'? For that price we could eat at Pasion, Morimoto (perhaps), Pigalle, etc.. What is the value-added of Rats--other than the sculpture and maybe the wine list? Anyone who has more details on the food, I'd be grateful.. thanks

Hi Has anyone been to Rat's at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton NJ?? How is the food? A friend and I are driving to Maine in a few weeks and she wants to stop there...Is it worth it? Thanks

I don't think so--we were never asked our smoking preference and honestly, I didn't see a single person smoking while we were there.

Hey I checked out Nam Phuong at 11th and Washington last week on y'alls recommendation. It was pretty good... I had the shrimp w/ sugar cane--decent, but the shrimp should've been wrapped around the sugar cane, which it wasn't, and there was little sugar cane present. The rice pancakes were nice tho, and the shrimp was done well. Also had the seafood curry--just ok, not great, mediocre seafood. Also the fresh spring rolls--these were not good--a little stale (the wrapper had gotten a little hard). Drinks--fresh coconut juice (from a can, but that's usual) and a bubble tea and appeared to have been sitting for days--it was all congealed. Yick. The service was awful--it was around 8 on a week night and yes the place was busy, but we were completely ignored for long long spans of time--before ordering, before receiving food, waiting for them to clear, waiting for the check etc. MOST interesting tho--the restaurant was completely segregated. We entered from one side and saw all Vietnamese...the hostess came over, and walked my friend and I past the pseudo-divider flower thing, and over to the non-Vietnamese side of the restaurant. I do mean complete and total segregation--two separated sides, no overlap whatsoever. It was very odd, and whereas I saw lots of waiters bringing out plenty of food for the equally crowded Vietnamese side, it really seemed like we were being treated very differently. It was certainly an educational experience for my very Anglo friend and I--but not a great dining experience...And quite different from my experiences at places like the Eden Center in Falls Church VA. Anyone else been and noticed this? Do the two sides have different menus??

If you feel like taking a drive, Dmitri's in Philly serves exactly what you're looking for, at incredibly reasonable prices.

Had a lovely meal at Nectar tonite. So impressive--this is what DC's needed for a long time IMO. Mom and I enjoyed the pea soup (OUTSTANDING, even tho it was hot, which was unexpected on such a hot day), softshells (good, even tho we don't love tempura on those delicate creatures), veal cheeks (AWESOME dish, period), and the peach cake w/ bourbon ice cream. Dessert was the most impressive--that dish knocked my socks off. I would eat 3 of those a day if I could. I had a nice glass of red wine from Baja (name escapes me at the moment). Jared (I think it was Jared) came over several times, said Mark and Vengroff had been there alot, he's very excited about the Egullet reviews, very nice guy. All of our servers were knowledgeable, well-spoken and exceedingly polite. (Oh, the bread was good too. Up there w/ 2941 IMO). Mom has promised to take me back there everytime I make the trip from Philly. What an incentive to endure I-95....

Quick--Anyone know of a bar somewhere very near the GW metro and Nectar where I can meet someone for one drink before dinner? Doesn't have to have good food--convenience is key here. Thanks.

Yes--if you become an opentable member, then you accumulate points and earn gift certificates. For example, I have 1100 points (for making and keeping maybe 6 reservations) and now get a $10 gift certificate to use at an open table restaurant.

Going to Nectar tonite...Just two of us, and unfortunately one doesn't drink wine. (But at least I'm not paying!!) Any specific standout recommendations? And any wines by the glass you thought were exceptional?

Hi My family went (unfortunately w.out me) last Friday night. 6 of them, and 5 declared they had a great meal. Especially popular were the mussels steamed w/ coconut milk, thai chili paste, lemon grass & lime on linguine w/ fennel chips; and the rubbed grilled lamb loin and pomegranate esssence on pilaf of grains, apricots, pine nuts and olives w. baby artichokes. Apparently the rib-eye steak was fatty and overcooked. They loved the valet parking, attentive service, and said the place was nearly completely empty on Friday night from about 5:30-7:30 pm, other than a happy hour crowd at the bar. Dinner came to about $40/per (one entree, a shared app, shared dessert, and glass of wine).

Nope, haven't been to the places at 11th and W, will have to check out. I second your call for Japanese--I would love a real bowl of ramen like in Tampopo. And good cold soba other than at Morimoto.