Well, Rittenhouse Square is a lovely area to stay in. I'd recommend taking a stroll along the streets just south of the park. They're mostly residential, and really charming.
Zahav - Israeli food. The tasting menu is really good and very MM. Get the mint lemonade. Monk's and Eulogy - Belgian taverns with good beers and tasty mussels. Federal Donuts - I really like the hot fresh donuts. The regular donuts are meh. Franklin Fountain - ice cream. Cash only. Reading Terminal Market - lots of little stands and shops.
If you like craft beer, stop at Tired Hands Brewing in Ardmore.
Post by LoveTrains on Oct 28, 2014 15:23:05 GMT -5
La Columbe: Excellent coffee, there is a location close to Rittenhouse There is a gelato place on Sansom, can't remember the name, that is very good. You can go to the tasting room at Yards Brewery but its a cab ride away. Delicious tacos and brunch at Loco Pez, which is in Fishtown, which isn't close to you at all. But its yummy. Cash only. Excellent cocktails at Franklin Mortgage and Investment.
La Columbe: Excellent coffee, there is a location close to Rittenhouse There is a gelato place on Sansom, can't remember the name, that is very good. You can go to the tasting room at Yards Brewery but its a cab ride away. Delicious tacos and brunch at Loco Pez, which is in Fishtown, which isn't close to you at all. But its yummy. Cash only. Excellent cocktails at Franklin Mortgage and Investment.
Capogiro?
Philly Soft Pretzel Factory is a must for me. It is at Sansom and about 16th. God I miss Philly pretzels. (Note: if you happen to be staying at the Hotel Palomar, they have free pretzels in the lobby in the afternoon).
If you like gourmet markets, I like browsing at DiBruno Bros.
Zahav is one of my most favorite meals. We've also had good meals at Amada and Budakkan.
If you are staying in Rittenhouse, the tea at the Rittenhouse Hotel is nice. The scones are amazing.
I have a love-hate relationship with Reading Terminal Market - it can get panic attack inducing crowded there on the weekends. The roast pork from DiNic's is rather yummy though!
I definitely second Eulogy and Monks, Federal Donuts (the one on Sansom should be really close to where you are staying), and Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company.
Some good restaurants in that area are the Dandelion (upscale British pub) and Tria (cheese, beer and wine centric).
Brauhaus Schmitz on South St (and 8th, I think?) is a nice German restaurant. It's too bad it's getting chilly, because there were a lot of nice outdoor beer gardens and events over the summer!
Eastern State Penitentiary does Halloween tours, but they also do regular tours all year long, I believe. Laurel Hill Cemetery is another interesting "attraction" and they do lots of events. The Art Museum is worth going to - even if you don't go in, just run up the steps and take a photo with the Rocky Statue. The area around the Museum/Fairmount district (Eakins Oval/Boathouse Row) is basically a bunch of nice park land next to the Schuylkill River. The Schuylkill River Trail is great if you are a runner or biker.
If you want to go to Independence Hall you need to reserve tickets online in advance. They're free (well, they're like $1.50 to reserve online, free in person), but they have a really limited number of people that can go on the tours. Skip the Liberty Bell line - you can walk down Chestnut at 5th and see it through the glass (although you won't see the side with the crack in it).
Stephen Starr and Jose Garces are some of the top restaurateurs, so it's hard to go wrong with their places.
There are other neighborhoods with fun restaurants and bars (East Passyunk, Manayunk, Northern Liberties), but you'll probably be good with just Center City/Old City.
What is your price point for meals? There are several great ones in the area/within walking distance/short cab ride, but the overall cost can vary greatly.
Reading Terminal Market is a must, you can even grab a good casual meal there. When I use to work nearby I would go there often for lunch.
We'll splurge one night, so something (assuming it's worth it) up to $100ish per person? Not set in stone. We love not choosing our entrees and just eating whatever is on a fixed, fresh menu. Not picky at all & we love to be surprised.
What is your price point for meals? There are several great ones in the area/within walking distance/short cab ride, but the overall cost can vary greatly.
Reading Terminal Market is a must, you can even grab a good casual meal there. When I use to work nearby I would go there often for lunch.
We'll splurge one night, so something (assuming it's worth it) up to $100ish per person? Not set in stone. We love not choosing our entrees and just eating whatever is on a fixed, fresh menu. Not picky at all & we love to be surprised.
Also, any recs for sushi?
Amada is a good place for this (chef's tasting menu). This is a Jose Garces restaurant.
Let me think on sushi.
Also,not sure how much time you'll have here... a hidden gem (short cab red away) is Radicchio Cafe at 4th and Vine. It's a tiny byob and can get pretty crowded but it's fabulous. It's one of my favorite spots.
What is your price point for meals? There are several great ones in the area/within walking distance/short cab ride, but the overall cost can vary greatly.
Reading Terminal Market is a must, you can even grab a good casual meal there. When I use to work nearby I would go there often for lunch.
We'll splurge one night, so something (assuming it's worth it) up to $100ish per person? Not set in stone. We love not choosing our entrees and just eating whatever is on a fixed, fresh menu. Not picky at all & we love to be surprised.
Also, any recs for sushi?
Zahav might be right up your alley, then. Lots of little tasting plates, and it's around $50pp.
The little salads and apps are SO DAMN GOOD. We went with two other couples and did the tasting menu with the lamb ... one of the apps was challah bread with a runny egg, and MH and our other friend nearly cried when the waitress cut it open. And, gahhh, HUMMUS.
Post by tommygirl03 on Oct 28, 2014 18:37:34 GMT -5
I was just to Amada last weekend - awesome food. We did the tasting menu - I swear we were getting little plates of food for over an hour straight. Love. Also, how hasn't anyone mentioned the Italian Market at 9th & Washington? A little touristy, but fun. There's the original Di Bruno's there, too. And cheesesteaks! So many choices. Geno's, Jim's, Tony Luke's....
We'll splurge one night, so something (assuming it's worth it) up to $100ish per person? Not set in stone. We love not choosing our entrees and just eating whatever is on a fixed, fresh menu. Not picky at all & we love to be surprised.
Also, any recs for sushi?
Zahav might be right up your alley, then. Lots of little tasting plates, and it's around $50pp.
The little salads and apps are SO DAMN GOOD. We went with two other couples and did the tasting menu with the lamb ... one of the apps was challah bread with a runny egg, and MH and our other friend nearly cried when the waitress cut it open. And, gahhh, HUMMUS.
Best.hummus.eva!
And the crispy rice and the lamb and all of it it's so so so good!
Zahav might be right up your alley, then. Lots of little tasting plates, and it's around $50pp.
The little salads and apps are SO DAMN GOOD. We went with two other couples and did the tasting menu with the lamb ... one of the apps was challah bread with a runny egg, and MH and our other friend nearly cried when the waitress cut it open. And, gahhh, HUMMUS.
Best.hummus.eva!
And the crispy rice and the lamb and all of it it's so so so good!
Do we need reservations? Do you recommend lunch or dinner?
I was just to Amada last weekend - awesome food. We did the tasting menu - I swear we were getting little plates of food for over an hour straight. Love. Also, how hasn't anyone mentioned the Italian Market at 9th & Washington? A little touristy, but fun. There's the original Di Bruno's there, too. And cheesesteaks! So many choices. Geno's, Jim's, Tony Luke's....
Post by heliocentric on Oct 28, 2014 19:41:28 GMT -5
Osteria is a Marc Vetri restaurant and is excellent. It's not in Rittenhouse, though.
If you like dive bars and craft beer check out Doobies. It's a few blocks from the square. It used to be my local bar so I'm biased, but it's laid back with great beer and isn't a scene like a lot of places are on a weekend. It's also pet friendly.
The Mutter Museum is full of interesting medical oddities. Check out DiBruno Bros. Even if it's just to pick up snacks.
I also like Tria for snacks and drinks before dinner.
La Columbe: Excellent coffee, there is a location close to Rittenhouse There is a gelato place on Sansom, can't remember the name, that is very good. You can go to the tasting room at Yards Brewery but its a cab ride away. Delicious tacos and brunch at Loco Pez, which is in Fishtown, which isn't close to you at all. But its yummy. Cash only. Excellent cocktails at Franklin Mortgage and Investment.
Capogiro?
Philly Soft Pretzel Factory is a must for me. It is at Sansom and about 16th. God I miss Philly pretzels. (Note: if you happen to be staying at the Hotel Palomar, they have free pretzels in the lobby in the afternoon).
If you like gourmet markets, I like browsing at DiBruno Bros.
That's it! Thank you. Capogiro. YUM. And I also do like DiBruno Bros. Great suggestion.
Post by dr.girlfriend on Oct 29, 2014 8:21:28 GMT -5
Agree with Capogiro...there's actually three locations now, so there might be one closer to Zahav or El Vez or wherever else you're out and about. For sushi Morimoto is supposed to be great, but I'm not sure if it's too pricey -- I know the tasting menu was in the $150 - $200 range. I agree with Zahav and El Vez. XIX at the top of one of the hotels is nice for view and drinks -- I haven't been there in ages, but I recommended it to someone recently for a proposal and they loved it.
Yeah, Morimoto is supposed to be great, it's just $$$. I thought Zahav was just okay, but I didn't have the lamb shoulder, just the vegetarian items. The hummus was good.
If you want cheesesteak, and you aren't going to DiNic's for steaks/roast pork, John's Roast Pork, which is in this run down neighborhood sort of in South Philly, is amazing. Don't bother with Pat's and Geno's, like at all. Campos is in Old City (2nd and Market, I think) and that's pretty decent if you're in that area. It's kind of across from Christ Church.