Yep. Mr. Last Minute returns. Spending a couple nights in Philly next week. Looking for a BYO friendly place where we can dress fairly casually and eat well (I'm NOT bringing a jacket or tie on this trip.) Perhaps within walking distance. Any thoughts?

PH

Which nights? Send me an e-mail.

I'm not sure about a recommendation for a casual dinner, but if you like Philly Cheese Steaks make sure you hit Jim's on South St for lunch.

quote:

Originally posted by Serge Birbrair:
don't miss it

PH

quote:

Originally posted by Serge Birbrair:
don't miss it

Serge,

I'm curious about this as well. What was the meaning of this post?

PH-

A couple of my favorite BYOBs are Matyson, on 19th near Chestnut, and Branzino, on 17th near Walnut. I'm not sure from your post where you want to be walking distance from. Hope this helps.

And P. S. Avoid Jim's Steaks. There are many other and better cheesesteak options out there.

quote:

Originally posted by MisterQ:
And P. S. Avoid Jim's Steaks. There are many other and better cheesesteak options out there.

MisterQ,

I'm in Philly about every other year and go to Jim's because I probably don't know better. What are the other options that you would suggest?

Thanks

Alta-

Reading my reply, it sounds like a slap at you. Sorry, it wasn't intended that way.

My aversion to Jim's is based on the way they prepare their steaks. They finely shred and chop the meat. I prefer the Pat's/Genos's method of thinly shaved, but not chopped, beef. It's all a matter of personal preference.

On South Street, I go for Ishkabibble's. In South Philly, I like John's Roast Pork on Snyder Ave. Or Pat's and Geno's at 9th and Passyunk. In Center City, Tony Luke Jr.s on 18th near Chestnut.

Here's a link worth checking out- http://www.hollyeats.com/Philadelphia.htm

Thanks for the suggestions, all. Philly trip cancelled at the last minute, but I seem to get that way a few times a year. Will try as many of these options as I can.

PH

quote:

Thanks for the suggestions, all. Philly trip cancelled at the last minute

Glad you changed your mind and switched it to New York. We'll see you soon!

As I've said before, be careful what you ask for! I'll be up there one day soon. Texas in June, New Yawk soon....

PH

Glad to hear it!

My wife, son, and I are going to go to Philadelphia this weekend (6/27-30) and are interested in places to go and things to see. My wife is from the area and has some ideas (besides the an exhibit at the Art Museum that is the real reason for the trip, we will be doing the usual tourist stuff, Liberty Bell, etc, Reading Market, South Street, Capigero, etc.) We have a reservation for Saturday night at Zot, Chef Bernard Dehaene's new place, (he used to own Mannequin Pis in Olney). I'm looking for good food, but not break the bank (so no Morimoto or Le Bec Fin this trip) with a reasonable wine list. (I'm taking wine with me to Zot, but don't want to carry a lot with me.)

I wish I could get an offline with the Phila folks, but with the wife being there, it won't work since she really gets bored when I meet up with "wine geeks" and spend the entire evening talking about wine.

We are staying at the Courtyard Downtown, so anything easy to get to from there would be appreciated.

Try Osteria on Broad St.- I Haven't been there yet but they had a good write up in the Phila. Inquirer last week. Their sister restaurant is Vetri which is more upscale. If you go let me know what you think.

go to Amada, run do not walk. located in Old City great atmosphere, great tapas, tough to get in you need to make reservations yesterday but you will not be disappointed.

It may be too late, but try Victors Cafe. Also try Termini Brothers Baker, in south Philly.

We ended up eating at my in-laws on Friday night (she made a great brisket for the boy) and made it to Zot on Saturday.

The restaurant is larger than Mannequin Pis, his old restaurant in Olney, with brick walls, a long bar in front, and a bar upstairs. I was somewhat amused to see that several of the very distinctive pictures that were in the old restaurant are on the walls at Zot now.

The menu is expanded. Of course there are still the mussels that he is famous for. There are 30 different preparations. You can buy them by the half kilo, kilo, or two kilo. In addition he allows you to have your choice of meat (ranging from strip steak to duck to kangaroo), fowl, or seafood, and choose for 19 different sauces to go with it along with a side of your choice. He also has nightly specials.

My wife started with an excellent artichoke stuffed with whitefish. Jake and I split an order of escargot and an order of wild mushrooms and both had a bowl of the peppery safron mussel soup. For our entrees Jake had a kilo of mussels Snob (made with lobster bisque, cream and cognac). I ordered the Duck Magret with a caper sauce, and my wife had the sea bass with a goat cheese sauce. She and I both had red cabbage as the side, with a side order of frites to split (Jake got frites with his mussels). I was tempted to try the lion stew, but didn't. Maybe next time.

I took a 2005 Kosta Browne PN RRV and a 1999 Louis Bernard CndP with me to drink with dinner. About halfway thru dinner Bernard came to sit with us and help finish the wine. (I don't know how many bottles of wine we shared when he was down here, but he never passes up a chance to have some and I'm always glad to share.) Only Jake had any room for dessert and ordered an outragiously rich dark chocolate concoction that was killer.

After about an hour catching up with Bernard (and talking with him about the possibility that he will be coming back to DC) we finally tooled out but not before Bernard had the bartender pour us all shots of vodka that had been aging with smoked bacon for 6 months. (Interesting, but would probably have been better in a bloody Mary.)