Thanks for that rittenhouseq. The Fountain I think was already going on when I was there last, but never ate there; my recollection of the property is sharing an elevator with John DeLorean, now keep in mind that was LONG ago, the 80's. The resto, however excellent, is not what I had in mind or in my budget, altho will suggest it if any moneybags friends offer to take me to the place of my choice, I could very well pick that -- looks great, likely one of the very top offerings there now. Could shoot myself that I did not get back there in time to invite THEM to Le Bec Fin before it closed.
Rather, I'm trying a little "nostalgic" game to connect with the PHL I knew back in the 70's-80's -- when I took my first job there just out of school. Clearly, it is all mostly gone now, time does march on as we all should know. Mostly lived near Rittenhouse Sq., but probably would scarcely recognize the area today; most luxurious dining around there was the Barclay dining room with heavenly creamed potatoes au gratin served in a separate little chafing dish. Talk about nostalgia, amazing I could still recall that today after so many years -- and just try to find that anyplace now, good luck.
My best bet might be a meal at Reading Terminal Market, presumably one can still find fried scrapple and pepper pot soup -- not my favorite I confess, but still, nice to know it could still be found -- and Bassett's French Vanilla, Rum Raisin, and Banana ice cream there, if Bassett's is still in business; their claim to fame then was the highest butterfat content of any ice cream, hardly a selling point nowadays. Afterwards, a long stroll to see if my very first apartment at 741 Spruce Street is still there in a very old townhouse at the corner of 8th -- I fear maybe not. The big name eating places meant little to me back then; best memories are of Three Threes, today a restored private home; now that was graciousness defined. I'd go there solo on a paycheck weekend with a little extra cash and they were so nice to me; have to wonder if ANYONE remembers that place today, it has been gone for quite awhile already.
Anyhow thanks for your attention and any other thoughts from anyone else out there.