So I am coming to Philly in a couple of weeks, and am looking for restaurant recommendations. Something along the lines of Serrano. I am in town for a couple of days (this would be a Tuesday or Wednesday) and am treating nephew to dinner.

If there's any exceptional Indian food that anyone can recommend, that'd be fine too, but Indian is not a necessity.

Let's assume I will be staying in Center City and want to eat there as opposed to going elsewhere.

O/H

You don't say which part of Center City you will stay, but since I live in the Rittenhouse Square area, I will list a few of my favorite restaurants in this part of the city. This list does not include any large steak or seafood houses or any of the super high-end places. Most of these are smaller, more casual restaurants. If you are interested in ethnic food, I can tell you which are the good places in Chinatown. I don't know anything about the Indian places.

In my neighborhood (Rittenhouse Square):

Twenty Manning http://www.twentymanning.com/
Very popular, stylish bistro, frequented by people who live in the neighborhood. Has a nice $33.00 fixed price menu (appetizer, entre, desert). This is where I usually take out of towners.

Parc - a brand new French bistro on Rittenhouse Square at 18th and Locust. The new hot spot on the square. Always crowded. Has a very authentic French feel and the prices are reasonable. Lots of sidewalk seating.

The Continental Mid-town – at 18th and Chestnut. http://www.continentalmidtown.com/
Another popular hip restaurant. Unique, retro menu.

Monks – at 16th and Spruce. http://www.monkscafe.com/
Very popular Belgian restaurant. Huge selection of Belgian beers and excellent mussels. Always crowded, doesn’t take reservations, but highly recommended.

La Viola- across the street from Monks on 16th street.
http://www.philadelphiarestaurants.c...nt/936/LaViola
Excellent and inexpensive BYOB Italian restaurant.


In other areas of Center City:

Buddakan - http://www.buddakan.com/
Huge Asian fusion restaurant. Unique, hip atmosphere, excellent food (there is also a location in NYC).

Fork – 306 Market St. http://www.forkrestaurant.com/
Critically acclaimed restaurant in Old City.

Mixto- near 12th and Pine http://www.mixtophilly.com/
Caribbean/Cuban food.

Highly recommended by Indian friends as the best Indian restaurant in Philly is:
Bindi www.bindibyob.com
105 S 13th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-6061


MisterNice

ps: even nicer is its BYOB

Thanks for your reply (you, too, MisterNice)

Right now, it looks like I will be at the Ritz, although that might change to the Society Hill Sheraton. Corporate policy, etc., etc.

Location isn't really a concern, as, even if I were staying near Penn's Landing, I'd make it down to Rittenhouse Sq. anyway, or as fas as the Museum of Art.

Thx for the recommendations!

O/H

I know its a little OT, but theres always Pat's / Geno's cheese steaks on the corner of Wharton and S 9th. There are always fights as to whose cheese steaks are better. I like Geno's, they actually use chopped prime rib from what I hear while Pat's uses the big meat drum and they shave it off of that.

They're on the corner of Passyunk & 9th, and neither are worth the drive...tourist traps IMO. If you're looking for a great cheesesteak, Dalassandro's in Roxborough is the place to go.

Some other great restaurants are Gayle and James. Both are slightly out of the way, but after my last meal at James am convinced it's serving the best food in the city right now.

I took my nephew to Parc, which came as advertised. Sat outside, had a nice and reasonably priced meal. Then went to 20 Manning for drinks.

I also ate a Cafe Spice the night before, which was serviceable, but not perhaps as authentic Indian as some people might like.

My nephew is looking forward to being a big hero for his g/f when he displays an encyclopedic knowledge of restaurants in the Rittenhouse neighborhood.

Thx. again

O/H