So I’m going to be in Philadelphia for the American College of Physicians annual shindig from April 20-26, and I’ve never been there before.
I searched for some previous Philly travel threads, but most of them focused on the historical/sightseeing side of things. Unfortunately my days will be pretty full of doctorly stuff, but my evenings are more or less free.
So I’m looking mostly for advice on good food and cool stuff to do in the evenings. Music, theatre, great bars, cool neighborhoods to explore, that sort of thing. As of now I have two things planned–seeing Of Montreal at the Trocadero on the 22nd, and a reservation at a place called Amada at some point (on a friend’s recommendation).
I’m staying right in City Center, and I won’t have a car but I usually figure out public transportation pretty quickly.
The Trocadero’s right in Chinatown, and there are a few restaurants within a couple of blocks that are really great. There’s Penang for Malaysian and Thai which is kind of trendy, and the food’s good. That’s on 10th. My absolute favorite place in the world, which isn’t that “cool,” I don’t think, but jesus is it delicious is called Rangoon. It’s on 9th Street, about a block and a half from the Trocadero.
I’ve heard good things about Amada but haven’t been there.
What type of things are you looking for? Big and crowded rocker joints, vegan organic brunches or desserts, fancy-schmancy wine and cheese, noodle houses, steakhouse (are you familiar with Fogo?)?
There are also the three Ritz movie theaters, which I like a lot.
When you’re done at Amada (try the Sangria!) go about five blocks south to my neighborhood, headhouse square, where there are some cool old bars. The Dark Horse and Kildares are favorites, around 2nd and Lombard. But they’re both pretty big, and the proximity to South Street makes them kinda touristy on weekends.
If you’re drunk and hungry leaving the Trocadero at 2am, go around the corner to 10th and Race and eat cheap Chinese at David’s.
In general, my favorite restaurant/bar to take visitors is Monk’s, at 16th and Spruce. Mussels and delicious obscure beer.
Getting around tip: center city is great for walking, but the public transit is only for the patient and the brave. Wear comfortable shoes, and watch your wallet if you take the subway.
Yes, one would think that DoctorJ would be well acquainted with Philadelphia and environs.
Just popping in to suggest a visit to the Reading Terminal Market. I haven’t been there in years (and years!) but it has a wide array of vendors and food choices. You might want to try to find a good cheese steak sandwich too, or maybe a roast pork sandwich. Tony Lukes for the pork, I’ve heard, is the place. There may be a cheese steak place in RTM. I don’t want to get into the Pat’s/Geno’s debate–anyway, they’re on South Street in South Philly.
Is Bookbinders still around?! See, that’s how long it’s been since I’ve been to Center City! I should be terribly ashamed.
No, they’re way down in South Philly on Passayunk – and not worth the trek, really.
The Bookbinders on 15th Street is now an Applebee’s. :rolleyes: The one in Society Hill just closed again – I heard something on the news the other day but wasn’t paying attention. Problems with the building of some sort? I believe it is a temporary closing, but they’ve gone through numerous closings and openings and changes in ownership over the last decade or so.
Zipperheads is now a lingerie shop (but the big ants and zipper still grace the building), and Tower Records is a Walgreen’s. I watched a grown man come near to tears over that yesterday.
The Art Museum is terrific, and currently has Cezanne and Beyond in exhibit. philamuseum.org The Rodin Museum is only 4 blocks away. That’s our next trip.
More awesome food choices than any person needs in Phila. Have a cheesesteak if you feel you need to, but I’ve been to Phila lots of times and have never had one (Jim’s on South St. comes highly recommended and from a block away, the smell…OH!). Yesterday, I ate at some Chinese restaurant that doesn’t serve beef or pork (though you can get faux-meat), I think it was called Charlie’s Plaza. They are Zagat rated, and the food was fresh, clean and delicious. Portions are enormous, more food got taken home than eaten at the table. I did NOT like the faux-beef.
Wed. night (11/3) should be free, though Thur & Fri are definitely not. I leave pretty late on Sun and both weekend days will have quite a bit of flexibility, in case lunch is a more manageable option for people. I arrive Mon night and am not opposed to something then, too.
