[Attendee] Restaurant Recommendations for Philly (updated)

Mon Oct 3 10:06:24 CDT 2011

As my friends used to call me "CFO" (Chief Food Officer) and I'm natively from Philadelphia, I figured I'd 
pass on some restaurant recommendations in the general area of the city for those that enjoy good food. I've 
been to a couple of these and am looking forward to checking out a couple more while I'm in town.

Cheesesteak? Go to Jim's and skip the Pat's/Geno's silliness (IMO).  Also, try the Roast Pork with Sharp 
Provolone at Tony Luke's, but skip their cheesesteak.

These three are all within a few blocks of the hotel:

Best chinese?  I'm loathe to give the secret out on this list, but Sang Kee Peking Duck House has the best 
Peking Duck and Noodle Soups on this continent.

Best dim sum?  Joy Tsin Lau.   Best in the world?  Not even close.  Best in Philadelphia?  Absolutely.

Best Vietnamese?  Vietnam and Vietnam Palace, conveniently directly across the street from each other, are 
both great.

Best blue crabs?  Hit up Dinardo's for the true Maryland-style treat, 120 miles north - but don't wear nice 
clothing…

Best Euro hankering?  Monk's Cafe, great Belgian beer & food

Best 2AM after-bar snack?  Get a hoagie from Wawa – there's not much else open at that hour and there's 
nothing that satisfies an after-drinking craving like a turkey hoagie.

For more fancy fare:

http://www.thefarmandfisherman.com/
I haven’t been yet but the reviews are terrific. Might be BYO, not sure. Probably number 1 on my list of 
places that I need to check out.

http://www.akitchenphilly.com/
Just opened, been here once and loved it. Getting great press, chef started Django and Tallulah’s Table.

http://amadarestaurant.com/
http://tintorestaurant.com/
Love both of these places, both run by Jose Garces. Amada probably the tougher to get a reservation. Amada 
has several rooms, the front dining room is probably where you’d want to sit. At Tinto you’d want to make 
sure your table is not in the basement room.

http://www.zahavrestaurant.com/
Great room, excellent food. But you probably have to be in the mood for the menu…

http://www.barbuzzo.com/barbuzzo/
Love this place – one concern is that the dining room might be a little crammed.

http://www.biboubyob.com/
A little off the beaten path in South Philly. Another one I’ve yet to get to but always listed as on the top 
restaurants in town. Also byo.

http://www.vetriristorante.com/
Not been here either, always up there as one of the top restaurants in town. Possibly a bit stuffy, and 
likely the highest priced place on this list.