Places to eat in Philadelphia

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Tavern 17 is about what you would expect from a hotel restaurant: expensive, poor service, average food, yet--somehow--always busy despite dozens of nearby restaurants that offer much better fare.

For some reason, I have been here twice. The first was late in the evening, and we grabbed a few beers and watched the Phillies lose in the first round of the playoffs. The beer selection is pretty good, and the prices affordable (maybe $4.50 for a micro brew draft).

My second visit was for breakfast, and it was a disappointment. Since the menu was seriously lacking basic breakfast foods, I settled for the eggs Benedict (about $10 or $12) with coffee. The muffins on the Benedict was a cheap-o Thomas' English muffin or a generic equivalent, the eggs bland, the hollandaise almost without taste. At least the potatoes were good, and the coffee had free refills.

Also, the service was terrible, especially when our waiter disappeared for 15 minutes just as we were trying to check out. I guess his smoke break was more important than his tip.

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A friend of our who has lived in the city a few years was raving about Jones Restaurant, particularly their meatloaf, so we were exciting to try this modern American cuisine in a hip, urban setting with many retro design elements. The food was outstanding and the service great; the only drawback was the tiny little airplane-style bathrooms.

Our visit began in Manayunk, and we didn't arrive until nearly 10pm since we took the SEPTA train. We were quickly seated near the open kitchen, and the waiter also filled us in on the day's drink specials. The girls had the special watermelon spritzers ($9 each), a fruity cocktail that would probably get you too drunk too fast if you drank too many. The guys had local beers: the Yards Brawler for me and a Walt Wit Belgian White for my friend ($6.50 per beer). For our meals we had two of the meatloaf entrees ($15 each), one of their pesto scallop specials ($22) and the brisket dinner ($19). My scallops were delicious--pesto being one of my favorite sauces certainly helped; they were served with a tasty garden salad, but pretty expensive for just four large sea scallops. The brisket was tender and juicy, but their sauce wasn't the best I've had. The meatloaf was very tender, flavorful, and a good value for the price.

I returned a few years later, and it was still exactly as I remembered--same good service, good food, and tiny bathrooms. On this visit I had the seared sesame ahi tuna over white coconut rice with a snow pea salad. It was delicious, but a disappointingly small portion with only 5-6 small slices of tender tuna.

Reservations are not accepted, and they claim the dress is casual, but it might be just a hair fancier than that!

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We stayed at a hotel just a block away from the Good Dog, so it was an easy choice for a quick lunch with family. It is a small, unassuming place from the outside, but the interior is surprisingly clean, modern and well decorated throughout the three-story bar. We sat upstairs next to one of the bars and the kitchen, but we had to go up or down a floor to find the restrooms.

Th burgers here are huge, and have even been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so we knew what we wanted after a quick scan of the menu. Our group had a few "Good Dog Burgers" ($12.50) which feature a half pound of beef stuffed with roquefort cheese & topped with caramelized onions, served on a toasted brioche bun. We also had their traditional burger ($11), also with a half pound of ground sirloin, cooked to order, and topped with lettuce & tomato, on a toasted bun. Both burgers were served with a side of thin, hand-cut yukon & sweet potatoes and homemade aioli for dipping.

Good Dog also has a good beer list, featuring many local brews.

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Kildare's is a great Irish pub on Manayunk's Main Street--one of the liveliest areas of town. The bar itself was imported from Ireland, the staff is very friendly, the beer selection very nice, and the food is good, too!

I visited Kildare's in the summer of 2009 with a small group of friends. We sat outside along Main Street Manayunk at their busy sidewalk patio area. We had lots of beer and some wine, along with their "Craic Nachos" with chicken ($13) and the tower of pretzels ($7).

I didn't even know what Craic meant, I thought maybe a place in Ireland, so I had to look it up. The Oxford English Dictionary says craic means "fun, enjoyment, abandonment, or lighthearted mischief; often in the context of drinking or music." Their nachos were full of lighthearted mischief, but no music. Rather, they had house-made potato chips topped with melted cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream, along with chicken or beef. They were great, particularly the chips.

The tower of pretzels was served with three large, soft pretzels alongside tasty pub mustard, nasty cheese whiz, and whiskey honey mustard.

Nicely decorated, clean, and well ventilated
wheat free, gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, peanut free, etc
its vegan and kosher
you can eat and won't get fat and it tastes really good

Favorite Dish: coffee cake, chocolate cookies

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Well, I can't guarantee the laughs. We just had an awesome group that enjoyed discussing a wide variety of topics that kept us and a solo diner at the table next to us, entertained. Hey, it's a gift!

But back to Barbuzzo's. It's menu consists of small plates inspired by Mediterranean countries. I know what you're thinking: Too freaking yummy! And, you're right!

Favorite Dish: Let's see if I remember all or most of what was ordered.... There was a Portuguese paella made with noodles instead of rice, an amazing octopus and chorizo dish, amazing meatballs, a pizza with egg cooked in the middle of it, brussels sprouts (not my fave) and beets (not the usual red and nasty tasting ones!) And, of course, plenty of vino.

For dessert we had their famous Salted Caramel Budino. Good stuff.

Loved this place, I'd go back!

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Located within the Four Seasons Hotel - the Cafe (and Lounge) are less formal than the restaurant and to dine here you do not need to wear a jacket.

The staff were attentive and very helpful; and some really genuine smiles not just for show!

It was not busy at all and for most of my meal, I was the only one sitting in the cafe area.

Lunch is served between 12.00 and 14.00 - and from then to 23.00 you can eat from the none lunch menu.

Favorite Dish: French Onion Soup

Rigatoni

and some interesting desserts

I also enjoyed the coffee (good and strong)

I am showing this as breakfast, but this chain seems to offer value for money and quality food throughout the day. It was busy and the location is rear the regional rail terminus.

The opening hours for this outlet are:

Monday to Friday 7:00am - 7:30pm

Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday CLOSED

Favorite Dish: Mini Gobbler Sandwich - Turkey Sausage, White Cheddar, Fried Eggs on an English Muffin