NeoPatrick

Going to the Wilma this Friday night, and got a Travelzoo special staying overnight at the Raddison Warwick at Rittenhouse. Looking for a good suggestion near by for pre-theatre dinner. Open to any kind of cuisine and hopefully a little more upscale than super casual, price not really an issue -- but not looking for real "destination dining" where we'd feel like we had to hurry to get to the theatre.

Thinking of the Greek -- Estia, or maybe Fuji Mountain -- Japanese. Any other good ideas?

Any great Saturday morning breakfast ideas in the neighborhood?

Birdie

I have not tried Estia or Fuji Mountain but the Rittenhouse Square area is filled with great restaurants so if you decide against either, I'm sure you'll find something you'll enjoy.

I stayed near the square a couple of weeks ago and ate dinner at Tinto, http://tintorestaurant.com/, a great tapas restaurant by Garces, an Iron Chef chef.


I also like Parc, http://www.parc-restaurant.com/, for French bistro dinner and breakfast. They don't serve breakfast until 10 so if you want to eat earlier you might prefer a kitchen http://www.akitchenphilly.com/ which is also getting great buzz for their dinner menu.

I love diner breakfasts so I often go to the Midtown III http://www.yelp.com/biz/midtown-iii-...e-philadelphia.

Have a great time!

Suki

Also in that area is a BYOB that I used to love, Matyson. I haven't been there in several years but I think the quality is the same, and that they start serving dinner fairly early. They concentrate on fresh ingredients and an American-bistro type menu.
http://matyson.com/

kmbp

I'd agree that both Estia and Matyson are very good ideas for a pre-theater dinner..

Matyson is a small (about 36 seats or so) BYOB on South 19th Street, very convenient to Rittenhouse Square. Tables for two are along a banquette on one side of the room, or in the center of the room. Tables for four are along the other side wall. Toward the front, near the entrance from the street, are two high tables with tall chairs which I find awkward. (See the Gallery on their website.) Too bad you won't be here for the Monday-Thursday tasting menu, this week featuring "green"--asparagus, peas, ramps... For wine, there's a state store about half a block away.

Estia is closer to the theater in that it's only a few steps from Broad Street, at 1405 Locust Street, directly across from the Academy of Music (The Wilma is about one block south on Broad Street.) Estia offers a $30. pre-theater menu which, according to the website, seems to have more choices than the last time we were there. Estia is known for simple, excellent fresh fish preparations; we've also enjoyed the lamb and their Greek specialties.

For breakfast, if you want to stay near Rittenhouse Square, Bryan Sikora's a.kitchen is on South 18th Street, just off the Square (English muffins made on site). LaCroix at the Rittenhouse (of the acclaimed Sunday brunch) serves a buffet breakfast on Saturday. And, of course, if you don't mind leaving the neighborhood, there's the Reading Terminal Market at 12th and Filbert for your grazing pleasure. Pancakes at the Dutch Eating Place, maybe?

NeoPatrick

Thanks for the suggestions. I did notice the seating at Matyson -- those "horrible" lined up banquettes where you feel you have no privacy. We had a wonderful brunch a few months ago at Estia, so have been thinking of returning for a dinner -- LOVE the space and the spaciously placed tables and noise level! But not sure we're into a full three course dinner before theatre.

But I did make a reservation for Fuji Mountain -- somehow the whole sushi/Japanese thing sounds lighter and not so "sleep inducing" as a big meal before theatre.

I'll look at LaCroix for breakfast. We're kind of "dinered" out for breakfasts in Central NJ. But if only doing sushi and eating early on Friday, we may be really hungry on Saturday morning!

kmbp

As you enter Estia, the bar area to the right has several tables where I think you might order a lighter fare from the menu. We were seated there one evening when we stopped in without a reservation; we were the only ones ordering a full meal. (Thanks for the tip about brunch!)

Fuji in nearby Haddonfield NJ gets deserved accolades on chowhound.com; don't confuse it with Fuji Mountain at 20th and Chestnut in Philadelphia (haven't been there myself).

Birdie

Lacroix is in a lovely space overlooking the park. The food is good but the menu and buffet on Sat morning is very traditional. The atmosphere is usually fairly quiet.

Parc has a more energetic and bustling feel. The people watching is great especially if you can sit outside across from the square and watch the dog walkers. The menu is amazing, different and memorable.

a kitchen is tiny with an open kitchen. You can sit at the bar surrounding the kitchen and watch your breakfast being prepared. The menu is fairly limited and unusual so you might want to look at the menu first.

If you do end up less hungry than you predict, you can pick up coffee and crossaint at the Metropolitan Bakery and find a seat in the square.

http://www.metropolitanbakery.com/lo...nhouse_square/

You've picked a great neighborhood to stay in. If you have the time, walk around some of the residential streets south of the square. I love the area around Delancey and 20th.

NeoPatrick

Well, after being caught in traffic and checking into the hotel (The Warwick, Raddison which I got on Travelzoo for $100) and parking the car we had less than an hour to eat then get to The Wilma. We went to Fuji Mountain and it was great as well as fast and efficient. We shared a special spicy roll, a tempura shrimp and vegetable dinner, and a sashimi deluxe platter. All was great.

We ended up eating breakfast this morning at Tavern 17 (?) in the Warwick as it was drizzling rain and we didn't want to retrieve umbrellas from the car. I had a wonderful wild mushroom and goat cheese omelette with rosemary roasted potates and super whole grain toast. Peter had Applewood smoked bacon, eggs, and the same toast. Super prices and great food especially for a hotel!

kmbp

Thanks for your report, NeoPatrick. Happy it all worked out for you and that you've given us two more options in Center City.

Did you enjoy the Wilma?

schmerl

Ooooh...that omelet sounds so yummy!!!

Birdie

Doesn't it, schmerl? I'm putting Tavern 17 on my breakfast list. I'm glad you had a good time, Neopatrick. Too bad about the traffic.

NeoPatrick

Love the Wilma. But this Sam Shepard play -- Curse of the Starving Class -- is a little beyond my comprehension. Symbolism galore -- about the American Dream -- but way too confusing for me. And I still don't really understand why the guy stands by the stove, unzips, and pees all over his sister's 4H charts.
They'll be doing Angels in America part I, and I bought a three play package including these two.

go_laura

I know you're visit has come and gone, but for anyone searching and reading with similar pre-theater dinner question, two places we've enjoyed recently, have been Devon Seafood Grill, and the Perch Pub. The latter is a step up from standard pub fare,four of us all enjoyed our food very much, ranging from lamb burgers to soup and salad to shrimp and grits. Sitting near windows allows view of Academy of Music and Kimmel Center.

go_laura

When will I learn to preview before submitting, my grammar-Czar great aunt is rolling in her grave at my writing "you're" instead of "your!" lol