Philadelphia - Restaurant with 4 year old girl
 

We are taking our daughter to Philadelphia for a "vacation" and to spend quality time with her since her baby sisters usually take all of our attention. We will arrive around 1 pm on Saturday and will probably go straight to the zoo. We are staying at the Sheraton Society Hill. I need a restaurant recommendation for dinner. Something appropriate for a well-behaved 4 year old, but not a chain. She is a picky eater, but we are definitely not. She will usually eat steak, bread and butter, plain pasta, macaroni and cheese, and basic kid food. Can you think of any place that will satisfy her, but still be yummy for us? Also, she loves ice cream--what's the name of that fancy ice cream/sundae shop?) I'd also love to go to Reading Terminal on our way out of town in the morning. We're about 2 hours away, so I'll bring a cooler. Can we/Should we get breakfast there?

Thank you!

Franklin Fountain may be the ice cream place you are thinking of--

http://www.franklinfountain.com/

City Tavern might work, although I think of it as being better for an older kid (my son loved it when we went, but I think he was nine or ten). Had a very nice meal with him when he was about 8 and a friend's two-year-old at Alma de Cuba (and the friend). If chains are not completely out of the question, Maggiano's has quite decent food, too.

A lot of the vendors [The Amish ones in particular] are not at Reading Market on Sundays, but it is still worth having breakfast there.

www.spassoitaliangrill.com two blocks up from you on Front St. I had a very good meal there a couple of months ago. It's loud and casual enough to make you feel comfortable bringing a 4 year old.
If you want to see a different neighborhood, you can take a cab and go to Parc on Rittenhouse Sq. If it's nice, you can eat on the sidewalk and watch the dogs walk by.
http://www.parc-restaurant.com/menupdf/dinner.pdf

There will be enough vendors at the market to satisfy you on Sunday. The Dutch Eating Place will not be open Sunday for breakfast but the Down Home Diner will. I try to get there before 10 to avoid the line.

I think Jones restaurant at 7th and Chestnut might be a fun Phila. restaurant to go with your daughter. Check out the menu online.

I agree that Franklin Fountain is probably the ice cream shop you've heard about, but just so you're not disappointed, it's not all that fancy. My personal opinion is that the ice cream there is ok, not great - but I'm sure it's fine for a four year old!

And yes, definitely do breakfast at Reading Terminal Market, it's such a fun place to go to - tho' you'll have to come back sometime when the Amish vendors are there.