Staying downtown Philly this coming weekend. Need some recommendations for dinner. Travelling with a party of 7, including my 74year old Mom. Any comments on the following list: Bookbinders Seafood House, Philadelphia Fish & Co., Plough & Stars, Porcini, Chloe, Django, Fork, LaLocanda Del Ghiottone, Tre Scalini?

Enjoy your stay in Philadelphia! Are you coming for the Degas and the Dance exhibit at the Museum of Art?

I'll comment on the places on your list I know best: Django and Chloe.

Both are interesting, very good, and very popular BYOBs with fewer than forty seats; however, they may not be what you need for your group this weekend.

Django, on Fourth Street just north of South Street (215-922-7151), is in such demand that weekend reservations are best made four weeks in advance. The menu changes monthly (a few dishes are standards here--the quail appetizer is a favorite) and the cheese presentation is a standout. This is the one place we return again and again!

If I were you, I'd definitely phone to see if they could accommodate you. You never know!

Chloe, at 232 Arch Street (215-629-2337), does not take reservations and, last time we went a few weeks ago, accepts cash only, no credit cards. We have found that arriving around 5:30 pm will get us a table with no waiting. There is a standard menu and blackboard specials every night.

Fork may be better for your group as it is larger and does take reservations. )On Market Street between Second and Third, Fork has a website that includes menus.

Another place to consider, not on your list, is Novelty on Third Street just south of Market Street. Their prix fixe at $27.50 offers you a choice of any appetizer, main course, and dessert on the menu. The prix fixe dinner is available Sunday through Thursday. They, too have a website.

You'll find many comments on these restaurants, and on Tre Scalini and La Locanda, on
http://www.chowhound.com/midatlantic/boards/pennsylvania/pennsylvania.html

Bon appetit!

Philly is a great restaurant city.

Bookbinders is a Philadelphia institution. While the food is good, I would say that it is somewhat overhyped. If you want to go there just so you can say that you ate at Bookbinders, I'd say do it. The prices are not bad and the service is good. They closed the location in Old City. The one on 15th near Locust is still open for business.

I personally like Philadelphia Fish and company. Excellent food and service, it does get somewhat noisy.

I've heard great things about Fork and have been meaning to try it.

Tre Scalini is a BYOB. BYOB's are fairly common in Philly. I've also heard good things about this place as well, although I have not been there myself. For other Italian restaurants that I can personally recommend, look into Upstairs at Varalli at Broad and Locust and Spasso at Front and Chestnut.

We visited Philly a few weeks ago. Ate at 2 of your selections, Fork and Philadelphia Fish & Co.

Enjoyed both. Fork was terrific, great food, atmosphere, service. On a Saturday night it was full, do call well ahead to reserve. Philadelphia Fish was good too, maybe not quite so special, quiet on a Sunday night.

As a Phila. native, we have happily dined at Fork, Locanda and Tre Scalini.
The last two offer authentic Italian and are byo. Fork is terrific, too. All require reservations (particularly on weekends). I cannot recommend Bookbinders but can recommend Sansom St. Oyster House - wonderful fish/seafood (prices are very reasonable).

Might want to take a look at chowhound.com . Lot of avid Phila foodies post on the PA board.

Another no vote for Bookbinders. You can do so much better...Fork is one of everybody's favorite so definitely try to fit that one in. Plough and Stars is French/Irish (*not* typical pub food), but is mobbed on week-ends. They used to do a bang up afternoon tea but apparently it's been discontinued. Too bad. For elegant continental cuisine, Deux Cheminees is a Philadelphia classic. Have you given any thought to doing an afternoon tea at the Four Seasons (not only your Mom will like it; it's also a favorite with Philadelphia business executives).
Philadelphians love their restaurants and it's best to make reservations ASAP, especially since you have a fairly large party.

Loved Fork when my mom and I ate there in Oct. We thought the service, food, atmosphere and prices were all spot on! That would be my choice.

Wendy

Here is Fork's web address--

http://www.forkrestaurant.com/index.cfm

And, if you have time, do heed BTilke's advice and enjoy tea at the Four Seasons!

Welcome to our great city!
Skip Bookbinders. This is not the original one, and is very mediocre. It gets tourists because of the name.

Porcini, Chloe and LaLocanda are all good but don't take reservations. Go if you can get there before 6, actually about 5:30.

Forget Django - excellent, but as someone said, you need to call way in advance.

Fork would be good if you can get a reservation.

Plough and Stars (reservation needed) is supposed to be good but very noisy.

We love Tre Scalini - it's one of our favorites - but it's not in town. You would need a car or cabs - and a reservation.

Sansom St. Oyster House is very good for seafood and fish. Not fancy.
Phila. Fish & Co. is okay.

The suggestion of Novelty is a good one for Sunday. It's excellent.

Another really good place is Valanni, on Spruce between 12th and 13th. It's continental/mediterranean -you need to reserve.

La Boheme is a good small French bistro on 11th St. They take reservations.

Near the Art Museum, we like Aspen on 25th St.

Let us know how you enjoyed your visit!

Sylvia

We're very much a Saturday night out town, and reservations are necessary.

Actually Tre Scalini is in Philadelphia at 1533 South 11th Street. Maybe there is another one out in the suburbs that I am not aware of. You can take the Broad Street line down to Ellsworth/Federal. 11th Street is 3 blocks off of Broad Street.

I agree with the previous posters. FORGET Bookbinders. It's way over rated. We had dinner at Fork this past weekend and it was great. You will definitely need a reservation.

I know this weekend is already past but just wanted to add Adriatica to the list. It is a new seafood oriented restaurant on Chestnut between 2nd and 3rd and it has lots of seating so could probably accomodate a large party easily. I haven't been yet but friends were there for dinner last week and said the food was creative and very good.

Plough & Stars is great for Sundays - agree that Fri/Sat nights it turns more into an Irish Pub.

Samson Oyster House for fish.

Many places in South Phila for grat Italian food. Many places in Chinatown for the obvious.

None of my recommendations would require reservations.