Philly restaurants or places to go on first date
 

Hi -- I'm trying to plan a date for this weekend and would like some help! I want to go someplace in Philly for the day and stay until after dinner, but don't really know any first date type places (I live in the suburbs). Any ideas? Thanks!

Walk (or bike or roller-blade) along the river in Fairmont Park. If it starts to rain, head for the Art Museum. The walk along Ben Franklin Parkway for places to eat. <BR> <BR>OR <BR> <BR>Go to Center City and just browse the shops along Market Street. And if you can't find a place to eat in Center City, you must be a breatharian!

A lot depends on the weather, of course, as Philadelphia's just not as enchanting on a hot and humid day! There should be a lot going on at Penn's Landing (plus you can go for a boat ride :-), and there are many restaurants along Market Street between the landing and Third Street. (Fork is one of my favorites, not super fancy but very, very, nice and great food.) The historical stuff is always good, but there may be long lines; try Franklin Court. (plus it's air-conditioned) The Zoo is a great date place, and the Art Museum area (near the zoo) has good restaurants like Jack's Firehouse. You could go to Reading Terminal Market for lunch after taking a tour of City Hall that includes a visit to the William Penn statue on the top. Chinatown is right there for dinner, as well. For a real change of pace, there's Manayunk--great strolls and shopping, lots of really good restaurants. You might want to check out the Rants and Raves section and make reservations for the <BR>dinner; stuff gets filled up mighty quick on a Friday or Saturday evening. Have lots of fun!

A few suggestions--remember, you didn't give us your budget-- <BR> <BR>1. Genji's on Sansom in the 1700 block (not the University City location). Sit at the sushi bar (you can reserve space there)--you can watch the chef or talk to him if there's a lull in your date conversation. The spider roll with soft shell crab is delicious. You can eat more than sushi at the bar. <BR> <BR>2. If you want inexpensive, like pizza, the best choice is Mama Palma's on 23rd and Spruce. Has a string of awards for best pizza in town and it's a real neighborhood hangout. <BR> <BR>3. The restaurant in the Sheraton Rittenhouse Square (not Potcheens or Poteens or whatever that place in the back calls itself). Good food, less pretentious than nearby Rouge, good service. Reserve a table either outside (if the weather is good) or overlooking the square. The lobby of the hotel is interesting and a conversational point (it's completely different from the usual Sheraton and has an eco theme; you can talk about the bamboo paneling, recycled glass tiles and unusual water sculpture). <BR> <BR>4. The Plough and Star on 2nd and Chestnut (entrance on 2nd street). Very attractive Irish bar, serves good food with a French influence, not pub grub. Reservations mandatory. Great atmosphere. Lots of suburbanites hit it on week-ends--you may run into people you know (can't say if that's a good or bad thing for you and your date). <BR> <BR>Rittenhouse Square or Old City/Society Hill make good starting points for your date. Nice streets to stroll through, interesting people-watching, and parks scattered about to sit down and relax. If you do go to the Rittenhouse Square area, make sure you get coffee at La Colombe on 19th and Walnut (entrance on the 19th Street side). Best coffee in town. Either have it there and watch the Philly Euro crowd and the changing art exhibits or get it to go and sit on a bench in Rittenhouse or Fitler Square (23rd and Pine). <BR> <BR>Parking will be a little easier in the Rittenhouse Square area on week-end nights than in Old City/Society Hill. There are lots on 21st and 22nd Streets. Skip trying to find free street parking unless you're feeling really lucky. <BR> <BR>BTilke (formerly 21st and Spruce, now in Brussels, Belgium) <BR> <BR>

thanks for the great suggestions!

Hi Tim: <BR>The restaurant in the Sheraton suggested by BTilke is called Bleu. It is wonderful! My favorite restaurant is Fork. It was recommended by folks here and the food and service were unbeatable! 215-625-9425. Call Now for a reservation! Have fun!

Hi Tim,<BR><BR>Walk around. Go see Old City. Talk a stroll up Walnut. Head up to the Art Museum and beautiful Fairmount Park. Go to digitalcity.com and search Philadelphia for waht'shappening on your weekend.<BR><BR>Eat at the Astral Plane...great food, eclectic, romantic atmosphere.

For a classy date try Le Bec Fin.

Tangerine is a good choice - very hip but romantic atmosphere and a friendly staff. Really, really cool on the inside - ask to sit in the back - it's more private back there. The food is Moroccan inspired (not a true Moroccan restaurant but that's the influence). Not cheap but much less than Le Bec Fin and a great experience. By the way... they recommend sharing entrees because portions are very generous. Best to have a couple appetizers and share one entree (we did and we were both full by meal's end).

uh----<BR>Looks like Tim already had this date 8 months ago!