Hi Philly friends!

DH and I have a night planned in the city before we head to a conference in...wait for it...Atlantic City. We're staying at the Rittenhouse 1715 and since there are so many great restaurants in the area, it seems silly to cab it someplace. I'd like to go someplace I haven't been so off the list is: Vernick, Tinto, a. kitchen, Parc, Alma de Cuba, Monks, Continental, Lacroix, Twenty Manning Grill, and Smith and Wollensky. I'd also like to avoid the byob's. I know you guys are up to the challenge. Any suggestions? Anything new and different or tried and true?

From the wonderful folks who created the tiny BYOB Bibou, le Cheri is a full-service restaurant in the Art Alliance building at the southern end of the square.

The menu at le Cheri is larger than that at Bibou, more traditional, and at a somewhat lower price point--quenelles, short ribs bourguignon, snails (different preparation from those at Bibou), French and Swiss wines. Some folks especially like the fact that their mark up on wines is noticeably less than many other restaurants. Lovely rooms and a charming courtyard for al fresco dining.

http://www.lecheriphilly.com/menu.html

http://www.lecheriphilly.com/

k_marie, thank you! I've always admired that courtyard as I wandered around the area and wanted to try the previous restaurant in that space but never had the chance. I don't think there's a more convenient dining spot to our hotel.

Birdie, please post a review of the hotel and restaurant. I am headed up that way in a few weeks. Thanks

Birdie, I hope you will enjoy le Cheri as much as we do. We're going for lunch on Friday, hoping for a pleasant day so we can enjoy the al fresco dining.

If you have not been to a.kitchen in the past few months, you may be interested to know that Brian Sikorsky is no longer in the kitchen there. It's now directed by Eli Kulp and Ellen Ying of Fork (on Market Street in Old City) and Inquirer reviewer Craig Laban has awarded it high honors--

http://www.inquirer.com/features/lif...a_kitchen.html

We have not returned since our initial visit a few years ago; I found the space noisy and not comfortable. Maybe we'll have to try it again.

I did hear that, k_marie. I've always enjoyed Fork. The last time we were at a. kitchen was Valentine's weekend. I can't open the link so I don't know when the change was made. It was a cold weekend so dinner in that small space was more cozy than crowded. I like to sit at the bar for breakfast and watch the cooking.


I will report back, cmcfong. I should write more trip reports. I always intend to but they never get done.
I can tell you that I like both of the Kimptons in Philly. The Monaco is across the street from Independence Hall so it's in a great location for visiting the historic sites. There are a few good restaurants nearby but not nearly the number found in the Rittenhouse square area where the Palomar is located. The Palomar is closer to shopping and the art museums. The decor of the Palomar is modern and chic while the Monaco's seems to be influenced by Alice in Wonderland.

I'm tempted to recommend Twenty Manning to you because of the dog portraits on the walls (plus the food is really good.) I've been to three great restaurants this year that featured dogs as art: Twenty Manning, PureBread in Newark, DE, and Boon Eat & Drink in Guerneville, CA. I'm detecting a trend.

Wonderful!!!! Thank you so much.

ps I stayed at the Palomar last fall and just loved it. I am a Kimpton fan.

So am I. Have you seen my most recent profile pic?

That's great!

It seems Yin and Kulp joined a.kitchen in late January; new menu was introduced in March.