Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - West Phila. resturants

Try Nan, which is on Chestnut near about 42nd, I think. It's Thai-French BYOB (which is one of the things that makes it reasonable) with really good food, even though it's on the fringes of the neighborhood. Another good BYOB is Rx at 45 and Spruce. Decent bistro food in a former apothecary--nice, fun atmosphere. Good for brunch. Can get crowded (it's not very big) so I'd reserve. I have heard good things about Penne, which is the Italian restaurant /enoteca in the Inn at Penn (it's predecessor was just terrible, but I hear this is a great improvement). The White Dog on Sansom Row (off 34th) is an old stand-by and personal favorite, but it can get pretty pricey. Also pricey, but quite worth it, is Zocalo, upscale Mexican at 36 & Lancaster. Really really really good food and great Margarhitas, closer to Drexel. Also closer to Drexel is Lemon Grass, which is Thai (on same block as Zocalo). They used to have an amazing three-course lunch for something like $8.95. Other good Thai restaurants are Thai Singha and Pattaya Grill. And of course there are tons of inexpensive ethnic restaurants--lots of Indian (but I don't really know any names), Korea House, Genji (Japanese), several Ethiopian/East African on the southern fringes of the neighborhood (toward Baltimore Avenue).