Philly Trip

[KentDog]

I'll be spending a weekend in Philly several weeks from now and was hoping to get some suggestions on things to do.

- I will be arriving Friday, around noon.
- I will be staying in the University City area.
- I will be spending nearly 100% of the time with a female friend (22 years of age).
- Only plans currently set in stone at the moment is dinner and drinks Friday night at an Asian Fusion restaurant called "Pod" starting around 8pm (POD - Disclaimer: website is lame). Also will be spending most of Saturday at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

Some places we have talked about:
- Flavors of Philly City Food Tour: TripAdvisor.com rated this Philly's #1 attraction. Personally, it sounds cool but somewhat overpriced and overrated. For the cost ($39/adult), we can go to an upscale restaurant instead. (Philadelphia Food Tours, Tasting and Events, Philly PA)
- The Water Works Restaurant and Lounge: This is the upscale restaurant we could be going to instead. I've never heard of Saveur Magazine, but apparently it rated this place one of the "top 100 experiences in the world." (The Water Works Restaurant and Lounge)
- Tour of Eastern State Penitentiary: Considered to be the world's first true Penitentiary. When it was built, it was the largest and most expensive public structure ever constructed. A lot of shit supposedly went down here. Notable inmates include Al Capone.
- Joe Frazier's Boxing Gym: In North Philly, this is something I have interest in checking out, just to see how one of the great Philly boxing gyms compares to ones I have trained at and seen. However, I don't know the area and am not sure if this is somewhere I'd want to take a Barbie-type girl to. Michael Spinks, Meldrick Taylor, and Bernard Hopkins have trained here.
- Independance Hall: Where the Constitution was signed. We will probably go here.
- Independence National Historical Park: To check out the Liberty Bell.
- Philadelphia Museum of Art: To run up the same steps Sly Stallone did in Rocky and check out his statue there.
- Love Park: I heard this place is super lame, but we may already be in the area and she wants to take a picture by the park logo / emblem there.

Thoughts?

 

[ALBOB]

Screw the food tour. The best food comes from street vendors. You can get a cheese steak that is so greasy it'll be running down your arm before you even take the first bite. Then top that off with a soft pretzel with mustard. Yummmmmmm

 

[KentDog]

Screw the food tour. The best food comes from street vendors. You can get a cheese steak that is so greasy it'll be running down your arm before you even take the first bite. Then top that off with a soft pretzel with mustard. Yummmmmmm

I hear ya, Albob. I'm actually somewhat concerned about spending an arm and a leg on dining. This girl has only been suggesting upscale restaurants, which reminds me of the quote "You will always lose money chasing women, but you will never lose women chasing money."

Other suggestions she has:
- Amada (Amada Restaurant)
- Morimoto (Morimoto)

I do want to check out a fancy restaurant for dinner one night, but probably not both nights. Because it is Philadelphia. However, if I am going to be dropping $50/meal, it better knock my skirt up, meaning food had better be amazing and atmosphere perfect. I am planning on bringing a black sportcoat for the one fancy dinner.


Damnit, Doublebase.. where are you?

 

[Dale Mabry]

I have lived in the area for 8 years and Doublebase is from here I think, Albob bailed a couple of years ago for the sun, lucky fuck. Pod is ok, but Morimoto and Budakan are both better Asian restaurants and all 3 are owned by the same dude, but you will have to sit at the bar if you are going on a Friday/Saturday to Budakan or Morimoto. Morimoto's bar is quite kickass, though. For a cool place, Continental Midtown has a huge roofdeck bar that is pretty cool. All of these places are pretty expensive, $50 a person would be the minimum I would bring. South Street is also a cool place to get some drinks and watch the freakshow ensue, plus a little cheaper. If you like good beer, Monk's at 16th and Spruce is one of the best beer bars I have ever been and has great food. I just recently went to another place called Time that is a cool spot that sells absinthe and has a great beer selection, plus a cool little live music dining area. It is at 13th and Sansom, I think.

Get out of the UC area, Olde City (2nd-5th between Market and Chestnut area) and Rittenhouse (18th-22nd between Market and Chestnut/Walnut) have superior nightlife. If you want to chill and rent a canoe or paddle boat, go to Fairmount park and chill.

 

[KentDog]

Thanks, Dale. I like the sound of the canoe / paddle boat. Seems like an inexpensive, fun way to burn a few hours and sight see at once.

I don???t think we???ll be doing too much drinking that weekend; it will be more of a romantic type weekend. I???m really on the fence about where to eat. I???ve since lost interest in eating at Pod, but we will most likely go for a late snack (I think she said she lived right by it and had already made 8pm reservations for Friday night).

I spent a few hours reading restaurant reviews on OpenTable.com and even the best rated restaurants have mixed reviews. What do you think of the restaurants on this list?:
Philadelphia Restaurants - The 2009 Philly Mag 50 - Philadelphia Magazine - phillymag.com

I want to try one, but I want the best value with a guaranteed good atmosphere. We were pretty set on Amada until I read the seating there is ridiculous, that it can be too loud and you will often be placed closer to the table beside you than your actual date, or that atlernatively, you will be seated at a table where the chairs are too low for the table height. Food sounds great though??? people seem to love the chef???s selection (mid-range) and at $55/person seems to be in the price range of the other restaurants. Not a big wine guy, but do you think the wine pairing is worth the extra cost for trying something totally new?

 

[Doublebase]

I lived in Northeast Philly for 2 years. 22-24 years old. I don't like the city. I moved about an hour north to a more rural area. I would say out of the activities you mentioned the tour of the prison sounds the best. The food is great in the city. Sry I'm not much help. I'm more of a country boy.