181009 Mon Sep 29 12:45:24 -0700 2003 6 15 Pennsylvania 0 972545 My DH and I will be visiting Philadelphia this Thursday thru Sunday for our anniversary. We’re looking for suggestions for casual (no jacket & tie) places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Almost anything goes - we're not afraid of spice either. We’re staying in Rittenhouse Square area and will have to rely on public transportation and/or cabs. We know about most of the cheesesteaks (with Cheez Whiz) places, Reading Terminal, Melrose Diner, and Le Bar Lyonnais – any other suggestions? Also, I’ve noticed “BYOB” mentioned on the list a lot. I’ve never lived/visited anywhere where you can bring your own beer – does it apply to wine too? Do these places charge a corkage fee? Are there plentiful package stores? How do you know if a place is BYOB? Is there a sign? Thanks! Mon Sep 29 12:45:24 -0700 2003 0 Heather the Librarian 1 972546 BYOB generally stands for Bring your own bottle. Usually people bring wine, but beer or any other alcohol is OK. I've never been charged a corkage fee, though I've heard of it happening. Philly only has state run liquor stores with high prices. The biggest one in town is at 13th and Chestnut. There is another at 20th and Chestnut. Generally to find out if a place is BYOB I either call and ask or check the listing on CitySearch. Good luck and enjoy your visit. Mon Sep 29 12:49:18 -0700 2003 972545 0 Bride of the Juggler 1 972547 BYOB means booze -- any type. If you are driving from DC, I suggest stopping at Moore Brothers in Wilmington on the way, and purchasing your wine there. Wine in PA is sold in state-owned stores that leave much to be desired. You will find lots of suggestions on this Board for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. BYO's will usually be identified as such. A really good BYO will tell you they are BYO when you call for a reservation. Happy Anniversary, and enjoy Philly. Mon Sep 29 12:50:10 -0700 2003 972545 0 Susan H 1 972548 To clarify -- BYOBs do not have a liquor license and therefore cannot sell alcohol. Liquor licenses up here are limited in quantity per city/township, and so many restaurants forgo the expense and hassle (but also do without the advantage of the profit on alcohol markup) and invite customers to bring their own. A lot of very small BYO restaurants have sprouted up serving really wonderful food for less than would be expected. Many of them also don't take credit cards and/or reservations. You shouldn't run into any corkage fees in the city at BYOBs. The only corkage fees i've heard of in the city are for places who have a liquor license, but allow customers to bring their own. Mon Sep 29 13:17:08 -0700 2003 972545 0 --susan 1 972553 DH - designated hitter? Darling Husband? Dear Hubby? Oh well. Suggestions for places to eat that are causual - Azafran (neuvo latino, no reservations, BYOB, S. 3rd at South St); Pigalle (French bistro, romantic, Northern Liberties); Figs (Northern African/Moroccon, BYOB, Fairmount); L'Angolo (Southern Italian, BYOB, Broad & Porter in S. Philly); Alma de Cuba (swanky romantic neuvo Cuban, not so casual but not formal either, restaurant row, 16th & Walnut). I'm sure you'll get more rec's. Enjoy Philly with your DH (?), it's a great city. Mon Sep 29 13:49:40 -0700 2003 972545 0 schpsychman 1 972559 I always thought DH stood for Divorced Husband, but why woould you celebrate that? For breakfast try Little Petes at 19th and Chestnut. Lunch try Loie on 19th just below Walnut for GREAT cheeseburgers and for dinner try Square on Square across from Little Petes for upscale delicous Chinese Food that is also a BYOB. Mon Sep 29 14:19:46 -0700 2003 972545 0 Bill Wardell 2 972663 One problem with Little Pete's - cigarette smoke. Its a small place and often populated with smokers! Sat Oct 04 09:59:32 -0700 2003 972559 0 JohnnyT