Great BYOB

[southendchow]

Im visiting from Boston this weekend and have a nice bottle of wine i would like to crack open. I hear Philly has some great BYOB's. I have already done the Morimoto, Buddakan and Striped Bass thing and would like to try something new. Any recs??

[spinach]

Django isn't what it used to be. i'd definitely reconsider that as an option. mercato is noisy and small but was one of the best of philly selections for best b.y.o....porcini is also a great choice, but they don't take reservations, and the place is small.

[JanR]

I agree that Mercato is terrific, but not Porcini. It's just okay. Also, I don't understand the people who are saying Django isn't what it used to be. Is this because of the new owners? Admittedly, I only went once to the original but I was seriously underwhelmed. On the other hand, I visitied the "new" Django a few weeks ago during restaurant week. It was superb (and that was during restaurant week when many restaurants aren't at there best). Yes, it's not what it used to be. To my mind, it's better.

[JanR]

Forgot to add that Pif has free parking at the municipal lot right next to it. Not that I wouldn't recommend it highly anyway, but it sure helps on a weekend.

[george2]

There's also Branzino and Overtures

[sylviag]

You probably are too late to get a reservation at some of these places. (Chloe and Mercato don't take reservations. I would skip Mercato, simply because it is so uncomfortably crowded.)

Matyson, Django and Pif should be high on your list. Matyson and Django have more menu choices. Call today! These places have food to go with a good wine.

If you are in the mood for Italian, then try Branzino (in center city), Tre Scalini, L'Angolo, or Melograno. Radicchio is another very good one, but doesn't take reservations. A little out of the way is one of our favorites:August. They call it Italian with a twist; basically continental. Most of these Italian restaurants are in South Philly, but they are a short car or cab ride away.

These places are all small, and get booked quickly for weekends. Some aren't open on Sundays. Good luck!

[Tonyjlive]

Your best bet is to search tose listed above along with Bistro 7 and Chloe. Depending where you will be located. Also, being that it is a weekend you may want to look for those who accept reservations and book asap.

[JanR]

There's lots of byob discussion on this board. My favorite is Pif (French) but there are many excellent byob's here: L'Angolo, Matyson, Django, Marigold Kitchen, Mercato, Melograno...