Last Minute Request--Dinner Near Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom Street)

[Laura D.]

I was just able to snag two tickets to tonight's 10:30pm Christian Finnegan stand-up show at Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom Street). Does anyone have suggestions for a fairly casual and moderately priced dinner in the area before the show? Ideally, it would be great it we could park one time rather than having to move the car between dinner and the show. I'm a vegetarian who is content with things like salads, veggie burgers, pasta, etc. He eats just about anything (prefers fairly healthy options though that is not required) and really enjoys fish. No special alcohol requirements. Ideally, I'd prefer to keep dinner under $50.00 total. Oh, and I'm sure I've heard of places in the area, but I have no sense of direction, and thus am not sure what is near Helium just based on address (I know, I know, it's kind of pathetic)! Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[Elaine]

Porcini is at 2048 Sansom. Tiny, BYO, doesn't take reservations.

[Laura D.]

Thanks for the suggestion Elaine. Any feelings on how difficult it would be to get in at 8:00pm on a Saturday night? Thanks!

[jerseytomato]

If Porcini's has too long of a wait, there's Gioia Mia right next to Helium. I haven't personally been there, but have heard good things. Also heard good things about Salento between 22nd and 23rd on Walnut (I think they take reservations)
Erawan for Thai at 23rd and Sansom.

[Laura D.]

Great to know of other spots right near by...thanks (though it sounds like we are possibly cooking instead of going out, though if it doesn't work out tonight we'll definitely hit up these suggestions in the future).

[Elaine]

We've only been there early, so I can't help you with that one. You might want to call and get their advice. Gioia Mia is a good alternate, but check to be sure they meet your price point.

[Laura D.]

Will do...looks like it is going to be for another night, but I appreciate the suggestions!

[Hungryin theBurbs]

20th & Sansom is just off Rittenhouse Square, if that helps any. There are so many options there, it is hard to pick. Snackbar is a great choice. Also, Tria, Matyson (probably more than you want to spend, but worth it), Pietros if you want to grab a good pizza, just to name a few.

[EastCoastWineMan]

tria is nice

[Laura D.]

Been to Tria before and we both liked it, so that is definitely a possibility. Thanks for the rec...like I said I have no sense of direction, concept of what is near what, etc!

[EastCoastWineMan]

Snackbar..pretty chill spot...no brainer...good veg stuff and healthy

[Buckethead]

It would be hard to keep the tab under $50 for drinks and dinner for two at Snackbar.

[Laura D.]

I'll check out their website and see how it sounds. I want to say I looked at their menu before and wasn't very interested, but I could be mistaken. I won't be drinking at all, and he'll be drinking minimally, so if the drinks are what would run up the tab then perhaps we can keep the bill within reason with mainly food. Thanks!

[Buckethead]

Ah, I misunderstood. Yes, if drinks will be minimal, you should definitely go to Snackbar. The food is fantastic, the chef was recently (deservingly) named best new chef in Phillymag. It's very close to Helium as well. Tria is good too, but not in the same league as Snackbar, and it's farther away.

Oh, I just saw the time, you're probably out now wherever, let us know how it went..

[Laura D.]

Thanks for the follow-up. We did wind up cooking instead of going out so couldn't utilize any of the suggestions I got here, but we wiill definitely consider Snackbar in the future before a show as we loved Helium! Is this menu pretty accurate? The only thing I wonder is how "satisfied" I'll be with a meal such as this (I'm not a huge fan of tapas-style dining though that is more as a result of lack of experience than anything else).

http://philadelphia.menupages.com/res...

[jerseytomato]

The menu is different now with bigger portions. They have smaller ($10-12) and larger ($15-24) plates. Last night had the mussels, gnocchi (amazing! with beets, goat cheese and pistachio), octopus and ribeye with frites. The first three were appetizer portions and the ribeye was an entree. All of the dishes were excellent and we ended up taking half of the ribeye home, we were so full. Total was $58 including a Pimms iced tea.

[Laura D.]

Thanks...that is sounding more appealing to me, and still reasonably priced! Too bad they don't post their menu on their website (unless I missed it somehow)...