Hip, trendy scene- with good food

[lillotis]

So, I have friends coming in from out of town and they are more into hip scene than food. My husband and I are foodies and more into good food before the scene. So I am trying to meet in the middle. Any good spot in main line area? How about city- what trendy spots have really good food?

I was thinking Nectar or Maia out of city, and possibly Table 31, Butcher and Singer, or Parc in city. Thoughts? Hopefully you will have some other ideas too.

[allison123]

if going for hip, go to Distrito...garces has taken a cue from stephen starr in turning this place into a neon amusement park...very trendy, good food too.

For better food with hip scene, go to tinto or amada...same chef

[mitchh]

How about Tangerine? My wife and I took my parents their for their 60th birthdays and it's definitely on the trendy side. The decor inside is very cool and the bonus was that the food and service were both excellent.

[lillotis]

thanks and keep the ideas flowing...

[rabidog]

I think we're all pretty much unanimous on distrito - it's delicious! and it'll be cool enough too.

everything listed thus far would fit the bill. bar ferdinand is a good choice too because of all the bars nearby... cantina dos segundos is a hop skip and a jump and they have a margarita that's sure to impress... cucumber and jalepeno? standard tap is nearby, too, and a great place to grab a couple beers. and personally, i love hanging out at the bar at north bowl - a swank little bowling alley. all those are near BF. besides, the new place by the same guy RIGHT across the way from BF should be opening this tuesday, i think - el camino real. i don't know what the scene is supposed to be like, but the menu looks excellent. they were at a music festival in fishtown putting out menu samples earlier this year and i can say i cannot WAIT to go - and i'll be there on tuesday!! vegetarian tangent - the seitan i sampled was so good!

in the burbs - nectar is definitely a great choice!

[lillotis]

Has anyone been to:
- Butcher and Singer
- Maia
- Pearl

If so, good food? A hip crowd?

[lawgirl3278]

Pearl is more of a club type place than a restaurant. Tinto or Amada have excellent food and a decent scene. If you're into sushi, Raw is a great place for cocktails and dinner.

[Buckethead]

Pearl sucks, skip it.

[mazza3]

do not go to cantina. it is not hip, it is hipster. amada and distrito are tops, buddakhan is impressive and the food is pretty good usually. morimoto is definitely impressive and delicious as long as you love sushi. alma de cuba is also pretty fun if you like white. :)

[rabidog]

i should clarify - i'd avoid the food at cantina. i would only go for pre-dinner drinks. most of the margaritas are really good (with the exception of one - its orange in color and made with chilis - i won't say what it was reminiscent of but i'll just say it's a taste i'd rather not experience again). and the hipsters are tolerable in small quantities. i don't think you can avoid them in northern liberties. ;)

[Boognish]

Buddakan
Morimoto, which has the "Iron Chef" thing going for it may appeal to your friends.

And definitely Distrito. I love eating there. It just feels fun.

Well, until you get your check.

[joluvscards]

Bar Ferdinand is very hip and the food is terrific. they don't take reservations for fewer than 6 but we have never had to wait since we tend to get there before 7. Distrio is also very good. Neither have the snob or price factor of places like table 31.

[Buckethead]

With the exception of Parc, those places are definitely not hip and trendy. Parc is a good choice, so is Amada. There's also Distrito, Jose Garces' Mexican place (he runs Amada too). It's out in University City, so it's slightly easier to get there from the Main Line. The downstairs bistro at Maia is better than the upstairs fine dining restaurant.

[DaisyM]

How about Amada?