603399 Fri Mar 13 07:07:21 -0700 2009 25 15 Pennsylvania 0 4500894 I am going with a friend to a concert at the North Star Bar next Saturday night and need a place for dinner. Last time we were there - we went to Rembrandt's at 23rd Street. It was good but I am looking for a new place to try. Some people that are attending the concert are going to London Grill. Jack's Firehouse was also mentioned. Off street parking would be a plus! Thanks! Fri Mar 13 07:07:22 -0700 2009 90025 Betharu 1 4501088 The Belgian Cafe on 21st & Green. It's a bit more of a walk to North Star compared to the fairmount restaurants, but not that much. Fri Mar 13 08:09:48 -0700 2009 4500894 74182 Jbird35 1 4501319 You should think about Bridgids. Probably my favorite place around there. I also like Aspen, or at least I used to like it quite a bit - it's been years since I ate there. Not a big fan of Jack's. Or Rembrandts. Fri Mar 13 09:02:17 -0700 2009 4500894 100357 Bob Loblaw 2 4501431 delete Fri Mar 13 09:30:31 -0700 2009 4501319 76938 Bigley9 1 4501336 i definitely recommend trio, which is where i ate last time i went to a show at north star. it's a cute little thai BYOB, and i think their food is fabulous (if a little pricey, as far as asian food goes). i think it's at 26th and brown, one of the closest places to the venue. Fri Mar 13 09:06:31 -0700 2009 4500894 13386 rabidog 1 4501472 This is a tough one for me because I don't like The Belgian Cafe, Rembrandt's, Aspen, Trio, London Grill or Jack's. I haven't tried Bridgid's yet though. I can't think of anything within walking distance I would choose to spend money at. St Stephen's Green is decent but a bit further away... Fri Mar 13 09:42:55 -0700 2009 4500894 12898 saturninus 1 4501520 The only place I can think of near there that hasn't been mentioned is the Bishop's Collar. I haven't been there in a really long time though. I'm not a fan of London Grill or the Belgian Cafe, I had some dishes at Trio that were really good (apps, mostly) and some that weren't (entrees). Fri Mar 13 09:59:03 -0700 2009 4500894 29811 Buckethead 1 4501533 The only place I can think of that hasn't neen mentioned is L'oca - I have never been and there are mixed reviews on this board Fri Mar 13 10:02:53 -0700 2009 4500894 76938 Bigley9 1 4504092 Thanks for all the suggestions! I think we are going to try Aspen - close enough to walk to the North Star. I will let you know about my experience as well as what the others thought of London Grill. Sat Mar 14 07:57:03 -0700 2009 4500894 90025 Betharu 2 4505577 Aspen is closed and has been since late October. Not sure if they are going to re open or not.... Sat Mar 14 19:01:53 -0700 2009 4504092 271983 BeerFreak 1 4504336 Try Era for great Ethiopian. Sat Mar 14 09:43:27 -0700 2009 4500894 213056 mlplyons 2 4504632 oooh where's that? is it new? i've never heard of it! Sat Mar 14 12:13:45 -0700 2009 4504336 13386 rabidog 2 4519690 that was my recommendation! it is a bar with V good ethiopian. it is on poplar, a block or two west of north star... Thu Mar 19 12:00:26 -0700 2009 4504336 14941 mazza3 2 4519691 that was my recommendation! it is a bar with V good ethiopian. it is on poplar, a block or two west of north star... Thu Mar 19 12:00:26 -0700 2009 4504336 14941 mazza3 1 4504949 Rabidog-been trying to respond to your post re Era but to no avail. Go to yelp.com for the exact address but it is a stone's throw from North Star. Hole in the wall but great ethiopean food. Glad to be some help to you (finally) after all the helpful posts you've given me. Sat Mar 14 14:30:20 -0700 2009 4500894 213056 mlplyons 2 4507427 awe, thank you! *blush* just read the yelp page... place sounds great... i am going to have to run not walk over there!!! thanks - it's always refreshing to hear about nearby places that are new to me! Sun Mar 15 15:23:03 -0700 2009 4504949 13386 rabidog 1 4505000 Rabidog-I stopped being lazy and went to yelp.com myself. Here is the address: 2743 Poplar St. Go-it is divey but oh so good. Sat Mar 14 14:49:29 -0700 2009 4500894 213056 mlplyons 1 4505269 The Aspen is no longer open. Sat Mar 14 16:39:47 -0700 2009 4500894 127282 rookmcl 2 4505377 Their website is still up? Sat Mar 14 17:29:01 -0700 2009 4505269 90025 Betharu 2 4505386 Actually - thanks Rookmcl for the heads up - just called and they are closed for business. I checked out a couple sites for ERA and it looks interesting - I am always up for adventure! I will have to confirm with my date but it might be the choice. Fallback is Bridgids! Sat Mar 14 17:33:34 -0700 2009 4505269 90025 Betharu 3 4505583 report back on ERA (or bridgid's)...art museum area always tough with parking...so i rarely go there....but lots of decent places Sat Mar 14 19:03:52 -0700 2009 4505386 271983 BeerFreak 1 4511561 Yes, Aspen closed - maybe a few months ago? Trio is a great Thai BYOB - right by North Star. Figs is also close by. It's cash only, and both are a little pricier than other places thrown out - but they're closer to the bar. If you want something more casual, try Bridgid's. Mon Mar 16 20:00:59 -0700 2009 4500894 272320 user928 1 4512565 l'oca, figs or trio Tue Mar 17 07:57:43 -0700 2009 4500894 11355 joluvscards 1 4512778 I live a couple couple of blocks away from North Star. Era is good, homemade food - place is a complete dive tho. I just had some take out from Trio that was the best we've ever had from them - stick to the thai stuff - especially the drunken noodles or pad thai, which are excellent in my opinion. I always order from the same handful of items and I am rarely dissappointed. They did have a lemongrass slider with spicy slaw app special that was good. Also, you can order most of the chicken entrees with tofu if you are veg. I just had a horrible brunch at belgian cafe during beer week - the burgers were overdone, items were missing. Last thought is to order soul food takeout from Deborahs on Girard and walk over to Lemon Hill for a picnic if the weather is nice - don't miss the banana pudding. Tue Mar 17 08:58:04 -0700 2009 4500894 47881 populargirl 2 4514582 yes, those drunken noodles were something else... the best in the city, IMO (it's my fave dish)... also i remember a funky little app called the beggar's pouches which rock. Tue Mar 17 17:13:15 -0700 2009 4512778 13386 rabidog 2 4514686 Perhaps we'll just come to your house for dinner populargirl! What are you serving on Saturday night? Shall I bring white or red? Tue Mar 17 17:51:59 -0700 2009 4512778 90025 Betharu 1 4513940 Illuminaire http://www.illuminare2321.com/MenuD.asp Tue Mar 17 13:44:33 -0700 2009 4500894 257470 CucinadiNana