Must try restaurant in Philadelphia?
We are in town for one night on business, and staying at the Westin, but I'm sure we can easily cab it if necessary. Any suggestions? Looking for an upbeat restaurant with good food and drinks/wine list, and we are open to the type of cuisine. Barbazzo and Bibou looked pretty good. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
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Osteria. Wonderful menu, great food - you're eating a la Vetri! Grab a cab.
Monsu was okay - not different from many others on the same level. Not a must-try in my book.
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re: sylviag
Chinon00
Sep 17, 2011 07:14 PM
In regard to Monsu you say it's not different from many others on the same level. I've read the menu (haven't been yet) and ingredients like saffron, dates, almonds, raisins, cinnamon, sesame, apricots, chicken livers, and escargot would seem quite different for an Italian restaurant in South Philadelphia. Am I wrong?
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re: Chinon00
I should clarify - I didn't mean the menu. And we liked the food.
It was crowded and noisy, and the overall experience was a turnoff for my husband.
I guess I meant the experience of a good byob in that price range - and we certainly go to many of those, noisy or not.
I felt that Osteria was a step above - dishes that I thought about afterward, described to people, and wanted to try again. And there were more things on the menu that I didn't get a chance to try, but intend to in the future.-
re: sylviag
Chinon00
Sep 18, 2011 08:57 AM
We drove passed Monsu on a Fri night. I'll admit that it looked very young and very noisy. The kind of byob where twenty-somethings wanna "have a good time" and a group of six brings A CASE of wine. We still look forward to checking it out though; just maybe not on a weekend night.
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re: Chinon00
ive been several times (mostly for brunch, twice for dinner)- and i have yet to experience the atmosphere you describe above. maybe it's a weekend thing- i hope not. every time ive been, the crowd hasnt been young really (not college kids w jugs of wine)- actually been pretty empty the past few times. i recommend you check it out for sure
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re: JanR
Chinon00
Sep 20, 2011 10:29 AM
"What's more, I can't imagine that crowd being attracted to Monsu."
Hey I haven't been there yet just looked that way from the outside on a Friday night at 9. Also, I was one of "that crowd" on the center city/ So. Philly byo scene when I was twenty-something;)
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Maybe it's just fresh in my mind, but I'd recommend Osteria. We went last night and had a great dinner. I actually snuck out of bed early this morning to beat my husband to the leftovers!
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re: Whinerdiner
shelly59
Sep 18, 2011 05:04 PM
I agree with Osteria. We went to the Chef's Table dining last Spring and I had my 15 year old nephew with us. The wait staff was so wonderful, discussed everything we were eating ( At his request.) and were perfectly attentive and proactive. And Chef came out and spoke with Mikey about being a chef and what he had to do when he was learning his craft. Absolutely wonderful experience
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Chinon00
Sep 16, 2011 04:12 PM
I had to make a reservation for Bibou six weeks in advance. Not sure if you'd get in. One place that I haven't been to but that I'm very excited about in Monsu a Sicilian restaurant in South Philly. I think it's first come first serve. We also love Han Dynasty at Front & Chestnut. Sichuan cuisine that is very spicy and very delicious. Fish Dry Pot. Nuff said. They take reservations but you should be able to get in after 9:30 w/o a problem. We've always loved Tinto (over Amada frankly) for their inventiveness. But it's tight. Small space to the point of near claustrophobia. But very good food and wine/ beer list.
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Bibou is BYOB so no wine list at all. It's also cash only, which may be annoying if you are expensing the meal. Barbuzzo would fits the bill, but it's kind of loud so not great if you actually want to do business over dinner. You can walk if the weather is ok; otherwise, very short cab ride.
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re: aquagrrrl
Yes both are good. Tinto has some smaller areas but Barbuzzo is definitely tighter. Tinto and Amada have great tasting menu options, so if you're into that, go to one of those.
One thing that may tip the balance is if you're looking to out after dinner. Tinto, Amada, and Barbuzzo are in difference neighborhoods with difference nightlife options, though nothing it is far by cab.
Monsu does take reservations, but having been recently, I wouldn't put it on the same level as the other places mentioned. Also, it is BYOB and cash only.
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re: Chinon00
Don't remember all the apps, one was a snail dish, another was a ravioli. We also had a couple pastas, the whole fish and lamb shoulder. Most things were pretty good, but I didn't love a lot of it. Some things were not prepared that well (lamb, ordered medium, was barely cooked, ravioli were not warm, for example). Service was just ok... as you say below, the menu is interesting and atypical but overall experience was not "must try" for sure. I would go back, but would rather go to Modo Mio (sister restaurant) for the dozenth time instead.
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re: barryg
Delucacheesemonger
Sep 18, 2011 09:40 AM
Do not know when you were there last, Damien , the original chef, has been gone for months. Peter , the owner, was cooking for a while, but for the last 6 weeks or so, a new chef is in there. l have not tried it since new chef.
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