Philadelphia Hotels

Lacroix At The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia - Courtesy static.howstuffworks.com

Have some memorable dining experiences while in Philadelphia. Don’t let the foodie in you miss out the line-up of restaurants established along well-grilled reputations for laying out choicest fares. Knowing where to begin, if you’re a visitor, is half the battle won. The city has a veritable range of world cuisines on offer to get you started on indulging your taste buds.

Besides the tell-tale Philadelphia staples – Hoagies, Scrapples, Pretzels and the ever famous Philly Cheesesteaks there is a whole lot more to the cuisine on board, in the city’s multifarious restaurants spread all across. In fact, it would not be far from the truth to consider Philadelphia as an emerging destination for the country’s finest culinary fare.

The last decade has witnessed phenomenal growth in Philadelphia’s culinary scene. All over the city you have elegant dining rooms as also unassuming but note-worthy bistros offering some great food. From upscale taprooms to romantic hideaways to family-operated BYOB (Bring-Your-Own-Bottle) establishments all the better known restaurants have become favorite eat-out places.

Always Fresh in Philadelphia - Courtesy www.menudine.com

Even as the downtown business district gets revamped with new restaurants and bars every once in a while, even other areas are gaining a fine reputation on account of the restaurants that draw people from everywhere. Whether its a chic upscale bistro or the latest hot spot, its good to know of delectable places where you can chew with pleasure. Philadelphia restaurants come for all pockets. From inexpensive eateries to classy dining places, they cater to every budget.

Its a good thing that Philadelphia cooking is mostly from local produce. Whether it’s succulent sweet corn or tasty ripe tomatoes - all arrive fresh from local farmers. Philly chefs shape their seasonally-changing menus around what’s available around here. Of course the proof is in the eating so go on, try out! Remember some of the finest establishments are located within walking distance of the Historic District and Downtown.

You will love to track down some famous Philadelphia culinary landmarks. For a ‘hands-on’ experience try hard shell crabs at Crab House. Aside from the Baltimore style crabs they have a full menu of other fish and seafood delights. Chinatown has many many restaurants offering dim sum and noodles, but your best bet could be the Singapore Kosher Vegetarian or Rangoon that offer aromatic South Asian Cuisine.

Delectable Fare in Philadelphia - Courtesy www.gophila.com

You can find dozens of different restaurants of varied cuisines and price levels. A few to make note of include The Continental, Karma, and Kabul around the Chestnut and Market area for consistently good food. If you are around the Doubletree area then check out The Academy Café, Upstares, Soto Varalli or Zanzibar Blue for some great fare. Remember tipping in Philadelphia generally is expected to be 18 percent of the pre-tax tab. But if you’re really very satisfied and have had exceptional service then a 20 percent tip is in order.

If you want to do things differently then try out Dahlak, the Ethiopian restaurant. Food is served in a traditional fashion on a large platter with bread but no cutlery! The White Dog Café has an eclectic menu with organic ingredients. It offers contemporary American cuisine with Native American and Southeast Asian influences. Its high on quality with its farm-fresh ingredients. Philadelphia offers a myriad of dining experiences. From Chinatown to downtown, you are sure to find exciting new flavors as well as comfortable favorites.

There’s nothing quite like outdoor dining in Philadelphia. If you enjoy the feel of outdoor dining - on a deck, sidewalk, or roof, then you may book for tables at some of the top picks fop outdoor eating places. The Adobe Cafe has some amazing Mexican Food while the Brasserie Perrier has a regular following of French dining. The Astral Plane can have you enjoying Italian fare while the Bump Lounge offers a global cuisine with unique martini happy hours.

Much more on the menu comes from Cebu, for casual American dining, Continental Mid-Town for its famous Lobster Mac n Cheese, Devon,s Sea Food for creative ocean fare, Ernesto’s 1521 Cafe for pastas and Fork Restaurant for inventive American Bistro meals that vary with the season. Well actually al fresco Philadelphia meals abound in places like Jamaican Jerk Hut, Loie Bistro, Moshulu, Osteria, Rouge, Southwark, Tavern 17 and Valley Green Inn besides a host of other eateries that make the fun of being in Philadelphia all the more intense.

Guide to Best Restaurants in Philadelphia Courtesy www.johnmariani.com

More restaurants near the convention center and center city can have you relishing the city’s gastronomic delights. Go for Japanese cuisine at Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge or unwind at Aya’s Cafe with Mediterranean fare for kebabs and koftas. Relish Malaysian cuisine at Banana Leaf or savor the likes of venison stew and lemon sage roasted chicken at Nodding Heads! The Down Home Diner can have you enjoying comfort food like meat loaf, smashed potatoes with the skins attached, large portions of scrapple plus grits and gravy – a bit of nostalgia there. Ummm even the waitresses address you as hon!

The best thing about Philadelphia dining is that many restaurants allow you to bring your own liquor. The BYOB is an accepted thing that makes things more pleasant. BYOB restaurants with quality and reputation are Django, La Boheme, Pumpkin and an old favorite La Bec-Fin known for its elegance. Matching in elegance and style is the Japanese Morimoto and Lacroix at The Rittenhouse. But of course all said and done every visitor must try the Philly Cheesesteak at the two best places - Pat’s King of the Steaks and Geno’s steaks that are both 24 hour joints.

True epicureans wanting to know more about the best restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, drinking places should visit MenuDine.com on the internet to find out about Philadelphia restaurants. You will enjoy the dining gift certificates, dining discounts, and restaurant gift cards on offer here. Just make sure that you find suitable accommodations close at hand to the finest dining establishments, so be sure to log on to Philadelphia Hotels for reservations.

September 27th, 2008 | Category: Attractions, Restaurants-Food, Uncategorized, Zoos | Leave a comment

Philadelphia Gardens - Courtesy jasgp.org

As much as Philadelphia is renowned for its heritage tourism so also is it cherished for its manicured lush landscapes and open spaces. Not for nothing did the founding fathers of the city establish it as a greene countrie town. The truth is that the Quakers who settled here were meticulous about identifying and cataloging the forms of natural life they discovered. Philadelphia region is internationally recognized for its wealth of arboretums.

It’s quite in order to call Philadelphia a city of parks and gardens. With nearly a hundred parks throughout greater Philadelphia area it is the largest urban park system in the nation! Popular spots here offer great outdoor recreation for residents and tourists who feel invigorated stepping out on these carefully maintained green spaces. For playing, walking, exercising, reading or simply enjoying the good weather – nothing like a good park near to you.

Philadelphia Green Spaces - Courtesy farm1.static.flickr.com

Some popular spots for outdoor recreation are Fairmount Park, Clark Park, Logan Circle, Love Park, Franklin Square among others. The amazingly beautiful gardens that emerge from behind the facades of the city allow you to relax in their tranquil treasures. Fairmount Park is easily one of the nation’s largest landscaped urban parks. In addition regular attractions draw you to Longwood Gardens or to the Valley Forge National Historical Park that offer seasonal variations.

The famous Fairmount Park spreads out from the Philadelphia zoo to become the largest urban parks in the United States. This Philadelphia park covers over 8,500 acres and has over 100 miles of walking trails. Many of these trails have been around since the time soldiers made use of them during the war. Another favorite Philadelphia park is Love Park, where the granite surfaces continue to be a skate boarder’s delight.

Philadelphia Garden Paths - Courtesy static.howstuffworks.com

Philadelphia is ever ready to show off its green side. Under the Boundless Philadelphia campaign the city is making an all out effort to promote the quality and quantity of Philadelphia region’s natural assets and outdoor experiences. The city also ranks as one of the best for biking, running and rowing providing excellent opportunities on its generous outdoor space. Family fun parks and playgrounds often include a variety of sports like fishing or hiking and even accommodate outdoor concerts.

For those of us who may not be keen on sporty activities the green belt of parks and open spaces allows us time out to study, meet with locals or neighbors, or simply to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Philadelphia has an acknowledged history of protecting its watersheds, open spaces and parks.The city’s most popular spots for outdoor recreation include areas around Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Each of the surrounding counties has unusual features well suited for outdoor fun.

Philadelphia Garden Sparkling Fountain Courtesy farm1.static.flickr.com

Philadelphia vacations can also be spent enjoying the outdoors with a trip to the Poconos over the weekend, or a drive to Lake Erie to perhaps spend an afternoon fishing. Hiking along the many trails in the Pocono Mountains can also be a great way to enjoy the area. Pennsylvania wine tours are a great way for wine lovers to have fun just outside the city. Theme parks are perfect picks for a family vacation.

Research suggests that many visitors first come to Philadelphia for its history, then once here, discover many more reasons to come back. The place has continually drawn outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore the city’s green side. And if you are keen to enjoy the outdoors then the greater Philadelphia’s stunning scenery is a back drop for all kinds of outdoor activity.

Whether you find pleasure in the nature thats preserved in gardens and parks or are keen for getaways to the many nature preserves - all of these spots help you live the great outdoors in Philadelphia. Its a great big green space fun! You can go online and easily search the web site for more than 200 parks, trails, gardens, and nature preserves in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Why only the Philadelphia Gardens consortium of 32 gardens in the region will offer you information about each garden along with highlights of garden related events. Do log on to Philadelphia Hotels to find out out accommodations closest to these enchanted precincts. Make the most of your time while here!

September 25th, 2008 | Category: Parks-Outdoors | Leave a comment