<p>Visiting D2 this weekend; she’s in the BrynMawr/Haverford mainstage production. Since it’s Easter, we plan on going to a Sunday brunch. Philadelphia Magazine had a list of the best places for Easter/Passover brunch. (We’ve been to La Croix and The Fountain–both recommended). A couple of other places looked interesting and I was wondering if anyone had dined here–Supper or Marigold Kitchen. Another one on the list that is close to where we’re staying is: Pond.(What’s up with all these one syllable names??) D2 also loves a Cuban restaurant (Alma de Cuba) that’s in the city, and we go there almost every time we visit. (I’d rather try something new.) Comments or other suggestions? I love that there are foodies here on CC.</p>
<p>Are any of those out on the Main Line? If so, why go into the city? Sorry-although I spend a lot of time in the area and am from there, I am not up on the top restaurants. I DO know where Bob Evans is and also a lot of good Italian restaurants.</p>
<p>We love Amada for Tapas, White Dog Cafe for locally-grown organic, and someone recently recommended Vetri for high-end Italian, and while I was checking that out, I noticed the same owners have a more rustic Italian restaurant, Osteria. We will definitely be going to one of these next time we visit DD at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Pond has a lovely setting (there are swans!), but the food was much better in its earlier incarnation as Passerelle. It’s on the Main Line, so it will be more convenient, but it’s easy enough to get to Center City for something better, IMO.</p>
<p>We’ve been to Supper (for dinner), and the decor was fun - sort of retro-lounge - while the food was ok, but nothing compared to a place like Lacroix or The Fountain, where the brunch is truly spectacular, along with truly spectacular prices! </p>
<p>Our favorite restaurant at the moment is Tinto, a tapas place owned by the same people who run Amada. And Tinto is very near Capogiro gelato, a yummy place to get some dessert afterwards. I also second White Dog Caf</p>
<p>Passerelle was in a stunning locale, when I went there years ago…</p>
<p>For contemporary Japanese, Morimoto (in Philly) is great and fun</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/[/url]”>http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/</a></p>
<p>I don’t know if you’ve called for reservations yet, but the good restaurants used to get booked EARLY–February or so. Good luck.</p>
<p>Also, once, during the summer, we had brunch on the terrace at The Waterworks restaurant, which is a really gorgeous location at the bottm of boathouse row overlooking the small falls on the Schuylkill. I’ll bet it’s a popular spot for Easter brunch, but it might be worth a try, especially at an “off” hour.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that when DD interned in Philly one summer, proximity to Capogiro for dessert was THE #1 factor in restaurant choice!</p>
<p>El Vez at 13th and Sansom has the best, most creative gourmet quality Mexican food around. Fun atmosphere, great service and afterwards, you can have dessert at Capogiro across the street.</p>
<p>Factoring in the whole experience (food, decor, service), Morimoto was the most enjoyable restaurant meal I’ve ever eaten. It is simply fabulous.</p>
<p>I imagine it will be packed, but Parc Brasserie on Rittenhouse Square (corner of 18th & Locust) would be my pick for a beautiful spring day. Great location & food. (Part of the Starr Restaurant Group, along with Alma de Cuba, Morimoto, and others.)</p>
<p>The Mosholu is always fun…it’s a big ship parked on Penns Landing (near the river).
I like the White Dog Cafe. And La Terrasse next door.
The Fork is contemporary and fun - good food.
The Rittenhouse Square suggestion sounds good…a beautiful part of town.
If it’s a nice day, The Valley Green In is nice. A historic building in a beautiful setting right on a creek - with a great walking path through towering trees. You’d never know you were in a city. Just gorgeous.</p>
<p>I love Valley Green! Have eaten lunch there a few times…the walk along the path nearby is fun.</p>
<p>sometimes I wish I could afford to spend an entire week’s budget for food on 1 meal…for 1 person</p>
<p>Sue - no need to spend big $. Just bring a couple of sandwiches to the picnic tables near Valley Green and then take a nice walk of bike on the beautiful path. It goes on for miles and is so wide it doesn’t feel crowded. Great this time of year. We do it all the time. Cheap fun.</p>
<p>I’ve done the walk. I may have walked past this place. I don’t eat in restaurants or order out, ever (maybe 2x a year, but even then I spend at most $10 - diner or chinese buffet). Seriously, I haven’t ordered a pizza, hoagie or been at a fast food restaurant in 15+ years</p>
<p>sue - honestly you’re not missing anything. Restaurants, even the good ones, load up on fat, salt, and calories to make the food taste good. My doc told my husband to avoid them if he wants to live a long healthy life. Especially places like McDonalds which can literally poison you.
We still go out once in a while…but not much. Picnics are more fun anyway. </p>
<p>To the OP - hope you found a good place!</p>