OK, food...
Very expensive...
Morimoto [as in the former Iron Chef Japan] --hard to get reservations for, but possible to cruise into for a late-night snack of sushi. You could easily spend $100+ per person for the full chef's choice tasting meal, but there are cheaper options. Definitely a special-occasion resturant, but really exceptional.
Budakkan --nowhere near as costly as Morimoto. Asian-fusion. Big gold Buddha in the main dining room. Great food.
Cuba Libre --kinda like a frat house in Havana as imagined by Walt Disney. But the food rocks.
All three of these resutrants feature good booze. They also attract big crowds.
Less expensive, and more 'local'...
Beau Monde --French creperie with a small non-crepe menu. Great martinis. More of a romantic joint, but one of the best resturants in the city.
Las Cazuelas [2 locations] --great Mexican food.
Pigalle -- great French place in Northern Liberties
Kissen Tempura Bar -- not super popular, but I like it.
Even cheaper...
Vietnam and Nam Phuong --two great Vietnamese resturants.
Effie's -- tiny Greek place with no liquor license, but terrific Med. cuisine.
Mixto -- Spanish/Cuban place. Giant plates of paella. A good deal.
Standard Tap --some of the finest bar food I've ever had.
Ten Stone [about 3 blocks from my apt.] -- nice new pub with good solid bar food.
Dirt cheap...
Don't know what time you'll get into Philly, but own of the best meals to be had comes from Tony Luke's sandwhich shop. Its more of a roadside stand than resturant, but fantastic Italian sandwhiches. Their pork Italiano w/sharp provolone puts any other Philly sandwhich to shame, including the vaunted Pat's/Geno's cheesesteaks. Slaughters 'em, really.
Ok, I haven't even scratched the surface... do you want seafood places? Steak? Italian?
