Dining in the City

Philadelphia is about 25 miles from Valley Forge Park. Anyone spending any amount of time in the area should not miss going downtown for both the sights and the food. Where Valley Forge Park has lots of choices in recreation, the city of Philadelphia is unparalleled in both recreation and dining. I've been to Manhattan and have had some good food and some not-so-good food. Philadelphia has had a surge of fantastic eateries in recent years, and the locals are bragging (with good reason) that Philadelphia surpasses any other city in terms of amazing restaurants. I have to agree - it's really rare you find a bad meal here. Why? Because we have way too many good alternatives to be forced to support bad or even mediocre restaurants.

Here are some of my favorites - mind you, there are more, but these are ones I can personally attest to:

Vetri -This belongs at the top of anyone's list. It's small - housed inside a row house on Spruce and 13th Streets. It's exquisite - the food is mesmerizing in terms of flavor. It's crowded - reservations are often taken months in advance. It's worth the wait - where else can you get a meal that makes you smile as you eat and leaves you with a satisfaction you've never quite known before? By far the best restaurant I've ever been fortunate enough to experience. I hope you're fortunate enough, too. Oh, and take cash. Exquisite food isn't cheap. Three of us dining (with alcoholic beverages) was $150. But don't let price deter you. Treat yourself to an out-of-body food experience. Vegetarian friendly.

Horizons Philadelphia - A very close second to Vetri, this restaurant shows the world that vegetarian food (in this case, vegan) can be ultra-hip and can taste fantastic. Meat eaters - don't avoid it for lack of meat. You'll not be disappointed in anything you order here. The chef creates Van Gogh-like dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. On any given night, you're likely to see celebs and other famous folks. The only thing hampering this place is the bar - I had a rather unappealing key lime martini here. Stick with the bottled wines. Located off S. 7th Street. Vegetarian Valhalla.

Buddakhan - Another fabulous, ultra-popular dining spot. Asian cuisine done to perfection. Again, reservations are recommended as it's often packed. The atmosphere is loud, hip, modern and not to be missed. Vegetarian friendly.

Tangerine - Morroccan done right! Everything about this place is awesome. The decor feels like the inside of a prince's tent. The food all has the hint of tangerine to it. Sadly, however, it has yet to cater to vegetarians. The chef was kind enough to prepare something for us, which was tasty, but we were disappointed that we had no other choice. Not vegetarian friendly.

El Vez - If you love margaritas (and who doesn't?), you've come to the right place! A little bit of kitch, a whole lot of great food. Their guacamole is amazing! Located on South 13th Street and the corner of Sansom. Vegetarian friendly.

Monk's Cafe: Think largest selection of Belgian beers in the country. Think small restaurant with great vegetarian and meat-loving choices. Think crowded. Think of waiting for a table - it's worth it. Vegetarian friendly.