Need a good italian place, within a mile of the convention center, for a group dinner before the Philly Marathon … any recommedations? Bellini Grill was my first choice, but it has been fully booked.
Thanks in advance
I just assumed everyone running the Philly marathon was fueled by a cheesesteak. Pat’s, wit, whiz.
We ate at El Vez when we raced it 2 years ago - fantastic place. Walking distance to race start.
Maggiano’s @ 12th and Filbert. Good luck with your taper.
Doesn’t Philadelphia have anything better than a chain Italian restaurant that was started in Chicago? I’ve been to Maggianos in Chicagoland and I regard it as average. Definitely better than Olive Garden, but nothing I would make an effort to go to.
Three great options:
Modo Mio http://modomiorestaurant.com/
Mercato http://www.mercatobyob.com/
La Famiglia http://www.lafamiglia.com/
.
Pietro’s on 17th and Walnut - used to go all the time when I ran at Penn. They also have a location around 2nd and South St.
Also
Ralph’s http://ralphsrestaurant.com/
Bistro Romano http://www.bistroromano.com/
There are tons.
Try The Saloon on South 7th. It has great food.
Melograno, it’s a BYOB on Sansom. Or email me for a list. This is something I can handle 
Good luck on tapering.
Maggiano’s @ 12th and Filbert. Good luck with your taper.
Doesn’t Philadelphia have anything better than a chain Italian restaurant that was started in Chicago?
Not within a mile of the Convention Center. Philadelphia is pretty lacking in the food department compared to the other major big cities.
You have got to be kidding. Philly is a foodie town. When was the last time you were there?
Here is a link to Italian restaurants in Center City, courtesy of Philadelphia Magazine. You can change the search criteria as need be.
And to the person who posted that Philly is lacking in the food department, here’s a list of Philadelphia Magazine’s Top 50 Restaurants. There’s some pretty good ones on there, and also good ones that aren’t on there. I think Philly’s reputation as a city with good restaurants is pretty well established at this point.
http://www.phillymag.com/restaurants/the_philly_mag_50/index.html
Maggiano’s @ 12th and Filbert. Good luck with your taper.
Doesn’t Philadelphia have anything better than a chain Italian restaurant that was started in Chicago?
Not within a mile of the Convention Center. Philadelphia is pretty lacking in the food department compared to the other major big cities.
If you have ever spent any time in Philly you would know this is absurd. Philly has an excellent and diverse restaurant scene… ever hear of Steven Starr, Marc Vetri, Jose Garces?
Here is a link to Italian restaurants in Center City, courtesy of Philadelphia Magazine. You can change the search criteria as need be.
http://www.phillymag.com/...x=24&submit_y=11
And to the person who posted that Philly is lacking in the food department, here’s a list of Philadelphia Magazine’s Top 50 Restaurants. There’s some pretty good ones on there, and also good ones that aren’t on there. I think Philly’s reputation as a city with good restaurants is pretty well established at this point.
http://www.phillymag.com/...ly_mag_50/index.html
Had my 50th birthday party at Buca di Beppo. It was wild, and the food was great. So many good restaurants in Philly. The OP would be better off picking a restaurant off this list and making a reservation ASAP. Everything is very full the night before the marathon.
If you are willing to take a cab, go to Tre Scalini in South Philly. One of my favorites.
Marc Vetri’s restaurants, ranked in terms of my preference. All very close, all AMAZING food. The manager @ Amis is a good friend and he’s a marathoner, so I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you.
Ranked in my personal preference:
Amis
Osteria
Alla Spina
Vetri - haven’t been, but its the original so I’m gonna assume its pretty boss.
Maggiano’s @ 12th and Filbert. Good luck with your taper.
Doesn’t Philadelphia have anything better than a chain Italian restaurant that was started in Chicago?
Not within a mile of the Convention Center. Philadelphia is pretty lacking in the food department compared to the other major big cities.
Seriously, I hope his comment was meant to be in pink.
You have got to be kidding. Philly is a foodie town. When was the last time you were there?
I’ve been living in Philly for the last 6 years. You prefer Buca di Beppo to Maggianos? I found Buca to be garbage.
The Steven Star restaurants are overpriced and generally have terrible service.
I’ve been living in Philly for the last 6 years. You prefer Buca di Beppo to Maggianos? I found Buca to be garbage.
The Steven Star restaurants are overpriced and generally have terrible service.
Find me a national publication that hasn’t recently written an article or 10 about the amazing food scene in Philly. Yet you’ve been living in Philadelphia for 6 years and you don’t know how to spell Starr. Which tells me you really aren’t a go-to man on all (or any) things food.
To the OP, you want a list of great restaurants that are relatively close to the convention center? My first recommendation, skip Maggiano’s. Here’s what you should try:
Barbuzzo
Butcher & Singer
Chifa
Zahav
Bibou
Mercato
Modo Mio
Kanella
Talula’s Garden
Garces Trading Company
Matyson
Sbraga
Cook
A. Kitchen
Farm and Fisherman
Fork
Bistro La Minnette (probably not the best pre-race food: super rich French, but it’s amazing)
Audrey Claire
I think that’s enough to get you started. That’s just the stuff that within a short walk, that aren’t chains, and that serve amazing food.
And, if you want to venture a little farther (and I mean only a little), Passyunk Avenue has some of the best restaurants in the city:
Fond, Paradiso, Le Virtu. If you want something a little more traditional, Mr. Martino’s Trattoria. Want family style? Villa di Roma in the Italian Market. Or Monsu. Or 943. I could go on. Pick a neighborhood and there are essentially countless options.
You must be a native Philadelphian, douche by nature.
Quoted for the complete and utter lack of substance to the original point.
Marc Vetri’s restaurants, ranked in terms of my preference. All very close, all AMAZING food. The manager @ Amis is a good friend and he’s a marathoner, so I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you.
Ranked in my personal preference:
Amis
Osteria
Alla Spina
Vetri - haven’t been, but its the original so I’m gonna assume its pretty boss.
Went to Vetri for my 5th anniversary. Dropped $500. Easily the most I’ve ever spent on a meal. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Best dinner I’ve ever had.