I’m going to be spending five nights in Philadelphia later this month. Was wondering if anyone might have a recommendation for a must see furniture shop or a great antique store that I simply must visit while I am there. I’m open to all suggestions.
Thanks!
Jeff
Replies
Jeff there is a place in Northern Libertys. the place has all kinds of finds: Old bars from around the world, old doors. three floors of really cool stuff. Its a must see. I'll get the name for you.
I can also tell you about all the food places too. The great local cheese steak shops (where the locals go). I live near by in Southern NJ and am in the city all the time.the Franklin Institute has the king tut display going on too. Get tickets now. Wife & I just went.
If you like wings go to Moriarty's (best in the city) Right next to the forrest Theater.
Chickie and petes for sea food and suds ( ask the waitress she will tell you what to order. Get the crab fries!!!!
Hit the art museum, Need any restaurant advice let me know
This is up my alley I love the city, Lou
Let me know the name of the place you are talking about, sounds interesting.I'm staying at the Loews Philadelphia hotel (1200 Market Street), so any good eating spots nearby would be greatly appreciated.Sounds like this will be a good trip. Thanks for your help.Jeff
What type of food are you looking for?
I'm not picky when it comes to good food. I'll eat about anything. Want to get a good cheese steak while I'm there. Any good authentic italian around?Really, I'm open to suggestions.Jeff
Despite their website, Ralph's is a very down to earth and offers very good Italian. If your at work turn down your volume.... http://www.ralphsrestaurant.com/inframes.htm
Pat's steaks (forget Genos) is also in South Philly for cheasteaks. Both Ralphs and Pats are short cab rides from Lowes. BTW Lowes has a pretty good resturant.
Ong's in Chinatown (10th and Arch)- excellent Vietnamese-Chinese (fish soup, noodle dishes, fish entrees), reasonable prices.Vietnam Restaraunt (not Palace) in Chinatown (10th or 11th St near Race)- huge menu, very good, moderate prices.Aya's Cafe (21st and Arch)- Very good Mediterranean, BYOB, moderate prices.Little Fish (~8th/Catherine)- very small, very, very good, reasonable prices BYOB, reservations a must.Sarcone's Deli (9th St in the Italian Market) great hoagies, shooters, etc, inexpensive (worth it just to visit the Market).Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
BYOB restuarants? Please elaborate.Jeff
BYOB = Bring Your Own Bottle (of wine, e.g.)Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Do the restuarants not sell alcohol?
Is the Italian market in the downtown area?
A little bit south- ~9th and Christian.Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Now residing in Chicago for the last 17 years, I am a Philadelphia native and lived back there during grad school in the late 80s. Here is want I can recommend:
The Italian Market is just a little south of downtown - a 5 minute taxi ride. Go to Giordano's, it is the largest corner in the market. A college buddy, Wally Giordano, and his family run it. It is pretty neat to see the way it operates. There is a really good little, local seafood joint called "Snockey's" just a stones throw away from the Italian market
For a cheese steak, Jim's cheesesteaks on South street is the perennial "best" winner in Philadelphia magazine. Besides, South street is a must see walk if you are in town.
There are so many great restaurants. If you want hi end, go to the Striped Bass right in center city. For Pizza and mussels, go to Mara's on Passyunk Ave - they are another Philly's best.
There is a phenomenal wood shop / furniture builder out in Manyunk. His name is Paul Downs. They outgrew their place and I understand they are in Bridgeport, which is just outside of Philly. I've seen their product and always have wanted to get out to their shop. Here is what they say about themselves (I just checked their website).
"We would be happy to give you a tour of our workshop. Please call (610) 239-0142 or email [email protected] to make an appointment. We are available from 10-5 weekdays, and evenings and Saturdays by appointment."
Good luck and have fun in my old home city.
Bob
I agree that Jim's is a great shop (better than Pat's even) but I'm afraid S. Street isn't what is used to be. The retailers close early to avoid the people who hang out there at night.
I actually lived on the 200 block of S. Street for 2 years when I managed a bar in the early 90s. Those were wild times.
"Jeff there is a place in Northern Libertys. the place has all kinds of finds: Old bars from around the world, old doors. three floors of really cool stuff. Its a must see. I'll get the name for you."Were you able to find the name of this place?Jeff
I don't know what place was being referred to, but if you walk down Market to 3rd, and take a left on 3rd, wou will be walking (north) into the Old City/Northern Liberties neighborhoods. Many interesting shops, bars, clubs, second hand dealers, restaraunts, etc. Try to go in the afternoon when many palces are open and it is light enough to appreciate the street scene and shop windows.Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Here are a few I plan to visit soon:
1. Wharton Esherick Museum, which is about 25 miles northwest of the city in the hills near Paoli.
2. Moderne Gallery downtown Philly
3. Philadelphia Art Museum.
Ed
I'm afraid I don't frequent antique stores bc I can't afford them but there are many in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a very nice collection of furniture, architectural elements and actual buildings (rebuilt inside) from around the world. Plus it is a world class museum otherwise. http://www.philamuseum.org/
About an hour from Philly, in Delaware, is Winterthur. Winterthur is an old Dupont Estate that houses the largest collection of pre-industrial revolution American furniture in existence (not a boast). http://www.winterthur.org/about/about.asp The main house is more than 100k square feet and is packed full art, furniture, textiles, ceramics, etc. It would take months to see it all. I am lucky to live near Winterthur.
Also, Wharton Esherick's famous house, etc. is about 1/2 hr. from Philly. Mr. Esherick was dubbed the Dean of American Craftsmen (if you didn't already know). http://www.levins.com/esherick.html
TWG.
Ed beat me to the punch on a couple of these.
Edited 3/1/2007 7:57 am ET by TWG
The furniture collection at the Phila Museum of Art is actually fairly small, given the size of the museum and the importance of Philadelphia as a center of 18th/19th C furniture making. What they have is good, but not extensive- it is a fraction of what is available at Yale, for example, and even the Wadsworth (a much smaller institution) gives it a run for its money.Winterthur is the exact opposite- it has extensive collections of great furniture. It is a bit idiosyncratic, as it reflects the personal taste of its founder, so there are some holes in the collection- but I would highly recommend it.Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Fine. Yale does have a better furniture collection than Phila. Mus. of Art.
Next you will be negatively comparing U of Penn to Yale. That could only end in a grudge match squash game.
TWG.
Jeff,
I've been away from Philly for so long I'm afraid to calculate. But if it's still functioning you should drive up to see George Nakashima's workshop in New Hope. After he died it was taken over by his daughter, but I really don't know what's there nowadays.
And if you do go up that way, see the Mercer museum in Doylestown. It's totally dedicated to tools and implements of all the old crafts.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Totally unrelated to woodworking, but one of the coolest spots in Philly. The Mutter museum. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/PAPHImut.html
Not sure if you're into wood turning but the Philadelphia Wood Turning Center is a really neat gallery that sells and displays some of the coolest sculpture and turning there is.
Here's a link to the Web site. It's located just a few blocks from the Liberty Bell.
http://www.woodturningcenter.org/
As far as food goes, you can't go wrong in Philly. Last time I visited I went to a great authentic Cuban restaurant called Cube Libre. http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.com/
Jeff,
Might not be exactly what you are after, but two really cool places for any woodworker, not far from Philly are Groff and Groff Lumber in Quarryville Pa. and Hearne Lumber in Oxford. Pa. I dare you to not be impressed by either of those two visits, also double dare you to not buy any lumber during the visit ;-)..
Yeah, I'll try to check them out. The only problem would be trying to check 50 bf of quilted maple on the plane home.
-------------
Might not be exactly what you are after, but two really cool places for any woodworker, not far from Philly are Groff and Groff Lumber in Quarryville Pa. and Hearne Lumber in Oxford. Pa. I dare you to not be impressed by either of those two visits, also double dare you to not buy any lumber during the visit ;-)..
------------
I concur---Groff & Groff is An Experience. Plus, if you head to Quarryville you'll have nice drive into the heart of Amish country. Which is a whole 'nother round of sight-seeing. . .I've never been to Hearne, but it's all beautiful country.
Edited 3/2/2007 12:39 pm ET by gj13
Your staying a couple of blocks away from the Reading Terminal market, which has been around since 1892 and where the trains brought the groceries in to the center city residents. You will find all the philly foods there Hoagies, Cheese steaks etc. Plus Thur - Sat the Amish are there selling their foodstuffs. Be sure to get yourself a Dinic's roast pork sandwich(loaded) and stop by afterwards for a Cannoli at Termini's bakery. Two of Phill's best food treats.
The Italian market is a cab ride away from where you are staying.There are loads of authentic Italian restaurants in the city and burbs, one you might try is Dante & Luigi’s ,again a cab ride away. They bill themselves as the oldest in the city, I don't know about that , but good authentic Italian it is. Rumor has it that a mob hit occured there.For woodworking I second the Winerthur museum about an hour away in northern Delaware, Norm was just there to get plans for his Domini clock.
jh. ,steak & cheese at Oscars(an old saloon - not to be confused with cocktail lounge), market/sansome sts. If it is still there. I think Geo. Washington ate there as a private, old wood booths, most local office folks lunch there but don't order a strawberry dacquiri as those bar men have never seen one.
The gold mine is The Reading Terminal market.
- Amish breakfast, you will not use up a $10 bill and you will need a hand truck to get off the stool.
-Herb and spices vendor, the best selection and prices anywhere.
-Hatville meats, Elmer King Prop. I used to call him up and he'd get me a side of Amish bacon (at a dollar off the sliced price) This was an 8/4 slab -maybe $50.
-The bar in the middle on one side has local Yunglings fresh on draught. The oldest major brewery in the USA-still family run. Try the Lager, then realize that this is as good as it gets. In the bottle at home it's good but not this good.
-Philly ethnic foods can not be tried in one visit -you would die but you would die happy.
ENJOY, Paddy
I left Philadelphia in 1970 for California. When I got to Oakland (Navy duty) I couldn't believe the dearth of good food. No one could understand when I told them about the corner deli in just about any neighborhood in Philly that had (as standard fare) food more exotic than anything that I could find in ALL of the Bay Area.I passed through the Reading Terminal every day of my life for 10 years traveling from NE to downtown.You are making me very hungry and very homesick!Rich
Rich, I left Philly in 1970 and went east when you went west. After all these years living outside the US there are damn few things that I still miss, but a real cheesesteak is still on the shortlist.regards,
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
David,That and boiled tongue on rye or pumpernickle with dark mustard and a dill tomato.Rich
I am Italian, But man I love jewish food. The famous 4th street deli !!!!!!!!!!! Go and get some
-LMC
lou,Funny thing, when I got to Oakland in 1970, there was a deli right down the street from where we found a house to buy. I was thrilled. I went down there as soon as we unacked the car. It was . . . ITALIAN! As were all other places called . . . "deli."No rye bread, no pumpernickle, no bagels!
But good sourdough toast, no doubt...Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
That, indeed!Rich
Rich, when I was scoping out East Tn. my real estate broker was Jewish fellow (Boston to New York to Miami to Tn.) and he had been in Tn, for 17 years . On my next trip in my F-150 , I had a large cooler with dry ice and a doz.fresh Bialys, two doz. NY bagles and a 9 pack box of Gabilias Kinishes. This guy didn't know whether to "spit" or go blind , and I was very pleased as he was a first class guy and worthy of the effort. Can you picture the joy Paddy.
BTW . I was sorry that the smoked salmon etc. from Zabars delli didn't travel as well , he might have needed a cardiac team? pfh
LOL!
...You can't live on Cheesesteak alone...pretzels 3/$.25 cents pass the mustard...
I suspect that 3 pretzels for a quarter is not the going price anymore, although it will remain that way in my mind forever. Where was that mustard?
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Now 3 for $1, or 4 for $1 if older.
Edited 3/7/2007 5:42 pm ET by TWG
WINTERTHUR...With out a doubt. Sign up for the FURNITURE tour and you'll be in HOGGGG heaven....Note--- You have to SIGN UP for the furniture tour...Jimmy
REPEAT....WINTERTHUR....Sorry for shouting, but you will love it...Don't forget to have a couple dozen Yeungling (sp) beers while you're there...Jimmy
I didn't read all the way through the thread, but at the risk of being repetitive, If you have time and transportation, George Nakashima's shop (now run by his daughter) has a open house/self-guided tour every saturday from 1:00pm to 4:30pm. For more info: http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com
Personally, I think it's a must see.
Jim
The Wharton Esherick Museamis a"must" visit. Have been twice and see something different each time. Intend to revisit on my next trip to Philly..
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled