Help with dinner, solo traveler

Hello, everyone! I%26#39;m hoping someone can help me narrow down my dinner options. This Saturday, I%26#39;m headed to Philly on an alone-trip (no husband, no kid, just me and my book!). Will be taking Amtrak up Saturday, staying overnight at the Westin, leaving Sunday afternoon after seeing a friend for brunch.

My dilemma is dinner on Saturday. I%26#39;ll be at the Franklin Institute for the Tut exhibit from 6 till probably around 8 pm or so, and eating afterwards. I%26#39;d like to try something in safe walking distance from FI and the Westin. I%26#39;d prefer: casual dress (jeans or business casual if I have to), good service, good food, and comfortable for a solo diner with a book :). Oh, and non-chain... not much point going to Philly and eating someplace that%26#39;s also here at home!

I%26#39;ve been doing some research, and am thinking of Tria, Tinto, The Bards, Monk%26#39;s... I saw something about Dolce Carini also. If anyone has feedback on any of those, I%26#39;d love to hear it! I%26#39;m also open to other suggestions.

Help with dinner, solo traveler

Out of your choices listed, I would personally choose Dolce or Monk%26#39;s. IMHO, Dolce has the best pizza and cheesesteaks in the city. However, it is a typical no-frills pizzeria. Although, you can people watch from the tables in the front or sit and read a book.

Monk%26#39;s I would also choose because they have a great menu. Burgers are fabulous, however, it is a bar. I don%26#39;t know if you would be able to sit there and read a book in peace.

A wonderful little cafe across from the Franklin Inst. is Darling%26#39;s. You could definitely sit there very comfortably. The owner, who is usually behind the counter can%26#39;t be any nicer. They are also known for their incredible cheesecake. I would just check to see what time they close though.

www.darlingscheesecake.com

Help with dinner, solo traveler

The Bards has great food and is pretty inexpensive. If you like beer, definitely Monks for the selection.

You might have a tough time finding a good restaurant that has enough lighting to read by. Many places dim the lights as the evening wears on. I%26#39;d focus on the food.

Lynn

Surprisingly enough, the cafe that has been running inside the Franklin at nights during the exhibit has gotten decent reviews. Might want to check it out if just for conviniences sake.

Thanks for the input, everyone - reading isn%26#39;t a huge priority during dinner, I just like to have something with me when I dine alone.

I didn%26#39;t even realize that the Franklin Institute%26#39;s cafe would be running in the evening. I%26#39;ll look into that, too. If I did that, I might have time to see one of the comedy clubs nearby.... hmm.

Any other suggestions are welcome :). Also, am I crazy to think of walking around after dark in Center City versus cabbing it around?

It%26#39;s not the normal cafe, its a special egyptian themed setup that is only open at night in the museums rotunda area. Wasn%26#39;t open during my visit but they were setting up and it smelled WONDERFUL.

Snagged this off the FI site:

Escape to an Egyptian Dining Experience Only at The Franklin Institute

Open Evenings Wednesday Through Sunday Beginning at 4pm on the 2nd floor off of Key Hallway

See King Tut at The Franklin Institute and Stay for Drinks and Dinner!

Tut%26#39;s Oasis, an exciting and new Egyptian dining experience presented by Frog Commissary!

Frog Commissary%26#39;s award winning staff has developed a menu fit for royalty!

Sample Egyptian classics such as Babaganoush, Hummus, Tabouleh and Fatoush before dining on elegant entrees such as Braised Chicken with Pistachios %26amp; Apricots or Shrimp Tijan with Saffron Cream %26amp; Cilantro.

Complete the experience with an Egyptian-inspired Cocktail such as the Blue Nile, the Cobra or the Red Sea.

Dinner Menu

First Plates

Orange Lentil Soup With Pita Croutons %26amp; Cr猫me Fraiche 7.50

Classic Egyptian Soup With a Contemporary Touch

Babaganoush 7.50

Smoked Eggplant Puree With a Touch of Garlic and Tahini - Served With Pita Crisps

Hummus 7.25

Puree of Chickpeas With Tahini Served With Pita Crisps

Stuffed Grape Leaves 7.50

Homemade and Stuffed With Rice, Raisins, Dates %26amp; Nuts

Tabouleh 7.25

Bulger Wheat Salad Laden With Parsley %26amp; Diced Tomato

Fatoush 7.75

Middle Eastern Crisp Pita Bread Salad With Tomato, Cucumber, Flatleaf Parsley %26amp; Lemon Olive Oil Dressing

Roasted Sweet %26amp; Hot Peppers With Chickpeas %26amp; Feta 8.50

More Sweet Than Hot - Garnished With Dukkah - a Mixture of Sesame, Cumin and Coriander Seeds, Hazelnuts, Seasalt %26amp; Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Queen%26#39;s Three Dish Sampler 17.50

Babaganoush - Hummus - Stuffed Grape Leaves

King%26#39;s Five Dish Sampler 25.00

Babaganoush - Hummus - Stuffed Grape Leaves - Tabouleh - Fatoush

Entrees

Braised Chicken Breast With Pistachios %26amp; Apricots 19.50

Pistachio Gremolata

Slow-Cooked Shoulder of Lamb, Fava Beans %26amp; Pearl Onions 21.00

Minted Cr猫me Fraiche

Jumbo Shrimp Tijan With Brandy Cream, Fennel %26amp; Carrots 22.50

Cilantro Pesto

Salmon Filet With Caramelized Onions, Tomatoes %26amp; Golden Raisins 21.50

Preserved Lemon Relish

One of my favorite places for dining solo is at the bar at Fork in Old City. Seating is around the perimeter of a square and you face the restaurant, rather than facing a wall or a mirror. The restaurant is lovely and very relaxed, the food excellent. See forkrestaurant.com for more info.

Regarding walking around in the evening - most of Center City is okay, just use your smarts. There should be plenty of people walking around but if you%26#39;re out late and far from your hotel then cab it.

Thanks to everyone who had suggestions for me - I had a great time in Philly, and enjoyed some excellent food :). Did Dolce Carini%26#39;s for cheesesteak, then ate at Tut%26#39;s Oasis later that night after the exhibit. The food and service were excellent. I never would%26#39;ve tried it had I not seen the recommendation here on the forum, so thanks again!

Glad you enjoyed it! It got great reviews but good to have a firsthand opinion to relay for the remaining 12 days the exhibit is here.