Danylo wrote: Philadelphia TBD.

Reposted from 9/29, upthread. I haven't lived in Philly for decades, but I grew up there and return a few times per year.

If you fancy a drink: I'd check out the Khyber Pass Pub (classic craft beer bar and nowadays, passable Creole food), Fountain Porter (which also has a dynamite wine list, a great cheap burger, and possibly the best recorded music of any bar in the city), or the Jim (newer, weirder, Asian-influenced bar food, feels like you stumbled on a secret).

The Philadelphia Record Exchange is the old-school shop to hit, although it's unfortunately not the '90s anymore. Long in the Tooth, Repo, and Beautiful World Syndicate also merit a visit.

Illata is an incredible BYO restaurant. Hard to explain the cooking, sort of Mediterranean, sort of New American. Seasonal and taking risks. If you've ever enjoyed the Four Horsemen or Wildair in NYC, this comes from a similar school, but it's also different, way more intimate.

Irwin's, a modern rooftop Sicilian joint, is a controversial choice for some (Philly often expects Italian food to be inexpensive and served in massive portions; this is not that), but I happen to love the place, especially the chef's sourcing. Incredible view, located on top of a former school. Concentrate on starters, pastas, and specials. Don't skip dessert or cocktails. Smart wine list.

Myloup is a great, buttery French Canadian-ish splurge if you want even more of a baller dinner. They also mix a hell of a drink, as does Friday Saturday Sunday bar.

If you're looking for cheap eats, I love Al-Amana (Palestinian inside of a grocery store) and Almaz Cafe (Ethiopian; BYO). Sang Kee in Chinatown (OG branch only) has been carving reliable Peking duck forever, and Pho 75 (Viet soup, obviously) will cure a hangover. Sakartvelo is a slightly under-the-radar BYO spot for Georgian food and great for vegetarians. And Indo Spice has unusual dishes from the island of Sulawesi. Hardena is also cool for BYO Indonesian and a family vibe, but it had fallen off a little last time I visited.

Perfect tomato pie at Iannelli's, but good luck, it's only open 15 random days per year. Caccia's will do if the place is closed. Pizzata is solid for regular pizza done well.

Get a big sloppy sandwich at John's Roast Pork for lunch (roast pork or cheesesteak) or a new-school hoagie at Farina di Vita (more artisanal Italian influence; owner is a sweetheart).

I've got more, but that's enough for now.

My wife and I are going to spend five days in Napa in mid-February. I know that you can throw a rock and hit a great restaurant and lovely vineyard, which makes planning harder and not easier. Any recommendations?

Low-key food options would be especially appreciated.

I’d also love to hear recommendations for good hikes or other outdoor activities, with the caveat that neither of us is much of a cyclist.

OrthodoxEaster wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:59 am Khyber Pass Pub

Love the Khyber Pass. I used to hang out at Eulogy kitty-corner to it back in the day.

OrthodoxEaster wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:59 am Georgian food

I am here for the Georgian food recommendations.

OrthodoxEaster wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:59 am

Danylo wrote: Philadelphia TBD.

Get a big sloppy sandwich at John's Roast Pork for lunch (roast pork or cheesesteak)

John's Roast Pork is The Way, cannot recommend it enough.

Also no trip to Philly is complete without a visit to Pizzeria Beddia. Easily the best pizza on the east coast/the whole country.

Wood Goblin wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:37 am My wife and I are going to spend five days in Napa in mid-February. I know that you can throw a rock and hit a great restaurant and lovely vineyard, which makes planning harder and not easier. Any recommendations?

Low-key food options would be especially appreciated.

I’d also love to hear recommendations for good hikes or other outdoor activities, with the caveat that neither of us is much of a cyclist.

Visit FM RyanZ at Copain Wines? https://www.copainwines.com/

four_oclocker_2.2 wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:50 am

OrthodoxEaster wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:59 am

Danylo wrote: Philadelphia TBD.

Get a big sloppy sandwich at John's Roast Pork for lunch (roast pork or cheesesteak)

John's Roast Pork is The Way, cannot recommend it enough.

Also no trip to Philly is complete without a visit to Pizzeria Beddia. Easily the best pizza on the east coast/the whole country.

While John's no longer quite feels like going into a desert of garages and dockyards for lunch, it's still great. Glad you agree.

I like Beddia. Cool wine list. And the tomato pie square, while airier and more like focaccia than the Philly standard, might be the best in the city. Really. The olive oil and the sauce are nuts. The regular pizza is also quite good, although I'm more partial to trad Neapolitan style (w/the blistered crust and soupy center). And the vibe—since it moved to a bigger space—is more Brooklyn than Philly now. Hyped, for sure. Still, you no longer have to wait in the cold and then have the guy run out of dough. It's pretty remarkable and I'm being nit-picky.

Danylo wrote:

OrthodoxEaster wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:59 am Khyber Pass Pub

Love the Khyber Pass. I used to hang out at Eulogy kitty-corner to it back in the day.

OrthodoxEaster wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:59 am Georgian food

I am here for the Georgian food recommendations.

I used to sneak into the Khyber as a kid (making it past the doorman maybe half the time) to see bands. Attended some very memorable gigs by Pavement (Gary Young era), Dog Faced Hermans, Seam (Problem w/Me era), and countless others. It is by no means a music mecca anymore, but it feels really cool that I can still get behind the place all these decades later. The bassist from Pissed Jeans worked there for a really long time, although he split during or shortly after the pandemic.

Most of Philly's Georgian culture is in the Northeast, which is not a particularly thrilling section of the city. But Sakartvelo will more than do the job in Center City. Love it. Not the cuddliest staff and I've never fucked w/the weirdly ambitious-sounding specials, but the basics are all very fresh and very, very good: Chkmeruli, lobio, and bread are way better than average. I've also heard good things about the khinkali. Lots of dudes in tracksuits getting big to-go orders last time I was there. A promising sign, right?

jfv wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:53 am

Wood Goblin wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:37 am My wife and I are going to spend five days in Napa in mid-February. I know that you can throw a rock and hit a great restaurant and lovely vineyard, which makes planning harder and not easier. Any recommendations?

Low-key food options would be especially appreciated.

I’d also love to hear recommendations for good hikes or other outdoor activities, with the caveat that neither of us is much of a cyclist.

Visit FM RyanZ at Copain Wines? https://www.copainwines.com/

Dang, very cool!

My wife and I are going to Iceland for a week next July.

Hit me!

Gramsci wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 1:06 pm My wife and I are going to Iceland for a week next July.

Hit me!

Reykjavik Roasters and Kaktus are excellent coffee places in the city.
If you're a fan of The Big Lebowski, the Lebowski Bar is downtown (the film had its premier in Iceland), I stopped in for a White Russian.
Eat some hot dogs, there's the famous stand downtown called Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur.

Will you be traveling out of the city? Because the Tomato farm, Friðheimar, is really cool. Stop for tomato soup for lunch with fresh basil and unlimited bread.

Tucson, please.

I’ve been working near the airport a lot and I fucking hate it. I won’t exactly have a lot of free time but what’s a good area within say, 15/20 minutes from the airport? Dive bars and good food are crucial.