Dinic's Dinic's Dinic's.

You won't regret it. Gets pretty busy at peak times, but if you get a chance to go during non-peak hours, it really is a great sandwich.

Yeah, this is toward the top of my list, dude has been winning awards left and right. Can't wait.

the owner of this place used to come to our yearly halloween party back when i lived in philly (7th and fairmount fwiw)

auto IDK if you are a coffee drinker but there's a good bean shop in reading terminal.

can't remember the name.

Went to "Vernick" recently, near the Irish Pub on 20th and walnut, for dinner.

Food was really good. I'm very critical, so when I say "really good", its probably better than what most people would say.

Try it. You'll like it.

Wanted to try that place, looks cozy/endearing but modern/upscale still.

Went to a.kitchen recently. I had the chili bbq swordfish with white beans and olive puree (so good), the duck breast ragout on top of an apple cider donut (nomnomnom), lamb meatballs Mediterranean style, and a chanterelle mushroom risotto to name a few things...one of my more memorable meals in philly recently.

I've heard good things about Starr's new BBQ place next to Frankford. We didn't go there but recently had BBQ at El Camino while having drinks at the bar. The fried pickles were really good there, as were their sides (potato salad, baked beans, slaw -- all standard but still solid).. the meat plates were a little disappointing.

Ate at Pizzeria Stella in Head House south philly, Starr's pizza place. We got the Cappicola pizza and it was OK brick oven pizza but nothing that crazy. Meatballs were tasty but not mind blowing, and the fried risotto balls were just ok.

Route 6 recently had the chilled half maine lobster (solid), manhattan clam chowder (good) with corn on the side which was also good. Expensive meal but still good. They have good bloody mary's and their brunch menu looks kind of fun but I've never been.

Sansom Oyster House - dollar oysters- 5-7 for happy hour.. really good,fresh, oysters.

Anybody been to Underdog yet?
What about Federal Donuts?

Anybody been to the Hop Sing?

http://www.yelp.com/biz/hop-sing-lau...t-philadelphia

Yes, this is my go-to date closer. It can be a little much, but the drinks are very solid imo, and for a good deal cheaper than Ranstead/Franklin Mortgage.

Recent jaunts...

Federal Donuts. Very good donuts--although I didn't pay so they may be overpriced. I don't really love non-glazed donuts typically but these had enough sugar sprinkles to get me going.

Distrito. District Chicken was one of the best dishes I've had in a long while.

Vetri. Amazing, top to bottom. Crispy sweetbreads were sick.

Percy Street BBQ on South. Very good drinks, pretty decent BBQ. Amazing mac and cheese.

Xochitl in Society Hill. Good Mexican fare, Garces-ish (might be Garces himself). Chocolate and berries cocktail = moment to let your *** flag fly.

Can you just show up wearing something reasonable and expect to get in or is this like a super pretentious experience like some people on Yelp seem to indicate?

I have never been but I had a friend go with 3 others. They didn't get in. Might have been at capacity but he said one of them wasn't as dressed up as the others and that could be why.

I heard the owner Lee is pretty hardcore about his clientele. Dress shoes, look nice, etc

Xochitil - I walked by this on the way to pizzeria Stella, heard good things, not Garces though. Will check out.

Distrito was lackluster for me.

It's never been too bad for me. I have gotten in with sneakers (albeit fashionable sneakers), but he also kinda knows me at this point. The only absolute no-go seems to be shorts/torn jeans, things like that. Lee is a bit of a tool obviously, but if you look composed you shouldn't have any problems.

So I'm moving to the area.

Been looking at places in Old City, Logan Square, Fitler Square, Loft's District--anything to look for or worried about in those areas? My preference right now is Old > others but it is a little more costly. How bad is the loft district (above china town)? I'm going to working for a consulting firm so being able to get to highways quickly is a must. Parking/car is a must as well.

I lived at 15th and Mount Vernon for a while, it was perfectly fine. Obviously a little block to block.. anything above Callowhill and between 10th and 17thish is kind of sketchy but nothing to be worried about.

I'd probably go Olde City over Loft/Fairmount though

Thanks. That's my preference as well, but obviously like the size/amenities of the loft area. I'm looking at Goldtex (new building), Packard (relatively new) and a one or two condos. Seems nice, but a little sketchy of an area but I was there during the day. Not sure how it would be at night.

so I lived at 600 N Broad, a little north of Packard building. Although further north is generally more sketchy, because it's nestled more in a residential area it felt "better" than Packard's area for some reason. Mainly because North Broad after 6 pm is desolate and just filled with weirdos.

Either way, I'm sure you'd be fine in either area. Especially living in a building. You should probably look at Rittenhouse just for ****s and giggles, it's a great area to live.

It's a little high in RS for very little--I don't mind walking a little for much more room and being slightly less safe. I looked at the Touraine and it did little for me other than having a super giant 2b, same thing with the metro--I can't afford a place like the drake unless they have studios which I don't want to do. I looked at the Riverloft and locust on the park both were nice. I'm not sure where 1835 Arch is but I did like those apartments but it's not in the heart of RS.

Today I went to the old Mercantile building on Front Street (20 N Front) and saw some sick rooms but they may go faster than I can decide. Still looking around. I think I'll be fine as well, just wondering if there is any deal breaking things.

Another complexity is I have a potential roommate so I need to look at 1b and 2b just in case he comes through. My preference is a 2b to pay off my school debt and then get a 1b later or buy, but the odds are in favor of me getting a 1b at least for a year since his potential offer is taking a while.

Thanks again.

I also lived at 600 N Broad and I had my car broken into when it was parked at North and Broad next to the very fancy Osteria restaurant. I had the marking rings of a GPS unit on my windshield and that was what was stolen so maybe that is to blame. Even so, I got a monthly parking spot after that.

The downside of that area is that it doesn't really feel like a neighborhood to me. All the good stuff is just a little bit out of reach.

Ha a couple of my buddies lived @16th&Mt Vernon (also have a poker buddy who is a 9ers/Heels fan...eerie). Like he said that area varies by block but is mostly fine. Also Coo's is a pretty good Football Sunday spot. Just stay away from Ridge Ave at night. Parking in any of those areas is aids unless you work banker hours.

Decided on Old City. Pretty excited. Moving in on Monday. Was pretty close to moving to Goldtex but the 1b there are pretty damn expensive and I could get a 2b in Old City or a little above R. Square for like 100-200 bucks more a month.

Just remember where you are at all times. Philly isn't a "dangerous" place, but it can be in certain neighborhoods. Generally you are safe in the popular areas (between the rivers). I witnessed a kid get his iphone stolen right out of his hand in a "nice" area of the city.

Just be aware of your surroundings.

Oh, I know Wil. I used to live in Memphis which had similarly bad areas especially near where I worked but never had an issue there, luckily. Living in Chapel Hill, I don't have to worry about that too much but Durham around here is similarly bad. I need to be pretty careful. Probably avoid carrying too much cash anymore. I want to walk around but I need to make sure where I'm walking. I know even parts of CC aren't that safe

Any recommendations on gyms?

I live in Old City. I'm above Level 1 Fitness but it's the only place it is and it's small. Any opinions on City Fitness, LA Fitness, Sweat Fitness or others?

Been doing Sweat since my Manayunk days, no problems and decent amount of choices (old city, 15th and arch, 24th and walnut, and several other locations)

Ate at the Tavern, formally the Tavern on Camac street in the gayborhood. Amazing cheese plate, snacks, pickled food.. great grilled cheese. The chef used to work at Mercato and won Chopped. Definitely go check it out, very good and reasonable.

http://thetavernphilly.com/

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/t...Wash-West.html

I know this isn't the answer you're looking for but try Go Vertical Rock Climbing Gym near Sugarhouse Casino. My roommate and I went on a whim back in spring of 2012 and since then rock climbing has taken over and completely changed my life.

There are plenty of people that go there just to get a workout after work. I am currently in the best shape of my life. More importantly than that I have traveled the country meeting amazing people and climbing beautiful cliffs and mountains and it has just been an awesome ride.

I definitely dreaded any kind of work out after college. I have never felt that way about rock climbing. I often have to check myself to prevent over training because going to the gym and the crag (cliff) is so fun.

When you first go it won't feel cheap but if you decide to join as a member it's $55-$65 a month and you're essentially penciling it in as part of your entertainment budge in addition to health and fitness budget.

In fact, I just moved away from Philadelphia to California to be closer to Yosemite and the High Sierras so that I can climb at world class cliffs and mountains. Try it, you might not fall in love but it's a fun place to bring a date or a group of friends.

Also, try yoga if you haven't. I like Maha in Center City. A local poker player that many of you might know is an assistant teacher there.