Safety in Numbers... GROUP DATE!!!!

It's nice to go out with that someone special BUT it's even better if you go out with FIVE someone specials.  At the end of a week when your boss has been non-stop on your case, or your kids have been out of control, or you just haven't had a free time to yourself... it's good to release the tension and hang out with some friends.

Group dates are always a good time, whether it be with other couples or just your group of friends.  A small dinner and maybe a little craziness after, is just what the doctor ordered on a Saturday night!

Where to go for dinner?

Some of Marc Vetri's restaurants have been named "Best Pasta on the East Coast", Philadelphia is lucky enough to have THREE of Iron Chef Vetri's establishments located in town!

Out of Amis (which Bon Apettit named One of the Top Ten places for Pasta in the U.S.), Osteria, and Vetri Ristorante... I'd have to say the very first of all of them, Vetri is my favorite.  

Having spent time in Italy cooking with the gods and perfecting his skills, Marc Vetri opened Vetri Ristorante in 1998.  For you foodies, Vetri is located at 1312 Spruce Street the former first spot of Georges Perrier's Le Bec-Fin back in the 70's.

The reason I picked this small, quaint place in Washington Square West is because on weekend nights Vetri ONLY does Chef's Tastings.  These sell out quick, but if you are lucky enough to reserve a spot for Chef's Tasting (largest party is of 6, they keep it intimate), you will NOT be disappointed.  

Vetri refers to the tasting as "Degustazione" (Day-Goo-Statz-EE-Oh-Neh), which literally means "tasting" in Italian.  The neat thing about Degustazione is the Chef's uses this as a chance to create new dishes.  They use what's in season at the Market and it is all locally grown/produced ingredients (I'm guessing he takes a trip down to 9th Street).  

The Pie de Resistance; Marc Vetri hand PAINTS a menu for each table involved in Degustazione!  Check These Out!

Damn that was good eatin... Where To Now?

After eating your weight in Italian cuisine, I'm sure you're going to want to rest.  THERE'S NO RESTING ON DATE NIGHT!  So before everyone passes out in a food coma, hop a cab!  Point the cabby to 2nd and Poplar aka NORTH BOWL and finish the night off with retro bowling! 

There ain't a hipster in town that hasn't been to this place.  Downstairs you have a bar, lanes, and probably some of the most amazing tatter tots you've ever had!  Not that you'd be hungry after Vetri, but if you want a little late night snack - North Bowl's tatter tot menu (that's right it gets a whole section of the menu) is extravagant!  My suggestion - The Mazel Tots.  YES!

If you're not in to bowling it's cool, man.  North Bowl has great drink specials.  There are also billiards and arcade games upstairs... oh yea and a few more lanes just incase you decide to bowl.  

Pasta and Bowling... Can't Go Wrong!