<p>Just wondering if anyone had a good idea for a place to go for a birthday dinner near campus. Nothing too fancy or pretentious but not the standard college place. Just good food and a nice atmosphere.</p>
<p>The University City District website has close to 100 choices. Link is [Restaurants</a> | University City District](<a href=“http://universitycity.org/restaurants]Restaurants”>http://universitycity.org/restaurants).</p>
<p>Thank you so much Wordworker! That was perfect.</p>
<p>We enjoyed Pod (right next to campus).</p>
<p>^ I second Pod. :)</p>
<p>We also like Pod, but the original poster did say “not too pretentious” and I’m not sure that Pod fits that category. We always have had a good meal at White Dog Cafe.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all of the input, both here and in pm. I let DS pick and we ended up at Baby Blues. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed their meals. </p>
<p>When some friends of ours found out DS got into Penn, all they talked about was the Pod and that we had to go there. I guess we will make it at some point. I’ll have two there starting next year, so I am sure the opportunity will arise.</p>
<p>^ Just a head’s-up: it’s simply “Pod.” No “the”:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.podrestaurant.com/]POD[/url”>http://www.podrestaurant.com/]POD[/url</a>]</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Haha, well see, I already hate it (see first post) :-)</p>
<p>^ But now that you know the secret password (i.e., no “the”), it’s actually a fairly fun and easygoing place. ;)</p>
<p>If you enjoy the kind of food it serves (nouvelle asian?), I’d still recommend it. It’s quite unique, and generally very popular with the Penn (and Philly) community.</p>
<p>I’ve been meaning to try Baby Blues–I’ve heard good things about it. Glad everyone enjoyed it. :)</p>
<p>^^ Okay, I promise to give Pod a try, but only because you seem to have a lot of credibility around here</p>
<p>I’m personally not a huge fan of Pod, just because it is absurdly expensive for its quality of food; the food and service are both great, but I don’t think they are worth the price Pod charges. Marigold Kitchen, out at 45th right near Baltimore, is FANTASTIC, in my opinion. I only went there a few times, but it blew my mind every time!</p>
<p>^ The thing about Pod is that the portions are so large that a group can easily share entrees and not order one per person (which cuts down on the expense a bit, and allows sampling of several dishes). But it’s definitely a place to which you go for the atmosphere and experience, and not just the food–especially if you sit in one of the literal pods (and play with the colored lights 
) or at the conveyor-belt sushi bar. And the bathrooms are also kind of cool. :rolleyes:</p>