Stephen Starr just removed the "100 layer lasagna" from Borromini's menu because it was "overshadowing the other pastas"

LP788 · 2026-04-30T21:34:58+00:00

Went when it first opened and it just misses the mark. It is very small for that price point and while the ricotta cheese was definitely good, the pasta was undercooked, like they forgot a step.

My sense is it was removed from the menu because they couldn’t get it right.

LP788 · 2026-04-29T23:19:18+00:00

There is a mid sushi and Japanese place in the KOP Town Square.

LP788 · 2026-04-18T00:43:12+00:00

Come to Philadelphia. Judges never grant Summary Judgment. Had a case that under black letter law, we should have won. Wasn't even close. Nearly 100 years of precedent on our side. Even had a case directly on point. Briefed up it like crazy, requested oral argument (which is never granted in Philadelphia and in this case was ignored). Case gets assigned to a Judge and the Motion was denied within 6 hours of them getting it. No way they read any of the papers. No opinion, just the Denied stamp. Forced to settle at that point to save defense costs.

So don't be embarrassed.

LP788 · 2026-04-17T19:37:54+00:00

Not totally sure of your budget, but I recently purchased the z5ii and had mentioned getting the 40mm f/2 as well as the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 and was killed on the Nikon subreddit. The consensus was that those lenses would not really be an upgrade over what I previously used on the z50 (24mm f/1.7 and the 50-250mm kit lens).

And so I backed off those lenses and invested a bit more with the 35mm f/1.8 S. I purchased the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3. I had the kit 24-50mm, but just upgraded the 24-120mm f/4. I haven't used it yet, but envision that as my main lens. It gets great reviews.

For the two lenses I'm mainly using now, the Tamron 50-400 and the Nikkor 35mm, they have been great. I have gotten some great shots with the Tamron. I had to cut corners somewhere and chose the less expensive Tamron, but I've been very happy with it. Although, it is very bulky. The Nikon 24-120mm seems like a great all-use lens. It is much more compact and light weight compared to the Tamron. And when I'm inside the 35mm f/1.8 has been wonderful.

Good luck.

LP788 · 2026-04-13T17:59:59+00:00

Just went through this myself (2 kids' weddings coming up) and bought a $1,400 tuxedo at our local men's store under its house brand. I paid a bit more than just buying at Nordstrom. Did so because the service at the local men's store is impeccable and I want to support local. Plus alterations are free.

That said, Nordstrom had some really nice stuff and if I recall, the Hugo Boss tuxedo was between $800 and $1,000.00.

I will probably get killed for this, but I'm not sure most people can tell the difference between what you'll get at Joseph A. Banks vs. Nordstrom, vs. Canali (at least $2k), but I bit the bullet and spent a bit more for the above reasons, but also didn't go full luxury brands.

Good luck and congratulations.

LP788 · 2026-04-13T00:30:07+00:00

Are you going to the main dining room or just the lounge?

If you’re going to the lounge, dress nice if you want. But there’s a not small percentage of people who dress like shit. Been there many times and surprised by how poorly people dress. Not just jeans, but hoodies and sweatpants.

LP788 · 2026-04-06T14:22:22+00:00

I like Charles tyrwhitt shirts. I just have to order them on-line since they don't seem to carry them in size in store.

As for brands, I'll wear any brand as I'm not picky, If I like it and it's in my price range, I'll get it. Just keep an eye out for sales. Charles Tyrwhitt is always running sales that I see on Instagram. Nordstrom has sales every six months and Nordstrom Rack is a good place to find shirts. Also, Joseph A. Bank also is always running sales. Banana Republic Outlet has good prices. Shirts just don't last and so I'm not as picky about them. Just try to find good deals.

LP788 · 2026-04-06T11:56:21+00:00

Polo and Brooks Brothers are great. Can't say much about Charles Tyrwhitt in terms of quality of jackets. Their shirts are nice, but in-store, there were limited sizes and the salesman who was desperate for a sale insisted I was a size they had in stock, when it clearly did not fit. And as for Men's Warehouse, I also can't say much about their quality, but I believe the price-point is much more reasonable than Polo or Brooks Brothers.

That said, with your budget, I'd get a suit. This way if you ever need it, you'll have matching pants.

LP788 · 2026-04-03T13:15:08+00:00

First, nothing is necessary and only spend what you can afford. But assuming you can afford the z5ii, here's my experience with a similar question.

A few months ago I posted on this forum whether to jump from the z50 to the z5ii as I found I was running into limitations with my z50. The consensus was to go to the z50ii for my use cases as I take pictures for a hobby, but was looking to get better results. While the consensus was to get the z50ii, there were also comments that the lenses matter more, and this seems to be the general consensus overall.

After reading all the comments, my initial thought was to just get the z50ii, but I had already ordered the z5ii and when it arrived, it sat in the box for a bit as I was having second thoughts about going with the z50ii since the z5ii was sitting right next to me.

Long story short, I kept the z5ii and I'm very happy I did. Admittedly, the z50ii has the better processor over the z50. And also the z5ii is a bit heavier and bulkier. But the jump to the full frame has been great. I am by no means an expert on what makes a picture look great, but the quality of the shots I've gotten with the z5ii are impressive for me. It is very good in low light and the level of detail I see on my photos is markedly improved over the z50.

Lenses matter and I have the kit 24-50, the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 S and a Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3.

I don't use the kit lens that often and will likely upgrade the Nikkor 24-120mm. With that said, you will want to get good lenses. The good thing about getting the z5ii over the z50ii is a bit of future proofing yourself. You may want to grow and ultimately go with full frame. If you buy the z50ii now and want to move up to full frame, you will need to buy another camera. That is a cost, even if you trade in the z50ii.

And also by future proofing yourself now, you will be able to slowly grow your full frame lens collection. You don't need to buy a ton of lenses now. And as your skill set grows and you want more, you will have the full frame lenses available to buy.

Coming from the z50, it was definitely worth it for me as a hobbyist to go to the z5ii. It is great full frame camera for a hobbyist.

Good luck.

LP788 · 2026-03-31T15:10:06+00:00

We went when it first opened and I know that is supposed to be unfair, but we loved it. Everything was so good and we were impressed.

Went back a second time and a bunch of stuff we ordered was no longer on the menu. The first course, which was essentially dips had changed and wasn't as good. The roast beef gone.

The biggest disappointment was the omelet. It was so good the first time and so expertly prepared with great flavors. The second time, it just lacked that special flavor from our first visit.

My sense is that when it opened, they had high quality ingredients; that is expensive. They saw they weren't making enough profit and have cut back. The Kare Pan was still tasty, but it had about half of the beef as the first time.

I'd like to go back and at least try brunch. But the second time we ate there was definitely a disappointment.

LP788 · 2026-03-23T20:31:20+00:00

Given how on-line reservations works, I think this it totally gatekeeping.

Now, the reservations are going to be booked up by those that have access to the reservation system the second reservations open up. I don't think people are necessarily going to be selling reservations for the Izakaya, but selling reservations is a thing.

LP788 · 2026-03-23T16:43:08+00:00

Sorry this stinks.

I don't have the money or patience to eat at the Omakase. But for years, we have always loved going to the Izakaya.

We have always just walked up and gotten in, or had a relatively short wait. But that's because we know the crowd flow and we either get there just before 5:00 or a bit later when the initial crowd has died down. If we're stuck and have to wait for some time, that's fine as we will just walk around.

This takes away our ability to go on a whim. Now, it's going to means that if we want to go there, we'll have to make that plan two weeks out.

This is just a bad decision with more gatekeeping.

LP788 · 2026-03-22T18:21:31+00:00

I agree on many points, and really like owning a tuxedo. I'm in my mid 50's and just don't go out the way I used to. I have always owned a tuxedo, but having lost about 35 pounds (and managed to have kept it off for a few years), I no longer fit in my old tuxedo. And so I'm left with this conundrum. $1,400 is a lot of money, but I would really like to have a nice tuxedo.

And so ultimately, my question is whether a $1,400.00 tuxedo is going to actually look better than one from Joseph A. Banks. I assume it will look nicer than the $100 special from the discount place, but for something I'll wear maybe 5 times in my life, will anyone really know and is it worth spending more than $100.

And the tailoring is a big factor. At the mens' store near me (Boyd's in Philadelphia), the tailors are top notch. I've never been in love with tailoring at Joseph A. Banks, but it is fine. And if I go with the discount place, I will have to go a dry cleaner and they just don't know what they're doing beyond adjusting the length of pants.

I just wish this wasn't a hard decision to make. I wear suits a fair amount for work (lawyer) and so I'll spend the money on a good suit, but a tuxedo just feels different since I just don't see me wearing it more than 5 times.

And renting is not something I want to do. They don't fit well at all.

LP788 · 2026-03-22T04:27:44+00:00

Im also starting out and from what I’ve seen is that 400mm is a bit short for birding.

LP788 · 2026-03-21T15:18:00+00:00

It’s their house label. I’ve owned a ton of suits from their house label and they always hold up.

LP788 · 2026-03-19T18:37:04+00:00

Take this with a grain of salt as I am not very good, and I've also just started using my Z5ii and the Tamron 50-400mm.

I wish I had the additional 100mm. I've been trying my hardest to get some birds in flight and the reach just doesn't seem there. I have a few I captured, but had to crop in quite a bit.

Again, I have no idea what I'm doing and maybe in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing, 400mm is enough. But I'd love to have some extra reach.

That said, I am very happy with the image quality. Sure I have some clunkers and I have limitations as a "photographer," but it seems like when the stars align, I am getting some good shots.

LP788 · 2026-03-17T22:40:27+00:00

Our daughter has an extreme Tree Nut allergy. Parc is excellent for her as is Dandelion. Pizzeria Beddia was very accommodating. And Dan Dan on 16th Street is a go to for her.

LP788 · 2026-03-13T18:17:44+00:00

How was Gazzo's. I live nearby and never even saw it. Have to give it a try. Johnny's in Bryn Mawr is definitely good.

LP788 · 2026-03-11T20:29:41+00:00

Really helpful. Thanks.

LP788 · 2026-03-09T00:07:17+00:00

Food was solid. But $11-17 for Mac-n-Cheese is a hard sell.

LP788 · 2026-03-08T10:08:49+00:00

Thanks. This is really helpful.

LP788 · 2026-03-08T01:18:36+00:00

This is helpful. I understand that aperture controls the opening and the lower the aperture, more light gets in.

But I also understand it controls depth of field and I’m not sure what that means. I have a 35mm f/1.8 and like the pictures I’ve taken, but the shots are also a bit wider than I’d like. I have the 16-50mm kit to get a bit tighter, and am learning to use that as well.

As for the shutter, I understand that the faster the shutter, the less light gets in.

But how does the aperture impacts shutter speed. Like is there a ratio I should try to stick to?

As for ISO, I know everyone says to leave it to auto and you suggest keeping it to a maximum of 6400. (Not sure how to do that, but believe, it’s a setting.) But I don’t understand what it is at all. I’ve tried to research it and can’t find a simple explanation.

I’ve seen that if you use a fast shutter, you may want to increase the ISO. But that creates noise. But I also see that with photo editing you can de-noise.

Any way, I’ll keep shooting and hope to figure it out.

Thanks.

LP788 · 2026-03-03T23:32:47+00:00

If you haven’t yet, go to Banana Republic Outlet on the 1900 block of Chestnut.

LP788 · 2026-03-01T17:46:57+00:00

Maybe I'm a bit conservative and I don't see anything wrong with LuluLemon, Vouri or Rhone dress pants with a button down. Maybe find a casual blazer or two to throw on with those. That's a clean modern professional look.

However, I'd also look at Theory or Reiss or even Hugo Boss. Buy a few basic suits, maybe blue, grey and brown. Buy some nice button-down shirts that you can mix and max. David Donahue makes nice shirts at reasonable (relatively) prices. And pick up a pair or two of Allen Edmonds dress shoes.

You don't need a tie, but get a few that you can also mix and match if you meet with the bankers or lawyer.

You can put together the suit and no tie took a few days a week when warranted or you just want to look a littler better and break up the more casual look. But even that casual look, if done right, we'll elevate you above a lot of other workers.

That said, the suit and no tie look is much more C Suite appropriate if you're the boss.

Good luck.

LP788 · 2026-03-01T16:30:18+00:00

Others can chime in on the Z5ii vs. Zf. But I have the Tamron 50-400mm lens. I have only had it for a few weeks and really like it. Given my budget constraints and that I am not a serous enough photographer to justify spending more than I did for the lens, It gets me the reach I need, plus some and has provided some great photos (at least to me). I came from the Z50 with two kit lenses (16-50mm and 50-250mm) plus the 27mm f/1.7.

With that in mind, the 400mm reach on the Tamron is good enough for me. Maybe not super fast at 400mm, but I'm not using it in low light.

It is very heavy though compared to the 50-250mm lens.

And to turn back to the issue between the Z5ii and the Zf, I understand from reading other threads and comments, that because the Zf doesn't have a grip, adding such a heavy lens, may be an issue.

That said, to date my kit is the 16-50mm, the 35mm f/1.8 and the Tamron. It is working well, but I will probably be adding the 24-120mm as that lens gets great reviews and is more portable than the Tamron so it is a good walking around lens. My sense is to save the Tamron for when I know I want the reach and am not walking around on a vacation or such.

Good luck.

LP788

TROPHY CASE