Not unrelated to our last post, the upcoming FOCS will have a panel-led discussion on “How might FOCS and STOC evolve?” (organized by David Shmoys) on Saturday 10/18 at 6pm. If you are interested in the future of FOCS and STOC, and haven’t yet registered or made your travel plans, I urge you to do so and attend the meeting.
Here is one way this FOCS has evolved: FOCS now has an app – you can use it to keep track of the schedule, add personal reminders to the talks you want to see, and more. In particular I am thankful to Nadia Heninger and Aaron Roth for the restaurant recommendations – apparently that area of Philadelphia has an amazing selection of great places. (If you don’t see me around during the talks, now you know why…)
To get the app, install the “Guidebook” app on your phone and then search for the “FOCS 2014” guide. While the Guidebook app prompts you to sign up, this is not mandatory, and you can use most of the features without it, though some features, such connecting with other participants, or seeing your reminders and schedule through web access, require it. You may want to download the app and the guide prior to the trip.
I hope to see many of you starting Saturday in Philadelphia!
Boaz
Windows On Theory 
No way to get this restaurant list without installing the app?
How would you get to the restaurants without putting their address in your phone? 🙂
In any case, here is the raw data (there is not much in the way of description, but all of them were recommended by Nadia and Aaron – the places not tagged “lunch” may still have lunch, but the places tagged “lunch” are those that Nadia and Aaron said are good for lunch and within < 10 minute walk from the hotel.
Vernick (lunch,dinner) website new american 2031 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
a.kitchen (lunch,dinner) website 135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Matyson (lunch,dinner) website new american 37 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Monk’s Café (lunch,dinner) website great beer 264 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Audrey Claire (lunch,dinner) website 276 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Zama (lunch,dinner) website sushi 128 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Alma de Cuba (lunch,dinner) website modern latin cuisine 1623 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tinto (lunch,dinner) Tinto 114 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Village Whiskey (lunch,dinner) website fancy hamburgers and Whiskey 118 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tria (lunch,dinner) website wine cheese beer 123 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Vedge (lunch,dinner) website one of the best vegan restaurants in the country. Good for carnivores too 1221 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Luke’s Lobster (lunch) website 130 S 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
HipCityVeg (lunch) website 127 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Rotisseur (lunch) website 102 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Philadelphia Chutney Company (lunch) website 1628 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Dizengoff (lunch) website 1625 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
HoneyGrow (lunch) website 110 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Nom Nom Ramen (lunch) website 20 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Sansom Oyster House (lunch) website 1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Capogiro Gelato (dessert) website 117 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
La Colombe (coffee) website 130 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Sorry, I think I may have tagged some places for lunch that are farther away. Here’s an email by Aaron verbatim with most of the intro:
Places < 10 minutes and good for a quick lunch:
Luke's Lobster (Lobster Rolls)
HipCityVedge (vegetarian, not necessarily healthy, tasty)
Rotisseur (roast chicken, chicken/tofu Bahn Mi's)
Philadelphia Chutney Company (Dosas)
Dizengoff (Humus)
Federal Donuts (Donuts, fried chicken)
HoneyGrow (Design your own salads and stir frys)
Pure Fare
Metropolitan Cafe (The sandwich arm of a good bakery)
Nom Nom Ramen
Shake Shack (fast food hamburgers)
500 degrees (slightly fancier fast food hamburgers)
Village Whiskey (Very fancy hamburgers)
Vic Sushi Bar (Good, cheap sushi. Only about 6 seats though)