This small sample of Philadelphia best restaurants is divided into five categories: Gourmet, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. These categories serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. Dollar symbols can be interpreted as follows:
$$$$ (over US$75)
$$$ (US$60 to US$75)
$$ (US$35 to US$60)
$ (up to US$35)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one and the equivalent of a half-bottle of wine. The sales tax of 7% is not included. Sometimes a gratuity (usually 15%) is added to the bill. If not, a tip of 15-20%
for service is customary.
Gourmet Barclay Prime This Valhalla for carnivores is located in an historic building that was once
Barclay Hotel. Panelled walls, soft lighting and crystal chandeliers add to its attractiveness. Thickly upholstered white leather chairs and blue couches that surround its marble tables make it comfortable. Service and presentation are excellent, but the draw is the food – any kind of meat is delicious, but the Kobe steaks are outstanding. Diners are even given a choice of steak knives for slicing them. The Kobe sliders (mini hamburgers) are a very tasty appetizer. If, by chance, the guest is not a red meat fancier, he will not be disappointed in any of the seafood or fish offerings. Reservations essential.
237 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 732 7560.
Website:
www.barclayprime.com Price: $$$$
Brasserie Perrier Celebrated chef Georges Perrier owns this smart little place in the social heart of town, as well as its grander cousin down the street – the internationally renowned
Le Bec-
Fin. The
Brasserie Perrier is a more informal, but still splendid, version of such fine dining – for those with less deep pockets. Monsieur Perrier is often on hand as co-owner, and executive chef Chris Scarduzio creates French cuisine with Italian or Asian influences. The interior is charming and the atmosphere lively. The four-star and four-diamond award-winning restaurant has a seasonably changing menu.
1619 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 568 3000.
Website:
www.georgesperriergroup.com Price: $$$
Le Bec-
Fin, 1523 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1000.
Website:
www.georgesperriergroup.com Price: $$$$
Buddakan One of Philadelphia’s top temples to food, this handsome, calm, two-level room, with white furnishings, is presided over by an urbane Buddha. The food is very fashionable pan-Asian, such as the wasabi tuna pizza, the signature chicken-and-ginger dumplings and the seared Kobe beef carpaccio. Main courses are slightly more unusual, such as roast chicken with a ponzu brown butter sauce and golden Buddha buns. However, all the dishes are exquisite (delicious and well-presented) and the plentiful portions are designed to be shared. Reservations are essential.
325 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 574 9440.
Website:
www.buddakan.com Price: $$$
Lacroix The setting is lovely – a long, narrow dining room with earthy tones, minimalist décor and large windows that overlook Rittenhouse Square. Here chef Jean-Marie Lacroix dazzles diners with gamy selections and fish dishes on a creative degustation bill of fare that allows guests to mix and match from any part of the menu. ‘Superb’ best describes the food, service and the wine list that boasts a cast of 500.
210 West Rittenhouse Square
Tel: (215) 790 2533.
Website:
www.lacroixrestaurant.com Price: $$$$
Business Fork This fashionable establishment incorporates some theatrical design features (huge lampshades, high banquettes and open kitchen) but still manages a welcoming ambience. Located on the city’s main street in the historic area, this American bistro-style restaurant serves up the freshest local produce possible. Creative cocktails such as
Fork Cosmopolitan and the
Fork Lift (
Absolut Currant with pomegranate juice) or one of the fine selections of wine by the glass are a good beginning. The menu changes frequently, but hanger steak, some sort of whole fish and tasty seafood are always in residence. Home-baked desserts are stellar. The restaurant’s new, next door expansion includes
Fork,
etc. and a gourmet take-out shop.
306 Market Street
Tel: (215) 625 9425.
Website:
www.forkrestaurant.com Price: $$
The Grill Just off the white marble foyer of
The Ritz-
Carlton,
The Grill is a long room with handsome antique-style furnishings, deep carpets, an open kitchen and an old established feel. The menu changes seasonally or bi-seasonally as Chef Kevin Sbraga creates what he calls ‘refined American food’ – offerings like pan-seared scallops with foie gras or a cowboy steak. His unique presentation is a sight to behold.
The Ritz-Carlton, 10 Avenue of the Arts
Tel: (215) 523 8000.
Website:
www.ritzcarlton.com Price: $$$$
Striped Bass Chic and impressive. With high ceilings, tall windows and a marble and bronze foyer, the venerable old bank turned extraordinary dining room has a huge bronze fish sculpture over its open kitchen. When luminary local restaurateur Stephan Starr took over, he made cosmetic (deep brown wood, chairs and banquettes) and menu changes. Though superb seafood still rules, there are other interesting flavor combinations and choices like Philadelphia ‘cheese skate’ – braised short ribs with hot sauce mushrooms and caramelized onions.
1500 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 732 4444.
Website:
www.stripedbassrestaurant.com Price: $$$$
Trendy Bleu This smart South Side restaurant offers casual dining in a modern, modish setting, with views of the verdant Rittenhouse Square from its windows or its pavement terrace. The American food is light yet satisfying, especially the unctuous bacon burger – with delicious fries and blue cheese, of course. Star desserts as well.
227 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 545 0342.
Price: $$$
Continental Mid-
Town Funky and lively, this casual, 1950s-styled, Center City restaurant is popular with everyone. Colored glass balls hang from the middle of the multi-level ceiling to its main floor; circular banquettes occupy its center section. The rear wall bar, which features an array of martinis and imported beers, stretches the width of the room. Smoky mirrors decorate the wall to the second level where wicker chair swings hang from the ceiling. With an eclectic sampling of Thai, Mexican, Jamaican and American, with some other countries thrown in for good measure, the menu bills itself as ‘global tapas.’ Any of the friendly staff will be happy to make personal recommendations, but try the barbecue chicken quesadillas. They are awesome. Open for lunch and dinner.
1801 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1800.
Website:
www.continentalmidtown.com Price: $$
Paradigm Simple colors and smart, economic design accent this downtown venue with its semi-circular bar, round tables, natural wood floors and outside terrace. As for the food, it is modern fare, such as grilled ostrich, served with roasted garlic, mashed potatoes and a raspberry
demi-
glace, or rosemary roasted chicken, served with grilled seasonal vegetables. They also do excellent salads. Desserts tend to be rich but delicious, like the signature Godiva soup, a combination of chocolate, pistachios, hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream. Diners should be careful to lock the unusual toilet doors – otherwise the glass is see-through!
239 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 238 6900.
Website:
www.paradigmrestaurant.com Price: $$
Tangerine This very much ‘in’ place is always crowded. It has a wildly colorful nightclub-style design (varying from mod to Moorish), dim lighting and loud music. Executive chef Todd Fuller seeks out flavors from Paris to Tangier to creative unique fare like marinated Manchego cheese and shrimp and scallops
Afrique. However, the food is exotic and inventive, sometimes even excessive. Take the
Lobster Trio for example – poached with lettuce and asparagus, a roasted tail with a coriander-orange reduction, and tempura claws with ponzu red snapper.
232 Market Street
Tel: (215) 627 5116.
Website:
www.tangerinerestaurant.com Price: $$$$
Budget Pat’s King of Steaks One of the city’s specialties is cheese steak and the best place to find it is
Pat’s King of Steaks, an outfit run by the same family since it opened in 1930. Located in South Philadelphia, near the Italian Market,
Pat’s is the local eating place for these sandwiches packed with flaked steak and slices of cheese.
Pat’s is the original, open 24 hours a day, and is good for groups as it has tables outside in summer; but a viable alternative is
Jim’s Steaks, 400 South Street (tel: (215) 928 1911; website: www.jimssteaks.com).
1237 East Passyunk Avenue, at South Ninth Street and Wharton Street
Tel: (215) 468 1546.
Website:
www.patskingofsteaks.com Price: $. Unlicensed.
Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria This might not be as familiar a method of pizza baking as the old wood-fired brick oven, however, this family business has been baking pizzas this way for 60 years – and they are just as delicious. The pizzas, which are very reasonably priced, come with a vast choice of toppings, but there are many Italian salads and pasta dishes too. It is a good venue for groups and families.
1714 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 735 8090.
Website:
www.pietrospizza.com Price: $
Branch: 121-123 South Street
Tel: (215) 733 0675.
Rangoon Situated in the Chinese section just off Arch Street, a short walk from the Conference Center, the green façade of
Rangoon is easy to spot. As the name suggests, Burmese specialties (spinach salad, chilli shrimp and thousand-layer bread with potato curry dip) predominate here. Owned and run by three Burmese women, this restaurant, with its simple interior, is a favorite with locals in search of exotic Asian food, such as beef mint kebab and curried fish cakes.
112 North Ninth Street
Tel: (215) 829 8939.
Website:
www.phillychinatown.com/rangoon.htm Price: $
Personal Recommendations Friday Saturday Sunday It is over 30 years since this charming place opened. Except for the newly painted 18m (60ft) wall mural, almost everything is original, from the chains of twinkling lights to the mirrors. Situated in an old brick house on a leafy street, it is a favorite with locals. The food is simple, fresh and classic (filet mignon, rack of lamb, crab cakes), although there is also nouvelle cuisine such as
tilapia with lime sauce and tequila and a salmon with a preparation that changes daily.
261 South 21st Street
Tel: (215) 546 4232.
Website:
www.frisatsun.com Price: $$
Joseph Poon’s Asian Fusion A small, charmingly eccentric restaurant right in Chinatown, close to Midtown’s Conference Center. This star venue for Oriental food features a fabulous range of delicious dishes, such as Peking duck taco, sea scallop, shrimp, escargot stuffed with spinach, roasted garlic, scallion and ginger in filo dough, crispy Cajun salmon and spinach chips with parmesan in wasabi soy dip and essence of tangy garlic chili. The very friendly Joe Poon himself is usually on hand to help diners choose dishes and to answer questions about his lively and imaginative approach to fusion cooking.
1010 Cherry Street
Tel: (215) 928 9333.
Website:
www.josephpoon.com Price: $$
Matyson Located in a residential area just off Rittenhouse Square, this unassuming and friendly bistro is a favorite with the locals. It is one of the numerous ‘bring your own bottle’ restaurants that are so popular in the Philadelphia area. The place can get a bit noisy, but the staff is friendly and the food delicious. A nice selection of seafood, beef, fish and some fabulous chocolate dessert is always on the changing menu.
37 South 19th Street, between Market and Chestnut
Tel: (215) 564 2925.
Website:
www.matyson.com Price: $$. Wine: BYO (free corkage).
Tria A long, narrow room accented in earthy tones is the setting for this casual and friendly venue in the Rittenhouse Square area. It is the venue to find out-of-the-ordinary wines, beers and cheeses (the tria) at reasonable prices. They do a good job of it, too. Small plate items rule here and all are priced under US$10. Also offered are interesting salads like greens with figs, gorgonzola and pine nuts, sandwiches such as salmon with tomato mushroom, caramelized onion and chive vignette and bruschettas. Try the yummy truffled mushroom with Fontina. Let your waiter suggest an interesting beer or wine to accompany your choice.
123 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 972 8742.
Website:
www.triacafe.com Price: $$
Nightlife:Philadelphia has a lively nightlife scene. Much of it is centered on dining out, for the city boasts a wealth of top restaurants - from the best of world cuisine to local specialties, such as cheesesteaks, hoagies and ethnic foods. A range of music is on offer every night of the week, although the city is especially known for great jazz and blues. South Street, between Front Street and Seventh Street, is a trendy nightlife area, with comedy clubs, jazz and rock clubs. Other popular nightlife spots can be found on Columbus Boulevard, along the Delaware River, around Penn’s Landing.
The legal drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21 years and bar closing time is 0200 daily. Drink prices vary widely according to venues, although prices are generally between US$4 and US$12. There are no particular dress codes or admission requirements in Philadelphia - these too tend to vary depending on the establishment.
The main daily newspapers containing nightlife listings are the
Philadelphia Inquirer and the
Philadelphia Daily News (joint website:
www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment). Entertainment listings can also be found in the free publications -
City Paper (website:
http://citypaper.net),
Philadelphia Weekly (website:
www.philadelphiaweekly.com) and
Philadelphia Magazine’s Going Out Guide (website:
www.phillymag.com). Another useful online entertainment site is
City Search (website:
http://philadelphia.citysearch.com).
Bars: Bar Noir, 112 South 18th Street, is a popular underground bar with great cocktails and hipster appeal. The second level’s hanging swing chairs and the rooftop terrace, which is open in warmer weather, create a very happening atmosphere at
Continental Mid-
Town, 1801 Chestnut Street. Good food and great margaritas make
Copabanana, 344 South Street, a popular hangout.
Dave & Busters, 325 North Columbus Boulevard, Pier 19 at Penn’s Landing, is a huge sports bar with a 20-screen video dome, billiards and an arcade brimming with electronic games. Owned by Georges Perrier of Le Bec-Fin fame, and within the chic
Brasserie Perrier, 1619 Walnut Street, is a popular bar that attracts sophisticates.
Mahogany on Walnut, 1524 Walnut Street, in the Rittenhouse district, is a dark and plush cigar bar.
Casinos: Gambling is illegal in Pennsylvania.
Clubs: Brasil’s, 112 Chestnut Street (website:
www.brasils.com), is a hot salsa and jazz spot, Live music upstairs, a DJ downstairs plus room to just chill at the bar makes
Five Spot, 5 South Bank Street, a swinging place to hang out.
Shampoo, 417 Eighth Street, has four levels of various music styles to choose from.
Egypt, 520 North Columbus, a huge nightclub decorated with hieroglyphs and ankhs, hosts hip-hop and techno nights.
Woody’s, 202 South Street, is a fun place to drink and dance, especially for gay males, while
Sisters, 1320 Chancellor Street, caters to the lesbian crowd.
Live Music: One of the hottest clubs in Philadelphia is
Zanzibar Blue, 200 South Broad Street, where top jazz musicians perform.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, and
Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, 847 North Third Street at Poplar Street (website:
www.ortliebsjazzhaus.com), are also good venues for live jazz.
Pontiac Grille, 304 South Street (website:
www.pontiacgrille.com), is a venerable rock club featuring live local bands.
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