Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Restaurants/Cafes:

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert – In this intimate space located inside the glitzy Ritz-Carlton, Chef Eric Ripert presents American cuisine with an emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients. 10 S. Broad Street, (215) 523-8000, ritzcarlton.com/hotels/philadelphia
• Bindi – Guests enjoy the spices and full flavors of traditional Indian

New On The Scene
Philadelphia’s dining scene continues to expand and diversify by the day. Here’s a look at some of the latest openings:

• What happens when a food writer falls in love with a chef? The result is a charming Bala Cynwyd bistro called Avril, serving French fare like

Gay and lesbian travelers looking to extend their summer fun into autumn need look no further than Philadelphia in 2009 and beyond. With a handful of new restaurants, bars, clubs, events and hotels to complement Philadelphia’s cherished and historical gay-friendly heritage, Philadelphia is the place to Get Your History Straight

Philadelphia’s gay culture is shimmering with a vibrant day and nightlife scene thanks to new restaurants and must-see shops, boutiques and galleries throughout the city. And while visitors are encouraged to get their history straight and their nightlife gay while visiting town, they’re also free to eat, drink and shop,

15 New Restaurants On The Scene
Summer brings fresh new flavors to Philadelphia’s posh Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in the form of Noble American Cookery, a much-awaited opening from restaurateurs Todd Rodgers and Bruno Pouget. The eclectic, sophisticated fare (grilled Portuguese sardines, roasted Hudson Valley duck breast, yogurt Bavarian with chili

When choosing a restaurant in Historic Philadelphia, the key word is choice. In fact, there are so many restaurants, cafés and bistros that discerning diners could eat out all 108 days of summer without ever hitting the same spot twice. After a long day of touring, hungry visitors can take

Visitors in search of nighttime fun will fall in el amor with Philadelphia’s Hispanic dining and dancing scene. Well known for its bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spots, steakhouses and hometown flavors, Philadelphia’s Center City and surrounding neighborhoods boast authentic flavors that add spice to any night. And those looking to don their

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• Abner’s of University City – Abner’s has been a part of the Philly college experience for more than 20 years, serving up cheesesteaks, gyros, pizza and more to hungry students until the wee hours of the morning. 3813 Chestnut Street, (215) 662-0100, abnerscheesesteaks.com
• Abyssinia Restaurant

Culinary Delights From Around The World:

• A Full Plate Café – Co-owner Shannon Dougherty’s vegetarian influence is noticeable in the health-conscious menu, including the mac-and-cheese, utilizing multigrain pasta. Vegans, vegetarians and carnivores can all find something here. Plus, the drinks are served in mason jars. 1009 N. Bodine Street,

Restaurants/Cafes:

• Buddakan – Stephen Starr’s original temple of modern Asian cuisine offers creative takes on Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Indian fare in a striking, theatrical setting. 325 Chestnut Street, (215) 574-9440, buddakan.com
• Chifa – Chef Jose Garces blends the best of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine in his latest

Restaurants/Cafes:

• Alma de Cuba – Diners her enjoy dishes with a Cuban flair before topping the meal off with a chocolate Cuban cigar. Attentive service and knock-out décor make Alma de Cuba a highlight on Stephen Starr’s lengthy resume. 1623 Walnut Street, (215) 988-1799, almadecubarestaurant.com
• Barclay Prime – Stained

New On The Scene
There are plenty of newcomers to Philadelphia’s ever-growing restaurant scene. Here’s a look at some of the newest spots on the block:

• This season’s most anticipated opening, Jose Garce’s Chifa promises the intriguing crossover of Peruvian and Chinese cuisines found in Peru—and now at 7^th

New On The Scene
After a few seasons of high-profile liquor-licensed restaurant openings, the Philly bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurant is back and as affordable as ever. Mémé, the new tenant of the 22^nd Street Melograno space (more on Melograno later) serves earthy American goods like foie gras and onion tart

The towns of the Philadelphia countryside are serious about food, and that means great eating on any budget. Chic lounges, elegant restaurants and casual pubs in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties provide a sophisticated day or evening on the town that’s just a short drive from Center City Philadelphia.

New On The Scene
The region’s love affair with Mexican cuisine rages on with newcomer Azul, a 50-seat exposed brick cantina and tequila bar that serves inspired fare like achiote-braised pork enchiladas, chocolate tamales and chili-spiked brunches. Building on the phenomenal success of their Passyunk Cantina Los Caballitos, Dave Frank

BYOBs Rock!
Philly eaters’ favorite four-letter word? BYOB. The letters stand for bring-your-own-bottle, and that translates into big savings when you do the liquor shopping before heading out to the restaurant. BYOBs are usually smaller, friendlier neighborhood spots—and the city’s best-kept dining secrets. Italian bistros are the most common of

Good taste rules in Philadelphia’s diverse “Gayborhood,” a colorful nine-block swathe that includes dozens of gay-owned and gay-friendly cafes, restaurants and lounges. Whether the craving is for a designer martini at Bump or an Italian meal at Vetri, named “one of America’s top 50 restaurants” by Gourmet Magazine, the

Philadelphia is a serious restaurant town, but that doesn’t mean eating here has to cost a fortune. While there are plenty of high-end eateries to choose from, visitors can also opt for an equally satisfying, less expensive dining experience in the region. With menu options running the gamut from a

More Than A Dozen New Restaurants On The Scene
Mediterranean cuisine takes center stage in Philly this summer with three new but very different restaurants. At Society Hill’s Zahav, one of the most anticipated local openings of the season, co-owners Steve Cook and Michael Solomonov (of Marigold Kitchen and Xochitl

Chef: Alison Barshak
Hometown: Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
Restaurant: Alison at Blue Bell
In the early 90s, when Philadelphia started garnering national recognition for its new crop of restaurants, Alison Barshak was here. The red-haired chef earned a national reputation as the debut chef at Striped Bass the year it was

In addition to her career as a groundbreaking surrealist painter, Frida Kahlo was a dedicated cook and food enthusiast. So with the first major Kahlo exhibition in 15 years making its only East Coast venue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from February 20 to May 18, 2008, it is

Where to go? What to do? When deciding how to spend your night out in Philly, it all depends on your mood. And luckily, the city has a neighborhood for every one of them. Ready for a fancy pants night on the town? Rittenhouse Square is all you. Have a

New On The Scene
Pass the gravy at Pat Bombino’s, the latest offering from restaurateur Al Paris, focusing on Italian classics such as meatballs and macaroni. The Bella Vista bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot is also cooking up a few innovations, such as salmon “osso bucco” with risotto and Nutella tiramisu. Horsham’s

In September 2007, the Today show named Vesuvio’s Cheesesteak BLT the “Best Sandwich in America,” and now ForbesTraveler.com is calling Philadelphia’s Tacconelli’s Pizza one of America’s 10 best pizzerias. The Port Richmond restaurant joins great American pizza spots from Berkeley to the Bronx, including famed chef Mario Batali’s Mozza in

In Historic Philadelphia, some of the country’s most significant historic sites—many of which are free or low-cost, perfect for families and educational for all—share the neighborhood with trendy shops, modern restaurants and buzzing nightclubs. Affordable hotel packages with free parking and transportation options, including 50% off Amtrak, make a good