Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

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 wild mushrooms and sea scallops over savory pastry crust and braised rabbit with lavender and artichokes over polenta.
• With the success of his Queen Village gem-of-a-seafooder Little Fish, chef/owner Mike Stollenwerk has branched out into the much larger Fish in Center City. The menu carries on the culinary traditions of

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 chocolate and herbed strawberries) is served up in a cleanly designed space with outdoor seating and a sky-lit dining room. Also new in Rittenhouse, The Kibitz Room widens cured meat quotas and belt positions with this new Philly outpost: Think pound-sized house-smoked pastrami sandwiches and enough whitefish salad to expand

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 an adventurous turn by sampling Chifa’s Latin/Asian menu, dine in elegance at the new Union Trust Steak House or join the bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) revolution at long-time favorite Chloe. Here are just a few places where diners can please their palates:

Asian And South Asian:

• Aqua – Those in the

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 dancing shoes and groove to authentic Latin sounds can head to many of the fun nightclubs and lounges around the city.

Fitting in all of Philly’s best day and evening activities means spending a couple of nights. That’s easily done thanks to the two-night Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, which includes

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 & Bar – Voted the number one ethnic restaurant in the city, Abyssinia cooks up savory and authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a neighborhood packed with African dining destinations. 229 S. 45^th Street, (215) 387-2424
• Ajia Japanese Fusion – With an all-you-can-eat menu, Japanese restaurant Ajia places a strong emphasis

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 fare at this dimly lit bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot. Be sure to bring along your own rum or vodka to create Indian-inspired cocktails. 105 S. 13^th Street, (215) 922-6061, bindibyob.com
• Bliss – Chef Fabrizzio Pace puts diners in touch with their inner gourmand thanks to his menu of creative contemporary

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 wood finishing and a well-dressed crowd create an upscale atmosphere at this hotspot. And the finest filets and delicious drink concoctions help Barclay live up to the buzz. 237 S. 18^th Street, (215) 732-7560, barclayprime.com
• Butcher and Singer – This new Stephen Starr restaurant creates a niche all its

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 venture, which features a ceviche bar, lounge and gold-resin communal table. 707 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-5555, chifarestaurant.com
• Chloe – This tiny bring-your-own bottle (BYOB) spot offers New American cuisine with innovative flair in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. 232 Arch Street, (215) 629-2337, chloebyob.com
• City Tavern – Revolutionary renditions of 18

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, (215) 627-4068, afullplate.com
• Bar Ferdinand – The bull’s in charge all over again at this Spanish-inspired tapas venue situated along Liberties Walk. Diners snack on small plates, sip vino and take in the scenery either indoors or out. 1030 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 923-1313, barferdinand.com
• Café Estelle – Brunch

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 and Chestnut Streets. Like Garces’ other local holdings Amada, Tinto and Distrito, the menu will focus on made-to share-portions. Dishes will include congee, pork belly buns with foie gras and plenty of daily changing options from a ceviche bar.
• Nola traditions continue to inspire local cooking. Restaurateur/chef John Mims, best

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 $2.50 plate of dumplings to a $100 cheesesteak, the delicious choices are infinite. The following are just a few suggestions for high-, moderate- and low-priced dining options in the city and countryside:

Price-Is-No-Object Options ($40 and up per person):

• Its $100 Kobe cheesesteak with foie gras put Barclay Prime

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 with maple sherry glaze and sautéed skate wing with slow-cooked tomatoes in a minimalist-rustic setting. A BYO with New-American leanings, Twelves Grill & Café in West Grove splits its offerings between lunch (open-faced portobello and ricotta sandwich and crispy-fried oysters with black pepper aioli) and dinner (grilled lamb chops and

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. And when the weather is favorable, foodies can enjoy the fresh air, as many of the region’s restaurants include outdoor seating. Here are just a few suggestions for high-, moderate- and low-priced dining:

Money-Is-No-Object Options ($40 per person and up):

• A bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) establishment set in a charming West

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 and Stephen Simons have brought a second location to Northern Liberties. Cantina Dos Segundos boasts a cypress bar lined with premium tequilas, Mexican beer and fresh fruit cocktails, plus a party-friendly, cross-regional menu with dishes like Michoacan carnitas and free-range turkey mole. Mexi-Cali favorite El Fuego has also expanded to

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) have collaborated to create their third signature dining experience, starring Solomonov’s modern interpretations of Israeli food. Menu standouts include salmon skewers with pomegranate and couscous cooked over hot coals, crispy phyllo pie with rabbit and prunes and a “milk and honey” cocktail swirled with rum, date syrup and almond

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 deal even better. Here is a sampling of some don’t-miss things to do in Historic Philadelphia this summer that won’t break the budget:

Affordable History Lessons:

• The Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the New Hall Military Museum, Franklin Court, Bishop White House and the Graff House are

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 Los Angeles, on the March 5, 2008 list. Read the full ForbesTraveler.com article here.

To check out this prized pizzeria, hail a cab to Port Richmond, and keep these tips in mind:

• The restaurant is cash only.
• It’s BYOB—that is, bring your own bottle.
• Tacs sells pizza and pizza

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 Buona Via is the bigger and better reincarnation of now-closed Mediterraneo, but the new kitchen continues to turn out neighborhood favorites: cappellini with crabmeat, veal caprese and chocolate mousse cake.

The ovens are hot at Bella Luna Pizza Kitchen, the new upscale pizzeria in Conshohocken serving up puttanesca and clam

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 hankering to hang with the hipsters? Northern Libs is the place. Want to get lost in the crowd? Old City it is. Not sure what you’re in the mood for? That’s not a problem since Center City and its surrounding neighborhoods are all easily accessible by foot or taxi. Here’s

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 only fitting that visitors continue the celebration of Kahlo’s life and the culture that inspired her with a visit to one of the region’s many Mexican restaurants. South-of-the-border specialties can be found across the city’s neighborhoods and the outlying countryside, running the gamut from delicate huitlacoche custard and hominy and