The winter edition of Center City District Restaurant Week hits town January 19-24 and 26-31. Score reservations now for the best dining deals in town. (Photo by E. Mencher for Visit Philadelphia)
Who’s hungry? This month, diners can score major deals at more than a hundred restaurants as Center City District Restaurant Week returns, running from January 19 to 24 and January 26 to 31.
Once again, more than 100 restaurants in Center City will offer three-course dinners for only $35 per person and a three-course lunch for $20.
With the huge list of participating eateries, Center City District Restaurant Week offers the perfect opportunity to try brand-new restaurants and spots that might otherwise feel a bit out of range.
Newcomers to this year’s restaurant week lineup include High Street on Market, Little Nonna’s and Rosa Blanca, Jose Garces’ just-opened Cuban-inspired diner, as well as Bistrot La Minette’s first entree into the deal-driven foray.
But for those in search of the most bite for your buck, read on for our picks of the best savings during this month’s restaurant deals — spots where a three-course dinner could easily be $50 per person for food if ordering from the regular menu. Compare that to the $35 per person deal, and it’s savings worth noting.
For the complete lineup of participating restaurants and menus, check right here.
Remember, reservations are a must for any restaurant week dining, so book that table now. Making a weekend of the Friday night deal? Check here for deals on hotels.
Our picks for dining deals, below.
• Amada: Dining at Amada, chef Jose Garces first Philadelphia restaurant, never disappoints. The restaurant week menu offers a huge selection of tapas, cheeses, vegetables and more — giving guests the chance to experience the breadth of the menu for practically a song. A selection of two small plates alone can run nearly $30, and the special menu offers diners a selection of four plates for lunch and five plates over the three courses for dinner.
• a. kitchen: A sophisticated dining room at the AKA Rittenhouse Square, a. kitchen is a top destination for power lunches and sociable dinners. Special menus are on for both lunch and dinner during restaurant week, with three courses at lunch and four decadent courses at dinner.
• Butcher & Singer: Sure, a number of excellent Stephen Starr Restaurants are restaurant week participants. Delicious deals are definitely in store at Alma de Cuba, Buddakan and The Dandelion. But considering that some steaks on the a la carte menu at Butcher & Singer are priced well above $35, the three-course menu for that reasonable rate feels like a can’t-miss deal.
• Fountain Restaurant at the Four Seasons: With the recent news that the Fountain Restaurant at the Four Seasons may not be open after the Four Seasons’ move to the new Comcast Tower, diners should take this opportunity to experience the grandeur of the gorgeous dining room. The special menu for the dining deal doesn’t skimp on luxury, either, with dishes featuring lobster, truffles and more.
• High Street on Market: The brilliant cuisine of chef Eli Kulp hits tables at High Street on Market for restaurant week for the first time this year, as the restaurant just opened this past fall. With a choice of four plates over three courses, diners will get to sample a generous smattering of the creative cuisine — think fermented broccoli rabe, garganelli with smoked duck ragu or American wagu. Plus, since High Street’s sister restaurant Fork isn’t participating, a reservation at High Street is the only option for deals on Kulp’s cuisine.
• Lacroix at The Rittenhouse: On any given night, dinner at Lacroix means a $75 four-course tasting menu, which changes with the seasons and always proves exciting and delicious. For restaurant week, chef Jon Cichon barely holds back on his three-course offering, with plates options like root vegetable escabèche, red snapper with fregola sarda and pistachio gnocchi with Meyer lemon.
More picks, below.
• XIX (Nineteen): On the 19th floor of The Hyatt at The Bellevue, the dining room at XIX (Nineteen) deals in opulence — with sweeping city views, a pearly chandelier, elegant furnishings and a menu of high-end raw bar selections and composed entrees. Get a taste of the high life during restaurant week with a rich menu of pumpkin bisque, bourbon-braised lamb, lobster mac and cheese and blood-orange crème brûlée.
• R2L: With amazing city views, animal-print booths, generally chic ambiance and excellent fare to match, R2L consistently delivers on-point dining experiences. The luxe vibe doesn’t fade during restaurant week, and diners can deluxe dishes like shrimp cocktail, filet mignon or roasted duck breast.
• Red Owl Tavern: Adjacent to the Hotel Monaco, Red Owl Tavern makes an ideal spot for an intermission while exploring America’s birthplace. With a pretty extensive restaurant week menu — that is, lots to choose from — Red Owl makes for a crowd-pleasing choice.
• 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge: 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia specializes in American cuisine with an emphasis on sustainable, locally grown ingredients and seasonal menu changes. What results is a sophisticated dining experience that’s both worldly and home-grown. The dining deals at hand during restaurant week make this high-end spot approachable, and chef Nathan Volz’s special menus accessible.
• Zahav: In terms of exceptional fine-dining experiences in Philadelphia, James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov’s Zahav never ceases to deliver. During restaurant week, the modern Israeli destination continues to offer its signature, exciting flavors for an even better deal.
Make your reservations now!
Center City District Restaurant Week: Winter 2014
When: January 19-24 and 26-31
Where: Restaurants throughout Center City
Cost: Dinner for $35; Lunch for $20
More info: www.centercityphila.org