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We're in the midst of Center City Restaurant Week, score affordable meals at some of the city's best restaurants. (Photo by E. Mencher for Visit Philadelphia)
Now that the extreme weather has subsided, it’s time to take it back out tonight with dining, drinking and movie-going around town.
Center City Restaurant Week continues to bring great dining deals to the public at more than 100 restaurants. Indulge in a filling three-course feast at restaurants from Old City to Rittenhouse for just $35 per person. Whether you’re craving sushi, French food, Spanish tapas or Italian, there’s a restaurant for you.
For those who prefer to skip straight to dessert, the Independence Seaport Museum treats folks with a sweet tooth to a chocolate tasting and a film about an eco-friendly chocolatier at its chocolate film night. The movie is presented in conjunction with its current exhibition, Oh Sugar! The Magical Transformation from Cane to Candy.
But if spirits are the most enticing, get down to The Trestle Inn for free brandy tastings as part of its Spirit of Thursday event. The Callowhill bar will serve up rare brandy samples made at a small distillery in Northern California. Stop by from 6 to 8 p.m. to warm up and be one of the first Philadelphians to try the liquor.
Our top picks for tonight, below.
• Center City District Restaurant Week: Say goodbye to any winter blues with a tasty (and toasty) meal at one of the more than 100 restaurants participating in the January edition of Center City Restaurant Week. Whether you’re craving Mexican fare and margaritas or modern Israeli eats, there’s a restaurant for you. Click here for our restaurant week picks.
When: Thursday, January 23
Where: Participating restaurants
Cost: Pay as you go
• Chocolate Film Night at the Independence Seaport Museum: In conjunction with its current exhibition, Oh Sugar! The Magical Transformation from Cane to Candy, the Independence Seaport Museum presents an evening of chocolate and film tonight at 8 p.m. Watch a film about the environmentally-friendly chocolatier, Grenada Chocolate Company. Also enjoy a chocolate demonstration, samples and a curated walk-through of the exhibition. Tickets are $20 and are available online.
When: Thursday, January 23, 8 p.m.
Where: Penn’s Landing, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street
Cost: $20
• Spirit of Thursday at The Trestle Inn: Sip free samples of an American craft brandy at The Trestle Inn’s biweekly Spirit of Thursday event, this week featuring Western Grace Brandy, a small distillery in Northern California. Be among the first Philadelphians to sample this spirit at the premiere tasting. The recurring event provides guests with free tastes of top-notch liquor in a cozy-yet-kitschy environment.
When: Thursday, January 23, 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Trestle Inn, 339 N. 11th Street
Cost: Free tastings; Pay as you go cocktails
• Free Cycling Class at Sweat Fitness Fitler Square: Tonight, Sweat Fitness in Fitler Square offers athletes (and want-to-be athletes) a free cycling class at 6:30 p.m. Guests of all fitness levels are invited to participate in the free class, just mention that you’re at Sweat for the cycling class at the front desk.
When: Thursday, January 23, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Fitler Square, 200 S. 24th Street
Cost: Free
• Free to Love: The Cinema of the Sexual Revolution at International House Philadelphia: International House Philadelphia presents a groundbreaking film series, Free to Love: The Cinema of the Sexual Revolution through February 15. Tonight, The Set, an Australian feature film from 1970, fills the screen with a story about a man and his newfound homosexual tendencies. The film is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Tickets are available online.
When: Thursday, January 23, 7 p.m.
Where: International House Philadelphia, 3701 Chestnut Street
Cost: $9, adults; $7, students and seniors
• Thursday Night Supper At Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen: Every Thursday night, Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen in Fishtown dishes out entrees, appetizers, desserts and drinks completely inspired by one ingredient. Tonight, bring your toothbrush as the crew whips up plenty of tasty items made with onions. That’s right, tonight’s ingredient is onion. Dinner kicks off at 5 p.m.
When: Thursday, January 23, 5 p.m.
Where: Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen, 2370 E. Norris Street
Cost: Pay as you go
• Cherokee at The Wilma Theater: The Wilma Theater presents Cherokee, a comedic play about a camping trip gone awry. Four friends decide to escape the monotony of everyday life by embarking on a camping trip, but when one of the group members ends up missing and a questionable person enters the campground, the group begins to question what is really important in their life. Tonight’s show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $35.
When: Thursday, January 23, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad Street
Cost: $35-$66
• Other Desert Cities at The Walnut Street Theatre: The Walnut Street Theatre’s contemporary drama, Other Desert Cities, is in full swing. The renowned show, which has scored Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominations, tells the story of a dysfunctional family Christmas in Palm Springs, when family tensions arise from estrangement, politics and secrets. Tonight’s show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets start an affordable $14.25.
When: Thursday, January 23, 8 p.m.
Where: Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street
Cost: $14.25 and up