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Before Center City Restaurant Week comes to a close on Friday, January 31, be sure to score a super lunch deal at one of the new or notable spots around town, like Little Nonna's. (Photo by Jason Varney for Little Nonna's)
This month, more than 100 Philadelphia restaurants have super dining deals on offer as part of the winter edition of Center City Restaurant Week — which wraps up this Friday, January 31.
As restaurant week continues to supply hungry Philadelphians with three-course dinners for $35 and a three-course lunches for $20, it’s time to take a look at how to make the most of restaurant week’s final days.
There may not be such a thing as free lunch, but the dining deals during Center City District Restaurant Week sure do make decadent midday dining accessible.
With the huge list of participating eateries, Center City’s restaurant week offers the perfect opportunity to try brand-new restaurants or dine at places that might otherwise feel a bit out of range.
Here, we’ve rounded up our lunch picks at spots that are new to the scene, have recently seen renovations or just offer a solid lunch deal.
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 day out of the dining deal? Check here for information on hotels and stay over.
Our picks for new and notable restaurant week lunches, below.
• Little Nonna’s: Midtown Village magnates Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran — owners of Barbuzzo, Lolita, Jamonera, Grocery, Open House and Verde — opened contemporary Italian dining room Little Nonna’s for dinner in September, and added lunch service soon thereafter. For those who haven’t been to the uber-charming new 13th Street restaurant, or maybe haven’t been to lunch yet, score a reservation now. And don’t miss the meatballs with polenta and San Marzano red gravy.
• Rosa Blanca: Ready for a taste of Cuba, Philadelphia? Rosa Blanca, Chef Jose Garces’ brand-new Cuban diner, opened its doors this past December. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Garces’ new spot does it all. Lunch this week is a great chance to taste test a wide range of fare, from ham croquettes and guacamole to braised beef, fresh fish and the classic Cubano pressed sandwich.
• Sutton’s Parlour: In November, Matt Swartz of The Farmer’s Cabinet quietly opened Sutton’s Parlour in Rittenhouse Square. Curious to check out the newcomer? The bilevel bar serves both lunch and dinner restaurant week menus.
• Red Owl Tavern: This month, contemporary American eatery Red Owl Tavern welcomed new executive chef Jorge Chicas to take charge of all culinary operations, including the bi-level Red Owl, Stratus and all hotel catering and banquet operations. Though the new chef won’t make any major changes until restaurant week has passed, now is a great time to get in for lunch for a glimpse of the new leader.
• Butcher and Singer: Considering that the burger on the a la carte menu at Butcher & Singer is $11 alone, the three-course lunch menu for a reasonable $20 feels like a can’t-miss deal. To boot, Butcher recently welcomed chef Jim Davidson — most recently of Fette Sau — to helm the steak house’s kitchen, so now is a great time for a revisit.
• Garces Trading Company: Situated in a large space in the Washington Square West neighborhood, the interior of Garces Trading Company recently underwent renovations to remove the cheese and charcuterie case in favor of a long, welcoming bar. With the new look and new liquor license (yes, the adjacent wine shop is still open for business), the sunny dining room makes an ideal lunch pick for a spot-on deal in a refreshed space.
• Lacroix at The Rittenhouse: Located on the second floor of the Rittenhouse Hotel, Lacroix features elegant décor and a broad view of Rittenhouse Square — gorgeous blanketed in snow. Though the unbelievable $20 lunch deal for a haute dining experience is enough reason to visit, a lunch this week also gives diners the chance to take in the hotel’s expansive multi-million dollar revitalizations, which have garnered distinctions from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, AAA and Forbes Travel Guide.
More lunch picks, below.
• Seafood Unlimited: In more makeover news, Rittenhouse neighborhood stop Seafood Unlimited recently saw major renovations, too. The longstanding spot expanded its bar and floor plan, but still serves up incredibly fresh fruits from the sea with always-friendly service.
• Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse: Few restaurants scream “power lunch” like Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, where the eight-ounce filet mignon normally goes for $39. During restaurant week, though, diners can sup on the $20 lunch deal with a filet-topped salad and more.
• a.kitchen: A sophisticated dining room at the AKA Rittenhouse Square, a. kitchen is a top destination for sophisticated lunching, and restaurant week is an excellent opportunity to finely dine on a dime.
• Amada: Dining at Amada, chef Jose Garces first Philadelphia restaurant, never disappoints. A selection of two small plates alone can run nearly $30, and the special menu offers diners a selection of four plates for lunch for that sweet price of $20.
• 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. The dining deals at hand during restaurant week make this high-end spot approachable, and chef Nathan Volz’s special menus accessible — especially for lunch.
Center City District Restaurant Week: Winter 2014
When: Through Friday, January 31
Where: Restaurants throughout Center City
Cost: Dinner for $35; Lunch for $20
More info: www.centercityphila.org