TASTE Fall 2011 by Philadelphia Weekly

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From Worst to First South Philly's Jenny Cross cooks up exotic eats at Watkins Drinkery ....................

Dining & Dating In The City of Brotherly Love Do Philadelphians go out to eat on first dates anymore? ....................

Beers To You Carving up seasonal pumpkin beers

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philadelphia weeklyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dining guide 2011/2012

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Welcome to Taste! We are pleased to bring you Philadelphia Weekly’s 2011/2012 annual dining guide, followed by our highly anticipated 5th annual culinary sampling event, Taste of Philly. This publication is a convenient guide for local diners, as well as visitors, to keep handy throughout the year and beyond! Good for both social and casual outings, Taste caters to anyone looking for a night out, hosting a special event or meeting, or looking for a friendly place to dine. Inside you will find some of Philadelphia’s great restaurants, including comprehensive listings of the many dining establishments in the region. As Philadelphia’s dining scene continues to expand, we’re certain that you will find this dining guide a helpful tool when deciding where to dine out this season and beyond. You’ll also be able to access this guide, and our dining listings and features online at philadelphiaweekly.com. Bon appétit! The Taste of Philly event was created in 2007 to accompany Philadelphia Weekly’s annual dining guide. The event was such a huge hit that it has now become one of the best and most anticipated culinary events in Philadelphia. Come out and enjoy signature dishes and drink samples from some of the City’s top restaurants on Wednesday, November 2nd at the Crystal Tea Room. Tickets are only $35 and can be purchased at: philadelphiaweekly.com/taste2011 Taste of Philly is published by Philadelphia Weekly from 1500 Sansom Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19102. Advertising rates supplied upon request. Phone 215-563-7400 or fax 215-563-6799. All material in Taste is copyright 2011 by Review Publishing, L.P. Reproduction of any of the contents in this publication is prohibited unless written permission is granted by management. Send e-mail to info@philadelphiaweekly.com .

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Dining and Dating in the City of

Brotherly Love A new study shows Philadelphians don’t go out to eat on first dates. That can’t be true, right? By Nicole Finkbiner nfinkbiner@philadelphiaweekly.com A date used to be dinner and a movie. A gentleman would pick up a gal at her home, take her to a romantic, candle-lit restaurant then a flick of her choosing. Courting rituals are a lot different these days. “I don’t think the idea of courting or romance exists anymore,” says local bartender Dina Melograna, 30. “Guys just want to get an easy lay.” Making matters worse, a nice dinner for two is going to run you at least $50, plus an additional

$22 to go to a movie—beverages and snacks not included—not exactly cheap in these hard, hard times of The Great Recession. But there are no shortage of great places to dine both affordably or extravagantly in Philly, so surely dinner dates haven’t become totally outdated, right?

fact, as far as dinner dates, we ranked second to last, just beating out the butter-and-cheese eating fatties in Minneapolis/Saint Paul.

According to a recent survey, yes, they have. Commissioned by the online daily discount service LivingSocial, the survey polled 4,000 customers ages 18 years and older in the 20 largest media markets about their dining habits.

So, yeah, LivingSocial: it ain’t exactly scientific. But it got us thinking about whether or not the slow extinction of the dinner date is an actual thing. That thinking got us to asking around, and oddly enough, many young, local single women we spoke to concur. Dinner dates, they say, are indeed on the decline in Philly.

Though roughly 55 percent of Philadelphians say they are most commonly going out to eat with their spouse or partner, only about five percent are doing so with potential partners. In

It also seems worth mentioning that Philly’s dining scene was self-ranked the ninth best in the country.

Which then got us to asking, “Hey, Men, what gives?” The answer: they’re not completely on

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the hook for dinner date’s slow demise. “‘Going out to dinner’ is really reserved for special occasions like an anniversary or Valentine’s Day,” says Temple junior, Alexis Sachdev, 22. “There’s also just really interesting things to do here besides sit in a dimly-lit Garces joint eating overpriced tacos.” The last date Sachdev went on was to a comedy club. That’s a lot more interesting and creative a date than coffee barista Jaime Fountaine of South Philly says she’s been on in a long while. Since getting out of a long-term relationship, the 28 -year-old has only been asked out for coffee or lunch—never dinner. She’s fine with it. “Drinks make a little more sense to me than lunch because they provide some sort of social lubrication, instead of just having to stare uncomfortably across the table asking a list of semi-personal questions and trying to decipher important clues from the answers,” she says. “You know, like when a dude can only name one book that he likes, and tells you that it’s his favorite, and that it’s Atlas Shrugged.” Trina Sansalone, 23, from Center City, agrees. She’ll take a couple of cocktails over dinner or coffee. “I think getting coffee with a guy is kinda awkward,” she says. “You don’t really know whether it’s a date or not.” Sansalone also notes that more fellas, especially those looking to save some cash, need

to start thinking outside the box. “If guys want to impress you, they can do other things than just take you to out to for dinner or drinks, like cooking a meal at home.”

cap and cargo shorts to a nice night out at Barbuzzo. Still, wine and dine a girl every once in a while, will ya fellas? ■

For 23 year-old Northeast native Nicole Leyrer, a typical date rarely involves actually going out. Rather, she’s perfectly content just hanging out at a guy’s house, ordering Chinese and watching Young Frankenstein. “Then there’s the house party dates,” she says. “I dated a guy who never wanted to go to a bar, club or restaurant but loved house parties. We’d hit a Wawa or pizza place before, then head over.” So, it seems, it’s not just men who are particularly reluctant to take a woman out to dinner. Melograna suspects it actually might have to do more with Philly women who are intent on keeping it casual, something she’s observed working at bars across the city. Leyer agrees, saying, “I think that people are allowing these dates to be more casual so they seem casual, therefore date-able,” says Leyrer. “No one wants to be labeled, ‘high maintenance.’” “Dinner sounds like a commitment, while drinks or lunch are things you could do with just about anybody,” says Fountaine. Philadelphia. Casual. Makes sense in a city where grown-ass men wear flip-flops, a Phillies

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Beers

To You!

This is the time of year when Americans reaffirm their love of pumpkins. There are pies, soups, breads, muffins and, of course, beer. These spiced ales have become a seasonal hit and frequently sell out not long after they become available. The release date of pumpkin ales seems to get earlier each year and many package goods store reps have reported receiving their first shipment in August. Some refrain from stocking their shelves with them for fear of cutting into their remaining summer beer inventory. By early November, many brands of pumpkin beer are, unfortunately, sold out, a testament to this style’s increasing popularity. To some, making a beer out of pumpkin seems strange, yet the tradition is older than America itself. Colonial brewers substituted pumpkin for English barley, an item that was expensive and quite scarce. Now, as these beers have progressed, brewers are adding their unique touches to make it their own. While some brewers add actual pumpkin to the mash, others simply use pumpkin pie spices to simulate the flavor. Actually, the squash itself doesn’t add a whole lot of flavor, so most pumpkin beers include ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and cinnamon. These beers typically are medium to full-bodied and mild with little to no bitterness and a solid malty backbone. As with all beers, no two pumpkin beers are identical. Some are brewed with a strong spice presence, others with more of a malty sweetness. Lately, Imperial Pumpkin Ales, those with higher alcohol contents and fuller flavors have emerged. Heavy Seas’ The Great Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale and Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale are great examples of the technique, perfect to warm your body on a crisp fall night. Consider pairing the pumpkin ale of your choice with a dessert or turkey with all the trimmings for a fall treat that will leave you wanting more. Weyerbacher is my favorite pumpkin beer as I love the balance and the alcohol warmth. Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale, Saranac Pumpkin Ale, Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale and Shipyard’s Pumpkinhead Ale all vary in taste, but are worth seeking.

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Carving up seasonal pumpkin beers

Gary Monterosso is an area beer critic and the author of the new book, Artisan Beer, scheduled for release near the end of this year. Pre-orders are available through amazon.com. He will be appearing on the History Channel soon.

average entree under $10 average entree under $20 average entree over $20 credit cards accepted alcohol served PW recommended brunch served

Bonte 922 Walnut St. 215.238.7407. bontewafﬂes.com $ CC BR Cafe Lift 428 N. 13th St. 215.922.3031. cafelift.com $ CC BR

Capital Grille 1338 Chestnut St. 215.545.9588. thecapitalgrille.com $$$ CC AS Field House 1150 Fibert St. 215.629.1520. ﬁeldhousephilly.com $$ CC AS Hard Rock Cafe 1113 Market St. 215.238.1000. hardrockcafe.com $$ CC AS

Jones 700 Chestnut St. 215.223.5663. jones-restaurant.com $$ CC AS BR Marathon Grill Broad and Chestnut sts. 215.561.4460. marathongrill.com $ CC Reading Terminal Market 12th and Arch sts. 215.922.2317. readingterminalmarket.org $ CC★ Ruth’s Chris Steak House 260 S. Broad St. 215.790.1515. $$$ CC AS Smokin’ Betty’s 116 S. 11th St. 215.922.6500. $$ CC AS Time 1315 Sansom St. 215.985.4800. timerestaurant.net $$$ CC AS Valanni 1229 Spruce St. 215.790.9494. valanni.com $$$ CC AS BR Varga Bar 941 Spruce St. 215.627.5200. vargabar.com $$ CC AS Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro 129 S. 13th St. 215.922.3095. $$ CC AS ASIAN FUSION Sampan 124 S. 13th St. 215.732.3501. sampanphilly.com $ CC AS CARIBBEAN Mixto 1141-43 Pine St. 215.592.0363. mixtophilly.com $$ CC AS BR FRENCH Caribou Cafe 1126 Walnut St. 215.625.9535. thecariboucafe.com $$ CC AS BR Zinc 246 S. 11th St. 215.351.9901. $$ CC AS

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Palace at the Ben 834 Chestnut St. 267.232.5600. palaceattheben.com $$ CC AS BR ITALIAN Amis 412 S. 13th St. 215.732.2647. amisphilly.com $$ CC AS Buca di Beppo 258 S. 15th St. 215.545.2818. buccadibeppo.com $$ CC AS La Buca 711 Locust St. 215.928.0556. ristlabuca.com $$ CC AS La Scala’s 615 Chestnut St. 215.928.0900. lascalasphilly.com $$$ CC AS Mercato 1216 Spruce St. 215.985.2962. mercatobyob.com $$ BYOB Valentino 1328 Pine St. 215.545.6265. valentinoristorante.com $$ CC BYOB Vetri 1312 Spruce St. 215.732.3478. vetriristorante.com $$$ CC AS Zavino 112 S. 13th St. 215.732.2400. zavino.com $ CC AS JAPANESE Aki 1210 Walnut St. 215.985.1838. akiphilly.com $$ CC AS Fat Salmon 719 Washington Square West. 215.351.6265. $$$ CC BYOB

Morimoto 723 Chestnut St. 215.413.9070. morimoto.restaurant.com $$$ CC AS Raw Sushi Lounge and Bar 1225 Sansom St. 215.238.1903. rawlounge.net. $$ CC AS Wasabi House 1238 Pine St. 215.732.4790. $ CC KOREAN Pastoral 205 S. 13th St. 215.545.8511. $$ CC Tampopo 104 S. 21st St. 215.557.9593. tampoporestaurant.com $ CC BYOB MEXICAN/SOUTHWESTERN El Fuego 723 Walnut St. 215.592.1901. elfuegoburritos.com $ CC AS

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Santa Fe Burrito 212 S. 11th St. 215.413.2378. santafeburrito.com $ CC

Kingdom of Vegetarians Restaurant 129 N. 11th St. 215.413.2290. $ CC

MIDDLE EASTERN Leila Café 401 S. 13th St. 267.319.1903. leilacafe.com $$ Maccabeam 128 S. 12th St. 215.922.5922. $$ CC BYOB

New Samosa 1214 Walnut St. 215.546.2009. $ CC

Center City West AMERICAN/CONTINENTAL

Sahara Grill 1334 Walnut St. 215.985.4155. $$ CC BYOB

Alfa Restaurant and Bar 1709 Walnut St. 215.751.0201. $$ CC AS

PERUVIAN Chifa 707 Chestnut St. chifarestaurant.com $$ CC AS

Audrey Claire 276 S. 20th St. 215.731.1222. audreyclaire.com $$ BYOB

PUB FARE The Farmers’ Cabinet 1113 Walnut St. 215.923.1113 thefarmerscabinet.com $$$ CC AS

Bliss 220 S. Broad St. 215.731.1100. bliss-restaurant.com $$$ CC AS

Fergie’s Pub 1214 Sansom St. 215.928.8118. fergies.com $ CC AS

Cherry Street Tavern 129 N. 22th St. 215.561.5683. $ CC AS Chris’ Jazz Cafe 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131. chrisjazzcafe.com $$ CC AS

Irish Pub 1123 Walnut St. 215.925.3311. irishpubphilly.com $ CC AS Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166. knockphilly.com $$$ CC AS

Continental Mid-Town 18th and Chestnut sts. 215.567.1800. continentalmidtowns.com $$ CC AS BR

McGillin’s Olde Ale House 1310 Drury St. 215.735.5562. mcgillins.com $ CC AS

The Fountain Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Sq. 215.963.1500. $$$ CC AS BR★

Moriarty’s 1116 Walnut St. 215.627.7676. moriartyspub.com $ CC AS Perch Pub 1345 Locust St. 215.546.4049. perchpub.com $$ CC AS THAI Aqua Malaysian Thai 705 Chestnut St. 215.928.2838. $$ CC

Devil’s Alley 1907 Chestnut St. 215.751.0707. devilsalleybarandgrill.com $$ CC AS BR

Fox & Hound Smokehouse and Tavern 1501 Spruce St. 215.732.8610. $ CC AS Friday Saturday Sunday 261 S. 21st St. 215.546.4232. frisatsun.com $$$ CC AS Gavin’s Café 2536 Pine St. 267.519.2494 $$

SEAFOOD

Good Karma Cafe 331 S. 22nd St. 215.546.1479. thegoodkarmacafe.com $

McCormick & Schmick’s 1 S. Broad St. 215.568.6888. mccormickandschmicks.com $$ CC AS

The Happy Rooster 118 S. 16th St. 215.963.9311. thehappyrooster.com $$ CC AS BR

Sole Food 12th and Market sts. 215.231.7300. $$$ CC AS

Ladder 15 1528 Sansom St. 215.964.9755. ladder15philly.com $$ CC AS

Sotto Varalli 231 S. Broad St. 215.546.6800. varalliusa.com $$ CC AS

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Now Open for Dinner Tuesday - Friday Call for Reservations 1212 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 215-468-8800

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L2 Restaurant and Bar 2201 South St. 215.732.7878. thel2restaurant.com $$ CC AS

Square on Square 1905 Chestnut St. 215.568.0088. squareonsquare.com $ $ CC BR BYOB

Little Pete’s 219 S. 17th St. 215.545.5508. $ CC BR AS

Su Xing House 1508 Sansom St. 215.564.1419. suxinghouse.com $ CC

Marathon on the Square 19th and Spruce sts. 215.731.0800. marathongrill.com $$ CC AS BR Matyson 37 S. 19th St. 215.564.2925. matyson.com $$$ CC BYOB ★ Meritage Philadelphia 500 S. 20th St. 215.985.1922. meritagephiladelphia.com $$$ CC AS Morton’s the Steakhouse 1411 Walnut St. 215.557.0724. mortons.com $$$ CC AS Nodding Head 1516 Sansom St. 215.569.9525. noddinghead.com $$ CC AS BR The Palm 200 S. Broad St. 215.546.7256. thepalm.com $$$ CC AS Pita Pit 1601 Sansom St. 215.564.1080. phillypitapit.com $ CC BR Prime Rib 1701 Locust St. 215.772.1701. theprimerib.com $$$ CC AS

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Public House 2 Logan Sq. 215.587.9040. publichousephilly.com $$$ CC AS Pumpkin 1713 South St. 215.545.4448. pumpkinphilly.com $$$ BYOB Rouge 205 S. 18th St. 215.732.6622. $$$ CC AS BR

FRENCH Bistro St. Tropez 2400 Market St., fourth fl. 215.569.9269. bistrosttropez.com $$ CC AS Lacroix at the Rittenhouse 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. 215.790.2533. lacroixrestaurant.com $$$ CC AS BR Le Bec-Fin 1523 Walnut St. 215.567.1000. lebec-fin.com $$$ CC AS GREEK Dmitri’s 2227 Pine St. 215.985.3680. $$ CC AS BYOB Estia 1405 Locust St. 215.735.7700. estiarestaurant.com $$$ CC AS BR IRISH Black Sheep 247 S. 17th St. 215.545.9473. theblacksheeppub.com $$ CC AS BR Fado Irish Pub 1500 Locust St. 215.893.9700. fadoirishpub.com $$ CC AS BR ITALIAN Bellini Grill 220 S. 16th St. 215.545.1191. bellinigrill.com $$ CC BYOB Bistro La Baia 1700 Lombard St. 215.546.0496. bistrolabaia.com $$ BYOB

Smiths Restaurant 39-41 S. 19th St. 267.546.2669. smiths-restaurant.com $ CC AS

Branzino 261 S. 17th St. 215.790.0103. brazinophilly.com $$

Smith & Wollensky Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. smithandwollensky.com 215.545.1700. $$$ CC AS

Caffe Casta Diva 227 S. 20th St. 215.496.9677. $$ BYOB

Tangier Cafe 1801 Lombard St. 215.732.5006. tangiercafe.com$$ CC AS Tavern 17 220 S. 17th St. 215.790.1799. tavern17restaurant.com $$$ CC AS BR Tria 123 S. 18th St. 215.972.TRIA. and 1137 S. Spruce St. 215.629.9250 triacafe.com $ CC AS ★ 21st Street Gourmet 119 S. 21st St. 215.563.9099. $ CC BR Twenty Manning 261 S. 20th St. 215.731.0900. twentymanning.com $$ CC AS CARIBBEAN/LATIN Alma de Cuba 1623 Walnut St. 215.988.1799. almadecubarestaurant.com $$$ CC AS Chima Brazilian Steakhouse 1901 John F. Kennedy Blvd. 215.525.3233. chima.cc cc $$$ CC AS Rum Bar 2005 Walnut St. 215.751.0404. rum-bar.com $$ CC AS BR

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D’Angelo’s Ristorante 256 S. 20th St. 215.546.3935. dangeloristorante.com $$$ CC AS Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse 111 S. 17th St. 215.563.4810. davios.com $$$ CC AS Ernesto’s 1521 Cafe 1521 Spruce St. 215.546.1521. ernestos1521.com $$ CC AS Il Portico 1519 Walnut St. 215.561.2822. il-portico.com $$$ CC AS La Viola 253 S. 16th St. 215.735.8630. $$ BYOB Le Castagne 1920 Chestnut St. 215.751.9913. lecastagne.com $$ CC AS Mama Palma’s 2229 Spruce St. 215.735.7357. $ AS Melograno 2012 Sansom St. Spruce St. 215.875.8116. $$$ CC Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria 1714 Walnut St. 215.735.8090. pietrospizza.com $$ CC AS Porcini 2048 Sansom St. 215.751.1175. $$ CC BYOB

CHINESE Mandarin Palace 1835 Chestnut St. 215.557.6280. $$ CC BYOB www.philadelphiaweekly.com

Continued on page 10

From Worst To First Once one of the Worst Cooks in America, South Philly’s Jenny Cross is now keeping it tasty and exotic at Watkins Drinkery. By Brian McManus

To win meant being the best worst cook, the prize going to the most improved.

“I like hearty, earthy flavors,” says South Philly chef Jenny Cross, slipping a menu special she’s just conceived for the fall across a tiny two-top. Noticeably thinner since television made her a minor star two years ago, she remains kissed with a distinct rockabilly sheen. She’s still a pretty, ‘50s obsessed pin up, albeit with a few added tattoos— one a human heart on a plate, around it the words “Dinner Is Served.” Don’t let the message in the ink fool you: She’s as endearing in person as she was on the boob tube. Which is where, you’ll recall, you last saw Cross, her eyes full of tears, her dream freshly slipped from her grasp. Oh, and $25,000. That slipped too. That dream: To win a surprise reality hit called Worst Cooks in America, which aired on the powerful, star-making Food Network. Only “to win Worst Cook in America” sounds a bit misleading.

Cross placed a close second, after “much difficult deliberation” from a panel of celebrity judges which included off-puttingly prickish acclaimed food critic Jeffery Steingarten. If you watched the show or read the many, many comments on the many, many YouTube videos of it, you don’t have to be told this: Cross was robbed. The winner was a website copy editor named Rachel Coleman. She plans to write a book about the experience. Jenny Cross wanted the money to go to culinary school. Instead, she went to work, bringing what skills she’d learned on Worst Cooks to kitchens around Philly like Tir Na Nog and Marathon Grill. In the ten intense days she spent on the show she went from slathering cod in peanut butter and dumping a metric ton of cayenne on everything—

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY’S DINING GUIDE 2011/2012

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“Usually when I try to cook I add way too many seasonings to hide mistakes in my food,” she says while preparing her horrific introduction dish on the show’s first episode—to making perfectly chopped and delicate salmon tartar, cod you’d actually want to eat (with mussels) and an out-of-this-world chocolate lava torte. She did it under the tutelage of two noted celebrity chefs—spiky haired Anne Burrell and Beau MacMillan and his many chins. MacMillan saw something special in Cross early on. “She’s got the most passion,” he said mid-season when he poached her from Burrell’s team. On that last episode, as she cried, he comforted her. “Since day one of this competition I saw a fire and a passion inside of you, and I know it’s still there,” he said. “It’s just gonna get hotter and hotter.” He was right. Flash forward to present. “We still talk,” Cross says of Chef Mac. “In fact, I told him the other day about all the wild game I’m cooking with now, and he was pretty impressed.” Wait. Wild game? Cross is now a chef at Watkins Drinkery (1712 S. 10th St., on Watkins) in South Philly. Owned by John Klein (who also owns The Dive, 947 E. Passyunk Ave.), it features unusually inventive and exotic eats for such a casual corner bar—venison, kangaroo, boar, alligator, duck, ostrich carpaccio, rabbit and Salento 2216 Walnut St. 215.568.1314. salentorestaurant.com $$$ CC BYOB Trattoria Prima Donna 1506 Spruce St. 215.790.0171. trattoriaprimadonna.com $$ CC AS BYOB Valentino on the Square 267 S. 19th St. 215.772.1905. $$ CC BR

Like the special she’s just plopped down, which exhibits all the traits she’s just rattled off. It’s called “Sloppy Joey.” And, you guessed it, it’s a Sloppy Joe made of kangaroo. “I like making things with a twist,” she says. The main twist in her “Joey” is obvious, of course—swapping beef for ‘roo. But there’s also more. It’s fragrant in a good way, almost Masala like. She’s cooked the ground ‘roo slow and low with ginger, garlic, poblano, red pepper, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, chili powder and finished with a porter stout. The fries it’s served alongside are accompanied with two types of aioli, truffle and smoked poblano. Hearty. Earthy. Fun. Messy. Campy.

JEWISH Schlesinger’s 1521 Locust St. 215.735.7305 schlesingersdeli.com Rachael’s Nosheri 19th and Sansom sts. 215.568.9565. rachaelsnosheri.com $ CC BR KOREAN

Byblos 114 S. 18th St. 215.568.3050. byblosphilly.com $$ CC AS BR

Mizu Sushi Bar 133 S. 20th St. 215.563.3100. mizusushibar.com $$ CC

MEXICAN/SOUTHWESTERN

Shiroi Hana 222 S. 15th St. 215.735.4444. shiroihana.com $$ CC AS Sushi on the Square 233 S. 20th St. 215.988.0510. $$ CC BYOB Tampopo 104 S. 21st St. 215.557.9593. tampoporestaurant.com $ CC Tokyo Lunchbox 1705 Chestnut St. 215.564.3306. $ CC BYOB Vango 116 S. 18th St. 215.568.1020. vangoloungeandskybar.com $ CC

works, she’s the only person in the tiny back of the house. “It’s been a trial by fire, man,” she says. She’s loving her time at Watkins, but, like any chef on the come-up, has an eye on the future. She’d love to learn about different types of cuisine in a Garces’ kitchen or under Steve Delorean, currently a sous at 10 Arts, late of James, Brassiere Perrier and Le Bec Fin. After that, she’s thinking lunch truck. She’s still available for private catering for parties and the like through her Pirate Jenny imprint (therealjennycross.com) and, for the time being, is soaking up as much kitchen knowledge as she can manage. She’s got knife skills now. She can grill, sauté, fix a broken sauce. She can “cook meat like no one’s business.” She wants to create an “all bacon menu.” She’s already responsible for the bacon brownie on the menu at Watkins. Watch out for Cross. The tears have long dried. She keeps her peanut butter and her fish far, far away from one another. If she and Coleman were to go toe-to-toe in a kitchen today, Cross’d eat her lunch.

Everything but the bread in Watkins is prepared in house by Cross and Rogers. They pickle their own veggies. They smoke their own meats. Cross works every station in the place, and on the nights she

MEDITERRANEAN

Misora Express 1511 Chestnut St. 215.564.6463 $

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“I love cooking dishes that are campy, fun or messy,” she says, wild-eyed with enthusiasm.

Miran 2034 Chestnut St. 215.569.1200. $$ CC BYOB ★

Fuji Mountain 2030 Chestnut St. 215.751.0939. fujimt.com $$ CC AS

“It’s been an incredible place to learn and grow,” says Cross of her time at Watkins. She’s now been in the industry two years, both in professional kitchens and as a private caterer, and since joining the small team there (comprised of just her and head chef Will Rogers), she says she’s found her culinary voice.

Giwa 1608 Sansom St. 215.557.9830. $ CC AS

JAPANESE

Zama 128 S. 19th St. 215.567.1027 $$$ CC AS

conch can be found on the menu at any given time.

Good Dog Bar and Restaurant 224 S. 15th St. 215.985.9600. gooddogbar.com $$ CC AS ★

Phillips Seafood 17th and Race sts. 215.448.2700. phillipsseafood.com $$ CC AS

Grace Tavern 2229 Grays Ferry Ave. 215.893.9580. $ CC AS

Seafood Unlimited 270 S. 20th St. 215.732.9012. seafoodunlimited.com $$ CC AS

Liberty Bar 2204 Market St. 215.496.9797. 2204libertybar.com $ CC AS Misconduct Tavern 1511 Locust St. 215.732.5797. misconduct-tavern.com $$ CC AS Monk’s Cafe 264 S. 16th St. 215.545.7005. monkscafe.com $$ CC AS Pub & Kitchen 1946 Lombard St. 215.545.0350. thepubandkitchen.com $$ CC AS BR Roosevelt’s Pub 2222 Walnut St. 215.569.8879. $$ CC AS

Hot Tamales 1805 John F. Kennedy Blvd. 215.557.9009. $

Sidecar Bar 2201 Christian St. 215.732.3429. thesidecarbar.com $ CC AS BR

Jose Pistola’s 263 S. 15th St. 215.545.4102. josepistolas.com $$ CC AS

Ten Stone 2063 South St. 215.735.9939. tenstone.com $ CC AS BR

Los Catrines & Tequila’s 1602 Locust St 215.546.0181. tequilasphilly.com $$ CC AS

SEAFOOD

Mexican Post 1601 Cherry St. 215.568.2667. mexicanpost.com $$ CC AS

fish. 1708 Lombard St. 215. 545.9600. fishphilly.com $$$ CC

PUB FARE

Devon Seafood 2225 S. 18th St. 215.546.5940. devonseafood.com $$$ CC AS BR

The Bards 2013 Walnut St. 215.569.9585. bardsirishbar.com $$ CC AS BR

Oyster House 1516 Sansom St. 215.567.7683. oysterhousephilly.com $$ CC AS

philadelphia weekly’s dining guide 2011/2012

Dinner Is Served.

www.philadelphiaweekly.com

SOUL FOOD Phoebe’s 2214 South St. 215.546.4811. $ CC SPANISH Cafe Apamate 1620 South St. cafeapamate.com $ CC BYOB BR Tinto Restaurant 114 S. 20th St. 215.665.9150. tintorestaurant.com $$ AS CC ★ THAI Jasmine Rice 306 S. 16th St. 215.546.0818 $$ My Thai 2200 South St. 215.985.1878. $$ CC AS Sawatdee 1501 South St. 215.790.1299. $ AS Smile 105 S. 22nd St. 215.564.6976. $$ CC Thai Chef & Noodle Fusion 2028 Chesnut St. 215.568.7058. $ CC BYOB TURKISH Divan Turkish Kitchen 918 S. 22nd St. 215.545.5790. divanturkishkitchen.com $$ CC BYOB For corrections or updated information, email listings information to: nfinkbiner@philadelphiaweekly.com

www.chhayacafe.com

1823 E. Passyunk Ave. Philadelphia PA 19148

treat yourself to the finest indian cuisine

Laxmi’sIndianGrille b.Y.O.b.

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Lunch SSPeciALS StArting @ $6.95

Laxmisindian.com 4425 Main Street • Phila., PA 19127

1511 Chestnut street PhiladelPhia, Pa 215.564.6463

P: 215.508.2120

As Seen On Let’s do Lunch! Winner sushi salads Best•Sushi 2010• Bento Boxes Catering 1511 Chestnut CorPorate street 1511 Chestnut street Party trays PhiladelPhia, Pa Free delivery PhiladelPhia, 215.564.6463 Pa [from 12th - 20th streets to JFK - locust streets] 215.564.6463

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As Seen On Let’s do Lunch!

215-463-1570

sushi • salads • Bento Boxes sushi • salads • Bento Boxes CorPorate Catering CorPorate Catering philadelp h i a w etrays e k ly p r e s e n ts : Party Party trays Free delivery Free12th delivery [from - 20th streets to JFK - locust streets]

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from 12th - 20th streets to JFK - locust streets]

Philly

Winner Winner As Seen On Best sushi 2010 Best sushi 2010 Let’s do Lunch!

As Seen On Let’s do Lunch!

A Culinary Extravaganza! at the

Crystal Tea Room Wednesday, November 2 6-9 pm

buy tickets now, only $35! Go to: philadelphiaweekly.com/taste2011 A portion of proceeds to benefit City of Hope & Philabundance www.philadelphiaweekly.com

We Cater!

Argentinean Eatery Located in Fitler Square

Empanadas : Maicenitas Pastafrola : Muffins Coffee Cakes & More! 2536 Pine St : Philadelphia 215.519.2494 : M + T 7-5, W - S 7-8 PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY’S DINING GUIDE 2011/2012

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aBBaYe 2662 W. Moreland Road Willow Grove, PA 19090 www.madmex.com/willowgrove “Funky Fresh Cal Mex” is making its way to

Willow GroveHOTEL this November! Mad Mex is known BORGATA CASINO & SPA to spin anWay American food mash-up of Mexican, 1 Borgata SoutheastCity, Asian, Spanish influences, while Atlantic NJand 08401 patrons enjoy any of their “Big-Azz” margaritas www.theborgata.com with quality tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice and 24 beers on tap.

SAVOR BORGATA -

Mad Mex pushes the funky in its food selections

Taste ofthe American Monk’s such as Thai BurritoClassics and mouthwatering wings, “The Soul of BelgiumCafé in The Heart of Philadelphia” EAT. DRINK. 264 S. 16th Street eclectic music, MINGLE. and out-of-this world artwork. MONK’S CAFÉ Saturday, November 12 fresh and everything Philadelphia, The ingredients are always “The Soul of Belgium inPA The19102 Heart of Philadelphia” 264 S. 16th Street215.545.7005 is prepared 7PM - 10PMfrom scratch daily. Inspiration of the menu stems from the cal West Coast nature – Philadelphia,www.monkscafe.com PA 19102

healthful, withjourney no lard,through simple marinades Your culinary America of is citrus about 215.545.7005 Great attention is paid to creating dishes to and spices, light sauces from fresh vegetables. Mex to begin. Come mingle with Bobby Flay (Bobby www.monkscafe.com pair with our outstanding selection of over 300

world-class Creative Vegan dishes dishes toare Great attention beers. is paid to creating available and weselection source much of our300 food pair always with our outstanding of over from local farmers. Monk’s Café was named world-class beers. Creative Vegan dishes arein 2011available as one of thewe Top 5 Places in of Theour World always and source much foodto Have A Beer. We also offer stellar vintage wines… from local farmers. Monk’s Café was named in who knew? We just broke out a few of our 1997 2011 California as one ofCabernets the Top 5and Places in The World to they are drinking great. HaveVintage A Beer.Rhones, We alsotoo. offer stellar vintage wines… who knew? We just broke out a few of our 1997 Great Beer, Robustand Wines, andgreat. Award California Cabernets theyFine are Spirits drinking Winning Foodtoo. all served in the Old World Charm Vintage Rhones, of Monk’s Café. People come from around the Great Beer,toRobust Wines, Spirits and world savor the flavorFine of Monk’s Café.Award Please Winning Food allwhy served in garnered the Old World Charm join us to see we’ve so many awards of Monk’s People come around for our Café. food and drink. For afrom special treat,the grab world to savor the flofavor Monk’sbeer Café.dinners…all Please tickets for one our ofmonthly thetocool are doing it. Monk’s beerawards dinners join us see kids why we’ve garnered so many havefood beenand called legendary our guests for our drink. For a by special treat,and grabthe press. menu is available 11:30AM tickets for Our one full of our monthly beer from dinners…all through a week. beer Tom Peters and the cool kids1AM, areseven doingdays it. Monk’s dinners Carey,legendary proprietorsby– our serving fineand Belgian haveFergus been called guests the Ales in Philadelphia 1984. from 11:30AM press. Our full menu issince available through 1AM, seven days a week. Tom Peters and Fergus Carey, proprietors – serving fine Belgian Ales in Philadelphia since 1984. BOR_19087_SavorBorgata_PW_AD.indd 1

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means big flavors, big plates a vast Mexican Flay Steak), Stephen Kalt and (FORNELLETTO palette&ofWine great Bar), flavorsWolfgang and preparations all with Cucina Puck (Wolfgang fundamental in theMichael sun, theMina lime, (SEABLUE, the tomato, Puck Americanroots Grille), grill, the tortilla, the corn, and the chile. A the Michael Mina Restaurant), Michael Schulson Mad Mex located less than a half a mile from (Izakaya – Ais Modern Japanese Pub), Geoff rey Willow Grove Park Mall. in the city? Zakarian (The Water ClubLive at Borgata), RonCome Ross see us at Executive University ofChef), Penn’s Campus on 34th and (Borgata Thaddeus DuBois Walnut. Pull up a stool, chill Chef), with friends, a (Borgata Executive Pastry Tonyhave Luke margarita, forget about the eat a burrito and the Sherry Brothers (Oldclock, Homestead Steak and just a good time! House) as have you sample their unique take on classic American cuisine, paired with some of the best wine, beer and spirits the country has to offer. It’s one of Borgata’s most celebrated events, an evening sure to be loved by all.

10/12/11 8:58:07 AM

to go where to go where to g what to do what to do what e to live where to live where

iladelphia weekly

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY’S DINING GUIDE 2011/2012

Mad Mex 2662 W. Moreland Road Willow Grove, PA 19090 www.madmex.com/willowgrove “Funky MAD Fresh MEXCal Mex” is making its way to Willow this November! Mad Mex is known 2662Grove W. Moreland Road toWillow spin an Grove, AmericanPA food mash-up 19090 of Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Spanish influences, while www.madmex.com/willowgrove patrons enjoy any of their “Big-Azz” margaritas with quality tequila fresh-squeezed “Funky Fresh CalandMex” is makinglime its juice way to and 24 beers onthis tap.November! Mad Mex is known Willow Grove

to spin American foodinmash-up of Mexican, Mad Mexan pushes the funky its food selections Southeast Asian, andand Spanish influences, while such as the Thai Burrito mouthwatering wings, patrons music, enjoy any their “Big-Azz” margaritas eclectic and of out-of-this world artwork. withingredients quality tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice The are always fresh and everything 24 beers onscratch tap. daily. Inspiration of the isand prepared from menu stems from the cal West Coast nature – Mad Mex pushes the funky in its food selections healthful, with no lard, simple marinades of citrus such as thelight Thai Burrito and mouthwatering wings, and spices, sauces from fresh vegetables. Mex eclectic music, and out-of-this world artwork. means big flavors, big plates and a vast Mexican The ingredients are always fresh and all everything palette of great flavors and preparations with is preparedroots frominscratch Inspiration of the fundamental the sun,daily. the lime, the tomato, menu fromthe thecorn, caland West the grill, stems the tortilla, the Coast chile. nature – healthful, with no lard, simple marinades of citrus

Mad is located less from than fresh a halfvegetables. a mile fromMex and Mex spices, light sauces Willow Grove Park Mall. Live in the city? Come means big flavors, big plates and a vast Mexican see us at University of Penn’s Campus on 34th and palette of great flavors and preparations all with Walnut. Pull up a stool, chill with friends, have a fundamental roots in the the eat lime,a the tomato, margarita, forget about thesun, clock, burrito thejust grill,have the atortilla, the corn, and the chile. and good time!

Mad Mex is located less than a half a mile from Willow Grove Park Mall. Live in the city? Come see us at University of Penn’s Campus on 34th and Walnut. Pull up a stool, chill with friends, have a margarita, forget about the clock, eat a burrito and just have a good time!

thirsty? Happy Hour & Bar Guide : Reviews

PhiladelphiaWeekly.com/Drink www.philadelphiaweekly.com

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signature dishes • events • promotions • profiles ABBAYE 637 N. 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 www.theabbaye.net

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drink specials. Check out our new website theabbaye.net for the latest tap lists, daily food specials, original events and much more. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Abbaye Bar and Restaurant, located on 3rd Street in Northern Liberties, is a great place to enjoy yourself and leave your troubles behind. Need to quench your thirst? Choose from our excellent selection of draft and bottle beer, an elegant wine list or a cocktail from a top shelf bar. aBBaYe 2662 W. Road Hungry? Our menu Moreland is seasonally inspired using Willow Grove, PA 19090 the freshest local ingredients and our specials www.madmex.com/willowgrove menu is always changing for your dining pleasure. “Funky Cal Mex” is hour making its weekday way to We have Fresh an excellent happy every Willow Grove thisbrunch November! Mad Mex isfeaturing known and a delicious on weekends to spin an American food mash-up of Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Spanish influences, while patrons enjoy any of their “Big-Azz” margaritas with quality tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice and 24 beers on tap.

Mad Mex pushes the funky in its food selections Monk’s such as the Thai Burrito and mouthwatering wings, “The Soul of BelgiumCafé in The Heart of Philadelphia” 264 S. 16th Street eclectic music, and out-of-this world artwork. Philadelphia, PA 19102 The ingredients are always fresh and everything is prepared from scratch daily. Inspiration of the 215.545.7005 menu stems from the cal West Coast nature – www.monkscafe.com healthful, with no lard, simple marinades of citrus Great attention is paid to creating dishes to and spices, light sauces from fresh vegetables. Mex pair with our outstanding selection of over 300 means big flavors, big plates and a vast Mexican world-class beers. Creative Vegan dishes are palette of great flavors and preparations all with always available and we source much of our food fundamental roots in the sun, the lime, the tomato, from local farmers. Monk’s Café was named in the grill, the tortilla, the corn, and the chile. 2011 as one of the Top 5 Places in The World to Mad Mex is located less than a half a mile from Have A Beer. We also offer stellar vintage wines… Willow Grove Park Mall. Live in the city? Come who knew? We just broke out a few of our 1997 see us at University of Penn’s Campus on 34th and California Cabernets and they are drinking great. Walnut. Pull up a stool, chill with friends, have a Vintage Rhones, too. margarita, forget about the clock, eat a burrito Great Beer, Robust Wines, Fine Spirits and Award and just have a good time! Winning Food all served in the Old World Charm of Monk’s Café. People come from around the world to savor the flavor of Monk’s Café. Please join us to see why we’ve garnered so many awards for our food and drink. For a special treat, grab tickets for one of our monthly beer dinners…all the cool kids are doing it. Monk’s beer dinners have been called legendary by our guests and the press. Our full menu is available from 11:30AM through 1AM, seven days a week. Tom Peters and Fergus Carey, proprietors – serving fine Belgian Ales in Philadelphia since 1984.

Mad Mex 2662 W. Moreland Road Willow Grove, PA 19090 www.madmex.com/willowgrove “Funky Fresh Cal Mex” is making its way to Willow Grove this November! Mad Mex is known to spin an American food mash-up of Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Spanish influences, while patrons enjoy any of their “Big-Azz” margaritas with quality tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice and 24 beers on tap. Mad Mex pushes the funky in its food selections such as the Thai Burrito and mouthwatering wings, eclectic music, and out-of-this world artwork. The ingredients are always fresh and everything is prepared from scratch daily. Inspiration of the menu stems from the cal West Coast nature – healthful, with no lard, simple marinades of citrus and spices, light sauces from fresh vegetables. Mex means big flavors, big plates and a vast Mexican palette of great flavors and preparations all with fundamental roots in the sun, the lime, the tomato, the grill, the tortilla, the corn, and the chile. Mad Mex is located less than a half a mile from Willow Grove Park Mall. Live in the city? Come see us at University of Penn’s Campus on 34th and Walnut. Pull up a stool, chill with friends, have a margarita, forget about the clock, eat a burrito and just have a good time!

MAD MEX WILLOW GROVE (OPENING NOVEMBER 2011) 2862 MORELAND ROAD | MAD MEX UNIVERSITY CITY 3401 WALNUT STREET | MADMEX.COM www.philadelphiaweekly.com

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY’S DINING GUIDE 2011/2012

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ART INSTITUTE OF PHILADELPHIA The International Culinary School Petite Passion, 2300 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-3008 (215) 405-6766 When you dine at Petite Passion, you are a guest in a restaurant being operated by students studying Culinary Arts at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. These students spend eleven weeks in Petite Passion, either preparing your meal or in the dining room as your server.

TASHAN 777 S. Broad Street aBBaYe Philadelphia, PA 19147 2662 W. Moreland Road (267) 687-2170 Willow Grove, PA 19090 www.mytashan.com www.madmex.com/willowgrove

The newFresh jewel Cal of the Avenue of the its Artsway andtoan “Funky Mex” is making exciting new addition to the Mad Philadelphia dining Willow Grove this November! Mex is known scene, Modern-Indian-Kitchen-Lounge, to spinTASHAN an American food mash-up of Mexican, now introduces as wellinfluences, as Saturday and Southeast Asian,Lunch and Spanish while Sunday patronsBrunch. enjoy any of their “Big-Azz” margaritas with quality tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice The lunch menu is a variation on the main dinner and 24 beers on tap. menu, offering Indian dishes prepared and Over the course of their education, our students Mad Mex in pushes the funky in its fooddrawing selectionson presented a contemporary style, Monk’s Café such asculinary the Thai Burrito and mouthwatering study“The International, Classical, and Heart American Soul of Belgium in The of Philadelphia” global influences. According towings, owner S. 16th eclectic Narula, music, and out-of-this approach world artwork. Regional cooking.264 They take Street classes in Baking, Munish the TASHAN to the Philadelphia, PAas19102 The ingredients fresh and everything Pastry and Dessert Presentation well. At Petite midday meal willare be always a tasting menu. is prepared from scratch daily. Inspiration of the 215.545.7005 Passion, the students bring together the skills “Chef a ‘Lunch Bites’ menu Sylva stemsSenat from has the developed cal West Coast nature – www.monkscafe.com they have learned during their first year to create selection twomarinades dishes and house healthful, featuring with no lard,any simple of citrus a delicious and varied menu. Great attention is paid to creating dishes to made sorbetlight dessert $15,fresh withvegetables. each additional and spices, saucesforfrom Mex pairthe withmenu our outstanding selection over 300 While changes twice each of quarter to means big flavors, plates and a“This vast Mexican dish priced at $8,”bigsays Narula. approach world-class beers. Creative Vegan dishes are off reflect seasonal themes and culinary trends, dishes palette of great and preparations with ers diners the flavors opportunity to enjoy theallexciting always combine available and source much of our food TASHAN typically andwecontrast sophisticated fundamental rootsininlunch the sun, the lime, tomato, flavors portions andthepricing.” fromSome local examples: farmers. Monk’s Café was named in flavors. the grill, the tortilla, the corn, and the chile. 2011 as one of the Top 5 Places in The World to For weekend brunches the menu offers the Mad Mex isspecialties located less than a half mile fromby • Maché Lettuce andalso Beet European Have A Beer. We offerSalad stellarwith vintage wines… traditional recalled and aenjoyed Willow from Grovehis Park Mall. Livegrowing in the city? Come cucumbers, creamy Dijon vinaigrette and who knew? We just broke out a few of toasted our 1997 Narula childhood up in New see us at University of Penn’s Campus on 34th and walnuts California Cabernets and they are drinking great. Delhi. Walnut. Pull up a stool, chill with friends, have a • Duck Conﬁ t Tacostoo. with roasted poblano salsa, Vintage Rhones, about thedining, clock, eat burritoat Inmargarita, additionforget to exquisite the alounge duck cracklings and corn-black bean salsa Great Beer, Robust Wines, Fine Spirits and Award TASHAN and just have a good time! off ers the fi nest premium cocktails, • Spinach Gnocchi with browninbutter & ricotta salata Winning Food all served the Old World Charm wines and craft beers, as well as a daily Happy • Poached Red Café. Snapper withcome parsnip puree, grilled of Monk’s People from around the Hour from 5 - 7 pm featuring $7 drinks. pencil asparagus sh fumet world to savorand the fiflavor of Monk’s Café. Please join us see with why we’ve garnered so manyonions, awards • Prime RibtoTrio caramelized Cipolini for marrow our food and drink.celeriac For a special grab bone mashed and treat, sautéed tickets for one of our monthly beer dinners…all spinach. For Advertising Information with the cool kids are doing it. Monk’s beer dinners Petite is open for by lunch and dinner havePassion been called legendary our guests and the on press. Wednesdays and isThursdays when11:30AM The Our full menu available from International Culinary at TheTom ArtPeters Institute through 1AM, seven School days a week. and Contact Amy Stoller at 215.599.7644 of Philadelphia is in session. The $15 prixfine fixeBelgian lunch Fergus Carey, proprietors – serving or astoller@philadelphiaweekly.com includes courses. Lunch seatings are at 11:30 Ales infour Philadelphia since 1984. am and 12 noon. The $25 prix fixe dinner includes six courses. There is one seating for dinner at 7 1500 SanSom St I 3rd Floor pm. Petite Passion is BYOB at dinner. Please PhIladelPhIa I PhIladelPhIaWeekly.com make a reservation by calling 215.405.6766.

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY’S DINING GUIDE 2011/2012

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