Federal Donuts: The Sweetest Treats Around

If you’re looking for a sweet treat in Philadelphia, locals rave about Federal Donuts. This amazing shop stocks a carefully-curated selection of fresh, hot, delicious donuts that will tantalize your palate. The Indian cinnamon is exceptional, fragrant, and enticing. The “fancy” donuts might be even better – locals rave about the awesome grapefruit and brown sugar glaze, which combines sweetness and acidity perfectly, and the s’mores donut is a gooey, overwhelming treat. But the big draw here is the chicken. Federal Donuts makes some of the best rotisserie chicken in the entire city, seasoned with spicy, crispy harissa or glazed with an incredible chile-garlic concoction. This chicken is incredibly addictive and cheap to boot. Federal Donuts is one of those kind of places that gets by on the business of devotees – maybe it’s time for you to become one? Go early, because once they sell out, Federal Donuts closes up shop for the day.

Federal Donuts
1219 S. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 687-8258
http://www.yelp.com/biz/federal-donuts-philadelphia

Dine Out for a Good Cause with Dining Out For Life

Save the date! Dining out For Life returns to Philadelphia April 26th and is celebrating its 22nd anniversary! Click here for more details on participating restaurants and more information about the organization!

Bibou: Fresh French

This charming little bistro has won a sizable fan following among Philadelphians for its incredible food and spectacular service. Bibou isn’t large and tables are at a premium, so make sure to make a reservation. You won’t get seated without one. Once you’ve arrived, pretty much everything on the menu is worth your attention. The offerings change seasonally, but some of the best include the exceptional bergamot-infused foie gras crème brulee, which is a house specialty, as well as the astounding pork rillettes with pickled sunchokes. If the bone marrow is on offer, you absolutely need to order it. For entrees, the duck confit is a French specialty executed to perfection, and while the braised pig’s foot may sound gross, it’s filled with foie gras and French lentils and it's delectable. Bibou is BYOB and cash only, and people bring some truly spectacular wines to pair with this food.

Bibou
1009 S. 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 965-8290
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bibou-philadelphia

August: A Culinary Delight in South Philadelphia

This awesome Italian restaurant is one of Philadelphia’s most popular eateries, and for good reason. The kitchen is absolutely top-notch. This is an intimate BYOB restaurant, with just 30 seats. Opening across from Columbus Square Park in South Philly, August developed a local following with incredible speed. The menu is Italian fusion, incorporating flavors and ingredients from all over the world, and there’s not a bad dish on the entire menu. Appetizers are well-constructed and lead you into the meal with ease – try the great beet salad or the sautéed artichoke hearts with sun-dried tomato, white beans, and spinach. Some of the favorites according to regular diners include the astounding farfalle pasta with lump crabmeat, porcini mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes in a light, refreshing cream sauce, as well as the awesome pan-roasted salmon with sweet chili sauce and risotto. Desserts are very good, with the banana bread pudding and the cheesecake both winning raves.

August
1247 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-5926
http://www.yelp.com/biz/august-philadelphia

“Center City Cooks,” CCD’s Online Cookbook, Offers All New RecipesFrom Your Favorite Center City Restaurants

You've enjoyed these dishes and beverages in your favorite restaurants during Center City District Restaurant Week Presented by TD Bank and now you can make them at home, treat the family or serve them to guests at your own dinner table!

The Spring 2012 edition of "Center City Cooks" offers a dozen new recipes for appetizers, main dishes, desserts and cocktails, along with other useful cooking information, and you can find it on the CCD's website at centercityphila.org/RestaurantWeek. Among the new recipes, you'll find instructions on how to make El Vez's Original Guacamole, German Potato Salad from Percy Street Barbecue, Asparagus Soup from Le Bec-Fin and a bracing Sampantini from Sampan. And just in time for the Easter holiday, there's a recipe for Roasted Leg of Lamb from M Restaurant at the Morris House Hotel.

All of the recipes are from restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. Print them out and collect them all! Make your own loose-leaf cookbook! Or go back again and again to use the searchable database.

In addition to these tantalizing recipes, you'll also find tips from Philly Homegrown, a program of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), founded to promote locally grown produce in featured dishes at all participating Restaurant Week locations. Philly Homegrown is a partner in both Restaurant Week and "Center City Cooks."

For more information check out www.centercityphila.org.

Beau Monde: Classy Crepes

Crepes are undergoing a bit of a renaissance in American restaurants lately, and for good reason. The skinny French pancakes are remarkably versatile, pairing equally well with sweet and savory ingredients. At Philadelphia’s Beau Monde, loyal diners rave about the exceptionally light, airy crepes and well-chosen fillings that make up the menu. Owners Jim Caiola and David Salama imported traditional cast-iron griddles from the Brittany region of France for their restaurant, and they make them the traditional way. Pretty much everything on the menu is splendid, but some dishes that draw raves from regulars include the mushroom, Swiss cheese, and toasted almond crepe, as well as the Andouille sausage with ratatouille and caramelized tomato sauce. You can also create your own crepe from a wide range of ingredients, and Beau Monde is happy to recommend combinations for you. The Saturday and Sunday brunches are a great way to start a day as well.

Beau Monde
624 S. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-0656
http://www.yelp.com/biz/beau-monde-philadelphia

Celebrate Pi Day This Wednesday, March 14th

In honor of this mathematical holiday, Chef Mitch Prensky of Supper, 926 South Street, has prepared an all-pie desert menu for this Wednesday (3/14, get it??). This one-day-only menu includes Apple, Mississippi Mud, Pecan and Peanut Butter pies with your choice of homemade Buttermilk, Vanilla, Caramel Swirl or Bitter Chocolate ice cream for just $8.

In addition to their regular menu, Chef Mitch Prensky has also prepared a special menu of savory pies including Pork pie and Crab & Ritz Cracker pie, both entrees served with a side salad and priced at a reasonable $16. Do the math and enjoy some pie this Pi Day at Supper! For questions or to make reservations please click here!

Eat Up The Avenue All of March For Chestnut Hill’s Restaurant Month

Chestnut Hill's annual "Eat Up The Avenue" restaurant month is almost here! During the entire month of March, twenty three participating restaurants will be offering lunch AND dinner specials Sunday through Thursday. Come out and enjoy a three course meal and sample a new restaurant for only $9.95 to $29.95 per person!

For a full list of participating restaurants and their offerings, click here!

Pub & Kitchen: Your New Secret Spot

This cozy, off-the-beaten track spot feels like visiting a friend's house for dinner. Except for the price, that is. Pub & Kitchen is fairly expensive: appetizers run $7 – $14 and entrees run  $11 – $22. The menu changes slightly from month-to-month, featuring seasonal specialties, but reliable standbys include slow-roasted pulled pork sandwiches and grilled hanger steak. Many locals swear the Churchill Burger ($18) is the best in town. And the kitchen stays open late to satisfy late-night cravings. Along with food, Pub & Kitchen offers a well-curated beer list, wine, and inventive cocktails.

Pub & Kitchen
1946 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-0350
www.thepubandkitchen.com

Russet, Brand New BYOB Locally Sourced Restaurant Opened in Rittenhouse Square

Just in time for Valentine’s Day 2012, Andrew and Kristin Wood opened Russet, a cozy and casual BYOB on the first floor of a lovely brick townhome, the former home of Ernesto’s Cafe, just steps from Rittenhouse Square.

Click here to check out some of the restaurant's highlights!

Next Page »