Le Bec-Fin: Philadelphia’s Finest French Restaurant

With all the elegance and baroque splendor of a French fine dining establishment, Le Bec-Fin has been one of Philadelphia’s premiere restaurants since 1970. A local landmark with international renown, this evolving yet conservative eatery is the perfect place for a dressed up dinner or a truly special occasion. Chef and owner Georges Perrier’s menu changes frequently to suit seasonal ingredients and reintroduce classic dishes such as pan-seared foie gras (served with white wine quince puree and sauce rouennaise), rack of lamb (complemented with lamb potato terrine, tomato conserve, and zucchini mint puree), and lobster salad with grapefruit gelee, crispy shallots, and lavender essence. If you can’t decide, try the prix fixe seasonal tasting menu or opt for Perrier’s well-balanced “Classic Degustation.” No matter what you choose, the food will dazzle your palette while offering a taste of French sophistication.

Le Bec-Fin
1523 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-1000
www.lebecfin.com

Fond: Seasonal Fare

For an anniversary or birthday, grab your sweetheart and a bottle of wine and head to Fond. Situated on up-and-coming Passyunk Avenue, Fond has simple, sleek decor to create a cozy interior. Fond offers a similarly sparse, yet appetizing, menu of contemporary American cuisine, which varies depending on the season, ensuring the freshest, most seasonal food. Depending on the season, diners can share a garlic-y appetizer of escargot or the popular veal sweetbreads then enjoy entrees of swordfish or strip loin. The light, mostly organic meats come served in moderate portions on appealingly arrayed plates. The modest portion sizes allow diners to save room for the reasonably priced, yet very rich, desserts (Meyer Lemon layer cake, dark chocolate torte, and so on). Make sure to reserve a table online or over the phone to save your place at Fond for that special occasion!

Fond
1617 E. Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 551-5000

Ekta: Passage to India

The word 'authentic' gets thrown around a lot, but it's the only thing to say about the stunning Indian fare at Fishtown's Ekta. There's nothing Westernized about this family-run gem: the flavorful appetizers are served with mint and tamarind chutney. Add a side of made-to-order, oven-warm naan or other bread to sop up the sauces. There's a long list of veggie entrees, including saag aur paneer, Ekta dal, and Bhindi masala. Meat-eaters can select from a list of main courses ranging from lamb korma to shrimp tikki masala to chicken vindaloo. Ekta also prides itself on its traditional fare of slow-cooked Tandoori meat dishes and spicy Biryani rice dishes. BYOB if you're eating in, but Ekta offers free delivery to certain nearby neighborhoods. Check the website for details!

Ekta
250 E. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 426-2277

Cafe Lift: Breakfast Delights

Philadelphians love brunch and Cafe Lift serves up a delicious array of breakfast favorites. An oasis in a fairly deserted area, Cafe Lift exudes a hip, industrial aura entered into through a freight lift (hence the moniker). Entrees here run around $8 and the offerings are the typical treats you crave in the morning with a fresh twist. Egg dishes include the Jens Crespelle (scrambled eggs in a crepe smothered in maple syrup) and fried egg paninos: two fried eggs, veggies, and cheese nestled in a warmed panini. The sweet stuff is particularly enticing: you can try lemon ricotta pancakes, cannoli french toast, and nutty monkey crespelle! Lunch offerings include fairly standard and inexpensive paninis and salads. It’s best to visit Cafe Lift in the morning for their breakfast selection. Unlike many Philly brunch places, this cafe is still a hidden gem — so the time you'll wait for a table will be brief!

Cafe Lift
428 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 922-3031

Dah Yea Rang: A Culinary Tour of Korea

Chinese food is perfect for take-out, and Japanese restaurants make for a great date, but don’t overlook Korean food, which bridges the two cultures both geographically and food-wise. With an emphasis on both livestock and seafood, Korean food is rich in meats, fish, rice dishes, noodles, and heavy, flavorful sauces. Dah Yea Rang Korean is a great place to begin an introduction to Korean cuisine, with a menu that encompasses the region’s emphasis on contrasting flavors (look out, pickled cabbage) and distinctive palette (cow’s knee cartilage is fairly common). Adventurous and picky eaters alike will find something to suit their tastes, so don’t be afraid to come by in a large group. And if you’re looking for a unique beverage to cap off the meal ask for soju, a popular spirit that’ll replace your craving for wine.

Dah Yea Rang Korean
5219 N. 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19120
(215) 324-6080
Click here for more information

Standard Tap: A Beer And More

The gastropub trend has hit Philadelphia with a bang, as many bars are taking the time to revamp their food offerings beyond the standard bar fare. One highlight of this movement is Standard Tap, opened in 1999. First and foremost, as you might expect from the title, this is a beer bar, and Standard Tap supports a wide variety of local breweries. With over twenty beers on tap, far more in bottles, and two cask-conditioned ales served from hand pumps, you can literally spend weeks just sampling the beers. The food is equally ambitious, using large amounts of locally-sourced meats and produce to create some truly unique and spectacular dishes. Some of the menu’s most successful offerings include the great chicken pot pie, which takes an American favorite and enrobes it in a fresh pastry crust with flavorful, succulent ingredients. Burgers are also fantastic, with juicy patties topped with thick-sliced bacon. On nice days, Standard Tap's roof deck is a perfect spot to hang out.

Standard Tap
901 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-0630
www.standardtap.com/drink.html

Albert’s Cafe: A Local Favorite

Albert’s Café is an all-around destination business. Serving a menu full of Italian, American, and seafood entrees and appetizers, there’s something to please every palate—from mozzarella sticks to buffalo chicken steaks, roast pork, and linguini with mussels—as well as a jovial atmosphere that attracts faithful locals and newcomers alike. The sports bar boasts four flat screen TVs and three additional viewing spots in the newly refurbished dining room bar. Daily drink and food specials keep up the enlivened atmosphere every night, while weekend music and dancing comes courtesy of DJs and a faithfully returning crowd.

Albert’s Café
3180 Grant Avenue
Philadelphia, PA  19114
www.albertscafe.com

Zama: It’s Sushi Magic

Zama is a top-notch Japanese restaurant that has been wowing Philly diners since it opened for good reason: they truly get the beautiful simplicity of Japanese cuisine. Chef Hiroyuki Tanaka has been one of the leading lights in the food scene here for years, and when the news broke that he was opening his own restaurant, there was a predictable stampede for reservations. Things have calmed down a bit, but diners here always go away satisfied by the clever, perfectly-prepared food on offer. Some of the menu’s highlights include the market fresh nigiri plate, composed by the chef each day of the best of the fishmonger’s offerings – you’ll be presented with some new taste experiences here, but it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone. Zama's rolls are also excellent, with diners recommending the Bronzizzle – a cucumber and avocado inside-out roll with branzino and yuzu-soy sauce. It’s a unique creation that will wow your palate.

Zama
128 South 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 568-1027
www.zamarestaurant.com

Estia: A Glimpse Of Greece

Greek food can be widely varying in quality, and there’s nothing more disappointing than a poor, inauthentic Greek meal. Philadelphians rave over Estia, an authentic Greek eatery that serves up some of the best cuisine in the city. Start with the spectacular cucumber and tomato salad, generously garnished with some of the most toothsome feta you will ever eat. The go-to appetizer is the grilled calamari, which Estia nails every time, with a perfect consistency that’s resilient yet tender to the fork. The entrees are spectacular, with special attention given to the seafood. If you’re saving money, the lunchtime prix fixe menu is a great deal – seventeen bucks for an absolutely filling two-course meal. The décor is also great, with welcoming alcoves and an iced fish display that lets you see the picks of the market.

Estia
1405 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-7700
www.estiarestaurant.com

Tinto: Tapas to Share and Savor

Spain’s northern Basque region is an area fraught with political tension and a mysterious history. Though the Basques are incorporated into Spanish culture, their distinctive language and ancestry sets everything a little bit apart—and that goes for the food too. Philly’s beloved celebrity chef Jose Garces opened Tinto to capture the essence of the Basque country’s culinary heritage. Bearing some resemblance to general Spanish food, Tinto focuses on the surprising seafood and meat combinations (mussels and chorizo, cod and Serrano ham), deceptively simple rustic staples (marinated olives, Serrano ham-wrapped figs), and heartland produce-inspired platters (rice with mushrooms, asparagus, and lemon oil) that define the region. The extensive wine list and beautiful tapas-style presentation sets Tinto into a pricier bracket, but it’s worth the cost for a truly unique cultural and culinary experience.

Tinto
114 S 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-9150
www.tintorestaurant.com

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