“Eat” listings
-
ZAVINO WINE BAR AND PIZZERIA
The last few years have seen a boom in pizzeria openings all over Philly, and Midtown Village’s newest is heating up the competition with creative pies like the polpettini, topped with mini veal meatballs. $$ (05/2010)
112 S 13th St
215-732-2400
zavino.com -
SAMPAN
This new Center City restaurant by Michael Schulson features Asian-inspired small plates with modern updates. Dishes include a wonton taco stuffed with rock shrimp and blood orange and a petite filet with Japanese mustard and soy butter. $$$ (05/2010)
124 S 13th St
215-732-3501
sampanphilly.com -
R2L
Located on the 37th floor of a luxury condominium complex, this kitchen from restaurateur Daniel Stern puts out creative American dishes, such as littleneck clams with beef butter, mini Reubans and surf-and-turf cocktail franks. $$$$ (05/2010)
50 S 16th St
215-564-5337
r2lrestaurant.com -
PERCY STREET BARBECUE
Before owner Michael Solomonov opened Percy Street, he traveled to the Lone Star State for inspiration. It shows in the hearty menu filled with dishes like as the signature brisket, served with white bread, pickles and onions. $$ (03/2010)
600 S Ninth St
215-625-8510
percystreet.com -
PIZZERIA STELLA
The newest effort from celebrity restaurateur Stephen Starr boasts a $25,000 wood-burning oven that produces such goodies as the margherita made with San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. $$ (03/2010)
420 S Second St
215-320-8000
pizzeriastella.net -
VILLAGE WHISKEY
New Iron Chef Jose Garces’ sixth restaurant is a break from his tradition—it’s non-tapas and non-Latin. But with more than 130 whiskeys, bar snacks like pickled artichoke hearts with lemon and truffle, and an 8-ounce Whiskey King burger topped with foie gras, he doesn’t think you’ll mind. $$$ (03/2010)
118 S 20th St
215-665-1088
villagewhiskey.com -
FOND
This new BYOB from chefs Lee Styer and Jessie Prawlucki focuses on fine French cooking. Veal sweetbreads get a kick from a cinnamon gastrique and soy vinaigrette. $$$ (03/2010)
1617 E Passyunk Ave
215-551-5000
fondphilly.com -
SQUARE 1682
Adjacent to the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, this two-story American restaurant is named for its proximity to Rittenhouse Square and the year William Penn planned Philly’s city parks. Order the Maine lobster tacos, lemon-scented hummus and garlic naan. $$$ (03/2010)
121 S 17th St
215-563-5008
square1682.com -
WIT OR WITOUT
Nicole DiZio named her cheesesteak shop after Philly’s signature question, which refers to whether you do or do not want onions. $ (12/2009)
7352 Frankford Ave
267-343-7667
witorwitout.com -
THE CANTINA AT DISTRITO
Superstar chef Jose Garces turned the fi rst floor of his popular restaurant Distrito into this cheaper, user-friendly eatery. Most items—including tacos, quesadillas and some margaritas—are less than $10. $ (12/2009)
3945 Chestnut St
215-222-1657
distritorestaurant.com -
BRAUHAUS SCHMITZ
This new beer hall, run by German-born Doug Hager, celebrates German tradition with barmaids in classic garb, a frequently changing beer list and such foods as wurst, pretzels and späetzle (noodles with onions and cheese, goulash or vegetables). $$$ (12/2009)
718 South St
267-909-8814
brauhausschmitz.com -
CAKE
This bakery and café in Chestnut Hill is celebrated for its salads, including chopped roasted beet and mango, Niçoise and sesame chicken with udon noodles. $$$ (12/2009)
8501 Germantown Ave
215-247-6887
cakeofchestnuthill.com