Get a Taste of France in Rittenhouse Square at Parc

Take a trip to Paris’ bohemian Left Bank without leaving the city. Parc evokes the chic flair and relaxed joie de vivre of the best French cafes with a stylish café and traditional bistro. Settled right on Rittenhouse Square, the restaurant also honors the outdoor-oriented atmosphere of café culture with exterior seating and large windows. Open seven days a week, the restaurant has distinct menus for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and, of course, dessert, so there’s always a reason to go. Classics like beefy onion soup, escargot, and home-made baguettes (served warm and crispy) are offset by uniquely prepared items such as trout amandine and beef bourguignon as well as an expansive wine and coffee selection. Whether you’re just in for a quick snack, a superbly prepared coffee, or you’re in the mood to linger over wine and conversation, Parc offers the full gamut of French culinary and cultural options.

Parc
227 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 545-2262
www.parc-restaurant.com

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

Amada: Delicious Spanish Tapas From a Real Iron Chef!

Defying the growing number of Spanish-inspired restaurants that emphasize trendiness over taste, Amada offers sophisticated Spanish tapas without all the distracting smoke and mirrors. Owned by award-winning, Next Iron Chef finalist Jose Garces—whose sister restaurant Distrito has had a similar effect on the Tex-Mex saturated world of Mexican food—the restaurant focuses on earthy Mediterranean flavors and traditional tapas combinations for a menu that is at once authentic and arrestingly modern. Though seasonal variances often apply, food options generally include a charcuterie selection of cured meats and artisan cheeses as well as savory seafood (don’t miss the pulpo a la gallega, a spicy octopus dish, and garlic-infused gambas al ajillo shrimp), rustic meats (the croquetas de jamon are pieces of ham in savory, fried bites), and dressed up basics (the heavily seasoned, aiole-filled patatas bravas are like the French fry’s fancier cousin).

Amada
217 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-2450
www.amadarestaurant.com

Nifty Fifty's: Philadelphia's Old Fashioned Diner and the World's Largest Soda Fountain

Nifty Fifty's offers a 1950s diner-style establishment for parties, casual meals, or a quick roadside stop. With the world’s largest soda fountain serving 100 different handcrafted flavors—from birch beer to bubblegum, honey dew lemon to vanilla peach—the restaurant specializes in old fashioned American diner food. Morning breakfast options include several filling platters, omelets, and egg sandwiches, while specialty sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and burgers are up for order throughout the day. Homemade chili, hefty salads, and plenty of sides (onion rings, fries, thick milkshakes, yum!) round out a menu of pure comfort food.

Nifty Fifty's
2491 Grant Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
(215) 676-1950
www.niftyfiftys.com

Kao Tip: A Great Stop in Philadelphia if You're in the Mood for Thai

Kao Tip appears to be a fairly standard Thai restaurant from the outside, but it serves a stand-out menu of Thai favorites once you venture in. The atmosphere is low-key and usually fairly quiet, making the service quick and attentive. The early bird special is a great bargain if you come before 7 p.m. during the week—it includes a soup or salad, appetizer, and entrée for only $9.95—but the prices are all moderately ranged, so there’s never a bad time to go. Even traditional dishes like the pad thai are worth scoping out, but you’re unlikely to be disappointed by just about anything from the range of noodles and curries.

Kao Tip
3520 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19149
(215) 708-8799

Rib Rack: A Hearty BBQ Treat

Rib Rack boasts some of the best BBQ in all of Philadelphia. With a special house-made sauce that keeps customers coming back and meat that’s cooked to perfection, it’s easy to see why this restaurant has earned citywide accolades for its food. The wings and baby back ribs are particular favorites, but sides like corn on the cob, mountain-high stuffed potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, and steak fries are great assets to an already hearty meal. The lighting is dark, but the atmosphere works to keep the focus on the food. And with every BBQ meal topped off with a watermelon wedge, it hits the southern spirit too. If eating ribs in public isn’t your thing, order them to go and enjoy your meal in the privacy of your own home—either way, you'll want to try these.

Rib Rack
2100 Tyson Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19149-1810
(215) 338-9399

Gallo's Seafood: Fresh, Local Seafood

Gallo’s Seafood is an aquatic-oriented restaurant with its legs firmly established on land. Serving fresh platters of the ocean’s best edibles, diners can plan to come hungry and leave satisfied. With fresh fish ranging from Atlantic swordfish and monkfish to rainbow trout and tilapia as well as brimming platters of scallops, deviled clams, and coconut shrimp, there’s plenty of potential options for all seafood preferences. Those who prefer on land fare can opt for chicken and steak choices, but the chef’s specialties are hard to pass up—the pecan crusted tilapia, honey soy glazed salmon, and monkfish piccata are all popular favorites.

Gallo’s Seafood
8101 Roosevelt Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19152-3013
(215) 333-0484
www.gallos-seafood.com

Worth the Wait

And there will be one, almost certainly. Combining the best of Southern comfort with the tradition of Jewish cooking, Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat is one of Philly’s most popular eateries for a heartwarming meal that will soothe your palette and satisfy that hankering for homemade goodness. The lengthy menu befits a classic diner experience, but look out for bargain combos like a breakfast of eggs, potato latke, challah toast, and coffee for an unbeatable price. From staples like chicken-fried steak, meaty Reuben sandwiches, and green bean casserole to specialties like savory matzah ball soup, buttery biscuits, and potato pancakes with sweet, cinnamon-rich applesauce, there are delicious options for every appetite and taste preference. There’s no reason to rush over the lovingly prepared platters of old favorites, as the rustic atmosphere—complete with pine wood floors—and patient staff encourage leisurely dining and appreciation.

Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat
800 N 4th St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 925-1150
www.honeys-restaurant.com

Reading Terminal Market: Philadelphia's Treasures Under One Roof

Located on 12th and Arch Streets, Reading Terminal Market is a farmers market founded in 1892. The market is covered and is host to an array of stands and stalls. Goods on offer include meats, poultry, seafood, bakery, Amish dishes, and ethnic foods. There are also stalls selling flowers, jewelry, pottery, crafts and cookware. The market is home to an array of restaurants offering diverse cuisines. It was the setting for scenes in films including Witness and National Treasure. When the market opened it had space for almost 800 stalls laid out on a grid system that mirrors the layout of Philadelphia’s streets. The Market now houses 80 dealers and receives 100,000 visitors every week, making it the most popular destination with tourists and visitors after The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. There are thirty restaurants ranging from delis and cheesesteak outlets to oyster bars, middle eastern specialties and the Dutch Eating Place.

12th and Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2317
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org

Osteria: Rustic Italian from Marc Vetri

Located on 640 N Broad St., Osteria offers Italian cuisine by chef Marc Vetri and his protégé Jeff Michaud in a restaurant which Philadelphia Magazine describes as the best in Philadelphia. Osteria aims for a rustic feel offering traditional Tuscan food in a contemporary industrial setting. The extensive menu includes starters of house-cured salami, rabbit sausage, stuffed quail, red mullet and wood grilled octopus. An array of pizzas is available ranging from the traditional Margherita to Testina with pig’s head and Lombarda with baked egg. Other main dishes include pheasant, roast duck, grilled veal and striped bass. Puddings include chocolate flan, ice creams, fig strudel and an artisanal cheese plate. Atmospheric touches include a vintage Faema coffee machine and antique pine tables. The restaurant offers special events and classes such as a bourbon tasting class and a pizza making class when you can join the chefs in the kitchen and learn to make pizza by traditional methods. The chef also has an exclusive restaurant Vetri and Osteria offers a more casual opportunity to enjoy his award-nominated cooking. Knowledgeable, friendly waiting staff add to this special dining experience. Open for lunch and dinner.

(215) 763-0920
 640 N Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19130
www.osteriaphilly.com