It’s the 20th anniversary of Center City District Restaurant Week, and to celebrate, the culinary activation is doing what it does best—offering delicious deals.
The festivities began this past Sunday on Sept. 10, and will continue to be offered throughout Center City until Sunday, Sept. 23. The 116 venues participating will be serving up three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus starting at just $45 per person, but for the first time, diners will also have the opportunity to enjoy a $60 premium option at select locations. And additionally, a two-course $20 lunch option will also be available at certain spots.
Menus for Center City District Restaurant Week can be found for both indoor and outdoor dining, as well as take-out from select venues. And for those 21+ dining in, there will also be beverage options curated from an activation with some Beam Suntory spirits, including Knob Creek 7-Year Rye Whiskey and Haku Vodka for purchase.
Plus, parking is even being offered at a discounted rate for those looking to enjoy a night out in Philly. Discounted parking will be available to CCDRW guests for $9 or less at participating Interpark, LAZ, BexPark and Philadelphia Parking Authority garages, a release states. The digital parking voucher is available at ccdrestaurantweek.com and locations can be found online as well.
Other additions added to the activation in 2023 are going to help front and back of house workers, and it’s for the first time ever with Restaurant Week.
As a release states, CCD has requested participating restaurants to nominate members of their staff for the chance to win a $500 “tip,” made possible by the Community College of Philadelphia. Five winners will be selected at random, with all nominees receiving a small gift as a token of appreciation, and winners will be announced once CCDRW ends.
So, what spots should you be checking out this go-around for Center City District Restaurant Week?
For $45 dinner options, practically every cuisine is being offered—like at barbecue hotspot Butcher Bar, Philadelphians can try options like cheddar stuffed pretzel bread, confit duck wings, a 6 oz grilled flank steak, shrimp & sweet sausage cavatelli, milk chocolate mousse, or even strawberry crunch tres leches. Whereas at The Dandelion, a British gastropub, diners can find a pint of prawns, ham toastie, rabbit pie, duck bolognese, sticky toffee pudding and more on the menu.
Those who want something a little different can also head to Fringe Bar for $45, as CCDRW also coincides with The Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Here, you’ll get 4 courses for $45 with dishes spanning fried cheese curds, extra devil-ish eggs, crab gravy, creamy pesto rigatoni, banana pudding with ladyfinger cookies and other comfort food options.
Monster Vegan is another option for those looking for specific dishes, with offerings spanning a mushroom bisque, sweet corn cakes, an assortment of pastas and sweet finishes like an Oreo beignet sundae and lemon sorbet. Italian cuisine lovers, on the other hand, can head to spots like Via Locusta for options like red snapper crudo, ravioli, a pork porterhouse, Cacio e Peppe, branzino and spaghetti and crab.
For those looking to then check out the $6o portion of Center City District Restaurant Week, there are plenty of venues offering other options for foodies and diners alike. Mixto Restaurant is serving up tostadas de ceviche, ratatouille and tilapia from their fare, while they will be offering a smaller version of that menu for a $20 lunch as well. Dim Sum House by Jane G’s offers an array of choices spanning pork soup dumplings, Mongolian beef, Dan Dan noodles with pork, vegetable fried rice, typhoon shrimp and more for the same dinner price point.
Other highlights during the 2023 rendition of Center City Restaurant Week include the recently opened fan-favorite rum bar, Bolo, Center City’s retro-decorated venue, Bud and Marilyn’s, some low key spots like Con Murphy’s Irish Pub, some bring your own options like Entree BYOB, Thai-centric choices such as Jasmine Rice, upscale options like the Moshulu and everything in between. All you have to do is reserve your spot.
Full menu and reservation information via Open Table can also be found at ccdrestaurantweek.com, where diners are also encouraged to enter to win dinner for a year.
