We’re right in the middle of Center City District Restaurant Week, and the dual-week escapade involves dozens of restaurants offering $40 or $60 multi-course dinners and two-course lunches for $20.
There are plenty of choices for almost every cuisine, and to help you narrow down your search, we’ve compiled a list of some of the must-try spots for the culinary clad activation.
For those craving Asian
Bahn Mi and Bottles
This South Street spot serves up cocktails and Vietnamese fare while replicating the atmosphere of a Nha Trang or Da Nang beach club. The venue was created and conceived by chef and owner Tuan Phung, who was born and raised in Vietnam, and immigrated to the U.S. in 2003. Inspired by his father, who cooked for many families in a Vietnamese refugee camp during his youth, Phung opened Banh Mi & Bottles with a modernized menu offering Vietnamese comfort foods.
For CCDRW, Philadelphians have their choice between Lotus Root Fries, Double Fried Wings in a tamarind sauce, Crispy Shrimp Cakes, Coconut Caramelized Baby Back Ribs, an assortment of Banh Mi sandwiches, a variety of Vermicelli Rice Noodles and much more. The establishment offers lunch and dinner for the activation; meal options specific to times can be found online through Center City’s official Restaurant Week site.
712-14 South St., banhmiandbottles.com
For those craving Southern
Rex at the Royal
Rex offers a way to snag Lowcountry cuisine, coffee (on the weekends), cocktails and comfort bites all in one venue. The concept, which started out as the popular Southern dinner locale Rex 1516 on South Street, found a new home in October of 2021 at the rejuvenated Royal Theater. The hotspot offers “elevated” dining services, immersive special events, personalized private dining, and a “thoughtfully appointed” bottle shop.
For Center City’s culinary activation specifically, diners who head here can indulge in Oyster Stew, Roasted Beets, Fried Chicken, Stuffed Eggplant, Shrimp Creole and much more. To finish things off on a sweet note, guests have the option of Beignets, Apple Cobbler or Mixed Berries with lemon yogurt. Rex at the Royal will offer dinner only for CCDRW.
1524 South St., rexphl.com
For those craving Italian
Giuseppe & Sons
Part of the Schulson Collective (aka Michael Schulson and his wife Nina Tinari) the main dining room at this mood-lit locale boasts 175 tables with the venue’s original walls brushed, stained and decorated with family and vintage photos. Visitors can munch on salads, pasta, Italian-American staples, Termini Bros. Bakery desserts and much more while here or check out the bar—which serves up classic and innovative cocktails, wine and beer offerings, plus extensive digestivo and amare selections as well.
For Center City District Restaurant Week specifically, Giuseppe & Sons is offering a $40 dinner option served family style with your table’s choice of one appetizer, one salad, one pasta, one side, one chicken dish, and some cannolis for dessert.
1523 Sansom St., giuseppesons.com
For those craving French
Forsythia
Inventive French fare, craft cocktails and a Francophile’s selection of wine is what you find at this cozy spot from Chef-Proprietor Christopher Kearse. Small plates and entrées rotate often boasting French Bistro-inspired fare with a contemporary twist. In addition to a large selection of wine, the bar program here also spans carefully curated craft cocktails, local beers, digestifs, craft spirits, and an espresso bar.
For the food-filled activation, Forsythia will be serving up a $60 dinner and $20 lunch, with options spanning Foie Gras Mousse, Pumpkin Soup, Duck A’lorange, a Buckwheat Crepe, Chocolate Tarte and much more.
233 Chestnut St., forsythiaphilly.com
For those craving Mexican
Condesa
Condesa stands out for what it offers — downstairs, Philadelphians will find a trendy atmosphere serving up a menu that centers on Mexican heirloom corn tortillas (traditionally made with volcanic stone ground masa on the premise daily.) Upstairs however, diners can walk right into El Techo, Condesa’s lush rooftop taqueria (with a retractable roof) open year-round on the 11th floor.
For Center City District Restaurant Week specifically, Condesa will be offering a $40 dinner with options spanning Flautas, Tuna Tostadas, Chicken Enchiladas, Camarones, a variety of tacos, a Tropical Sundae (with cream cheese ice cream, guava/tomatillo sorbet, whipped cream, and toasted coconut) and much more.
1830 Ludlow St., condesaphilly.com
For those craving something unique
The Cauldron
Why not enjoy a $40 dinner and a “magical” cocktail experience as well? The Cauldron Philadelphia offers locals the chance to experience otherwordly food and drink elements (plus, potion-making classes for an extra price) with every visit.
The wizard-themed pub’s first venue opened in London in 2017, and the successful concept has also expanded to Edinburgh, Dublin, New York City, and an online eCommerce shop that sells themed interactive educational products. The class (prices range from $40-45 depending on day and time) is a 1 hour and 45-minute experience that draws inspiration from fantasy novels and magical lore.
For Restaurant Week, The Cauldron will be offering Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls, Whipped Ricotta with roasted grapes, Fried Goat Cheese, Creamy Crab & Panchetta Mac & Cheese, Pan Seared Salmon, Sticky Toffee Pudding Bundt Cake and much more.
1305 Locust St., thecauldron.io/philly
