Philadelphia is known as a city full of food and sought-after dining destinations, and the best way to check out some of what Philly has to offer on the culinary front is Center City District Restaurant Week.
The food-filled promotion kicks off this Sunday and will run until Jan. 21. What this annual culinary celebration offers is the chance for Philadelphians to indulge in prix-fixe three-course dinners for $40, plus $25 lunches (depending on the spot) at over 60 Center City restaurants.
“Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the many flavors of Philadelphia. From Italian, French and Asian to Indian, Cuban and Mexican, this unique promotion gives diners a chance to try something new or indulge in something familiar,” said Michelle Shannon, vice president of marketing for the Center City District, in a statement. “Downtown recovery depends on the success of all businesses, including our beloved local restaurants. This holiday season, gift cards are the perfect present for foodies of all ages, and with Restaurant Week beginning in early January, they will be much appreciated. As always, we encourage guests to support our servers by tipping them generously.”
Cocktail pairings, made with Knob Creek Rye Whiskey and Suntory Haku Vodka, will be available to adults 21 and older for an additional cost. To make the event even more enticing as well, all patrons will have the opportunity to win dinner for a year by entering at ccdrestaurantweek.com before or after dining out during the two weeks.
On top of it all, discounted parking will be offered to Restaurant Week diners for $9 or less at participating Interpark, LAZ, PPA, Patriot and BexPark by Brandywine Realty Trust garages.
A full list of participating bars and eateries is included online, but there are a few standouts in Philly worth mentioning that might make your pick of where to eat a little easier.
Bank and Bourbon
You don’t need to be a bourbon fan to enjoy everything this eatery inside the Loews Hotel has to offer. For those who are headed out for Center City District Restaurant Week this year, Bank & Bourbon will be offering different options such as their ahi tuna (made with pickled shallots, avocado and cumin), pork belly (made with roasted cabbage, apricot mostarda and creole mustard), trout (made with a parsnip puree, swiss chard, new potatoes and caper-brown butter), flat iron steak (creamed kale, baby carrots, trumpet mushrooms and demi-glace) and more during the two weeks. To finish everything up on a sweet note, Bank & Bourbon will also be offering their chocolate mocha cake and apple-maple bread pudding for dessert.
1200 Market St., bankandbourbon.com
Bellini Grille
One staple cuisine in CCDRW is, of course, Italian, and there are a few prime time options to choose from — including the Bellini Grill. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating as well as a large variety to choose from for the prix fixe menu, those looking to indulge won’t be disappointed. Menu options for the week include bruschetta siciliana (chopped Roma tomatoes, basil, red onions and extra virgin olive oil), insalata di caprese (buffalo mozzarella and tomato confit topped with basil pesto and Tuscan E.V.O.O), risotto gamberetti (rock-shrimp with a light cream saffron white wine sauce), gnocchi (gnocchi served in a gorgonzola sauce or San Marzano fondue with diced fresh mozzarella and basil), pollo san marco (sautéed chicken tender with garlic mushrooms and tomato sherry wine sauce, topped with smoked mozzarella cheese), vitello saltimbocca (sautéed veal medallions, spinach, prosciutto, fontina cheese in a grass-fed veal stock, red wine and fresh sage) and more.
220 S. 16th St., belliniphiladelphia.com
Pinefish
Seafood meets comfort at this Center City hotspot. Pinefish is located in the Washington Square West section of the city, and this eatery has been casting its line out to hungry visitors for dinner and weekend brunch service for the past five years. The eatery is known as an upscale yet comfortable neighborhood spot and for Center City District’s culinary event, the fan-favorite has turned their offerings up a notch. Options to choose from until Jan. 30 include New England clam chowder, shrimp and grits, grilled Bronzino filets, short rib, surf and turf, chocolate cake, key lime pie and more.
1139 Pine St., pinefish.fish
Brauhaus Schmitz
There’s plenty of different fare to indulge in when you eat out in the city, and some are just not quite as fun as German. Located on South Street, Brauhaus Schmitz offers an authentic experience from the decor to the vibe to the food, and they offer an abundance of options for Restaurant Week. Dishes to choose from for the prix fixe include Laugenbrezel with Obatzda (a Bavarian pretzel with a farmer’s cheese spread), Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes with sour cream and apple sauce), Sauerbraten (braised sweet and sour beef with a gingersnap gravy, served with red cabbage and potato dumpling), Pilzstrudel (wild mushroom and Farro strudel, Bechamel sauce, served with a haus salad), Wurstplatte (guests choice of 2 sausages, served with potato salad and sauerkraut), Apfelstrudel (apple strudel with vanilla sauce), Kaisersharrn (light, fluffy, shredded pan cakes with caramel), and more.
718 South St., brauhausschmitz.com
