August 2002
Restaurant Trends
Pre- and Post-Theater Dining
The upcoming 2002 fall performing arts season promises a great selection of
music, dance and theater in the Philadelphia region. The city’s theaters have
grown up in every neighborhood, and the small sampling of restaurants below
represents dining establishments near popular performance venues in the city and
countryside. These are places to enjoy a pre- or post-performance meal, snack,
dessert or beverage. For a more complete listing of restaurants, visit
.
All of these restaurants accept major credit cards and recommend making
reservations, unless otherwise noted.
Avenue of the Arts (near The Kimmel Center for the Performing
Arts, The Academy of Music, The Wilma Theater, The Prince Music Theater, The
Merriam Theater)
Northern Italian cuisine is served at this upscale
restaurant next to The Kimmel Center. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 260 S.
Broad Street, (215) 790-0705
Ernesto’s 1521 Café – This romantic cafe in a Center City townhouse
offers a menu with Italian and French specialties. Open for lunch and dinner
Tuesday-Saturday.
1521 Spruce Street, (215) 546-1521
Valanni – This neighborhood bistro, steps from Avenue of the Arts,
serves Mediterranean/Latin American-style cooking. Open for dinner daily. 1229
Spruce Street, (215) 790-9494
Susanna Foo – Chef/owner Foo serves original Chinese/French dishes in
an elegant dining room. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, daily for dinner. 1512
Walnut Street, (215) 545-2666
Center City East (near Walnut Street Theatre, Forrest Theater,
Society Hill Playhouse)
- Sukhothai
–Inexpensive Thai-continental cuisine is the specialty of
this restaurant. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, dinner daily. 225 S. 12th
Street, (215) 627-2215
- Morimoto
– Chef Masaharu Morimoto creates an exciting dining
experience at this contemporary Japanese restaurant. Open for lunch
Monday-Friday, dinner daily. 723 Chestnut Street, (215) 413-9070
- La Boheme
– French dishes with a North African twist are available
at this BYOB storefront restaurant near Washington Square. Open for lunch
Monday-Friday and dinner Wednesday-Saturday. 246 S. 11th Street,
(215) 351-9901
Center City West (near Adrienne Theater, Plays & Players Theater)
- Cibucán
– Be prepared for a Tapas-style (many small tasting plates)
menu of Latin-fusion cuisine at this Rittenhouse neighborhood restaurant. Open
for lunch Monday-Friday and daily for dinner. 2025 Sansom Street, (215)
231-9895
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday –
This romantic restaurant, serving
eclectic American dishes, is a favorite date spot and has a very popular
second floor wine bar. Open for dinner daily.
261 S. 21st Street, (215) 546-4232
- Sawan’s Mediterranean Bistro
– This casual dining spot serves
Moroccan, Lebanese, Greek and Israeli cuisine offered at reasonable prices.
Open for lunch Monday-Saturday, dinner daily. 116 S. 18th Street,
(215) 568-3050
Old City (near Arden Theatre Company, Mum Puppettheater, Painted
Bride Art Center)
- Cuba Libre –
This popular Old City Cuban restaurant has been
decorated to resemble a street scene in Havana. Dinner only Monday-Friday;
lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday and brunch on Sunday. 10 S. 2nd
Street, (215) 988-1799
- Novelty
– This historic novelty store-turned-restaurant serves an
eclectic assortment of American/Continental entrees. Open for lunch
Monday-Friday, dinner daily. 15 S. 3rd Street, (215) 627-7885
- Philadelphia Fish & Co.
– Owner Kevin Meeker created a relaxing,
seafood restaurant in the heart of Old City that now offers a sushi and sake
bar. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday, dinner daily. 207 Chestnut Street, (215)
625-8605
- Tangerine –
The exotic food and décor transports guests to Morocco.
Open for dinner daily. 232 Market Street, (215) 627-5116
South Street (near Theater of Living Arts, Shubin Theatre)
- Judy’s Café –
This 25-year-old family friendly restaurant has
been serving American comfort food to several generations of Philadelphians.
Open for dinner daily.
627 S. 3rd Street, (215) 928-1968
- Mallorca
– Authentic Spanish and Portuguese cuisine is served in a
dramatic setting that looks like a European painting. Serves lunch
Monday-Saturday, dinner daily.
119 South Street, (215) 351-6652
University City (near Bushfire Theatre of Performing Arts, The
Annenberg Center)
- Nan
– This quiet neighborhood restaurant offers classic French/Thai
dishes in a simple setting. Open for lunch Tuesday-Friday, dinner
Tuesday-Saturday. 4000 Chestnut Street, (215) 382-0818
- Pod
– Asian-California influenced food is served in a futuristic
setting that includes spaceship-like rooms, mood lights and conveyer belt
sushi. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, daily for dinner. 3636 Sansom Street,
(215) 387-1803
- Zocalo –
Contemporary Mexican food including "shrimp from
hell" is one of the highlights of the menu at this popular 13-year old
restaurant. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, dinner daily. 3600 Lancaster Avenue,
(215) 895-0139
In Bucks County (near Bucks County Playhouse)
- Havana
– This restaurant/nightspot serves innovative world cuisine.
Open for lunch and dinner daily. Live entertainment Wednesday-Sunday. 105 S.
Main Street, New Hope,
(215) 862-9897
- Moonlight –
Chef Matthew Levin dishes up imaginative new-American
cuisine in a dramatic all white setting. Serves lunch and dinner daily. 36 W.
Mechanic Street, New Hope,
(215) 862-3100
In Delaware County (near Hedgerow Theatre)
This suburban restaurant serves award-winning Northern
Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Granite
Run Mall, 1067 E. Baltimore Pike, Media, (610) 566-4110
Café Bellissimo – Italian cuisine including fresh fish, light pasta
and wood fired, oven pizza is served in an attractive, casual setting. Open for
lunch and dinner daily.
1001 Baltimore Pike, (610) 328-2300
In Valley Forge (near The People’s Light & Theatre Company)
This moderately priced, casual restaurant serves
contemporary American food including seafood, steaks and salads. Open for
lunch and dinner daily. King Road, Paoli, (610) 647-1500
Places – This bistro on the grounds of The People’s Light &
Theatre Company specializes in American continental cuisine. Open Tuesday-Friday
for lunch, Tuesday-Sunday for dinner. 39 Connestoga Road, Malvern, (610)
647-8060
New Restaurant Openings
- El Viejo San Juan – This new, casual Northern Liberties restaurant
specializes in Puerto Rican cuisine with many seafood, beef and pork entrees.
Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. 3rd Street & Girard
Avenue, (215) 922-2376
- Vivo Enoteco
– This suburban restaurant/nightspot serves
modern Italian cuisine and offers an extensive wine menu. Open for dinner
daily. 110 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne,
(610) 964-VIVO
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