PHILADELPHIA RESTAURANT NEWS
May 2003

Restaurant Trends

Neighborhood BYOBs Serving International Cuisine Are Increasingly Popular Dining Choices In The Philadelphia Region

You don’t have to travel far for an international taste experience in the Philadelphia region. Dine at one of the many ethnic neighborhood BYOB bistros that have opened in the area over the last few years. Some favorite choices include:

All restaurants accept major credit cards unless otherwise noted.

Philadelphia

• Aden – This intimate Northern Liberties bistro specializes in Mediterranean food in a casual setting. Lunch and dinner served Monday through Friday, dinner only served Saturday and Sunday. Liquor store is located on 2nd Street between Market &
  Chestnut Streets. 614 N. 2nd Street, (215) 627-9844

• Caffé Casta Diva – This intimate 23-seat Italian restaurant near Rittenhouse Square offers a homey feel and authentic cuisine. Dinner served Monday through Saturday. Cash only. Liquor store is located at 1913 Chestnut Street. 227 S. 20th Street, (215) 496-9677

• La Boheme – French dishes with a North African twist are available at this BYOB storefront restaurant near Washington Square. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Liquor store located at 1218 Chestnut Street. 246 S. 11th Street, (215) 351-9901

• Lee How Fook – Regulars rave about the salt-baked seafood and hot pots at this modestly decorated 40-seat Chinatown restaurant. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Liquor store located at 5 N. 12th Street. 29 N. 11th Street, (215) 925-7266

• Taj Mahal – This modest Center City restaurant serves a generous buffet for a modest price. Try the spicy lamb vindaloo and tandoori dishes. Lunch and dinner served daily. Liquor store is located at 1913 Chestnut Street. 1903 Chestnut Street, (215) 575-1199

• Tamarind – This cozy Thai restaurant offers a large menu with a broad selection of seafood and extensive vegetarian choices. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Liquor store is located at 326 S. 5th Street. 117 South Street, (215) 925-2764

• Tre Scalini – Central Italian cooking is the highlight of this affordable South Philly storefront restaurant. Owner/chef Franca DiRenzo dishes up great food and makes customers feel like family. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Liquor store located at 11th & Wharton Streets. 1533 S. 11th Street, (215) 551-3870

• Zorba’s Taverna – This small restaurant in the Fairmount area of the city offers authentic Greek cuisine served in a setting of faux Greek pillars and golden olive leaves. Dinner served daily. Liquor store is located at 1935 Fairmount Avenue.
  2230 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 978-5990

• Valentino Ristorante – The menu at this 30-seat, BYOB restaurant includes veal, poultry, pastas and seafood at reasonable prices. Lunch served Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Liquor store located at 1318 Walnut Street. 1328 Pine Street,
  (215) 545-6265

• Vientiane Café – This new dining spot in West Philadelphia offers culinary treats of Laos and Thailand, including curries, noodle dishes and soups. Serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Cash only. Liquor store is located at 4049 Market Street.
  4728 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 726-1095

Philadelphia Countryside

• Inn at Phillips Mill – This 18th-century house restaurant in the New Hope countryside makes patrons feel like they are in a cozy country inn in France. Dinner served daily. Cash or checks only. Liquor store is located on South Union Street in Lambertville.
  2590 River Road, New Hope, (215) 862-9919

• Lourdas Greek Taverna – Favorite Greek dishes such as moussaka, souvlaki and gyros are the specialty of the house at this small, Bryn Mawr restaurant. Lunch served Tuesday through Friday, dinner served Tuesday through Sunday. Liquor store located 56 Greenfield Avenue, Ardmore. 50 N. Bryn Mawr Avenue, (610) 520-0288

• Nais Cuisine – Award-winning French-Thai cuisine is served in a casual setting. Liquor store located at 2016 Darby Road. 13 W. Benedict Avenue, Havertown, (610) 789-5983  

New Restaurant Openings

• Moshulu – The reopening of this unique waterfront restaurant located in a historic sailing ship brings new life to the Delaware River area. The South Seas-influenced menu features entrees such as Fire Roasted Island Spiced Lobster and Tamarind Braised Beef Short Ribs. Open daily for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch.
  401 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 923-2500

• Adriatica – “All seafood, all the time” is the saying at this new Old City restaurant created by Mustapha Rouissiya, the Moroccan chef and restaurateur who owns Figs. Open for lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Sunday and Sunday Brunch. 217 Chestnut Street, (215) 592-8001

• Plate – This 200-seat restaurant in Suburban Square has a large bar and a 60-seat terrace. The menu emphasizes comfort food, including large salads, meatloaf and custom-made pizzas. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 105 Coulter Avenue, Ardmore, (610) 642-5900

• Salt – The cuisine at this tiny, upscale Rittenhouse Square restaurant is adventurous with such dishes as sea urchin emulsion and artichoke soup. Open for dinner Monday through Saturday. 253 S. 20th Street, (215) 545-1990.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

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Note to Editors: For story angles and photographic images of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside, visit www.gophila.com/pressroom.

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