FRESH TASTES FOR PHILLY
2003’s New Crop Of Restaurants Bring International Flavors To The Region

PHILADELPHIA, January, 2004 – With no slowdown in sight, Philadelphia’s oft-cited restaurant boom continued in 2003. Given all the excitement, it’s no wonder local entrepreneurs as well as chefs from around the country are lining up to join the party. Glamorous restau-bars, cozy BYOBs, intimate bistros and national chains have popped up in Center City neighborhoods and all over the region. Here are just a few of them:

New and noteworthy

In the City:

• Having made waves with his Fairmount BYOB Figs, Mustapha Rouissiya has brought the culinary magic to Old City. Sophisticated and colorful, Adriatica serves creative Mediterranean fare with Moroccan accents, and specializes in seafood. 217 Chestnut Street, (215) 592-8001
   

• Stephen Starr’s French bistro Blue Angel has become the Italian Angelina. The understated decor and duck confit of Blue Angel have made way for rich, saucy textures, faux-Renaissance murals and classic Italian cuisine with contemporary stylings in a dramatic red setting. 706 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-6889
   

• The Avenue of the Arts has found new joy in Bliss, a trendy but serene restaurant and lounge serving fusion fare cooked up by veteran chef Francesco Martorella, an award-winning alum of Brasserie Perrier and Pod. 224 S. Broad Street, (215) 731-1100
   

• From its second story perch above Walnut Street, Denim makes a dramatic nightspot, where the raw bar, caviar selection and extensive range of inventive, international cuisine are enjoyed in swank style to the tune of the city’s best DJs. 1712 Walnut Street, (215) 735-6700, www.denimlounge.com
   

• Old-school Chicano meets Nuevo Latino at El Vez, where images of Charo get served up with turkey mole and Blue Suede Zapatos margaritas. This ninth addition to the Stephen Starr fleet marks his second restaurant opening of 2003. 121 S. 13th Street, (215) 928-9800
   

• At Las Cazuelas Tan-Bien, chef/owner Alfredo Aguilar dishes out the home-style Mexican cooking he made famous at his original Las Cazuelas in Northern Liberties. The Queen Village location builds on the formula with an upscale ambiance and a liquor license. 627 S. 2nd Street, (215) 873-0250
   

• Rittenhouse Square’s burgeoning nightlife got a boost with Avram Hornik’s Loie, 2003’s addition to his small empire of restaurants and clubs, which includes Lucy’s Hat Shop and Drinker’s Tavern, among others. Part bistro, part bar/lounge, this hot spot marries Art Deco elegance with hearty French cooking. 128 S. 19th Street, (215) 568-0808
   

• Thanks to import Chef Martin Gagne, SoleFood has been making waves with seafood lovers. The new sleekly modern restaurant in the Loews Philadelphia Hotel regularly turns out edible art that is as beautiful as its décor.1200 Market Street, (215) 231-7300, www.solefoodrestaurant.com

In the Countryside:

• Alison Barshak, whose debut at Striped Bass earned the restaurant Esquire's coveted title "the best new restaurant in the country" the year it opened, is now chef/owner of Alison at Blue Bell, a sophisticated suburban BYOB. The restaurant specializes in contemporary American cuisine with Mediterranean, Southwestern and Asian influences. 721 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, (215) 641-2660
   

• Named for Philadelphia’s favorite celebrity chef, the Coleman Restaurant at the Normandy Farm hotel complex and banquet center is a historical setting that showcases Jim Coleman’s creations. The innovative, New American menu emphasizes locally grown ingredients. 1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, (215) 616-8300, www.normandyfarm.com
   

• Charming New Hope gained another notable restaurant and nightspot with Esca, which specializes in South American cuisine and features an extensive wine list. 18 W. Mechanic Street, New Hope, (215) 862-7099, www.escanewhope.com
   

• Southern hospitality is the special at Marsha Brown, which serves up family recipes in a recently restored 125-year-old church. 15 S. Main Street, New Hope, (215) 862-7044, www.marshabrownrestaurant.com
   

• The second child of Circa’s David Mantelmacher, Plate brings stone-oven baked goodies like smoked pork chops, cedar plank salmon and custom-made pizzas to Ardmore’s posh Suburban Square shopping center. 105 Coulter Avenue, Ardmore, (610) 642-5900

BYOBs

In the city:

• A steady crowd lines up for the cozy atmosphere and creative but unpretentious Italian fare at August, South Philadelphia’s latest — but certainly not the last — addition to the BYOB craze. 1247 S. 13th Street, (215) 468-5926
   

• There can never be too many Italian BYOBs in Center City, and Branzino is exhibit A: Named for a Mediterranean fish that’s featured on the menu, this newcomer has garnered rave reviews for its fresh, classic food. 261 S. 17th Street, (215) 790-0103
   

• Tuscan cuisine thrives at Melograno, which serves well crafted dishes like roast quail with dried fruits and homemade pasta with mushrooms. This tiny, bright eatery has already become a neighborhood favorite. 2201 Spruce Street, (215) 875-8116
   

• No one has to wait for Next, the brainchild of North Lounge owner Rich Podulka and Jason Taylor — the international BYO on South Street is open and operating. 223 South Street, (215) 629-8688
   

• Philadelphia’s first Loatian restaurant, Vientiane Café serves Southeast Asian delicacies like spring rolls, pad Thai and coconut curry, making it a bright new jewel on the increasingly international Baltimore Avenue corridor. 4728 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 726-1095

In the Countryside:

• Melding Italian, Greek and French flavors, Café Fresko is making a tasty claim on Bryn Mawr’s expanding international dining scene. 1003 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 581-7070

The Chain Link

In the City:

• With all of the leather and ale of an authentic English pub, Fox and Hound offers casual fare, pool tables and a comfortable atmosphere that inspires students, sports fans and Anglophiles alike. 1501 Spruce Street, (215) 732-8610
   

• Adding to the growing influx of south-of-the-border flavors in the region, Qdoba Mexican Grill has brought its quick-service burrito cuisine to Center City, promising other regional locations in the coming months.1528 Walnut Street, (215) 546-8007, www.qdoba.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philadelphia's official regional tourism marketing agency, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building the region's economy and positive image through tourism and destination marketing. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676, or visit www.gophila.com. For information about arts and cultural attractions in the region, click on the CultureFiles link.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit the photo gallery of gophila.com/pressroom.  

December 2003

Back to News Release List