PHILADELPHIA FOOD WINS BIG IN 2003
Another Year, Another Crop Of Awards For Local Restaurants And Chefs

PHILADELPHIA, December 18, 2003 – With one of the most vibrant restaurant scenes in the country, it’s no surprise that Philadelphia continues to attract the attention of prestigious culinary societies, prominent hospitality associations and elite travel guides and magazines. In 2003, new hotspots like Salt and LaCroix at the Rittenhouse received wide acclaim, while refined classics such as Le Bec-Fin and Jake’s garnered national accolades as they do every year. The following is a look at just a few of the honors that regional restaurants received:

• Elegant and distinctive Savona received multiple recognitions from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in 2003. Chef Dominique Filoni won the Five Star Diamond Chef Award, while the restaurant won the association’s prestigious International Five Star Diamond Award. 100 Old Gulph Road, Gulph Mills, (610) 520-1200, www.savonarestaurant.com
   

• The world-renown Le Bec-Fin won the elite Mobil Travel Guide’s five star rating for the second year running. Mobil also doled out impressive four star ratings to Brasserie Perrier and Jake's Restaurant. Le Bec-Fin, 1523 Walnut Street, (215) 567-1000, www.lebecfin.com; Brasserie Perrier, 1619 Walnut Street, (215) 568-3000, www.brasserieperrier.com; Jake’s, 4365 Main Street, (215) 483-0444, www.jakesrestaurant.com
   

• In its first year, Jean-Marie Lacroix’s Lacroix at the Rittenhouse garnered a four star Mobil rating, and Chef Lacroix was inducted into the International Food and Beverage Hall of Fame at Johnson & Wales University. In addition, the restaurant was Esquire magazine’s best new restaurant of 2003 and Gourmet magazine’s best restaurant for business dining. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 546-9000, www.rittenhousehotel.com/lacroix.cfm
   

• For the 10th year running, the Fountain Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia received a AAA Five Diamond Award. The Fountain was also recognized as the top-rated restaurant for food, service and ambience by Zagat Survey. 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, ext. 2611, www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia/dining/
   

• The Gourmet staff also counted Vetri (best personal favorite); and Chlöe, Django and Little Fish (neighborhood gems) among their favorite Philadelphia restaurants. Vetri, 1312 Spruce Street, (215) 732-3478, www.vetriristorante.com; Chlöe, 232 Arch Street, (215) 629-2337; Django, 526 S. 4th Street, (215) 922-7151; Little Fish, 600 Catharine Street, (215) 413-3464
   

• Salt was ranked number three in Food and Wine magazine’s “10 Best New Restaurants” worldwide. The magazine’s editors made special mention of Salt’s mackerel tartare with beet gelée and jasmine-scented lamb with olive-caramel sauce. 253 S. 20th Street, (215) 545-1990
   

• The dessert at Main Line hot spot Spezia was named the best in town by Philadelphia Magazine. Spezia was also selected as Main Line Today’s best restaurant in Bryn Mawr. 614 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 526-0123
   

• Gilmore’s is considered one of the region’s best French restaurants. In 2003, the elegant BYOB was named best restaurant in west Chester by Main Line Today. 133 E. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 431-2800, www.gilmoresrestaurant.com
   

• La Famiglia received two honors in 2003: Wine Spectator's Best Of Award Of Excellence and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Award for Excellence in Dining. 8 S. Front Street, (215) 922-2808, www.lafamiglia.com
   

• DiRoNa added another Philadelphia restaurant to its choice roster. Manayunk’s Sonoma, having recently adopted a mostly organic menu, is now as nationally prestigious as it is socially conscious. 4411 Main Street, (215) 483-9400, www.sonomarestaurant.com
   

• Le Mas Perrier, now known as simply Le Mas, found its French charms rewarded by the AAA Four Diamond award, which also honored Deux Cheminees, Chez Colette and Founders Restaurant, among others. Le Mas, 503 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, (610) 964-2588; Deux Cheminees, 1221 Locust Street, (215) 790-0200; Chez Colette, 120 S. 17th Street, (215) 569-8300; Founders Restaurant, Broad & Walnut Streets, (215) 790-2814
   

• Iron Hill Brewery took a silver medal at the Real Ale Festival 2003 for its Pig Iron Porter; gold medals at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival for its Russian Imperial Stout and Lambic de Hill brews; plus a pair of bronze medals for its Belgian Tripel and Munich Dunkel ales. 3 W. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 738-9600; 30 E. State Street, Media, (610) 627-9000, www.ironhillbrewery.com
   

• After winning over local crowds with its retro chic décor and upscale comfort food, newcomer Jones won a coveted spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of 75 hot tables in 2003. 700 Chestnut Street, (215) 223-5663, www.jones-restaurant.com
   

• As it opened to the public in 2002, neighboring Morimoto, owned by Stephen Starr and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, was filmed by a documentary film crew. The resulting Morimoto: RAW won a 2003 James Beard Foundation/Viking Range broadcast media award. 723 Chestnut Street, (215) 413-9070, www.morimotorestaurant.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

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