Courtesy of Punch Media
Feature photo: Fried Chicken / The Twisted Tail
A few options if you’re in Center City and looking for a meal! Center City District Restaurant Week (CCDRW) runs through Saturday, February 3!
Bolo, Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, is saying ‘Salud!’ to CCDRW with a three-coursemenu boasting robust flavors and an extensive selection to choose from, for just $45 per person. Diners can select two appetizers from seven available options, with highlights including Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche composed of gulf shrimp, salsa coctel, cherry tomato, and avocado, Berenjena Pincho, a skewered eggplant served with pumpkin seed romesco, and Oxtail Croquetes filled with rabo encendido, bone marrow, and salsa vieja. Guests will also have a choice of one entrée, such as Vaca Frita comprised of Creekstone Skirt Steak, braised then fried in tallow, served with black beans, avocado salad, and tomato escabeche, or Pernil, an oregano-achiote roasted pork shoulder with gandules con chorizo casserole and sour orange mojo, as well as either Flan de Queso, a queso crema custard topped with dulce de papaya, or Tembleque, a traditional coconut pudding dusted with cinnamon, for dessert. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy HERE.
Butcher Bar, the Rittenhouse hub for comfort food, an expansive brown spirits collection, and grilled fare that hearkens to the local butcher’s revered place in American culture, is thrilled to participate in Center City District Restaurant Week with an exclusive three-course menu for $45 per person. Guests will have a chance to choose from amongst seven appetizers, six entrees, and three desserts, with standout dishes like Hipster Meatballs, crafted with roasted eggplant and mozzarella, burrata, and spicy masala marinade, the beloved Royale with Cheese, made with two 4oz LaFrieda patties, American cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, special sauce, and fries, 8oz Grilled Denver Steak, plated with seasonal vegetables and chimichurri, Espresso Bread Pudding, topped with warm caramel, toasted hazelnuts, and vanilla bean ice cream, and more. Imbibers can also indulge in a featured cocktail, dubbed La Vie En Rose ($16), fashioned with Maker’s 46 Bourbon, honey ginger, rose syrup, lemon juice, and club soda. Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable HERE.
Forsythia, Chef Christopher Kearse’s contemporary and innovative French restaurant and bar in Old City, has an enticing and elegant CCDRW menu in-store for guests this season. Kearse’s thoughtfully-crafted three-course dinner menu, priced at $45 per person, includes starters such as Escargot comprised of Pernod butter, pickled pearl onion, and bergamot croûton or Ora King Salmon Crudo with green apple, black radish, and cider emulsion. Main course options include a preparation of Forsythia’s signature Rohan Duck Breast topped with shiitake, pickled plum, and pistachio, alongside Pocono Trout with artichoke Barigoule, new potato, heart of palm, and bouillabaisse, and the vegetarian Mushroom Vol-au-vent stuffed with wild mushroom, chestnut, Guinness, and crème fraîche. For dessert, dishes include a Citron Tart topped with poppy seed crémeux, or a Chocolate Crémeux paired with chocolate génoise and dark cherry kirsch. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy HERE.
The Hayes, a contemporary American tavern and gastropub in the heart of Midtown Village and a part of the acclaimed Townsend Wentz Restaurant Group, boasts special three course menus for both lunch and dinner during CCDRW. Lunchers can look forward to fare such as Tavern Salad composed of beets, apples, baby kale, and blue cheese, Chicken and Root Vegetable ‘Pot Pie’, a puff pastry shellfilled with braised chicken, carrots, parsnips, and butternut squash, and Olive Oil Cake topped with blueberry compote, whipped cream, and lime zest, while the dinner service menu offers additional options like French Onion Soup comprised of caramelized onions, sherry, and gruyère, and Steak Frites, a 10oz NY strip dressed in maitre d’ butter and green peppercorn sauce, served with a side of fries. The Hayes CCDRW menu will be available for $25 per person during lunch and $45 per person during dinner. Reservations are recommended and can be made via Resy HERE.
Ocean Prime, the classic steak and seafood-forward modern American restaurant and lounge located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, is offering an exquisite three course menu for $60 per person during CCDRW. Highlights include Lobster Bisque filled with butter poached lobster, Branzino served with artichoke, broccolini, celery root purée, and lemon caper jus, 8 oz Filet Mignon accompanied by whipped potatoes and Cabernet jus, and the signature Five Layer Carrot Cake frosted with cream cheese icing and pineapple syrup. Imbibers can also look forward to sipping on a Sonora Ski Trip ($17), a limited-time libation comprised of Tres Generaciones Tequila, white cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and ginger. Reservations are encouraged and are available via OpenTable HERE.
Oloroso, Philadelphia’s premier Spanish tapas restaurant and sherry bar in the heart of Center City, has a tapas-style four-course feast available this CCDRW, available for $65 per person. Food enthusiasts can assembly their ideal dinner by selecting from both tapas and raciones options, including Boquerones made with white anchovy, salsa verde, guindilla pepper, and cipollini onion, Patatas Bravas dressed with spicy tomato sauce, Manchego, saffron aioli, and fresno chili, Wood Fired NY Strip with roasted peppers, green onion, and salsa verde, and their signature Basque Style Cheesecake garnished with tart cherry and pretzel crumble. Reservations are recommended and are available via Resy HERE.
Oltremare, the new seafood-forward modern Italian restaurant from acclaimed Chef Townsend Wentz, debuts in its first-ever CCDRW complete with a tantalizing three course dinner menu, available for $60 per person. Just a short walk from bustling Rittenhouse Square, CCDRW diners at Oltremare can look forward to a bevy of seafood-centric dishes to choose from such as Hamachi Crudo, dressed with lemon saffron vinaigrette, cara cara orange, red onion, breakfast radish, and basil, Octopus Carpaccio comprised of thinly sliced octopus, castelvetrano olives, baby potato, and ’nduja aioli, Baked Cod Livornese made with gigante beans, olives, capers, tomatoes, and white wine, Barolo Braised Short Rib with cippolini onion, lacinato kale, creamy polenta, and pecorino romano, and Baba all Amaretto with lemon and panna montata. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy HERE.
Panorama, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar in the Penn’s View Hotel boasting a Guinness World Record custom-built wine keeper offering over 120 wines on tap, is offering a three course menu for $45 per person for Center City District’s Restaurant Week. Guests can enjoy an antipasta or pasta appetizer with highlights including Lobster Bisque, Pear Salad made with Field Greens, Poached Pear, Italian Goat’s Cheese, Black Walnuts, Pear-Moscato Vinaigrette, and Eggplant Parmigiana. For the second course, guests have the choice of an entree or pasta, including Chicken, Pork, N.Y. Strip,Braciola, a Rolled Pennsylvania Veal Skirt Steak, Prosciutto, Beef & San Marzano Tomato Ragù, with Ricotta Gnocchi, Orecchiette, “Little Ears” of Pasta, with Diced Calamari & Tiger Shrimp, sautéed with Olive Oil Herbs & Dash of Tomato Sauce, and more. Dessert options include a Tiramisu, Torta Di Ricotta, or Cioccolato. Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable HERE.
Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall in Old City, boasts a robust three-course dinnerfor CCDRW courtesy of Executive Chef Charles Vogt. Tourists and locals alike have plenty of options for crafting their own custom experience, with five appetizers, four entrees, and three desserts to choose from. Standouts include Crispy Brussels dressed in cilantro, mint, crispy shallots, and fish sauce vinaigrette and Pierogies with maitake mushrooms, cippolini onions, and chive crème fraiche, Cauliflower Shawarma served with pine nut couscous, pomegranate, and tahini verde, Pastrami Spiced Salmon on warm apple and farro salad with caramelized fennel, and Chocolate Budino topped with espresso Chantilly and cocoa crusted pecans. Red Owl Tavern’s CCDRW menu will be available during dinner service for $45 per person. Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable HERE.
Square 1682, the modern American restaurant and award-winning bar located on 17th and Sansom Streets, is offering both a two-course lunchand three-course dinner during CCDRW. Guests partaking in the lunch offerings can opt for one of several entrées, such as Rigatoni Pasta dressed in kale pistachio pesto, sundried tomato panko, and parm (vegan preparation also available) or the Chicken BLTA, served with crispy chicken, garlic aioli, and fries, followed by Tiramisu (gluten-free) or a Seasonal Sorbet (gluten-free and vegan) for dessert. Dinner features an appetizer course, with dishes like Polish Pickle Soup (vegan) and Crispy Octopus, a main course with highlights like Mussels Paella packed with peas, garlic, paprika, and saffron, and Pierogies (vegan) dressed in onion gravy, sour cream, and pea shoots, and an additional dessert choice in the Salted Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake. Square 1682 will also offer a featured cocktail dubbed Spring into Action and comprised of hibiscus-infused Maker’s Mark 46, lemon juice, ginger-turmeric syrup, and ginger beer, available courtesy of Lead Bartender Alex Clark for $18. Square 1682’s CCDRW menu will be available for $20 per person duringlunch and $45 per person during dinner. The CCDRW menu will not be offered on Sundays and Mondays. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable HERE.
The Twisted Tail, the Southern-inspired restaurant, bar, and live Juke Joint on Headhouse Square known for its extensive array of brown spirits, is serving up their fan-favorite comfort dishes during a $45 per person four course dinner. Notable options include Shishito Peppers as a first course, BBQ Smoked Ribs as a second, and crispy Fried Chicken drizzled with rosemary honey and served with sweet potato fries. Dessert options include Chocolate Crepe Cake, Caramel Budino, and Bourbon Pineapple Upside Down Cake. All would pair swimmingly with the featured cocktail, a Winter Spiced Old Fashioned made with Makers Mark 46. Reservations are recommended and are available via OpenTable HERE.
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