PHILADELPHIA RESTAURANTS SATISFY EVERY BUDGET
Fine Dining In Philly Doesn’t Have To Cost A Fortune

Philadelphia, July15, 2005 — Philadelphia is a serious restaurant town, but that doesn’t mean eating here has to cost a fortune. While there are plenty of high-end eateries to choose from, visitors can also opt for an equally satisfying, less expensive dining experience in the region. With menu options running the gamut from a $2.50 pork taco to a $100 cheesesteak, the delicious choices are infinite. The following are just a few suggestions for high-, moderate- and low-priced dining options in the city and countryside:

Price-Is-No-Object Options ($40 per person and up):

• Its $100 Kobe cheesesteak put Barclay Prime on the map, making this chic steakhouse a destination for special occasion splurges. 237 S. 18^th Street, (215) 732-7560

• The epitome of class and sophistication, the Four Seasons Hotel’s Fountain Restaurant has been a special occasion hotspot since it opened in 1983. One Logan Square,
  (215) 963-1500, ext. 2611, www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia

• A bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) establishment with a Gallic sensibility, Gilmore’s menu combines traditional and unexpected flavors. 133 E. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 431-2800, www.gilmoresrestaurant.com

• For more than 30 years, La Bonne Auberge has served up classic French cooking in Bucks County. 1 Rittenhouse Circle, New Hope, (215) 862-2462, www.bonneauberge.com

• Lacroix has redefined fine dining in Philadelphia with its highly original design-your-own tasting menus. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 790-2533, www.rittenhousehotel.com

• Philadelphia’s first claim to culinary greatness, Le Bec-Fin continues to win accolades for its haute French cuisine. 1523 Walnut Street, (215) 567-1000, www.lebecfin.com

• Inspired by the French and Italian Riviera, Savona’s Chef Andrew Masciangelo features seasonally changing dishes and an extensive wine list. 100 Old Gulph Road, Gulph Mills, (610) 520-1200, www.savonarestaurant.com

• Celebrity chef Alfred Portale lends his seafood genius to Striped Bass, dispensing luxuries like oysters, caviar service and lobster with tarragon cream. 1500 Walnut Street, (215) 732-4444, www.stripedbassrestaurant.com

• Widely lauded for its daily changing menu of Northern Italian delicacies, Vetri offers unparalleled dining in an intimate setting. 1312 Spruce Street, (215) 732-3478, www.vetriristorante.com

Moderately Priced Options ($20-$40 per person):

• Korean and Japanese specialties are the fare at August Moon, and both are executed to perfection. 300 E. Main Street, Norristown, (610) 277-4008

• A tiny BYOB housed in an old country store, Birchrunville Store Café offers up daily menus of seasonal cooking. 1403 Hollow Road, Birchrunville, (610) 827-9002, www.birchrunvillestorecafe.com

• The understated but smart dining room at the Blue Horse takes neighborhood eating up a few notches. 602 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, (215) 641-9100, www.thebluehorse.net

• Django’s pitch-perfect cooking with fresh, local ingredients has made it one of the hardest places in town to score a reservation, but it’s always worth the wait. 526 S. 4^th Street, (215) 922-7151

• Its consistent output of finely crafted cuisine has made Old City’s Fork an ongoing favorite for local diners. 306 Market Street, (215) 625-9425, www.forkrestaurant.com

• Famed chef Georges Perrier goes casual at his eponymous Georges’, where he lends a proprietary hand to pizzas, sandwiches and moderately priced entrees.
  503 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, (610) 964-2588, www.georgesonthemainline.com

• Located in a shopping center outside of Doylestown, Il Melograno prepares authentic, refined Italian meals. 73 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, (215) 348-7707

• Regional Mexican cooking is given the spotlight at Los Catrines and Tequila’s Restaurant, where the lively atmosphere is enhanced by the house-brand tequila and tableside jugs of margaritas. 1602 Locust Street, (215) 546-0181, www.tequilasphilly.com

• Rittenhouse Square’s boutique BYOB Matyson serves exquisite but simple fare at reasonable prices. 37 S. 19^th Street, (215) 564-2925, www.matyson.com

• A taste of Napa Valley in Northern Liberties, Sovalo serves Cal-Italian cuisine and fine wine in an understated, cozy setting. 702 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 413-7770

Lower-priced Options ($10-$20 per person):

• The best-kept secret of Fairmount, Bridgid’s offers bargain lunches and dinners with a homey flair, as well as an expansive beer list. 726 N. 24^th Street, (215) 232-3232, www.bridgids.com

• It started as a crab house with a particularly Philly flavor, but Chickie’s and Pete’s has gone on to build a mini local empire based on sandwiches, mussels and their famous crab fries. 1526 Packer Avenue, (215) 218-0500; 11000 Roosevelt Boulevard,
  (215) 856-9890; 4010 Robbins Avenue, (215) 338-3060, www.chickiesandpetes.com

• The family favorites at Christopher’s include brick oven pizza, burgers and eclectic entrees. 108 N. Wayne Avenue, Wayne, (610) 687-6558, www.christophersaneighborhoodplace.com

• New Hope’s El Taco Loco serves up Cali-Mex standards like burritos and tostadas at a great value. 6 Stockton Avenue, New Hope, (215) 862-0908, www.el-taco-loco.com

• With locations in Ardmore and Center City, Fellini Café Trattoria has a local monopoly on inexpensive Italian eats. 31 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, (610) 642-9009; 2216-18 Walnut Street, (215) 972-0860

• The cozy and welcoming Four Dogs Tavern is housed in a historic barn, but it boasts a very contemporary comfort food menu. 1300 W. Strasburg Road, West Chester, (610) 692-4367

• The first American outpost of a Dutch chain, Maoz cooks up falafel and all the fixings at a staggeringly low price. 248 South Street, (215) 625-3500, www.maoz.nl

• The line forms early for the tasty frittatas, biscuits and pancake specials at Bella Vista’s Morning Glory, arguably the best breakfast joint in town. 735 S. 10^th Street, (215) 413-3999

• It may be a neighborhood bar, but N. 3^rd features global food that’s worth a special trip. 3^rd & Brown Streets, (215) 413-3666, www.norththird.com

• The cheesesteaks at Tony Luke’s are famous, and the roast pork Italiano is legendary.
  39 E. Oregon Avenue, (215) 551-5725, www.tonylukes.com

• One of the cheapest and fastest places to eat in Chinatown, Vietnam serves top quality Vietnamese cuisine. 221 N. 11^th Street, (215) 592-1163

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) builds the region’s economy and image through destination marketing to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676

2005

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