5 top BYOBs for Center City District Restaurant Week
Philadelphia is known for its BYOBs, and for the most part, they're a bargain since you don't have to worry about the wine-price markup. Those seeking out a solid experience might try one or all of these.
Philadelphia is known for its BYOBs, and for the most part, they're a bargain since you don't have to worry about the wine-price markup. Those seeking out a solid experience might try these, listed in no particular order:
Audrey Claire: This bustling, cash-only spot, on a Rittenhouse corner since 1996, serves a solid cross-section of its usual Mediterranean fare, including pappardelle with portobello mushrooms and potato-crusted ahi tuna.
Russet: Husband-and-wife Andrew and Kristin Wood go the farm-to-table route at their elegant brownstone near the Kimmel Center.
Bistro 7: Old City's modern French bistro, unfortunately currently tucked inside a construction zone at Third and Market Streets in Old City, brings out green vegetable gazpacho and Parisian gnocchi. Note that the Inquirer's Craig LaBan raved about one of the dessert options - chocolate malted pot de creme - in his 2-bell review.
Entree BYOB: The straightforward American bistro in South Street West is offering duck breast and veal cutlet, and dinner ends sweet with Nutella cannoli.
Mercato: It's cash-only at this contemporary Italian on a little corner of Spruce Street in Washington Square West, and devotees will pack in for the short rib ragu and spicy crab bucatini.