The best restaurants for a getaway in Philadelphia
With the proliferation of new and renovated hotels in Philadelphia, local residents are also finding more restaurants and bars for their getaways.
Fishtown is already a renowned culinary destination, but Wm. Mulherin's Sons, at its eponymous boutique hotel, takes it to another level. Its Neapolitan-style pizzas and variety of pastas offer a casual yet modern experience.
Located inside The Logan on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Urban Farmer stands out for its generous portions of contemporary American farm-to-table cuisine. Executive chef Sonny Ingui offers a Washugyu wagyu steak, scallops with purple cauliflower purée, and deviled eggs with bourbon and maple bacon.
At the Four Seasons in Center City, Jean-Georges has transformed his once overly formal menu into a creative à la carte selection featuring sautéed Hudson Valley foie gras, mozzarella ravioli with black truffle fondue, and peekytoe crab meatballs with Meyer lemon. His new head chef, Colin Henderson, is at the helm.
Next to the AKA University City hotel, the Walnut Street café, with its hearty brunch and lively happy hours, combines bright design with all-day dining. Dolce Italian, next to the W Philadelphia in Center City, serves pasta and cocktails, with unlimited mimosas at Sunday brunches, black cod with crispy saffron risotto, and lamb with white beans.
El Descarriado, at the Canopy by Hilton, prepares seafood, seasonal cocktails, and Basque cheesecake, featuring Gulf prawns and an extensive selection of gins at the bar. Liberté Lounge, at the Sofitel Rittenhouse, serves French onion soup, double cheeseburgers, and a Philly Croque with thinly sliced ribeye steak, aged provolone, and caramelized onions.
Plaza 1682, at the Kimpton Palomar, features a contemporary American menu with Polish, Asian, and Italian influences. Ellen Yin's James Beard Award-winning Una.cocina at AKA Rittenhouse combines effortless, flowing cuisine with a vibrant bar.
Panorama, at the Penn's View Hotel on Market Street, is known for its Italian cuisine, its family-friendly Sunday dinners called "Pranzo," and a custom wine cellar that holds a Guinness World Record. Lacroix, at The Rittenhouse, offers an ever-evolving tasting menu featuring new potato risotto with kaluga caviar and butter-roasted monkfish with cauliflower and seaweed.
At the Red Owl Tavern, in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in the Old Town, the $22 menu includes a burger, fries and draft beer, and breakfast and brunch run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.