It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Center City Restaurant Week - Philadelphia
January 16 - 21, 23-28 (excludes weekends)
http://www.centercityphila.org/life/RestaurantWeek.php

I'm going to divert from the usual restaurant/bar review and discuss something that's just as wonderful - Center City Restaurant Week.

Many years ago, a friend of mine brought this event to my attention. Combining two of my favorites - going out to eat and Philadelphia - this was the perfect event. For $35/person (it was actually only $30/person back then), you could have a 3+ course meal at over 100 restaurants in Philadelphia. This is a great way to try out restaurants and foods that we normally couldn't. The event grew from a one-week event held twice a year (there's another event in the fall) to a two-week event held twice a year.

Most restaurants include an appetizer, entree, and dessert in the price. If you do your homework, you can find restaurants that include drinks, multiple starters, and even multiple entrees. All of these places have a great atmosphere during this week. Some even have lunch menus.

As I said earlier, we were able to try many restaurants that we normally couldn't afford (Ruth's Chris, the former Brassiere Perrier, Swan Cafe at the Four Seasons, XIX [Nineteen], Susanna Foo's). Even some Stephen Starr restaurants participate. Through Open Table, you can often make reservations online. Even Le Bec Fin offers their version of restaurant week. Be sure to check the list, though; the restaurants change from year to year.

After the first few times of going to Restaurant Week, our party just kept growing. We maxed out around 12 at the height, but the event got too big and too tough to coordinate, so we decided to keep our Restaurant Week outings to ourselves and another couple.

Final Outlook: Definitely recommend!

Just a few recommendations: City Tavern, Ruth's Chris, Fogo de Chao, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, Cuba Libre, Buddakan, XIX (Nineteen)