By Megan Smith
The Best Restaurants in Philadelphia, PA
has hundreds of excellent restaurants, but if you are in town for only a few days, make sure to visit these, which are considered by both critics and patrons as the best in the city.
Osteria
Osteria, off the beaten path in its northern Center City location, is an Italian restaurant opened by Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin in 2007. Vetri, who won the James Beard Foundation's Best Mid-Atlantic Chef award in 2005, is a Philadelphia native who trained in Italy. At Osteria, delicious authentic Italian dishes include Robiola Francobolli with royal trumpet mushrooms and thyme; pork Milanese with arugula, lemon and parmigiano; and pizza with house-cured duck prosciutto, tomato, taggiasca olives and mozzarella.
Osteria
640 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130
(215) 763-0920
http://www.osteriaphilly.com/
Morimoto
Restaurateur Stephen Starr and chef Masaharu Morimoto teamed up to open Morimoto in Center City in 2001. Many foodies will recognize the chef from the Food Network's "Iron Chef." The restaurant features modern seating and decor, as well as progressive Asian cuisine. Hit dishes at Morimoto include lobster "epice," or eight-spice lobster; Madai Shioyaki, with whole grilled sea bream, spicy ponzu, miso beurre blanc and smoked sea salt; and black cod miso.
Morimoto
723 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
(215) 413-9070
http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/
Amada
Amada is a Spanish tapas restaurant started by chef Jose Garces, who won the James Beard Foundation's Best Mid-Atlantic Chef award in 2009, after being nominated in both 2007 and 2008. Located in the Old City neighborhood, Amada is good for large groups because everyone can order and share each dish. Tasty dishes include the empanada, which has spinach, Manchego cheese and artichoke inside; pernil asado, with roasted pork, white beans, arugula and orange; and arroz de langosta, with lobster bomba rice, clams, lemon zest and golden pea shoots.
Amada
217 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
(215) 625-2450
http://www.amadarestaurant.com/
Resources
About the Author:
Megan Smith has been a freelance writer and editor since 2006. She writes about health, fitness, travel, beauty and grooming topics for various print and Internet publications. Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing from New York University.
Photo Credits:
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/underphl
