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Philadelhpia Guide

Restaurants

Top 7 Most Popular Places to Enjoy Food

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L2
ph: (215) 732-7878

2201 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19146-1144
American - Moderately Priced

The Scene
This neighborhood spot's faux unfinished walls, red wood and carpeting, portraits, paperweights and pottery create an antique-shop atmosphere. Hidden behind a wall, the dining room is dimly lit and romantic. Service is efficient and knowledgeable.

The Food
The menu, while not daring, offers fresh, well-presented favorites. An L2 salad--greens, pears, walnuts, blue cheese, tossed with raspberry vinaigrette--is big enough for two to share. Entrees range in price from $9 to $24. Standouts include salmon (offered with basic balsamic or hot wasabi), filet (with lobster for an added price), the veggie dish of the day (often pasta), meaty crab cake in a roasted-red pepper sauce and buttery-smooth Chilean sea bass with pesto-artichoke topping. Or, choose from a variety of daily specials. Homemade mocha cake or vanilla cheesecake are perfect closers.

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Inn Philadelphia
ph: (215) 732-8630

251 S Camac St
Philadelphia, PA 19107

American - Affordable

The Scene
The sounds of "Misty" drift from the piano lounge; a mahogany bar, sofas and quaint fireplace, lend homey intimacy to this gayborhood stand-by. Divided into six rooms, the Inn creates its cozy atmosphere with muted tones, Colonial decor and plenty of candles throughout.

The Food
The cuisine is New American, with a few fusion-inspired additions like the spring roll with shrimp, scallops, cellophane noodles and Thai basil, served with a coconut mint dipping sauce. Extras include a delicate lime sorbet to cleanse the palate before the main course. Start with almond-encrusted baked Brie with warmed fruit preserves. Next, try the roasted Australian rack of lamb accompanied by a goat cheese potato souffle. Well-intentioned service rounds out an utterly memorable dinner.

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Main-ly Desserts
ph: (215) 487-1325

4247 Main St
Philadelphia, PA 19127-1602

Cafe-Desserts

The Scene
This charming BYOB is much more than just sinful desserts. With window-side tables perched above the street and dim mood lighting, Main-ly Desserts is also nice for a romantic meal.

The Food
The emphasis is on the sweets, but you won't want to skip right to dessert. Start with hardy tomato and carrot bisque, or share a platter of lightly marinated grilled veggies. The seafood combo--seared tuna, grilled salmon and seafood kebab--doesn't disappoint. But, true to its name, dessert is where this place really shines. The signature triple chocolate mousse is three layers of white, milk and dark chocolate nestled on chocolate cake--a slice of heaven--and banana coconut custard tart is a divine choice for non-chocaholics.

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Ocean Harbor
ph: (215) 574-1398

1023 Race St
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Seafood - Moderately Priced

The Scene
At the top of a short flight of stairs, a host or server points--and sometimes leads--incoming customers to open tables in a large, loud, rosy-hued dining room.

The Food
Dim sum is served here at all hours. Beware of tiny silver trays that land unannounced upon the table. Keepers include gooey rice noodles wrapped around steamed shrimp, lotus leaves with steamed sticky rice, shrimp, pork and egg, baked giant scallops--still in their shells--topped with a mayonnaise-like sauce, garlicky green leek and pork in a fried bun and barbecued pork inside a sweet, doughy biscuit. Skip greasy fried pork or shrimp balls. Standout entrees include vinegary shredded pork, light and crisp Buddhist-style vegetables and fresh lobster--heavy on the fresh ginger, scallions and garlic. Dessert options are few: Try the Jell-O salad-like mango pudding with coconut milk and grapes.

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Le Bec-Fin
ph: (215) 567-1000

1523 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102-3001

French - Affordable

The Scene
Swathed in salmon Scalamandre silk, Perrier's dining room exudes Versailles opulence. Lavish flower arrangements, gilded mirrors and formal, assiduous service achieve stage-set perfection.

The Food
The cuisine is pure--albeit modern--French, with delightful attention to detail. Start with tuna tartare, composed of fine strips of tomato and luscious morsels of raw tuna, atop slices of gingery potatoes. A light-as-air blend of earthy mushrooms and escargots fills a delicate zucchini flower bathing in rich red wine. The world's most perfect crab cake forms a precise cylinder, perched upon baby green beans and swirls of country mustard and balsamic vinaigrette. Puree of honey-infused sweet potato and confit of ginger-infused pear create sweet balance for luscious slices of duck breast. Cheese and dessert carts peddle extravagant stock: creamy chèvre coated in rosemary; gracefully pungent Gorgonzola; Grand Marnier souffle; buttery Paris-Brest; sinfully rich chocolate cake.

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Tacconelli's Pizza
ph: (215) 425-4983

2604 E Somerset St
Philadelphia, PA 19134-4733

Italian

The Scene
In a neighborly block of Port Richmond, this family-style pizzeria is so popular it asks customers to call a day ahead to reserve pizza dough. Once you get inside, you'll find a jukebox filled with Italian and lounge-hall favorites, plus tables and booths fashioned to fit a few generations. Watch the pizza makers sling the pies deep into the oven with an enormous pizza peel.

The Food
Pizza and soft drinks, that's it. The pie's thin crust and interesting combination of toppings are the draw here, especially the white pizza. Try the garlicky white pie with spinach and ripe tomatoes. Red lovers should go for peppers and onions. And don't be surprised if you have to wait; this is not a place that likes to rush.

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Mama Palma's
ph: (215) 735-7357

2229 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA 19103-5517

Italian - Moderately Priced

The Scene
A friendly spot, Mama Palma's keeps a wood-fired brick oven by the door and couples in windows overlooking Spruce Street. Clients include college kids and neighborhood families, who come for casually efficient service and food fit for sharing.

The Food
Bring your own bottle of wine, but Mama's supplies a small but nice selection of draft and bottled beers. First courses are heavy on the roasted peppers, including big basic salads, an excellent polenta plate, and warm corn kernels and fresh rosemary atop slices of Italian bread. Skip pasta specials and go straight for the pies. Pizzas come topped with roasted eggplant, fresh ricotta, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, clams, plus less traditional toppings such as Peking duck, brie, chicken dijon, turning potentially combative combinations into sensible pairings. You can't miss with traditional pies like roasted sausage or Margherita, and gourmet-style foodies will appreciate the challenging concoctions.

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