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Amada
The Spanish word tapas is commonly translated
as "small plates," tastes of traditional
Iberian flavors---serrano ham, manchego,
chorizo, spiked with olives, vinegars,
citrus--ordered in abundance. But in
the bars of Barcelona, tapeo is more
than a culinary phenomenon; it's also
a cultural one. In those crowded environs,
tapas is as much about conversation
as it is about charcuteria. Amada's
recipe for tapas approaches this convivial
Spanish ideal. Here tapas means a menu
of traditional flavors, plus casks of
house-made sangria, long communal tables,
a frenetic open kitchen, and flamenco
dancing.
Amada
217 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19106
215-625-2450
www.amadarestaurant.com
Barclay
Prime
The sedate Barclay building has come
alive with this sexy update of steakhouse
stereotypes. The dining room whispers
"library," with its high ceilings and
shelved walls lined with books, but
the mod furniture and dance music belie
the serene appearance, creating a mellow
but hip dining atmosphere. There are
gimmicks -- the much-hyped $100 cheesesteak;
the presentation of an array of steak
knives for the diner's choosing -- but
the steaks are serious.
Barclay Prime
237 South Street
Philadelphia PA 19103
215-732-7560
www.barclayprime.com
Caribou
Café
It's almost Paris, on a warm weekend-night
at this lively bistro with the floor-to-ceiling
glass doors flung open. Choose a seat
on the sidewalk for an evening of watching
the people bustle by on busy Walnut
Street, or ask for a quieter spot in
the mezzanine for a private conversation.
Under the red awning, you'll find tomatoes
Provenáal, skate with capers
and brown butter, and, at dinner, one
of the city's best steak frites. The
kitchen isn't afraid to use those decadent
French flavors - white wine, veal stock
and real butter - to sauce his hanger
steak.
Caribou Café
1126 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-625-9535
www.cariboucafe.com
Le
Bar Lyonnaise
You have to ring the doorbell to gain
entrance to Le Bec-Fin, the city's chandeliered
classic French mecca, and it's intimate
little sister restaurant, Le Bar Lyonnaise.
Before Friday and Saturday night seatings
at Le Bec upstairs, the bar is bustling
with the city's power players, but most
nights, it is a quiet, cozy hideaway
with a polished staff and all the French
menu standards.
Le Bar Lyonnaise
1523 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19102
215-567-1000
www.lebecfin.com
Los
Catrines and Tequila's
The elegant bar here lives up to the
restaurant's name; quality tequila (including
a brand produced by the owner) abound
and the margaritas can't be beat. The
waiting area of this popular no-reservations
spot is decorated dramatically with
a moody mural depicting the El Dia do
los Muertos, but the rear dining rooms
are more subtle, letting the authentic
Mexican flavors shine.
Los Catrines and Tequila's
1602 Locust Street
Philadelphia PA 19103
215-546-0181
www.tequilasphilly.com
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Meritage
Philadelphia
Stepping into Meritage is like stepping
into film noir. The restaurant's sensual
soundtrack, plus shadowy lighting, lends
a moody, mysterious aura to the space.
The theatrics don't end with the soundstage
of a dining room: Waiters are well-groomed
and fastidious in observing all Miss
Manners' rules; and the black-clad hostess
is a seductress direct from Central
Casting. The menu is as appealingly
anachronistic as the atmosphere. While
most restaurants have abandoned classics
such as veal Oscar, Meritage's kitchen
executes a faithful version with truffled
bearnaise, that should rekindle the
decadent dish's popularity.
Meritage Philadelphia
500 South 20th Street
Philadelphia PA 19146
215-985-1922
www.meritagephiladelphia.com
Nectar
There's a 12-foot-tall Buddha overlooking
the Rockwell-designed dining room, and
a well-heeled crowd sipping the cocktail-of-the-moment
at the bar. Such over-the-top dinner-as-theater
isn't the norm on the Main Line, but
patrons are eating it up, with bright
orange chopsticks. The sushi bar turns
out surprising striped bass/scallion
and lobster/radish sprout rolls, alongside
standards like a kicky spicy tuna roll,
while the adventurous kitchen pairs
nectarine and pickled vegetables with
an Indian-spiced vinaigrette, and tender
pork loin with not-too-sweet tamarind.
Nectar
1091 Lancaster Avenue
Berwyn PA 19312
610-725-9000
www.tastenectar.com
Striped
Bass
Classy regulars rub elbows at the narrow
corner bar of this landmark restaurant,
while, beneath the sculpted bass that
arcs over the bustling open kitchen,
young chef Christopher Lee is creating
beautifully plated fish dishes that
match the sleek dining room dçcor: soaring
ceilings, immense mirrors and crystal
light fixtures.
Striped Bass
1500 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19102
215-732-4444
www.stripedbassrestaurant.com
Washington
Square
You'll see a smattering of cafç tables
on the quiet sidewalk in front of Washington
Square. Ignore them. Beyond the restaurant's
luminescent white facade, a chic cocktail
party is under way. Through the door,
the outdoor bar, slipped between two
towering buildings, has all the stylish
touches of an indoor lounge -- plush,
colorful cushions and pillows, intimate
alcoves -- and that al fresco energy.
Washington Square
210 West Washington Square
Philadelphia PA 19106
215-592-7787
www.washingtonsquare-restaurant.com
Vetri
Miniature Vetri is one of the hardest
reservation gets in town, with a line
of foodies anxious to score one of the
35 seats and feast on owner Marc Vetri's
updated Italian cuisine. Once inside
the restaurant however, the diners find
a mellow vibe is mellow and comfortable,
the better to enjoy your dining companions
- and Vetri's sensual spinach gnocchi.
Vetri
1312 Spruce Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-732-3478
www.vetriristorante.com
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