The following restaurants will satisfy the most discerning palettes -- and wallets. Even if your parents won't be in town this weekend, treat yourself to one of Philly's prime culinary hot spots without breaking the bank, thanks to these little-known steals.
Morimoto
723 Chestnut Street
(215) 413-9070
Futuristic and trendy Morimoto is the collaboration of renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Order a platter of sushi, rolls and sashimi to share, starting at $30, or select your favorite sushi roll from the menu. Several entrees, all in the $20-$40 range, are conducive to sharing, like the Ishi Yaki 'Buri Bop' king yellowtail, prepared tableside.
Extra credit: Morimoto's best deal is found weekdays 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., when the omakase (chef's choice) fixed-price offering of several courses is offered at half price. The lowest-priced option is $40 for three to five courses, a steal compared to the $80 that this same menu costs during dinner.
London Grill
2301 Fairmount Avenue
(215)978-4545
Try the four-course tasting menu, offered for $35, for the chef's selection of an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert. Portions are as generous as they are gratifying. The steamed mussels are mouthwatering, and the waitstaff thoughtfully includes two extra dinner rolls with the dish, encouraging diners to sop up the divine sauce. For beef lovers, London Grill won a Best of Philly award for their burger, and the Hangar steak is one of the best this side of Rittenhouse and an absolute steal at $17.
Extra credit: Reserve a table for the London Grill's Nights from Hell, a collaboration with the Eastern State Penitentiary, which is right across the street. For $60 ($75 on Fridays and Saturdays), diners receive a multi-course meal, a cocktail, coffee or tea, tax, gratuity and a tour ticket to the penitentiary's month-long "Terror Behind the Walls" prison tour and haunted house.
Tangerine
232 Market Street
(215) 627-5116
An abundance of candles, illuminated tapestries and sprawling dining rooms make Tangerine an aesthetic masterpiece, but the Mediterranean food takes the prize. In the dining room, portions are meant to be shared. Start with the lobster risotto, laced with decadent truffle oil, peas and porcini mushrooms and topped with butter poached lobster. The pan-seared diver scallops over potato brandade are decidedly memorable, and the pan-seared duck breast, served with an onion ragout and foie gras, is the best in the city. Desserts are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the taste buds.
Extra credit: The budget-conscious should sit in the lounge, where the more inexpensive tapas menu, featuring meze platters of meats, vegetables, fish, and cheese, is offered alongside the full menu.
Bistro St. Tropez
2400 Market Street
(215) 569-9269
This French restaurant, situated on the fourth floor of the Design Marketplace Center, is well worth navigating through the labyrinthine halls to find. Request a table by the window, as the view of the Schuylkill is almost as visually stimulating as the creative presentation of St. Tropez's dishes. The menu changes daily and features a wide variety of soups, salads, fish, and meat, including traditional French delicacies such as escargot and frogs' legs. Hors d'oeuvres range from $10-$20, salads $5-$10 and entrees $15-$30. Serviceis understated but never lacking.
Extra credit: Bistro St. Tropez offers an early dinner special during which guests can enjoy a three-course meal for about $25 before 6:30, so arrive early and enjoy the sunset over the river.
