It’s about to be the most wonderful time of the year — Philly restaurant week. After a month of going to the same dining halls and campus eateries too many times to count, this is your chance to escape the Penn bubble and hit Center City for amazing deals at some of Philly’s best restaurants.
Center City Restaurant Week happens twice a year: in late September and mid–January. This fall, the event runs from September 23 to October 5, but I would recommend making your reservations now. As many as 110 restaurants of all types of cuisine are participating in the prix fixe deal this year. Dinner is $35 per person and, at all participating restaurants offering a lunch menu, lunch is $20 per person. The restaurants give you your choice on multiple courses, often their most popular items, so you get the most bang for your buck.
In case you’re overwhelmed by the number of options, here are some Street–recommended picks:
Barbuzzo: A chic mediterranean spot that is just as delicious as it is photogenic. The menu for the event is three courses of your choice, including an appetizer, main course, and dessert. A highlight is the truffled mushroom pizza which boasts wood roasted mushrooms and a special sauce. Save room for dessert as Barbuzzo is best known for the salted caramel budino, a custard dessert with a dark chocolate crust and vanilla bean caramel.
1225 Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge: Get your sushi fix at this trendy spot with hanging lanterns and walls covered in Japanese art. While sushi is their specialty, they also offer other choices for those who aren’t a fan of raw fish, like ramen. And vegetarians need not be scared away either, as you can get all of your courses meat–free. For sushi lovers, my suggestion is the Sweetheart Roll, a salmon and avocado cut roll topped with spicy tuna and spicy mayo.
Bud & Marilyn’s: American classics are served at this kitschy spot full of funky art pieces and comfy couches. A safe choice would be the fried chicken, which is complimented with warm buttermilk biscuits and salted honey butter. For dessert, you can't go wrong with the malted chocolate pot de creme or the classic American with the peach and berry crisp.
Melograno BYOB: One of the few BYO’s on the list is Melograno, which in addition to a good time, offers delicious Italian food. And this isn’t your average BYO—it’s extremely classy, but you still won’t be judged for bringing your Barefoot wine. The best thing on the menu is the silva pizza, which is my ultimate favorite pizza in Philly. It’s a white pie with goat cheese, wild mushrooms, and truffle oil.
To make sure you get to eat all that Philly has to offer, I recommend you make reservations in advance, grab some friends, and enjoy some amazing food at a student–friendly price.
