6 Center City Restaurant Week Picks With Great Drinks
From Sunday, January 20 through Friday, February 1, over a hundred restaurants around Philadelphia will participate in Center City District Restaurant Week. Each evening (with the exception of Saturday, January 26), you’ll be able to score a three-course meal for $35. We searched through all the options, and came up with six spots where your prix fixe deal can be matched with great drinks. Make your reservations while you still can.
Percy Street Barbecue: Three courses here are just $20, or you can go with a friend and take advantage of the $35 deal: two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts. Wash down your BBQ with one of over 100 craft cans for a perfect combo. Tip: January 24 is National Beer Can Day, and all cans will be half-price (215-625-8510).
Xochitl: Four courses of Mexican favorites starts with a customizable bowl of guacamole (spring for the crab addition for an extra couple of bucks). The guac and everything that follows will only taste better when you combine it with one of the bars expertly shaken margaritas (try the Rosa, made with limited edition cherry Grand Marnier) or a tequila tasting flight (215-238-7280)
Ristorante Panorama: A huge menu of appetizers, pastas, entrees and dishes of all kinds is yours for the choosing at this Front Street trattoria. Pick your pairing for each of three courses from the world’s largest wine cruvinet system, featuring more than 150 wines by the glass (215-922-7800).
Smokin’ Betty’s: The drafts are plentiful and cheap at this Midtown Village tavern, and will go equally well with the KFC waffles (made with Korean fried chicken), turkey and bacon chowder or beer can cornish game hen. Finish four courses with peanut butter Rice Krispy bars for dessert (215-922-6500).
Continental Midtown: Thanks to the $35 deal, which brings two appetizers, an entree and a dessert, you’ll have plenty of funds left over to dip into the fun but pricey drink selection at this Stephen Starr spot. If you’re not afraid of blowing up, try a Violet Beauregarde, with blueberry vodka, crème de violette and a blue gummy bear as garnish (215-567-1800).
Brauhaus Schmitz: If German brews are your thing, this South Street restaurant is where you want to be. Jeremy Nolan’s “new German cooking” brings four courses full of wursts, brats and spätzle, all of which were practically invented to go with beer (267-909-8814).
Photo: Margaritas at Xochitl by Danya Henninger