Center City Restaurant Week Fall 2013

It’s that time of the year again: Center City District’s semi-annual Restaurant Week. By now, in its tenth year, Restaurant Week is a loved or hated concept in Philadelphia (and most cities actually).  But for the faithful fans, we’re providing a list of our recommendations for this season.

Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran do it again… Little Nonna’s is their newest baby on 13th Street. Hands down the dish you absolutely must try is the B+V+P Meatballs. Giant beef, veal, and pork meatballs that are stuffed with gooey fontina cheese and served with nonna’s gravy.

Tried and true, Mercato will always be one of our favorite Restaurant Week BYOBs. Their menus are always seasonal and changing, but the quality is always the same. This year’s menu includes fontina-stuffed meatballs (okay, so we’re a little obsessed), seafood pyramid pasta, parmesan-crusted veal, and autumn risotto.

As a Headhouse Square favorite, Xochitl is our favorite Mexican pick. Their menu is diverse, guacamole for the table is included, and their margaritas are deliciosos!

Ocean Prime makes this season’s list (even though it’s a chain) because it’s new and has taken over the old beloved Roy’s corner space on 15th and Sansom. Their menu is fairly standard, although the scallops entree is a nice option amidst the chicken-steak-vegetarian combo we usually see. Plus, 10-layer-carrot cake is a surefire way to get us there.

Although we’d like to see a little more variation from their Restaurant Week menu, we’re such Marcie and Valerie fan that Barbuzzo also makes the list. Honestly, who cares what you get for first or second course… just come here for the salted caramel budino.

Another chain restaurant option we approve of is Fogo de Chao. At a flat $50 dinner rate normally, dinner is a steal during Restaurant Week at this Brazilian steakhouse. One major upside is that you know exactly what you’re in store for: $35 will get you endless salad bar and all-you-can-eat skewered meat. Your wallet may thank you… but your body may not.