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Philadelphia

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Annual Restaurant Issue Published  NEW!

We want to congratulate Vetri for its inclusion for its inclusion on our Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. list published in our 2010 Restaurant Issue. On our Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S. list, South Street Souvlaki was chosen as the pick for Philadelphia.

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Thoreau Vegetarian Grill opened its doors February 2nd in the up-and-coming Loft district outside of Northern Liberties. Chef/owner Mike Jackson, owner of Blue Sage Restaurant in Southampton brings his favorite vegetarian recipes to the table. Snappy menu items include ratatouille sliders with Belgian frites, falafel with red pepper hummus and blue corn and aspragaus tacos with pumpkin seed pesto. Dinner Tue.-Sat. Thoreau Vegetarian Grill, 1033 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123, 215- 232-9001.
 
Chef Emeril Lagasse will open his first burger restaurant in the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA. The as-yet-unnamed restaurant will join his other concept, Emeril's Chop House, in the casino. Sands Casino Resort, 77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18015, 877-Sands77.
 
R2L Chef/owner Daniel Stern’s contemporary American restaurant R2L has opened on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place in Center City. The posh space includes 14 cushy banquettes with a view, a cutlery sculpture by artist Ali Ahmad and an open kitchen. R2L, Two Liberty Place, 50 S. 16th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-564-5337.
 

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Top 10 Romantic Gifts


News Bytes

Le Bec-Fin Team Heading to James Beard House
James Beard Foundation award winner Georges Perrier and Le Bec-Fin's executive chef Nicholas Elmi will prepare dinner at the James Beard House on Wednesday, February 24. Check out the James Beard website for the full menu. Pull up a chair for $150 if you're a member, $200 if you're not. Call 212-627-2308 to make reservations. Le Bec-Fin, 1523 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-567-1000.
 

Chef Shuffle

Paul Sankaralingam is the new executive chef/owner of Cafe Spice, the Old City Indian eatery that dates to 1998. Sankaralingam will introduce a new menu with his own recipes in early February. A few other changes include two courses with choices from the regular menu plus a glass of wine for $22 per person on Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday nights. Wine Down Wednesdays feature 1/2 price bottles of wine and a three-course $45 prix-fixe menu. Look for live Indian music on Friday nights starting at 11 p.m. Cafe Spice, 35 South 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-627-6273.
 
Chef Daniel Stern is in the kitchen at the 37th floor swanky American R2L. Former chef de cuisine Alex Ureña has opted out of the job. He's now in the kitchen at Devil’s Den, a gastropub at 11th and Ellsworth Streets. Ureña came to town from NYC, where he'd run his own place, Pamplona. R2L, Two Liberty Place, 50 S 16th St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-564-5337.
 


Closings

Loie Bistro & Bar closed and Zama has opened in its place. Chef Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka, a Stephen Starr alum, is offering Japanese fare and sushi. Zama, 128 S. 19th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-568-1027.
 


CULINARY EVENTS
Want to
learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

 
RESTAURANT AWARDS

Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!

A SEASON OF LOVE

Set the mood for love by reserving a table at one of the Best Romantic Restaurants near you, or view our list of Valentines Restaurants in your area that will show you where to find restaurants offering unique menus just for February 14. Also, see who sets the standard for seductive dining across the country with our Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. list.