Special Occasion Restaurants

Ultra hip Patou is truly a place to see and be seen. Located on Market Street amidst Old City’s most popular restaurants, Patou stands out for serving gourmet French food with chic style. Acclaimed Head Chef and owner Patrice Rames (creator of the successful Bistro St. Tropez) styles his fare after his hometown in the French Riviera and serves it in an atmosphere that exudes trend and style. French food that lacks pretentiousness while thriving in flavor, an extensive list of fine French wines and fruity cocktails, complete with innovative interior design and attentive service, Patou has given Rames—and Philadelphia—another …

UPDATE: This restaurant is no longer in business! Elegance and class grace this upscale eatery, as apparent from the striking architectural space as the fashionable guests that fill it. At the table, seafood reigns king, and Chef Alfred Portale is a master at transforming each fish into a stunning, if not sometimes eclectic masterpiece. With a raw bar, winning wine list, and seasonal menu that celebrates the bounty of the oceans around the globe, there is not much else the Striped Bass could do to offer a more chic, elegant, and delectable dinging experience.

Still the flagship of Walnut Street's Restaurant Row, Le Bec-Fin oozes elegance and sophistication, welcoming Philadelphians as well as legions of visitors from around the globe. Crystal chandeliers suspended from 20-foot high ceilings shed grace upon an urbane space framed in muted beige, micro-suede walls. Elegance reigns. Black-garbed servers proud to carry on a cultivated, renowned tradition are attentive and ubiquitous. Cuisine at Le Bec-Fin remains the touchstone for gauging the city's culinary vibrancy. Peppering an exquisite, classic French menu are the Chef's latest creations each underscoring his gastronomic savvy as well as the eatery's global pantry.

Forget crisp, white tablecloths and predictable three-course meals. Life is too short to be spent adhering to dining norms, and no one understands this concept better than legendary Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr. His Old City gem, Tangerine, throws tradition out the window, aggressively pursuing a more creative culinary angle. While the menu is filled with traditional Mediterranean dishes, Executive Chef Todd Fuller’s preparations offer a unique take on classic favorites, keeping customers coming back for more. From grilled octopus salad to Merguez kabobs, fresh flavors and worldly spices abound at this trendy local favorite.

Casablanca offers a truly authentic dining experience fit for kings. The setting is sensual and relaxing, with soft lighting, vibrant textiles, and plush booths. Belly dancers and live music transport guests away from the present, evoking traditions and rich pleasures from the other side of the continent. The set menus, either regular or vegetarian, offer an ideal way to sample traditional Moroccan fare: seven courses beginning with soup, concluding with mint tea, and in between offering an abundance of flavorful, aromatic, and traditional Moroccan dishes. To cap off the delightfully traditional dining experience, be sure to order one of the …

One of Stephen Starrs hotspots, the glamorous Washington Square features a dynamic entrance way which leads into the beautifully landscaped courtyard which offers prime people watching and a list of crisp, fruity wines. The main dining room itself is covered in various shades and textures of black giving a very chic feeling. The menu, which has been described as global street food, features signature dishes like oysters on the half shell and fried ricotta balls.

Not only is the Kimmel Center home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, it is also the home of Cadence restaurant. Voted “Best Roof Deck” in Philadelphia by Philadelphia Weekly, Cadence offers a spectacular view of Broad St. and the Avenue of the Arts from two-tiers up. Serving Contemporary French cuisine in a retro-chic atmosphere, this restaurant is open for lunch or dinner on days when the Verizon Hall hosts performances. Cadence’s menu changes seasonally, ensuring that guest’s receive the freshest, in-season ingredients.

This French-American restaurant is held in high regard in the not-so-small town of Newton. The 19th century farmhouse that is home to Rouget is one of the many reasons this restaurant feels so charming and elegant, but it is the high quality cuisine that gives Rouget its reputation. The 60-seat dining room comes complete with bay-window nooks, black and white photographs of famous chefs and attached is a spacious glassed-in-porch. Chef Held prepares thoughtful and intelligent cuisine, which is presented by a perceptive and gracious staff. Rouget offers a weekly tasting menu that has quickly become the talk of the …