$25-50

Chef Dave Clouser’s impressive resume, including such notable restaurants as Susanna Foo, The Inn at Montcharin and Nectar, has given him the essential tools to open his Bryn Mawr restaurant, Sola. Serving a familiar American cuisine with a distinctive European flair, Sola attempts to redefine the typical bistro. This 50-seat restaurant offers diners a warm intimate environment with fresh seasonal ingredients and an ever evolving weekly prix fixe menu. Since its inception in 2006, Sola has remained a BYOB restaurant and promises to stay that way.

Stella Blu is an inviting destination for locals and newcomers alike. Be it a romantic dinner, a relaxing drink after work, or an evening of live entertainment, this smart and sophisticated West Conshohocken bistro sparkles. Bask in the glow of the exceptional customer service, including valet parking, a welcoming ambiance, and the newly expanded Star Bar. The extensive international menu includes such favorites as Lobster “Mac & Cheese and Wild Mushroom Ravioli. The food is heavenly, the décor is celestial, and the customer is always the star at Stella Blu.

Conveniently located on Mayanunk’s main drag, Bourbon Blue brings a little bit of the Big Easy to Philadelphia. Not only does Bourbon Blue serve new American cuisine with a New Orleans twist, but the restaurant serves up a New Orleans-style late night as well. Chef Mark Ziebis prepares food inspired by the French Quarter, utilizing new ingredients that he infuses into classic dishes. The voluminous building invites guest in with its beautifully decorated canal front and keeps them coming back with interesting spices and an impressive cocktail menu. Or, if an energetic nightlife is more your style stop by to …

Alma de Cuba is a Latin vacation, right in the heart of Philadelphia. Located at 1623 Walnut Street, it’s a perfect destination to pop into on the way home from work or for an elegant dinner. The lounge evokes sultry Miami nightlife with a mix of traditional Cuban and contemporary elements, with traditional drinks such as Caipirinhas and Classic Mojitos, which are always specially priced for happy hour. Upstairs, the balcony-style seating and classic décor promise a mellow and sophisticated ambiance. Chef Rodriguez adds novel twists to old world Cuban standards in his "Nuevo Latino" creations, such as Pan Roasted …

Although located in the quaint, suburban town center of Media, Azie restaurant is hardly rural. This study in globalization brings a very urban vibe to this “small town.” Executive Chef Takao Iinuma and Chef de Cuisine Kazuyuki Mitsui, both formerly of Morimoto, present Japanese inspired cuisine with a refined blend of flavors from cultures around the world. Using top-notch ingredients and traditional Japanese cooking philosophies, Azie showcases fusion cuisine. Dishes like Rock Shrimp Tempura sit side-by-side with Salmon and Yellow Tail Ceviche, Whitefish Carpaccio and Pan Roasted Halibut. French Champagnes and Italian reds are available, but you can share the …

For old and young alike, Ted’s Montana Grill is an enticing foray into how the West was fed. The restaurant, partly owned by media magnate Ted Turner, takes its cues from classic American fare and traditional frontier cuisine. Bison is featured prominently on the menu and promises to make every meal at this Center City eatery an event to remember. Surrounded by cozy wooden booths, and with a spacious dining room and bar to enjoy, diners can indulge their homespun appetites in an ideal rustic setting.

Brandywine Prime infuses tradition and history with a refreshing dose of modernity. The 200-year old Chadds Ford Inn, which houses Brandywine Prime, has been stripped of its outdated and worn down stuffiness and given a chic new personality with sleekly minimalist accents. The menu is anything but antiquated, featuring such dishes as Pan Seared Diver Scallops with Creamy Chorizo Orzo and Coconut Rum Shrimp Tempura to enliven the senses. For palate purists, a hearty selection of prime cuts of beef offer succulently tender indulgences.

Owner and Chef Peter Gilmore brings more than 30 years of experience to Gilmore’s Restaurant. This remarkably talented chef worked for 22 years as Chef de Cuisine at Philadelphia’s Le Bec-Fin before venturing out on his own. Located on West Chester’s main drag, Gilmore’s Restaurant offers classic French fare with an American twist. Dishes like Confit of Boneless Duck Leg and Escargots sit side-by-side with Shrimp Corn Dogs and Foie Gras Pizza (from humanely raised ducks). Although Chef Gilmore has a little fun with his menu, it does not mean there is anything lacking in the classic French tradition. The …

Nestled into its charming Midtown Village locale, Olivier Desaintmartin’s second Philadelphia feat, Zinc, is the essence of class meets comfort. In a city filled with attempts at the French bistro, Desaintmartin sets this 11th street gem above the rest by offering unfussy bistro classics and an exclusively French wine selection. Zinc offers diners the rare chance to feel right at home with a dining room décor that features exposed brick, dark polished wood, bistro chalkboards and authentic Parisian paintings. Complete with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, Zinc’s quaint, romantic appeal is reminiscent of a true bistro a vins one might …

Get your spice on at Distrito Modern Mexican—a colorful, hip Mexican restaurant and cantina. Keeping it traditional with their house specialties of Ceviches, Sopas, Tacos, Los Moles, and more—but keep it kitschy and fun with their retro-inspired décor, fit with colorful pink neon lights and a mesh of upscale and decidedly tacky design. Chef Jose Garces, a master of Latin cuisine, aims to create culinary creations that fuse traditional dishes with a modern interpretation. With options for lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, plus cocktails and finger food, Distrito Modern Mexican is a one-of-a-kind place to dine.

Resting unassumingly on a hill amid the Society Hill Towers, Zahav has given traditional Israeli street food a makeover. Celebrated Chef Michael Solomonov has gone to great lengths to transport the multiethnic flavors of his homeland to Philadelphia. He calls the food “Modern Israeli,” and each small plate is equal parts passion, execution, and rustic goodness. The open kitchen gives a professional demeanor to the 100-seat room, while the smell of roasting lamb and warm glow of the hearth offer a homey contrast. Zahav is Hebrew for “Gold,” and its chefs are alchemists, transforming and elevating simple flavors and ingredients …

Valanni fuels night-time revelry with its clever cocktails, scrumptious snacks and lively atmosphere. The menu is an elegant hybrid of Mediterranean and Latin influences,with traditional Spanish-style dishes like Seafood Paella sharing space with more fusion flavors like the Sesame and Pepita Crusted Yellowfin Tuna and the Honey glazed Duck Breast. The stylish dining room blends a rugged industrialism with a polished cosmopolitanism, juxtaposing exposed brick walls and an expansive bar with leather banquettes, modernist accents, and soft, glowing, amber lights. The allure of flavorful beverages like the Mango Mojito and Watermelon-Rita (a muddled watermelon margarita) make happy hours and late …

GiGi caters to the palates of the world by offering a menu that highlights specialties from Italy, Thailand, and Spain--to name a few. European sidewalk café-style seating and a private outdoor terrace encourage a social experience that carries over into the main dining room, as well. Boasting unique tapas selections to be shared among friends and an impressive array of signature cocktails, GiGi welcomes visitors to stay and mingle. Pass dishes like the Rare Seared Tuna Tequitos and the Jerk Chicken Skewers around the table and marvel at how fast they go.

David Rockwell has developed a stunning décor by which to savor Nectar’s innovative French Asian cuisine served nightly. Two distinct levels of dining space highlight more traditional Asian architectural elements like rich wood tones and bamboo with contemporary touches like exaggerated wall art and elegant light fixtures. Also juxtaposing the traditional with the contemporary is the thoughtful menu: The Wok Soft Shelled Crab, the Wok Jasmine Tea Smoked Duck, and the Chicken Red Curry entice visitors with their vibrant flavors and intricate preparation. Sushi and sashimi are also well represented on the menu.

Pumpkin, coined from the pet name of husband and wife co-owners Ian Moroney and Hillary Bor, offers an adventurous menu that changes daily – dishes can include snails, cardoon, and homemade banana gelato. The intimate 28-seat restaurant in the city’s Graduate Hospital area also serves up the sort of comfortable charm that comes of candle lighting, small tables, and attentive service from employees that include members of Moroney’s family. This neighborhood restaurant is well suited for a second date, a second anniversary or a couple of hours catching up with old friends. With an ever changing menu that boasts farm-to-table …

Taking the heart of Italy into their food, Tre Scalini features numerous fish and other antipasta dinners to entice their patrons. Easily located by the green overhangs that contrast the red brick wall, Tre Scalini brings Italy home to Philadelphia. Chef Franca DiRenzo creates everything from scratch in the back of her kitchen where she is constantly busy. Patrons can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with a wide variety of menu items, from pasta dishes to more American ideals with Italian flavors added. The staff are very personable and try to treat you as if you were a guest in their …

Although Tír na nÓg is well-known around Philadelphia for keeping the Irish tradition of drinking and good times alive, it is also recognized for its sophisticated, yet casual, dining atmosphere and great food. The chefs at Tír na nÓg have created a unique menu of new American cuisine with a Celtic influence. Traditional Irish food and local favorites are available for lunch and dinner, as well as the chef's daily specials. Enjoy a pint and order one of Ireland's most popular dishes.

Tamarind boasts a calm, intimate setting and offers a wide assortment of delicious Thai cuisine. Focusing on quick cooking techniques and a complex flavor combinations, the menu is filled with tempting meat, seafood and vegeatarian options.

Located on Sansom Street, which is well known for its large selection of beloved restaurants, Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge stands out from the neighboring venues. Its simple and enticing façade welcomes diners into a foyer lined with river rocks. Through thick red curtains lies the restaurant, dimly lit by white globes extended low from the ceiling. The relaxed atmosphere allows for slow eating and drinking – multiple rounds of sushi and sake are quite acceptable. The staff is congenial without being pushy, tending to food and drink necessities while giving plenty of space for long conversation and hearty laughter.

Just five weeks after Ralph’s opened its doors, Teddy Roosevelt sat down for a classic Italian meal in a burgeoning South Philadelphia Italian neighborhood; that was in 1900. Today, Ralph’s still caters to a host of notable diners and delivers the same simple, homey but high quality Italian fare as always. It’s a spaghetti and meatball parlor where red tomato sauce is king, queen, and heir to the thrown. Ralph’s is the oldest family owned Italian restaurant in America. The trattoria’s no fuss consistent approach to Southern Italian cuisine and elegant but non-stuffy atmosphere have made it a favorite among …