CONTACTS: Donna Schorr (215) 599-0782, [email protected] Arturo Varela (267) 765-0367, [email protected] RITTENHOUSE SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE Shops, Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Lounges, Galleries, Parks & More In Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse PHILADELPHIA, February 5, 2019 – Long considered one of the toniest neighborhoods in the city, Rittenhouse Square isn’t just an enviable address. It’s a lifestyle. With several hotels and dozens of restaurants and shops, Rittenhouse serves as a point of pride for locals and a favorite among visitors. Along Rittenhouse’s busy sidewalks—many with seating for alfresco dining and drinking in the warm months—are high-end stores; locally owned boutiques; small galleries; bargain stores; theaters and entertainment; cafes; beer, wine and cocktail bars; and restaurants of all kinds, from petite bring-your- own-bottle (BYOB) spots to crowd-pleasing chains. The neighborhood buzzes with activity all year long. Rittenhouse Square is the one-square-block park that gives the neighborhood its name. Seventeenth- century city planner William Penn could never have imagined how popular the green space would become among sunbathers, readers, families, artists, picnickers and dogs. Festivals, farmers’ markets, fairs and general merriment make it Center City’s best-known—and perhaps, most enjoyed—park. Rittenhouse includes the area between Broad Street and the Schuylkill River and Market and Pine Streets. It’s easily accessible for out-of-towners: Two train stations, Suburban Station and Amtrak’s 30th Street Station, are a short walk or ride away. For more on Philly’s diverse and accessible neighborhoods, go to visitphilly.com/neighborhoods. Upscale Dining: • a.kitchen – Understated, modern restaurant inside AKA Rittenhouse Square opens daily for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. An unfussy yet spectacular seasonal menu pairs with a selection of 300 natural wines, cocktails and craft beers. 135 S. 18th Street, (215) 825-7030, akitchenandbar.com • Abe Fisher – Taking inspiration from Old-World Jewish cooking, chef Yehuda Sichel puts a contemporary twist on classics, whipping up pastrami with Montreal-smoked short ribs, veal schnitzel tacos and chicken liver mousse. Diners can watch the magic happen in the open kitchen at this intimate, dinner-only spot. 1623 Sansom Street, (215) 867-0088, abefisherphilly.com • Alma de Cuba – Guests enjoy savory dishes with a Latin flair before topping off the meal with a chocolate Cuban cigar. Attentive service and knockout décor make this a highlight on Stephen Starr’s lengthy Philly resume. 1623 Walnut Street, (215) 988-1799, almadecubarestaurant.com • Barclay Prime – Comfy velvet banquettes, crystal chandeliers and a well-dressed crowd create an upscale atmosphere at this handsome steak stalwart. Barclay lives up to the buzz, with the finest meat and delicious handcrafted cocktails. 237 S. 18th Street, (215) 732-7560, barclayprime.com -more- Page 2/Rittenhouse Neighborhood Guide • Butcher and Singer – Old Hollywood (and an old bank) sets the theme at Stephen Starr’s Rittenhouse steakhouse. Diners order steaks and chops with sides a la carte, and repeat guests know to save room for after-dinner favorites such as New York-style cheesecake, Key lime pie and baked Alaska. 1500 Walnut Street, (215) 732-4444, butcherandsinger.com • D’Angelo’s Ristorante Italiano – This romantic date spot serves up generations-old family recipes paired with an extensive wine list. On Friday and Saturday nights, guests head to the lounge for cocktails, DJ music and dancing. 256 S. 20th Street, (215) 546-3935, dangeloristorante.com • Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse – A former bank building is now a see-and-be-seen bi- level dining room where guests order fine steaks and savory side dishes. A two-story wine tower at the bar acts as the centerpiece of the restaurant, and the area that was once the bank’s vault now hosts private parties. 1426-28 Chestnut Street, (215) 246-0533, delfriscos.com • Devon Seafood Grill – A Rittenhouse mainstay, this mini chain tempts with its romantic atmosphere, dishes made with fresh ingredients and a not-to-be-missed dessert menu—not to mention the prime location across from the park. 225 S. 18th Street, (215) 546-5940, devonseafood.com • Friday Saturday Sunday – A beloved, bi-level, dinner-only neighborhood spot serves new American dishes and craft cocktails that look almost too good to enjoy—almost. An adaptable menu pleases those seeking either proper three-course meals or merely drinks and small plates. 261 S. 21st Street, (215) 546-4232, fridaysaturdaysunday.com • Giuseppe & Sons – Philly food forces Michael Schulson and the Termini bakery family partner on old-school Italian in a bilevel space. The ground floor houses a casual luncheonette with table and counter seating; the basement level is a sprawling and elegant lounge, filled with cozy nooks, plush booths and sunken corners. 1523 Sansom Street, (215) 399-9199, giuseppesons.com • Harp & Crown – Chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson’s handsome venture feels convivial and timeless. Featured here: charcuterie, small plates and seasonal fare—and a two-lane bowling alley hidden in the basement called Elbow Lane (reservations required for groups of nine or more; smaller parties can walk in and roll). 1525 Sansom Street, (215) 330-2800, harpcrown.com • Helm Rittenhouse – Unlike its sibling BYOB in Kensington, the latest location of Helm, a cozy 65-seater, features a full bar featuring creative cocktails like the Green Thumb, made with gin, mezcal, muddled English peas and egg whites. The menu is all about farm-to-table small plates, with an emphasis on locally sourced veggies and meats. 1901 Chestnut Street, (215) 982-1671, helmrittenhouse.com • Lacroix at The Rittenhouse – Along with an extensive wine list and elegant décor, the progressive, international menu makes this dining room a gem. Guests seated by the windows enjoy views of Rittenhouse Square. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, 2nd Floor, (215) 790-2533, lacroixrestaurant.com • The Love – Restaurateurs Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr teamed up for this instantly popular, bright and sophisticated restaurant and bar. The American menu features fresh, seasonal food, as well as the most important ingredient: the love. 130 S. 18th Street, (215) 433-1555, theloverestaurant.com -more- Page 3/Rittenhouse Neighborhood Guide • Oyster House – Owner Sam Mink continues his father’s mission of serving fresh seafood at reasonable prices. He presents classic dishes with modern flavors and uses local ingredients whenever possible. The happy hour menu includes buck-a-shuck oysters, $3 beer and a $5 cocktail. 1516 Sansom Street, (215) 567-7683, oysterhousephilly.com • Parc – Diners may feel as though they’ve gone transatlantic while sitting at this Parisian-inspired bistro. From tables across from Rittenhouse Square, patrons view the park foot traffic while noshing on the house-made breads, onion soup, shrimp salad, classic omelets and mussels in Dijon broth. 227 S. 18th Street, (215) 545-2262, parc-restaurant.com • The Prime Rib – With a business casual dress code and a bar serving up perfectly mixed Manhattans, The Prime Rib exudes class. A well-heeled crowd chows down on the delicious steak and seafood dishes. 1701 Locust Street, (215) 772-1701, theprimerib.com • R2L – Views that span 40 miles create a grand atmosphere to Daniel Stern’s bar and restaurant, an ultra-modern dining room serving American cuisine 500 feet above Center City. (The website lists nightly sunset times, for prime timing.) Two Liberty Place, 50 S. 16th Street, 37th Floor, (215) 564-5337, r2lrestaurant.com • Rouge – Tucked among tough dining competition, this see-and-be-seen mainstay serves classic cocktails, simple dishes and sidewalk seating that’s perfect for day-to-night people peeping. 205 S. 18th Street, (215) 732-6622, rouge98.com • Scarpetta – The New York location of this elegant, modern Italian restaurant won a James Beard nomination for “Best New Restaurant in America.” Philadelphia’s version also features fresh pasta and local ingredients, including famous spaghetti with tomato and basil that’s anything but boring. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 558-4199, scarpettarestaurants.com/philadelphia • Spice Finch – Chefs Jennifer Carroll and Billy Riddle serve an inventive mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors in the form of build-your-own meals. Diners can choose from small plates like peri-peri shrimp, charred carrot hummus and lamb ribs or larger portions from the “For the Table” menu. The shakshuka, with spiced tomatoes, peppers, nigella and three baked eggs, is a particular crowd-pleaser. 220 S. 17th Street, (215) 309-2238, spicefinchphilly.com • SuGa – At this farm-fresh take on Chinese cuisine, internationally renowned chef and two-time James Beard Award winner Susanna Foo combines her background with French techniques during lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The “Sparkling Susanna” cocktail was named in the chef’s honor; Foo selected the teas by hand in Asia. 1720 Sansom Street, (215) 717-8968, sugabyfoo.com • Talk – Chic, Art Deco dining room serves new American cuisine: craft cocktails and a creative list of a la carte dishes, such as chicken liver eclairs, black pepper pasta and scallops with country ham. 2121 Walnut Street, (215) 515-3608, talkphl.com • Tequila’s Restaurant – Open since 1986, Tequila’s puts a high-end twist on traditional Mexican cuisine within the confines of a stately mansion. It lives up to its name with a massive tequila- forward cocktail menu featuring creative drinks like the “Roses Margarita,” made with petal- infused tequila, lime, St. Germain and rose petals. 1602 Locust Street, (215) 546-0181, tequilasphilly.com • Tinto – Chef Jose Garces followed the success of his first Philly restaurant, Amada in Old City, with this wine bar and restaurant. The authentic menu features mouthwatering pintxos, the variety of tapas found in Spain’s Basque region. 114 S. 20th Street, (215) 665-9150, tintorestaurant.com -more- Page 4/Rittenhouse Neighborhood Guide • Vernick Food & Drink – James Beard Award-winning Greg Vernick and his team bring their love of food and drink to their Rittenhouse friends and neighbors.