Mercato
Mercato is a Zagat-rated Italian restaurant located in the Old Camac Food Market building at the corner of Locust Street and Camac Street. Executive Chef MacKenzie Hilton focuses on seasonal ingredients so the menu is subject to change. Dishes such as short rib ragu with ricotta gnocchi and prosciutto-wrapped chicken breast are just a sample of the entrees available. There are a few vegetarian options and a variety of sides. Make sure you try a dessert like tiramisu or a seasonal cheesecake.
This restaurant is small and intimate with an older crowd. The dress code is casual to dressy due to the pre-theater crowd. Prices are reasonable for Center City standards. This restaurant only accepts cash so be sure to stop at a nearby ATM before dining. Mercato is open every day from 5 p.m. to at least 10 p.m. It is a popular pre-theater meal, so reservations are accepted on Sundays through Thursdays for seating between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Mercato
1216 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 985-2962
mercatobyob.com
Valanni
Valanni is a Center City mainstay offering dependable food and late hours. The restaurant is open during the week from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The dress is upscale casual and the clientele is mixed in age. Valanni's dishes are a blend of Italian and Latin food such as crispy pork belly tapas or a paella for two. There is a vegetarian section of the menu as well. For a deal, stop in for Valanni's weekday happy hour for half-price tapas and discounted premium drinks. Choose from a wide selection of wines, beers and cocktails. Reservations are highly suggested, and outdoor seating is available.
Valanni
1229 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 790-9494
valanni.com
Vetri
Vetri is a Zagat-rated Italian restaurant located just blocks from Philadelphia's booming theater district. Chef/owner Marc Vetri is a James Beard Award winner among other culinary accolades. Vetri's wine list has also garnered both local and national praise. Make reservations on a Friday or Saturday night to dine on the chef's grand tasting menu--degustazione in Italian. This menu changes constantly and Chef Vetri will construct the menu according to the particular tastes of each table. Try a traditional Vetri staple like foie gras pastrami with fruit mustard or spinach gnocchi with shaved ricotta and brown butter. Choose from a pasta, fish or meat entree such as rabbit casoncelli with prunes and sage or roasted turbot served on potato pancake with cherry tomatoes and olives.
Vetri is very small, seating only 40 patrons, so reservations are highly suggested. The food is pricey even by Center City standards. The dress code is upscale casual, so certainly change out of your golf shirt. The restaurant is open six days per week for lunch--it is closed on Sundays.
Vetri
1312 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3478
vetriristorante.com
About The Author
Celeste Fiore, a Rutgers University Law school graduate, writes about law, education, the Mid-Atlantic region and other assorted topics she finds interesting. Fiore has traveled in Europe and the United States. She has been a writer all her life and began writing professionally in 2009; currently her work is published on eHow, Trails.com and GolfLink.
