By, Lauren Z.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and yes, I know Christmas is over. I’m talking about the return of Center City District Restaurant Week. From January 22-27 and January 29-February 3, more than 100 restaurants will offer a prix fix menu for just $35 per person, including many located right in the gayborhood:
Knock Restaurant and Bar
225 South 12th Street
Knock Restaurant and Bar, located on the corner of 12th and Locust, is a popular happy hour and dinner spot for the LGBT crowd, and is sure to be a popular destination during Restaurant Week.
The first course includes a choice between an heirloom tomato salad, a bacon-bleu cheese wedge salad, and a champagne and Parmesan house salad. Six delectable choices make up options for the second course, including a personal favorite of mine, the battered asparagus fries. The third course (entrée course), includes three seafood options for the seafood lovers out there, as well as Braised Boneless Short Rib and Roasted Half Chicken for the meat lovers. Top your meal off with your choice of anything off of the dessert tray.
How to make your reservation: Call 215-925-1166.
Mercato
1216 Spruce Street
This BYOB hot spot focuses on market-fresh, Italian inspired food, placing importance on using only the freshest ingredients.
For Restaurant Week, they’re offering patrons a three-course meal. A choice of six appetizers make up the first course, including two variations of salad and a creamy tomato basil soup. You’ll face a difficult decision, however, when selecting an entrée, as eleven delectable dishes await your palette. The Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast is stuffed with mozzarella, sweet Italian sausage, and sun dried tomatoes; if you’re seeking a vegetarian option, try the Winter Vegetable Risotto, featuring escarole, cranberries, sage, leeks, and grana padano. Dessert consists of a variety of treats, including Italian classics like tiramisu and gelato.
How to make your reservation: Call 215-985-2962
Lolita Restaurant
106 S. 13th Street
Lolita is a lesbian-owned, upscale Mexican BYOB located right in the heart of the gayborhood. During Restaurant Week, they’re offering a stellar selection of options. Be sure to pick up a bottle of tequila on your way in to add to their fresh margarita mix.
For your first course, try the Gorditas Con Carnitas (cheese filled masa cakes, pulled pork, cabbage pickle, chipotle salsa, guacamole), which can also be made vegetarian upon request. You’ll have a choice between five entrees for your second course, including Enchiladas Rojas (street style red chile enchiladas, mushroom-chihuahua cheese stuffing, chipotle shrimp) and Red Chile Braised Shortrib (chayote-potato gratin, cotija cheese, sautéed black kale). Save room for a choice between three desserts: Mexican Pot De Crème, Goat Cheese Cheesecake, or Tiramisu A La Mexicana.
How to make your reservation: Call 215-546-7100
Terra Restaurant
243 S. Camac Street
Located below popular piano bar Tavern on Camac, Terra is an intimate, gay-owned restaurant serving up new American cuisine. They’re offering a special four-course meal just for Restaurant Week.
Start out with a Pear and Goat salad, with arugula, sunflower, and candied pecan dressing, or perhaps the Sun Choke Ravioli with sage brown butter, capers, and olives is more to your liking. Satay is the name of the game for the Second Course, with your choice between Lamb, Chicken, or Mushroom and Onion (all served with Lemon Honey Aioli). You’ll have to choose between four dishes for your entrée: pork belly, bricked half chicken, fried catfish, or tempeh stroganoff. Last but certainly not least, select from three delicious desserts to complete your dining experience.
How to make a reservation: Call 215-545-1102 or visit Open Table
Contributor, Lauren Z,
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