Meet For A Drink Restaurants

Restaurateur Stephen Starr’s vision of the future burns bright in the University City section of Philadelphia where Pod dishes out Asian fusion cuisine in an atmosphere that is a playful cross between Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Jetsons. Fresh sushi, dim sum, and full entrees are served in Pod’s sleek, high-tech dining space. The restaurant’s glossy, pure white interior, accentuated by concentric circles of blue, orange, and purple lighting and flooded with the pulse of ambient music, boldly transports patrons to a culinary destination that is truly ahead of its time.

A favorite for decades, the Chart House offers an excellent selection of steaks and seafood, as well as a waterfront location overlooking the Delaware River. The dining room offers stunning views, contemporary decor, and—for those not looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows—an exhibition kitchen. With a convenient location near the convention center and Philadelphia's historic areas, the excellent service at the Chart House promises to please. The classic menu offers classic dishes which never fail to satisfy such as Lobster Bisque, Shrimp Scampi and Filet Mignon.

Bliss is a new and exciting restaurant and bar which features a menu that reflects a world of culinary inspiration. Bliss offers contemporary American dishes like a Pan Seared Sirloin with Potato Puree Gratin and Shallot Merlot Glaze as well as Asian-inspired food, like Sweet and Sour Crispy Red Snapper and Stir-Fried Red Chili Prawns. Just a stone’s throw from the Kimmel Center, Bliss sports lots of mahogany wood, high ceilings, a cozy bar and a tranquil blue wall decoration. With its serene atmosphere and delightful menu, the restaurant welcomes guests for lunch, dinner, and late night.

With its kitschy theme park decor and its hip Latin beats, Old City’s Cuba Libre is all about the ambiance. The elaborately designed space – with its tall palms and wrought-iron balconies – was built to resemble an outdoor café in Cuba circa 1940. The restaurant’s menu combines “Nuevo Cubano” dishes alongside traditional Cuban cuisine. From the tasty mango butter spread accompanying the bread to the juicy Guava BBQ Rib entrée, this Latin feast will be an experience all its own. The endless variety of Cuban rums and a tasty selection of mojitos, Cuba Libre’s specialty drinks, won’t disappoint either!

If you’ve ever been to South Philly's predominately Italian neighborhood, you may know the charming feeling that emanates from a place immersed in such culture and authenticity. Maggiano’s Little Italy, located in Center City, recreates the enchantment of an Italian neighborhood to a tee, with a menu chock-full of hearty Italian dishes that are served in bountiful portions, an extensive wine and drink list, and friendly service from a staff straight from the motherland. Combine all of this with Old Blue Eyes and other rat-pack era musicians supplying the soundtrack, and you are guaranteed to leave floating on a cloud …

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.

The key to The Saloon’s longevity over 40 years has been its unbeatable Italian cooking and the comprehensive service it devotes to every meal. Whether it’s an oversized celebration or an intimate table for two, The Saloon creates a distinctly customized dining experience for every patron and, as a result, has earned a loyal following that draws visitors from around the region. The menu is chock full of Italian classics while the kitchen creates sumptuous daily specials that will entice every palate. Old World charm and exacting standards combine to make The Saloon a sought after destination for hearty Italian …

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.

While Blue Bell Inn’s rich history shapes it to this day (Blue Bell itself was named for it), it is by no means stuck in the past. Owner/Executive Chef John Lamprecht Jr. regularly offers internationally-influenced specials (Crab Cake with Wasabi Cream) to compliment his largely classical menu. A sleek bar featuring live music and large-screen plasma televisions offers a buoyant, but refined retreat for professionals looking to unwind, and the small dining rooms’ colonial design creates an intimate atmosphere without being stuffy. Anyone looking for time-tested fine dining with modern sensibilities need look no further than Blue Bell Inn.

Friday Saturday Sunday started on a dare and became a Center City dining establishment known best for its wine list, the Tank Bar (a second-floor bar set before a jumbo fish tank), and its cream of mushroom soup. Located near Rittenhouse Square, the restaurant features dishes including pork chops, crab cakes, duck and butternut squash ravioli. Low-lit dining rooms are cozy enough to be romantic; they are also ideal for getting together with friends for dinner and a bottle of wine. The wine list offers about 70 varieties, all sold only $10 over cost.

A Philadelphia mainstay for 40 years, the Happy Rooster is a mixture of old-school refinement and quirky charm, making it a favorite spot among locals and visitors. Opened as Philadelphia's first vodka and caviar bar in 1968, it was famous for its great food and old-boys’ club feel. When new owner Rose Parrota took over in 2000, she made a few changes. What remains offers a refined, but cozy dining experience. The menu is a selection of classic dinner fare with a few contemporary twists, and the bar offers a diverse wine list. On any given night, you can find …

Tucked beneath the crimson awnings along Manayunk’s Main Street sits the quaint Il Tartufo. Chef and Owner Alberto Delbello’s menu offers elegant and reasonably priced Italian dishes, in a relaxing, casual setting. Fresh ingredients fill the menu, such as homemade mozzarella and daily seafood and salad specials. Classic pasta dishes, such as Gnocchi Pomodoro and Linguine alle Vongole, are also available as half-orders as an appetizer and side dish. Save room for dessert: Il Tartufo boasts mouthwatering classics such as tiramisu and amaretto cheesecake. This establishment accepts cash only.

Brought to you by the owners of Azie and Flavor, Teikoku is an experience to be enjoyed, savored and repeated. Serving contemporary Asian cuisine in a setting reminiscent of a Japanese temple, this Japanese and Thai fusion restaurant is worth the short drive to Newton Square. Teikoku offers lunch or dinner, a sophisticated lounge, an impressive wine list and a sleek sushi bar. Guests are served family-style in the restaurant’s divinely detailed dining room, designed by Jesse Gardener, who also designed Cuba Libre.

Located in the historic Corn Exchange Building in Old City, this Irish pub has a recognized reputation for great food, live entertainment, and a bustling atmosphere. French Chef Vincent Fanari has earned national praise for the innovative menu that mixes technique with the Irish appreciation of fresh vegetables and local products.

Tucked away on a not-so-traveled North Broad Street block lies Osteria, a glowing creation by the renowned Philadelphia Chef Marc Vetri. Service fit for kings and an ambience that spares not an ounce of luxury only begin to describe this experience. Dishes are rooted in the rolling hills of Tuscany, and guests may select from a non-traditional array of homemade Italian items, from crispy pizzas and pastas to meat and poultry dishes. An open kitchen greets patrons as they arrive while a full bar lined with a collection of wine corks beckons in the rear. Portions are small, but bursting …

Thomas' is full of pleasant surprises, from the American menu that fuses both creative and comfort foods to the wide selection from the bar that pleases both beer and wine lovers. This Philadelphia favorite was opened in 1982, and the interior boasts spacious rooms with a relaxed atmosphere. The menu features favorites such as Shrimp Bruschetta and Braised Pork, created by Executive Chef Kevin Smith. Enjoy a weekend brunch which features a selection of innovative salads and breakfast entrees. With special events every night of the week, such as karaoke, Wine Wednesdays and live music, Thomas’ Restaurant and Bar is …

Enjoy a cold cocktail—and seasonally, a warm fire—while watching the sunset over the Delaware River. In the summer, sit on the patio, and watch the calming river while munching candied walnuts atop a crisp Marguerita Salad. Please a selective palate with an atmosphere that offers choice: dress up, dress down; eat light, eat full; dine fancy or relax in an over-stuffed chair in the plush, yet relaxing, lounge. Satisfy mom’s flavor for flounder, a cousin’s craving for crabcakes, and still get your monthly mignon. Try the Yardley Inn, where classy contemporary is really choice.

Braised meats cook slowly while seductive aromas – saffron, cinnamon, and ginger – waft into the air, causing diners’ mouths to water with anticipation. A smattering of mostly local, casually dressed guests are spread evenly among the neatly outfitted tables. Such is the atmosphere at Figs, a cozy Fairmount stronghold since 2001 opened by Executive Chef/Owner Mustapha Rouissiya. The dining area of this pumpkin-colored Moroccan restaurant offers the perfect space for the blend of tasty Mediterranean-inspired dishes and energetic crowd that frequents the restaurant. Make sure to bring cash, since credit cards are not accepted at this trendy neighborhood bistro.

From the butter yellow walls to the bustling energy of its open kitchen, Mercato embraces diners with an uncommon warmth rarely found in restaurants of this size. Generous portions abound while menu items are a refreshingly eclectic marriage between new American cuisine and creative Italian fare. Executive Chef, Mackenzie Hilton succeeds at combining seasonal ingredients with innovative techniques to create a distinctively unconventional meal for adventurous diners. This BYOB is a standout favorite among Philadelphia's discerning residents and, for those without reservations, even weeknights promise a considerable but worthwhile wait.

Mixto Restaurant infuses the cuisines of Latin America and the Caribbean, providing an explosive Latin culinary experience. A part of Antique Row Center, the restaurant has brick and wrought-iron wooden decor, and a spicy Latino soundtrack. The incredibly diverse menu offers numerous selections from Mexico, South America, and distant Spain. Start with an appetizer such as the tangy Shrimp Ceviche in lemon sauce, or go straight to the delectable entrees, where the Pollo Champignon—chicken in a rich mushroom sauce with a cheesy baked potato cube—is one of many mouth-watering choices. Private rooms, a Latin-inspired wine list, and a loaded dessert …