Philadelphia and its bucolic neighbor Bucks County might not have the food reputation of New York or San Francisco, but that's changing. "Food & Wine" Editor-in-Chief Dana Cowin wrote recently that "it's an outstanding place to eat," and added: "There are now more places I want to try in Philadelphia than in New York." So whether you prefer a city or country vibe, there are Philadelphia and Bucks County restaurants to suit your needs.
Voted Best of Bucks County 2009 by the "Bucks County Courier Times," Issac Newton's is a casual dining restaurant with traditional American food. Entrees include meatloaf, jumbo lump crab cake and barbecue baby back ribs. They also offer a variety of soups and salads, as well as a children's menu. Watch for their monthly brewery promo nights, when you can sample a variety of beers. Issac Newton's is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and until 11 p.m. on weekends.
Issac Newton's
18 South State Street
Newtown, PA 18940
215-860-5100
isaacnewtons.com
Southern Creole specialist Marsha Brown in New Hope received eight awards from Open Table, including "Best Food," "Best Service" and "Most Booked." Known for an ornate setting in a 19th-century church, the restaurant's menu features Bourbon Street Sautéed Catfish and Mamére's Crab Cheese Cake, which combines jumbo lump crab meat, smoked gouda and green onion coulis with a remoulade sauce. For a meatless option, there's the Soulfully Vegetarian Napoleon with roasted eggplant, peppers and seasonal vegetables in a Creole butter sauce. Marsha Brown is open seven days a week for dinner starting at 5 p.m., and lunch on Wednesdays through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Marsha Brown
15 South Main Street
New Hope, PA 18938
215-862-7044
marshabrownrestaurant.com
This upscale casual restaurant is the brainchild of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and restaurant mogul Stephen Starr. For tourist convenience, it's near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, but it's far from a tourist-trap establishment. Reservations are recommended at Morimoto, even for a lunchtime nosh. If you're not sure what you want for dinner try the Omakase, a selection of courses chosen by the chef. For lunch---Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.--you may opt for a sushi bar selection or a lunch set that includes an entree, miso soup and a house salad. They're open for dinner starting at 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Morimoto
723 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-413-9070
morimotorestaurant.com
Rouge 98 may be your spot if you're looking for a burger in the City of Brotherly Love. Epicurious.com named the Rouge Burger one of the top 12 burgers in the country. In a "GQ" article, "The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die," the Rouge Burger is No. 4 on the list. They use a challah roll, instead of a traditional bun, as well as gruyere cheese and caramelized onions on their burgers. For the nonburger lover, top choices include Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna, Sautéed Calamari Bolognese or the Pork Milanese. Rouge is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, starting at 11:30 a.m. On Saturdays and Sundays they're open for brunch starting at 10:30 a.m.
Rouge 98
205 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-732-6622
rouge98.com
