After spending almost 100 years in Philadelphia's Academy of Music, the Philadelphia Orchestra sought to build a new home for future performances. Their vision for a new venue coalesced with then Mayor Ed Rendell's "Avenue of the Arts" concept for Broad Street, one that created a corridor of arts venues that now includes the Academy of Fine Arts, the Wilma and Philadelphia Theatre Company, and the recently built Kimmel Center. The building's two main performing spaces now house the Orchestra, various touring events, renowned dance company Philadanco, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and a number of smaller music and opera companies.
After building his reputation in New York as one of America's best chefs, Eric Ripert established his first Philadelphia restaurant around a simple concept: craft all the dishes only from what's locally available. Thankfully he can draw on a region that abounds in produce, meats and cheeses sold at the nearby Reading Terminal and Italian Market. Choose from Pennsylvania Brook Trout or farm-raised Rabbit Paillard, dip a big spoon into the Heirloom Corn Chowder topped with crème fraiche and think of the Philadelphia Phillies when you bite into the Angus Beef Hot Dog. His restaurant lies behind the massive columned façade of the Ritz Carlton hotel at the head of Broad Street. Even if you're not a guest, stop in for breakfast to sample his signature banana pancakes with organic maple syrup.
Ten Arts by Eric Ripert
10 Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2500
215-523-8273
10arts.com
If you can afford parquet seats at the Kimmel, you can probably afford to eat at Le Bec Fin. Founded by celebrity chef George Perrier in 1970, for years the Mobil Travel Guide ranked it as Philadelphia's only five-star restaurant. Economic challenges have forced Perrier to purposely downgrade to a four-star status that pairs a la carte selections with the seven-course prix-fixe, but nothing has changed in the service or the food quality. Perrier built his reputation on his straightforward approach to traditional French cuisine, reflected in his signature Gallette De Crabe, the seared foie gras and the lamb stuffed with truffles. In between courses, ask them to wheel out the cheese cart to select from decadent triple-crèmes and aged goudas, and try not to drool when they wheel out another cart after dinner filled with desserts like frozen Grand Marnier soufflé (many of which you can purchase to take home). No eatery in Philadelphia can match their selections of aperitifs, cognac, Armagnac and post-dinner digestifs, and their sommelier presides over an extensive wine selection ripe with selections from Bordeaux and the Southern Rhone. If you order the prix-fixe and plan to see a show that night, expect to spend at least two hours savoring the food and soaking up the service. It's quite simply, unforgettable.
Le Bec Fin
1523 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-567-1000
lebecfin.com
This second-story favorite has provided theatergoers with Northern Italian cuisine for decades in a location just a block from most Avenue of the Arts venues. Floor-to-ceiling length windows provide a spectacular view up and down Broad Street for patrons dining on homemade potato gnocchi, a selection of seafood that features a locally harvested fish of the day, and their signature hand-crafted lobster ravioli, which ranks as a consistent favorite. Order a double-espresso; you'll need it after pigging out on the rich, sugary desserts that include tiramisu, Grand Marnier crème brulee and a chocolate pyramid cake topped with berries. Even if you're not attending a music event at the Kimmel, stop in on the nights when they wheel out their grand piano to take requests.
Upstares at Varalli
231 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-546-6800
varalliusa.com
