Traveling Table: Philadelphia
Global flavors influence this cultural capital's latest hot spots
Parc This lovely (and loud!) brasserie plays the part of Paris perfectly--with patinaed mirrors and smoke-worn walls--but this is pure Philly. As soon as Parc (pictured) opened its doors to Rittenhouse Square, it became the neighborhood's social club. Order a basket of croissants ($8) and café au lait for brunch at the sidewalk café; a half-dozen oysters ($15) and rosé at the bar for happy hour; and French onion soup ($10) and trout amandine ($22) in the dining room at dinner--and the city's best baguette ($3) to go at the hostess stand. Parc, 227 S. 18th St.; 215-545-2262 or parc-restaurant.com
Paesano This tiny takeout spot, established by the owners of beloved Modo Mio, is the answer to that endless debate: Who makes the city's best Italian hoagie? It's here, in a seeded roll stuffed with mortadella, prosciutto, ham, arugula and cheese ($6). (The menu says mozzarella, but provolone is a common request.) The juicy roast-pork sandwich ($8) is a contender, too. 152 W. Girard Ave.; 267-886-9556 or modomiorestaurant.com
Kanella With its narrow dining room and chef-owner hard at work in the open kitchen, Kanella looks like a typical city BYOB. But this chef is the intense Konstantinos Pitsillides, and there's nothing typical about his vibrant Cypriot cuisine. His latest trick: fish ribs. The meaty, flavorful ribs of the pacu fish are chargrilled and served as an appetizer ($9) with a classic herb-yogurt sauce. 1001 Spruce St.; 215-922-1773 or kanellarestaurant.com
Zahav The Israeli spices on the menu may not be familiar, but Philly-favorite chef Michael Solomonov's deft execution will be. From the handmade laffa bread that arrives with hummus ($8) to the main attraction of coal-grilled skewers of house-made merguez ($9) and saffron-scented lamb ($10), Solomonov's flavors remain focused, even in the lively dining room fueled by cocktails like the bourbon-spiked Lemonnana ($9.50) and pumpernickel-infused Marble Rye ($9). 237 St. James Pl.; 215-625-8800 or zahavrestaurant.com
