Dining out is about much more than the food. Service, ambiance, and design all work together to make the best restaurant experiences. Here are six new eateries in Philly that opened in 2019 with a look that stands out.
Cicala at the Divine Lorraine
699 N. Broad Street
Joining the Philly restaurant scene at the very end of the year, this brand-new southern Italian eatery from Joe and Angela Cicala is a feast for the eyes, with gleaming chandeliers, plush seats, and antique touches.
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Jean-Georges Philadelphia
1 N. 19th Street
With its 40-foot windows, cleverly angled mirrors on the ceiling, and tables arranged for making the most of the spectacular views, the elegant Jean-Georges Philadelphia in the Four Seasons hotel on the top floors of the Comcast Technology Center was a shoo-in for Design of the Year honors in the 2019 Eater Awards.
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Vernick Fish
1 N. 19th Street
The Four Seasons hotel clearly has design down (see above). Chef Greg Vernick’s Vernick Fish, part of the hotel but located on street level in the Comcast Technology Center, is made up of multiple spaces — a long bar, a chef’s counter, an open kitchen, rows of booths and tables — that flow seamlessly into each other, with chic light fixtures hanging from tall ceilings.
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Alpen Rose
116 S. 13th Street
You’ll feel like a VIP stepping inside Alpen Rose. Michael Schulson and Nina Tinari’s steakhouse has an intimate, exclusive vibe with its small size, curved wood ceiling, leather booths, velvet curtains, and book-lined shelves. It’s like a cozy clubhouse, made even better by bone-in rib eye carved table-side.
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K’Far
110 S. 19th Street
The rose gold K’Far — the new Israeli restaurant in Rittenhouse from Mike Solomonov, Steve Cook, and executive chef Camille Cogswell — is prettiest during the day, when the sun bounces off the shiny light fixtures and marble counters (and the rugelach), but even with the lights dimmed at night this place is a looker.
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Alimentari
1730 Chestnut Street
Di Bruno Bros.’s Alimentari, upstairs at the Rittenhouse location of the gourmet grocery store, pulls off a perfect balance of homey and sophisticated, with a mix of tables and comfy couches in earthy colors, white tiled walls, high ceilings, and nostalgic photographs.
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