If you are hungry for a good meal and a delicious story, this book is here to serve you. It introduces you to the most fascinating restaurants and chefs in Philadelphia. Discover how two chocolatiers got engaged; dinners interrupted by bungled mob hits; restaurants that survived an earthquake, a fire, and even Prohibition; a secret restaurant that began in a backyard tent; and a distillery that started in a basement. The book includes the sweet and spicy stories behind more than 90 bistros, bars, bakeries, and breweries - restaurants with moving stories and good food and drink. Learn how to get reservations at trendy restaurants and into secret speakeasies. Find the most sinful desserts, where senior citizens dine with college seniors, where to taste goat, and spot celebrities too. Philadelphia, perhaps best known for its famous cheesesteaks, is finally getting recognized for its restaurant scene. It seems natural that a city sandwiched between two rivers would become one of the hottest food cities in America. With so many great restaurants, this book will help you to be well read and well fed.

Food Lovers' Guides Indispensable handbooks to local gastronomic delights The ultimate guides to the food scene in their respective states or regions, these books provide the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy, and celebrate local culinary offerings. Engagingly written by local authorities, they are a one-stop for residents and visitors alike to find producers and purveyors of tasty local specialties, as well as a rich array of other, indispensable food-related information including: • Food festivals and culinary events • Farmers markets and farm stands • Specialty food shops • Places to pick your own produce • One-of-a-kind restaurants and landmark eateries • Recipes using local ingredients and traditions • The best wineries and brewpubs

Culinary Memories from Philadelphia's Past...Beyond the Cheesesteak Long before Philadelphia's food scene was splashed on covers of Bon Appetit and local establishments garnered accolades like "America's best restaurant," culinary pioneers set the city's restaurant industry ablaze. Frenchman Georges Perrier brought the city the highest, most-respected opulence, Le Bec-Fin, for 40 years running. The ultimate seafood institute, Old Original Bookbinder's, held the title of the world's largest lobster tank and prepared impeccable oyster Rockefeller. Steve Poses changed the culinary game with the Frog that captivated palates with the infusion of international flavors. The nation's very first automat, Horn & Hardart's, consistently delivered near-perfect comfort food classics via vending machine. Amy Strauss revisits celebrated spaces, unforgettable personalities and must-have recipes that made Philadelphia's historic restaurants remembered for their delicious moments in time.

When renowned national food critic John Mariani ranked Philadelphia's food scene among the top ten in the country, placing it alongside longtime culinary destinations New York and San Francisco, nobody at Philadelphia Magazine was surprised. That's what the magazine's food critics—always in search of the best of Philly—have known for years. Now, the Philadelphia Magazine's Ultimate Restaurant Guide condenses their comprehensive knowledge—and thousands of meals—into one informative, easy-to-digest handbook, essential for both the Philadelphia foodie and the hungry tourist. What's on the menu: * Profiles of Philadelphia's most influential chefs and restaurant owners, including Le Bec-Fin's Georges Perrier, and restaurant mogul Stephen Starr. * A behind-the-scenes look at the Philadelphia food purveyors, who are responsible for some of the nation's hottest food trends—from La Colombe coffee to Metropolitan Bakery's artisanal breads to Jubilee Chocolates. * Reviews of more than 230 of the best restaurants in the Philadelphia region, from Center City mainstays Susanna Foo and Morimoto to suburban destinations Alison at Blue Bell and Carmine's Café. * Easy-to-use index of restaurants by cuisine and neighborhood.