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1. Django
526 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 · 215-922-7151
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SOUTH STREET. Not just another in the long list of fabulous Philly BYOs, this tiny South Street New American gets stellar marks for dishes inspired by the culinary diversity of Europe. Indeed, the ever-evolving menu is anything but predictable, and on a given night you might find yourself having to make the tough-but-rewarding choice between the familiar (perhaps a well-conceived roasted duck or veal sirloin) and something a touch more exotic, like grilled octopus or venison with mole. Space is very limited at Django, so reservations are a must.
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2. Little Fish
600 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 · 215-413-3464
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QUEEN VILLAGE. This quaint Queen Village BYOB doesn't offer many seats, and the ones it does have can become hotly contested once the weekend rolls around. Translation: Make reservations. Once you've taken care of that, know that owner-chef John Tiplitz will have some outstanding seafood creations waiting for you, and the culinary tour de force may just feature everything from Mediterranean-inspired stews to wine-steamed mussels to any of his delicious pan-seared fish dishes. NB Sunday five-course prix fix: $28.
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3. L'Angolo
1415 Porter St, Philadelphia, PA 19145 · 215-389-4252
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SOUTH PHILLY. With its open kitchen and snug yet comfortably-appointed dining room, it's easy to see why this neighborhood charmer draws such a loyal following from year to year. In fact, if you want the point made even more poignantly, try to snag a table on a Friday or Saturday without making reservations. Superbly done pasta dishes, of course, are the house specialty, and you'll find few kitchens as dedicated to and as proud of their craft as L'Angolo's. Greatly assisting the place's enormous popularity is the fact that it's more than fairly priced.
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4. Matyson
37 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 · 215-564-2925
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CENTER CITY. Named for co-owners Matthew and Sonjia Spector, this New American BYOB is located just a few strides north of Rittenhouse Square, placing it quite close to many of the city's top hotels. Attractive and unpretentious, the space is perfect for those seeking a quiet, peaceful setting for dinner. The changing menu might include Kung Po calamari, steak frites, sautéed striped bass with green bean and oyster salad, and soft shell crab tempura.
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5. Melograno
2201 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 · 215-875-8116
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CENTER CITY. It's not that the folks who regularly patronize this snug Italian bistro didn't want you to discover it for yourself, but after taking one meal at Melograno you'll selfishly agree that this is one of those places you hope never loses it's "off-the-radar" quality. Subtly dressed with wooden tables, hardwood floors, fresh flowers, bare white walls and an open kitchen, Melograno has the look and feel of the little neighborhood eateries found in Europe. And the food, it's safe to say, could give any of those places a run for their money – especially the mashed potato-stuffed ravioli and bistecca alla fiorentina.
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NORTHERN LIBERTIES. Once, folks in the Northern Liberties gathered at this intimate BYOB spot, formerly Aden, to enjoy Mediterranean fare. These days, though, its the New American cookery that has them clamoring. Weathered brick walls, intimate cafe tables, outdoor seating and an open kitchen – the space exudes all the charm and ambiance you could ask for. The food is nothing short of fantastic thanks to well-presented main courses like grilled skirt steak with caramelized shallots and sweet potato frites or lamb loin chop with minted orzo, feta and aged Balsamic.
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NORTHERN LIBERTIES. Folks who reside in the Northern Liberties have plenty of choices when it comes to dining out, but there aren't many restaurants in the area that neighbors hold in as high regard as this family-owned Italian. Known for its creative fare and lively atmosphere, Il Cantuccio is typical of many Philly-area BYOBs – it's small (seating is at a premium on weekend nights), it's personable, and it does what it does (specifically fresh seafood and dishes of homemade pasta dishes) very well.
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WEST PHILLY. The novelty of being the city's first Laotian restaurant has worn off some, and these days Vientiane gets press on the merits of what it does really well – that is to say, fabulous dishes that capture the essence of Southeast Asia. Exotic ingredients flavor each and every dish, from the skewer and curries to the pad thai and spring rolls. Friendly and at times a bit snug, the space has emerged as a popular date spot for the 20-somethings who live and work in the neighborhood.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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