Each market within the Haute Residence network is unique in its own special way, here John Bolaris of BlackLabel KW takes Haute Residence on a tour of the best of the best in the Philadelphia Market.
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Best Places to Eat
Friday Saturday Sunday: The best upscale and hidden restaurant in the city. Reservations are scarce, so planning in advance is important. The menu is selective but each dish is exceptional and it pays to trust the chef on what is best. You can't go wrong on any dish. It won the 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant.
Melograno: Exceptional Italian food in a comfortable setting. It's BYOB, so stop for wine beforehand. The menu is full of shareable, Roman-inspired dishes. Try the Pinsa, which is a Roman-inspired pizza that puts a twist on what you would normally call "pizza".
South Philly Barbacoa: A GEM of a restaurant in South Philly that serves Mexican food and exceptional barbacoa. Run by the James Beard Award-winning chef Cristina Martinez, everything on the menu is fantastic. Obviously, the barbacoa taco is a highlight, but the pancita (sausage made from lamb and turkey) is a closer second. Everything is prepared on freshly made corn tortillas. They're only open on Saturdays and Sundays, and you should plan to arrive no later than 11 to get in line. Another highlight is the Oaxaxa cheese, which is exceptionally fresh. A nearby employee of Di Bruno Brothers makes an appearance once a week to prepare and stretch the cheese. It adds a velvety texture to the dishes. South Philly barbacoa was featured on Netflix's Chef's Table.
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Best Places to Stay
Four Seasons Philadelphia: This is the epitome of luxury hospitality in Philadelphia. From the rooms to the restaurant on the 59th floor (Jean-Georges), there are no corners cut at this hotel. The service is exceptional, as you'd expect from the Four Seasons. The Spa overlooking the art museum is nothing short of exceptional. After a day of exploring the city, you can come back to your hotel for a drink at the sleekest hotel bar in Philly with almost 360º views of the city skyline. Even if you don't stay at the Four Seasons, it's worth a trip to Jean-Georges for the remarkable elevator ride up to the 59th floor.
Rittenhouse Hotel: Nestled on the west end of Rittenhouse Square is the Rittenhouse Hotel. It's more understated than the Four Seasons, but no less luxurious. It was named one of the 10 best hotels in Philadelphia. There are two outstanding restaurants that call the Rittenhouse Hotel home, Scarpetta and Mary Cassatt Tea Room. You're right in the heart of Rittenhouse Square too, which has the best shopping, dining, and people watching.
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Best Things To Do
Visit Harp & Crown and Go Bowling: Harp & Crown is one of the city's most well-known restaurants. It's frequented by the likes of Kendall Jenner, Drake, and Ben Simmons. On the first floor it's a restaurant, then on the lower floor below it's a swanky speakeasy with two bowling lanes called 'Elbow Lane'. Reservations to bowl are required, but it makes for a great late-evening activity after dinner on the square.
Visit Helium Comedy Club: Catch a show at Helium Comedy Club, a club where notable comedians such as Kevin Hart have tried out new material. You should plan to buy tickets in advance if you're seeing someone noteworthy, but even stopping by for an open mic night to hear regional comics is surely a good time.
Visit the Italian Market: Located on 9th Street, it's one of the oldest and most well-known open-air markets in the country. The smells of fresh food and the buzz of the vendors lining the streets are iconic. Several others also visit this area for other cuisines, such as Mexican, Vietnamese, and Korean food. The array of products and the experience as a whole is truly phenomenal and a "must-do".
For more information, please contact BlackLabel KW at 215-692-6636 or info@blacklabelkw.com
BlackLabel KW is one of the exclusive teams representing the Philadelphia, PA real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.
