Center City District Restaurant Week: Five Top Recs From Our Staff

I just went to Cry Baby Pasta in Society Hill for the first time with friends — and it was one of those experiences. You know when the food is so damn good, you’re already planning your next visit before you leave? That was me.

We ordered a bunch of dishes to share, and everything was so fresh, flavorful and amazing. Yes, there’s a lot of pasta — and you can’t go wrong with pasta and wine — but there’s a lot more to explore.

Surprisingly, my favorite dish was the mushroom truffle risotto — something I wouldn’t expect. We also had the butternut squash arancini, the chicken cacciatore with potatoes and the butterscotch budino (a salted caramel lover’s dream!).

In my mind, Dizengoff is synonymous with hummus. The classic, ultra-smooth Hummus Tehina is a must, but the warm, garlicky Turkish hummus is my personal favorite. Paired with the house-baked pita, I could easily make a meal out of Dizengoff’s hummus and pita alone.

And if you’re ordering larger plates, the crispy chicken schnitzel with a side of French fries is the move.

From the same team behind Zahav and Laser Wolf, this lively Israeli restaurant is so tasty that it recently earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation.

Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to check out a new spot with a bunch of friends. If you’re into that, I recommend Sampan in Midtown Village.

The menu is full of Asian-inspired small plates that are easy to share, and the Restaurant Week options are served family-style, so it’s the perfect excuse to try a few different dishes while catching up on the latest tea. It’s also very quaint and romantic, so it’s great for date night, too.

I personally love the pork bao buns and the lychee martini, but honestly, there’s nothing bad on the menu.

Tequila’s is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, period. Philly has a ton of great Mexican spots, from casual taco shops in the 9th Street Italian Market to special-occasion fine dining, and Tequila’s  — with its beautiful cocktail bar and dining room — is more upscale.

The team calls its style of cooking Guadaladelphia, a mix of Guadalajara and Philly. I appreciate how seafood- and veggie-forward the menu is with great options for everyone — vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike.

On the standard menu, I love the ceviche, aguachile — especially the shrimp one — and the pesca al ajillo, which changes daily but is always amazing.

Trattoria Carina is this great little corner Italian place in Fitler Square. The menu isn’t huge, but everything is really well done. I’d recommend trying the bolognese and the cacio e pepe whenever you can. And the cocktail list is simple, but everything you need: Negronis, Old Fashioneds, spritzes.

What I love most about the restaurant is the vibe. It’s intimate, cozy and homey — very much a neighborhood spot. But it’s also really romantic, so it’s definitely great for date night. It’s also not far from Fitler Square, the Schuylkill River Trail or even Rittenhouse Square, if you want to take a nice stroll after dinner.