Center City District Restaurant Week: Five New-ish Restaurants to Try This September

With more than 95 restaurants participating in the 20th-anniversary edition of Center City District Restaurant Week, it’s virtually impossible to try them all. So why not try something new?

The following are new restaurants that have opened in the past year and a half in Center City — and you can’t go wrong with any of ’em (arranged in alphabetical order):

• Amina: After a day of sightseeing in Philadelphia’s historic Old City neighborhood, fuel up at Amina, which specializes in Southern dishes. This Black-owned restaurant from owner Felicia Wilson and chef-partner Darryl Harmon pays homage to the 16th-century warrior queen Amina, who hailed from what’s now Nigeria. Restaurant Week spectacles like Flaming Lobster Bisque and the Wagyu Beef Meatloaf leave you plenty full, but don’t go home without trying the Deconstructed Watermelon Cheesecake or the Red Velvet Fried Oreos (104 Chestnut Street).

• Darling Jack’s Tavern: Snack with sophistication at this brand-new neighborhood tavern from Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, the partners behind Philly hotspots like Barbuzzo, Bud & Marilyn’s and Little Nonna’s. This moody and upscale Midtown Village favorite brings it back to the basics with refined takes on dishes that Turney and Safran, themselves, love to eat. Jack’s is known for elevated comfort foods like shareable thin-crust pan pizza, beer-battered crispy fish and smoked bone-in short rib. Stay tuned for the full Restaurant Week menu (104 S. 13th Street.)

• The Hayes: The Hayes is a Midtown Village contemporary American tavern and gastropub from acclaimed Chef Townsend Wentz seven days a week, boasting a full menu of new American cuisine local brews, classic cocktails, wines on tap, and more. Housed adjacent to Chef Wentz’ Spanish tapas and sherry bar concept Oloroso, The Hayes provides modern, ultra-decadent versions of classic pub fare like burgers, mussels and wings. Keep an eye out for when their Restaurant Week menu drops (1123 Walnut Street).

The Hayes   — Photo courtesy Lexy Pierce Photography

• Pearl & Mary Oyster Bar: Add another one to Michael Schulson’s restaurant empire. Pearl & Mary Oyster Bar offers up fresh-shucked oysters and lobster amid other raw bar offerings, not to mention a bevy of flavorful and creative seafood entrées. The fully stocked bar, chic decor and vibrant atmosphere make this spot a go-to for after-work happy hours — and you won’t want to skimp on the cocktails. The spot’s Restaurant Week menu is yet to be announced, so stay tuned (114 S. 13th Street).

Pearl & Mary Oyster Bar   — Photo by B. Furlong

• Restaurant Aleksandar: Spearheaded by restaurateur Aleksandar Stojnic, who grew up in Germany, this concept couples fine dining with culinary creations rooted in a family cookbook. Step into the recovered industrial interior of Restaurant Aleksandar, and you’ll feel instantly at ease. Could it be because of the hearty eastern European-influenced fare like the plump pierogies with smoked creme fraiche or the whole-roasted Arctic Char with scallops? Yes. What about the artwork made exclusively by Stojnic’s own mother? Also, yes. How about the ever-growing wine catalog? Yep, that, too (126 S. 19th Street).

Restaurant Aleksandar   — Photo by Society Hill Films