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| FROM LEFT: Chef Masaharu Morimoto; Ginger semifreddo with couscous and candied fruit at Vetri |
Like Mom Makes
Marc Vetri believes degustazione (the Italian word for a tasting) should feel like being the guest of honor at a home-cooked dinner. At his dining room at Vetri, the restaurateur puts his trust in handpicked fresh and seasonal ingredients produced locally for exquisite Italian cuisine made even better with Jeff Benjamin’s wine pairings from a stock of more than 500 labels. The hand-painted menus are as much works of art as Vetri’s small plates. Reservations are required for the chef’s tasting menu, offered every night except for Sunday. 1312 Spruce St.; vetriristorante.com
Yin and Yang
Get to know international chef Masaharu Morimoto by trying his omakase menu at Morimoto, a multicourse menu of Japanese cuisine and sushi featuring favorites like toro tartare, hamachi carpaccio and lobster epice in the modern, psychedelic interior of this flagship restaurant. Offered every evening, the chef’s tasting menu is best when washed down with the Exclusive Sake Omakase, which complements the courses. 723 Chestnut St.; morimotorestaurant.com
Parisian Plates
A French-style bistro at the edge of the Center City East, Zinc makes it hard to choose among Parisian favorites like escargots and foie gras palé. Leave the choice up to chef David Salvatore, who will present you with a five-course meal with optional wine pairings. The chef’s tasting menu is offered nightly. 246 S. 11th St.; zincbarphilly.com
Local Love
Sundays are sweetest at Pumpkin, when the restaurant offers an ever changing five-course tasting menu that spotlights fine local ingredients. The hefty meal doesn’t break the bank but also doesn’t skimp, with luxurious choices like pork belly, escargot, Rhode Island skate and duck confit. Don’t forget that this South Street jewel is BYO. 1713 South St.; pumpkinphilly.com
