Here are the best places to take a date in Philadelphia.
Laurel
Poised in the elegant Passyunk neighborhood, this lovely locale is a total tour de force on Nicholas Elmi’s behalf, cultivating a combination of American cuisine, futuristic sustainability and traditional French cooking. For just $130 per guest, you can enjoy myriad delectable bites—think L’Arpege egg and caviar on a soft sourdough bun along with brown butter roasted black bass lathered in corn espuma, chanterelles, daylily and kimchi. 1617 E. Passyunk Ave., restaurantlaurel.com/menus
The Love
Just one trip to this bilevel eatery is enough to mesmerize any culinary connoisseur. Famed Philadelphia restaurateur Aimee Olexy handcrafted each dish, such as summer seafood cioppino composed of mussels, squash, shrimp, scallops and a creamy tomato-lemon-garlice broth, as well as the drink menu. There, you’ll find sumptuous spirits ranging from Dios Baco ‘Oxford 1970’ Pedro Ziminex sherry to a simple amaro cora. 130 S. 18th St., theloverestaurant.com
Barclay Prime
Staged as a sleek European library, this classic Rittenhouse staple is the prime spot to dress to the nines and dine in cool, dim splendor. You could start off with tuna tartare for just $20 then move onto a hearty entree of butter poached lobster for $85. No matter what you order, you’ll be sure to leave satiated and satisfied. 237 S. 18th St., barclayprime.com
Steak 48
This acclaimed steakhouse marked their stamp across the country with locations in Houston, Chicago and Charlotte. However, their Philadelphia locale boasts an unparalleled selection of prime plates at a $100 minimum per guest—think braised pork belly, shetland island salmon and domestic wagyu filet. 260 S. Broad St., https://www.steak48.com/steakhouses/philadelphia/
Photography by: Courtesy of Jay Wennington
