Philadelphia Restaurant Week(s)

So twice a year, Philadelphia (and I believe a number of other cities including Boston and London?) have something called "Restaurant Week." Although in reality it lasts for 2 weeks each time. There is Fall Restaurant Week (generally more popular) for 2 weeks of October and then Winter Restaurant Week for 2 weeks of January.

During these weeks many upscale restaurants offer a 3 (sometimes more) course meal from a semi-set menu for $35 for dinner and $20 for lunch. Restaurants are generally very busy these two weeks so definitely make a reservation.

I've participated in 3 "restaurant weeks" at 5 different restaurants and so here are my foodporn pics as well as short reviews on each restaurant based on their restaurant week menus. Get ready for A LOT of pictures!

List of Philadelphia Restaurants Participating in Restaurant Week

Bellini Grill

220 S 16th St

Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 545-1191

This was my first restaurant week experience back in January of 2012 since I didn't know about restaurant week during the fall. We decided to go quite late and so many of the more popular restaurants were all booked out. Bellini Grill was definitely not bad, but not particularly outstanding either. Although it should be noted that they gave us a salad course as well as an appetizer so you get 4 courses instead of 3. Also, please excuse how yellow the pictures are, it was very yellow lighting in the restaurant.

Oh freshman days in the dorms!

R2L

50 S 16th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 564-5337

R2L is located on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place and has great views of Philadelphia. I came here during October 2012 with my two ex-roommates from freshman year as kind of a reunion/girls night out. The food was indeed delicious, although not as filling as Bellini Grill. The atmosphere and views were quite nice. And it was definitely more upscale than Bellini Grill. Definitely check out R2L during restaurant week!

haha I thought their napkins were very LV-esqe

We all ordered the same entree

Fogo de Chao

1337 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 636-9700

Fogo de Chao is actually a chain restaurant of sorts. I believe there are a few other locations around the US including LA, but none the less, it is definitely one of the most popular restaurants for restaurant week. Fogo is a Brazilian steakhouse that is all you can eat. Normally it is $50 a person and for that you get unlimited access to their appetizer bar which is actually pretty good and includes many salads, soups, and even smoked salmon (my fav) and then servers carry all sorts of steaks around and serve you at your table when you turn your little token to the green side. Oh and unlimited sides as well! Annnnd you indulge until you can't walk anymore.
During restaurant week, you still get everything as usual except for $35 a person and dessert (which you normally pay separately for I believe)! I came here with Andrew because he loves steak and definitely gets his money's worth haha. Definitely make early reservations for this place!

Andrew and I got very similar appetizers

fancy silverware and tongs to you help get your meat from the servers

After eating way too much...

Melting Pot

1219 Filbert St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-7002

Melting Pot is a sort of fondue meets hot pot kind of place. During restaurant week you get to choose a type of cheese for your appetizer fondue, a salad, a broth and plate of uncooked meats for your entree, and finally a type of chocolate for your dessert fondue.

We went here with another couple and it was fun and yummy but definitely not filling, especially for the boys.

So many sauces! :D

They flambe the chocolate fondue for you

Amada

217-219 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-2450

Amada is a Spanish tapas restaurant which are basically many small dishes to share. I like to think of it as Spanish dimsum haha. During restaurant week, we get to chose two appetizers, two entrees, and a dessert. I came here with my good girl friend for a night of girly talk and such haha. Since there were two of us we got a total of 10 dishes to share! Amada is DELICIOUS and it's great that you get to try so many dishes however everything is quite small so it's not the most filling place.