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Valentine’s Day weekend begins tomorrow, and restaurants throughout the city will be serving up luscious fare with a side of romance.
Three of South Philadelphia’s most romantic settings are owned by a husband and wife team. Chef Lynn Rinaldi and her chef beau Corey Baver turn out extraordinary Italian cuisine at Paradiso.
Contemporary American fare takes center stage at Fond, where Chef Lee Styer and his pastry chef wife Jessie Prawlucki create menus with seasonal ingredients.
Near the Italian Market, chef Pierre Calmels and his wife Charlotte were responsible for bringing classic French cuisine front and center when they opened Bibou BYOB. The couple recently opened Le Chéri near Rittenhouse Square.
When I think of Valentine’s Day and romance, I immediately think of these lush ingredients served at Paradiso, Fond and Bibou. They are among my favorite restaurants.
When Paradiso opened in the autumn of 2004, I quickly became enraptured with Rinaldi’s talent and vision for a romantic Italian restaurant. Her menu holds true to the three course Italian dinner: antipasti, primi and secondi. One of my favorite ways to begin dinner is to savor Rinaldi’s chicken liver mousse served with homemade crostini. This classic dish from Abruzzi is rarely seen on restaurant menus. Handmade pastas are silky ribbons bathed in seasonal sauces. They may include rabbit ragu or the lightest potato gnocchi in the city. Last November, I tucked into an entrée of stuffed breast of veal with spinach and sublime reduction sauce that can only be called outstanding.
Paradiso
1627 E. Passyunk Ave.
215-271-2066
paradisophilly.com
Fond moved to 11th and Tasker streets from East Passyunk Avenue and with the move came a liquor license. Styer has the uncanny ability to select ingredients that sing on the plate. He calls his cuisine contemporary American because one can find Asian and European influences in any number of dishes. Look to Italy for his yellowfin tuna crudo, France for a classic pork rillette salad and east meets west for a Thai curry escargot appetizer. Entrées often feature a selection of fish dishes such as organic salmon, skate wing, which I am happy to see make a comeback, and swordfish. Pork belly and short ribs will warm hearts and innards on a cold winter’s night.
Fond
1537 S. 11th St.
215-551-5000
fondphilly.com
Although the Calmels are spending their time at Le Cheri, the menu at Bibou retains the chef’s creations. His escargot with fava beans and royal trumpet mushrooms is one of my favorite ways to begin dinner there. Foie gras is always on the menu and features a duo of seared Hudson Valley foie gras with date compote and a creamy silky custard version. Entrée selections are well-balanced and feature wild halibut, roast quail and hanger steak.
Bibou
1009 S. Eighth St.
215-965-8290
biboubyob.com
For those venturing outside of South Philly, Matyson offers a la carte and tasting menus each week. Chef Ben Puchowitz’s five-course tasting menu, offered Monday through Thursday, includes oysters, Atlantic salmon tartare, duck pappardelle, beef tenderloin and chocolate foie gras mousse.
Matyson
37 S. 19th St.
215-564-2925
matyson.com
Finally, for those who find romance in cooking rack of lamb for two on Valentine’s Day weekend, my favorite romantic brunch spot is still XIX at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. This exquisite hotel will entice one with beautiful views of the city, and the sumptuous buffet features one of the best raw bars in town. Oysters, shrimp and clams are just the beginning for an afternoon of culinary passion.
XIX
200 S. Broad St.
215-790-1919
philadelphia.bellevue.hyatt.com
What are your top-5 spots to enjoy a romantic meal around Philadelphia?
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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