Along with the many changes that are gracing Philadelphia, its restaurant scene has also blossomed, creating a diversity of dining experiences that includes newcomers and old standbys. Tom Russell, a veteran concierge at the Doubletree Philadelphia, suggests two eateries for attendees heading to town: XIX/Nineteen and McGillins Olde Ale House.
City views are bonuses that come with dining elegance at XIX/Nineteen (215.790.1919; www.parkphiladelphia.hyatt.com), located on the 19th floor of the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue. It’s an American brasserie with all-day service and a handsome bar area that has a working fireplace and a wine-tasting room with 300 European and American selections. Private dining and beautifully landscaped balconies (in season) are also part of the scene. Executive Chef Richard Hebben, who has been named one of the “Top U.S. Chefs” by Conde Nast Traveler, has created XIX/Nineteen’s seasonally changing, seafood-centric menu of dishes.
Many of Philadelphia’s multiple charms ride on its history and importance to the American story. Russell sends guests looking for an old-time ambience to McGillin’s Olde Ale House (215.735.5562; www.mcgillins.com). The watering hole opened its doors the year Lincoln was elected president, so the taps at McGillin’s have been flowing since 1860. It has outlasted Strawbridge’s department store, the Civil War and even Prohibition. Local and regional beers help maintain a great Irish pub with a Cheers-style atmosphere and good food at reasonable prices in Center City.
The region surrounding Philadelphia also has its share of new restaurants, in addition to tried-and-true longtime favorites. One standout is Coleman Restaurant (215.616.8500; www.normandyfarm.com/colemans), the culinary cornerstone of the Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center, which recently debuted in Blue Bell, situated about 30 minutes from Philadelphia in the Valley Forge region. Named for Chef Jim Coleman, who presides over the farm’s food and beverage operations, the restaurant’s menu is inspired by the property’s formidable history, tastes of the countryside and chef’s culinary visions. Guests enjoy a menu filled with fresh organic ingredients and an opulent bar and lounge fashioned inside a rectangular silo. Wood beams, ornamental carpeting, brick walls, and a fireplace heighten the rural ambience. Coleman Restaurant is part of Normandy Farm’s conference center, featuring 30,000 square feet of meeting space that includes two ballrooms for up to 400 people.
