La Calaca Feliz (Fairmount Philadelphia, PA)

La Calaca Feliz (Fairmount Philadelphia, PA)
2321 Fairmount Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: (215) 787-9930
Website: lacalacafeliz.com


I had to the opportunity to dine at La Calaca Feliz for Restaurant Week.  For $25 dollars during restaurant week an appetizer, entree, and desert course are each available.  It is a very good deal as most restaurant week 3 course prix fixe menus run $35 dollars. 

The food was quite good and highlights include the crab fundido and seafood enchilada.  I also enjoyed my ceviche, but I'm a bit of a sucker for decent ceviche.

Bellini Grill (Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia, PA)

Bellini Grill (Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia, PA)
220 S. 16th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 545-1191
Website: bellinigrill.com

With a large crowd for dinner, it can get tricky trying to plan a dinner.  Bellini Grill is good for large groups and is BYOB/BYOW/BYO(insert alcohol), the only downside is that it can be a bit hectic, a tad crowded, and the timing is never as exact as you would hope.  Other the other hand, for this evening's review, I was in attendance with a party of 22 people.   This is extremely difficult to pull off in center city.  As such, if you have a large group and temper your expectations, it's doable.

Food is decent and they offered the standard restaurant week fare with a bevy of selections.

Sbraga (Rittenhouse Square/Avenue of the Arts Philadelphia, PA)

Sbraga (Rittenhouse Square/Avenue of the Arts Philadelphia, PA)
40 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 735-1913
Website: sbraga.com

I have been meaning to go to Top Chef Kevin Sbraga's Restaurant for a long time now.  Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity.  This was resolved recently.

My friend got us reservations for my birthday dinner.  Sbraga offers a 4 course prix fixe menu for $49 dollars along with a wine pairing.  With prix fixe menus, I generally know which choices to make, but the lovely thing about Sbraga are the item choices.  There are plenty of dishes to choose from and all of them are well done and appealing.

Highlights/Favorites included: Foie Gras Soup (possibly my favorite dish of the evening), Grilled Octopus, Pasta with Lamb Ragu, Deconstructed Key Lime Pie with Home Made Raspberry Sorbet.  I also really appreciated the birthday card signed by the chef and the signed menu from the entire staff.  It's such little touches that made the dining experience above and beyond.  Thanks to the entire restaurant management and staff.

Hunan Delight (Park Slope, New York)

Hunan Delight (Park Slope, New York)
752 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 789-1400
hunan-delight.com

When I think chinese food in New York, I think Flushing, then Chinatown in Manhattan.  Visiting friends in Park Slope we had a relaxing Sunday lunch at Hunan Delight.  The hunan spice was toned down a bit but it most likely reflective of the neighborhood.

I especially enjoyed my clay pot tofu while sitting outdoors.