Mercato $$
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1216 Spruce St., 215/985-2962,
www.mercatobyob.com
HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 5–10:30 p.m.,
Fri.–Sat. 5–11 p.m., Sun. 5–10 p.m.
COST: Most entrées between $10–20
Mercato, a tiny cash-only BYOB is always noisy and crowded—partly due to the close tables and its immense popularity, and also perhaps because most guests here like to drink (it’s not abnormal to see a 1:1 ratio of guests to wine bottles at a table).
Chef Evan Turney (also of Valanni across the street) serves excellent modern Italian dishes at reasonable prices from his open kitchen. Start with a plate of bread and artisan cheese paired with an olive oil tasting. Then choose from an array of pasta, fish, and meat dishes that combine traditional and updated flavors and preparations.
A molten chocolate lava cake and a mascarpone cheesecake are just two of the excellent desserts. Reservations are not taken, so you’ll often have to wait for a table—especially on weekends—but it’s well worth it.
© Karrie Gavin from Moon Philadelphia, 1st Edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.