Top 3 Philly Restaurant Week Picks

‘Tis the season for Philly’s Restaurant Week! For almost two weeks, Philly’s restaurants serve us the best of the best for a discount. Believe it or not, you can get three (and sometimes four or five) courses for $20 at lunch and $35 at dinner. It is almost too good to be true. As someone who doesn’t often order appetizers or desserts, this is my week to splurge and treat myself. Luckily, this week my mom was in town visiting, so I got to experience double the food at some of our favorite restaurants. Per usual, these restaurants were amazing. But, it seemed that the kitchen skimped on food and did not put so much care into the Restaurant Week meals. Nonetheless, we left these spots with full bellies and wide smiles. Check out my reviews!

Bud & Marilyn’s

Bud & Marilyn’s, without a doubt, is one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. From their old-school decor to their traditional American dishes, this restaurant makes you feel like you’re having a classic family dinner at your grandma’s house (in the best way possible). I frequent this restaurant probably once a month, so when I saw they were participating in Restaurant Week I was very excited! Although drinks were not included, I of course ordered their AMAZING frose, which is one of the best I have ever had. I ordered the Nashville Hot Buns and my mom ordered the heirloom tomatoes on seeded toast. Every single time I order the buns they blow my mind. I never imagined that a little chicken sandwich could be so good!! Also, the toast was so delicious it made eating healthy seem easy! For dinner, I ordered the meatloaf and my mom ordered the rigatoni alla norma. I always get the meatloaf because I am a sucker for mashed potatoes. I was content with the meal, but they plated it very poorly and only gave me a few slices of zucchini even though the dish was supposed to come with carrots (which are usually delicious here!). I would understand this zucchini option if our waitress mentioned that the kitchen was out of carrots or explained some other situation, but I was left confused and a bit disappointed. After dinner, our desserts were the whiskey butterscotch bread pudding and the blood orange Thai basil sorbet. I adored my sorbet and would definitely get it again. On the other hand, the bread pudding was a little disappointing, but enjoyable. Overall, dinner was enjoyable, per usual here at Bud & Marilyn’s.

Rating: 7/10 for restaurant week, 10/10 every other week 

Savings: Me: about $5 Mom: about $10

Recommendations: Our appetizers and desserts were a good choice. If you want more bang for your buck, I would recommend ordering the fried chicken for dessert since it comes with way more food than our entrees did. 

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

If you ever need to impress someone, you gotta come here. Not only is the food incredible, but the decor and ambiance of this restaurant makes you feel like you’re the fanciest dang person alive. This menu offered the most savings of Restaurant Week by a landslide!! My mom and I both ordered lobster bisque for the appetizer, filet mignon and mashed potatoes for lunch, and the chocolate mousse for dessert. Before our meal came out, we were given the most delicious bread I have ever had in my entire life to munch on. I wish I could explain how good it was, but words could not do it justice. The soup was outstanding, and I have come to the conclusion that steak houses always have the best seafood bisque. I do wish that there were more lobster chunks in the soup! Afterward, our second course was phenomenal. The steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. I am the biggest fan of mashed potatoes, and when I say that these were incredible, you have to believe me. I would order a bucket if I could! For dessert, the mousse was really great. It was simple, but the chocolate flavor was aromatic and rich.

Rating: 10/10 for restaurant week, 11/10 every other week

Savings: Me: about $45 Mom: about $45 

Recommendations: Exactly what we got! Compared to everyone else’s plates, we seemed to have ordered the best options.

Barbuzzo

Barbuzzo is best. Simple as that. It is my absolute favorite restaurant in Philly and will be forever and ever. So, of course I had to come here for Restaurant Week! The menu had all of my favorites on it, so I was extra happy that I could get everything. First, we got some sheep’s milk ricotta and grilled bread before our appetizers. This was phenomenal and I could eat this every day. Then, I got the stuffed meatballs and my mom got the acorn squash arancini. Both appetizers were wonderful, but the meatballs reigned supreme. Nothing beats these bad boys. Unfortunately, after our appetizers, we had to wait almost 45 minutes for our dinner. We have never waited this long at Barbuzzo, but sitting at the chef’s table provided some entertainment. My mom and I both ordered the rigatoni with Sunday sauce and short rib, which was, as always, outstanding. The little sprinkle of breadcrumbs on top adds a nice crunch to this warm, comforting dish. Lastly, I ordered a blood orange prosecco (!!!!) sorbet, which tasted like a frozen Aperol Spritz. It was like a dream come true and truly the best sorbet I have ever had. My mom got this creamy, pudding-like budino with caramel and sea salt. This, apparently, was amazing even though she didn’t share with me (insert eye-roll here). 

Rating: 9/10 for restaurant week, 10/10 every other week

Savings: Me: about $11 Mom: about $11 

Recommendations: The meatballs and pasta definitely offer the most food from the menu. 

Learning from last year (check out the post!), I definitely realized how to make the most of Restaurant Week. My top tips include: going to your favorite restaurants, not having high expectations of plating (which is why my pics aren’t great), and going to expensive restaurants. I love a good deal, and Restaurant Week surely provides!