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Culinary Mysteries Solved


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Published: Sep 18, 2007

Q: I'm a college student from out of state and my parents are coming to visit. What are some affordable Philly restaurants that are also parent-friendly?

A: Since you're not from the area, start out at Marra's Cucina Italiana (1734 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-463-9249), one of South Philly's classic pizza places. Opened in 1927 and not really redecorated since, Marra's turns out crispy thin-crust pizza and Italian-American standards like fettuccine alfredo and veal Parmigiana. Chinatown's Vietnam (221 N. 11th St., 215-592-1163) has a vast menu, including catfish cooked in a clay pot and a huge appetizer sampler sized to share. If you're taking mom and dad to the Art Museum, walk over to Rembrandt's (741 N. 23rd St., 215-763-2228) for upscale seafood, pasta and vegetarian entrées served under Old Master paintings. Pick up a bottle of Prosecco and hit the ATM (it's cash-only) before putting your name in at Dmitri's (795 S. Third St., 215-625-0556). You'll probably have to get a drink across the street at the New Wave Café until your table is ready, but once they come to fetch you, sample whole grilled fish, sautéed mussels and the best roasted beets in the city. The Day of the Dead dining room at Los Catrines and Tequila's (1602 Locust St., 215-546-0181) is as vibrant as their margaritas (choose from 90 tequilas) and dressed-up Mexican fare.