The Week In Eats

Get Out!

by Lauren Fleming

Jose Garces, who was recently nominated for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation, recently introduced lunch service at his new Peruvian/Cantonese joint, Chifa. Starting just before noon, diners can choose from a tasting menu set at $25, a two-course meal served with a non-alcoholic beverage for $18 or any of the lunch menu items a la carte for $5 to $13, depending on what you order. Lunch choices include an Ecuadorian ceviche that includes fresh shrimp with a tomato gel, avocado and crispy fava beans; and lomo saltado, seared skirt steak accompanied by potatoes and stir-fried vegetables. All good reasons to ditch microwavable Lean Cuisines and granola bars for legit mid-day indulgence. Chifa, 707 Chestnut St., 215-925-5555, chifarestaurant.com.

Even in a flailing economy, Café Loftus is rising like cream to the top and celebrating three years of success by handing out free La Colombe coffee once a week throughout April. Café owner Chris Gabello says it's his way of giving back to his loyal patrons. Customers can pick up their free joe on Friday mornings from 7 till 10. Use the money you saved to buy their locally sourced LeBus pastries, Redhouse bagels and Flying Monkey Patisserie cupcakes. Café Loftus, 136 S. 15th St., 267-334-1875, cafeloftus.com.

La Famiglia is celebrating the arrival of new chef Gianluca Forastiere, a native of Naples, by offering a spring tasting menu. For just $45 a head, guests can enjoy the chef's three-course meal — choose from two options for the first two courses. Featured: free-range chicken served in a white grape, rosemary and herb sauce; filet of white fish poached in a thyme herb sauce with baby shrimp; and tagliatelle with mushrooms and carciofi. Finishing off the menu is a Bavarese ai Frutti di Bosco — a forest berry compote with Bavarian cream. Mamma mia. La Famiglia, 8 S. Front St., 215-922-2803, lafamiglia.com.

As part of the 2009 Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival, The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia is handing out 20-percent-off vouchers valid at participating restaurants between April 19 and 23. Downloadable coupons are available online on the organization's Web site (jasgp.org) and at all Cherry Blossom Festival events. Patrons will have the option to use the vouchers at eateries like Aki, Kingyo, Sakeya and Zento, among others. Good sushi is often expensive, so don't miss out on the opportunity to save clams whilst filling up on fish.

As part of their monthly customer appreciation day, Pita Pit is serving up half-price pitas with the purchase of a drink this coming Tuesday. Choose from any of the varieties on the menu, including falafel, Philly steak and chicken souvlaki; join the restaurant's mailing list to get in on the discounted goodness, which takes place every second Tuesday of each month. Pita Pit, 1601 Sansom St., 215-564-1080, phillypitapit.com.