East Passyunk Restaurant Week Returns at 24 Award-Winning Restaurants, 2/23-3/1

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) announces the return of East Passyunk Restaurant Week on Sunday, February 23 through Saturday, March 1, 2014. Twenty-four award-winning restaurants along Philadelphia's "Best Dining Neighborhood of 2013" will serve up three course, value-priced brunch, lunch and dinner menus for $15, $25 and $35 each. From low key BYOBs to elegant candlelight dining to Italian "red gravy" joints to Mexican street food, East Passyunk Restaurant Week boasts a diversity of dining experiences and cuisines that offer something for everyone. East Passyunk top chefs will offer special off-menu surprises in addition to their standard signature dishes. Select restaurants will further personalize the experience with drink pairings, add-on specials, dessert debuts, extended hours and day of operation, and other rewards to delight foodies from around the region - and the country. Specific menus and restaurant availability will officially start to roll out live starting on January 29th at www.eastpassyunkrestaurantweek.com. Reservations are being accepted starting this week at most restaurants. Mark your calendars and remember to come hungry!

"East Passyunk Restaurant Week celebrates our exciting and diverse dining scene that only keeps getting better and better," said EPABID Executive Director Renee Gilinger. "Our award-winning chefs will return to wow diners with seasonal cuisines, experimental dishes, neighborhood favorites and signature specialties. My personal advice is to call early and make sure to come hungry. With so many great choices and amazing new talent this year, you might even want to come back for seconds and thirds!"

Participating restaurants for the second East Passyunk Restaurant Week include:

* Adobe Café (1919 EPA) - Southwestern specialties, full service bar and festive atmosphere
* Birra (1700 EPA) - Trendy and creative Italian eatery with warm and cozy vibe and a full service bar
* Cantina Los Caballitos (1651 EPA) - 'Best of Philly' winner for Mexican fare and best margaritas in the city
* Chiarella's (1600 S. 11th St.) - Classic meets contemporary creativity in this Italian eatery on the Singing Fountain
* Da Vinci (1533 S. 11th St.) - Authentic taste of Italy with a show-stopping surprise in the back courtyard
* El Zarape (1648 EPA) - 'Best of Philly' winner for outstanding tacos
* Fond (1537 S. 11th St.) - 'Best of Philly' winner for passionately prepared, refined and flavorful contemporary American fare
* Izumi (1601 EPA) - Acclaimed high-end Japanese cuisine at neighborhood prices with best view of the Singing Fountain
* Karina's (1520 EPA) - Intimate long-standing neighborhood Mediterranean BYOB
* Laurel (1617 EPA) - Newly opened intimate French/American influenced BYOB by "Top Chef" contestant Chef Nicholas Elmi
* Le Virtu (1927 EPA) - Homage to Abruzzo named one of the 10 hottest Italian restaurants in the nation
* Lucky 13 (1820 S. 13th) - Casual punk-rock pub with hearty bar food, extensive draft list and service without an attitude
* Mamma Maria (1637 EPA) - Mamma's genuine authentic Italian recipes please the eye, fill the stomach and warm the soul
* Marra's (1734 EPA) - Long-time favorite "red gravy" joint that stays true to 80 year old family recipes that came from Naples, Italy
* Noir (1909) - Stylish and alluring restaurant and bar featuring Montreal influenced Italian cooking
* Noord (1046 Tasker) - Dutch BYOB with a white-tablecloth view of the Singing Fountain that scored as "2013 Top Newcomer" by the city's top influencers and writers
* POPE (1501 EPA) - Friendly and comfortable neighborhood bar with extensive beer selection
* Paradiso (1627 EPA) - Modern Italian neighborhood favorite and notable pioneer in East Passyunk's restaurant revival
* Plenty (1710 EPA) - One-of-a-kind gourmet quick-serve cafe that combines internationally inspired gourmet sandwiches and salads with a full coffee bar
* Stateside (1536 EPA) - One of Philadelphia Magazine's 'Top 50 Restaurants' in the City with lively menu, industrial interior and extensive drink options
* Stogie Joe's (1801 EPA) - Your go-to place for friendly folks, cold beer and a relaxing atmosphere
* South Philly Bar & Grill (1235 EPA) - America's favorite sports bar serving something for everyone
* Tre Scalini (1915 EPA) -East Passyunk longtime favorite with authentic traditional Italian menu
* Will BYOB (1911 EPA) - Intimate BYOB with artfully presented plates meant to delight all of the senses

Exciting highlights for 2014 include:

* Owner/Chef Joncarl Lachman and Noord will join restaurant week for the first time since opening in May 2013. Noord will also be open an additional night.
* Owner/Chef Nicholas Elmi will bring extra buzz to his restaurant week debut as he plays double duty at his BYOB Laurel while competing on this season of Bravo's "Top Chef."
* Will BYOB will open extra days for even more access to Chef Chris Kearse's acclaimed cooking.
* The POPE (Pub on Passyunk East) and Lucky 13 bring big followings, extensive beer selections, great food and vegan selections to their restaurant week debuts. Don't forget to sing the praises of the POPE's new extension "The Conclave."
* Executive Chef Kevin D'Egidio will shake things up during his restaurant week debut at Stateside. D'Egidio comes to Stateside from Will BYOB. He took the helm in late 2013 at one of the city's most buzzed about restaurants, named number one on Philadelphia Magazine's "Top 50 Restaurants" list in 2012.
* Karina's will host their final week of service in their current location before they close and relocate to a new home on the flipside of the Singing Fountain. Come say "thanks for the memories."
* Select boutiques and shops will open extended days and hours with restaurant week sales, tastings and special events.

East Passyunk Restaurant Week is presented by the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District with support from sponsors Jim Beam, Philadelphia Weekly, South Philly Review, Where Magazine, YELP and Aversa PR & Events.

For full menus, days of the week, add-ons and other surprises, visit www.eastpassyunkrestaurantweek.com starting at Noon on January 29 ($15 menus), January 30 ($25 menus) and January 31 ($35 menus). While some restaurants will have limited availability, many will offer their special menu every day. EPABID will also tweet last-minute openings, even on weekends. Follow @passyunkave #EPRW on Twitter for notifications.

Reservations are now open at all restaurants. Call EARLY and remember to come hungry!

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