The next Center City District Restaurant Week presented by TD Bank will take place September 23-28 and September 30-October 5. Until then, enjoy summertime in Center City with Center City District Sips, every Wednesday, from 5-7pm! Over 85 bars are offering $5 cocktails, $4 wine, $3 beer and half-priced appetizers.

Get info, specials, maps and more at CCDSips.com, or follow us on Twitter- @CCDSips.

By Michael Klein, the food guy at

The dining diversity in Rittenhouse Square never fails to astound me. No other section of town has the mixture of fast food and high-end. Le Bec-Fin, which reopened under new ownership in early June, charges an astounding $150 a head (plus tax, tip and wine) for a fixed-price dinner that includes such specialties from chef Walter Abrams as egg pasta filled with lambs neck, wild sorrel and coriander; and seared foie gras, fraise des bois and caramelized onion brioche. Almost directly across Walnut Street, you'll pay $7 for a burrito bowl at Chipotle, which replaced the white-tablecloth Susanna Foo last year.

Amid fancier spots such as a.kitchen, The Dandelion and the new Urban Enoteca at the Latham Hotel and the new Rittenhouse Tavern inside the Art Alliance come two fast-fooderies; the vegan HipCityVeg at 18th and Sansom, while the decidedly non-vegan Shake Shack, the high-profile burger chain from New York dining god Danny Meyer, is drawing lines at 20th and Sansom Streets. Moe's Southwest Grill has agreed to take the storefront at 1725 Chestnut, while a new quick-serve stir-fry and salad spot called Honeygrow has replaced the Pita Pit at 16th and Stock Exchange Place and the soup specialist Brodo is now in the United Plaza Building on 18th Street just south of Market.

At 15th and Sansom, a national chain, Cameron Mitchell, just signed to install Ocean Prime, a luxe steak-and-seafood house whose check average will rival that of Del Frisco's across the street. There are rumors at 15th and Walnut of a Cheesecake Factory, whose pricing is smack in the middle of the road. (Imagine the carbs in that neighborhood - Cheesecake directly across 15th Street from Max Brenner's, Chocolate by the Bald Man.)

Next up for the neighborhood, due in late June, will be the polished pan-Asian called Jane G's at 19th and Chestnut - across the street from Pure Tacos, a new location of the Ocean City, N.J., Mexican shop.

Featured Recipe: Panzanella

Photo: Danya Henninger | ImagicDigital.com

By Chef Daniel Stern, R2L: "Panzanella is a simple Italian bread salad with an elevated taste profile. The dish features three key ingredients – fresh red and yellow watermelon, which you can find at local farmers’ markets; roma and yellow tomatoes, picked right from the garden; and homemade croutons, which are a great use of day-old bread – all marinated in a raspberry vinaigrette. It’s one of my favorite summer dishes, perfect for a light lunch or picnic."
Video: Chef Stern prepares the dish on Philly.com.

Find this featured recipe and many others in the newest edition of Center City Cooks, published each season in partnership with Philly Homegrown.

Download and print the collection of recipes, or search the database. The full book includes chefs' tips, notes about fresh local ingredients, a list of Center City farmers' markets and a calendar of seasonal items. CenterCityPhila.org/life/RWCooks.php

Union Trust
Union Trust offers Buck-a-shuck every night at the bar, with $1 oysters and clams and $3 jumbo shrimp all night long, along with happy hour drink specials from 5-7pm, Monday-Friday. And this month, look for a new bar menu.
717 Chestnut Street | 215.925.6000
UnionTrustSteakhouse.com

Russet Restaurant
Russet is hosting a series of "Meet the Farmer" dinners on Wednesdays throughout the summer. On June 27, Green Meadow Farm will be on hand for a four-course dinner for $65. August 1 brings Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative with a four-course vegetarian dinner for $55. And on August 22, Steve Bowes Produce will be at Russet for a four-course meal for $65. Each menu will feature products from the farmers, who will be at each event to meet and greet with guests. Reservations are available between 6 and 9pm.
1521 Spruce Street | 215.546.1521
RussetPhilly.com

10 Arts
On June 26 at 6:30pm, a rare and intimate Louis XIII experience will be presented by Pierre-Antoine Bollet, Louis XIII ambassador, at 10 Arts. Enjoy a six-course dinner and wine pairing presented by Chef Nathan Volz for $459 per person, all-inclusive. Seating is limited so contact Wendy Wilhelm at wendy.wilhelm@ritzcarlton.com to reserve your spot.
10 Avenue of the Arts | 215.523.8273
10Arts.com

Tavern 17
Bring dad to Tavern 17 for Father’s Day. His meal is free with any entrée purchase from 10am-3pm on June 17.
220 South 17th Street | 215.790.1799
Tavern17Restaurant.com