press release

Center City District Restaurant Week: 20th Anniversary Dates Announced in Celebration of National Foodies Day

Contact:   
Giavana Suraci   
T 215.440.5516
gsuraci@centercityphila.org   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

PHILADELPHIA (May 9, 2023): In celebration of National Foodies Day, Center City District (CCD) is excited to announce the dates for Restaurant Week’s 20th Anniversary this fall. Beginning Sunday, September 10 through Saturday, September 23, dozens of Center City restaurants will take part in Philadelphia’s signature dining experience.

In preparation of that milestone, CCD plans to recognize chefs and restauranteurs through special events and digital content, including a 20 week profile series, exclusive recipes and weekly activations across Center City.

“Twenty Weeks, Twenty Stories” is an opportunity to learn about chefs and restauranteurs outside of the kitchen. Interviewees discuss everything from their inspiration and achievements to signature recipes and their experience working in Center City. A new blog will be added every week this spring and summer until the start of the program. These blogs can be found at ccdrestaurantweek.com.

Ahead of Center City District Restaurant Week (CCDRW), diners can enjoy some of their favorite dishes at home by recreating recipes submitted by chefs at participating restaurants. A digital recipe book will be available for download online, with new submissions added through September. Printed recipe cards will also be distributed at pop up events across Center City. To find the latest recipes, visit ccdrestaurantweek.com.

Debuting for the first time this summer, Restaurant Week Roadshow will bring excitement to the office district. Every Tuesday afternoon in August, ambassadors will hop in a branded Restaurant Week vehicle to cruise through Center City before popping up in a different office plaza each week. Fun and interactive entertainment will be provided for all ages, including live music, gift card giveaways and more. Guests can also make Restaurant Week reservations onsite. Locations will be announced soon. On Saturday, September 9, Restaurant Week Roadshow will have a grand finale at Dilworth Park during a one-day-only special event. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

This September, an updated CCDRW price structure will also be introduced, expanding the classic multi-course, prix-fixe model even further. Details are to be announced. A list of participating restaurants will be available by August.

“Center City District Restaurant Week began in September of 2003 with just 43 participating restaurants. It is a tremendous economic driver for our restaurants and Center City as a whole. Since its inception, Center City District Restaurant Week has attracted hundreds of thousands of diners from across the Philadelphia region,” said Michelle Shannon, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Center City District. “It has sustained popularity, in part, due to its simplicity: multi-course meals for a fixed price. The program has become a part of Philadelphia’s collective identity; a tradition. Twice a year, people anticipate which restaurants they’re going to try for the first time, or which places they’ll be enjoying again. And now with the 20th anniversary approaching this September 10th through the 23rd, we hope to expand the program even further to provide an unforgettable culinary experience that can only be found in Center City Philadelphia.”

Center City District Restaurant Week is presented by Knob Creek® 7 Year Rye Whiskey, Suntory Haku® Vodka and Open Table, with support from Philadelphia Magazine, PHLCVB, the Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Philadelphia Parking Association. Visit ccdrestaurantweek.com for more information.

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The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.