December 23, 2021 — The current trend taking over the culinary scene in Philadelphia is carefully curated, multi-course prix fixe menus. Noted Proprietors and Chefs Christopher Kearse of Forsythia, Townsend Wentz of A Mano and the recently reopened Townsend EPX, and Randy Rucker of East Passyunk Avenue’s River Twice have crafted elaborate, beautifully plated and perfectly balanced coursed meals over the past year.
This switch to prix fixe dinners is not only cost effective for the restaurant, but provides guests excellent service, top notch flavors that meld together perfectly, and also takes the stress out of having to choose just one or two dishes to try during the experience.
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Townsend EPX, Chef Townsend Wentz’s award-winning French restaurant and bar on East Passyunk Avenue, has recently reopened after a two year hiatus with an all-prix fixe tasting menu for $100 per person. Guests can expect a six-course meal curated by Chef Wentz including Roasted Venison Loin, Beef Tenderloin Tartare, Seared Sea Scallop, Skate, Foie Gras Stuffed Pheasant, and Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé. In addition to a superb spread of elevated French cuisine, imbibers can select from an extensive wine and craft cocktail list, crafted by the expert in-house mixologists at Townsend EPX.
Townsend EPX is able to accommodate menu restrictions for gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergies, etc. given notice ahead of time. Reservations can be made by via Resy by clicking here.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Saturday from 5 – 9pm, with bar service extending to 2am, and Sunday from 5pm – 12am for limited menu of bar snacks and libations.
1623 E Passyunk Ave | 267.239.5643 | www.townsendepx.com
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A Mano, the acclaimed seasonal Italian BYOB from the Townsend Wentz Restaurant Group (TWRG), offers diners a chance to experience the essence of hand-crafted Italian cuisine, using fresh and locally-grown ingredients with the crowd-pleasing Abbondanza menu.
Featuring two options, a Family Style four-course menu for $68 per person, and Pasta Family three-course menu for $48 per person, guests can enjoy an assortment of Chef Townsend Wentz’ dishes such as Pork Belly Agrodolce, Burrata, Pumpkin Gnocchi with pancetta saba, Pasta Alla Chitarra with blistered cherry tomatoes, olives, and anchovy, Grilled Branzino prepared with charred broccoli, oil cured olives, and salsa rosa, and for dessert, Lemon Olive Oil Cake with fresh blueberries and buttermilk cream.
To reserve a seat for the sought-after Abbondanza prix fixe dinner, available Wednesday through Sunday, click here.
Hours of operation are Wednesday and Thursday from 5 – 9:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 5 – 10:30pm, and Sunday from 5 – 9:30pm.
2244 Fairmount Ave | (215) 236-1114 | www.amanophl.com/
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Forsythia, Chef Christopher Kearse’s contemporary bar and restaurant in Old City, launched a French-forward prix fixe experience on Sundays only from 4 – 10pm with an impressive line-up including Andouille and Garlic Beignets with red pepper jam, Soup de Jour or Escargot, Mahi Mahi with white bean cassoulet, sunchoke, and lemon coriander nage, or Rohan Duck composed of lentils de puy and foie gras emulsion, and for dessert, Caramel Pot de Crème – all priced at $55 per person.
An optional add-on is the seasonal pasta course: Pumpkin Campanelle prepared with duck heart ragout for $20.
Reservations for Sunday Prix Fixe at Forsythia are highly encouraged and can be made by clicking here.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 4 – 10 pm
233 Chestnut Street | 215.644.9395 | https://www.forsythiaphilly.com/
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Acclaimed East Passyunk Avenue new American restaurant River Twice recently shifted its structure to focus on a seven-course tasting menu, available Thursday through Saturday from 5 – 10pm for $95 per person.
Curated daily by the River Twice team, the ever-evolving prix fixe menu currently offers Raw & Cooked Puntarella, BigEye Tuna, Vineyard Bay Scallops, Carolina Gold Rice, Mackerel Cooked Over Charcoal, Hudson Valley Venison, and Koginut Squash. Optional add-ons include Sweet Amalia Oysters, Maine Uni, and Kaluga Caviar.
To pair with the tasting menu is an extensive selection of natural wines from South Africa to Sonoma County, and everything in-between.
Dietary restrictions and allergies are accommodated when given notice ahead of time. Reservations are highly encouraged, and can be made by clicking here.
1601E Passyunk Avenue | 267.457.3698 | https://www.rivertwicerestaurant.com/
1904 E. Passyunk Avenue | http://www.visiteastpassyunk.com/
-Nicole Schofield