Food News

Fish market marks 20 years

Seafood Unlimited, 270 S. 20th St., owned by longtime seafooder and fishmonger David Einhorn, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in January.

During the past two decades, Einhorn has developed Seafood Unlimited from an old-school fish market and very casual restaurant to a stylish neighborhood destination with renovation from the ground up, always staying true to the restaurant’s core values of fresh and modern takes on seafood classics.

Fifteen years ago, Einhorn met and married his wife and now business partner, Judi Einhorn, who, along with their daughter, Eden, has been immortalized in a mosaic designed by Philadelphia artist Isaiah Zagar that adorns the cozy bar area, looking out over bustling 20th Street.

Today, Seafood Unlimited continues to feature a fresh selection of ahi tuna, marlin, swordfish, shrimp, clams and live lobsters, for either dining in at the inviting seafood bistro, augmenting the fish market with a full dining section and an elegant, zinc-clad bar, or to take home.

As part of the ongoing celebration for the 20th anniversary, diners can indulge in the Seafood Unlimited Eats and Drinks Happy Hour, featuring $5 special drinks and wine, $2.50 lagers and $5 bar-menu items. Small plates like fried calamari, popcorn shrimp or creamy clam chowder highlight this marathon happy hour, which runs from 5 p.m. to closing every day.

For information, call (215) 732-3663 or visit www.seafoodunlimited.com.

Bar 210 opens at Lacroix

Bar 210, 210 W. Rittenhouse, Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel, recently opened. Named after its famous street address, Bar 210 boasts “an upscale bar that will feature a one-of-a-kind bar menu with unique cocktails made from house-infused liquors and eclectic ingredients,” created by executive chef Matthew Levin.

“We are thrilled about the opening of Bar 210,” said David Benton, Rittenhouse Hotel vice president and general manager. “Lacroix has always been known for its first-class cuisine and ambiance, but with the addition of Bar 210 we can now offer our guests a place to enjoy good company and people-watch while sipping on delectable cocktails.”

The renowned design team Marguerite Rodgers Ltd. has transformed the space that was formerly part of the restaurant Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, creating an ambiance that is both chic and warmly inviting, with a dark mahogany wood bar back with an elegant u-shaped granite bar top in the center of the dining room, an 8-by-9-foot custom piece of artwork created by local artist Magan Stevens and lighting by Sean O’Connor Lighting.

For information, call (215) 790-2533 or visit www.lacroixrestaurant.com.

Zahav celebrates Hanukkah

Zahav, meaning “gold” in Hebrew, 237 St. James Place, Philadelphia’s modern Israeli restaurant, has created a special menu of Sephardic dishes for Hanukkah, prepared by chef/owner Michael Solomonov with business partner Steven Cook.

Solomonov will offer the Ocho Kandelikas (“Eight Candles”) menu during the eight days of Hanukkah, from Dec. 22-29, except for Dec. 25 when the restaurant will be closed for Christmas Day.

The six-course menu will be $36 per person, excluding tax, beverages and gratuity.

“Israeli cuisine draws inspiration from the many cultures that have left their marks on Jerusalem over the centuries. Sephardic dishes, which focus on the ingredients from Spain, Portugal and Morocco, tend to be very aromatic and incorporate many fruits, vegetables, spices and grains — perfect to serve for the holidays,” said Solomonov.

The Ocho Kandelikas menu will include salatim, eight assorted Israeli salads; hummus served with house-baked laffa bread; burmuelos with leek and mint; potato latkes with labaneh and urfa pepper-cured salmon; veal tagine with dates, almonds and Moroccan couscous; and sufganiyot, caramel doughnuts and raisin ice cream.

Since opening several months ago, Zahav has been collecting critical acclaim, culinary awards and repeat diners in the restaurant’s warm atmosphere inspired by Jerusalem’s terraced Old City.

For information, call (215) 625-8800 or visit www.zahavrestaurant.com.

13 comes to Philadelphia

13, 1201 Market St., has quietly but significantly moved into one of the city’s flagship hotels, Marriott Philadelphia Downtown, in the heart of Center City.

Named in honor and historic celebration of the 13 original colonies, 13 is otherwise “thoroughly modern in its decor as well as its concept of featuring a menu of creative American cuisine.”

Executive chef Armando Monterrossa and sous chef Judson Branch have “crafted a comfortable, American-inspired menu of modern classics, including genuine comfort food.” Monterrosa’s résumé spans previous gigs in restaurants in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Costa Rica, before he settled in the hotel’s recently renovated space in Philadelphia.

Monterrossa’s menu is distinguished by what he calls “shareables,” for obvious reasons, an appealing way to share dishes and social interaction between diners.

Menu highlights include pulled-pork sliders, steamed mussels and potato pirogis as shareables; salads such as the classic Cobb steak salad, lobster BLT salad and torn butter lettuce; sandwiches such as the 13 burger, with Canadian bacon, Gruyere and fried egg and the fried shrimp hoagie; dinner entrées such as Lancaster chicken pot pie, pan-seared salmon and stuffed sweet peppers; steaks and chops such as 14-ounce double-cut pork chop, a 10-ounce skirt steak and an 8-ounce fresh fish of the day.

13 is open daily, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch is also now being served weekly.

For information, call (215) 625-6795 or visit www.philadelphiamarriott.com.

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