RBMS 2010 Restaurant Night: Wednesday, June 23, 2010

After meeting Philadelphia’s vibrant book arts community, you may want to participate in Restaurant Night, an RBMS preconference tradition. Led by local volunteers, small groups of conference participants visit some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants. Everyone will be responsible for the cost of his or her own meal with a range of prices and cuisine to choose from. Sign-up sheets will be available at the Registration table.

Brauhaus Schmitz
718 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147-2023
Area: South Street
Type: German
Cost: $$
Alcohol: Yes
Payment method: Major credit cards
Distance from conference hotel: 0.67 miles

Host: Ron Brashear, Director of the Othmer Library at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, Co-Chair of the RBMS 2010 Local Arrangements Committee

A recent addition to Philadelphia’s dining and drinking scene, Brauhaus Schmitz’s boisterous beer hall spirit is a perfect fit for the often raucous South Street. But the excellent food—including Bavarian pretzels, roasted pig knuckles, rustic goulash, and spicy Sauerbraten—and even better beer list, make this more than just another bar to chug brewskis. Entrees between $15-28. Reservation for six at 8:00 pm.

Chifa
707 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2322
Area: Center City East
Type: Peruvian-Chinese/Small Plates
Cost: $$$
Alcohol: Yes
Payment method: Major credit cards
Distance from Conference Hotel: 0.64 miles

Host: John Anderies, Head of Special Collections at Haverford College

'Chifa' is the name given in Peru to a fusion of Chinese and local cuisine. Few in Philly really know—or care—whether celebrity chef José Garces's rendition of chifa is all that faithful. The ceviches, pork belly buns, and other small plates are simply delicious. You'll also probably want to try the lychee sangria or the passionfruit margaritas. Dishes are shared; expect to pay about $50 per person. Reservation for six at 8:00 pm.

Ernesto’s 1521 Café
1521 Spruce St # 101
Philadelphia, PA 19102-4546
Area: Center City West
Type: Italian
Cost: $$$
Alcohol: Yes
Payment method: Major credit cards
Distance from Conference Hotel: 0.15 miles

Host: Holly Mengel, Project Manager, Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections (PACSCL) Hidden Collections Processing Project

Located just one block from the Conference Hotel and down the street from the Kimmel Center, Ernesto’s is a favorite among Philadelphia Orchestra members. Located in a historic brownstone, Ernesto’s is a family-run Italian bistro serving creative variations on traditional Italian dishes. An all-Italian wine list and homemade desserts round out the menu. Entrees range from $16-28. Reservation for six at 8:00 pm.

Horizons
611 S 7th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Area: South Street
Type: Vegan
Cost: $$
Alcohol: Yes
Payment method: Major credit cards
Distance from conference hotel: 0.7 miles

Host: Chirsta Williford, Program Associate for Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives at Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR)

A pioneer in vegan dining, Horizons has been impressing Philadelphia diners since 1994 in nearby Willow Grove and 2006 when the restaurant was moved to Center City. Whether you’re a follower of PETA or a veggie-friendly carnivore, you’re sure to find the cuisine at Horizons creative and tasty, complex and eminently satisfying. Entrees range from $18-21. Reservations for six at 8:00 pm.

Noble American Cookery
2025 Sansom St
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4416
Area: Center City West
Type: American
Cost: $$$
Alcohol: Yes
Payment method: Major credit cards
Distance from Conference Hotel: 0.59 miles

Host: Charlene Peacock, Scanner and Quality Technician for Readex, a Division of NewsBank, Inc.

A recent addition to the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, Noble American Cookery features New American cuisine, influenced as much by the owners’ grandmothers as by their cosmopolitan cooking credentials. Noble’s menu features simple seasonal fare, much of it locally raised or caught or grown, including herbs and vegetables from the restaurant’s rooftop garden. Entrees between $25-28. Reservation for six at 7:30 pm.

Novita Bistro
1608 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19146-1542
Area: South Street
Type: Mediterranean
Cost: $$
Alcohol: BYOB
Payment method: Cash only
Distance from Conference Hotel: 0.38 miles

Host: Elliott Shore, Chief Information Officer and Director of Libraries at Bryn Mawr College, and Senior Presidential Fellow at Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR)

Because of the cost and scarcity of liquor licenses in Philadelphia, many small BYOBs have sprung up around the city. Located nearby on the up-and-coming South Street west, Novita Bistro has quickly become known for its Mediterranean-Moroccan fare and friendly service. Entrees range from $14-23 and it's cash only. You may also wish to chip in for a couple bottles of wine to share. Reservation for six at 7:30 pm.

Victor Café
1303 Dickinson St
Philadelphia, PA 19147-6213
Area: South Philly
Type: Italian
Cost: $$
Alcohol: Yes
Payment method: Major credit cards
Distance from Conference Hotel: 1.14 miles

Host: Eric Pumroy, Head of Special Collections at Bryn Mawr College

Begun as a gramophone shop devoted to opera on the RCA Victor label, the Victor Café has been serving Italian food and Italian opera with gusto since 1933. Located a short subway ride away in South Philly, the restaurant offers traditional Italian fare from lasagna to fresh fish and a selection of veal dishes. Tableside serenades by aspiring young opera singers will make for an unforgettable evening. Entrees are between $17-27. Host will lead the diners to South Philly and will supply tokens for the brief subway ride there and back. Reservations for six at 8:00 pm.

White Dog Café
3420 Sansom St
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3404
Area: University City
Type: Organic American
Cost: $$$
Alcohol: Yes
Payment method: Major credit cards
Distance from Conference Hotel: 1.56 miles

Host: V. Chapman-Smith, Regional Administrator at the National Archives and Records Administration Mid-Atlantic Region.

Located in three adjacent Victorian brownstones in University City, the White Dog Café is a classic of Philadelphia dining. Founded in 1983 by social activist Judy Wicks, the award-wining restaurant has long focused on sustainable locally-grown food and the promotion of civic responsibility. Under new ownership since 2009, the restaurant remains a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Entrees range from $19-36. Host will lead the diners to University City and will supply tokens for the brief trolley ride there and back. Reservations for six at 8:00 pm.