Restaurants in Philadelphia

Located in a residential area just off Rittenhouse Square, this unassuming and friendly bistro is a favourite with the locals. It is one of the numerous 'bring your own bottle' restaurants that are so popular in the Philadelphia area. The place can get a bit noisy, but the staff is friendly and the food outstanding. A nice selection of pan-roasted scallops, grilled steak, duck breast, seasonal fish and some decadent desserts round off the changing menu.

Situated in the Chinese section just off Arch Street, a short walk from the Conference Center, the green facade of Rangoon is easy to spot. As the name suggests, Burmese specialities (spinach salad, chilli shrimp and thousand-layer bread with potato curry dip) predominate here. Owned and run by three Burmese women, this restaurant, with its simple interior, is a favourite with locals in search of exotic Asian food, such as beef mint kebab and curried fish cakes.

One of the city's specialities is cheese steak and the best place to find it is Pat's King of Steaks, an outfit run by the same family since it opened in 1930. Located in South Philadelphia, near the Italian Market, Pat's is the local eating place for these sandwiches packed with sliced steak and melted cheese. Pat's is the original, open 24 hours a day, and is good for groups as it has tables outside in summer. Unlicensed.

Simple colours and smart, economic design accent this downtown venue with its semi-circular bar, round tables, crushed velvet seating and outside terrace. As for the food, it is modern fare with a wide selection of global accents, including New Zealand lamb chops, seared Ahi tuna and Thai duck spring rolls. They also do excellent salads, seafood risotto and delicious pastas. Desserts tend to be rich but hard to pass up, like the signature Godiva soup, a combination of chocolate, pistachios, hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream. Diners should be careful to lock the unusual toilet doors - otherwise the glass is see-through!

The setting is lovely - a long, narrow dining room with earthy tones, minimalist décor and large windows that overlook Rittenhouse Square. Here chef Jean-Marie Lacroix dazzles diners with gamy selections and fish dishes on a creative bill of fare that allows guests to mix and match from any part of the menu. 'Superb' best describes the food, service and the wine list that boasts a cast of 500.

Celebrated chef Georges Perrier has turned Le Bec-Fin into Philadelphia's ultimate dining experience. The French restaurant boasts high ceilings, glittering chandeliers and tuxedo-clad staff. The menu features an exquisite selection of dishes (roasted lobster, poached salmon with smoked caviar, domestic rack of lamb), which change seasonally. The price for all this is hefty, though the three-course prix-fixe lunch is a great way to experience the culinary pyrotechnics without breaking the bank.

Visitors can also dine at the more casual downstairs Le Bar Lyonnais, which whips up excellent dishes at more reasonable prices. Georges Perrier owns the less formal, but still splendid Brasserie Perrier . Monsieur Perrier is often on hand as co-owner, and executive chef Chris Scarduzio creates French cuisine with Italian or Asian influences. The interior is charming and the atmosphere lively.