Rouge

Southwest of City Hall, in the center of Philadelphia is Rittenhouse Square, a cultural refuge, safe from the grittiness of the city. This one square block park remains bustling all year long with local musicians and street performers often showcasing their talents.

Right across the street from the park is Rouge, a small but elegant restaurant. With its outdoor patio seating, although limited, it becomes a great place to relax and soak up the art and nature on a hot summer day. Their Spiced Red Sangria ($12) is perfect for an outdoor brunch.

Sometimes the wait can be a bit long, but there are plenty of shops and stores around the park to keep you occupied while you get hungry.

The interior layout of the place is narrow, brief and dimly lit, yet incredibly chic. The little restaurant has an extensive wine menu, even for those with more particular palettes.

Their menu features many usual suspects, but with a French flare. Their food is moderately priced at $10–20 for most options. Some of their standout dishes include escargot ($14), spicy duck soup ($10) and crispy calamari ($15), but even their simple American fare, like the Rouge burger with caramelized onions and gruyere cheese and garnished with pommes frites, is decadent and impressive.

Rouge

205 S. 18th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

215 732 6622