Philly's Best BYOB

By SARAH BAICKER

Updated 1:12 PM EDT, Mon, Feb 9, 2009

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There’s the cheesesteak. There’s the soft pretzel. And there’s the BYOB. As the Philly food scene goes, those three features are the defining characteristics of our city—to natives and tourists alike.

But there’s little debate about the top few places to pick up a steak wit’ or perfectly chewy soft pretzel. With such an extensive array of bring-your-own’s to choose from, however, selecting just one can be, well, more than a little difficult.

We recommend you check out the picks below, so next time you’re looking for the perfect spot to enjoy your leftover holiday wine, you know where to go.

Citysearch: Mercato
1216 Spruce St.
Old world meets the avant garde at this Midtown Village BYOB. The cozy Spruce Street storefront is the perfect location for the homey Italian dishes you’ll find—think creations like short rib ragu with ricotta gnocchi; lobster and shrimp pyramid pasta with asparagus; and autumn vegetable risotto. Especially during the colder months, this is a hot spot to tote along a bottle of red wine.

Philadelphia magazine: Cochon
801 E. Passyunk Ave.
New for 2008, Cochon is a consistent favorite for Philly’s foodies—including some of those who own the city’s top restaurants. Translated as “pig” en Francais, Cochon offers an interesting variety of pork meals on its menu, but there’s definitely some not-to-be-missed meals in the non-pork category. Its chic-yet-comfortable atmosphere, attentive waitstaff and delectable culinary offerings leave us with just one question: Which wine pairs best with slow-roasted pork shoulder over lentils du Puy?

Around Town pick: Radicchio
314 York Ave.
It’s not quite Old City and it’s not quite Northern Liberties—but no matter. Radicchio is a destination for BYOB-lovers looking for an affordable, delectable Italian meal. A quaint corner spot that’s sort of a hidden gem to those in the know, Radicchio has an interesting menu with a variety of pasta, seafood and meat options. We recommend the Fusilli Positano—long fusilli pasta with jumbo lump crab meat, garlic, arugula and fresh tomato sauce—paired with a pinot noir of your choice.

More Best of's:
Philly's Best Burger
Philly's Best Fries
Philly's Best Pizza
Philly's Best Cocktail
Philly's Best Brunch
Philly's Best Sushi
Philly's Best Mexican
Philly's Best Dessert
Philly's Best Coffee Shop
Philly's Best Lunch
Philly's Best Seafood
Philly's Best Cheesesteak
Philly's Best Vegetarian
Philly's Best Beer Bar
Philly's Best Dive Bar
Philly's Best Thai
Philly's Best Happy Hour
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