Philadelphia is one of the restaurant capitals of America, with many four- and five-star restaurants. Many restaurants have published fine cookbooks featuring some of their most popular recipes.
1. Philadelphia Flavor: Restaurant Recipes from the City and Suburbs
Philadelphia food is much more than cheesesteaks, hoagies, and soft pretzels. "Philadelphia Flavor" contains 250 recipes from 120 of the area's best restaurants, including Le Bec-Fin, Four Seasons, The Rittenhouse Hotel, Dock Street, Jack's Firehouse, Hotel Dupont, La Campagne, and City Tavern. The book also offers "Restaurant Profiles," cooking hints, shopping resources, and fun trivia.
2. City Tavern Cookbook
The book features "200 years of classic recipes from America's first gourmet restaurant." Opened in 1773 by a group of prominent Philadelphians, including several signers of the Declaration of Independence, City Tavern is a living museum serving fine, historically accurate food.
3. The Rittenhouse Cookbook
A wonderful "heart-healthy—cookbook" written by Jim Coleman, executive chef of Philadelphia's acclaimed Rittenhouse Hotel. Coleman is regarded by many as one of the world's premier innovators of heart-healthy cuisine. When he's not in the kitchen, Coleman is in front of a microphone. Since 1996, Coleman has hosted "A Chef's Table," a live, weekly radio call-in show broadcast on WHYY 91 FM.4. White Dog Cafe Cookbook
Philadelphia's White Dog Cafe has a reputation for its creative menus as well as its commitment to social responsibility. This book features more than 250 recipes of favorites such as Lemon Pepper Grilled Calamari, Warm Mushroom Spinach Salad, and Cappuccino Creme Brulee. It is extensively illustrated and also includes a collection of the Cafe's most exciting culinary adventures.5. Georges Perrier Le-Bec Fin Recipes
Philadelphia's Le Bec-Fin restaurant consistently garners top ratings in national rankings. In this cookbook, Chef Perrier reveals his secrets for making such favorite dishes as Braid of Salmon and Sole with Spinach Pasta, Fanned Loin of Lamb with Curry and Zucchini Chutney, and Roast Guinea Hen with Confit of Lemon.6. Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine
The author presents some 175 recipes from her Philadelphia restaurant. Foo shares the recipes that have established her reputation as a creator of some of the world's finest and most exciting Chinese food. The cookbook features more than 175 recipes including such delights as Crabmeat Dumplings, Seafood Wonton Soup, Scallion Pancakes, and Salmon with Black Bean Sauce.7. Ceviche: Seafood, Salads, and Cocktails With a Latino Twist
Seafood, salads, and cocktails with a latino twist are featured in this book by Argentine chef Guillermo Pernot of Philadelphia's acclaimed restaurant Pasion. The recipes make the most of both raw and cooked fish and shellfish, as well as fruits, vegetables, and beef. Pasion has received numerous awards, including being voted one of America's Best Restaurants 2000 by Gourmet magazine.8. Roy's Feasts from Hawaii
Roy Yamaguchi is the chef widely acknowledged as putting Hawaiian regional cuisine on the map. He now has restaurants across the world from Tokyo to Pebble Beach, and now in Philadelphia.