I’ll be honest. I think Philadelphia Restaurant Week is wayyy overrated.

$20 lunches and $35 dinners may seem reasonable, but most (I said MOST) restaurants on the list are actually equally or less expensive, plus there is more freedom in ordering your meal.  Par example, Zahav offers a tasting much like their RW menu for $36 per person(or $42 if you want to add an extra course of lamb shoulder). A three course dinner at Tequila’s would also set you back about $30-$40, but probably less because you won’t have room for dessert and could (and probably would) split an appetizer.

Regardless, Restaurant Week is an excuse to have dinner in the city multiple times in two weeks. Tonight, some of my friends and I are starting off our RW adventures at Buddakan, one of the celebrated Stephen Starr restaurants that have become increasingly popular ever since Starr’s appearance on Top Chef. I’m personally excited for the edamame ravioli.

We’ll see.