QUEEN VILLAGE. Beau Monde is crazy for crepes! Though this beautifully decorated eatery serves appetizers and salads as well, the crepes are the main attraction. And they aren't just for dessert. For dinner, try a buckwheat crepe stuffed with herbs and chicken or shrimp. For dessert, the sweeter wheat crepes are served with fruit or cream filling. Reservations are accepted for groups of six or more.

ROXBOROUGH. Modest signage announcing "Steaks Beer-Hoagies" and the simple redbrick facade in no way prepare you for what this Roxborough treasure has in store. Indeed, those in the know claim that Dalessandro's may serve up the area's top cheesesteak ­ there's just something special about the way they cram fried onions, seasoned steak and American cheese into those tasty hoagie rolls. What else sets this place apart from those closer to Center City? Well, at Dalessandro's you can chase your cheesesteak with a cold brew.

SOUTH STREET. Not just another in the long list of fabulous Philly BYOs, this tiny South Street New American gets stellar marks for dishes inspired by the culinary diversity of Europe. Indeed, the ever-evolving menu is anything but predictable, and on a given night you might find yourself having to make the tough-but-rewarding choice between the familiar (perhaps a well-conceived roasted duck or veal sirloin) and something a touch more exotic, like grilled octopus or venison with mole. Space is very limited at Django, so reservations are a must.

OLD CITY. One of the Old City's most celebrated restaurants, Karma seeks to beguile patrons with its attractive space, highlighted by the colorful artwork of Shannon Presti and Beth Gordon. Not to be outdone, the staff in the kitchen also delivers its own brand of artistry. Whet your taste buds with an order of tootak (tandoori chicken wings) or naan stuffed with pistachios, raisins and almonds. From there, you've got plenty of flavorful options ­ marinated rack of lamb or shrimp baked in the tandoor, chicken tikka masala, or "kicky" Bend it Like Karma (cauliflower with potatoes and herbs). Be sure to check out the lunch buffet; for the money, it's one of the best deals around.

SOUTH PHILLY. With its open kitchen and snug yet comfortably-appointed dining room, it's easy to see why this neighborhood charmer draws such a loyal following from year to year. In fact, if you want the point made even more poignantly, try to snag a table on a Friday or Saturday without making reservations. Superbly done pasta dishes, of course, are the house specialty, and you'll find few kitchens as dedicated to and as proud of their craft as L'Angolo's. Greatly assisting the place's enormous popularity is the fact that it's more than fairly priced.