This article is highly idiosyncratic, dealing with restaurants that are particular favorites of mine and for the most part quite close to the convention center. They are all excellent.

Topping my list of favorites are Italian restaurants. But first, a bit of history relative to French and Italian cooking. Prior to the 16th century, French cooking was not particularly celebrated. Then something happened. Caterina de’Medici, born in 1519, married the Duc d’Orleans in 1533. She relocated from Florence to France to join her husband, who was to become king of France as Henry II. She brought with her a retinue of expert cooks who introduced to the French the secrets of the most sophisticated cooking of the time. The move was away from Medieval heaviness and toward an emphasis on natural colors, tastes, and textures. They also introduced such things as the art of making pastries, desserts, and especially gelatin. Caterina de’Medici is given much credit, for surely it was during her lifetime that Italian and French culinary methods combined to form the beginning of classical cooking.

There is an organization in Philadelphia called The Caterina de’Medici Gastronomic Society. The society was founded by the hosts, chefs, and proprietors of several of the outstanding Italian restaurants in Philadelphia. It is dedicated to furthering knowledge and experience with the regional wines and cuisines of Italy. I will list those restaurants in the society within reasonable distance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and many of the hotels where members will be staying.

For those members staying at the Adams Mark Hotel, an outstanding member restaurant, the Marker, hosted by Vince Alverici, is located on the first floor of the hotel. The phone number of the restaurant is (215) 581-5000.

Also located in the City Line area is another member of the de’Medici, La Collina, at 3741 Ashland Avenue in Belmont Hills; (610) 668-1780. This is approximately a five-minute drive from the Adams Mark.

Within easy walking distance of the convention center is another member, Toto’s, 1407 Locust Street; (215) 546-2000. This restaurant features Northern Italian cuisine.

Somewhat south and east of the convention center but also within easy walking distance is LaBuca Ristorante, 711 Locust Street, (215) 928-0556.

The next four restaurants, all members of the society, are within a long walk or a brief cab ride of the convention center. La Famiglia is at 8 South Front Street, (215) 922-2803, is operated by the Sena family, which also operates another restaurant close by called Ristorante Panorama at 14 North Front Street at Market Street, (215) 922-7800. The restaurant is located in a charming, small hotel named Penn’s View Inn.

The Monte Carlo Living Room is at Second and South streets; (215) 925-2220. In addition to its food, it offers a unique feature—an upstairs area serving as a discotheque and cocktail lounge. Additionally, similar cuisine is available at Ristorante Primavera, 146-48 South Street, (215) 925-7832.

Moving a bit further into South Philadelphia, but still only a brief distance from the convention center, is LaGrolla, 782 South Second Street, (215) 627-7701.

If reservations are difficult to obtain due to the large number of visitors in town during the week of the meeting, I suggest a selection from any of the following. This list is also of Italian heritage.

Dante and Luigi’s, 726 South 10th Street, (215) 922-9501

Vetri, 1312 Spruce Street, (215) 732-3478

Upstairs at Varalli, 1345 Locust Street, (215) 546-4200

Felicia’s, 1148 South 11th Street, (215) 755-9656

Girasole Ristorante, 1305 Locust Street, (215) 985-4659

Pompeii, 121 South Broad Street, (215) 755-2770

Io E Tu, 1514 South Ninth Street, (215) 271-3906

Tiramisu, 528 South Fifth Street, (215) 925-3335

Mama Maria, 1637 East Passyunk Avenue, (215) 463-6884

Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, 760 South Ninth Street, (215) 627-6011

The Saloon, 750 South Seventh Street, (215) 627-1811

Recent additions of other cuisines in the historic, Old City section include:

The Blue Angel, 706 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-6889

Brasil’s, 112 Chestnut Street, (215) 413-1700

Buddakan, 325 Chestnut Street, (215) 574-9440

Fork, 306 Market Street, (215) 625-9425

Tangerine, 232 Market Street, (215) 627-5116

As you walk about the colonial, historic area look up the menus at the above restaurants. All have great, adventurous chefs and are very popular.

The Reading Terminal Market across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center is a great choice for lunch. No other place in Philadelphia offers a wider variety of food from cheesesteaks to seafood to Italian to Chinese to vegetarian.

For those of you who enjoy beer, I want to bring two places to your attention. They are both microbreweries located within easy walking distance of the convention center. The first is the Samuel Adams Brew House at 1516 Samson Street; (215) 563-2326. The Brew House is located upstairs from an excellent seafood restaurant, the Samson Street Oyster House; (215) 567-7683.

The second outstanding microbrewery is the Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant. One branch is in the Reading Terminal Market and the other is at 18th and Cherry streets; selections of the microbrewery are well worth sampling.

In closing I concede that others of our colleagues could have recommended a list of outstanding restaurants entirely omitting all the ones I have noted while still guaranteeing you an excellent dining experience. The city abounds in great restaurants, and these are just some of my favorites.