Modern Mexican

University City has just been infused with a bit of Latin spice and culture. The influx of Tapas restaurants to Philadelphia has been palpable over the last five years. The latest restaurant, Distrito, the brain child of restaurateur and executive chef Jose Garces, opened on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 3945 Chestnut Street.

Tapas, the Spanish word for a variety of appetizers, have made an incredibly successful basis for restaurants. Small plates generally equate to lower prices and allow for a range of dishes to be enjoyed by a group of friends. This fun yet tasteful experience seems to be a perfect match for University City.

The decor inside Distrito is bright and energetic. The ground floor of the two story restaurant features a tequila and juice bar. The ample dining room with small round tables beams with colors of pink, blue, orange and white. Bored by traditional seating? You can enjoy a few appetizers in the VW Beetle table toward the front of the restaurant. The doors to the beetle open and can accommodate up to four people.

On the second floor, there is an open kitchen and expansive dining area with more creative seating. White swinging benches hang from the ceiling and rattan, semi-circle booths encompass larger parties of four or six. Seating along the outer edges of the room allows for excellent views of Market Street through large picture windows.

Distrito’s modern Mexican cuisine ranges in price from 4 dollars to 13 dollars. A tasting menu is also available for $40 with perfectly balanced selections by Garces himself.

You will not find many traditional dishes on this menu. Garces marries Mexican cuisine with influences from Spain, where he once worked, and Ecuador, the native country of his parents.

His non-traditional Mexican fare includes rich and creamy coconut lobster chowder, seared tuna and black bean tacos, and Serrano ham and prosciutto flat breads.

The traditional items on the menu are made more decadent by Garces’ creativity. The guacamole is served with lump crab meat and nachos are topped with skirt steak and refried beans. The signature enchilada dish is served with duck, poblano chilies, and four types of beans.

Distrito’s dessert menu is no less decadent; the two favorites, Tres Leches and Pastel de Chocolate are both tributes to Mexican chocolate. Tres Leches boasts a moist chocolate cake, with three types of chocolate ganache in the center. It is topped with meringue and tropical fruit. The Pastel de Chocolate features chocolate ice cream topped with spicy melted chocolate and citrus foam.

Distrito is the first restaurant of its kind to venture past the usual setting of center city or old city. Distrito is fun, vibrant, and deliciously overdone. For a moderate price students and residents of University City can experience Garces’ unique view of Mexico City and open their palates to something new.

University City Renaissance

Over the last 10 years University City has developed into an incredibly diverse, progressive, and exciting area of the city. A part of University City’s growth is due, in part, to the restaurant scene.

University City is usually identified as the area between the Schuylkill River and 52nd street. This small section of Philadelphia holds Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, University of the Sciences, The Restaurant School and University City Science Center.

In the past two years alone, there has been a significant amount of growth. Three new apartment buildings, Domus, The Hub, and Radian Apartments opened. Jean Madeline, a salon and beauty school debuted in University City and the restaurant scene continues to explode.

An unprecedented restaurant, Distrito, opened in July of 2008 featuring unique and modern Mexican creations from executive chef Jose Garces. Gourmet chocolatier Naked Chocolate Café is opening its second location on 34th and walnut in University City.

“[People] know a good investment when they see it. They are seizing an opportunity,” said Mark Christman, Marketing and Communications Director for University City District.

University City District is an economic development organization. They organize programs to maintain cleanliness, help with basic infrastructural upkeep, and plan social events for the community to participate in.

The number of restaurants in an area may seem insignificant, but it can have a noticeable effect.

“I think it’s really key to a revitalization of an area. Especially if there are a lot of locals being employed and [restaurants] are using resources that are local, “Christman said.

Given the amount of universities and college students in this area of Philadelphia, it may seem that University City should have always been thriving. Unfortunately, University City is still shaking the stigma of an unsafe area.

“The potential wasn’t always prevalent. There are challenges to putting yourself along a corridor where there isn’t a lot of foot traffic,” he said.

Many students are leery of venturing pas the 40th street divide. According to the Pennsylvania Gazette, the University of Pennsylvania magazine, 40th street had become “an invisible campus boundary.”

“It’s a perception that carries on from many years ago and that perception, at this point, is way out of line with the current statistics,” Christman said. “One doesn’t need to be anymore cautious at 45th and Spruce than you need to be on campus.”

Restaurants and cafés typically seen in center city and old city are finally making their way into University City. Distrito and Naked Chocolate Café are just two examples of this.

“We’ve really been trying to attract other Philadelphians. Crossing over the river after 5:00 p.m. is acceptable and worth their while,” he said.

Christman hints of some new retail stores on 40th street, but can’t reveal what they are just yet. He does admit that there are plans for two more apartment buildings.

“The folks who brought us The Hub, are bringing a Hub two and three,” he said.

University City is not a typical college town. Unlike most, it is not flooded with bars and cheap hangouts. Instead, there are reasonably priced restaurants, socially conscious cafés, and of course a few cheap eats.

“I think it has a lot to do with young student’s savyness in 2009. [People] are interested in a more sophisticated experience, whether it’s from a restaurant or movie theater. Christman explains.

“There is healthy competition here; there are going to be more and more opportunities for people to explore the area.