• Philadelphia's northwest neighborhoods is home to many wonderful restaurants.city sunset image by kds from Fotolia.com
  
  Northwest Philadelphia is home to the Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill neighborhoods to the east of the Wissahickon Creek. All of the neighborhoods are typically quiet suburban areas, unlike other parts of Philadelphia. Northwest Philadelphia is home to many restaurants--ranging from casual to chic--that draw in locals and visitors.
  
  

Franco's Trattoria

• Franco Faggi, the man who introduced squid ink pasta to Philadelphia, is the brains behind Franco's Trattoria. No newcomer to Philadelphia's culinary scene, Faggi has creating a sophisticated and elegant dining experience in northwest Philadelphia. The main dining room features high ceilings and over-sized windows.
  
  The cuisine at Franco's Trattoria is authentic, upscale Italian. This is evident in the restaurant's selection of appetizers, salads, soups, sides, entrees and pastas. Customer favorites include the filet of tilapia and the spaghetti with clams in a white wine sauce. Brunch is served on Sundays. Reservations are recommended.
  
  Franco's Trattoria
  
  4116 Ridge Ave.
  
  Philadelphia, PA 19129
  
  (215) 438-4848
  
  francostrattoria.net
  
  

Manayunk Brewing & Restaurant

• The building that houses Manayunk served as a textile mill in the early 1800s. Manayunk Brewing & Restaurant took over the building and opened in 1996, offering locals and visitors a spacious eating, drinking and entertainment venue. The restaurant spans several floors and includes a main dining room, a ground-level bar and lounge, banquet rooms, a covered patio, an open-air deck and an outside dining room.
  
  The menu offers an assortment of selections from the raw bar and the sushi bar. It also offers appetizers, soups, salads, stone-fired pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and entrees. Popular dishes include Maryland-style crab cakes with red pepper aioli, pizza with roasted corn, arugula and pancetta. Brunch is served on Sundays. Reservations are suggested.
  
  Manayunk Brewing & Restaurant
  
  4120 Main St.
  
  Philadelphia, PA 19127
  
  (215) 482-8220
  
  manayunkbrewery.com
  
  

Derek's

• Derek's serves global fusion foods in an upscale and lively setting. A black and white palette is set off by pops of red and orange. The dining area features over-sized windows, a fabric-draped ceiling and strategically placed pendant lighting. Sidewalk seating is available during the warmer months. The restaurant's wine list is extensive, with many selections available by the glass. Guests seated in the main dining room are allowed to bring their own bottles of wine without assessing any corkage fees.
  
  The menu features small plates, salads, soups, appetizers, sides, wood-fired pizzas and entrees. Customer favorites include seared Maine scallops with olive oil-poached Yukon gold potatoes, fennel marmalade and leek butter. Brunch is served on Sundays. Reservations are strongly recommended.
  
  Derek's
  
  4411 Main St.
  
  Philadelphia, PA 19127
  
  (215) 483-9400
  
  dereksrestaurant.com