The Barbuzzo is a Mediterranean venture serving dishes such as crispy fava bean and preserved lemon risotto balls. Provided to China Daily

Just 10 years ago, decayed and home to the city's red light district, South 13th Street was a waste of central Philadelphia real estate.

These days, however, check-cashing joints and adult bookshops have been replaced by "reservations a must" restaurants and high-end gelato shops, thanks largely to the efforts of Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney.

This power couple - Safran on the business end, Turney the chef - opened the stylish homewares shop Open House in 2002, then quickly added six more stores and restaurants on the same stretch.

Others followed their lead, and today 13th Street has received true proof of real estate arrival: a new name. Welcome to Midtown Village.

Barbuzzo: Safran and Turney's Mediterranean venture serve inventive dishes like crispy fava bean and preserved lemon risotto balls. The bundino - a Mason jar of creamy pudding topped with salted caramel sauce - is a strong contender for the city's best dessert.

110 South 13th Street, 215- 546-9300, barbuzzo.com.

Verde: Delicate jewelry, trendy patterned scarves and Philly-branded tote bags are just some of the offerings at this bright and chic shop. In the back kitchen, Turney churns out artisanal chocolates in flavors like grape-balsamic.

108 South 13th Street, 215-546-8700, verdephiladelphia.com.

Bru Craft & Wurst: A beer hall for the digital age, Bru opened its doors in April. A high-tech $5 beer key lets customers serve themselves from touch screen-controlled taps, though most of the regulars prefer to order the traditional way: Pushing through the noisy crowd to the bar.

1318 Chestnut Street, 215-800-1079, bruphilly.com.

Village Tabako: This welcoming cigar shop, which opened in December, has a basement BYOB lounge just large enough for a few easy chairs, a flat-screen TV and a handful of big-bellied locals ready to discourse on anything from the Phillies to the tax code.

211 South 13th Street, 215-546-1313, villagetabako.com.

El Vez: The gussied-up-Mexican menu at this gloriously kitsch restaurant is extensive, but standouts include the frozen blood orange margaritas and the seven varieties of guacamole, including one made with goat cheese, pistachios and chile flakes.

121 South 13th Street, 215-928-9800, elvezrestaurant.com.

The New York Times

(China Daily 08/25/2013 page16)