Chef-owner Daniel Stern has reinvented wow dining in Philly with R2L, a glam restaurant and lounge on the 37th floor of the chichi Two Liberty Place. Diners come in through a designated street entrance, complete with stanchions, and a dedicated elevator delivers them directly to the restaurant where a jaw-dropping view awaits. Zebra-striped banquettes face the windows, but there isn't a bad seat in the house. Stern's culinary sleight of hand keeps you guessing, in dishes such as lobster bisque with vegetarian scrapple and pepper jelly. The menu includes an inventive raw bar --- try the chilled oysters with Champagne mousse and celery root --- along with wow-factor dishes such as the spice-crusted tuna loin with potato-shiitake tots and bok choy. Desserts by Peter Scarola are comfort favorites with sophisticated twists, like the pumpkin french toast with oatmeal ice cream, and warm vanilla cake with caramel sauce. The thoughtful wine list runs the gamut from new-world to old-world vintages, with a heavy emphasis on boutique producers. There are also hand-crafted cocktails --- witness the giant chunk of ice behind the bar from which the bartenders chip crystal chunks for each drink. A snazzy happy hour menu, served Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the bar, includes morsels such as stuffed potato skins, raw oysters and grilled truffle flatbread with arugula and Parmesan.
