The Adam's Mark Hotel is a busy conference center halfway between Center City Philadelphia and the city's exclusive Main Line, but don't be fooled by the efficient, businesslike environment. Within this AAA Four-Diamond Award-winning property is one of Philadelphia's best-kept secrets-The Marker dining room. There, "masterfully innovative" executive chef Vincent Alberici has helped ensure that the hotel's elegant fine-dining restaurant hits the mark, meal in and meal out.

Alberici's is the classic hometown-boy-made-good story. He grew up in working- class South Philly, the son of the owner of a catering business. When he decided to enter the business himself, he didn't waste any time; he enrolled at the prestigious CIA for formal training. Alberici came to Adam's Mark after a stint as executive chef at the Bellevue Stratford, another award-winning, topnotch Philadelphia hotel. At The Marker, he is crafting eclectic, contemporary American cuisine that is a far cry from the homey Italian-American food he grew up on. Dishes like his lavender honey- and apple cider-glazed duck, lemon- and mint-cured salmon, and pepita-crusted jumbo lump crabcakes have quietly brought him recognition. Zagat's called the gracious, romantic Marker "an unexpected treasure," while Clint Satow considered it as he struggled to settle on a place for dinner from among Philadelphia's many wonderful restaurants. "It would be folly not to sample, and inevitably fall in love with, The Marker," he wrote in Restaurateur of the Delaware Valley. The Marker, he added, offers a "delightful dining experience." Beth D'Addono of Foodservice News East agreed and gave Alberici credit. "Despite his low-key manner, Alberici is fanatical in the kitchen-no detail is too small to count. His vigilance pays off. Alberici has crafted a menu that is contemporary American at its best."

Reserve soon, as there's sure to be competition for seats. On your mark...