The Hot List: Philadelphia’s Top Restaurants
Food critic John Mariani finds the best tables in town.
Why go: When you enter this dazzling, funky, funny, Technicolor extravaganza of a Mexican restaurant with 600 lucha libre wrestlers’ masks on the wall and a yellow Volkswagen Beetle as a decorative centrepiece, the truly great food seems like a bonus.
You must try: This is chef Jose Garces’ paean to Mexico City street food, so order plenty of small plates like the huarache de hongos, masa cakes stuffed with forest mushrooms, huitlacoche sauce, a four-cheese queso mixto, caramelized onions, roasted corn and black truffle; and charred carne asada strip steak sizzling with fried tomatillos and a creamy poblano chilli-and-corn rice on the side.
And this: Do a flight or two of their 60 tequilas.
Photography Steve Legato
Why go: Arguably, chef-owner Michael Solomonov’s restaurant serves the finest Israeli and Middle Eastern food in the U.S., from hummus to desserts.
You must try: An array of meze appetisers with an Israeli wine, and kibbeh naya (spicy, raw ground lamb with walnuts and shallots).
And this: There’s a secluded private room where Solomonov prepares extensive tasting menus for small parties.
Photography Jason Varney
Why go: For decades this has been the finest, most sophisticated restaurant in the city, with a superb panorama focused on the beautiful Swann Memorial Fountain.
You must try: “Lobster chopped,” with poached Maine lobster, heirloom tomato, smoked bacon and avocado.
And this: The city’s most lavish brunch at the Hotel’s Swann Lounge.
Photography courtsey Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Why go: This relatively new spot is the epitome of Philadelphia hospitality, with chef Kevin Sbraga’s colourful, light American menu served in a dining room that seems a perfect balance of casual and civilized.
You must try: Veal cheek with sweetbreads, seven spices and Daikon radish.
And this: The amazingly priced USD 49 four-course tasting menu. Add wine pairings for an additional USD 35.
Photography courtesy Sbraga
Why go: At this cornucopia of American and international cuisine within a grand old train station, you’ll find prepared food to buy and delicacies you can take out or sit down and eat with gusto.
You must try: Bassett’s Ice Cream and Pearl’s Oyster Bar.
And this: The Pennsylvania Dutch merchants’ eateries, such as Dienner’s Bar-B-Q and the Dutch Eating Place.
Photography courtesy Reading Terminal Market
It may be one of America’s most historic cities, but Philly is anything but staid, with some of the best restaurants on the East Coast and some of the best pricing, too
