restaurants.html

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <title>Joe's Restaurant List</title>
  <meta name="author" content="Joseph W. Cutler">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <base target="_blank">
  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./assets/style.css" />
  <!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->
  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-KMYX7CTMSD"></script>
  <script>
    window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
    function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
    gtag('js', new Date());

    gtag('config', 'G-KMYX7CTMSD');
  </script>
</head>

<body>
  <div class="title">
    Joe's Restaurant List
  </div>
  <div class="subsubtitle">
    This is a list of some of the restaurants (and a few bars) I've had the pleasure
    to visit while living in Philly. It's heavily inspired by (and overlaps
    significantly with) Penn CIS <a href="https://www.cis.upenn.edu/~ungar/restaurants.html">Prof Lyle Ungar's legendary
      list</a> of Philly
    restaurants, which is required reading for any food-loving new arrival
    to the city.
    I track all of my restaurant visits on <a href="https://beliapp.co/profile/alpha_convert?&utm_source=copy_qr_code">Beli</a>, if you want more up-to-date rankings and less commentary.
    <br>
    <br>
    In lieu of a rating system, I'll just include a single ★ on restaurants I strongly recommend – the rest I merely
    recommend.
  </div>
  <div class="content">
    <section>
      <h1>Rittenhouse & Fittler Square</h1>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="https://www.fridaysaturdaysunday.com/">Friday Saturday Sunday</a>: This restaurant didn't win the
          James Beard Oustanding Restaurant award in 2023 for no reason.
          Exactly what you want out of a New American tasting menu – course after course of "How did they do that?"
          <br>
          [21st and Spruce, $$$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://hudaphl.com/">Huda</a>: Milk-Bun sandwiches. Like nothing I've ever had before, you've gotta try it.
          <br>
          [18th and Ludlow, $$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="">Spice Finch</a>: Mediterranean Food. Lot of culinary crossover with Zahav or Suraya, but far easier to get a table.
          <br>
          [17th and Chancelor, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.trattoriacarina.com/">Trattoria Carina</a>: Italian food in a fantastic location. Best
          in the summer, when there's plentiful outdoor seating.
          <br>
          [22nd and Spruce, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.myloupphl.com/">My Loup</a>: Nominally French, but it's really whever Chef Amanda Shulman
          decides they're into on that given day. Significant raw bar options.
          <br>
          [20th and Walnut, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.sallyphl.com/">Sally</a>: Sourdough pizza, natural wine, outdoor seating.
          <br>
          [23rd and Spruce, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://parc-restaurant.com/">Parc</a>: A massive, buzzy, French bistro. Good for a crowd occasions. Think
          Balthazar or Le Diplomate. There's better French food in Philly, but you don't go to Parc for the food, you go for the vibe.
          <br>
          [18th and Locust, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://thedandelionpub.com/">The Dandelion</a>: Previously thought to be impossible, The Dandelion
          proves that English food can be made to taste good.
          <br>
          [18th and Sansom, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://barbombon.com/">Bar Bombón</a>: Vegan versions of Latin American food's greatest hits. Bar
          Bombón's main attraction is its (very cute) bar, which sports
          an impressive collection of Latin Amercan liquor.
          <br>
          [18th and Moravian, $$]
        </li>
        <!-- <li><a href="https://www.rouge98.com/">Rouge</a>: For when Parc is full.
          <br>
          [18th and Locust, $$$]
        </li> -->
        <li><a href="https://akitchenandbar.com/">a.kitchen</a>: Another restaurant in the Ellen Yin empire. Great
          cocktails available in the attached bar.
          <br>
          [18th and Walnut, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://ambrosiabyob.azurewebsites.net/">Ambrosia</a>: Adorable Italian BYOB tucked between two old
          brick buildings by the river. Probably not run by the mob, unlike many Italian BYOs.
          <br>
          [18th and Locust, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.vialocusta.com/">Via Locusta</a>: Family style modern Italian food, part of the
          Schulson empire. Handmade pasta, fun appetizers, cocktails. Great happy hour.
          <br>
          [18th and Locust, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://bolophl.com/">Bolo</a>: Inventive takes on traditional Latin-American food, and rum-centric drinks. Service was poor the day I went, but they'd just been nominated for a James Beard award, so I'll allow it.
          <br>
          [20th and Locust, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.rosystacobar.com/">Rosy's Taco Bar</a>: Party central.
          <br>
          [22nd and Walnut, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://philadelphia.villagewhiskey.com/">Village Whiskey</a>: High-quality pub food, prepared with
          care. Extensive whiskey selection, as the name suggests.
          <br>
          [20th and Sansom, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.masalakitchenphilly.com/">Masala Kitchen</a>: Indian street food, specializing in kati rolls.
          Those in a position to know say it's <em>extremely</em> authentic.
          <br>
          [20th and Chestnut, $]
        </li>

        <li><a href="http://www.1tpl.com/">1 Tippling Place</a>: Cocktail bar with a nondescript entrance. Inside,
          you'll find refined cocktails in a parlor setting: big leather armchairs, oil paintings, the works.
          <br>
          [20th and Chestnut, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.andrahem.com/">Andra Hem</a>: "Scandanavian inspired" cocktail bar. Very neatly done
          space.
          <br>
          [16th and Chancellor, $$$]
        </li>

        <li><a href="https://harpcrown.com/">Harp & Crown</a>: The real star of Harp & Crown is the space: 30-foot
          vaulted ceilings, a de-industrialized vibe, and a downstairs bowling alley & speakeasy.
          <br>
          [15th and Sansom, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.dandanrestaurant.com/">DanDan</a>: High end Sichuan restaurant. Not the most authentic,
          according to those in a position to know. I like it.
          <br>
          [16th and Sansom, $$$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.southgatephilly.com/">SouthGate</a>: Korean-American Gastropub. Weird combo, but it really works.
          <br>
          [18th and Lombard, $$]
        </li>
              </ul>
    </section>

    <section>
      <h1>Old City</h1>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="https://www.zahavrestaurant.com/">Zahav</a>: Yes, it really is that good. Legendary Israeli cuisine
          that 100% lives up to the hype. There's not much I could say
          about Zahav that hasn't already been said.
          <br>
          [22nd and Walnut, $$$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.forsythiaphilly.com/">Forsythia</a>: Modern French. Truly inventive and fun menu backed
          up by fantastic service.
          <br>
          [2nd and Chestnut, $$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="http://philadelphia.amadarestaurant.com/">Amada</a>:
          Modern spins on classic Spanish tapas & other plates. Don't miss the lamb meatballs.
          <br>
          [2nd and Chestnut, $$$]
        </li>
        <!-- <li><a href="https://forkrestaurant.com/">Fork</a>: 
          <br>
          [3rd and Market, $$$]
        </li> -->
        <li><a href="https://www.tunabar.com/">Tuna Bar</a>: Good fish!
          <br>
          [2nd and Race, $$$]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>

    <section>
      <h1>Logan Square & Fairmount</h1>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="https://www.musettephiladelphia.com/">Musette</a>: Delightful cafe with great coffee, pastries, and
          tartines. Also a hub for the local cycling community, if you're into that sort of thing.
          If I'm not at the office, I'm probably at Musette.
          <br>
          [25th and Aspen, $$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.badbrotherphilly.com/">Bad Brother</a>: Gastropub, emphasis on the gastro.
          <br>
          [24th and Aspen, $$, ★]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>

    
    <section>
      <h1>Graduate Hospital & Point Breeze</h1>
      <ul>

        <li><a href="https://www.phspopupgardens.com/location/phs-pop-up-garden-south-street/">PHS Pop Up Garden</a>: a
          beer garden (emphasis on the garden) run by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society. My preferred outdoor bar
          in center city.
          <br>
          [15th and South, $$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://locopez.com/">Loco Pez</a>: Standard east-coast Mexican food. Better than Rosy's. The best Loco Pez of the three.
          <br>
          [20th and Bainbridge, $$]
        </li>

        <li><a href="https://www.thepubandkitchen.com/">Pub and Kitchen</a>: Gastropub with an eclectic set of
          appetizers and small plates.
          <br>
          [20th and Lombard, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.thepubandkitchen.com/">American Sardine Bar</a>: Gastropub with an <i>extremely</i>
          eclectic set of appetizers and small plates.
          <br>
          [18th and Federal, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.mommomnomnom.com">Mom Mom's Kitchen</a>: Pierogis and other Polish fare, served through
          a window.
          <br>
          [15th and South, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.mommomnomnom.com">Jet Wine Bar</a>: Casual wine bar with a surplus of outdoor seating.
          <br>
          [15th and South, $$]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>
    <section>
      <h1>Washington Square West</h1>
      <ul>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.doubleknotphilly.com/">Double Knot</a>: The Sushi offering of the Schulson restaurant
          group. Intimidatingly large menu, shared with Sampan next door.
          <br>
          [13th and Sansom, $$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.sampanphilly.com/">Sampan</a>: The Modern Pan-Asian offering of the Schulson restaurant group. Intimidatingly large menu, shared with Double Knot next door.
          <br>
          [13th and Sansom, $$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.kiddorestaurant.com/">Kiddo</a>: Outstanding "Vegetable-forward" restaurant. Not vegetarian, not vegan, but a secret third thing. One half of the chef/owner duo
          is formerly of Musette, so you know it's good.
          <br>
          [11th and Pine, $$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.grandmasphilly.com/">Grandma's</a>: Thai Tapas, I guess? A somewhat unusual but very good Thai place.
          <br>
          [13th and Walnut, $$]
        </li>


        <!-- <li>
          <a href="http://budandmarilyns.com/">Bud and Marilyns</a>: Southern comfort food, but with a slightly odd,
          vaguely retrofuturist vibe. Good fried chicken.
          <br>
          [12th and Locust, $$]
        </li> -->
        <!-- <li>
          <a href="https://talulasgarden.com/">Talula's Garden</a>: Sizable portions at sizable cost. Cheese plate was
          fun, but the meal was lacking for how much we paid.
          <br>
          [7th and Locust, $$$]
        </li> -->
        <!-- <li>
          <a href="http://www.wishbonephilly.com/">Wishbone</a>: Slightly polarizing pretzel-breaded fried chicken. I happen to love it.
          <br>
          [13th and Locust, $]
        </li> -->
        <li>
          <a href="https://middlechildphilly.com/">Middle Child</a>: Sandwiches in a diner-style venue. Always packed, always a wait, always worth it.
          <br>
          [11th and Locust, $$]
        </li>
        <!-- <li>
          <a href="https://www.olorosophl.com/">Oloroso</a>: Tapas. Come hungry, you'll want to try everything.
          <br>
          [11th and Walnut, $$$]
        </li> -->
        <li>
          <a href="https://cariboucafe.com/">Caribou Cafe</a>: Stereotypical French. The vibes are better than the food, but if you want to feel
          like you're in a Tintin book, look no further than Caribou Cafe.
          <br>
          [12th and Walnut, $$]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>
    <section>
      <h1>Chinatown</h1>
      <ul>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.sangkeechinatown.com/">Sang Kee</a>: A veritable Chinatown institution (rightly) famous
          for its duck.
          <br>
          [9th and Vine, $$]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://cilychickenrice.com/">Cilly Chicken Rice</a>: My (very welcome) introduction to Hainanese chicken rice.
          Big fan!
          <br>
          [10th and Race, $$]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>
    <section>
      <h1>Queen Village and Bella Vista</h1>
      <ul>
        <li>
          <a href="https://resy.com/cities/pha/sakana">Sakana</a>: Incredible omakase with an extremely unassuming storefront.
          <br>
          [6th and South, $$$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://fiorellaphilly.com/">Fiorella</a>: Pasta bar, located in beautiful space formerly home to
          a century-old sausage shop. Rich and buttery pasta dishes will leave you very full and happy.
          <br>
          [8th and Christian, $$$]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://crybabypasta.com/">Cry Baby Pasta</a>: Pasta with attitude.
          <br>
          [3th and Bainbridge, $$$]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com/">4th Street Deli</a>: Historic and preserved Jewish
          deli. The food rivals that of the great NYC delis, but the prices do too.
          <br>
          [4th and Bainbridge, $$$]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.tabachoyphilly.com/">Tabachoy</a>: Tiny and casual Filipino BYOB in Bella Vista. Small
          menu, big portions.
          <br>
          [10th and Carpenter, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://thegoodkingtavern.com/">Good King Tavern</a>: French tavern food that doesn't take itself too seriously.
          <br>
          [7th and Kater, $$]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.tabachoyphilly.com/">Neighborhood Ramen</a>: Casual sit-down ramen. Not that many options, but they're good at what they do.
          <br>
          [3rd and Bainbridge, $$]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.balebakery.com/">Ba Le Bakery</a>: Vietnamese bakery, serving the best Banh Mi in Philly.
          <br>
          [6th and Washington, $$]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>
    <section>
      <h1>East Passyunk</h1>
      <ul>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.restaurantlaurel.com/">Laurel</a>: One of only two New American restaurants in Philly to truly <i>wow</i> me.
          Worth a trip just to see the restroom. I will not elaborate on this, please go and see for yourself.
          <br>
          [East Passyunk and Tasker, $$$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.rivertwicerestaurant.com/">River Twice</a>: Seafood-centric tasting menu,
          very relaxed and welcoming for the (high) price point. All seven courses were masterfully done.
          <br>
          [East Passyunk and Tasker, $$$$]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.mightybreadco.com/">Mighty Bread Company</a>: Bakery and Cafe. I prefer Metropolitan for bread,
          but the kitchen offerings rival Musette's. It can get loud inside, so don't miss the courtyard.
          <br>
          [12th and Gerritt, $$]
        </li>
        
      </ul>
    </section>

    <section>
      <h1>University City & West Philly</h1>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="http://www.local44beerbar.com/">Local 44</a>: My favorite bar in West Philly. Good for drinks,
          drinks & dinner, or just dinner. Extensive vegan and vegitarian options, open late, and far enough west that
          it's mostly free of undergrads. You'll meet all sorts at Local 44.
          <br>
          [44th and Spruce, $$, ★]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.vientiane-cafe.com/">Vientianne Café</a>: Thai and Laotian food. Best Laotian I've managed to
          find in Philly. Laab salad is great.
          <br>
          [47th and Baltimore, $$]
        </li>
        <li><a href="https://www.sunsetsocialphl.com/">Sunset Social @ Cira Green</a>: Bar and snacks in a public,
          rooftop park overlooking the Schuylkill, the Center City skyline, and much of South Philly. Don't get the food,
          or drinks just go here for the view.
          <br>
          [30th and Chestnut, $$]
        </li>
        <!-- <li><a href="https://www.walnutstreetcafe.com/">Walnut Street Café</a>: Brunch spot in the base of the FMC
          tower. A bit of an instagram-trap, but a fine option for brunch west of the river.
          <br>
          [30th and Chestnut, $$]
        </li> -->
        <!-- <li><a href="https://www.renatas-kitchen.com/">Renata's Kitchen</a>: A hodge-podge of Mediterranean &
          Middle-Eastern food. Doesn't quite know what it wants to be, but succeeds at what it's doing nonetheless.
          Rec is mostly for the location.
          <br>
          [40th and Baltimore, $$]
        </li> -->
        <li><a href="https://www.whitedog.com/">White Dog Café</a>: The decor is dog-themed, but the
          classic, farm-to-table American cuisine is much better than dog food.
          <br>
          [34th and Sansom, $$$]
        </li>
        <!-- <li><a href="https://www.kpodrestaurant.com/">K-Pod</a>: Small-plates Korean food, very conveniently located
          next to Penn.
          The ``pods'' which give the restuarant its name feature RGB lighting that can be changed by pressing buttons
          on the walls of the pod.
          <br>
          [35th and Sansom, $$$]
        </li> -->
        <li><a href="https://locopez.com/">Loco Pez</a>: Standard east-coast Mexican food. Better than Rosy's. One of
          three – the one in Grad Hospital has better vibes, but the food is the same.
          <br>
          [47th and Baltimore, $$]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>
    <section>
      <h1>Fishtown and Northern Liberties</h1>
      <ul>
        <li>
          <a href="https://www.surayaphilly.com/#menus">Suraya</a>: Serving the food of The Levant. Suraya will forever
          attract Zahav comparisons, which is a shame because it's a fantastic restaurant that can stand on its own two
          feet.
          <br>
          [Frankford Ave and Marlborough, $$$, ★]
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="https://kalayaphilly.com/">Kalaya</a>: Plenty of ink has been spilled about Kalaya. It's as good as they say. Nothing is as spicy as your server's warnings will make it sound.
          <br>
          [Frankford Ave and W. Palmer, $$$, ★]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>
    <section>
      <h1>Far Northeast</h1>
      <ul>
        <li>
          <a href="https://gamarjoba.us/">Gamarjoba</a>: Craig LaBan says this is Philly's best Georgian restauraunt,
          and I concur (having been to none of the others).
          <br>
          [Just Uber To It, $$]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>

    <section>
      <h1>💀: Former Philly Restuarants</h1>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="https://www.abefisherphilly.com/">Abe Fisher</a>: Inventive takes on the traditional cuisine of the
          Ashkenazi Jewish diaspora.
          <br>
          [17th and Sansom, $$$, ★, Closed in 2023]
        </li>
      </ul>
    </section>
  </div>
</body>

</html>