… all of which will be harder to get into after this list (updated from Feb '24) is published My friends just went to Fiorella a couple of nights ago & loved it. It’s been on our list of places for a while now.
Ambra is entirely out of our price range, but we’ve had some very nice anniversary meals at Friday Saturday Sunday.
Went to El Chingon for brunch some time ago. Didn’t quite get the hype.
We’ll be close to Viet town in the fall, so I’m def excited about getting some good Vietnamese food — not just at Gabriella’s Vietnam (has anyone been?), and I am very interested in Hardena, having only had Indonesian once or twice in Amsterdam. I’ve also never had Cambodian food, so Mawn has also been on my “To Eat” list for Philly.
Ilata sounds intriguing, and I’ve been wanting to return to Kalaya since I went before they made the move to Fishtown .
Laurel is where we had that brilliant celery salad with chopped dates, toasted hazelnuts, and ricotta. Would probz return just for that dish.
South Philly Barbacoa is a go-to lunch stop for us, and will continue to be. Maybe we’ll finally get there in time for the carnitas to not be sold out.
Middle Child sounds like the perfect brunch place. We tried to get a rez at My Loup last December for a special meal, but they never replied to my email or answered their phone. Perhaps we have better luck this fall. Lastly, looking forward to trying Tabachoy bc there’s not nearly enough Filipino food in my life
Loved Fiorella, haven’t been in a bit but no reason to think it has slipped. I had friends in from out of town who went to Friday, Saturday, Sunday and raved about it - I haven’t been since the new ownership (that’s a while…) and they also went to Little Fish and said it was perhaps the best meal they have had in sometime (and they are serious foodies). We went to El Chignon also and I did really like it but there was a softshell special and I am a sucker for a good softshell.
Hardena is great, a serious hole in the wall, but great food. Stina Pizza is near there as well and very good. They should not call themselves “pizza”. The octopus is sublime and the menu is Turkish (there is pizza) I also want to try Mawn and Gabriella’s.
Do you know that Laurel has become one space (vs Laurel and ITV) and is no longer prix fixe? Little easier to get into and a good cocktail program.
I think Laurel was à la carte already last December, as we chose a bunch of dishes from the menu.
I heard Little Fish is far better than River Twice, and not as $$$. I would love to check it out some time for a special occasion — I will be celebrating my birthday in Philly.
Honestly, looking at the area we’ll be located there are so many good eats nearby I am salivating at the thought of it.
I appreciate your recommendation for Stina! Maybe Mawn or Gabriella’s could be the locash for the first HO dinner, depending on how large our group will be, I suppose, and how large each place is.
I haven’t been to the new Kalaya, I miss it being close to home. For Chinatown, the aforementioned E Mei, Dim Sum Garden on Race Street and Vietnam are my favs. Vietnam just got a James Beard “Classics” award.
Well the tube is out and I’m no longer tethered to the machine. Still have bandages and the stupid shoe, but PT will start next week so I’ll see how quickly I can get in walking shape. Who knew one little foot could be such a major PITA?
My friends just went to Fiorella a couple of nights ago & loved it. It’s been on our list of places for a while now.
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