To say that I had a very delicious and memorable meal at Forsythia would be an understatement! A friend and I happened upon this spot on a hot as hell evening in Philadelphia. There was an available table for us right away and we both loved the atmosphere and vibe in the restaurant. We decided to share out a bunch of apps and ordered cocktails. We got: The Ay Dios Miso-a cocktail of Tequila, Serrano-Miso Honey, Pomegranate, Scotch and Lime, and, The Benedict Cucumber Patch-which was made from Gin, Salers, House-Made Grenadine, Lime, Cucumber Both cocktails were perfectly balanced and fantastic! We shared an order of beet deviled eggs and an heirloom tomato salad that was truly special. Also forgot to mention super fresh foccaccia was brought to the table with a a honey and turmeric butter. YES!!! These after that we each ordered the escargot and the kale and cheese crepe app for ourselves respectively. And after all of THAT, we shared the Caramel Tart-which was a spectacular combination of sour cherry and nutella cremieux with a citrus meringue. I mean, this was an overall exceptional experience. Our server Devon was also 100%, attentive, friendly and engaging. read more

Went with a friend for restaurant week and was disappointed immensely after having high expectations. Highlights overall were the Escargot and the Duck Breast. The Escargot was creamy, nutty, and tender -- the flavors complemented each other very well, and there wasn't a strong briny taste which I prefer! The duck was a little gamey, but when combined with the sauces, it strangely worked together. Everything else was either okay or flavorless. The Pocono Trout was very plain and paired with bland sides, the Salmon Crudo was scarce and the flavor was just the fish, and the citron tart was good but overly sweet (cookies-and-cream-like). Was overall expecting some unique flavors, but was not surprised or in love with anything. The service was great and the staff was super attentive, and the restaurant felt super homey in contrast to the fine dining feel of the food. Might be personal preference but I prefer bolder flavors, and this introduction to French food did not convince me otherwise, especially for the price point and small portions that left us hungrier than when we came. read more

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We came here to check the place out for restaurant week. The setting in the restaurant is very nice, you can semi see some prep things happening in the open area and it's nice the bar is separate from the main eating space aside from a few tables. The staff is very attentive. The 75 year old Virgin drink was nice, a non-alcoholic cocktail. Starting with the App, the sweet potato soup was okay, literally nothing to rave about in my opinion, but it isn't a negative factor to the meal. Once you stir it up I will say you get a few different flavors bouncing around, just weren't the flavors for me, I didn't really taste the crab and to be honest before writing the review I forgot it had crab in it. The bread for the table was truly the star of the night. The bread had a nice crisp edge with a soft and spongy center. It was well buttered and had flavor before the spread, which had some yogurt base I felt like but was delicious and really enhanced the bread. I would say the bread also boosted the soup if you were to break bread and dip it lightly into the soup. The entree of trout, the entire meal was bland for me, I ate it cause we were there but it is not something I would recommend or order again. The chocolate mousse I will just say wasn't for me. Our friend thoroughly enjoyed hers whereas the cherries were way to tart for me. read more

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French, great for a special occasion. Great service great food. Hidden gem. Try it you'll love it

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary. They provided excellent service and delicious food and even surprised us with a complimentary dish and an anniversary cake with a candle. Finally, they gave us two glasses of champagne. read more

Awkward and Underwhelming. I dined at Forsythia for restaurant week. The menu made promises about gastric delights in an unstuffy atmosphere. But at dinner I awkwardly watched myself chew some chewy duck fat, seated in front of one of two giant mirrors, tilted downward just so. All the elements of fine food were present, but just a little off, as if he through the mirror received the perfectly crisped duck, while I swallowed my duck fat down like a pill, with water. He ate baguette and I ate a admittedly tasty focaccia, but bread that had soaked up half an inch oil seemingly from the baking pan. His sauces were rich and complex. Mine, a good try. We expect this type of bizzaro world at McDonalds, where the menu pictures are little other than a dastardly lie. (There is a special place in hell for such advertisers, right next to spam callers.) Forsythia is not THAT bad. But for the price after drinks, I expected better. And now I'm left thinking more about my reflection than the food. Perhaps the me in the mirror had a better meal. That lucky bastard. read more

Wonderful servers and service. Genuinely charming and very well informed. The food is wonderful and surprises me with interesting new flavors everytime I go. Elegant without being pretentious. As an ex - New Yorker I take my friends from New York here when they visit - and they all love it too. I love going for happy hour - and that burger is superb - as well as being the best deal in town. read more

We were immediate created with a smile and seated without reservations. Our server Lo provided Great service and was assisted by the additional staff. The food at this restaurant were clearly chef creations, and made from scratch. Nothing seemed to be processed in the ingredients were the freshest. One can imagine from a restaurant. Being a food and drink snob, I can admit that their foods were unique and delicious. Of the drinks, the carrot., bourbon drink was amazing. The family really enjoyed tasting the beats, deviled eggs and the steak tartar appetizer. Although we don't live in the area, if we want to experience a high-end meal, this would be at the top of our list. Highly recommend and on this visit, we just got multiple items and sharedamong us. It was a cacophony of flavors that we don't regret. read more

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tl;dr the incredible staff is the real star, but don't sleep on the ambitious French-inspired menu Forsythia is a relatively new player in the Old City dining scene, having opened just months before the pandemic. The name 'Forsythia' is an homage to the street on which chef and owner Christopher Kearse (the same mind behind the now-shuttered Will BYOB on Passyunk) grew up in Levittown, PA. Here, Kearse leverages locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to generate a modern spin on French bistro fare. On a relatively quiet block of Chestnut, the restaurant can be challenging to spot, with its minimalist sign mostly blocked by concrete columns of the larger building complex. Once through the tall double doors, the narrow restaurant space stretches far back. Immediately up front is a mood-lit, marble bar complemented by ornate floral wallpaper and pastel green finishes. Further back, the restaurant opens up into a dedicated dining room. The space has a chic-farmhouse vibe with domestic accents. The cement walls are left unfinished, and the rafters are exposed. Flowers and houseplants fill up the room. Geometric motifs are plentiful, including the patterned half-booths and the black-and-white hexagon-tiled floors. A spotlight shines onto the open kitchen in the far back, and disco hits play unobtrusively in the background. My partner and I arrived early for a Restaurant Week dinner service to a mostly empty restaurant, but the space filled up over the night. The host took our jackets, and we were shown to a table adjacent to the waitstaff checkout area (which admittedly was uncomfortably close to my outstretched chair). Our server was immediately welcoming and knowledgeable, eager to curate our tour through the pre-fixe menu and nightly a la carte accompaniments. To kick off our meal, we shared the Escargot and the Pork & Wild Boar Terrine, as well as the Scallop Crudo special. The escargot claimed the title of our top dish of the entire night. The rich, buttery sauce was elegantly contrasted by tart pickled onion for a complex combination of flavors. Further, the mildly chewy snails paired well with the crisp croutons. We also enjoyed our crudo, which sported a sweet, scallop-forward flavor. The uni vinaigrette was paradoxically rich yet light, although neither of us appreciated any mustard spice. On the other hand, the terrine was easily our least favorite plate. The dish was highlighted by small nibbles of ultra-flavorful pickled quince; however, the terrine itself was bland and one-dimensional, and the surprisingly strong rye toasts were thick and dry. For entrees, we opted for the Glazed Shortrib and the Icelandic Cod. The former plate was nearly as great as the escargot. In particular, the garnishes -- parsnip puree and grilled endive --were multi-dimensional and could be enjoyed as standalone components, but compounded into a delectably complex bite with the meat and sauce au poivre. The shortrib itself sported a chared skin and a tender center. Meanwhile, the cod dish achieved surprisingly earthy notes, between the lentils, bordelaise sauce, and heavenly grilled hen of the woods mushrooms. Least impressive on the plate was actually the cod itself, which, while flaky and well-cooked, was otherwise bland. We wrapped up our meal with the Lemon Curd Tarte and the Chocolate Pot de Creme. I preferred the tarte, with its balanced flavor, appropriately crumbly crust, and creamy, vanilla-esque tonka bean creme fraise. On the other hand, the pot de creme felt underwhelming. While I enjoyed the whipped blackcurrant mousse as alone, I didn't love pairing it with a custard that reminded me too viscerally of chocolate pudding. Further, its graham cracker crumble, while adding a welcomed crunchy texture, offered little extra in the flavor department. Throughout the meal, service remained memorably hospitable. Between cleaning off our table, exchanging our plates/silverware between courses, and ensuring that the dishes were well-paced throughout the night, the staff made us feel special -- well beyond what I would expect for the price of our meal. Our bill worked out to a hair under $120 (after tax and tip). Based on a quick Yelp photo search, it appears that our dishes (some of which are on Forsythia's non-RW menu) were scaled down in size. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the opportunity to sample a diverse array of offerings for a relatively approachable price. That being said, I do wish that our server had explicitly stated the charges for the nightly specials. Regarding the food, each dish was meticulously manicured into a true work of art. While a handful of dishes were not hits, the appetizer and entree courses each had at least 1 item that alone could warrant a visit. While I can't speak to Forsythia's normal dinner service, I would easily recommend the restaurant as a standout RW option. read more

Forsythia - Scallop Crudo - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here for restaurant week and loved it. In the past, I've only had escargot with the classic, simple butter and herbs combo. I thought Forsythia took a pretty unique spin with the buttery sauce they tossed it in. The duck was good and the citrus-y sauce complemented it nicely. The portion was smaller than I expected though. The citrus tart was a great way to end the night. It had a good balance of sweet and sour, along with different textures from the meringue, custard, and tart shell. read more

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Was out on a dinner date with my friend during restaurant week. Really nice place and the food was delicious read more

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Beautiful restaurant in Old City. I had read so many good reviews on Yelp so it had been on my list to try for a bit. I finally decided to go for restaurant week, but we were VERY disappointed with our meal. Although everything was beautifully plated, majority of the dishes either lacked flavor or were excessively salty. - Corn Soup: Cold, which was a huge surprise, and salty to the point that I couldn't finish. - Scallops: Cooked perfectly, but very salty and didn't have any other flavors. - Blueberry Lemon Dessert: Delicious lemon whipped cream, but the cake was very unpleasant - it tasted like it was drenched in vodka and I could not take another bite of it. Note: Forsythia reached out to repost our pictures and we let them know about our experience. We set up a time to call but the call was unproductive and the feedback wasn't taken greatly. read more

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very cosy. great atmosphere. excellent service. exceptional food and cocktails. Friendly staff. Highly recommend.

I went here for restaurant week with a friend, so this may not apply most of the time. The dishes were beautifully presented and we really enjoyed everything. The duck in particular was lovely. I was also impressed by the variety of cocktails offered. I wished that the plates were bigger. There was an add on for additional money that kicked the price up more; although it was probably a good move, because we definitely would have been hungry without it. I was really impressed with the dishes but thought that maybe a place like this doesn't lend itself well to restaurant week--I wished we had ordered from the regular menu! We had the best server, who was attentive and hilarious! Service was great, and we did have a great time. The ambiance is pretty loud and it does get pretty full in the back room, but it's an enjoyable sort of loud. I plan to go back and try their famous duck! read more

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Had dinner at Forsythia last Friday with some friends and it was amazing! Despite it being Restaurant Week, the food at Forsythia was creative, fun, and made with quality ingredients! Since the Restaurant Week menu had limited offerings and we had 5 people, we pretty much ordered at least one of each item off the menu and got to try each other's food, which was great! For our first course, a couple of us had the sweet corn soup, the escargot, and one person had the pork & wild boar terrine. Since it was a drafty night, the sweet creamy corn soup really appealed to me, even though normally I would have gone with the escargot. The puffed grains from the soup gave it texture and was fun to eat. And I had forgotten all about the crab because I was too busy drinking this delicious soup, when I noticed this giant lump of crabmeat sitting in my empty bowl. Of course, I devoured the giant lump of crabmeat. The escargot was cooked in some kind of Pernod sauce and prepared wonderfully. It was perfectly chewy and bouncy. I had some of the terrine and thought it was pretty good too. For our second courses, our table had the braised beef cheek, stuffed crepe with morel mushrooms, and scallops. I had the braised cheek which was tender and delicious. But I do regret not ordering the scallops because it smelled fantastic and tasted even better. Then, there was the stuffed crepe with morel mushrooms. What is it even doing on the menu? I've never even seen a morel in person before, but only heard about how expensive they are. Anyway, I finally saw a whole morel and got to eat it too. And it was delicious! For dessert we each had the option of choosing between the chocolate tart and rum cake. The presentation of both desserts were beautiful, but personally, the first and second courses were just too good, that the dessert just tasted okay to me. In addition to the food, the cocktails were good, and service was great. I am just so impressed by Forsythia. We came for a good time but left with a great experience. read more

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Overall: upscale French cuisine serving you tapas style dishes. Cocktails are extremely innovative and the food combinations are quite creative. Only quips is the amount of butter used in all the dishes but I imagine that's typical French cuisine. Trends a little pricey but definitely worth a try! Food: French omelette for dinner?!? The fluffy and creamy texture is enhanced with the port wine butter flavor making it a must try! Roasted Maitake was perhaps the most intriguing dish. The unassuming mushrooms were cooked tender but the sauce it comes with had mixed opinions. Some thought it was too pungent, but others loved the strong flavor profile. Either way try it and decide yourself! Lamb was absolutely melt in your mouth. The gaminess was also incredibly subdued and the red wine esq butter really makes you wonder if you're having a piece of beef. The fish was my personal favorite as it has the citrus flavor that I love. The fish itself was extremely tender and the lemony butter creates a rich but refreshing flavor. Lastly, the banana pudding esq dish topped with graham streusel and cardamom is another flavor bomb in your mouth absolutely worth trying. Ambience/Decor/Service: lowlight atmosphere perfect for conversations and cute dates. Waitress was super kind and regularly checked up on us. The food did take a little bit but we also asked for everything at once. Loved the flat plate decor as it really focused the dishes. read more

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11/19/24 I debated long and hard with myself over whether to write this negative review. But prices here exceed even the hyperbole used to describe this restaurant and I feel a responsibility to advise taking deliberate caution in dining here. The dining room is akin to a double-wide mobile unit diner such as we have in Maine. I failed to detect any charm. The chef- I counted one - wore a baseball cap and played C&W music very loudly. This I surmised was "modern French" style. Three of us shared the duck for two at $140, smaller plates of Wagyu beef tartare, scallop crudités, and pommes Anna. The duck was tough, cold, and an utter failure, the beef tartare looked like something the cat left on the stairs. The scallops were fantastic but alas, in miniscule portion. We had no desserts. I am sorry to post this, but stay away. The emperor has no clothes. read more

So happy we chose Forsythia for dinner for our one night in Philadelphia! The cocktails were stunning, and the food was incredible! Our service was also really friendly and helpful, so it was a great experience overall. We had the Rhu In You cocktails, which were so good we ordered 2! The bread with honey butter was to die for, and that was complementary! :D We ordered the escargot, and the foie gras mousse with gooseberries - absolutely delicious, we were so sad that we were too full for an entrée. We will definitely be back on our next trip to Philly! read more

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I'm very surprised to be writing this review. I've been following the restaurant on social for about two years and have been very eager to go, unfortunately I live about two hours away. I've been saving my trip here for months for a special occasion with my husband. However about two weekends ago I just happened to be in town for work, parked my car and walked right past Forsythia. I thought, after so long, I HAVE to eat here. I came in on a Saturday during brunch hours. The whole menu looked so good, I had trouble deciding on what to pick. I decided to order their beet deviled eggs which is described as follows: "Lobster Bottarga, Vadouvan, Lemon Ash" It was not good. The beet did little for the flavor, and was simply for color it seemed which was disappointing. All of the other mash-up of flavors were what stuck out, and not in a good way. I could not taste any sea flavors and the entire deviled egg just tasted grainy with a confluence of the wrong mixture of seasonings. I could not finish it. I also ordered the salmon eggs Benedict, which is described like this: "Dill, Potato Rösti, Sour Cream, Meyer Lemon Hollandaise". The potatoes had an acrid bitter taste and were burnt. I googled "Rösti" in case I was just ignorant to the aim of the dish, but from what I saw it isn't suppose to be almost blackened or intentionally burnt, and mine was. Apart from the burnt potato base, there was nothing of note about the dish. It was unpleasant to eat, and had no charm whatsoever. I was very confused by the back to back dishes that were not unimpressive, but actually unpleasant to taste. I took half of both dishes to my husband and without any explanation shared it with him. He spit both bites out and I knew I wasn't wrong. The restaurant itself is charming. It's beautiful and quaint. Vibes all over. It looks like the perfect place to have a delicious dinner and a nice night. Sadly, on this occasion, I was very disappointed. I might return to try a dinner one day, or one of the prix fix events because I can't imagine that the images I see regularly are just beautiful and not actually tasty. I've been a fan from afar for quite sometime and don't just want to check this off my list and never come back. Hopefully one day I can update this review with a different, more positive experience. read more

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Pretty good! Just a cute fancy little restaurant to hang out. The happy hour burger is a pretty good deal and the cocktails were fancy and fun! The deviled eggs though pretty were a bit rubbery, and the radishes were really in a lot of cold butter. Service was fantastic. read more

This place is on the list of 50 best restaurants in Philly and on a quiet evening we had a really lovely dinner. The price was heavy for the meal, especially considering the fact that we split an entree. The service was really great -- but the place was quiet, so not a great test of how things work there. read more

I am in love with this restaurant!! My partner booked us a table here in this adorable little Old City spot for an intimate birthday dinner. It was such a treat. The inside is decorated how I wish my house could be decorated, a lot of calming neutrals and plants, and just very cute. Forsythia serves French cuisine, and so we went all the way with picking dishes we thought were more "classically" French. We knew right away we wanted to get the dry aged duck for two, and our server suggested we get maybe one other thing to eat for our appetizer so naturally we went with the escargot and the beignets (we wanted to challenge ourselves because we were hungry!) He was definitely right, the duck is absolutely massive but because we were starving we managed to polish it off along with our apps. The duck was so mouthwateringly good; we poured the jus they gave us over it for a nice sweet and savory experience and it was just so luxe and delicious. The beans with the duck fat and bits of duck was a nice side that came with it and an incredible companion to an already incredible dish. The apps were also delicious, the escargot was cooked perfectly and the flavor and texture were amazing; especially with the little bits of nuts they had that just added a great dimension to the dish. The beignets also were a wonderful sweet/savory combo with the apples and truffles they incorporated into it. Everything was genius, and the dessert we picked (pot de creme) was an amazing way to end; light, and super refreshing actually. Would absolutely recommend Forsythia for your next high end splurge date night or special occasion dinner; you will not be disappointed!! read more

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One of our absolute new favorite spots for brunch. The food is awesome, but you are immediately struck by the beautiful interior decoration. Everything about it is warm and welcoming - it has this modern/bohemian/island vibe. Pretty tiled floor patterns, and just such cool statement pieces strategically placed throughout. It's pretty open concept, and you can either just walk in to visit the bar in front, or you may get sat in the back, where you have a straight shot into the kitchen. This was awesome to see Chef Kearse at work. The menu is something else...we had to order 4 dishes, and I still feel like I can go back at least twice to try more things. Reasonably priced, and great variety. However, I will say at face value, the menu does not appear to be very vegetarian friendly, but they seemed like they would make accomodations where necessary. I literally could not make up my mind, and I hate asking the question "what do you recommend" but I was left with no choice - everything just looked so creative. In the end, I was glad that I did, because our waitress was spot on with her choices. She was so nice - made the experience that much more memorable. We ordered the following: - Ricotta Beignets w/ Coconut Caramel...go ahead and tell me where else you find these? They were served hot, and were so fluffy. Easily absorbed the caramel dipping sauce - perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. - Souffle Pancake w/ Citrus Curd, Pistachio, Blueberry Jam...the acutramonts were all served in their own dipping saucers and the pancake was essentially a cake. Thick but airy at the same time - SO delicious. - Citrus cured salmon benedict w/ dill, potato rösti, sour cream, meyer lemon hollandaise - this appears to be one of their staples. Really well executed. - They also had a raclette speciality BLT sandwich...this was a MESS haha. Imagine a piled high BLT sandwich, with melted cheese on top of it + an egg. It was so indulgent, and I went in for the bare handhold. If I could change anything, I would have eaten that with a fork & knife, and been more intentional with saving some to take home. You definitely could have rolled me out of there. Don't sleep on their house salad or bloody mary! All in all - you can't go wrong with a visit here. Highly recommend. read more

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We sampled the 5-course tasting menu. Food was a mixture of classics with 2020s lighter interpretations. For example, the terrine was a mix of ham and vegetables rather than pure animal fat. The duck leg was made as a traditional confit while the sauce had a pleasant apple brandy infusion which was like a homage to duck a l'orange (in a good way). Service was friendly and prompt. Good for dates. read more

In the old city I was happy to have brunch here. The service is good and everyone was nice and polite. The decor was is warm and relaxing. Seeing the chef in the back kitchen preparing the food adds the experience. Brunch was delicious! I started with the pumpkin beignets. Served hot and fresh very good! For my main; I ordered the salmon benedict. The salad and dressing on the side paired perfectly with the dish. If you are in the area I highly recommend this place for lunch. read more

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came in on a rainy Tuesday afternoon for happy hour. there were two of us and because it was our first time there, we got a lot of stuff to split. we were seated immediately. my favorite was the burger royale jr., which is a pretty good deal also. my partner enjoyed the deviled eggs. we both were fans of the fried cornichons as well. service was great as well, super nice. the interior had warm lighting (cozy) and was super clean. would bring visiting friends here. read more

Forsythia - happy hour menu - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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We ordered everything off the restaurant week set menu. The stars are the soup appetizer and the scallop entree. The scallop entree is incredible. That said overall it's good food but nothing outstanding for the weight class. The service and ambiance stands out as amazing. read more

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One of my go to spots in Philly. Contemporary French cuisine showcased by Chef Christopher Kearse. Every time a friend asks for a recommendation, I point them here. Excellent technique, elevated flavors, and a super humble and welcoming staff. Excellent spot for a date or even casual dining. If you get the chance, say hi to the chef, he truly is an amazing and kind person. At this point, I have frequented Forsythia a number of times bringing both friends and family, so forgive me for not remembering what I ate and posting outdated food items haha Dishes: Salmon Crudo: excellent start to the meal. Really enjoyed the creamy sauce paired with the acid and the fish. Beignets These are a must, and I feel like this is their signature. Hen of the wood They char this so well and it has become one of my favorite delicacies because of this restaurant. Duck: prepared beautifully with the jus complementing the protein very well. Chocolate cake Escargot The snails are prepared very well, not gamey at all and is prepared in a savory and creamy base. Scallops: well seared, not rubbery and quite delicate. White asparagus: a delicacy also prepared and paired nicely Overall, highly recommend for locals and travelers~ they also have events that happen throughout the year such as special tasting menus. Definitely try those out! read more

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Happy Hour is a joke. ONE deviled egg: $7. Two one inch frog legs: $11!!!! A burger I could get at Shake Shack: $14!!!! Total ripoff. Wife got the scallop entree. 4 scallops for $44!!! They got a lot of balls charging these prices. The only deal is Kronenbourg for $5. Otherwise, forget about it. read more

Amazing, amazing...AH-mazing. In quaint Old City, this modern European/French restaurant gave us the experience of a lifetime. We recently got engaged and as a part of their "proposal package", we had the opportunity to rent out the restaurant (on an off day) and have a fully customized, personal dinner just us two. Chef Chris is not just a culinary genius but a truly kind man that made this special evening one we'll never forget. From picking the music, the menu, photos, we felt like royalty and family simultaneously. Thank you Chef Chris (and Lauren!) for the most unforgettable evening. We cannot wait to come back. read more

Forsythia - Entryway with candles - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Last night we enjoyed a lovely anniversary dinner on a Saturday night. We came for the duck, based on Craig LaBan's recommendation, and it was delicious. It's a ton of food, but don't go overboard- just take it home for a lovely next day meal of duck omelette and perfectly reheated cassoulet. And oh, that cassoulet-- it smells indescribably good and tastes even better. Oysters to start and a pear dessert with tiny meringues to follow. And stellar cocktails. A pricey but worthwhile night. read more

Forsythia - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Passing through philly, my coworkers and i went her for an amazing meal. We were a larger group but service was excellent. Highlights were the pan seared gnocchi and the duck. The duck confit as well as duck breast were done very well. The breast had a nice sear to the skin with a salty crust. The breast was cooked perfectly and the confit leg was savory and salty as it should be. We unfortunately didnt get the rabbit due to availability but gives me a good reason to if i come back to philly! read more

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Restaurant week menu was really good. Have not yet tried their regular menu. Will be back soon. Service was friendly. The interiors were lovely, elegant and understated. read more

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Chef's tasting menu is superb. Overlooked on Philly Mag's annual list. Inventive French cuisine prepared by a master. Fantastic service. What more can I say? Just go and enjoy. read more

Forsythia seemed like a pretty, up-and-coming restaurant so I reserved for a double date. We love French food so we were excited! However, walking in, the host was rather rude. There was a trash bin in the front and my friend threw a wrapper in there. Immediately the host was like, "That's not a trash can." It was apparently there to hold umbrellas. Mind you, there's no sign and it is literally a trash bin. My friend had to awkwardly pick out the wrapper. He also said "Everyone makes that mistake." Okay, so like...do something about it? That encounter already left a poor taste in our mouths. The rest of the meal went smoothly and we had a phenomenal waiter. She was so sweet and was helpful when we asked questions. Unfortunately the food just wasn't worth a second visit. They were overpriced and nothing really blew our minds. They were okay at best but just not worth the price point. We really only enjoyed the omelette and the foie gras toast but they weren't so spectacular that we had to come back. The short rib was in the tough side. I'm glad we did a double date so I know my sentiments were shared. Also, this restaurant will nickel and dime you. Don't ask for more bread. We also asked for two shots of apple cider vinegar for one of us (to help with digestion) and they charged each shot $4...$8 altogether for APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. If you don't know, please look up how much a giant bottle of apple cider vinegar costs. Really appalling. It could've all been avoided if they were transparent with pricing in the first place. So don't assume anything here! read more

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Wonderful birthday dinner! Started with a glass of rosé at the bar while I waited for the husband. Bright space around the bar, warm and cozy in the dining area. Food was incredible. Ordered a bunch of small plates, canapés, and salad. They coursed the meal for us and paired wine. All of the staff were great, very professional. Absolutely perfect evening. read more

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Forsythia had been on our radar since moving to Old City, and we finally made a reservation for our anniversary. I know we'll be back soon--and regularly. I think it's my new favorite Old City restaurant. We requested an outdoor table, which was perfect. It's tucked up against the construction fence so it's a cozy nook filled with plants and pumpkins. Inside is far larger than I expected. It's spacious and stylish. Our server Ryan was excellent. At a time when waitstaff are in short supply, we felt lucky that we were taken care of by someone clearly experienced in giving people a wonderful dining experience. He was friendly but left us to enjoy our meal. He made great recommendations and even brought us a glass of bubbles when he learned it was our anniversary. The food was wonderful. Chicken leg confit with lentils was flavorful and rich. I loved my Mahi Mahi with sunchokes & white bean cassoulet was excellent. There was no room for dessert. I made a note to save room next time. I'll be back soon. read more

Very impressed with Forsythia! I love French cuisine. Forsythia has an amazing modern twist to traditional French cuisine, that, I feel, pleases the eyes and also the palate. Chef Christopher Kearse and staff do an excellent job of bringing out their best. General Manager, Jennifer was super sweet and passionate about all the food offerings and the joy she has for the business. I could easily have ordered everything! Come in and see for yourself! My favorites were the Escargot dish, and the Èpoisses Stuffed Shells (Duck & Mortadella Ragout and Pecorino- this was so good!!! I also had the Han, Truffle & Cheese Beignets, and lastly, the Castelfranco & Endive Salad. All amazingly well presented, and equally delicious! Very classy, but calm and comfortable atmosphere, with really cool vibe. Great bar area with plenty of seating. I was also impressed by the mixologist. My cocktail (Apple Butter Face) was so good!! Thank you Jennifer and staff for bringing this lovely culinary experience to Old City. I can't wait TM come back! read more

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We had an amazing experience at Forsythia! Alexa was super attentive and directed our meal expertly. All recommendations were delicious. Our group especially enjoyed the table bread and butter, gnocchi with blue crab, wagyu steak and sunchokes. I will be coming back. read more

Let me start my review by saying I don't have much experience or inclination towards French food. We brought my sister here for what we call an "adventure meal" where we try a new cuisine! The restaurant was beautiful and the service was very friendly and helpful. It was a cold night and they had ample heating lamps inside the restaurant which made our party of three very cozy. Our favorites were the appetizers, the lobster deviled eggs stuck out to me. We tried the bone marrow rib dish and the pork belly. The pork belly ended up being mostly fat but all in all this was a nice adventure meal. For those looking to try French food for the first time, this is a nice option and our server was helpful in deciding how to order. read more