**GOAT ITEM** FATTEH **Michelin Star Restaurant**…read more I love venturing out of our comfort zone and trying restaurant sub-types that I don't have where I live, such as Lebanese. Suraya is located in Fishtown a bit outside the city, but the Uber here was totally worth it. This restaurant is PHENEMONAL! We decided to go with the "A taste of Suraya" for $78 a person. Of course, we started with the Hummous, Baba Ganoush, Muhammara, Labneh, & Taboule which are basically 5 separate hummus that are served as an appetizer. 3 of the hummus I really liked: Hummous - chickpeas seasoned with tehina, lemon & garlic Baba Ganoush - charred eggplant seasoned with tehina, lemon, garlic & urfa biber Muhammara - roasted red pepper and walnut dip * seasoned with chili, cumin & pomegranate 1 Hummus was ok: Labneh - strained yogurt finished with za'atar, tomatoes, cucumber, olives & mint 1 Hummus I wouldn't eat again: Taboule - parsley salad with cucumber, tomato, scallion & mint * seasoned with lemon The absolute star of the night was the Fatteh. The Fatteh is: warm chickpeas, eggplant, crispy pita & tehina yogurt * almonds, cashews & brown butter. An absolute GOAT (Greatest of All Time) food item you can get anywhere. I could eat this thing all day every day. I've never had anything like it anywhere else. As my hot food item, I chose Makanek which were little lamb sausages. I thought they were fine, not out of this world good, but solid. To drink, I had a $16 Throne of Beauty which is: mezcal, ancho reyes, contratto bitter, pineapple, sesame orgeat & grapefruit Unfortunately I couldn't taste any mezcal in the drink so it was basically a fruity drink and not very good. I also had a $17 Obscured Hallows (Old Fashioned): elijah craig bourbon, rittenhouse rye, sherry, brown butter, semolina & date It was much better and exactly on point. For the entree, I had Kawarma: slow roasted lamb * baharat, dill yogurt, cucumber & pomegranate salad The server recommended this as his favorite item on the menu and it did not disappoint. I thought it was absolutely perfect. I made a reservation online. This restaurant is absolutely worth the uber trip outside the city. The food is top notch as was the service. Looks like a cute little area with a lot more bars and restaurants all up and down the street. Highly recommend! Get out of your comfort zone and try some Lebanese food, if you haven't had any!

If you're a fan of Lebanese cuisine, this is a restaurant you'll want to add to your must-visit…read morelist. From the moment you walk in, the space makes an impression. The restaurant offers several seating options, including bar seating, a chef's counter, a beautiful garden patio, and a traditional dining room, each creating its own unique experience. We opted for the chef's counter, and it was absolutely the right choice. Watching the kitchen work with such precision and care gave us an even greater appreciation for every dish that arrived at the table. To start, we ordered two cocktails: The Poet and The Golden Belt. The Poet was light, refreshing, and beautifully balanced--an easy-drinking cocktail that complemented the meal perfectly. The Golden Belt was equally impressive, with its vibrant turmeric hue adding visual appeal and a unique twist on a classic Old Fashioned. Our first course was the Samke Nayyeh, and it set the tone for the evening. The yellowtail was exceptionally fresh, and the combination of herbs, jalapeño, and creamy labneh was incredibly well balanced. The edible flowers added an elegant pop of color, making the dish almost too beautiful to disturb. Paired with the warm, fresh pita, every bite was outstanding. We also tried the pickled olives and vegetables. While the olives were flavorful, this was the one dish that didn't quite stand out compared to everything else. I'd probably skip it on a return visit and save room for more of the menu's highlights. For the main course, we shared the 28-ounce ribeye for two, served with toum, hummus, baba ghanoush, and charred onion, tomato, and pepper. This was unquestionably the star of the meal. The steak was cooked flawlessly with a perfect crust and rich, beefy flavor, while each spread brought something unique to the table. The toum was intensely garlicky, the hummus silky smooth, and the baba ghanoush wonderfully smoky. We also ordered the Batata Harra--salt-roasted potatoes tossed with long hot peppers, garlic, lemon, and cilantro. Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and packed with bright, bold flavors, they were the ideal accompaniment to the steak. To top it all off, our host, Ryan, treated us to the Rakakat, crispy fried cheese served with a garlic spread. It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture and a fantastic way to end the meal. The delicate, crispy exterior paired perfectly with the rich, melty cheese and the creamy garlic sauce. From the warm hospitality to the thoughtful presentation and expertly executed dishes, every part of this experience felt intentional. It was the perfect finale to our trip to Philadelphia, and it's a restaurant I'll gladly return to the next time I'm in town.

Excellent all around. They fit us in on a busy World Cup Saturday night…read more We had Shakshuka, cabbage entree, and the lamb meatballs. All were tasty and well presented. It reminded me of restaurants in Tel Aviv. Our server Brian added immensely to our experience.

corn hummus ($16) - this was actually so yummy it was smooth…read moreand delectable - Ive never had any bad hummus at a restaurant though; the only bad hummus ive had would be the grocery store bought ones - i especially liked the corn addition which made the dish sweet lamb kofte sandwich ($16) - very average and nothing special nor memorable about this - I feel like they didn't deliver with this because it just felt very plain with pita stuffed with big chunks of lamb meat rating: 4/5 - we agreed this place is just average; every dish was pretty good but not amazing nor memorable - the only thing that stood out was the corn hummus - service was quick and attentive - beautiful upscale interior but still a welcoming friendly environment for all individuals IG: @nom.noms.only

Marrakesh is one of my absolute favorite places to eat in Philadelphia!!…read more I wish it existed in more cities. This is a multicourse journey through Marrakesh that cannot be repeated anywhere else except for maybe in the real Marrakesh. From the Bastilla pastry, which is DIVINE, to the salads, the chicken and kebabs... all the way to the baklava and tea.... there is no bad bite at Marrakesh. The owners are welcoming and super amenable and make you feel like you're coming home every single time you visit. It's in a odd location, and you may feel like you are making a questionable life decision as you walk up the alley to the door, but when you arrive, you realize that in fact, it was one of the best decisions you've made in years!! When you enter, it's like you've been transported to a beautiful room in Morocco. The music, the decor, even the authentic seating make for an unforgettable experience. And if you get really lucky, you also get to see the belly dancers who are top notch! There is not a single thing I can think of to say that Marrakesh needs to improve. It is a one of a kind experience that I feel everyone should have at least once in life!

What an incredible experience and much better than our last visit almost 7-8 years ago. The last…read moretime we came, the AC was broken on a hot day in the summer and it completely turned me off despite having an amazing visit my first time. I'm so glad my friends wanted to come here to celebrate our Friendsgiving. The food was as good as I remembered , the service as ever warm and welcoming. Since I hadn't been for so long, I ate everything as was prepared - but I'm happy to hear it sounds like they have veg options on their tasting menu. I'm looking forward to trying that my next return. But I couldn't say no to their chicken after almost a decade I highly recommend checking out this business for a delicious family style cooked meal.

When we walked in at 6:30, a graduation party was going on in the back and the main dining room was…read moreempty. "Guess we didn't need a reservation," I said to my friend. Aha! Within minutes the place was packed. Isot is a popular BYOB, and for good reason. Their food is delicious. The five of us started with a mixed meze platter which had a sampling of spreads: eggplant, garlic/yogurt, hummus (chickpea), spicy tomato & pepper salad, Slavic potato salad and of course pita bread. My husband, daughter and I shared the mixed plate for two, which was plenty for the three of us. We ate beef kabobs, Chicken Adana (my favorite), chicken thighs, Turkish meatballs and lamb kabobs. Served with the most flavorful salad, sautéed vegetables and rice, the mixed plate is a great option if you haven't zeroed in on something specific. No corkage fee, helpful and pleasant staff, casual unhurried vibe .... I love this place!

I wish I had more time to spend here to experience the food…read more I had a quick stop have some snacks even though i had lunch earlier! I must say Chef Fatih Kekec provided all his skills on presentation on the dishes we had. Although they did not have any Cig Kofte, wish to have it next time. Abugannush was sperb, pacanga boregi was expected as crispy and delicious! Manti, my favorite, little dumplings with ground meat, yogurt sauce and butter pepper mint on the top! Yummm!! I wish this business a huge success! Will definitely come back again

There are some stellar, multidimensional reviews of Zahav on this site - for example, Bunker B's…read moremagnificent contribution.. I urge you to read that for an comprehensive, informed description of Zahav's place in the culinary scene. Here I offer a more quotidian review, with the emphasis on practical tips. I am going to cut to the chase: the pomegranate lamb shoulder is the stuff dreams are made of. Tender and tart. Accompanied by sides that are a work of art in themselves: fluffy Persian rice with a perfect crust. Greens with the right amount of sweet and sour to balance the other two components. The composed dish beautifully thought out and executed. And a little extra pickle just in case. Zahav has commissioned a red wine specifically to accompany the lamb, so be sure to order the Galia Dabouki if you get the lamb. Now for some practical suggestions: unless you have a hearty appetite, do not attempt the four-course menu. You will fill yourself on hummus, salads and dips and mezze, and by the time you get to the star of the show - the pomegranate lamb shoulder - you will barely have room for more than a few bites. I suggest you go a la carte, and pick wisely from the first two courses. I am even going to be heretical and suggest you skip the hummus. Yes, I know Zahav's hummus is famous. Maybe you can pick some up at Whole Foods to eat at a different time. Even the salatim - as masterful as they are - have by now been reproduced at other Israeli restaurants that have caught up to Zahav's Israeli avant garde. So if you ask me: pick from the mezze list and go on to the lamb. And about getting reservations: if you are a planner, go ahead and snag a reservation by going online exactly four weeks in advance as the website explains. But if you want to be more spontaneous, you can get a seat at the bar as a walk-in. You do need to arrive early for that. The day we were there - a weeknight in July - the line started to form a little before 5pm, that is, a little before the restaurant's opening time. Everyone in the line at that time got to be seated, and there were still plenty of spots that only gradually filled up. No doubt on the weekend you would need to get in line a bit earlier, but it is entirely possible to do this without an advance reservation. So now I am looking forward to taking my own advice. I am plotting my return, and going in for the star of the show, the hell with opening acts.

Some restaurants capture a culinary movement, while Zahav helped propel one. Middle Eastern food…read morenow occupies a far more prominent place in global dining culture, but Zahav was well ahead of that expansion, especially in the United States. Alongside internationally influential figures such as Yotam Ottolenghi and Eyal Shani, Michael Solomonov helped introduce a wider audience to the depth, variety, and sophistication of modern Israeli cuisine. Philadelphia is incredibly fortunate that he and his longtime partner, Steve Cook, built their defining restaurant here. My wife and I visited for an early dinner around 5:00 p.m. and chose the prix fixe menu, which remains one of the most memorable meals I have had in Philadelphia. The mezze was exceptionally fresh, the hummus completely lived up to its reputation, and the pita with za'atar was delectable. I also remember the rice (tahdig), chicken, and famous pomegranate lamb shoulder being delicious, while a cold Goldstar beer was a simple but perfect touch. Looking back at the food photographs still makes me hungry. Zahav creates a genuine sense of arrival before the first plate reaches the table. The elevated entrance sits above the surrounding shrubs and landscaping, making the restaurant feel pleasantly removed from the street, and we entered along the side beside the patio. Inside, the stone surfaces, stained glass, and warm finishes evoke Jerusalem's Old City without crossing into theatrical territory, while transparent windows along the kitchen reveal the work taking place behind them. Because we arrived while it was still light outside, natural light filled the restaurant; photos taken by other diners suggest that the fixtures create an entirely different glow after dark against the Jerusalem-inspired stone palette. As we entered, Solomonov was standing beside the pita oven to the left, and we were honestly a bit starstruck. We occasionally see him around Philadelphia, but watching someone with his global reputation doing such basic, physical work alongside the staff was especially meaningful. He struck me as a servant leader who remains close to the craft and the people responsible for delivering the experience each night. The fantastic service throughout dinner reflected that same combination of confidence, warmth, and attention. Solomonov's culinary talent is matched by a rare instinct for marketing, brand building, and community presence. His social media, cookbooks, retail products, and appearances in Netflix and YouTube food programming have extended his influence well beyond the restaurant, and he is as cool and charismatic as he is gifted in the culinary arts. A subtler strength across CookNSolo is the group's command of operations and technology, from its reservation systems and point-of-sale experience to the digital integration that guests may barely notice. Solomonov and Cook have created distinct concepts that operate with discipline without losing their individual character, and that balance between imagination and execution may be the most impressive part of what they have built. That judgment also extends to where CookNSolo chooses to open. The arrival of one of its restaurants can serve as an early vote of confidence in a neighborhood or development, attracting attention and signaling the cultural momentum that often precedes broader investment and excitement. Laser Wolf's presence in Philadelphia and at The Hoxton in Williamsburg embodies that philosophy, and I am eager to visit both locations, as well as Jaffa Bar in Philadelphia and Aviv in Miami. Zahav deserves to remain the focus here, while the broader quality of the CookNSolo ecosystem will unfold through the many other reviews I still need to write, including Goldie, K'Far, Dizengoff, Federal Donuts, Merkaz, and others. !

Probably some of the best service I've received at a restaurant! The owner checked in a few times…read moreand showed us his joint business of a hookah lounge upstairs. We also learned about Ramiz's history and how it's a chain. This location is the first one established in the US. We received complimentary mix appetizer plate of dips and tea! Karişik Soğuk Meze / Mix Appetizer Plate- Hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, and spicy vegetable dip THE SPICY VEGETABLE DIP IS INCREDIBLE! MUST TRY! Turkish meatballs - insanely moist and delicious! Would highly recommend! Chicken Adana wrap - could have used more meat in it and the fries were lacking salt but that's easily fixable! Sütlaç -the oven baked pudding was good The table cloth on the tables kept moving which was a bit frustrating, not sure what other restaurants do to hold it down. Menu has so many options, something for everyone. Bringing your family or a big friend group is a good idea!

We didn't have proper dinner but came just for desserts. The server was so attentive and friendly…read more Both desserts - Kunefe and Kazandibi - were delicious and not too sweet. There were a few patrons sitting across us that had just finished their dinner and couldn't stop raving about the food so we are looking forward to coming back again.

Food was incredible, service was stellar and I loved this style of eating. Lots of choices and a…read morefun experience. Loved everything!

A wonderful dinner to celebrate my son's birthday…read more Service was outstanding. Made the experience all the better. Started out with cocktails and some happy hour à la cart items. All great. Really enjoyed the signature cocktails. The fries and the chicken wings are a must. We got an array of dishes including the swordfish, dorado, portobello mushroom, and the ribeye for 2. I think they knock it out of the park with the fish and the sauces. So good. And of course we finished with the soft service. Got some of each. It's a great way to wrap up a fabulous dinner.