Kept passing by this restaurant and finally decided to go as I was craving Mediterranean. The…read moreinterior is small so you'll have a more intimate experience with whoever youre sittinf around, so just be mindful! The interior is rustic with an open concept for a portion of the kitchen where they do wood fire pizza. The Summer Squash Arincini were delicious, very flavorful, and you get 4 or 5 so a nice amount to share. I got the Bronzino and it was a nice portion of fish with the couscous salad. It fills you up without making you feel too heavy. The Salsiccia pizza was ordered by my partner so i didn't have much but the slice I had was a classic thin crust. The tiramisu was great, it had crispy bits of chocolate in top that added a nice texture. There was so much of it tho, we had to take the rest home. Loved the presentation in the cup!

Whipped ricotta- 8/10 House Ground Meatballs:…read morecaciocavallo-stuffed short rib + pork meatballs / pickled pepper relish / rustic sauce / grilled bread - 5/10 Pan Seared Gnocchi: delicata squash / maitake / kale / lemon / parmesan brodo / fiore sardo - 9/10 Uovo: house white sauce / mozzarella / brussels sprouts / pork guanciale / truffled egg / parmesan - 8/10 Salted Caramel Budino: dark chocolate crust / salted caramel / whipped crème fraiche - 10/10

Suraya did NOT disappoint ‍ The food, the flavors, the ambience and service... EVERYTHING was…read moreamazing. We did the tasting menu and every single dish was so flavorful Hummous Baba Ganoudh Muhammara Labneh Taboule Fatteh Rakakat Kawarma Samke Harra And for dessert... Kanafeh + Blueberry & Lemon Verbena Verrine -- the perfect ending. Everything was absolutely delicious, and the ambience made the whole experience even better. Suraya is definitely a spot to add to your Philly dining list

Cuisine: 8 Service: 8…read moreDecor: 9 Value: 7 Overall: 9 I rarely give a restaurant five stars when the food is doesn't score a 9 or 10. Don't get me wrong, the food here is wonderful, but it is not on the highest levels that I would normally give five stars. However, our experience having brunch in their gorgeous backyard garden was extremely delightful. The weather had a major part to play in that. Four of us enjoyed a wonderful meal under a sunny sky on a slightly balmy day. With the heat lamps nearby, and lush green trees blocking the sun from our eyes, it felt amazing to dine al fresco. There were communal tables, but they seated each party far enough to feel like you're alone with your group only. Weekend brunch is a set menu at $42/person. Our five starters arrived and it was a colorful spread. The creamy Hummous (8/10) and smokey Baba Ganoush (8.5/10) were both excellent. I also enjoyed the peppery Muhammara (7.5/10) and velvety Labneh (7.5/10), but the vinegary Taboulé (8.5/10) may have been the best version I ever had. For entrees, I ordered the Samke Harra (7.5/10), which was a perfectly grilled piece of branzino filet. The spicy walnut sauce didn't really enhance the dish for me though. However, I did get to try my friends' Kafta Kebab (8.5/10) and Halabi Kebab (9/10), which were both juicy and absolutely delicious. I lean slightly towards the Halabi Kebab because of my preference for the flavor of lamb and its accompanying sauce. Lastly, their Dubai Chocolate & Pistachio Financier (8/10) was very tasty. I would say that the texture felt more like a brownie and not a financier, but it was good regardless. Rich chocolate and strong pistachio flavors blend together nicely with the crispiness of the finely shredded phyllo. Btw, though we chose to eat in the outdoor garden, the indoor decor is top notch too. The large open kitchen dining room and bar seating also provide a fantastic environment for patrons. As for service, from the hostess to our servers, everyone was friendly and always had a smile. Looking forward to my next visit, which will be soon.

For me, Dizengoff is the less pretentious, more enjoyable version of Zahav. It delivers the same…read moregeneral Middle Eastern inspiration without the stiffness or the feeling that you need to make an occasion out of everything. One of the best things about this place is how approachable it is. You can usually walk in, grab a seat, or find a spot at the bar without the unnecessary restrictions you might encounter at Zahav, where apparently even ordering a drink at the bar can become an issue. During the day, the space is fantastic. Incredible natural light, a bright and lively atmosphere, and a casual energy that makes you want to stick around. The hummus dishes are excellent, the salads are consistently fresh, and the service is warm and genuinely hospitable. There's nothing overly complicated about what Dizengoff does, and that's precisely the point. Great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and an experience that feels effortless rather than overly orchestrated. I love this place. It's the kind of restaurant that makes you want to come back regularly, not just save it for a special occasion. Sometimes, the less pretentious version really is the better one.

Lovely ambience and quick service. All ingredients tasted fresh…read more We got the: Labneh with Pita 5/5 - perfect texture, creamy and the seasoning was delicious. The pita was fresh and fluffy. Malawach Egg in the Hole 4/5 - was quite good and I liked the schug topping but the egg was a bit overpowering (as I should have expected because of the dish description! :) I wish I had tried the shakshouka instead Fries 5/5 - the best, most potato-ey fries I have had in a while. The dip with it was a little extra tangy - not my personal preference but my friends loved it!

great establishment and nice staff. we did a large group party upstairs and there was so much food…read more! everything was amazing. wonderful flavors.

This place was interesting! It had a lot of positive reviews so I was excited to try it for my…read morefriends birthday. And I called in advance to see if they catered for people with dietary restrictions which they mentioned they did. I think it's a fine place to go if you eat meat but I wouldn't go if you don't! The options for vegetarians were a lentil rice dish and a chickpea rice dish so it was very carb heavy with not too much of a focus on protein. I liked the eggplant that had in the beginning but other than the food was meh. The service was nice and the short bellydancing performance was fun but I wasn't the biggest fan of the food. Especially when they give you served us a fruit plate containing unopened apples and oranges and bananas at the end that was kind of strange. Personally wouldn't return but my friends who had the meat seemed to enjoy it!

Came here for NYE dinner and left so impressed…read more We have been hearing about it from one of our friends daily for the past year but somehow didn't get around to it. But hey, NYE - what's a better way to celebrate what will be a wonderful new year than with a new restaurant that our friend recommended? We got so much food because we were famished. We started with the The only thing I wish was better was the table size. For the amount of food we got , the table was too small!!! But overall such a great restaurant and will come again. It is also intimate and cozy so good for a date night

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!

So great! Visited in a Saturday night and sat on the patio on a beautiful night…read more The tasting menu started with for the table, laffa bread hummus, beets, baba ghanoush, pickled cabbage, carrots, marinated cauliflower and spicy fennel. We could have stopped here and I would have been thrilled. For mezze we had the wagyu tartare and Haloumi, the puffed buckwheat was a cool texture and much preferred the scheese to the beef. The beef unfortunately had a spice or flavor that overpowered everything. For the entree we had the lamb shoulder, meaty, lucious and the Persian rice in the side was delicious but we were stuffed! Ended with the dessert trio, all a great not too sweet bite but the blueberry konafi was our favorite.

There's no denying Zahav is an OG. It helped introduce Middle Eastern cuisine to Philadelphia in a…read moremeaningful way and deserves credit for what it's done for the city's dining scene. That said, dining here today feels a little stiff, and the experience doesn't quite live up to the reputation. Take the opening course, for example. The hummus, small plates, and pita are perfectly good, but nothing on the table really stands out. There isn't a single item I couldn't point to somewhere else in the city and say I've had a better version. Even the pita doesn't arrive as that warm, oven fresh pillow of bread you hope for. From there, the main courses are consistently good. The chicken, steak, fish, and lamb are all delicious, but nothing feels particularly extraordinary. The service and hospitality are very good, though, and one part of the experience genuinely stands above the rest: the wine program. The selection of Middle Eastern varietals and lesser known wines is seriously cool, and there are some fantastic bottles here that make for excellent food drinking. Our wine stewardess was exceptional and easily the highlight of the evening. Ultimately, Zahav feels overpriced for what lands on the table. If you live in Philadelphia, it's not somewhere you're likely to visit regularly, especially when the city has so many other great options. And if you're saving a night out for a truly spectacular meal, I think you can do better. Zahav deserves its place in Philadelphia's dining history. I just don't think its current experience quite justifies the price or the hype.

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.

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.

The grilled halloumi (5/5) is a must try! A beautiful meeting of rich, salty, fruity mixed in with…read morea wonderfully soft texture here and crunchy texture there! I've brought back friends just to try this! Also worked great with a wine the bartender recommended! The chicken shishlik (3/5) was pretty good, however a bit too subtly seasoned for my taste and was underwhelming after looking forward to trying it. I appreciated the wide variety in the salatim sides that came with this order. Hummus and pita that came with were great as well. The laser lemonade drink (4/5) was a nice burst of flavor in between bites. Ambience (5/5) is friendly and conversational. Service (4/5) as expected for the bar during a busy time.

The lamb chops are a must try!…read more Everything was good but the lamb chops are memorable! Sorry the photo doesn't do the dish justice.

I had walked past Estia more times than I can count, but had never been, until this evening. We had…read morejust finished walking around the craft fair at Rittenhouse Square and were looking to get a bite to eat. It was my birthday and my partner wanted to find a nice restaurant. We had been to Greece two years ago and fell in love with the food. We saw Estia was close by, however, it was Saturday at 4 and we found there were no open reservations. We decided to walk over. The hostess was very gracious and not only said she could accommodate, but took us to a delightful booth. The venue is beautiful - the architecture - decorations - and the overall vibe is wonderful. I walked downstairs and was also very impressed with the private dining rooms. It didn't take us very long to decide what we were going to order - we were sharing all plates. My partner started with an Estia (signature) cocktail - the Meli. It's a delicious drink with vodka, passion fruit, almond liqueur, honey and lemon! I would like to mention the bread and hummus we had as a starter - the bread was excellent-warm, freshly baked with a superb creamy hummus. We decided to order the Crab cake and the Spanakopita for appetizers. The crab cake was made with jumbo lump crabmeat and had minimal fillers - I'm from Maryland and this was as good as any I've recently had. There was a Dijon aioli that was the perfect dip for the crab meat. The Spanakopita was also top notch - the crispy phyllo dough was excellent and the filling of spinach, leeks, scallions, dill and feta was perfect! For our main course, we ordered the Lamb Chops (of course!), and the Lobster Linguini. We were told the chops are Estia's signature dish and a must order. First rule of eating chops - you must pick up the chops to eat them - cutting the meat with a fork and knife will not provide the same effect with both the flavor and texture. My first bite was heavenly - the chops were cooked perfectly - which is a feat in itself as we both like our meat Medium - pink, not red. The chops were tender and juicy with a grill that accentuated the flavor of the meat. What a great dish! The chops came with very large, very delicious Greek style potato fries which had a nice crunch and a little cheese! Unfortunately, the Lobster Linguine did not meet our expectations - specifically, the lobster. My first bite of the lobster resulted in my chewing, and chewing, and chewing..... What a disappointment - while the sauce was very savory and the pasta was cooked perfectly, I couldn't chew the lobster and pushed the pieces to the side. There are many reasons why lobster is chewy and rubbery - overcooking is the most common. It was my birthday and our very gracious and delightful server brought a few little treats out. Overall, while the one dish was disappointing, the rest of the meal was great and we will be returning to Estia!

Since our first visit, we have not been able to stop thinking about Almyra, and specifically the…read moreHorta (Greek wild greens). The Horta cannot be skipped when dining here! This time around we ordered many menu items to share once again. I definitely recommend this method with the way this menu is written! Trying both meat and seafood dishes, we have come to the conclusion that Almyra seems to do better with seafood than meat dishes, though this is not to say the meat dishes are bad. For dessert, my brother got the Budino again and my dad got the Baklava. The Baklava was unfortunately dry and hard, so while this is a classic Greek dessert I would opt for another dessert here. The dessert was made special, however, complete with a "Happy Birthday" design on the plate and a sparkler for my dad. The service was once again excellent. Our waitress was very attentive, upbeat, and helpful. Lastly, having come in the winter last time the restaurant was busy, but slightly more toned down. On this summer Saturday night the restaurant was very loud, which made it hard to hear conversation. This is a small thing, but something to keep in mind if you are looking for a more intimate dinner! We will definitely be back to Almyra again! I recommend giving Almyra a try and don't forget to order the Horta!

stunning restaurant with an amazing happy hour, i was pleasantly surprised that almyra lives up to…read moreits hype! my friend and i dropped by on a whim for happy hour on wednesday, and we were blown away. i've always heard a lot about almyra, but have never came by despite living in the area. definitely regret not checking it out sooner because the happy hour was fantastic! for drinks, my friend and i both got mocktails which were off the menu. for food, we got the choices of five spreads, the crispy rice, and the filet and chicken kofta skewers. skip the skewers, they were overly salty and not worth the $8. the spreads, however, were incredible and i love that it came with both pita and also vegetables! yum! we also absolutely loved the crispy rice. so worth for $8, we got two orders and debated getting a third. i think it's such a good deal to get 4 pieces of tuna crispy rice for $8, some restaurants charge that price for a single piece. the crispy rice was crispy (yay) and generously loaded with tuna. i also liked the unique flavor profile that the olives added. service was great, food came out fast and our sever was very attentive! this is a beautiful restaurant with plenty of seating and fancy decor, definitely appropriate for a nice dinner. can't wait to come back!