The 25 Best Restaurants In Philadelphia - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

"Few things in life will train you for the rejection you’ll face when trying to reserve a table at Zahav. Only going to the DMV on a Saturday can come close. But when you do get a chance to eat at this Israeli icon in Old City, you’ll get to taste a rotation of small plates like fried carrots, fluffy laffa bread, and silky hummus. Everything on their rotating $90 five-course tasting menu is good, but their tender pomegranate-glazed lamb shoulder and juicy swordfish coated with earthy kale tzatziki are the headliners (when they’re on the menu). They also have a $45 wine pairing featuring all Middle Eastern producers. Reservations at Zahav are released on a rolling basis, 4 weeks to-the-day, one day at a time, at 11 am ET. The bar, where you can order a la carte or the whole tasting menu, is always available for walk-ins. Otherwise, see if your cousin who took Coding 101 can hack you a reservation." - candis mclean, alison kessler