"If there were a rare scenario in which Philadelphians had to choose only one restaurant to dine at for the rest of their lives, a high number would choose Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Queen Village. Yes, the omakase experience is the best in the city, but their karaage wings also add to the popularity. They’re topped with a subtly tangy soy chili vinegar, along with red onions and scallions that intensify the super crunch of each wing. The order of six is never enough, but it does have us considering a monogamous relationship with the place. Royal's sushi omakase is the single hardest reservation to book in Philadelphia. (At the end of the meal, diners can rebook for the following month, and many do—thus creating a defacto club of omakase regulars.) Open slots become available 30 days in advance, so we suggest setting an alarm or 10 and signing up for the waitlist notifications. It's rare, but not unheard of, to get a last-minute reservation. Alternatively, you could dine in the walk-in-only izakaya portion of the restaurant, get “lost” heading to the bathroom, and try to blend in with the Eagles player gulping toro." - candis mclean