"T-Pain. The Golden Bachelor. Beyonce’s Jolene. No matter the category, we love a creative renaissance, and the same goes for Laurel on East Passyunk—an intimate French restaurant that went from high-end tasting menu to a la carte. They still have the same elements that made it our favorite restaurant in the city—stellar (but never stiff) service, chic interiors, and creative French dishes we can’t get enough of. The mirror-lined space works for a big deal date, but it’s still casual enough to sit at the bar by yourself and blend in. We’re always wowed by the originality of the (ever-changing) menu, but some of our all-time favorites include the boquerones on sourdough brioche, mussels with a paprika aioli, and scallops in an oyster cream sauce you’ll want to bottle." - alison kessler