"Laurel comes from Chef Nicholas Elmi, who formerly ran the kitchen at Le Bec-Fin. Ergo, Laurel is fantastic in lots of ways that LBF was (and even better in others). The intimate East Passyunk restaurant has stellar but never stiff service, a chic interior, and French-ish dishes we can’t get enough of. The menu changes fairly often, but things like mussels with a paprika aioli and scallops in an oyster cream sauce always feel original. Come for a date in the dining room or sit by yourself at the bar." - alison kessler