Double Knot

"This iconic sushi spot from Michael Schulson makes the experience one of sleek, chill sophistication. With over 30 options of sushi, sashimi, and handrolls to choose from (such as the A-5 kobe; wasabi and red snapper; kombu; and ponzu), this is an ideal spot to introduce newcomers to this Japanese delicacy." - Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme, Ernest Owens

"Dining at Double Knot in Midtown Village feels like using Lincoln Drive when I-76 gets too crammed: a “secret” the entire city knows about that comes in handy at least twice a week. And that’s because it has one of the city's best Happy Hours and a menu full of dependable Japanese small plates. As a result, after 5pm, you could watch a video of the dining room on a time-lapse and never catch a moment when it’s not busy. photo credit: GAB BONGHI photo credit: NEAL SANTOS photo credit: GAB BONGHI photo credit: Neal Santos photo credit: Neal Santos The cocktail lounge on the first floor is usually flooded with people celebrating closing their laptops with a glass of sake, a few $7 spicy tuna rolls, and $4 charred chicken thighs. Downstairs, the basement izakaya feels a bit like The Batcave, and it’s where you’ll find couples eating thin pieces of raw salmon topped with soy ginger and spicy ponzu or a little of everything from their 10-course, $68 tasting menu (which only makes sense to order after Happy Hour). You’ll need a reservation to get in, but if you can’t snag one, head to their sister spot Sampan next door (tip: they have the same dumplings). Food Rundown Cocktails While they have a wine and sake list as lengthy as the Flyers championship drought, we always go for the namesake Double Knot. It’s their spin on a Manhattan served in a smoked glass with double the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. And it goes down dangerously smooth. photo credit: Neal Santos Edamame Dumplings It’s the most popular dish on the menu for a reason. The dumplings are in a subtle sake truffle broth that nicely avoids a complete truffle takeover. Each bite into the tiny pods is garlicky, oniony, and sweet. You get four dumplings, and they’re good enough that you’ll need at least three orders for the table (even if you’re dining solo). video credit: Gab Bonghi Japanese Scallop The scallops here switch up as much as the couch scene in The Simpsons opening credits. We’ve had them sashimi-style in a pool of cilantro glaze with miso powder and truffle and also baked with a fiery jalapeño oil and sweet onion ponzu. Hot or cold, it’s a win. photo credit: Gab Bonghi Ume Hirame Roll The rolls range from great-to-look-at-and-eat to generally average. This fluke roll is the latter. It has bits of shiso leaf and raw cucumber inside and it’s coated in ponzu and hot sesame oil. And yet, it’s a combination that lacks depth of flavor. photo credit: Neal Santos Tasting Menu This includes 10 assorted choices ranging from dishes like salmon sashimi, grilled prawn robatayaki, and a crispy shrimp taco. At just $65, it’s a great deal, especially when you miss the $7 small plates during Happy Hour and all of the pricing balloons back to around $15 per dish." - Candis R. McLean

"When: Daily, 4-7pm The Deal:  $8 Beer, $7 Cocktails, And $4-$8 Small Plates You want to arrive at Midtown Village’s Double Knot early if you plan on getting a table or a seat at the bar during Happy Hour. As soon as it opens, it feels like everybody who works within view of William Penn descends upon the Japanese restaurant. Understandably so—the drinks are cheap and good. Double Knot also discounts a bunch of their snacks, including their edamame dumplings, crispy chili chicken bao, and spicy tuna hand rolls.  " - candis mclean

"Double Knot is a Japanese spot in Midtown Village, and it’s really two restaurants in one. There’s an all-day cafe on the main floor that you could watch on a time-lapse and never catch a moment when it’s not busy. And while it’s usually packed with people eating rice and noodle bowls and working on laptops, at 5pm the lights go down and it turns into more of a bar scene, but with a slightly different menu than what you’ll find at the sexy izakaya below, which is really where you want to be." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"Double Knot is one of the first spots that comes to mind when you want to eat in Midtown Village–and not just because it has as much range as Beyonce’s discography. Hang at the first floor cocktail lounge and sushi bar, or head downstairs to the intimately lit izakaya that looks a bit like Dracula’s dungeons. For a little taste of everything, get the $65 chef’s tasting menu, which includes 10 selections plus dessert. Try the dreamy edamame dumplings, crispy Japanese fried chicken, and finish with larger dishes like the Japanese scallops in an onion ponzu. You need reservations to get into the vampire’s lair, but you can always pop in for sake and hand rolls up top." - candis mclean