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The Hottest New Restaurants in Philly, March 2024

2024-03-07T09:24:03-05:00

Mike Prince for Baby’s Kusina

The best new places to get tasty tacos, savory pho, impressive Filipino cuisine, and hot, crispy chicken

Notable new restaurants open all the time in Philadelphia, offering an array of options for the city’s diners. From casual takeout spots to fancy sit-down dinners, there is something for everybody in the city’s constantly evolving, deliciously diverse dining scene. Be patient, as changing times and recent years of ups and downs have been tough on restaurants and their staff — don’t forget to tip well.

Top Spots for Brunch in Bucks County

2024-03-05T00:56:41-05:00

Maxwell’s on Main

These 12 restaurants are serving some of the most unforgettable dishes in the suburbs

Weekend brunch is a favorite dining excursion for individuals seeking out flavorful menu items such as eggs Benedict and omelets and bloody Mary and mimosa beverages. Bucks County restaurants cater to the brunch crowd by offering plentiful dining options for this special weekend meal. Here are some top spots for brunch in Bucks County and highlights of the culinary offerings you’ll find there.

Inside Al Pastor, the New Mexican Restaurant in Havertown

2024-03-04T16:07:00-05:00

Al Pastor in Havertown | Al Pastor Havertown

An exclusive first-look inside the cantina that’s going to dazzle the suburbs

The emerging suburb of Havertown is getting an upgrade this week with a brand new Mexican restaurant that’s open every day of the week.

Al Pastor Havertown

This Thursday, March 7th, Al Pastor Havertown will open its doors to the public (13W Benedict Avenue). The 3,600 square feet restaurant that seats 80 diners (and also includes a 3,000 square feet outdoor patio that will seat 70 diners) strives to be “that hot spot where city and suburb friends get together and hang out.”

Al Pastor is the eighth restaurant and bar from owners Justin Weathers and Joe Monnich of the Stove and Co. Restaurant Group (which includes Stove and Tap Lansdale, Stove and Tap West Chester, Al Pastor Exton, DePaul’s Table, Revival Pizza Chester Springs, and Joey Chops Malvern, and more).

Eddy Marenco

Owners Justin Weathers (left) and Joe Monnich (right)

“Al Pastor Havertown is our closest concept to the city - and we want to fully embrace this with offerings that will draw folks both from the Main Line and Western Suburbs and Philadelphia,” Weathers says on opening a new location for the popular cantina. “For our growing restaurant group, this is where we see both locals and neighbors from Havertown and Ardmore going, but we want to be that hot spot where city and suburb friends get together and hang out.”

“When we went to work on the design, we had that in mind the whole time,” Weathers added. “When the outdoor patio opens, it will be one of the biggest in the area and we see it as a hot spot for margarita season and we are looking forward to a banging happy hour business. We want to be that place where everyone wants to be after work and on a beautiful spring/summer day.”

Photography by Allison Burto

Diners can expect to try their signature Mexican fried rice, tuna ceviche tostada, Mexican street corn salad, nachos, dragon tots, tacos, and more. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dining options (such as their Al Pastor nachos, spicy tempeh and veggies burrito) are also available.

Photography by Allison Burto

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A post shared by Al Pastor Havertown (@eatalpastordelco)

Al Pastor has a full-service bar that specializes in tequila, margaritas, and other speciality cocktails. Tropicado martini (that includes pineapple infused tequila, fresh avocado, lime, coconut), mezcalita (mezcal, fresh orange juice, lime, orange liqueur, orange bitters, tajin), Aztec old fashioned (teremana reposado, aztec chocolate bitters, agave, lemon peel), and more.

Al Pastor Havertown

Al Pastor’s grand opening is this Thursday at 11 am, with regular service on Mondays to Thursdays at 11 am to 9 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 am to 10 pm, and Sundays at 11 am to 8 pm. Reservations can now be made on Resy. Their full dinner menu is available all evening, with plans for happy hour to start next week (Mondays to Fridays at 4 pm to 6 pm). For more general information, their number is (484) 455-4585 and those looking to host private events can email Lauren Murphy, Al Pastor’s events manager, at events@stoveandco.com or call at (484) 455-4585.

Top Irish Bars in Philly

2024-03-02T13:16:39-05:00

McGillin’s Olde Ale House

Here’s the 15 best spots to let the Guinness flow

During this time of St. Patrick’s Day fever, Irish pubs in Philly are main destination. Fortunately, our city have plenty to check out — from longtime institutions to newer spots to mix and mingle. Here’s the top 15 Irish bars in town that are ideal for a Guinness and hearty bite.

Vietnam Restaurant Just Won the 2024 James Beard America’s Classics Award

2024-02-28T11:28:07-05:00

Vietnam Restaurant

America’s Classics honored the Vietnamese restaurant for having “remained a model of consistency for decades”

With semifinalists already announced last month, the James Beard Foundation has revealed via press release the winners of its annual America’s Classics award. This year, longtime Chinatown/University City gem Vietnam Restaurant, currently owned by Benny Lai, was recognized in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Vietnam Restaurant

Per the foundation, the award is meant to honor “locally owned restaurants that serve quality food, have timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities.” Restaurants become eligible for the award once they’ve been open for 10 years.

Here’s what judges said about Vietnam Restaurant:

The Lai family was among the first wave of Vietnamese refugees who came to Philadelphia to build a life on hard work and entrepreneurship fueled by lemongrass-scented feasts. The founding couple, Nhu Lai and Thuyen Luu, fled Vietnam by boat with their eight children after being stripped of their sandal factory in 1978.fir c After nearly a year in a Malaysian refugee camp, they arrived in Philadelphia in 1979, began with a grocery, then quickly transitioned to a modest restaurant space in Chinatown in 1984. By 2000, after handing the business over to their son, Benny, moving to a larger multi-floor space next door, and undergoing a decor makeover evoking French colonial accents, the family secured Vietnam’s place as one of Philly’s favorite date-night destinations for classic Vietnamese cuisine. From barbecue platters laden with grilled meats, stuffed grape leaves, and Philly’s crispiest spring rolls, to nước chấm–splashed vermicelli bowls, fragrant noodle soups, lemongrass stir-fries, and clay pots sizzling with caramelized pork, Vietnam’s kitchen has remained a model of consistency for decades. A second branch in West Philadelphia, Vietnam Café, has become a neighborhood favorite there, too, while the family’s neighboring market, Fu Wah, has become a standard-bearer for its banh mi.

Since its inception in 1998, this category has honored over 100 restaurants across the country. Honorees will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 10, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The Best BYOB Restaurants in Philly

2024-02-27T10:43:19-05:00

Mawn

Corkage fees are uncommon, so bring your own bottle of wine, beer, or even spirits to avoid the alcohol markup at these great BYOBs

Thanks to Pennsylvania’s decades-old alcohol laws and the challenge and cost of obtaining a liquor license, many Philadelphia restaurants embrace one of the country’s most unique drinking workarounds: Bring Your Own Bottle policies. Diners can bring bottles of wine, bubbly, beer, cider, sake, and even spirits to dinner at Philly’s many great BYOBs; corkage fees are uncommon so you can save a ton of money on alcohol when you curate your own beverage pairings.

Bring-your-own restaurants, also sometimes called BYOs, range in style from homey neighborhood spots to upscale fine dining destinations and serve every type of cuisine. Here are some of Philly’s best BYOBs.

Best Burgers in Bucks County

2024-02-26T00:01:00-05:00

Bowman’s Tavern

Juicy, hot, and tasty — these are the 15 best spots to get a burger in this popular suburb

The burger options are on point at many restaurants throughout Bucks County. From classic burgers where the natural flavor of the meat makes for a delicious sandwich all on its own to meat patty offerings piled high with toppings galore for an extra flavorful result, you’ll find many spots for savory burgers in the area. Here are some top spots to visit for unforgettable burgers in Bucks County.

Best Bets to Dine for a Show at the Kimmel Center

2024-02-23T00:01:00-05:00

Loch Bar

These 15 spots are ideal for a meal before or after a show presented by Ensemble Arts

Ensemble Arts (inclusive of the Kimmel Cultural Campus and Philadelphia Orchestra) is a powerhouse for Philly arts and culture offering a packed calendar of events including award-winning Broadway shows, comedians, orchestra performances, and more. Whether you’re a resident or visiting the city for the first time, snagging tickets to an upcoming performance also presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy a pre or post-show meal at one of the many nearby restaurants. Next time you’re headed to a show at one of its many theaters, add even more excitement to your experience by dining at one of these fantastic spots.