The September Hit List: Forsythia, Juno, Zahav, Aksum Cafe, and More

This is not your grandma’s French dining experience. Though the dishes at Forsythia invoke classically trained French culinary techniques, the menu has none of the stuffy vibes of old-school white tablecloth dining. Casual and chic come together in contemporary takes on French-inspired dishes like the mussels served with Champagne nage and andouille sausage, and the Rohan duck served with pistachio pistou, fig, cherry, and duck jus.

Dining status:  Outdoor dining for reservations only. Takeout is available.

When immersed in the urban sprawl of Philadelphia, it’s hard to imagine the city as a bountiful place when it comes to locally sourced ingredients. But the region is indeed a cornucopia, and River Twice, with its menu focusing on fresh ingredients that change with the seasons, is an excellent place to experience the flavors of the Delaware River Valley.  September is a month of harvest, so be sure to try the sweet corn porridge, the New Jersey sea scallops, and the petite yardbird with heirloom squash while they’re in season.   

Dining status:  Outdoor dining for reservations only.  Takeout is available.

After a summer of pivoting to just takeout, West Philly’s Mediterranean restaurant, Aksum Cafe, is back to serving Northern Africa and Middle Eastern inspired fare al fresco on Baltimore Avenue. This proudly Black-owned restaurant offers breakfast service and dinner service Monday through Friday with a brunch service on weekends. Remember, Aksum Cafe is BYOB, so whether you’re summiting a mountain of their blueberry lemon pancakes for brunch; or descending on a Moroccan lamb burger topped with an onion ring, roasted red peppers, microgreens, gruyere, and tzatziki, you can pair your meal with whatever bottle you please.  

Dining status: It is suggested to call ahead for a reservation as outdoor seating is limited. Saturday and Sunday are only reservations. Takeout available. Call 267-275-8195.

If you missed out on Zahav at Home, fear not, because dining at Zahav is back!  You can now enjoy some of the city’s best hummus, salatim, and skewers cooked over charcoal on Zahav’s outdoor patio, rain or shine. But just like in the Before Times, reservations fill up fast, so book your table ASAP!

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only.

Opening a restaurant is hard work, but imagine what it’s like opening one during a pandemic. That’s what Juno has done. Despite the challenges, they’ve made it work in their favor with a vibrant outdoor dining concept.  The Mexican American inspired menu features dishes meant for those last few hot days of summer.  Enjoy spicy scallop ceviche with red onion, jalapeno, and lime, or order from a variety of classic tacos, like the al pastor, carnitas, or pollo tinga. Juno also has a robust drink menu, so don’t miss the Elderflower Jawn, featuring local elderflower Bluecoat gin, or a Viejo Diablo with Old Overholt rye.

Dining status:  Outdoor dining for reservations only. Takeout is available.

Though they bill themselves as a “place for pasta and wine,” Cry Baby Pasta also excels at a variety of contemporary Italian-inspired dishes. Start your meal with a couple of unique takes on bruschetta, like the chicken liver with red onion jam and pistachios, or the buffalo mozzarella with Calabrese chili honey and pickled onions. The end of summer wraps up crab pasta season in Philadelphia, so get your fill of spaghetti with soft-shell crab in a blue-crab gravy.  If you’re not in the mood for pasta (we’ll forgive you of this sin) there are excellent large plates to choose from, like the grilled swordfish piccata or a classic eggplant Parmesan. 

Dining status:  Outdoor dining for reservations only. Takeout and delivery are available.

Whether you started playing board games during the stay at home order or you’re a lifetime gamer, Queen & Rook is the place to host the ultimate game night. Philadelphia’s top game cafe is taking their service outside, offering visitors their full restaurant, bar, game, and puzzle menus.  When it comes to food, Queen & Rook’s menu goes beyond just bar bites with plenty of vegan and gluten free options. Fill up on their quinoa bowl, jackfruit carnitas tacos, or White Rook sliders with Beyond Meat.  You’re going to need it to win the next round!

Dining status: Outdoor dining via reservation only.  Takeout and delivery are available for food, to-go cocktails and retail games via Caviar and the other various services, or call 215-995-0043.

It’s a bummer to not be able to dine inside the cozy interior of Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, but enjoying wood-fired pizza and entrees outside of this historic building is still worth the trip to Fishtown. Plus, their menu of wines by the glass is a long voyage through several wine regions across Italy. Start your meal off with the crispy octopus followed by the Jersey Corn pizza with Taleggio, corn crema, and mint while the sweet corn is still fresh.  And be sure to leave room for the Sicilian pistachio and fig torta, a dessert that can only be enjoyed when dining outdoors here.

Dining status: Outdoor dining for reservations only.  Takeout and delivery available.

American Sardine Bar has the spirit of a welcoming neighborhood bar and the food of a destination restaurant.  As the name implies, sardines are on the menu, and though they’re huge and not your average out-of-the-can variety, the draw to this gastropub is the rotating menu of creative sandwiches. Whether you’re grabbing an elote fritter hoagie with tempura-battered corn fritters, or a Thai beef banh mi with green curry mayo and pickled mango, carrot, and daikon radish, you have to get a side of the onion rings. They’re lightly battered in what tastes almost like state fair funnel cake batter, and when you bite into them, the onion doesn’t slide out.  A masterpiece! 

Dining status: Add your name to the waitlist for outdoor dining; more info on their website.  Takeout and delivery available.

This family-owned Ethiopian bar and restaurant in Brewerytown is the perfect place to grab a relaxed drink and some Ethiopian food.  The beef tibs, atkelt wot and spicy lamb are worth a try and go nicely with their summertime drinks, like the gin-based rosemary pineapple cocktail or their craft beer selection. They’ve got seven outdoor tables with umbrellas available, so be sure to call ahead and reserve a table.

Dining status: Outdoor dining for reservations only. Call 215-769-7008. More info here.