The April Hit List: Little Fish, Gabriella’s Asian, Brauhaus Schmitz, and More

Bet you’ve never been to an indoor mini golf course that has around 30 taps of local brews and serves incredible Pan-Asian bar food. But this is a hole in one. Yes, the golf is a fun draw, and as a bar, Libertee Grounds’ selection of hyperlocal beers is excellent. But it’s the food that definitely makes it worth the journey up to Francisville.

The lamb in the lamb kheema cheesesteak is rubbed with a flavorful masala spice blend that’s instantly cooled down with cilantro-lime aioli. There’s also a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan options — like the jackfruit banh mi loaded with pickled daikon and carrot, jalapeño, and cucumbers on a fresh roll, covered in a roasted red pepper cashew spread.

Dining status: Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation. Takeout is also available.

Alexander Yoon’s Little Fish celebrates the outstanding flavor of fresh seafood, and pushes the limits of how it can be served. The menu constantly changes according to availability, guaranteeing a unique experience every time. And Yoon’s ever-changing menu gives the chef room to play, channeling both his classical culinary training and Asian influences. Expect unexpected dishes like hamachi sashimi made with a tangy pistachio shallot vinaigrette, and a bluefin tuna tataki with foie gras, and a touch of citrus from mandarins and kumquat sauce.

Dining status: Outdoor dining seating via reservation.

One of the most mindful dining experiences in Philadelphia. Here’s a restaurant that is intentional about everything — from ingredient sourcing to providing fair pay and healthcare to their staff. So, yes, feeling good about where you’re dining is an upside to the deliciously creative options on their four-course fixed menu. The chicken and foie gras terrine is complemented with a nutty hazelnut streusel and dried fig; the dumplings are filled with a lamb ragu, seasoned with aromatic harissa. On Sunday’s, NXTX is hosting a Tex-Mex BBQ series featuring the tangy and smoky flavors indicative of central Texas barbecue.

Dining status: Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation.

East Passyunk Avenue has one of the highest concentrations of the city’s best restaurants, and Gabriella’s is an exceptional addition. Open for about a year now, it has already become a destination for its Vietnamese dim sum dishes. For brunch, it’s all about pandan waffles — naturally tinged green with that leaf’s sweet, vanilla-almond flavor. If you’re dining in for dinner, definitely try the jumbo tiger prawns seasoned with tamarind, ginger and scallion.

Dining status: Limited indoor seating via reservation. Takeout and delivery are also available.

In Germany, sausages are an art, and Brauhaus Schmitz brings that art to South Street. It’s one of the few places in Philadelphia where you can get authentic Bavarian weißwurst and smoky speckwurst. But their skills with meats go beyond sausage-making. The schweinebraten is a gorgeous pork tenderloin roasted in a beer sauce and served with pickled vegetables. April is also peak spargel — aka white asparagus — season, a perfect time to order their spargel schnitzel covered in a rich and buttery Hollandaise sauce.

Dining status: Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation.

You’ll find noodles, dumplings, and curry on the menu at White Yak, and though they seem familiar, the flavors and variations are distinctly Tibetan. You have to get the momo dumplings – the dish they’re known for – which come in a variety of flavors and fillings. (Pro tip: Try the chicken with scallion, or ginger-seasoned mashed potato.) If you’re in the mood for something really spicy, try the momo firecracker filled with stir-fried red-hot chili peppers, long hots and green onions.

Dining status: Only takeout available at this time.

Sampan is the quintessential Midtown Village restaurant. The atmosphere is modern, and the menu is a wide variety of Asian fusion bites. So yes, it’s the perfect happy hour spot — where you order a few rounds of drinks, and three or four small plates because you want to try a little bit of everything. The dan-dan dumpling has a nutty, smoky aspect from its tahini, peanut, and pork filling. The pork bao bursts with the flavors of fatty pork belly, enhanced by shallot and mint. To drink, try the Autumn in Okinawa, with its sweet punch from fig and pear, made even richer with rum and rye.

Dining status: Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation. Takeout and delivery are also available.

We’ve all been here. One person wants pizza, another is  in the mood for a light salad, someone else wants gastropub, and we’re stuck in the middle trying to come up with a place to satisfy everyone’s cravings. In Philly, that place is The Commodore, an Irish pub with excellent comfort food, lots of vegan options, and yes, even pizza by none other than the award-winning Pizza Gutt. The sandwich menu is equally robust: You can get almost anything between two slices of bread, from classic Irish corned beef and spiced cabbage to saucy chicken Parmesan.

Dining status: Limited indoor seating via reservation. Takeout and delivery are also available.

If you need to escape the city, even if just for a casual meal, Media is the place to go. It’s the sort of pleasant suburb where you can take a nice stroll, peruse local shops, explore an awesome small-town dining scene, all a few stops away on SEPTA. And Rye is in the heart of downtown Media, offering guests small plates prepared with fresh ingredients. Dinner is the real showstopper meal here, with with plates like spicy, herbaceous panko-crusted flounder, and tortelli with charred baby fennel and savory pecorino and ricotta cheeses.

Dining status: Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation. Takeout and delivery are also available.

Opening in 1986, Tequilas was one of the first Mexican restaurants to hit the Philadelphia dining scene, thanks to David Suro and his wife Annette Suro. David, who grew up in Guadalajara, offers guests his Mexican cuisine in a dining room that celebrates Jalisco’s vibrant culture. A must-have is the mole poblano: slow-cooked sauce with deep flavors derived from hot chiles, nuts, herbs, and roasted tomato, which is used to smother a juicy chicken breast. As the name hints, Tequilas is also a great place to sample a range of agave spirits, from highlands and lowlands alike.

Dining status: Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation. Takeout and delivery are also available.,