The July Hit List: La Chinesca, Cry Baby Pasta, Terron Kitchen, and More

While many sushi lovers prize the omakase experience, some find it comes with a side of sticker shock. For those, Sakana’s omakase may offer a more affordable option. The bespoke experience allows chef Sam Lin to guide diners through the meal, creating bites customized to the diner’s liking and sometimes his whims. At Sakana, that experience goes beyond raw-fish sushi with cooked offerings like the Peking duck foie-gras taco and a miso black cod.

Though the dishes here are inspired by Italian-American classics, they’re not like grandma’s pasta bowls. Wine and pasta meet rock ‘n’ roll at this Queen Village spot with meals like the crab linguine served with Old Bay butter, a nod to that most South Philly of summertime hits: spaghetti and crab. There’s also the earthy and herbaceous creste di gallo, mixed with leek, kale, roasted mushrooms and an aged balsamic vinegar which, in the July heat, goes nicely with a refreshing sparkling rosé.

From the minds that brought the city Kensington Quarters, Prohibition Taproom, and Café Lift, comes La Chinesca, a concept inspired by the specific culinary influences of the Chinatowns of Baja California. Don’t skip the baby corn elote dressed up in a savory black-bean mayo with cilantro and cotija cheese, or the shrimp egg roll with the added heat of the aguachile sauce. The menu has a brilliant selection of tacos, including the quesa birria taco, which is having a moment (or three). Be sure to try the red snapper crudo, a dish where both Mexican and Chinese influences shine through. Its sweet acidity from pineapple and ginger matches with heat from the jalapeños, and a savory component thanks to scallion oil.

Get ready for a unique and flavorful experience, as the menu at Felly Bistro on Pass combines the experiences and traditions of chefs and owners Felipe Marquez Jr. and Kelly Marquez. Flavors and techniques from France, Puerto Rico and Barbados come together to create dishes like the crab and shrimp empanadas served with a zesty tomato garlic aioli, Spanish octopus tossed in a salad with sweet peppers, shallots and capers with a bit of tarragon oil, and a grilled zucchini stuffed with a tangy sundried tomato relish, corn and scallions and served over garlic hummus.

Dining on the Main Line is having a moment thanks to restaurants like Otto By Polpo. The menu celebrates Italian cuisine beyond pasta, with a big emphasis on upscale seafood dishes, hence the reference to polpo (octopus). Start off with the fried calamari and shrimp served with cherry peppers and goat cheese, followed by the octopus crudo with sea-salted flavors that are amplified by capers and Grana Padano cheese. For entrées, you can sink into a comforting bowl of classic fettuccine Bolognese or gnocchi with crabmeat, or you can treat yourself to the catch of the day, grilled whole and served tableside.

You don’t have to be a vegan to appreciate the versatility of Terron’s plant-based cooking. Gratifying options include the seitan chorizo tacos and vegan wings marinated in a housemade barbecue sauce, sweet Dijon mustard, buffalo sauce, or a sweet and spicy teriyaki sauce. The noodle dishes are a must-try, especially the ‘shroomy mac ‘n’ cheese, which has sautéed mushrooms, scallions and garlic croutons held together with a creamy truffle coconut Alfredo sauce.

You heard it here: Indoor dining at Zahav is back. The nationally recognized and award-winning Israeli restaurant is offering a prix fixe tasting menu incorporating seasonal ingredients like grilled apricots served with a savory feta and seasoned with the aromatic and savory blends of harissa and za’atar as well as haloumi, a mild grilled cheese served with a cooked strawberry sauce and tart, pickled rhubarb. Be sure to make your Resy well in advance because, just like in the before times, tables at Zahav book up fast.

It was sad to see Honey’s Sit n’ Eat’s South Street location close, but the famous brunch spot is still cranking out latkes, Breakfast Bombs, and Jeb’s Open-Faced Biscuit Sandwiches out of their Northern Liberties location. All their breakfast pastries are outstanding, including the fried strawberry rhubarb French toast and the chicken and waffles served with a tart berry preserve. If lunch is more your speed, try this ultimate Jewish deli classic: the pastrami Reuben stacked with sauerkraut on marble rye and dripping with Russian dressing and Swiss cheese. Summer may not be soup season, but their matzo ball soup is comfort food at its best, regardless of the weather.

Tables are first come, first served. More info here.

It’s not summer in Philadelphia until the Philadelphia Horticultural Society opens up its lusciously landscaped beer gardens. Tucked away in an open lot on South Street, this garden oasis is full of greenery, blooming flowers, and bountiful bar bites and refreshing drinks. This year, the the society has teamed up with Cantina Los Caballitos and Khyber Pass Pub. And, wow. The coleslaw and bread-and-butter pickles help cool down the heat from the Nashville hot chicken wrap’s cayenne-glazed chicken tenders, while the sharp flavors of provolone and Calabrian peppers bring out the sweetness of the juicy roast pork sandwich. Pair these bold sandwiches with a cool cocktail like the Woodermelon vodka with ginger beer and lime, or the Garden Sangria, and you can check basking in a beer garden off your summer to-do list.

For Sichuan specialties, EMei in Chinatown is the place to go. With about 40 years of experience, Chef Yongcheng Zhao builds flavor and heat using chile oils, housemade sauces, and of course, Sichuan peppercorns. Start off with the dan-dan noodles topped with ground pork, which packs a spicy heat that builds with every bite. To help slow the burn, cool down your mouth with eggplant cooked in a mild garlic sauce before tackling an entree of beef stir-fried with cumin, or a sizzling plate of scallops in black pepper sauce.

To make a reservation, call 215-627-2500. More info here.