New on Resy: La Chinesca, Perla, Fitz and Starts, and More

Perla is chef Lou Boquila’s minimalist BYOB gem and a love letter to the cuisine of the Philippines, where he grew up. Pro tip: For an unforgettable experience, come on a Wednesday or Saturday for a traditional kamayan dinner — an eat-with-your-fingers feast of chicken, pork belly, fish, spring rolls, jasmine rice, and more, spread out right on the table on a bed of banana leaves.

Kitchen cultures meet and meld at this colorful new place in a former Jiffy Lube in Philly’s Spring Arts district. Think shrimp egg rolls with aguachile sauce, or a salt-and-pepper squid Caesar salad. Fun fact: La Chinesca is named for a Mexicali neighborhood that’s home to one of Mexico’s largest Chinese communities.

It’s natural wines, artisanal wood-oven pizzas, and a few small-plate appetizers at this bare-bones, 35-seat café run under the auspices of Philadelphia’s celebrated ReAnimator coffee roasters. You’ll definitely want to take home a loaf or two of the naturally leavened bread baked in-house.

Chester County culinary powerhouses chef Michael Falcone (Funky Lil Kitchen, Oori) and restaurateur David Backhus (Oori, Bloom) bring seasonal Italian fare and artisanal pizzas to this warm suburban BYOB. The lemon parsley linguine with littleneck clams is a must. Pro tip: Come with a crowd on Mondays for the generously portioned three-course family-style meals.

Former New York City baker Pat O’Malley became a Philadelphia restaurateur in 2015 with the popular Hungry Pigeon in Queen Village. Last fall, he rebranded the place to Fitz and Starts, serving three meals a day, with a bakery and a bottle shop (artisanal wines, local craft beers) attached. Come for a morning scone, a lunchtime burger, or a bowl of Bang Island mussels at night.

Think inventive pub fare, from cheesesteak egg rolls to crab cakes with tarragon risotto, at this recently renovated local favorite just across the Delaware River from northeast Philadelphia. Before or after eating, you’ll want to grab a seat at the bustling, century-old four-sided bar for a Yuengling on draft or a perfect Martini.

Rock, country, jazz, blues, Cajun, pop… There’s first-class live music on the menu at this high-energy Main Line restaurant, bar, and club. With everything from couscous carbonara to hot fried chicken to cherry cheesecake to eat, the flavors here are as varied as the sounds.

You might not believe that this romantic hideaway, with its chalet garden patio and its intimate candlelit dining room, was once the local general store (vintage 1851). The food is modern American, focused on locally sourced ingredients and hearty flavors. NB: The wild mushroom and lump crab soup is essential.