In this month’s edition: Playful cocktails in Fishtown. Photo courtesy of Middle Child Clubhouse

Resy LineupPhiladelphia

The Resy Lineup: A Friulian Feast, Beet Cocktails, and an Epic Chef Dinner

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Welcome to Philadelphia’s Resy Lineup, your regular dose of recommendations on what to eat, drink, and see — updated on a monthly basis.

In this month’s Lineup, we’re sipping on a smokey beet cocktail at Middle Child Clubhouse, experiencing a Friulian Feast at Osteria, and splurging for the Chef’s Counter at a collaboration dinner between Forsythia and River Twice.

 

March

The Restaurant Rec

Zeppoli, because chef-owner Joey Baldino has been named a James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic semifinalist yet again (this is his 10th nomination)! Just a short ride over the bridge, Zeppoli is an intimate restaurant serving Sicilian dishes that harkens back to Baldino’s time traveling through Italy. One look at the antipasti plate, or one bite into the squid ink pasta, and it’s not hard to see why this place is so loved by the culinary community and locals.

 

The Drink Proposal

Beets are having a moment, appearing in drinks throughout the city, and the clever smoked beets and mezcal cocktail at Middle Child Clubhouse is among the strong contenders. It’s an earthy, smoky, and tangy cocktail, garnished with a bit of dill that will tickle your nose with an herbaceous scent every sip you take, proving Middle Child’s playful attitude extends beyond the kitchen and into the bar.

 

The Event Invite

Osteria is putting on a Friulian Feast next Wednesday, March 23. On the menu: An $85 four-course meal from James Beard award-winning chef Jeff Michaud and executive chef Matt Arcomone, featuring dishes inspired by Northern Italy’s region of Friuli. Bonus: The dinner will be accompanied by live music by Paul Cullen, formally of Bad Company. Tickets over here. Tickets are one per person.

 

The Splurge

Christopher Kearse of Forsythia is joining River Twice for an exciting collaboration dinner on Tuesday, April 5. Expect French influence inspired by Kearse’s work at Forsythia, paired with chef Randy Rucker’s elegant seafood-forward menu. Indoor and outdoor seating is available for $130 per ticket. Splurge an extra $20 for a Chef’s Counter seat to see the entire dining experience come together, from start to finish. Tickets over here. Tickets are one per person.

 

From The Tipline

A new local gin just dropped! In partnership with Manatawny Still Works, The Wayward has recently released a small-batch product: the Wayward American Gin. Because it’s limited to only 100 bottles, it can be enjoyed at The Wayward in Center City, as well as the Manatawny Still Works tasting rooms on East Passyunk Avenue and in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. A citrus-forward spirit with floral notes of lavender, the Wayward American Gin is a perfect complement to signature cocktails like the Citron Pressé, made with salted honey, lemon, ginger, and egg white.

In this month’s edition: A French Sunday prix fixe you don’t want to miss. Photo courtesy of Forsythia
In this month’s edition: A French Sunday prix fixe you don’t want to miss. Photo courtesy of Forsythia

February

The Restaurant Rec

Slide into one of the chic booths of Philly’s favorite brasserie, The Wayward, where every meal is a flavorful remix of American and French cuisine. Kick off the meal with corn beignets followed by Gulf shrimp in a fermented tomato cocktail sauce. If you love burgers, the Wayward’s is a must, made with Pennsylvania-raised Angus beef covered in gruyère, caramelized onions, and a tangy Dijon. It’s hard not to fill up but try your best to leave room for dessert — the Instagramable croquembouche is a sweet tower of Federal donuts that you won’t want to miss.

 

The Drink Proposal

End your day on the right side of the bed — not your actual bed. Confused? We’re talking about the Right Side of the Bed cocktail at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, a subtly spiced, sweet and tart drink made with tequila, Contratto aperitif, ginger, and lemon. Just the kind of cocktail to start off happy hour.

 

The Event Invite

Every Wednesday, National Mechanics hosts the “What’s Inside Your Quiz Show?” night. Part quizz, part improv, it’s all fun and games, and if you’ve ever wanted to be on a game show while kicking back a few beers over a mountain of nachos, then this event is for you.

 

The Splurge

If you’ve waited until the last minute to make Valentine’s Day plans, you’re in luck, because there are still a few reservations left on Resy. You can take your date to Libertee Grounds for a special tasting menu paired with some mini golf. If you’re single and ready to mingle, head to La Chinesca for a $35 speed dating event where you’ll enjoy the DJ stylings of DJ Osagie along with an open bar and snacks. For steady couples, River Twice still has a few seats left for their special Valentine’s Day seven-course tasting menu.

 

From The Tipline

Every Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m., Forsythia’s chef Christopher Kearse will be serving up a special $55 prix fixe experience. The French-forward menu features incredible bites including andouille and garlic beignets with a spicy red pepper jam, escargots, succulent Rohan duck, and more. It’s a Sunday supper you’ll dream about all week long.

In this month’s edition: A trip through Philadelphia’s culinary history. Photo courtesy of Elwood
In this month’s edition: A trip through Philadelphia’s culinary history. Photo courtesy of Elwood

January

The Restaurant Rec

At Osteria, golden hour and happy hour coincide. Enjoy wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads, and snacks paired with fashionable drinks, all served in one very Instagrammable dining room. Pro tip: Get their classic margherita pizza for just $8, alongside a $5 selection of spritz, wines, and beers, Monday through Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.

 

The Drink Proposal

Espresso cocktails are having a moment. Head to The Wayward, Center City’s American brasserie, for the Not Your Basic PSL. With hints of brown butter and pumpkin, this rich dessert-like espresso and courvoisier cocktail comes with a mini Federal Donut balanced precariously on the rim of the glass.

 

The Event Invite

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 19, Libertee Grounds will be hosting the Putt Buddies Mini-Golf League. Teams of two will compete during a weekly tournament for a chance to win a three-hour mini-golf party for up to 20 friends. Enjoy a few pints of local beers and show off your mini-golf skills.

 

The Weekend Pairing

You’d be remiss to not take advantage of Broad Street, a.k.a. the Avenue of the Arts. Kick off your evening with a flavor-packed Mexican meal at Tequilas, where you can indulge in a tangy ceviche and a traditional mole poblano. Then, head a few blocks over on Broad Street for a show at the Kimmel Center. You’ll have a wide selection of shows to choose from, including a dance performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a selection of symphonies by the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, or even Pretty Woman: The Musical. Buy your tickets ahead of time and enjoy the show!

 

From The Tipline

Sunday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m., Elwood is hosting a special $70 dinner featuring pairings by Stickman Brews. The meal will start with Elwood’s famous venison scrapple and will take diners through Philadelphia’s culinary history, with dishes like pickled mackerel and guinea hen with spent grain porridge and sweet potato. Each course will be paired with Belgian and German beers that have a unique American twist. Snag your seat now.

In this month’s edition: An unmissable 17-course sushi omakase. Photo courtesy of Royal Sushi Omakase
In this month’s edition: An unmissable 17-course sushi omakase. Photo courtesy of Royal Sushi Omakase

December

The Restaurant Rec

West Coast vibes meet Philly spirit at Loco Pez, a Los Angeles-style taqueria. And just in time for holiday cheer, their most popular seasonal taco is back on the menu for the rest of this month: the duck taco. Don’t miss out on this tender duck confit creation, slathered in a rich white walnut mole and topped with the crisp, fruity crunch of pomegranate seeds and herbaceous cilantro. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most highly anticipated menu items of the year.

 

The Drink Proposal

When it comes to Japanese spirits, sake is the first that comes to many people’s minds. And though the mildly sweet spirit expresses itself in a wide spectrum of flavors (like bright and full bodied or smooth with floral notes), there are other exciting Japanese spirits to try. So, whether you want to experience unique sakes, explore the earthy essence of shochu, slowly nurse 10-year Ohishi rice whiskey aged in a brandy cask, or sample gin from Kyoto, Cheu Fishtown & Nunu is the absolute spot to go to.

 

The Event Invite

From Dec. 19 through 23, River Twice is hosting Cheftivus, a five-night collaborative dinner series featuring guests chefs from Philadelphia and beyond from the restaurant’s popular “Hidden in Plain Sight” dinners. The series kicks off with chef Diego Moya on Dec. 19, chef Evan Hennessey on the 20th, chef Alex Yoon on the 21, chef Alex Talbot on the 22, and chef Shola Olunloyo on the 23. Every night is sure to be an unforgettable experience, so get your tickets soon, because it’s bound to sell out fast!

 

The Weekend Pairing

Nothing says the weekend like dinner and a live show. This month, we recommend heading to Fishtown for a dinner of hummus, pita, and expertly grilled meats at Laser Wolf, followed by a night of laughs at one of Punch Line’s hilarious comedy shows.

 

The Splurge

Omakase dinners are often a splurge, but if you’re going to go, you should go big at Royal Sushi Omakase. Hidden right in the back of Royal Izakaya is a small, eight-seat sushi bar where chef-owner Jesse Ito will take you on a thoughtful culinary journey through a 17-piece tasting menu. This is definitely the spot to go for a special occasion, and one of our favorite dining gems of 2021.

In this month’s edition: The new locale of a cult sandwich shop. Photo courtesy of Middle Child Clubhouse
In this month’s edition: The new locale of a cult sandwich shop. Photo courtesy of Middle Child Clubhouse

November

The Restaurant Rec

Seems hard to believe, but Middle Child has gotten even better. The new clubhouse location in Fishtown has the nostalgic, playful feel of the classic sandwich shop in Center City, but upgraded to a whole new level. Indeed, come dinnertime, the restaurant transforms into a grown-up clubhouse with a casually upscale menu. Think a Toad in a Hole made with locally baked sourdough bread from Mighty Bread Co., with a fried egg, tuna conserva, and broccoli rabe kimchi.

 

The Drink Proposal

The drink program at The Farm & Fisherman Tavern in Cherry Hill, NJ is one of the most unique in the region. Leveraging foraged ingredients, “ugly” produce, and local goods, mixologist Danny Childs has developed a seasonal cocktail menu, with drinks like the Crabapple Punch, made with Laird’s Applejack, mulled spicebush, crab apple cider, lemon oleo-saccharum, Plantation Xaymaca rum, and Batavia Arrack, which gives the drink subtle notes of anise. Pro tip: The menu changes with the seasons, so every visit promises something new.

 

The Event Invite

A $250 Sicilian-inspired feast featuring rare wines. On Wednesday, Dec. 1, Headhouse Square’s perfect all-day café will offer a variety of Frappato wines from Arianna and Giusto Occhipinti of COS Winery in Sicily, whom you might’ve seen on Stanley Tucci’s show, Searching For Italy.

 

The Weekend Pairing

Nothing beats walking through Fairmount Park on a fall day. Taking in the crisp air and warm sun while enjoying views of the Schuylkill River is a perfect way to spend the afternoon. So, after you watch the sun sink behind the city skyline, follow that up the only way you can: With a visit to A Mano for their handmade pasta and seasonal Italian fare. Bonus if you end the day on a sweet note with the tiramisu.

 

The Splurge

With a leg span of just over five feet, the Norwegian King crab is a massive crustacean that yields upwards of 10 pounds of buttery, sweet, and salty meat. At Dim Sum House by Jane G’s, you and your table can share this crab feast, which is prepared in three different ways. First, there’s the creamy egg custard with the essence of crab served in the crab’s body. Then come steamed crab knuckles served with a ginger and scallion broth. And lastly, the legs and claws are battered and fried with a pork stir fry and spicy sauce.

Note: The meal is for groups of six or more and you have to order your Norwegian King crab at least 48 hours in advance.