The Philly Restaurants We Loved in September

Every visit is memorable…

… at Kalaya. The Fishtown staple has so many standout dishes, but the poo pad pong karee is one of my top five meals ever. Think colossal crab meat infused with chile oil, egg, Chinese celery, and rich crab roe. The freshness of the crab truly shines, while the chile oil adds a perfect kick, balanced by the savory egg and crisp celery. It’s a vibrant example of Kalaya’s commitment to delivering bold, authentic Thai flavors, making it a must-try every time you visit.

— Presley Conaty, Sales Account Associate

Nick Elmi and team know how to do it right…

At Lark. The crispy rice tuna crudo and little gem salad are can’t-miss apps to get you going. The agnolotti is the perfect intermission, followed by the pork chop. The sourdough-crusted halibut special — sorry! — was a fun summer treat, but I don’t want you to feel left out for missing it.

— Hannah Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Marketing

After a whirlwind of summer work travel…

… I was very much looking forward to a Philadelphia meal to ground me. One restaurant that I’d been clicking that “Notify” button for weeks was Tabachoy, one of my favorite little spots in the Italian Market. I’ve been an avid Tabachoy fan following chef Chance Anies and his Filipino food truck around for years, and now that he’s posted up with a BYOB not far from my house, I’m always excited to come back.

My husband and I went all in on the chef’s tasting menu — a steal for $50/person (as of August 2024!), considering each dish is served family-style. Aside from these five must-order Filipino dishes, we tried the wings, which were sticky, salty, sweet, and juicy; laing with broccoli rabe, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and chile; and pandan cheesecake with coconut caramel wrapped in banana leaf. I’m always blown away at the layers of flavors and textures that Filipino cooking excels at, coupled with the homey vibes inside this cheery spot, where Chance often runs front-of-house. It was the exact meal I needed to remind myself how much I missed Philadelphia.

— Alisha Miranda, Contributing Writer, Resy Editorial

I loved the…

… #2 pizza at Pizzeria Beddia that comes with some greens, Calabrian cream, and mozzarella. It was fantastic and perfectly cooked, and the nice and thin pizza crust held its shape well. Be sure to end your meal with the 1-900-ICE-CREAM soft serve that the restaurant serves from the local shop next door.

— Dan Snitzer, Card Membership Marketing & Capabilities

One of my favorite happy hours in the city…

… is Sampan, which offers a fantastic selection of bites and drinks at great prices. The crispy wings are a must-try — perfectly fried and bursting with bold flavors that keep you coming back for more — though another standout would be the crab wonton taco (or a perfectly sized taco full of freshness). The energy in the dimly lit restaurant makes it a standout experience, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or a having a proper dinner. It’s a perfect spot for locals and visitors alike.

— Presley Conaty, Sales Account Associate

West Chester, Penn., has a burgeoning restaurant scene…

… and 9 Prime is at the heart of it. The restaurant took over an old, two-story events space, and despite having a Resy for a table, we opted to eat the bar with comfortable chair-esque bar stools, located in the open, double-ceiling-height entry space. We shared the Caesar salad (perfectly crispy cool) and the dry-aged Piedmontese NY strip.

— Hannah Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Marketing