The Philly Restaurants We Loved in January
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If there’s one thing you must know about the people who work at Resy and Tock, it’s that we genuinely love restaurants …
This month, Team Resy and Tock kept warm with baked clams and French onion soup, celebrated a birthday with fried oysters, indulged in some red-sauce classics, and sipped on some excellent martinis.
A good espresso martini is a dime a dozen these days…
… but Percy in Fishtown has one with a special ingredient that’ll have you contemplating a second order. The ingredient? A Luxardo cherry. This perfect sweet bite at the bottom of your martini will encore the entire meal that came before it — in my case, the potato latke with lox and the Spanish omelet. The vibe inside is 70’s rock, but in the coolest and sleekest of ways. The most rock ‘n’ roll thing about them, though? Instead of matchbooks, you can grab a pin (for your leather jacket) at the host stand.
— Adrianna Harris, Partner Success Manager
After only hearing wonderful things…
… since they opened in East Passyunk this past September, we finally had dinner at Tesiny, where we sat at by the open kitchen at the counter and enjoyed watching the team do their thing.
In classic birthday fashion, we ordered the large seafood plateau to start, paired along with their house martinis, which were fantastic. For the second course, we decided on the wagyu buvette, which was perfectly cooked and served with fried oysters. When it was finally time for dessert, we opted for the olive oil cake, which rounded out the celebrations (I managed to resist licking the bowl). Thanks, Tesiny crew; the vibe and the space were warm and the service was exceptional — we’ll be back again!
— Tom Dixon, Senior Partner Success Manager
One of my favorite restaurants…
… in Philly is Suraya. I highly recommend getting the New Caledonian prawns with cilantro and toasted garlic vinaigrette — that sauce is absolutely delicious. Otherwise, the knafeh for two is a must.
— Robert DeFelice, Business Enablement and Ops Manager
A moody, dimly lit Italian spot…
… Giuseppe & Sons is the spot for red-sauce classics, handmade pastas, seafood, and killer cocktails. Come for the vibes, stay for the spicy rigatoni and the happy hour bites (at the bar and lounge from 4 to 6 p.m. every day).
— Presley Conaty, Sales Account Associate
If you’re stopping by…
… Meetinghouse Bar and Beer Company, the must-get items are hands down the crab dip and the baked clams. The crab dip is super rich and flavorful, while the clams pack a savory punch that’s brightened up perfectly with a squeeze of lemon. They were so good, my table ordered a second round.
But what makes this spot extra fun is their rotating daily specials. For example, Thursdays are all about cheeseburgers, and every week, they put out a new special with different toppings or styles, which keeps things fresh and creative. Overall, it’s a great casual dining spot with good vibes. The food is solid, the specials keep you coming back, and the staff couldn’t be nicer. Definitely worth a visit.
— Alice Tran, Industry Trade & Restaurant Marketing Manager
This place more than earns its reputation…
… as one of Philadelphia’s most sought-after restaurants. The tasting menu at Zahav is exceptional — each course was packed with flavor and felt so thoughtful. Our group’s favorite dish that night was the mezze platter, with a special shoutout to the Turkish coffee martini. The staff was also so knowledgeable (without being overbearing) and the whole experience felt seamless from start to finish.
— Michelle Giannini, Business Enablement & Operations Senior Analyst
We had an incredible experience…
… at Kalaya, where we opted for the tasting menu (which was absolutely the right move). It offers exceptional value, covering a wide variety of dishes and an abundance of food. Every dish was outstanding and showcased bold, uncompromising Southern Thai flavors that were beautifully balanced. The pacing of the meal was spot on and the service truly elevated the experience — our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and offered excellent recommendations that complemented the meal perfectly. Just make sure you arrive hungry: the portions are incredibly generous, and by the end, we were more than satisfied.
— Rajiv Amladi, Tech Program Manager
Located in the Philly suburb of West Chester…
… Jolene’s is a true gem of a French bistro. They have a sprawling bar and dining room outfitted in modern mid-century décor, with a menu that matches the beauty of the surrounding rooms — think escargots and baguette, French onion soup, and a wagyu culotte.
— Hannah Kelly, Global Dining CMO of Resy and Tock
More Philly staff picks, right this way.
The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.
