The March Hit List: KPod, Juno, Nam Phuong, and More

KPod is a feast for all of the senses. The chic and modern décor of the restaurant brings a lot of energy and vibrancy to the space, while Chef Peter Serpico’s Korean-American menu ignites your taste buds. The budae-jjgae, the Korean army stew, is comfort in the form of hot dogs, spam, scallions, and American cheese served in a spicy broth. It’s the kind of meal that will warm you up during the unpredictably cold, wet “Smarch” days.

For rustic elegance, head to Mt. Airy’s Jansen. Chef David Jansen takes the freshest ingredients and creates dishes that express the different seasons of the year, so it’s always a new experience when you visit. Start off with a half dozen oysters that allow you to compare the complexities of West Coast and East Coast oysters. You won’t want to miss the Peking duck leg confit served on a bed of cabbage and white bean cassoulet with a bit of bacon. If you’re looking for something more vegetable-forward, the stuffed acorn squash with wild rice and root vegetables is an earthy dish that shows off winter’s bounty.

If you’ve never tried tlacoyos, you need to try them at Sor Ynez. These corn masa cakes are filled with black beans and topped with nopales, salsa verde, and queso fresco, and they’re absolutely delicious. Pulling from his childhood, Chef Alex Tellez explores areas of Mexican cuisine that we don’t often experience in Philadelphia. Try the sikil pak, a Mayan dish of pureed pumpkin seeds served like a dip, and the chicken mole, which has heat that will sneak up on you.

Nothing says “I want a little bit of everything” like the Taste of Lebanon menu at Li Beirut. Particularly satisfying: switching between tahini-packed bites of hummus and baba ghannouj, the tanginess of labneh, and the aromatic spice of mouhamara. You can’t go wrong with the shish taouk, the kafta kebab, or the grilled lamb chops. But if you haven’t tried it before, you need to experience the sleeper hit that is the tajin. It’s a baked fish served with caramelized onions and orange flower, with a bit of nuttiness from the tahini sauce and pine nuts. It’s served with rice to help sop up all that flavor.

Take game night to a whole new level at Queen & Rook Game Cafe. First, look for an extensive library of board games and puzzles that gamers and non-gamers of all ages can enjoy. On top of that, this spot has lowkey some of the best vegan bites in Queen Village. The fried cauliflower bites are a must and come in a wide selection of flavorful sauces ranging from a garlicky scallion to a spicy gochujang. The kimchi burger, made with a Beyond Meat patty, packs a lot of flavor, and you’re not going to want to share the nacho fries piled high with black beans, cheese sauce, and all the fixings (and don’t forget to add the soy chorizo).

March weather can be chaotic, but amid the cold, rainy, windy, gray days there tend to be a few spots of warm sunshine. When those days strike, take advantage by heading to Juno. Since opening, this outdoor patio hangout evolved into a bit of a greenhouse, which makes it enjoyable all year round. But the margaritas and tacos hit differently on those bright, sunny days. Juno has perpetual happy hour vibes with dishes like their mountain of nachos, spicy lime guacamole, and the al pastor tacos. Margaritas are always on point, but if you want to step up your cocktail game, try the Uno de Juno, a draft cocktail made with Cazadores Blanco Tequila, blackberry liqueur, strawberry, lemon, and hot honey.

There are a lot of outstanding Vietnamese restaurants along Washington Avenue, but if you’re looking for a place where you can indulge in familiar Vietnamese dishes while also being introduced to dishes you may not have encountered elsewhere, check out Nam Phuong Restaurant. Of course, this is a great spot for pho, but certainly expand your horizons by trying the cá kho tộ, the fish in the clay pot. Presented in a beautiful clay pot that retains its heat, the fish continues to simmer in a spicy stew that just permeates through every morsel of meat.

There’s pasta, and then there’s Cry Baby Pasta. The crab linguine mixed with an Old Bay butter and the tagliatelle served with a classic Bolognese ragu are among Cry Baby Pasta’s greatest hits. But nothing beats the comfort of a classic spaghetti in a rich pomodoro sauce. The excellent cocktails and the wide selection of wine make this spot even better. Kick back with a classy Negroni or enjoy your pasta while sipping on a glass of Sicilian wine.

After offering exceptional service to diners at the Union League, Little Fish, and Noord, Luis Pedrogo, one of Philadelphia’s most hospitable waiters, is opening up his own restaurant. Olea is a charming and intimate Mediterranean-inspired BYOB in Old City. The main course menu features ambitious dishes like a braised rabbit served with orzo salad, and a rich tortellini with veal ossobuco, goat cheese cream, and crispy pancetta. But do not skip the octopus with a spicy chorizo in a romesco sauce.

Among the many fantastic rooftop bars and restaurants in the city, few take you to such great heights at El Techo. Located on the 11^th floor of Condesa, the dining room’s ceiling is a skylight. Best of all, the roof is retractable, so when the weather is nice, you can enjoy an open rooftop with incredible panoramic views of Philly while noshing on tacos and sipping on margaritas. Speaking of tacos — El Techo has some pretty unique tacos on their menu. The suadero chilango is a combination of beef brisket and tongue, while the nopales taco is stuffed with slices of tart and tangy cactus.