Philadelphia's Hardest-to-Book Restaurant Zahav

Hey everyone! Long time no see! ✨ Last week, I finally visited Zahav — named the Best Restaurant in America by the James Beard Foundation in 2019 🇮🇱 The James Beard Foundation Awards are the highest honor in the American culinary world, often called the "Oscars of the Food Industry." Each year, they recognize seven restaurant awards, including Outstanding Restaurant. In short — if Philadelphia had a Michelin Guide, Zahav would be the first to earn a star! 🌟 🏠 Address: 237 St James Pl, Philadelphia 💰 Post-pandemic, Zahav only offers a Tasting Menu: $72 per person $38 per person for wine pairing 20% service fee The Tasting Menu includes 17 unique dishes, each with flavors and textures that completely redefine traditional Mediterranean cuisine for me. Here are some of my favorites: 🥙 Appetizer: Zahav’s legendary Hummus with freshly baked laffa bread and six small mezze dishes. The hummus is made with freshly ground chickpeas and tahini, brightened with lemon, garlic, and cilantro — smooth, rich, and unforgettable. Perfect score from me! ✅ The freshly baked laffa bread is crispy outside and fluffy inside. The six tangy mezze dishes cut through the richness of the hummus and awaken the appetite. 🧀 Mezze Highlight — Haloumi Kataifi: A traditional Persian cheese dessert. The haloumi is fried until crispy, then served with honey, caramelized walnuts, and tart pomegranate seeds. One bite brings pure happiness! 🍢 Chicken Shishlik: Charcoal-grilled chicken thigh skewers — so perfectly grilled that the meat stays juicy, with a subtle smoky flavor. It reminded me of Japanese yakitori! 🐑 Main Course — Lamb Shoulder (Must-order!): As a lamb lover, I was obsessed. The lamb is slow-cooked until incredibly tender, with a sauce made from pomegranate and mint — slightly sweet and tangy, almost like a Chinese braised sauce. Served with Crispy Persian Rice cooked in chicken broth — another beautifully layered dish. 📌 Tips: Mediterranean cuisine might be one of the least familiar cuisines for many Chinese diners. Every dish in Zahav’s tasting menu was a new experience for me — some I loved, some were challenging. If you plan to visit, come with an open mind and a spirit of culinary adventure! 🧠💫 #Zahav #BestRestaurantUSA #JamesBeardAward #PhillyFoodie #MediterraneanCuisine