Zahav

If you are ever in Philly scout out a hard sought reservation at Zahav 8 weeks prior to dining before noon. This is actually a great bargain and lots of diners including us packed leftovers. The to go bag is huge and so is the to go box! Seriously, they could easily charge an extra $20-$40 for the per diner fee for the amount of food and level of service. Or even increase the staff 's included livable wage tip of 20% to 25%-30%.

This is an Israeli restaurant.

May Menu 2024

IN THE BEGINNING
Hummus-Tehina
Laffa Bread with Za'atar
Salatim (Israeli version.of Korean Ban Chan)
Beets with Tehina
Twice-cooked Eggplant
Broccolini with Caramelized Onions
Pickled Napa Cabage (not Kim Chi with red pepper but like Summer Kim Chi)
Moroccan Carrots
Spicy Fennel

We loved the Beets! The Broccolini was cooked like Collards. Excellent dish and unexpected! Spicy Fennel is not that spicy.

MEZZE
Fluke Crudo - Schug, Radish, Preserved Lemon
Hen in the Woods Mushrooms - Green Garlic Tehina, Radish, Fresh Za'atar
Seared Haloumi - Apricot Jam, Olives, Cilantro
Grilled Asparagus - Hard Boiled Eggs, Anchovy, Gribenes
Courtesy of the Chef was Marcona Almond Stuffed Medjool Dates
In this group of dishes the Grilled Asparagus and Courtesy Marcona Almond Stuffed Medjool Dates were top winners but everything all night long was delightfully.

Then you have the BIG DECISION!!
Which way to go for main dinner!
Our choice:

Dry-Aged Duck Au Jus
Duck Pilaf
Turnip, Carrot, and Tumeric Pickles
Tahini

We were so full at this point that we ate 3 slices of Duck and my friend took it home.

We swapped the dessert and opted to finish with a chilled bowl of Malabi Custard - Rose, Cherry, Rhubarb, and White Chocolate! Generous serving and great use of actual Rhubarb.

This restaurant is up front about adding a 20% gratuity so their staff can have a livable wage. Again
Honestly, this amount should be higher. We both left extra tips. The staff just flows at this restaurant.

There is a back entrance if you have mobility issues and cannot enter via the stairs. It's a wooden gate and there is a bell ringer for assistance. It's well marked. But if you have mobility issuesand and can't do the front stairs it is a great option to have.

Cocktails were Open Sesame- Scotch, Calvados, Sesame, Cardamom, Bitters and Turkish Coffee Martini but she switched the Vodka for Rye, Amato, Cardamom, Arak.

I had a Salap Shirley Temple

First off, the food at Zahav is very worth all the hype. Everything was fresh and creative with complex and outstanding flavor. Service was extremely attentive and friendly. We were visiting Philadelphia from the west coast and stalked Resy for a reservation, very glad we were able to secure a spot! My only disappointment was the speed of the coursing. They were bringing the mezze out when we had barely started on the salatim. They were trying to clear the mezze and bring out the main course before we had finished, and only 45 minutes into our reservation. It's a lot of food and it was so rushed that when the main course came I could only eat a couple of bites, which was really disappointing because I had been looking forward to that pomegranate molasses lamb shoulder for months. I've been to many high end restaurants around the world, including Osteria Francescana, and have never felt so rushed through a tasting menu. It felt like they were more interested in turning the table than in allowing the diner to fully appreciate the experience and the artistry of the food. Our service was complete within 75 minutes, a very short amount of time considering the high price tag and the volume of food and drink. So while the food was amazing, I can't give it more than 4 stars for this reason. I expected better.

Polina

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, I knew I was in for a treat. The journey was absolutely worth it, even if only experienced the best hummus I've had in the USA. The ambiance buzzed with an atmosphere of energy and excitement, palpable from every corner of the room. The servers moved with a vibrant pep in their step, each one contributing to the lively spirit that filled the space.

The dining experience was a delightful adventure, starting with a variety of small salatim of pickled veggies, beets, broccolini, eggplant,spicy fennel and humus that teased the palate with an array of flavors and textures. As the meal progressed, the mezzes offered a deeper dive into the culinary delights, showcasing the chef's prowess in blending traditional tastes with modern twists. They included Fluke crudo (ceviche), grilled asparagus (another unforgettable dish), artichoke, haloumi, staffed dates. For the main course we chose mesiba 'the Party', where the flavors of lamb shoulder, crispy wedding rice, and green beans with pickled pepers crescendoed into a symphony of exquisite tastes.

It's a surprise that this gem hasn't been adorned with a Michelin star yet, but perhaps that's what adds to its charm. This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking a vibrant dining experience that's as unforgettable as it is delicious.

ZAHAV was an amazing experience from start to finish. The food was outstanding all around and the service was on point. We had been trying to get a reservation for 2 years to get in and finally were able to. The ambience and location is also great as well! The highlight of our night aside from the entire experience was meeting Michael Solomonov and being able to just have a conversation for 10 minutes. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone and plan to return again in the future. We chose the lamb shoulder and it was great.

Great restaurant from the food to the service.

Loved all 6 dips, hummus, and bread in the first course.

The crispy potatoes with whipped feta, stuffed dates, and phyllo wrapped haloumi were delicious.

The lamb shoulder, crispy persian rice, and black eyed pea stew were also great, but needed a bit of salt across the board.

The chocolate konafi dessert was impressive and not too chocolatey.

The service was phenomenal and made the experience memorable.

I had a wonderful time dining here. We managed to secure a reservation for an early dinner and were seated immediately upon arrival. The waitress impressed us with her extensive knowledge of the menu and courses, and her drink recommendations were spot on. The ambiance of the restaurant was delightful, enhanced by enjoyable music and a staff that was both attentive and efficient. Each dish we tried was delectable, and I am eager to return to explore more options from their menu. Instead of the typical espresso martini, they offered Turkish coffee, which was equally delightful.

Had a wonderful dining experience at Zahav! Menu featured a lot of items I wouldn't normally eat or order, but everything was absolutely delicious and glad I tried it all! Since it was our first time, we tried the pomegranate lamb and it did not disappoint. Pulled right off the bone and combined well with the stew and pickled veggies. If I had to find any complaints, it'd be minor at wishing the rice had a little salt sprinkled on top, but the Persian rice was still crispy and paired well when you built a full bite with lamb and sauce.

Our waitress was wonderful and our meal never felt rushed, with our water glasses never empty and food coming out well timed. Thank you for a great evening! Hope to be back soon!