>>Cocktails and a Bite
Where to go for a nosh and good drink.
 

Quite plainly, Philadelphians take food very seriously. With that in mind, we assembled our dining section: honoring the stalwarts, giving a nod to newcomers and talking up the trendsetters, across a variety of categories

Noteworthy Openings
Scoring a reservation at one of these coveted new tables can take days, weeks—sometimes months.

Little Fish (746 S. Sixth St.) books up two to three weeks in advance during prime-time weekend hours (7–8 PM), but you can nail an opening earlier or later in the evening during the week. At Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr’s new venture, Talula’s Garden (210 W. Washington Sq.), walk-ins can be seated within 20 minutes on a weekday, longer on the weekend, but if you make a reservation a month in advance, you’ll have your pick of the tables. Chip Roman’s Chestnut Hill spot, Mica (8609 Germantown Ave.), runs up a three-week wait for Saturday night reservations, but Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually a safe bet. Walk-ins should choose White Dog Cafe (200 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne)—while owner Marty Grims suggests making weekend prime-time reservations two weeks in advance, they never fully book the restaurant beforehand and always have open seats in the bar area.

Summer Cocktails
Try a signature drink at one of these see-and-be-seen outdoor lounges.

Adventurous taste buds will crave Positano Coast’s (212 Walnut St.) Rhubarb Effect, a gin-based sipper that swirls sweet f lavors like Combier, crème yvette, fresh rhubarb juice, lemon juice and aloe syrup. For a warm twist on an old fave, choose the Grilled Pineapple mojito: a mix of pineapple purée, Cuba Libre white rum, yerba buena, guarapo, fresh lime juice and a splash of lemon-lime soda served at Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar (10 S. Second St.). Those looking for a perfect pairing with light seafood meals will love 1225 Raw Sushi & Sake Lounge’s (1225 Sansom St.) Ginger Blossom: a mix of Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, sake and Rökk Citrus vodka that comes alive when paired with fresh lemon juice. Plan to have girls’ night at The Corner (102 S. 13th St.) to imbibe the elegant Lady Belladonna—vodka infused with vanilla and cardamom feels light against Cocchi, grapefruit and sparkling wine. At Azie on Main (789 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova), muddled fresh strawberries and lime, corn syrup, Leblon cachaça and club soda equal sweet refreshment in the form of a strawberry caipirinha. Any serious cosmopolitan fan will love Table 31’s (1701 JFK Blvd.) Mia-tini: The usual cranberry and lime libation is kicked up here thanks to Absolut Citron and limoncello.