If you haven’t heard of Michael Solomonov...here’s why you should!
By: Rachel Zuercher
Michael Solomonov is one of the highest-regarded chefs in the country, and is based in Philadelphia. He has managed to go from being a drug addict and college dropout, to successful cookbook author, restaurateur and four-time James Beard Award Winner (aka he’s very big deal).
He was born in Israel, but grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. After dropping out of college, he was one his way to NYC, but stopped in Philly and has been here ever since. He began working at the highly-regarded Vetri in 2003. He was living a double life of a budding chef and an addict, putting up an act while keeping to his habit. His addiction came to a breaking point when his younger brother was killed serving with the Israeli army at just 21 years old, three days before his release date. He eventually went to rehab and has been sober for ten years to date. He opened Zahav in 2008 as a homage to his brother and the cuisine of their home country.
He and his friend Steve Cook have started a restaurateur partnership known as Cook N Solo. They own and run six amazing restaurants around the city--- ALL of which you should add to your “Must-Eat” list (if you haven’t already)!
Solomonov and Cook’s first restaurant together is known as Philly’s pioneering Modern Israeli Restaurant. In their Cookbook, Israeli Soul, Solomonov speaks about how it really shouldn’t be known as “modern” cooking because the Israeli dishes he serves have been around for centuries. However, he puts a spin on classic dishes like the creamiest, most flavorful Tahini Hummus and Laffa Bread sprinkled with dukkah and baked in a wood-burning oven, Fried Halloumi soaking up a sweet apple and huckleberry sauce, and Veal Kebabs formed and cooked around a cinnamon stick.
PRO TIP: This is arguably the best restaurant in the city and therefore reservations are few and hard to come by. Mark your calendars for when the reservations reset, or get in line outside the restaurant at 4:15 before it opens at 5:00 and pray that one of the twenty bar seats will be yours to enjoy this amazing food! I promise it is worth every penny, and each moment you may spend waiting.
If you’re ever in Philly and you’re overwhelmed with too many restaurant options on Yelp, just walk down Sansom St. and you will find all of these amazing restaurants below, just steps away from each other:
If you want the same Hummus served at Zahav, but don’t want to go through the time and effort of actually getting into the restaurant, come to this Hummusiya. And now you may be wondering what the heck a Hummusiya is, and simply put, it’s a shop specializing in solely hummus. And yes, it is as good as it sounds. Named after the boulevard in Tel Aviv, Dizengoff's menu includes four varieties of hummus with seasonal toppings, house-baked pita, a few salatim (salads) and pickles. If you happen to grab a seat at this small shop, they have select beers on tap and a bourbon-spiked mint lemonade.
When thinking about donuts, your first reaction may not be to pair them with crispy, fried chicken, but Federal Donuts changes all of that. Although they do have coffee drinks including Cold Brew, Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk, and a cascara cream soda on tap, you should be thinking to pair your next dozen of donuts with a basket of Fried Chicken. They have seasonal donuts like Pumpkin Pecan Maple, Apple Cinnamon, and Chocolate PB Crunch; Hot Fresh Donuts covered in flavored sugars like Strawberry Lavender, Cookies and Cream, and Cinnamon Brown Sugar; AND if you’re craving something savory, Fried Chicken with a Za’tar or Buttermilk Ranch dry seasoning, or a Sweet Soy Garlic or Honey Ginger glaze...WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?! They have multiple locations around the city, but the most exciting is the new one that JUST opened up on South Street. Coming from a true donut lover, this place is legit.
Think a classic, old-school Jewish deli with all of your favorites like Matzo Ball Soup and Patty Melts, but add a philanthropic mission that gives back to the Philadelphia community. The Rooster takes the unused parts from Federal Donuts’ chickens and repurpose them into soup, and give 100% of profits towards the Broad Street Hospitality Collaborative which tackles issues of hunger and food waste. If you want to eat classic, delicious food and do some good while eating it, then come here!
Right next to Dizengoff, you will find Abe Fisher, an upscale restaurant serving small plates that modernize and elevate the familiar classics of Jewish soul food. Definitely a great option for when the parents are in town, or if you are #ballinonabudget, they have happy hour with amazing deals from 5-7PM every day!
Opened last year right above The Rooster, Cook N Solo partners blessed Sansom St. once again with Goldie, an all vegan, fast-casual falafel bar! Come get these Golden Falafels in Fresh-Baked Pita and Tehina Shakes! When you think about a shake, you’re probably thinking about your typical milkshake. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a good milkshake. But once you try this shake that replaces the milk with roasted sesame paste, you will be changed forever. Check it out as well at it’s other location, at the newly-opened Franklin’s Table Food Hall!
