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.
As avid fans of Mediterranean cuisine, we were impressed! The tasting menu, while extensive, still provided some optionality, allowing us to sample a diverse array of dishes. I'd say we were definitely captivated by the thoughtful interpretations of traditional Israeli / South Mediterranean fare including the classic ingredients you would expect (filo pastry, halloumi, hummus, lamb etc). The sheer amount of food presented was impressive too, leaving us both thoroughly satisfied by the end of the meal. The waiting staff were incredibly considerate and attentive, ensuring that our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. The wine pairing, while on the pricier side at $45 for three pours, was well-curated and complemented the flavors of the dishes beautifully. However, the one minor criticism we have is the non-optional 20% gratuity, which felt unnecessary and very awkward, especially when the server encouraged additional tips. Given the difficulty of booking a table I believe that Zahav could simply increase their menu prices to account for fair compensation for their staff... Overall, our dining experience at Zahav was delightful and we would recommend it.
From making the reservation to enjoying the tasting menu, I cannot speak highly enough about Zahav. It came up on a search of must-go places in Philly and it did not dissapoint. You can tell that managment takes great pride in service, supporting their staff, guest experience, atmosphere and the amazing, highly detailed, and delicious menu. I would 100% go again when I'm back in Philly and will recommend it to others!
Place was just SICK!!!! Not a bad second in there. Every nibble, every sip, every encounter with ANY of the staff & every breath was just intoxicating with absolute amazement & yummiement!!!!!! Can't go wrong for any occasion!!!