Restaurants in the city seem to get an outsized share of acclaim: they enjoy proximity to the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, and other high-profile performing arts venues, allowing them to draw the dinner-and-a-show crowd, and they enjoy the greatest share of tourists.
Nonetheless, it’s important not to overlook the high-quality options located outside of the city limits. Whether you live outside of Philadelphia and are looking for great restaurants close to home or you’re a city dweller looking for places outside your typical scene, this diverse selection will appeal to any palate.
Trattoria Totaro
Trattoria Totaro, a family-owned Italian BYOB in Conshohocken, offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere. This restaurant has its share of regulars, and it’s easy to see why.
In the warmer months, patrons have the option of enjoying their meal outdoors or indoors. Outdoor tables face onto Spring Mill Avenue, a street quiet enough as not to disturb your meal, but lively enough offer a friendly, neighborhood feel and a view into the heart of Conshohocken. Locals may even bump into a familiar face or two!
Inside the Trattoria, murals depicting the Italian countryside offer an exotic yet homey feel. Owners Vince and Donna and their daughters, Victoria and Alexandra, make every patron feel welcome.
Perennial favorites on the menu include Grandmom’s chocolate cake (inspired by Donna’s late mother, Claire, who loved to cook), an impossibly rich vegetable lasagna enhanced by sweet potato risotto, and pasta dishes named after Alexandra and Victoria.
While their menu clearly succeeds in drawing in regulars week after week, the Totaros don’t hesitate to changes things up. Yearly favorites include the classic Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve and Wild Game Night, which features a rotating selection of unusual meats such as boar, venison, and elk.
Knishes & Dishes
If you’re looking for an incredible suburban Jewish deli, look no further. Lafayette Hill’s Knishes and Dishes may not look like much from the outside: its humble, unassuming facade is sandwiched between a paint store and nail salon in a well-loved strip mall. Once you step inside and place your order, however, you’ll find that it exceeds your expectations in terms of both food and service.
Most of the waitstaff at this long standing spot have been in their position for several years, which is evident in their speedy service and deep knowledge of the extensive menu. They’re accommodating and helpful, and will offer a variety of potential substitutions and modifications to dishes depending on each customer’s preferences and food sensitivities.
While the standard breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are many pages long and offer everything from pancakes to salads to meatloaf, the chefs at Knishes and Dishes are endlessly creative. They update their extensive list of specials on a weekly basis, and their names and descriptions are always clever and topical. During the last week of 2019, for example, “2020…Here We Come” specials included “Can We Get a Woot Woot?!,” “Starting Out Right,” and “Be Kind” (just to name a few).
Woojung Sushi
When you’re in the mood for a lighter lunch or dinner, sushi is a solid option. Dishes at Woojung Sushi in Plymouth Meeting are always fresh and innovative.
While the in-house sushi bar serves up sushi and sashimi in nearly every variety imaginable, Woo Jung prevents their options from becoming overwhelming by providing multiple sushi entree options. For one price, diners can elect for an option that includes miso soup, salad, and a selection of chef’s favorites.
If you prefer your lunch or dinner to be fully cooked, you can still enjoy a delicious meal at Woo Jung! In addition to a robust selection of soups and salads, non-sushi or sashimi options include hot appetizers and entrees such as chicken and salmon teriyaki, chicken and broccoli tempura, and shrimp and vegetable tempura.
If you do choose sushi, the Kiss of Fire roll is a delicious and photogenic crowd favorite. Served flaming and wrapped in foil the Kiss of Fire is warmed to the perfect temperature for a unique, smoky flavor before being put out by your gracious server. It includes shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, avocado, and more.
Next time you’re looking for a new place to enjoy a meal out, consider venturing out of your comfort zone and trying one of these underrated destinations? You’ll be welcomed like family and have the chance to experience an innovative creation or classic dish, depending on your mood. No matter which of these places you visit or what you order, there’s no way you can go wrong.
Julia Anderson 