Three Philadelphia restaurants earn first Michelin Stars in city history

Three Philadelphia restaurants made history in the city’s culinary scene on Tuesday by each winning a Michelin Star. Honorees from five major cities were celebrated, including Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C, in the inaugural Michelin Guide Northeast Cities Ceremony, a gathering that pulled top culinary talent to The Kimmel Center’s Marion Anderson Hall

Philadelphia made an especially strong showing. Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday, and Provenance each earned the coveted Michelin Star, a distinction long regarded as the industry’s gold standard and a marker of exceptional craft.

The Michelin Guide had glowing things to say about these Philadelphia eateries and the city’s culinary scene as a whole:

Friday Saturday Sunday (American Contemporary)

And Wednesday and Thursday. Chef Chad Williams and his wife Hanna, both Philadelphia natives, took over this veritable institution in 2016 and then pivoted to offering a set multicourse menu when reopening after the pandemic. It works well, as it allows Chad to provide a balanced, varied, and consistent experience to all. Thanks to skilled technique, just the right amount of innovation, and an innate understanding of the luxury ingredients he uses, his dishes fill the mouth with flavor and succulence. His delicious crispy sweetbreads will convert any skeptic; quail with pate plays with texture, and the New York strip is a lesson in expert seasoning. There’s a great cocktail bar on the first floor; the long, narrow, lively and warmly run restaurant is up a steep flight of stairs – and those stairs will seem even steeper when it’s time to leave. Expect an atmosphere as spirited and enjoyable as the food.

Her Place Supper Club (European Contemporary)

The name says it all, as Amanda Shulman’s cozy little spot was born out of her love for cooking for friends and has that warm and welcoming supper club vibe. Diners may get their own table, but there’s a real communal feel at play here; everyone is served at the same time after Amanda has explained to the room the make-up of each dish and perhaps the influence behind it. Her multicourse set menu changes every two weeks, and her accomplished and beautifully balanced cooking comes with French and Italian accents. It also boasts a welcome lightness of touch, so you leave feeling sated rather than overwhelmed, although you can choose some extra dishes as add-ons if you wish. Her sauces, whether a barigoule served with brioche-crumbed trout, or the beurre blanc that accompanies the homemade chitarra pasta with clams, are real strengths. There are two seatings (at 6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.), so do arrive on time.

Provenance (Contemporary)

Chef Nicholas Bazik and his team know exactly what they’re doing in this historic row house. In full view of the counter, they deliver a high-wire, high-stakes performance defined by precision, harmony, and, of course, taste. Korean and French influences come and go with this elaborate tasting menu, where special soys, vibrant oils, and glossy sauces give wonderful dimension to pristine seafood and dry-aged proteins. Think Japanese tuna with whipped tofu, puffed sorghum, and chili oil or brown butter hollandaise with country ham, caviar, and cauliflower. The ideas are original, the flavors bold. Such creativity hews closely to the seasons, and even a salad can arrive as a revelation. All the while, service is seamless and warmly choreographed.

Michelin Guide notes via 6abc

A number of other restaurants received other honors, and you can view the full list here.

While I have yet to have the privilege to dine at Her Place Supper Club or Provenance, I am not surprised to see them receive this prestigious honor. They have long been on my list to try, but now I assume I’ve got zero shot of getting in either of these places anytime soon. That’s what I get for waiting so long.

Friday Saturday Sunday still remains one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. I haven’t been back for quite some time since they won a James Beard award, but I still talk about what a phenomenal meal I had there.

While I’m so proud that this city’s food scene is finally getting the recognition it deserves, I can’t help but feel a little snubbed. Sure, I don’t own a restaurant, but I was the star of Philadelphia’s favorite cooking show for four episodes. Cooking Papa captivated the Delaware Valley to the point that Mike Missannelli stole my whole concept.

Sure, it was a little crass, but that’s what the people wanted. It was live, reckless, and borderline irresponsible. I loved every minute of it.

I wasn’t expecting a Michelin Star or anything like that. Just maybe a shoutout or a plaque to hang in my mother’s kitchen, where it all began, would’ve been nice.