This weekend my husband and I met friends for brunch at a.kitchen in Philadelphia. We hadn’t seen them since early December, so it was great to catch up over a delicious meal.

We arrived first and made our way to the table after showing proof of vaccination. We ordered coffee and waited for our friends. Once they arrived, we ordered brunch drinks — a Bloody Mary for me — and perused the menu.

To start, we decided to split the gougères and beef tartare. The gougères were a great small bite. The tartare was perfectly seasoned and came with smoked cheddar croquettes instead of toast or crackers, which we all enjoyed. For my entrée I decided to try the French omelette with braised greens and Boursin cheese, and garlic and chive potatoes on the side. The greens and Boursin were a rich and hearty combination for the omelette. The crispy potatoes were perfectly cooked, though the garlic and chive flavor didn’t come through. I almost always choose a savory brunch over sweet, and this meal did not disappoint.

To satisfy a dessert craving, we all decided to share panna cotta and chocolate tahini cake for dessert. While both were indulgent without being sickeningly sweet, the chocolate tahini cake was my favorite.

— Katie Skrzek, vice president/digital director