This past weekend I attended a dinner held by the Visit Philly team at Double Knot . I heard positive reviews from friends, and the restaurant appeared on Philadelphia Magazine’s most recent 50 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia list, so I was excited to try their cuisine. I arrived a few minutes ahead of our reservation, and the place was packed! Once my group arrived, we waited a few minutes to be seated — a testament to the restaurant’s popularity.

The street-level entrance feels like any bustling city bar, but once diners are directed downstairs, Double Knot transforms into a charming, quiet izakaya. Once seated, I perused the cocktail list while our waiter described the menu. I decided on a vodka cocktail with Asian pear, sage and finished with bubbles. The food menu features small plates, sushi and robatayaki meats. We decided to experience a little bit of everything by ordering the chef’s tasting menu. This includes a mix of dishes from each section of the menu, totaling 10 items. We opted for the chef to select our menu for us. I enjoyed the surprise element, as there were so many great dishes featured.

I truly enjoyed each dish. The overall selection offered a wide variety of dishes, flavors and textures. Some of my favorites included the edamame dumpling, salmon sashimi, pork chop and Brussels sprouts. One of my dining companions ordered their take on a Manhattan, with smoked cinnamon and cloves. The presentation was so lovely I later ordered one for myself.

Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience, from the ambiance to the food and its presentation. I’m looking forward to returning again.

— Katie Skrzek, vice president/digital director