Dizengoff and Townsend make Bon Appetit's new-restaurant list
Two ends of the dining spectrum represented.
Bon Appetit is out today with a list of its 50 nominees for the best new restaurants in America, and the two picks from Philadelphia could not be more different.
Dizengoff is a so-called hummusiya - an Israeli-style hummus shop in Center City (from Zahav/Abe Fisher/Federal Donuts' Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook) with picnic-style seating and a simple menu that will set you back less than $15 for lunch.
Townsend is a polished, white-tablecloth French bistro on East Passyunk Avenue from chef Tod Wentz.
"The one thing they have in common is this: flat-out deliciousness," the editors wrote.
Both of these picks, incidentally, were awarded three bells by Inquirer critic Craig LaBan: Townsend for reaffirming "the timeless virtues that carefully measured fine dining can still hold" and Diz for channeling LaBan's inner Ralph Kramden as he babbled "'hummina hummina hummina" hummus. (More than a few eyes rolled at LaBan's awarding the three bells to the simple Diz. When he learned of the review, Solomonov told LaBan, "What are you going to write? Two sentences?")
The list of 50 will be culled into a "hot 10" feature that goes live Tuesday, Aug. 18. Each of those restos will be featured in the September "Restaurant Issue."
























