Vernick Food & Drink Awards

Vernick Food & Drink Restaurant Review:

Philadelphia area native Greg Vernick, after some five years working for celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten in New York and other parts of the world, returned home to create a spot that's both a go-to neighborhood place for the Rittenhouse Square set and a destination restaurant. The seasonally-driven menu allows you to take a mix-and-match approach, by pairing smaller dishes, perhaps his signature "toasts" with toppings of fromage blanc and pickled ramps, with bigger plates like braised lamb neck and roasted lamb rack with couscous and fresh chickpeas. Or depending on your appetite, you can just enjoy a sampling of smaller tastes, which also include raw oysters, striped jack fish with grilled jalapeño oil and other ceviche-like items. For sweets, Vernick goes the comfort route, but with a twist. Think toasted walnut maple pie or Meyer lemon cheesecake. The "drink" part of Vernick's name is ably represented by a well-curated cocktail list comprised of "classic" drinks, like an Old Fashioned, and current offerings, such as a Palomino with tequila, grapefruit, cardamom and makrut lime. The wine list leans towards European vintages that aren't commonly found in Pennsylvania's state stores.