My husband and I recently dined at Forsythia in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood for our anniversary. The restaurant offers a contemporary spin on French classics.

© Katie Skrzek
We arrived just in time for our reservation and were brought to a table toward the back of the dining room. The décor is eclectic and lush, with bold paintings and black-and-white tiled floors. Once seated, our friendly waitress arrived to go over the specials and take our drink orders. I opted to start with a gin and cucumber cocktail, amusingly called Benedict Cucumberpatch. We decided to share several plates, including the special pasta with fava beans.
From the small plates menu section, we ordered corn beignets, English pea gazpacho and stuffed crepes. Two vegetables were available during our visit (creamed corn and tomatoes), and we ordered both. For our entrées, we ordered tuna niçoise and the pasta.

© Katie Skrzek
The soup arrived first, and our waitress brought the serving in two bowls, which we appreciated. It was topped with crab, lemon crème fraîche and hazelnut crumb. It was the perfect start to the meal. Corn beignets arrived next, with a spicy dip. Up next was the tomatoes with melon and basil and the rabbit crepes. I was apprehensive about the crepes, which turned out to be one of my favorite dishes. The light crepe was filled with rabbit and creamed leeks and topped with hot honey. The flavor combination was like nothing I’ve experienced before. Our final dishes arrived together. The tuna was seared and came with fava beans, heart of palm and a soft-boiled egg. The bucatini pasta was cooked al dente and topped with fava beans. The indulgent creamed corn was finished with foie gras, crème fraîche and sherry. We ended our meal with a glass of port each and we split the banana pot de crème. Our waitress added a candle, as she knew we were celebrating our anniversary. While I enjoyed each dish, the gazpacho, crepe and creamed corn were standouts.

© Katie Skrzek
Forsythia updates its menu seasonally, so I look forward to a return visit to experience new dishes reflecting the best of the season.
Forsythia
233 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19105
tel 215 644 9395
Read This Next
#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedCruises
Nov 28, 2023This Cruise Guarantees You’ll See the Northern Lights
Anyone who’s visited a destination known for its northern lights viewing during certain times of the year knows, just because you visit doesn’t mean you’ll be able to actually see the northern lights. A lot has to come together for them to be visible, and if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you might be out of luck. However, a new cruise aims to help travelers avoid the disappointment of traveling across the world just to be left lightless.
Sponsored Content
Discover Nashville Neighborhoods
Whether you are interested in music, art, history, food, sports or fashion, Music City has something for everyone to sing about. Nashville is accessible, friendly and authentic, with diverse neighborhoods, a storied musical heritage and a creative culture that energizes the city.
Destinations / Africa
Nov 28, 20236 Must-See Sites in Nairobi, Kenya
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are six must-see sites in Nairobi, Kenya.
Destinations / North America
Nov 28, 2023Which NFL Stadiums Are Best for Bar Hopping?
With the NFL season in full swing and games already booked for months, there’s more than one reason to look forward to cheering on your favorite team. What better way to celebrate (or mourn a loss) after a game than visiting some great bars within walking distance of these massive NFL stadiums?
Sponsored Content
Your Home Away from Home in Dallas
Open spaces, open thinking and open expression thrive at Aloft Dallas Downtown.
Sustainability
Nov 27, 2023Hotels Giving Back Through Inspiring Initiatives
More and more travelers want to feel good about the hotel they stay in and the trips they take. They want to know their vacation isn’t harming the environment and local community they are visiting. These hotels go above and beyond when it comes to giving back to local communities, employees, the environment and more.
ShareThis