North By Texas (NXTX)

Wow, Sao. Haven’t had a meal or experience like this in a long time. I’d been waiting to go until things calmed down some but it’s more popular than ever. For good reason. Everything is right at @saophilly and award-winning Chef @philapans is at the height of his powers (or just getting started?).

From the complimentary spiced peanuts (they make a hotel pan full every night) and a delicious cocktail (try the Silk Scarf) to the raw bar selections (my son and I had the bluefin tuna carpaccio and aged hamachi crudo) to the succulent @seamarket_fdrpark homage beef skewers with dressed cherry tomatoes, an amazing mini chirashi bowl “Tamago don” gift from Chef with rice, egg, uni, and caviar, the famous honey butter hoe cake with smoked trout salad and roe, to the perfectly cooked ribeye mole, and the most incredible beef and broccoli mee caton, followed by an impossibly light banana rice pudding (to go) they were all hits. But there’s also just a great vibe with cool Cambodian tunes, lighting, and a warm staff where everyone including Chef just seems to be on point and having fun.

Like @mawnphilly it can take patience and luck to snag a reservation (first of each month at noon for next month) but walk ins are possible with a wait. Very special meal and place.