Laurel and Lo Spiedo make GQ's best-new-restaurant list
Two South Philadelphia restaurants make it with Alan Richman.
Another week, another list of "the best new restaurants in America."
Alan Richman, the Philly-raised Philadelphia Bulletin alum who is the critic for GQ magazine, comes home to insert two Philadelphia newcomers to his list of 25.
At #8 is Laurel, Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi's BYOB salon on East Passyunk Avenue. Richman notes that "the room might well be a shotgun apartment" and writes that "there's not much decor, save for a few black iron sconces and hanging lamps." He raved about the catfish in a coconut-clam broth, duck magret and foie gras."
At #24 is Lo Spiedo, the Vetri Family's grill-meat destination at the Navy Yard. Richman - who had Pizzeria Vetri on last year's list - has his boat floated over the "glorified Americanized Italian food, including a gutsy celery-root milanese sandwich. If vegetarians gave out medals, it deserves the Navy Cross."
Given Marc Vetri's disdain for "listicles" such as this, he must be upset about Lo Spiedo's inclusion...