How Master Chef Mike Solomonov Runs One of Philadelphia's Most Legendary Restaurants - Mise En Place

[@eater]

Thanks for watching! Head over to Instagram to follow along with the team! Chef Mike: instagram.com/mikesolomonov, and the restaurant: Instagram.com/Zahavrestaurant

[@jennyzjc]

i love the mise en place series

[@hamie63_m]

Gets me inspired and hungry at the same time

[@ariesjordan94]

Same I need to go to these places

[@zack8879]

It’s so much fun for me to see how others run kitchens and get inspired myself.

[@TheOriginalArchie]

I like how supportive they are of each other, they compliment each other and say humbling things in regards to their skills compared to the other chefs. That may just be for camera, but I feel like they were being genuine about it.

[@slikwines]

As someone who used to work there, this is their baseline level of loveliness. Beau and Joe have worked there for a long time now and seems like they haven't changed a bit.

[@Chonchey]

they represent philly mentality

[@tp2608]

Had the pleasure of doing my apprenticeship here and what you see is what you get. True and dear artists at work

[@markchristopher4165]

FINALLY got to eat at Zahav a couple weeks ago, and it lived up to the hype, for sure. So many great flavors

[@joshuarusso2105]

I ate there 5 years ago and was inspired and blown away by not only the food but also the hospitality which were both top notch. The way they made you feel when you entered the restaurant was something that has stayed with me and something I try to pass onto my staff. Sustainability in this industry comes from putting others first

[@jona8418]

Agreed. The service there was phenomenal when I went

[@andnear0U812]

That is absolutely true in all aspects of life. Imagine if everyone thought of the next person first

[@caglioso]

I’ve had the privilege to eat at Zahav several times and it’s truly worth every penny. Every single dish is absolutely phenomenal. I just wish they would let you order a la carte now but I get why that’s tough.

[@jackdavis4657]

Lucky!

[@janicelgo4522]

Me too. Live in SF Bay area, but work in Philadelphia area monthly (until 20, 21, but back now). Do my best to go to Zahav or one of his other places. Stay at Kimpton Palomar which is next to Dizengoff, Abe Fisher and Federal donuts.

[@caglioso]

@@janicelgo4522 have you been to Abe fisher or Goldie yet? Would also recommend, especially if you can do a dinner at Abe fisher.

[@janicelgo4522]

@@caglioso Yes...I've probably been to Abe Fisher a dozen times. Although I live in the SF Bay area, I work about a week a month in Philadelphia and typically stay at the Kimpton Palomar which is on the same block w Federal Donuts and Dizengoff. Have not been to Goldie, but on my list. Looks like there are 2 new places, Laser Wolf and Merkaz. Excited to try them. BTW, amazing Italian restaurant (award winning Gelato too) called Gran Caffe L'Aquila on Chesnut between 17th & 18th. Philadelphia food scene is so underrated.

[@caglioso]

@@janicelgo4522 that’s excellent 👍🏻 Last time at Abe fisher I had the Montreal short rib which was out of this world. And Laserwolf was a great experience, not as refined as Zahav but definitely worth the trip. I’ve gotten dessert at L’Aquila before but never had a proper meal there. Sounds like you eat well when you’re here! it really is a great food city, I’m proud of how much it’s evolved the last 10-15 years.

[@amitfink]

I ate at Zahav about a week ago or so, and I was absolutely blown away by the sheer quality of the food, and the way it was prepared! Every morsel that entered my face hole felt like a piece of heaven on earth!!! My favorite dish by far was the lamb entree that came with rice. My taste buds were so turned on I had to find out who made it in order to thank him personally… Turns out a young lad by the name of Remy (like the rat in Ratatouille!) absolutely killed it! If anyone here is ever blessed with the opportunity to visit this restaurant, it would be a *felony* to not ask for the lamb made by Remy himself. If you want the complete experience you’ll 100% be retelling your grandchildren about in 50 years over and over again, ask for his special sauce on top of the rice. You won’t know what hit you, but your tastebuds will make sure you will never forget… Thank me later.

[@Elfein]

You can be a professional food critic because damn.

[@awesomesaucer7854]

Always cool to get an outside perspective, now I know 100% it's worth the visit

[@joerocky8652]

Kosher?

[@samueleisenberg1543]

I was going to write as well that the lamb entree with rice was absolutely amazing but you phrased it much better than I ever could. +1 on this comment!!

[@chaunceylock]

Always cool to see a well run kitchen. Truly impressive.

[@juliocasarrubias5077]

On god people will never understand that!!💪🏽🔥

[@jtorola]

Mise En Place is far away my favorite KZbin series and I get so happy every time a new one pops up

[@sharky1154]

This is what simple ingredients and love, produce. Well done chefs at Zahav!!

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Great to see young people preparing traditional ethnic food. This food looks delicious. Thank you.

[@eduardoflorianantohe7915]

That lamb shoulder looks phenomenal. The type of dish that makes you go back to that specific restaurant just to eat it

[@Linkzelda21]

You can also use short rib I couldn’t get lamb shoulder so I used short rib instead!!

[@dinckelman]

The kind of passion you see in these people is unparalleled

[@yungblod8975]

If only they had passion for the millions of Palestinians who they stole land from

[@Linkzelda21]

One of my all time favorite middle eastern restaurants I had the Privilege to eat here and go back in the kitchen. The staff here reminds me like my coworkers at my current kitchen job all getting along and helping one another!!

[@sebastianjorgecruz9664]

I love watching the coordination that happens when a kitchen is working smoothly.

[@Ace-cv1xd]

that hummus...ive never seen any smoother than that. looks flipping amazing.

[@edwinsantonio]

The teamwork and how everyone understands their roll in the kitchen is so damn AMAZING. I can see why are they’re so successful.

[@tee8822]

These videos are the perfect length to watch whilst eating a meal!

[@weaverjoshuab]

My late older sis Remee used to work there. I met the staff most are still there. Great ppl.

[@janicelgo4522]

My favorite restaurant. Absolutely love laffa, hummus and salads (often get 4-6 small ones), then the various proteins, like duck hearts, lamb and fish are exceptional. Also, Mike run Federal donuts, Goldies, and a number of other Philadelphia institutions.

[@jedediahreaver210]

The way he said Palestinian really made me respect him even more,a beautiful soul,very calm and composed, definitely gonna visit his restaurant.

[@roycohen.]

I would say 99% of us want peace. :)

[@pandascout]

@@roycohen. if that was the case there would be no settlements in Palestine.

[@santiagoborenszteyn1618]

@@pandascout And no daily terrorists attacks in Israel or dozens of two state solutions rejected by Palestinians

[@playingguitarforfun]

@@santiagoborenszteyn1618 Israeli government are the terrorists.

[@jedediahreaver210]

@@santiagoborenszteyn1618 you just had to butt in , didn't you ?

[@kevincucumber1118]

“Mediterranean? wtf does that even mean”😂 love this guy

[@SincerelyBradley]

Everyone from Philly knows this place, one of the hardest reservations to get. Swing by dizengoff if you want their hummus!

[@jackie9068]

Fantastic you have blended all the cuisines of the world made it your own but you gave credit to the world. Thank you. So healthy

[@raolf7450]

OMG it's like the tikkun olam of restaurants!!!!!!!

[@Tantrumspam]

I've been to Zahav a few times now. From when they first opened to right before covid in 2019...and every single meal has been incredible. From having the back room with my entire family to just a 2 top.....seeing that pomegranate lamb again, I instantaneously started to salivate.....I crave that dish, it's the type of dish it sticks with you, the aroma, the umami, the after taste. If you can get reservations, go go go!

[@raolf7450]

Oy vey!

[@pseudochef07]

Wow. I just learned a new thing today. Adding ice water to your tahini to make hummus really fluffy. Awesome!!

[@Donj171]

Also, a big robo coupe floor blixer that has quite a bit of horsepower to get the whole batch of hummus to there standard! Impressive stuff

[@pokerbosscycler]

i add cold water to my homemade hummus. wink.

[@ismailjabbar5264]

He doesn’t know what he’s talking about 😂 you put ice to make it look brighter so it gets rid of the dark color

[@richhaydinger374]

Chef Mikes story is incredible he’s a very inspiring dude.

[@TheShigeruJP]

this might be my favorite episode of the series so far

[@briantneary2248]

I'm from Boston and lived in Philly for 3 years. This is the best spot in Philly, hands down.

[@Jpsalm91]

I will always believe that being friends with the good cooks, chefs, farmers, fisherman, etc... is always one of the best things anyone can do in their lives

[@smew1786]

dudes so chill.

[@abhiraval3387]

I’m so glad this channel popped up on my recommended page

[@Darkmind909]

This has to be the best looking restaurant ive ever seen, fantastic video Eater thank you.

[@KingOfJamos.]

I would love to eat at this restaurant. The food looks absolutely delicious. You Sir are a genius.

[@chris6054]

dude, watching the pita puff during that short few seconds when they're getting ready for service...Id get stuck watching the puff all day 😳

[@CubensisEnjoyer]

All of that food at the end...not a single plate looks short of amazing. I don't know if I'll ever find myself going to Philadelphia but if I do I will stop at nothing to get a reservation at Zahav.

[@davelash8699]

Get there before opening and grab a seat at the bar if you can't get a reservation.

[@damionfragoso2655]

I love a chef that destroys key terms of the intellectual community like Mediterranean food or farm to table. Yes, all food is farm to table and any food that is made on the coast of the mediterranean is Mediterranean

[@rikudotenin9773]

This video is a great example of how to incorporate different dishes from around the world into your cuisine whilst giving credit to their origins, unlike the Laser Wolf video on Smoke Point. Very impressed, would love to visit this place someday.

[@bobsteadman9728]

I'm in northern VA and I just may have to visit this man. I was part of a CA law enforcement group that was fortunate to visit Israel. It is truly a magical place.

[@trevort9473]

Hg

[@proudnerd3]

Do it - awesome restaurant - but make sure you get reservations when they open on the first of every month bc they fill up fast!

[@mattmoseley7401]

Great series! Mike is a Philly treasure, all his spots are incredible.

[@Simon-nv5zj]

I still have not found a better method than cooking with charcoal. The Japanese have been doing it for centuries and I can see why. Phenomenal.

[@Donj171]

Everyone has a sense of pride in everything they do. It’s with purpose!

[@JacobCanote]

Love to see this. Thanks for the glimpse.

[@shontelhorneonline]

By far one of my most memorable meals of the last few years. They could easily charge twice as much.

[@pascalekaiser1396]

Once again a great video..craftsmanship and dedication..fantastic

[@78LedHead]

That freakin bread looks to die for. I love this series from Eater. Excellent stuff.

[@suhuhsgee]

oh wow. what an episode. I can't wait to eat in this place. love the team!

[@Dikkemoertjeeeeeeee]

4:22 Those are subtitles with a lot of balls 😂

[@Laknouz]

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 That's some jew jus 😂

[@thundercheeks1989]

Philly loves Chef Solomonov and Zahav 🧡

[@AntD215]

Im From Philly. Went in 2020. Was 10/10

[@zachgoldstein4411]

that lamb shoulder might be the single greatest piece of meat Ive ever had.

[@joeynice123]

love the vibe in the kitchen.

[@kauabarros9638]

Never have I eaten any of theirs type of food but now it’s on my bucket list 🤌🏽🍽

[@erikhendrickson59]

That hummus looked *_amazing_*

[@adz260689]

I'm half Greek half Indian. Muslim. And when it comes to a cuisine, this ticks both of my cultures, Israeli/Palestinian food really hits the spot.

[@redademe]

Israeli/Palestinian does intersect with Greek, though how does Indian (Muslim or not) come into play? Indian cuisine has nothing to do here.

[@adz260689]

@@redademe tastes flavours and some styles, especially southern style. Take kachumba salad or even makmura

[@jedediahreaver210]

@@redademe there's alot of mix between India/Israel/Arab culture and food ,you can read about it on Wikipedia.

[@redademe]

@@jedediahreaver210 I am Arab myself and Arab covers a wide swath of land (IMO there's no such thing as Arab food just like the chef mentioned there's no Mediterranean food). Due to historical trade there's Indian influence in *some* Arab countries' cuisine and vice versa, yet Indian cuisine (or cuisines) aligns more itself with its neighbors (Pakistan/Bangladesh/Nepal) and to a lesser extent Iran.

[@AQWOMAR9]

Almost everything in the video is palestinian and not israeli.

[@riley8704]

Incredible that this restaurant can compete with establishments like Guigino's and Paddy's Pub in town.

[@jule009]

Omg I'm so excited they are being featured!!! I always go to Goldie's.

[@johnunderwood3132]

The only thing I know about this place is the loading dock is tight. And to do a pick up through the back is very narrow hallway to back of kitchen. I drive for UPS in Philly. It is a very clean place, I must say!! Maybe one day I’ll try the food. Never had any of that type of food. But it looks delicious!

[@philsonslament9955]

Finally! Thank you for showing a cool Philly place!

[@SoCal_Living]

one of the best cooking channels!

[@hamie63_m]

"to really irritate the traditionalists" I love it.

[@lcc726]

I was lucky enough to be able to eat here 2x.... Amazing. Now it's extremely hard to get a reservation... It's like 6 mths out

[@sarundayo]

Everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING on this restaurant looked fire AF 🔥

[@ft.janice]

I am obsessed with these Mise En Place episodes... also getting me hungry and adding these to my "to go places" list

[@brian1192]

As a cook, I love to see content like this

[@warrendinCLE]

Congratulations! And thank you for you efforts and entertainment!!!

[@proudnerd3]

Hyped that Eater is at somewhere I’ve been! Zahav is excellent.

[@hayanify]

Good job ! I feel bad for Americans who think that "Mediterranean" restaurants in the US are actually how food taste in the middle east. This guy and his team are trying their best to bring the unique flavors and i wish i was anywhere near Philadelphia to go and try it. Also remember that the lamb that is used in the US is nothing like the lamb in the middle east and thats what makes a huge gap in between.

[@rhysmaaannn3778]

That Hommus looks incredible 😍😍

[@kevenquinlan]

Wow. Super impressed. Seeing the creativity, in a thing, without it being pretensious. The people involved, dedicated to such a degree, in a task- who's only satisfaction comes through when all the work is combined. It's fuckin beautiful. Worked everywhere/ done everything, been on brigades, et al. Know more then most of the people I've ever worked for. But when you witness a team of people, working in an exacting detail, with a purpose for it being made that way... makes me teary-eyed. Regardless of success- cooking is never about money- it's about a passion for execution. To do a thing, because it's the best way to do it, everytime. And to know what you put your effort into, when combined with others/ feeling the same way, makes a complete experience... Not just for the diners... but for You.

[@adelinrapcore]

Hat off for this chef and his recipes

[@corgeousgeorge]

Smoked sablefish is one of God's great gifts and with Challah? OMG so good. Lemme tell you, this PuertoRican/Irish guy is so blessed to live in NYC where it's so easy to get great Challah , not so easy for Sable, but not that hard either. I wish I could try their version!

[@louiearmstrong]

That sable thing would make a killer brunch dish. I'd pay too much for that

[@helmsley07]

This is one of the most important restaurants in America

[@remainloyaltoyour0wnsoil580]

It’s really not.. STAWWWP IT GET SOME HELP

[@helmsley07]

@@remainloyaltoyour0wnsoil580inbred

[@NaProbablyNot]

This ALL looks incredible

[@yarnacat]

I staged here in ‘15 (for no pay, for 12 hours) before they finally said they’re offering $10/hr for BOH and you’re expected for 16 hours every shift. Walked out immediately. I know this isn’t rare in higher-profile restaurants, doesn’t make it any less horseshitty

[@raolf7450]

How many shekels is that?

[@cookinbricks]

idk if thats true i staged for 12 hours years ago too and got offered a lot more than $10/hr..... zahav was an amazing place great ppl and atmosphere

[@Simbor-rh1dj]

@@raolf7450oy vey!

[@willthomsen7569]

That’s like Silva brothers in MA. They have that tv show this old house so they pay their carpenters CRAP like in the high 20s low 30s for really good carpenters lol all because of the “prestige”

[@harrymkrtchyan3532]

Don’t worry they’ll steal your labor like they stole the cuisine. Factually no such thing as Israeli food. They’re Eastern Europeans that’s the only food they can claim as an apartheid state

[@jairtrail4921]

The hummus looks amazing!

[@berkowitzgil]

Yes we take hummus seriously.

[@ThugMuffinification]

Literally everything looks delicious

[@kevdude2234]

That lamb shoulder looks so good

[@bobgruner]

That looks like a happy place to work.

[@NJBellyDanceEvents]

Love this place… Have fortunately eaten at #Zahav many many wonderful times n during the Covid lockdown we were fortunate enough to have Zahav delivered to our home for Passover via #Goldbelly 🔥🙆🏻‍♀️🔥 Shalom 🙏🏼 SORAYA Longport, NJ

[@rogeryee5211]

Was Mike on a Chefs night out episode? Anyways, Zahav is one more reason to visit Philly. Thank you Eater.

[@jasonbolin151]

OK thanks alot, now, I gotta road trip 16 hrs just to eat there. Dang that looks frigging good.

[@R0gue0ne]

These are great. Please keep making them!

[@oliviakdwilliams]

my favorite series!!

[@TheChefmike66]

Magnificent. Thank you.

[@itsmerobinyi]

You heard it here: “WTF DOES MEDITERRANEAN EVEN MEAN?!” 😂

[@grandcookingtinyapartment1834]

Awesome video!

[@Ludawig]

Wowwwwwwww, great food in a great vid, thank you

[@saarrrn]

the hummus looks like gelato, SO smooth and creamy

[@7611baller]

Wow y’all need a your own show. Everyone and dish is awesome. Would love to dine with yall

[@GtheGeneral]

Beautiful looking food imma big fan now

[@BucksCorner101]

Ok I must try to get a reservation here. All of that food looked simple and decadent!

[@easygo4568]

Love the team and the food looks stunning 😍

[@Rknowles813]

This series is incredible. Keep em coming

[@chriscargle7645]

God dam this makes me so hungry. Beautiful work

[@kg141414141]

This is crazy to see this on here I've eaten at this place, I live in Philly😳😳😳😳

[@lunagoddesss]

the butchers work is extremely clean !

[@sergios.2276]

Daaaamn all that food looks great I'd wanna try all of that