I had been meaning to try happy hour at Forsythia since they opened, as I live close by. I decided to stop by for takeout and have my happy hour at home. I ordered the Burger Royale and the Apple Beignets. The first thing I noticed when I got home was that there were three items in my bag instead of two. The third item was some type of bread with a fancy butter. I thought to myself I don't really need more bread with a burger but I'll take a bite to see how it tastes. I put butter on that bread and took my bite. Next thing I know I devoured both slices of bread. It was that good! I was so happy to have it included in the meal. I dug in to the burger next. It's a double patty with cheese, fried onions, pickles and sauce on a sesame seed bun. The thing I don't like about double patty burgers is that the thin patties are generally overcooked. Not this burger. Both patties were a juicy medium! So juicy that the bottom of the bun got soggy towards the end. The meat to toppings ratio was slightly off as I had to make my own improvements by taking off a few onions and a pickle. But this was still up there with some of the top burgers in the city. Next up was the Beignets. I bit one and thought to myself it was nothing special. Then I realized it came with a cream cheese and Nutella dipping sauce. I dipped it into the sauce and took my next bite. What a difference the sauce makes! That sauce transformed it into one of the best restaurant desserts I've ever tasted. It was so tasty that I was glad I was eating alone and didn't have to share them. They probably would have been even better if they were still warm. I had a great happy hour at home meal thanks to Forsythia. I'm looking forward to trying more of the menu while seated at the restaurant. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up updating this to a 5 star restaurant. The potential is there... read more

Forsythia - Bread & butter - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Made a 615 reservation hoping for happy hour but were told after being seated that HH is only available at the bar. The HH menu is not posted online, so we asked to see it at the table and decided it would definitely be worth coming back for. It included discounted small plates and cocktails along with a signature plate you could not otherwise order (lobster deviled eggs). To start, we had the corn and truffle beignets and the tomato tartine. The beignets were bland and lacked the truffle flavor. I loved the tartine with tomato jam and fresh juicy tomatoes on sourdough. The focaccia bread was also incredible- soft and fluffy with a salty/buttery crispy crust. There are barely any vegetarian options to choose from, so I ended up ordering the corn soup and fries for my entree. The menu did not indicate that the soup was cold and I did not care for it at all. The server did not ask why it wasn't eaten but simply cleared it from the table untouched. I would order the eggplant side instead of the soup next time. The panisse "fries" were delicious- perfectly crispy on the outside and smothered in piping hot smoked Gouda cheese. My friend loved the burger and I really wish they had a plant based sub for it! The basque cheesecake and hazelnut mousse were both delicious and worth going back for on their own. The ambiance and decor are 10/10. read more

Forsythia - Panisse "fries" - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I had high expectations after reading reviews and valued referrals. I was very disappointed. Nice space. Good service. Very limited menu options. I ordered trout with a mousse sauce that I Would not have known was trout. Very underwhelmed. Others also found menu too limited. No one raved about their food. Portions were a bit on the small side. The $18.00 cheese course was laughable for its two bites of cheese and four large pieces of bread. Overall, for $250.00+ per couple I expect much more In terms of French restaurants it makes me miss George Perrier - even his Bistro. read more

Great service! Very romantic ambiance for date night. Every plate we ordered was tasty. The price is not bad either.

Forsythia is a lovely French restaurant located in Old City. The inside is romantic and cozy with a bohemian feel. The tables are appropriately spaced out with dividers to meet COVID restrictions. For the drinks, I tried the spring breaker and my friend got the perfect balance. Both were hits! As for the menu, they have a great selection with many interesting dishes. We ended up trying a number of the small dishes including the Escargot, Crab & Shallot Beignets, Rabbit Confit Stuffed Crepe, and Unagi Glazed Octopus. My favorites out of these were the rabbit crepe and the unagi octopus - they are must tries! You can skip the beignets though, they were rather underwhelming. Of the big dishes, we tried the crispy pork. This wasn't mind blowing so might opt for something else next time. Lastly, we finished with a chocolate dessert that was the perfect sweet end. Additionally, the service was excellent. Our waiters were very attentive and friendly. Overall, we had a really great time between the interesting modern-french food, lovely ambience, and good service. Will definitely be back! read more

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Bistro-like atmosphere with great service, delicious and interesting food and fair prices for what you're getting. As a vegetarian married to a meat lover, I appreciated that they had plenty of options for both of us. His oysters and halibut were fresh and flavorful. My pumpkin truffle beignets were a little filling so recommend sharing but unique and tasty and my savory crepe was outstanding. We are not dessert people so can't speak to that. Highly recommend giving it a try. read more

For those who don't know what a Forsythia is, it is a yellow olive flower and the name to this restaurant. It's important to know the name and what it looks like because you will see these beautiful yellow flowers throughout the restaurant and miss the mark if you don't know about them. For starters, Forsythia is a little hard to locate but if you see three slender window doors on Chestnut Street between 3rd Street & Bank street, you will want to enter through the middle window door entrance. Once you find the middle door, you enter this beautiful bistro bar with beautiful ornate plants and head to the back to your tables. The restaurant offers an intimate yet luxurious Parisian ambiance with a sophisticated selection of dishes on the menu. The cocktails are fruity, spontaneous and punny with names like Benedict Cucumberpatch & Cougar Watermeloncamp. My friends and I ordered the Pumpkin Bisque, Roasted Beet & Pear, the Boar, and Pumpkin & Black Truffle Beignets. The Roasted Beet & Pear offered a light mix of earthy & sweet. The Boar meat was meaty yet tart with a side of Pickled Plums (I think) and absolutely delightful toasted bread. The Pumpkin & Black Truffle Beignets were delicious but I didn't get to really taste too much of the pumpkin or truffle notes. But what topped it all for me was the Pumpkin Bisque. The Jonah Crab swimming in the Butter Creme Fraîche and sprinkled with Pumpkin Seeds made me feel warm, secure, and hearty on a Hurricane Ian evening. Forsythia is definitely a restaurant to go if you're feeling romantic, intimate, and fancy. read more

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Two stars for excellent food One star loss for loud music in a fine restaurant (I shouldn't have to yell my conversation across the table) Two stars loss for cold, detached and sterile service read more

Had an especially delicious and wonderful time last night at Forsythia during Center City's Restaurant Week. All of the dishes had the taste of a traditional French meal but were altered in such creative and beautiful ways. Our favorites were the Escargot which was cooked in a sauce that was to die for and the Baba Au Rhum which was a phenomenal sweet treat to end the meal. Our server, Kiki, helped explain the magic in each dish! There was also an extensive list of wines that was outstanding. Forsythia is truly a wonderful place and I'm happy to have it in the neighborhood! read more

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We had the best meal here that we have had in a long time, and we are from Chicago so that is saying something! Chef Kearse took care of us and we appreciated all of it. Everything from the Chef's Tasting Menu was amazing, I took my (starving) college student son and he loves escargot, I loved the Hokkaido scallops in the luscious cider hazelnuß emulsion. I am not much of a bone marrow fan but chef's presentation had me saying "Yes Chef"! The soup was outstanding as was the poulet and tuna and the desserts with Maury 1977 was brilliant. Thank you so much for a great experience for my son and I and the most outstanding meal in Philly! We will be back. (insert chef kiss) read more

In these times of Covid, creative menu with innovative taste profile. The staff was solicitous and responded to all our needs. Overall, a great dining experience for the adventurous diner. read more

I have to admit, I was hoping for more. After reading the reviews for this place I went in with a certain expectation and left feeling disappointed and underwhelmed. I know during the COVID time things are not their norm. I understand the need to have a simplified or more condensed menu. That being said, I would expect the few things that being offered to be staples or choices that really give you an idea of what the place is all about. I really felt like the menu was lacking here. Nothing was that sophisticated or even that intriguing. It didnt really give off a French vibe either. The duck was cooked well and probably the highlight of the meal. The mussels were definitely the weakest point. Very chewy, lacking flavor, and the sausage didnt really fit. We were not a fan. The rest of the meal was just average. The food was edible, not terrible, but nothing memorable or worth mentioning here. Probably will opt to go elsewhere next time I am searching for French style cuisine. read more

Forsythia - Mussels Andouille - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Pretty pricey French restaurant place but a definitely go back kinda place. The vibe isn't too intimidating, but it is a French restaurant. It's a classic philly townhouse look, narrow in the front and super deep in. There's a lounge with walk in seating in the front, a bar area, the dining room (where the reserved seats are) and the elevated kitchen. The decor is really pretty with throw blankets on the chairs, nice mood lighting and candles. So we came during happy hour but didn't get any drinks because of excess drinking during the holiday season. The food specials we got where half dozen of oysters, panisse with cheese, and ham hock beignets. They were all great. For actual food, we got the hen of the woods (omg the best). It comes with smoked ricotta and madeira honey and sumac. It was amazing. Loved the combination of flavors as well as the different textures. We also got the sea bream with celery root, bok choy and celery root purée. The sea bream had a super nice crispy skin and was perfectly paired with the veggies. For dessert, we got the dark chocolate entremet and the passion fruit sabayon. Both were good but the passion fruit sabayon was so good and definitely my favorite. Since we didn't try out the drinks this time I'll definitely be sure to come read more

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Atmosphere-quaint and enjoyable Food was good, not quite delicious portions not equal to cost Allowed to ring in outside cake for the occasion The 5.00 per slice cutting charge was way too much read more

Hands down, Forsythia has immediately climbed out of my gut and into my heart as my all-time Philly favorite. With a server like Seth, you'll feast and be treated like royalty. Must get: foie gras, Panisse (chickpea) w/cheese, agnolotti, sea bream, omelet, clams, mushroom Meh: wagyu beef Missed: pigtail, cocktails, rabbit leg Forsythia has only been open for 2 months, but it has already garnered a cult following. From the high set ceiling with its unique decor, to the immaculate attention and care by its waiters (Seth was an amazing rockstar), and the reasonably priced food, Forsythia is ideal from dates, socialization, or a business meal. When it comes to the food, most of my Philly fine dining has been riddled with strong accented dishes that tried too hard to overwhelm and wow you. But it was clear from the moment I saw how Chef Kearse plated his Panisse w/the raclette cheese or how airy and fluffy the omelet tasted and even how better it married the fresh crab within its eggy goodness, I knew I was in for a treat. In short, everything just...worked, all notes were in harmony. For example, the smoked ricotta was just tantalizing next to the hunk of mushroom; the smoked sea bream skin contrasted so much with the celery root puree, or how the clam broth was so delectable that we got 3 servings of the sourdough bread just to soak it all up! Everything was perfect! My only beef, pun intended, was the wagyu, in which I failed to taste the intricacies of the wagyu, but enjoyed the malt vinegar and broccoli combination. The raclette cheese was a bit salty for the already perfect and instantaneously dissolving Panisse and the agnolotti was just too...rich, with both the cheese and lamb neck causing all sorts of delicious regret on the walk home. At the end of the night, we truly had a marvelous night and hope that Forsythia alters their menu per the season so we can revisit! Food/ambiance/service/price: 5 stars read more

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The atmosphere is nice and service is decent. We enjoyed the focaccia and butter. The beef tartare was great, and the sourdough that came with it was perfect. The grilled octopus was decent. Our entrees were a very solid 4/5. Forsythia is a great restaurant, but wasn't perfectly suited to our taste. I would recommend it, but I will try other places in Philly before considering returning. read more

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Let me start out by saying the food was great. Service was excellent. It's a cute little place. Now my only problem,it was restaurant week ,and all that was available was the restaurant week menu at $75 with an additional $20 for a truffled pasta course. I was fine with everything, but I just don't understand why Forsythia includes itself with restaurant week. Also, a 20 % gratuity was added on the check. I don't believe a gratuity should be added. I can't believe a restaurant like this would find it necessary to add gratuity especially for a party of three. I tip 20% minimum and would have tipped higher if it was left up to me. read more

3 of us ate here tonight during restaurant week. IMPORTANT: look at the restaurant week menu before booking. The regular menu was not available, and one member of our party had no good choices. It was a good price compared to the regular menu though. The corn vichyssoise was very sweet, not good. The trout was pretty good, but very light on vegetables (as were all the main choices.) The escargot was good. The crepe was pretty good. The peach dessert was just ok. Tasted like canned peaches. Skip the focaccia--it's 4 pieces of sandwich bread, not legit. Lots of gluten-free choices. Service was good but a little too attentive and rushed. Ambience was casual. Overall, I would recommend this for foodies only, and definitely avoid if you want meat or vegetables. read more

This was my first time at this place and I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food although it was a bit expensive. We made reservations for Sunday night at 5:30 PM at the front by the window. It was a little chilly but they provide blanket throws on the chair for your use. The decor is minimalist but cozy and romantic with real candles at each table. The service was attentive: almost a little too attentive as the server came very often when we weren't ready to order food. They provide fresh sourdough bread with a delicious spread that isn't butter but is rosemary. We ordered the pommes Anna $12 which is a huge spiral potato with cheese. The wood roasted Chicken $28 was a generous portion, enough for 2 people to share. But it wasn't that spectacular. I probably will try the tuna or duck next time. For dessert, we had the sorbert which comes in a warm dish of pears with sorbet on top. After you pay, you get a small piece of green tea Blondie wrapped in a small clear bag to take home. That was a nice touch. Overall it was a delicious meal and worth the price given the ambiance and food. I will return. read more

Excellent experience all around. First, the space. It has a chic French feel without feeling stuffy or pretentious. It's warm and inviting and bustling without being too loud. Really really loved the vibe and the decor. It feels very Paris, in the way that makes you want to come back again and again. Drinks - delicious, well crafted. Next time, I want to sit at the bar for drinks and dessert. Loved the feel of the bar. Food - everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Well balanced flavors in every dish. We loved everything we ate. Duck, scallops, Manila clams, hen of the woods mushrooms. We didn't have time for dessert as our parking was expiring. Definitely next time. Serviced - we looooved our waitress. Knowledgeable, friendly, fun. read more

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so impressed with this place!! the duck breast was absolutely delicious and so was the pot de creme. service was very fast and the ambiance is laid back and quiet. i would definitely come back here again and try their everyday menu read more

Forsythia - Modern European Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I had heard that Forsythia was amazing but didn't get to try going there until recently. I loved the cozy and stylish ambiance. The server was really friendly. The food and flavors were delicious! Can't wait to go back again. read more

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Unbelievably fabulous from start to finish. Creative cocktails, imaginative menu and great service. We plan to return in d try season to see what they do next! read more

We stopped in for what was supposed to be a "quick" happy hour and ended up staying for 2 hours. What a cool place. The bar is very nice- it filled up fast! By 5PM there were no seats. Folks were pouring in for dinner reservations at that time as well. We had every item on the happy hour menu (sans Royale w/ Cheese, we had dinner reservations elsewhere). I'd recommend the corn and ham hock beignets. We had a few non-happy hour cocktails as well (cc that funky G&T with rose water). We also shared the cacio e pepe which was great. We had a great experience. We regretted leaving to attend to our dinner reservation. Looking forward to dining in a few weeks. read more

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I feel lucky that Forsythia opened right before I came home for the few days I've been back in Philly! I first came Friday night, bringing my uncle when I heard that Chris Kearse had just opened a new restaurant. The meal was incredible, so I came back on Sunday bringing my mom and family friends with me. Both times, the food was outstanding! I loved every dish, but if I were able to pick a few to recommend, they'd be the Wagyu beef carpaccio (the broccoli that comes with it is major yum), rohan duck (gosh, that slightly sweet cherry sauce tastes delicious with the duck), and kettle corn creme brulee (the dynamic between salty and sweet, as well as crunchy and smooth is a real treat). The service is also fantastic - our large dishes were served slightly late, but we didn't mind because we weren't in a rush. However, we were pleasantly surprised when they brought out a complimentary dessert tower to express their apologies (so sweet! Pun 100% intended). And I can't finish this review without saying something about Chef Kearse - he's incredibly talented and it's a real pleasure being able to try his creations. You can tell he cares a lot about the experience his guests have, from the food to the decor to the music (10/10 playlist!). You'll be sure to have a great time here if you visit. :-) read more

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I felt like I stepped into Europe as we walked down the cobblestone street on a icy January evening not knowing what to expect. A blast of Paris in this quaint lovely city. The decor is so cozy warm and artsy and sitting in a corner table we felt like we were alone despite the crowded restaurant. Soft warm bread crusted with a subtle cinnamon crust, along with cheese and ham beignets steaming hot and crusty were first brought out with an incredible bottle of red wine. We ordered the rib eye dinner which was incredible- I just like my meat well done due to a fear of undercooked meat I was a bit wary. I ate the well done morsels and this dish was incredible with the side mustardy jam. It came with this incredible cheesy side dish that made me think I died and went to heaven. The salad was so flavorful- Now I am dreaming of this place.. I will definitely be coming here again and again. read more

Tonight was my third time dining here, and it never disappoints. It is truly an amazing restaurant, not just in terms of food but also in terms of atmosphere and ambience. Casual while classy, professional while friendly, it's the kind of experience you would expect from a restaurant with a much higher price point. It's far and away my favorite french restaurant in Philly, and that includes Bistro La Minette, Bibou, and Laurel. Bonus: they actually have pretty good cocktails and pretty well curated (though not extensive) wine list. Not what I would expect from a place like this. read more

Upon entering, the restaurant is nicely decorated, but not too posh. For appetizers, I ordered the escargot. It arrived in a generous portion. I opted for the pork belly with clam, although it is no longer featured on the menu. It proved to be a delectable choice. The food warrants a visit to experience. However, our server's demeanor was rather cold compared to the table next to us, prompting me to deduct a star. read more

I took my boyfriend (Chris) to Forsythia for his birthday, and we were blown away by the whole experience. Our server, Rito, was so funny and helpful. He gave us great suggestions for which wine to pair with our meal, and was able to describe some of the entrees that we had questions about. The complimentary bread and homemade butter is enough of a reason to dine here. I ordered the English Pea Soup as my first course, and Chris had the Caratelli Alla Arrabbiata. Both were very good. For our main course, Chris had the Skate Wing and I ordered the Cod en Croute. We split the Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes, which were so sweet, they almost tasted like dessert. We both really enjoyed our meals. Since I told the restaurant it was Chris's birthday ahead of time, they brought us a complimentary drink to start the evening, and then finished it off with one of their desserts (I think it was cheesecake... the menu has since changed). Overall, Forsythia exceeded our expectations and we cannot wait to return for our next celebration. read more

Always a pleasure to dine here. The staff are so friendly and the food and cocktails are delicious. I loved the smoking carrot cocktail!

I was really waiting for tonight and I finally made it! Everything that I ordered was so delightful! Outstanding! Every bite of it! Cocktails were pretty amazing too! #greatservice #delishfood I will definitely come back! read more

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Jaw dropping. Thank you to chef and the entire restaurant team for cultivating such a wholesome experience. Forsythia is a true treasure. read more

This restaurant is outstanding! I was amazed by everything. The ambiance is extremely welcoming and the staff is friendly, considerate, and knowledgeable. I would go here again in a heartbeat. First of all, the crab and shallot beignets are beyond incredible. It's a great appetizer to split before your meal. After I finished the last one, I was really tempted to order more. The crispy pork is absolutely perfect! Every bite was so delicious and it will be hard to order anything else when I return here. It was outstanding. I highly recommend getting this entree because it will exceed your expectations. read more

Finally got to Chris K.'s new place. A great space, not too big, but not small either. The menu was great; just enough options, with small and large plate options, and a few sides. The escargot and the pea soup were great as starters. The pea soup was a standout, with mint and creme fraiche. The pork belly/pork cheek entree was very rich, and the crispy skin of the pork belly was like candy. Everything was a bit heavy, but in a good way. The service was pretty slow, but our servers were very knowledgeable and pleasant. You can pay via scanning a QR code on the receipt, which was convenient. A great experience! read more

Service and ambiance was great. Not a huge fan of the food here though. We did the tasting menu and maybe half the dishes provided were good, but nothing really blew me away. The escargot was tasty, but not as good as Parc. Wouldn't recommend coming here because at the price point there are many better options. read more

Came here for a Sunday dinner, overall pretty good food. One thing I notice some of the food from other reviews are no longer on the menu. For drinks we had Basil Rathbone - very smoky Bourbon based cocktail, and Tokyo-Paris-New York which was very good. It would be nice to have floral based light cocktails to pair with some of the food options. For food, we order escargot which is really good, and Summer Truffle Deviled Eggs, surprisingly good that I want to try to make something similar in the thanksgiving time. Also got Blanquette De Lapin, it was really good, nicely cooked. The only thing I didn't like was the trout fish, the foam on the top tasted a bit like what cleaning foam would taste like in my head and covered the taste of fresh trout. Would like to come back again when there are new stuff coming out. read more

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The duck is so good we came back for the spring edition and both the winter and spring ducks are great

One of the best meals I have had in a long time. The foie Gras app. Special and main course were perfect. As well as bartender Jeremy. Thank you all. read more

Wow, what a lovely dinner this was... My husband and I came on a Thursday night and it was a full house, albeit limited seating due to covid at the moment. Forsythia was on my list since it opened and not only was I not disappointed, but my expectations were actually exceeded. The space is beautiful with Parisian bistro style tiled floors, a gorgeous bar with marble top, and beautifully upholstered benches that run the length of the main space. For dinner, we started with a chestnut bisque which would not normally be my go-to but it was divine- rich and creamy with just subtle hints of chestnut, nothing overpowering. My husband and I then shared the duck heart ragout rigatoni which was one of those dishes where you can't really figure out what is in each bite but it tastes so good it doesn't matter. For dinner I had the filet mignon which, you just can't go wrong with. Perfectly cooked and seasoned with a black truffle bordelaise. It is likely in my top 5 best filet mignons ever and I've eaten a LOT of filet mignon. For dessert we had the speculoos crepe cake which was divine- not overly heavy or dense so, although I was stuffed at this point, I was still able to enjoy dessert. Last note: they have a great wine selection!! I tried a couple different glasses that I'll never remember the names of but each was more delicious than the last. I was so pleased with our meal here and I was so excited to try a new spot since I haven't had the chance to do that often during covid times. Forsythia was the perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner date with my husband and I can't wait to come back. read more

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Great atmosphere, service was pretty good but food was just okay. We tried everything on the menu, the fish, the chicken, the pasta which were all just OK - fairly bland, certainly not worthy of the recommendation/recognition the restaurant has had. read more