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Welcome to Forsythia

Located at 233 Chestnut St in Philadelphia, Forsythia is a French-New American restaurant known for its trendy, yet casual atmosphere. Offering a wide range of options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians, Forsythia prides itself on its creative dishes and excellent service. The restaurant provides a unique dining experience with its gender-neutral restrooms, plastic-free packaging, and reusable tableware. With a variety of seating options, including heated outdoor seating and private dining, Forsythia is perfect for any occasion. Customers rave about their Christmas-themed tasting menu, stuffed quail, and Buche de Noel dessert, making it a must-try dining destination in Philadelphia.

Forsythia: Reviews & Ratings

Jonathan D.
Jonathan D.

I celebrated my parents' 61st anniversary with them at Forsythia, and it was a lovely experience. We had planned to come here once in the past, but one of them got sick, so alas we had to cancel. This time we made it. It's a pretty, comfortable interior, with a bar area up front and then a dining room that gives French country farmhouse vibes in the back. We ate in the dining room, opting for their Christmas-themed tasting menu that was still on for another day or two. But first, drinks. For me, that meant a refreshing, delicious gin and cranberry-based cocktail called the Cran Drescher (they all have cute names) and for my parents, a glass of Muscadet (I can confirm that the wine was excellent, as I had a glass of it later). Then, on with the tasting menu, which started with delicious bread (with an addictive spread to go on it) and a selection of four different appetizers. There was a scallop crudo, Oysters Rockefeller, pate de campagne (a mix of duck confit, veal sweetbreads and foie gras) and escargot a la Provencal. The highlight for me was definitely the escargot dish, as it was not nearly as rich as snails can be--loved the sauce. We all wish there had been maybe a little more of the scallop, though by the end of the meal, we were all satisfied by the quantity of food. Next up was stuffed quail, which was surprisingly substantial (especially with the sausage-like stuffing) and extremely delicious. It was accompanied by radicchio that was particularly scrumptious in its preparation. Finally, for dessert, a slice from a Buche de Noel, which was topped by this adorably mushroom-shaped meringue. Yum. Service was efficient and friendly, and they gifted my parents a little more alcohol with their dessert and coffee. The a la carte menu had some very appetizing-sounding choices as well (there's also a happy hour snack menu at the bar, where you can order a regular restaurant meal too), and I'd certainly be happy to return here anytime.

Mony K.
Mony K.

Excellent happy hour and great service! Shout out to the front of house for excellent service throughout. We arrived early so had some drinks during happy hour prior to taking our seat at our table. We tried a little bit of everything with a few dishes standing out, including the duck, oyster with caviar, and French onion soup. Other dishes like the bone marrow with pork was a tad too sweet, the fish was slightly overdone, the wagyu was ok, and the other apps were satisfying it felt like the t was missing something, but I can't put a pin on it. Escargot was mediocre. Atmosphere overall was nice and good enough for a special occasion. Drinks were as expected. I'd say it's worth it to check it out, perhaps even go with the prefixe which we don't do.

Annie X.
Annie X.

A fancy French restaurant with mostly evening reservations, but they also serve brunch on the weekends! My review only speaks to my experience here getting brunch. Atmosphere: The restaurant is definitely on the nicer side with a darker ambiance. I love the round table that they sat us at, with booth seating. Food: I ordered a breakfast sandwich that was very tasty and flavorful, but I thought was slightly too rich. The sandwich was a bit too heavy for what I am typically used to when it comes to breakfast sandwiches, but I'm glad I tried it. I appreciated they offered ginger beer! Overall: 4/5 - I would like to go back to try dinners! I likely won't go back for brunch because it was a just too heavy of a meal for me.

Liz M.
Liz M.

Delicious food and amazing presentation. Our waitress was helpful and very attentive. The location was great and the restaurant was very inviting. We had a great time and enjoyed both our food and drinks.

Christina R.
Christina R.

A Night in Pears is a culinary masterpiece that transports you on a flavorful journey. The dish arrives, and the decadently rich lamb belly, expertly braised to perfection, sets the tone. Poached pear sweetness balances savory notes, while subtle mustard tanginess beckons another bite. Each forkful feels like a warm embrace, showcasing the chef's skill in harmonizing richness and brightness. Fluffy ham and cheese beignets arrive, crispy outside, gooey inside, bursting with savory ham and rich cheese. Tender and succulent, they fall apart effortlessly. Paired with a rich sauce and textured seasonal sides, each bite showcases slow-cooked perfection. Every element is thoughtfully crafted, weaving a lingering narrative of taste. The braised short ribs steal the show: tender, succulent, and falling apart effortlessly. Rich sauce and seasonal sides add depth, showcasing slow-cooked perfection. Each bite lingers, a testament to thoughtful craftsmanship.

Deirdre C.
Deirdre C.

Decided to bring my boyfriend here for restaurant week. I've wanted him to experience this restaurant since I was first here. He LOVED it! I had a feeling he would. The restaurant is beautiful and the service is top notch! We both had the New Jersey Corn Vichyssoise which was incredible, along with an order of the focaccia. I had the Stuffed Ratatouille which was delicious and my boyfriend enjoyed the trout. We ordered both of the desserts (banana Pot De Crème and a Peach Melba) which were a perfect ending to a wonderful meal! This is one special place!

Heather M.
Heather M.

Such a CUTE modern French Cuisine spot with a beautiful ambiance, lover vibes and an overall aesthetic to fall in love with! I visited Forsynthia one Sunday evening for their small bites & happy hour menu! It was a great experience to not only be in the venue but to have a nice time, feel satisfied and appreciate the value in what was presented. I recommend the Ham & Cheese Beignets for sure! They were the perfect size, packed with flavor. Everything came out kind of around the same time (pictures attached), so it was great to taste everything one by one. A BIG plus (for me) the music was incredible! I asked which station it was and it was Irma Thomas radio on Spotify! The bartender was outstanding as well! Check this out this cute spot located in the historic Old City!

Kerrie D.
Kerrie D.

To say that I had a very delicious and memorable meal at Forsythia would be an understatement! A friend and I happened upon this spot on a hot as hell evening in Philadelphia. There was an available table for us right away and we both loved the atmosphere and vibe in the restaurant. We decided to share out a bunch of apps and ordered cocktails. We got: The Ay Dios Miso-a cocktail of Tequila, Serrano-Miso Honey, Pomegranate, Scotch and Lime, and, The Benedict Cucumber Patch-which was made from Gin, Salers, House-Made Grenadine, Lime, Cucumber Both cocktails were perfectly balanced and fantastic! We shared an order of beet deviled eggs and an heirloom tomato salad that was truly special. Also forgot to mention super fresh foccaccia was brought to the table with a a honey and turmeric butter. YES!!! These after that we each ordered the escargot and the kale and cheese crepe app for ourselves respectively. And after all of THAT, we shared the Caramel Tart-which was a spectacular combination of sour cherry and nutella cremieux with a citrus meringue. I mean, this was an overall exceptional experience. Our server Devon was also 100%, attentive, friendly and engaging.

Location

  • Forsythia
    233 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19106 Hotline: (215) 644-9395

Introducing Forsythia, a French - New American restaurant located at 233 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19106. Forsythia offers a range of amenities including Reservations, Takeout, Delivery, Limited Vegetarian Options, Wheelchair accessibility, Credit Card acceptance, Trendy ambiance, Happy Hour Specials, Full Bar, Private Dining, and more. The restaurant provides a comfortable and inviting atmosphere with a French country farmhouse vibe.

Customer reviews rave about the delicious dishes and impeccable service at Forsythia. Jonathan D. enjoyed a Christmas-themed tasting menu featuring scallop crudo, Oysters Rockefeller, pate de campagne, and escargot a la Provencal. Mony K. praised the happy hour offerings, highlighting dishes like duck, oyster with caviar, and French onion soup. Annie X. recommends the brunch menu, particularly the flavorful breakfast sandwich. Liz M. and Christina R. also had wonderful experiences, praising the food, presentation, and ambiance.

Personally, I am drawn to Forsythia's attention to detail in their dishes, such as the braised short ribs and fluffy ham and cheese beignets. The combination of flavors and textures creates a culinary masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression. I look forward to experiencing the rich and vibrant dishes at Forsythia and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.