Chef
Brad Spence

Philadelphia

My Venues

Accolades

Nominee for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
James Beard Foundation
3-Bell Review
Philadelphia Inquirer

Top 10 Places for Pasta in the Country
Bon Appétit
50 Best Places to Eat Right Now
Philadelphia magazine
ChefsFeed Winner
One of the Best Things to Eat in Philly

View all accolades ▾

Where I Go Out

Meatloaf Parmesan sandwich

Paesano's Philly Style

$, Italian, Sandwiches, North Philadelphia

"The sandwiches at Peter McAndrews' shop are so good, I once took my two sous chefs there and we ordered every sandwich on the menu. My favorite is the Meatloaf Parmesan, layered with peppers, red sauce, mozzarella, and sharp Provolone."

$$, Reservations, Szechuan,

"I love the sweet and sour flavor of the pork tossed through the thin Chinese noodles at Han Dynasty. Plus, owner Han Chiang is always fun to hang out with!"

Chef

Brad Spence

Amis

Slice beef noodle soup

Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House

$, Reservations, Noodles, Center City East

"Take a seat in this Chinatown soup kitchen and watch the guys in the kitchen stretch the noodles by hand. These noodles in beef broth are some of the best cheap eats in Philly."

$$$, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Israeli, Center City East

"Mike Solomonov makes the best hummus outside Israel. His tahini and chickpea purée at Zahav is extra creamy and served with made-to-order laffa, an Iraqi flatbread."

$$$, Full Bar, Italian, Spring Garden

"Three words: cotechino, cheese, and egg. This wood-fried Roman pizza from Osteria is my favorite."

Chef

Brad Spence

Amis

The Original Square Pizza

Santucci's Original Square Pizza

$$, Pizza, Bella Vista

"The thin, crispy square pizzas from Santucci's are made Northeast Philly-style, with cheese on the bottom and sauce on top. The crust is amazing, and the sauce has the perfect balance of sweetness."

Chef

Brad Spence

Amis

At My Venues

Tonnarelli “cacio e pepe”

Amis Trattoria

$$, Italian, Cocktail, Tapas,

"Tonnarelli tossed with lots of black pepper and Pecorino—so simple but so good. One bite takes me right back to Rome."

$$, Italian, Cocktail, Tapas,

"Creamy, porky, and good, this mousse is amazing served as a bruschetta appetizer. If you love sliced mortadella, you have to try this."

$$, Italian, Cocktail, Tapas,

"The swordfish meatballs at Amis are the essence of the sea, providing a surprising explosion of flavor in such a small package. The moistness, the saltiness (I believe it's anchovy) and the occasional crunch of the pine nuts constantly surprise me with layers of flavor."