The countdown to Philly Mag's 50 Best Restaurants continues, though they're holding out on naming their best restaurant of the year until tomorrow. Mark Vetri is sweeping the top five, although Osteria has slipped in rank:
4. Osteria (last year’s ranking: 1)
3. James (last year’s ranking: 6)
2. Vetri (last year’s ranking: 7)
Vetri lapped Osteria, but then again, Osteria had nowhere to go but down. Our prediction for the No. 1 restaurant? Zahav. It was already Philly Mag's "Best New Restaurant, City" for their Best of Philly 2008 issue, and has received accolades from "Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Esquire, Travel + Leisure, and Condé Nast Traveler. Oh, and a James Beard Award nomination for Michael Solomonov for Rising Star Chef of the Year.
Sneak Peek: The 2009 Philly Mag 50 Preview [Restaurant Club/Philly Mag]
