• To Trey Popp, reason to visit Merl's is the chicken and waffles, where the "chicken wings sport a crispy batter that pops with a few drops of Bayou Heat hot sauce, and meat as moist as it gets. The sprinkle of powdered sugar is all her Belgian waffle needs to play sweet foil to the savory fowl." [City Paper]
• It's unclear whether Akoya will ever step out from Pearl's shadow, but "there's plenty to like about this retooled spot in terms of food," says David Snyder. [City Paper]
• Adam Erace finds that Fork endures as a "bona fide destination restaurant," despite it's 12 years of age, and recent chef changes. [Philadelphia Weekly]
