In a town rife with outstanding hummus, grilled kebabs, and salatim platters, it takes nerve to open a restaurant with much of the same menu—especially when you’re serving it all with dry, cardboard-like pita. But that’s exactly what Dear Daphni in Rittenhouse is doing. The sceney Mediterranean restaurant is the newest from The Schulson Collective, and like Double Knot and Harp & Crown, the massive, untz-untzing dining room is showstopping, from the peach-pink walls and turquoise lamp shades to gold-plated everything else. But the aforementioned offensive pita is served with an oversalted mezze platter, alongside forgettable mains, like mealy prawns and tough kebabs (the chicken thigh is the standout though). If you do find yourself dining here, go for the Turkish dumplings and underseasoned but very tender Tunisian lamb shank. But if good Mediterranean food is what you’re after, you can do better.
Food RundownHamachi Crudo
Most Schulson restaurants have a successful formula for their crudos. This one is similar–thinly sliced, tender yellowtail, topped with a dollop of something spicy (chili peppers) and cool (yogurt). The problem here is an excess of olive oil, salt, and pepper, which distracts from all the good flavors going on. You can skip it.
photo credit: Alison Kessler
Turkish Dumpling
We actually really enjoyed these puffy, chewy dumplings, though the sauce leans more marinara than anything that comes from Turkey. Share an order with the table.
Soft Serve
The flavors change, but it arrives on the table melted all the same. And the tahini flavor tastes like straight sesame paste, full stop. It made the sad chocolate chip cookie the winner by default.
