Basque-born chef-owner James Howard French-influenced New American plates can be highly photogenic: A perfect round of chopped salad—endive, parsley and walnuts—is bound with buttermilk-Roquefort dressing and presented with a fan of Granny Smith apples; lobster paella is as busy and vividly colored as a Picasso painting, though the lobster and shellfish were overcooked. There’s inner beauty in the ravioli filled with wild mushrooms and foie gras. The Orchard is the first ownership venture for Howard, who has kitchen-side experience at Le Bec-Fin and worked a front-of-house turn at Buddakan. The pampering service has a finesse that few restaurants can match. References to the mushroom-country location include a bounty of mushrooms on the menu, and portabella-colored carpeting and upholstery.
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The Philadelphia Wine Festival is back for its 9th year! This premier tasting event boasts nearly 200 fine wineries from around the world. May 8. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.