• BY VICTOR FIORILLO
  • BY KEN ALAN

    For the professional concierge, making reservations is a true art form. My rules of thumb: Know the best times to make the call (2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the week); know when not to (steer clear of the 4 p.m. team meeting and the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. dinner rush); know which gatekeepers to forge relationships with; and have an understanding of how the all-important cancellation list can work in your favor.

    Here's a peek inside my own Little Black Book (actually, it’s a little Blackberry) for my best contacts.

Best Restaurants

THE PHILLY MAG 50

Our second-annual ranking of the area's top restaurants is out!

 

REVIEWS

Asian Persuasion

Can Sampan convince us that we need more Asian fusion?

MORE REVIEWS:

 

GUIDES

239 Best Dishes to Eat in Philly

From the sausage at Monk's that you can't not order (again) to the short-rib flatbread at Amada that became an instant classic, here are the restaurant dishes that define Philadelphia's food scene. (And not one of them is a cheesesteak or hoagie!)

 
Philadelphia It List

Philadelphia Wine Festival 2010

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.
 
 

Philly Cooks

Congratulations to the 2010 Philly Cooks! Winners. Click here to see who won Dish of the Year, the winning dishes, event photos and more...
 
 

Philadelphia Magazine Daily

Follow Philadelphia Magazine tweets on twitter.com/phillymag
 
 

Martini Madness

Stir, Sip & Socialize at the year's most anticipated cocktail party. Don't miss the madness! March 31. National Constitution Center.