I Dream About …Marc Verti

Chef/owner of Vetri, Osteria, and almost-open, Amis

Spanish octopus and spicy potatoes at Amada
“I just have to get both of them when I go. They’re so perfectly balanced.”
217 Chestnut Street, 215-625-2450

Hummus with dried fava beans and laffa at Zahav
“All I can say is … wow!”
237 St. James Place, 215-625-8800

Boudin blanc at Monk’s
“You have to have it with Rocheford 10, a Belgian beer.”
264 South 16th Street, 215-545-7005

Ziti and meatballs at D’Angelo’s
“You have to love South Philly-style Italian food, and nobody does it better than Sal and Tony. The meatballs are just so perfect.”
256 South 20th Street, 215-546-3935

Niçoise salad at Parc
“The best Niçoise salad ever — the perfect combination, between the canned and fresh tunas. And the dressing is so flavorful.”
227 South 18th Street, 215-545-2262.

Burger at Rouge
“Sorry. After all the hype and burger bars and burger this and burger that, the Rouge burger is still king — although the Village Whiskey burger is really good, too.”
205 South 18th Street, 215-732-6622

Fried chicken and biscuit at Mémé
“David Katz only does the dish at lunch on Thursdays, but he needs to put it on his regular menu.”
2201 Spruce Street, 215-735-4900

Provence baguette sandwich at Café Lutécia
“My wife and I have been going there for lunch for years, and I always get the same thing.”
2301 Lombard Street, 215-790-9557

Giant oyster with sea urchin and black bean sauce at Morimoto
“I haven’t seen it on the menu in years, but I used to get it all the time, and they still make it for me when I ask.”
723 Chestnut Street, 215-413-9070

Fish ribs at Kanella
“I think it’s the coolest thing I’ve eaten in years. It was so good — smoked, tender and perfect.”
1001 Spruce Street, 215-922-1773