Alex Tewfik went from writing about restaurants for Philadelphia magazine to owning one, and this charming East Passyunk spot is his love letter to food. Set on a corner, it's shaded by awnings, fronted by a clutch of sidewalk tables and boasts a chic spare interior. The Mediterranean-minded menu spotlights shareable small plates that are predominantly vegetable focused – like charcoal-smoked tomato conserva, grilled zucchini and seared cauliflower, all prepared with creativity and panache. The restaurant's name is the Arabic and Hebrew word for apricot; and, if in season, one’s meal here must finish with the Champagne-poached stone fruit dressed with candied ginger, coconut foam and a candied fig leaf.