Hits the Zot

Philadelphians have always been fans of Belgian-style cafe/bars that specialize in mile-long beer lists and serve up mussels and frites regardless of the last letter of the month. Monks enjoys a following that rivals that of our beloved sports teams, and unfortunately the lines and crowds to prove it. The aptly yet less creatively named Belgian Cafe, on my favorite lane and former home Green Street, boasts a Monks-style menu minus the mania- but minus some of the atmosphere as well. And Eulogy, well, I'd love to comment on it and I think I managed to squeeze in one time a few years ago, but...its in Old City. Enough said.

And then there's Zot. Just laid back enough to be a bar, but just classy enough to be a restaurant. When I arrived here I felt like Goldilocks - I had finally found the place that was "Juuuuust Riiiiiggght." You know how you'd always like to take out-of-town guests to a Philly classic like Monks but you just can't because it's sure to be a mob scene and impossible to get a table? Well Zot offers the ideal alternative. With every kind of mussels you can imagine (and a few you can't believe would taste good - I think one option included chocolate), a beer list the size of a dictionary, and a significantly more comfortable space than its Rittenhouse rival, Zot is sure to please. My only negative was the limited choices of beers on tap. But as long as one is a Belgian wheat, this girl is happy.

Zot
2nd & Lombard
www.zotrestaurant.com