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BuddakanvsAmada
Both restaurants are recommended by travel writers. On balance, Amada ranks significantly higher than Buddakan. Amada has a TripExpert Score of 91 with endorsements from 12 publications including Not For Tourists, Zagat and BlackBook.
Buddakan
Travel + Leisure
Zagat
Gayot
DK Eyewitness
Philadelphia Inquirer
Rough Guide
Fodor's
Not For Tourists
Where
The Infatuation Show All Reviews
325 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
From $0/night
Travel + Leisure "Many dishes are designed to share, and standouts include tuna "pizza," Malaysian spicy lobster, and wasabi-crusted filet mignon." Full review
Zagat "Still "buzzing" after many years, Stephen Starr's "sexy", "swanky" Old City Asian earns Philadelphia's Most Popular title thanks to "creative", "exceptionally flavorful" food." Full review
Gayot14.0
"The great golden Buddha has smiled upon this Stephen Starr restaurant, now replicated in New York and Atlantic City." Full review
DK Eyewitness "The edamame (soy bean) ravioli, wasabi tuna pizza, and miso-glazed black cod are enduring classics."
Philadelphia Inquirer 2 Bells
"Swiderski has left enough elements of familiar Asian cooking to ease unadventurous customers along, and most of these standards are done quite well." Full review
Rough Guide "Delicious pan-Asian fusion entrees cost well over $20. Admire the 10ft gilded Buddha in the modernist interior while dining."
Fodor's "This post office turned stylish restaurant is presided over by a 10-foot-tall gilded Buddha who seems to approve of the sake cocktails and the fusion food ..." Full review
Not For Tourists "Pricey Starr Restaurants Asian fusion - everybody has a birthday there."
Where "This enduringly popular hotspot features contemporary Asian creations in a theatrical atmosphere, including a 10-foot golden Buddha. L (M-F), D (daily)." Full review
The Infatuation "Their rock shrimp bao buns are great, and you can’t go wrong with most of the dim sum section of the menu. " Full review
Amada
Concierge
Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Zagat
BlackBook Gayot DK Eyewitness Philadelphia Inquirer Rough Guide Fodor's Show All Reviews
217-219 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
From $5/night
Concierge "Reinterpreting authentic Spanish tapas is the specialty of chef/owner Jose Garces, who used to work with Douglas Rodriguez (the "godfather" of Nuevo Latino cuisine). Traditional dishes..."
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Go on a Wednesday or Friday night to catch a flamenco performance.
Lonely Planet "The long communal tables foster a bustling, happening and loud atmosphere." Full review
Travel + Leisure "There are more than 60 varieties of tapas, from charcuterie plates, to spicy soups, to vegetable-stuffed empanadas." Full review
Zagat "Iron Chef Jose Garces' "rustic yet swanky" Spanish "crown jewel" in Old City "still gets a big olé" for its "fabulous" tapas, "perfectly crafted" sangria and "attentive" service." Full review
BlackBook "Unanimously praised, Amada gets right to the point with an always-reliable menu of classic tapas, reimagined by versatile chef Jose Garces."
Gayot15.0
"Philly's own Iron Chef Jose Garces brings tapas to Philadelphia in a comfortable, rustic restaurant hung with hams and sausages." Full review
DK Eyewitness "A Spanish restaurant serving authentic tapas based on the earthy Mediterranean flavors that have long been the passion of founder and executive chef Jose Garces."
Philadelphia Inquirer 3 Bells
"There are few restaurants in the city cooking food at such a high level of quality and intricacy for such large crowds." Full review
Rough Guide "A dash of Spanish inspiration in Old City, with over 60 tapas dishes at around $10, great paella and fine red or white sangria."
Fodor's "Since his debut with Amada in 2005, chef-restaurateur Jose Garces has opened three more restaurants in the city, all of them instant and enduring hits." Full review
