clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Zahav Star Michael Solomonov Is Opening a Falafel Shop

You’ve been training your whole life for this

All photos by Michael Persico, courtesy of Goldie
Hillary Dixler Canavan is Eater's restaurant editor and the author of the publication's debut book, Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes From the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters (Abrams, September 2023). Her work focuses on dining trends and the people changing the industry — and scouting the next hot restaurant you need to try on Eater's annual Best New Restaurant list.

This is the moment Philadelphia — and really, America — has been waiting for: Michael Solomonov is opening a falafel shop. Sound the alarms for Philly newcomer Goldie: The latest from the Zahav chef and his partner-in-empire-building, Steve Cook, will welcome guests starting tomorrow.

The menu is tightly focused: There’s falafel (in a pita sandwich or a salad), french fries (with various spice options), and tehina shakes (flavors include Turkish coffee). Here’s what there’s not: dairy or meat. Goldie is completely vegan. The restaurant seats 20, and has a standing counter. A press release says that the restaurant is modeled after Israeli-style falafel shops, a favorite cheap — and essential — restaurant genre in cities like Tel Aviv.

It’s been a big first quarter for the CookNSolo group, who are bringing Goldie to the space above their recently opened subterranean luncheonette Rooster Soup Co. The team is also working on a massive national expansion of their beloved fried chicken and doughnuts shop, Federal Donuts. It’s easy to see how quick-service falafel from one of the country’s most famed Israeli food evangelists could go national too.

Here, now, enjoy more pics from Goldie:

Goldie [Official]