Zahav Restaurateurs Are Opening a New Fishtown Wedding Venue Next Year — and the Food Sounds Incredible
And all you soon-to-be-wed foodies can book the space now.
CookNSolo Restaurants, the group behind eateries like Zahav, will open its new Lilah wedding venue in Fishtown next year. Renderings by Boxwood Architects
Sure, we love restaurant weddings — it’s Philly, after all, and we can’t help but want to toast our Big Days, elopements and micro-soirees amid our favorite food spots. (Consider this Giuseppe & Sons reception, and this private vow renewal and dinner for two at Vernick Wine, to name a couple.) But you know what’s even better? When your favorite dining establishment opens a new dedicated space just for celebrating life’s big moments. Such is the case with the folks behind Big Day favorite Israeli-focused restaurant Zahav, who are debuting their new Lilah wedding venue in Fishtown in spring 2022.
The brainchild of CookNSolo Restaurants, the event space has been a longtime goal for the hospitality group, which is co-owned by restaurateurs Steve Cook and Michael Solomonov. “For many years we’ve been committed to making celebratory experiences for our guests, so we’re thrilled to have found a space where we can bring our culinary-backed hospitality to weddings,” says Solomonov.
The 7,000-square-foot venue sits on the corner of Front and Oxford streets and has a cool, industrial-sleek vibe — think whitewashed-brick walls, exposed beams, and a clean, contemporary design. CookNSolo worked with Boxwood Architects (the same design studio behind Laser Wolf and K’Far) to preserve the bones of the space with repurposed materials. The original iron-framed glass doors, for example, will be used for “greenery” chandeliers in the cocktail and reception area.
Lilah (the Hebrew word for “night”) can hold up up to 250 guests for dinner and 300 to 350 for standing receptions. There is also space for a dance floor. The current guest minimum is 100, though Lilah can host smaller events with a food and beverage minimum. And you can’t miss the bar: It will sling signature cocktails such as the Lemonnana and Tel Aviv 75. For those who want a personalized sip, custom drinks will be available.
Of course, the main draw is the cuisine. The custom tasting menus will focus on Israeli fare. You can munch on salatim (vegetable salads) with pita and hummus, filled pastries (a.k.a. borekas), charcoal-grilled kebab skewers, foie-gras baklava and pomegranate lamb shoulder with Persian wedding rice — the latter of which is a Big Day menu special. If available, we like the idea of including the beyond delicious (and spicy!) chraime with grouper, a North African pepper stew, and the light, fresh, salmon crudo, too. There will be Jewish-inspired fare such as borscht tartare as well as passed apps, a carving or pita-sandwich station, along with a dessert buffet.
Photo by Haley Richter Photography
Hungry? Culinary Director Caitlin McMillan and Director of Events Neira Jackson are heading up the events here, which are booking now. For more information, visit lilahevents.com or email info@lilahevents.com.
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