Israeli-American chef Michael Solomonov is the torchbearer of modern Israeli cuisine. Hear how his unexpected path – including the death of his brother and a struggle with addiction – ultimately led to culinary fame, and learn the secret behind (and get a taste of) his world-renowned hummus. A James Beard Award winner, Chef Solomonov runs an empire of restaurants in Philadelphia. Born in G’nei Yehudah, Israel and raised in Pittsburgh, Michael returned to Israel at age 19 with no Hebrew language skills, taking the only job he could get, working in a bakery. He was in the midst of a successful career as chef at an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia when his younger brother was killed by snipers, three days before being released from the Israeli Army. As a result of this tragedy, Michael turned to the food of his heritage, opening the nationally-renowned Zahav to pay tribute to the country and people his brother died for. San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic joins for a conversation about Chef Solomonov’s life and career, followed by a tasting of that famous hummus.
Michael Solomonov is the co-owner and executive chef of Zahav, Philadelphia’s renowned modern Israeli restaurant. With his business partner and co-writer, Steven Cook, he also owns Federal Donuts, Percy Street Barbecue, Dizengoff and Abe Fisher, all in Philadelphia. In 2014, Zahav was named to “The National Eater 38,” by editor Bill Addison, and Abe Fisher and Dizengoff were both featured as two of Travel + Leisure’s “50 Best New Restaurants, 2014.” Chef Solomonov was also voted Eater’s Chef of the Year and was featured in Esquire’s September 2014 issue as one of 22 Men Redefining Style Across America. In 2012, Food & Wine magazine named Chef Solomonov among the country’s top “Empire Builders,” admiring his devotion “to reinventing overlooked cuisines.” He was also the subject of a New York Times feature in 2011 that explored the genesis and continued success of Zahav, praising his “simple food with layers of flavor.” That same year, Zahav was elevated to a coveted “Four Bells: Superior” rating from the Philadelphia Inquirer, one of only four restaurants citywide to attain that elite status. Both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure named Zahav among the top restaurants in the nation in their May 2009 issues, and Esquire named Zahav among their “Best New Restaurants, 2008.” Zahav has also been featured in Bon Appétit, which selected the restaurant as one of their “Hot 10 Summer Blockbusters.” Philadelphia magazine named Zahav “Best New Restaurant, 2008” in their annual “Best of Philly” issue.
"An utter and total revelation." – Bon Appétit
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Michael Solomonov is the co-owner and executive chef of Zahav, Philadelphia’s renowned modern Israeli restaurant. With his business partner and co-writer, Steven Cook, he also owns Federal Donuts, Percy Street Barbecue, Dizengoff and Abe Fisher, all in Philadelphia. In 2014, Zahav was named to “The National Eater 38,” by editor Bill Addison, and Abe Fisher and Dizengoff were both featured as two of Travel + Leisure’s “50 Best New Restaurants, 2014.” Chef Solomonov was also voted Eater’s Chef of the Year and was featured in Esquire’s September 2014 issue as one of 22 Men Redefining Style Across America. In 2012, Food & Wine magazine named Chef Solomonov among the country’s top “Empire Builders,” admiring his devotion “to reinventing overlooked cuisines.” He was also the subject of a New York Times feature in 2011 that explored the genesis and continued success of Zahav, praising his “simple food with layers of flavor.” That same year, Zahav was elevated to a coveted “Four Bells: Superior” rating from the Philadelphia Inquirer, one of only four restaurants citywide to attain that elite status. Both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure named Zahav among the top restaurants in the nation in their May 2009 issues, and Esquire named Zahav among their “Best New Restaurants, 2008.” Zahav has also been featured in Bon Appétit, which selected the restaurant as one of their “Hot 10 Summer Blockbusters.” Philadelphia magazine named Zahav “Best New Restaurant, 2008” in their annual “Best of Philly” issue.
"An utter and total revelation." – Bon Appétit
Israeli-American chef Michael Solomonov is the torchbearer of modern Israeli cuisine. Hear how his unexpected path – including the death of his brother and a struggle with addiction – ultimately led to culinary fame, and learn the secret behind (and get a taste of) his world-renowned hummus. A James Beard Award winner, Chef Solomonov runs an empire of restaurants in Philadelphia. Born in G’nei Yehudah, Israel and raised in Pittsburgh, Michael returned to Israel at age 19 with no Hebrew language skills, taking the only job he could get, working in a bakery. He was in the midst of a successful career as chef at an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia when his younger brother was killed by snipers, three days before being released from the Israeli Army. As a result of this tragedy, Michael turned to the food of his heritage, opening the nationally-renowned Zahav to pay tribute to the country and people his brother died for. San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic joins for a conversation about Chef Solomonov’s life and career, followed by a tasting of that famous hummus.
Michael Solomonov is the co-owner and executive chef of Zahav, Philadelphia’s renowned modern Israeli restaurant. With his business partner and co-writer, Steven Cook, he also owns Federal Donuts, Percy Street Barbecue, Dizengoff and Abe Fisher, all in Philadelphia. In 2014, Zahav was named to “The National Eater 38,” by editor Bill Addison, and Abe Fisher and Dizengoff were both featured as two of Travel + Leisure’s “50 Best New Restaurants, 2014.” Chef Solomonov was also voted Eater’s Chef of the Year and was featured in Esquire’s September 2014 issue as one of 22 Men Redefining Style Across America. In 2012, Food & Wine magazine named Chef Solomonov among the country’s top “Empire Builders,” admiring his devotion “to reinventing overlooked cuisines.” He was also the subject of a New York Times feature in 2011 that explored the genesis and continued success of Zahav, praising his “simple food with layers of flavor.” That same year, Zahav was elevated to a coveted “Four Bells: Superior” rating from the Philadelphia Inquirer, one of only four restaurants citywide to attain that elite status. Both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure named Zahav among the top restaurants in the nation in their May 2009 issues, and Esquire named Zahav among their “Best New Restaurants, 2008.” Zahav has also been featured in Bon Appétit, which selected the restaurant as one of their “Hot 10 Summer Blockbusters.” Philadelphia magazine named Zahav “Best New Restaurant, 2008” in their annual “Best of Philly” issue.
"An utter and total revelation." – Bon Appétit
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Michael Solomonov is the co-owner and executive chef of Zahav, Philadelphia’s renowned modern Israeli restaurant. With his business partner and co-writer, Steven Cook, he also owns Federal Donuts, Percy Street Barbecue, Dizengoff and Abe Fisher, all in Philadelphia. In 2014, Zahav was named to “The National Eater 38,” by editor Bill Addison, and Abe Fisher and Dizengoff were both featured as two of Travel + Leisure’s “50 Best New Restaurants, 2014.” Chef Solomonov was also voted Eater’s Chef of the Year and was featured in Esquire’s September 2014 issue as one of 22 Men Redefining Style Across America. In 2012, Food & Wine magazine named Chef Solomonov among the country’s top “Empire Builders,” admiring his devotion “to reinventing overlooked cuisines.” He was also the subject of a New York Times feature in 2011 that explored the genesis and continued success of Zahav, praising his “simple food with layers of flavor.” That same year, Zahav was elevated to a coveted “Four Bells: Superior” rating from the Philadelphia Inquirer, one of only four restaurants citywide to attain that elite status. Both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure named Zahav among the top restaurants in the nation in their May 2009 issues, and Esquire named Zahav among their “Best New Restaurants, 2008.” Zahav has also been featured in Bon Appétit, which selected the restaurant as one of their “Hot 10 Summer Blockbusters.” Philadelphia magazine named Zahav “Best New Restaurant, 2008” in their annual “Best of Philly” issue.
"An utter and total revelation." – Bon Appétit
show less
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3200 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118
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