I’ve never understood people who don’t share food. For me, it’s one of the joys of dining – I gather my friends, order too many dishes, and we pass plates family-style until everything is gone. 

Now, with almost all COVID restrictions lifted in Pennsylvania, this weekend is the perfect weekend to order a full table spread – maybe one of everything? – from the menu of your favorite restaurant. And of course, we’ve got a few suggestions.

Umami

One look at the menu at Roger Li’s Lawrenceville izakaya and you’ll be drooling. The Japanese-style pub has an almost-unimaginable number of ways to indulge in their selection of fresh fish – I’m partial to the classic, seaweed-wrapped, cone-shaped temaki – and a long list of grilled robata that are perfect for sharing.

Don’t forget about the yatai options, either. Bolster your family-style feast with a bowl of Umami’s deeply-flavored udon, classic vegetarian or meat-stuffed gyoza, and their seared tuna tataki.  

Spork

Spork, though delightful year-round, is particularly delicious in the summer. In summer, the eatery harvests from their spectacular restaurant-side garden, showcasing everything that’s growing on their ever-changing menu.

Work your way through the small plates, but don’t dismiss the entrees. Their lobster corn dog – yes, a lobster corn dog – is crispy, light, perfectly fried, and all-around magnificent.

St. Clair Social

“I want to order all of it.” This, without fail, is my first thought when looking at the bill of dishes put out by Friendship neighborhood bar, St. Clair Social. Their menu goes in all kinds of delicious directions: bar-food staples – wings and burgers – sit next to Birra-style tacos, pan-fried tacos stuffed with tender, flavorful meat and dipped in braising juices and lobster mac n’ cheese.

And with a bar program run by the experts behind Mindful Hospitality, getting a cocktail (or three) is a must. 

Driftwood Oven

Pizzas are the ultimate shareable food, and you’ll need a crowd to work through the pies at Driftwood Oven. Their bubbly-on-the-outside, crispy-on-the-bottom crust could base any topping – but Driftwood doesn’t play around. Local and seasonal ingredients stud their menu, featuring (along with the classic cheese, of course), arugula pesto, Italian sausage, broccoli raab, and much, much more. Trust me: every bite of a Driftwood pie is worth it. 

Soju

There’s so much to the menu at Soju that it’s hard to know where to start.

Start small with the much-raved-about killer tofu, fried crispy and tossed in a pineapple glaze, or the Korean sushi roll, gimbap, stuffed with beef or tofu. The Garfield restaurant’s grilled meats are unquestionably a hit (it’s truly worth ordering all of them); the Japanese-style Katsu curry will surprise you with no-frills, soothing flavors. This, dear readers, is an excellent example of why family-style dining is the way to go. Grab a table at Soju and get to work – there’s time for you to get a bite of everything. 

STORY BY MAGGIE WEAVER / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF UMAMI