Going back to their days as high school classmates, Chef Tim Spinner and Co-Owner Brian Sirhal have opened Cantina Feliz, La Calaca Feliz and Taquiera Feliz to transform the landscape of Mexican dining in Philadelphia. The duo's vision is to create restaurants that transform their guest's vision of Mexican food with a focus on creating exceptional dishes using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients from the best purveyors. With warm hospitality at the forefront, the team at Feliz Restaurants has brought a new mindset to Mexican dining.
Cantina Feliz in Fort Washington had the honor of being named "Best Suburban Mexican" in Philadelphia Magazine's Best of issue in August 2012 and La Calaca Feliz being named the "Reader's Pick" for "Best New Restaurant 2012" in Main Line Today Magazine. Both Cantina Feliz and La Calaca Feliz were listed as one of Zagat's Top 10 Hottest New Restaurants in consecutive years and listed in the "20 Hottest Restaurants in Philadelphia" by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Chef Spinner is considered one of the leading chefs of Mexican Cuisine in Philadelphia. Tim's talent in the kitchen has garnered numerous glowing reviews of his contemporary Mexican menus. Philadelphia Inquirer critic, Craig Laban referred to Spinner as "having shed the label of "Garces Alum" to stake his claim as the city's most exciting modern Mexican chef" in his 3 Bell review of La Calaca Feliz. Prior to opening Cantina Feliz in 2011, Spinner worked as Chef de Cuisine for Iron Chef, Jose Garces at his acclaimed restaurants Amada and Distrito.
Co-Owner Brian Sirhal left the world of finance to pursue his passion for a career in the restaurant business. Sirhal who currently runs the front of house and business operation for the restaurants has developed and instituted top-notch service and beverage programs. Brian Freedman praised Taqueria Feliz stating in his review "The service lives up to all of the kitchen's fireworks: This is one of the most accommodating, professional staffs in Manayunk".
The success of Feliz Restaurants only continues to grow as more and more guests join "La Famila De Feliz". The duo of Sirhal and Spinner continue to garner accolades at their restaurants due to their loyal following and countless hours spent working to create the finest product possible. Read more of the good word on our blog.
...the folks behind the Feliz group of restaurants — first Fort Washington’s Best of Philly-winning Cantina Feliz, then Fairmount’s La Calaca Feliz, and now this new Manayunk derivation — continue to raise the bar. Philadelphia Magazine
Manayunk’s Main Street has a bright new destination for tasty contemporary Mexican in Taqueria FelizUwishunu.com
With Spinner now firmly cruising in his own orbit through both town and country, we have another bright young chef making his own statement in the genre. Craig LaBan, Inquirer Restaurant Critic, philly.com