Matthew Levin (chef)

As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Levin began his culinary career training under chefs including Georges Perrier at Le Bec-Fin and Brasserie Perrier and Craig Shelton at The Ryland Inn. Levin eventually went on to distinguished restaurants such as Aureole in New York City, Charlie Trotters in Chicago, The Millhouse in Langhorne and The Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster, New Jersey.^[2]

Levin drew national attention as executive chef at the Moonlight Restaurant in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan awarded Moonlight three bells.^[3]

Levin returned to his hometown of Philadelphia in 2006 to join the kitchen at Lacroix. Soon after his arrival, critic Craig LaBan once again reviewed Levin's work and awarded the cuisine a rare four bells stating, "Chef Levin has elevated this luxury destination to an elite four-bell status", hailing Levin's creations as "Philly’s most sophisticated contemporary cooking".^[4]

Lifestyle Magazine named Levin among the region's best chefs and Philadelphia Style magazine named Levin one of Philadelphia's "Hot Chefs in 2007".^[5] In 2008, Philadelphia Magazine rated Lacroix #2 out of the top 50 restaurants in Philadelphia.^[6]

At the end of 2008 Levin left Lacroix to open his own restaurant.^[7] In 2008 it was reported that the restaurant, Masano, was slated to open late 2009 or early 2010.^[8] The deal for Masano, and another restaurant, later fell through.^[9] In 2010 Levin plans on opening Adsum bistro.^[9][10] In January 2013 critic Craig Laban would go to write a scathing review of Levin's Square Peg.

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