I've been coming here sporadically, over the past 6 years, and am repeatedly pleased with my experience. The food is delicious - yes, all vegan, but very well seasoned. Texture is also well executed. Cocktails were good, though it's generally the food that steals the shows. Host staff was great, and waiting staff was alright. The ambiance is really the winner with a great vibe for a date or just a fun girls' night. read more

See all

Vegan tapas?! I didn't miss the meat at all. Our favorites were the croquettes, Korean tofu, and empanadas. So so delicious! Drinks are really where it's at. Our server recommended the red light district - so so good. Our server was so wonderful! She was super patient with us and didn't ever rush. The restaurant is quite dark and moody with mostly candle light (even the restroom). I can see why this is great for date night! read more

Such an amazing place!! Others in the party were not vegan andn they loved it as well. The tables are pretty close together though still love the atmosphere. The bartenders really know what they are doing here. The drink menu is really unique and all of the drinks are stellar. Loved their twist on an espresso martini. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share. We ordered the triple cooked fries, empanada, white bean hummus, korean tofu, and lamb kofta. The fries were definitely one of our favorites!! read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This space is darker and more cramped than I would have liked but it was still cool and moody. Our favorite dishes were the hummus (so delicious) and the zucchini crabcake. I have no idea how they mimicked the taste of a real crab cake but they nailed it! I did not like the spiced tofu, the flavor wasn't good to me. I did not like the flavors of my mom's grilled cheese either. The bill came out way cheaper than I expected. This was definitely a fun place to try! Excellent cocktail menu read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Spiced Korean Style Fried Tofu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Super cute spot, very moody, we sat at the second bar and had amazing service for as busy as it was after a Sixers/knicks game! My friend had a mocktail and my cocktail was delish and had unique ingredients. read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Cocktail and a mocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stopped by Charlie Was A Sinner fora nightcap and I really enjoyed what it had to offer. The space gives dark, intimate, chill and seductive vibes. It's very cozy and warm and was perfect for ending the night. The service was good. The server made sure we had what we needed and gave us great recommendations. I loved my drink and would definitely return to try other cocktails. Overall cool place and a great spot for catching up with friends or for a date night. read more

See all

First off: I LOVE the Gayborhood area of Philly. This place was such a vibe! We came for late dinner and drinks on a Thursday and had a reservation. The place is completely plant based which is awesome. We got some plates to share and I got their Korean fried tofu which was so spicy and delicious. Also: got a dry gin martini and when I tell you it was THE BEST martini I have ever had I am not exaggerating. It was better than places in NYC that claim to the best. 13/10 will come again!! read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Korean Style Fried Tofu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Had a last minute dining need in Philly while in town for work, and this place was an unexpected delight. We did not know going in it was meatless, and that threw us for a bit, until our food started arriving and then we were sold. Everything hit, and their Old Fashioned was delicious as well. Service was great and the vibe of the space is, while tight, very positive and fun. Recommend you try it out. read more

Whaaaaaaaaat this place is vegan??? I never would have guessed because the food still tastes so good. I felt really bad because before I knew my friend was bringing us here for dinner, my boyfriend and I were complaining about how we didn't enjoy Eleven Madison Park very much (back when they were also a vegan restaurant). But oh my, Charlie Was A Sinner was amazing! First of all, the interior is so romantic and sleek, I had never seen anything like that on the west coast. They have a mocktail named Samantha Jones???111?!!? Are you kidding me??? This was definitely done for the girls and the gays. I had to get it and it lived up to its name for sure. Our group of 4 chose to share everything. My favorites were the triple cooked fries, charlie sliders, and mama's meatballs. The meatballs really were so crazy though like you're telling me that's not meat? I've had impossible burger before and I feel like I can still taste that that stuff is not like meat, but whatever they use here at Charlie was a sinner is really just like real meat. Loved ending on the coconut creme brulee for dessert, which is also vegan so no idea how they make it without eggs. Highly recommend this place for a great meal and great vibes! read more

See all

Had a good time at Charlie was a sinner. Stopped in for a few drinks with friends, which were great! The space was very dimly lit and intimate, maybe not the most ideal to catch up with friends. The highlights of the night were the eggplant bao buns, Korean style fried tofu, and the triple cooked fries. Also tried the lamb "kofta", and "calamari" which were just okay. Service was good but the price of the meal did not seem to justify the overall experience, especially as we all went elsewhere after for a more filling meal. Worth checking out for a quick bite, but maybe not a full meal. read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Turkish "Lamb" Kofta - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Amazing HH, drinks, vibes, and service. I never realized this was a full vegan restaurant. Everything we tried on the HH menu was great. My favorite was probably the fries and the sweet pea and potato empanadas. Will surely be back again read more

See all

The food is amazing. It is dark you cannot really see the amazing food. Part of a good foodie experience is visual, sadly not here. It is also ridiculously loud. They need better acoustics and softer music. I really loved the food and appreciate having creative vegan food, but the atmosphere was too stressful and I wouldn't go back. If lighting and noise don't bother you, definitely go!! read more

See all

Our 2nd visit to Charlie was a Sinner and it was equally as awesome as the first time. The food is 100% vegan but most people would have no idea. The food is all small plate/tapas style and they suggest you order 2-3 per person. Sadly the prices of the items are not tapas priced.. most items run $15-18 each so getting 2-3 each could start to add up. We always get the Charlie's Rendezvous which is a charcuterie plate and serves2 people, then we add on 1 additional item. We also ordered a dessert this time and were given a comp'd 2nd dessert as it was our anniversary. The ambience of the place is very cool and dark, like almost can't see its so dark but it makes it fun. read more

See all

My friend recommended Charlie Was a Sinner. I had a great experience. It is a cocktail lounge that serves plant-based food. I ordered the triple cooked fries and a slider. The "fries" were more like little logs. They were really delicious and crispy, cooked to perfection. I'm not vegan, but the slider did seem like a real beef slider. I enjoyed it. I'm not much of a cocktail drinker so I had the bartender make me a fruity one. It was really good, but strong for me. Charlie's is a cute, dark, small lounge. I got there around 5pm and easily found a spot at the bar. read more

See all

Came with a friend for early dinner and was not disappointed! Neither of us are vegan/vegetarian but really enjoyed the food. Ambiance is great for a date night, darker inside but somehow also well lit. The potato croquettes were delicious, the mushroom 'calamari' was excellent. Carrots were okay, part of me wished they were warm and not room temp. Meatball was slightly spicy, pasta was delicious! Also got a blackberry mocktail which was very ginger forward but delicious. Would come back! read more

See all

UPDATE (FEB 2026): - eggplant bao buns (9/10): three fluffy steamed buns filled eggplant and pickled vegetables with generous dollops of dipping sauce. This was a delicious shareable plate. The bread is pillowy and slightly soaks the marinade on the eggplant without becoming soggy. The eggplant is the star with a tangy and spicy sauce coating its soft texture. The carrots and radish pickles add just the right amount of crunch and acidity to balance the flavors. - korean tofu (8/10): two pieces of fried tofu coated in gochujang sauce with pickled vegetables. This was another flavorful dish. The gochujang is quite spicy and the pickles are strongly acidic. I liked the textural contrast between the crunchy carrots and the soft tofu. I would have preferred it to have two more pieces of tofu and a grain and be served as a main rather than an appetizer. - oyster mushroom calamari (6/10): fried oyster mushrooms and kale with a swoosh of aioli. The star of this plate was the aioli. It was creamy yet light with a good hit of garlic. I would have preferred it to be in a cup so that it would be easier to share. The mushrooms were okay but were not very consistent in terms of texture. I was not a huge fan of the kale as it tasted burnt. - vanilla butter cake (3/10): vanilla butter cake topped with raspberry coulis and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and cacao nibs. Despite being aesthetically appealing, this was the most disappointing item we ordered. The cake was dry and crumbly instead of being tender. The ice cream tasted like store bought frosting. - mango sorbet (9/10): creamy yet light and not to sweet. The scoop is also quite large. - coconut creme brulee (8/10): coconut custard with a crackly sugar crust and berries. This was the better dessert. The coconut part tastes like a coconut vanilla yogurt and with the tartness of the berries it feels like a balanced, not too sweet dessert. I was hoping for the sugar crust to have a stronger caramel flavor. read more

See all

Popped in on a random Monday with some friends and we were very pleased with the service and the cocktails! The drinks were delicious and the place has an overall good vibe. We sat at the bar and it was great! We ordered a Done and Dusted, the Emerald City, Carpe Diem, and the C'est la Vie. They were all magnificent with the star of the show being the Done and Dusted. If you are a Espresso Martini enthusiast, its a must try! You won't regret it. read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Emerald City - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Stopped by for some espresso martinis! My friend says this place has the best ones. Bar was packed on a Saturday night and there was only a little bit of standing room at the bar. Seems like you need a reservation here. Anyway good drinks and I'd come back to try more of their cocktails. Will def make a reservation next time read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My boyfriend and I stopped in for a cocktail. Completely vegan restaurant, meaning their drinks are vegan as well which is music to our dairy-free ears. Dim lighting inside but not overly so, great ambiance for a date night out. I got the Cougar cocktail (vodka, rose, strawberry, lemon). It was good, an easy cocktail to drink. My boyfriend got the Whisper Song (gin, beet, celery, lemon, thyme) which was a far more interesting cocktail. Really loved this one and kept stealing sips, this was more memorable and standout. Wish we tried the food! read more

See all

Decent experience here! My cousin is vegan and loves this place. The food was good, the drinks were ok, and the service was friendly. Once it starts to fill in, it gets hard to maneuver between the tables (I was slightly worried I would end up catching my coat on fire). Things we liked: - wild mushroom pate - bao buns - mamas meatballs - pasta read more

See all

The reviews were excellent, so wanted to try this vegan spot while visiting Philly. I made sure to to get there right at 5pm when they open because they were fully booked for the night. That certainly helped me get seateed right away and dining solo too. The interior is dark/intimate. Great for a date or special occasion. I really loved the decor and colors. Staff was great at explaining dishes and helping to decide what to order. I got the Korean style fried tofu. The tofu is crispy and covered in a spiced glaze. It is on the spicer side. So keep that in mind if you can't handle spicy! They cannot adjust the spice level. I just kept some water near. lol Pretty good. I'll have to come back to try the cocktails next time. read more

See all

We went here for a date. The date was to celebrate Eden's Birthday. It was dark in there; had potos crocquets. Because it was dark, Birthday Candle Shown Brighter! We love going on dates For Birthdays! Happy Birthday, Eden! Thank you to Charlie. read more

Located in the Midtown Village, this place rocks my socks off. It's sexy interior and energy is consuming as soon as you step inside. Our server was excellent, and attentive throughout our meal. The high energy also means a very loud space. So, it was a bit difficult to hear and understand what our server was saying. I think he knew how to read lips...because he never flinched to try to understand us. I had to start my night of with a cocktail, and Cest La Vie did the trick on that. Jalapeno infused mezcal, aguardiente, Aperitivo, watermelon, lime, mint cocktail that was perfect. For appetizers we shared Charlie's Rendezvous - maverick cave-aged camembert, white bean hummus, wild mushroom pate, spiced peanuts, red grapes, Castelvetrano olives, grilled bread. Next on to the Curried sweet pea and potato empanadas. On to the Caramelized eggplant bao buns.... HOLY --- these were good! Finally we dined on the Turkish "Lamb" Kofta - This is the point where I had to remind my partner that "this is a vegan restaurant"... he had completely forgotten that as we ate. Every item we ordered was absolutely wonderful in presentation, flavor and texture. Yet, coming from the San Francisco bay area where food is king, we could not have been more wowed. Thank you for such a great dining experience! read more

See all

The potato croquettes (3/5) were very soft and fluffy. They had an interesting texture -- a bit mushy -- and tended to stick to the roof of your mouth, which I didn't love. However, dipping them in the white bean hummus definitely made them taste better. The white bean hummus (4.5/5) was absolutely amazing. I was a little skeptical at first, thinking it wouldn't be good, but I was wrong -- I would definitely get this again. It was very savory, full of fiber, and just felt super healthy. Grilled baby carrots (4.5/5). Super delicious. Honestly, if you look at the pictures, it doesn't look very appetizing, but the taste was incredible. Every bite had a slightly different flavor. It came with house-made ricotta, pistachio, and pesto aioli -- each bite was unique. I expected it to be a hot dish, but it was served at room temperature, which actually worked really well. Mushroom and barley toast (4/5) Loaded with mushrooms and incredibly savory. The toast was crunchy -- something I'd definitely order again. I really enjoyed the house-made ricotta and the pickled onions that came with it. Careful though, it comes out hot! Grilled cheese sandwich (3/5) Unfortunately, it was overly greasy and surprisingly sweet, which threw me off. On the bright side, the toast itself was nicely crisp -- that part I did enjoy. Korean style tofu (3/5) was pretty spicy -- so be warned! My friend really liked it, but it stood out as very different from the other dishes we ordered. We ended up taking it home. The tables at the restaurant were placed very close together, so if you're looking to have a private conversation, this probably isn't the best spot for that! read more

See all

As a vegetarian, I love Charlie was a sinner. There are so many delicious vegetarian food options that I've tried, including the burgers, and all the snacks on the menu. They are pretty pricey, even on happy hour though. The cocktails here are very inventive and delicious. I've never had a cocktail I haven't enjoyed yet i-- I've been here several times! The vibes are very vibe, with the dark lights and the lighting in the restaurant. It's a relatively small restaurant so it's pretty easy to get tables earlier or late in the night,but harder at peak hours. Overall, I will continue to come back to this restaurant especially for cocktails and veg bar snacks! read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lovely ambiance with an intimate vibe and very tasty cocktails. They offered a couple mezcal drinks, which is my favorite spirit. Service was pleasant at the bar. I did not partake in any food, but my neighbor next to me ordered some and it looked very appetizing . read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

I usually don't see Vegan restaurant fully packed, but surprisingly it was here. I think the exceptional food, ambiance and services are bringing people back. I believe it's not only a fancy place for vegan, but lovely place for special occasion for everyone. I was there a little early, so I got the luck to try the happy hour menu. Great taste with great deal. I love the roasted oyster mushroom. The Korean crispy tofu was delicious and spicy. I was fond of the chocolate mousse with coconut cream. Vegan dessert usually doesn't taste good, but this one is not bad. Waiter was very attentive. read more

See all

Yummy yummy! Have been wanting to try for the longest time!! I loved loved. All vegan options and the food is as tasty as can be. Can make reservations and would definitely recommend. Enjoyed getting several things to share. Also really appreciated how they had several mocktails with non alcoholic liquors like non alcohol bourbon. read more

See all

My most recent visit here was to sit at the bar while waiting for my car to hopefully to get repaired at the mechanics. It was a great way to wait. The bartender was immediately friendly and I started with the punch of the day. I can't remember what was in it, but it was delicious. Alcoholic-punches usually deter me because I am not one for cocktails on the sweeter side. This was delightfully fruity, but not syrupy. My meal consisted of the fried mushroom "calamari" and the triple fried potatoes with aioli. Oh my gosh, those MUSHROOMS! I was so taken aback at how delicious they were. Fried to crispy-perfection with hot peppers scattered throughout. If you are a mushroom lover this is a must try. The potatoes were delicious as well. There was a gentleman sitting next to me and inquired about them after seeing the big wedges positioned just-so over the aioli. He ordered them. I had a few more cocktails at this cozy bar and was so glad that I ended up here. My previous review was years ago and we were all under the throes of COVID disruption. I wanted to update with a review that reflects the goodness of the place. I am definitely going to come back for those mushrooms. read more

See all

Finally came back to Charlie was a Sinner after my first visit about 10 years ago. It's just a sexy date location, I was glad to be here with my husband. I will say the tables are super close together, so you are really packed in there. It's very dark - people around me where using their phone flashlights which is a big pet peeve of mine. They have candles on the table for a reason. We ordered the beet salad, fried tofu, bao buns, and "crab cake" sliders. Things came out two at a time. I really wish they would have brought the fried tofu last. I think it was the best of all the dishes. It had a nice spice to it (maybe too much for me but I am a wimp). The beet salad was interesting because it was paired with strawberries. They really complimented each other and it was unexpected. Unfortunately the bao buns and the crab cakes same second. I feel like both were underwhelming. I wouldn't order them again. For dessert we ordered the whiskey bread pudding. My first bite was STRONG in the whiskey department that I didn't really enjoy but as I continued eating the whiskey flavor mellowed. The ice cream was a great pairing with the warm bread pudding. The waiter was friendly and did an excellent job. They keep my water full and were attentive. I'll be back but the price is a little high for me to be a frequent customer. Better save this for a special night out. read more

See all

We ended our night at @charlie_was , Philly's iconic all-vegan cocktail bar -- and what a vibe. After dinner at Vedge, we grabbed a seat at the bar and were immediately drawn into the show -- the bartenders were absolute artists. Anthony was our guy and made the experience unforgettable. The drink list is extensive, but they'll also create something totally off-menu just for you. I had the COUGAR -- orchata vodka, rose vermut, strawberry shrub, lemon, and Charlie's egg white. Sweet, floral, creamy -- absolutely perfect. Hubby went bold with the ESCAPE VELOCITY -- tobacco-infused scotch, sweet vermouth, cherry heering, and orange bitters. Smoky, deep, and complex. I'm not a dessert person, so for "dessert," I enjoyed the POTATO CROQUETTES with chipotle aioli -- like a creamy, fried potato purée. I loved it. Hubby wished they had a bit more texture inside, but I was fully sold. An atmospheric, moody lounge with incredible cocktails, talented bartenders, and fully vegan everything? Yes please. read more

See all

Good drinks, mediocre food. The ambiance inside is perfect for the romance of a first date (or 100th date) but not so great for eating - it's basically candle-lit and I had a hard time seeing the menu or what it was on my plate. Overall, if I came back, it'd be to get a drink and maybe one of the small plates and then getting dinner elsewhere. *It's 100% vegan, just to get out of the way. I knew that going in but was disappointed by several of the dishes because of the stab they took at trying to be meat instead of embracing the vegetable. As someone who loves her greens and also likes meat, I prefer that everything stay in their respective lanes instead of trying to get one to taste like the other. 1. Potato croquettes - 2/5. Hard to mess up deep fried potato balls but beyond the crispy exterior, the potato itself had an odd gluey texture that made it hard to swallow. 2. Mama's meatballs - 1/5. Besides the rubbery texture, the meatballs themselves had this weird taste, like overcooked soy, which so thoroughly permeated the sauce, even when I was eating everything except the meatball, I could still taste it. Best thing about this dish was the slice of toasted bread that came with it. 3. Eggplant buns - 2/5. I wish they had done more with the eggplant, which was drowning in the sweet and sour sauce. As it were, I spent the whole time eating this wishing I was eating a pork belly bao instead. 4. Falafel salad - 1/5. The falafel did not ... really taste like falafel. None of the spices, crispiness, seasoning that make a good falafel what it is. The accompanying salad with pickled onions provided some nice roughage but I ended up dipping the falafel into the sauce that came with the potato croquettes just to give it some much-needed flavor. 5. Mushroom barley toast - 5/5. By far, the best dish we got and what saved the food experience. It was also the one that, having come last, I almost gave up on but I'm so glad we kept it. The mushroom was cooked beautifully, the vegan cheese was a good pairing, and overall the combination worked well. I would absolutely order this one again. (My opinion is that the best dishes shine regardless of whether they're on a vegan menu or not. The mushroom toast could've found a home anywhere.) Drinks were pretty good. I liked the penicillin, a drink that I detested in my 20s and now has really grown on me. My blackberry ginger was aight, wouldn't get it again. For three people who were more or less still hungry by the end, the total came out to about $150 including tip, so not cheap at all! The only other thing I'd note is it does get loud and the parking situation sucks. read more

Charlie Was A Sinner - Mama's Meatballs and falafel salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We stopped for drinks and Turner at the host stand was awesome to welcome us and get us bar seats with a few minutes! And David was the bartender - equally welcoming to two not-young women visiting Philly. Loved and want to try the food next time. Thanks to so many Philly hospitality industry reps for showcasing their Pride in the city, it's people and its food scene! read more

Very dimly lit restaurant with a nice ambience and good service. Th food is served as small plates for sharing. This is a fully vegan restaurants and what you'll like depends on taste and preferences. I enjoyed my zero proof drink, wanderlust. Since, I am not a fan of fake meats, the Turkish lamb was not my favorite. I found the crispy tofu a bit too spicy. The potato croquettes were ok paired with the aioli. My favorite was the zucchini crab cake sliders which I would get again. There are a lot more options, though, that I look forward to trying next time. read more

See all

This cozy restaurant offers drinks and cocktails galore! I started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and ordered the Korean style crispy tofu with japchae. Don't let the fact that it's tofu deter you from trying this dish, the flavor is bold and a bit spicy. My sever was also awesome- I was taking a work call and she was very cautious of interrupting me. read more

See all

I was finally able to try this spot out for vegan and plant-based eats. I liked the quaint atmosphere, but did feel it was way too dark to see each other or a menu. Yet, we did enjoy the crab spring roll on happy hour and there was a nice selection of zero proof drinks as well (I had the Samantha jones.) The meatballs were delicious along with the croquettes. The server was very kind and attentive as well. For dessert, the coconut crème brûlée hit the spot. read more

See all

I've been before and have enjoyed it a lot. Great food and cocktails. This time my friend was in town who was vegan and we went and it was 80° at night. There were no ac or fans at all which actually made me lose most of my appetite. The potato croquettes were delicious, as well as the "lamb" kofta. The meatballs were good and came with two but wish there was more than one half slice of bread for all the sauce and cheese that went with it. The drink special was a rum punch and was delicious. read more

Amazing drinks. Even better food. And all of it is plant based! I'm not going to lie, my boyfriend and I LOVE coming here for drinks. Their drinks are exceptional and the bar can make whatever you need. I personally have been ordering a french martini (super girly drink) from their bar and they make it perfectly! This place is vegan but when you try the food you wouldn't be able to tell. My boyfriend is a huge meat eater and believe it or not, he will eat everything here. Our go-to's are the triple fried french fries along with the Charlie's sliders. I have no idea how this doesn't taste like it has meat in it but the jalapeno jam in it makes it so tasty. Other honorable mentions go to the empanadas and calamari. The inside is fairly small but they somehow manage to fit everyone in. It can get very dark inside but it's the vibe that they have going for them. They have an "entryway" where mostly walk-ins get to sit. This is why I can't give the place a full 5 stars. The tables are small and it gets a little bit cramped and almost awkward if you have more than 2 people but at the end of the day it does get the job done. The service is great but sometimes a little spotty in the walk-in area. This is another place where if you really want to sit and enjoy yourself, you're going to need to book a reservation! Or if you're lucky, you'll be able to grab a walk-in spot at the front. read more

See all

I've been here a few times, and am always very happy with the food that I order here. Make sure you secure a reservation before you go in, because this place is small, and it fills up FAST. It also gets super crowded before you even realize it, because the food and service are impeccable. This is a small plates type of situation, so you're going to want to get enough little nibble thingies to share. You can get main dishes, but I feel like it takes way from the vibe of the place being one that you share some lovely cocktails, excellent food, and get in real close to have conversations. We got like 5 or 6 plates of food, all of which were excellent, as usual. My faves were the potato croquettes with that aioli dipping sauce, the grilled cheese, and the oyster mushroom tacos. As usual, whatever is said on the menu comes through once you eat it. If they tell you that something has an ingredients there, you're going to taste it in the final dish. Nothing there is extraneous or for show. The only thing we'd probably not order again was the meatballs. They came with a ricotta situation, some grilled bread (?), tomato sauce, and garlic kale. The meatballs themselves were massive and decent, but not the best I've had in Philly. They were kind of dense and heavy. I feel like the ones in Monster Vegan were better. Also, the sauce at Monster Vegan tastes like it's the good San Marzano tomatoes. I didn't quite taste that same type of tomato in the tomato sauce we had with the Charlie's meatballs. The menu describes it as an arrabiata, which I expect to have a bit of a spicy kick, but that's not what I got. The sauce was lacking in seasoning, and there was no spicy anything. The ricotta was kind of there, and didn't really do much for us. The kale was delightfully garlicky, but I'm not sure what it had to do with the meatballs, and the greens themselves were just cooked through so that you're chewing them for ages. Also, I get that the space is small, so you can't exactly serve stuff on giant plates, but the way it was served was kind of piles of stuff in a thing, all kind of crammed in there. It didn't work well. Aside from not being sure why this dish was put together the way it was, none of it was flavored particularly well (except the kale, but that was way too chewy, and chopped into rather 'rustic' large pieces, making it a challenge to eat in any type of decent looking way). It was a disparate set of ingredients served in a giant amount, and all of it was underwhelming. Also, the whole thing could have done with some salt. I don't know what happened, because I've been saving my coins to come here on special occasions for years, and this is the first dish I've had that was not up to their usual excellent standard. Every other thing we ordered, however, was a triumph ,and we loved it. We did end up eating both the meatballs, because they tasted nice, even though they weren't the best. The ricotta and kale stayed on the plate. Mind you, I didn't dislike it enough to send it back nor would I say it took away from our experience. We still had a lovely time. I'd just steer clear of it if I see anything with ricotta or the tomato sauce, because it seems kind of just there, if that makes sense. For a menu that's so tight and well curated, it feels like a throwaway where random disparate things go. The potato croquettes were a triumph. Not at all greasy, and came to our table piping hot, and STAYED piping hot for the whole short time that they sat at the table! The oyster mushroom tacos were a delight. Steamy warm corn tortillas wrapped around a mushroom and veggie filling that was bursting with flavor. It was so good and refreshing. The sweet pea and potato empanadas were like the American answer to a samosa, but the pastry was much more crispy and browned, and what you'd expect from an empanada. I feel like your typical samosa could be so much more if they had a crust like this one did--shatteringly crisp with a nice chewy inside. The potatoes and peas were cooked through and seasoned beautifully. They had a grilled cheese situation on brioche with a side of yellow (?) tomato soup. The soup was delightful and cold, and a lovely contrast to the crispy fried bread and the melty delicious cheese inside. My date said that it was way elevated from your typical grilled cheese, even the omni ones he's had! I wish we could have eaten more of the soup, but we didn't have a spoon, and it didn't occur to us to ask for one until we were walking home. The server was excellent. Attentive while leaving us to enjoy our food. As usual, with Charlie's staff, empty plates were whisked away, and piping hot food was brought to replace it. That's how they make sure that you're having a good time: not everything comes at the same time, Things come out as you finish the previous dishes, so that everything is served at just the right temperature, with just the right everything else. read more

We came here for dinner on a Tuesday night. The restaurant's front door resembled that of a house. It felt like walking into someone's parlour or study. Lights were dim and moody. Jazzy, bluesy music played, but it was easy to hold a conversation. Their menu is served tapas style and they recommend choosing 2-3 dishes per person. All dishes are vegan. Our favorite was the oyster mushroom fried calamari. The mushrooms were batter fried and ultra crispy. They were served on a bed of equally crispy kale, with a creamy dipping sauce. We also enjoyed the caramelized eggplant bao buns. An order came with three. They were very filling, with a generous portion of meat-like eggplant, carrots, and other pickled veggies. The accompanying hoisin sauce was bursting with flavor. The triple cooked fries were also tasty. An order came with six thick cut fries, which were slightly crispy, but still quite soft in the center. The dipping sauce was delightfully spicy. My least favorite dish was the mama's meatballs. The meatballs were quite artificial tasting and the kale was bland and hard to chew. The tomato sauce, though chunky and plentiful, didn't offer much flavor either. I am also not a ricotta fan, so this might be a better choice for those who like that cheese. The star of the dish was the sourdough bread, which was soaked in olive oil and very moist. The korean style fried tofu was also very filling. The tofu was served firm and coated in a tasty, caramelized sauce, with cauliflower and pickles. To drink, I had the Say It Ain't So. It was tangy and frothy from the egg white. Great for slow sipping. My husband got the Charlie's Punch, but it wasn't as fruit-forward as expected. There are so many tempting options to try on this menu; I'd love to come back for round two! read more