There are no photos of our drinks, salad or sandwich because after the first bites of the cheese…read moreand meat we were under their spell. Green goddess salad was delicious. The raclette sandwich was a decadent grilled cheese. I got a cassis and Perrier drink that was refreshing. My spouse got a pastis cocktail and loved it. I love everything about this: casual bar with great drinks and delicious snacks. You can eat a full meal or just graze. The market has great food to go. If I lived closer I'd be a regular.

Wow, I truly love this place. The vibes were immaculate. The staff was fantastic. It was always…read morebuzzing. It felt like I was in Europe and South Philly can't wait to come back and eat some food cause everything I saw looked absolutely amazing.

This recently opened restaurant has totally exceeded my expectations. Under the guidance of…read moreMichelin chef Laurent Tourandel, it has successfully delivered its mission for an exceptional food and hospitality. Quoting from their website, their philosophy is to create an experience that feels both refined and welcoming. They totally nailed this. From the reception when I checked in until the end of the dinner, the customer service was impeccable. The restaurant has a very nice and upscale ambiance. A hint of firewood smell creates a relaxing and homey feel. The hostess is very friendly and welcoming with nice smiles. We were seated near the bar. The bartenders dress up with pink blazers. Melissa, our waitress, is very personable, engaging, yet courteous. She's very knowledgeable of the menu. She perfectly describes the specials. I appreciate that she provides the prices for the specials. She really pays attention to detail and attentive. She immediately removes my fork that falls in my plate. The Parker House Rolls is made to order. Melissa recommends to order it right away. I started with Rose sangria. It's a good opening drink as it is refreshing with finely chopped fruit in it. Not very sweet. Pulpo alla Gallega: I enjoyed this dish so much when I was in Spain. So it's no brainer that I picked this as my appetizer. The sliced octopus are neatly put on top of sliced potatoes. The octopus is tender and not chewy, the potatoes melt like butter. Amazing. Duck: my husband ordered this and it blows my mind. Perfectly cooked as medium rare served with cherries that really compliment the duck. Beautiful plating. Chopped salad: big portion. It's shareable. When I raised my concern about the recent outbreak from lettuce, Melissa assured me that the salad is safe. The dressing is not over drenched and it has a nice bit of oregano. Halibut: perfectly seared and cooked. Served on top of micro-diced vegetables. The star of the dish is the shrimp mousse inside the squash blossom. Phenomenal. Dessert: caramel popcorn sundae. Because it's my birthday, they put a small candle. There are three big scoops of caramel ice cream with some whipped cream, gold flakes, and shaved chocolate. The server drizzles the melted chocolate on top. It was an epic dessert. The ice cream and the chocolate fudge aren't very sweet so the caramelized pop corn stand up with its sweetness. We got drink special: coquito-inspired cocktail with coconut foam and grated nutmeg on top. So good. The manager helps to clear the table even cleans a little smudge on the table. He's very friendly and personable. There was a group party across from our table and he came over to great them. Overall, I had a memorable birthday dinner. I will definitely come back for brunch.

We almost skipped Terra Grill because of some negative reviews, and I'm so glad we didn't. We had a…read more6:30pm Saturday reservation but arrived early to enjoy a cocktail at the bar. After checking in, we chose to wait and head to the bar instead of being seated right away, and that decision paid off. Melissa greeted us with a big smile and thoughtfully asked what I typically enjoy drinking before offering suggestions. That alone felt more personal than the usual "What can I get you?" She made me a lemon drop martini that was fantastic, and we enjoyed chatting with her before heading to our booth. Dustin was our server and couldn't have been better. He let us dine at our own pace, made a few helpful menu recommendations, and gave us space to truly enjoy the evening. Since we're not big eaters, we shared the Parker House rolls, peppered calamari, and grilled branzino. Everything was absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared. We were tempted by the salads but honestly had no room. The parsnip purée and spinach with the branzino were standout sides...so good we wished for more. No dessert for us, but we did enjoy a few cocktails and wine with dinner. As wine enthusiasts, we found the list a bit overpriced, but that was our only minor critique. Otherwise, we loved both the food and the atmosphere. Please don't let the negative reviews stop you from trying this place. New restaurants often need time to work out the kinks, and Terra Grill is clearly heading in the right direction. We'll definitely be back.

Honestly, it was just okay. The space was super cozy and inviting, our server was friendly and…read moreknowledgeable, and I am always all for restaurants outside of Center City. Our waitress actually let us sample a few of the wines, since we couldn't decide! This was awesome and so rare these days, but a definite plus for any "wine bar". That being said, the food was really underwhelming. The highlight for me was the tuna crudo, which was so flavorful, creative, and absolutely melted in my mouth. The carrots were also really good. The pastas, however, which the place is known for, lacked flavor. The menu descriptions seemed super unique and innovative, but when the dishes arrived, they were seriously lacking. I really did come here for the pasta, and since the meal wasn't exactly cheap, I don't think I'll be rushing back.

I feel like if the pasta place has max 20 tables, you know it's going to be good!…read more It's been a hot minute since I visited Tulip (back when they first opened) but now I live around the corner and pass by it almost everyday and finally had a free evening to stop in! We did the tasting menu for $55 a person which is a really good deal considering it consists of two appetizers, three pastas and two desserts, which basically means you're getting an additional pasta (and maybe app) for the $$ you were going to pay anyways. Service was impeccable and I loved that changed out the plates and silverware for every course, especially because some of the sauces were thick.

Great happy hour offers and delicious food. Friendly bar staff. Lovely atmosphere with…read moresophistication.

Not gonna lie. I thought I was in a different establishment, which shares the same entry way. The…read moreplace I was thinking I was going to actually downstairs, reachable by a staircase. This place was immediately to the right, and the branding was so discreet that I didn't realize until I was halfway through my experience that I was in the wrong place. WHOOPSIES. But I digress. Anywhoooooooo, we popped by for happy hour and I happily enjoyed my $9 happy hour little cheeseburger. SO juicy and delightful. The coke was $4 in a small narrow glass. Remind me to quit drinking soda because in this day and age, it's officially a splurge. The vibe is down lit, discreet, classy. Fabulous careful service by the lovely bar tender.

The food, the service, the ambiance, everything was amazing from start to finish. The cocktails…read morewere creative and complex, the oysters were extremely fresh, and the chicken lollipops were the perfect way to finish off a meal full of seafood. The tuna crudo was one of my favorites, with the coconut aioli, but honestly none of these dishes disappointed. Our server was super attentive, while also letting us relax and enjoy our meal at our own pace. The courses came out timely and our water (and wine!) glasses were always filled. We even asked if we could get a side of fried oysters (not on the menu) and she happily obliged. Overall very pleasant experience. My only complaint - I wish Tesiny did happy hour (at least a few nights a week!) so that I could come back for some more delicious oysters at less than $4 a piece.

My friends took me here for my birthday dinner, and overall it was a great experience trying a new…read morespot! We had a reservation and arrived on time, but still had to wait about 10-15 minutes to be seated. It was a bit annoying since we had to stand right by the entrance while people kept coming in. That said, we loved the ambiance inside, very classy with a beautiful full display bar. The vibe is definitely a highlight. We ordered almost everything on the menu, and while the food was good, the portions were a bit disappointing for the price. We expected a little more. The oysters were very fresh, and I especially loved the chicken lollipop and the burger! those were definitely the standouts! I'd honestly go back just for those two. Everything else was just okay. Drinks were really good with lots of options, which we enjoyed. The staff were also friendly and helpful. Overall, a solid spot to try something new, but I do wish the portions matched the pricing a bit better.

Went here for the second time by myself last night; it was just me. This time I loved what I…read moreordered even more than the first visit! First off: I love the concept of the menu so much, every dish that comes out has an element of surprise to it since you only know three of the ingredients. I found it super fun to guess what was in the food. I also love the variety in the items and the seasonality of it all. You could come once a week and there would be a new inventive dish to try. Eating here feels like pushing The Flavor Bible to its delicious limits. The staples that stick around are must-tries though if you've never had them before. The interior of the restaurant is super comfortable and familiar while still feeling upscale and refined. The service is attentive and all the servers will check in on you regularly, not just the one who took your order.

The food is unique and the team there clearly cares about their food. You can tell by how they…read moredescribed each dish, walked us through the menu, and was sincere with their check-ins throughout our meal. Sharing one dish each was just enough to have a full belly Absolutely love the intimacy of this location. It felt cozy/homey and I would absolutely bring anyone to enjoy this restaurant. Only thing I will note is that some of the items were a wee bit salty but not too salty where we weren't able to enjoy our meal.

Irwin's feels like the more intimate expression of everything that makes the Bok Building so…read morecompelling. We started with a drink at Bok Bar around 5:30, then walked a few steps across the eighth floor into a former vocational school classroom now home to a Sicilian restaurant. Enormous school windows, worn cream walls, exposed conduit, old tile, flashes of graffiti, palms, and Persian rugs make the room feel sophisticated and faintly exotic without ever seeming contrived. Visually, the room rewards looking around. The graffiti especially caught me; I have no idea which marks predate the restaurant and which may have been added later, but the smaller tags feel completely at home against the aging school surfaces. In the early days of home internet, I was obsessed with Art Crimes, the graffiti site founded in 1994 that still exists in its wonderfully utilitarian form, so those marks immediately pulled me in. Dinner tasted like summer. My wife and I started with focaccia, crudo, and a salad, then moved into clam pasta and pesto pasta before sharing the whole fish. The cooking stayed clean and light while still leaving us full, and our server was excellent. I had a glass of rosé, the huge doors stood open to the evening air, and either the dining room or terrace would have been wonderful. Sicily gave the meal more personal resonance than I expected. I visited years ago during a very different chapter, and my memories of the island remain beautiful but disjointed, fitting for a place shaped by centuries of conflict beneath a repeatedly erupting Mount Etna. I'm grateful I saw it, but I'm even more grateful for the steadier life that followed: marriage, entrepreneurship, 3 young children, a dog, and the chance to slow down enough to notice what actually makes me happy. Earlier, walking through Bok had already explained why Irwin's belongs here. We passed inMovement's enormous gymnastics facility beneath the surviving "Girls Gym" sign, and a fit guy inside happened to be wearing a perfectly worn vintage Venice Beach T-shirt; that tiny image captured the bridge between old South Philadelphia and Southern California running through the building. Bok has the scale and architectural freedom that make this kind of creative reuse feel plausible in Philadelphia or Los Angeles, where an enormous older structure can hold gymnastics, restaurants, and a rooftop bar while retaining its grain. Around us, families, couples, and groups of friends filled the room, with an easy mix of ages and personalities that felt stylish without becoming socially precious. There is something of the brilliant, slightly edgy cousin's apartment in the scene, the place people might once have regarded with mild suspicion before Condé Nast Traveler arrives years later with a photographer and a beautifully edited weekend itinerary. I say that with affection: at its best, broader attention and capital give overlooked buildings and neighborhoods the resources to survive and evolve while preserving enough texture to remain themselves. Walking home to our place near Rittenhouse Square was the perfect final act. I can still remember the New York finance version of myself arriving in Philadelphia because the woman who became my wife was training here, carrying more big city snobbery than I realized and assuming a smaller city meant a smaller life. Years later, pleasantly tired and full after Irwin's, I felt the opposite: I'm happier trying to build something of my own, walking home through a city I love, and heading toward 3 sleeping children and a dog who have made rootedness feel far richer than constant motion ever did.

From the "Intentional Eater" - Posted on Resy Review of Irwin's at 4am Friday, July 24th (not seen…read moredue to change of reservation platform) I eat out intentionally. I only go out for something I can't get at home. Irwin's caught my attention because it serves unapologetically Sicilian cuisine inside a repurposed high school with rooftop views you can't find anywhere else in Philadelphia. Sicilian is not the same as Italian, in the same way Chicago pizza is not the same as New York or Detroit. Irwin's isn't an award‑winning restaurant yet, but it's the kind of place that makes you wonder why. The James Beard Foundation evaluates restaurants across ten core criteria, and Irwin's is already a front runner in several of them. To be a contender when the time comes, they tighten now. The Sicilian point of view is clear from the start. My mocktail, peach, tomato shrub, basil, club soda, accidentally paired perfectly with both the heirloom tomato on semolina cracker and the Trofie Pesto Trapenese. The tomato dish outperformed versions I've had elsewhere, and the pesto, made with pistachio, almond, and basil, had those little nut pops that only come from a kitchen paying attention to texture as much as flavor. Technique is another area where Irwin's excels. The Half Chicken Agrodolce didn't look traditionally Italian, but the process behind it was deeply intentional. Brined for a day, then slow cooked in its own rendered juices and fat before receiving a final roast. All of those juices and fat were then used to build the agrodolce sauce, which explains why the dish tastes Sicilian and looks nothing like the Italian chicken dishes most diners expect. The person who greets you, introduces themselves by name, and stays with you throughout the meal is your ambassador, not your waiter or server. Yet they're the person who carries the meal, and the one diners notice last. I had no idea what gremolata was before this meal, so I asked my ambassador how to eat the dish. They didn't recite a script but told me how they eat it. A piece of the precut chicken with a scoop of gremolata on each bite. That lived‑in guidance is exactly what JB looks for in staff alignment and cultural fluency. The desserts show the same clarity of Sicilian identity. The Sicilian tiramisu used almond flour cake instead of ladyfingers, cream with a hint of orange, no coffee, cocoa dusting, and a drizzle of EVOO. The torta was a yogurt and soaked phyllo‑based cake, soft and soaked, with the full flavor of the orange, flesh and rind. The savory whipped cream grounded it. Bright. Citrus forward. Deeply Sicilian. Intentionally different. These strengths place Irwin's firmly in the award conversation. Point of view, technique, ingredient integrity, menu cohesion, emotional resonance, and, critically, ambassador level staff alignment. If there's anything left to tighten, it's consistency at scale. Ensuring this level of intention holds across every service, every night. But the foundation is already there. Irwin's isn't just operating well. They're operating with the kind of clarity and confidence that awards tend to recognize.

Great cozy neighborhood bar serving a large drink selection and some good ol bar food choices. Also…read morea covered patio out front with a few tables when the weather is nice. Had a few different cocktails with mixed thoughts on the house whiskey / draft cocktails they have. (Sazerac and whiskey sour) Great whiskey choice available though so check out the bar if you're sitting at a table. Tried the gochujang wings and they were decent sized and pretty meaty. Good sauce, not too overpowering but a nice little bit of spice. Everyone I was with who got the handheld sandwiches and things said very filling and tasty, and you get a bunch of fries too. Pretty lively fun spot, would want to stop in for happy hour and more of their menu. Thanks

Outstanding servers! Friendly and efficient. Food and drinks were great and environment is…read morewelcoming.