A few days before the birth of our first child, one of my oldest friends came down from Brooklyn…read morefor what we understood would be my final properly indulgent night before parenthood. We have known each other since we were five, lived together in New York for six years, and stayed close through marriages, children, and jobs that occasionally made us question our sanity. He has seen me at my absolute best and worst, and he was also the person who helped me get fit and regain some discipline while we worked in finance and used excess to numb the misery of those jobs. Choosing Butcher & Singer gave the evening exactly the ceremonial weight it deserved. Steakhouses take on different meanings as you move through life. In your early twenties, an expense account dinner feels like the dream: free drinks and an extravagant meal while you are broke, eating ramen, and sitting at the bottom of the professional food chain. By your early thirties, after enough wining and dining in Midtown Manhattan, the ritual can feel exhausted, and another steakhouse dinner holds little appeal. In your early forties, with young children and fewer unstructured nights, catching up with a lifelong best friend over a great steak feels incredibly meaningful, partly because neither the dinner nor the friendship needs to become a weekly habit. That contrast was especially fitting because my friend is remarkably health-conscious and frugal despite being tremendously successful. He seldom strays from his disciplined diet, while I have historically been much more willing to wander toward fries, dessert, and whatever reckless topping appears on the menu. A traditional steakhouse lets both people leave satisfied: one can order a lean steak and vegetables, while the other can treat the table as permission to suspend judgment for two hours. We shared the same celebratory dinner, but our plates still reflected exactly who each of us had always been. Inside, Butcher & Singer delivers the classic steakhouse fantasy with extraordinary conviction. The soaring ceiling, monumental columns, and amber lighting give the dining room a glamorous scale, while the dark wood, painted murals, and small shaded lamps keep all that grandeur from becoming severe. This is where Stephen Starr's judgment becomes especially apparent, because both Butcher & Singer and nearby Barclay Prime depend on concepts that could age badly: one could become stuffy and antiquated, while the other could become glossy and artificial. Instead, Butcher & Singer still feels transportive, Barclay Prime remains contemporary and cool, and each succeeds because the design, service, and atmosphere are executed with total confidence. Our meal included what I believe was a Caesar salad, filet mignon, asparagus, fries, and a rich chocolate fudge cake. I added a blue cheese garnish to my steak, a completely unnecessary flourish that became the crown jewel on an already excellent piece of meat, while my friend kept his side of the table considerably cleaner. Parc creates a useful third point in Starr's small Rittenhouse constellation: its bar steak and burger offer a more casual form of red meat, somewhere between an ordinary dinner and the full ceremony of Butcher & Singer or Barclay Prime. I appreciate both, but a burger leaves me feeling heavier, while a properly cooked lean steak can feel filling and indulgent without ruining the rest of the night. Only one detail could have improved our experience. We sat at a small table near the host stand and the clock, which was comfortable and entirely reasonable for a table for two, but it left us slightly outside the dramatic center of the room. This was no one's fault, merely the kind of learned preference that comes from seeing the full room afterward and knowing where I would request to sit on a future visit. I hope to return when the budget allows, settle farther inside among the leather booths, glowing lamps, and sweep of the murals, and once again let Butcher & Singer make a rare night with an old friend feel worthy of savoring.

This place is stunning on the inside and I absolutely love the lore of all the movies that have…read morebeen filmed inside and the various businesses that the building housed before the restaurant. With that, the food was good and it didn't feel just like your typical steakhouse and I attribute that to the service and how wonderful the staff was. We ordered the oysters, onion soup, delmanico steak, porter house, and the fillet. The table shared the hash brown which was absolutely delicious and by far one of the best items I've had at a steakhouse potato wise. We also ordered the asparagus and the seasonal corn dish. For dessert we had peanut butter tart, cheesecake, and ice cream. Over all this was a great experience and I would definitely come back.

We had been wanting to come here for a few years but aren't always the best at planning ahead. We…read morecelebrated our 25th anniversary this year and wanted to go somewhere new and romantic. This place was everything you want it to be. We had some delicious craft cocktails, the tomahawk ribeye, an appetizer and some sides. The only thing that wasn't good were the mushrooms. I say this as someone who loves mushrooms. Service was spot on, place is quaint. 100% will be going back

Today was my third visit to Alpen Rose. My boyfriend and I really enjoyed our first visit! Food was…read moregood, service was great and the ambiance was amazing. We celebrated my birthday there and I was a bit shocked when they didn't offer to comp a dessert, since most steakhouses usually do, but I didn't mind as it's not expected. Our second visit didn't live up to our first time experience. The steak we ordered was so raw that it was inedible. Luckily, we got 2 big entrees so we were able to enjoy one and take the steak to go and cook it a bit more to enjoy for dinner the day after. This third visit REALLY threw us off. First, we waited over 30 minutes to be seated. When we were finally seated, we were seated in what is likely the most uncomfortable seat in the restaurant. You would think if you just made someone wait 30 minutes past their reservation, you'd maybe give them the bigger table that's available to get them back in your good graces. I will say most of the food was very good. We ordered the crab and artichoke appetizer which was good but not great, and for dinner we ordered the duck which was cooked perfectly and the ribeye which was also cooked well. I had mentioned it was my birthday at the beginning of the meal. Since I didn't receive anything with my last birthday experience, I had no expectations of a comped dessert. That was until the young lady at the table next to us received a comped baked Alaska for her birthday. When it was my turn for the waiter to offer a dessert we were asked if we wanted to order anything. We said no and asked for the check. When they brought us the check, they finally remembered we had been delayed half an hour and that's when they offered a comped dessert. Why is it that someone else got a free dessert for their birthday and not me? If you're going to offer that to one you should offer to all. Other than that, the service overall was very lacking. We were checked in on 3 times during the night whereas the table next to us received constant check ins. Not sure what that was about since we had the same waiter. We were also seated and ordered before the table next to us and they received everything before us. Appetizer, dinner, dessert and check. Not sure why this happened but after tonight's disappointing experience and overall food inconsistency I have decided not to dine here anymore. More for tonight's service than anything else. Disappointing and overhyped.

I came across this incredible restaurant while searching for the nearest sushi bar to the hospital…read morewhere my wife was a patient, and what a remarkable surprise it turned out to be. The first impression was not especially auspicious. The restaurant is tucked away in the basement beneath a building on Walnut Street in Philadelphia, and at first glance the menu prices gave me pause. But from the very first bite, every doubt completely disappeared. The sushi was absolutely extraordinary -- some of the best I have ever had anywhere. I ordered the 9-piece tasting menu with uni for $68, and every single piece of nigiri was exquisite. The fish practically melted in my mouth, with outstanding freshness, texture, and flavor. Each bite felt carefully crafted and perfectly balanced. The service was equally impressive. The staff was warm, cheerful, attentive, and made the entire experience feel welcoming and relaxed. I arrived toward the end of the evening, so the restaurant was pleasantly quiet, which made the meal even more enjoyable. This was truly a memorable dining experience. Every course was exceptional, and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates outstanding sushi. My only regret is that it is so far from where I live, because otherwise I would return again and again.

I've been here multiple times. Great service. Workers are very friendly. Always give great recs,…read moreespecially sake recommendations. Their happy hour is 5-7pm and always a great deal - at the bar only. It's downstairs but doesn't feel like a basement. Ambiance is ok. But don't let that deter you. I took my wife and MIL today and we enjoyed the happy hour. I recommend you give it a try.

I brought my wife and our family to Steak 48 for her birthday, and the entire evening was…read moreexceptional. The personalized card and flowers waiting at the table were a thoughtful touch that made the celebration feel special right from the start. The service throughout the night was outstanding -- warm towels after every course, attentive staff, and a smooth pace that let us enjoy the evening together. The drinks were excellent, and the fried lobster tails and the corn were standout dishes that everyone at the table talked about. The playlist kept the atmosphere fun and exciting without ever feeling loud or distracting. It added to the energy of the room and made the whole night feel even more celebratory. Of course, the steaks were the highlight. Perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and exactly what you expect from a place known for doing them right. Steak 48 made my wife's birthday feel important, and they delivered a memorable experience for our whole family.

Oh my goodness, what an awesome place! From the time my daughter and I walked into Steak48, the…read moreexperience was overall EXCELLENT. The atmosphere was welcoming and there were several semi-private dining areas. The wait staff was very attentive, always available but never intrusive. For appetizers we tried the crispy shrimp/deviled eggs. The explosion of tastes from such a "simple " dish was amazing-my mouth is watering just from the memory. For my main meal I had an 8-ounce Wagyu filet prepared medium rare plus, with sweet potatoes and creamy corn crème brûlée shared at the table family-style. The Wagyu steak was melt-in-your-mouth tender and was seasoned to perfection; I wish I had ordered the 12-ounce steak. The sweet potatoes were tasty and the corn crème brûlée was absolutely delicious, complete with a crunchy sweet crust . Last, we had dessert. i ordered the triple chocolate bombe, ofwhich I could only eat a little.

Dinner celebration for 1st day 4th grade. Hostess friendly…read more. Seated immediately....chairs with huge cushion in back.. Room is beautiful with chandeliers. Ed our waiter was awesome..informative..especially when one picks out your knife Bread is warm ..puffed perfect 3 american wagyu fllets sides ..sautéed spinach..potato au gratin..truffle Mac & cheese Meal was delicious Ed surprised us brought vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookie and plate inscribed in chocolate GOOD LUCK !! for our 4th grader Reccommend the restaurant plus ask for Ed !!!

My 4 star review was primary due to my table's interaction with the sommelier. He was arrogant and…read morevery unhelpful. The wine selection of this place is a huge letdown. Full of unknown wineries from Napa and Sonoma it is very hard to pair their gorgeous steaks with a complementary Cabernet Sauvignon. His view was he wants to find the next Caymus, Silver Oak, or Stags Leap...based on their current selection he will have to keep looking because most of the cabs were too young or don't have a decent reputation. My table ordered the Dover Sole, A5 Wagyu and a massive 18oz ribeye. All were fantastic The steak and pearls was phenomenal and is a must have! Food wise this place was solid....wine selection needs serious help.

Went here to watch the game and I must say it's a vibe here. Our bartender was nice and helped me…read morepick a sweet cocktail. I got the You're My Boy Blue and my friend got the Fiddle Head from the tap. We were away from the TV that was playing the game we wanted to watch- the Owner (I think was the owner) was very nice and switched the game on the TV close to us. Very thoughtful and accommodating staff! I didn't grab any food since I had another reservation after but whatever they were cooking in the kitchen smelled so good that I was tempted to order something.

Last night was my 40th birthday and our original dinner spot didn't have room for us in the end…read more The weather was nice so lots of people were out around Rittenhouse Square, and we felt SOL for dinner plans. On a whim, I called Butcher Bar and told them I know it's last minute on a Saturday night, but could they accommodate 9 people. They told me if we were there in 30 minutes they could make it work, so we rushed over. We sat at the bar for drinks as they cleaned up a table. They overheard us talking about how The Trough would be nice (feeds 8 for $300, but was more than enough for us 9), and said if we wanted that they could get it started as the table was prepared. We said yes, and were sat a few minutes later with drinks in hand. Jenna (Gema? She had grape earrings) was a fantastic server and just so kind and attentive. She kept the drinks flowing and The Trough arrived sooner than I expected and was everything I wanted for dinner and more. I can't thank Butcher Bar enough for saving the night for my 40th and just providing a fantastic experience. We'll be back, and we promise to give more notice next time! :)

The best cheesesteaks in Philly. The bread is perfect. The owner provided fries to customers…read morewaiting for their orders.

When in Philly, a Philly cheesesteak is a must! Shay's did not disappoint - an overstuffed, hot,…read moreand fresh sandwich that was absolutely delicious. Hands down, the best!!!

During a busy summer of sporting events we were concerned we would need reservations but we walked…read morein and were seated right away. Our server apologized for a delay in taking our drink orders. She was attentive the rest of our meal. I ordered a Charles deGaulle whiskey cocktail. Lemon, aperol and simple syrup added a refreshing twist. For entrees, my wife ordered the pacherri; a simple pork ragu with tender broccoli rabe, Parmesan, stracciatello and basil. The dish was delicious. I enjoyed my plate of sea-inspired tonnarelli nero. Bay scallops in crab ragu with fennel sofrito. Served with squid ink pasta that imparted a slight brininess. The pasta was cooked pangrattato style-- coated in panko bread crumbs and garlic. The dish had many flavors but they all came back to the theme. Cocktail prices and entree prices were very reasonable. They offer happy hour drinks and specials. Certainly a very good choice if you're in the area.

None of us had eaten there before so we just ordered a bunch of stuff to split. The whipped ricotta…read moreand grilled bread was gone almost immediately, barely got a second piece. The short rib over polenta was probably my favorite thing on the table - it fell apart easily and the polenta underneath wasn't as heavy as I expected it to be. We got the salted caramel budino for dessert too, and I was glad it wasn't one of those desserts that's so sweet you can only handle two bites. Would go back honestly. Probably order something different next time just to try more of the menu, but I'm getting that ricotta again no matter what.

We had an absolutely wonderful dinner tonight at this elegant, upscale restaurant set within a…read morehistoric landmark. The space is breathtaking--soaring 38-foot sculpted ceilings and a 34-foot wine tower at the center of the bar create a truly luxurious and unforgettable ambiance. The hospitality is just as impressive as the setting. Every member of the staff was professional and attentive, and the managers checked on us throughout the meal to ensure everything was perfect. Our waitress, Ayoola, was exceptional--warm, personable, and genuinely thoughtful. She made us feel completely taken care of from start to finish. We began at the bar with a cocktail called the VIP, which was perfectly balanced--smooth, refreshing, and very easy to enjoy. I didn't even think to take a photo until we were nearly finished--that's always a good sign. The complimentary bread was outstanding--warm, buttery, and perfectly fluffy with a delicate texture. Easily one of the best I've had, and very hard to resist. My husband and I shared three appetizers, two mains, and three sides, and even the sides were generously portioned. It was quite a lot of food, but every dish was beautifully prepared, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. The tuna tartare--with avocado and prawn chips--was incredibly fresh, delicious, and well-seasoned, with a delicate balance that really let the quality of the fish shine. The medium-rare sesame ahi tuna was another standout--perfectly seared, tender, and rich in flavor. It was so good that my husband started digging in before I could even snap a photo. We couldn't even finish all the sides, and by the end, we were completely full and had to skip dessert--but that just gives us a reason to come back. An exceptional dining experience in every way--this is easily a 5-star experience, and one we'll be thinking about long after the meal.

Overall ** An absolute disgrace to the Del Frisco's name…read more Ambiance ***** Has to be the most beautiful setting for any establishment. Towering ceilings, red drapery and a vault! No matter how terrible everything else is, the space will impress anyone. Service ** Our bartender was very friendly but he was totally unprofessional. He was like a child with attention issues as he was running around like a chicken without a head and couldn't get much right. A bartender in this type of establishment should be seen not heard. Food * Absolutely awful from start to finish. Shrimp cocktail were overcooked, tough and tasteless. Our 48 day dry aged NY, ordered Medium, expecting Med Rare was Rare. Fine I could live with that, but it was ice cold. Worse yet the steak was awful. Tough, chewy, tasteless, you throw out the terrible adjective, this was it. I tried to power through it but the more I tasted it the angrier I got. Without question, one of the worst steaks I have attempted to eat. Value * $110 for a borderline inedible steak is outrageous. They did take it off but maybe even more shocking, no manager came over after I just rejected a $110 steak! It is like they know.