OT: philly steakhouse review (updated)

[CornerTavern]

The Prime Rib: 2 1/2 stars, rounded up to three for Yelp.

Arrived at 6:30. Walked through the nicely decorated, dark, classy bar area and main room. But then we were seated alone in a weird side room, away from the central room with the ambiance and music. Wobbly table was annoying.

And, there were multiple guys in casual clothes- guys in jeans, untucked shirts, no jackets. Spoiled the classy atmosphere. Also annoying. Hotel-restaurant, all-comers vibe instead of classy steakhouse.

Just as we sat I ordered a drink, a dirty gin martini, and he brought it but then never brought a drink menu or one list for my girlfriend to look at. No olives in a dirty gin martini? It was a good drink but I thought that omission was strange. I had to call him back to ask for a wine list. Wine selection not impressive, and overpriced.

Good food, but just... good. Prime rib was quality cut and cooked nicely but didn't blow me away. Filet mignon was good. Sides were... Just Ok, yet way overpriced. Creamed spinach fresh but not very tasty. Same with the corn and the Brussel sprouts. Very good dessert. Overall value was not there for high prices.

Good waiter service. Free potato skin app for first timers. It was literally just the skin. Good but too crispy.

Piano player was very good. A room away, unfortunately.

Overall poor price to value ratio, and some other sour notes, knocks off one star from 3-ish star food. It was easily twice as expensive as it was worth. Will not return here unless someone else is buying.

 

[UltimateRU]

Need help- hitting philly this weekend, need to pull a rabbit out of the hat and make something special happen on Saturday during the day for my significant other - namely, a visit to a high-end spa with massages and facials and what not .

and steak. No really, need a dinner spot on Saturday too.

Any recommendations ?

Barclay Prime on Rittenhouse Square for dinner. Outstanding.

 

[overby58]

Del frescos for steak

 

[FanuSanu52]

Somebody messed up big time and is trying to smooth things over :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[CornerTavern]

lol not exactly but we had other plans scuttled by the snowstorm, and so I'm looking to rally and make something fun happen!

 

[CornerTavern]

All of the obvious top light choices are booked

Need a diamond in the rough for the steakhouse

 

[RoxboroughKnight]

Barclay Prime on Rittenhouse Square for dinner. Outstanding.

This. Although at this point it looks like it's tough to get a table through open table. Although sometimes if you call they will have extra tables that aren't on open table. And just a PSA - it's pricey. Even compared to Del Friscos it's another step up in terms of cost.

 

[CornerTavern]

Marmont Steakhouse?

 

[CornerTavern]

This. Although at this point it looks like it's tough to get a table through open table. Although sometimes if you call they will have extra tables that aren't on open table. And just a PSA - it's pricey. Even compared to Del Friscos it's another step up in terms of cost.

I think I will have to make sure thing reservation at a back up steakhouse, and keep tabs on Del Friscos and Barclay

 

[dollarbill]

Need help- hitting philly this weekend, need to pull a rabbit out of the hat and make something special happen on Saturday during the day for my significant other - namely, a visit to a high-end spa with massages and facials and what not .

and steak. No really, need a dinner spot on Saturday too.

Any recommendations ?

"Don't do anything once you're not prepared to do the rest of your life". $$$$

 

[Beancounter88]

The Continental Midtown is an awesome tapas-style place with a huge variety of food and a sensational bar. Very cool atmosphere where we sat on swinging bamboo chairs. HIGHLY recommend - we go there whenever we are in Philly. Could also go to Geno's, Pat's, etc for cheesesteaks or, better yet, to Dinic's in the Reading Terminal Market for the amazing roast pork, broccoli rabe and provolone sandwich - voted best sandwich in US.

 

[RUJohnny99]

Spa:
http://www.halcyonfloats.com

Unique experience

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Bookbinders in Phllly.

 

[knight_ru]

does it have to be steak?
Fogo De Chao
Butcher and Singer

not on topic, but I would suggest: Estia (greek place .. great fish), Morimoto (asian)

 

[Zak57]

Capital Grille

 

[czxqa]

They've pretty much hit the top 5 steakhouses, Barclay Prime, Butcher & Singer, Captal Grille, Del Frisco's, I would add Chops Restaurant & Bar in the Comcast Center (not eaten there myself but heard good things).
Two Iron Chefs in town as well, Morimoto, as mentioned above, and Chef Jose Garcas' Amada, which is a Spanish Andalusan Tapas tasting menu oriented place. Absolutely outstanding.

 

[Tango Two]

http://www.citytavern.com

 

[vkj91]

Spa:
http://www.halcyonfloats.com

Unique experience

You could also just lay in your bathtub

 

[heygents]

Marmont Steakhouse?

Marmont steakhouse isn't exactly the traditional type of steakhouse like the others mentioned in this thread. It doesn't have the upscale feel that the others have although in my opinion the steaks are very good. I haven't been there in about five years but my brother in law worked there for a little while.

 

[heygents]

Haven't seen The Prime Rib mentioned. Great steaks and very upscale.

 

[newell138]

 

[RUchip]

Asian massage parlor count?

 

[MrsScrew]

they found mouse droppings & slime at Pat's last week. I'd go with Geno's.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/01/health_violations_at_famous_philly_cheesesteak_joi.html

 

[knightinaz]

I've always liked Davio's

 

[JimmyTheSaint]

From your post it seemed steak was the top choice but your considering other options. Zahav is a a verrrrrrry interesting restaurant. http://www.zahavrestaurant.com/#about

I would only suggest it if you are a little more adventurous in your eating.

 

[RoxboroughKnight]

Haven't seen The Prime Rib mentioned. Great steaks and very upscale.

Haven't been to prime rib but I've heard it is good. Also, unlike a lot of the other suggestions here (which are great), you may still have a shot at getting a table for this Saturday.

 

[Cheesesteak Vegas]

Philadelphia's dining scene is too amazing to waste time on chains, no matter their reputation. And if you can ditch the steakhouse idea, do so. Look into Townsend, Zahav, Vernick, and that's just the tip of the iceberg here.

 

[WhiteBus]

As mentioned above Fogo de Chao. Brazilian style steak house. Very unique. Look into it.

More traditional and posted above is Capital Grill

 

[Cheesesteak Vegas]

As mentioned above Fogo de Chao. Brazilian style steak house. Very unique. Look into it.

More traditional and posted above is Capital Grill

I know I risk coming off as a food snob here, but I'd hate to see OP waste a night in a city with such a fantastic restaurant scene at a place like Fogo de Chao. A place cannot be "unique" when it also has locations in New York, Baltimore, Washington DC, Indianapolis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Denver, Portland, Scottsdale, San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami and Mexico City.

There are more high-quality chef-driven restaurants in Philadelphia than I can count. Find one and enjoy.

 

[WhiteBus]

I know I risk coming off as a food snob here, but I'd hate to see OP waste a night in a city with such a fantastic restaurant scene at a place like Fogo de Chao. A place cannot be "unique" when it also has locations in New York, Baltimore, Washington DC, Indianapolis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Denver, Portland, Scottsdale, San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami and Mexico City.

There are more high-quality chef-driven restaurants in Philadelphia than I can count. Find one and enjoy.

I didn't mean unique in that it's the only one but it's unique in it's style from a typical steak house.
Agree there are many great quality restaurants in Philly and Philly is finally getting the recognition it deserves but you don't always have to go to upscale, stuffy places to get a great meal and have fun.

 

[Cheesesteak Vegas]

I didn't mean unique in that it's the only one but it's unique in it's style from a typical steak house.
Agree there are many great quality restaurants in Philly and Philly is finally getting the recognition it deserves but you don't always have to go to upscale, stuffy places to get a great meal and have fun.

I certainly agree on your last point; I could probably list at least 20 places where you can find a great meal and experience at a better price point than the $53/person you're spending at Fogo before drinks, tax and tip. But to each his own.

 

[SHUSource]

Bookbinders in Phllly.

Southern Gentleman dropping some fine in-the-know Philly knowledge!

 

[SHUSource]

Zahav is very good. For a more traditional Jewish than Israeli take on dinner, check out Abe Fisher. It's doing very well.

 

[itsmelen]

Hope I'm not too late to the party here ... as far as steakhouses I would recommend The Prime Rib, I've been there twice and meals were great both times. I recommend the cocktail shrimp or oysters rockefeller as appetizers. This steakhouse is very expensive however. FWIW I've also eaten at Fogo (excellent, don't care if it's a chain I love it), Capital Grille (only OK for me), and Barclay Prime (also excellent).

You mentioned Marmont and I think it's a good place. Small and underrated. It's not as pricey as the other places mentioned. It's down in Old City.

As far as spas, my wife loves them too and when we lived in Philadelphia I would get her gift certificates to Terme Di Aroma (http://www.termediaroma.com/) on 3rd Street, also in Old City.

 

[WhiteBus]

I certainly agree on your last point; I could probably list at least 20 places where you can find a great meal and experience at a better price point than the $53/person you're spending at Fogo before drinks, tax and tip. But to each his own.

Same here but under the "steak house" category I'll keep it on the list.
And as full disclosure, unless it's a business dinner I usually avoid the $$$ steak houses simply because I can cook just as good or better at home. When I go out no matter what the cost I usually order something that his either tough or time consuming to make at home. If you have the right butchers, making a great steak at home is easy.

 

[retired711]

Bookbinders in Phllly.

I believe Bookbinders is no more. And it wasn't that good in its last years.

 

[Cheesesteak Vegas]

Bookbinders is now The Olde Bar, a Jose Garces re-make of the old space.

 

[retired711]

Spa:
http://www.halcyonfloats.com

Unique experience

I haven't been to Northern Liberties in some time, but any address on Girard Avenue makes me a little nervous. The Roxborough location is a long drive from center city. Still, an interesting concept.

 

[SHUSource]

Bookbinders is now The Olde Bar, a Jose Garces re-make of the old space.

Yes, this is correct - it's apparently a nod to the golden era of Bookbinders.

 

[retired711]

Zahav is very good. For a more traditional Jewish than Israeli take on dinner, check out Abe Fisher. It's doing very well.

Any place selling "corned pork belly reuben" is definitely not traditionally Jewish. (Traditional Jews do not eat pork.)