Phlight

I give the service and the atmosphere higher rating than the food. The presentation of each item was great, but I will say I was disappointed overall with the taste. The octopus (which is one of my favorites) was probably the least enjoyable I’ve ever had. It was pretty chewy, as was the macaroni in the macaroni in cheese. To add, the empanada was flavorful, but a touch too hearty and feel it would’ve been better paired with a lighter verde type sauce than the red one. The one dish I was pleasantly surprised with was the snap peas which was absolutely delightful!

Love this restaurant!!! Food is amazing and so is the service! The owner, Nikomi, always checks in to make sure everything is going well. We had a party of 9 and they were efficient and happy to explain any of their dishes. Our favorites were the patatas bravas, the empanadas, the bacon wrapped dates, their burger, Brussels sprouts and their chocolate soufflé is to die for! Highly recommend! The place is small so come early or be prepared to wait a little. Thanks Phlight for a great birthday dinner! We’ll be back!

This restaurant was amazing! The flavors were incredible—definitely a comfort food haven with a menu that makes it hard to choose just one thing. One must-try item is the bacon-wrapped date. These bite-sized treats are perfect to pop in your mouth and let melt on your tongue. The sweet, rich flavor is unforgettable. Another standout is the pork belly taco. The soft tortilla pairs perfectly with the crispy pork belly—the textures complement each other beautifully. The meat is tender and cooked to perfection. I highly recommend this place if you’re looking to explore a variety of bold and delicious flavors

The food is fantastic! My GF and I have been here on several occasions, and each time it wows. It's tapas style and there are a lot of wonderful items to choose from. We started with the white sangria. It's crisp, fruity and has a nice acidic kick to it. It's not overly sweet. Our first menu item was the goat cheese and arugula salad. It has toasted pumpkin seeds and strawberries with a vinaigrette dressing. It's a great mix of sweet and savory with some different textures as well. Our second course was the Brussels sprouts. I don't know how they make these taste so good, but they're delicious. Crispy leaves with tender full sprouts with a wonderful sauce. Next up was the Mac and cheese with Spanish chorizo (a much harder chorizo than the more crumbly Mexican style). This was very flavorful but not too rich. A lot of "fancy" Mac and cheese entrees tend to be overly rich. This was just perfect. Lastly, we split the burger. It was rich and meaty served on an airy bun. It comes with a balsamic vinegar reduction that really contrasts the meat well. We were too full to get dessert (a rarity for me). Our server was friendly and helpful. The food arrived hot and quickly. If you like tapas, or flavorful food in general, I would highly recommend Phlight.

The chile relleno needed more flavor. I think covering it with the walnut sauce would have improved the taste. The patatas were excellent! Excellent service and ambiance during dinner. I enjoyed the music selection.

WHAT !! In the world did I just experience? This restaurant just WOW !! Has to be one of the best places I’ve ever been to. We had meatballs , mushrooms, fried chicken& paella. Hailey was just the best! Next time we have to order the tacos , banana donuts, the menu is as creative as it is pretty massive. Come early my best advice!

Great service, attentive. The food: overcooked croquetas too dry, mac n cheese had chorizo with gift basket sausage, crispy lentils had the same sausage "chorizo". The sausage overwhelmed both dishes. Thinly sliced and less sausage may work better. The music was so loud it felt like a nightclub instead of a restaurant. The music and the storage of wine boxes on the restaurant floor right next to my table took a lot away from the vibe.

Best tapas in Whittier and one of my all time favorite spots for celebrating small wins. Great place to treat yourself to a nice meal or a nice night out.

After three years with my business down the street I finally had an opportunity to go and enjoy dinner. And when I say enjoy it's an understatement. The food was amazing the dates are to die for and the paella was just right. The arugula salad phenomenal but what stood out the most was the service. I can not begin to RAVE about the service. Their staff is beyond caring. They are great with suggestions and super attentive without hovering over the table. But the most amazing touch as insignificant as it may seem was them changing out our plates half way thru so we could continue enjoying our shared meal.

I went to Phlight with a friend because we wanted to grab a drink and snack on a few different things so we figured tapas would be perfect. We walked in on a Friday night and didn't wait too long. Server came to our table right away. I ordered a red sangria and my friend had a beer. I was a little disappointed in the sangria. I loved that they had fruit in there but it tasted just okay. It felt like they used a sparkling wine because it had a bit of a fizz to it. I don't recommend it. The food, however, was excellent. Hear me out, please try the vegan al pastor tacos. They make them with mushrooms but it is one of the best tacos I've ever had, and it has no meat. My friend was also skeptical, but she couldn't believe how amazing they tasted. We also ordered some bread, brussel sprouts, patatas, and bacon wrapped dates. All the food was absolutely delicious, but if I had to recommend two dishes from our visit, it would have to be the Al pastor tacos and the bacon wrapped dates. They are both INSANE. Phlight is a standout spot for me in downtown Whittier. Add it to your next date night.

We all ordered the delicious hamburger. We got sweet potatoes fries and regular fries. The Malbec wine was delicious. We also got the dates stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon. We got seated for a party of 5 without reservations. The place was packed. The service was good. Nicely decorated for Christmas.

This place is so overpriced! The flavor is there however the potions are not shareable as posted on the menu. Ordered the short ribs, hence the plurality. It was one bone with about an ounce of beef layer on top for $39.00. The salmon was a little better on the portion size but still not worth $22.00. Broccolini was good and I can deal with the $12.00 charge. Our waitress had no personality whatsoever. It was almost like we were bothering her. With all the staff people they had I would have assumed that we would've received our food altogether however they were all standing around chatting with each other. Amazingly with the prices and the portions not equal, they were pretty packed, so not sure if this was everyone's first time coming here, but I will say we will not be returning.

Great restaurant and food. Always busy and good service. ​Nice uptown location I will be going back soon.

The food here is really good and the service is nice. The inside is very well decorated and I was happy to go there. I will say that the bone marrow has very little meat so make sure you order something else.

Atmosphere is great wish I could say the same for the staff. Manager was rude and hung up on me

We love this local favorite. I like to bring friends to experience this place for the first time, and enjoy a great meal with me. I usually order the bacon-wrapped dates, sweet potato fries, arugula salad, brussel sprouts, pork belly tacos, and Phlight burger. The bacon-wrapped dates are always a big hit. Thanks for all the great dinners.

Great place! Food and drinks were amazing! We ordered appetizers and a round of both red and white sangrias and neither disappointed. There is a parking structure directly across the street that is free but parking spaces are fairly narrow. Otherwise, you will need to find street parking nearby.

I came here on a double date. This is a tapas bar with EXCELLENT vibes - we ate outside on the patio and the weather was perfect, along with the food! We ordered several different things and I can't remember specifics of foods, but I recall liking everything that we had - as did everyone else! We also got a few glasses of red and white sangria which complemented the food wonderfully. Our waiter was very attentive and helpful, and the bathrooms were immaculate! The place was actually quite full though, so be mindful you really should make a reservation when you come. I've only eaten here once but the vibe was so good I sometimes daydream about eating here again! Would def recommended it if you're in the area, it was a tapas experience!

Diverse food and beer selection. Delicious burger, flavors work well together, appreciate that it's not huge.

Food - They offer a various amount of tapas. Fresh and yummy. Service - very attentive Ambiance - minimalist simple clean and cute. You can have a romantic date or a causal friendship night.

We stumbled across Phlight during a softball tournament, and we are so happy we did. My boyfriend and I were talking about returning because this place exceeded our expectations. We walked in around 5 pm on a Saturday and we were seated right away. I ordered a red sangria, which I loved. Started with the pork Belly and lengua tacos. The tacos were amazing, and full of flavor. I love mushrooms, so I had to order the sautéed mushrooms and they were excellent. I also ordered the grilled octopus which was okay, but I can pass on this. My son had the French toast, which I got a bite and it was really good. Service was great, our waiter checked on us frequently. Parking was a breeze, there's a garage right across the street.

When Phlight started in Whittier, it was about Spanish tapas and Spanish flavors. Little by little it's become Mexican and has lost what made it a unique good restaurant. They still have kept a couple of "Spanish" items, but they don't look or taste like the original tapas. I guess Whittier prefers Mexican food. Ambiance was good but loud. Service was slow.

Everything is good. The vibe is cool. The sangria is great. The food is delicious. It's a lot of people's go to place

Got their sweet potato fries earlier with a few friends to go and they were delicious! The dipping sauce was so good as well. The service is amazing and the place was packed! The inside is so pretty, will definitely be back!

Nice place to hang. Burger is solid. Gourmet flavor. Skeptical about the bacon wrapped dates but they were delicious.

Upset with the service/resolution. We were eating here with friends when my husband got a piece of metal in his mouth from the brussel sprouts. We told the waitress and she took the Brussels sprouts. No manager came to apologize or offer us anything for the inconvenience. My husband could have gotten hurt. We still paid for our bill but they removed the brussel sprouts. I'm so upset with how minimal the issue was to them. I would eat here with caution.

One star due to service an quality of food. My friend and I ordered two popular dishes ( salmon & paella) after what seemed like a lengthy wait, our dishes were brought out separately and with an eight minute delay between dishes. I find it rude to eat while the other party is waiting, so I waited. By the time the other plate came out, my meal was getting cold. I could've overlooked this and not written a review, but the paella was over salted which would have shot my blood pressure through the roof. I left more than half of the paella as it was inedible. I was truly disappointed both with service and quality of food. Would not recommend.

Finding myself in Whittier, CA for a birthday party, this night, I had no idea what to expect? The only thing I knew about Whittier, CA is that it's the birthplace of our Watergate hero, President Richard Nixon; and that's not a giant compliment! Our table for eight here at Phlight was teaming with family I dearly love. This Monday night at Phlight, it was jammed packed and I didn't know if that was because it's the only show in town or that it's very good. The answer to the above question is: Because it was very good! I had their Chopped Caesar Salad that was excellent. It carried over to a pretty magnificent pork belly taco bursting with so much good stuff that I couldn't identify it didn't matter. I loved this rendition of how different a taco could get. Next, my shrimp taco was just as amazing. My brother had braised short ribs which he shared with me and that too as stunning. Our wine selections were great and the whole atmosphere here was really friendly. So, now Whittier, CA has a whole new meaning for me and I can thank Phlight for making this happen.

We were excited to invite friends to meet us at Phlight as we'd had many great meals there, but last night was a big disappointment. We had a party of 4, got there right at 5 and were the first party in the restaurant. I asked that we START with the bacon wrapped dates and then ordered a couple of small plates for myself, the other 3 then ordered for themselves with two people ordering entrees (paella and lamb chops). What followed was a disaster in food service; first came out croquettes and my taco which was placed in front of another diner. The dates came about 10 min later. Roughly 20 minutes after that, the paella was served and finally nearly 45 minutes after our arrival and someone going to the counter to ask about the lamb chops, they were served. As mentioned by another reviewer, it's rude to eat while someone at the table is waiting so the entire evening was pretty sketchy. What is particularly egregious is that there was never an apology or any sign on the server's part that anything was wrong. At first she said that the lamb chops take longer to cook, then came by to say that it would be about 8 "more" minutes which incidentally is about how long it takes to cook lamb chops. It seems pretty clear that she just didn't put the order in until one of us went to the counter to inquire. Again, we were the first people in the restaurant and it simply was not that busy. I can't say we'll be back, even though the food was tasty if cool by the time we could eat.

I love this place. The ambience is hard to describe: hip, rustic, eclectic, comfortable...the perfect place to meet a friend and chat. The staff are casual yet friendly and attentive; excellent service. There is a long bar with a lot of interior seating and a few outdoor tables too. They serve tapas here along with beer or wine. We ordered two glasses of wine, a syrah and a Spanish tempranillo . Both were excellent and we kept tasting each others' to the point where it can be said we shared both glasses. It's sort of like sharing a bottle of soda as a kid with your best friend and not wiping the top as you pass it back and forth. We ordered four plates: patatas, albondigas, croquetas, and a lengua soft taco. My friend quickly wolfed down the taco so I can't comment on that but the other three dishes got my love. The croquetas were my favorite. Balls covered in crunchy panko and filled with spinach and manchego cheese with a piquillo pepper sauce for dipping made me cry tears of joy. The albondigas were not served as a soup but were meatballs on small slices of grilled bread covered in a white dijon sauce, capers, manchego cheese, and chili flakes. My friend called them amazeballs and I agreed that they were incredible but gave a good tongue lashing for use of that word. The patatas were chunks of seasoned crispy potatoes with sides of garlic aioli and bravas sauce for dipping. Simple but heavenly thanks to the bravas sauce (no offense, aioli, we still love you too). There are so many other dishes to choose from and I can't wait to come back again and again and try others. But do I do that or keep getting the things I love?

3.5/5 Other than the great reviews online, I also had some friends suggest we (partner and friend) try this spot since we were in the area for the week. Arrived on a Friday evening around 630, the place was very busy, only available seating was outside, we agreed, the weather was nice and didn't want to wait 30-45mins Food came out in this order- Sweet potato fries - 5/5 came out hot, aioli tasty Bacon wrapped dates - 3/5 Manchego / tamarind sauce; paired well with the Manchego but tamarind sauce was lost in all the saltiness of the bacon and sweetness of the date. Brussel sprouts - 3/5 lemon / cumin/ garlic aioli; cumin definitely stood out; aioli tasted the same as the sweet potato fries - no garlic, a bit too oily for me Croquetas - 3/5 after eating the dates and Brussel sprouts the croquetas had no flavor and was very bland Skirt steak - 4/5 Idiazabal cheese sauce/ chimichurri - Idiazabal was very light which lacked flavor especially when pairing the dish w chimichurri that has tons of herbs. Overall, the service was good but we were outside (Curb) it got a bit cold and unfortunately, they didn't have heat lamps, the first dish took 5-10 mins to come out (sweet potato fries) then it took them an additional 15-20mins for the rest to start rollin, by then the fries we cold, an additional 20 mins go by and we had to remind our waiter about the skirt steak. I personally don't think like that they give themselves 10-20 min gap to bring out the food... Although I really enjoyed the company that evening, I wasn't too fond of this place...

Ambiance: The place is spacious and the staff is very friendly! It's a cozy spot to meet up with friends. Taste test: Everything we tried from the menu was good. I loved the Arugula salad. It was very fresh. The garlic bread was very toasty and flavorful. The dipping sauce with the fries was also good.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Food was good and I would be back! esp for the bacon wrapped dates! AMBIANCE: We came for lunch on a Friday. Noise level is average and they weren't too busy. DRESS CODE: Smart Casual ORDERED: - Pilsner and White Sangria - Bacon Wrapped Dates (10/10!) - Lengua Soft Taco and Pork Belly Soft Taco (these were tasty) - Grilled Octopus: very tasty! but was not worth $21 for just two arms! - Phlight Burger with a side of fries! (tasty and the side of fries was a good amount!) SERVICE: Service was good! PRICE: ~ $50pp PARKING: public parking structure across the street (not sure the rate), street parking for 2hrs, there's also public lots one block away for 3hrs. Food: 4/5 stars Service: 4/5 stars Venue: 4/5 stars

Obsessed with this place! Small plates style that is so fun with friends! While we try something new every time, the bacon wrapped dates are always on the rotation as are the patatas bravas. Vibes inside are fun and funky fresh often with live music! Overall 5/5 slays

Ordered to go tonight! Food was still hot by the time I got home! Everything was perfect as always! First time eating the chile relleno... so good! Pomegranate on ground beef filled Ortega chile with a nice white sauce was awesome! Next up was the warm kale salad with cheese and macadamia nuts! Don't expect wilted kale, this still has a decent snap to it! High in iron and good for the soul! Third Item we ate were Bowie's Bacon Wrapped Dates! Alway phenomenal! I can eat those everyday. Lastly was the Albondigas! Rich flavored meatballs with cheese served atop slices of baguette with a light sauce! To die for! Altogether this was a nice end to a hard work week dinner at home! Go Phlight! Killing' the Uptown food game as always!

Food was great, love all the different things on the menu. I called to make a reservation but was informed they do not accept reservations. We waited for about 20 minutes to be seated after being told it would be an hour wait. We sat outside, the floor was a bit dirty. The waitress was excellent, very friendly and helpful. I've visited Phlight many times before, always pleasant. Please work on the outside dining area, keep clean and swept. I chose to sit outside because inside seating is a bit crowded for my comfort.

We absolutely love Phlight and it's a go to date night spot. My husband is pescatarian and I'm a meat eater to the max so I love that there are great options for both of us! The service is great, great recommendations. I love to come back for any specials they're running.

My husband and I had lunch here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We ordered the meatball sandwich, enmoladas, esquite, beef and pickle taco and the empanada. The Meatball Sandwich has meatballs and red sauce are made in house and absolutely delicious. The meatballs are flavorful and a little spicy. The Esquite is not served in a cup the way you'd expect. It's served on a plate, the chipotle aioli is spicy and creamy, the cotija espuma adds a playful element to the dish and you still get that saltiness from the cheese. The Enmoladas are a great balance of savory and sweet. The mole has robust flavors that go so well with the chicken. The Purple Rain Empanda was good! A unique flavor with the bacon, the sauce is what brings them all together. The Ground Beef and Pickle Taco is what had me come back the next day. DO NOT SKIP THE PICKLES. I know, the combination sounds odd but the pickle flavor is subtle and adds that extra salty component that is so necessary. I could put Pedro's sauce on everything. It's so good.

A true gem in Whittier if you want a fancier restaurant with shareable plates! This is a tapas restaurant so get ready to share! My go-to plates are: Sautéed mushrooms - SO BOMB. Cheesy goodness with a sauce that is just bursting with flavor. Highly recommend Bacon wrapped dates - I think this is THE BEST entree on the menu. It's so unique and perfectly balanced sweet and savory. I've never liked dates but this dish is the only exception. We usually order two of this alone because it's that good! Albondigas - NOT a soup but meatballs on top of a grilled bread. My husband thinks it's salty but I like it! Paella - it's filling but not $30 worth imo.

I bring the family here on occasions. It's super packed, always, but the food is worth the wait. My wife loves their wine selection and tapas vibes make everything easy to share with the family. A very solid dinner option if you don't mind a crowd

Came here yesterday to celebrate my moms bday and we all left very impressed! Food was delicious, sangria was tasty, and the ambience was a vibe! Our server was excellent as well. I highly recommend this place and will most certainly be coming back. :)

OMG! Phlight is the place to be if you want good food, great service, and a nice ambiance. We honey and I dined on Valentine's Day and we want to go back! We ordered the arugula salad, bacon wrapped dates, croquettes, "Al Pastor" vegan taco, elote, and the banana donuts. Everything we ordered was so damn good!!!! My favorite was everything lol. The bacon wrapped dates, y'all! You must order it! Trust me, you will thank me. The menu is extensive and caters to all palates. So there's something for everyone to enjoy.

I am moving to TN today and yesterday spent the day in Uptown Whittier doing all the things I wasn't going to be able to do for a while . We decided on Phlight for dinner and am so glad we did. It was the perfect " last dinner in Whittier " The food. The drinks. The service. Perfect! Thank you Phlight crew

Bring back the enfrioladas Those were the light of my life and reason i always went to phlight. My heart was broken when i came one day and the waiter told me they don't make those anymore. foods is great and all but the place would be better if my enfrioladas were still there.

Eclectic food choices, good service, and ambiance! Prices are adequate. Nice wine selection too. Definitely recommend.

Phlight has been the best restaurant in Uptown Whittier for as long as I can remember. For whatever reason, last night was the first time we had dinner there since pre-pandemic days. I was excited to see what was new and what stayed the same. Luckily there was a bit of both. Phlight is a tapas bar and there are something like 40 or so dishes to try that range from inexpensive to expensive- all of it great. This gives you incentive to return and try new things every time. In regards to the same, The bacon wrapped dates is a must for every meal there. Unfortunately, the pork belly tacos aren't as good as they used to be. The sauce just isn't the same. The chile relleno is also wonderful. The pomegranate seeds take it to a whole nother' level. My wife says this is how it's supposed to be, but I wouldn't know because I haven't read "Like Water for Chocolate". As for the new that we tried, the brussel sprouts are a new must have every time. We also tried the skirt steak which was good and plentiful for 30 something bucks, but I could've gone without the cheese sauce. The chimichurri on top was wonderful. However, the star of the night was the banana donuts for dessert. Best thing I've had in my mouth in a while. I wouldn't call this a date place. Food comes fast and often and there isn't much time to talk. The highlight here is the food, which is why there is an open kitchen. Service is friendly and attentive. If you enjoy food, if you enjoy eating then go to Phlight soon, and go to Phlight often.

Finally tried Phlight on Valentine's Day! I was not disappointed at all! We got a bit of everything: Mac and Cheese Sautéed Kale Patatas Bravas Meatballs Bread and Butter Steak And wow! I couldn't get enough of it, honestly. My favorite was the Mac and cheese, kale and patatas. The Mac and cheese wasn't too strong in flavor, but the chorizo on it added that extra saltiness. The sautéed Kale was UH-MAZING! I literally kept going back. It was so buttery, and the kale also had some nuts that added a nice texture. The patatas had such good flavor and texture as well! And then we had the meatballs, that were oozzing with flavor. I would definitely recommend the meatballs with plates that aren't as strong in flavor to balance it off. The bread and butter was great. And the steak wasn't my favorite tbh! But overall, so so so good. I'm counting the days until I return and try more plates!

Phlight has a great variety of food that is always well prepared and seasoned. I particularly love their fries, hamburger and most of all their arugula salad is phenomenal (no bitter taste at all).

This is our go to date night place! They have regular items such as the paella, patatas bravas, pork belly tacos among others that satisfy any craving. Featured items are common and the service is the reason we go frequent. We have been regulars since they opened over ten years ago. You never leave disappointed!

Amazing food and amazing service. We ordered: BOWIE'S BACON WRAPPED DATES, the CROQUETAS, GRILLED OCTOPUS, PAELLA, and BANANA DONUTS. Everything was delicious and I couldn't recommend this place enough. A bit pricey, but so worth a chic, pleasant date night. Definitely splurge worthy! Officially my fiancé's local favorite restaurant. Will always be back to try whatever we havent yet

Great service and the food was absolutely delicious. Now one of my favorites restaurants, so glad I tried it.

Finally had the absolute pleasure of trying out Phlight as a birthday dinner spot and man, it hit the spot. We got a red and white wine with our cheese plate that was the perfect combo for a relaxed night. Satchel's Mac & Cheese was so creamy and tasty and was so prefect with the chorizo pieces. My partner got a Midnight Salad; my favorite thing about it was the vinaigrette that was not too sour. I got a lengua taco and pork belly taco that was finger licking good! All the flavors blended so well together. The waiters were so attentive and circled around often, even on a busy night. The ambiance was such a vibe with the DJ booth and a library of vinyl records next to it. They really know how to set the tone here. Highly recommend! Can't wait to come back and go down the menu.

Bacon Wrapped Dates are a must have! Pork belly and Shrimp tacos are also full of flavor! Great service and a chill spot,must try!

Great atmosphere and delicious food. It was busy but our group was able to get a table pretty quickly. We all enjoyed our drinks and the dj. The bacon wrapped dates and the Midnight salad were both so good. I'm excited to go back and try the bone marrow!

Phlight continues to be amazing! Had dinner with my parents here and everything was delicious, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. Service was great and efficient. We had the grilled bread, pickle tacos, bacon wrapped dates, sautéed mushrooms, gem salad, and steak & frites. Jason cooked our steak to perfection. It was tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

This place is a must see if you're around Whittier!! The food is absolutely delicious and the service is top tier. Our party ordered the papatas bravas and croquetas to start, which were absolutely amazing! For our main courses we ordered the chile relleno, Mac and cheese, and the skirt steak. The portions were just right and the taste was incredible. For dessert we had the French toast, which I was a bit skeptical about since I don't really like because the toast is always too soggy. This French toast did not disappoint, the toast was cooked perfectly, still crispy, thick, and not overly sweet. The whole experience was marvelous! Can't wait to go again! PSA: Phlight does not accept reservations, so I would recommend getting there right at 5 if you're not in the mood for waiting.

The whole experience here was worth it went there on a recommendation from a friend for my birthday dinner and it was such a great experience the staff was attentive the food and wine list were excellent the desert was tasty definitely going back to try some of their other foods. Great date spot to try different things and all around good restaurant experience.