Picnic

American restaurant · East Kensington

Picnic

American restaurant · East Kensington

4

2421 Martha St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

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Picnic by NICOLE GUGLIELMO
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Highlights

Oysters, rotisserie chicken, and American fare in a casual setting  

Featured in The Infatuation
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2421 Martha St, Philadelphia, PA 19125 Get directions

picnicphilly.com
@picnicphilly

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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2421 Martha St, Philadelphia, PA 19125 Get directions

+1 267 856 7779
picnicphilly.com
@picnicphilly

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 20, 2025

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@infatuation

The 15 Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Philadelphia - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

"The sprawling dining room of this Kensington spot means plenty of room for high chairs and strollers, and the boppy ’80s pop is louder than those who speak in whine. But the shareable American menu, filled with salads, a great mushroom burger, and one of the city’s best rotisserie chickens, means everyone at the table will find something they like. And if all else fails, dessert never does: the fluffy chocolate cake topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and candied pecans is a must-order." - alison kessler

https://www.theinfatuation.com/philadelphia/guides/kid-friendly-restaurants-philadelphia
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@infatuation

Philly’s 12 “Super Cute Reasonably Priced Restaurants To Catch Up With A Few Friends” - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

"This gigantic industrial restaurant has lush greenery and low lighting, an on-site wine shop, and TV screens with still lifes of fruit displayed on them. You might feel like you’re in a really snazzy art gallery rather than a restaurant in Kensington—if rotisserie chicken, platters of oysters, and banana negronis weren’t whizzing by every minute. The food is good, but the major advantage here is the size of the place: it’s perfect for a last-minute group hang, or catching up with the entire class of 2004, plus their kids. Go for the perfectly smoky bluefish toast, tomato-y charred beans, and at least one whole chicken." - alison kessler, candis mclean

https://www.theinfatuation.com/philadelphia/guides/a-guide-to-phillys-super-cute-reasonably-priced-restaurants-to-catch-up-with-a-few-friends
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@infatuation

Picnic has something for (and the space to fit) everyone - Review - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

"You could probably fit a reunion of every romantic hopeful from The Bachelor inside this massive Kensington restaurant. Picnic comes from the team behind Beddia and Kalaya, so oversized dining spaces aren’t exactly new to them. But this one also includes a full wine shop up front, communal tables for large groups, and a lengthy bar in the back. But it’s not just its size that makes it great for a casual date, a last-minute group dinner, or lunch after a Little League game—it’s the dependable, built-to-share seasonal menu, which includes one of Philly’s best rotisserie chickens. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Low lighting and plants make this renovated industrial space feel warm and energetic, as do the friends sharing inside jokes over banana negronis and plates of the perfectly smoky bluefish toast. Grilled cabbage salads and oyster platters crowd the tables of eight-plus, and they should—Picnic’s raw bar is consistently one of the best on this side of the El train. There are misses, too—we had a scallop crudo tossed in an XO sauce that was more slick peppery oil than flavorful, and the Italian sausage with raclette is a messier version of what you’d find at Citizens Bank Park. But the caliber of the ingredients and extensive menu makes Picnic one of the most reliable restaurants in the neighborhood, whether you head there for a laidback cheese plate and glass of wine or a boozy afternoon with 10 of your closest friends. Get a group together and confidently go for the standouts—not least the excellent chicken that’s worth your final rose. Food Rundown photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Banana Negroni It sounds like the first cocktail you order when you get to your beachfront resort. But this drink has way more depth than any island drink you’ve had before. It’s a well-mixed rum negroni, so there’s the classic herby bitterness, while the banana liquor gives it a smooth sweetness. It’s our go-to here. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Oysters You can’t miss the raw bar out front when you walk in. Options change, but the quality is always excellent. They’re served with a mignonette, smoky hot sauce, and tangy verde sauce sidekicks. Get a dozen. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo Chicory Salad In walks this colorful, chopped chicory salad that balances the natural bitterness of the leafy green with hazelnut, date, and a slightly rich crème fraîche. It is good. But it also has the flavor profile of every chicory salad served in every Contemporary American restaurant, so it’s not essential unless you’re in the mood for a salad. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Bluefish Toast Briny, smoky bluefish, zaatar cucumbers, and toasty sesame are beautifully draped over toast points. We would happily eat this three times a week. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Grilled Branzino A nicely charred slab of grilled branzino, citrus salad, and lemony beurre blanc. It’s fine, but it’s not knocking anybody’s socks off. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Rotisserie Chicken Picnic’s pièce de résistance. And that’s why it’s the never-changing core of this rotating menu. The skin is so beautifully charred that they could make a side dish out of that alone. But then you’d miss out on the tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. Dip the chicken, which comes as a half or whole, into the classic hollandaise, anchovy salsa verde, roasted garlic chicken jus, or any of the other sauces. But the beauty of this bird is that it doesn’t need anything extra. Just you, your greedy fingers, and a little privacy. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Yogurt Who knew frozen yogurt could be this thick and flavorful? The silky froyo comes topped with fresh fruit and a crunch—we’ve had apple, tamarind, and pie crust crumble. A cup is supposedly made for two, but we didn’t get that memo when we hoarded it for ourselves. Not sorry." - Candis R. McLean

https://www.theinfatuation.com/philadelphia/reviews/picnic-philly
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@eater

Where to Order Thanksgiving Dinner and Pies Around Philly | Eater Philly

"This new Fishtown hotspot has entered the Thanksgiving special chat with a bountiful feast that feeds a gathering of four. For $250, their package includes a whole (3.5 pound) rotisserie roasted chicken, potato and leek gratin, roasted mushrooms, sourdough stuffing, pumpkin cheesecake, and more. Preorders are now available and can be made online, with pickup only offered from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on Thanksgiving Day — with 50% off their wine bottles that same day as well." - Ernest Owens

https://philly.eater.com/maps/where-to-order-thanksgiving-dinner-philly
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K Johnson

Google
Really great. Everything we ordered was tasty. Cape May Salt oysters are always a hit. The toppings served with the oysters are unique and elevate the experience. The salad on top of the pork schnitzel and the schnitzel itself is super flavorful. My only feedback is regarding the drinks, an orange peel garnish on the suit and tie would go a long way!

Weronika Paluch

Google
What an incredible spot! This place has such a great vibe, especially during happy hour—amazing deals and a truly impressive wine selection. They're known for their rotisserie chicken and oysters, and let me tell you, they absolutely deliver. The oysters were a standout for me, especially served with their salsa verde—such a unique and unexpectedly delicious combo that completely blew me away. I also loved the deviled eggs and the grilled oysters—both were absolutely divine. Every bite felt like a little slice of heaven. If you're looking for bold flavors, great drinks, and a place that really knows how to do things differently (in the best way), this is it. Can’t wait to go back!

Sarah Huong

Google
Decided to grab dinner with friends on a Tuesday night. It was busy for a weekday night! Absolutely love the atmosphere, our waitress, and the dishes we got but a bit disappointed that our large plates took 30+ minutes to come out. I think if the timing of the food came out sooner, we would’ve enjoyed it much more.

J Gold

Google
My wife, our two (very picky!) children, and I had the pleasure of dining at Picnic in Philadelphia—and it was nothing short of outstanding. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the friendly, attentive service. What really blew us away was the food. Every dish was crafted with care and bursting with flavor—even our kids, who are notoriously hard to please, found plates they loved and cleared! That alone deserves high praise. The menu offered a perfect balance of creativity and comfort, and everything we tried was top notch. It’s rare to find a place that nails it all: atmosphere, service, and exceptional food. Picnic delivered on every front, and we can’t wait to return. Highly recommended for families, date nights, or anyone who simply loves a great dining experience. High recommend the sliders, fries, and half chicken entree. Can’t wait to go back

Melissa Chedid

Google
Amazing happy hour oysters ($1.50 each) Mon-Fri from 5pm-6:30pm and *all day* on Sunday! The grilled pea shoots were so yummy and the frozen yogurt was delicious. Excellent service, great drinks, wonderful open atmosphere! They have outdoor seating too.

Quentin Hodges

Google
This was my first time dining at Picnic. Upon arriving on a Tuesday evening, my companion and I were immediately seated. The interior is cavernous and beautiful. A large arrangement of antique-looking mirrors adorn the far wall, giving the large dining room a feeling of even larger space. We skipped the appetizers and ordered glasses of rosé, the half chicken (to share), salad, broccoli, and for dessert, chocolate cake. To sum it up, everything was delicious. With the half chicken you’re allowed to select two sauces that will be served on the side. The salad, while unconventional looking, had a great taste that complimented the chicken. Our server was as nice and attentive as can be. This was a great dining experience. I look forward to returning.

Erik Smith

Google
Great flavors, kind wait staff, and amazing interior space. We were here for the Oyster Hour (Happy Hour) and had a reservation for 630pm*. Our server was Kate and she was super kind! I literally have never ordered an oyster in my life and she was patient in explaining what I was about to get into haha. The food was killer and I could tell everything coming out of that kitchen was a banger. I can't wait to come back! *This might be the way to skip a rezzy lol. We got there at the happy hour and saw a fleet of empty tables. I believe they would've let us stay at our table even if we didn't have a reservation already.

Molly Homesombath

Google
Loved the atmosphere of Picnic and the aesthetic of the building. Service was great and very attentive. Had to knock food down a star. Every dish we got had awesome flavor, but portions are hilariously small for the price. Cheeses are sold by the slice, so I definitely recommend getting a meat dish paired with them. Chicken was perfectly cooked and very juicy. Oysters and clams were fresh and wonderfully chilled. The sauces are great compliments to the dishes. Fries were hot and crispy. And the strawberry gimlet was delectable. Our group ordered pretty much half the menu and even doubled on dishes, but didn't feel full at the end of dinner, dessert included. Overall, definitely worth a try, but do yourself a favor and get a reservation. People were waiting for over an hour and some got denied at the door.
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Alyson S.

Yelp
After three visits here, this place has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. We started out with cocktails and oysters. Oysters are served with three delicious sauces. From there, we had the watermelon salad and corn croquettes. The watermelon salad was refreshing and delicious. Entrees were the schnitzel and the branzino. I get the schnitzel every time I come because I think it is delicious. The dessert was great too. Everything we ordered was a winner! The restaurant itself is also in a very beautiful space. I'll be coming back a fourth (and fifth and sixth) time!
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Elle G.

Yelp
My friend and I were looking for a place to get a late lunch while thrift shopping in Fishtown on a Sunday afternoon. One of the bars that we came across (they didn't serve food) recommended Picnic - we stopped by and were able to get seated right away. They have a good menu! We took advantage of their "happy hour" menu and got sliders. I also had a really good strawberry lemonade. I remember at one point I wanted to charge my phone since I wasn't sure how late I was going to be out - I had the charger with me and asked a bartender if he would be able to plug it in behind the bar. He did so and asked where we were sitting so they could bring it over to me - I thanked him and told him I could also stop by in a little bit to pick it up, which I did after it had gotten around 15 minutes or so of charge time. Everyone seemed really nice, including the hosts. It's a beautiful room, too!
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Alice L.

Yelp
gorgeous spacious restaurant with high ceilings. the decor is trendy and the overall vibes are immaculate! my friend and i shared the cauliflower croquettes and the fries. i really enjoyed the dipping sauce that came with the fries, and the fries were solid overall. our waitress recommended the croquettes which were absolutely delicious. they were perfectly fried and the insides were moist and flavorful. i had the rotisserie chicken for my main. the chicken was juicy and the skin was crispy and flavorful. i'm usually not a huge fan of rotisserie chicken, but this one was worth the hype. i had two drinks during my dinner, the strawberry fields and the espresso martini. the strawberry fields was sweet, tart, and refreshing. the espresso martini was solid, but nothing special. for some reason, there were no espresso beans in the espresso martini. we ended the night with the chocolate cake which was spectacular. the cake was surprisingly light, and the candied pecans added a perfect touch of sweetness. overall, i really enjoyed this dinner and would be interested in coming back for happy hour or to try their rotisserie prime rib!
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David M.

Yelp
Picnic is a beautiful space offering a very large dining area with high vaulted ceilings. They have a lot of great seafood options and have an oyster bar where you can see them chucking oysters. It has a vibe of a hangout but also blending in upscale vibes. They have a wide variety on their menu from seafood and oysters to wood fired meats. They also have an excellent happy hour which I could have gone too. The drinks felt elevated and original. A unique and great menu with excellent. Definitely a 5 star service all around.
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Bonnie M.

Yelp
Food, service, and ambiance all stellar. Great for a midday snack or light dinner! Watermelon salad is a must and $1.50 happy hour oysters are solid!
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Jung Y.

Yelp
I really enjoy coming here for their happy hours! The staff is always welcoming, and I really enjoy their happy hour deals (drinks, oysters, fries, sliders!), along with their large selection of wines (they have a wine shop as well in front of their kitchen) and a la carte dining menu. The interior is so spacious and open, with lots of greenery to make for great vibes. The best part about this place is their all-day Sunday happy hour. You really can't go wrong with anything here!
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Andrew K.

Yelp
This place actually surprised me and we had quite a nice brunch here and I would consider coming back if the menu were to rotate. When you walk in, you walk by the oysters being shucked and through a cute little wine shop into this enormous open room. I don't totally know where the name Picnic comes from, as at no point did it feel like we were having a picnic, but that's fine. Their happy hour has cheaper oysters than the menu ($1.50 vs $3.50), so we grabbed a dozen of their HH oysters and they were quite nice and came with a bunch of different topping options. We were a little out of our element in choosing a cheese so we asked for a suggestion on something that wasn't so hard and would be easier to spread on the bread it comes with-the nimbus did the trick for that. Smoked trout dip is always a dish I'll get and enjoy and this one was one of our favorites of the day. The tuna carpaccio was fine-pretty standard fare and not my favorite but that may just be my own bias. The Italian sausage and raclette did not come how I would have expected but now I can't imagine it any other way. I truly wish more places were using raclette and could have eaten four of this dish alone. We also grabbed some fries which were seasoned well, nice crisp, lovely aioli dipping. Finally, we got the rotisserie chicken because we felt like we had to. The chicken was moist with a nice crisp to the skin. We got two of the sauces recommended and I didn't really care much about either. I don't know that I would specifically come back for this dish but it's worth trying. Service was super friendly and attentive. Wines on the happy hour menu reasonably priced. The regular menu may be a skosh expensive for brunch but not unreasonable. Overall definitely worth a try!
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Joy H.

Yelp
I loved Picnic from the moment I walked in. For a restaurant in Kensington, I had my reservations about how high (or low) I should set my expectation. To my delightful surprise, Picnic was a great choice for a lovely gathering with a large group of friends. I loved the restaurant's set-up, as the main dining area mimics the outdoors courtyard with its placement of decorative houseplants sparsely throughout the room and the sunroof that lets the natural light in. I didn't get to check out their higher floor, but I would expect it to be just as great. Since I went there for a dinner party on Sunday, I was glad to see that there was an all-day Oyster Hour menu. I ended up ordering a dozen of Birthday Girl oysters, a fried chicken slider, fries, and cauliflower croquettes. Out of these, the croquettes and fries were my favorites. Birthday Girl oysters weren't as great as I expected them to be, but they still somewhat satisfied my cravings for the bivalves. The fried chicken slider was also pretty good, but since it's pretty small in size, I thought $5 was a bit pricey. Lastly, I can't complete this review without giving our server, Collin, a shout-out for his tremendous patience and service. For our group of 11, he was an angel in helping us split our bills in multiple ways, both individually an in groups of 2 - 3. Regardless of how difficult our quirky group's requests were, Collin was the man who helped us in getting them. If you're reading this, you're the man of the hour, Collin. Thank YOU for your amazing service.
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Christine B.

Yelp
Had a pre-wedding dinner here with the bride and some family. They originally put us at this huge table but graciously moved us to something slightly smaller when we noted the awkwardness of the size which was good because we shared a lot of things. The deviled eggs were really good, the fried chicken slider was a fun option because then I could skip the fried chicken sandwich. The fries were amazing and loved the aioli. I really wanted to try the mushroom burger but ended up getting the chicken. It was perfectly cooked. The sauce options are a little weird and would appreciate some others. My mom had the pork schnitzel and it was so good. I ended up eating a bunch of it. The roasted potatoes were really good too. Service was really good and the atmosphere was nice. It's very open and airy.
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Sara G.

Yelp
Finally made it over for Sunday lunch and took advantage of the all day happy hour! The Bloody Mary was excellent, and the roasted chicken and french fries were as good as any I've had in Philly. We also enjoyed the watermelon and goat cheese salad, and a pea shoot side. My parents in law devoured the sliders, which were minis of the chicken sandwich. The spot is gorgeous, the service is kind, and it wasn't hard to get a resy. We found free street parking about 3 blocks away. The only thing I'd change are the chairs-- they are uncomfortable for anyone over 40.
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Allie A.

Yelp
Gorgeous high ceilings, a stunning bar, and a comfortable dining room complete with a varied menu and helpful service make this a neighborhood gem. Sunday specials are a steal- $1.50 oysters and discount on the house wine.
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Kris L.

Yelp
Had a wonderful experience at Picnic Dec 2024. The brewery-gone-trendy-restaurant atmosphere immediately hits you. The lighting and decor were amazing. Great for big groups! We had a reservation and were seated promptly. (We bypassed the overpriced wine shop!! The only disappointing thing we had was the drinks - they're premade in batches per our waiter and our pineapple vodka seltzers were extremely watered down. (I'm not a heavy drinker and rarely say this!) Stick with the beer or wine. Onto the good-the food! The small plates were enough for each of the 4 of us to have a large taste. The bluefish toast was creamy smoky and delicious! Also loved the cauliflower fritters. The mushroom burger was meaty and amazing-leaving no craving for protein. As for the entrees the Branzino was salty and crispy while the rotisserie chicken certainly was the best I've ever had in that category. Definitely will be back, likely with a larger group!
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Morgan C.

Yelp
Obsessed. The interior is gorgeous and unique! Love the bottle shop at the front and that you can buy for your table. There was a sommelier at the front as well willing to help. It seemed like a great spot for bigger groups given the big table options, but also just fine for a pair or couple. Food was wonderful. We had oysters of the day as well as baked oysters. The baguette with butter was simple but perfect. The shrimp was great as well. Get the fries! I learned they've still been figuring out their business model (reservations vs walk-in) but really hope they keep the reservations! Service was a little on the slower side once we had our food and needed refills on drinks, but overall was very good. Will definitely be back to try other menu items!
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Faye K.

Yelp
Cute place. Limited food selection. Cool ambience I tried this place twice. First when they opened not too long ago and second after they have been operating for couple of months. The first time we went, we were directed to follow the online order system and payment and second time, we were taken care by a server. The menu isn't huge so we were able to try majority of the food on the menu and the only platter that is worth trying is the whole chicken. We weren't impressed with other platter.
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Retna S.

Yelp
The recently opened restaurant occupies a big open space so they can accommodate different party sizes. When I was there I saw a group of people celebrating someone's birthday by the window. There's additional dining area on the second floor. There are several big screens tv to watch Eagles game. After the game was over, the tv changed to showing a picture of a painting. When you enter the restaurant you will see the open kitchen displaying different kinds of oysters, cheeses from the menu. You can buy bottles of wine from the wine store before entering the dining area. Our waitress was very nice, friendly, and attentive. Knowledgeable about different types of oysters. I highly recommend making a reservation and come on Sundays because they have specials on the oysters ($1.50) and others. Oysters and shrimp cocktail are fresh, served on tiered trays accompanied by hot sauce, slices of lemon and lime. Everyone loved them. Scallops crisp is another good appetizer. Served with some peanuts to give some crunch. Rotisserie is their most popular menu item. The skin part is salty to make sure that the meat is well seasoned . I got the juice as the sauce and it is my favorite. The salsa verde has some spicy kick. French fries are salty, you can pass this. Dessert: yogurt with apple pie filling and tamarind with crumbles is a nice ending for the night. It is like eating apple pie with vanilla ice cream. They have gender neutral bathroom. Several sinks are in front of the stalls. Each stall has indicator whether it's occupied or not. Unfortunately, the stall that I picked was not clean. It smelled and had traces of someone's tinkles. I felt gross.
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Michelle E.

Yelp
Beautiful space to hang out with friends! The rotisserie chicken is a must and the oysters were delicious. Food was fresh. Price is partially for ambiance and experience of a picnic. We accidentally caught our to go box on fire and the server said this was not the first time that has happened. I totally understand that it was our fault- but maybe higher votives would make this fool proof?
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Lara G.

Yelp
I was visiting for the weekend and this was the #1 restaurant my foodie bestie was excited to bring me too. It was such a fun place for a big group -- letting us eat family style and try a lot of stuff. We also loved the system of buying our wine in the front store and then getting to drink it with out meal. Note they are known for their chicken and it definitely delivered!
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Shifa A.

Yelp
I don't know about you! But you will find me at the picnic table every other weekend. Not sure why all the drama. But I really enjoyed my time here. Yes they use QR codes for menus and I like the fact that I can add things to my table, without having to wave a server. Having said that, service was top notch, drinks came quick. It's a large open space so very enjoyable! The watermelon salad, corn fritters and sides are good. But the rotisserie chicken with all the sauces were a highlight for me !
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J K.

Yelp
Absolutely awful. Mid, overpriced food that took over an hour to arrive. Terrible service- had to flag someone down every time. Watered down drinks. Save yourself and go somewhere else. I will never be back.
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Jody S.

Yelp
One of my close friends was really excited about this opening so we gave it a try on the soft opening night. We were a party of 4 including my little one. We were originally under the impression that we could not make a reservation for the soft opening but the restaurant allowed it slightly before the opening so we unfortunately were on the waitlist for 3 hours but we entertained ourselves down the street until our table was ready. The setup was awesome, you can purchase a bottle of wine as you enter to bring with you to your table just like a picnic. Cool concept. The restaurant was very open with many tables. The food options were good but price and the sauce options elevated the experience. Would go back every now and then but again, cool concept.
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Alexa M.

Yelp
I want to say that I've heard good reviews on this place. I came in with an open mind but I still have mixed reviews. The atmosphere is absolutely stunning. They did a phenomenal job on the restoration of the old brewery. The drinks were delicious and I loved the wine shop out front. The food was nothing outstanding. Really loved the bread/butter, fluke, the shrimp and the sausage racellete. The rotisserie chicken is what they're known for - it was good nothing I'll dream about. I'm assuming they will change menu seasonally. Now the negatives - if you're spending $100 a person on dinner (which it is a little expensive for what it is) I would prefer not to order from a QR code. It screams too covid times. I understand that they're trying something new but QR code doesn't match the beautiful atmosphere they created. Also, the food came out way too fast - we were shoveling food down to keep up with the fast paced. We asked to have courses slow down to enjoy. I recommend that or order a few things at a time. Overall, they Designed it to be a special night out with the vibe of a picnic. I get it but it can be elevated picnic still with a few tweaks. Would have given 3.5 / 5 if yelp allowed but decided to round up for the atmosphere alone.
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Sari Marissa G.

Yelp
One of my favorite things about Kensington is the endless creative repurposing of historic buildings. This particular spot, over a century old, is a prime example of such ingenuity. Brought to you by Defined Hospitality (the minds behind Suraya, Kayala, R&D, and Beddia), is this charming, casual eatery with an outstanding oyster and wine selection. Even their crisp zero proof was Fab! Their chicken dishes, offered with a variety of sauces, seem to be a crowd favorite. My husband agrees--claiming his chicken sandwich was one of the best he's EVER had. I hear their mushroom burgers are another winning bite! The picnic theme wascartied out flawlessly with fun plastic baskets for the food + park lamposts. Exposed brick, high ceilings, lots ifnatural light, stunning mirrors, a balcony, fresh blooms and a semi open kitchen makes for vibey ambiance. A Few Things to Note: *Reservations- Skip waiting in the long lines if you book ahead and Just go directly to the hosted *Modern Ordering- You'll order and pay via a QR code at your table, though paper menus, but waiters are available. While Picnic was perfect for a cutesty, casual date night, its also a great space for friends to enjoy a meal of sharables together at one of their cozy picnic tables.
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Sue C.

Yelp
We went to Picnic for a wine tasting for Pray Tell Vineyards and had a wonderful experience. The staff was professional and helpful, and the cocktails, light snacks, and wine pours were excellent! I understand their rotisserie chicken is to die for, so we'll come back to dine with them another time to have that. The space is bright, large, and open, with a vibrant scene that sometimes gets loud. Their wine prices are almost 3 times retail, which we refuse to pay, so more than likely, we'll stick to a couple of cocktails upon our next visit. The cheeses that came with our wine tasting were exceptional and would remind you of sitting in Europe and noshing (as yes, they were that good). If you're not a fan of open seating, let them know when you make a reservation as they do have picnic tables - not surprising given the name - and you may end up sitting with those you don't know. I love how they've repurposed and designed the old building, though, as it's beautiful. I also understand that they have an all-day HH on Sundays, so that's something to try as well. Defined Hospitality has done it again with this spot!
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Staci W.

Yelp
Came here with a few friends on a Thursday. The place itself is very cute! Tables are well spread out and you don't feel on top of each other. We got a bunch of small plates and two larger ones. Everything was delicious. The stars of the show were the cabbage, tuna, and the frozen yogurt with olive oil. Staff was great. There was one person who just went above and beyond for us. We didn't get her name (she was taller with blonde hair). They made a mistake in putting the croutons on the tuna when we had people who have celiac and she was so apologetic and went above and beyond to make it right. I would definitely go back to try more dishes, including some oysters!
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Connor H.

Yelp
Picnic just opened up a block from my home and we've been very excited about it for a long time. What a brilliant concept. If you're in the business of designing restaurants and concepts, this place is simply a work of art. The concept is kinda like fancy picnic food- little glasses of wine, little baguettes, cheese, oysters, salami, and roasted chicken. As a work of capitalism, the margins in this place must be outstanding. But it's what they have done in refurbishing a long derelict (130 years old at least) brewery building that elevates this place. You feel this space. It seems huge but it really isn't. We watched them from our house as they carefully refurbished the old brewery smokestack and put a roof on the building. It is the ultimate work of historic preservation and overnight has elevated Martha Street into probably the hippest restaurant street in Philadelphia if not in all of America.
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Rick G.

Yelp
Dined for the first time at Picnic in Fishtown in a party of three and absolutely loved it. It was not what I was expecting. I figured it would be a cozy, small little place, but no, it is in an expansive warehouse with 50 foot ceilings, large windows and skylights. But it is still a warm inviting space. We arrived and checked in and looked at the items in the attached wine shop. Shortly they mentioned that the people at our table were just finishing, but if we would like we could go to a standing area near the bar that has waiter service for a drink, so we said yes. We ordered cocktails and they arrived (all very good), and shortly they came over and said our table was ready and apologized for the wait. We were not in a rush, so I was not at all bothered by the wait. We sat down and our waiter appeared promptly and told us about the menu. Then a cauliflower croquettes appetizer showed up at our table. We thought it was a mistake, but our waiter said it was a little thank you for our patience (I should say we had a 730 reservation on a Saturday night and were seated by 8 pm). So nice. We ordered three of the small plates and two of the mains to share as well as a bottle of wine. Everything was excellent. We started with the chicory salad, deviled eggs and sausage raclette. The raclette was the outstanding item. For mains we had the half chicken (what they are known for) and the grilled cabbage. All served promptly and invitingly and in an appropriate portion size. We finished by sharing one of their unique ice creams. A really enjoyable night out made even better by a professional, courteous, upbeat and friendly atmosphere. I will be back with friends.
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Stuti G.

Yelp
We were extremely impressed with picnic. Food was amazing 10/10! There is a wine store front before you enter the restaurant where you can purchase wine before you dine. Service was fast. Our server informed us that we order by scanning the QR code and food comes out as it is ready. We started off with oysters which were delicious & fresh. We ordered the lettuce salad which was crunchy, and yummy. Also ordered the bread & butter. Next was the chicken sandwich which was probably the BEST chicken sandwich I have ever had. It was so juicy, flavorful and delicious. The organic half chicken was exceptionally well made- was soft, juicy, well seasoned and was also 10/10. I ordered the margarita and my partner ordered the rum banana drink. The drinks were good but did not blow us away. Overall I loved Picnic & will definitely be back!!
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Michael C.

Yelp
Food was good, I'd say just above average. The menu is kind of all over the place. Got oysters, raw fluke, shrimp, and half a rotisserie chicken. Seems like they're still figuring things out from a service, flow, and atmosphere standpoint. We were greeted upon being seated at our table and our server told us we can use the QR code to review the menu and order, or we can also use the more limited paper menu on our table and order through our server, the traditional way. Overall service throughout the meal was spotty -- was hard to get someone at times, and the warm food came out before the raw food. That's a big no-no. In my opinion, for a nice sit down restaurant, you shouldn't do the QR code ordering thing. It takes away from the experience and relationship that you can build with the restaurant. Felt very cold and as I was walking out after paying on my phone, the server didn't even say anything to me. Just walked by. Probably a one and done experience, hope they can figure things out a little better in the future.
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Carolina J.

Yelp
As a vegetarian, I'm always thrilled to find places with good veggie options, and Picnic did not disappoint. I had the mushroom burger with cheese and sauce, and it was absolutely delicious and very filling. My partner and I shared the fries, which came with both aioli and ketchup -they were delish. We also ordered the charred beans, which were okay. They arrived after our mains, though, and really should have been served as a starter. There was a broccoli dish on the menu, but it came with chicken fat. Thankfully you can remove it to keep it vegetarian-friendly. Overall, I would recommend Picnic to vegetarians. I had a great time, and my partner said his chicken was perfect.
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Ray M.

Yelp
After almost 3 years in the works, Picnic is a great addition to the area. Nothing feels better than repurposing the old Weisbrod & Hess Brewery (1882-1939). Al Lucas, Greg Root and their team have done an amazing job of putting their vision into a beautiful reality. Casual "picnic" atmosphere with elegance and class. A beautiful space. Open, comfortable, rustic and welcoming. Great wine selections in the wine store. Many bottles in the $50 plus range. Small cocktail menu, small plates and shares. I was alone, so I was able to snag a position at the bar (wish they had barstools, but I'm sure there's a reason). I ordered a Boulevardier which was delicious and very well presented. I also ordered an assortment of oysters: Psychedelicates, VA, Cape May Salts, NJ, Montauk Pearls, NY, Maine Isle, ME and Black Magic, PEI. They were accompanied by nice accoutrements. Delicious. This was the first day. I felt they did a great job of making sure it worked out well today. As with many other establishments, I'm sure there's a lot of adjustments needed. I'm very confident Al and Greg will do everything needed to improve. Just like their other holdings: Suraya, Kalaya, Beddia, Condesa, R&D Cocktail Bar and El Techo. No reservations needed. The staff does their best to seat you efficiently. This will smooth out in time. I have nothing but good graces for Picnic. They will do really well. I'm looking forward to coming back really soon to enjoy additional menu items with a nice bottle of wine.
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Jen T.

Yelp
Wow, so the first reviewer who left a one star review? That was really not necessary. Opening night for a very hyped place is bound to have hiccups, and my group of five had a similar experience (came at 5pm, waited in line, were told to come back another time or put our names down for later), so we opted to put our names down and idled away the time at nearby Martha and Philadelphia Brewing Co. Yes, we ended up waiting 3.5 hours for a table (we were seated at around 8:30 and ended our meal at around 10:30), but again--super hyped place on opening night, and it's the night before the 4th of July so lots of people can leave work a little early, yeah? The employees managing the line were very apologetic but they had to do what they had to do, and ultimately, we had a great time, thanks to the gorgeous ambiance and very attentive service (shout out to our server Jacob!). The food exceeded expectations. My group has all eaten at Beddia, Suraya, and Kalaya, the predecessors of this place, and I dare say we like picnic equally or possibly even better, thanks to its casual atmosphere, reasonable prices, and friendly service. Plus, there's actually parking in East Kensington, unlike in Fishtown. We snagged a bottle of chilled red from the wine area on the way in and were given a bucket of ice to keep it cool. Seemed from first glance that most bottles were around $50-70, but I didn't go looking to see if there were cheaper or pricier bottles (I'm sure there were). They also had a bar with cocktails and non-alcoholic options, including a $10 or $12 glass of N/A pinot noir that I thoroughly enjoyed. I once had a N/A chardonnay and it tasted like grape juice. This N/A pinot straight up had the right mouth feel, with tannins and all! The prices are reasonable, given the very high quality of the food. We ordered a half baguette with cultured butter and anchovies, charred summer beans, a whole rotisserie chicken, smoked salmon sandwich, grilled oysters, and an Italian sausage with raclette that I am just now realizing never came--hopefully we weren't charged for it. The bread came first with a generous cup of butter. The bread was crusty and soft, with delicious subtle flavors that blended wonderfully with the creamy butter and salty anchovies. Next came the grilled oysters, which were so tender and covered in a tangy, spicy sauce. No picture of those because they were devoured. The charred summer beans were wonderfully smokey and citrusy, the perfect summer garden dish, and while I could not eat the smoked salmon sandwich, I'm told by my group that it was delicious, and it looked very good. The biggest snafu was that the chicken took an extremely long time to come out, but we were lucky to be one of the last tables to snag one because they eventually ran out! And they ended up giving us free dessert because of the wait. But the chicken was well worth it. Crisp outside yet impossibly juicy and tender on the inside, with four delightful sauces that we all dipped in equally (though I was partial to the chili oil and my husband loved the peruvian salsa verde). My husband declared it some of the best chicken he's ever had. I thought it was a bit too salty but otherwise would agree. And the desserts--the chocolate cake with candied pecans and caramel, and yogurt soft serve with olive oil--were not too sweet, rich yet not too decadent, complex and oh so pleasing. The perfect way to end the meal. So yes, the wait to get in was long, they might've forgotten our Italian sausage, and the chicken took forever to come to our table, but we had a lovely time and would definitely come back. I'm sure they'll have learned a lot from opening night and will iron things out as they go.
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Jamal L.

Yelp
Chicken was great. I'd drink the accompanying sauces with a straw. I'll be back soon to dine in as well as explore the other menu items.
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Cherie C.

Yelp
I made a reservation, but we still had to wait 15-20 minutes past that time to be seated. That set a negative tone for me. They said we could browse the "bottle shop" while we waited, but no one explained that if we wanted a bottle with our meal we would have to go get it ourselves. Since we hadn't seen a menu yet we didn't know what kind of wine to choose anyway. So we stood and chatted. The room beautiful, open, as well as loud and echo-y. Food was delicious. They had no whole chickens so we got 2 halves. It was juicy and flavorful. Sauces were good. Loved the grilled summer beans. We opted for wine by the glass rather than head out to the bottle shop. The prices are marked up like a full service wine list. It's a weird, expensive zone between BYOB and not. As someone else noted, the portions seemed smaller than 4 oz of wine, which seems to be standard elsewhere. I'd rather they be a full-service restaurant or make it a true picnic where you order/pick up in the bottle shop and go set up in the dining area yourself. But the food is really, really good.
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Keemy U.

Yelp
The wait to get a table was pretty quick. As soon as you enter it's like a wine shop and you get to choose a wine to bring to your table. The hostesses were quick and helpful. The Banana Negroni was very strong and tasty. They were playing really good music, the setup is beautiful, and the seats were pretty comfortable. This was my first time having sausage raclette and it was very interesting.
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Keith R.

Yelp
Went to Picnic last night with my husband and our friend. The experience was great from the moment we walked in. The decor is like you're walking into a picnic setup in a garden farmhouse. The service felt authentically charming but not over the top. We got family style starting with oysters (3 a piece) and the mignonette was my fav but others raved about the verde sauce and the deviled eggs which were great. The crunchy potato on top was new for me but was a great fit. For the main course we had the rotisserie chicken, the cabbage and the mushroom burger. The chicken was very flavorful (we got the hollandaise and pickled pepper aioli). Somehow the cabbage made reminded you of eating cheesy pasta...very good. #1 of the whole meal. For dessert we had the chocolates cake which was nice and not super rich like a lot of desserts. Great night great food and the Kickback was a great drink to accompany it all.
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Dominique S.

Yelp
My husband and I went here with another couple and we thought it was fantastic! We got a bottle of wine from the bottle shop and then split a whole chicken with all the sauces (I recommend trying all the sauces. It was just as minimal up charge), the raw fluke, the grilled broccoli, the corn, croquettes, and the Italian sausage. Then for dessert, we split the chocolate cake. It was just enough food for the four of us. The service was good and the ambiance is nice.
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Bina P.

Yelp
This restaurant has a huge space. We ordered the chicken which was really tasty and green sauces. We didn't have any drinks as I didn't see anything that stood out. We finished with the chocolate cake which was good.
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Jackie M.

Yelp
Arrived around 6:30pm with no reservation on a Wednesday for a party of 4. Was quoted an hour and I was like cool, we will hang at the bar and wait. I was able to try a glass of their skin contact wine which actually reminded me of communion wine (not bad, easy to drink). It was fun for an hour cause I was with good company but then the table was not ready at the quoted time so me and my party started to get a little hangry. I wish we could have ordered fries or cheese or something at the bar. The space is beautiful and chill but we were getting a little stir crazy. We kept staring at the art and we couldn't tell if they were framed TV's or really weirdly lit paintings. The ceilings are like a million feet tall so it gives the illusion of a huge space but honestly, it probably has just around the same seating as Martha. About 25 minutes after the quoted time they finally seated us. Their are waiters but we had been staring at the menu for too long so we quickly put our order in before the waiter arrived. There are QR codes on the table so you can put in your order on your own. When the waiter arrived, they served us water and asked about allergies. She said she was going to take our order by hand but she ended up just checking on our order that we had placed. Food came out really quick. I ended up ordering a coors, the summer bean salad, the mushroom burger and fries. I was so ready to hate this place after the long wait time but damn. The food is that good. I'm not saying it was worth the wait but I left satisfied. The mushroom burger was a standout. It is served vegetarian and can be modified for vegan. This mushroom burger was put together with thought and is not just a mushroom cap on a bun. It was stellar and felt meaty. I will definitely be back to get this burger even though it is one of the few things on the menu that is vegetarian. I was very pleased. The fries were salted well and were really good. They had some thickness to them for crunch. I really enjoyed them. The summer bean salad was more like green beans which I didn't expect. The sauce was lovely and a little smokey. I am a vegetarian but my friends did get the rotisserie chicken and they loved it. They were saying that the wait was worth it. I will definitely be back because I live so close to this place. Definitely get a reservation because they do not have a good grip on wait times. I would take my parents here but it's also good for a chill friends dinner. Glad that they are in the neighborhood.
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Carl L.

Yelp
Really excellent Sunday lunch. Sat at the bar. Service was great. The hummus was out of this world (the rest of the salatim was also delicious but hummus stood out for us). My steak was perfectly cooked and tasty and my companion loved the spicy lamb kofta. The sour patch kids - good but I can also see why someone switched out the rum for vodka to tone down that sweetness. The ice cream was soooo good!
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Liz L.

Yelp
Loved my visit to Picnic in Philly! The chicken sandwich was delicious--crispy, flavorful, and super satisfying. The menu actually convinced me to try the anchovies, and I'm glad it did--surprisingly good! The service was great too--everyone was super friendly and helpful. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to
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Will H.

Yelp
This is going to be harsh, but honest. It's only the opening week, and I usually don't review until after a second visit, but the second visit won't be happening. I love that they built out a shell of a building and turned it into a nice space, but that's table stakes for this restaurant group now. The allure of a nice space and a hype machine can't carry a mediocre concept with a lackluster menu full of options that can be topped by lesser-hyped places all over this wonderful food city, The staff are nice, but the serve-yourself-from-a-QR-code concept when there's ton is staff running around on the floor seems like a waste of an opportunity for building a customer relationship. Convenience for the sake of being able to offer it seems odd. If we wanted to order everything on our phone, we could've stayed home, ordered delivery, and been just as impressed. We voiced our feelings with the staff, but I'm not sure they're used to people being underwhelmed. The food is fine. Not bad at all, but there wasn't a single item that left us wanting more or had us talking about returning. For $240, you'd better expect SOMETHING to stand out. Unfortunately, the only chatter on the walk home was around disappointment. We even went somewhere else immediately after to satiate our appetite, as we were still hungry. Sure, the chicken is well-prepared, retaining a ton of moisture and flavor, but it's not unique to get a good chicken. The chicken sandwich was a formed patty of scraps that wasn't appealing in look or texture. Basically a large, square chicken croquette on a bun. I joked that it would've been more fun shaped as a dinosaur. You've prepared the chicken in a way that could've become anything...and a filet-o-fish square format was the decision? Functional, at least. The mortadella was such a tiny portion and the slices were so thin they were easily overpowered by the bread served by its side. Thicker slices of meat. Thinner slices of bread. Or just skip the bread altogether. We ordered mortadella. We'd like to have been able to enjoy the meat itself. The fries were fries. No expectations when it came to the fries, but they were super salty. My one food highlight was the oysters. Good price, mostly unique selection, and excellently shucked. Can't judge their excessive sauce offerings with the oysters because we eat them raw, but they really seem to want to push the sauces. Two sauces with fries. Six with chicken. Four with oysters. As far as the sauces with the chicken? Anchovy salsa verde and the pickled pepper aioli were solid. I didn't have any desire to return the the rest. The wines at the table were good. Decent selection. I also got an old fashioned that came out in what felt like seconds. I'm all for time saving and batching, but when a cocktail comes out too fast, it feels like I probably ordered the wrong thing. Maybe they just have the fastest bartenders in the city, and the drink was fine, but the optics aren't what I want when going out. Now, over to the shop. If you want unique natural wine at a fair price, this won't be your stop. The selection is excellent and there are a few we haven't seen frequently, but there are other spots nearby with a similarly-great selection at much fairer prices. You're looking at a $10-20+ premium to buy wines here. There are better ways to explore and procure great natural wines. The natural wine movement is so ubiquitous and only in PA does it feel like the prices haven't recognized that reality. It's not necessarily Picnic's fault, but I'm not paying those prices when we can get the same things far cheaper now. So, yeah. Overall, this was no picnic. They didn't seem to have any of the opening week kinks, which we didn't expect from this well-oiled machine, but the concept lacked anything memorable, aside from disappointment, and the price we paid to be disappointed. The large line outside hints that there are a lot of people with lofty expectations, so hopefully their experiences were better, and I hope the concept continues to improve, but unfortunately, I know we won't be there to find out.
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Amit M.

Yelp
Cool restaurant, space inside is pretty big. I went with a big group and we just did family style for everything. Grilled oysters are a good starter and the rotisserie chicken is pretty good.
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Stephanie L.

Yelp
The chicken sandwich is the best thing I've eaten in a while. Order from a QR code and the kitchen is free flowing. Everything we ate was great. But I highly recommend the chicken sandwich and the strawberry lemonade. The space is gorgeous and great vibes. Can't wait to come back.
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Megan M.

Yelp
Picnic is one of my favorite places to visit, especially on Sunday for All Day Happy Hour! HH specials include, but not limited to, a select $1.50 oyster, $5 fries, a $5 slider, and $9 Whiskey Sours. The atmosphere is spacious and bright with plates reminiscent of something my grandmother would own. It's perfect for friends to catch up or families to enjoy. My first experience was so incredible that I had to come back again after dreaming (and drooling) about the rotisserie chicken with that unctuous skin and roasted garlic chicken jus that is dangerously drinkable. For my second visit, we tried some new items: Chicory Salad and the (not pictured) Grilled Cabbage with jalapeño dressing, brown butter, and Gouda GET THE GRILLED CABBAGE! It will not disappoint. It reminded me of the best parts of a Reuben sandwich on Marble Rye.
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Marcella G.

Yelp
Pretty good food! Very cute space! The dessert was the highlight. You can order from your phone so the interaction with your server is a little limited. Get the fries!
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Alexandria I.

Yelp
Beautiful all day Café stunning space. The frame TVs are amazing. They do often show sports which is a nice touch without turning into a an entire sports bar. The cocktails are expertly crafted. The service is so warm and welcoming. Plenty of space great for large groups friends, catching up families. The chicken is absolutely amazing. You can buy half a whole amazing for sharing a must try. The desserts are bomb. I will certainly be back for a dinner service. Very casual yet. Focused service very approachable menu wonderful place to take someone visiting Philadelphia and even better for the locals.
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Soula P.

Yelp
Overall great experience! We had a reservation and the check in process is a little odd - you check in with someone right inside the door who looks you over and writes a note about what you look like or what you're wearing, then wait in the wine area until another hostess gives you the up and down to see if your description matches whatever was written. We waited about 10 mins for our table to be ready, maybe they want to give you time to pick a bottle of wine to go to your table with. Service and food were excellent. Our server really knew the menu and was able to recommend a few things we hadn't considered but ended up loving. Definitely do the cheesy grilled cabbage! We also got oysters, a meat and cheese plate, the scallops, and the prime rib. Everything was delicious. Will definitely be back!
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Suha V.

Yelp
To the owner , Chef , or manager , our party had a great dinner here last night. The ambience and decoration is beautiful. The food ( lamb and branzino were delicious ). With that being said , this is what I found lacking. The waitstaff (all very friendly ) , David our server needs ALOT more training. He was friendly , but the lamb was sent out and eaten before the branzino ever arrived. He did not check ONCE to see if the food was satisfactory. The branzino was spot on , but at $36 , you only serve one filet. Come on. The dinner was done and we sat with dirty dishes for another 15 min. I had to ask David to come and offer dessert. We did order two desserts. Delicious. Again, the dessert was sent out without the dessert wine we ordered. We drank the dessert wine after the dessert was done. All in all , you need to train your staff. I will try this restaurant again to see if you iron out these kinks.

Kevin Z.

Yelp
Breathtaking space. Excellent service with highly knowledgeable server who gave strong recommendations. Food was fresh and delicious across the board- perfect for sharing. Loved the casual vibe. Can't wait to go back again