Great place for a drink and a bite. Great selection of spirits, wine and beer. We loved the cheese plate and fries. The staff was very helpful and provided great conversation. Being our first time in Philadelphia, we tried our best to try out as many places as possible and after our first stop we went in search for another bar. We found A bar on Yelp and decided to stop in. As soon as we sat down the bartender greeted us and quickly delivered the refreshments. We had a great time talking with the staff and enjoyed the food and drinks.
(4)
Janice T.
My friend and I were pleased to be seated outdoors right away without reservations for brunch this past Saturday. Service was decent and we enjoyed our mimosas and sitting outdoors but I don't recommend the frisee salad+poached egg+bacon+hash brown meal. It's literally one small poached egg with a ton of salad. The hash brown patty was burnt/crisp and didn't taste good because you could only taste the crispness of the hash brown. However, my friend's omlette with asparagus was pretty tasty. It came with potatoes even though the menu doesn't say so. Would I recommend it to friends? Probably not...
(3)
Ameena E.
Below the hype of expectations! From appetizer to dinner, everything was bad. The scallops and crab meat had a stale stench - the beet salad was not edible. We didn't finish even half of our food after spending a little over $100 for two people. Upside: the service was very friendly!
(1)
Stephanie M.
Went here during restaurant week so the price was great ($35 for a 4 course meal). The first two courses were the mushroom toast and fried sweetbread plates which were mediocre..not something I'd go back for. However, the flank steak was delicious! It was tender and juicy with a great wine sauce. The apple tart dessert was also tasty. Service was great and the atmosphere is what makes it appealing. It's a great location which is why I may go back for drinks, but I won't be paying full price for the food anytime soon.
(3)
Yuqi Z.
Went once during restaurant week. The food was good, but also cheesy. So not a very big fun of it.
(3)
Casey L.
Food was top notch (portions aren't too big so we shared 3 plates and two desserts), service was stellar, waitresses were attentive and very professional and warm without being overbearing. They even noticed the little bits of food that we had spilled on the table by accident and took care to clean those up after every course. Very impressive experience - pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Would go again!
(5)
Nico D.
I had to choose three stars, because it's A-OK, right? But truly, it does not deserve more, possibly less. So the concept is that they use a Japanese-style charcoal grill to prepare almost every dish, and it gives this special taste (and smell to the restaurant, and quite possibly your clothes). It is very pricey (small portions of meats, with no sides included), and not that great: the wagyu was OK, but not melt-in-mouth amazing, the chicken was good (with a spicy BBQ sauce). The side of potatoes (extra $8) was so rich, it was impossible to eat more than 3 bites without feeling overwhelmed by the butter and white creamy sauce (mayo? triple cream? liquid lardo?) on top. The bread was OK, but nothing spectacular (Dandelion and Le Parc both have better breads, and theirs are free) and the 'house-made' butter was really really weird. Apparently it's the live culture that creates a funky/cheesy smell and taste. It's definitely not for everyone (personally, I thought it tasted rancid). And the bread+butter are $5... The grilled cornmeal cake with ice cream was very so-so. Cornmeal cakes are heavy, and grilling it does not make it better at all. They were trying to carry the grilling concept over to the dessert menu, but it's just a silly idea. And the ice cream had virtually no taste. Final issue, my wife couldn't find any red wine she liked. And wines by the glass are expensive: hers was $15 and wasn't special. In that price range, we have many better options nearby. Not coming back.
(3)
Jessica S.
I went for a restaurant week date with my roommate after we looked at the menu and decided it was up to our standards. Yes, we are RW snobs, I'll put it out there right now. While I wasn't disappointed by this place, overall it didn't blow me away either. They really did restaurant week correctly, so I'll start off by saying any of the negative factors had nothing to do with the RW offerings. They actually impressed me with the fact that their offerings included 4 courses, and each course was a really good portion. Also impressed with the fact that this place offered their normal menu in addition to the RW menu. Though understandable why places do this, it usually irks me that I can't at least consider something off their regular menu. Sometimes I just like to look for the sake of coming back next time! Anyway, the food was a mixed bag--some of it was really awesome (lamb meatballs, spaghetti cacio e pepe, braised rabbit), and others were just OK (red snapper, fried eggplant, gravlax). So all in all, I wouldn't run back to this place to check out their other menu options. The dessert they served at the end was an awesome chocolate mousse type thing with salted caramel. Wish I could've had more. Or just licked my plate like an animal. Our server was a little absent and slow, just not quite as attentive as I would've liked. She wasn't very helpful with the massive (impressive) wine list, but said she'd be happy to send over the sommalier (who never showed). We were happy to pick something out on our own as we knew enough about wine to pick out a bottle. She was quick to bring us our check at the end but we didn't feel rushed. The place overall is pretty small, with an open kitchen with bar seats, and a teeny tiny bar on the right as you walk in. If I returned, I'd probably come either for wine, or to sit at that kitchen bar and watch the action.
A few years ago, I spent my time wandering through Germany looking for the perfect gausthaus....it should have great beer, tasty food, a decent view, and reasonable prices. Researching the Perfect Gausthaus was, in some ways, the highlight of my life! Fast forward a few years to Philadelphia, PA...where lo and behold, I find a place that would have certainly made my Top Ten Perfect Gausthaus list! Although I didn't order food, they did serve up a very nice Pilsner for me and allowed me to take it outside to a table! The weather in Philadelphia was cooperating so it was a pleasant evening to sit outside and enjoy the view and vibe. Everybody in town is so friendly, people kept passing by saying, 'Hello' and smiling! I might move here.
(5)
Holly S.
The food was just ok (especially for the price) but we did have excellent service on a very busy evening. Our server was very knowledgeable about the entire menu and very enthusiastic about the food. We ordered the sourdough, green beans, scallop, burrata, sole and potatoes and to me the highlight was the green beans. They were pickled and then fried which had a unique flavor when the two methods were put together. The burrata was also very good and is served over fried green tomatoes...maybe everything they serve should be fried...
(3)
Jade V.
Went here for a special little birthday dinner last night and I must say, I loved it. Warm service, warm food, warm ambiance, and warm company in the cold of the winter is always comforting. The cold dishes were pretty good, too! A small restaurant with small plates. Cozy, really. Lots of woods and dim lighting really set the mood. I'm sure that during the day, the big windows let a lot of sunlight onto the floor. The service was extra friendly, quick to help and explain, even with my especially lively group. Quite a catalogue of wine they have going on! Not to mention some fun beers, bottled and tap, and some delicious original cocktails. The sommeliers were friendly and helpful, too, brought us a delicious red Spanish wine. And the food. The food. I love the simplicity of the menu, but it was difficult to guess how much to order, because portion sizes varied widely and there was no way to guess how much would be "enough" would be short of grilling the waiter/waitress on every single dish. We wanted to share a few dishes then have an individual dish to ourselves, but out of our party, one person's individual dish ended up being much smaller than everyone else's. Awkward. Order more to be on the safe side. The food was so good, you'll probably end up eating it all, anyway! I loved the seafood stew. The duck (highly lauded by the waitress), venison, and pork chops were delicious, as well! The blue crab on farro with pesto was an unexpectedly divine combination, the salads fresh and crisp, and the octopus on lentils quite flavorful, although the texture could have used some work. I hesitate to describe the food in great detail, since the menu is ever-changing and what was available when I went may not be available when you go. Bottom line, the farm-to-table concept is skillfully-executed here, though the portion sizes can get confusing. Oh, and don't forget dessert! I loved the goat cheesecake with riesling sorbet, and since it was my birthday, they also gave us a free pound cake with creme fraiche ice cream on top. Candles, too!
(4)
Trang N.
We had reservations on Christmas Eve, as it was one of a handful of restaurants open that night. We thought we would have a nice dinner before heading off to church in the Square. We could even see the glow of the snowflakes under the street lights, as they felt onto the sidewalk. The decor was very minimal, wooden floors, granite tabletops and muted lighting, not to mention that it commands a stellar location, had all the makings of a great dining experience, however the pace at which the food came out and the waitress constantly hovering over us, really took the magic out of our evening. At first we thought the service was efficient and friendly, then we just realized they were trying to get us out the door the moment we sat down. We were lucky enough to get a parking spot out front, the parking times were a bit confusing with the posted meter hours. Thankfully, there was a nice gentleman outside that sensed our confusion and explained it to us. We went inside to the hostess to confirm if he was indeed correct and she had no idea 'what the parking situation was" Really? It is the right outside your door! Has no one ever asked this question before?! Granted, you can argue that we could have read the signs, evidently the gentleman next to us was just as confused. When he heard us talking about it, after we brought him up to speed, he ran out to tend to his meter. That's just poor attention to detail if you ask me, especially if she spends a good portion of the night staring out at the street ,as she did that night. The plates are small and a smidge pricey for the quality. The recommendation is to pick two plates per person, and I would have certainly say three would be a better choice, although you could get a three course meal elsewhere if you went that route! The presentation was nice and clean, but nothing that was visually memorable. We started off with the spiced lamb meatballs, the meat balls were 'chef boyardee' size, the flavors were nice but for $14, we were expecting a little larger portions, we were served 3 meatballs, it was almost silly to divide the third one in half to share! We had another starter, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was (not a good sign!) Then I had the braised rabbit with rye spaetzle and brussles sprouts, again the portion was small, but the flavors were nice, albeit a bit salty. My husband had the roasted red snapper which he said was good, I tried it but again, I thought this was a little salty. If a restaurant is going to be open for Christmas Eve, I think they should be all in; food, service, experience, not rush patrons out to get a quick buck, (since they close early) or don't make as many reservations. They were so eager to turn over our table, when we got our bill, they had already brought over our coats! (I don't even know how they knew which ones were ours without the number!) I'm a bit disappointed, but I'm glad that we didn't spend any money on dessert, they might have taken it away before we finished at the rate things were progressing. The food was ok, but not good enough for me to want to come back, the service was definitely not going to lure me back. We left hungry and disappointed. Long story short, meh- I'm not feeling the love that everyone else has for this place.
(2)
Kristin W.
The food is generally good, but pricey. Most of the dishes are considered small plates, so our server recommended we get 2-3 each; we felt full with 5 between the two of us and agreed we would limit to 4 next time (particularly since we liked the bread so much!) In decreasing order of preference: -Scallops with Butternut Squash and Apple Cider - the scallops were sweet and nicely seasoned, but the squash was overly salty -Blue Crab Salad, Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto - there is a generous portion of crab provided with the dish; note that there is very little "salad" aspect if you are looking for some greens -Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi - tasty dish with lovely light gnocchi -Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Pecorino - very nice flavor, but I would have liked the sprouts to be a little softer -Roasted Red Snapper, Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage - while the size of the fish was reasonable, I was not wild about the flavor of this dish.
(4)
Caren J.
Wonderful brunch, wonderful table and amazing service. I would definitely go back! Had the Rittenhouse plate and it was delish!!!! The charcoal biscuits were to die for! Lovely atmosphere as well!!! Not on top of each other!
(5)
Annie F.
The food was excellent! We shared the porterhouse and ordered a side of the roasted potatoes. I loved the grilled caeser salad, he didn't. We both LOVED our drinks..mine was the tequila. So well crafted with beautiful presentation. My issue with this place was the price. We were excited and ready to spend... but for 97 dollars, that steak was too small and too normal. It should have been about $60. I still would have thought it expensive. All in all we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves, but I think the place is a bit pretentious for what it's serving. I still gave it 4 stars because we really had nothing negative to say albeit the price.
(4)
Phil E.
Best meal I've had all year. Since Eli Kulp took over the kitchen this restaurant has been transformed. Loved every single dish that came to our table. Go here! Trust me.
(5)
Courtney P.
It's has very nice ambiance, and the plating was wonderful. Everyone at the table raved about the food they got and we've tried several appetizers and the honey ice cream and pound cake. The cauliflower on the appetizer list is a must try. Even given the classy ambiance, (yet dressy casual also works) I felt that the dessert prices were a tad steep, and entree dishes just a touch small for the price point. I am completely aware that for the atmosphere im not going to get a "standard" portion. I'm new to the city I would go back but I personally would explore other options.
(4)
Steve M.
I pretty much *have* to give this place five stars. This is a lot after only one lunch visit, but there it is. I work in Center City near Rittenhouse Square and have been meaning to go hear forever, but just never got around to it. I finally went a couple of weeks ago, and looked over the menu. Lots of choices but nothing seemed quite right. So I rolled my eyes, sighed, and with some embarrassment, I ordered the cheese burger. It seemed like giving up to order a burger but it was what appealed to me at that moment. I've had a lifetime of cheese burgers, like everyone, so to identify one as the best I ever had is saying something. But this was simply the best burger I ever ate in my life. I don't know what set it apart - the roll, the cheese, the bacon, the meat, whatever the sauce was, I couldn't tell you. But I will say that if all they served was burgers, I would go back again and again.
(5)
Fran V.
Excellent meal, From soup and appetizer to dessert. The Wagu Steak was so tasty! Compliments to the hard working line cooks and chefs.
(5)
Felicia R.
Beautiful restaurant... HORRIBLE service! If you want to be ignored by a pretentious bartender, then by all means, this is your place to go! I wouldn't return even if it was free. Again HORRIBLE service!!
(1)
Prasath S.
Had brunch here this past weekend...we got seated on the counter facing the open kitchen which was pretty cool (Apparently we needed a reservation to be seated in the main dining area..even for brunch? hmm okay) We tried the English Muffin S/W which came with a fried egg, gruyere, sausage..it was good but i felt it was lacking some seasoning...i was hoping the sausage would add to the lack of flavor but it didn't..i did however really enjoy the home made english muffin...we also tried the short-rib/white bean puree chili with corn bread and a fried egg..again great dish...loved the creativity but lacked seasoning... loved the service as well (Coffee was yummy and waitress always refilled it) Maybe this is just me but the place and atmosphere felt a little snobby...
(3)
Bob L.
Very warm interiors and great service are the main appeal of this small place. My review is based on two dishes only. They shared the same flaw: the subtle flavors of the main ingredient were virtually obliterated by the other things on the plate. The "burrata" appetizer came with dill spice, served on a slice of toast in a potato-leek broth. The broth was wonderful, but the burrata couldn't be tasted as a result of the other strong flavors. It could have been served as soup and I wouldn't have missed the cheese, which itself was too firm and had a chewy texture. Similarly the skate, served with spicy broccolini, was over-shadowed by the spice. Skate is beloved for its delicate taste. Why it was accompanied by a palate killer is a mystery. Again, I don't know if these two dishes are representative of a theme of too much "creativity" or I just had bad luck.
(3)
Joseph D.
Th re-boot of a.kitchen is a wonderful improvement. The previous version was excellent but the food has been taken to a new level. One of my favorite spots to sit and have dinner at the bar. Excellent service, great menu and wine and cocktail program.
(5)
J K.
New chef and menu are in place. The service is great but I was not blown away by the food- we started with a bread basket which consisted of four different "seasonal" rolls - personally I would have been happier with simple french bread- the selection of bread was a little strange so I suggest asking before you order this item to see whether it is appealing. As to the food the best item we ordered were the smoked mussels. We also had the sea bream which was good but nothing earth shattering, with a few vegetable sides that were enjoyable but again nothing that made me want to rush back. Its pretty expensive as most of these small plates restaurants are, so I really have to be impressed to want to pay those kind of prices. Overall I'm not planning to come back as there are other places in the neighborhood I like better.
(3)
Catherine L.
A.kitchen gets A D-grade for food. Which is disappointing - because with the chef pedigree, the location, gorgeous design interior with open kitchen, you would think you're in for an A+ meal. But not so, my foodie friends, not so. Perhaps we're poorly ordering over and over again, but the salads and sandwiches just aren't up to snuff. Service is a bit detached, cold. Salads lack a bit of color, a lot of flavor - terribly bland. But the definite stand-out disappointment were the mushroom croquettes- its contents and sauce were so off-putting, so much so that both my lunch companion and I had a terrible after-taste that lingered long after the meal was over. One highlight however, was the delicious homemade English muffin that had the right amount of fluffiness, crunch with a hint of sweetness and this thankfully was the only factor that took a simple deli tuna salad to a more gourmet level. Otherwise, a very average, expensive lunch all around.
(2)
Andrew K.
We went there for brunch. The Bloody Mary was delicious - One of the best in the Rittenhouse area. We were seated right away. The grits dish was yummy.
(4)
Aaliyah P.
I would probably go back for apps and drinks. My meal here was sort of what i expected from a hotel restaurant in rittenhouse, obviously pretentious and not that great. RW can either sway me one of two ways, you can give me awesome service, put out amazing food and wow me to come back or you can pull an A Kitchen and provide me with a barely memorable meal from start to finish. My favorite course was the eggplant starter with mushrooms. It had a very complex flavor and the contrast of textures made me want to keep eating. The next course was alright, shrimp in a spicy sauce with a few veggies. The main course was a fliet of fish ( not to e confused with Mcdonalds) that was overly bland and not flavorful , though there was a great sear on the fish. Dessert was uneventful and i probably could make something better with ducan hines brownie mix at home. Saving grace to the spotty service was the hostess and sommelier who remained friendly and helpful throughout our meal.
(3)
M B.
My girlfriend and I have been wanting to try a.kitchen for a while. I took her there on Valentine's Day and we were both very disappointed. They had a 4 course prefix menu for 75 a person. The appetizers were way off taste wise. We tried 4 different ones and none of them stood out. The entrees were decent and we both ordered the steak wagu. The steak tasted great but the knives to cut the steak were very dull. It felt like we had to saw the steak and it was very chewy. The overall flavor was good but how difficult the steak was to cut took away from the entree. The desserts we had were awful. I had the chocolate mouse and she had the buckwheat pound cake. I have no clue what was going on there but everything was off and very disappointing. For 250$ I was expecting a lot more. I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone. Only positive experience of the night was the service.
(1)
Brian S.
The food here is decent. It's not bad by any means but just ok. My beefs with a.Kitchen are that the menu is limited when you go for brunch and want more of a lunch item (they have all of three sandwiches on the menu). It's also way too small in here, and unless you are a gossip queen, you will probably hear way too much about who or what the next table over did last night. They do have really good homemade english muffins, though...
(3)
Vlad L.
I went here for the first time last night for a business dinner. We started off at the new next door sister bar called a.bar . The bar was very nice. Small, sophisticated and you have a great street view of walnut/rittenhouse. The drink menu was also above average in terms of uniqueness of drinks. Our actual dinner was very good as well. Some would say the portions are small but I felt they were pretty on point. The menu has plenty of variety. The warm buratta over dry aged beef, corkscrew pasta and mushroom toast were all good. The plate presentation was very respectable but nothing over the top. I would definitely come here again. Oh and they have a great Czech lager on tap...just wish they served it in a bigger glass!
(4)
Barry E.
Great food from a great chef. Was amazed with the "Rittenhouse Slam", though bacon was cooked a little too much. Rum raisin muffin was spectacular, and there's just something about their egg whites that blew my mind. Great restaurant at great service and reasonable prices.
(4)
Jamie S.
Portions are pretty small for the price, but everything I have tried has been excellent, from the seasonal spiral pastas to the carrots. If you are starving, this is not your spot. But if you are looking for some refined bites, head on over- especially in warmer months when the outdoor seats are available.
(4)
Molly M.
Amazingly well-crafted farm-to-table food and expert service. We had the grilled baby romaine, roasted carrots with cous cous, lobster with mint, and goat cheese panna cotta washed down with the agave maria margarita. Our plates were scraped clean by dueling forks. Delicious!
(5)
Kevin R.
If you want cheap food and ridiculously sized portions... Please don't come here and write a whiny review. This isn't Golden Corral. On the other hand if you want masterfully created and well thought out dishes... This is your place. We sat at the chefs counter and had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. The counter menu is not the same as the main area menu. Each dish highlights the skills of this most remarkable team and is served to you and explained by the chef who prepared it. Each and every dish was amazing and perfectly portioned. The wine pairing was spot on. We had the best view in the house watching the choreography of the kitchen. Great decor and professionally trained waitstaff who are very friendly make this place a go-to when you want to experience something special.
(5)
Helen P.
My husband and I came here for brunch and I am so happy that I found it on opentable. The restaurant has a small cozy city feel with an open kitchen and big windows to people watch on13th street. We were seated right away and the manager quickly took our drink order while our server finished with his other tables. The coffee was very good- strong but perfectly balanced. I like the attentiveness of all staff. There was a lot of options for brunch and everything sounded delicious. With the help of the server, we finally narrowed our choices to the shiitake mushroom egg sandwich and the fried cutlet and gravy. Both served with crispy potatoes. I def would like to try the steak and eggs next time. But overall happy with what we ordered and the service provided. Super cute space and right in the heart of rittenhouse so we will be back!
(5)
Sari A.
I treated my friend for a sunday birthday brunch and it was great. The place was chic and cozy. food was delicious. I had the poached Eggs with a side of baked and grilled potatoes, yummy. My friend got a perfect Steak and Eggs. Our server was so friendly. I will for sure go back again, to try the dinner menu perhaps. Four Yelps!
(4)
Flora W.
First of all, I was impressed by its deco which made me very comfortable. Second, I was impressed by its menu cause they are charcoal grilled. I love all grilled dishes on the menu and its hard to pick one of them. After hearing the server kindly explained their special dishes for today, I decided to have grilled rabbit. Definitely, rabbit is a special dish for me. We had Fried Oyster Tartine and Grilled Octopus as appetizers, and shared the Grilled Rabbit. For Tartine, except the bread was over-toasted, it was good. Griiled Octopus was very special cause it included peanuts and yogurt. And the Grilled Rabbit was incredibly good! I will come next time to try other grilled meat. Love a.kitchen !
(5)
Lily Q.
came here for lunch with a friend, we showed up right before the lunch rush so the restaurant was pretty much empty. we were happy to have gotten there first because we thought that meant our food would come out first...we were so wrong. They didn't even bother to bring us bread until 20 minutes after we had ordered our food, by which time three other tables that were sat 10 mins after we got there not only already finished their bread but also got their food. By the time my appetizer came, the tables who were sat after us were finishing their meals! And what was this painfully complicated appetizer that took 30 mins to make? the warmed burrata...which ironically was as cold as if it just came out of the fridge. The waiter then took it back to the kitchen to warm it up and when it came back the burrata was room temperature. Nevertheless we attempted to eat it, maybe the chef was having an off day but the citrus reduction paired with the cheese tasted like dish detergent making the whole thing almost inedible. I'm not a picky eater, and neither is my friend, who also thought the sauce tasted like household cleaning product, and we were so hungry we would've settled for cheese out of a can by this point, the dish was THAT bad. Since by this point we had already been sitting for an hour and our entrees were still no where to be seen, we spoke to the manager who was courteous enough to cancel our orders and we quickly skipped over to rouge for a real meal. will not be returning and you could not pay me to eat that pine-sol flavored burrata dish again.
(1)
Tim B.
The food was delicious, although in ver small portions. i could have eaten three of my plates. The service was another story with a rude bartender. How do these people get jobs wuth these attitudes. You are a freakin' bartender! Put on a shirt that fits and covers your 40 tatoos, so every time you want to show off ridiculously shaking a iced cocktail above your head, I don't have to see your shirt ride up. Drop the attitude, you are a bartender...you serve people drinks.
(2)
Melissa P.
In my post Tria Sunday School, I stumbled into a.kitchen . I have been eyeing this venue for quite some time and am glad I dropped in! My New York native friend immediately said, finally! A place that feels like New York!! Now, I know that we're not trying to go for the New York feel everywhere, but it is nice to have it as an option. I really enjoyed my grilled shrimp. The wine was excellent, but I thought that the median price point was too spendy...$17/glass is a little much, especially when it's a 5 oz pour. I'll go back on a breezy fall afternoon.
(4)
Diana S.
I came here w/ three girl friends for dinner before the Philly Half Marathon. The restaurant ambiance was great and the open kitchen was a lot of fun. However, the food was over priced and under cooked. the portions are average / small side for tapas but the prices are standard restaurant entree prices. We got one of the pastas and I couldn't even it because it was under cooked. They also over dressed the salads. The wine menu is extensive, but again overpriced. There are better places in Rittenhouse.
Came here for brunch and really liked it! It's not your usual brunch places like Honey's or Sabrinas where the portions are gigantic. Rather, the portions can seem small but the goodness lies in the food's QUALITY, which I prefer over a heaping stack of pancakes that i won't finish anyway. I had their house-made english muffin with sausage and egg, then shared the yogurt parfait with my friend. The english muffin is chewy and delightful! Sausage is not too salty or oily, and the egg is perfectly fried with the yolk just cooked, but not too runny that it becomes a yellow mess. The yogurt parfait was equally satisfying with some exotic fruit toppings that you don't get elsewhere. If you enjoy quality food and don't want to feel disgustingly full afterwards, I highly suggest brunch at A. Kitchen!
(4)
christina j.
After the reading reviews, my friend and I checked this spot out for brunch last weekend. The inside reminded us of someplace nordic. We ordered mimosas and decided on the frisee salad and the smoked salmon napoleon. After placing our order, our server apologetically told us they had no more salmon. What??? How can his be?? Hurriedly we selected the tuna salad on the house made english muffin. We were splitting both and the salad was the better choice. The tuna was okay and was not swimming in mayo. We both really wanted to try the smoked salmon. The food was fine but nothing was mind blowing. Our server was friendly and attentive. The prices were reasonable. I would definitely check this place out again.
(3)
Jenny B.
The one good thing about this restaurant is that it's in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, it's intimate dining room is great for drinks. I only went for brunch and it was nothing to rave about-average at best. I think I will go back for dinner... one day.
(3)
Emilio M.
i have yet to have a bad meal here. ate here last night with my wife and we were blown away. everything was great with service to match. Lamb meatbalss are one of my favorite dishes but i must mention the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi, the chicken was fantastic. crispy skin while having a moist interior with exceptional Gnocchi. the Braised Rabbit with Rye Spaetzle and Brussels Sprouts was also really well prepared.
(5)
Dana F.
Went to a.kitchen last night - LOVED it! Food was wonderful (5 plates for 2 of us), servers were friendly, and service was timely even though they were packed. We were delighted with our intimate view of the kitchen, and were most impressed that the chefs took such great care with every dish we watched them prepare. Very impressed, and we'll definitely return.
(5)
Cecily R.
sat at the bar after center city sips died down last wednesday. decent sized wine selection and definitely quality wines over quantity. drank an amazing red from piedmont. bar staff was friendly and consistent. the ambiance of the restaurant is great, low lighting--most white and marble with black accents. interesting light fixtures. a bathroom so mod, i'd love to take it home with me. ate the seared tuna caesar (red wine and fish--gasp!), amazing dressing, egg yoke sprinkled on top--a good amount of tuna for the size of the dish, it was great. a couple glasses of wine later, the small bar empties out and colin farrell walks up next to me to pick up take out from the bar. the bar staff played it so cool.....good enough for colin farrell, good enough for me! regardless, i'm definitely going back!
(4)
Luke L.
Meh, the food was actually delicious. The portions and the price however made me think I just ate a full sized steak dinner. Also as perviously listed some of the staff looks upset that they have to serve you. Or maybe our waiter was pissed because he had to work on friday night? I would go back thou, because of the food not because of the service. At least it has that going for it.
(2)
Taylor M.
Just popped in for a quick bite midday. had the place to ourselves. it was really nice all around. amazingly simple, yet elegant, atmosphere. food was superb. service just right. will go back to try their dinner menu which we peeked at (and it sounded awesome)
(4)
D M.
It's a shame. Food was decent. Hostess was extremely pretentious. For such a small restaurant it's amazing how long things take to get to you. Wouldn't recommend or go back.
(2)
E.J. C.
After Craig LeBan's 3-bell review, it was a sure bet that I was going to get to a.kitchen ASAP. The space is warm and inviting, though small (which means a reservation is necessary). The bar is covered in marble, and the completely open kitchen is pretty darn cool, and fun to watch. Next time I go, I will definitely sit at one of the seats at the bar right in front of the kitchen. The service was great. The waitress was knowledgeable and helpful. The water glasses were never left empty. And anyone who works in the restaurant is more than willing to help. The food is quite good, but not amazing. Not sure I was as stoked as LeBan was. Though credit is due that there are imaginative and creative dishes. There aren't set appetizers and entrees sections, but everything is small plates that are great for sharing. The frisee salad was light and refreshing, with bacon lardon, hash brown potatoes, and a poached egg. The salad would have been amazing if the poached egg wasn't cooked through so the yolk was hard. The crepe with mushroom gravy is a nice starting bite to the meal, though small. The chorizo meatballs with calamari were skillfully prepared with a seafood broth and olives. The chicken risotto was creamy yet not too heavy, though it seemed that the risotto didn't even need the chicken. The spicy fried potatoes are a nice side dish to the more substantial meat and fish dishes, though the saffron in the aioli should be more prominent. Overall, I think that a.kitchen would benefit from following the advice of Coco Chanel when she said: "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." The flavors in the dishes speak for themselves, and don't have to be muddled with that one extra ingredient. The food is good, and perhaps will get better with time. I will be going back for sure, and looking forward to trying their brunch.
(4)
Ken L.
Very Good addition to Rittenhouse area. Small, Small limited Bar. Server was a rookie, did not really know a lot of things He did not direct us anywhere but was nice, He barely poured the water . If you know the portions and dishes you will do well here. Some dishes are stellar like tagliatelle and veal ragou or blue crab and faro. the 30 day aged steak was not aged well imho and came out ice cold!! Please that was the most expensive item on menu and was really bad. Coho salmon at maybe 3 oz wa excellent. Space is nice and I was just surprised as to the lack of contact there. I saw at least 20 people working the room and besides our waiter no one said a word to us not even the owner who passed us several times. Wierd place. I like the food/chefs area bar where you can sit but again no one was talking. I suspect 45 seats in whole place. Not badly priced for the food. We each had 2 drinks and 3 courses was 200 bucks. Again 3 stars because a five star chef could not serve a steak!!! otherwise 4 stars.
(3)
Lee S.
A. Kitchen is a step above on the Rittenhouse Restaurant Scene. Tim, the Wine Manager, has put together a small but high quality wine list. The food is very interesting and quite good. Give the place a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(4)
Alan M.
The food was good. The portions were small. I had two entrees and dessert and left hungry...all for 100 bucks!!!!!
(2)
Marco C.
This new trendy restaurant is located in the Rittenhouse Square area of Philly, a quite attractive setting at the ground level of the hotel. The open their doors at 7am to accommodate the residents at the hotel getting up early. Outside seating is provided and a nice view it is as your eyes explore the park across the street. Diners enjoy menus that are comprised of in season vegetables and so forth. Mushroom Crepes are nicely prepared with a Watercress puree mmm so good. Diners can also try out the Octopus with comes with a savoury caramelized watermelon. Chef Bryan McGraw shows his excellent culinary skills with other dishes, and did i forget to mention desserts how about that panna cotta with plum puree so luscious.
(5)
Shani F.
I had a terrific dinner at a.kitchen last night. A really great, unusual Slovenian wine was perfect with the blue crab salad with pesto couscous. The strip steak was perfectly cooked. Trendoid fools can have the lame Serafina across the street - that makes it easy to get a table at the far superior a.kitchen ! It's not the cheapest table in town, but it's a worthy indulgence. I'd go more often if it were a smidge more affordable.
(5)
Heavi K.
Food was good. I like places that use portion control. Staff was knowledgeable and service was good/what should be expected. Chili swordfish was slightly dry, but still ok. more vegetable offerings for lunch would be a good addition.
(3)
Ellen F.
The bread and butter were good, and our water glasses were kept full. Four of us "dined" this evening at a.kitchen . We shared frisee salad with hash brown and poached egg, warm burrata with green peas and candied lemon, asparagus with artichokes, dressed blue crab with farro and pesto, chorizo stuffed calamari, shrimp grilled with chiles, seared striped bass, gnocchi gratin with smoked haddock, and leg of lamb. Not one dish was memorable. Seven spears of asparagus with two overcooked artichoke hearts, underwhelming. The lamb was overcooked. There was nothing discernible about the gnocchi gratin; there were no discernible gnocchi at all. There was nothing served to us that we could not easily prepare at home, with more satisfying results. A restaurant serving small plates should have tables large enough to accommodate all of the plates. Food was brought to the table with no serving utensils. We asked twice, and sat looking at hot food cooling until extra forks and spoons were brought. It seemed that bread was rationed. The initial basket contained 5 pieces, and we had to ask for more twice. The wine list offers nothing under $40. They are entitled to a reasonable mark-up, but there is a disconnect between wine prices and the quality level of food and service. A tasting amount was poured into one glass. Upon acceptance of the wine, the remaining three glasses received a normal pour. No additional wine was poured into the first glass. We chuckled at the lines on the glasses indicating 3oz. or 5oz. Are these training glasses? Condensation from the ac dripped onto two of our party. We pointed it out and our server wiped the ac vent. Granted, it was 100 degrees outside, but attention to ac details should have been paid. This was a pricey, mediocre experience. We will not be back.
(1)
Sally f.
very nice place. but the portions were too small for the price, and dont include a side. the bloody mary was watery : (
(3)
Alie A.
I have to say, I wasn't much of a fan! Came here for dinner not long ago for a celebratory dinner and found myself leaving with an empty wallet along with an empty stomach. Great wine selection and the menu appear to be appetizing, but dishes are small and not dignified enough to justify being priced at the rates they are. The warm field green salad was soaked in oil and felt like something I could have made in my kitchen with a clove of garlic and spinach. I will say that the mushroom stuff quail was amazing. We also had the corkscrew pasta with pancetta which was good but not mind blowing. Regardless, I'd give it another shot but not immediately. The ambiance is romantic and you're offered a great view of the park, yet the vibe is a little a haughty for my linking.
(3)
Rob W.
It's funny how the first time I try a new restaurant is always durning restaurant week. It was truly a last minute stop after Zahav and Amada couldn't accommodate us. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into especially when they only had a table in front of the open kitchen, but it turned out to be dinner and a show. Slicing, dicing, grilling, searing, whipping and a lot more verbs were going on in unison like a string quartet. I would dive into each dish but just trust me, it's all amazing. Skate Wing and the Cod were the highlights. The only reason I can't give it a 5 star rating is because it broke the bank. $200 for 2 people ordering off the restaurant week menu on a week night. They snuck in two $15 drinks at the end that was a surprise. You gotta shoot your customers straight or they won't come back, ya know..
(4)
Rob K.
We came here on a whim after not having a reservation at a couple of nearby restaurants where we attempted. There were 5 of us and we were all thrilled with our selections. We decided to order several plates for the table to share as the portions can be somewhat small. I ordered the duck breast and the octopus and both were delicious. I also tried the swordfish, striped bass, and the spaghetti with pepper, cheese and fried egg on top. Everything was delicious and the wine selections were on point. You can't go wrong with Italian wines.
(4)
Andrew K.
I've walked past this place a hundred times and have always said to myself that I need to stop in and check it out. I finally stopped in after a comedy show on a Saturday evening and sat right at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and very helpful in making cocktail and wine recommendations. As for food, we ordered the wild mushroom tart and the softshell crab dish. The softshell crab dish was amazing. There was just enough breading to still taste the crab and it was seasoned very well. The tart was also very good. This place is a little expensive, as 2 small plates and 2 drinks runs about $50 with tip, but a great experience nonetheless.
(4)
Anna Marie C.
i wanted to love it. i love the location, i love the friendly vibe that i got walking in the door. but the food was way darn overpriced. and although good--nothing special. i paid $6 for rolls? tiny tiny rolls? turnips for $7? that fit into a tiny bowl (and i couldn't taste the miso?) and wagyu steak... i think there were about 3 pieces on my plate. although tasty, i felt still half hungry and wanted to get a slice of pizza afterwards.
(2)
Dennis L.
I'm torn. This place is definitely a nice ritzy date place, with ritzy small quaint date like giant prices. The prices don't seem like deserve a 3 dollar sign price rating, until you realize, these are almost tapas sized servings. Each normal sized person, not that large, requires maybe 1.5 to 2 of these 15-20$ dishes to really get full. Don't get me wrong? The quality was great. The 4 of us shared the Lamb Meatballs (only 3, but delicious), the lamb loin (again only 3 pieces but cooked well with delicious sauce), chicken and gnochi (lo and behold, 4 pieces!!! but tender to almost the point of seeming fake, like chicken paste), some meatless creamy pasta not on the menu (tasted under cooked, but the garlic creamy pasta was amazing), 2 vegetable sides (zucchini - delicious, asparagus - meh). Including tax and tip, we each spent about $27. We left borderline full, but not really. Dinner #2 followed shortly thereafter.
(4)
David A.
I have now been back three times since my first visit earlier in the week. This place is incredible. Last night before the storm I was thinking comfort food: I had the pasta appetizer which has fresh long pasta with butter, grated cheese and salt. Not sure what else but incredibly light and delicious. A simple dish executed perfectly. Next I had the chorizo meatballs with calamari. Incredible flavor, not overly heavy and with a fantastic light red base. The staff is extremely friendly and top shelf. Great creative cocktails, outgoing chefs and knowledgable wait staff. And the owner, David, is always there ensuring great customer service and execution.
(5)
Vinny P.
I was rather pleased with my meal from A.kitchen . Service was on point, the space is small and fun and the food was prepared beautifully. I met up with a family friend who will be moving to Philadelphia very soon. She was in for work and then did some measurements to her new place. She requested early dinner, near Rittenhouse. We both began with a glass of rioja. They have both 3 and 5 oz pours of wine (not sure who only wants 3oz of wine, but whatever) They seem to have a very healthy bottle list. We started with the grilled halloumi and the roasted maitake mushrooms. Both were delicious and I highly recommend them. The mushrooms with the foam and polenta really blew me away. For dinner we ordered the crab cakes and the lamb loin. My lamb came a perfect medium (as requested) and the farro risotto was just plain delicious. They didn't skimp on the crab cakes either though I didn't love the potato salad with it. Even still, it was a lovely meal. I was glad we got in early. By around 6:30 the place started filling up and there wasn't an open seat in the house. The mains were a touch small for the price tag but if you're with light eaters, and want some well thought out combinations, this is your place.
(4)
Sara S.
The menu is amazing. There is a lot of innovation and creativity in the dishes. What's not okay is the price that they try to justify by calling dishes share plates. 25-40 dollars for a main dish that consists for 4 bites is over the top. The duck main course (cooked perfectly) came out with 2 little slivers of duck breast. High prices come with great food but I need more than an appetizers worth of food in return.
(3)
Antonio A.
our 36th wedding anniversary. we head to a.kitchen , one of our favorite places where you can sit at the chef's counter and watch the action. chef eli kulp and ellen yin have revamped the menu. and the food is excellent. here is what we enjoyed for our 36th. 'Ã Chablis,' Olivier de Moor, 2011, Chablis, a bottle is better than a glass Crispy Basque Peppers, kelp salt, spice of life Grilled Prawns, chili & scallion glaze, heads on Pork Cutlet, mustard greens, caper aioli, tender and delicious Deviled Skate, sambal, charred napa cabbage, very, very good Baked and Grilled Potatoes, togarashi buttermilk, my kind of tater paul our wait person was very nice, putting up with an old grumpy married couple.
(5)
YelpHatesMe Y.
Review is of the cheddar and bacon burger on house made English muffin, and was take out. GREAT burger! The quality of the meat was good and the sauce that they use was great. It came extra rare, which I LOVED! This inst really a big or hearty burger like Whiskey Village or Rouge but damn if it wasn't tasty. I'll be having more of these. Probably my favorite burger in Rittenhouse.
(5)
Michael U.
Dishes sampled included: Almond Croissant Counter Culture Coffee Gruyere Buns with Poached Eggs and Country Ham This meal was better titled "a disaster," from their somehow managing to fail to unlock the doors until 10 minutes after they were supposed to open to the fact that my 'server,' Adrienne managed to ignore me (and my coffee/water refills) until I actively called to her across the room - where only one other patron sat - to the bait and switch menu (no Bread Pudding French Toast despite the online menu) the only thing that could have saved AKA Rittenhouse's restaurant was the food... ...and it didn't. With an almond croissant I would swear was stale considering the way it flaked and cracked - not to mention the slathering of frangipane - to the fairly average Gruyere Buns which unfortunately lacked any flavor of the cheese but did support some nicely poached eggs and savory pork this was the sort of meal that could have been trumped with a Moons Over My-Hammy at Denny's...except for the coffee, which was actually quite nice...but at least at Denny's it would have been refilled by a person I felt deserved a tip; something I did not leave as Andrew Jackson's face seemed more than adequate.
(1)
Geoff S.
I arrived at the downtown hotel early and was hungry for a nice breakfast. Yelp, guided me to a.kitchen and I couldn't have been happier with what I was about to experience. As it was just little 'ol me, I was asked by the hostess if I wanted to sit up at the chef's table, a counter-style area facing the open kitchen. Seemed like a good suggestion to me! The server, Lee, was there promptly with water and asked if I wanted coffee. Yes, please - this came quickly and was very good, as were the frequent refill offers. I looked at the menu while watching one of the chef's at work in the kitchen. My pick for breakfast? Eggs Benedict - a classic and since they said they make their hollandaise sauce fresh, I had to try it. As a side note, their muffins are freshly made in-house too, and they are fantastic. By the time my eggs arrived, another chef was in the kitchen and since they weren't too busy, both were very responsive to my few questions and requests (another small tub of hollandaise sauce, please!?). It was a Saturday morning around 11am and I was, by this time, the only one at the counter-seating, so I thought questions were ok....... The Benedict was superb, the muffin perfect and the ham very well cooked. The hollandaise was outstanding atop the perfectly poached eggs. Love the decor of the place, the chef's table/counter seating, the menu and the service. These things, as well as being a short walk from our downtown hotel, will be bringing me back - probably soon and maybe for dinner too, this time!
(4)
Winnie S.
Great wine selection, interesting and thoughtful food, lunch service was a bit slow. Modern decor was elegant and refined, yet not stuffy, staff very friendly, however the kitchen was a bit too slow for the pace of a working lunch.
(3)
Xerxes N.
Grab a Stillwater Cellar Door beer and take a seat on their outdoor patio and enjoy the beautiful evening! They offer beers from the continental US and around the world. Enjoy the modern and cool restaurant views while catching beautiful people walking up and down the street. You can even enjoy a nice city like view while on the patio. The most appealing feature of this restaurant are the doors that serve as walls and when opened make for a combo indoor and outdoor restaurant. Definitely a cool spot to hang out and when I'm back in town again I plan to visit and eat!
(4)
Tina A.
I went here for the first time last week, after Eli Kulp overhauled the menu. It was sooooo good. The smell of the charcoal grill welcomes you when you enter the restaurant. I think the steak tartar was my favorite, but I also enjoyed the mussels, quail eggs and beets, and the clams. I'll definitely be going back soon!
(4)
Andrea T.
Hmm, I could have swore I wrote a review After they first opened I went here for brunch with three friends. Our service was horrible. So horrible that I had to actually ask for my food. Our blintzes came out burnt, not crisp, charred to be exact. Our server didn't even ask me if i wanted a refill on my mimosa which would have made his tip higher. On a brighter note there about twenty great places within ten steps of this sad establishment so save your self and just walk on by.
I made a reservation for brunch at 145. When I got there, they told me that they overbooked and needed the table at 230. I don't know about others, but when people have Sunday brunch with friends, the last thing they like being told is there is a 45 minute time limit to their meal. I will definitely not be coming back here given the numerous other options.
(1)
Erica M.
a.kitchen was very good this time around. The space is beautiful and the service is excellent. I came with a friend for restaurant week. This is one of the few restaurants in which restaurant week is a GOOD deal. Our dishes, if purchased on a "regular" night, would have cost upwards of $50 per person, plus alcohol. So the restaurant week price of $35 was excellent. The food was quite tasty - started with the shrimp, then the fluke, then the hen of the woods mushrooms, and finished with the olive oil cake. My friend did the shrimp, chorizo meatballs, roasted chicken, and olive oil cake. The flavors of all the dishes were very good, and everything was cooked perfectly. But I must say, I don't know if I would've been thrilled had I paid full price. As many others have said, it's expensive and the portions are small. The wines and cocktails are expensive (though I did learn last night that they are all organic). The only time I am okay with expensive and small is if the flavors are truly mindblowing, and a.kitchen's just weren't. I am excited to see the changes made after Eli Kulp gets his hands on the menu...given that High Street on Market is our favorite restaurant, I will definitely revisit a.kitchen after Chef Kulp makes modifications. This place has huge potential - gorgeous decor, excellent servers, and perfect location!
(4)
Liz H.
A.mazing brunch. French toast was melt-in-your mouth incredible, as was the steel cut oatmeal with caramelized bananas. I don't know what a vegetarian scrapple is, but it was salty, crunchy outside, creamy inside, delicious. We sat on the sidewalk (side by side; perfect for people-watching) and thoroughly enjoyed every bite and every second. Couldn't ask for a better brunch spot.
(5)
Jason H.
Went to a.kitchen for a late dinner with my GF. Sat at the kitchen bar, which is always a cool scene in any restaurant; this was no exception. Ordered a few items, including skate wing. When the skate arrived, it had the unmistakeable smell of ammonia. Upon further research, I discovered that while this can be caused by the beginning of decomposition (old fish) it is also a problem for any fish in the shark family; apparently skate falls in this category. Sharks, I found out, urinate through their skin, and apparently (especially larger fish) can have this ammonia smelling/tasting problem if not properly soaked in a bicarbonate bath prior to cooking. So, the fish was either old, or not prepared properly. We brought this to the manager's attention, at which time he said it was the "brown butter" and not the fish. We sent it back anyway, and got a substitute. Toward the end of the meal, they switched servers for our table (it was just getting to closing time) and the new server was rather rude, and clearly thought a great deal of herself. When the check came, I was surprised to find no consideration for the problem we had, whatsoever. I wrote to the e-mail on the restaurant's website, and recounted the same tale as you are reading now, and have yet to hear anything by phone or e-mail after more than a week. Pretty poor all around, and after two visits to a.kitchen , we won't be returning. A.shame. -J
(1)
Marianna L.
LOVED A.kitchen . Had lunch outside last week, and am so happy with my choice. Although prices are a bit steep for lunch (I guess it is just the area it is in) the portion size is decent, and the quality is top-notch. I got the speck and brie sandwich. It was like an adult grilled cheese and ham! The mustard that it was sitting in on the plate was the perfect accompaniment to give it a kick! The pickled veggies on the side were also a nice, tangy element. The seemingly home made potato chips were perfectly salted and crispy. I would definitely go back!
(4)
David S.
The food here was really disappointing for the price. Of the 4 courses my GF and I had only one was worth coming back for. The fish was downright terrible. Bright spot was my cocktail which was actually really good. Go for drinks and wine, pass on the food.
(2)
Leigh S.
Went here for Restaurant Week to try out a new location and it was awesome! Definitely not for groups, but the food was great and the wine list EXTENSIVE. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)
Rachel W.
Positive - service was great. Friendly, attentive, all good! Disappointing - The food was so-so and the prices were high. I had the brunch bagel with salmon, onion, tomato and herb creamcheese. Their idea of toasting a bagel is to grill it. The onion was a white onion cut about half an inch thick. Overall I would not go back.
(2)
Rachel S.
My friend and I stopped in to a.kitchen for an early dinner tonight and were excited we were able to walk in and sit down without a wait! First off, this is not somewhere I would suggest coming to for an "experience." I was not overly impressed with the decor and the place is small. My intent was to have a great meal with a friend and it delivered completely. We ordered the cheese plate first which would probably be the only "eh" part of the meal. SUPER small amount for the price tag. I would skip even though it was delicious. The rest of our portions were so big and I was so surprised. We were told we probably needed about 5 plates between the two of us and we absolutely could have each gotten a salad and shared one plate and had been full. No worries! We got to try more things and they were all delicious. My friend and I both got the Baby Arugula Salad, Shaved Mushrooms, Bresaola with Lemon Vinaigrette which was potentially one of the best salads I have had in the city. Salty, light and filling all at the same time. SO SO GOOD. We shared the Roasted Red Snapper with Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage and the Blue Crab Salad with Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto which were both awesome as well. The snapper was seasoned perfectly and the blue crab was ice cold and they did not skimp on the crap part whatsoever. Nothing worse than a luke warm, mayonaise-y blue crab salad. We went on to share the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi and by this time we were super full but still kept picking! The chicken was tender and the gnocchi and other little nibbles on the plate were delicious. I would recommend this as a whole meal for someone as well. We also had a plate of the Spaghetti Carbonara which I would say was a super small portion and could have done without it based on fullness and because it was just so-so. All in all I can't wait to go back here. The service was not lacking, the food rocked and the location perfect. Yum!
(5)
Kate B.
I recently stopped in here to get out of the heat . My friend and I were too late for brunch and too early for dinner. However - we had a couple cocktails and Michael the bartender was so friendly and helpful. He went over the wine list made some good recommendations also gave us some pointers about Philly. Hope to go back soon for dinner!
(4)
Timothy D.
A perfect spot for 2 people to sit, chat, eat, and watch the world go by. Great staff, a menu that does no wrong, and excellent cocktails make for a very good time. Clean and simple and classy through and through.
(4)
Sarah A.
While the food was good, it wasn't on par with the prices or balanced out by the portion sizes. The quiche was overcooked, the vegetarian scrapple more like fried tofu than any sort of scrapple, and the waitstaff seemed a bit unkempt (stringy, unwashed hair, particularly noticeable at brunch on a holiday). I, as were those I dined with, was disappointed with the experience.
(2)
Justin C.
Decent brunch, underwhelmed by the food for the price. Coffee was VERY strong, didn't finish a whole cup. We got an English muffin egg and cheese sandwich, which was good but not great, eggs Benedict which again was good but not great, and the mushroom scrapple which was bland and more of a cornmeal cake with mushroom than it was scrapple. On the positive side the food came out fairly quickly. Will not be returning.
(2)
Samantha B.
I have a thing for coffee shops. When I was working across the park and took the train into work every day, I would stop at a different coffee shop every week to find my favorite. A.cafe wins. Hands down. I seem to be the only person in the city who's discovered that you can walk up to the bar and get a coffee to go. I'm not complaining. There is never a line like at many other coffee joints in the area, commercial or independently owned (cough La Colombe). The coffee is the same price as say..Dunkin Donuts, and incredible. And it makes me feel like I'm in Europe. If I've ever been to Europe. They present your coffee with your own personal tray complete with milk, sugar, and a spoon. It makes you feel pretty rich. Rich as in luxurious. I also tend to make friends with strangers. I like strangers a lot. When I was going to a.cafe regularly, I knew the entire bar staff. We were 'friends.' In the most meaningless sense of the word. But still. They bought me coffee often. I loved it. When I stopped taking the train in and a.cafe wasn't on my route to work, I started coming on Saturday or Sunday mornings and having breakfast by myself at the bar. It's become my thing. Most recently I ordered a simple 2 poached eggs with potatoes and an english muffin with jam. You get your own little jar of jam. As if I needed any more convincing. I also gave in and shared my secret coffee hideaway and took a couple of my friends who were in town visiting for brunch. Was just as cozy and classy as always. A.kitchen is my special little place. Will be interesting how their expansion into Kiehl's turns out.
(4)
Kristen F.
Two friends and I went here for girl's night out. It was a Yelp says "A-OK." The highlight dish for the group was the the Taleggio and Wild Mushroom Crêpe with Forest Mushroom Gravy. Also highlights - Smoked Octopus, Curried Lentils, and Clementine & Braised Short Rib and Ricotta Gnocchi Gratin. Surprisingly, the dish I felt was touted the most - the Lamb Bolognese - was underwhelming. Also to note, the hostess was super friendly and went so far as helping us into our coats (I noticed, unless it's a different girl, that she got a lot of slack on Yelp.) Our waiter was so-so, in terms of friendliness and timing. I wouldn't run back to A.kitchen , but I would definitely go back!
(3)
Christine B.
I wanted to love this place, but I wouldn't say I do. I went for lunch with co-workers. We had all been wanting to try it because its around the corner from the office. We sat inside, but all the windows were open so that was nice. It was surprisingly pretty empty at 1pm. I had the blue crab salad. It was really tasty, but a little heavy on the mayo, and really small. Other people got sandwiches, the chorizo with calamari, and the veal ragu. Everyone enjoyed their food, but the bill came to about $28 per person. That's a pretty expensive lunch for relatively small portions. I didn't have any issues with the service, the waitress was nice, and checked back with us a couple times to see if we needed anything.
(3)
Jonny R.
Though it wasn't a perfect visit, I think I need to indicate that this pace certainly outshines others that I rated with the same original score.
(5)
Nicole H.
Just stopped in for a small snack - I had the Pork Belly Risotto Fritters ($9). The plate came with 3 fried balls filled with risotto (it really was more like plain rice) and pork along with a spicy mayo-based sauce. The fritters were very good and the sauce was a fantastic addition. Sitting at the kitchen bar I was able to see a lot of the different menu items prepared. The dishes definitely seemed a little small, but given the location and quality the prices aren't too too high. They're serving free alcohol til the liquor license comes through (not sure how long this is going on), which is a great deal. The staff is welcoming and friendly and the atmosphere is very modern and chic. Definitely give it a try!
(4)
Jane P.
Came here with my friend to try the place out. Got a reservation in with the infamous "super bitchy" tiny Asian hostess HAHAHA no, she's actually VERY nice and friendly to guests. AAAAAnnnd also my younger sister. =P We got a spot at the chef's counter which was really neat because watching them prepare the dishes was so much fun! We were intent on just a few dishes and a drink and then would go to a bar after, but we ended up getting some extra dishes and they were all so delicious. I especially loved the Octopus with watermelon. BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Its always a plus when you see the managers on the floor paying attention to the guests and helping out whenever they can. The place can get very loud, but it is overall a nice place to eat in Rittenhouse. The popular drink they had was a blue drink, I forgot the name of it, but it was good. I'm just not a fan of Malibu. We were stuffed afterwards, but had a great time and would love to come back to try more dishes.
(5)
Colleen U.
To start, cappuccino, looked beautiful, tasted delicious, but was not hot. My eggs Benedict, were the best I have ever had, the eggs were poached to perfection and the homemade English muffins where amazing. My husbands eggs and flank stake were amazing as well. My daughter's monkey bread pancakes were wonderful as well as the parfait. My only negatives would have to be for the atmosphere. Lighting on the dark side, especially the bathroom!! And for a noisy place as it is, the music was loud and not relaxing for a Sunday morning.
(4)
Jemma C.
Overall this was "Meh". Food was average at best, table was way too small for 3ppl, staff lacked any real menu or wine knowledge. Way too many restaurants in Philly to ever warrant a return visit here. Not for me.
(3)
Amy J.
The menu looks delicious, and they have a great wine selection, but the portions are just not there for the price. I made the mistake of bringing out of towners here for dinner and we left still hungry after a hefty bill. I won't go back unless it's for dessert only.
(2)
Mathew P.
Cocktails were amazing, try the rule of thumb! Food was very good, how ever I did leave hungry. Very small portions Executed very well. Siting at the chef rail was a fun experience
(3)
Suzanne G.
This was my favorite meal in Philly last week. I went because of Yelp, also it has a great location - just off the Rittenhouse Square. Sit at the Chef's Bar if you are a group of three or less, you can see all the action. Beets & Broccoli was just okay, could use a little more flavor. The Honey Yogurt was just that: some honey on one side of the plate and yogurt on the other. However, the other two dished I tried: Blue Crab with Farro Salad and the Almond Macaroons were amazing. I can't stop thinking about the simple, refreshing, perfectly complimentary flavors that made up these dishes. I'm not sure why Yelp says just wine & beer. I tried the Renata (Tequila, Rum, Cointreau, Maraschino, Lemon). I like the description better than the actual drink.
(4)
Matt C.
A lot has been said about this place, but simply put: it's good. The food is good; the ambiance is good; the service is good; and it's obvious a lot of thought went into preparing the menus. Yes, it's a little expensive than other choices, but it's also a little nicer than other choices and the attention to detail means it's incredibly rare to find anything disappointing. It's not a bargain, and the portion sizes aren't huge, but surely a classy and tasty restaurant, in which it is a pleasure to dine and which presents a variety of interesting options has it's place in the rich pantheon of Rittenhouse Square restaurants. I suspect I'll be back more than once, never ordering the same thing twice.
(4)
Meredith B.
Decent lunch - Standard. Breakfast is the way to go here. Smoked Salmon Crispy Bagel Napoleon was refreshingly lite and different.
(3)
Holly T.
a.kitchen was one of those places it took us forever to try, even though we walk by all the time, but we're so glad we finally did. More often than not, we just pop in for a drink and snack at the bar. They do wine, beer, and cocktails well, so you can't go wrong, whichever your preference. A few drinks and a cheese plate or appetizer at the bar hit the spot on our walk home from work. In addition to our bar experiences, we truly enjoyed our one dinner here so far. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share, and our server was pleasantly flexible in negotiating how to course them, as well as leaving us the freedom to order more as we went along rather than having to decide on everything at once. Some of the dishes we tried include scallops with blood orange, asparagus with shitake, beets and goat cheese, chili shrimp, and venison. The venison and scallops were especially memorable. I love that their menu changes so often; those particular dishes are long gone, replaced by new dishes we look forward to trying. I find the wine by the glass selection here to be one of my favorites in town; the Morgon and Chinon were both perfect food-friendly wines with dinner. We also had an amazing dessert wine, Barolo Chinato, paired with our chocolate panna cotta. From the outside, I had imagined a.kitchen to be a bit more casual. I'm not necessarily disappointed to find that it was fancier than I expected, it just means it's more in "special occasion" territory when it comes to dinner. It was absolutely worth it, though, and we will definitely be back.
(4)
Claire R.
This was such a weird, bad, and dirty (or dusty) experience. A friend and I snagged an outdoor table for an afterwork drink and bite. I was looking forward to trying it because I had passed it and liked the overall aesthetic. But my first sip of A. Kitchen was disgusting. There was a light film of dust/ dirt on the water. The server didn't apologize and seemed relatively unconcerned but did bring me a new water along with my wine and quickly disappeared. Before drinking I checked both of them and noticed the same film. However, we were unable to get her attention again. She was rarely seen for the next 45 minutes or so except for one one or two occasions when she she would walk to the opposite side of tables and stand around giggling and talking. We tried to make eye contact but she would promptly turn her back to us before we could motion for her to come over. Finally someone who appeared to be a manager based on how he was dressed seemed to sense our frustration or notice our attempts to get our server's attention. He asked us if everything was okay at which point we explained that our server had disappeared and there was a dusty film on our drinks. He indicated that he would be back and I fully expected him to return with either a comped check or an apology. Instead he dropped a check in front of us and disappeared. We were charged for our dirty drinks. Rather than waste another 30 minutes trying to get someone's attention and not expecting anything to come of our complaint, we decided to cut our losses, threw cash down on the table to cover the check and headed to another place for drinks and dinner. I will never, ever go here again and have saved a few friends and business acquaintances from the bad experience by vetoing suggested meals or lunch meetings here.
(1)
Jillian P.
On Memorial Day at 11:10 AM, my husband and I walked up to the hostess and asked how long it would take to be seated outside (we were with our 2 small dogs). She said 20 minutes, possibly sooner, and that the only party ahead of us just sat down. She asked for our name and number; she would call when our table was ready. We walked to Rittenhouse Square (1/4 block) and waited. And waited. By 11:30, we walked back to the restaurant to check on our reservation. Before we saw anything else, we noticed that every single table had completely new patrons. And the hostess was cleaning off another table for someone else. We turned around, went to Parc and had an amazing meal at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Maybe A.kitchen should hire A.hostess who knows how to hostess? Regardless, I'll never go back. What a terrible way to treat customers.
(1)
S L.
Enjoyed a really tasty lunch today at A.Kitchen and the food was good enough that I'd go back again for sure. The service was a bit off. We had to ask for ice twice, and we ordered coffee for dessert that never came (not the end of the world, I know), but other than that, lunch was great. I'd like to go back for dinner at some point.
(4)
Ronna L.
Meh. I'm adding a.kitchen to my growing list of Rittenhouse restaurants that are overpriced and overrated. No egregious violations here--the food was decent, the service was okay, and the decor was nice. But I prefer to have my mind (and taste buds) blown when I drop this much cash at a restaurant, and suffice it to say, I left a. kitchen with my head still very much intact. Expect to order two plates if you're hungry. The menu changes frequently, I'm told, but last night, we sampled the spaghetti bolognese, pasta carbonara, cheese plate, lamb loin and octopus. All were just fine, with the octopus (thick, well-seasoned tentacles) being the best of the bunch. Drinks are also more expensive than they should be (there's no reason you should pay $7 for a bottle of Bell's Oberon, even if it is one of the most refreshing summer beers around). No plans on going back to a.kitchen anytime soon, unless someone else is paying. After a mediocre dinner experience, we didn't even bother with dessert and headed over to Insomnia Cookies for a mint chocolate chip cookie instead.
(3)
Ben P.
Meh. I was unimpressed. This joint is weird. Dressed up very nicely with a lot of focus on atmosphere and presentation, but they kind of forgot about the whole 'food' part of a restaurant. Tables are way too close together. Sorry you were limited by space, but I don't like my brunch being assaulted (warning:incoming pun alert) by asses on both sides as people get up and sit down. Service was pretentious and insincere. How hard is it to say "Are you enjoying everything" instead of "Does your meal evoke all that you miss about your childhood?" Frankly Jareth, it might have it it wasn't lukewarm. C'mon, son! Portions were a bit on the tiny side, too. Don't misread that as "me big fat 'Merican, want eggs benedict with anaconda egg", they were just being cheap. And cheap this place isn't. It isn't super expensive, either, but I would have had hot food and service that didn't conjure up a desire to give someone a wedgie and a swirlie from The Penrose. Try Parc, up the street. Parc is doing well what A Kitchen meant to do.
(3)
Chris M.
I wandered in here with a coworker by complete accident and left impressed. I ordered from the Restaurant Week menu and my culinary ADHD was satisfied. I started with grilled radicchio and wild mushroom toast. The toast was battered and fried and delicate in flavor which balanced nicely with the radicchio and sauce. The sweetbreads were cooked just right and had a crunchy exterior and velvety texture. The slaw in top was one of those rare treats that I could eat everyday and not grow tired of. I also had smoked cod goat cheese cake which were both tasty and a good mix with the first two courses, but not quite as memorable. The service was excellent. If I lived in this town, I'd be here often (and significantly heavier...).
(5)
J.M. O.
Stumbled on it for a Saturday brunch and came away extremely pleased.good and attentive service,excellent coffee,beautiful homemade English Muffins and eggs,Great for vegetarians. A very good brunch and would go back in a heartbeat.
(4)
Jean R.
I have eaten here quite a few times but this was my first experience since the menu changed substantially (earlier this spring) and unfortunately I give the change a thumbs down. I used to think of it as a place to get a number of delicious healthy options, but yesterday at lunch I had a hard time finding anything that wasn't heavy/fatty/fattening on the menu. I ordered the beet salad and it was "ok"--way more cabbage than beets (where's the beet!") and the dressing had a bottled French dressing quality. Also, the whole restaurant smelled like a kitchen fire (or should I say A.kitchenfire). The service and atmosphere (not counting the smoky smell) was just as lovely as it used to be. Unfortunately though, I am taking this one out of the rotation.
(3)
Travis E.
Just.... Ok. I don't mind spending money on good food, but it really wasn't worth the price. Service was great.
(3)
Srishti D.
Cute little place with some amazing cocktails and food. I had the bershire pork lion with tunisian and moscow mule and it was incredible!
(4)
Alex M.
Food was good, but fairly overpriced for what you get. Service is OK. Try the Blue crab salad.
(3)
Catherine H.
Pretend like you're European and eat outside on the sidewalk. Get the chicken sandwich at lunch. Veggie dishes tasty but tiny.
(4)
Carrie J.
I've been several times for brunch, but the first time I visited a.kitchen was for dinner and I was so impressed I came back several times for brunch. I can count on this restaurant for a consistently tasty meal and prompt service. Many months ago I came here to meet with some friends for drinks but since we were sitting at the open kitchen, the action and the aroma encouraged us to order meals. Although I am not the biggest fan of mussels, I ordered the moules frites. The mussels were tasty and cooked perfectly (search David Lebovitz's blog for the importance of having properly prepared mussels). But the thing that really impressed me was the authenticity of curry sauce that came with the fries. Upon tasting it, it transported me back to my short weekend in Brussels, where, of course, I had frites with curry sauce. a.kitchen reproduced the perfect Belgian experience. I am hoping this dish will make a reappearance on their menu again. The stand-out meal that I have had for brunch was the chorizo and queso fresco pancakes with sriracha-maple syrup. It was inventive, delicious, and filling. The chorizo and cheese were blended in the batter to produce beautifully fluffy hotcakes. The clean lines make the space look modern, while the small size and wood elements make the interior very comfortable. It doesn't get very noisy even though you will be very close to your neighbors. I am looking forward to trying their brunch hamburger called the "Death Star."
(5)
Dina B.
On the whole, we enjoyed our dining experience at a.kitchen . There were pluses and minuses. I thought the hostess had a difficult attitude, so I was wary when we arrived. However, the exceptional service we had during the meal made up for that. The service really was great. No matter who was our assigned server, everyone in the restaurant helped in some way. This was a real plus as dishes did not sit, the check did not sit, and we received a lot of attention. The atmosphere is a bit challenging. It is a small, busy place, with one or two more tables than it should have. The server for the table next to us had to squish between our two tables. It was frenetic and loud. The food is excellent. The plates are on the smaller size, but priced appropriately. Expect to order two to three dishes per person. We started with a salad with blue cheese and pears. The salads were large and extremely tasty. We then had one scallop dish - perfectly prepared -- and the lamb bolognese, which was exceptional. For dessert, we had the pound cake. A perfect size grilled with ice cream. I would return to a.kitchen . There are so many competing restaurants in the area, but this really stood out to me.
(3)
Emily K.
"We went there for brunch on my [mom's/sister's/girlfriend's] birthday." That about says it all. Charming and modern interior, servers nervously formal enough to satisfy even the most uppity of Rittenhouse grandmothers, brunch dishes that will certainly do the job and a location that basically explains the validity of the above statement. But when it comes down to it, the brunch is just okay.
(3)
Sean H.
Having walked by this place tons of times, I finally went last night with a friend. We sat at the chef's viewing bar area thingy, which was super entertaining. It was so cool to watch them do their thing right before your eyes, not to mention you got plenty of advance warning when your food was on the way. We had the asparagus salad, an order of the spicy fried potatoes, and the grilled octopus with curried lentils. All of the above were quite delicious, especially the octopus. It was funny...one chef made our order, then another came behind her and took a good handful out of the dish before rearranging the garnish and sending it out. I guess she was a little too generous with the octopus. Drinks here were good. I recommend the Moravian, which has bourbon, cucumber, bitters, and one other ingredient that is escaping me. It's quite tasty and approachable.
(4)
Karol S.
I agree with others' reviews that the staff lacks energy and enthusiasm. However, let's talk about the food. We started with the halloumi cheese. It is served with a few pieces of lettuce and some shreds of pickled onions. It contains two thin strips of halloumi (each about 2.5 inches long). The portion of this appetizer was surprisingly small, but I didn't get hung up on it. ...until I got my entree, chilli-glazed swordfish with white beans and black olive paste. We chuckled at the size of the plate and portion of my meal. It contained 4 small cubes of swordfish (each cube of protein was about half a squared inch), and I could probably have counted the number of white beans with both hands. Yes, tops 10 individual pieces of bean. I laughed but the taste was fabulous. My partner had the fettucini with pork bolognese, topped with a perfect amount of shredded parmesan cheese. Also small portion but satisfying to the taste buds. We shared the upside down plum cake with orange caramel and some roasted almonds. Two small triangular pieces...but we were glad it was more than a bite for each. I would say that you pay for the good taste of the food, not necessarily for the portions. Everything seemed sort of tapas-sized, although that is not explicitly (or implicitly) described. I wouldn't go there if I was really really hungry, unless I planned to order an appetizer, entree, and dessert, all for myself. The reason I complain about the portions is primarily b/c I'm used to restaurant serving an incredible amount of food, regardless of how fancy/trendy and upscale they aim to be. I think a.kitchen provides an air of the portions we all attempt to eat (and/or should be eating). The portions really are comparable to what you would have consumed had you prepared your own dinner. However, because you are eating out, you naturally expect to splurge and indulgence and over-consume. That is still doable at akitchen if it is what you're looking for---you simply have to order more than you would elsewhere. Even the bread (which was only served upon request) is tiny. The waitress brought a sliced dinner roll, whose diameter was really no large than 1 inch. I didn't mind. It's better than having eaten an entire basket of bread a-la-Parc, but still...it was humorous. Just go knowing that everything comes in unexpectedly small portions, but the taste of food is certainly strong. You will not be disappointment by flavor and presentation.
(4)
Nicolaus U.
Great place for brunch. Amazing Monkey Bread French Toast.
(5)
Douglas A.
This is a wonderful spot in a great location next to Rittenhouse Square. The service is excellent and the menu is innovative and fresh. This should be on everyone's list of restaurants in the city. The bar is outstanding and they can mix any drink or pour any wine or beer you would like. I had a wilted lettuce salad that was excellent with a ranch dressing that was both subtle and tart. My entree was an free range chicken breast with garlic smashed potatoes and I had a side of the grilled asparagus. Wow it was great. The dessert was "meh" so that is why they get a 4 rather than a 5 star rating. The service was attentive but not hovering over us. I also enjoyed being able to watch the chefs prepare our dinner. Yumb factor is quite high here!
(4)
Jennifer I.
Went here to eat brunch on a last-min whim (orig was gonna go to Hip City Veg, which is around the corner). It was a gorgeous day and they placed us at a table that was basically in between indoors and outdoors, so it was perfect. We shared a grapefruit juice, which was refreshing and an eye-opener. I got the crispy shrimp. Expected some shrimp placed over grits, but was surprised to see it deconstructed. The crispy shrimp was on a separate plate, and garnished abundantly w/ grilled scallions and some watermelon radish. The shrimp was perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor--I ate the whole thing (except the head). The grits were in a separate plate; can't comment too much on the grits. They were on the coarser side, not cheesy. Both the shrimp and grits were drizzled a little too much w/ buffalo/hot sauce, which I did NOT appreciate. My bf got the tuna melt sammy. It looked good, but I'm not the biggest fan of tuna so I didn't try it. Service was excellent, except when the waitress poured water into my glass and didn't notice that the water hit my phone.
(4)
Matt K.
Nestled in the heart of bustling Rittenhouse Square, this place even has outdoor tables, where the people watching on a weekday for lunch is outstanding. Even though you feel completely detached from the restaurant itself, the service is fantastic, as at least two people seem to be watching over the outdoor tables at all times. The food is the invention of Eli Kulp, who has won many awards for Fork and the place next door. He keeps having success after success. He was also badly hurt in the Amtrak crash and we wish him well. The food here was inventive and very very good, with a few caveats. The onion soup with burrata in it was amazing! So many beautiful flavors, and the burrata added an interesting element, the "cream" to a non-cream soup. The broccoli and grain salad, although great flavors, the grains were incredibly tough and chewy. The barley was not thoroughly cooked and although this seemed intentional, it was a bit gummy and very chewy. The burger was very tasty, but raw in the middle. (I had asked for medium) I didn't send it back because it was a locally sourced beef which I considered safe. All in all a great experience, would love to try dinner and sample more of the menu.
(4)
Jacqueline O.
Nom nom. what can I say. Top eats: -kale salad (better then it sounds) -hamachi -side of mushrooms -spice cauliflower -wagyu steak
(5)
Julie G.
I was pretty disappointed with my lunch here. Started off with the carrot salad, and then I got the eggplant sandwich. The carrots were way under cooked and far too crunchy to my liking. Practically raw. The eggplant parm sandwich was also underwhelming. There were several small pieces of deeply Fried eggplant. I would preferred one large piece of lightly fried eggplant. The french fries were good, but it's not that hard to make good french fries. Service was very slow. They even gave us a free grilled lettuce to apologize for the slow service, but I was not a fan of that dish either. The only reason I give it two stars is because my friend ordered the beef tartare, and he said that was very good. Sadly I will not return.
(2)
Doina N.
A.kitchen is one my favorite places to grab a bite of pretty decent food in the Rittenhouse square. Yes, food is very expensive for the portions they serve. I guess they have their own clientele who can really afford it. In my case, I'd like to go there for a couple of bites and enjoy their drinks. On my last visit, I tried their grass-fed beef tartare which caught my eyes pretty fast. Extremely amazing. It came with crispy, nicely cooked potato skins. Cocktails are pretty delicious as well. They taste very light but are full of rich flavors and the alcohol kicks in quite well. My favorite is Ashes to Ashes. Also, they are known to have a great selection of wines from around the world. Their wine glasses have two measurements in case you're trying to either save money (lol) or if you're trying to go easy on drinking for the occasion. Service is really great. Waiters have been all great. Same goes for the bartenders in case you like to sit by the bar.
(4)
Mike W.
I never experienced a.Kitchen before it was revamped by Eli Kulp and Ellen Yin, but I can imagine it was not nearly as good then as it is now. My fiance took me here on my birthday as part of my present and in order to pay up on a bet we had. We grabbed a cocktail at the small bar just inside the door and watched the skilled bartenders work their magic. They arent the fastest around, but they take great care in making the drinks. And the two of them that we ordered off the bat were on point. The Ashes to Ashes was a delicious concoction of Fernet Branca, rosemary honey, lemon and ginger. It was sweet, but not overly so, and the perfect way to prepare my palate for the deliciousness that was about to incur. We were lucky enough to be able to score some seats at the chefs counter around the open kitchen. Its always fun for me to sit so close to the kitchen and watch the chefs work because they are really talented. We started with some crisps provided by the kitchen before our onslaught of dishes began arriving. First up was the spiced cauliflower with black garlic and avocado. What an incredibly delicious dish. It was crispy as hell and the flavor of the black garlic sauce was intense. The hamachi crudo came next and it was just as good as the cauliflower. The tender and fresh fish was served over crispy rice cakes and a schmear of spicy mustard. The crunch factor from the rice cake was a nice contrast from the fish and provided a bit of Asian flair to the dish. The burrata and the duck scrapple came up next. The duck scrapple was probably my least favorite bite of the evening. It came with a soft cooked yolk and watercress with sweet peppers. I thought the texture of the scrapple was off. It was kind of crumbly and very dry. The yolk was very rich, but almost too much to save the scrapple that was already very rich. The burrata was light, refreshing and creamy beyond words. It came with a delicious creamy beet soup, fresh dill and trout roe. The combination of flavors was great. The flavors em-parked by the custom grill at a.Kitchen are phenomenal. These flavors really came through even more on the next three dishes. The first of which was a special for the evening, head on grilled shrimp with a chimichurri sauce on top. The shrimp were grilled just enough to leave a charcoal flavoring to them, and they were still very tender. The duck breast had been rendered down perfectly leaving the duck moist and flavorful. The xo sauce and Brussels sprouts really rounded out the charred flavors of the dish beautifully. I really wish there was more Brussels sprouts though. There simply needed to be more on the plate for me. The best use of the charred flavoring was with the grilled leeks. They caught both my eye and my fiance's right off the bat. The came charred, served with a green chili romesco sauce and smoked marcona almonds. The flavor was sublime. It was one of the best veggie dishes I have had in recent memory. The flavor from the sauce and the textural change with the crunch of the almonds was a fantastic pairing. I was really looking forward to dessert because I know how good the creations of Sam Kincaid can be because I have fallen in love with them at Fork and High Street on Market. She is a whiz with both savory and sweet elements in dessert, and the one that we chose definitely excelled at both levels. It was a wheat pound cake, with peach curd, peach struesel and caraway-rye ice cream. What a powerful combination! The ice cream definitely tasted like you were eating a piece of rye bread. It kept things from getting too sweet, and it was one of those things that seriously just has you thinking for weeks afterward. It was so well done. I will definitely be back because the vibe here is great and the food is phenomenal.
(4)
Barry S.
I cook all the time over charcoal, so I was excited to stumble across this place while hunting for a dinner place near our hotel on Rittenhouse square. Our party consisted of a 5-year-old child, two parents, and a grandmother. To some, it seems strange to take a child to fine dining, but we have done this many times. It was nice that nobody gave us strange looks bringing a child into the restaurant, which has happened on a small fraction of those occasions. That said, the menu was the the least child friendly of all of the 20 or 30 fancy restaurants we have taken her to. I understand that we are not the target market for such a restaurant. But let me then make a suggestion: don't then bill the plating as "family-style". There was nothing at the restaurant for a child to entertain herself. I figure at least a small sheet for coloring and a 4-pack of crayons is not very expensive and easy to store somewhere. (A "Roys" location once gave her a Hawaiian themed activity book and a free choice of a toy from a treasure chest by the door that she played with for half of our visit.) There was nothing very child friendly on the menu, even for our adventurous child who had eaten raw oysters just the day before. We asked if a chef could make something simple -- grilled-cheese, say, or even a suggestion about something that might work -- and we were simply rebuffed. The portion sizes seemed small compared to the giant portions so common in the US. But they seemed good to me. Grandmother eats very little, and hearing this, our server had a good idea about how much food would fill us up. I don't like having so much food that I must decide between getting stuffed or boxing up leftovers. The appetizers we chose were pretty excellent -- a yummy fried cauliflower appetizer, and tender grilled octopus. The entrees and sides were disappointing. The pork chop ordered by grandmother was extremely fatty, the duck was pretty typical duck -- nothing exciting -- and the richness of the mushrooms was lost in the richness of the other elements of the dish. My branzino was well cooked and very good, so I was the lucky one in our group. Fortunately, because the meal is family style, my wife got some. But grandma didn't want any. We sat outside in front of the restaurant, a very pleasant seating arrangement if you like people-watching, and even with the city bustle it was much quieter than inside the restaurant. I think we were visited by three different servers; they work as a team. They were friendly, attentive, and knowledgable about food. With the multitude of seemingly excellent restaurants in the area to explore, I won't choose this one again for some time.
(3)
Ayesha R.
Great food. Great ambiance. Decent service. Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because service was a bit slow. Came here during lunchtime during Restaurant Week and got the $20 deal. The burger was nice and juicy. The carrot salad was unusual but tasty. And you can never go wrong with a chocolate dessert!
(4)
Steve M.
On a whim I tried a.kitchen after finding it here on Yelp. Got lucky with a cancellation, and got right in on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for brunch with the wife and in-laws. Had the stuffed French toast paired with 2 eggs scrambled. Have to admit that it didn't look like much quantity-wise, but when I put my fork down I was as stuffed as the French toast, and had all but licked my plate clean, it was that good! Atmosphere-wise the place is "clean", properly lit, and not too crowded. The smell from the grill making use of a real wood fire is amazing (if you like that sort of thing) and I'm sure that anything in the red-meat category coming from that grill would have been fantastic as well. Great place, fantastic staff and food, and highly recommended: go here!!
(4)
Yolanda A.
We went here for dinner for our first time during restaurant week last Friday and LOVED it! The restaurant week menu was four courses each and everything was delicious. My favorite was the intermediate course which was a creamy burrata in a savory onion broth. I also really enjoyed the spiced cauliflower. It had this creamy avocado sauce and really interesting black garlic that I couldn't get enough of. Everything else was also delicious and has convinced us to visit more often. Our server Roldine was friendly and helpful and really helped to make our experience so fantastic. The Sommelier, Marielle (sp?), was also kind and genuine as she helped us pick out a fabulous bottle of wine to pair with our meal. We loved everything about this restaurant including the ambiance, the friendly (and beautiful!) staff, and of course the food! We will definitely be returning in the near future!
(5)
Dan F.
My experience of the food (which was variable - some good, some weird) was completely overshadowed by the service (which was consistently bad). I was there on a first date and would have liked to spend more time focusing on my date than on the waitstaff, who demanded constant interaction and eye contact and constantly meddled between us. The tone was a little antagonistic and aggressive - it just felt bad to be there. Since my goal was to have an intimate meal, I grade A. Kitchen a C minus or a D. I can't recommend.
Expensive brunch place. Beer comes in small glasses. Cheaper and better places around.
(3)
Tina B.
Cute and trendy, but the food is just okay. Certainly overpriced for what they are.
(2)
Kristen M.
The food here is very good but unfortunately I probably wouldn't come back. Here's the "skinny:" What did I order: 3 Oysters, soft shell crab sandwich. Comes with homemade potato chips. Two beers. The good: Oysters were delectable - fresh - excellent. Nice beer selection - I had a beer I never heard of - Birra, and Italian lager. Sandwich was good - crab was fresh. A nice combination of flavors including a little spice, but not too overpowering. The bad: The portion size! And the price for that portion size. I'm embarrassed to admit that after spending $43.00 on my meal. I stopped in a fast food restaraunt on my way home and had fries. I was still very hungry. Overall: Go for a beer and an app. Wouldn't recommend for a substantial meal.
(3)
Kathryn S.
Went here with my grandparents for a late Saturday dinner. Initially, we were a little confused by the menu, but our fantastic waiter Paul was quick to explain. Everything was delicious. I never turn down a fois gras, and I loved the toasted hazelnuts and how well they balanced this dish. Since we were a party of 4, we had the duck legs, or more accurately leg and thigh. Everything about the duck was perfectly executed and it was melt in your mouth. Thankfully, we didn't over order and had room for dessert. I had the chocolate mousse, one of the best I have had in a while. We will definitely be back when they change up the menu for summer.
(5)
Noosh E.
Chef is amazing! Tried a lot of different things. Great cheese plate, the hamachi tartar was amazing - served with squid ink chip, had a variety of oysters and ended with the shrimp Louis salad - with a very delicious dressing ....the chef was kind enough to provide me with the ingredients! Very good - I'm surprised this place has only 3.5 starts.
(4)
Kim S.
Their food is really really good but why is it so damn expensive for such small plates?!?
(4)
Autumn H.
What a great meal i had at this place! I brought my boss here when on Tuesday for a work dinner. I have never been before but heard good things. This location is pretty small and i believe it is connected to its sister location, A. Bar, through the back. We made a reservation ahead of time and were seated right away. I looked at the menu prior to but when we sat down, the menu we were given was a little different. It all looked amazing. We ordered their cauliflower dish and the roasted carrots dish as appetizers. So good. The cauliflower was roasted and in an avocado puree of sorts. Delish. The carrots were on a bed of cous cous with fennel head ferns - can we say SPRING!? YUM. For dinner, my boss had the chicken dish but I ordered the duck breast. Let me tell you, the duck did not disappoint. It was thick and juicy and tender and excellently dressed. Our server was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable of the menu, provided great opinions and even through together a lovely mocktail for my boss, who doesn't drink. when it came to dessert, the server suggested the buckwheat pound cake. We were skeptical.. i mean, its buckwheat. But he told us how it was seemingly the essense of the location and all the ingredients were sourced locally, so we figured, why not? It was served with a buckwheat ice cream and was actually really good. I was pleasantly surprised! When i think of buckwheat, i instantly imagine cardboard. not the case at all. My only gripe is the table placement. We were seated pretty much in the middle at a 4 top. No big deal but the towards the end of the night, the back of my chair and my bun became the target of many servers passing through behind me. I tried many times to scoot myself up, to the side, to the other side with no luck. I didn't want to move tables because we were already pretty settled and didn't switch seats as to not be too awkwardly close to my male boss.. I probably got bumped in the back of the head at least 4 times. but other than that, great experience.
(4)
Indigo V.
My daughter raved about a.kitchen for brunch so I decided to check it out for lunch. It was ok. Not great. I thought some of their presumably high gourmet techniques like leaving the heads and shells on the grilled shrimp appetizer wasn't the greatest. Sure, some people like the heads, but with the shells still on it's clear the shrimp can't be properly cleaned and deveined. I'm personally not a big fan of crunchy shrimp. Wine list was pretty blah and overpriced. My grilled broccoli/vegetable salad with sprouted grains was also pretty blah. I got a lot of chewy grains and barely any vegetables, and had to ask for extra cheese for a bit more flavor. Maybe brunch and dinner are better, but I'm not inspired to go back.
(1)
Jen L.
This place is perfect for wealthy skinny people. Unfortunately, I'm neither wealthy nor particularly skinny (I have way too large of an appetite to have an ideal BMI), so this restaurant is not a place I will visit often. However, the brunch I had there was delicious (shrimp and grits) ... not too generous on the carbs (again, targeting the skinny people) but was made of fresh ingredients and had wonderfully balanced flavors, and the ambiance was chic. I would recommend this place to the health conscious, portion-watching crowd in the Rittenhouse area, but if you're hoping to leave the restaurant feeling full, you'll probably need to order more than one dish.
(4)
Moses S.
I came here Friday evening with a couple friends around 9 or 10 pm. We were looking for a good cocktail and drink bar and we totally found it! The bar is quite small (seats only 7-8) but is a beautiful white marble. The bartenders (Tara and another I didn't catch her name) are attentive, approachable, and make some great cocktails. They're there when you need them and want to chat and off to do other things when you want to just hang out with friends. My friends and I closed down the place and had a great time talking with the bartenders and ordering on and off menu cocktails. Everything we ordered well balanced and tasted very, very good. There were a couple bartender's choice drinks that were REALLY good. You could tell the care and deliberate measures taken to ensure a well made drink whether it was using measuring tools, peeling zest, using droplets for the bitters, using the cocktail shaker and of course, dipping a new straw to taste each drink to ensure it was made the way it was intended to taste. Definitely will be back to taste the food, but the bartenders are awesome!
(5)
Melissa L.
Went here for brunch on a Saturday. Made reservations several days in advance and was seated exactly on time. I ordered the prawns with grits and my friend ordered the french toast. Both were very delicious but not a substantial amount of food. If you come in very hungry, I would highly recommend adding a side to your main meal. The coffee was also very good and I tend to be very picky about coffee. The place is small but the atmosphere was nice and the wait staff was very attentive. Overall, I had a good experience. Just wish that you got more food for the amount of money they charge.
(4)
Grace H.
I stumbled into a.kitchen one morning with a friend from out of town because there was a 45 minute wait at the place we were planning on eating, and we were two seriously hungry girls. It's in a prime location right on the corner of rittenhouse square and I'd passed by it hundreds of times but never bothered to check it out. We were seated as soon as we walked in and proceeded to order coffee (REALLY good coffee and bottomless!), the trio of pastries, the rittenhouse slam, and greek yogurt with granola to share. They ended up giving us scrambled eggs on the slam instead of over easy, and brought us an entire new slam complete with the potatoes, bacon, and greens...and then they left the old one on the table so we just ended up eating both. It was the perfect brunch - well rounded and delicious. A little pricey but absolutely worth it considering there was zero wait time and we essentially got a free dish!
(4)
Rajiv S.
I came here for Valentine's Day with my wife and it was amazing. We had the crudo and the fried oyster for appetizer which we were perfect. Main meal the skate and lamb both were heavenly. Would highly recommend.
We didn't eat here but we did stop in for a drink on our way to dinner. I was so blown away by the quality of service and the overall atmosphere that I had to write a review. I wish I could remember our bartender's name because she deserves all the praise. She was so friendly and professional and made one of the best dirty gin martinis I've ever had. She kept our water filled to the brim the entire time, a small detail that went a long way. Before we left, she even took the time to jot down some of her favorite watering-holes and restaurants in the vicinity. The atmosphere here also warrants attention. The front of the restaurant opens up onto a cozy sidewalk patio reminiscent of Paris (in my humble opinion). The interior is also cozy yet classy, without being at all pretentious. Great drink selection - lots of choices for beer, wine and liquor. I would highly recommend stopping in here at least for a drink. Based on our great experience, I have no doubt that the food is excellent as well.
(4)
Daniel S.
Was good went to rest week service was nice water never empty main course we're good desert was lame average cup of wine $12
(4)
Emily H.
I went here a couple months ago with my family whom all of which have pretty adventurous taste in food. It wasn't my choice and I was extremely hesitant to go here at first because I'm usually pretty conservative with my food choices. The menu was pretty intimidating - I had no idea what to get. However, my family got me to expand my pallet and try a bunch of new foods that I would never normally eat and everything was absolutely delicious. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. The menu was pretty pricy, so I would recommend sharing dishes. This place is good to go out to for a nice occasion or celebration. It's somewhat small inside but very nice and has a good ambiance. Definitely recommend trying at least once!
(4)
Victoria L.
With your first look at the menu, it's disappointing to see that you have to pay for bread that is usually complimentary at nice restaurants. We decided to get it anyway because if you're going to pay for it, it better be good! The little box of four rolls did not disappoint. There was a charcoal lavender roll (the unanimous favorite), cheddar, sesame, and an unmemorable one. The homemade butter was so soft, smooth, and creamy. Was it worth $6? Probably not, but it was my birthday and I wanted some damn bread. We ordered a bunch of small plates and shared family style. We started with the charcoal scallops, which were tender and nice. The portions are as small as everyone says though. Next we got the duck breast, which was cooked perfectly and flavorful. I was concerned it was taste "overly Asian" because of the xo sauce and sesame, but it surprisingly wasn't. We shared the crispy whole sea bass, which was delicious. We couldn't pass up dessert since we were celebrating, so we got the ice cream (the malted flavor was my favorite) and a chocolate dessert that came out with a candle. They were all decadent. It's one of those meals where the portions are small and you're afraid you'll be hungry, but surprisingly you aren't. So then you think you ordered reasonably, but then you get the bill and you're like "Oh, well, not that reasonable." I'm glad we waited for an occasion to come here.
(4)
David N.
So I came to a.bar with a couple of friends and then stopped over to a.kitchen for a bit to eat. We got to sit at the counter to the open kitchen which is kind of cool. Since everything was small plates, we asked for things to be delivered when they were ready. The cheese plate came immediately, but then we realized that nothing else came 25 minutes after we had finished the cheese. The worst part of it is that we watched as the cooks were "cleaning" the kitchen and not really cooking anything. Given that we'd been waiting for a long time, we asked if something had happened to the our check. Low and behold, they "lost" the check and weren't cooking our food at all. They started cooking our order and was "kind of" apologetic about it. The food that did come out was pretty good, but the whole experience was already tainted. They offered to a free side of carrots to make up for it. It is better than nothing, but a side of carrots??? A restaurant is a combo of food and service, and one cannot make up for the a lack of the other. That's why I have to give this place 2 stars.
(2)
Laura K.
I am all for good, locally sourced food but A. Kitchen was a disappointment. The food was mediocre at best, and the servings were so tiny! Definitely not a place for value. But beyond that the server was not friendly and did not seem to care much for being there. He kept going to the bar and talking to the bartender rather then be more attentive. Also the noodles in the pasta dish was very overcooked and soggy. Would not recommend or return.
(1)
Chris M.
The ambience is second to none. The drinks are $12, yikes. But they are VERY good, and strong. Not the typical shlep somewhere else, these are real craft-drinks made in front of you. Food was VERY good, although VERY small portions. We did the tapas, small plate thing.. the scallops are tremendous. Dont go here starving. Sit at the bar, get a good view of the street, and the restaurant. Good ppl watching, and conversation here.
(3)
m m.
Well, this was our second visit in 2 weeks. The first time seemed much better. This time, we just felt ripped off. The suggestion to "share" small plates of food is somewhat misleading. Although we enjoyed some dishes more than others, if you are with a group (we had 5), everyone literally gets one bite.... if lucky two, with each dish. This is fine if you're a bird, but, we like to eat, and when we figured it all out, although we enjoyed the simple Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe dish. for example, (cheese & pepper), we realized that we paid $22 for 2 plates of pasta that probably cost $2 to make... I certainly don't mind paying for delicious, well prepared food, however, for the portion size, we felt taken advantage of. Nothing really stands out as far as the dishes, and we tried everything, oh yes, the asparagus with artichoke dish is good, but again, you need to order several plates to feed a hungry group.Oh yes, and the goat cheese cake,,, I originally enjoyed this at Django... THAT is delicious, but, conforming to the miniscule portion size. The first time we ate at a.kitchen , they were still waitinfg for their liquor license, so, we didn't notice how expensive it is... this time, we ordered a bottle of wine & a couple of drinks. They recently got their license & the bill was about $170 a couple with tip. Again, I don't mind paying top dollar for something extraordinary, but this doesn't quite make it for me.... not like when we'd frequent Talula's Table in Kennett Square, not so long ago, when Bryan was still there... The cost was about $180 a couple, however, it was special, plentiful & quite extraordinary... we have not been back since Bryan's departure, so we were very excited to know he'd be at a.kitchen . Sorry to say, I'm not impressed, It's the new kid on the block so they are buzzing... I have to say, this dining experience was very disappointing & disenchanting...I really wanted to love this place.... sorry I don't...
(2)
Gail D.
Went to a.kitchen last night with 3 coworkers and had an amazing dinner. I loved the decor as soon as I walked in and felt the space of the restaurant was very inviting - I even got a slightly log-cabbiny smell from the wood interior (in a good-make-you-feel-cozy kind of way) We shared 3 dishes from each part of the menu: Vegetables, etc: Frisee Salad - everything a salad should be with bacon and hash browns Warm Burata - a savory hunk of yummy cheese Mushroom Croquettes - crunchy on the outside and gooey mushroominess in the middle Fish: Blue Crab Salad - simply amazing Salmon and Caramelized Leeks - I stole all the leeks to eat for myself Chorizo Stuffed Calamari - slightly spicy in a thick tomato sauce Meat: Duck Confit - which was actually duck confit en terrine? a bit confusing but the taste was good BBQ Rib-Eye Skewers - my favorite dish of the night....I would have licked the sauce of the plate if I wasn't with my coworkers Chicken with Albarino Sauce - my least favorite of the night but nicely cooked with a decadent sauce Desserts: Almond Macaroons - enormous and perfectly chewy Shortbread with Lemon Curd - like eating homemade cookies right out of the oven Chocolate Torte - thick and rich and oh-so-good Expect to pay at least $50/person for dinner and a drink, but considering the amount of food we ate and the quality of the dishes, I think it is worth every penny. My only complaint is about the attentiveness of the wait staff....our waiter was prompt to take our order and our food was delivered in a reasonable time, but twice we had to flag down the waiter to order wine and once we didn't quite listen and brought the wrong order. I'm hoping its just a few bumps to smooth out as this new restaurant proves itself as a contender on the Philly small plate scene.
(4)
David S.
We were wandering by when we noticed this new restaurant. Seemed busy, the menu looked interesting, so why not? We sat at the chef's counter, which turned out to be a happy mistake - it took us 20 minutes to figure out which few of all the great looking dishes we should order!! The food was terrific, the show spectacular (Val was really fun to watch as he calmly conquered the evening rush), and the staff and managers very friendly. We'd been told by the server about (and could see) portion size, so we ordered 4 plates - all were superb. As an owner of a restaurant myself, I can testify to the skill of this team, putting out a really quality experience after only a week of operation. Good show, mates!
(4)
Brian S.
Some dishes are really innovative and delicious, some are not. They offer 3oz and 5oz pours on wine, which I've never seen anywhere. Having 3oz and 5oz fill lines on the wine glasses is totally out of place, as if a point is being made. Our waitperson was nothing short of unhelpful. Overall, the place doesn't live up to the stylish interior nor the "we'll show you how to eat" feeling. High prices, small portions, so if you want simple tastes of things you typically won't find elsewhere, then this is your place. Otherwise, I advise going elsewhere. It's as if they are trying really hard to show that they know food, that we're for the foodie-set. But in spite of some glowing dishes, overall, not even close.
(2)
Justin M.
In a nutshell: not worth the price point (even though I didn't pay! LOL) These small plates were uninspired, and half the menu has been done a million times before at other Philly boites. Service was amateur at best, disinterested at worst. $120 for 2 with one cocktail and 6 small plates. Unless you live next door and are really lazy, I don't see the point except maybe for a glass of wine...
(3)
Raisa O.
I loved a.kitchen . The food was sumptuous and the ambiance was perfect. It has this understated yet elegant feel. Our waitress was super friendly. All the dishes were perfectly prepared. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)
A. H.
i had high hopes when i saw this gorgeous new joint, but it turned out to be pretty awful. save your money. food was bland, unimaginative and expensive. on top of that i got sick from the one thing i did eat [the grilled shrimp dish]. ordered the duck confit that looked like catfood on a plate. i couldn't even look at it far less to eat it so my poor husband did and even he who would eat ANYTHING said it tasted canned and yucky. service was eh. Tria right next door is hands down better and 1/3 of the price. if you are even halfway decent in your own kitchen, a.kitchen would be a huge disappointment.
(1)
Wanda M.
Vacillated between a one and two stars, but went with two because the rest of my party thought their food was good and the location is great. We were there for brunch. It was noisy ++++ and crowded. It was not easy to make conversation. The space is small and each time the waiter moved passed my seat he nearly tripped over my feet. The waitstaff was indifferent, though efficient. Basically you got the food tossed at you with little congeniality. The food was tres mediocre. We'd just returned from a vacation in Europe where the food was excellent. My omelet would not have measured up to Portugese street food, although my husband enjoyed the cheese steak (street food??). It was expensive for what we ordered. Finally, they have these cutsey white cotton napkins that look like dish towels - interesting idea. But they left a ton of white lint on both my and hubby's clothes. I was not happy. Not sure what the great reviews here are about, but I was completely unimpressed and won't be back.
(2)
Matthew H.
BRUNCH REVIEW. We made reservations at A.kitchen for Mother's Day brunch, it was a perfect day and they had the doors open and everything was pretty much open air. We were sat immediately and the service was great and not too overly attentive. We started off with the 4 pastries, all of them were very good, not as good as the doughnut misto at Alla Spina but definitely up there. I ordered a cocktail, the Standard Breakfast which was very good, I had 2 and coffee which was nice and strong. For the mains we went with the rhubarb french toast and the wagyu steak and eggs with a frenched onion and potatoes. Everything was awesome, the steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and the potatoes were hot and crunchy. The onion and eggs (over-easy) were also well prepared. There are 2 reasons why I didn't rate this place 5 stars, one is because everything on the menu was pretty safe and after our dinner at Fork I expected something a little more adventurous. Second, the timing for the arrival of the entrees was a bit off, 1 arrived and we sat awkwardly for 3-4 minutes until the other arrived, it is somewhat nitpicky I realize and it wouldn't prevent me from dining there again but at an upscale restaurant like this I would expect the timing to be on point. Overall a quite enjoyable morning right off the square and I would absolutely recommend A.ktichen for brunch and I look forward to returning some time in the future for dinner.
(4)
Andrey S.
It was Monday afternoon so hardly any visitors and a few of us stopped by for lunch. They had some sandwiches and salads on the menu, what you would expect. So duck salad was basically a few pieces of duck meat in a large pile of greens. And the price? Over a $20. I had a pork sandwich that looked good on the menu. It was basically two smallish over dried pieces of what resembled a schnitzel on a bun. Nothing else. $18. It took 5 attempts to get our waitress to understand that we wanted glasses for everyone at the table and entire bottle of wine on the menu. To summarize - location is good but there are many more great places nearby to waste time and money on that one.
(2)
Luba P.
So everything is pretty good, but I expected more. The crab salad was the highlight, with great flavor and moist and flaky crab. The kale lasagna was also pretty unique and unexpected, and tasted pretty good with a strong cheese flavor. I wish they had more seafood and chicken options, the menu was very limited to red meat/vegetarian/pasta. The goat cheesecake was not that the best due to the overwhelming strong taste of goat cheese (it also had an extremely cold wine sorbet on top that was OK), so that one might be good for only it's fans. Also, the chocolate dessert was a bit too bitter and salty. Overall the atmosphere is really nice and cozy, with the fancier type of Philly people, so I think most would overlook the food for the nice atmosphere. PS. Make sure to get at least two plates or you'll be hungry!
(4)
Bill W.
A.kitchen I'm sorry to say was A.disappointment. Before I get too far, let me say that the owner was very accommodating, if not totally understanding, regarding the issues we experienced. She basically refunded most of the non-drink bill, so for me it's unfair to give any less than 3 stars for that reason alone, but make no mistake this was a 1 or 2 star meal at best. We started the evening at A.bar , which itself was unremarkable (small sugary cocktails, and nearly undrinkable wine by the glass). Moved over to the table for dinner. Both first courses (quail eggs, and scallops) had ZERO flavor, and no seasoning... totally boring. The "scallops" were basically a bowl of broth with some greens sprinkled in, and 2 tiny slivers of scallop. My expectation for the size of a scallop appetizer portion in a restaurant has been consistently lowered over the years, to the point where two "quarter-sized" pieces is about par, and this was significantly less than that. But the big issue was the huge wait between 1st and 2nd courses - easily 45 minutes. When we inquired the waitress said the kitchen was backed up because "it was such a nice day" and they "weren't expecting so many people." This was late May, so I'm not really sure how the great weather was a surprise. After the lackluster 1st course and some more waiting, we weren't interested in seeing what was behind door #2. We asked our waitress to cancel the order. At that point the manager came over to apologize (disappointingly she gave the same excuse about how it was busy because of the weather). She said she would have it out momentarily, we politely declined, and she left for the bill. So 5 minutes later, the entrees show up, and the manager comes over to say it's complimentary. I don't even know what you're supposed to do in this situation...I didn't want to insult them (to say nothing of kids starving in Africa), so I gave it a try (the Wagyu beef). She should have just kept it in the kitchen, at least then I would have left thinking that maybe it was good. Instead, I got to sample an awful steak that was a new low for the evening. Again the entire food bill ended up being comped, but still not an experience I'd care to repeat.
(3)
Devin D.
BRUNCH REVIEW: A nice place to come for Sunday Brunch and a great means to recover from an alcohol fueled weekend. I really like how you can watch them make your food from start to finish. I ordered the chorizo pancakes with queso fresco and sriracha maple syrup. Sounds like an odd combo, but I enjoyed it. It was an interesting sweet/savory combination, and at $12-13, easy on the wallet. The food here was decently good for me, but not FIVE STARS WOWZERS. That said, I will still most certainly return. Coffee and espresso were great as well.
(4)
Dave W.
This is not a place to go to for that large dinner that you can spend time savoring and enjoying. That said, the food is quite good and I would definitely go back when in the area. While some may say the portions are small, I think they are the right size if you are trying to cut down on the calories. Prices are a bit high, however. I had the Slow Roasted Carrots, which were quite good, along with the Pork Bolognese. Nice serving here, but not a chance of asking for anything to be wrapped to take home. My wife had the Scallops over scramble eggs, something I woould never have expected.The portion size was just right but then she only weighs 98 lbs. Next time we will sit back by the kitchen to watch the action but the table gives you a great view of the street and activity out there.
(4)
Steven H.
A. Kitchen in simply amazing. My wife and I spent the day in Philly sampling a bite or two from various restaurants with Yelp as our guide. A. Kitchen was our first stop and it was worth every bit of the walk to get there. We had no reservations so we found two open seats at the bar. The staff greeted us and took out drink order; they have a variety of local beers on tap I tried their Shawnee Craft Double Pale Ale (IPA) and it as well balanced with a deep flavor. My wife ordered the Ashes to Ashes cocktail, she commented that this was one of the best drink she has had in her life. The Duck Confit salad was a first for the two of us and we both found it to be delicious. I have to say the two items on the brunch menu that you must order are the baked grilled potatoes ( yes you read that correct they bake them then grill them) and the Charcoal Biscuit. I can not even describe them to you you just need or order them and experience it. : side note their grill is wood/ charcoal burning and it's open so you see the chefs working to craft your meal. It just adds to the experience!
(5)
Ali W.
I came here for fathers day brunch. They were out of the fresh baked pastries by 11am. I found the portions to be small but by the end of the meal I was mostly satisfied. I got the salmon with a red onion bialy which was a breakfast. I also tried the home fries that were garlicky and crunchy. Overall my experience was A-OK but I will continue to try new brunch spots.
(3)
Geoff And Jenni G.
A Kitchen is still one of the best places in Philly for good eats/fine dining... It is expensive and in some cases unnecessarily so, but the food is top notch, the preparation and attention to detail is excellent and if you like small/tasty plates, then you can't go wrong... We love it and would definitely recommend it...
(5)
Lia B.
nothing but LOVE for A.kitchen . went here for lunch the other day and was greatly impressed with the vegan-ness of the portobello sandwich. i arrived and it was POURING rain - the staff quickly got my coat and umbrella and sat us immediately. They had soy milk for coffee, knew what vegan meant and completely veganized the sandwich (even went so far as to change the bread without me asking- GREAT TOUCH!!!) and they had dessert options though i was so full i didn't want a dessert. They also made me a vegan salad as an appetizer with tahini. would def come back here!
(5)
M M.
This was my third time here. Lunch is definitely not as interesting as dinner in terms of menu. Though I had always had excellent food here even if the place is a little stiff, this time the kitchen seemed very off. I am not sure any of my colleagues enjoyed their his/her meal. Grilled chicken salad came with sparse greens - including thinly sliced stalk of broccoli (um, is this what we are doing these days?) - and a dull watery yogurt dressing. The chicken had a rubbery texture. I could not tell if it had been smoked and then grilled. Anyway...The thing that was the worst is there were flies around us during the whole meal. Not great when you are swatting bugs away as you eat inside.
(2)
Bruce B.
Hands-on best service i've ever received at a restaurant. The wait staff was always there when you needed them, gone when you didn't. I think there was more staff than customers while we were there. Our primary waitress was so awesome, it was actually fun to ask her for recommendations. Great descriptions and accurate, not trying to sell us the most expensive entrees. Right up front this probably should be a 5 star review, but some of the small plates were chipped, so i'm taking the last star away. Really, when i'm spending close to $200 for our meals, you can afford to not serve on a chipped plate. The spicy cauliflower was not too spicy and incredibly juicy. Perfect way to start the meal. MsD ordered Branzini and it was cooked and flavored perfectly. I had the scallops and again, couldn't ask for anything better. The crab and salad were both incredible. Flavored to perfection and not too much. The only thing we didn't care for were the mushrooms, but as much as anything else we just didn't have room to finish them. We did save some room for desert and the pound cake was divine. Awesome coffee as well. Just a fantastic meal! Eli Kulp has done a great job training his staff to describe food and cater to his customers. We hear he is still in the hospital from the Amtrak disaster so we'll keep him in our prayers. Can't wait to go back to the A.Kitchen!
(4)
Laura L.
Food is excellent. Service could be a lot better.
(2)
Christa M.
Update review: Came here for brunch today with friends. This is the first time I've been here since it's been under new management/chef. It was one of a few brunch spots that was open last minute for 4 people. The good: - can make a last minute brunch reservation here on Open Table - they made a nice,strong Negroni- my go to drink - service was attentive and nice, as well as accommodating as we had a stroller - bacon was delicious and cooked perfectly. Potatoes in my Rittenhouse Slam were great. The not so good: - food was overpriced, esp given the portion size, which I thought was a nice size. - no toast or some kind of carb with my Slam, or any of our dishes. - menu for brunch uninspiring. Not sure what the menu was like for dinner but if it's anything like the brunch menu, I wouldn't go back except for a drink. Under the old management the menu was more unique. - my eggs were slathered in butter. It was all I could taste
(2)
Jenna S.
I really wanted to love this place ...picked it on impulse while walking by on the way to another restaurant. Sleek modern decor with lighting that's still warm and inviting. Menu with items that make you instantly drool, with complimentary ingredients that sound like they're set to make new foodie trends. Thursday night, resto busy but no wait for a table for 2 without a rez. Waitress was good, knowledgeable of the ingredients and offering her suggestions on favorites. The shortcomings lie in the food. At $10-33 per "sharing plate" I was expecting a fairly substantial amt of food, but you get 2 to 4 nibbles and are left starving thinking there has to be more coming out. The teacup serving of cauliflower ($9), had good sauce but was fried and burnt. Scallops ($16), five church wafer sized thin fishy slivers in a vinegar soup w a few pomegranate seeds. Hibachi crudo ($12), thin slices of sushi on a tasty black/brown rice crisp, one bite and done. Shiitake side ($10), about 7 baby caps, really savory and delish. Arctic char ($33), the largest plate, about the size of an altoids tin, was cooked perfectly, but could have tipped the pot if it came w some more veggies. Still hunnngryyyyy. Ate the rest of the wafer crisps (bread?) I said I didn't like at the beginning. Dessert, sunchoke custard w black walnut brittle ($9), sounded promising, but was just a few spoonfuls of soupy sugar broth w a crispy sprinkle of crackers on the top. Womp womp
(2)
Sarah P.
A. Kitchen has only gotten better! The addition of their new grill and ability to smoke ingredients has really made an impact on their menu, and they seem to include more interesting wild-crafted and foraged ingredients, like ramps sourdough bread. The pickled quail eggs and beets are DIVINE as a snack. I really want to mention bartender Mariko's amazingly beautiful cocktails, however. This woman is extremely talented and her cocktails are well-balanced, interesting, and really delicious. I am extremely picky about cocktails, as many are too sweet for me, but these are really wonderfu, often with a beautiful balance of bitters, sweetness, liquor, spice, etc. l. I am paying attention. I have tried three on the current menu, all of which are excellent. A.Kitchen has a consistently good wine list and my understanding is that their sommelier is a former employee of Moore Brothers....and it shows. In my opinion, A.Kitchen is showing improvement and I like what I have experienced in recent visits.
(4)
Maiken O.
A.Kitchen is a great spot for weekend lunch at the corner of Rittenhouse Square. The menu is pretty modern with a mixture of Nordic, American and French style kitchen. Portions are not huge but you will not leave hungry either - amazing selection of freshly baked bread. Atmosphere is trendy with a bar for eating facing the open style kitchen. We were a bit concerned about food smells hanging in our clothes afterwards but there wasn't a hint. Will come back for sure!
(4)
Ashlie-marie J.
Just finished leaving this place and it was mmm mmm GOOD! So delicious. I got there at 12:00 and the food came out in about 15 minutes. I ordered the Rittenhouse Slam with whole grain toast and my best friend ordered Grilled Prawns and it was just amazing and for dessert she ordered the Carjeta Custard, it was so good and beautifully garnished with little flowers. The staff is super polite and timely. The restaurant atmosphere is very warm and inviting. We'll be staying here until Monday and most likely come back for dinner.
(5)
Abby W.
Brunch was good, but a little overpriced for what you get. I went with the traditional eggs benedict and really loved the housemade english muffin. It made up for the lack of homefries. The hollandaise was spot on, though, and the eggs cooked correctly. My bloody mary was fresh and tasty, if a little heavy on the horseradish for my taste. My companion got the steel cut oats and a side of eggs. She said had she not gotten the eggs as well, she would have left hungry. It was a pretty small bowl of oats. Everything was tasty, but on the expensive side for the portions. However, sitting with the windows open on a nice Sunday morning, having made reservations in advance through Open Table, does make up for this a bit just from the sheer convenience. I doubt I'd do brunch here again unless I was going to be in the area and had an agenda to stick to (we were going to a bridal expo at the Sheraton at noon). Service was friendly and the coffee was good.
(3)
A B.
The menu is creative, as is the presentation, but I definitely left hungry given the small portions. However, the server was wonderful and he kept us laughing throughout the meal.
(3)
Dan M.
Great! The brunch was delicious-albeit-plain and the drinks were flavorful.
(4)
Susanna L.
I would give zero star if I could! Such a big rip off. For a thirty some dollar scallop, the dish has only three pieces of scallop. The service is super slow and they change plates after every plate, which is just to disguise their overprice and slow service. The flavor is very mediocre and on the salty side. They also do not serve table bread and of course charge you if you ask for bread. Such an overly rated place and will never come back again!
(1)
Vanessa T.
This little restaurant is on the corner of rittenhouse square and packed with deliciously good food. I came here for a dinner date and definitely left feeling satisfied. We ordered some small plates (rice cakes, steak platter, steam clams, smoked beets). They were all delicious. For dessert, we ordered the toasted oat ice cream with pound cake and the custard. Both were amazing. I especially enjoyed the toasted oat ice cream.
(4)
HD T.
Great location and ambience. The prices were high considering the portion size - Need at least 3 plates to feel full. The food was good and well prepared. Did feel rushed, and almost was like a take out restaurant.(we were in and out) There are better restaurant's down town.
(2)
Regina F.
a. beet salad full of soft, oozing red beets seated on a large fluffy cloud of airy, semi-sweet mascarpone. + a. glass of the smoothest pinot noir. + a. bowl of 5 large, luscious, juicy shrimp speckled with black pepper, swimming in a cool sea of saffron broth with soft tomato pieces, and topped with spicy tortilla strips. + a. small plate of chopped chilled asparagus resting complacently on a bed of creamy orange puree. = a. wonderful meal.
(4)
Michelle C.
Tasty food. Dainty food. Expensive food. My feelings about A.kitchen are mostly positive, but damn are they expensive when you consider the portions. Even for the Square. Now I know how all the celebrities can eat there and get away with keeping their figures. Fortunately, the food is pretty good. My table of ladies ordered the arugula salad, octopus with watermelon, blue crab salad and beets to share. The salad was okay, but the octopus and crab dishes were both excellent. I didn't try the beets but my friends seemed to like them. We each chose our own main and I ordered the fettucine with bottarga. It was very rich, and this is where the smaller serving size actually worked to my advantage. The bottarga flavor was subtle which I preferred when compared with a similar dish I had at another restaurant. A couple of my noodles were slightly more firm than al dente, but overall I was very happy with my choice. My friends ordered a puff pastry filled with white chocolate and rhubarb and a pineapple upside down cake for dessert. I had a teeny bite of each and neither really wowed me, but I'm not super big on sweets. Both were cleared out so my friends definitely liked them. Would I go back to A.kitchen Yes, but most likely if the check is being picked up by someone else. I liked the food and the service but there are other restaurants with similar dishes at more reasonable prices.
(4)
Henry T.
Over all disappointed since I anticipated trying this place out. It's a gamble. You may enjoy it. Not a place I would try again.
(1)
Ash G.
Tiny place,a bit loud, and expensive, but delicious food, terrific cocktails, and really attentive and helpful service.
(4)
relena i.
Ordered Steak and egg, and French toast for brunch. Both of them blew our minds! Best brunch I had in town in the 2 years.
(5)
Amanda H.
A.kitchen has broken so many molds for me. I don't live by many codes, but never going to hotel restaurants was a rule to live by. I broke this rule when I went to a.kitchen and it's been my guilty pleasure ever since. I generally don't eat out during restaurant week - mainly because it gets so crowded and I feel rushed. But a.kitchen gives you wonderful service whether you're eating for a bargain or not. I also never really like chef tables, but again, it's somehow awesome here to eat at a bar and watch the cooks make food for other people while you're eating your own. There are mainly small plates, but you some how leave satisfied even if you choose not to order the whole menu. My best advice however is that even if you're here for brunch, save room for dessert. And - if you're here for brunch, get a Bloody Mary. If you aren't, get any other one of the inventive cocktails. Really, I'm from Philly, but this is a hotel restaurant that makes me consider staying in this hotel.
(5)
Alison K.
Let me start my review by saying that nothing negative I have to say has anything to do with the food. I had booked a dinner for 7 of my high school friends almost 5 weeks before the actual visit to the restaurant. I feel like that is enough to show the restaurant that we really wanted to be there. We had to wait 40 minutes to be seated. Now, to be fair, the restaurant called around 6:55 to tell us that we would not be seated on time. I think that is a fantastic practice. However, they said 15-20 and it was more like 40. And if it were me running a restaurant, i would have comped a dessert or 2 or maybe a couple glasses of wine while we were waiting. It really was a LONG wait considering the lead time on the reservation. All that said, the food was great. I ordered the dinner menu which was an incredible deal. I had the frisee salad with poached egg, potato and bacon which was absolutely fantastic. I also tried the fish stew and octopus which were executed beautifully. My next course was shrimp with chili sauce which i felt was a little too salty. The lamb bolognese was rich and satisfying and just the right portion. I do not like bananas, but they were perfectly happy to exchange the ice cream to vanilla maple on my pound cake dessert. We had a lovely couple bottles of reasonably priced garnacha which the sommelier or host or whoever he was did not make me feel guilty about ordering. it was a cheaper bottle on the menu and he commented on it being a great food wine. I love when i am not shamed for being frugal. I would go back in a second, but again, to be a repeat restaurant, i would like to see a recognition for a large inconvenience.
(3)
Stephen H.
So we decided to go somewhere else. A.kitchen is new, and Jah forbid Rittenhouse have a new eatery that we haven't tried. My party was off to A.kitchen . Oh Christ, it's small plates. Que the panic. How many do I get? Can i just get my own, I really don't like to share. What is everyone else getting? Is it weird if we order the same dish? I see there are three categories, are you supposed to get one of each. Small plates dysfunction my nerves. The waiter calmed me a little by recommending an excellent glass of wine. I did not let on about my uncertainty, but listened politely as he explained some of the dishes. I had to admit they were creative and appealing sounding. I bravely ordered chicken risotto and saffron potato's from their respective list. The food was great, but the potato's came out well before the chicken. I was stuck eating a plate of potato's by itself. Apparently this is where the sharing thing comes in handy. All in all, the food was very good and the service was great. I will go back. This time I will be prepared, but I'm still not sharing.
(4)
Karina M.
Crazy overpriced for tinyyyy DINNER portions. I don't even eat that much food but this was sad. I think the veal was 6 thin (see-through) deli slices of lamb over some greens. We had to go to another food location to fill up.
(2)
Kathryn D.
Travelled to Philly for a conference and had a free morning. I walked around and yelped some breakfast spots. Came across A Kitchen. First they welcomed me very warmly. Shannon was my server and she was fantastic. Coffee was delicious and I take mine black so it was nice to find a robust cup!! Then I tried the Market Street Butter Bun. Holy smokes really brings out the coffee bean. I was severed fresh eggs and freshly baked sourdough bread. Fantastic. Highly recommend. The potatoes are unbelievable!!!
(5)
Yayi Z.
I ordered the grilled shiitake sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. That alone carries the four stars. My friend and I sat outside since the weather was nice. They set both chairs facing the street, suitable for people watching and looking out at the Rittenhouse square. My friend had the crispy shrimp with grits and was fairly satisfied, except "would have 2 more shrimps". Lol there are a few minuses such as slow service, and few selection of protein on the brunch menu. But all in all, a very enjoyable brunch experience. :)
(4)
Angela H.
I had a great first experience here. My server (named Roldone? I'm not sure... it's a foreign name to me) was very sweet, attentive, and made great recommendations. She even brought me a little ice cream with a candle for my birthday since we didn't order dessert. We ordered the oysters, the grilled romaine, the octopus, and the bronzino. This was the perfect amount of food for two. Everything tasted fantastic, was served at well-timed intervals, and at perfect temperatures for digging right in. The dishes here are creative and you'll taste some flavor combinations that may be new to you. I also ordered a cocktail that I really loved - the one with gin, honey, mint, etc. We also enjoyed a great, very dry champagne, #135. The ambience here is nice, but not special or striking in any way. I imagine it would be appropriate for all situations. We left drunk, full, and happy.
(5)
Tina F.
Me and my boyfriend have gone to many restaurants in Philly, and thus far a kitchen has the best service and the best food. The first time we went we were sat by the chef and saw the grill which reminded me Argentinean style gel. We had the old age t bone, which was delicious. The second we went it was with a group of 7, usually they recommend a large group to do the tasting menu of $65 each. So we did that, and the food was amazing. I really liked every dish that came out, of course we got the t bone again, and it was amazing again. The service here and the intimate environment is what I really love. Hands down, my bf favorite restaurant and service in Philly.
(5)
Barrett L.
It's always hard to judge a restaurant based on their restaurant week program, but I think our recent visit to a.kitchen , the sleek, trendy eatery at the aka Rittenhouse, did a good job in giving us an accurate view of the food and service. The ambiance is chic and the plating is aesthetically beautiful, but the food fell far short of both of our expectations. We arrived on the later side of dinner during the middle of the week. As we sat down and poured over the concise restaurant week menu and extensive wine list, we ended up with six dishes to split plus the dessert: Fried Eggplant, Gravlax, Spaghetti Cacio Pepe, Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Braised Rabbit, Roasted Red Snapper, and the Chocolate Terrine. The first coursed fared well but was perhaps a bit pedestrian. The fried eggplant felt a little greasy, and I wasn't too impressed with the Maitake mushroom topping or the anchovy vinaigrette. The gravlax tasted fine and was definitely the better of the two, but I felt the tempura shallots (which looked like calamari) were sort of unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the dish. The second course was my favorite. I enjoyed both the pasta and the meatballs, perhaps the pasta just a tad more. The meatballs were definitely spiced, although just a bit dry, but the accompanying sauce and salad of cucumbers and chick peas helped to add flavor and texture. The pasta was simple, buttery, and a little spicy from the pepper. No real complaints about that. However, the third course presented the most problems. The red snapper was delicious and cooked well but a far too small piece of fish for two people to split. As for the rabbit, it was pretty terrible. Not only did it feel dried out, but the rest of the elements on the plate, the spaetzle and the brussel sprouts, felt soggy and underappreciated. Finally, the dessert was sort of weird. My mouth had no idea how to react to the jarring combination of the cold chocolate mousse cake, room temperature sea salt, and warm caramel sauce and toasted nuts. There were to many distinct temperature differences, and not in a good way. Aside from the food, the service was sort of mixed. The hostess was not particularly friendly, although our server was quite kind. The only major snafu was when the runner brought out the third course ahead of the second, and when we told him that we never received our second course, he acted at first as if we were wrong (we weren't). I was a little miffed that we didn't get to enjoy the restaurant week program in the correct order, but not a huge deal (just a minor disappointment). Finally, it was pretty pricey for what it was, even for restaurant week. Four plates a person and two glasses of wine came out to just north of $100. Overall, it's a cool space that looks the part, but the food doesn't measure up. The so-so service and hefty price tag don't help either. I'd return for a cocktail but probably not for food.
(3)
Tara F.
Was recommended we visit but unfortunately proper food safety/sanitation overtly not followed. Sat at the counter, witnessed expediter, sous chef, taste double dipping into a huge pot of sauce...gross! Second, cook using same cutting board for raw meat products and plating finished product resulting in cross contamination. Contacted management but no response. Guess they don't care....
(2)
Krista G.
Everything was stellar about this place, starting with making a reservation and ending with a great glass of port. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and handled our large party like family (there were 8 of us!) The food was great - especially the pork chops. My husband and I plan to return.
(5)
Sylvie C.
I'm SO DOWN with this place! Back in town, and went for another a kitchen visit. It's all I wanted! We tried a slew of new things, and I became ecstatic over almost everything. The service was perfect tonight. We sat outside on a gorgeous 70 degree evening, and our waitress was so involved without being annoying. She was funny, sweet, and everything you want in a waitress. BEET SALAD with BROCCOLI RABE and HONEY YOGURT. WILD!!!!! I've never had anything like it. I was so, so skeptical but my boyfriend insisted on it. The beets were so fresh, and the bitterness of the broccoli rabe was cut by the honey yogurt. Everything was drizzled in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and that olive oil pulled everything together. One of the most creative dishes I've had in awhile. SCALLOP with CORN FALAFEL and GAZPACHO. This kept the review from a 5 star rating. While the corn falafel was tasty (fried corn. yes please.), the scallop was a strange temperature that just felt WRONG for seafood. SOCKEYE SALMON WITH LEEKS. GORGEOUS presentation. Skin crisped on top, with salmon roe decorating the sides, and two pieces of leeks cut into concentric circles. The plate was stunning. The salmon even more so. I don't think I've ever REALLY been into salmon because it's always a little overdone...this was more on the rare side, and really allowed you to fully taste the flavor of the salmon. I loved it. Simple and beautiful. DUCK PASTA. A little heavy for a summer night, but a nice melange of ingredients nonetheless. Chanterelle mushrooms, peas, braised duck leg, and some large fava beans made for an excellent savory dish. May have been a tad too salty for my taste, but I'm super sensitive to salt. OH MY GOD THE GOAT CHEESE CAKE. With a hazelnut crust, a blueberry compote, and a RIESLING SORBET. The combination was sinful, decadent, and WORTH IT. The goat cheese was AMAZING in the cake - you could really taste it, and when combine with all the other components, I was in heaven. The riesling sorbet tasted better than a glass of riesling, and was awesome on it's own or on top of the cake. Definitely, definitely recommend this dessert. Another awesome experience at a.kitchen .
(4)
Om S.
Overall we had a good experience. Bartender was very informative and recommended drinks based on our taste. The limited food we had was not to die for though we liked the location and the way it is set up. It is not too big but feels cozy. Would certainly go back to try other items. Drinks rock though.
(3)
Kumar S.
Great Restaurant, Small so can get quite busy. Make reservations or be prepared to wait. Food is amazing and changes every day, try to sit at the high table around the kitchen so you get to see everything. desserts are very good and service is great!
(4)
Abby B.
If only every week were restaurant week, then maybe I'd be able to afford A.kitchen once in awhile. After a long day of work, all I wanted was a glass of wine. However, that doesn't come cheap at A.kitchen . I couldn't fathom paying $11 of my hard-earned educator salary on a 3oz. pour, so I settled for a beer. For the first course, I got a mushroom bread thing that was very big and filling. I then chose the skate, even though I'm always nervous when it comes to ordering seafood. This was perhaps the best part of my meal. Elegantly seasoned and very tasty. A+, Akitch. For my main course, I settled on the butternut squash/kale lasagna. The portion was smaller than both of my previous courses, although this was supposed to be the "main" course. I kept eyeing my friend's juicy steak, wishing I would've chosen the meat option. The lasagna was good, but if that had been my sole course for the night, I would've needed to high-tail it to Shake-Shack a few blocks away for a burger and fries after. The dessert was okay - goat cheese-cheesecake is what I had. Overall, a very trendy and "place-to-be-seen" restaurant. Go if you get a raise or don't want to get too drunk. Or if you're not very hungry.
(4)
Edward W.
Nice, cozy dining room with good street view. The burger was good, but nothing special. Good beef, tender and juicy, but too thin. The thousand island is a nice touch, reminiscent of IN n OUT. 3.5 for burger, rachet down to three for value. You're better off with the Rouge burger down the street. Perhaps they can add some thousand island for you.
(3)
Chelsea M.
We stopped in to A. Kitchen while visiting Philly in September. Their menu looked great online and we read an excellent review of the establishment in the newspaper. When we arrived they were serving food from the brunch menu. I ordered the frisee salad topped with a poached egg and bacon served on a hash brown. My brunch date ordered the asparagus, mushroom, and aged goat cheese omelet with herb potatoes. Both were excellent. The service was friendly and prompt. We really enjoyed watching the chefs prepare our breakfast at the bar.
(4)
Chad B.
Back for a 2nd visit last night. Reservations at 7:30 on a Friday night for 4 of us. Arrived early and had a great glass of wine at the bar while we waited. The space is great and we had a very friendly server. The food was GREAT. We ordered 7 different plates and my favorites: Asparagus with pecorino cream and egg - My favorite of the night - perfect balance Calamari with Chorizo meatballs - it seems they have changed from a tomato sauce to more of a tomato broth. I preferred it more when it was a sauce Mushroom Crepes - they were delicious - rich and delicious Spaghetti with black pepper- tiny portion but delicious. We ordered a 2nd plate it was so good. Corkscrew with duck - loved the fava beans in this dish, didnt expect to enjoy this one but was one of my favorites. I didnt care for the Chicken Risotto - everyone agreed here. Pass on this dish. I also didnt care for a raw fish dish that was added last night. Tasted fishy to me. We had several cocktails each and wine and shared a dessert at the end. The total with tip was $240....I didnt think it was bad at all for a party of 4 - we ate well.
(5)
Sean G.
We had been excited to go to A.Kitchen for dinner for a couple of weeks. Walking by, the restaurant looked fun and interesting. We finally made it out there on a Friday Night for dinner. Food: 3.0 stars We ordered the: -Warm Burrata for appetizer -Scallops and Shrimp -Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragu and -New York Strip.... They at 9pm on a Friday night had RUN OUT OF STEAK! Instead we tried the... -Leg of Lamb, Treviso and Black Olives The Warm Burrata was not warm. One of the two Scallops were under cooked and the Shrimp was few and far between. The Pasta in the lamb ragu was grossly undercooked to the point where the center of the Tagilatelle was nearly uncooked. The lamb was delicious but the plate lacked dynamics and only featured bitter flavors. AND... seriously you run out of NY Strip at a higher end restaurant? Poor form. Service: 3.0 stars People were floating around throughout the restaurant but it seemed like they weren't doing anything. Drinks took a while to come out and service was not great but not poor. The restaurant needs to be more cohesive in its service and work to go the extra mile without being noticeable to everyone. Location: 4.5 stars Great location North of Rittenhouse Park on 18th Street. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant is very small and had to sacrifice indoor seating for the external kitchen and bar space. Luck for them, they also have tables outside on the sidewalk. The decor is clean and well done. Price: 3.0 stars Depending on how many drinks you have, expect to pay $30-50 per person. Overall: 3.0 stars The undercooked pasta was inexcusable. The fact that they didn't have steak was unbelievable. For a restaurant which flashes moments of high end gourmet cuisine in its dishes, the general experience falls short because of the issues with preparation and service. There are definitely better places to go at this price point. A.Kitchen better make some changes/improvements because it will have to rely solely on its good location in the near future to maintain business at a high level.
(3)
Jessica W.
A.disappointment Despite a great location, atmosphere, and much-hyped chef, this place is just an overpriced disaster with no hope for long-term survival unless the menu and food are revamped. We came here before their liquor license was issued and they graciously gave us free wine and cocktails (a pleasant surprise that saved them from a 1 star review). We sat at the kitchen bar and our drink order wasn't taken until 30 minutes after we were seated despite the chef's friends on both sides of us--who sat down after us--already getting their appetizers. They made this right by giving us a free small plate. Now, this 2 star review is based entirely on the food since I'll give the shaky service the benefit of the doubt since it just opened. The food failed more on conception than execution. We had a lump crab salad over hearty farro that was served with parmesan and pesto. The crab should have been the highlight of the plate but it was dominated by the pesto, cheese, and farro. The sausage stuffed calamari and gnocchi were next and both were inedibly salty (and heavy for a summer menu). They clearly were not tasted before getting sent out. Mushroom croquettes were straight out of the frozen food aisle but at least tolerable. Finally, the low point of the night was the chicken-- mistakenly left in the oven or Ronco food dehydrator overnight. We ate only two bites. Fortunately, our second waiter of the night (Mark, who was a.kitchens saving grace) recognized this was horrific and comped it without us even asking. If you are wondering what happened to our first waitress, we're pretty sure she was high. Seriously. All in all the bill would have been $120 but after 3 free drinks (at $14 each, a free small plate for being ignored, and a comped entree) we paid $60. Still too expensive for the quality. I'm also not the type to try to get free food since I haven't complained or sent back a dish in years. This place is as bad as their website. We will not return (even if they bring back the free drinks).
So the things they do well they do extremely well. Sadly, the food isn't one of them in my opinion. The food wasn't bad, I always want to be fair and it's only fair not to mislead you. The food is, however, also not the best of any of the many tapas style places in center city to choose from. The food was somewhere in the middle for a mid-to-high priced Rittenhouse establishment. The prices wouldn't be on the high end if the portions weren't so much to the small end. None of the food was inedible by any means, but alas, none if it was worth raving about here, either. Of the 5 dishes we tried, the scallops were the most flavorful and if my entire meal had been scallops then 4 or 5 stars would be above this review. The staff is amazingly attentive. My water never went empty-and I have a weird thing about that-so bravo! My silverware promptly replaced for each different plate, my area wiped of my crumbs before I even realized they were there. I noticed at least 3 people eyeball each plate before it reaches the customer, so they all come out looking very good. Oddly, my coffee was not hot, though it was poured in front of me out of a lovely carafe. The manager and hostess both made a point of saying, "thank you" and "goodnight." Good manners are hard to find in Phila. Not a bad place, and if you're palate is less picky than your expectations of service, you will be pleased.
(3)
Al C.
I had hearts salad and a veal bolognese. Salad was OK. Veal bolognese was very enjoyable. Pasta was cooked well and tomato based sauce had good flavor with bits of veal. I don't know if they have a wine list but the Bernard Beaudry Chinon went well with everything although $15 for a 5 oz pour is a little steep since it is a $20 bottle. Bartender was very attractive even though she did not smile. Waiter and hostess were fantastic! Contemporary design was attractive.
(3)
Ekta S.
Best 4 bites I've had in a while! This place has a great location, and pretty good food. They should definitely warn their patrons about the small plates. This place is more like an extremely expensive tapas place. Had they not served free liquor I'd probably be disappointed. Good thing I'm on a diet!
(3)
Bobby P.
Okay food, but a truly great atmosphere and great service. We love sitting at the kitchen counter for dinner and a show. It's so entertaining to watch the cooking staff weave around one another in those tight quarters, concocting a seemingly endless stream of small plates on the fly. The food itself is good overall, but too many inconsistencies prevent me from calling it great. Of course another advantage to sitting at the kitchen counter is direct feedback*, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see some improvement. I'm partial to the crêpe with mushroom gravy and the wild boar pasta, however the menu rotates so don't be upset if neither is available. *Don't go harassing the cooks while they're busy. At the end of the night they might have some time to socialize or even be open to some constructive criticism. The last time we tried the chorizo meatballs they were extremely salty, but the chef asked us how they were and really seamed to value our feedback.
(4)
Rob H.
It's alright with me! But I must have missed the draw. Haven't thought about since my visit.
(3)
Danielle M.
I have been wanting to eat here basically since I heard it opened, and was happy to get a chance this week for lunch. The hostess sat us right away. It was a sunny day and my friend and I sat at a spacious table near the open windows. Great spot to people watch and take in the beautiful day. Water and bread came out right away and the server gave us the appropriate amount of time to view the menu. We started with the beet and broccoli rabe. The beets were cooked perfectly and the honey yogurt sauce's sweetness complimented them well. The broccoli was a little overcooked and had a bit of a bitter taste that I wasn't crazy about. I ordered the chicken pancetta sandwich with age provolone. The portion was pretty big and it came with homemade chips. The chicken was moist and the panetta was fresh and tore easily. The bread was soft and the right thickness. The dressing used (some type of red pepper I think) was good but extremely runny/ messy. I was continuously wiping my hands. Which brings me to another downside. The napkins. They provided us with bar rags, which presentation wise isn't great but what got me was that it got lint all over your clothes. My friend and I were both wearing black dresses and it was annoying to have to wipe all the lint off afterwords. The only other downside was that after we finished our meal, it took awhile for the check. Normally, I do not mind though during lunch service I would expect it to be a bit faster. I will definitely go back to try out brunch and dinner. Overall, it's a nice addition to rittenhouse.
(3)
Lexi P.
This place was fantastic. First, the food was excellent. My husband and I split 5 of their small plates and each one was fantastic. Second, we went for our anniversary (which was last October, and I am just getting to the review now, oops), and they were so kind! They gave us glasses of champagne on the house and a free dish of their delicious fried oysters. Totally unexpected and very appreciated. Third, the service is excellent. Our waiter was able to describe the dishes and recommend things, but was not too in our face. It is pricey and the portions are small, but this is how thing are in a small plates-type restaurant, it allows you to try more things! And the expense is worth it as the food is really top-notch. We are coming here for brunch for my birthday in a few weeks and I am looking forward to returning!
(5)
Ginny M.
Foodie paradise. Very "exotic" dishes but they all worked; braised brussels sprouts, pasta with mushrooms, pear salad, and lamb meatballs were all prepared in an unusual manner but in a way that was flavorful and varied in texture and appearance. (The lamb was not too "lamby" as it sometimes can be when using ground meat). The service was attentive and helpful. The portions are large for "small plate" size but small for individual servings so I think of it as the type of place to go with several people and order multiple dishes to try different things. They do add up, however, so I would rate it as "expensive."
(5)
Suzanne H.
Dinner for two last night with an 8 p.m. reservation. For the food we started with the 3-cheese plate that was beautifully presented with a Spanish Indiazabal, Cabot cheddar and Jasper Hill blue along with accompanying various fruit chutneys. We shared the "for 2" entree of the evening: wild striped bass stuffed with celery root along with a side of sauteed fall greens. The fish was delicious and the bitter greens were a nice complement to the richness of the fish. We capped things off with a shared black currant sorbet and coffee. On to the service: Inconsistent and perplexing. We weren't sure what our server's role was since he only appeared on occasion and in between those times a least 3 different people brought us our food and asked if we wanted second glasses of wine. He definitely wasn't very attentive. The space is small so the noise level was loud, so loud in fact that our server asked us to repeat ourselves on several occasions. Nice by-the-glass wine list. The crowd is young(ish) and trendy. Overall I really enjoyed the food but should I return I might do so on a weeknight when it might not be be so hectic.
(4)
Ernest S.
This is a pretty nice space, but the food was not up to par. The pasta was undercooked, the cheese plate was uninteresting, and the best thing about the recommended swordfish appetizer was the sauce.
(2)
Jim T.
If you sat next to me at a.kitchen this Wednesday, I sincerely apologize. You may have thought I was angry, or arguing with my friends. I assure you I was not. Sometimes, when a meal is really, really great, it actually makes me curse out loud. Sorry about that. Blame the lamb loin, which was cooked to perfection. Or the duck ragu with corkscrew pasta, which I could've eaten by the hotel pan. Blame the taleggio crepes, and the beet salad with goat cheese. Most of all blame the cheesecake with pears and riesling sorbet, which was so g%d#mn good I ignored sharing etiquette and nearly ate the whole thing myself. Our server, Samuel, was great. Attentive but not overbearing. He was intuitive to our needs without hovering, which is saying something is such a small space. Coming from a guy who serves for a living, he gets high marks. (And I hope a decent tip, after three cocktails and a bottle of wine my math might've been fuzzy.) The wine list was huge, but I found an excellent, reasonable Nebbiolo that went with pretty much everything we tried. We sat at the open kitchen counter, and I was amazed that four sous chefs could occupy that small a space and not crash into each other. It was great to see how some of our dishes took shape. Overall a fantastic dinner. I'll definitely return. And I'll try not to curse so much next time.
(4)
Miss Piggy B.
Found this great spot while shopping in Philly- delish food, great wine selection and excellent service! The open kitchen and intimate dining room is fun and energetic and our server was knowledgable and genuine. The risotto was to die for and so was the beet and goat cheese salad. We were also big fans of the asparagus salad, lamb, meatballs, bolognese pasta and the shortbread dessert. Yes, two people ordered all of that- can't wait to go back again! Also, I couldn't help but notice how actively involved every member of the staff was- simply seeing something that needed to be done and graciously doing so. Refreshing. Did I mention how awesome the food was?
(4)
Caroline P.
party of 5, 9:30 sunday evening - no trouble securing a table nice bottle list and decent selection of cocktails, beers, spirits for some reason we all chose the same cocktail - so a round of moscow mules it was - the combination of ginger beer, vodka and lime was refreshing - the bar area stayed pleasantly active throughout the evening a.kitchen is a warmly intimate space in a spare/minimalist sort of way - open kitchen, no frivolous decor, bare tables, etc we ordered various dishes, a special request was accommodated and we found everything lovely - scallops with meyer lemon and endive, smoked octopus, cacio e pepe, gnocchi with saddle of rabbit, swordfish with black olives/white beans my favorite was the swordfish - i would have liked 17 more we tried some desserts as well - a cinnamon ice cream, a goat-cheesecake, and shortbread with lemon curd - all lovely again most of the table wasn't crazy about the goat cheesecake, but i liked it service was attentive and gracious portions are small, but well-executed and perfect for sharing, or not
(4)
Clare H.
I had a very good experience my first time at A.Kitchen. The dishes are small but not too small. I went with two other people and we were all happy with our meals. My only complaint was that the tuna used in the tartare did not seem to be a very good grade of fish - A BIG LET DOWN. My cocktail was fine but not great. I'll come back, at least once more.
(3)
Diem L.
I came here for brunch with my friends. Our waitress was great but the food was average. I got the steak and eggs special which was good and my boyfriend got the House-Made English Muffin, Country Sausage, Fried Egg with Potatoes. His meal came out looking like a McDonald's McMuffin with no presentation. It was just the sandwich on a white plate. It looked unappetizing (I'm definitely not one to turn my nose up at a McMuffin) and for a $12 dish, I expect a bit more effort.
(2)
Evelyn G.
good brunch. service was great. A+ fresh squeezed OJ
(3)
George K.
The simple cacio e pepe, cheese and black pepper on spaghetti, was delicious and, according to my table, by far the best of all the plates. I hope it remains post-restaurant week. The other courses were very good, no disappointments, but not as memorable. The plymouth gin and vergamo vermouth cocktail, basically a martini with more vermouth and less gin, was really crisp and bright -- a standout cocktail. Only complaint: we felt rushed by our server, who was nevertheless extremely polite and attentive. I know, it's restaurant week, but still.. This may be aggravated by the fact that the dining space is so small and so it feels like someone is always hovering around.
(4)
HM K.
Ordered french toast, eggs benedict and english muffin sandwich. All are ok-quality but considering the price (expensive) and quantity, I can give only two stars.
(2)
Elise K.
Definitely up there in the "Best Meals I've Ever Had" category for both myself and my dining companion. (I'm actually quite surprised at some of these negative reviews.) We sat at the bar, and our service was everything we could have wanted. Our bartender chatted with us, was polite and knowledgeable and was there for everything we needed, while masterfully mixing beautiful cocktails with layers of complexity. They were offering a $32 four-course menu, which I felt was even underpriced for the food I got. I noticed other reviews complaining about prices a la carte, and, just so we're clear, this was an expensive meal, but it was worth every cent. The frisee, bacon and egg salad was a perfect balance of salty and tangy - something I think I would probably be happy to eat for every meal for the rest of my life. Taleggio and mushroom crepe was earthy and delicious, and the shrimp with chilis were large, spicy and succulent. Then came the chicken. Ohhhh, the chicken. The chicken that will surely be one of those dishes that I crave, that I dream about. You wouldn't think that a place like a.kitchen would serve fried chicken and probably be even less likely to order it. This is a major can't miss though - it's unbelievably juicy with a crunchy coating that's not too thick and little bits of perfectly crispy/creamy foie gras that somehow crazily pairs beautifully with the chicken. My dining companion ordered the chicken and was stingy with sharing, and my prix-fixe came with the lamb bolognese. I'm sure it was great, but I didn't really remember anything after tasting the chicken. Actually, not true, the bolognese was wonderful - beautiful ribbons of pasta with meaty sauce that I'd kill to know how to make - even so, if there were a commandment about coveting thy neighbor's chicken, I'd be guilty as charged. We don't usually do dessert, but the savory dishes were so fantastic, we just had to see what the kitchen could whip up in the sweet department. Pound cake and goat cheese cake were above average but not as outstanding as the other dishes. The banana ice cream was the star though, a miracle of gastronomy that packed so much banana flavor into one creamy scoop. We will most definitely be back...for chicken. And to try out brunch, which, from the menu, looks like it'd be amazing as well.
(5)
Carol L.
A. Kitchen is extremely conveniently located for us, so I keep trying. The menu is interesting, but the noise level is really unbearable. This is not the place to come if you want to have a conversation and if you don't want to hear the ones around you as if they were yours. I requested the otherwise good shrimp salad to be served on whole grain bread rather than a baguette, and it came out soggy with the ingredients dropping all over. The shrimp were whole, so trying to bite off a piece resulted in the whole shrimp pulling out of the bread. For dinner it is one of those places trying to be a tappas restaurant (I've been to actual tappas places in Spain), which in this country seems to mean an excuse for serving small plates at not so small prices. Nevertheless, the food can be tasty, and I would highly recommend going there on off hours (or bring either ear plugs or a megaphone).
(2)
Yelena O.
I came here for dinner and waited an hour for my entree to be served. The waiter checked on it in the middle, but that didn't seem to help. After the lamb steak finally came out, it was inedible because of an odd aftertaste. Staff didn't care to offer taking it off the bill even though it was barely touched. Service, timeliness and food were disappointing. I will not be coming back.
(1)
Lowie T.
was excited to try a. kitchen, but minus a star because portions are so small for the price per dish. although a.kitchen claims to NOT be a tapas restaurant, asking patrons to order 2-3 dishes of small plates per person, at $14-$18 per plate begs the question....so what are you exactly? the food was actually very good, but for the three of us, among 8 main dishes, plus wine, and dessert- we left craving a good burger/hearty slice of pizza. the bill probably left room for just that actually. not that i am against paying a lot for good food, but when you have places like amada, which actually IS a tapas restaurant where you leave feeling full and satisfied (and probably pay less despite it being a garces` restaurant), it's hard to justify a place like a.kitchen . some amazing dishes we had were the lobster muffins- large succulent pieces of lobster between two buttery slider-ish buns- you must order this! the foie gras, and the blue crab w/ pesto were also stars. i wasn't a fan of the pork (or beef??) tongue over lentils. i normally love lentils and have had pork & beef tongue before the but the lentils had a strange texture+flavor, and the tongue was a bit dry. i would skip this. the chocolate panna cotta was very, very good, as was the coffee at the end. it's a tasty place to try a few dishes, and i love the decor. very warm, simple, yet modern, with large windows that face 18th street (great for people watching). a great place for a date in terms of atmosphere, but don't expect to get full.
(3)
Brian V.
Not thrilled with the food or the waitstaff.
(2)
Leah G.
Wanted to love . . . only kind of liked. The food is all fine - not excellent, but pleasant enough . . . .just not pleasant enough for the price tag. Go with light eaters; if you don't, there won't be much for you to eat!
(3)
Hannah G.
A. Kitchen was fine. Went there on a whim for lunch with a friend -- we each ordered a glass of wine and a sandwich. It was July 4th and they were fairly slow. Our server was very kind and attentive. The wine selection was nice, but fairly overpriced in my opinion, especially considering the size of their pours. They also have lines on their wine glasses marking the volume of the pour... I suppose it's a good way to avoid any confusion with customers thinking they're being shorted, but we found it a bit tacky. My sandwich (brie & speck) was very tasty. Overall pleasant experience, but probably not a place I will dine at again.
(3)
Christie P.
Aaaaaaamazing breakfast. Best French toast Ive had in a long time. Yes, prices were outrageous, but you know that going in. Wouldn't take someone there who can't handle a little noise, because it does get loud ( but in a good, wake you up kind of way!).
(5)
Caver B.
Not a bad place, but the Benedict was pretty bland, and the home-made English muffins were more of a crumpet (dense) and surprisingly under seasoned. For the price you can find better. The only reason we ended up there was an early train, and this was one of the few places open before 10Am on Sunday. If we knew more about it, we would have gone back to Marathon on Sansom.
(2)
Holly B.
We started with the baby lettuce hearts, blue cheese, pears & walnuts- simple, well flavored, tasty. I loved the roasted cauliflower but the curried lobster broth was a little too much - I understand the "modernist cuisine" but it did not enhance the flavors in any way. We ordered the taleggio & porcini crêpe w/ forest mushroom gravy, but I do not remember it in any way which makes me believe it was mediocre. Half my party went crazy for the blue crab with farro & pesto-- I however was not fond of the creamy crab salad atop teh pesto laced grains, I thought the combination was a bit bizarre. I did love the seared scallops w/ choucroute & my top dish of the evening was the roasted grouper w/ salsify risotto & bottarga. The white fish was flaky & flavorful and the creamy risotto was spectacular. I tried half of a cornmeal-crusted oyster w/ remoulade which was tasty (would be ideal on a Sunday afternoon on the bay!). We had the spiced venison w/ brussel sprouts, blue cheese & apples, again a decent dish cooked perfectly. And we took the waiters suggestion and ordered his fave dish: the duck w/ corkscrew pasta, wild mushrooms, butternut squash- very flavorful, if you like duck, you will love this! Greta execution, a solid meal.
(4)
Steve M.
The food is creative, you can tell this guy knows his stuff. Wine list could have more reasonable choices, though I did love the $40. rioja . The ambiance reeks of pretension but the staff couldn't be warmer. I think it's overpriced which is why I gave it only four stars.
(4)
Tricia M.
I really wanted to love this place and had high expectations after reading all the glowing reviews about the food. It's definitely a place for "foodies" and for a small plates restaurant the prices were very high. Ironically our favorite dishes were from the vegetable section of the menu, we were not planning on getting 3 dishes. The frisee salad with bacon and poached egg was fabulous, I could not stop eating it as was my husbands mushroom taleggio crepe. But things went down hill from there. The smoked octopus was chewy and the blue crab had shells in it, though the farro was delicious. The venison I had was cold and needed seasoning and my husbands short ribs were overcooked. Mistakes I would not expect from this kitchen. Drinks were good and our server excellent even on a very busy night. I probably would not come back any time soon
(3)
Sherri S.
I have always loved this place, until tonight. Horrible service, drinks not available, pasta just so-so, extremely long wait for dessert. I probably won't go back.
(1)
Jeremy R.
Visiting from out of town and tried A.kitchen for Sunday brunch. Cute place, small, but that's part of its charm. Food on the other hand was weak! Had the sausage, egg, and homemade English muffin. Sausage had no flavor and for that matter was under-cooked. Muffin was ok....the fried egg was ok...but how hard is that?
(2)
Laura S.
For a restaurant that just opened this week, a.kitchen is doing very well - I was pleasantly surprised! You can tell that there are some areas in which they are still getting their feet under them, but overall I had a great experience. The physical space is beautiful. I sat at the chef's bar, where I had a great view of all of the food as it was prepped - which is dangerous if you are the kind of person who wants to eat everything that looks good. The space is open and light and comfortable. Service was incredibly attentive - perhaps one of the perks of coming by when a place cares about making a good impression! The beets with broccoli rabe and honey yogurt were excellent - I am a big fan of the pickled beets down the street at Village Whiskey, but I think these beat them out by just a smidge. The deciding factor is the honey yogurt, it is a lovely accompaniment for the beets. If they were open for lunch it would be a perfect mid-day entree; for dinner it was great as a starter on a hot, muggy day. The asparagus and artichokes were also a very good hot-weather pick. The pecorino cream was not overly heavy and the dish had a nice, light citrusy flavor. The only dish I didn't love was the pork belly risotto fritters. As a previous review mentioned, the rice tasted more like plain white rice than risotto. I thought the dish was too oily and a little bland. I can see how I might like the dish better in the fall/winter, though - it might have just been a mistake to order it in 90 degree weather! My waiter noticed that I did not enjoy the fritters and the dish was taken off my bill, which was unexpected but very appreciated. I wasn't going to eat dessert, but like I said - sitting at the chef's bar is dangerous. After watching them head out to another table, I tried the almond macaroons with plums. The macaroons had a great flavor - herbal and minty - although they were a little crumbly and hard to eat neatly (but whatever, who cares how you look when you're eating dessert?). The plums were absolutely perfect, I really enjoyed how seasonal the dessert was. Another unexpected surprise on this visit was that the restaurant is offering complementary beverages until their liquor license is in. I had a lovely white wine that my server recommended, it was deliciously light and fruity. I think this is another way in which the restaurant distinguished itself for me - they could have waited to begin serving alcohol until they had their license, but I am impressed at the way they chose to handle the situation. I am looking forward to returning to try more of the dishes I had a glimpse of this evening (the tagliatelli with veal ragu and chorizo stuffed calamari are first on the list!).
(4)
Ashlee P.
Hearing who the chef of a.kitchen is, I was expecting an out of this world dinner. I was underwhelmed to say the least. They serve their food in small plates, but the servers didn't feel it necessary to explain this. The fried potatoes with saffron aioli....I've had better frozen from a bag. The calamari stuffed with chorizo had virtually no calamari; it merely served as a casing. The almond "macaroon" was described by the boyfriend as a rice cake with fruity jam. He wasn't far off. The one redeeming quality is the complimentary hooch. The bartender whipped up great cocktails all night. Otherwise, no reason to go back.
(2)
helene l.
Went for dinner last week and had the Swordfish and beets with goat cheese. BF had the roasted chicken. The food was delicious, service was professional, environment was immaculate. One should not arrive ravenous, as the portions are fit for an anorexic supermodel.
(3)
Amar R.
Been here twice. The food/service at this place is not something I would write home about. No plans of going back again.
(2)
Steve G.
You have to sit at the chef's counter to get the full experience. Great food and with great drinks.
(5)
Steve G.
You have to sit at the chef's counter to get the full experience. Great food and with great drinks.
(5)
Om S.
Overall we had a good experience. Bartender was very informative and recommended drinks based on our taste. The limited food we had was not to die for though we liked the location and the way it is set up. It is not too big but feels cozy. Would certainly go back to try other items. Drinks rock though.
(3)
Kumar S.
Great Restaurant, Small so can get quite busy. Make reservations or be prepared to wait. Food is amazing and changes every day, try to sit at the high table around the kitchen so you get to see everything. desserts are very good and service is great!
(4)
Emilio M.
i have yet to have a bad meal here. ate here last night with my wife and we were blown away. everything was great with service to match. Lamb meatbalss are one of my favorite dishes but i must mention the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi, the chicken was fantastic. crispy skin while having a moist interior with exceptional Gnocchi. the Braised Rabbit with Rye Spaetzle and Brussels Sprouts was also really well prepared.
(5)
Dana F.
Went to a.kitchen last night - LOVED it! Food was wonderful (5 plates for 2 of us), servers were friendly, and service was timely even though they were packed. We were delighted with our intimate view of the kitchen, and were most impressed that the chefs took such great care with every dish we watched them prepare. Very impressed, and we'll definitely return.
(5)
Douglas A.
This is a wonderful spot in a great location next to Rittenhouse Square. The service is excellent and the menu is innovative and fresh. This should be on everyone's list of restaurants in the city. The bar is outstanding and they can mix any drink or pour any wine or beer you would like. I had a wilted lettuce salad that was excellent with a ranch dressing that was both subtle and tart. My entree was an free range chicken breast with garlic smashed potatoes and I had a side of the grilled asparagus. Wow it was great. The dessert was "meh" so that is why they get a 4 rather than a 5 star rating. The service was attentive but not hovering over us. I also enjoyed being able to watch the chefs prepare our dinner. Yumb factor is quite high here!
(4)
Jennifer I.
Went here to eat brunch on a last-min whim (orig was gonna go to Hip City Veg, which is around the corner). It was a gorgeous day and they placed us at a table that was basically in between indoors and outdoors, so it was perfect. We shared a grapefruit juice, which was refreshing and an eye-opener. I got the crispy shrimp. Expected some shrimp placed over grits, but was surprised to see it deconstructed. The crispy shrimp was on a separate plate, and garnished abundantly w/ grilled scallions and some watermelon radish. The shrimp was perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor--I ate the whole thing (except the head). The grits were in a separate plate; can't comment too much on the grits. They were on the coarser side, not cheesy. Both the shrimp and grits were drizzled a little too much w/ buffalo/hot sauce, which I did NOT appreciate. My bf got the tuna melt sammy. It looked good, but I'm not the biggest fan of tuna so I didn't try it. Service was excellent, except when the waitress poured water into my glass and didn't notice that the water hit my phone.
(4)
Matt K.
Nestled in the heart of bustling Rittenhouse Square, this place even has outdoor tables, where the people watching on a weekday for lunch is outstanding. Even though you feel completely detached from the restaurant itself, the service is fantastic, as at least two people seem to be watching over the outdoor tables at all times. The food is the invention of Eli Kulp, who has won many awards for Fork and the place next door. He keeps having success after success. He was also badly hurt in the Amtrak crash and we wish him well. The food here was inventive and very very good, with a few caveats. The onion soup with burrata in it was amazing! So many beautiful flavors, and the burrata added an interesting element, the "cream" to a non-cream soup. The broccoli and grain salad, although great flavors, the grains were incredibly tough and chewy. The barley was not thoroughly cooked and although this seemed intentional, it was a bit gummy and very chewy. The burger was very tasty, but raw in the middle. (I had asked for medium) I didn't send it back because it was a locally sourced beef which I considered safe. All in all a great experience, would love to try dinner and sample more of the menu.
(4)
Jacqueline O.
Nom nom. what can I say. Top eats: -kale salad (better then it sounds) -hamachi -side of mushrooms -spice cauliflower -wagyu steak
(5)
Julie G.
I was pretty disappointed with my lunch here. Started off with the carrot salad, and then I got the eggplant sandwich. The carrots were way under cooked and far too crunchy to my liking. Practically raw. The eggplant parm sandwich was also underwhelming. There were several small pieces of deeply Fried eggplant. I would preferred one large piece of lightly fried eggplant. The french fries were good, but it's not that hard to make good french fries. Service was very slow. They even gave us a free grilled lettuce to apologize for the slow service, but I was not a fan of that dish either. The only reason I give it two stars is because my friend ordered the beef tartare, and he said that was very good. Sadly I will not return.
(2)
Doina N.
A.kitchen is one my favorite places to grab a bite of pretty decent food in the Rittenhouse square. Yes, food is very expensive for the portions they serve. I guess they have their own clientele who can really afford it. In my case, I'd like to go there for a couple of bites and enjoy their drinks. On my last visit, I tried their grass-fed beef tartare which caught my eyes pretty fast. Extremely amazing. It came with crispy, nicely cooked potato skins. Cocktails are pretty delicious as well. They taste very light but are full of rich flavors and the alcohol kicks in quite well. My favorite is Ashes to Ashes. Also, they are known to have a great selection of wines from around the world. Their wine glasses have two measurements in case you're trying to either save money (lol) or if you're trying to go easy on drinking for the occasion. Service is really great. Waiters have been all great. Same goes for the bartenders in case you like to sit by the bar.
(4)
Flora W.
First of all, I was impressed by its deco which made me very comfortable. Second, I was impressed by its menu cause they are charcoal grilled. I love all grilled dishes on the menu and its hard to pick one of them. After hearing the server kindly explained their special dishes for today, I decided to have grilled rabbit. Definitely, rabbit is a special dish for me. We had Fried Oyster Tartine and Grilled Octopus as appetizers, and shared the Grilled Rabbit. For Tartine, except the bread was over-toasted, it was good. Griiled Octopus was very special cause it included peanuts and yogurt. And the Grilled Rabbit was incredibly good! I will come next time to try other grilled meat. Love a.kitchen !
(5)
Joe Y.
Great place for a drink and a bite. Great selection of spirits, wine and beer. We loved the cheese plate and fries. The staff was very helpful and provided great conversation. Being our first time in Philadelphia, we tried our best to try out as many places as possible and after our first stop we went in search for another bar. We found A bar on Yelp and decided to stop in. As soon as we sat down the bartender greeted us and quickly delivered the refreshments. We had a great time talking with the staff and enjoyed the food and drinks.
(4)
Kathryn D.
Travelled to Philly for a conference and had a free morning. I walked around and yelped some breakfast spots. Came across A Kitchen. First they welcomed me very warmly. Shannon was my server and she was fantastic. Coffee was delicious and I take mine black so it was nice to find a robust cup!! Then I tried the Market Street Butter Bun. Holy smokes really brings out the coffee bean. I was severed fresh eggs and freshly baked sourdough bread. Fantastic. Highly recommend. The potatoes are unbelievable!!!
(5)
Yayi Z.
I ordered the grilled shiitake sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. That alone carries the four stars. My friend and I sat outside since the weather was nice. They set both chairs facing the street, suitable for people watching and looking out at the Rittenhouse square. My friend had the crispy shrimp with grits and was fairly satisfied, except "would have 2 more shrimps". Lol there are a few minuses such as slow service, and few selection of protein on the brunch menu. But all in all, a very enjoyable brunch experience. :)
(4)
Molly M.
Amazingly well-crafted farm-to-table food and expert service. We had the grilled baby romaine, roasted carrots with cous cous, lobster with mint, and goat cheese panna cotta washed down with the agave maria margarita. Our plates were scraped clean by dueling forks. Delicious!
(5)
Kevin R.
If you want cheap food and ridiculously sized portions... Please don't come here and write a whiny review. This isn't Golden Corral. On the other hand if you want masterfully created and well thought out dishes... This is your place. We sat at the chefs counter and had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. The counter menu is not the same as the main area menu. Each dish highlights the skills of this most remarkable team and is served to you and explained by the chef who prepared it. Each and every dish was amazing and perfectly portioned. The wine pairing was spot on. We had the best view in the house watching the choreography of the kitchen. Great decor and professionally trained waitstaff who are very friendly make this place a go-to when you want to experience something special.
(5)
Angela H.
I had a great first experience here. My server (named Roldone? I'm not sure... it's a foreign name to me) was very sweet, attentive, and made great recommendations. She even brought me a little ice cream with a candle for my birthday since we didn't order dessert. We ordered the oysters, the grilled romaine, the octopus, and the bronzino. This was the perfect amount of food for two. Everything tasted fantastic, was served at well-timed intervals, and at perfect temperatures for digging right in. The dishes here are creative and you'll taste some flavor combinations that may be new to you. I also ordered a cocktail that I really loved - the one with gin, honey, mint, etc. We also enjoyed a great, very dry champagne, #135. The ambience here is nice, but not special or striking in any way. I imagine it would be appropriate for all situations. We left drunk, full, and happy.
(5)
Helen P.
My husband and I came here for brunch and I am so happy that I found it on opentable. The restaurant has a small cozy city feel with an open kitchen and big windows to people watch on13th street. We were seated right away and the manager quickly took our drink order while our server finished with his other tables. The coffee was very good- strong but perfectly balanced. I like the attentiveness of all staff. There was a lot of options for brunch and everything sounded delicious. With the help of the server, we finally narrowed our choices to the shiitake mushroom egg sandwich and the fried cutlet and gravy. Both served with crispy potatoes. I def would like to try the steak and eggs next time. But overall happy with what we ordered and the service provided. Super cute space and right in the heart of rittenhouse so we will be back!
(5)
Tina F.
Me and my boyfriend have gone to many restaurants in Philly, and thus far a kitchen has the best service and the best food. The first time we went we were sat by the chef and saw the grill which reminded me Argentinean style gel. We had the old age t bone, which was delicious. The second we went it was with a group of 7, usually they recommend a large group to do the tasting menu of $65 each. So we did that, and the food was amazing. I really liked every dish that came out, of course we got the t bone again, and it was amazing again. The service here and the intimate environment is what I really love. Hands down, my bf favorite restaurant and service in Philly.
(5)
Mike W.
I never experienced a.Kitchen before it was revamped by Eli Kulp and Ellen Yin, but I can imagine it was not nearly as good then as it is now. My fiance took me here on my birthday as part of my present and in order to pay up on a bet we had. We grabbed a cocktail at the small bar just inside the door and watched the skilled bartenders work their magic. They arent the fastest around, but they take great care in making the drinks. And the two of them that we ordered off the bat were on point. The Ashes to Ashes was a delicious concoction of Fernet Branca, rosemary honey, lemon and ginger. It was sweet, but not overly so, and the perfect way to prepare my palate for the deliciousness that was about to incur. We were lucky enough to be able to score some seats at the chefs counter around the open kitchen. Its always fun for me to sit so close to the kitchen and watch the chefs work because they are really talented. We started with some crisps provided by the kitchen before our onslaught of dishes began arriving. First up was the spiced cauliflower with black garlic and avocado. What an incredibly delicious dish. It was crispy as hell and the flavor of the black garlic sauce was intense. The hamachi crudo came next and it was just as good as the cauliflower. The tender and fresh fish was served over crispy rice cakes and a schmear of spicy mustard. The crunch factor from the rice cake was a nice contrast from the fish and provided a bit of Asian flair to the dish. The burrata and the duck scrapple came up next. The duck scrapple was probably my least favorite bite of the evening. It came with a soft cooked yolk and watercress with sweet peppers. I thought the texture of the scrapple was off. It was kind of crumbly and very dry. The yolk was very rich, but almost too much to save the scrapple that was already very rich. The burrata was light, refreshing and creamy beyond words. It came with a delicious creamy beet soup, fresh dill and trout roe. The combination of flavors was great. The flavors em-parked by the custom grill at a.Kitchen are phenomenal. These flavors really came through even more on the next three dishes. The first of which was a special for the evening, head on grilled shrimp with a chimichurri sauce on top. The shrimp were grilled just enough to leave a charcoal flavoring to them, and they were still very tender. The duck breast had been rendered down perfectly leaving the duck moist and flavorful. The xo sauce and Brussels sprouts really rounded out the charred flavors of the dish beautifully. I really wish there was more Brussels sprouts though. There simply needed to be more on the plate for me. The best use of the charred flavoring was with the grilled leeks. They caught both my eye and my fiance's right off the bat. The came charred, served with a green chili romesco sauce and smoked marcona almonds. The flavor was sublime. It was one of the best veggie dishes I have had in recent memory. The flavor from the sauce and the textural change with the crunch of the almonds was a fantastic pairing. I was really looking forward to dessert because I know how good the creations of Sam Kincaid can be because I have fallen in love with them at Fork and High Street on Market. She is a whiz with both savory and sweet elements in dessert, and the one that we chose definitely excelled at both levels. It was a wheat pound cake, with peach curd, peach struesel and caraway-rye ice cream. What a powerful combination! The ice cream definitely tasted like you were eating a piece of rye bread. It kept things from getting too sweet, and it was one of those things that seriously just has you thinking for weeks afterward. It was so well done. I will definitely be back because the vibe here is great and the food is phenomenal.
(4)
Barry S.
I cook all the time over charcoal, so I was excited to stumble across this place while hunting for a dinner place near our hotel on Rittenhouse square. Our party consisted of a 5-year-old child, two parents, and a grandmother. To some, it seems strange to take a child to fine dining, but we have done this many times. It was nice that nobody gave us strange looks bringing a child into the restaurant, which has happened on a small fraction of those occasions. That said, the menu was the the least child friendly of all of the 20 or 30 fancy restaurants we have taken her to. I understand that we are not the target market for such a restaurant. But let me then make a suggestion: don't then bill the plating as "family-style". There was nothing at the restaurant for a child to entertain herself. I figure at least a small sheet for coloring and a 4-pack of crayons is not very expensive and easy to store somewhere. (A "Roys" location once gave her a Hawaiian themed activity book and a free choice of a toy from a treasure chest by the door that she played with for half of our visit.) There was nothing very child friendly on the menu, even for our adventurous child who had eaten raw oysters just the day before. We asked if a chef could make something simple -- grilled-cheese, say, or even a suggestion about something that might work -- and we were simply rebuffed. The portion sizes seemed small compared to the giant portions so common in the US. But they seemed good to me. Grandmother eats very little, and hearing this, our server had a good idea about how much food would fill us up. I don't like having so much food that I must decide between getting stuffed or boxing up leftovers. The appetizers we chose were pretty excellent -- a yummy fried cauliflower appetizer, and tender grilled octopus. The entrees and sides were disappointing. The pork chop ordered by grandmother was extremely fatty, the duck was pretty typical duck -- nothing exciting -- and the richness of the mushrooms was lost in the richness of the other elements of the dish. My branzino was well cooked and very good, so I was the lucky one in our group. Fortunately, because the meal is family style, my wife got some. But grandma didn't want any. We sat outside in front of the restaurant, a very pleasant seating arrangement if you like people-watching, and even with the city bustle it was much quieter than inside the restaurant. I think we were visited by three different servers; they work as a team. They were friendly, attentive, and knowledgable about food. With the multitude of seemingly excellent restaurants in the area to explore, I won't choose this one again for some time.
(3)
Ayesha R.
Great food. Great ambiance. Decent service. Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because service was a bit slow. Came here during lunchtime during Restaurant Week and got the $20 deal. The burger was nice and juicy. The carrot salad was unusual but tasty. And you can never go wrong with a chocolate dessert!
(4)
Steve M.
On a whim I tried a.kitchen after finding it here on Yelp. Got lucky with a cancellation, and got right in on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for brunch with the wife and in-laws. Had the stuffed French toast paired with 2 eggs scrambled. Have to admit that it didn't look like much quantity-wise, but when I put my fork down I was as stuffed as the French toast, and had all but licked my plate clean, it was that good! Atmosphere-wise the place is "clean", properly lit, and not too crowded. The smell from the grill making use of a real wood fire is amazing (if you like that sort of thing) and I'm sure that anything in the red-meat category coming from that grill would have been fantastic as well. Great place, fantastic staff and food, and highly recommended: go here!!
(4)
Yolanda A.
We went here for dinner for our first time during restaurant week last Friday and LOVED it! The restaurant week menu was four courses each and everything was delicious. My favorite was the intermediate course which was a creamy burrata in a savory onion broth. I also really enjoyed the spiced cauliflower. It had this creamy avocado sauce and really interesting black garlic that I couldn't get enough of. Everything else was also delicious and has convinced us to visit more often. Our server Roldine was friendly and helpful and really helped to make our experience so fantastic. The Sommelier, Marielle (sp?), was also kind and genuine as she helped us pick out a fabulous bottle of wine to pair with our meal. We loved everything about this restaurant including the ambiance, the friendly (and beautiful!) staff, and of course the food! We will definitely be returning in the near future!
(5)
Dan F.
My experience of the food (which was variable - some good, some weird) was completely overshadowed by the service (which was consistently bad). I was there on a first date and would have liked to spend more time focusing on my date than on the waitstaff, who demanded constant interaction and eye contact and constantly meddled between us. The tone was a little antagonistic and aggressive - it just felt bad to be there. Since my goal was to have an intimate meal, I grade A. Kitchen a C minus or a D. I can't recommend.
Expensive brunch place. Beer comes in small glasses. Cheaper and better places around.
(3)
Tina B.
Cute and trendy, but the food is just okay. Certainly overpriced for what they are.
(2)
Kristen M.
The food here is very good but unfortunately I probably wouldn't come back. Here's the "skinny:" What did I order: 3 Oysters, soft shell crab sandwich. Comes with homemade potato chips. Two beers. The good: Oysters were delectable - fresh - excellent. Nice beer selection - I had a beer I never heard of - Birra, and Italian lager. Sandwich was good - crab was fresh. A nice combination of flavors including a little spice, but not too overpowering. The bad: The portion size! And the price for that portion size. I'm embarrassed to admit that after spending $43.00 on my meal. I stopped in a fast food restaraunt on my way home and had fries. I was still very hungry. Overall: Go for a beer and an app. Wouldn't recommend for a substantial meal.
(3)
Kathryn S.
Went here with my grandparents for a late Saturday dinner. Initially, we were a little confused by the menu, but our fantastic waiter Paul was quick to explain. Everything was delicious. I never turn down a fois gras, and I loved the toasted hazelnuts and how well they balanced this dish. Since we were a party of 4, we had the duck legs, or more accurately leg and thigh. Everything about the duck was perfectly executed and it was melt in your mouth. Thankfully, we didn't over order and had room for dessert. I had the chocolate mousse, one of the best I have had in a while. We will definitely be back when they change up the menu for summer.
(5)
Noosh E.
Chef is amazing! Tried a lot of different things. Great cheese plate, the hamachi tartar was amazing - served with squid ink chip, had a variety of oysters and ended with the shrimp Louis salad - with a very delicious dressing ....the chef was kind enough to provide me with the ingredients! Very good - I'm surprised this place has only 3.5 starts.
(4)
Autumn H.
What a great meal i had at this place! I brought my boss here when on Tuesday for a work dinner. I have never been before but heard good things. This location is pretty small and i believe it is connected to its sister location, A. Bar, through the back. We made a reservation ahead of time and were seated right away. I looked at the menu prior to but when we sat down, the menu we were given was a little different. It all looked amazing. We ordered their cauliflower dish and the roasted carrots dish as appetizers. So good. The cauliflower was roasted and in an avocado puree of sorts. Delish. The carrots were on a bed of cous cous with fennel head ferns - can we say SPRING!? YUM. For dinner, my boss had the chicken dish but I ordered the duck breast. Let me tell you, the duck did not disappoint. It was thick and juicy and tender and excellently dressed. Our server was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable of the menu, provided great opinions and even through together a lovely mocktail for my boss, who doesn't drink. when it came to dessert, the server suggested the buckwheat pound cake. We were skeptical.. i mean, its buckwheat. But he told us how it was seemingly the essense of the location and all the ingredients were sourced locally, so we figured, why not? It was served with a buckwheat ice cream and was actually really good. I was pleasantly surprised! When i think of buckwheat, i instantly imagine cardboard. not the case at all. My only gripe is the table placement. We were seated pretty much in the middle at a 4 top. No big deal but the towards the end of the night, the back of my chair and my bun became the target of many servers passing through behind me. I tried many times to scoot myself up, to the side, to the other side with no luck. I didn't want to move tables because we were already pretty settled and didn't switch seats as to not be too awkwardly close to my male boss.. I probably got bumped in the back of the head at least 4 times. but other than that, great experience.
(4)
Indigo V.
My daughter raved about a.kitchen for brunch so I decided to check it out for lunch. It was ok. Not great. I thought some of their presumably high gourmet techniques like leaving the heads and shells on the grilled shrimp appetizer wasn't the greatest. Sure, some people like the heads, but with the shells still on it's clear the shrimp can't be properly cleaned and deveined. I'm personally not a big fan of crunchy shrimp. Wine list was pretty blah and overpriced. My grilled broccoli/vegetable salad with sprouted grains was also pretty blah. I got a lot of chewy grains and barely any vegetables, and had to ask for extra cheese for a bit more flavor. Maybe brunch and dinner are better, but I'm not inspired to go back.
(1)
Moses S.
I came here Friday evening with a couple friends around 9 or 10 pm. We were looking for a good cocktail and drink bar and we totally found it! The bar is quite small (seats only 7-8) but is a beautiful white marble. The bartenders (Tara and another I didn't catch her name) are attentive, approachable, and make some great cocktails. They're there when you need them and want to chat and off to do other things when you want to just hang out with friends. My friends and I closed down the place and had a great time talking with the bartenders and ordering on and off menu cocktails. Everything we ordered well balanced and tasted very, very good. There were a couple bartender's choice drinks that were REALLY good. You could tell the care and deliberate measures taken to ensure a well made drink whether it was using measuring tools, peeling zest, using droplets for the bitters, using the cocktail shaker and of course, dipping a new straw to taste each drink to ensure it was made the way it was intended to taste. Definitely will be back to taste the food, but the bartenders are awesome!
(5)
Melissa L.
Went here for brunch on a Saturday. Made reservations several days in advance and was seated exactly on time. I ordered the prawns with grits and my friend ordered the french toast. Both were very delicious but not a substantial amount of food. If you come in very hungry, I would highly recommend adding a side to your main meal. The coffee was also very good and I tend to be very picky about coffee. The place is small but the atmosphere was nice and the wait staff was very attentive. Overall, I had a good experience. Just wish that you got more food for the amount of money they charge.
(4)
Grace H.
I stumbled into a.kitchen one morning with a friend from out of town because there was a 45 minute wait at the place we were planning on eating, and we were two seriously hungry girls. It's in a prime location right on the corner of rittenhouse square and I'd passed by it hundreds of times but never bothered to check it out. We were seated as soon as we walked in and proceeded to order coffee (REALLY good coffee and bottomless!), the trio of pastries, the rittenhouse slam, and greek yogurt with granola to share. They ended up giving us scrambled eggs on the slam instead of over easy, and brought us an entire new slam complete with the potatoes, bacon, and greens...and then they left the old one on the table so we just ended up eating both. It was the perfect brunch - well rounded and delicious. A little pricey but absolutely worth it considering there was zero wait time and we essentially got a free dish!
(4)
Rajiv S.
I came here for Valentine's Day with my wife and it was amazing. We had the crudo and the fried oyster for appetizer which we were perfect. Main meal the skate and lamb both were heavenly. Would highly recommend.
We didn't eat here but we did stop in for a drink on our way to dinner. I was so blown away by the quality of service and the overall atmosphere that I had to write a review. I wish I could remember our bartender's name because she deserves all the praise. She was so friendly and professional and made one of the best dirty gin martinis I've ever had. She kept our water filled to the brim the entire time, a small detail that went a long way. Before we left, she even took the time to jot down some of her favorite watering-holes and restaurants in the vicinity. The atmosphere here also warrants attention. The front of the restaurant opens up onto a cozy sidewalk patio reminiscent of Paris (in my humble opinion). The interior is also cozy yet classy, without being at all pretentious. Great drink selection - lots of choices for beer, wine and liquor. I would highly recommend stopping in here at least for a drink. Based on our great experience, I have no doubt that the food is excellent as well.
(4)
Daniel S.
Was good went to rest week service was nice water never empty main course we're good desert was lame average cup of wine $12
(4)
Emily H.
I went here a couple months ago with my family whom all of which have pretty adventurous taste in food. It wasn't my choice and I was extremely hesitant to go here at first because I'm usually pretty conservative with my food choices. The menu was pretty intimidating - I had no idea what to get. However, my family got me to expand my pallet and try a bunch of new foods that I would never normally eat and everything was absolutely delicious. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. The menu was pretty pricy, so I would recommend sharing dishes. This place is good to go out to for a nice occasion or celebration. It's somewhat small inside but very nice and has a good ambiance. Definitely recommend trying at least once!
(4)
Victoria L.
With your first look at the menu, it's disappointing to see that you have to pay for bread that is usually complimentary at nice restaurants. We decided to get it anyway because if you're going to pay for it, it better be good! The little box of four rolls did not disappoint. There was a charcoal lavender roll (the unanimous favorite), cheddar, sesame, and an unmemorable one. The homemade butter was so soft, smooth, and creamy. Was it worth $6? Probably not, but it was my birthday and I wanted some damn bread. We ordered a bunch of small plates and shared family style. We started with the charcoal scallops, which were tender and nice. The portions are as small as everyone says though. Next we got the duck breast, which was cooked perfectly and flavorful. I was concerned it was taste "overly Asian" because of the xo sauce and sesame, but it surprisingly wasn't. We shared the crispy whole sea bass, which was delicious. We couldn't pass up dessert since we were celebrating, so we got the ice cream (the malted flavor was my favorite) and a chocolate dessert that came out with a candle. They were all decadent. It's one of those meals where the portions are small and you're afraid you'll be hungry, but surprisingly you aren't. So then you think you ordered reasonably, but then you get the bill and you're like "Oh, well, not that reasonable." I'm glad we waited for an occasion to come here.
(4)
David N.
So I came to a.bar with a couple of friends and then stopped over to a.kitchen for a bit to eat. We got to sit at the counter to the open kitchen which is kind of cool. Since everything was small plates, we asked for things to be delivered when they were ready. The cheese plate came immediately, but then we realized that nothing else came 25 minutes after we had finished the cheese. The worst part of it is that we watched as the cooks were "cleaning" the kitchen and not really cooking anything. Given that we'd been waiting for a long time, we asked if something had happened to the our check. Low and behold, they "lost" the check and weren't cooking our food at all. They started cooking our order and was "kind of" apologetic about it. The food that did come out was pretty good, but the whole experience was already tainted. They offered to a free side of carrots to make up for it. It is better than nothing, but a side of carrots??? A restaurant is a combo of food and service, and one cannot make up for the a lack of the other. That's why I have to give this place 2 stars.
(2)
Holly S.
The food was just ok (especially for the price) but we did have excellent service on a very busy evening. Our server was very knowledgeable about the entire menu and very enthusiastic about the food. We ordered the sourdough, green beans, scallop, burrata, sole and potatoes and to me the highlight was the green beans. They were pickled and then fried which had a unique flavor when the two methods were put together. The burrata was also very good and is served over fried green tomatoes...maybe everything they serve should be fried...
(3)
Annie F.
The food was excellent! We shared the porterhouse and ordered a side of the roasted potatoes. I loved the grilled caeser salad, he didn't. We both LOVED our drinks..mine was the tequila. So well crafted with beautiful presentation. My issue with this place was the price. We were excited and ready to spend... but for 97 dollars, that steak was too small and too normal. It should have been about $60. I still would have thought it expensive. All in all we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves, but I think the place is a bit pretentious for what it's serving. I still gave it 4 stars because we really had nothing negative to say albeit the price.
(4)
Phil E.
Best meal I've had all year. Since Eli Kulp took over the kitchen this restaurant has been transformed. Loved every single dish that came to our table. Go here! Trust me.
(5)
Matthew H.
BRUNCH REVIEW. We made reservations at A.kitchen for Mother's Day brunch, it was a perfect day and they had the doors open and everything was pretty much open air. We were sat immediately and the service was great and not too overly attentive. We started off with the 4 pastries, all of them were very good, not as good as the doughnut misto at Alla Spina but definitely up there. I ordered a cocktail, the Standard Breakfast which was very good, I had 2 and coffee which was nice and strong. For the mains we went with the rhubarb french toast and the wagyu steak and eggs with a frenched onion and potatoes. Everything was awesome, the steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and the potatoes were hot and crunchy. The onion and eggs (over-easy) were also well prepared. There are 2 reasons why I didn't rate this place 5 stars, one is because everything on the menu was pretty safe and after our dinner at Fork I expected something a little more adventurous. Second, the timing for the arrival of the entrees was a bit off, 1 arrived and we sat awkwardly for 3-4 minutes until the other arrived, it is somewhat nitpicky I realize and it wouldn't prevent me from dining there again but at an upscale restaurant like this I would expect the timing to be on point. Overall a quite enjoyable morning right off the square and I would absolutely recommend A.ktichen for brunch and I look forward to returning some time in the future for dinner.
(4)
Andrey S.
It was Monday afternoon so hardly any visitors and a few of us stopped by for lunch. They had some sandwiches and salads on the menu, what you would expect. So duck salad was basically a few pieces of duck meat in a large pile of greens. And the price? Over a $20. I had a pork sandwich that looked good on the menu. It was basically two smallish over dried pieces of what resembled a schnitzel on a bun. Nothing else. $18. It took 5 attempts to get our waitress to understand that we wanted glasses for everyone at the table and entire bottle of wine on the menu. To summarize - location is good but there are many more great places nearby to waste time and money on that one.
(2)
Luba P.
So everything is pretty good, but I expected more. The crab salad was the highlight, with great flavor and moist and flaky crab. The kale lasagna was also pretty unique and unexpected, and tasted pretty good with a strong cheese flavor. I wish they had more seafood and chicken options, the menu was very limited to red meat/vegetarian/pasta. The goat cheesecake was not that the best due to the overwhelming strong taste of goat cheese (it also had an extremely cold wine sorbet on top that was OK), so that one might be good for only it's fans. Also, the chocolate dessert was a bit too bitter and salty. Overall the atmosphere is really nice and cozy, with the fancier type of Philly people, so I think most would overlook the food for the nice atmosphere. PS. Make sure to get at least two plates or you'll be hungry!
(4)
Bill W.
A.kitchen I'm sorry to say was A.disappointment. Before I get too far, let me say that the owner was very accommodating, if not totally understanding, regarding the issues we experienced. She basically refunded most of the non-drink bill, so for me it's unfair to give any less than 3 stars for that reason alone, but make no mistake this was a 1 or 2 star meal at best. We started the evening at A.bar , which itself was unremarkable (small sugary cocktails, and nearly undrinkable wine by the glass). Moved over to the table for dinner. Both first courses (quail eggs, and scallops) had ZERO flavor, and no seasoning... totally boring. The "scallops" were basically a bowl of broth with some greens sprinkled in, and 2 tiny slivers of scallop. My expectation for the size of a scallop appetizer portion in a restaurant has been consistently lowered over the years, to the point where two "quarter-sized" pieces is about par, and this was significantly less than that. But the big issue was the huge wait between 1st and 2nd courses - easily 45 minutes. When we inquired the waitress said the kitchen was backed up because "it was such a nice day" and they "weren't expecting so many people." This was late May, so I'm not really sure how the great weather was a surprise. After the lackluster 1st course and some more waiting, we weren't interested in seeing what was behind door #2. We asked our waitress to cancel the order. At that point the manager came over to apologize (disappointingly she gave the same excuse about how it was busy because of the weather). She said she would have it out momentarily, we politely declined, and she left for the bill. So 5 minutes later, the entrees show up, and the manager comes over to say it's complimentary. I don't even know what you're supposed to do in this situation...I didn't want to insult them (to say nothing of kids starving in Africa), so I gave it a try (the Wagyu beef). She should have just kept it in the kitchen, at least then I would have left thinking that maybe it was good. Instead, I got to sample an awful steak that was a new low for the evening. Again the entire food bill ended up being comped, but still not an experience I'd care to repeat.
(3)
Devin D.
BRUNCH REVIEW: A nice place to come for Sunday Brunch and a great means to recover from an alcohol fueled weekend. I really like how you can watch them make your food from start to finish. I ordered the chorizo pancakes with queso fresco and sriracha maple syrup. Sounds like an odd combo, but I enjoyed it. It was an interesting sweet/savory combination, and at $12-13, easy on the wallet. The food here was decently good for me, but not FIVE STARS WOWZERS. That said, I will still most certainly return. Coffee and espresso were great as well.
(4)
Dave W.
This is not a place to go to for that large dinner that you can spend time savoring and enjoying. That said, the food is quite good and I would definitely go back when in the area. While some may say the portions are small, I think they are the right size if you are trying to cut down on the calories. Prices are a bit high, however. I had the Slow Roasted Carrots, which were quite good, along with the Pork Bolognese. Nice serving here, but not a chance of asking for anything to be wrapped to take home. My wife had the Scallops over scramble eggs, something I woould never have expected.The portion size was just right but then she only weighs 98 lbs. Next time we will sit back by the kitchen to watch the action but the table gives you a great view of the street and activity out there.
(4)
Steven H.
A. Kitchen in simply amazing. My wife and I spent the day in Philly sampling a bite or two from various restaurants with Yelp as our guide. A. Kitchen was our first stop and it was worth every bit of the walk to get there. We had no reservations so we found two open seats at the bar. The staff greeted us and took out drink order; they have a variety of local beers on tap I tried their Shawnee Craft Double Pale Ale (IPA) and it as well balanced with a deep flavor. My wife ordered the Ashes to Ashes cocktail, she commented that this was one of the best drink she has had in her life. The Duck Confit salad was a first for the two of us and we both found it to be delicious. I have to say the two items on the brunch menu that you must order are the baked grilled potatoes ( yes you read that correct they bake them then grill them) and the Charcoal Biscuit. I can not even describe them to you you just need or order them and experience it. : side note their grill is wood/ charcoal burning and it's open so you see the chefs working to craft your meal. It just adds to the experience!
(5)
Ali W.
I came here for fathers day brunch. They were out of the fresh baked pastries by 11am. I found the portions to be small but by the end of the meal I was mostly satisfied. I got the salmon with a red onion bialy which was a breakfast. I also tried the home fries that were garlicky and crunchy. Overall my experience was A-OK but I will continue to try new brunch spots.
(3)
Geoff And Jenni G.
A Kitchen is still one of the best places in Philly for good eats/fine dining... It is expensive and in some cases unnecessarily so, but the food is top notch, the preparation and attention to detail is excellent and if you like small/tasty plates, then you can't go wrong... We love it and would definitely recommend it...
(5)
Lia B.
nothing but LOVE for A.kitchen . went here for lunch the other day and was greatly impressed with the vegan-ness of the portobello sandwich. i arrived and it was POURING rain - the staff quickly got my coat and umbrella and sat us immediately. They had soy milk for coffee, knew what vegan meant and completely veganized the sandwich (even went so far as to change the bread without me asking- GREAT TOUCH!!!) and they had dessert options though i was so full i didn't want a dessert. They also made me a vegan salad as an appetizer with tahini. would def come back here!
(5)
M M.
This was my third time here. Lunch is definitely not as interesting as dinner in terms of menu. Though I had always had excellent food here even if the place is a little stiff, this time the kitchen seemed very off. I am not sure any of my colleagues enjoyed their his/her meal. Grilled chicken salad came with sparse greens - including thinly sliced stalk of broccoli (um, is this what we are doing these days?) - and a dull watery yogurt dressing. The chicken had a rubbery texture. I could not tell if it had been smoked and then grilled. Anyway...The thing that was the worst is there were flies around us during the whole meal. Not great when you are swatting bugs away as you eat inside.
(2)
Bruce B.
Hands-on best service i've ever received at a restaurant. The wait staff was always there when you needed them, gone when you didn't. I think there was more staff than customers while we were there. Our primary waitress was so awesome, it was actually fun to ask her for recommendations. Great descriptions and accurate, not trying to sell us the most expensive entrees. Right up front this probably should be a 5 star review, but some of the small plates were chipped, so i'm taking the last star away. Really, when i'm spending close to $200 for our meals, you can afford to not serve on a chipped plate. The spicy cauliflower was not too spicy and incredibly juicy. Perfect way to start the meal. MsD ordered Branzini and it was cooked and flavored perfectly. I had the scallops and again, couldn't ask for anything better. The crab and salad were both incredible. Flavored to perfection and not too much. The only thing we didn't care for were the mushrooms, but as much as anything else we just didn't have room to finish them. We did save some room for desert and the pound cake was divine. Awesome coffee as well. Just a fantastic meal! Eli Kulp has done a great job training his staff to describe food and cater to his customers. We hear he is still in the hospital from the Amtrak disaster so we'll keep him in our prayers. Can't wait to go back to the A.Kitchen!
(4)
Laura L.
Food is excellent. Service could be a lot better.
(2)
Christa M.
Update review: Came here for brunch today with friends. This is the first time I've been here since it's been under new management/chef. It was one of a few brunch spots that was open last minute for 4 people. The good: - can make a last minute brunch reservation here on Open Table - they made a nice,strong Negroni- my go to drink - service was attentive and nice, as well as accommodating as we had a stroller - bacon was delicious and cooked perfectly. Potatoes in my Rittenhouse Slam were great. The not so good: - food was overpriced, esp given the portion size, which I thought was a nice size. - no toast or some kind of carb with my Slam, or any of our dishes. - menu for brunch uninspiring. Not sure what the menu was like for dinner but if it's anything like the brunch menu, I wouldn't go back except for a drink. Under the old management the menu was more unique. - my eggs were slathered in butter. It was all I could taste
(2)
Jenna S.
I really wanted to love this place ...picked it on impulse while walking by on the way to another restaurant. Sleek modern decor with lighting that's still warm and inviting. Menu with items that make you instantly drool, with complimentary ingredients that sound like they're set to make new foodie trends. Thursday night, resto busy but no wait for a table for 2 without a rez. Waitress was good, knowledgeable of the ingredients and offering her suggestions on favorites. The shortcomings lie in the food. At $10-33 per "sharing plate" I was expecting a fairly substantial amt of food, but you get 2 to 4 nibbles and are left starving thinking there has to be more coming out. The teacup serving of cauliflower ($9), had good sauce but was fried and burnt. Scallops ($16), five church wafer sized thin fishy slivers in a vinegar soup w a few pomegranate seeds. Hibachi crudo ($12), thin slices of sushi on a tasty black/brown rice crisp, one bite and done. Shiitake side ($10), about 7 baby caps, really savory and delish. Arctic char ($33), the largest plate, about the size of an altoids tin, was cooked perfectly, but could have tipped the pot if it came w some more veggies. Still hunnngryyyyy. Ate the rest of the wafer crisps (bread?) I said I didn't like at the beginning. Dessert, sunchoke custard w black walnut brittle ($9), sounded promising, but was just a few spoonfuls of soupy sugar broth w a crispy sprinkle of crackers on the top. Womp womp
(2)
Sarah P.
A. Kitchen has only gotten better! The addition of their new grill and ability to smoke ingredients has really made an impact on their menu, and they seem to include more interesting wild-crafted and foraged ingredients, like ramps sourdough bread. The pickled quail eggs and beets are DIVINE as a snack. I really want to mention bartender Mariko's amazingly beautiful cocktails, however. This woman is extremely talented and her cocktails are well-balanced, interesting, and really delicious. I am extremely picky about cocktails, as many are too sweet for me, but these are really wonderfu, often with a beautiful balance of bitters, sweetness, liquor, spice, etc. l. I am paying attention. I have tried three on the current menu, all of which are excellent. A.Kitchen has a consistently good wine list and my understanding is that their sommelier is a former employee of Moore Brothers....and it shows. In my opinion, A.Kitchen is showing improvement and I like what I have experienced in recent visits.
(4)
Maiken O.
A.Kitchen is a great spot for weekend lunch at the corner of Rittenhouse Square. The menu is pretty modern with a mixture of Nordic, American and French style kitchen. Portions are not huge but you will not leave hungry either - amazing selection of freshly baked bread. Atmosphere is trendy with a bar for eating facing the open style kitchen. We were a bit concerned about food smells hanging in our clothes afterwards but there wasn't a hint. Will come back for sure!
(4)
Ashlie-marie J.
Just finished leaving this place and it was mmm mmm GOOD! So delicious. I got there at 12:00 and the food came out in about 15 minutes. I ordered the Rittenhouse Slam with whole grain toast and my best friend ordered Grilled Prawns and it was just amazing and for dessert she ordered the Carjeta Custard, it was so good and beautifully garnished with little flowers. The staff is super polite and timely. The restaurant atmosphere is very warm and inviting. We'll be staying here until Monday and most likely come back for dinner.
(5)
Sari A.
I treated my friend for a sunday birthday brunch and it was great. The place was chic and cozy. food was delicious. I had the poached Eggs with a side of baked and grilled potatoes, yummy. My friend got a perfect Steak and Eggs. Our server was so friendly. I will for sure go back again, to try the dinner menu perhaps. Four Yelps!
(4)
Courtney P.
It's has very nice ambiance, and the plating was wonderful. Everyone at the table raved about the food they got and we've tried several appetizers and the honey ice cream and pound cake. The cauliflower on the appetizer list is a must try. Even given the classy ambiance, (yet dressy casual also works) I felt that the dessert prices were a tad steep, and entree dishes just a touch small for the price point. I am completely aware that for the atmosphere im not going to get a "standard" portion. I'm new to the city I would go back but I personally would explore other options.
(4)
Alison K.
Let me start my review by saying that nothing negative I have to say has anything to do with the food. I had booked a dinner for 7 of my high school friends almost 5 weeks before the actual visit to the restaurant. I feel like that is enough to show the restaurant that we really wanted to be there. We had to wait 40 minutes to be seated. Now, to be fair, the restaurant called around 6:55 to tell us that we would not be seated on time. I think that is a fantastic practice. However, they said 15-20 and it was more like 40. And if it were me running a restaurant, i would have comped a dessert or 2 or maybe a couple glasses of wine while we were waiting. It really was a LONG wait considering the lead time on the reservation. All that said, the food was great. I ordered the dinner menu which was an incredible deal. I had the frisee salad with poached egg, potato and bacon which was absolutely fantastic. I also tried the fish stew and octopus which were executed beautifully. My next course was shrimp with chili sauce which i felt was a little too salty. The lamb bolognese was rich and satisfying and just the right portion. I do not like bananas, but they were perfectly happy to exchange the ice cream to vanilla maple on my pound cake dessert. We had a lovely couple bottles of reasonably priced garnacha which the sommelier or host or whoever he was did not make me feel guilty about ordering. it was a cheaper bottle on the menu and he commented on it being a great food wine. I love when i am not shamed for being frugal. I would go back in a second, but again, to be a repeat restaurant, i would like to see a recognition for a large inconvenience.
(3)
Stephen H.
So we decided to go somewhere else. A.kitchen is new, and Jah forbid Rittenhouse have a new eatery that we haven't tried. My party was off to A.kitchen . Oh Christ, it's small plates. Que the panic. How many do I get? Can i just get my own, I really don't like to share. What is everyone else getting? Is it weird if we order the same dish? I see there are three categories, are you supposed to get one of each. Small plates dysfunction my nerves. The waiter calmed me a little by recommending an excellent glass of wine. I did not let on about my uncertainty, but listened politely as he explained some of the dishes. I had to admit they were creative and appealing sounding. I bravely ordered chicken risotto and saffron potato's from their respective list. The food was great, but the potato's came out well before the chicken. I was stuck eating a plate of potato's by itself. Apparently this is where the sharing thing comes in handy. All in all, the food was very good and the service was great. I will go back. This time I will be prepared, but I'm still not sharing.
(4)
Karina M.
Crazy overpriced for tinyyyy DINNER portions. I don't even eat that much food but this was sad. I think the veal was 6 thin (see-through) deli slices of lamb over some greens. We had to go to another food location to fill up.
(2)
Barrett L.
It's always hard to judge a restaurant based on their restaurant week program, but I think our recent visit to a.kitchen , the sleek, trendy eatery at the aka Rittenhouse, did a good job in giving us an accurate view of the food and service. The ambiance is chic and the plating is aesthetically beautiful, but the food fell far short of both of our expectations. We arrived on the later side of dinner during the middle of the week. As we sat down and poured over the concise restaurant week menu and extensive wine list, we ended up with six dishes to split plus the dessert: Fried Eggplant, Gravlax, Spaghetti Cacio Pepe, Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Braised Rabbit, Roasted Red Snapper, and the Chocolate Terrine. The first coursed fared well but was perhaps a bit pedestrian. The fried eggplant felt a little greasy, and I wasn't too impressed with the Maitake mushroom topping or the anchovy vinaigrette. The gravlax tasted fine and was definitely the better of the two, but I felt the tempura shallots (which looked like calamari) were sort of unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the dish. The second course was my favorite. I enjoyed both the pasta and the meatballs, perhaps the pasta just a tad more. The meatballs were definitely spiced, although just a bit dry, but the accompanying sauce and salad of cucumbers and chick peas helped to add flavor and texture. The pasta was simple, buttery, and a little spicy from the pepper. No real complaints about that. However, the third course presented the most problems. The red snapper was delicious and cooked well but a far too small piece of fish for two people to split. As for the rabbit, it was pretty terrible. Not only did it feel dried out, but the rest of the elements on the plate, the spaetzle and the brussel sprouts, felt soggy and underappreciated. Finally, the dessert was sort of weird. My mouth had no idea how to react to the jarring combination of the cold chocolate mousse cake, room temperature sea salt, and warm caramel sauce and toasted nuts. There were to many distinct temperature differences, and not in a good way. Aside from the food, the service was sort of mixed. The hostess was not particularly friendly, although our server was quite kind. The only major snafu was when the runner brought out the third course ahead of the second, and when we told him that we never received our second course, he acted at first as if we were wrong (we weren't). I was a little miffed that we didn't get to enjoy the restaurant week program in the correct order, but not a huge deal (just a minor disappointment). Finally, it was pretty pricey for what it was, even for restaurant week. Four plates a person and two glasses of wine came out to just north of $100. Overall, it's a cool space that looks the part, but the food doesn't measure up. The so-so service and hefty price tag don't help either. I'd return for a cocktail but probably not for food.
(3)
Tara F.
Was recommended we visit but unfortunately proper food safety/sanitation overtly not followed. Sat at the counter, witnessed expediter, sous chef, taste double dipping into a huge pot of sauce...gross! Second, cook using same cutting board for raw meat products and plating finished product resulting in cross contamination. Contacted management but no response. Guess they don't care....
(2)
Krista G.
Everything was stellar about this place, starting with making a reservation and ending with a great glass of port. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and handled our large party like family (there were 8 of us!) The food was great - especially the pork chops. My husband and I plan to return.
(5)
Sylvie C.
I'm SO DOWN with this place! Back in town, and went for another a kitchen visit. It's all I wanted! We tried a slew of new things, and I became ecstatic over almost everything. The service was perfect tonight. We sat outside on a gorgeous 70 degree evening, and our waitress was so involved without being annoying. She was funny, sweet, and everything you want in a waitress. BEET SALAD with BROCCOLI RABE and HONEY YOGURT. WILD!!!!! I've never had anything like it. I was so, so skeptical but my boyfriend insisted on it. The beets were so fresh, and the bitterness of the broccoli rabe was cut by the honey yogurt. Everything was drizzled in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and that olive oil pulled everything together. One of the most creative dishes I've had in awhile. SCALLOP with CORN FALAFEL and GAZPACHO. This kept the review from a 5 star rating. While the corn falafel was tasty (fried corn. yes please.), the scallop was a strange temperature that just felt WRONG for seafood. SOCKEYE SALMON WITH LEEKS. GORGEOUS presentation. Skin crisped on top, with salmon roe decorating the sides, and two pieces of leeks cut into concentric circles. The plate was stunning. The salmon even more so. I don't think I've ever REALLY been into salmon because it's always a little overdone...this was more on the rare side, and really allowed you to fully taste the flavor of the salmon. I loved it. Simple and beautiful. DUCK PASTA. A little heavy for a summer night, but a nice melange of ingredients nonetheless. Chanterelle mushrooms, peas, braised duck leg, and some large fava beans made for an excellent savory dish. May have been a tad too salty for my taste, but I'm super sensitive to salt. OH MY GOD THE GOAT CHEESE CAKE. With a hazelnut crust, a blueberry compote, and a RIESLING SORBET. The combination was sinful, decadent, and WORTH IT. The goat cheese was AMAZING in the cake - you could really taste it, and when combine with all the other components, I was in heaven. The riesling sorbet tasted better than a glass of riesling, and was awesome on it's own or on top of the cake. Definitely, definitely recommend this dessert. Another awesome experience at a.kitchen .
(4)
Chelsea M.
We stopped in to A. Kitchen while visiting Philly in September. Their menu looked great online and we read an excellent review of the establishment in the newspaper. When we arrived they were serving food from the brunch menu. I ordered the frisee salad topped with a poached egg and bacon served on a hash brown. My brunch date ordered the asparagus, mushroom, and aged goat cheese omelet with herb potatoes. Both were excellent. The service was friendly and prompt. We really enjoyed watching the chefs prepare our breakfast at the bar.
(4)
Chad B.
Back for a 2nd visit last night. Reservations at 7:30 on a Friday night for 4 of us. Arrived early and had a great glass of wine at the bar while we waited. The space is great and we had a very friendly server. The food was GREAT. We ordered 7 different plates and my favorites: Asparagus with pecorino cream and egg - My favorite of the night - perfect balance Calamari with Chorizo meatballs - it seems they have changed from a tomato sauce to more of a tomato broth. I preferred it more when it was a sauce Mushroom Crepes - they were delicious - rich and delicious Spaghetti with black pepper- tiny portion but delicious. We ordered a 2nd plate it was so good. Corkscrew with duck - loved the fava beans in this dish, didnt expect to enjoy this one but was one of my favorites. I didnt care for the Chicken Risotto - everyone agreed here. Pass on this dish. I also didnt care for a raw fish dish that was added last night. Tasted fishy to me. We had several cocktails each and wine and shared a dessert at the end. The total with tip was $240....I didnt think it was bad at all for a party of 4 - we ate well.
(5)
Laura K.
I am all for good, locally sourced food but A. Kitchen was a disappointment. The food was mediocre at best, and the servings were so tiny! Definitely not a place for value. But beyond that the server was not friendly and did not seem to care much for being there. He kept going to the bar and talking to the bartender rather then be more attentive. Also the noodles in the pasta dish was very overcooked and soggy. Would not recommend or return.
(1)
Chris M.
The ambience is second to none. The drinks are $12, yikes. But they are VERY good, and strong. Not the typical shlep somewhere else, these are real craft-drinks made in front of you. Food was VERY good, although VERY small portions. We did the tapas, small plate thing.. the scallops are tremendous. Dont go here starving. Sit at the bar, get a good view of the street, and the restaurant. Good ppl watching, and conversation here.
(3)
HD T.
Great location and ambience. The prices were high considering the portion size - Need at least 3 plates to feel full. The food was good and well prepared. Did feel rushed, and almost was like a take out restaurant.(we were in and out) There are better restaurant's down town.
(2)
Regina F.
a. beet salad full of soft, oozing red beets seated on a large fluffy cloud of airy, semi-sweet mascarpone. + a. glass of the smoothest pinot noir. + a. bowl of 5 large, luscious, juicy shrimp speckled with black pepper, swimming in a cool sea of saffron broth with soft tomato pieces, and topped with spicy tortilla strips. + a. small plate of chopped chilled asparagus resting complacently on a bed of creamy orange puree. = a. wonderful meal.
(4)
helene l.
Went for dinner last week and had the Swordfish and beets with goat cheese. BF had the roasted chicken. The food was delicious, service was professional, environment was immaculate. One should not arrive ravenous, as the portions are fit for an anorexic supermodel.
(3)
Sean G.
We had been excited to go to A.Kitchen for dinner for a couple of weeks. Walking by, the restaurant looked fun and interesting. We finally made it out there on a Friday Night for dinner. Food: 3.0 stars We ordered the: -Warm Burrata for appetizer -Scallops and Shrimp -Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragu and -New York Strip.... They at 9pm on a Friday night had RUN OUT OF STEAK! Instead we tried the... -Leg of Lamb, Treviso and Black Olives The Warm Burrata was not warm. One of the two Scallops were under cooked and the Shrimp was few and far between. The Pasta in the lamb ragu was grossly undercooked to the point where the center of the Tagilatelle was nearly uncooked. The lamb was delicious but the plate lacked dynamics and only featured bitter flavors. AND... seriously you run out of NY Strip at a higher end restaurant? Poor form. Service: 3.0 stars People were floating around throughout the restaurant but it seemed like they weren't doing anything. Drinks took a while to come out and service was not great but not poor. The restaurant needs to be more cohesive in its service and work to go the extra mile without being noticeable to everyone. Location: 4.5 stars Great location North of Rittenhouse Park on 18th Street. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant is very small and had to sacrifice indoor seating for the external kitchen and bar space. Luck for them, they also have tables outside on the sidewalk. The decor is clean and well done. Price: 3.0 stars Depending on how many drinks you have, expect to pay $30-50 per person. Overall: 3.0 stars The undercooked pasta was inexcusable. The fact that they didn't have steak was unbelievable. For a restaurant which flashes moments of high end gourmet cuisine in its dishes, the general experience falls short because of the issues with preparation and service. There are definitely better places to go at this price point. A.Kitchen better make some changes/improvements because it will have to rely solely on its good location in the near future to maintain business at a high level.
(3)
Jessica W.
A.disappointment Despite a great location, atmosphere, and much-hyped chef, this place is just an overpriced disaster with no hope for long-term survival unless the menu and food are revamped. We came here before their liquor license was issued and they graciously gave us free wine and cocktails (a pleasant surprise that saved them from a 1 star review). We sat at the kitchen bar and our drink order wasn't taken until 30 minutes after we were seated despite the chef's friends on both sides of us--who sat down after us--already getting their appetizers. They made this right by giving us a free small plate. Now, this 2 star review is based entirely on the food since I'll give the shaky service the benefit of the doubt since it just opened. The food failed more on conception than execution. We had a lump crab salad over hearty farro that was served with parmesan and pesto. The crab should have been the highlight of the plate but it was dominated by the pesto, cheese, and farro. The sausage stuffed calamari and gnocchi were next and both were inedibly salty (and heavy for a summer menu). They clearly were not tasted before getting sent out. Mushroom croquettes were straight out of the frozen food aisle but at least tolerable. Finally, the low point of the night was the chicken-- mistakenly left in the oven or Ronco food dehydrator overnight. We ate only two bites. Fortunately, our second waiter of the night (Mark, who was a.kitchens saving grace) recognized this was horrific and comped it without us even asking. If you are wondering what happened to our first waitress, we're pretty sure she was high. Seriously. All in all the bill would have been $120 but after 3 free drinks (at $14 each, a free small plate for being ignored, and a comped entree) we paid $60. Still too expensive for the quality. I'm also not the type to try to get free food since I haven't complained or sent back a dish in years. This place is as bad as their website. We will not return (even if they bring back the free drinks).
So the things they do well they do extremely well. Sadly, the food isn't one of them in my opinion. The food wasn't bad, I always want to be fair and it's only fair not to mislead you. The food is, however, also not the best of any of the many tapas style places in center city to choose from. The food was somewhere in the middle for a mid-to-high priced Rittenhouse establishment. The prices wouldn't be on the high end if the portions weren't so much to the small end. None of the food was inedible by any means, but alas, none if it was worth raving about here, either. Of the 5 dishes we tried, the scallops were the most flavorful and if my entire meal had been scallops then 4 or 5 stars would be above this review. The staff is amazingly attentive. My water never went empty-and I have a weird thing about that-so bravo! My silverware promptly replaced for each different plate, my area wiped of my crumbs before I even realized they were there. I noticed at least 3 people eyeball each plate before it reaches the customer, so they all come out looking very good. Oddly, my coffee was not hot, though it was poured in front of me out of a lovely carafe. The manager and hostess both made a point of saying, "thank you" and "goodnight." Good manners are hard to find in Phila. Not a bad place, and if you're palate is less picky than your expectations of service, you will be pleased.
(3)
Al C.
I had hearts salad and a veal bolognese. Salad was OK. Veal bolognese was very enjoyable. Pasta was cooked well and tomato based sauce had good flavor with bits of veal. I don't know if they have a wine list but the Bernard Beaudry Chinon went well with everything although $15 for a 5 oz pour is a little steep since it is a $20 bottle. Bartender was very attractive even though she did not smile. Waiter and hostess were fantastic! Contemporary design was attractive.
(3)
Ekta S.
Best 4 bites I've had in a while! This place has a great location, and pretty good food. They should definitely warn their patrons about the small plates. This place is more like an extremely expensive tapas place. Had they not served free liquor I'd probably be disappointed. Good thing I'm on a diet!
(3)
Bobby P.
Okay food, but a truly great atmosphere and great service. We love sitting at the kitchen counter for dinner and a show. It's so entertaining to watch the cooking staff weave around one another in those tight quarters, concocting a seemingly endless stream of small plates on the fly. The food itself is good overall, but too many inconsistencies prevent me from calling it great. Of course another advantage to sitting at the kitchen counter is direct feedback*, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see some improvement. I'm partial to the crêpe with mushroom gravy and the wild boar pasta, however the menu rotates so don't be upset if neither is available. *Don't go harassing the cooks while they're busy. At the end of the night they might have some time to socialize or even be open to some constructive criticism. The last time we tried the chorizo meatballs they were extremely salty, but the chef asked us how they were and really seamed to value our feedback.
(4)
Rob H.
It's alright with me! But I must have missed the draw. Haven't thought about since my visit.
(3)
Danielle M.
I have been wanting to eat here basically since I heard it opened, and was happy to get a chance this week for lunch. The hostess sat us right away. It was a sunny day and my friend and I sat at a spacious table near the open windows. Great spot to people watch and take in the beautiful day. Water and bread came out right away and the server gave us the appropriate amount of time to view the menu. We started with the beet and broccoli rabe. The beets were cooked perfectly and the honey yogurt sauce's sweetness complimented them well. The broccoli was a little overcooked and had a bit of a bitter taste that I wasn't crazy about. I ordered the chicken pancetta sandwich with age provolone. The portion was pretty big and it came with homemade chips. The chicken was moist and the panetta was fresh and tore easily. The bread was soft and the right thickness. The dressing used (some type of red pepper I think) was good but extremely runny/ messy. I was continuously wiping my hands. Which brings me to another downside. The napkins. They provided us with bar rags, which presentation wise isn't great but what got me was that it got lint all over your clothes. My friend and I were both wearing black dresses and it was annoying to have to wipe all the lint off afterwords. The only other downside was that after we finished our meal, it took awhile for the check. Normally, I do not mind though during lunch service I would expect it to be a bit faster. I will definitely go back to try out brunch and dinner. Overall, it's a nice addition to rittenhouse.
(3)
Lexi P.
This place was fantastic. First, the food was excellent. My husband and I split 5 of their small plates and each one was fantastic. Second, we went for our anniversary (which was last October, and I am just getting to the review now, oops), and they were so kind! They gave us glasses of champagne on the house and a free dish of their delicious fried oysters. Totally unexpected and very appreciated. Third, the service is excellent. Our waiter was able to describe the dishes and recommend things, but was not too in our face. It is pricey and the portions are small, but this is how thing are in a small plates-type restaurant, it allows you to try more things! And the expense is worth it as the food is really top-notch. We are coming here for brunch for my birthday in a few weeks and I am looking forward to returning!
(5)
Ginny M.
Foodie paradise. Very "exotic" dishes but they all worked; braised brussels sprouts, pasta with mushrooms, pear salad, and lamb meatballs were all prepared in an unusual manner but in a way that was flavorful and varied in texture and appearance. (The lamb was not too "lamby" as it sometimes can be when using ground meat). The service was attentive and helpful. The portions are large for "small plate" size but small for individual servings so I think of it as the type of place to go with several people and order multiple dishes to try different things. They do add up, however, so I would rate it as "expensive."
(5)
Suzanne H.
Dinner for two last night with an 8 p.m. reservation. For the food we started with the 3-cheese plate that was beautifully presented with a Spanish Indiazabal, Cabot cheddar and Jasper Hill blue along with accompanying various fruit chutneys. We shared the "for 2" entree of the evening: wild striped bass stuffed with celery root along with a side of sauteed fall greens. The fish was delicious and the bitter greens were a nice complement to the richness of the fish. We capped things off with a shared black currant sorbet and coffee. On to the service: Inconsistent and perplexing. We weren't sure what our server's role was since he only appeared on occasion and in between those times a least 3 different people brought us our food and asked if we wanted second glasses of wine. He definitely wasn't very attentive. The space is small so the noise level was loud, so loud in fact that our server asked us to repeat ourselves on several occasions. Nice by-the-glass wine list. The crowd is young(ish) and trendy. Overall I really enjoyed the food but should I return I might do so on a weeknight when it might not be be so hectic.
(4)
Ernest S.
This is a pretty nice space, but the food was not up to par. The pasta was undercooked, the cheese plate was uninteresting, and the best thing about the recommended swordfish appetizer was the sauce.
(2)
Jim T.
If you sat next to me at a.kitchen this Wednesday, I sincerely apologize. You may have thought I was angry, or arguing with my friends. I assure you I was not. Sometimes, when a meal is really, really great, it actually makes me curse out loud. Sorry about that. Blame the lamb loin, which was cooked to perfection. Or the duck ragu with corkscrew pasta, which I could've eaten by the hotel pan. Blame the taleggio crepes, and the beet salad with goat cheese. Most of all blame the cheesecake with pears and riesling sorbet, which was so g%d#mn good I ignored sharing etiquette and nearly ate the whole thing myself. Our server, Samuel, was great. Attentive but not overbearing. He was intuitive to our needs without hovering, which is saying something is such a small space. Coming from a guy who serves for a living, he gets high marks. (And I hope a decent tip, after three cocktails and a bottle of wine my math might've been fuzzy.) The wine list was huge, but I found an excellent, reasonable Nebbiolo that went with pretty much everything we tried. We sat at the open kitchen counter, and I was amazed that four sous chefs could occupy that small a space and not crash into each other. It was great to see how some of our dishes took shape. Overall a fantastic dinner. I'll definitely return. And I'll try not to curse so much next time.
(4)
Caroline P.
party of 5, 9:30 sunday evening - no trouble securing a table nice bottle list and decent selection of cocktails, beers, spirits for some reason we all chose the same cocktail - so a round of moscow mules it was - the combination of ginger beer, vodka and lime was refreshing - the bar area stayed pleasantly active throughout the evening a.kitchen is a warmly intimate space in a spare/minimalist sort of way - open kitchen, no frivolous decor, bare tables, etc we ordered various dishes, a special request was accommodated and we found everything lovely - scallops with meyer lemon and endive, smoked octopus, cacio e pepe, gnocchi with saddle of rabbit, swordfish with black olives/white beans my favorite was the swordfish - i would have liked 17 more we tried some desserts as well - a cinnamon ice cream, a goat-cheesecake, and shortbread with lemon curd - all lovely again most of the table wasn't crazy about the goat cheesecake, but i liked it service was attentive and gracious portions are small, but well-executed and perfect for sharing, or not
(4)
Clare H.
I had a very good experience my first time at A.Kitchen. The dishes are small but not too small. I went with two other people and we were all happy with our meals. My only complaint was that the tuna used in the tartare did not seem to be a very good grade of fish - A BIG LET DOWN. My cocktail was fine but not great. I'll come back, at least once more.
(3)
Diem L.
I came here for brunch with my friends. Our waitress was great but the food was average. I got the steak and eggs special which was good and my boyfriend got the House-Made English Muffin, Country Sausage, Fried Egg with Potatoes. His meal came out looking like a McDonald's McMuffin with no presentation. It was just the sandwich on a white plate. It looked unappetizing (I'm definitely not one to turn my nose up at a McMuffin) and for a $12 dish, I expect a bit more effort.
(2)
Evelyn G.
good brunch. service was great. A+ fresh squeezed OJ
(3)
George K.
The simple cacio e pepe, cheese and black pepper on spaghetti, was delicious and, according to my table, by far the best of all the plates. I hope it remains post-restaurant week. The other courses were very good, no disappointments, but not as memorable. The plymouth gin and vergamo vermouth cocktail, basically a martini with more vermouth and less gin, was really crisp and bright -- a standout cocktail. Only complaint: we felt rushed by our server, who was nevertheless extremely polite and attentive. I know, it's restaurant week, but still.. This may be aggravated by the fact that the dining space is so small and so it feels like someone is always hovering around.
(4)
HM K.
Ordered french toast, eggs benedict and english muffin sandwich. All are ok-quality but considering the price (expensive) and quantity, I can give only two stars.
(2)
Elise K.
Definitely up there in the "Best Meals I've Ever Had" category for both myself and my dining companion. (I'm actually quite surprised at some of these negative reviews.) We sat at the bar, and our service was everything we could have wanted. Our bartender chatted with us, was polite and knowledgeable and was there for everything we needed, while masterfully mixing beautiful cocktails with layers of complexity. They were offering a $32 four-course menu, which I felt was even underpriced for the food I got. I noticed other reviews complaining about prices a la carte, and, just so we're clear, this was an expensive meal, but it was worth every cent. The frisee, bacon and egg salad was a perfect balance of salty and tangy - something I think I would probably be happy to eat for every meal for the rest of my life. Taleggio and mushroom crepe was earthy and delicious, and the shrimp with chilis were large, spicy and succulent. Then came the chicken. Ohhhh, the chicken. The chicken that will surely be one of those dishes that I crave, that I dream about. You wouldn't think that a place like a.kitchen would serve fried chicken and probably be even less likely to order it. This is a major can't miss though - it's unbelievably juicy with a crunchy coating that's not too thick and little bits of perfectly crispy/creamy foie gras that somehow crazily pairs beautifully with the chicken. My dining companion ordered the chicken and was stingy with sharing, and my prix-fixe came with the lamb bolognese. I'm sure it was great, but I didn't really remember anything after tasting the chicken. Actually, not true, the bolognese was wonderful - beautiful ribbons of pasta with meaty sauce that I'd kill to know how to make - even so, if there were a commandment about coveting thy neighbor's chicken, I'd be guilty as charged. We don't usually do dessert, but the savory dishes were so fantastic, we just had to see what the kitchen could whip up in the sweet department. Pound cake and goat cheese cake were above average but not as outstanding as the other dishes. The banana ice cream was the star though, a miracle of gastronomy that packed so much banana flavor into one creamy scoop. We will most definitely be back...for chicken. And to try out brunch, which, from the menu, looks like it'd be amazing as well.
(5)
Carol L.
A. Kitchen is extremely conveniently located for us, so I keep trying. The menu is interesting, but the noise level is really unbearable. This is not the place to come if you want to have a conversation and if you don't want to hear the ones around you as if they were yours. I requested the otherwise good shrimp salad to be served on whole grain bread rather than a baguette, and it came out soggy with the ingredients dropping all over. The shrimp were whole, so trying to bite off a piece resulted in the whole shrimp pulling out of the bread. For dinner it is one of those places trying to be a tappas restaurant (I've been to actual tappas places in Spain), which in this country seems to mean an excuse for serving small plates at not so small prices. Nevertheless, the food can be tasty, and I would highly recommend going there on off hours (or bring either ear plugs or a megaphone).
(2)
Yelena O.
I came here for dinner and waited an hour for my entree to be served. The waiter checked on it in the middle, but that didn't seem to help. After the lamb steak finally came out, it was inedible because of an odd aftertaste. Staff didn't care to offer taking it off the bill even though it was barely touched. Service, timeliness and food were disappointing. I will not be coming back.
(1)
Lowie T.
was excited to try a. kitchen, but minus a star because portions are so small for the price per dish. although a.kitchen claims to NOT be a tapas restaurant, asking patrons to order 2-3 dishes of small plates per person, at $14-$18 per plate begs the question....so what are you exactly? the food was actually very good, but for the three of us, among 8 main dishes, plus wine, and dessert- we left craving a good burger/hearty slice of pizza. the bill probably left room for just that actually. not that i am against paying a lot for good food, but when you have places like amada, which actually IS a tapas restaurant where you leave feeling full and satisfied (and probably pay less despite it being a garces` restaurant), it's hard to justify a place like a.kitchen . some amazing dishes we had were the lobster muffins- large succulent pieces of lobster between two buttery slider-ish buns- you must order this! the foie gras, and the blue crab w/ pesto were also stars. i wasn't a fan of the pork (or beef??) tongue over lentils. i normally love lentils and have had pork & beef tongue before the but the lentils had a strange texture+flavor, and the tongue was a bit dry. i would skip this. the chocolate panna cotta was very, very good, as was the coffee at the end. it's a tasty place to try a few dishes, and i love the decor. very warm, simple, yet modern, with large windows that face 18th street (great for people watching). a great place for a date in terms of atmosphere, but don't expect to get full.
(3)
Brian V.
Not thrilled with the food or the waitstaff.
(2)
Leah G.
Wanted to love . . . only kind of liked. The food is all fine - not excellent, but pleasant enough . . . .just not pleasant enough for the price tag. Go with light eaters; if you don't, there won't be much for you to eat!
(3)
Hannah G.
A. Kitchen was fine. Went there on a whim for lunch with a friend -- we each ordered a glass of wine and a sandwich. It was July 4th and they were fairly slow. Our server was very kind and attentive. The wine selection was nice, but fairly overpriced in my opinion, especially considering the size of their pours. They also have lines on their wine glasses marking the volume of the pour... I suppose it's a good way to avoid any confusion with customers thinking they're being shorted, but we found it a bit tacky. My sandwich (brie & speck) was very tasty. Overall pleasant experience, but probably not a place I will dine at again.
(3)
Christie P.
Aaaaaaamazing breakfast. Best French toast Ive had in a long time. Yes, prices were outrageous, but you know that going in. Wouldn't take someone there who can't handle a little noise, because it does get loud ( but in a good, wake you up kind of way!).
(5)
Caver B.
Not a bad place, but the Benedict was pretty bland, and the home-made English muffins were more of a crumpet (dense) and surprisingly under seasoned. For the price you can find better. The only reason we ended up there was an early train, and this was one of the few places open before 10Am on Sunday. If we knew more about it, we would have gone back to Marathon on Sansom.
(2)
Holly B.
We started with the baby lettuce hearts, blue cheese, pears & walnuts- simple, well flavored, tasty. I loved the roasted cauliflower but the curried lobster broth was a little too much - I understand the "modernist cuisine" but it did not enhance the flavors in any way. We ordered the taleggio & porcini crêpe w/ forest mushroom gravy, but I do not remember it in any way which makes me believe it was mediocre. Half my party went crazy for the blue crab with farro & pesto-- I however was not fond of the creamy crab salad atop teh pesto laced grains, I thought the combination was a bit bizarre. I did love the seared scallops w/ choucroute & my top dish of the evening was the roasted grouper w/ salsify risotto & bottarga. The white fish was flaky & flavorful and the creamy risotto was spectacular. I tried half of a cornmeal-crusted oyster w/ remoulade which was tasty (would be ideal on a Sunday afternoon on the bay!). We had the spiced venison w/ brussel sprouts, blue cheese & apples, again a decent dish cooked perfectly. And we took the waiters suggestion and ordered his fave dish: the duck w/ corkscrew pasta, wild mushrooms, butternut squash- very flavorful, if you like duck, you will love this! Greta execution, a solid meal.
(4)
Steve M.
The food is creative, you can tell this guy knows his stuff. Wine list could have more reasonable choices, though I did love the $40. rioja . The ambiance reeks of pretension but the staff couldn't be warmer. I think it's overpriced which is why I gave it only four stars.
(4)
Tricia M.
I really wanted to love this place and had high expectations after reading all the glowing reviews about the food. It's definitely a place for "foodies" and for a small plates restaurant the prices were very high. Ironically our favorite dishes were from the vegetable section of the menu, we were not planning on getting 3 dishes. The frisee salad with bacon and poached egg was fabulous, I could not stop eating it as was my husbands mushroom taleggio crepe. But things went down hill from there. The smoked octopus was chewy and the blue crab had shells in it, though the farro was delicious. The venison I had was cold and needed seasoning and my husbands short ribs were overcooked. Mistakes I would not expect from this kitchen. Drinks were good and our server excellent even on a very busy night. I probably would not come back any time soon
(3)
Sherri S.
I have always loved this place, until tonight. Horrible service, drinks not available, pasta just so-so, extremely long wait for dessert. I probably won't go back.
(1)
Diana S.
I came here w/ three girl friends for dinner before the Philly Half Marathon. The restaurant ambiance was great and the open kitchen was a lot of fun. However, the food was over priced and under cooked. the portions are average / small side for tapas but the prices are standard restaurant entree prices. We got one of the pastas and I couldn't even it because it was under cooked. They also over dressed the salads. The wine menu is extensive, but again overpriced. There are better places in Rittenhouse.
(2)
Aicardo A.
Can't find a single thing to complain about...
(5)
Laura S.
For a restaurant that just opened this week, a.kitchen is doing very well - I was pleasantly surprised! You can tell that there are some areas in which they are still getting their feet under them, but overall I had a great experience. The physical space is beautiful. I sat at the chef's bar, where I had a great view of all of the food as it was prepped - which is dangerous if you are the kind of person who wants to eat everything that looks good. The space is open and light and comfortable. Service was incredibly attentive - perhaps one of the perks of coming by when a place cares about making a good impression! The beets with broccoli rabe and honey yogurt were excellent - I am a big fan of the pickled beets down the street at Village Whiskey, but I think these beat them out by just a smidge. The deciding factor is the honey yogurt, it is a lovely accompaniment for the beets. If they were open for lunch it would be a perfect mid-day entree; for dinner it was great as a starter on a hot, muggy day. The asparagus and artichokes were also a very good hot-weather pick. The pecorino cream was not overly heavy and the dish had a nice, light citrusy flavor. The only dish I didn't love was the pork belly risotto fritters. As a previous review mentioned, the rice tasted more like plain white rice than risotto. I thought the dish was too oily and a little bland. I can see how I might like the dish better in the fall/winter, though - it might have just been a mistake to order it in 90 degree weather! My waiter noticed that I did not enjoy the fritters and the dish was taken off my bill, which was unexpected but very appreciated. I wasn't going to eat dessert, but like I said - sitting at the chef's bar is dangerous. After watching them head out to another table, I tried the almond macaroons with plums. The macaroons had a great flavor - herbal and minty - although they were a little crumbly and hard to eat neatly (but whatever, who cares how you look when you're eating dessert?). The plums were absolutely perfect, I really enjoyed how seasonal the dessert was. Another unexpected surprise on this visit was that the restaurant is offering complementary beverages until their liquor license is in. I had a lovely white wine that my server recommended, it was deliciously light and fruity. I think this is another way in which the restaurant distinguished itself for me - they could have waited to begin serving alcohol until they had their license, but I am impressed at the way they chose to handle the situation. I am looking forward to returning to try more of the dishes I had a glimpse of this evening (the tagliatelli with veal ragu and chorizo stuffed calamari are first on the list!).
(4)
Ashlee P.
Hearing who the chef of a.kitchen is, I was expecting an out of this world dinner. I was underwhelmed to say the least. They serve their food in small plates, but the servers didn't feel it necessary to explain this. The fried potatoes with saffron aioli....I've had better frozen from a bag. The calamari stuffed with chorizo had virtually no calamari; it merely served as a casing. The almond "macaroon" was described by the boyfriend as a rice cake with fruity jam. He wasn't far off. The one redeeming quality is the complimentary hooch. The bartender whipped up great cocktails all night. Otherwise, no reason to go back.
(2)
Lily Q.
came here for lunch with a friend, we showed up right before the lunch rush so the restaurant was pretty much empty. we were happy to have gotten there first because we thought that meant our food would come out first...we were so wrong. They didn't even bother to bring us bread until 20 minutes after we had ordered our food, by which time three other tables that were sat 10 mins after we got there not only already finished their bread but also got their food. By the time my appetizer came, the tables who were sat after us were finishing their meals! And what was this painfully complicated appetizer that took 30 mins to make? the warmed burrata...which ironically was as cold as if it just came out of the fridge. The waiter then took it back to the kitchen to warm it up and when it came back the burrata was room temperature. Nevertheless we attempted to eat it, maybe the chef was having an off day but the citrus reduction paired with the cheese tasted like dish detergent making the whole thing almost inedible. I'm not a picky eater, and neither is my friend, who also thought the sauce tasted like household cleaning product, and we were so hungry we would've settled for cheese out of a can by this point, the dish was THAT bad. Since by this point we had already been sitting for an hour and our entrees were still no where to be seen, we spoke to the manager who was courteous enough to cancel our orders and we quickly skipped over to rouge for a real meal. will not be returning and you could not pay me to eat that pine-sol flavored burrata dish again.
(1)
Tim B.
The food was delicious, although in ver small portions. i could have eaten three of my plates. The service was another story with a rude bartender. How do these people get jobs wuth these attitudes. You are a freakin' bartender! Put on a shirt that fits and covers your 40 tatoos, so every time you want to show off ridiculously shaking a iced cocktail above your head, I don't have to see your shirt ride up. Drop the attitude, you are a bartender...you serve people drinks.
(2)
Melissa P.
In my post Tria Sunday School, I stumbled into a.kitchen . I have been eyeing this venue for quite some time and am glad I dropped in! My New York native friend immediately said, finally! A place that feels like New York!! Now, I know that we're not trying to go for the New York feel everywhere, but it is nice to have it as an option. I really enjoyed my grilled shrimp. The wine was excellent, but I thought that the median price point was too spendy...$17/glass is a little much, especially when it's a 5 oz pour. I'll go back on a breezy fall afternoon.
(4)
Jeremy R.
Visiting from out of town and tried A.kitchen for Sunday brunch. Cute place, small, but that's part of its charm. Food on the other hand was weak! Had the sausage, egg, and homemade English muffin. Sausage had no flavor and for that matter was under-cooked. Muffin was ok....the fried egg was ok...but how hard is that?
Came here for brunch and really liked it! It's not your usual brunch places like Honey's or Sabrinas where the portions are gigantic. Rather, the portions can seem small but the goodness lies in the food's QUALITY, which I prefer over a heaping stack of pancakes that i won't finish anyway. I had their house-made english muffin with sausage and egg, then shared the yogurt parfait with my friend. The english muffin is chewy and delightful! Sausage is not too salty or oily, and the egg is perfectly fried with the yolk just cooked, but not too runny that it becomes a yellow mess. The yogurt parfait was equally satisfying with some exotic fruit toppings that you don't get elsewhere. If you enjoy quality food and don't want to feel disgustingly full afterwards, I highly suggest brunch at A. Kitchen!
(4)
christina j.
After the reading reviews, my friend and I checked this spot out for brunch last weekend. The inside reminded us of someplace nordic. We ordered mimosas and decided on the frisee salad and the smoked salmon napoleon. After placing our order, our server apologetically told us they had no more salmon. What??? How can his be?? Hurriedly we selected the tuna salad on the house made english muffin. We were splitting both and the salad was the better choice. The tuna was okay and was not swimming in mayo. We both really wanted to try the smoked salmon. The food was fine but nothing was mind blowing. Our server was friendly and attentive. The prices were reasonable. I would definitely check this place out again.
(3)
Jenny B.
The one good thing about this restaurant is that it's in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, it's intimate dining room is great for drinks. I only went for brunch and it was nothing to rave about-average at best. I think I will go back for dinner... one day.
(3)
Cecily R.
sat at the bar after center city sips died down last wednesday. decent sized wine selection and definitely quality wines over quantity. drank an amazing red from piedmont. bar staff was friendly and consistent. the ambiance of the restaurant is great, low lighting--most white and marble with black accents. interesting light fixtures. a bathroom so mod, i'd love to take it home with me. ate the seared tuna caesar (red wine and fish--gasp!), amazing dressing, egg yoke sprinkled on top--a good amount of tuna for the size of the dish, it was great. a couple glasses of wine later, the small bar empties out and colin farrell walks up next to me to pick up take out from the bar. the bar staff played it so cool.....good enough for colin farrell, good enough for me! regardless, i'm definitely going back!
(4)
Luke L.
Meh, the food was actually delicious. The portions and the price however made me think I just ate a full sized steak dinner. Also as perviously listed some of the staff looks upset that they have to serve you. Or maybe our waiter was pissed because he had to work on friday night? I would go back thou, because of the food not because of the service. At least it has that going for it.
(2)
Taylor M.
Just popped in for a quick bite midday. had the place to ourselves. it was really nice all around. amazingly simple, yet elegant, atmosphere. food was superb. service just right. will go back to try their dinner menu which we peeked at (and it sounded awesome)
(4)
E.J. C.
After Craig LeBan's 3-bell review, it was a sure bet that I was going to get to a.kitchen ASAP. The space is warm and inviting, though small (which means a reservation is necessary). The bar is covered in marble, and the completely open kitchen is pretty darn cool, and fun to watch. Next time I go, I will definitely sit at one of the seats at the bar right in front of the kitchen. The service was great. The waitress was knowledgeable and helpful. The water glasses were never left empty. And anyone who works in the restaurant is more than willing to help. The food is quite good, but not amazing. Not sure I was as stoked as LeBan was. Though credit is due that there are imaginative and creative dishes. There aren't set appetizers and entrees sections, but everything is small plates that are great for sharing. The frisee salad was light and refreshing, with bacon lardon, hash brown potatoes, and a poached egg. The salad would have been amazing if the poached egg wasn't cooked through so the yolk was hard. The crepe with mushroom gravy is a nice starting bite to the meal, though small. The chorizo meatballs with calamari were skillfully prepared with a seafood broth and olives. The chicken risotto was creamy yet not too heavy, though it seemed that the risotto didn't even need the chicken. The spicy fried potatoes are a nice side dish to the more substantial meat and fish dishes, though the saffron in the aioli should be more prominent. Overall, I think that a.kitchen would benefit from following the advice of Coco Chanel when she said: "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." The flavors in the dishes speak for themselves, and don't have to be muddled with that one extra ingredient. The food is good, and perhaps will get better with time. I will be going back for sure, and looking forward to trying their brunch.
(4)
Ken L.
Very Good addition to Rittenhouse area. Small, Small limited Bar. Server was a rookie, did not really know a lot of things He did not direct us anywhere but was nice, He barely poured the water . If you know the portions and dishes you will do well here. Some dishes are stellar like tagliatelle and veal ragou or blue crab and faro. the 30 day aged steak was not aged well imho and came out ice cold!! Please that was the most expensive item on menu and was really bad. Coho salmon at maybe 3 oz wa excellent. Space is nice and I was just surprised as to the lack of contact there. I saw at least 20 people working the room and besides our waiter no one said a word to us not even the owner who passed us several times. Wierd place. I like the food/chefs area bar where you can sit but again no one was talking. I suspect 45 seats in whole place. Not badly priced for the food. We each had 2 drinks and 3 courses was 200 bucks. Again 3 stars because a five star chef could not serve a steak!!! otherwise 4 stars.
(3)
Lee S.
A. Kitchen is a step above on the Rittenhouse Restaurant Scene. Tim, the Wine Manager, has put together a small but high quality wine list. The food is very interesting and quite good. Give the place a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(4)
Alan M.
The food was good. The portions were small. I had two entrees and dessert and left hungry...all for 100 bucks!!!!!
(2)
D M.
It's a shame. Food was decent. Hostess was extremely pretentious. For such a small restaurant it's amazing how long things take to get to you. Wouldn't recommend or go back.
(2)
Marco C.
This new trendy restaurant is located in the Rittenhouse Square area of Philly, a quite attractive setting at the ground level of the hotel. The open their doors at 7am to accommodate the residents at the hotel getting up early. Outside seating is provided and a nice view it is as your eyes explore the park across the street. Diners enjoy menus that are comprised of in season vegetables and so forth. Mushroom Crepes are nicely prepared with a Watercress puree mmm so good. Diners can also try out the Octopus with comes with a savoury caramelized watermelon. Chef Bryan McGraw shows his excellent culinary skills with other dishes, and did i forget to mention desserts how about that panna cotta with plum puree so luscious.
(5)
Shani F.
I had a terrific dinner at a.kitchen last night. A really great, unusual Slovenian wine was perfect with the blue crab salad with pesto couscous. The strip steak was perfectly cooked. Trendoid fools can have the lame Serafina across the street - that makes it easy to get a table at the far superior a.kitchen ! It's not the cheapest table in town, but it's a worthy indulgence. I'd go more often if it were a smidge more affordable.
(5)
Heavi K.
Food was good. I like places that use portion control. Staff was knowledgeable and service was good/what should be expected. Chili swordfish was slightly dry, but still ok. more vegetable offerings for lunch would be a good addition.
(3)
Ellen F.
The bread and butter were good, and our water glasses were kept full. Four of us "dined" this evening at a.kitchen . We shared frisee salad with hash brown and poached egg, warm burrata with green peas and candied lemon, asparagus with artichokes, dressed blue crab with farro and pesto, chorizo stuffed calamari, shrimp grilled with chiles, seared striped bass, gnocchi gratin with smoked haddock, and leg of lamb. Not one dish was memorable. Seven spears of asparagus with two overcooked artichoke hearts, underwhelming. The lamb was overcooked. There was nothing discernible about the gnocchi gratin; there were no discernible gnocchi at all. There was nothing served to us that we could not easily prepare at home, with more satisfying results. A restaurant serving small plates should have tables large enough to accommodate all of the plates. Food was brought to the table with no serving utensils. We asked twice, and sat looking at hot food cooling until extra forks and spoons were brought. It seemed that bread was rationed. The initial basket contained 5 pieces, and we had to ask for more twice. The wine list offers nothing under $40. They are entitled to a reasonable mark-up, but there is a disconnect between wine prices and the quality level of food and service. A tasting amount was poured into one glass. Upon acceptance of the wine, the remaining three glasses received a normal pour. No additional wine was poured into the first glass. We chuckled at the lines on the glasses indicating 3oz. or 5oz. Are these training glasses? Condensation from the ac dripped onto two of our party. We pointed it out and our server wiped the ac vent. Granted, it was 100 degrees outside, but attention to ac details should have been paid. This was a pricey, mediocre experience. We will not be back.
(1)
Sally f.
very nice place. but the portions were too small for the price, and dont include a side. the bloody mary was watery : (
(3)
m m.
Well, this was our second visit in 2 weeks. The first time seemed much better. This time, we just felt ripped off. The suggestion to "share" small plates of food is somewhat misleading. Although we enjoyed some dishes more than others, if you are with a group (we had 5), everyone literally gets one bite.... if lucky two, with each dish. This is fine if you're a bird, but, we like to eat, and when we figured it all out, although we enjoyed the simple Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe dish. for example, (cheese & pepper), we realized that we paid $22 for 2 plates of pasta that probably cost $2 to make... I certainly don't mind paying for delicious, well prepared food, however, for the portion size, we felt taken advantage of. Nothing really stands out as far as the dishes, and we tried everything, oh yes, the asparagus with artichoke dish is good, but again, you need to order several plates to feed a hungry group.Oh yes, and the goat cheese cake,,, I originally enjoyed this at Django... THAT is delicious, but, conforming to the miniscule portion size. The first time we ate at a.kitchen , they were still waitinfg for their liquor license, so, we didn't notice how expensive it is... this time, we ordered a bottle of wine & a couple of drinks. They recently got their license & the bill was about $170 a couple with tip. Again, I don't mind paying top dollar for something extraordinary, but this doesn't quite make it for me.... not like when we'd frequent Talula's Table in Kennett Square, not so long ago, when Bryan was still there... The cost was about $180 a couple, however, it was special, plentiful & quite extraordinary... we have not been back since Bryan's departure, so we were very excited to know he'd be at a.kitchen . Sorry to say, I'm not impressed, It's the new kid on the block so they are buzzing... I have to say, this dining experience was very disappointing & disenchanting...I really wanted to love this place.... sorry I don't...
(2)
Gail D.
Went to a.kitchen last night with 3 coworkers and had an amazing dinner. I loved the decor as soon as I walked in and felt the space of the restaurant was very inviting - I even got a slightly log-cabbiny smell from the wood interior (in a good-make-you-feel-cozy kind of way) We shared 3 dishes from each part of the menu: Vegetables, etc: Frisee Salad - everything a salad should be with bacon and hash browns Warm Burata - a savory hunk of yummy cheese Mushroom Croquettes - crunchy on the outside and gooey mushroominess in the middle Fish: Blue Crab Salad - simply amazing Salmon and Caramelized Leeks - I stole all the leeks to eat for myself Chorizo Stuffed Calamari - slightly spicy in a thick tomato sauce Meat: Duck Confit - which was actually duck confit en terrine? a bit confusing but the taste was good BBQ Rib-Eye Skewers - my favorite dish of the night....I would have licked the sauce of the plate if I wasn't with my coworkers Chicken with Albarino Sauce - my least favorite of the night but nicely cooked with a decadent sauce Desserts: Almond Macaroons - enormous and perfectly chewy Shortbread with Lemon Curd - like eating homemade cookies right out of the oven Chocolate Torte - thick and rich and oh-so-good Expect to pay at least $50/person for dinner and a drink, but considering the amount of food we ate and the quality of the dishes, I think it is worth every penny. My only complaint is about the attentiveness of the wait staff....our waiter was prompt to take our order and our food was delivered in a reasonable time, but twice we had to flag down the waiter to order wine and once we didn't quite listen and brought the wrong order. I'm hoping its just a few bumps to smooth out as this new restaurant proves itself as a contender on the Philly small plate scene.
(4)
David S.
We were wandering by when we noticed this new restaurant. Seemed busy, the menu looked interesting, so why not? We sat at the chef's counter, which turned out to be a happy mistake - it took us 20 minutes to figure out which few of all the great looking dishes we should order!! The food was terrific, the show spectacular (Val was really fun to watch as he calmly conquered the evening rush), and the staff and managers very friendly. We'd been told by the server about (and could see) portion size, so we ordered 4 plates - all were superb. As an owner of a restaurant myself, I can testify to the skill of this team, putting out a really quality experience after only a week of operation. Good show, mates!
(4)
Brian S.
Some dishes are really innovative and delicious, some are not. They offer 3oz and 5oz pours on wine, which I've never seen anywhere. Having 3oz and 5oz fill lines on the wine glasses is totally out of place, as if a point is being made. Our waitperson was nothing short of unhelpful. Overall, the place doesn't live up to the stylish interior nor the "we'll show you how to eat" feeling. High prices, small portions, so if you want simple tastes of things you typically won't find elsewhere, then this is your place. Otherwise, I advise going elsewhere. It's as if they are trying really hard to show that they know food, that we're for the foodie-set. But in spite of some glowing dishes, overall, not even close.
(2)
Justin M.
In a nutshell: not worth the price point (even though I didn't pay! LOL) These small plates were uninspired, and half the menu has been done a million times before at other Philly boites. Service was amateur at best, disinterested at worst. $120 for 2 with one cocktail and 6 small plates. Unless you live next door and are really lazy, I don't see the point except maybe for a glass of wine...
(3)
Raisa O.
I loved a.kitchen . The food was sumptuous and the ambiance was perfect. It has this understated yet elegant feel. Our waitress was super friendly. All the dishes were perfectly prepared. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)
A. H.
i had high hopes when i saw this gorgeous new joint, but it turned out to be pretty awful. save your money. food was bland, unimaginative and expensive. on top of that i got sick from the one thing i did eat [the grilled shrimp dish]. ordered the duck confit that looked like catfood on a plate. i couldn't even look at it far less to eat it so my poor husband did and even he who would eat ANYTHING said it tasted canned and yucky. service was eh. Tria right next door is hands down better and 1/3 of the price. if you are even halfway decent in your own kitchen, a.kitchen would be a huge disappointment.
(1)
Wanda M.
Vacillated between a one and two stars, but went with two because the rest of my party thought their food was good and the location is great. We were there for brunch. It was noisy ++++ and crowded. It was not easy to make conversation. The space is small and each time the waiter moved passed my seat he nearly tripped over my feet. The waitstaff was indifferent, though efficient. Basically you got the food tossed at you with little congeniality. The food was tres mediocre. We'd just returned from a vacation in Europe where the food was excellent. My omelet would not have measured up to Portugese street food, although my husband enjoyed the cheese steak (street food??). It was expensive for what we ordered. Finally, they have these cutsey white cotton napkins that look like dish towels - interesting idea. But they left a ton of white lint on both my and hubby's clothes. I was not happy. Not sure what the great reviews here are about, but I was completely unimpressed and won't be back.
(2)
Abby W.
Brunch was good, but a little overpriced for what you get. I went with the traditional eggs benedict and really loved the housemade english muffin. It made up for the lack of homefries. The hollandaise was spot on, though, and the eggs cooked correctly. My bloody mary was fresh and tasty, if a little heavy on the horseradish for my taste. My companion got the steel cut oats and a side of eggs. She said had she not gotten the eggs as well, she would have left hungry. It was a pretty small bowl of oats. Everything was tasty, but on the expensive side for the portions. However, sitting with the windows open on a nice Sunday morning, having made reservations in advance through Open Table, does make up for this a bit just from the sheer convenience. I doubt I'd do brunch here again unless I was going to be in the area and had an agenda to stick to (we were going to a bridal expo at the Sheraton at noon). Service was friendly and the coffee was good.
(3)
A B.
The menu is creative, as is the presentation, but I definitely left hungry given the small portions. However, the server was wonderful and he kept us laughing throughout the meal.
(3)
Dan M.
Great! The brunch was delicious-albeit-plain and the drinks were flavorful.
(4)
Susanna L.
I would give zero star if I could! Such a big rip off. For a thirty some dollar scallop, the dish has only three pieces of scallop. The service is super slow and they change plates after every plate, which is just to disguise their overprice and slow service. The flavor is very mediocre and on the salty side. They also do not serve table bread and of course charge you if you ask for bread. Such an overly rated place and will never come back again!
(1)
Vanessa T.
This little restaurant is on the corner of rittenhouse square and packed with deliciously good food. I came here for a dinner date and definitely left feeling satisfied. We ordered some small plates (rice cakes, steak platter, steam clams, smoked beets). They were all delicious. For dessert, we ordered the toasted oat ice cream with pound cake and the custard. Both were amazing. I especially enjoyed the toasted oat ice cream.
(4)
Michelle C.
Tasty food. Dainty food. Expensive food. My feelings about A.kitchen are mostly positive, but damn are they expensive when you consider the portions. Even for the Square. Now I know how all the celebrities can eat there and get away with keeping their figures. Fortunately, the food is pretty good. My table of ladies ordered the arugula salad, octopus with watermelon, blue crab salad and beets to share. The salad was okay, but the octopus and crab dishes were both excellent. I didn't try the beets but my friends seemed to like them. We each chose our own main and I ordered the fettucine with bottarga. It was very rich, and this is where the smaller serving size actually worked to my advantage. The bottarga flavor was subtle which I preferred when compared with a similar dish I had at another restaurant. A couple of my noodles were slightly more firm than al dente, but overall I was very happy with my choice. My friends ordered a puff pastry filled with white chocolate and rhubarb and a pineapple upside down cake for dessert. I had a teeny bite of each and neither really wowed me, but I'm not super big on sweets. Both were cleared out so my friends definitely liked them. Would I go back to A.kitchen Yes, but most likely if the check is being picked up by someone else. I liked the food and the service but there are other restaurants with similar dishes at more reasonable prices.
(4)
Henry T.
Over all disappointed since I anticipated trying this place out. It's a gamble. You may enjoy it. Not a place I would try again.
(1)
Ash G.
Tiny place,a bit loud, and expensive, but delicious food, terrific cocktails, and really attentive and helpful service.
(4)
relena i.
Ordered Steak and egg, and French toast for brunch. Both of them blew our minds! Best brunch I had in town in the 2 years.
(5)
Amanda H.
A.kitchen has broken so many molds for me. I don't live by many codes, but never going to hotel restaurants was a rule to live by. I broke this rule when I went to a.kitchen and it's been my guilty pleasure ever since. I generally don't eat out during restaurant week - mainly because it gets so crowded and I feel rushed. But a.kitchen gives you wonderful service whether you're eating for a bargain or not. I also never really like chef tables, but again, it's somehow awesome here to eat at a bar and watch the cooks make food for other people while you're eating your own. There are mainly small plates, but you some how leave satisfied even if you choose not to order the whole menu. My best advice however is that even if you're here for brunch, save room for dessert. And - if you're here for brunch, get a Bloody Mary. If you aren't, get any other one of the inventive cocktails. Really, I'm from Philly, but this is a hotel restaurant that makes me consider staying in this hotel.
(5)
Abby B.
If only every week were restaurant week, then maybe I'd be able to afford A.kitchen once in awhile. After a long day of work, all I wanted was a glass of wine. However, that doesn't come cheap at A.kitchen . I couldn't fathom paying $11 of my hard-earned educator salary on a 3oz. pour, so I settled for a beer. For the first course, I got a mushroom bread thing that was very big and filling. I then chose the skate, even though I'm always nervous when it comes to ordering seafood. This was perhaps the best part of my meal. Elegantly seasoned and very tasty. A+, Akitch. For my main course, I settled on the butternut squash/kale lasagna. The portion was smaller than both of my previous courses, although this was supposed to be the "main" course. I kept eyeing my friend's juicy steak, wishing I would've chosen the meat option. The lasagna was good, but if that had been my sole course for the night, I would've needed to high-tail it to Shake-Shack a few blocks away for a burger and fries after. The dessert was okay - goat cheese-cheesecake is what I had. Overall, a very trendy and "place-to-be-seen" restaurant. Go if you get a raise or don't want to get too drunk. Or if you're not very hungry.
(4)
Edward W.
Nice, cozy dining room with good street view. The burger was good, but nothing special. Good beef, tender and juicy, but too thin. The thousand island is a nice touch, reminiscent of IN n OUT. 3.5 for burger, rachet down to three for value. You're better off with the Rouge burger down the street. Perhaps they can add some thousand island for you.
(3)
Yuqi Z.
Went once during restaurant week. The food was good, but also cheesy. So not a very big fun of it.
(3)
Casey L.
Food was top notch (portions aren't too big so we shared 3 plates and two desserts), service was stellar, waitresses were attentive and very professional and warm without being overbearing. They even noticed the little bits of food that we had spilled on the table by accident and took care to clean those up after every course. Very impressive experience - pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Would go again!
(5)
Nico D.
I had to choose three stars, because it's A-OK, right? But truly, it does not deserve more, possibly less. So the concept is that they use a Japanese-style charcoal grill to prepare almost every dish, and it gives this special taste (and smell to the restaurant, and quite possibly your clothes). It is very pricey (small portions of meats, with no sides included), and not that great: the wagyu was OK, but not melt-in-mouth amazing, the chicken was good (with a spicy BBQ sauce). The side of potatoes (extra $8) was so rich, it was impossible to eat more than 3 bites without feeling overwhelmed by the butter and white creamy sauce (mayo? triple cream? liquid lardo?) on top. The bread was OK, but nothing spectacular (Dandelion and Le Parc both have better breads, and theirs are free) and the 'house-made' butter was really really weird. Apparently it's the live culture that creates a funky/cheesy smell and taste. It's definitely not for everyone (personally, I thought it tasted rancid). And the bread+butter are $5... The grilled cornmeal cake with ice cream was very so-so. Cornmeal cakes are heavy, and grilling it does not make it better at all. They were trying to carry the grilling concept over to the dessert menu, but it's just a silly idea. And the ice cream had virtually no taste. Final issue, my wife couldn't find any red wine she liked. And wines by the glass are expensive: hers was $15 and wasn't special. In that price range, we have many better options nearby. Not coming back.
I went for a restaurant week date with my roommate after we looked at the menu and decided it was up to our standards. Yes, we are RW snobs, I'll put it out there right now. While I wasn't disappointed by this place, overall it didn't blow me away either. They really did restaurant week correctly, so I'll start off by saying any of the negative factors had nothing to do with the RW offerings. They actually impressed me with the fact that their offerings included 4 courses, and each course was a really good portion. Also impressed with the fact that this place offered their normal menu in addition to the RW menu. Though understandable why places do this, it usually irks me that I can't at least consider something off their regular menu. Sometimes I just like to look for the sake of coming back next time! Anyway, the food was a mixed bag--some of it was really awesome (lamb meatballs, spaghetti cacio e pepe, braised rabbit), and others were just OK (red snapper, fried eggplant, gravlax). So all in all, I wouldn't run back to this place to check out their other menu options. The dessert they served at the end was an awesome chocolate mousse type thing with salted caramel. Wish I could've had more. Or just licked my plate like an animal. Our server was a little absent and slow, just not quite as attentive as I would've liked. She wasn't very helpful with the massive (impressive) wine list, but said she'd be happy to send over the sommalier (who never showed). We were happy to pick something out on our own as we knew enough about wine to pick out a bottle. She was quick to bring us our check at the end but we didn't feel rushed. The place overall is pretty small, with an open kitchen with bar seats, and a teeny tiny bar on the right as you walk in. If I returned, I'd probably come either for wine, or to sit at that kitchen bar and watch the action.
(3)
James R.
A few years ago, I spent my time wandering through Germany looking for the perfect gausthaus....it should have great beer, tasty food, a decent view, and reasonable prices. Researching the Perfect Gausthaus was, in some ways, the highlight of my life! Fast forward a few years to Philadelphia, PA...where lo and behold, I find a place that would have certainly made my Top Ten Perfect Gausthaus list! Although I didn't order food, they did serve up a very nice Pilsner for me and allowed me to take it outside to a table! The weather in Philadelphia was cooperating so it was a pleasant evening to sit outside and enjoy the view and vibe. Everybody in town is so friendly, people kept passing by saying, 'Hello' and smiling! I might move here.
(5)
Trang N.
We had reservations on Christmas Eve, as it was one of a handful of restaurants open that night. We thought we would have a nice dinner before heading off to church in the Square. We could even see the glow of the snowflakes under the street lights, as they felt onto the sidewalk. The decor was very minimal, wooden floors, granite tabletops and muted lighting, not to mention that it commands a stellar location, had all the makings of a great dining experience, however the pace at which the food came out and the waitress constantly hovering over us, really took the magic out of our evening. At first we thought the service was efficient and friendly, then we just realized they were trying to get us out the door the moment we sat down. We were lucky enough to get a parking spot out front, the parking times were a bit confusing with the posted meter hours. Thankfully, there was a nice gentleman outside that sensed our confusion and explained it to us. We went inside to the hostess to confirm if he was indeed correct and she had no idea 'what the parking situation was" Really? It is the right outside your door! Has no one ever asked this question before?! Granted, you can argue that we could have read the signs, evidently the gentleman next to us was just as confused. When he heard us talking about it, after we brought him up to speed, he ran out to tend to his meter. That's just poor attention to detail if you ask me, especially if she spends a good portion of the night staring out at the street ,as she did that night. The plates are small and a smidge pricey for the quality. The recommendation is to pick two plates per person, and I would have certainly say three would be a better choice, although you could get a three course meal elsewhere if you went that route! The presentation was nice and clean, but nothing that was visually memorable. We started off with the spiced lamb meatballs, the meat balls were 'chef boyardee' size, the flavors were nice but for $14, we were expecting a little larger portions, we were served 3 meatballs, it was almost silly to divide the third one in half to share! We had another starter, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was (not a good sign!) Then I had the braised rabbit with rye spaetzle and brussles sprouts, again the portion was small, but the flavors were nice, albeit a bit salty. My husband had the roasted red snapper which he said was good, I tried it but again, I thought this was a little salty. If a restaurant is going to be open for Christmas Eve, I think they should be all in; food, service, experience, not rush patrons out to get a quick buck, (since they close early) or don't make as many reservations. They were so eager to turn over our table, when we got our bill, they had already brought over our coats! (I don't even know how they knew which ones were ours without the number!) I'm a bit disappointed, but I'm glad that we didn't spend any money on dessert, they might have taken it away before we finished at the rate things were progressing. The food was ok, but not good enough for me to want to come back, the service was definitely not going to lure me back. We left hungry and disappointed. Long story short, meh- I'm not feeling the love that everyone else has for this place.
(2)
Jade V.
Went here for a special little birthday dinner last night and I must say, I loved it. Warm service, warm food, warm ambiance, and warm company in the cold of the winter is always comforting. The cold dishes were pretty good, too! A small restaurant with small plates. Cozy, really. Lots of woods and dim lighting really set the mood. I'm sure that during the day, the big windows let a lot of sunlight onto the floor. The service was extra friendly, quick to help and explain, even with my especially lively group. Quite a catalogue of wine they have going on! Not to mention some fun beers, bottled and tap, and some delicious original cocktails. The sommeliers were friendly and helpful, too, brought us a delicious red Spanish wine. And the food. The food. I love the simplicity of the menu, but it was difficult to guess how much to order, because portion sizes varied widely and there was no way to guess how much would be "enough" would be short of grilling the waiter/waitress on every single dish. We wanted to share a few dishes then have an individual dish to ourselves, but out of our party, one person's individual dish ended up being much smaller than everyone else's. Awkward. Order more to be on the safe side. The food was so good, you'll probably end up eating it all, anyway! I loved the seafood stew. The duck (highly lauded by the waitress), venison, and pork chops were delicious, as well! The blue crab on farro with pesto was an unexpectedly divine combination, the salads fresh and crisp, and the octopus on lentils quite flavorful, although the texture could have used some work. I hesitate to describe the food in great detail, since the menu is ever-changing and what was available when I went may not be available when you go. Bottom line, the farm-to-table concept is skillfully-executed here, though the portion sizes can get confusing. Oh, and don't forget dessert! I loved the goat cheesecake with riesling sorbet, and since it was my birthday, they also gave us a free pound cake with creme fraiche ice cream on top. Candles, too!
(4)
Kristin W.
The food is generally good, but pricey. Most of the dishes are considered small plates, so our server recommended we get 2-3 each; we felt full with 5 between the two of us and agreed we would limit to 4 next time (particularly since we liked the bread so much!) In decreasing order of preference: -Scallops with Butternut Squash and Apple Cider - the scallops were sweet and nicely seasoned, but the squash was overly salty -Blue Crab Salad, Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto - there is a generous portion of crab provided with the dish; note that there is very little "salad" aspect if you are looking for some greens -Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi - tasty dish with lovely light gnocchi -Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Pecorino - very nice flavor, but I would have liked the sprouts to be a little softer -Roasted Red Snapper, Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage - while the size of the fish was reasonable, I was not wild about the flavor of this dish.
(4)
Caren J.
Wonderful brunch, wonderful table and amazing service. I would definitely go back! Had the Rittenhouse plate and it was delish!!!! The charcoal biscuits were to die for! Lovely atmosphere as well!!! Not on top of each other!
(5)
Steve M.
I pretty much *have* to give this place five stars. This is a lot after only one lunch visit, but there it is. I work in Center City near Rittenhouse Square and have been meaning to go hear forever, but just never got around to it. I finally went a couple of weeks ago, and looked over the menu. Lots of choices but nothing seemed quite right. So I rolled my eyes, sighed, and with some embarrassment, I ordered the cheese burger. It seemed like giving up to order a burger but it was what appealed to me at that moment. I've had a lifetime of cheese burgers, like everyone, so to identify one as the best I ever had is saying something. But this was simply the best burger I ever ate in my life. I don't know what set it apart - the roll, the cheese, the bacon, the meat, whatever the sauce was, I couldn't tell you. But I will say that if all they served was burgers, I would go back again and again.
(5)
Fran V.
Excellent meal, From soup and appetizer to dessert. The Wagu Steak was so tasty! Compliments to the hard working line cooks and chefs.
(5)
Felicia R.
Beautiful restaurant... HORRIBLE service! If you want to be ignored by a pretentious bartender, then by all means, this is your place to go! I wouldn't return even if it was free. Again HORRIBLE service!!
(1)
Prasath S.
Had brunch here this past weekend...we got seated on the counter facing the open kitchen which was pretty cool (Apparently we needed a reservation to be seated in the main dining area..even for brunch? hmm okay) We tried the English Muffin S/W which came with a fried egg, gruyere, sausage..it was good but i felt it was lacking some seasoning...i was hoping the sausage would add to the lack of flavor but it didn't..i did however really enjoy the home made english muffin...we also tried the short-rib/white bean puree chili with corn bread and a fried egg..again great dish...loved the creativity but lacked seasoning... loved the service as well (Coffee was yummy and waitress always refilled it) Maybe this is just me but the place and atmosphere felt a little snobby...
(3)
Bob L.
Very warm interiors and great service are the main appeal of this small place. My review is based on two dishes only. They shared the same flaw: the subtle flavors of the main ingredient were virtually obliterated by the other things on the plate. The "burrata" appetizer came with dill spice, served on a slice of toast in a potato-leek broth. The broth was wonderful, but the burrata couldn't be tasted as a result of the other strong flavors. It could have been served as soup and I wouldn't have missed the cheese, which itself was too firm and had a chewy texture. Similarly the skate, served with spicy broccolini, was over-shadowed by the spice. Skate is beloved for its delicate taste. Why it was accompanied by a palate killer is a mystery. Again, I don't know if these two dishes are representative of a theme of too much "creativity" or I just had bad luck.
(3)
Joseph D.
Th re-boot of a.kitchen is a wonderful improvement. The previous version was excellent but the food has been taken to a new level. One of my favorite spots to sit and have dinner at the bar. Excellent service, great menu and wine and cocktail program.
(5)
J K.
New chef and menu are in place. The service is great but I was not blown away by the food- we started with a bread basket which consisted of four different "seasonal" rolls - personally I would have been happier with simple french bread- the selection of bread was a little strange so I suggest asking before you order this item to see whether it is appealing. As to the food the best item we ordered were the smoked mussels. We also had the sea bream which was good but nothing earth shattering, with a few vegetable sides that were enjoyable but again nothing that made me want to rush back. Its pretty expensive as most of these small plates restaurants are, so I really have to be impressed to want to pay those kind of prices. Overall I'm not planning to come back as there are other places in the neighborhood I like better.
(3)
Catherine L.
A.kitchen gets A D-grade for food. Which is disappointing - because with the chef pedigree, the location, gorgeous design interior with open kitchen, you would think you're in for an A+ meal. But not so, my foodie friends, not so. Perhaps we're poorly ordering over and over again, but the salads and sandwiches just aren't up to snuff. Service is a bit detached, cold. Salads lack a bit of color, a lot of flavor - terribly bland. But the definite stand-out disappointment were the mushroom croquettes- its contents and sauce were so off-putting, so much so that both my lunch companion and I had a terrible after-taste that lingered long after the meal was over. One highlight however, was the delicious homemade English muffin that had the right amount of fluffiness, crunch with a hint of sweetness and this thankfully was the only factor that took a simple deli tuna salad to a more gourmet level. Otherwise, a very average, expensive lunch all around.
(2)
Andrew K.
We went there for brunch. The Bloody Mary was delicious - One of the best in the Rittenhouse area. We were seated right away. The grits dish was yummy.
(4)
Aaliyah P.
I would probably go back for apps and drinks. My meal here was sort of what i expected from a hotel restaurant in rittenhouse, obviously pretentious and not that great. RW can either sway me one of two ways, you can give me awesome service, put out amazing food and wow me to come back or you can pull an A Kitchen and provide me with a barely memorable meal from start to finish. My favorite course was the eggplant starter with mushrooms. It had a very complex flavor and the contrast of textures made me want to keep eating. The next course was alright, shrimp in a spicy sauce with a few veggies. The main course was a fliet of fish ( not to e confused with Mcdonalds) that was overly bland and not flavorful , though there was a great sear on the fish. Dessert was uneventful and i probably could make something better with ducan hines brownie mix at home. Saving grace to the spotty service was the hostess and sommelier who remained friendly and helpful throughout our meal.
(3)
M B.
My girlfriend and I have been wanting to try a.kitchen for a while. I took her there on Valentine's Day and we were both very disappointed. They had a 4 course prefix menu for 75 a person. The appetizers were way off taste wise. We tried 4 different ones and none of them stood out. The entrees were decent and we both ordered the steak wagu. The steak tasted great but the knives to cut the steak were very dull. It felt like we had to saw the steak and it was very chewy. The overall flavor was good but how difficult the steak was to cut took away from the entree. The desserts we had were awful. I had the chocolate mouse and she had the buckwheat pound cake. I have no clue what was going on there but everything was off and very disappointing. For 250$ I was expecting a lot more. I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone. Only positive experience of the night was the service.
(1)
Brian S.
The food here is decent. It's not bad by any means but just ok. My beefs with a.Kitchen are that the menu is limited when you go for brunch and want more of a lunch item (they have all of three sandwiches on the menu). It's also way too small in here, and unless you are a gossip queen, you will probably hear way too much about who or what the next table over did last night. They do have really good homemade english muffins, though...
(3)
Vlad L.
I went here for the first time last night for a business dinner. We started off at the new next door sister bar called a.bar . The bar was very nice. Small, sophisticated and you have a great street view of walnut/rittenhouse. The drink menu was also above average in terms of uniqueness of drinks. Our actual dinner was very good as well. Some would say the portions are small but I felt they were pretty on point. The menu has plenty of variety. The warm buratta over dry aged beef, corkscrew pasta and mushroom toast were all good. The plate presentation was very respectable but nothing over the top. I would definitely come here again. Oh and they have a great Czech lager on tap...just wish they served it in a bigger glass!
(4)
Barry E.
Great food from a great chef. Was amazed with the "Rittenhouse Slam", though bacon was cooked a little too much. Rum raisin muffin was spectacular, and there's just something about their egg whites that blew my mind. Great restaurant at great service and reasonable prices.
(4)
Jamie S.
Portions are pretty small for the price, but everything I have tried has been excellent, from the seasonal spiral pastas to the carrots. If you are starving, this is not your spot. But if you are looking for some refined bites, head on over- especially in warmer months when the outdoor seats are available.
(4)
Alie A.
I have to say, I wasn't much of a fan! Came here for dinner not long ago for a celebratory dinner and found myself leaving with an empty wallet along with an empty stomach. Great wine selection and the menu appear to be appetizing, but dishes are small and not dignified enough to justify being priced at the rates they are. The warm field green salad was soaked in oil and felt like something I could have made in my kitchen with a clove of garlic and spinach. I will say that the mushroom stuff quail was amazing. We also had the corkscrew pasta with pancetta which was good but not mind blowing. Regardless, I'd give it another shot but not immediately. The ambiance is romantic and you're offered a great view of the park, yet the vibe is a little a haughty for my linking.
(3)
Rob W.
It's funny how the first time I try a new restaurant is always durning restaurant week. It was truly a last minute stop after Zahav and Amada couldn't accommodate us. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into especially when they only had a table in front of the open kitchen, but it turned out to be dinner and a show. Slicing, dicing, grilling, searing, whipping and a lot more verbs were going on in unison like a string quartet. I would dive into each dish but just trust me, it's all amazing. Skate Wing and the Cod were the highlights. The only reason I can't give it a 5 star rating is because it broke the bank. $200 for 2 people ordering off the restaurant week menu on a week night. They snuck in two $15 drinks at the end that was a surprise. You gotta shoot your customers straight or they won't come back, ya know..
(4)
Rob K.
We came here on a whim after not having a reservation at a couple of nearby restaurants where we attempted. There were 5 of us and we were all thrilled with our selections. We decided to order several plates for the table to share as the portions can be somewhat small. I ordered the duck breast and the octopus and both were delicious. I also tried the swordfish, striped bass, and the spaghetti with pepper, cheese and fried egg on top. Everything was delicious and the wine selections were on point. You can't go wrong with Italian wines.
(4)
Andrew K.
I've walked past this place a hundred times and have always said to myself that I need to stop in and check it out. I finally stopped in after a comedy show on a Saturday evening and sat right at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and very helpful in making cocktail and wine recommendations. As for food, we ordered the wild mushroom tart and the softshell crab dish. The softshell crab dish was amazing. There was just enough breading to still taste the crab and it was seasoned very well. The tart was also very good. This place is a little expensive, as 2 small plates and 2 drinks runs about $50 with tip, but a great experience nonetheless.
(4)
Anna Marie C.
i wanted to love it. i love the location, i love the friendly vibe that i got walking in the door. but the food was way darn overpriced. and although good--nothing special. i paid $6 for rolls? tiny tiny rolls? turnips for $7? that fit into a tiny bowl (and i couldn't taste the miso?) and wagyu steak... i think there were about 3 pieces on my plate. although tasty, i felt still half hungry and wanted to get a slice of pizza afterwards.
(2)
Dennis L.
I'm torn. This place is definitely a nice ritzy date place, with ritzy small quaint date like giant prices. The prices don't seem like deserve a 3 dollar sign price rating, until you realize, these are almost tapas sized servings. Each normal sized person, not that large, requires maybe 1.5 to 2 of these 15-20$ dishes to really get full. Don't get me wrong? The quality was great. The 4 of us shared the Lamb Meatballs (only 3, but delicious), the lamb loin (again only 3 pieces but cooked well with delicious sauce), chicken and gnochi (lo and behold, 4 pieces!!! but tender to almost the point of seeming fake, like chicken paste), some meatless creamy pasta not on the menu (tasted under cooked, but the garlic creamy pasta was amazing), 2 vegetable sides (zucchini - delicious, asparagus - meh). Including tax and tip, we each spent about $27. We left borderline full, but not really. Dinner #2 followed shortly thereafter.
(4)
David A.
I have now been back three times since my first visit earlier in the week. This place is incredible. Last night before the storm I was thinking comfort food: I had the pasta appetizer which has fresh long pasta with butter, grated cheese and salt. Not sure what else but incredibly light and delicious. A simple dish executed perfectly. Next I had the chorizo meatballs with calamari. Incredible flavor, not overly heavy and with a fantastic light red base. The staff is extremely friendly and top shelf. Great creative cocktails, outgoing chefs and knowledgable wait staff. And the owner, David, is always there ensuring great customer service and execution.
(5)
Vinny P.
I was rather pleased with my meal from A.kitchen . Service was on point, the space is small and fun and the food was prepared beautifully. I met up with a family friend who will be moving to Philadelphia very soon. She was in for work and then did some measurements to her new place. She requested early dinner, near Rittenhouse. We both began with a glass of rioja. They have both 3 and 5 oz pours of wine (not sure who only wants 3oz of wine, but whatever) They seem to have a very healthy bottle list. We started with the grilled halloumi and the roasted maitake mushrooms. Both were delicious and I highly recommend them. The mushrooms with the foam and polenta really blew me away. For dinner we ordered the crab cakes and the lamb loin. My lamb came a perfect medium (as requested) and the farro risotto was just plain delicious. They didn't skimp on the crab cakes either though I didn't love the potato salad with it. Even still, it was a lovely meal. I was glad we got in early. By around 6:30 the place started filling up and there wasn't an open seat in the house. The mains were a touch small for the price tag but if you're with light eaters, and want some well thought out combinations, this is your place.
(4)
Sara S.
The menu is amazing. There is a lot of innovation and creativity in the dishes. What's not okay is the price that they try to justify by calling dishes share plates. 25-40 dollars for a main dish that consists for 4 bites is over the top. The duck main course (cooked perfectly) came out with 2 little slivers of duck breast. High prices come with great food but I need more than an appetizers worth of food in return.
(3)
Antonio A.
our 36th wedding anniversary. we head to a.kitchen , one of our favorite places where you can sit at the chef's counter and watch the action. chef eli kulp and ellen yin have revamped the menu. and the food is excellent. here is what we enjoyed for our 36th. 'Ã Chablis,' Olivier de Moor, 2011, Chablis, a bottle is better than a glass Crispy Basque Peppers, kelp salt, spice of life Grilled Prawns, chili & scallion glaze, heads on Pork Cutlet, mustard greens, caper aioli, tender and delicious Deviled Skate, sambal, charred napa cabbage, very, very good Baked and Grilled Potatoes, togarashi buttermilk, my kind of tater paul our wait person was very nice, putting up with an old grumpy married couple.
(5)
YelpHatesMe Y.
Review is of the cheddar and bacon burger on house made English muffin, and was take out. GREAT burger! The quality of the meat was good and the sauce that they use was great. It came extra rare, which I LOVED! This inst really a big or hearty burger like Whiskey Village or Rouge but damn if it wasn't tasty. I'll be having more of these. Probably my favorite burger in Rittenhouse.
(5)
Michael U.
Dishes sampled included: Almond Croissant Counter Culture Coffee Gruyere Buns with Poached Eggs and Country Ham This meal was better titled "a disaster," from their somehow managing to fail to unlock the doors until 10 minutes after they were supposed to open to the fact that my 'server,' Adrienne managed to ignore me (and my coffee/water refills) until I actively called to her across the room - where only one other patron sat - to the bait and switch menu (no Bread Pudding French Toast despite the online menu) the only thing that could have saved AKA Rittenhouse's restaurant was the food... ...and it didn't. With an almond croissant I would swear was stale considering the way it flaked and cracked - not to mention the slathering of frangipane - to the fairly average Gruyere Buns which unfortunately lacked any flavor of the cheese but did support some nicely poached eggs and savory pork this was the sort of meal that could have been trumped with a Moons Over My-Hammy at Denny's...except for the coffee, which was actually quite nice...but at least at Denny's it would have been refilled by a person I felt deserved a tip; something I did not leave as Andrew Jackson's face seemed more than adequate.
(1)
Leigh S.
Went here for Restaurant Week to try out a new location and it was awesome! Definitely not for groups, but the food was great and the wine list EXTENSIVE. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)
Rachel W.
Positive - service was great. Friendly, attentive, all good! Disappointing - The food was so-so and the prices were high. I had the brunch bagel with salmon, onion, tomato and herb creamcheese. Their idea of toasting a bagel is to grill it. The onion was a white onion cut about half an inch thick. Overall I would not go back.
(2)
Geoff S.
I arrived at the downtown hotel early and was hungry for a nice breakfast. Yelp, guided me to a.kitchen and I couldn't have been happier with what I was about to experience. As it was just little 'ol me, I was asked by the hostess if I wanted to sit up at the chef's table, a counter-style area facing the open kitchen. Seemed like a good suggestion to me! The server, Lee, was there promptly with water and asked if I wanted coffee. Yes, please - this came quickly and was very good, as were the frequent refill offers. I looked at the menu while watching one of the chef's at work in the kitchen. My pick for breakfast? Eggs Benedict - a classic and since they said they make their hollandaise sauce fresh, I had to try it. As a side note, their muffins are freshly made in-house too, and they are fantastic. By the time my eggs arrived, another chef was in the kitchen and since they weren't too busy, both were very responsive to my few questions and requests (another small tub of hollandaise sauce, please!?). It was a Saturday morning around 11am and I was, by this time, the only one at the counter-seating, so I thought questions were ok....... The Benedict was superb, the muffin perfect and the ham very well cooked. The hollandaise was outstanding atop the perfectly poached eggs. Love the decor of the place, the chef's table/counter seating, the menu and the service. These things, as well as being a short walk from our downtown hotel, will be bringing me back - probably soon and maybe for dinner too, this time!
(4)
Winnie S.
Great wine selection, interesting and thoughtful food, lunch service was a bit slow. Modern decor was elegant and refined, yet not stuffy, staff very friendly, however the kitchen was a bit too slow for the pace of a working lunch.
(3)
Xerxes N.
Grab a Stillwater Cellar Door beer and take a seat on their outdoor patio and enjoy the beautiful evening! They offer beers from the continental US and around the world. Enjoy the modern and cool restaurant views while catching beautiful people walking up and down the street. You can even enjoy a nice city like view while on the patio. The most appealing feature of this restaurant are the doors that serve as walls and when opened make for a combo indoor and outdoor restaurant. Definitely a cool spot to hang out and when I'm back in town again I plan to visit and eat!
(4)
Tina A.
I went here for the first time last week, after Eli Kulp overhauled the menu. It was sooooo good. The smell of the charcoal grill welcomes you when you enter the restaurant. I think the steak tartar was my favorite, but I also enjoyed the mussels, quail eggs and beets, and the clams. I'll definitely be going back soon!
(4)
Andrea T.
Hmm, I could have swore I wrote a review After they first opened I went here for brunch with three friends. Our service was horrible. So horrible that I had to actually ask for my food. Our blintzes came out burnt, not crisp, charred to be exact. Our server didn't even ask me if i wanted a refill on my mimosa which would have made his tip higher. On a brighter note there about twenty great places within ten steps of this sad establishment so save your self and just walk on by.
I made a reservation for brunch at 145. When I got there, they told me that they overbooked and needed the table at 230. I don't know about others, but when people have Sunday brunch with friends, the last thing they like being told is there is a 45 minute time limit to their meal. I will definitely not be coming back here given the numerous other options.
(1)
Erica M.
a.kitchen was very good this time around. The space is beautiful and the service is excellent. I came with a friend for restaurant week. This is one of the few restaurants in which restaurant week is a GOOD deal. Our dishes, if purchased on a "regular" night, would have cost upwards of $50 per person, plus alcohol. So the restaurant week price of $35 was excellent. The food was quite tasty - started with the shrimp, then the fluke, then the hen of the woods mushrooms, and finished with the olive oil cake. My friend did the shrimp, chorizo meatballs, roasted chicken, and olive oil cake. The flavors of all the dishes were very good, and everything was cooked perfectly. But I must say, I don't know if I would've been thrilled had I paid full price. As many others have said, it's expensive and the portions are small. The wines and cocktails are expensive (though I did learn last night that they are all organic). The only time I am okay with expensive and small is if the flavors are truly mindblowing, and a.kitchen's just weren't. I am excited to see the changes made after Eli Kulp gets his hands on the menu...given that High Street on Market is our favorite restaurant, I will definitely revisit a.kitchen after Chef Kulp makes modifications. This place has huge potential - gorgeous decor, excellent servers, and perfect location!
(4)
Jason H.
Went to a.kitchen for a late dinner with my GF. Sat at the kitchen bar, which is always a cool scene in any restaurant; this was no exception. Ordered a few items, including skate wing. When the skate arrived, it had the unmistakeable smell of ammonia. Upon further research, I discovered that while this can be caused by the beginning of decomposition (old fish) it is also a problem for any fish in the shark family; apparently skate falls in this category. Sharks, I found out, urinate through their skin, and apparently (especially larger fish) can have this ammonia smelling/tasting problem if not properly soaked in a bicarbonate bath prior to cooking. So, the fish was either old, or not prepared properly. We brought this to the manager's attention, at which time he said it was the "brown butter" and not the fish. We sent it back anyway, and got a substitute. Toward the end of the meal, they switched servers for our table (it was just getting to closing time) and the new server was rather rude, and clearly thought a great deal of herself. When the check came, I was surprised to find no consideration for the problem we had, whatsoever. I wrote to the e-mail on the restaurant's website, and recounted the same tale as you are reading now, and have yet to hear anything by phone or e-mail after more than a week. Pretty poor all around, and after two visits to a.kitchen , we won't be returning. A.shame. -J
(1)
Marianna L.
LOVED A.kitchen . Had lunch outside last week, and am so happy with my choice. Although prices are a bit steep for lunch (I guess it is just the area it is in) the portion size is decent, and the quality is top-notch. I got the speck and brie sandwich. It was like an adult grilled cheese and ham! The mustard that it was sitting in on the plate was the perfect accompaniment to give it a kick! The pickled veggies on the side were also a nice, tangy element. The seemingly home made potato chips were perfectly salted and crispy. I would definitely go back!
(4)
David S.
The food here was really disappointing for the price. Of the 4 courses my GF and I had only one was worth coming back for. The fish was downright terrible. Bright spot was my cocktail which was actually really good. Go for drinks and wine, pass on the food.
(2)
Rachel S.
My friend and I stopped in to a.kitchen for an early dinner tonight and were excited we were able to walk in and sit down without a wait! First off, this is not somewhere I would suggest coming to for an "experience." I was not overly impressed with the decor and the place is small. My intent was to have a great meal with a friend and it delivered completely. We ordered the cheese plate first which would probably be the only "eh" part of the meal. SUPER small amount for the price tag. I would skip even though it was delicious. The rest of our portions were so big and I was so surprised. We were told we probably needed about 5 plates between the two of us and we absolutely could have each gotten a salad and shared one plate and had been full. No worries! We got to try more things and they were all delicious. My friend and I both got the Baby Arugula Salad, Shaved Mushrooms, Bresaola with Lemon Vinaigrette which was potentially one of the best salads I have had in the city. Salty, light and filling all at the same time. SO SO GOOD. We shared the Roasted Red Snapper with Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage and the Blue Crab Salad with Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto which were both awesome as well. The snapper was seasoned perfectly and the blue crab was ice cold and they did not skimp on the crap part whatsoever. Nothing worse than a luke warm, mayonaise-y blue crab salad. We went on to share the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi and by this time we were super full but still kept picking! The chicken was tender and the gnocchi and other little nibbles on the plate were delicious. I would recommend this as a whole meal for someone as well. We also had a plate of the Spaghetti Carbonara which I would say was a super small portion and could have done without it based on fullness and because it was just so-so. All in all I can't wait to go back here. The service was not lacking, the food rocked and the location perfect. Yum!
(5)
Kate B.
I recently stopped in here to get out of the heat . My friend and I were too late for brunch and too early for dinner. However - we had a couple cocktails and Michael the bartender was so friendly and helpful. He went over the wine list made some good recommendations also gave us some pointers about Philly. Hope to go back soon for dinner!
(4)
Timothy D.
A perfect spot for 2 people to sit, chat, eat, and watch the world go by. Great staff, a menu that does no wrong, and excellent cocktails make for a very good time. Clean and simple and classy through and through.
(4)
Sarah A.
While the food was good, it wasn't on par with the prices or balanced out by the portion sizes. The quiche was overcooked, the vegetarian scrapple more like fried tofu than any sort of scrapple, and the waitstaff seemed a bit unkempt (stringy, unwashed hair, particularly noticeable at brunch on a holiday). I, as were those I dined with, was disappointed with the experience.
(2)
Justin C.
Decent brunch, underwhelmed by the food for the price. Coffee was VERY strong, didn't finish a whole cup. We got an English muffin egg and cheese sandwich, which was good but not great, eggs Benedict which again was good but not great, and the mushroom scrapple which was bland and more of a cornmeal cake with mushroom than it was scrapple. On the positive side the food came out fairly quickly. Will not be returning.
(2)
Samantha B.
I have a thing for coffee shops. When I was working across the park and took the train into work every day, I would stop at a different coffee shop every week to find my favorite. A.cafe wins. Hands down. I seem to be the only person in the city who's discovered that you can walk up to the bar and get a coffee to go. I'm not complaining. There is never a line like at many other coffee joints in the area, commercial or independently owned (cough La Colombe). The coffee is the same price as say..Dunkin Donuts, and incredible. And it makes me feel like I'm in Europe. If I've ever been to Europe. They present your coffee with your own personal tray complete with milk, sugar, and a spoon. It makes you feel pretty rich. Rich as in luxurious. I also tend to make friends with strangers. I like strangers a lot. When I was going to a.cafe regularly, I knew the entire bar staff. We were 'friends.' In the most meaningless sense of the word. But still. They bought me coffee often. I loved it. When I stopped taking the train in and a.cafe wasn't on my route to work, I started coming on Saturday or Sunday mornings and having breakfast by myself at the bar. It's become my thing. Most recently I ordered a simple 2 poached eggs with potatoes and an english muffin with jam. You get your own little jar of jam. As if I needed any more convincing. I also gave in and shared my secret coffee hideaway and took a couple of my friends who were in town visiting for brunch. Was just as cozy and classy as always. A.kitchen is my special little place. Will be interesting how their expansion into Kiehl's turns out.
(4)
Kristen F.
Two friends and I went here for girl's night out. It was a Yelp says "A-OK." The highlight dish for the group was the the Taleggio and Wild Mushroom Crêpe with Forest Mushroom Gravy. Also highlights - Smoked Octopus, Curried Lentils, and Clementine & Braised Short Rib and Ricotta Gnocchi Gratin. Surprisingly, the dish I felt was touted the most - the Lamb Bolognese - was underwhelming. Also to note, the hostess was super friendly and went so far as helping us into our coats (I noticed, unless it's a different girl, that she got a lot of slack on Yelp.) Our waiter was so-so, in terms of friendliness and timing. I wouldn't run back to A.kitchen , but I would definitely go back!
(3)
Christine B.
I wanted to love this place, but I wouldn't say I do. I went for lunch with co-workers. We had all been wanting to try it because its around the corner from the office. We sat inside, but all the windows were open so that was nice. It was surprisingly pretty empty at 1pm. I had the blue crab salad. It was really tasty, but a little heavy on the mayo, and really small. Other people got sandwiches, the chorizo with calamari, and the veal ragu. Everyone enjoyed their food, but the bill came to about $28 per person. That's a pretty expensive lunch for relatively small portions. I didn't have any issues with the service, the waitress was nice, and checked back with us a couple times to see if we needed anything.
(3)
Jonny R.
Though it wasn't a perfect visit, I think I need to indicate that this pace certainly outshines others that I rated with the same original score.
(5)
Nicole H.
Just stopped in for a small snack - I had the Pork Belly Risotto Fritters ($9). The plate came with 3 fried balls filled with risotto (it really was more like plain rice) and pork along with a spicy mayo-based sauce. The fritters were very good and the sauce was a fantastic addition. Sitting at the kitchen bar I was able to see a lot of the different menu items prepared. The dishes definitely seemed a little small, but given the location and quality the prices aren't too too high. They're serving free alcohol til the liquor license comes through (not sure how long this is going on), which is a great deal. The staff is welcoming and friendly and the atmosphere is very modern and chic. Definitely give it a try!
(4)
Jane P.
Came here with my friend to try the place out. Got a reservation in with the infamous "super bitchy" tiny Asian hostess HAHAHA no, she's actually VERY nice and friendly to guests. AAAAAnnnd also my younger sister. =P We got a spot at the chef's counter which was really neat because watching them prepare the dishes was so much fun! We were intent on just a few dishes and a drink and then would go to a bar after, but we ended up getting some extra dishes and they were all so delicious. I especially loved the Octopus with watermelon. BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Its always a plus when you see the managers on the floor paying attention to the guests and helping out whenever they can. The place can get very loud, but it is overall a nice place to eat in Rittenhouse. The popular drink they had was a blue drink, I forgot the name of it, but it was good. I'm just not a fan of Malibu. We were stuffed afterwards, but had a great time and would love to come back to try more dishes.
(5)
Colleen U.
To start, cappuccino, looked beautiful, tasted delicious, but was not hot. My eggs Benedict, were the best I have ever had, the eggs were poached to perfection and the homemade English muffins where amazing. My husbands eggs and flank stake were amazing as well. My daughter's monkey bread pancakes were wonderful as well as the parfait. My only negatives would have to be for the atmosphere. Lighting on the dark side, especially the bathroom!! And for a noisy place as it is, the music was loud and not relaxing for a Sunday morning.
(4)
Jemma C.
Overall this was "Meh". Food was average at best, table was way too small for 3ppl, staff lacked any real menu or wine knowledge. Way too many restaurants in Philly to ever warrant a return visit here. Not for me.
(3)
Amy J.
The menu looks delicious, and they have a great wine selection, but the portions are just not there for the price. I made the mistake of bringing out of towners here for dinner and we left still hungry after a hefty bill. I won't go back unless it's for dessert only.
(2)
Mathew P.
Cocktails were amazing, try the rule of thumb! Food was very good, how ever I did leave hungry. Very small portions Executed very well. Siting at the chef rail was a fun experience
(3)
Suzanne G.
This was my favorite meal in Philly last week. I went because of Yelp, also it has a great location - just off the Rittenhouse Square. Sit at the Chef's Bar if you are a group of three or less, you can see all the action. Beets & Broccoli was just okay, could use a little more flavor. The Honey Yogurt was just that: some honey on one side of the plate and yogurt on the other. However, the other two dished I tried: Blue Crab with Farro Salad and the Almond Macaroons were amazing. I can't stop thinking about the simple, refreshing, perfectly complimentary flavors that made up these dishes. I'm not sure why Yelp says just wine & beer. I tried the Renata (Tequila, Rum, Cointreau, Maraschino, Lemon). I like the description better than the actual drink.
(4)
Matt C.
A lot has been said about this place, but simply put: it's good. The food is good; the ambiance is good; the service is good; and it's obvious a lot of thought went into preparing the menus. Yes, it's a little expensive than other choices, but it's also a little nicer than other choices and the attention to detail means it's incredibly rare to find anything disappointing. It's not a bargain, and the portion sizes aren't huge, but surely a classy and tasty restaurant, in which it is a pleasure to dine and which presents a variety of interesting options has it's place in the rich pantheon of Rittenhouse Square restaurants. I suspect I'll be back more than once, never ordering the same thing twice.
(4)
Meredith B.
Decent lunch - Standard. Breakfast is the way to go here. Smoked Salmon Crispy Bagel Napoleon was refreshingly lite and different.
(3)
Holly T.
a.kitchen was one of those places it took us forever to try, even though we walk by all the time, but we're so glad we finally did. More often than not, we just pop in for a drink and snack at the bar. They do wine, beer, and cocktails well, so you can't go wrong, whichever your preference. A few drinks and a cheese plate or appetizer at the bar hit the spot on our walk home from work. In addition to our bar experiences, we truly enjoyed our one dinner here so far. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share, and our server was pleasantly flexible in negotiating how to course them, as well as leaving us the freedom to order more as we went along rather than having to decide on everything at once. Some of the dishes we tried include scallops with blood orange, asparagus with shitake, beets and goat cheese, chili shrimp, and venison. The venison and scallops were especially memorable. I love that their menu changes so often; those particular dishes are long gone, replaced by new dishes we look forward to trying. I find the wine by the glass selection here to be one of my favorites in town; the Morgon and Chinon were both perfect food-friendly wines with dinner. We also had an amazing dessert wine, Barolo Chinato, paired with our chocolate panna cotta. From the outside, I had imagined a.kitchen to be a bit more casual. I'm not necessarily disappointed to find that it was fancier than I expected, it just means it's more in "special occasion" territory when it comes to dinner. It was absolutely worth it, though, and we will definitely be back.
(4)
Claire R.
This was such a weird, bad, and dirty (or dusty) experience. A friend and I snagged an outdoor table for an afterwork drink and bite. I was looking forward to trying it because I had passed it and liked the overall aesthetic. But my first sip of A. Kitchen was disgusting. There was a light film of dust/ dirt on the water. The server didn't apologize and seemed relatively unconcerned but did bring me a new water along with my wine and quickly disappeared. Before drinking I checked both of them and noticed the same film. However, we were unable to get her attention again. She was rarely seen for the next 45 minutes or so except for one one or two occasions when she she would walk to the opposite side of tables and stand around giggling and talking. We tried to make eye contact but she would promptly turn her back to us before we could motion for her to come over. Finally someone who appeared to be a manager based on how he was dressed seemed to sense our frustration or notice our attempts to get our server's attention. He asked us if everything was okay at which point we explained that our server had disappeared and there was a dusty film on our drinks. He indicated that he would be back and I fully expected him to return with either a comped check or an apology. Instead he dropped a check in front of us and disappeared. We were charged for our dirty drinks. Rather than waste another 30 minutes trying to get someone's attention and not expecting anything to come of our complaint, we decided to cut our losses, threw cash down on the table to cover the check and headed to another place for drinks and dinner. I will never, ever go here again and have saved a few friends and business acquaintances from the bad experience by vetoing suggested meals or lunch meetings here.
(1)
Jillian P.
On Memorial Day at 11:10 AM, my husband and I walked up to the hostess and asked how long it would take to be seated outside (we were with our 2 small dogs). She said 20 minutes, possibly sooner, and that the only party ahead of us just sat down. She asked for our name and number; she would call when our table was ready. We walked to Rittenhouse Square (1/4 block) and waited. And waited. By 11:30, we walked back to the restaurant to check on our reservation. Before we saw anything else, we noticed that every single table had completely new patrons. And the hostess was cleaning off another table for someone else. We turned around, went to Parc and had an amazing meal at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Maybe A.kitchen should hire A.hostess who knows how to hostess? Regardless, I'll never go back. What a terrible way to treat customers.
(1)
S L.
Enjoyed a really tasty lunch today at A.Kitchen and the food was good enough that I'd go back again for sure. The service was a bit off. We had to ask for ice twice, and we ordered coffee for dessert that never came (not the end of the world, I know), but other than that, lunch was great. I'd like to go back for dinner at some point.
(4)
Ronna L.
Meh. I'm adding a.kitchen to my growing list of Rittenhouse restaurants that are overpriced and overrated. No egregious violations here--the food was decent, the service was okay, and the decor was nice. But I prefer to have my mind (and taste buds) blown when I drop this much cash at a restaurant, and suffice it to say, I left a. kitchen with my head still very much intact. Expect to order two plates if you're hungry. The menu changes frequently, I'm told, but last night, we sampled the spaghetti bolognese, pasta carbonara, cheese plate, lamb loin and octopus. All were just fine, with the octopus (thick, well-seasoned tentacles) being the best of the bunch. Drinks are also more expensive than they should be (there's no reason you should pay $7 for a bottle of Bell's Oberon, even if it is one of the most refreshing summer beers around). No plans on going back to a.kitchen anytime soon, unless someone else is paying. After a mediocre dinner experience, we didn't even bother with dessert and headed over to Insomnia Cookies for a mint chocolate chip cookie instead.
(3)
Ben P.
Meh. I was unimpressed. This joint is weird. Dressed up very nicely with a lot of focus on atmosphere and presentation, but they kind of forgot about the whole 'food' part of a restaurant. Tables are way too close together. Sorry you were limited by space, but I don't like my brunch being assaulted (warning:incoming pun alert) by asses on both sides as people get up and sit down. Service was pretentious and insincere. How hard is it to say "Are you enjoying everything" instead of "Does your meal evoke all that you miss about your childhood?" Frankly Jareth, it might have it it wasn't lukewarm. C'mon, son! Portions were a bit on the tiny side, too. Don't misread that as "me big fat 'Merican, want eggs benedict with anaconda egg", they were just being cheap. And cheap this place isn't. It isn't super expensive, either, but I would have had hot food and service that didn't conjure up a desire to give someone a wedgie and a swirlie from The Penrose. Try Parc, up the street. Parc is doing well what A Kitchen meant to do.
(3)
Chris M.
I wandered in here with a coworker by complete accident and left impressed. I ordered from the Restaurant Week menu and my culinary ADHD was satisfied. I started with grilled radicchio and wild mushroom toast. The toast was battered and fried and delicate in flavor which balanced nicely with the radicchio and sauce. The sweetbreads were cooked just right and had a crunchy exterior and velvety texture. The slaw in top was one of those rare treats that I could eat everyday and not grow tired of. I also had smoked cod goat cheese cake which were both tasty and a good mix with the first two courses, but not quite as memorable. The service was excellent. If I lived in this town, I'd be here often (and significantly heavier...).
(5)
J.M. O.
Stumbled on it for a Saturday brunch and came away extremely pleased.good and attentive service,excellent coffee,beautiful homemade English Muffins and eggs,Great for vegetarians. A very good brunch and would go back in a heartbeat.
(4)
Jean R.
I have eaten here quite a few times but this was my first experience since the menu changed substantially (earlier this spring) and unfortunately I give the change a thumbs down. I used to think of it as a place to get a number of delicious healthy options, but yesterday at lunch I had a hard time finding anything that wasn't heavy/fatty/fattening on the menu. I ordered the beet salad and it was "ok"--way more cabbage than beets (where's the beet!") and the dressing had a bottled French dressing quality. Also, the whole restaurant smelled like a kitchen fire (or should I say A.kitchenfire). The service and atmosphere (not counting the smoky smell) was just as lovely as it used to be. Unfortunately though, I am taking this one out of the rotation.
(3)
Travis E.
Just.... Ok. I don't mind spending money on good food, but it really wasn't worth the price. Service was great.
(3)
Srishti D.
Cute little place with some amazing cocktails and food. I had the bershire pork lion with tunisian and moscow mule and it was incredible!
(4)
Alex M.
Food was good, but fairly overpriced for what you get. Service is OK. Try the Blue crab salad.
(3)
Catherine H.
Pretend like you're European and eat outside on the sidewalk. Get the chicken sandwich at lunch. Veggie dishes tasty but tiny.
(4)
Carrie J.
I've been several times for brunch, but the first time I visited a.kitchen was for dinner and I was so impressed I came back several times for brunch. I can count on this restaurant for a consistently tasty meal and prompt service. Many months ago I came here to meet with some friends for drinks but since we were sitting at the open kitchen, the action and the aroma encouraged us to order meals. Although I am not the biggest fan of mussels, I ordered the moules frites. The mussels were tasty and cooked perfectly (search David Lebovitz's blog for the importance of having properly prepared mussels). But the thing that really impressed me was the authenticity of curry sauce that came with the fries. Upon tasting it, it transported me back to my short weekend in Brussels, where, of course, I had frites with curry sauce. a.kitchen reproduced the perfect Belgian experience. I am hoping this dish will make a reappearance on their menu again. The stand-out meal that I have had for brunch was the chorizo and queso fresco pancakes with sriracha-maple syrup. It was inventive, delicious, and filling. The chorizo and cheese were blended in the batter to produce beautifully fluffy hotcakes. The clean lines make the space look modern, while the small size and wood elements make the interior very comfortable. It doesn't get very noisy even though you will be very close to your neighbors. I am looking forward to trying their brunch hamburger called the "Death Star."
(5)
Dina B.
On the whole, we enjoyed our dining experience at a.kitchen . There were pluses and minuses. I thought the hostess had a difficult attitude, so I was wary when we arrived. However, the exceptional service we had during the meal made up for that. The service really was great. No matter who was our assigned server, everyone in the restaurant helped in some way. This was a real plus as dishes did not sit, the check did not sit, and we received a lot of attention. The atmosphere is a bit challenging. It is a small, busy place, with one or two more tables than it should have. The server for the table next to us had to squish between our two tables. It was frenetic and loud. The food is excellent. The plates are on the smaller size, but priced appropriately. Expect to order two to three dishes per person. We started with a salad with blue cheese and pears. The salads were large and extremely tasty. We then had one scallop dish - perfectly prepared -- and the lamb bolognese, which was exceptional. For dessert, we had the pound cake. A perfect size grilled with ice cream. I would return to a.kitchen . There are so many competing restaurants in the area, but this really stood out to me.
(3)
Emily K.
"We went there for brunch on my [mom's/sister's/girlfriend's] birthday." That about says it all. Charming and modern interior, servers nervously formal enough to satisfy even the most uppity of Rittenhouse grandmothers, brunch dishes that will certainly do the job and a location that basically explains the validity of the above statement. But when it comes down to it, the brunch is just okay.
(3)
Sean H.
Having walked by this place tons of times, I finally went last night with a friend. We sat at the chef's viewing bar area thingy, which was super entertaining. It was so cool to watch them do their thing right before your eyes, not to mention you got plenty of advance warning when your food was on the way. We had the asparagus salad, an order of the spicy fried potatoes, and the grilled octopus with curried lentils. All of the above were quite delicious, especially the octopus. It was funny...one chef made our order, then another came behind her and took a good handful out of the dish before rearranging the garnish and sending it out. I guess she was a little too generous with the octopus. Drinks here were good. I recommend the Moravian, which has bourbon, cucumber, bitters, and one other ingredient that is escaping me. It's quite tasty and approachable.
(4)
Kim S.
Their food is really really good but why is it so damn expensive for such small plates?!?
(4)
Jen L.
This place is perfect for wealthy skinny people. Unfortunately, I'm neither wealthy nor particularly skinny (I have way too large of an appetite to have an ideal BMI), so this restaurant is not a place I will visit often. However, the brunch I had there was delicious (shrimp and grits) ... not too generous on the carbs (again, targeting the skinny people) but was made of fresh ingredients and had wonderfully balanced flavors, and the ambiance was chic. I would recommend this place to the health conscious, portion-watching crowd in the Rittenhouse area, but if you're hoping to leave the restaurant feeling full, you'll probably need to order more than one dish.
(4)
Karol S.
I agree with others' reviews that the staff lacks energy and enthusiasm. However, let's talk about the food. We started with the halloumi cheese. It is served with a few pieces of lettuce and some shreds of pickled onions. It contains two thin strips of halloumi (each about 2.5 inches long). The portion of this appetizer was surprisingly small, but I didn't get hung up on it. ...until I got my entree, chilli-glazed swordfish with white beans and black olive paste. We chuckled at the size of the plate and portion of my meal. It contained 4 small cubes of swordfish (each cube of protein was about half a squared inch), and I could probably have counted the number of white beans with both hands. Yes, tops 10 individual pieces of bean. I laughed but the taste was fabulous. My partner had the fettucini with pork bolognese, topped with a perfect amount of shredded parmesan cheese. Also small portion but satisfying to the taste buds. We shared the upside down plum cake with orange caramel and some roasted almonds. Two small triangular pieces...but we were glad it was more than a bite for each. I would say that you pay for the good taste of the food, not necessarily for the portions. Everything seemed sort of tapas-sized, although that is not explicitly (or implicitly) described. I wouldn't go there if I was really really hungry, unless I planned to order an appetizer, entree, and dessert, all for myself. The reason I complain about the portions is primarily b/c I'm used to restaurant serving an incredible amount of food, regardless of how fancy/trendy and upscale they aim to be. I think a.kitchen provides an air of the portions we all attempt to eat (and/or should be eating). The portions really are comparable to what you would have consumed had you prepared your own dinner. However, because you are eating out, you naturally expect to splurge and indulgence and over-consume. That is still doable at akitchen if it is what you're looking for---you simply have to order more than you would elsewhere. Even the bread (which was only served upon request) is tiny. The waitress brought a sliced dinner roll, whose diameter was really no large than 1 inch. I didn't mind. It's better than having eaten an entire basket of bread a-la-Parc, but still...it was humorous. Just go knowing that everything comes in unexpectedly small portions, but the taste of food is certainly strong. You will not be disappointment by flavor and presentation.
(4)
Nicolaus U.
Great place for brunch. Amazing Monkey Bread French Toast.
(5)
Ameena E.
Below the hype of expectations! From appetizer to dinner, everything was bad. The scallops and crab meat had a stale stench - the beet salad was not edible. We didn't finish even half of our food after spending a little over $100 for two people. Upside: the service was very friendly!
(1)
Stephanie M.
Went here during restaurant week so the price was great ($35 for a 4 course meal). The first two courses were the mushroom toast and fried sweetbread plates which were mediocre..not something I'd go back for. However, the flank steak was delicious! It was tender and juicy with a great wine sauce. The apple tart dessert was also tasty. Service was great and the atmosphere is what makes it appealing. It's a great location which is why I may go back for drinks, but I won't be paying full price for the food anytime soon.
(3)
Liz H.
A.mazing brunch. French toast was melt-in-your mouth incredible, as was the steel cut oatmeal with caramelized bananas. I don't know what a vegetarian scrapple is, but it was salty, crunchy outside, creamy inside, delicious. We sat on the sidewalk (side by side; perfect for people-watching) and thoroughly enjoyed every bite and every second. Couldn't ask for a better brunch spot.
(5)
Janice T.
My friend and I were pleased to be seated outdoors right away without reservations for brunch this past Saturday. Service was decent and we enjoyed our mimosas and sitting outdoors but I don't recommend the frisee salad+poached egg+bacon+hash brown meal. It's literally one small poached egg with a ton of salad. The hash brown patty was burnt/crisp and didn't taste good because you could only taste the crispness of the hash brown. However, my friend's omlette with asparagus was pretty tasty. It came with potatoes even though the menu doesn't say so. Would I recommend it to friends? Probably not...
(3)
Miss Piggy B.
Found this great spot while shopping in Philly- delish food, great wine selection and excellent service! The open kitchen and intimate dining room is fun and energetic and our server was knowledgable and genuine. The risotto was to die for and so was the beet and goat cheese salad. We were also big fans of the asparagus salad, lamb, meatballs, bolognese pasta and the shortbread dessert. Yes, two people ordered all of that- can't wait to go back again! Also, I couldn't help but notice how actively involved every member of the staff was- simply seeing something that needed to be done and graciously doing so. Refreshing. Did I mention how awesome the food was?
(4)
Amar R.
Been here twice. The food/service at this place is not something I would write home about. No plans of going back again.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Joe Y.
Great place for a drink and a bite. Great selection of spirits, wine and beer. We loved the cheese plate and fries. The staff was very helpful and provided great conversation. Being our first time in Philadelphia, we tried our best to try out as many places as possible and after our first stop we went in search for another bar. We found A bar on Yelp and decided to stop in. As soon as we sat down the bartender greeted us and quickly delivered the refreshments. We had a great time talking with the staff and enjoyed the food and drinks.
(4)Janice T.
My friend and I were pleased to be seated outdoors right away without reservations for brunch this past Saturday. Service was decent and we enjoyed our mimosas and sitting outdoors but I don't recommend the frisee salad+poached egg+bacon+hash brown meal. It's literally one small poached egg with a ton of salad. The hash brown patty was burnt/crisp and didn't taste good because you could only taste the crispness of the hash brown. However, my friend's omlette with asparagus was pretty tasty. It came with potatoes even though the menu doesn't say so. Would I recommend it to friends? Probably not...
(3)Ameena E.
Below the hype of expectations! From appetizer to dinner, everything was bad. The scallops and crab meat had a stale stench - the beet salad was not edible. We didn't finish even half of our food after spending a little over $100 for two people. Upside: the service was very friendly!
(1)Stephanie M.
Went here during restaurant week so the price was great ($35 for a 4 course meal). The first two courses were the mushroom toast and fried sweetbread plates which were mediocre..not something I'd go back for. However, the flank steak was delicious! It was tender and juicy with a great wine sauce. The apple tart dessert was also tasty. Service was great and the atmosphere is what makes it appealing. It's a great location which is why I may go back for drinks, but I won't be paying full price for the food anytime soon.
(3)Yuqi Z.
Went once during restaurant week. The food was good, but also cheesy. So not a very big fun of it.
(3)Casey L.
Food was top notch (portions aren't too big so we shared 3 plates and two desserts), service was stellar, waitresses were attentive and very professional and warm without being overbearing. They even noticed the little bits of food that we had spilled on the table by accident and took care to clean those up after every course. Very impressive experience - pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Would go again!
(5)Nico D.
I had to choose three stars, because it's A-OK, right? But truly, it does not deserve more, possibly less. So the concept is that they use a Japanese-style charcoal grill to prepare almost every dish, and it gives this special taste (and smell to the restaurant, and quite possibly your clothes). It is very pricey (small portions of meats, with no sides included), and not that great: the wagyu was OK, but not melt-in-mouth amazing, the chicken was good (with a spicy BBQ sauce). The side of potatoes (extra $8) was so rich, it was impossible to eat more than 3 bites without feeling overwhelmed by the butter and white creamy sauce (mayo? triple cream? liquid lardo?) on top. The bread was OK, but nothing spectacular (Dandelion and Le Parc both have better breads, and theirs are free) and the 'house-made' butter was really really weird. Apparently it's the live culture that creates a funky/cheesy smell and taste. It's definitely not for everyone (personally, I thought it tasted rancid). And the bread+butter are $5... The grilled cornmeal cake with ice cream was very so-so. Cornmeal cakes are heavy, and grilling it does not make it better at all. They were trying to carry the grilling concept over to the dessert menu, but it's just a silly idea. And the ice cream had virtually no taste. Final issue, my wife couldn't find any red wine she liked. And wines by the glass are expensive: hers was $15 and wasn't special. In that price range, we have many better options nearby. Not coming back.
(3)Jessica S.
I went for a restaurant week date with my roommate after we looked at the menu and decided it was up to our standards. Yes, we are RW snobs, I'll put it out there right now. While I wasn't disappointed by this place, overall it didn't blow me away either. They really did restaurant week correctly, so I'll start off by saying any of the negative factors had nothing to do with the RW offerings. They actually impressed me with the fact that their offerings included 4 courses, and each course was a really good portion. Also impressed with the fact that this place offered their normal menu in addition to the RW menu. Though understandable why places do this, it usually irks me that I can't at least consider something off their regular menu. Sometimes I just like to look for the sake of coming back next time! Anyway, the food was a mixed bag--some of it was really awesome (lamb meatballs, spaghetti cacio e pepe, braised rabbit), and others were just OK (red snapper, fried eggplant, gravlax). So all in all, I wouldn't run back to this place to check out their other menu options. The dessert they served at the end was an awesome chocolate mousse type thing with salted caramel. Wish I could've had more. Or just licked my plate like an animal. Our server was a little absent and slow, just not quite as attentive as I would've liked. She wasn't very helpful with the massive (impressive) wine list, but said she'd be happy to send over the sommalier (who never showed). We were happy to pick something out on our own as we knew enough about wine to pick out a bottle. She was quick to bring us our check at the end but we didn't feel rushed. The place overall is pretty small, with an open kitchen with bar seats, and a teeny tiny bar on the right as you walk in. If I returned, I'd probably come either for wine, or to sit at that kitchen bar and watch the action.
(3)Fatty D.
The following are considered when I rate a more expensive restaurant. $60+/Person. The first listed is the most important and weighted more than the line item following. Flavor/Quality of Ingredients and Plating Service (Initial Welcome to the last thank you) Ambiance/Décor/Environment Price Value of TOTAL Experience You have read all the puffery of other YELP reviews, So, I'll try not to bore you. Joined by Lips, looking fantastic with this years, Gucci shoes, matching Gems, and even down to the socks. With us were a hot new couple. Looking like a real match made in heaven. Class all around. Now down to the food experience. 2 Stars for a restaurant which obviously uses great ingredients, creative dishes along with some ok service. We started with an interesting service fowl up only to be handled poorly. The Server brought over what we thought was a complimentary start of our meal. Wasabi String Beans and then server brought over some sort of dull looking mush. At this point one of or party attendees called over the server (by the way we noshed on the beans) in which we inquired about the starters. At that point he stated it must be a mistake, he whisked the now not so complimentary dishes off the table and that was that. No apology, no nothing. We think a better way to handle this is to explain the error and ask us if we wish to continue noshing on the dishes, Its a "sharing menu" not for everyone. But ok... The other couple ordered Smoked Scallops as well as we did, they were very good. They also ordered another small plate in which was enjoyed. Lips and I ordered the Smoked Mussels, good smokey flavor, they're were about 5 in the dish. Expensive for 5 morsels. The Cucumber Gazpacho with Crab tasted great, again over the top expensive for the portion. Steam Clams, clams so small it seemed silly. Plus the broth was just like any other Steamed Clam dish. Expensive considering the presented product. Shared Entrees by the other Couple was a whole Black Sea Bass. Small but was reported to be very good. And the Wagu Steak. Again value vs portion very small portion but again strictly taste to be good. We shared the Porterhouse Steak (97 dollars, holy sh^t are you kiddng me) Steak was Good, but again nothing extraordinary. Rosemary potatoes no big deal, they were potatoes. Grilled Cesear Salad, good but why was it served with the entree? For this outrageously priced dish you would have thought it would be amazing. It wasn't, all it was was a Porter House cooked as expected. Meh meh and more meh. The correct pricing should have been 34.95 and just enough for one person. But 97 bucks to be shared? At time the food and its presentation seemed to be more ego than anything else. Desserts were the Chocolate Mouse, excellent, the other side of the table they ordered some sort of Custard which was horrible tasting, almost like sour water texture, tasted like a Goat Milk. That was sent back and a Pound Cake Appeared to be a better ending. All in all the Food tasted quite good. The service was ok but again nothing which would dictate the price points. Weird beginning. The atmosphere was sparse, nothing which would wow anyone. Ok... PRICE? For the amount of food we ordered, we should have come away more than satisfied. We didn't. The portions are ridiculously small considering the prices are outrageously high. The value just wasn't there. Not even close. Lets say for arguments sake the portions were better, the expense would still be way too high, but the review would be at a 3 star. (taste, quality)The atmosphere yawn, nothing, the service was ok, again at the level of a 100+ per people expect and deserve more, better and be satiated. So a hard 2 stars for this disappointment. The herd mentality is alive and well on YELP. FATTY SAYS SWING AND A MISS!!! Skip it and the Hype?
(2)James R.
A few years ago, I spent my time wandering through Germany looking for the perfect gausthaus....it should have great beer, tasty food, a decent view, and reasonable prices. Researching the Perfect Gausthaus was, in some ways, the highlight of my life! Fast forward a few years to Philadelphia, PA...where lo and behold, I find a place that would have certainly made my Top Ten Perfect Gausthaus list! Although I didn't order food, they did serve up a very nice Pilsner for me and allowed me to take it outside to a table! The weather in Philadelphia was cooperating so it was a pleasant evening to sit outside and enjoy the view and vibe. Everybody in town is so friendly, people kept passing by saying, 'Hello' and smiling! I might move here.
(5)Holly S.
The food was just ok (especially for the price) but we did have excellent service on a very busy evening. Our server was very knowledgeable about the entire menu and very enthusiastic about the food. We ordered the sourdough, green beans, scallop, burrata, sole and potatoes and to me the highlight was the green beans. They were pickled and then fried which had a unique flavor when the two methods were put together. The burrata was also very good and is served over fried green tomatoes...maybe everything they serve should be fried...
(3)Jade V.
Went here for a special little birthday dinner last night and I must say, I loved it. Warm service, warm food, warm ambiance, and warm company in the cold of the winter is always comforting. The cold dishes were pretty good, too! A small restaurant with small plates. Cozy, really. Lots of woods and dim lighting really set the mood. I'm sure that during the day, the big windows let a lot of sunlight onto the floor. The service was extra friendly, quick to help and explain, even with my especially lively group. Quite a catalogue of wine they have going on! Not to mention some fun beers, bottled and tap, and some delicious original cocktails. The sommeliers were friendly and helpful, too, brought us a delicious red Spanish wine. And the food. The food. I love the simplicity of the menu, but it was difficult to guess how much to order, because portion sizes varied widely and there was no way to guess how much would be "enough" would be short of grilling the waiter/waitress on every single dish. We wanted to share a few dishes then have an individual dish to ourselves, but out of our party, one person's individual dish ended up being much smaller than everyone else's. Awkward. Order more to be on the safe side. The food was so good, you'll probably end up eating it all, anyway! I loved the seafood stew. The duck (highly lauded by the waitress), venison, and pork chops were delicious, as well! The blue crab on farro with pesto was an unexpectedly divine combination, the salads fresh and crisp, and the octopus on lentils quite flavorful, although the texture could have used some work. I hesitate to describe the food in great detail, since the menu is ever-changing and what was available when I went may not be available when you go. Bottom line, the farm-to-table concept is skillfully-executed here, though the portion sizes can get confusing. Oh, and don't forget dessert! I loved the goat cheesecake with riesling sorbet, and since it was my birthday, they also gave us a free pound cake with creme fraiche ice cream on top. Candles, too!
(4)Trang N.
We had reservations on Christmas Eve, as it was one of a handful of restaurants open that night. We thought we would have a nice dinner before heading off to church in the Square. We could even see the glow of the snowflakes under the street lights, as they felt onto the sidewalk. The decor was very minimal, wooden floors, granite tabletops and muted lighting, not to mention that it commands a stellar location, had all the makings of a great dining experience, however the pace at which the food came out and the waitress constantly hovering over us, really took the magic out of our evening. At first we thought the service was efficient and friendly, then we just realized they were trying to get us out the door the moment we sat down. We were lucky enough to get a parking spot out front, the parking times were a bit confusing with the posted meter hours. Thankfully, there was a nice gentleman outside that sensed our confusion and explained it to us. We went inside to the hostess to confirm if he was indeed correct and she had no idea 'what the parking situation was" Really? It is the right outside your door! Has no one ever asked this question before?! Granted, you can argue that we could have read the signs, evidently the gentleman next to us was just as confused. When he heard us talking about it, after we brought him up to speed, he ran out to tend to his meter. That's just poor attention to detail if you ask me, especially if she spends a good portion of the night staring out at the street ,as she did that night. The plates are small and a smidge pricey for the quality. The recommendation is to pick two plates per person, and I would have certainly say three would be a better choice, although you could get a three course meal elsewhere if you went that route! The presentation was nice and clean, but nothing that was visually memorable. We started off with the spiced lamb meatballs, the meat balls were 'chef boyardee' size, the flavors were nice but for $14, we were expecting a little larger portions, we were served 3 meatballs, it was almost silly to divide the third one in half to share! We had another starter, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was (not a good sign!) Then I had the braised rabbit with rye spaetzle and brussles sprouts, again the portion was small, but the flavors were nice, albeit a bit salty. My husband had the roasted red snapper which he said was good, I tried it but again, I thought this was a little salty. If a restaurant is going to be open for Christmas Eve, I think they should be all in; food, service, experience, not rush patrons out to get a quick buck, (since they close early) or don't make as many reservations. They were so eager to turn over our table, when we got our bill, they had already brought over our coats! (I don't even know how they knew which ones were ours without the number!) I'm a bit disappointed, but I'm glad that we didn't spend any money on dessert, they might have taken it away before we finished at the rate things were progressing. The food was ok, but not good enough for me to want to come back, the service was definitely not going to lure me back. We left hungry and disappointed. Long story short, meh- I'm not feeling the love that everyone else has for this place.
(2)Kristin W.
The food is generally good, but pricey. Most of the dishes are considered small plates, so our server recommended we get 2-3 each; we felt full with 5 between the two of us and agreed we would limit to 4 next time (particularly since we liked the bread so much!) In decreasing order of preference: -Scallops with Butternut Squash and Apple Cider - the scallops were sweet and nicely seasoned, but the squash was overly salty -Blue Crab Salad, Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto - there is a generous portion of crab provided with the dish; note that there is very little "salad" aspect if you are looking for some greens -Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi - tasty dish with lovely light gnocchi -Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Pecorino - very nice flavor, but I would have liked the sprouts to be a little softer -Roasted Red Snapper, Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage - while the size of the fish was reasonable, I was not wild about the flavor of this dish.
(4)Caren J.
Wonderful brunch, wonderful table and amazing service. I would definitely go back! Had the Rittenhouse plate and it was delish!!!! The charcoal biscuits were to die for! Lovely atmosphere as well!!! Not on top of each other!
(5)Annie F.
The food was excellent! We shared the porterhouse and ordered a side of the roasted potatoes. I loved the grilled caeser salad, he didn't. We both LOVED our drinks..mine was the tequila. So well crafted with beautiful presentation. My issue with this place was the price. We were excited and ready to spend... but for 97 dollars, that steak was too small and too normal. It should have been about $60. I still would have thought it expensive. All in all we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves, but I think the place is a bit pretentious for what it's serving. I still gave it 4 stars because we really had nothing negative to say albeit the price.
(4)Phil E.
Best meal I've had all year. Since Eli Kulp took over the kitchen this restaurant has been transformed. Loved every single dish that came to our table. Go here! Trust me.
(5)Courtney P.
It's has very nice ambiance, and the plating was wonderful. Everyone at the table raved about the food they got and we've tried several appetizers and the honey ice cream and pound cake. The cauliflower on the appetizer list is a must try. Even given the classy ambiance, (yet dressy casual also works) I felt that the dessert prices were a tad steep, and entree dishes just a touch small for the price point. I am completely aware that for the atmosphere im not going to get a "standard" portion. I'm new to the city I would go back but I personally would explore other options.
(4)Steve M.
I pretty much *have* to give this place five stars. This is a lot after only one lunch visit, but there it is. I work in Center City near Rittenhouse Square and have been meaning to go hear forever, but just never got around to it. I finally went a couple of weeks ago, and looked over the menu. Lots of choices but nothing seemed quite right. So I rolled my eyes, sighed, and with some embarrassment, I ordered the cheese burger. It seemed like giving up to order a burger but it was what appealed to me at that moment. I've had a lifetime of cheese burgers, like everyone, so to identify one as the best I ever had is saying something. But this was simply the best burger I ever ate in my life. I don't know what set it apart - the roll, the cheese, the bacon, the meat, whatever the sauce was, I couldn't tell you. But I will say that if all they served was burgers, I would go back again and again.
(5)Fran V.
Excellent meal, From soup and appetizer to dessert. The Wagu Steak was so tasty! Compliments to the hard working line cooks and chefs.
(5)Felicia R.
Beautiful restaurant... HORRIBLE service! If you want to be ignored by a pretentious bartender, then by all means, this is your place to go! I wouldn't return even if it was free. Again HORRIBLE service!!
(1)Prasath S.
Had brunch here this past weekend...we got seated on the counter facing the open kitchen which was pretty cool (Apparently we needed a reservation to be seated in the main dining area..even for brunch? hmm okay) We tried the English Muffin S/W which came with a fried egg, gruyere, sausage..it was good but i felt it was lacking some seasoning...i was hoping the sausage would add to the lack of flavor but it didn't..i did however really enjoy the home made english muffin...we also tried the short-rib/white bean puree chili with corn bread and a fried egg..again great dish...loved the creativity but lacked seasoning... loved the service as well (Coffee was yummy and waitress always refilled it) Maybe this is just me but the place and atmosphere felt a little snobby...
(3)Bob L.
Very warm interiors and great service are the main appeal of this small place. My review is based on two dishes only. They shared the same flaw: the subtle flavors of the main ingredient were virtually obliterated by the other things on the plate. The "burrata" appetizer came with dill spice, served on a slice of toast in a potato-leek broth. The broth was wonderful, but the burrata couldn't be tasted as a result of the other strong flavors. It could have been served as soup and I wouldn't have missed the cheese, which itself was too firm and had a chewy texture. Similarly the skate, served with spicy broccolini, was over-shadowed by the spice. Skate is beloved for its delicate taste. Why it was accompanied by a palate killer is a mystery. Again, I don't know if these two dishes are representative of a theme of too much "creativity" or I just had bad luck.
(3)Joseph D.
Th re-boot of a.kitchen is a wonderful improvement. The previous version was excellent but the food has been taken to a new level. One of my favorite spots to sit and have dinner at the bar. Excellent service, great menu and wine and cocktail program.
(5)J K.
New chef and menu are in place. The service is great but I was not blown away by the food- we started with a bread basket which consisted of four different "seasonal" rolls - personally I would have been happier with simple french bread- the selection of bread was a little strange so I suggest asking before you order this item to see whether it is appealing. As to the food the best item we ordered were the smoked mussels. We also had the sea bream which was good but nothing earth shattering, with a few vegetable sides that were enjoyable but again nothing that made me want to rush back. Its pretty expensive as most of these small plates restaurants are, so I really have to be impressed to want to pay those kind of prices. Overall I'm not planning to come back as there are other places in the neighborhood I like better.
(3)Catherine L.
A.kitchen gets A D-grade for food. Which is disappointing - because with the chef pedigree, the location, gorgeous design interior with open kitchen, you would think you're in for an A+ meal. But not so, my foodie friends, not so. Perhaps we're poorly ordering over and over again, but the salads and sandwiches just aren't up to snuff. Service is a bit detached, cold. Salads lack a bit of color, a lot of flavor - terribly bland. But the definite stand-out disappointment were the mushroom croquettes- its contents and sauce were so off-putting, so much so that both my lunch companion and I had a terrible after-taste that lingered long after the meal was over. One highlight however, was the delicious homemade English muffin that had the right amount of fluffiness, crunch with a hint of sweetness and this thankfully was the only factor that took a simple deli tuna salad to a more gourmet level. Otherwise, a very average, expensive lunch all around.
(2)Andrew K.
We went there for brunch. The Bloody Mary was delicious - One of the best in the Rittenhouse area. We were seated right away. The grits dish was yummy.
(4)Aaliyah P.
I would probably go back for apps and drinks. My meal here was sort of what i expected from a hotel restaurant in rittenhouse, obviously pretentious and not that great. RW can either sway me one of two ways, you can give me awesome service, put out amazing food and wow me to come back or you can pull an A Kitchen and provide me with a barely memorable meal from start to finish. My favorite course was the eggplant starter with mushrooms. It had a very complex flavor and the contrast of textures made me want to keep eating. The next course was alright, shrimp in a spicy sauce with a few veggies. The main course was a fliet of fish ( not to e confused with Mcdonalds) that was overly bland and not flavorful , though there was a great sear on the fish. Dessert was uneventful and i probably could make something better with ducan hines brownie mix at home. Saving grace to the spotty service was the hostess and sommelier who remained friendly and helpful throughout our meal.
(3)M B.
My girlfriend and I have been wanting to try a.kitchen for a while. I took her there on Valentine's Day and we were both very disappointed. They had a 4 course prefix menu for 75 a person. The appetizers were way off taste wise. We tried 4 different ones and none of them stood out. The entrees were decent and we both ordered the steak wagu. The steak tasted great but the knives to cut the steak were very dull. It felt like we had to saw the steak and it was very chewy. The overall flavor was good but how difficult the steak was to cut took away from the entree. The desserts we had were awful. I had the chocolate mouse and she had the buckwheat pound cake. I have no clue what was going on there but everything was off and very disappointing. For 250$ I was expecting a lot more. I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone. Only positive experience of the night was the service.
(1)Brian S.
The food here is decent. It's not bad by any means but just ok. My beefs with a.Kitchen are that the menu is limited when you go for brunch and want more of a lunch item (they have all of three sandwiches on the menu). It's also way too small in here, and unless you are a gossip queen, you will probably hear way too much about who or what the next table over did last night. They do have really good homemade english muffins, though...
(3)Vlad L.
I went here for the first time last night for a business dinner. We started off at the new next door sister bar called a.bar . The bar was very nice. Small, sophisticated and you have a great street view of walnut/rittenhouse. The drink menu was also above average in terms of uniqueness of drinks. Our actual dinner was very good as well. Some would say the portions are small but I felt they were pretty on point. The menu has plenty of variety. The warm buratta over dry aged beef, corkscrew pasta and mushroom toast were all good. The plate presentation was very respectable but nothing over the top. I would definitely come here again. Oh and they have a great Czech lager on tap...just wish they served it in a bigger glass!
(4)Barry E.
Great food from a great chef. Was amazed with the "Rittenhouse Slam", though bacon was cooked a little too much. Rum raisin muffin was spectacular, and there's just something about their egg whites that blew my mind. Great restaurant at great service and reasonable prices.
(4)Jamie S.
Portions are pretty small for the price, but everything I have tried has been excellent, from the seasonal spiral pastas to the carrots. If you are starving, this is not your spot. But if you are looking for some refined bites, head on over- especially in warmer months when the outdoor seats are available.
(4)Molly M.
Amazingly well-crafted farm-to-table food and expert service. We had the grilled baby romaine, roasted carrots with cous cous, lobster with mint, and goat cheese panna cotta washed down with the agave maria margarita. Our plates were scraped clean by dueling forks. Delicious!
(5)Kevin R.
If you want cheap food and ridiculously sized portions... Please don't come here and write a whiny review. This isn't Golden Corral. On the other hand if you want masterfully created and well thought out dishes... This is your place. We sat at the chefs counter and had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. The counter menu is not the same as the main area menu. Each dish highlights the skills of this most remarkable team and is served to you and explained by the chef who prepared it. Each and every dish was amazing and perfectly portioned. The wine pairing was spot on. We had the best view in the house watching the choreography of the kitchen. Great decor and professionally trained waitstaff who are very friendly make this place a go-to when you want to experience something special.
(5)Helen P.
My husband and I came here for brunch and I am so happy that I found it on opentable. The restaurant has a small cozy city feel with an open kitchen and big windows to people watch on13th street. We were seated right away and the manager quickly took our drink order while our server finished with his other tables. The coffee was very good- strong but perfectly balanced. I like the attentiveness of all staff. There was a lot of options for brunch and everything sounded delicious. With the help of the server, we finally narrowed our choices to the shiitake mushroom egg sandwich and the fried cutlet and gravy. Both served with crispy potatoes. I def would like to try the steak and eggs next time. But overall happy with what we ordered and the service provided. Super cute space and right in the heart of rittenhouse so we will be back!
(5)Sari A.
I treated my friend for a sunday birthday brunch and it was great. The place was chic and cozy. food was delicious. I had the poached Eggs with a side of baked and grilled potatoes, yummy. My friend got a perfect Steak and Eggs. Our server was so friendly. I will for sure go back again, to try the dinner menu perhaps. Four Yelps!
(4)Flora W.
First of all, I was impressed by its deco which made me very comfortable. Second, I was impressed by its menu cause they are charcoal grilled. I love all grilled dishes on the menu and its hard to pick one of them. After hearing the server kindly explained their special dishes for today, I decided to have grilled rabbit. Definitely, rabbit is a special dish for me. We had Fried Oyster Tartine and Grilled Octopus as appetizers, and shared the Grilled Rabbit. For Tartine, except the bread was over-toasted, it was good. Griiled Octopus was very special cause it included peanuts and yogurt. And the Grilled Rabbit was incredibly good! I will come next time to try other grilled meat. Love a.kitchen !
(5)Lily Q.
came here for lunch with a friend, we showed up right before the lunch rush so the restaurant was pretty much empty. we were happy to have gotten there first because we thought that meant our food would come out first...we were so wrong. They didn't even bother to bring us bread until 20 minutes after we had ordered our food, by which time three other tables that were sat 10 mins after we got there not only already finished their bread but also got their food. By the time my appetizer came, the tables who were sat after us were finishing their meals! And what was this painfully complicated appetizer that took 30 mins to make? the warmed burrata...which ironically was as cold as if it just came out of the fridge. The waiter then took it back to the kitchen to warm it up and when it came back the burrata was room temperature. Nevertheless we attempted to eat it, maybe the chef was having an off day but the citrus reduction paired with the cheese tasted like dish detergent making the whole thing almost inedible. I'm not a picky eater, and neither is my friend, who also thought the sauce tasted like household cleaning product, and we were so hungry we would've settled for cheese out of a can by this point, the dish was THAT bad. Since by this point we had already been sitting for an hour and our entrees were still no where to be seen, we spoke to the manager who was courteous enough to cancel our orders and we quickly skipped over to rouge for a real meal. will not be returning and you could not pay me to eat that pine-sol flavored burrata dish again.
(1)Tim B.
The food was delicious, although in ver small portions. i could have eaten three of my plates. The service was another story with a rude bartender. How do these people get jobs wuth these attitudes. You are a freakin' bartender! Put on a shirt that fits and covers your 40 tatoos, so every time you want to show off ridiculously shaking a iced cocktail above your head, I don't have to see your shirt ride up. Drop the attitude, you are a bartender...you serve people drinks.
(2)Melissa P.
In my post Tria Sunday School, I stumbled into a.kitchen . I have been eyeing this venue for quite some time and am glad I dropped in! My New York native friend immediately said, finally! A place that feels like New York!! Now, I know that we're not trying to go for the New York feel everywhere, but it is nice to have it as an option. I really enjoyed my grilled shrimp. The wine was excellent, but I thought that the median price point was too spendy...$17/glass is a little much, especially when it's a 5 oz pour. I'll go back on a breezy fall afternoon.
(4)Diana S.
I came here w/ three girl friends for dinner before the Philly Half Marathon. The restaurant ambiance was great and the open kitchen was a lot of fun. However, the food was over priced and under cooked. the portions are average / small side for tapas but the prices are standard restaurant entree prices. We got one of the pastas and I couldn't even it because it was under cooked. They also over dressed the salads. The wine menu is extensive, but again overpriced. There are better places in Rittenhouse.
(2)Aicardo A.
Can't find a single thing to complain about...
(5)Clare D.
My boo and I went to a new restaurant that opened in Rittenhouse Square recently called a.kitchen . Yelp reviewers gave it mixed reviews, so here's my take on it. I seldom order the least adventurous thing on a menu like most people do, so I decided against getting the pork belly risotto fritters. Instead, I ordered the razor clams for my appetizer and the leg of lamb for my entrée. The razor clams arrived four on a plate smothered with a healthy amount of garlic, herbs, and oil. The texture of the clams was like the stems of straw mushrooms and the garlic flavor was very strong and punchy. One Yelp reviewer complained that the food was bland. He must've eaten at a completely different restaurant because the food was anything but bland. The lamb was tender, juicy, and flavorful with a black olive chutney next to the radicchio for an extra kick. Perhaps by chance my dishes were the only ones with flavor in them. We sat next to a couple who complained about their meal the entire time they were there. The husband complained to his wife that the bread was stale (it was sourdough bread), questioned why there were three instead of four pieces of food on a sharing plate (did anyone ever teach him how to cut something in half?), and requested A1 steak sauce to go with his flank steak (never ask for A1 unless you're in a diner). Our drinks were comped because a.kitchen was still working on getting its liquor license, so while the restaurant can't legally sell alcohol, they can give it away for free. All in all, a good first experience. I look forward to more of the same.
(4)Michelle T.
Came here for brunch and really liked it! It's not your usual brunch places like Honey's or Sabrinas where the portions are gigantic. Rather, the portions can seem small but the goodness lies in the food's QUALITY, which I prefer over a heaping stack of pancakes that i won't finish anyway. I had their house-made english muffin with sausage and egg, then shared the yogurt parfait with my friend. The english muffin is chewy and delightful! Sausage is not too salty or oily, and the egg is perfectly fried with the yolk just cooked, but not too runny that it becomes a yellow mess. The yogurt parfait was equally satisfying with some exotic fruit toppings that you don't get elsewhere. If you enjoy quality food and don't want to feel disgustingly full afterwards, I highly suggest brunch at A. Kitchen!
(4)christina j.
After the reading reviews, my friend and I checked this spot out for brunch last weekend. The inside reminded us of someplace nordic. We ordered mimosas and decided on the frisee salad and the smoked salmon napoleon. After placing our order, our server apologetically told us they had no more salmon. What??? How can his be?? Hurriedly we selected the tuna salad on the house made english muffin. We were splitting both and the salad was the better choice. The tuna was okay and was not swimming in mayo. We both really wanted to try the smoked salmon. The food was fine but nothing was mind blowing. Our server was friendly and attentive. The prices were reasonable. I would definitely check this place out again.
(3)Jenny B.
The one good thing about this restaurant is that it's in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, it's intimate dining room is great for drinks. I only went for brunch and it was nothing to rave about-average at best. I think I will go back for dinner... one day.
(3)Emilio M.
i have yet to have a bad meal here. ate here last night with my wife and we were blown away. everything was great with service to match. Lamb meatbalss are one of my favorite dishes but i must mention the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi, the chicken was fantastic. crispy skin while having a moist interior with exceptional Gnocchi. the Braised Rabbit with Rye Spaetzle and Brussels Sprouts was also really well prepared.
(5)Dana F.
Went to a.kitchen last night - LOVED it! Food was wonderful (5 plates for 2 of us), servers were friendly, and service was timely even though they were packed. We were delighted with our intimate view of the kitchen, and were most impressed that the chefs took such great care with every dish we watched them prepare. Very impressed, and we'll definitely return.
(5)Cecily R.
sat at the bar after center city sips died down last wednesday. decent sized wine selection and definitely quality wines over quantity. drank an amazing red from piedmont. bar staff was friendly and consistent. the ambiance of the restaurant is great, low lighting--most white and marble with black accents. interesting light fixtures. a bathroom so mod, i'd love to take it home with me. ate the seared tuna caesar (red wine and fish--gasp!), amazing dressing, egg yoke sprinkled on top--a good amount of tuna for the size of the dish, it was great. a couple glasses of wine later, the small bar empties out and colin farrell walks up next to me to pick up take out from the bar. the bar staff played it so cool.....good enough for colin farrell, good enough for me! regardless, i'm definitely going back!
(4)Luke L.
Meh, the food was actually delicious. The portions and the price however made me think I just ate a full sized steak dinner. Also as perviously listed some of the staff looks upset that they have to serve you. Or maybe our waiter was pissed because he had to work on friday night? I would go back thou, because of the food not because of the service. At least it has that going for it.
(2)Taylor M.
Just popped in for a quick bite midday. had the place to ourselves. it was really nice all around. amazingly simple, yet elegant, atmosphere. food was superb. service just right. will go back to try their dinner menu which we peeked at (and it sounded awesome)
(4)D M.
It's a shame. Food was decent. Hostess was extremely pretentious. For such a small restaurant it's amazing how long things take to get to you. Wouldn't recommend or go back.
(2)E.J. C.
After Craig LeBan's 3-bell review, it was a sure bet that I was going to get to a.kitchen ASAP. The space is warm and inviting, though small (which means a reservation is necessary). The bar is covered in marble, and the completely open kitchen is pretty darn cool, and fun to watch. Next time I go, I will definitely sit at one of the seats at the bar right in front of the kitchen. The service was great. The waitress was knowledgeable and helpful. The water glasses were never left empty. And anyone who works in the restaurant is more than willing to help. The food is quite good, but not amazing. Not sure I was as stoked as LeBan was. Though credit is due that there are imaginative and creative dishes. There aren't set appetizers and entrees sections, but everything is small plates that are great for sharing. The frisee salad was light and refreshing, with bacon lardon, hash brown potatoes, and a poached egg. The salad would have been amazing if the poached egg wasn't cooked through so the yolk was hard. The crepe with mushroom gravy is a nice starting bite to the meal, though small. The chorizo meatballs with calamari were skillfully prepared with a seafood broth and olives. The chicken risotto was creamy yet not too heavy, though it seemed that the risotto didn't even need the chicken. The spicy fried potatoes are a nice side dish to the more substantial meat and fish dishes, though the saffron in the aioli should be more prominent. Overall, I think that a.kitchen would benefit from following the advice of Coco Chanel when she said: "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." The flavors in the dishes speak for themselves, and don't have to be muddled with that one extra ingredient. The food is good, and perhaps will get better with time. I will be going back for sure, and looking forward to trying their brunch.
(4)Ken L.
Very Good addition to Rittenhouse area. Small, Small limited Bar. Server was a rookie, did not really know a lot of things He did not direct us anywhere but was nice, He barely poured the water . If you know the portions and dishes you will do well here. Some dishes are stellar like tagliatelle and veal ragou or blue crab and faro. the 30 day aged steak was not aged well imho and came out ice cold!! Please that was the most expensive item on menu and was really bad. Coho salmon at maybe 3 oz wa excellent. Space is nice and I was just surprised as to the lack of contact there. I saw at least 20 people working the room and besides our waiter no one said a word to us not even the owner who passed us several times. Wierd place. I like the food/chefs area bar where you can sit but again no one was talking. I suspect 45 seats in whole place. Not badly priced for the food. We each had 2 drinks and 3 courses was 200 bucks. Again 3 stars because a five star chef could not serve a steak!!! otherwise 4 stars.
(3)Lee S.
A. Kitchen is a step above on the Rittenhouse Restaurant Scene. Tim, the Wine Manager, has put together a small but high quality wine list. The food is very interesting and quite good. Give the place a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(4)Alan M.
The food was good. The portions were small. I had two entrees and dessert and left hungry...all for 100 bucks!!!!!
(2)Marco C.
This new trendy restaurant is located in the Rittenhouse Square area of Philly, a quite attractive setting at the ground level of the hotel. The open their doors at 7am to accommodate the residents at the hotel getting up early. Outside seating is provided and a nice view it is as your eyes explore the park across the street. Diners enjoy menus that are comprised of in season vegetables and so forth. Mushroom Crepes are nicely prepared with a Watercress puree mmm so good. Diners can also try out the Octopus with comes with a savoury caramelized watermelon. Chef Bryan McGraw shows his excellent culinary skills with other dishes, and did i forget to mention desserts how about that panna cotta with plum puree so luscious.
(5)Shani F.
I had a terrific dinner at a.kitchen last night. A really great, unusual Slovenian wine was perfect with the blue crab salad with pesto couscous. The strip steak was perfectly cooked. Trendoid fools can have the lame Serafina across the street - that makes it easy to get a table at the far superior a.kitchen ! It's not the cheapest table in town, but it's a worthy indulgence. I'd go more often if it were a smidge more affordable.
(5)Heavi K.
Food was good. I like places that use portion control. Staff was knowledgeable and service was good/what should be expected. Chili swordfish was slightly dry, but still ok. more vegetable offerings for lunch would be a good addition.
(3)Ellen F.
The bread and butter were good, and our water glasses were kept full. Four of us "dined" this evening at a.kitchen . We shared frisee salad with hash brown and poached egg, warm burrata with green peas and candied lemon, asparagus with artichokes, dressed blue crab with farro and pesto, chorizo stuffed calamari, shrimp grilled with chiles, seared striped bass, gnocchi gratin with smoked haddock, and leg of lamb. Not one dish was memorable. Seven spears of asparagus with two overcooked artichoke hearts, underwhelming. The lamb was overcooked. There was nothing discernible about the gnocchi gratin; there were no discernible gnocchi at all. There was nothing served to us that we could not easily prepare at home, with more satisfying results. A restaurant serving small plates should have tables large enough to accommodate all of the plates. Food was brought to the table with no serving utensils. We asked twice, and sat looking at hot food cooling until extra forks and spoons were brought. It seemed that bread was rationed. The initial basket contained 5 pieces, and we had to ask for more twice. The wine list offers nothing under $40. They are entitled to a reasonable mark-up, but there is a disconnect between wine prices and the quality level of food and service. A tasting amount was poured into one glass. Upon acceptance of the wine, the remaining three glasses received a normal pour. No additional wine was poured into the first glass. We chuckled at the lines on the glasses indicating 3oz. or 5oz. Are these training glasses? Condensation from the ac dripped onto two of our party. We pointed it out and our server wiped the ac vent. Granted, it was 100 degrees outside, but attention to ac details should have been paid. This was a pricey, mediocre experience. We will not be back.
(1)Sally f.
very nice place. but the portions were too small for the price, and dont include a side. the bloody mary was watery : (
(3)Alie A.
I have to say, I wasn't much of a fan! Came here for dinner not long ago for a celebratory dinner and found myself leaving with an empty wallet along with an empty stomach. Great wine selection and the menu appear to be appetizing, but dishes are small and not dignified enough to justify being priced at the rates they are. The warm field green salad was soaked in oil and felt like something I could have made in my kitchen with a clove of garlic and spinach. I will say that the mushroom stuff quail was amazing. We also had the corkscrew pasta with pancetta which was good but not mind blowing. Regardless, I'd give it another shot but not immediately. The ambiance is romantic and you're offered a great view of the park, yet the vibe is a little a haughty for my linking.
(3)Rob W.
It's funny how the first time I try a new restaurant is always durning restaurant week. It was truly a last minute stop after Zahav and Amada couldn't accommodate us. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into especially when they only had a table in front of the open kitchen, but it turned out to be dinner and a show. Slicing, dicing, grilling, searing, whipping and a lot more verbs were going on in unison like a string quartet. I would dive into each dish but just trust me, it's all amazing. Skate Wing and the Cod were the highlights. The only reason I can't give it a 5 star rating is because it broke the bank. $200 for 2 people ordering off the restaurant week menu on a week night. They snuck in two $15 drinks at the end that was a surprise. You gotta shoot your customers straight or they won't come back, ya know..
(4)Rob K.
We came here on a whim after not having a reservation at a couple of nearby restaurants where we attempted. There were 5 of us and we were all thrilled with our selections. We decided to order several plates for the table to share as the portions can be somewhat small. I ordered the duck breast and the octopus and both were delicious. I also tried the swordfish, striped bass, and the spaghetti with pepper, cheese and fried egg on top. Everything was delicious and the wine selections were on point. You can't go wrong with Italian wines.
(4)Andrew K.
I've walked past this place a hundred times and have always said to myself that I need to stop in and check it out. I finally stopped in after a comedy show on a Saturday evening and sat right at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and very helpful in making cocktail and wine recommendations. As for food, we ordered the wild mushroom tart and the softshell crab dish. The softshell crab dish was amazing. There was just enough breading to still taste the crab and it was seasoned very well. The tart was also very good. This place is a little expensive, as 2 small plates and 2 drinks runs about $50 with tip, but a great experience nonetheless.
(4)Anna Marie C.
i wanted to love it. i love the location, i love the friendly vibe that i got walking in the door. but the food was way darn overpriced. and although good--nothing special. i paid $6 for rolls? tiny tiny rolls? turnips for $7? that fit into a tiny bowl (and i couldn't taste the miso?) and wagyu steak... i think there were about 3 pieces on my plate. although tasty, i felt still half hungry and wanted to get a slice of pizza afterwards.
(2)Dennis L.
I'm torn. This place is definitely a nice ritzy date place, with ritzy small quaint date like giant prices. The prices don't seem like deserve a 3 dollar sign price rating, until you realize, these are almost tapas sized servings. Each normal sized person, not that large, requires maybe 1.5 to 2 of these 15-20$ dishes to really get full. Don't get me wrong? The quality was great. The 4 of us shared the Lamb Meatballs (only 3, but delicious), the lamb loin (again only 3 pieces but cooked well with delicious sauce), chicken and gnochi (lo and behold, 4 pieces!!! but tender to almost the point of seeming fake, like chicken paste), some meatless creamy pasta not on the menu (tasted under cooked, but the garlic creamy pasta was amazing), 2 vegetable sides (zucchini - delicious, asparagus - meh). Including tax and tip, we each spent about $27. We left borderline full, but not really. Dinner #2 followed shortly thereafter.
(4)David A.
I have now been back three times since my first visit earlier in the week. This place is incredible. Last night before the storm I was thinking comfort food: I had the pasta appetizer which has fresh long pasta with butter, grated cheese and salt. Not sure what else but incredibly light and delicious. A simple dish executed perfectly. Next I had the chorizo meatballs with calamari. Incredible flavor, not overly heavy and with a fantastic light red base. The staff is extremely friendly and top shelf. Great creative cocktails, outgoing chefs and knowledgable wait staff. And the owner, David, is always there ensuring great customer service and execution.
(5)Vinny P.
I was rather pleased with my meal from A.kitchen . Service was on point, the space is small and fun and the food was prepared beautifully. I met up with a family friend who will be moving to Philadelphia very soon. She was in for work and then did some measurements to her new place. She requested early dinner, near Rittenhouse. We both began with a glass of rioja. They have both 3 and 5 oz pours of wine (not sure who only wants 3oz of wine, but whatever) They seem to have a very healthy bottle list. We started with the grilled halloumi and the roasted maitake mushrooms. Both were delicious and I highly recommend them. The mushrooms with the foam and polenta really blew me away. For dinner we ordered the crab cakes and the lamb loin. My lamb came a perfect medium (as requested) and the farro risotto was just plain delicious. They didn't skimp on the crab cakes either though I didn't love the potato salad with it. Even still, it was a lovely meal. I was glad we got in early. By around 6:30 the place started filling up and there wasn't an open seat in the house. The mains were a touch small for the price tag but if you're with light eaters, and want some well thought out combinations, this is your place.
(4)Sara S.
The menu is amazing. There is a lot of innovation and creativity in the dishes. What's not okay is the price that they try to justify by calling dishes share plates. 25-40 dollars for a main dish that consists for 4 bites is over the top. The duck main course (cooked perfectly) came out with 2 little slivers of duck breast. High prices come with great food but I need more than an appetizers worth of food in return.
(3)Antonio A.
our 36th wedding anniversary. we head to a.kitchen , one of our favorite places where you can sit at the chef's counter and watch the action. chef eli kulp and ellen yin have revamped the menu. and the food is excellent. here is what we enjoyed for our 36th. 'Ã Chablis,' Olivier de Moor, 2011, Chablis, a bottle is better than a glass Crispy Basque Peppers, kelp salt, spice of life Grilled Prawns, chili & scallion glaze, heads on Pork Cutlet, mustard greens, caper aioli, tender and delicious Deviled Skate, sambal, charred napa cabbage, very, very good Baked and Grilled Potatoes, togarashi buttermilk, my kind of tater paul our wait person was very nice, putting up with an old grumpy married couple.
(5)YelpHatesMe Y.
Review is of the cheddar and bacon burger on house made English muffin, and was take out. GREAT burger! The quality of the meat was good and the sauce that they use was great. It came extra rare, which I LOVED! This inst really a big or hearty burger like Whiskey Village or Rouge but damn if it wasn't tasty. I'll be having more of these. Probably my favorite burger in Rittenhouse.
(5)Michael U.
Dishes sampled included: Almond Croissant Counter Culture Coffee Gruyere Buns with Poached Eggs and Country Ham This meal was better titled "a disaster," from their somehow managing to fail to unlock the doors until 10 minutes after they were supposed to open to the fact that my 'server,' Adrienne managed to ignore me (and my coffee/water refills) until I actively called to her across the room - where only one other patron sat - to the bait and switch menu (no Bread Pudding French Toast despite the online menu) the only thing that could have saved AKA Rittenhouse's restaurant was the food... ...and it didn't. With an almond croissant I would swear was stale considering the way it flaked and cracked - not to mention the slathering of frangipane - to the fairly average Gruyere Buns which unfortunately lacked any flavor of the cheese but did support some nicely poached eggs and savory pork this was the sort of meal that could have been trumped with a Moons Over My-Hammy at Denny's...except for the coffee, which was actually quite nice...but at least at Denny's it would have been refilled by a person I felt deserved a tip; something I did not leave as Andrew Jackson's face seemed more than adequate.
(1)Geoff S.
I arrived at the downtown hotel early and was hungry for a nice breakfast. Yelp, guided me to a.kitchen and I couldn't have been happier with what I was about to experience. As it was just little 'ol me, I was asked by the hostess if I wanted to sit up at the chef's table, a counter-style area facing the open kitchen. Seemed like a good suggestion to me! The server, Lee, was there promptly with water and asked if I wanted coffee. Yes, please - this came quickly and was very good, as were the frequent refill offers. I looked at the menu while watching one of the chef's at work in the kitchen. My pick for breakfast? Eggs Benedict - a classic and since they said they make their hollandaise sauce fresh, I had to try it. As a side note, their muffins are freshly made in-house too, and they are fantastic. By the time my eggs arrived, another chef was in the kitchen and since they weren't too busy, both were very responsive to my few questions and requests (another small tub of hollandaise sauce, please!?). It was a Saturday morning around 11am and I was, by this time, the only one at the counter-seating, so I thought questions were ok....... The Benedict was superb, the muffin perfect and the ham very well cooked. The hollandaise was outstanding atop the perfectly poached eggs. Love the decor of the place, the chef's table/counter seating, the menu and the service. These things, as well as being a short walk from our downtown hotel, will be bringing me back - probably soon and maybe for dinner too, this time!
(4)Winnie S.
Great wine selection, interesting and thoughtful food, lunch service was a bit slow. Modern decor was elegant and refined, yet not stuffy, staff very friendly, however the kitchen was a bit too slow for the pace of a working lunch.
(3)Xerxes N.
Grab a Stillwater Cellar Door beer and take a seat on their outdoor patio and enjoy the beautiful evening! They offer beers from the continental US and around the world. Enjoy the modern and cool restaurant views while catching beautiful people walking up and down the street. You can even enjoy a nice city like view while on the patio. The most appealing feature of this restaurant are the doors that serve as walls and when opened make for a combo indoor and outdoor restaurant. Definitely a cool spot to hang out and when I'm back in town again I plan to visit and eat!
(4)Tina A.
I went here for the first time last week, after Eli Kulp overhauled the menu. It was sooooo good. The smell of the charcoal grill welcomes you when you enter the restaurant. I think the steak tartar was my favorite, but I also enjoyed the mussels, quail eggs and beets, and the clams. I'll definitely be going back soon!
(4)Andrea T.
Hmm, I could have swore I wrote a review After they first opened I went here for brunch with three friends. Our service was horrible. So horrible that I had to actually ask for my food. Our blintzes came out burnt, not crisp, charred to be exact. Our server didn't even ask me if i wanted a refill on my mimosa which would have made his tip higher. On a brighter note there about twenty great places within ten steps of this sad establishment so save your self and just walk on by.
(1)Lauren S.
I was suppose to go on a date here but my date had to cancelled due to a family emergency luckily for me my friend was free and wanted to check this place out too. It would of been a great atmosphere for a date, dimly lit lights warm vibe to the modern décor. We participated in restaurant week which left us stuffed. I started with the Shrimp a la Plancha, if you don't like shrimp that look like shrimp this isn't the dish for you. The shrimp were huge and tasty. Next I had the Cacio e Pepe, save some bread to dip in the extra sauce. Than I got the Griddled Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Quinoa, Arugula Pesto, Hazelnuts delicious loved the arugula pesto sauce. Wasn't a fan of the Lemon Olive Oil Cake, but at that point I really didn't need any more food. Too bad my date cancelled it would of been a great place for a date. And you can even hop over to a.bar without going outside which was awesome given the fridge weather.
(4)David Q.
I made a reservation for brunch at 145. When I got there, they told me that they overbooked and needed the table at 230. I don't know about others, but when people have Sunday brunch with friends, the last thing they like being told is there is a 45 minute time limit to their meal. I will definitely not be coming back here given the numerous other options.
(1)Erica M.
a.kitchen was very good this time around. The space is beautiful and the service is excellent. I came with a friend for restaurant week. This is one of the few restaurants in which restaurant week is a GOOD deal. Our dishes, if purchased on a "regular" night, would have cost upwards of $50 per person, plus alcohol. So the restaurant week price of $35 was excellent. The food was quite tasty - started with the shrimp, then the fluke, then the hen of the woods mushrooms, and finished with the olive oil cake. My friend did the shrimp, chorizo meatballs, roasted chicken, and olive oil cake. The flavors of all the dishes were very good, and everything was cooked perfectly. But I must say, I don't know if I would've been thrilled had I paid full price. As many others have said, it's expensive and the portions are small. The wines and cocktails are expensive (though I did learn last night that they are all organic). The only time I am okay with expensive and small is if the flavors are truly mindblowing, and a.kitchen's just weren't. I am excited to see the changes made after Eli Kulp gets his hands on the menu...given that High Street on Market is our favorite restaurant, I will definitely revisit a.kitchen after Chef Kulp makes modifications. This place has huge potential - gorgeous decor, excellent servers, and perfect location!
(4)Liz H.
A.mazing brunch. French toast was melt-in-your mouth incredible, as was the steel cut oatmeal with caramelized bananas. I don't know what a vegetarian scrapple is, but it was salty, crunchy outside, creamy inside, delicious. We sat on the sidewalk (side by side; perfect for people-watching) and thoroughly enjoyed every bite and every second. Couldn't ask for a better brunch spot.
(5)Jason H.
Went to a.kitchen for a late dinner with my GF. Sat at the kitchen bar, which is always a cool scene in any restaurant; this was no exception. Ordered a few items, including skate wing. When the skate arrived, it had the unmistakeable smell of ammonia. Upon further research, I discovered that while this can be caused by the beginning of decomposition (old fish) it is also a problem for any fish in the shark family; apparently skate falls in this category. Sharks, I found out, urinate through their skin, and apparently (especially larger fish) can have this ammonia smelling/tasting problem if not properly soaked in a bicarbonate bath prior to cooking. So, the fish was either old, or not prepared properly. We brought this to the manager's attention, at which time he said it was the "brown butter" and not the fish. We sent it back anyway, and got a substitute. Toward the end of the meal, they switched servers for our table (it was just getting to closing time) and the new server was rather rude, and clearly thought a great deal of herself. When the check came, I was surprised to find no consideration for the problem we had, whatsoever. I wrote to the e-mail on the restaurant's website, and recounted the same tale as you are reading now, and have yet to hear anything by phone or e-mail after more than a week. Pretty poor all around, and after two visits to a.kitchen , we won't be returning. A.shame. -J
(1)Marianna L.
LOVED A.kitchen . Had lunch outside last week, and am so happy with my choice. Although prices are a bit steep for lunch (I guess it is just the area it is in) the portion size is decent, and the quality is top-notch. I got the speck and brie sandwich. It was like an adult grilled cheese and ham! The mustard that it was sitting in on the plate was the perfect accompaniment to give it a kick! The pickled veggies on the side were also a nice, tangy element. The seemingly home made potato chips were perfectly salted and crispy. I would definitely go back!
(4)David S.
The food here was really disappointing for the price. Of the 4 courses my GF and I had only one was worth coming back for. The fish was downright terrible. Bright spot was my cocktail which was actually really good. Go for drinks and wine, pass on the food.
(2)Leigh S.
Went here for Restaurant Week to try out a new location and it was awesome! Definitely not for groups, but the food was great and the wine list EXTENSIVE. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Rachel W.
Positive - service was great. Friendly, attentive, all good! Disappointing - The food was so-so and the prices were high. I had the brunch bagel with salmon, onion, tomato and herb creamcheese. Their idea of toasting a bagel is to grill it. The onion was a white onion cut about half an inch thick. Overall I would not go back.
(2)Rachel S.
My friend and I stopped in to a.kitchen for an early dinner tonight and were excited we were able to walk in and sit down without a wait! First off, this is not somewhere I would suggest coming to for an "experience." I was not overly impressed with the decor and the place is small. My intent was to have a great meal with a friend and it delivered completely. We ordered the cheese plate first which would probably be the only "eh" part of the meal. SUPER small amount for the price tag. I would skip even though it was delicious. The rest of our portions were so big and I was so surprised. We were told we probably needed about 5 plates between the two of us and we absolutely could have each gotten a salad and shared one plate and had been full. No worries! We got to try more things and they were all delicious. My friend and I both got the Baby Arugula Salad, Shaved Mushrooms, Bresaola with Lemon Vinaigrette which was potentially one of the best salads I have had in the city. Salty, light and filling all at the same time. SO SO GOOD. We shared the Roasted Red Snapper with Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage and the Blue Crab Salad with Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto which were both awesome as well. The snapper was seasoned perfectly and the blue crab was ice cold and they did not skimp on the crap part whatsoever. Nothing worse than a luke warm, mayonaise-y blue crab salad. We went on to share the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi and by this time we were super full but still kept picking! The chicken was tender and the gnocchi and other little nibbles on the plate were delicious. I would recommend this as a whole meal for someone as well. We also had a plate of the Spaghetti Carbonara which I would say was a super small portion and could have done without it based on fullness and because it was just so-so. All in all I can't wait to go back here. The service was not lacking, the food rocked and the location perfect. Yum!
(5)Kate B.
I recently stopped in here to get out of the heat . My friend and I were too late for brunch and too early for dinner. However - we had a couple cocktails and Michael the bartender was so friendly and helpful. He went over the wine list made some good recommendations also gave us some pointers about Philly. Hope to go back soon for dinner!
(4)Timothy D.
A perfect spot for 2 people to sit, chat, eat, and watch the world go by. Great staff, a menu that does no wrong, and excellent cocktails make for a very good time. Clean and simple and classy through and through.
(4)Sarah A.
While the food was good, it wasn't on par with the prices or balanced out by the portion sizes. The quiche was overcooked, the vegetarian scrapple more like fried tofu than any sort of scrapple, and the waitstaff seemed a bit unkempt (stringy, unwashed hair, particularly noticeable at brunch on a holiday). I, as were those I dined with, was disappointed with the experience.
(2)Justin C.
Decent brunch, underwhelmed by the food for the price. Coffee was VERY strong, didn't finish a whole cup. We got an English muffin egg and cheese sandwich, which was good but not great, eggs Benedict which again was good but not great, and the mushroom scrapple which was bland and more of a cornmeal cake with mushroom than it was scrapple. On the positive side the food came out fairly quickly. Will not be returning.
(2)Samantha B.
I have a thing for coffee shops. When I was working across the park and took the train into work every day, I would stop at a different coffee shop every week to find my favorite. A.cafe wins. Hands down. I seem to be the only person in the city who's discovered that you can walk up to the bar and get a coffee to go. I'm not complaining. There is never a line like at many other coffee joints in the area, commercial or independently owned (cough La Colombe). The coffee is the same price as say..Dunkin Donuts, and incredible. And it makes me feel like I'm in Europe. If I've ever been to Europe. They present your coffee with your own personal tray complete with milk, sugar, and a spoon. It makes you feel pretty rich. Rich as in luxurious. I also tend to make friends with strangers. I like strangers a lot. When I was going to a.cafe regularly, I knew the entire bar staff. We were 'friends.' In the most meaningless sense of the word. But still. They bought me coffee often. I loved it. When I stopped taking the train in and a.cafe wasn't on my route to work, I started coming on Saturday or Sunday mornings and having breakfast by myself at the bar. It's become my thing. Most recently I ordered a simple 2 poached eggs with potatoes and an english muffin with jam. You get your own little jar of jam. As if I needed any more convincing. I also gave in and shared my secret coffee hideaway and took a couple of my friends who were in town visiting for brunch. Was just as cozy and classy as always. A.kitchen is my special little place. Will be interesting how their expansion into Kiehl's turns out.
(4)Kristen F.
Two friends and I went here for girl's night out. It was a Yelp says "A-OK." The highlight dish for the group was the the Taleggio and Wild Mushroom Crêpe with Forest Mushroom Gravy. Also highlights - Smoked Octopus, Curried Lentils, and Clementine & Braised Short Rib and Ricotta Gnocchi Gratin. Surprisingly, the dish I felt was touted the most - the Lamb Bolognese - was underwhelming. Also to note, the hostess was super friendly and went so far as helping us into our coats (I noticed, unless it's a different girl, that she got a lot of slack on Yelp.) Our waiter was so-so, in terms of friendliness and timing. I wouldn't run back to A.kitchen , but I would definitely go back!
(3)Christine B.
I wanted to love this place, but I wouldn't say I do. I went for lunch with co-workers. We had all been wanting to try it because its around the corner from the office. We sat inside, but all the windows were open so that was nice. It was surprisingly pretty empty at 1pm. I had the blue crab salad. It was really tasty, but a little heavy on the mayo, and really small. Other people got sandwiches, the chorizo with calamari, and the veal ragu. Everyone enjoyed their food, but the bill came to about $28 per person. That's a pretty expensive lunch for relatively small portions. I didn't have any issues with the service, the waitress was nice, and checked back with us a couple times to see if we needed anything.
(3)Jonny R.
Though it wasn't a perfect visit, I think I need to indicate that this pace certainly outshines others that I rated with the same original score.
(5)Nicole H.
Just stopped in for a small snack - I had the Pork Belly Risotto Fritters ($9). The plate came with 3 fried balls filled with risotto (it really was more like plain rice) and pork along with a spicy mayo-based sauce. The fritters were very good and the sauce was a fantastic addition. Sitting at the kitchen bar I was able to see a lot of the different menu items prepared. The dishes definitely seemed a little small, but given the location and quality the prices aren't too too high. They're serving free alcohol til the liquor license comes through (not sure how long this is going on), which is a great deal. The staff is welcoming and friendly and the atmosphere is very modern and chic. Definitely give it a try!
(4)Jane P.
Came here with my friend to try the place out. Got a reservation in with the infamous "super bitchy" tiny Asian hostess HAHAHA no, she's actually VERY nice and friendly to guests. AAAAAnnnd also my younger sister. =P We got a spot at the chef's counter which was really neat because watching them prepare the dishes was so much fun! We were intent on just a few dishes and a drink and then would go to a bar after, but we ended up getting some extra dishes and they were all so delicious. I especially loved the Octopus with watermelon. BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Its always a plus when you see the managers on the floor paying attention to the guests and helping out whenever they can. The place can get very loud, but it is overall a nice place to eat in Rittenhouse. The popular drink they had was a blue drink, I forgot the name of it, but it was good. I'm just not a fan of Malibu. We were stuffed afterwards, but had a great time and would love to come back to try more dishes.
(5)Colleen U.
To start, cappuccino, looked beautiful, tasted delicious, but was not hot. My eggs Benedict, were the best I have ever had, the eggs were poached to perfection and the homemade English muffins where amazing. My husbands eggs and flank stake were amazing as well. My daughter's monkey bread pancakes were wonderful as well as the parfait. My only negatives would have to be for the atmosphere. Lighting on the dark side, especially the bathroom!! And for a noisy place as it is, the music was loud and not relaxing for a Sunday morning.
(4)Jemma C.
Overall this was "Meh". Food was average at best, table was way too small for 3ppl, staff lacked any real menu or wine knowledge. Way too many restaurants in Philly to ever warrant a return visit here. Not for me.
(3)Amy J.
The menu looks delicious, and they have a great wine selection, but the portions are just not there for the price. I made the mistake of bringing out of towners here for dinner and we left still hungry after a hefty bill. I won't go back unless it's for dessert only.
(2)Mathew P.
Cocktails were amazing, try the rule of thumb! Food was very good, how ever I did leave hungry. Very small portions Executed very well. Siting at the chef rail was a fun experience
(3)Suzanne G.
This was my favorite meal in Philly last week. I went because of Yelp, also it has a great location - just off the Rittenhouse Square. Sit at the Chef's Bar if you are a group of three or less, you can see all the action. Beets & Broccoli was just okay, could use a little more flavor. The Honey Yogurt was just that: some honey on one side of the plate and yogurt on the other. However, the other two dished I tried: Blue Crab with Farro Salad and the Almond Macaroons were amazing. I can't stop thinking about the simple, refreshing, perfectly complimentary flavors that made up these dishes. I'm not sure why Yelp says just wine & beer. I tried the Renata (Tequila, Rum, Cointreau, Maraschino, Lemon). I like the description better than the actual drink.
(4)Matt C.
A lot has been said about this place, but simply put: it's good. The food is good; the ambiance is good; the service is good; and it's obvious a lot of thought went into preparing the menus. Yes, it's a little expensive than other choices, but it's also a little nicer than other choices and the attention to detail means it's incredibly rare to find anything disappointing. It's not a bargain, and the portion sizes aren't huge, but surely a classy and tasty restaurant, in which it is a pleasure to dine and which presents a variety of interesting options has it's place in the rich pantheon of Rittenhouse Square restaurants. I suspect I'll be back more than once, never ordering the same thing twice.
(4)Meredith B.
Decent lunch - Standard. Breakfast is the way to go here. Smoked Salmon Crispy Bagel Napoleon was refreshingly lite and different.
(3)Holly T.
a.kitchen was one of those places it took us forever to try, even though we walk by all the time, but we're so glad we finally did. More often than not, we just pop in for a drink and snack at the bar. They do wine, beer, and cocktails well, so you can't go wrong, whichever your preference. A few drinks and a cheese plate or appetizer at the bar hit the spot on our walk home from work. In addition to our bar experiences, we truly enjoyed our one dinner here so far. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share, and our server was pleasantly flexible in negotiating how to course them, as well as leaving us the freedom to order more as we went along rather than having to decide on everything at once. Some of the dishes we tried include scallops with blood orange, asparagus with shitake, beets and goat cheese, chili shrimp, and venison. The venison and scallops were especially memorable. I love that their menu changes so often; those particular dishes are long gone, replaced by new dishes we look forward to trying. I find the wine by the glass selection here to be one of my favorites in town; the Morgon and Chinon were both perfect food-friendly wines with dinner. We also had an amazing dessert wine, Barolo Chinato, paired with our chocolate panna cotta. From the outside, I had imagined a.kitchen to be a bit more casual. I'm not necessarily disappointed to find that it was fancier than I expected, it just means it's more in "special occasion" territory when it comes to dinner. It was absolutely worth it, though, and we will definitely be back.
(4)Claire R.
This was such a weird, bad, and dirty (or dusty) experience. A friend and I snagged an outdoor table for an afterwork drink and bite. I was looking forward to trying it because I had passed it and liked the overall aesthetic. But my first sip of A. Kitchen was disgusting. There was a light film of dust/ dirt on the water. The server didn't apologize and seemed relatively unconcerned but did bring me a new water along with my wine and quickly disappeared. Before drinking I checked both of them and noticed the same film. However, we were unable to get her attention again. She was rarely seen for the next 45 minutes or so except for one one or two occasions when she she would walk to the opposite side of tables and stand around giggling and talking. We tried to make eye contact but she would promptly turn her back to us before we could motion for her to come over. Finally someone who appeared to be a manager based on how he was dressed seemed to sense our frustration or notice our attempts to get our server's attention. He asked us if everything was okay at which point we explained that our server had disappeared and there was a dusty film on our drinks. He indicated that he would be back and I fully expected him to return with either a comped check or an apology. Instead he dropped a check in front of us and disappeared. We were charged for our dirty drinks. Rather than waste another 30 minutes trying to get someone's attention and not expecting anything to come of our complaint, we decided to cut our losses, threw cash down on the table to cover the check and headed to another place for drinks and dinner. I will never, ever go here again and have saved a few friends and business acquaintances from the bad experience by vetoing suggested meals or lunch meetings here.
(1)Jillian P.
On Memorial Day at 11:10 AM, my husband and I walked up to the hostess and asked how long it would take to be seated outside (we were with our 2 small dogs). She said 20 minutes, possibly sooner, and that the only party ahead of us just sat down. She asked for our name and number; she would call when our table was ready. We walked to Rittenhouse Square (1/4 block) and waited. And waited. By 11:30, we walked back to the restaurant to check on our reservation. Before we saw anything else, we noticed that every single table had completely new patrons. And the hostess was cleaning off another table for someone else. We turned around, went to Parc and had an amazing meal at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Maybe A.kitchen should hire A.hostess who knows how to hostess? Regardless, I'll never go back. What a terrible way to treat customers.
(1)S L.
Enjoyed a really tasty lunch today at A.Kitchen and the food was good enough that I'd go back again for sure. The service was a bit off. We had to ask for ice twice, and we ordered coffee for dessert that never came (not the end of the world, I know), but other than that, lunch was great. I'd like to go back for dinner at some point.
(4)Ronna L.
Meh. I'm adding a.kitchen to my growing list of Rittenhouse restaurants that are overpriced and overrated. No egregious violations here--the food was decent, the service was okay, and the decor was nice. But I prefer to have my mind (and taste buds) blown when I drop this much cash at a restaurant, and suffice it to say, I left a. kitchen with my head still very much intact. Expect to order two plates if you're hungry. The menu changes frequently, I'm told, but last night, we sampled the spaghetti bolognese, pasta carbonara, cheese plate, lamb loin and octopus. All were just fine, with the octopus (thick, well-seasoned tentacles) being the best of the bunch. Drinks are also more expensive than they should be (there's no reason you should pay $7 for a bottle of Bell's Oberon, even if it is one of the most refreshing summer beers around). No plans on going back to a.kitchen anytime soon, unless someone else is paying. After a mediocre dinner experience, we didn't even bother with dessert and headed over to Insomnia Cookies for a mint chocolate chip cookie instead.
(3)Ben P.
Meh. I was unimpressed. This joint is weird. Dressed up very nicely with a lot of focus on atmosphere and presentation, but they kind of forgot about the whole 'food' part of a restaurant. Tables are way too close together. Sorry you were limited by space, but I don't like my brunch being assaulted (warning:incoming pun alert) by asses on both sides as people get up and sit down. Service was pretentious and insincere. How hard is it to say "Are you enjoying everything" instead of "Does your meal evoke all that you miss about your childhood?" Frankly Jareth, it might have it it wasn't lukewarm. C'mon, son! Portions were a bit on the tiny side, too. Don't misread that as "me big fat 'Merican, want eggs benedict with anaconda egg", they were just being cheap. And cheap this place isn't. It isn't super expensive, either, but I would have had hot food and service that didn't conjure up a desire to give someone a wedgie and a swirlie from The Penrose. Try Parc, up the street. Parc is doing well what A Kitchen meant to do.
(3)Chris M.
I wandered in here with a coworker by complete accident and left impressed. I ordered from the Restaurant Week menu and my culinary ADHD was satisfied. I started with grilled radicchio and wild mushroom toast. The toast was battered and fried and delicate in flavor which balanced nicely with the radicchio and sauce. The sweetbreads were cooked just right and had a crunchy exterior and velvety texture. The slaw in top was one of those rare treats that I could eat everyday and not grow tired of. I also had smoked cod goat cheese cake which were both tasty and a good mix with the first two courses, but not quite as memorable. The service was excellent. If I lived in this town, I'd be here often (and significantly heavier...).
(5)J.M. O.
Stumbled on it for a Saturday brunch and came away extremely pleased.good and attentive service,excellent coffee,beautiful homemade English Muffins and eggs,Great for vegetarians. A very good brunch and would go back in a heartbeat.
(4)Jean R.
I have eaten here quite a few times but this was my first experience since the menu changed substantially (earlier this spring) and unfortunately I give the change a thumbs down. I used to think of it as a place to get a number of delicious healthy options, but yesterday at lunch I had a hard time finding anything that wasn't heavy/fatty/fattening on the menu. I ordered the beet salad and it was "ok"--way more cabbage than beets (where's the beet!") and the dressing had a bottled French dressing quality. Also, the whole restaurant smelled like a kitchen fire (or should I say A.kitchenfire). The service and atmosphere (not counting the smoky smell) was just as lovely as it used to be. Unfortunately though, I am taking this one out of the rotation.
(3)Travis E.
Just.... Ok. I don't mind spending money on good food, but it really wasn't worth the price. Service was great.
(3)Srishti D.
Cute little place with some amazing cocktails and food. I had the bershire pork lion with tunisian and moscow mule and it was incredible!
(4)Alex M.
Food was good, but fairly overpriced for what you get. Service is OK. Try the Blue crab salad.
(3)Catherine H.
Pretend like you're European and eat outside on the sidewalk. Get the chicken sandwich at lunch. Veggie dishes tasty but tiny.
(4)Carrie J.
I've been several times for brunch, but the first time I visited a.kitchen was for dinner and I was so impressed I came back several times for brunch. I can count on this restaurant for a consistently tasty meal and prompt service. Many months ago I came here to meet with some friends for drinks but since we were sitting at the open kitchen, the action and the aroma encouraged us to order meals. Although I am not the biggest fan of mussels, I ordered the moules frites. The mussels were tasty and cooked perfectly (search David Lebovitz's blog for the importance of having properly prepared mussels). But the thing that really impressed me was the authenticity of curry sauce that came with the fries. Upon tasting it, it transported me back to my short weekend in Brussels, where, of course, I had frites with curry sauce. a.kitchen reproduced the perfect Belgian experience. I am hoping this dish will make a reappearance on their menu again. The stand-out meal that I have had for brunch was the chorizo and queso fresco pancakes with sriracha-maple syrup. It was inventive, delicious, and filling. The chorizo and cheese were blended in the batter to produce beautifully fluffy hotcakes. The clean lines make the space look modern, while the small size and wood elements make the interior very comfortable. It doesn't get very noisy even though you will be very close to your neighbors. I am looking forward to trying their brunch hamburger called the "Death Star."
(5)Dina B.
On the whole, we enjoyed our dining experience at a.kitchen . There were pluses and minuses. I thought the hostess had a difficult attitude, so I was wary when we arrived. However, the exceptional service we had during the meal made up for that. The service really was great. No matter who was our assigned server, everyone in the restaurant helped in some way. This was a real plus as dishes did not sit, the check did not sit, and we received a lot of attention. The atmosphere is a bit challenging. It is a small, busy place, with one or two more tables than it should have. The server for the table next to us had to squish between our two tables. It was frenetic and loud. The food is excellent. The plates are on the smaller size, but priced appropriately. Expect to order two to three dishes per person. We started with a salad with blue cheese and pears. The salads were large and extremely tasty. We then had one scallop dish - perfectly prepared -- and the lamb bolognese, which was exceptional. For dessert, we had the pound cake. A perfect size grilled with ice cream. I would return to a.kitchen . There are so many competing restaurants in the area, but this really stood out to me.
(3)Emily K.
"We went there for brunch on my [mom's/sister's/girlfriend's] birthday." That about says it all. Charming and modern interior, servers nervously formal enough to satisfy even the most uppity of Rittenhouse grandmothers, brunch dishes that will certainly do the job and a location that basically explains the validity of the above statement. But when it comes down to it, the brunch is just okay.
(3)Sean H.
Having walked by this place tons of times, I finally went last night with a friend. We sat at the chef's viewing bar area thingy, which was super entertaining. It was so cool to watch them do their thing right before your eyes, not to mention you got plenty of advance warning when your food was on the way. We had the asparagus salad, an order of the spicy fried potatoes, and the grilled octopus with curried lentils. All of the above were quite delicious, especially the octopus. It was funny...one chef made our order, then another came behind her and took a good handful out of the dish before rearranging the garnish and sending it out. I guess she was a little too generous with the octopus. Drinks here were good. I recommend the Moravian, which has bourbon, cucumber, bitters, and one other ingredient that is escaping me. It's quite tasty and approachable.
(4)Karol S.
I agree with others' reviews that the staff lacks energy and enthusiasm. However, let's talk about the food. We started with the halloumi cheese. It is served with a few pieces of lettuce and some shreds of pickled onions. It contains two thin strips of halloumi (each about 2.5 inches long). The portion of this appetizer was surprisingly small, but I didn't get hung up on it. ...until I got my entree, chilli-glazed swordfish with white beans and black olive paste. We chuckled at the size of the plate and portion of my meal. It contained 4 small cubes of swordfish (each cube of protein was about half a squared inch), and I could probably have counted the number of white beans with both hands. Yes, tops 10 individual pieces of bean. I laughed but the taste was fabulous. My partner had the fettucini with pork bolognese, topped with a perfect amount of shredded parmesan cheese. Also small portion but satisfying to the taste buds. We shared the upside down plum cake with orange caramel and some roasted almonds. Two small triangular pieces...but we were glad it was more than a bite for each. I would say that you pay for the good taste of the food, not necessarily for the portions. Everything seemed sort of tapas-sized, although that is not explicitly (or implicitly) described. I wouldn't go there if I was really really hungry, unless I planned to order an appetizer, entree, and dessert, all for myself. The reason I complain about the portions is primarily b/c I'm used to restaurant serving an incredible amount of food, regardless of how fancy/trendy and upscale they aim to be. I think a.kitchen provides an air of the portions we all attempt to eat (and/or should be eating). The portions really are comparable to what you would have consumed had you prepared your own dinner. However, because you are eating out, you naturally expect to splurge and indulgence and over-consume. That is still doable at akitchen if it is what you're looking for---you simply have to order more than you would elsewhere. Even the bread (which was only served upon request) is tiny. The waitress brought a sliced dinner roll, whose diameter was really no large than 1 inch. I didn't mind. It's better than having eaten an entire basket of bread a-la-Parc, but still...it was humorous. Just go knowing that everything comes in unexpectedly small portions, but the taste of food is certainly strong. You will not be disappointment by flavor and presentation.
(4)Nicolaus U.
Great place for brunch. Amazing Monkey Bread French Toast.
(5)Douglas A.
This is a wonderful spot in a great location next to Rittenhouse Square. The service is excellent and the menu is innovative and fresh. This should be on everyone's list of restaurants in the city. The bar is outstanding and they can mix any drink or pour any wine or beer you would like. I had a wilted lettuce salad that was excellent with a ranch dressing that was both subtle and tart. My entree was an free range chicken breast with garlic smashed potatoes and I had a side of the grilled asparagus. Wow it was great. The dessert was "meh" so that is why they get a 4 rather than a 5 star rating. The service was attentive but not hovering over us. I also enjoyed being able to watch the chefs prepare our dinner. Yumb factor is quite high here!
(4)Jennifer I.
Went here to eat brunch on a last-min whim (orig was gonna go to Hip City Veg, which is around the corner). It was a gorgeous day and they placed us at a table that was basically in between indoors and outdoors, so it was perfect. We shared a grapefruit juice, which was refreshing and an eye-opener. I got the crispy shrimp. Expected some shrimp placed over grits, but was surprised to see it deconstructed. The crispy shrimp was on a separate plate, and garnished abundantly w/ grilled scallions and some watermelon radish. The shrimp was perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor--I ate the whole thing (except the head). The grits were in a separate plate; can't comment too much on the grits. They were on the coarser side, not cheesy. Both the shrimp and grits were drizzled a little too much w/ buffalo/hot sauce, which I did NOT appreciate. My bf got the tuna melt sammy. It looked good, but I'm not the biggest fan of tuna so I didn't try it. Service was excellent, except when the waitress poured water into my glass and didn't notice that the water hit my phone.
(4)Matt K.
Nestled in the heart of bustling Rittenhouse Square, this place even has outdoor tables, where the people watching on a weekday for lunch is outstanding. Even though you feel completely detached from the restaurant itself, the service is fantastic, as at least two people seem to be watching over the outdoor tables at all times. The food is the invention of Eli Kulp, who has won many awards for Fork and the place next door. He keeps having success after success. He was also badly hurt in the Amtrak crash and we wish him well. The food here was inventive and very very good, with a few caveats. The onion soup with burrata in it was amazing! So many beautiful flavors, and the burrata added an interesting element, the "cream" to a non-cream soup. The broccoli and grain salad, although great flavors, the grains were incredibly tough and chewy. The barley was not thoroughly cooked and although this seemed intentional, it was a bit gummy and very chewy. The burger was very tasty, but raw in the middle. (I had asked for medium) I didn't send it back because it was a locally sourced beef which I considered safe. All in all a great experience, would love to try dinner and sample more of the menu.
(4)Jacqueline O.
Nom nom. what can I say. Top eats: -kale salad (better then it sounds) -hamachi -side of mushrooms -spice cauliflower -wagyu steak
(5)Julie G.
I was pretty disappointed with my lunch here. Started off with the carrot salad, and then I got the eggplant sandwich. The carrots were way under cooked and far too crunchy to my liking. Practically raw. The eggplant parm sandwich was also underwhelming. There were several small pieces of deeply Fried eggplant. I would preferred one large piece of lightly fried eggplant. The french fries were good, but it's not that hard to make good french fries. Service was very slow. They even gave us a free grilled lettuce to apologize for the slow service, but I was not a fan of that dish either. The only reason I give it two stars is because my friend ordered the beef tartare, and he said that was very good. Sadly I will not return.
(2)Doina N.
A.kitchen is one my favorite places to grab a bite of pretty decent food in the Rittenhouse square. Yes, food is very expensive for the portions they serve. I guess they have their own clientele who can really afford it. In my case, I'd like to go there for a couple of bites and enjoy their drinks. On my last visit, I tried their grass-fed beef tartare which caught my eyes pretty fast. Extremely amazing. It came with crispy, nicely cooked potato skins. Cocktails are pretty delicious as well. They taste very light but are full of rich flavors and the alcohol kicks in quite well. My favorite is Ashes to Ashes. Also, they are known to have a great selection of wines from around the world. Their wine glasses have two measurements in case you're trying to either save money (lol) or if you're trying to go easy on drinking for the occasion. Service is really great. Waiters have been all great. Same goes for the bartenders in case you like to sit by the bar.
(4)Mike W.
I never experienced a.Kitchen before it was revamped by Eli Kulp and Ellen Yin, but I can imagine it was not nearly as good then as it is now. My fiance took me here on my birthday as part of my present and in order to pay up on a bet we had. We grabbed a cocktail at the small bar just inside the door and watched the skilled bartenders work their magic. They arent the fastest around, but they take great care in making the drinks. And the two of them that we ordered off the bat were on point. The Ashes to Ashes was a delicious concoction of Fernet Branca, rosemary honey, lemon and ginger. It was sweet, but not overly so, and the perfect way to prepare my palate for the deliciousness that was about to incur. We were lucky enough to be able to score some seats at the chefs counter around the open kitchen. Its always fun for me to sit so close to the kitchen and watch the chefs work because they are really talented. We started with some crisps provided by the kitchen before our onslaught of dishes began arriving. First up was the spiced cauliflower with black garlic and avocado. What an incredibly delicious dish. It was crispy as hell and the flavor of the black garlic sauce was intense. The hamachi crudo came next and it was just as good as the cauliflower. The tender and fresh fish was served over crispy rice cakes and a schmear of spicy mustard. The crunch factor from the rice cake was a nice contrast from the fish and provided a bit of Asian flair to the dish. The burrata and the duck scrapple came up next. The duck scrapple was probably my least favorite bite of the evening. It came with a soft cooked yolk and watercress with sweet peppers. I thought the texture of the scrapple was off. It was kind of crumbly and very dry. The yolk was very rich, but almost too much to save the scrapple that was already very rich. The burrata was light, refreshing and creamy beyond words. It came with a delicious creamy beet soup, fresh dill and trout roe. The combination of flavors was great. The flavors em-parked by the custom grill at a.Kitchen are phenomenal. These flavors really came through even more on the next three dishes. The first of which was a special for the evening, head on grilled shrimp with a chimichurri sauce on top. The shrimp were grilled just enough to leave a charcoal flavoring to them, and they were still very tender. The duck breast had been rendered down perfectly leaving the duck moist and flavorful. The xo sauce and Brussels sprouts really rounded out the charred flavors of the dish beautifully. I really wish there was more Brussels sprouts though. There simply needed to be more on the plate for me. The best use of the charred flavoring was with the grilled leeks. They caught both my eye and my fiance's right off the bat. The came charred, served with a green chili romesco sauce and smoked marcona almonds. The flavor was sublime. It was one of the best veggie dishes I have had in recent memory. The flavor from the sauce and the textural change with the crunch of the almonds was a fantastic pairing. I was really looking forward to dessert because I know how good the creations of Sam Kincaid can be because I have fallen in love with them at Fork and High Street on Market. She is a whiz with both savory and sweet elements in dessert, and the one that we chose definitely excelled at both levels. It was a wheat pound cake, with peach curd, peach struesel and caraway-rye ice cream. What a powerful combination! The ice cream definitely tasted like you were eating a piece of rye bread. It kept things from getting too sweet, and it was one of those things that seriously just has you thinking for weeks afterward. It was so well done. I will definitely be back because the vibe here is great and the food is phenomenal.
(4)Barry S.
I cook all the time over charcoal, so I was excited to stumble across this place while hunting for a dinner place near our hotel on Rittenhouse square. Our party consisted of a 5-year-old child, two parents, and a grandmother. To some, it seems strange to take a child to fine dining, but we have done this many times. It was nice that nobody gave us strange looks bringing a child into the restaurant, which has happened on a small fraction of those occasions. That said, the menu was the the least child friendly of all of the 20 or 30 fancy restaurants we have taken her to. I understand that we are not the target market for such a restaurant. But let me then make a suggestion: don't then bill the plating as "family-style". There was nothing at the restaurant for a child to entertain herself. I figure at least a small sheet for coloring and a 4-pack of crayons is not very expensive and easy to store somewhere. (A "Roys" location once gave her a Hawaiian themed activity book and a free choice of a toy from a treasure chest by the door that she played with for half of our visit.) There was nothing very child friendly on the menu, even for our adventurous child who had eaten raw oysters just the day before. We asked if a chef could make something simple -- grilled-cheese, say, or even a suggestion about something that might work -- and we were simply rebuffed. The portion sizes seemed small compared to the giant portions so common in the US. But they seemed good to me. Grandmother eats very little, and hearing this, our server had a good idea about how much food would fill us up. I don't like having so much food that I must decide between getting stuffed or boxing up leftovers. The appetizers we chose were pretty excellent -- a yummy fried cauliflower appetizer, and tender grilled octopus. The entrees and sides were disappointing. The pork chop ordered by grandmother was extremely fatty, the duck was pretty typical duck -- nothing exciting -- and the richness of the mushrooms was lost in the richness of the other elements of the dish. My branzino was well cooked and very good, so I was the lucky one in our group. Fortunately, because the meal is family style, my wife got some. But grandma didn't want any. We sat outside in front of the restaurant, a very pleasant seating arrangement if you like people-watching, and even with the city bustle it was much quieter than inside the restaurant. I think we were visited by three different servers; they work as a team. They were friendly, attentive, and knowledgable about food. With the multitude of seemingly excellent restaurants in the area to explore, I won't choose this one again for some time.
(3)Ayesha R.
Great food. Great ambiance. Decent service. Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because service was a bit slow. Came here during lunchtime during Restaurant Week and got the $20 deal. The burger was nice and juicy. The carrot salad was unusual but tasty. And you can never go wrong with a chocolate dessert!
(4)Steve M.
On a whim I tried a.kitchen after finding it here on Yelp. Got lucky with a cancellation, and got right in on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for brunch with the wife and in-laws. Had the stuffed French toast paired with 2 eggs scrambled. Have to admit that it didn't look like much quantity-wise, but when I put my fork down I was as stuffed as the French toast, and had all but licked my plate clean, it was that good! Atmosphere-wise the place is "clean", properly lit, and not too crowded. The smell from the grill making use of a real wood fire is amazing (if you like that sort of thing) and I'm sure that anything in the red-meat category coming from that grill would have been fantastic as well. Great place, fantastic staff and food, and highly recommended: go here!!
(4)Yolanda A.
We went here for dinner for our first time during restaurant week last Friday and LOVED it! The restaurant week menu was four courses each and everything was delicious. My favorite was the intermediate course which was a creamy burrata in a savory onion broth. I also really enjoyed the spiced cauliflower. It had this creamy avocado sauce and really interesting black garlic that I couldn't get enough of. Everything else was also delicious and has convinced us to visit more often. Our server Roldine was friendly and helpful and really helped to make our experience so fantastic. The Sommelier, Marielle (sp?), was also kind and genuine as she helped us pick out a fabulous bottle of wine to pair with our meal. We loved everything about this restaurant including the ambiance, the friendly (and beautiful!) staff, and of course the food! We will definitely be returning in the near future!
(5)Dan F.
My experience of the food (which was variable - some good, some weird) was completely overshadowed by the service (which was consistently bad). I was there on a first date and would have liked to spend more time focusing on my date than on the waitstaff, who demanded constant interaction and eye contact and constantly meddled between us. The tone was a little antagonistic and aggressive - it just felt bad to be there. Since my goal was to have an intimate meal, I grade A. Kitchen a C minus or a D. I can't recommend.
(2)Tyeana G.
Great for people watching! I went at the recommendation of my client. We both had the tuna melt which was delicious. It was served with fried potatoes there topped with a fantastic garlic purée. My drink was strong but I wouldn't order it again, the ginger threw me off. Our waiter didn't seem to know the menu that well.
(4)Hamilton W.
Expensive brunch place. Beer comes in small glasses. Cheaper and better places around.
(3)Tina B.
Cute and trendy, but the food is just okay. Certainly overpriced for what they are.
(2)Kristen M.
The food here is very good but unfortunately I probably wouldn't come back. Here's the "skinny:" What did I order: 3 Oysters, soft shell crab sandwich. Comes with homemade potato chips. Two beers. The good: Oysters were delectable - fresh - excellent. Nice beer selection - I had a beer I never heard of - Birra, and Italian lager. Sandwich was good - crab was fresh. A nice combination of flavors including a little spice, but not too overpowering. The bad: The portion size! And the price for that portion size. I'm embarrassed to admit that after spending $43.00 on my meal. I stopped in a fast food restaraunt on my way home and had fries. I was still very hungry. Overall: Go for a beer and an app. Wouldn't recommend for a substantial meal.
(3)Kathryn S.
Went here with my grandparents for a late Saturday dinner. Initially, we were a little confused by the menu, but our fantastic waiter Paul was quick to explain. Everything was delicious. I never turn down a fois gras, and I loved the toasted hazelnuts and how well they balanced this dish. Since we were a party of 4, we had the duck legs, or more accurately leg and thigh. Everything about the duck was perfectly executed and it was melt in your mouth. Thankfully, we didn't over order and had room for dessert. I had the chocolate mousse, one of the best I have had in a while. We will definitely be back when they change up the menu for summer.
(5)Noosh E.
Chef is amazing! Tried a lot of different things. Great cheese plate, the hamachi tartar was amazing - served with squid ink chip, had a variety of oysters and ended with the shrimp Louis salad - with a very delicious dressing ....the chef was kind enough to provide me with the ingredients! Very good - I'm surprised this place has only 3.5 starts.
(4)Kim S.
Their food is really really good but why is it so damn expensive for such small plates?!?
(4)Autumn H.
What a great meal i had at this place! I brought my boss here when on Tuesday for a work dinner. I have never been before but heard good things. This location is pretty small and i believe it is connected to its sister location, A. Bar, through the back. We made a reservation ahead of time and were seated right away. I looked at the menu prior to but when we sat down, the menu we were given was a little different. It all looked amazing. We ordered their cauliflower dish and the roasted carrots dish as appetizers. So good. The cauliflower was roasted and in an avocado puree of sorts. Delish. The carrots were on a bed of cous cous with fennel head ferns - can we say SPRING!? YUM. For dinner, my boss had the chicken dish but I ordered the duck breast. Let me tell you, the duck did not disappoint. It was thick and juicy and tender and excellently dressed. Our server was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable of the menu, provided great opinions and even through together a lovely mocktail for my boss, who doesn't drink. when it came to dessert, the server suggested the buckwheat pound cake. We were skeptical.. i mean, its buckwheat. But he told us how it was seemingly the essense of the location and all the ingredients were sourced locally, so we figured, why not? It was served with a buckwheat ice cream and was actually really good. I was pleasantly surprised! When i think of buckwheat, i instantly imagine cardboard. not the case at all. My only gripe is the table placement. We were seated pretty much in the middle at a 4 top. No big deal but the towards the end of the night, the back of my chair and my bun became the target of many servers passing through behind me. I tried many times to scoot myself up, to the side, to the other side with no luck. I didn't want to move tables because we were already pretty settled and didn't switch seats as to not be too awkwardly close to my male boss.. I probably got bumped in the back of the head at least 4 times. but other than that, great experience.
(4)Indigo V.
My daughter raved about a.kitchen for brunch so I decided to check it out for lunch. It was ok. Not great. I thought some of their presumably high gourmet techniques like leaving the heads and shells on the grilled shrimp appetizer wasn't the greatest. Sure, some people like the heads, but with the shells still on it's clear the shrimp can't be properly cleaned and deveined. I'm personally not a big fan of crunchy shrimp. Wine list was pretty blah and overpriced. My grilled broccoli/vegetable salad with sprouted grains was also pretty blah. I got a lot of chewy grains and barely any vegetables, and had to ask for extra cheese for a bit more flavor. Maybe brunch and dinner are better, but I'm not inspired to go back.
(1)Jen L.
This place is perfect for wealthy skinny people. Unfortunately, I'm neither wealthy nor particularly skinny (I have way too large of an appetite to have an ideal BMI), so this restaurant is not a place I will visit often. However, the brunch I had there was delicious (shrimp and grits) ... not too generous on the carbs (again, targeting the skinny people) but was made of fresh ingredients and had wonderfully balanced flavors, and the ambiance was chic. I would recommend this place to the health conscious, portion-watching crowd in the Rittenhouse area, but if you're hoping to leave the restaurant feeling full, you'll probably need to order more than one dish.
(4)Moses S.
I came here Friday evening with a couple friends around 9 or 10 pm. We were looking for a good cocktail and drink bar and we totally found it! The bar is quite small (seats only 7-8) but is a beautiful white marble. The bartenders (Tara and another I didn't catch her name) are attentive, approachable, and make some great cocktails. They're there when you need them and want to chat and off to do other things when you want to just hang out with friends. My friends and I closed down the place and had a great time talking with the bartenders and ordering on and off menu cocktails. Everything we ordered well balanced and tasted very, very good. There were a couple bartender's choice drinks that were REALLY good. You could tell the care and deliberate measures taken to ensure a well made drink whether it was using measuring tools, peeling zest, using droplets for the bitters, using the cocktail shaker and of course, dipping a new straw to taste each drink to ensure it was made the way it was intended to taste. Definitely will be back to taste the food, but the bartenders are awesome!
(5)Melissa L.
Went here for brunch on a Saturday. Made reservations several days in advance and was seated exactly on time. I ordered the prawns with grits and my friend ordered the french toast. Both were very delicious but not a substantial amount of food. If you come in very hungry, I would highly recommend adding a side to your main meal. The coffee was also very good and I tend to be very picky about coffee. The place is small but the atmosphere was nice and the wait staff was very attentive. Overall, I had a good experience. Just wish that you got more food for the amount of money they charge.
(4)Grace H.
I stumbled into a.kitchen one morning with a friend from out of town because there was a 45 minute wait at the place we were planning on eating, and we were two seriously hungry girls. It's in a prime location right on the corner of rittenhouse square and I'd passed by it hundreds of times but never bothered to check it out. We were seated as soon as we walked in and proceeded to order coffee (REALLY good coffee and bottomless!), the trio of pastries, the rittenhouse slam, and greek yogurt with granola to share. They ended up giving us scrambled eggs on the slam instead of over easy, and brought us an entire new slam complete with the potatoes, bacon, and greens...and then they left the old one on the table so we just ended up eating both. It was the perfect brunch - well rounded and delicious. A little pricey but absolutely worth it considering there was zero wait time and we essentially got a free dish!
(4)Rajiv S.
I came here for Valentine's Day with my wife and it was amazing. We had the crudo and the fried oyster for appetizer which we were perfect. Main meal the skate and lamb both were heavenly. Would highly recommend.
(5)Kathleen D.
This is not a bang-for-your-buck type of place. This is a look-at-me-I'm-tiny-and-expensive type of place. Granted, the food was delicious. My braised chicken, while tasting a bit like my grandmother's chicken soup, was tender and slightly different from the chickens I've had at other places. But did my tiny little dish really warrant the price tag? Well, no. We're talking about chicken here. A.kitchen is a place that I'll stop into maybe once every two to three years. It's not a go-to, fun spot. It's chic, sure, and it's intimate, sure. But it's way too expensive and not enough "wow." At one point during a meal last week, I put my (used) napkin down on the table. A few minutes later, the server casually walked over and hovered beside me to fold it into a perfect square. I thanked her while thinking, "What in the heck just happened? Why did my napkin need to be folded? Does she plan to wash her hands now?" It felt like an all-eyes-on-you restaurant, which is uncomfortable to me. In other words, it was way too high class for little ole me. With all of that said, I'm still a fan. It does what it does right, and that's what matters here. If you want to have your napkin folded, with an extremely attentive server, in a dark and trendy environment, then this is your place. Oh, and make sure to try the maple creme brûlée for dessert. Stuff is good.
(4)Christina H.
We didn't eat here but we did stop in for a drink on our way to dinner. I was so blown away by the quality of service and the overall atmosphere that I had to write a review. I wish I could remember our bartender's name because she deserves all the praise. She was so friendly and professional and made one of the best dirty gin martinis I've ever had. She kept our water filled to the brim the entire time, a small detail that went a long way. Before we left, she even took the time to jot down some of her favorite watering-holes and restaurants in the vicinity. The atmosphere here also warrants attention. The front of the restaurant opens up onto a cozy sidewalk patio reminiscent of Paris (in my humble opinion). The interior is also cozy yet classy, without being at all pretentious. Great drink selection - lots of choices for beer, wine and liquor. I would highly recommend stopping in here at least for a drink. Based on our great experience, I have no doubt that the food is excellent as well.
(4)Daniel S.
Was good went to rest week service was nice water never empty main course we're good desert was lame average cup of wine $12
(4)Emily H.
I went here a couple months ago with my family whom all of which have pretty adventurous taste in food. It wasn't my choice and I was extremely hesitant to go here at first because I'm usually pretty conservative with my food choices. The menu was pretty intimidating - I had no idea what to get. However, my family got me to expand my pallet and try a bunch of new foods that I would never normally eat and everything was absolutely delicious. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. The menu was pretty pricy, so I would recommend sharing dishes. This place is good to go out to for a nice occasion or celebration. It's somewhat small inside but very nice and has a good ambiance. Definitely recommend trying at least once!
(4)Victoria L.
With your first look at the menu, it's disappointing to see that you have to pay for bread that is usually complimentary at nice restaurants. We decided to get it anyway because if you're going to pay for it, it better be good! The little box of four rolls did not disappoint. There was a charcoal lavender roll (the unanimous favorite), cheddar, sesame, and an unmemorable one. The homemade butter was so soft, smooth, and creamy. Was it worth $6? Probably not, but it was my birthday and I wanted some damn bread. We ordered a bunch of small plates and shared family style. We started with the charcoal scallops, which were tender and nice. The portions are as small as everyone says though. Next we got the duck breast, which was cooked perfectly and flavorful. I was concerned it was taste "overly Asian" because of the xo sauce and sesame, but it surprisingly wasn't. We shared the crispy whole sea bass, which was delicious. We couldn't pass up dessert since we were celebrating, so we got the ice cream (the malted flavor was my favorite) and a chocolate dessert that came out with a candle. They were all decadent. It's one of those meals where the portions are small and you're afraid you'll be hungry, but surprisingly you aren't. So then you think you ordered reasonably, but then you get the bill and you're like "Oh, well, not that reasonable." I'm glad we waited for an occasion to come here.
(4)David N.
So I came to a.bar with a couple of friends and then stopped over to a.kitchen for a bit to eat. We got to sit at the counter to the open kitchen which is kind of cool. Since everything was small plates, we asked for things to be delivered when they were ready. The cheese plate came immediately, but then we realized that nothing else came 25 minutes after we had finished the cheese. The worst part of it is that we watched as the cooks were "cleaning" the kitchen and not really cooking anything. Given that we'd been waiting for a long time, we asked if something had happened to the our check. Low and behold, they "lost" the check and weren't cooking our food at all. They started cooking our order and was "kind of" apologetic about it. The food that did come out was pretty good, but the whole experience was already tainted. They offered to a free side of carrots to make up for it. It is better than nothing, but a side of carrots??? A restaurant is a combo of food and service, and one cannot make up for the a lack of the other. That's why I have to give this place 2 stars.
(2)Laura K.
I am all for good, locally sourced food but A. Kitchen was a disappointment. The food was mediocre at best, and the servings were so tiny! Definitely not a place for value. But beyond that the server was not friendly and did not seem to care much for being there. He kept going to the bar and talking to the bartender rather then be more attentive. Also the noodles in the pasta dish was very overcooked and soggy. Would not recommend or return.
(1)Chris M.
The ambience is second to none. The drinks are $12, yikes. But they are VERY good, and strong. Not the typical shlep somewhere else, these are real craft-drinks made in front of you. Food was VERY good, although VERY small portions. We did the tapas, small plate thing.. the scallops are tremendous. Dont go here starving. Sit at the bar, get a good view of the street, and the restaurant. Good ppl watching, and conversation here.
(3)m m.
Well, this was our second visit in 2 weeks. The first time seemed much better. This time, we just felt ripped off. The suggestion to "share" small plates of food is somewhat misleading. Although we enjoyed some dishes more than others, if you are with a group (we had 5), everyone literally gets one bite.... if lucky two, with each dish. This is fine if you're a bird, but, we like to eat, and when we figured it all out, although we enjoyed the simple Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe dish. for example, (cheese & pepper), we realized that we paid $22 for 2 plates of pasta that probably cost $2 to make... I certainly don't mind paying for delicious, well prepared food, however, for the portion size, we felt taken advantage of. Nothing really stands out as far as the dishes, and we tried everything, oh yes, the asparagus with artichoke dish is good, but again, you need to order several plates to feed a hungry group.Oh yes, and the goat cheese cake,,, I originally enjoyed this at Django... THAT is delicious, but, conforming to the miniscule portion size. The first time we ate at a.kitchen , they were still waitinfg for their liquor license, so, we didn't notice how expensive it is... this time, we ordered a bottle of wine & a couple of drinks. They recently got their license & the bill was about $170 a couple with tip. Again, I don't mind paying top dollar for something extraordinary, but this doesn't quite make it for me.... not like when we'd frequent Talula's Table in Kennett Square, not so long ago, when Bryan was still there... The cost was about $180 a couple, however, it was special, plentiful & quite extraordinary... we have not been back since Bryan's departure, so we were very excited to know he'd be at a.kitchen . Sorry to say, I'm not impressed, It's the new kid on the block so they are buzzing... I have to say, this dining experience was very disappointing & disenchanting...I really wanted to love this place.... sorry I don't...
(2)Gail D.
Went to a.kitchen last night with 3 coworkers and had an amazing dinner. I loved the decor as soon as I walked in and felt the space of the restaurant was very inviting - I even got a slightly log-cabbiny smell from the wood interior (in a good-make-you-feel-cozy kind of way) We shared 3 dishes from each part of the menu: Vegetables, etc: Frisee Salad - everything a salad should be with bacon and hash browns Warm Burata - a savory hunk of yummy cheese Mushroom Croquettes - crunchy on the outside and gooey mushroominess in the middle Fish: Blue Crab Salad - simply amazing Salmon and Caramelized Leeks - I stole all the leeks to eat for myself Chorizo Stuffed Calamari - slightly spicy in a thick tomato sauce Meat: Duck Confit - which was actually duck confit en terrine? a bit confusing but the taste was good BBQ Rib-Eye Skewers - my favorite dish of the night....I would have licked the sauce of the plate if I wasn't with my coworkers Chicken with Albarino Sauce - my least favorite of the night but nicely cooked with a decadent sauce Desserts: Almond Macaroons - enormous and perfectly chewy Shortbread with Lemon Curd - like eating homemade cookies right out of the oven Chocolate Torte - thick and rich and oh-so-good Expect to pay at least $50/person for dinner and a drink, but considering the amount of food we ate and the quality of the dishes, I think it is worth every penny. My only complaint is about the attentiveness of the wait staff....our waiter was prompt to take our order and our food was delivered in a reasonable time, but twice we had to flag down the waiter to order wine and once we didn't quite listen and brought the wrong order. I'm hoping its just a few bumps to smooth out as this new restaurant proves itself as a contender on the Philly small plate scene.
(4)David S.
We were wandering by when we noticed this new restaurant. Seemed busy, the menu looked interesting, so why not? We sat at the chef's counter, which turned out to be a happy mistake - it took us 20 minutes to figure out which few of all the great looking dishes we should order!! The food was terrific, the show spectacular (Val was really fun to watch as he calmly conquered the evening rush), and the staff and managers very friendly. We'd been told by the server about (and could see) portion size, so we ordered 4 plates - all were superb. As an owner of a restaurant myself, I can testify to the skill of this team, putting out a really quality experience after only a week of operation. Good show, mates!
(4)Brian S.
Some dishes are really innovative and delicious, some are not. They offer 3oz and 5oz pours on wine, which I've never seen anywhere. Having 3oz and 5oz fill lines on the wine glasses is totally out of place, as if a point is being made. Our waitperson was nothing short of unhelpful. Overall, the place doesn't live up to the stylish interior nor the "we'll show you how to eat" feeling. High prices, small portions, so if you want simple tastes of things you typically won't find elsewhere, then this is your place. Otherwise, I advise going elsewhere. It's as if they are trying really hard to show that they know food, that we're for the foodie-set. But in spite of some glowing dishes, overall, not even close.
(2)Justin M.
In a nutshell: not worth the price point (even though I didn't pay! LOL) These small plates were uninspired, and half the menu has been done a million times before at other Philly boites. Service was amateur at best, disinterested at worst. $120 for 2 with one cocktail and 6 small plates. Unless you live next door and are really lazy, I don't see the point except maybe for a glass of wine...
(3)Raisa O.
I loved a.kitchen . The food was sumptuous and the ambiance was perfect. It has this understated yet elegant feel. Our waitress was super friendly. All the dishes were perfectly prepared. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)A. H.
i had high hopes when i saw this gorgeous new joint, but it turned out to be pretty awful. save your money. food was bland, unimaginative and expensive. on top of that i got sick from the one thing i did eat [the grilled shrimp dish]. ordered the duck confit that looked like catfood on a plate. i couldn't even look at it far less to eat it so my poor husband did and even he who would eat ANYTHING said it tasted canned and yucky. service was eh. Tria right next door is hands down better and 1/3 of the price. if you are even halfway decent in your own kitchen, a.kitchen would be a huge disappointment.
(1)Wanda M.
Vacillated between a one and two stars, but went with two because the rest of my party thought their food was good and the location is great. We were there for brunch. It was noisy ++++ and crowded. It was not easy to make conversation. The space is small and each time the waiter moved passed my seat he nearly tripped over my feet. The waitstaff was indifferent, though efficient. Basically you got the food tossed at you with little congeniality. The food was tres mediocre. We'd just returned from a vacation in Europe where the food was excellent. My omelet would not have measured up to Portugese street food, although my husband enjoyed the cheese steak (street food??). It was expensive for what we ordered. Finally, they have these cutsey white cotton napkins that look like dish towels - interesting idea. But they left a ton of white lint on both my and hubby's clothes. I was not happy. Not sure what the great reviews here are about, but I was completely unimpressed and won't be back.
(2)Matthew H.
BRUNCH REVIEW. We made reservations at A.kitchen for Mother's Day brunch, it was a perfect day and they had the doors open and everything was pretty much open air. We were sat immediately and the service was great and not too overly attentive. We started off with the 4 pastries, all of them were very good, not as good as the doughnut misto at Alla Spina but definitely up there. I ordered a cocktail, the Standard Breakfast which was very good, I had 2 and coffee which was nice and strong. For the mains we went with the rhubarb french toast and the wagyu steak and eggs with a frenched onion and potatoes. Everything was awesome, the steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and the potatoes were hot and crunchy. The onion and eggs (over-easy) were also well prepared. There are 2 reasons why I didn't rate this place 5 stars, one is because everything on the menu was pretty safe and after our dinner at Fork I expected something a little more adventurous. Second, the timing for the arrival of the entrees was a bit off, 1 arrived and we sat awkwardly for 3-4 minutes until the other arrived, it is somewhat nitpicky I realize and it wouldn't prevent me from dining there again but at an upscale restaurant like this I would expect the timing to be on point. Overall a quite enjoyable morning right off the square and I would absolutely recommend A.ktichen for brunch and I look forward to returning some time in the future for dinner.
(4)Andrey S.
It was Monday afternoon so hardly any visitors and a few of us stopped by for lunch. They had some sandwiches and salads on the menu, what you would expect. So duck salad was basically a few pieces of duck meat in a large pile of greens. And the price? Over a $20. I had a pork sandwich that looked good on the menu. It was basically two smallish over dried pieces of what resembled a schnitzel on a bun. Nothing else. $18. It took 5 attempts to get our waitress to understand that we wanted glasses for everyone at the table and entire bottle of wine on the menu. To summarize - location is good but there are many more great places nearby to waste time and money on that one.
(2)Luba P.
So everything is pretty good, but I expected more. The crab salad was the highlight, with great flavor and moist and flaky crab. The kale lasagna was also pretty unique and unexpected, and tasted pretty good with a strong cheese flavor. I wish they had more seafood and chicken options, the menu was very limited to red meat/vegetarian/pasta. The goat cheesecake was not that the best due to the overwhelming strong taste of goat cheese (it also had an extremely cold wine sorbet on top that was OK), so that one might be good for only it's fans. Also, the chocolate dessert was a bit too bitter and salty. Overall the atmosphere is really nice and cozy, with the fancier type of Philly people, so I think most would overlook the food for the nice atmosphere. PS. Make sure to get at least two plates or you'll be hungry!
(4)Bill W.
A.kitchen I'm sorry to say was A.disappointment. Before I get too far, let me say that the owner was very accommodating, if not totally understanding, regarding the issues we experienced. She basically refunded most of the non-drink bill, so for me it's unfair to give any less than 3 stars for that reason alone, but make no mistake this was a 1 or 2 star meal at best. We started the evening at A.bar , which itself was unremarkable (small sugary cocktails, and nearly undrinkable wine by the glass). Moved over to the table for dinner. Both first courses (quail eggs, and scallops) had ZERO flavor, and no seasoning... totally boring. The "scallops" were basically a bowl of broth with some greens sprinkled in, and 2 tiny slivers of scallop. My expectation for the size of a scallop appetizer portion in a restaurant has been consistently lowered over the years, to the point where two "quarter-sized" pieces is about par, and this was significantly less than that. But the big issue was the huge wait between 1st and 2nd courses - easily 45 minutes. When we inquired the waitress said the kitchen was backed up because "it was such a nice day" and they "weren't expecting so many people." This was late May, so I'm not really sure how the great weather was a surprise. After the lackluster 1st course and some more waiting, we weren't interested in seeing what was behind door #2. We asked our waitress to cancel the order. At that point the manager came over to apologize (disappointingly she gave the same excuse about how it was busy because of the weather). She said she would have it out momentarily, we politely declined, and she left for the bill. So 5 minutes later, the entrees show up, and the manager comes over to say it's complimentary. I don't even know what you're supposed to do in this situation...I didn't want to insult them (to say nothing of kids starving in Africa), so I gave it a try (the Wagyu beef). She should have just kept it in the kitchen, at least then I would have left thinking that maybe it was good. Instead, I got to sample an awful steak that was a new low for the evening. Again the entire food bill ended up being comped, but still not an experience I'd care to repeat.
(3)Devin D.
BRUNCH REVIEW: A nice place to come for Sunday Brunch and a great means to recover from an alcohol fueled weekend. I really like how you can watch them make your food from start to finish. I ordered the chorizo pancakes with queso fresco and sriracha maple syrup. Sounds like an odd combo, but I enjoyed it. It was an interesting sweet/savory combination, and at $12-13, easy on the wallet. The food here was decently good for me, but not FIVE STARS WOWZERS. That said, I will still most certainly return. Coffee and espresso were great as well.
(4)Dave W.
This is not a place to go to for that large dinner that you can spend time savoring and enjoying. That said, the food is quite good and I would definitely go back when in the area. While some may say the portions are small, I think they are the right size if you are trying to cut down on the calories. Prices are a bit high, however. I had the Slow Roasted Carrots, which were quite good, along with the Pork Bolognese. Nice serving here, but not a chance of asking for anything to be wrapped to take home. My wife had the Scallops over scramble eggs, something I woould never have expected.The portion size was just right but then she only weighs 98 lbs. Next time we will sit back by the kitchen to watch the action but the table gives you a great view of the street and activity out there.
(4)Steven H.
A. Kitchen in simply amazing. My wife and I spent the day in Philly sampling a bite or two from various restaurants with Yelp as our guide. A. Kitchen was our first stop and it was worth every bit of the walk to get there. We had no reservations so we found two open seats at the bar. The staff greeted us and took out drink order; they have a variety of local beers on tap I tried their Shawnee Craft Double Pale Ale (IPA) and it as well balanced with a deep flavor. My wife ordered the Ashes to Ashes cocktail, she commented that this was one of the best drink she has had in her life. The Duck Confit salad was a first for the two of us and we both found it to be delicious. I have to say the two items on the brunch menu that you must order are the baked grilled potatoes ( yes you read that correct they bake them then grill them) and the Charcoal Biscuit. I can not even describe them to you you just need or order them and experience it. : side note their grill is wood/ charcoal burning and it's open so you see the chefs working to craft your meal. It just adds to the experience!
(5)Ali W.
I came here for fathers day brunch. They were out of the fresh baked pastries by 11am. I found the portions to be small but by the end of the meal I was mostly satisfied. I got the salmon with a red onion bialy which was a breakfast. I also tried the home fries that were garlicky and crunchy. Overall my experience was A-OK but I will continue to try new brunch spots.
(3)Geoff And Jenni G.
A Kitchen is still one of the best places in Philly for good eats/fine dining... It is expensive and in some cases unnecessarily so, but the food is top notch, the preparation and attention to detail is excellent and if you like small/tasty plates, then you can't go wrong... We love it and would definitely recommend it...
(5)Lia B.
nothing but LOVE for A.kitchen . went here for lunch the other day and was greatly impressed with the vegan-ness of the portobello sandwich. i arrived and it was POURING rain - the staff quickly got my coat and umbrella and sat us immediately. They had soy milk for coffee, knew what vegan meant and completely veganized the sandwich (even went so far as to change the bread without me asking- GREAT TOUCH!!!) and they had dessert options though i was so full i didn't want a dessert. They also made me a vegan salad as an appetizer with tahini. would def come back here!
(5)M M.
This was my third time here. Lunch is definitely not as interesting as dinner in terms of menu. Though I had always had excellent food here even if the place is a little stiff, this time the kitchen seemed very off. I am not sure any of my colleagues enjoyed their his/her meal. Grilled chicken salad came with sparse greens - including thinly sliced stalk of broccoli (um, is this what we are doing these days?) - and a dull watery yogurt dressing. The chicken had a rubbery texture. I could not tell if it had been smoked and then grilled. Anyway...The thing that was the worst is there were flies around us during the whole meal. Not great when you are swatting bugs away as you eat inside.
(2)Bruce B.
Hands-on best service i've ever received at a restaurant. The wait staff was always there when you needed them, gone when you didn't. I think there was more staff than customers while we were there. Our primary waitress was so awesome, it was actually fun to ask her for recommendations. Great descriptions and accurate, not trying to sell us the most expensive entrees. Right up front this probably should be a 5 star review, but some of the small plates were chipped, so i'm taking the last star away. Really, when i'm spending close to $200 for our meals, you can afford to not serve on a chipped plate. The spicy cauliflower was not too spicy and incredibly juicy. Perfect way to start the meal. MsD ordered Branzini and it was cooked and flavored perfectly. I had the scallops and again, couldn't ask for anything better. The crab and salad were both incredible. Flavored to perfection and not too much. The only thing we didn't care for were the mushrooms, but as much as anything else we just didn't have room to finish them. We did save some room for desert and the pound cake was divine. Awesome coffee as well. Just a fantastic meal! Eli Kulp has done a great job training his staff to describe food and cater to his customers. We hear he is still in the hospital from the Amtrak disaster so we'll keep him in our prayers. Can't wait to go back to the A.Kitchen!
(4)Laura L.
Food is excellent. Service could be a lot better.
(2)Christa M.
Update review: Came here for brunch today with friends. This is the first time I've been here since it's been under new management/chef. It was one of a few brunch spots that was open last minute for 4 people. The good: - can make a last minute brunch reservation here on Open Table - they made a nice,strong Negroni- my go to drink - service was attentive and nice, as well as accommodating as we had a stroller - bacon was delicious and cooked perfectly. Potatoes in my Rittenhouse Slam were great. The not so good: - food was overpriced, esp given the portion size, which I thought was a nice size. - no toast or some kind of carb with my Slam, or any of our dishes. - menu for brunch uninspiring. Not sure what the menu was like for dinner but if it's anything like the brunch menu, I wouldn't go back except for a drink. Under the old management the menu was more unique. - my eggs were slathered in butter. It was all I could taste
(2)Jenna S.
I really wanted to love this place ...picked it on impulse while walking by on the way to another restaurant. Sleek modern decor with lighting that's still warm and inviting. Menu with items that make you instantly drool, with complimentary ingredients that sound like they're set to make new foodie trends. Thursday night, resto busy but no wait for a table for 2 without a rez. Waitress was good, knowledgeable of the ingredients and offering her suggestions on favorites. The shortcomings lie in the food. At $10-33 per "sharing plate" I was expecting a fairly substantial amt of food, but you get 2 to 4 nibbles and are left starving thinking there has to be more coming out. The teacup serving of cauliflower ($9), had good sauce but was fried and burnt. Scallops ($16), five church wafer sized thin fishy slivers in a vinegar soup w a few pomegranate seeds. Hibachi crudo ($12), thin slices of sushi on a tasty black/brown rice crisp, one bite and done. Shiitake side ($10), about 7 baby caps, really savory and delish. Arctic char ($33), the largest plate, about the size of an altoids tin, was cooked perfectly, but could have tipped the pot if it came w some more veggies. Still hunnngryyyyy. Ate the rest of the wafer crisps (bread?) I said I didn't like at the beginning. Dessert, sunchoke custard w black walnut brittle ($9), sounded promising, but was just a few spoonfuls of soupy sugar broth w a crispy sprinkle of crackers on the top. Womp womp
(2)Sarah P.
A. Kitchen has only gotten better! The addition of their new grill and ability to smoke ingredients has really made an impact on their menu, and they seem to include more interesting wild-crafted and foraged ingredients, like ramps sourdough bread. The pickled quail eggs and beets are DIVINE as a snack. I really want to mention bartender Mariko's amazingly beautiful cocktails, however. This woman is extremely talented and her cocktails are well-balanced, interesting, and really delicious. I am extremely picky about cocktails, as many are too sweet for me, but these are really wonderfu, often with a beautiful balance of bitters, sweetness, liquor, spice, etc. l. I am paying attention. I have tried three on the current menu, all of which are excellent. A.Kitchen has a consistently good wine list and my understanding is that their sommelier is a former employee of Moore Brothers....and it shows. In my opinion, A.Kitchen is showing improvement and I like what I have experienced in recent visits.
(4)Maiken O.
A.Kitchen is a great spot for weekend lunch at the corner of Rittenhouse Square. The menu is pretty modern with a mixture of Nordic, American and French style kitchen. Portions are not huge but you will not leave hungry either - amazing selection of freshly baked bread. Atmosphere is trendy with a bar for eating facing the open style kitchen. We were a bit concerned about food smells hanging in our clothes afterwards but there wasn't a hint. Will come back for sure!
(4)Ashlie-marie J.
Just finished leaving this place and it was mmm mmm GOOD! So delicious. I got there at 12:00 and the food came out in about 15 minutes. I ordered the Rittenhouse Slam with whole grain toast and my best friend ordered Grilled Prawns and it was just amazing and for dessert she ordered the Carjeta Custard, it was so good and beautifully garnished with little flowers. The staff is super polite and timely. The restaurant atmosphere is very warm and inviting. We'll be staying here until Monday and most likely come back for dinner.
(5)Abby W.
Brunch was good, but a little overpriced for what you get. I went with the traditional eggs benedict and really loved the housemade english muffin. It made up for the lack of homefries. The hollandaise was spot on, though, and the eggs cooked correctly. My bloody mary was fresh and tasty, if a little heavy on the horseradish for my taste. My companion got the steel cut oats and a side of eggs. She said had she not gotten the eggs as well, she would have left hungry. It was a pretty small bowl of oats. Everything was tasty, but on the expensive side for the portions. However, sitting with the windows open on a nice Sunday morning, having made reservations in advance through Open Table, does make up for this a bit just from the sheer convenience. I doubt I'd do brunch here again unless I was going to be in the area and had an agenda to stick to (we were going to a bridal expo at the Sheraton at noon). Service was friendly and the coffee was good.
(3)A B.
The menu is creative, as is the presentation, but I definitely left hungry given the small portions. However, the server was wonderful and he kept us laughing throughout the meal.
(3)Dan M.
Great! The brunch was delicious-albeit-plain and the drinks were flavorful.
(4)Susanna L.
I would give zero star if I could! Such a big rip off. For a thirty some dollar scallop, the dish has only three pieces of scallop. The service is super slow and they change plates after every plate, which is just to disguise their overprice and slow service. The flavor is very mediocre and on the salty side. They also do not serve table bread and of course charge you if you ask for bread. Such an overly rated place and will never come back again!
(1)Vanessa T.
This little restaurant is on the corner of rittenhouse square and packed with deliciously good food. I came here for a dinner date and definitely left feeling satisfied. We ordered some small plates (rice cakes, steak platter, steam clams, smoked beets). They were all delicious. For dessert, we ordered the toasted oat ice cream with pound cake and the custard. Both were amazing. I especially enjoyed the toasted oat ice cream.
(4)HD T.
Great location and ambience. The prices were high considering the portion size - Need at least 3 plates to feel full. The food was good and well prepared. Did feel rushed, and almost was like a take out restaurant.(we were in and out) There are better restaurant's down town.
(2)Regina F.
a. beet salad full of soft, oozing red beets seated on a large fluffy cloud of airy, semi-sweet mascarpone. + a. glass of the smoothest pinot noir. + a. bowl of 5 large, luscious, juicy shrimp speckled with black pepper, swimming in a cool sea of saffron broth with soft tomato pieces, and topped with spicy tortilla strips. + a. small plate of chopped chilled asparagus resting complacently on a bed of creamy orange puree. = a. wonderful meal.
(4)Michelle C.
Tasty food. Dainty food. Expensive food. My feelings about A.kitchen are mostly positive, but damn are they expensive when you consider the portions. Even for the Square. Now I know how all the celebrities can eat there and get away with keeping their figures. Fortunately, the food is pretty good. My table of ladies ordered the arugula salad, octopus with watermelon, blue crab salad and beets to share. The salad was okay, but the octopus and crab dishes were both excellent. I didn't try the beets but my friends seemed to like them. We each chose our own main and I ordered the fettucine with bottarga. It was very rich, and this is where the smaller serving size actually worked to my advantage. The bottarga flavor was subtle which I preferred when compared with a similar dish I had at another restaurant. A couple of my noodles were slightly more firm than al dente, but overall I was very happy with my choice. My friends ordered a puff pastry filled with white chocolate and rhubarb and a pineapple upside down cake for dessert. I had a teeny bite of each and neither really wowed me, but I'm not super big on sweets. Both were cleared out so my friends definitely liked them. Would I go back to A.kitchen Yes, but most likely if the check is being picked up by someone else. I liked the food and the service but there are other restaurants with similar dishes at more reasonable prices.
(4)Henry T.
Over all disappointed since I anticipated trying this place out. It's a gamble. You may enjoy it. Not a place I would try again.
(1)Ash G.
Tiny place,a bit loud, and expensive, but delicious food, terrific cocktails, and really attentive and helpful service.
(4)relena i.
Ordered Steak and egg, and French toast for brunch. Both of them blew our minds! Best brunch I had in town in the 2 years.
(5)Amanda H.
A.kitchen has broken so many molds for me. I don't live by many codes, but never going to hotel restaurants was a rule to live by. I broke this rule when I went to a.kitchen and it's been my guilty pleasure ever since. I generally don't eat out during restaurant week - mainly because it gets so crowded and I feel rushed. But a.kitchen gives you wonderful service whether you're eating for a bargain or not. I also never really like chef tables, but again, it's somehow awesome here to eat at a bar and watch the cooks make food for other people while you're eating your own. There are mainly small plates, but you some how leave satisfied even if you choose not to order the whole menu. My best advice however is that even if you're here for brunch, save room for dessert. And - if you're here for brunch, get a Bloody Mary. If you aren't, get any other one of the inventive cocktails. Really, I'm from Philly, but this is a hotel restaurant that makes me consider staying in this hotel.
(5)Alison K.
Let me start my review by saying that nothing negative I have to say has anything to do with the food. I had booked a dinner for 7 of my high school friends almost 5 weeks before the actual visit to the restaurant. I feel like that is enough to show the restaurant that we really wanted to be there. We had to wait 40 minutes to be seated. Now, to be fair, the restaurant called around 6:55 to tell us that we would not be seated on time. I think that is a fantastic practice. However, they said 15-20 and it was more like 40. And if it were me running a restaurant, i would have comped a dessert or 2 or maybe a couple glasses of wine while we were waiting. It really was a LONG wait considering the lead time on the reservation. All that said, the food was great. I ordered the dinner menu which was an incredible deal. I had the frisee salad with poached egg, potato and bacon which was absolutely fantastic. I also tried the fish stew and octopus which were executed beautifully. My next course was shrimp with chili sauce which i felt was a little too salty. The lamb bolognese was rich and satisfying and just the right portion. I do not like bananas, but they were perfectly happy to exchange the ice cream to vanilla maple on my pound cake dessert. We had a lovely couple bottles of reasonably priced garnacha which the sommelier or host or whoever he was did not make me feel guilty about ordering. it was a cheaper bottle on the menu and he commented on it being a great food wine. I love when i am not shamed for being frugal. I would go back in a second, but again, to be a repeat restaurant, i would like to see a recognition for a large inconvenience.
(3)Stephen H.
So we decided to go somewhere else. A.kitchen is new, and Jah forbid Rittenhouse have a new eatery that we haven't tried. My party was off to A.kitchen . Oh Christ, it's small plates. Que the panic. How many do I get? Can i just get my own, I really don't like to share. What is everyone else getting? Is it weird if we order the same dish? I see there are three categories, are you supposed to get one of each. Small plates dysfunction my nerves. The waiter calmed me a little by recommending an excellent glass of wine. I did not let on about my uncertainty, but listened politely as he explained some of the dishes. I had to admit they were creative and appealing sounding. I bravely ordered chicken risotto and saffron potato's from their respective list. The food was great, but the potato's came out well before the chicken. I was stuck eating a plate of potato's by itself. Apparently this is where the sharing thing comes in handy. All in all, the food was very good and the service was great. I will go back. This time I will be prepared, but I'm still not sharing.
(4)Karina M.
Crazy overpriced for tinyyyy DINNER portions. I don't even eat that much food but this was sad. I think the veal was 6 thin (see-through) deli slices of lamb over some greens. We had to go to another food location to fill up.
(2)Kathryn D.
Travelled to Philly for a conference and had a free morning. I walked around and yelped some breakfast spots. Came across A Kitchen. First they welcomed me very warmly. Shannon was my server and she was fantastic. Coffee was delicious and I take mine black so it was nice to find a robust cup!! Then I tried the Market Street Butter Bun. Holy smokes really brings out the coffee bean. I was severed fresh eggs and freshly baked sourdough bread. Fantastic. Highly recommend. The potatoes are unbelievable!!!
(5)Yayi Z.
I ordered the grilled shiitake sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. That alone carries the four stars. My friend and I sat outside since the weather was nice. They set both chairs facing the street, suitable for people watching and looking out at the Rittenhouse square. My friend had the crispy shrimp with grits and was fairly satisfied, except "would have 2 more shrimps". Lol there are a few minuses such as slow service, and few selection of protein on the brunch menu. But all in all, a very enjoyable brunch experience. :)
(4)Angela H.
I had a great first experience here. My server (named Roldone? I'm not sure... it's a foreign name to me) was very sweet, attentive, and made great recommendations. She even brought me a little ice cream with a candle for my birthday since we didn't order dessert. We ordered the oysters, the grilled romaine, the octopus, and the bronzino. This was the perfect amount of food for two. Everything tasted fantastic, was served at well-timed intervals, and at perfect temperatures for digging right in. The dishes here are creative and you'll taste some flavor combinations that may be new to you. I also ordered a cocktail that I really loved - the one with gin, honey, mint, etc. We also enjoyed a great, very dry champagne, #135. The ambience here is nice, but not special or striking in any way. I imagine it would be appropriate for all situations. We left drunk, full, and happy.
(5)Tina F.
Me and my boyfriend have gone to many restaurants in Philly, and thus far a kitchen has the best service and the best food. The first time we went we were sat by the chef and saw the grill which reminded me Argentinean style gel. We had the old age t bone, which was delicious. The second we went it was with a group of 7, usually they recommend a large group to do the tasting menu of $65 each. So we did that, and the food was amazing. I really liked every dish that came out, of course we got the t bone again, and it was amazing again. The service here and the intimate environment is what I really love. Hands down, my bf favorite restaurant and service in Philly.
(5)Barrett L.
It's always hard to judge a restaurant based on their restaurant week program, but I think our recent visit to a.kitchen , the sleek, trendy eatery at the aka Rittenhouse, did a good job in giving us an accurate view of the food and service. The ambiance is chic and the plating is aesthetically beautiful, but the food fell far short of both of our expectations. We arrived on the later side of dinner during the middle of the week. As we sat down and poured over the concise restaurant week menu and extensive wine list, we ended up with six dishes to split plus the dessert: Fried Eggplant, Gravlax, Spaghetti Cacio Pepe, Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Braised Rabbit, Roasted Red Snapper, and the Chocolate Terrine. The first coursed fared well but was perhaps a bit pedestrian. The fried eggplant felt a little greasy, and I wasn't too impressed with the Maitake mushroom topping or the anchovy vinaigrette. The gravlax tasted fine and was definitely the better of the two, but I felt the tempura shallots (which looked like calamari) were sort of unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the dish. The second course was my favorite. I enjoyed both the pasta and the meatballs, perhaps the pasta just a tad more. The meatballs were definitely spiced, although just a bit dry, but the accompanying sauce and salad of cucumbers and chick peas helped to add flavor and texture. The pasta was simple, buttery, and a little spicy from the pepper. No real complaints about that. However, the third course presented the most problems. The red snapper was delicious and cooked well but a far too small piece of fish for two people to split. As for the rabbit, it was pretty terrible. Not only did it feel dried out, but the rest of the elements on the plate, the spaetzle and the brussel sprouts, felt soggy and underappreciated. Finally, the dessert was sort of weird. My mouth had no idea how to react to the jarring combination of the cold chocolate mousse cake, room temperature sea salt, and warm caramel sauce and toasted nuts. There were to many distinct temperature differences, and not in a good way. Aside from the food, the service was sort of mixed. The hostess was not particularly friendly, although our server was quite kind. The only major snafu was when the runner brought out the third course ahead of the second, and when we told him that we never received our second course, he acted at first as if we were wrong (we weren't). I was a little miffed that we didn't get to enjoy the restaurant week program in the correct order, but not a huge deal (just a minor disappointment). Finally, it was pretty pricey for what it was, even for restaurant week. Four plates a person and two glasses of wine came out to just north of $100. Overall, it's a cool space that looks the part, but the food doesn't measure up. The so-so service and hefty price tag don't help either. I'd return for a cocktail but probably not for food.
(3)Tara F.
Was recommended we visit but unfortunately proper food safety/sanitation overtly not followed. Sat at the counter, witnessed expediter, sous chef, taste double dipping into a huge pot of sauce...gross! Second, cook using same cutting board for raw meat products and plating finished product resulting in cross contamination. Contacted management but no response. Guess they don't care....
(2)Krista G.
Everything was stellar about this place, starting with making a reservation and ending with a great glass of port. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and handled our large party like family (there were 8 of us!) The food was great - especially the pork chops. My husband and I plan to return.
(5)Sylvie C.
I'm SO DOWN with this place! Back in town, and went for another a kitchen visit. It's all I wanted! We tried a slew of new things, and I became ecstatic over almost everything. The service was perfect tonight. We sat outside on a gorgeous 70 degree evening, and our waitress was so involved without being annoying. She was funny, sweet, and everything you want in a waitress. BEET SALAD with BROCCOLI RABE and HONEY YOGURT. WILD!!!!! I've never had anything like it. I was so, so skeptical but my boyfriend insisted on it. The beets were so fresh, and the bitterness of the broccoli rabe was cut by the honey yogurt. Everything was drizzled in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and that olive oil pulled everything together. One of the most creative dishes I've had in awhile. SCALLOP with CORN FALAFEL and GAZPACHO. This kept the review from a 5 star rating. While the corn falafel was tasty (fried corn. yes please.), the scallop was a strange temperature that just felt WRONG for seafood. SOCKEYE SALMON WITH LEEKS. GORGEOUS presentation. Skin crisped on top, with salmon roe decorating the sides, and two pieces of leeks cut into concentric circles. The plate was stunning. The salmon even more so. I don't think I've ever REALLY been into salmon because it's always a little overdone...this was more on the rare side, and really allowed you to fully taste the flavor of the salmon. I loved it. Simple and beautiful. DUCK PASTA. A little heavy for a summer night, but a nice melange of ingredients nonetheless. Chanterelle mushrooms, peas, braised duck leg, and some large fava beans made for an excellent savory dish. May have been a tad too salty for my taste, but I'm super sensitive to salt. OH MY GOD THE GOAT CHEESE CAKE. With a hazelnut crust, a blueberry compote, and a RIESLING SORBET. The combination was sinful, decadent, and WORTH IT. The goat cheese was AMAZING in the cake - you could really taste it, and when combine with all the other components, I was in heaven. The riesling sorbet tasted better than a glass of riesling, and was awesome on it's own or on top of the cake. Definitely, definitely recommend this dessert. Another awesome experience at a.kitchen .
(4)Om S.
Overall we had a good experience. Bartender was very informative and recommended drinks based on our taste. The limited food we had was not to die for though we liked the location and the way it is set up. It is not too big but feels cozy. Would certainly go back to try other items. Drinks rock though.
(3)Kumar S.
Great Restaurant, Small so can get quite busy. Make reservations or be prepared to wait. Food is amazing and changes every day, try to sit at the high table around the kitchen so you get to see everything. desserts are very good and service is great!
(4)Abby B.
If only every week were restaurant week, then maybe I'd be able to afford A.kitchen once in awhile. After a long day of work, all I wanted was a glass of wine. However, that doesn't come cheap at A.kitchen . I couldn't fathom paying $11 of my hard-earned educator salary on a 3oz. pour, so I settled for a beer. For the first course, I got a mushroom bread thing that was very big and filling. I then chose the skate, even though I'm always nervous when it comes to ordering seafood. This was perhaps the best part of my meal. Elegantly seasoned and very tasty. A+, Akitch. For my main course, I settled on the butternut squash/kale lasagna. The portion was smaller than both of my previous courses, although this was supposed to be the "main" course. I kept eyeing my friend's juicy steak, wishing I would've chosen the meat option. The lasagna was good, but if that had been my sole course for the night, I would've needed to high-tail it to Shake-Shack a few blocks away for a burger and fries after. The dessert was okay - goat cheese-cheesecake is what I had. Overall, a very trendy and "place-to-be-seen" restaurant. Go if you get a raise or don't want to get too drunk. Or if you're not very hungry.
(4)Edward W.
Nice, cozy dining room with good street view. The burger was good, but nothing special. Good beef, tender and juicy, but too thin. The thousand island is a nice touch, reminiscent of IN n OUT. 3.5 for burger, rachet down to three for value. You're better off with the Rouge burger down the street. Perhaps they can add some thousand island for you.
(3)Chelsea M.
We stopped in to A. Kitchen while visiting Philly in September. Their menu looked great online and we read an excellent review of the establishment in the newspaper. When we arrived they were serving food from the brunch menu. I ordered the frisee salad topped with a poached egg and bacon served on a hash brown. My brunch date ordered the asparagus, mushroom, and aged goat cheese omelet with herb potatoes. Both were excellent. The service was friendly and prompt. We really enjoyed watching the chefs prepare our breakfast at the bar.
(4)Chad B.
Back for a 2nd visit last night. Reservations at 7:30 on a Friday night for 4 of us. Arrived early and had a great glass of wine at the bar while we waited. The space is great and we had a very friendly server. The food was GREAT. We ordered 7 different plates and my favorites: Asparagus with pecorino cream and egg - My favorite of the night - perfect balance Calamari with Chorizo meatballs - it seems they have changed from a tomato sauce to more of a tomato broth. I preferred it more when it was a sauce Mushroom Crepes - they were delicious - rich and delicious Spaghetti with black pepper- tiny portion but delicious. We ordered a 2nd plate it was so good. Corkscrew with duck - loved the fava beans in this dish, didnt expect to enjoy this one but was one of my favorites. I didnt care for the Chicken Risotto - everyone agreed here. Pass on this dish. I also didnt care for a raw fish dish that was added last night. Tasted fishy to me. We had several cocktails each and wine and shared a dessert at the end. The total with tip was $240....I didnt think it was bad at all for a party of 4 - we ate well.
(5)Sean G.
We had been excited to go to A.Kitchen for dinner for a couple of weeks. Walking by, the restaurant looked fun and interesting. We finally made it out there on a Friday Night for dinner. Food: 3.0 stars We ordered the: -Warm Burrata for appetizer -Scallops and Shrimp -Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragu and -New York Strip.... They at 9pm on a Friday night had RUN OUT OF STEAK! Instead we tried the... -Leg of Lamb, Treviso and Black Olives The Warm Burrata was not warm. One of the two Scallops were under cooked and the Shrimp was few and far between. The Pasta in the lamb ragu was grossly undercooked to the point where the center of the Tagilatelle was nearly uncooked. The lamb was delicious but the plate lacked dynamics and only featured bitter flavors. AND... seriously you run out of NY Strip at a higher end restaurant? Poor form. Service: 3.0 stars People were floating around throughout the restaurant but it seemed like they weren't doing anything. Drinks took a while to come out and service was not great but not poor. The restaurant needs to be more cohesive in its service and work to go the extra mile without being noticeable to everyone. Location: 4.5 stars Great location North of Rittenhouse Park on 18th Street. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant is very small and had to sacrifice indoor seating for the external kitchen and bar space. Luck for them, they also have tables outside on the sidewalk. The decor is clean and well done. Price: 3.0 stars Depending on how many drinks you have, expect to pay $30-50 per person. Overall: 3.0 stars The undercooked pasta was inexcusable. The fact that they didn't have steak was unbelievable. For a restaurant which flashes moments of high end gourmet cuisine in its dishes, the general experience falls short because of the issues with preparation and service. There are definitely better places to go at this price point. A.Kitchen better make some changes/improvements because it will have to rely solely on its good location in the near future to maintain business at a high level.
(3)Jessica W.
A.disappointment Despite a great location, atmosphere, and much-hyped chef, this place is just an overpriced disaster with no hope for long-term survival unless the menu and food are revamped. We came here before their liquor license was issued and they graciously gave us free wine and cocktails (a pleasant surprise that saved them from a 1 star review). We sat at the kitchen bar and our drink order wasn't taken until 30 minutes after we were seated despite the chef's friends on both sides of us--who sat down after us--already getting their appetizers. They made this right by giving us a free small plate. Now, this 2 star review is based entirely on the food since I'll give the shaky service the benefit of the doubt since it just opened. The food failed more on conception than execution. We had a lump crab salad over hearty farro that was served with parmesan and pesto. The crab should have been the highlight of the plate but it was dominated by the pesto, cheese, and farro. The sausage stuffed calamari and gnocchi were next and both were inedibly salty (and heavy for a summer menu). They clearly were not tasted before getting sent out. Mushroom croquettes were straight out of the frozen food aisle but at least tolerable. Finally, the low point of the night was the chicken-- mistakenly left in the oven or Ronco food dehydrator overnight. We ate only two bites. Fortunately, our second waiter of the night (Mark, who was a.kitchens saving grace) recognized this was horrific and comped it without us even asking. If you are wondering what happened to our first waitress, we're pretty sure she was high. Seriously. All in all the bill would have been $120 but after 3 free drinks (at $14 each, a free small plate for being ignored, and a comped entree) we paid $60. Still too expensive for the quality. I'm also not the type to try to get free food since I haven't complained or sent back a dish in years. This place is as bad as their website. We will not return (even if they bring back the free drinks).
(2)Steve S.
We went here last night- The bad: 1- The hostess - She couldn't have been more disinterested or unwelcoming. No smile, no warmth. No exactly what you want your patrons to experience as they walk in the door. 2- The wine by the glass. They keep their red wine chilled! I never heard of such a thing. I had to ask if they had the same wine at room temp, which they did, so she opened another bottle - but she seemed annoyed about it. Also, they offer a 3 oz and a 5 oz pour. I ordered the 5 oz. there was no way the bartendress poured 5 ounces in the glass. If your going to offer specific wine portions, they should be measured - she did it by eye. Very lame. 3- The food portions should be larger for the cost! The good: Brian and his staff are putting out great dishes - as expected, from one of Philly's best Chef's in the last 10 yrs. 1st course: The bread is exceptional. Asparagus and Roasted Shiitakes with Radish and Pecorino Fondue - Fantastic. Roasted Maitake Mushrooms, Squash Consommé, Creamy Polenta - Amazing! Spicy Fried Potatoes, Saffron Aïoli - Oh my, heavenly! 2nd course: Spaghetti with Nova Scotia Mussels - excellent! Smoked Octopus, Curried Lentils, and Clementine - great, but too little. 3rd couse: Chili Glazed Swordfish with White Beans and Black Olive Puree - Exceptional. Ribeye Deckle Steak, Spring Onion and Crispy Potatoes - decent, but too little. Roasted Rabbit w. pickled carrots - excellent, but too small. Service: Our server was delightful and well versed on the menu.
(3)Michael O.
So the things they do well they do extremely well. Sadly, the food isn't one of them in my opinion. The food wasn't bad, I always want to be fair and it's only fair not to mislead you. The food is, however, also not the best of any of the many tapas style places in center city to choose from. The food was somewhere in the middle for a mid-to-high priced Rittenhouse establishment. The prices wouldn't be on the high end if the portions weren't so much to the small end. None of the food was inedible by any means, but alas, none if it was worth raving about here, either. Of the 5 dishes we tried, the scallops were the most flavorful and if my entire meal had been scallops then 4 or 5 stars would be above this review. The staff is amazingly attentive. My water never went empty-and I have a weird thing about that-so bravo! My silverware promptly replaced for each different plate, my area wiped of my crumbs before I even realized they were there. I noticed at least 3 people eyeball each plate before it reaches the customer, so they all come out looking very good. Oddly, my coffee was not hot, though it was poured in front of me out of a lovely carafe. The manager and hostess both made a point of saying, "thank you" and "goodnight." Good manners are hard to find in Phila. Not a bad place, and if you're palate is less picky than your expectations of service, you will be pleased.
(3)Al C.
I had hearts salad and a veal bolognese. Salad was OK. Veal bolognese was very enjoyable. Pasta was cooked well and tomato based sauce had good flavor with bits of veal. I don't know if they have a wine list but the Bernard Beaudry Chinon went well with everything although $15 for a 5 oz pour is a little steep since it is a $20 bottle. Bartender was very attractive even though she did not smile. Waiter and hostess were fantastic! Contemporary design was attractive.
(3)Ekta S.
Best 4 bites I've had in a while! This place has a great location, and pretty good food. They should definitely warn their patrons about the small plates. This place is more like an extremely expensive tapas place. Had they not served free liquor I'd probably be disappointed. Good thing I'm on a diet!
(3)Bobby P.
Okay food, but a truly great atmosphere and great service. We love sitting at the kitchen counter for dinner and a show. It's so entertaining to watch the cooking staff weave around one another in those tight quarters, concocting a seemingly endless stream of small plates on the fly. The food itself is good overall, but too many inconsistencies prevent me from calling it great. Of course another advantage to sitting at the kitchen counter is direct feedback*, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see some improvement. I'm partial to the crêpe with mushroom gravy and the wild boar pasta, however the menu rotates so don't be upset if neither is available. *Don't go harassing the cooks while they're busy. At the end of the night they might have some time to socialize or even be open to some constructive criticism. The last time we tried the chorizo meatballs they were extremely salty, but the chef asked us how they were and really seamed to value our feedback.
(4)Rob H.
It's alright with me! But I must have missed the draw. Haven't thought about since my visit.
(3)Danielle M.
I have been wanting to eat here basically since I heard it opened, and was happy to get a chance this week for lunch. The hostess sat us right away. It was a sunny day and my friend and I sat at a spacious table near the open windows. Great spot to people watch and take in the beautiful day. Water and bread came out right away and the server gave us the appropriate amount of time to view the menu. We started with the beet and broccoli rabe. The beets were cooked perfectly and the honey yogurt sauce's sweetness complimented them well. The broccoli was a little overcooked and had a bit of a bitter taste that I wasn't crazy about. I ordered the chicken pancetta sandwich with age provolone. The portion was pretty big and it came with homemade chips. The chicken was moist and the panetta was fresh and tore easily. The bread was soft and the right thickness. The dressing used (some type of red pepper I think) was good but extremely runny/ messy. I was continuously wiping my hands. Which brings me to another downside. The napkins. They provided us with bar rags, which presentation wise isn't great but what got me was that it got lint all over your clothes. My friend and I were both wearing black dresses and it was annoying to have to wipe all the lint off afterwords. The only other downside was that after we finished our meal, it took awhile for the check. Normally, I do not mind though during lunch service I would expect it to be a bit faster. I will definitely go back to try out brunch and dinner. Overall, it's a nice addition to rittenhouse.
(3)Lexi P.
This place was fantastic. First, the food was excellent. My husband and I split 5 of their small plates and each one was fantastic. Second, we went for our anniversary (which was last October, and I am just getting to the review now, oops), and they were so kind! They gave us glasses of champagne on the house and a free dish of their delicious fried oysters. Totally unexpected and very appreciated. Third, the service is excellent. Our waiter was able to describe the dishes and recommend things, but was not too in our face. It is pricey and the portions are small, but this is how thing are in a small plates-type restaurant, it allows you to try more things! And the expense is worth it as the food is really top-notch. We are coming here for brunch for my birthday in a few weeks and I am looking forward to returning!
(5)Ginny M.
Foodie paradise. Very "exotic" dishes but they all worked; braised brussels sprouts, pasta with mushrooms, pear salad, and lamb meatballs were all prepared in an unusual manner but in a way that was flavorful and varied in texture and appearance. (The lamb was not too "lamby" as it sometimes can be when using ground meat). The service was attentive and helpful. The portions are large for "small plate" size but small for individual servings so I think of it as the type of place to go with several people and order multiple dishes to try different things. They do add up, however, so I would rate it as "expensive."
(5)Suzanne H.
Dinner for two last night with an 8 p.m. reservation. For the food we started with the 3-cheese plate that was beautifully presented with a Spanish Indiazabal, Cabot cheddar and Jasper Hill blue along with accompanying various fruit chutneys. We shared the "for 2" entree of the evening: wild striped bass stuffed with celery root along with a side of sauteed fall greens. The fish was delicious and the bitter greens were a nice complement to the richness of the fish. We capped things off with a shared black currant sorbet and coffee. On to the service: Inconsistent and perplexing. We weren't sure what our server's role was since he only appeared on occasion and in between those times a least 3 different people brought us our food and asked if we wanted second glasses of wine. He definitely wasn't very attentive. The space is small so the noise level was loud, so loud in fact that our server asked us to repeat ourselves on several occasions. Nice by-the-glass wine list. The crowd is young(ish) and trendy. Overall I really enjoyed the food but should I return I might do so on a weeknight when it might not be be so hectic.
(4)Ernest S.
This is a pretty nice space, but the food was not up to par. The pasta was undercooked, the cheese plate was uninteresting, and the best thing about the recommended swordfish appetizer was the sauce.
(2)Jim T.
If you sat next to me at a.kitchen this Wednesday, I sincerely apologize. You may have thought I was angry, or arguing with my friends. I assure you I was not. Sometimes, when a meal is really, really great, it actually makes me curse out loud. Sorry about that. Blame the lamb loin, which was cooked to perfection. Or the duck ragu with corkscrew pasta, which I could've eaten by the hotel pan. Blame the taleggio crepes, and the beet salad with goat cheese. Most of all blame the cheesecake with pears and riesling sorbet, which was so g%d#mn good I ignored sharing etiquette and nearly ate the whole thing myself. Our server, Samuel, was great. Attentive but not overbearing. He was intuitive to our needs without hovering, which is saying something is such a small space. Coming from a guy who serves for a living, he gets high marks. (And I hope a decent tip, after three cocktails and a bottle of wine my math might've been fuzzy.) The wine list was huge, but I found an excellent, reasonable Nebbiolo that went with pretty much everything we tried. We sat at the open kitchen counter, and I was amazed that four sous chefs could occupy that small a space and not crash into each other. It was great to see how some of our dishes took shape. Overall a fantastic dinner. I'll definitely return. And I'll try not to curse so much next time.
(4)Miss Piggy B.
Found this great spot while shopping in Philly- delish food, great wine selection and excellent service! The open kitchen and intimate dining room is fun and energetic and our server was knowledgable and genuine. The risotto was to die for and so was the beet and goat cheese salad. We were also big fans of the asparagus salad, lamb, meatballs, bolognese pasta and the shortbread dessert. Yes, two people ordered all of that- can't wait to go back again! Also, I couldn't help but notice how actively involved every member of the staff was- simply seeing something that needed to be done and graciously doing so. Refreshing. Did I mention how awesome the food was?
(4)Caroline P.
party of 5, 9:30 sunday evening - no trouble securing a table nice bottle list and decent selection of cocktails, beers, spirits for some reason we all chose the same cocktail - so a round of moscow mules it was - the combination of ginger beer, vodka and lime was refreshing - the bar area stayed pleasantly active throughout the evening a.kitchen is a warmly intimate space in a spare/minimalist sort of way - open kitchen, no frivolous decor, bare tables, etc we ordered various dishes, a special request was accommodated and we found everything lovely - scallops with meyer lemon and endive, smoked octopus, cacio e pepe, gnocchi with saddle of rabbit, swordfish with black olives/white beans my favorite was the swordfish - i would have liked 17 more we tried some desserts as well - a cinnamon ice cream, a goat-cheesecake, and shortbread with lemon curd - all lovely again most of the table wasn't crazy about the goat cheesecake, but i liked it service was attentive and gracious portions are small, but well-executed and perfect for sharing, or not
(4)Clare H.
I had a very good experience my first time at A.Kitchen. The dishes are small but not too small. I went with two other people and we were all happy with our meals. My only complaint was that the tuna used in the tartare did not seem to be a very good grade of fish - A BIG LET DOWN. My cocktail was fine but not great. I'll come back, at least once more.
(3)Diem L.
I came here for brunch with my friends. Our waitress was great but the food was average. I got the steak and eggs special which was good and my boyfriend got the House-Made English Muffin, Country Sausage, Fried Egg with Potatoes. His meal came out looking like a McDonald's McMuffin with no presentation. It was just the sandwich on a white plate. It looked unappetizing (I'm definitely not one to turn my nose up at a McMuffin) and for a $12 dish, I expect a bit more effort.
(2)Evelyn G.
good brunch. service was great. A+ fresh squeezed OJ
(3)George K.
The simple cacio e pepe, cheese and black pepper on spaghetti, was delicious and, according to my table, by far the best of all the plates. I hope it remains post-restaurant week. The other courses were very good, no disappointments, but not as memorable. The plymouth gin and vergamo vermouth cocktail, basically a martini with more vermouth and less gin, was really crisp and bright -- a standout cocktail. Only complaint: we felt rushed by our server, who was nevertheless extremely polite and attentive. I know, it's restaurant week, but still.. This may be aggravated by the fact that the dining space is so small and so it feels like someone is always hovering around.
(4)HM K.
Ordered french toast, eggs benedict and english muffin sandwich. All are ok-quality but considering the price (expensive) and quantity, I can give only two stars.
(2)Elise K.
Definitely up there in the "Best Meals I've Ever Had" category for both myself and my dining companion. (I'm actually quite surprised at some of these negative reviews.) We sat at the bar, and our service was everything we could have wanted. Our bartender chatted with us, was polite and knowledgeable and was there for everything we needed, while masterfully mixing beautiful cocktails with layers of complexity. They were offering a $32 four-course menu, which I felt was even underpriced for the food I got. I noticed other reviews complaining about prices a la carte, and, just so we're clear, this was an expensive meal, but it was worth every cent. The frisee, bacon and egg salad was a perfect balance of salty and tangy - something I think I would probably be happy to eat for every meal for the rest of my life. Taleggio and mushroom crepe was earthy and delicious, and the shrimp with chilis were large, spicy and succulent. Then came the chicken. Ohhhh, the chicken. The chicken that will surely be one of those dishes that I crave, that I dream about. You wouldn't think that a place like a.kitchen would serve fried chicken and probably be even less likely to order it. This is a major can't miss though - it's unbelievably juicy with a crunchy coating that's not too thick and little bits of perfectly crispy/creamy foie gras that somehow crazily pairs beautifully with the chicken. My dining companion ordered the chicken and was stingy with sharing, and my prix-fixe came with the lamb bolognese. I'm sure it was great, but I didn't really remember anything after tasting the chicken. Actually, not true, the bolognese was wonderful - beautiful ribbons of pasta with meaty sauce that I'd kill to know how to make - even so, if there were a commandment about coveting thy neighbor's chicken, I'd be guilty as charged. We don't usually do dessert, but the savory dishes were so fantastic, we just had to see what the kitchen could whip up in the sweet department. Pound cake and goat cheese cake were above average but not as outstanding as the other dishes. The banana ice cream was the star though, a miracle of gastronomy that packed so much banana flavor into one creamy scoop. We will most definitely be back...for chicken. And to try out brunch, which, from the menu, looks like it'd be amazing as well.
(5)Carol L.
A. Kitchen is extremely conveniently located for us, so I keep trying. The menu is interesting, but the noise level is really unbearable. This is not the place to come if you want to have a conversation and if you don't want to hear the ones around you as if they were yours. I requested the otherwise good shrimp salad to be served on whole grain bread rather than a baguette, and it came out soggy with the ingredients dropping all over. The shrimp were whole, so trying to bite off a piece resulted in the whole shrimp pulling out of the bread. For dinner it is one of those places trying to be a tappas restaurant (I've been to actual tappas places in Spain), which in this country seems to mean an excuse for serving small plates at not so small prices. Nevertheless, the food can be tasty, and I would highly recommend going there on off hours (or bring either ear plugs or a megaphone).
(2)Yelena O.
I came here for dinner and waited an hour for my entree to be served. The waiter checked on it in the middle, but that didn't seem to help. After the lamb steak finally came out, it was inedible because of an odd aftertaste. Staff didn't care to offer taking it off the bill even though it was barely touched. Service, timeliness and food were disappointing. I will not be coming back.
(1)Lowie T.
was excited to try a. kitchen, but minus a star because portions are so small for the price per dish. although a.kitchen claims to NOT be a tapas restaurant, asking patrons to order 2-3 dishes of small plates per person, at $14-$18 per plate begs the question....so what are you exactly? the food was actually very good, but for the three of us, among 8 main dishes, plus wine, and dessert- we left craving a good burger/hearty slice of pizza. the bill probably left room for just that actually. not that i am against paying a lot for good food, but when you have places like amada, which actually IS a tapas restaurant where you leave feeling full and satisfied (and probably pay less despite it being a garces` restaurant), it's hard to justify a place like a.kitchen . some amazing dishes we had were the lobster muffins- large succulent pieces of lobster between two buttery slider-ish buns- you must order this! the foie gras, and the blue crab w/ pesto were also stars. i wasn't a fan of the pork (or beef??) tongue over lentils. i normally love lentils and have had pork & beef tongue before the but the lentils had a strange texture+flavor, and the tongue was a bit dry. i would skip this. the chocolate panna cotta was very, very good, as was the coffee at the end. it's a tasty place to try a few dishes, and i love the decor. very warm, simple, yet modern, with large windows that face 18th street (great for people watching). a great place for a date in terms of atmosphere, but don't expect to get full.
(3)Brian V.
Not thrilled with the food or the waitstaff.
(2)Leah G.
Wanted to love . . . only kind of liked. The food is all fine - not excellent, but pleasant enough . . . .just not pleasant enough for the price tag. Go with light eaters; if you don't, there won't be much for you to eat!
(3)Hannah G.
A. Kitchen was fine. Went there on a whim for lunch with a friend -- we each ordered a glass of wine and a sandwich. It was July 4th and they were fairly slow. Our server was very kind and attentive. The wine selection was nice, but fairly overpriced in my opinion, especially considering the size of their pours. They also have lines on their wine glasses marking the volume of the pour... I suppose it's a good way to avoid any confusion with customers thinking they're being shorted, but we found it a bit tacky. My sandwich (brie & speck) was very tasty. Overall pleasant experience, but probably not a place I will dine at again.
(3)Christie P.
Aaaaaaamazing breakfast. Best French toast Ive had in a long time. Yes, prices were outrageous, but you know that going in. Wouldn't take someone there who can't handle a little noise, because it does get loud ( but in a good, wake you up kind of way!).
(5)Caver B.
Not a bad place, but the Benedict was pretty bland, and the home-made English muffins were more of a crumpet (dense) and surprisingly under seasoned. For the price you can find better. The only reason we ended up there was an early train, and this was one of the few places open before 10Am on Sunday. If we knew more about it, we would have gone back to Marathon on Sansom.
(2)Holly B.
We started with the baby lettuce hearts, blue cheese, pears & walnuts- simple, well flavored, tasty. I loved the roasted cauliflower but the curried lobster broth was a little too much - I understand the "modernist cuisine" but it did not enhance the flavors in any way. We ordered the taleggio & porcini crêpe w/ forest mushroom gravy, but I do not remember it in any way which makes me believe it was mediocre. Half my party went crazy for the blue crab with farro & pesto-- I however was not fond of the creamy crab salad atop teh pesto laced grains, I thought the combination was a bit bizarre. I did love the seared scallops w/ choucroute & my top dish of the evening was the roasted grouper w/ salsify risotto & bottarga. The white fish was flaky & flavorful and the creamy risotto was spectacular. I tried half of a cornmeal-crusted oyster w/ remoulade which was tasty (would be ideal on a Sunday afternoon on the bay!). We had the spiced venison w/ brussel sprouts, blue cheese & apples, again a decent dish cooked perfectly. And we took the waiters suggestion and ordered his fave dish: the duck w/ corkscrew pasta, wild mushrooms, butternut squash- very flavorful, if you like duck, you will love this! Greta execution, a solid meal.
(4)Steve M.
The food is creative, you can tell this guy knows his stuff. Wine list could have more reasonable choices, though I did love the $40. rioja . The ambiance reeks of pretension but the staff couldn't be warmer. I think it's overpriced which is why I gave it only four stars.
(4)Tricia M.
I really wanted to love this place and had high expectations after reading all the glowing reviews about the food. It's definitely a place for "foodies" and for a small plates restaurant the prices were very high. Ironically our favorite dishes were from the vegetable section of the menu, we were not planning on getting 3 dishes. The frisee salad with bacon and poached egg was fabulous, I could not stop eating it as was my husbands mushroom taleggio crepe. But things went down hill from there. The smoked octopus was chewy and the blue crab had shells in it, though the farro was delicious. The venison I had was cold and needed seasoning and my husbands short ribs were overcooked. Mistakes I would not expect from this kitchen. Drinks were good and our server excellent even on a very busy night. I probably would not come back any time soon
(3)Sherri S.
I have always loved this place, until tonight. Horrible service, drinks not available, pasta just so-so, extremely long wait for dessert. I probably won't go back.
(1)Jeremy R.
Visiting from out of town and tried A.kitchen for Sunday brunch. Cute place, small, but that's part of its charm. Food on the other hand was weak! Had the sausage, egg, and homemade English muffin. Sausage had no flavor and for that matter was under-cooked. Muffin was ok....the fried egg was ok...but how hard is that?
(2)Laura S.
For a restaurant that just opened this week, a.kitchen is doing very well - I was pleasantly surprised! You can tell that there are some areas in which they are still getting their feet under them, but overall I had a great experience. The physical space is beautiful. I sat at the chef's bar, where I had a great view of all of the food as it was prepped - which is dangerous if you are the kind of person who wants to eat everything that looks good. The space is open and light and comfortable. Service was incredibly attentive - perhaps one of the perks of coming by when a place cares about making a good impression! The beets with broccoli rabe and honey yogurt were excellent - I am a big fan of the pickled beets down the street at Village Whiskey, but I think these beat them out by just a smidge. The deciding factor is the honey yogurt, it is a lovely accompaniment for the beets. If they were open for lunch it would be a perfect mid-day entree; for dinner it was great as a starter on a hot, muggy day. The asparagus and artichokes were also a very good hot-weather pick. The pecorino cream was not overly heavy and the dish had a nice, light citrusy flavor. The only dish I didn't love was the pork belly risotto fritters. As a previous review mentioned, the rice tasted more like plain white rice than risotto. I thought the dish was too oily and a little bland. I can see how I might like the dish better in the fall/winter, though - it might have just been a mistake to order it in 90 degree weather! My waiter noticed that I did not enjoy the fritters and the dish was taken off my bill, which was unexpected but very appreciated. I wasn't going to eat dessert, but like I said - sitting at the chef's bar is dangerous. After watching them head out to another table, I tried the almond macaroons with plums. The macaroons had a great flavor - herbal and minty - although they were a little crumbly and hard to eat neatly (but whatever, who cares how you look when you're eating dessert?). The plums were absolutely perfect, I really enjoyed how seasonal the dessert was. Another unexpected surprise on this visit was that the restaurant is offering complementary beverages until their liquor license is in. I had a lovely white wine that my server recommended, it was deliciously light and fruity. I think this is another way in which the restaurant distinguished itself for me - they could have waited to begin serving alcohol until they had their license, but I am impressed at the way they chose to handle the situation. I am looking forward to returning to try more of the dishes I had a glimpse of this evening (the tagliatelli with veal ragu and chorizo stuffed calamari are first on the list!).
(4)Ashlee P.
Hearing who the chef of a.kitchen is, I was expecting an out of this world dinner. I was underwhelmed to say the least. They serve their food in small plates, but the servers didn't feel it necessary to explain this. The fried potatoes with saffron aioli....I've had better frozen from a bag. The calamari stuffed with chorizo had virtually no calamari; it merely served as a casing. The almond "macaroon" was described by the boyfriend as a rice cake with fruity jam. He wasn't far off. The one redeeming quality is the complimentary hooch. The bartender whipped up great cocktails all night. Otherwise, no reason to go back.
(2)helene l.
Went for dinner last week and had the Swordfish and beets with goat cheese. BF had the roasted chicken. The food was delicious, service was professional, environment was immaculate. One should not arrive ravenous, as the portions are fit for an anorexic supermodel.
(3)Amar R.
Been here twice. The food/service at this place is not something I would write home about. No plans of going back again.
(2)Steve G.
You have to sit at the chef's counter to get the full experience. Great food and with great drinks.
(5)Steve G.
You have to sit at the chef's counter to get the full experience. Great food and with great drinks.
(5)Om S.
Overall we had a good experience. Bartender was very informative and recommended drinks based on our taste. The limited food we had was not to die for though we liked the location and the way it is set up. It is not too big but feels cozy. Would certainly go back to try other items. Drinks rock though.
(3)Kumar S.
Great Restaurant, Small so can get quite busy. Make reservations or be prepared to wait. Food is amazing and changes every day, try to sit at the high table around the kitchen so you get to see everything. desserts are very good and service is great!
(4)Emilio M.
i have yet to have a bad meal here. ate here last night with my wife and we were blown away. everything was great with service to match. Lamb meatbalss are one of my favorite dishes but i must mention the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi, the chicken was fantastic. crispy skin while having a moist interior with exceptional Gnocchi. the Braised Rabbit with Rye Spaetzle and Brussels Sprouts was also really well prepared.
(5)Dana F.
Went to a.kitchen last night - LOVED it! Food was wonderful (5 plates for 2 of us), servers were friendly, and service was timely even though they were packed. We were delighted with our intimate view of the kitchen, and were most impressed that the chefs took such great care with every dish we watched them prepare. Very impressed, and we'll definitely return.
(5)Douglas A.
This is a wonderful spot in a great location next to Rittenhouse Square. The service is excellent and the menu is innovative and fresh. This should be on everyone's list of restaurants in the city. The bar is outstanding and they can mix any drink or pour any wine or beer you would like. I had a wilted lettuce salad that was excellent with a ranch dressing that was both subtle and tart. My entree was an free range chicken breast with garlic smashed potatoes and I had a side of the grilled asparagus. Wow it was great. The dessert was "meh" so that is why they get a 4 rather than a 5 star rating. The service was attentive but not hovering over us. I also enjoyed being able to watch the chefs prepare our dinner. Yumb factor is quite high here!
(4)Jennifer I.
Went here to eat brunch on a last-min whim (orig was gonna go to Hip City Veg, which is around the corner). It was a gorgeous day and they placed us at a table that was basically in between indoors and outdoors, so it was perfect. We shared a grapefruit juice, which was refreshing and an eye-opener. I got the crispy shrimp. Expected some shrimp placed over grits, but was surprised to see it deconstructed. The crispy shrimp was on a separate plate, and garnished abundantly w/ grilled scallions and some watermelon radish. The shrimp was perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor--I ate the whole thing (except the head). The grits were in a separate plate; can't comment too much on the grits. They were on the coarser side, not cheesy. Both the shrimp and grits were drizzled a little too much w/ buffalo/hot sauce, which I did NOT appreciate. My bf got the tuna melt sammy. It looked good, but I'm not the biggest fan of tuna so I didn't try it. Service was excellent, except when the waitress poured water into my glass and didn't notice that the water hit my phone.
(4)Matt K.
Nestled in the heart of bustling Rittenhouse Square, this place even has outdoor tables, where the people watching on a weekday for lunch is outstanding. Even though you feel completely detached from the restaurant itself, the service is fantastic, as at least two people seem to be watching over the outdoor tables at all times. The food is the invention of Eli Kulp, who has won many awards for Fork and the place next door. He keeps having success after success. He was also badly hurt in the Amtrak crash and we wish him well. The food here was inventive and very very good, with a few caveats. The onion soup with burrata in it was amazing! So many beautiful flavors, and the burrata added an interesting element, the "cream" to a non-cream soup. The broccoli and grain salad, although great flavors, the grains were incredibly tough and chewy. The barley was not thoroughly cooked and although this seemed intentional, it was a bit gummy and very chewy. The burger was very tasty, but raw in the middle. (I had asked for medium) I didn't send it back because it was a locally sourced beef which I considered safe. All in all a great experience, would love to try dinner and sample more of the menu.
(4)Jacqueline O.
Nom nom. what can I say. Top eats: -kale salad (better then it sounds) -hamachi -side of mushrooms -spice cauliflower -wagyu steak
(5)Julie G.
I was pretty disappointed with my lunch here. Started off with the carrot salad, and then I got the eggplant sandwich. The carrots were way under cooked and far too crunchy to my liking. Practically raw. The eggplant parm sandwich was also underwhelming. There were several small pieces of deeply Fried eggplant. I would preferred one large piece of lightly fried eggplant. The french fries were good, but it's not that hard to make good french fries. Service was very slow. They even gave us a free grilled lettuce to apologize for the slow service, but I was not a fan of that dish either. The only reason I give it two stars is because my friend ordered the beef tartare, and he said that was very good. Sadly I will not return.
(2)Doina N.
A.kitchen is one my favorite places to grab a bite of pretty decent food in the Rittenhouse square. Yes, food is very expensive for the portions they serve. I guess they have their own clientele who can really afford it. In my case, I'd like to go there for a couple of bites and enjoy their drinks. On my last visit, I tried their grass-fed beef tartare which caught my eyes pretty fast. Extremely amazing. It came with crispy, nicely cooked potato skins. Cocktails are pretty delicious as well. They taste very light but are full of rich flavors and the alcohol kicks in quite well. My favorite is Ashes to Ashes. Also, they are known to have a great selection of wines from around the world. Their wine glasses have two measurements in case you're trying to either save money (lol) or if you're trying to go easy on drinking for the occasion. Service is really great. Waiters have been all great. Same goes for the bartenders in case you like to sit by the bar.
(4)Flora W.
First of all, I was impressed by its deco which made me very comfortable. Second, I was impressed by its menu cause they are charcoal grilled. I love all grilled dishes on the menu and its hard to pick one of them. After hearing the server kindly explained their special dishes for today, I decided to have grilled rabbit. Definitely, rabbit is a special dish for me. We had Fried Oyster Tartine and Grilled Octopus as appetizers, and shared the Grilled Rabbit. For Tartine, except the bread was over-toasted, it was good. Griiled Octopus was very special cause it included peanuts and yogurt. And the Grilled Rabbit was incredibly good! I will come next time to try other grilled meat. Love a.kitchen !
(5)Joe Y.
Great place for a drink and a bite. Great selection of spirits, wine and beer. We loved the cheese plate and fries. The staff was very helpful and provided great conversation. Being our first time in Philadelphia, we tried our best to try out as many places as possible and after our first stop we went in search for another bar. We found A bar on Yelp and decided to stop in. As soon as we sat down the bartender greeted us and quickly delivered the refreshments. We had a great time talking with the staff and enjoyed the food and drinks.
(4)Kathryn D.
Travelled to Philly for a conference and had a free morning. I walked around and yelped some breakfast spots. Came across A Kitchen. First they welcomed me very warmly. Shannon was my server and she was fantastic. Coffee was delicious and I take mine black so it was nice to find a robust cup!! Then I tried the Market Street Butter Bun. Holy smokes really brings out the coffee bean. I was severed fresh eggs and freshly baked sourdough bread. Fantastic. Highly recommend. The potatoes are unbelievable!!!
(5)Yayi Z.
I ordered the grilled shiitake sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. That alone carries the four stars. My friend and I sat outside since the weather was nice. They set both chairs facing the street, suitable for people watching and looking out at the Rittenhouse square. My friend had the crispy shrimp with grits and was fairly satisfied, except "would have 2 more shrimps". Lol there are a few minuses such as slow service, and few selection of protein on the brunch menu. But all in all, a very enjoyable brunch experience. :)
(4)Molly M.
Amazingly well-crafted farm-to-table food and expert service. We had the grilled baby romaine, roasted carrots with cous cous, lobster with mint, and goat cheese panna cotta washed down with the agave maria margarita. Our plates were scraped clean by dueling forks. Delicious!
(5)Kevin R.
If you want cheap food and ridiculously sized portions... Please don't come here and write a whiny review. This isn't Golden Corral. On the other hand if you want masterfully created and well thought out dishes... This is your place. We sat at the chefs counter and had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. The counter menu is not the same as the main area menu. Each dish highlights the skills of this most remarkable team and is served to you and explained by the chef who prepared it. Each and every dish was amazing and perfectly portioned. The wine pairing was spot on. We had the best view in the house watching the choreography of the kitchen. Great decor and professionally trained waitstaff who are very friendly make this place a go-to when you want to experience something special.
(5)Angela H.
I had a great first experience here. My server (named Roldone? I'm not sure... it's a foreign name to me) was very sweet, attentive, and made great recommendations. She even brought me a little ice cream with a candle for my birthday since we didn't order dessert. We ordered the oysters, the grilled romaine, the octopus, and the bronzino. This was the perfect amount of food for two. Everything tasted fantastic, was served at well-timed intervals, and at perfect temperatures for digging right in. The dishes here are creative and you'll taste some flavor combinations that may be new to you. I also ordered a cocktail that I really loved - the one with gin, honey, mint, etc. We also enjoyed a great, very dry champagne, #135. The ambience here is nice, but not special or striking in any way. I imagine it would be appropriate for all situations. We left drunk, full, and happy.
(5)Helen P.
My husband and I came here for brunch and I am so happy that I found it on opentable. The restaurant has a small cozy city feel with an open kitchen and big windows to people watch on13th street. We were seated right away and the manager quickly took our drink order while our server finished with his other tables. The coffee was very good- strong but perfectly balanced. I like the attentiveness of all staff. There was a lot of options for brunch and everything sounded delicious. With the help of the server, we finally narrowed our choices to the shiitake mushroom egg sandwich and the fried cutlet and gravy. Both served with crispy potatoes. I def would like to try the steak and eggs next time. But overall happy with what we ordered and the service provided. Super cute space and right in the heart of rittenhouse so we will be back!
(5)Tina F.
Me and my boyfriend have gone to many restaurants in Philly, and thus far a kitchen has the best service and the best food. The first time we went we were sat by the chef and saw the grill which reminded me Argentinean style gel. We had the old age t bone, which was delicious. The second we went it was with a group of 7, usually they recommend a large group to do the tasting menu of $65 each. So we did that, and the food was amazing. I really liked every dish that came out, of course we got the t bone again, and it was amazing again. The service here and the intimate environment is what I really love. Hands down, my bf favorite restaurant and service in Philly.
(5)Mike W.
I never experienced a.Kitchen before it was revamped by Eli Kulp and Ellen Yin, but I can imagine it was not nearly as good then as it is now. My fiance took me here on my birthday as part of my present and in order to pay up on a bet we had. We grabbed a cocktail at the small bar just inside the door and watched the skilled bartenders work their magic. They arent the fastest around, but they take great care in making the drinks. And the two of them that we ordered off the bat were on point. The Ashes to Ashes was a delicious concoction of Fernet Branca, rosemary honey, lemon and ginger. It was sweet, but not overly so, and the perfect way to prepare my palate for the deliciousness that was about to incur. We were lucky enough to be able to score some seats at the chefs counter around the open kitchen. Its always fun for me to sit so close to the kitchen and watch the chefs work because they are really talented. We started with some crisps provided by the kitchen before our onslaught of dishes began arriving. First up was the spiced cauliflower with black garlic and avocado. What an incredibly delicious dish. It was crispy as hell and the flavor of the black garlic sauce was intense. The hamachi crudo came next and it was just as good as the cauliflower. The tender and fresh fish was served over crispy rice cakes and a schmear of spicy mustard. The crunch factor from the rice cake was a nice contrast from the fish and provided a bit of Asian flair to the dish. The burrata and the duck scrapple came up next. The duck scrapple was probably my least favorite bite of the evening. It came with a soft cooked yolk and watercress with sweet peppers. I thought the texture of the scrapple was off. It was kind of crumbly and very dry. The yolk was very rich, but almost too much to save the scrapple that was already very rich. The burrata was light, refreshing and creamy beyond words. It came with a delicious creamy beet soup, fresh dill and trout roe. The combination of flavors was great. The flavors em-parked by the custom grill at a.Kitchen are phenomenal. These flavors really came through even more on the next three dishes. The first of which was a special for the evening, head on grilled shrimp with a chimichurri sauce on top. The shrimp were grilled just enough to leave a charcoal flavoring to them, and they were still very tender. The duck breast had been rendered down perfectly leaving the duck moist and flavorful. The xo sauce and Brussels sprouts really rounded out the charred flavors of the dish beautifully. I really wish there was more Brussels sprouts though. There simply needed to be more on the plate for me. The best use of the charred flavoring was with the grilled leeks. They caught both my eye and my fiance's right off the bat. The came charred, served with a green chili romesco sauce and smoked marcona almonds. The flavor was sublime. It was one of the best veggie dishes I have had in recent memory. The flavor from the sauce and the textural change with the crunch of the almonds was a fantastic pairing. I was really looking forward to dessert because I know how good the creations of Sam Kincaid can be because I have fallen in love with them at Fork and High Street on Market. She is a whiz with both savory and sweet elements in dessert, and the one that we chose definitely excelled at both levels. It was a wheat pound cake, with peach curd, peach struesel and caraway-rye ice cream. What a powerful combination! The ice cream definitely tasted like you were eating a piece of rye bread. It kept things from getting too sweet, and it was one of those things that seriously just has you thinking for weeks afterward. It was so well done. I will definitely be back because the vibe here is great and the food is phenomenal.
(4)Barry S.
I cook all the time over charcoal, so I was excited to stumble across this place while hunting for a dinner place near our hotel on Rittenhouse square. Our party consisted of a 5-year-old child, two parents, and a grandmother. To some, it seems strange to take a child to fine dining, but we have done this many times. It was nice that nobody gave us strange looks bringing a child into the restaurant, which has happened on a small fraction of those occasions. That said, the menu was the the least child friendly of all of the 20 or 30 fancy restaurants we have taken her to. I understand that we are not the target market for such a restaurant. But let me then make a suggestion: don't then bill the plating as "family-style". There was nothing at the restaurant for a child to entertain herself. I figure at least a small sheet for coloring and a 4-pack of crayons is not very expensive and easy to store somewhere. (A "Roys" location once gave her a Hawaiian themed activity book and a free choice of a toy from a treasure chest by the door that she played with for half of our visit.) There was nothing very child friendly on the menu, even for our adventurous child who had eaten raw oysters just the day before. We asked if a chef could make something simple -- grilled-cheese, say, or even a suggestion about something that might work -- and we were simply rebuffed. The portion sizes seemed small compared to the giant portions so common in the US. But they seemed good to me. Grandmother eats very little, and hearing this, our server had a good idea about how much food would fill us up. I don't like having so much food that I must decide between getting stuffed or boxing up leftovers. The appetizers we chose were pretty excellent -- a yummy fried cauliflower appetizer, and tender grilled octopus. The entrees and sides were disappointing. The pork chop ordered by grandmother was extremely fatty, the duck was pretty typical duck -- nothing exciting -- and the richness of the mushrooms was lost in the richness of the other elements of the dish. My branzino was well cooked and very good, so I was the lucky one in our group. Fortunately, because the meal is family style, my wife got some. But grandma didn't want any. We sat outside in front of the restaurant, a very pleasant seating arrangement if you like people-watching, and even with the city bustle it was much quieter than inside the restaurant. I think we were visited by three different servers; they work as a team. They were friendly, attentive, and knowledgable about food. With the multitude of seemingly excellent restaurants in the area to explore, I won't choose this one again for some time.
(3)Ayesha R.
Great food. Great ambiance. Decent service. Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because service was a bit slow. Came here during lunchtime during Restaurant Week and got the $20 deal. The burger was nice and juicy. The carrot salad was unusual but tasty. And you can never go wrong with a chocolate dessert!
(4)Steve M.
On a whim I tried a.kitchen after finding it here on Yelp. Got lucky with a cancellation, and got right in on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for brunch with the wife and in-laws. Had the stuffed French toast paired with 2 eggs scrambled. Have to admit that it didn't look like much quantity-wise, but when I put my fork down I was as stuffed as the French toast, and had all but licked my plate clean, it was that good! Atmosphere-wise the place is "clean", properly lit, and not too crowded. The smell from the grill making use of a real wood fire is amazing (if you like that sort of thing) and I'm sure that anything in the red-meat category coming from that grill would have been fantastic as well. Great place, fantastic staff and food, and highly recommended: go here!!
(4)Yolanda A.
We went here for dinner for our first time during restaurant week last Friday and LOVED it! The restaurant week menu was four courses each and everything was delicious. My favorite was the intermediate course which was a creamy burrata in a savory onion broth. I also really enjoyed the spiced cauliflower. It had this creamy avocado sauce and really interesting black garlic that I couldn't get enough of. Everything else was also delicious and has convinced us to visit more often. Our server Roldine was friendly and helpful and really helped to make our experience so fantastic. The Sommelier, Marielle (sp?), was also kind and genuine as she helped us pick out a fabulous bottle of wine to pair with our meal. We loved everything about this restaurant including the ambiance, the friendly (and beautiful!) staff, and of course the food! We will definitely be returning in the near future!
(5)Dan F.
My experience of the food (which was variable - some good, some weird) was completely overshadowed by the service (which was consistently bad). I was there on a first date and would have liked to spend more time focusing on my date than on the waitstaff, who demanded constant interaction and eye contact and constantly meddled between us. The tone was a little antagonistic and aggressive - it just felt bad to be there. Since my goal was to have an intimate meal, I grade A. Kitchen a C minus or a D. I can't recommend.
(2)Tyeana G.
Great for people watching! I went at the recommendation of my client. We both had the tuna melt which was delicious. It was served with fried potatoes there topped with a fantastic garlic purée. My drink was strong but I wouldn't order it again, the ginger threw me off. Our waiter didn't seem to know the menu that well.
(4)Hamilton W.
Expensive brunch place. Beer comes in small glasses. Cheaper and better places around.
(3)Tina B.
Cute and trendy, but the food is just okay. Certainly overpriced for what they are.
(2)Kristen M.
The food here is very good but unfortunately I probably wouldn't come back. Here's the "skinny:" What did I order: 3 Oysters, soft shell crab sandwich. Comes with homemade potato chips. Two beers. The good: Oysters were delectable - fresh - excellent. Nice beer selection - I had a beer I never heard of - Birra, and Italian lager. Sandwich was good - crab was fresh. A nice combination of flavors including a little spice, but not too overpowering. The bad: The portion size! And the price for that portion size. I'm embarrassed to admit that after spending $43.00 on my meal. I stopped in a fast food restaraunt on my way home and had fries. I was still very hungry. Overall: Go for a beer and an app. Wouldn't recommend for a substantial meal.
(3)Kathryn S.
Went here with my grandparents for a late Saturday dinner. Initially, we were a little confused by the menu, but our fantastic waiter Paul was quick to explain. Everything was delicious. I never turn down a fois gras, and I loved the toasted hazelnuts and how well they balanced this dish. Since we were a party of 4, we had the duck legs, or more accurately leg and thigh. Everything about the duck was perfectly executed and it was melt in your mouth. Thankfully, we didn't over order and had room for dessert. I had the chocolate mousse, one of the best I have had in a while. We will definitely be back when they change up the menu for summer.
(5)Noosh E.
Chef is amazing! Tried a lot of different things. Great cheese plate, the hamachi tartar was amazing - served with squid ink chip, had a variety of oysters and ended with the shrimp Louis salad - with a very delicious dressing ....the chef was kind enough to provide me with the ingredients! Very good - I'm surprised this place has only 3.5 starts.
(4)Autumn H.
What a great meal i had at this place! I brought my boss here when on Tuesday for a work dinner. I have never been before but heard good things. This location is pretty small and i believe it is connected to its sister location, A. Bar, through the back. We made a reservation ahead of time and were seated right away. I looked at the menu prior to but when we sat down, the menu we were given was a little different. It all looked amazing. We ordered their cauliflower dish and the roasted carrots dish as appetizers. So good. The cauliflower was roasted and in an avocado puree of sorts. Delish. The carrots were on a bed of cous cous with fennel head ferns - can we say SPRING!? YUM. For dinner, my boss had the chicken dish but I ordered the duck breast. Let me tell you, the duck did not disappoint. It was thick and juicy and tender and excellently dressed. Our server was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable of the menu, provided great opinions and even through together a lovely mocktail for my boss, who doesn't drink. when it came to dessert, the server suggested the buckwheat pound cake. We were skeptical.. i mean, its buckwheat. But he told us how it was seemingly the essense of the location and all the ingredients were sourced locally, so we figured, why not? It was served with a buckwheat ice cream and was actually really good. I was pleasantly surprised! When i think of buckwheat, i instantly imagine cardboard. not the case at all. My only gripe is the table placement. We were seated pretty much in the middle at a 4 top. No big deal but the towards the end of the night, the back of my chair and my bun became the target of many servers passing through behind me. I tried many times to scoot myself up, to the side, to the other side with no luck. I didn't want to move tables because we were already pretty settled and didn't switch seats as to not be too awkwardly close to my male boss.. I probably got bumped in the back of the head at least 4 times. but other than that, great experience.
(4)Indigo V.
My daughter raved about a.kitchen for brunch so I decided to check it out for lunch. It was ok. Not great. I thought some of their presumably high gourmet techniques like leaving the heads and shells on the grilled shrimp appetizer wasn't the greatest. Sure, some people like the heads, but with the shells still on it's clear the shrimp can't be properly cleaned and deveined. I'm personally not a big fan of crunchy shrimp. Wine list was pretty blah and overpriced. My grilled broccoli/vegetable salad with sprouted grains was also pretty blah. I got a lot of chewy grains and barely any vegetables, and had to ask for extra cheese for a bit more flavor. Maybe brunch and dinner are better, but I'm not inspired to go back.
(1)Moses S.
I came here Friday evening with a couple friends around 9 or 10 pm. We were looking for a good cocktail and drink bar and we totally found it! The bar is quite small (seats only 7-8) but is a beautiful white marble. The bartenders (Tara and another I didn't catch her name) are attentive, approachable, and make some great cocktails. They're there when you need them and want to chat and off to do other things when you want to just hang out with friends. My friends and I closed down the place and had a great time talking with the bartenders and ordering on and off menu cocktails. Everything we ordered well balanced and tasted very, very good. There were a couple bartender's choice drinks that were REALLY good. You could tell the care and deliberate measures taken to ensure a well made drink whether it was using measuring tools, peeling zest, using droplets for the bitters, using the cocktail shaker and of course, dipping a new straw to taste each drink to ensure it was made the way it was intended to taste. Definitely will be back to taste the food, but the bartenders are awesome!
(5)Melissa L.
Went here for brunch on a Saturday. Made reservations several days in advance and was seated exactly on time. I ordered the prawns with grits and my friend ordered the french toast. Both were very delicious but not a substantial amount of food. If you come in very hungry, I would highly recommend adding a side to your main meal. The coffee was also very good and I tend to be very picky about coffee. The place is small but the atmosphere was nice and the wait staff was very attentive. Overall, I had a good experience. Just wish that you got more food for the amount of money they charge.
(4)Grace H.
I stumbled into a.kitchen one morning with a friend from out of town because there was a 45 minute wait at the place we were planning on eating, and we were two seriously hungry girls. It's in a prime location right on the corner of rittenhouse square and I'd passed by it hundreds of times but never bothered to check it out. We were seated as soon as we walked in and proceeded to order coffee (REALLY good coffee and bottomless!), the trio of pastries, the rittenhouse slam, and greek yogurt with granola to share. They ended up giving us scrambled eggs on the slam instead of over easy, and brought us an entire new slam complete with the potatoes, bacon, and greens...and then they left the old one on the table so we just ended up eating both. It was the perfect brunch - well rounded and delicious. A little pricey but absolutely worth it considering there was zero wait time and we essentially got a free dish!
(4)Rajiv S.
I came here for Valentine's Day with my wife and it was amazing. We had the crudo and the fried oyster for appetizer which we were perfect. Main meal the skate and lamb both were heavenly. Would highly recommend.
(5)Kathleen D.
This is not a bang-for-your-buck type of place. This is a look-at-me-I'm-tiny-and-expensive type of place. Granted, the food was delicious. My braised chicken, while tasting a bit like my grandmother's chicken soup, was tender and slightly different from the chickens I've had at other places. But did my tiny little dish really warrant the price tag? Well, no. We're talking about chicken here. A.kitchen is a place that I'll stop into maybe once every two to three years. It's not a go-to, fun spot. It's chic, sure, and it's intimate, sure. But it's way too expensive and not enough "wow." At one point during a meal last week, I put my (used) napkin down on the table. A few minutes later, the server casually walked over and hovered beside me to fold it into a perfect square. I thanked her while thinking, "What in the heck just happened? Why did my napkin need to be folded? Does she plan to wash her hands now?" It felt like an all-eyes-on-you restaurant, which is uncomfortable to me. In other words, it was way too high class for little ole me. With all of that said, I'm still a fan. It does what it does right, and that's what matters here. If you want to have your napkin folded, with an extremely attentive server, in a dark and trendy environment, then this is your place. Oh, and make sure to try the maple creme brûlée for dessert. Stuff is good.
(4)Christina H.
We didn't eat here but we did stop in for a drink on our way to dinner. I was so blown away by the quality of service and the overall atmosphere that I had to write a review. I wish I could remember our bartender's name because she deserves all the praise. She was so friendly and professional and made one of the best dirty gin martinis I've ever had. She kept our water filled to the brim the entire time, a small detail that went a long way. Before we left, she even took the time to jot down some of her favorite watering-holes and restaurants in the vicinity. The atmosphere here also warrants attention. The front of the restaurant opens up onto a cozy sidewalk patio reminiscent of Paris (in my humble opinion). The interior is also cozy yet classy, without being at all pretentious. Great drink selection - lots of choices for beer, wine and liquor. I would highly recommend stopping in here at least for a drink. Based on our great experience, I have no doubt that the food is excellent as well.
(4)Daniel S.
Was good went to rest week service was nice water never empty main course we're good desert was lame average cup of wine $12
(4)Emily H.
I went here a couple months ago with my family whom all of which have pretty adventurous taste in food. It wasn't my choice and I was extremely hesitant to go here at first because I'm usually pretty conservative with my food choices. The menu was pretty intimidating - I had no idea what to get. However, my family got me to expand my pallet and try a bunch of new foods that I would never normally eat and everything was absolutely delicious. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. The menu was pretty pricy, so I would recommend sharing dishes. This place is good to go out to for a nice occasion or celebration. It's somewhat small inside but very nice and has a good ambiance. Definitely recommend trying at least once!
(4)Victoria L.
With your first look at the menu, it's disappointing to see that you have to pay for bread that is usually complimentary at nice restaurants. We decided to get it anyway because if you're going to pay for it, it better be good! The little box of four rolls did not disappoint. There was a charcoal lavender roll (the unanimous favorite), cheddar, sesame, and an unmemorable one. The homemade butter was so soft, smooth, and creamy. Was it worth $6? Probably not, but it was my birthday and I wanted some damn bread. We ordered a bunch of small plates and shared family style. We started with the charcoal scallops, which were tender and nice. The portions are as small as everyone says though. Next we got the duck breast, which was cooked perfectly and flavorful. I was concerned it was taste "overly Asian" because of the xo sauce and sesame, but it surprisingly wasn't. We shared the crispy whole sea bass, which was delicious. We couldn't pass up dessert since we were celebrating, so we got the ice cream (the malted flavor was my favorite) and a chocolate dessert that came out with a candle. They were all decadent. It's one of those meals where the portions are small and you're afraid you'll be hungry, but surprisingly you aren't. So then you think you ordered reasonably, but then you get the bill and you're like "Oh, well, not that reasonable." I'm glad we waited for an occasion to come here.
(4)David N.
So I came to a.bar with a couple of friends and then stopped over to a.kitchen for a bit to eat. We got to sit at the counter to the open kitchen which is kind of cool. Since everything was small plates, we asked for things to be delivered when they were ready. The cheese plate came immediately, but then we realized that nothing else came 25 minutes after we had finished the cheese. The worst part of it is that we watched as the cooks were "cleaning" the kitchen and not really cooking anything. Given that we'd been waiting for a long time, we asked if something had happened to the our check. Low and behold, they "lost" the check and weren't cooking our food at all. They started cooking our order and was "kind of" apologetic about it. The food that did come out was pretty good, but the whole experience was already tainted. They offered to a free side of carrots to make up for it. It is better than nothing, but a side of carrots??? A restaurant is a combo of food and service, and one cannot make up for the a lack of the other. That's why I have to give this place 2 stars.
(2)Holly S.
The food was just ok (especially for the price) but we did have excellent service on a very busy evening. Our server was very knowledgeable about the entire menu and very enthusiastic about the food. We ordered the sourdough, green beans, scallop, burrata, sole and potatoes and to me the highlight was the green beans. They were pickled and then fried which had a unique flavor when the two methods were put together. The burrata was also very good and is served over fried green tomatoes...maybe everything they serve should be fried...
(3)Annie F.
The food was excellent! We shared the porterhouse and ordered a side of the roasted potatoes. I loved the grilled caeser salad, he didn't. We both LOVED our drinks..mine was the tequila. So well crafted with beautiful presentation. My issue with this place was the price. We were excited and ready to spend... but for 97 dollars, that steak was too small and too normal. It should have been about $60. I still would have thought it expensive. All in all we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves, but I think the place is a bit pretentious for what it's serving. I still gave it 4 stars because we really had nothing negative to say albeit the price.
(4)Phil E.
Best meal I've had all year. Since Eli Kulp took over the kitchen this restaurant has been transformed. Loved every single dish that came to our table. Go here! Trust me.
(5)Matthew H.
BRUNCH REVIEW. We made reservations at A.kitchen for Mother's Day brunch, it was a perfect day and they had the doors open and everything was pretty much open air. We were sat immediately and the service was great and not too overly attentive. We started off with the 4 pastries, all of them were very good, not as good as the doughnut misto at Alla Spina but definitely up there. I ordered a cocktail, the Standard Breakfast which was very good, I had 2 and coffee which was nice and strong. For the mains we went with the rhubarb french toast and the wagyu steak and eggs with a frenched onion and potatoes. Everything was awesome, the steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and the potatoes were hot and crunchy. The onion and eggs (over-easy) were also well prepared. There are 2 reasons why I didn't rate this place 5 stars, one is because everything on the menu was pretty safe and after our dinner at Fork I expected something a little more adventurous. Second, the timing for the arrival of the entrees was a bit off, 1 arrived and we sat awkwardly for 3-4 minutes until the other arrived, it is somewhat nitpicky I realize and it wouldn't prevent me from dining there again but at an upscale restaurant like this I would expect the timing to be on point. Overall a quite enjoyable morning right off the square and I would absolutely recommend A.ktichen for brunch and I look forward to returning some time in the future for dinner.
(4)Andrey S.
It was Monday afternoon so hardly any visitors and a few of us stopped by for lunch. They had some sandwiches and salads on the menu, what you would expect. So duck salad was basically a few pieces of duck meat in a large pile of greens. And the price? Over a $20. I had a pork sandwich that looked good on the menu. It was basically two smallish over dried pieces of what resembled a schnitzel on a bun. Nothing else. $18. It took 5 attempts to get our waitress to understand that we wanted glasses for everyone at the table and entire bottle of wine on the menu. To summarize - location is good but there are many more great places nearby to waste time and money on that one.
(2)Luba P.
So everything is pretty good, but I expected more. The crab salad was the highlight, with great flavor and moist and flaky crab. The kale lasagna was also pretty unique and unexpected, and tasted pretty good with a strong cheese flavor. I wish they had more seafood and chicken options, the menu was very limited to red meat/vegetarian/pasta. The goat cheesecake was not that the best due to the overwhelming strong taste of goat cheese (it also had an extremely cold wine sorbet on top that was OK), so that one might be good for only it's fans. Also, the chocolate dessert was a bit too bitter and salty. Overall the atmosphere is really nice and cozy, with the fancier type of Philly people, so I think most would overlook the food for the nice atmosphere. PS. Make sure to get at least two plates or you'll be hungry!
(4)Bill W.
A.kitchen I'm sorry to say was A.disappointment. Before I get too far, let me say that the owner was very accommodating, if not totally understanding, regarding the issues we experienced. She basically refunded most of the non-drink bill, so for me it's unfair to give any less than 3 stars for that reason alone, but make no mistake this was a 1 or 2 star meal at best. We started the evening at A.bar , which itself was unremarkable (small sugary cocktails, and nearly undrinkable wine by the glass). Moved over to the table for dinner. Both first courses (quail eggs, and scallops) had ZERO flavor, and no seasoning... totally boring. The "scallops" were basically a bowl of broth with some greens sprinkled in, and 2 tiny slivers of scallop. My expectation for the size of a scallop appetizer portion in a restaurant has been consistently lowered over the years, to the point where two "quarter-sized" pieces is about par, and this was significantly less than that. But the big issue was the huge wait between 1st and 2nd courses - easily 45 minutes. When we inquired the waitress said the kitchen was backed up because "it was such a nice day" and they "weren't expecting so many people." This was late May, so I'm not really sure how the great weather was a surprise. After the lackluster 1st course and some more waiting, we weren't interested in seeing what was behind door #2. We asked our waitress to cancel the order. At that point the manager came over to apologize (disappointingly she gave the same excuse about how it was busy because of the weather). She said she would have it out momentarily, we politely declined, and she left for the bill. So 5 minutes later, the entrees show up, and the manager comes over to say it's complimentary. I don't even know what you're supposed to do in this situation...I didn't want to insult them (to say nothing of kids starving in Africa), so I gave it a try (the Wagyu beef). She should have just kept it in the kitchen, at least then I would have left thinking that maybe it was good. Instead, I got to sample an awful steak that was a new low for the evening. Again the entire food bill ended up being comped, but still not an experience I'd care to repeat.
(3)Devin D.
BRUNCH REVIEW: A nice place to come for Sunday Brunch and a great means to recover from an alcohol fueled weekend. I really like how you can watch them make your food from start to finish. I ordered the chorizo pancakes with queso fresco and sriracha maple syrup. Sounds like an odd combo, but I enjoyed it. It was an interesting sweet/savory combination, and at $12-13, easy on the wallet. The food here was decently good for me, but not FIVE STARS WOWZERS. That said, I will still most certainly return. Coffee and espresso were great as well.
(4)Dave W.
This is not a place to go to for that large dinner that you can spend time savoring and enjoying. That said, the food is quite good and I would definitely go back when in the area. While some may say the portions are small, I think they are the right size if you are trying to cut down on the calories. Prices are a bit high, however. I had the Slow Roasted Carrots, which were quite good, along with the Pork Bolognese. Nice serving here, but not a chance of asking for anything to be wrapped to take home. My wife had the Scallops over scramble eggs, something I woould never have expected.The portion size was just right but then she only weighs 98 lbs. Next time we will sit back by the kitchen to watch the action but the table gives you a great view of the street and activity out there.
(4)Steven H.
A. Kitchen in simply amazing. My wife and I spent the day in Philly sampling a bite or two from various restaurants with Yelp as our guide. A. Kitchen was our first stop and it was worth every bit of the walk to get there. We had no reservations so we found two open seats at the bar. The staff greeted us and took out drink order; they have a variety of local beers on tap I tried their Shawnee Craft Double Pale Ale (IPA) and it as well balanced with a deep flavor. My wife ordered the Ashes to Ashes cocktail, she commented that this was one of the best drink she has had in her life. The Duck Confit salad was a first for the two of us and we both found it to be delicious. I have to say the two items on the brunch menu that you must order are the baked grilled potatoes ( yes you read that correct they bake them then grill them) and the Charcoal Biscuit. I can not even describe them to you you just need or order them and experience it. : side note their grill is wood/ charcoal burning and it's open so you see the chefs working to craft your meal. It just adds to the experience!
(5)Ali W.
I came here for fathers day brunch. They were out of the fresh baked pastries by 11am. I found the portions to be small but by the end of the meal I was mostly satisfied. I got the salmon with a red onion bialy which was a breakfast. I also tried the home fries that were garlicky and crunchy. Overall my experience was A-OK but I will continue to try new brunch spots.
(3)Geoff And Jenni G.
A Kitchen is still one of the best places in Philly for good eats/fine dining... It is expensive and in some cases unnecessarily so, but the food is top notch, the preparation and attention to detail is excellent and if you like small/tasty plates, then you can't go wrong... We love it and would definitely recommend it...
(5)Lia B.
nothing but LOVE for A.kitchen . went here for lunch the other day and was greatly impressed with the vegan-ness of the portobello sandwich. i arrived and it was POURING rain - the staff quickly got my coat and umbrella and sat us immediately. They had soy milk for coffee, knew what vegan meant and completely veganized the sandwich (even went so far as to change the bread without me asking- GREAT TOUCH!!!) and they had dessert options though i was so full i didn't want a dessert. They also made me a vegan salad as an appetizer with tahini. would def come back here!
(5)M M.
This was my third time here. Lunch is definitely not as interesting as dinner in terms of menu. Though I had always had excellent food here even if the place is a little stiff, this time the kitchen seemed very off. I am not sure any of my colleagues enjoyed their his/her meal. Grilled chicken salad came with sparse greens - including thinly sliced stalk of broccoli (um, is this what we are doing these days?) - and a dull watery yogurt dressing. The chicken had a rubbery texture. I could not tell if it had been smoked and then grilled. Anyway...The thing that was the worst is there were flies around us during the whole meal. Not great when you are swatting bugs away as you eat inside.
(2)Bruce B.
Hands-on best service i've ever received at a restaurant. The wait staff was always there when you needed them, gone when you didn't. I think there was more staff than customers while we were there. Our primary waitress was so awesome, it was actually fun to ask her for recommendations. Great descriptions and accurate, not trying to sell us the most expensive entrees. Right up front this probably should be a 5 star review, but some of the small plates were chipped, so i'm taking the last star away. Really, when i'm spending close to $200 for our meals, you can afford to not serve on a chipped plate. The spicy cauliflower was not too spicy and incredibly juicy. Perfect way to start the meal. MsD ordered Branzini and it was cooked and flavored perfectly. I had the scallops and again, couldn't ask for anything better. The crab and salad were both incredible. Flavored to perfection and not too much. The only thing we didn't care for were the mushrooms, but as much as anything else we just didn't have room to finish them. We did save some room for desert and the pound cake was divine. Awesome coffee as well. Just a fantastic meal! Eli Kulp has done a great job training his staff to describe food and cater to his customers. We hear he is still in the hospital from the Amtrak disaster so we'll keep him in our prayers. Can't wait to go back to the A.Kitchen!
(4)Laura L.
Food is excellent. Service could be a lot better.
(2)Christa M.
Update review: Came here for brunch today with friends. This is the first time I've been here since it's been under new management/chef. It was one of a few brunch spots that was open last minute for 4 people. The good: - can make a last minute brunch reservation here on Open Table - they made a nice,strong Negroni- my go to drink - service was attentive and nice, as well as accommodating as we had a stroller - bacon was delicious and cooked perfectly. Potatoes in my Rittenhouse Slam were great. The not so good: - food was overpriced, esp given the portion size, which I thought was a nice size. - no toast or some kind of carb with my Slam, or any of our dishes. - menu for brunch uninspiring. Not sure what the menu was like for dinner but if it's anything like the brunch menu, I wouldn't go back except for a drink. Under the old management the menu was more unique. - my eggs were slathered in butter. It was all I could taste
(2)Jenna S.
I really wanted to love this place ...picked it on impulse while walking by on the way to another restaurant. Sleek modern decor with lighting that's still warm and inviting. Menu with items that make you instantly drool, with complimentary ingredients that sound like they're set to make new foodie trends. Thursday night, resto busy but no wait for a table for 2 without a rez. Waitress was good, knowledgeable of the ingredients and offering her suggestions on favorites. The shortcomings lie in the food. At $10-33 per "sharing plate" I was expecting a fairly substantial amt of food, but you get 2 to 4 nibbles and are left starving thinking there has to be more coming out. The teacup serving of cauliflower ($9), had good sauce but was fried and burnt. Scallops ($16), five church wafer sized thin fishy slivers in a vinegar soup w a few pomegranate seeds. Hibachi crudo ($12), thin slices of sushi on a tasty black/brown rice crisp, one bite and done. Shiitake side ($10), about 7 baby caps, really savory and delish. Arctic char ($33), the largest plate, about the size of an altoids tin, was cooked perfectly, but could have tipped the pot if it came w some more veggies. Still hunnngryyyyy. Ate the rest of the wafer crisps (bread?) I said I didn't like at the beginning. Dessert, sunchoke custard w black walnut brittle ($9), sounded promising, but was just a few spoonfuls of soupy sugar broth w a crispy sprinkle of crackers on the top. Womp womp
(2)Sarah P.
A. Kitchen has only gotten better! The addition of their new grill and ability to smoke ingredients has really made an impact on their menu, and they seem to include more interesting wild-crafted and foraged ingredients, like ramps sourdough bread. The pickled quail eggs and beets are DIVINE as a snack. I really want to mention bartender Mariko's amazingly beautiful cocktails, however. This woman is extremely talented and her cocktails are well-balanced, interesting, and really delicious. I am extremely picky about cocktails, as many are too sweet for me, but these are really wonderfu, often with a beautiful balance of bitters, sweetness, liquor, spice, etc. l. I am paying attention. I have tried three on the current menu, all of which are excellent. A.Kitchen has a consistently good wine list and my understanding is that their sommelier is a former employee of Moore Brothers....and it shows. In my opinion, A.Kitchen is showing improvement and I like what I have experienced in recent visits.
(4)Maiken O.
A.Kitchen is a great spot for weekend lunch at the corner of Rittenhouse Square. The menu is pretty modern with a mixture of Nordic, American and French style kitchen. Portions are not huge but you will not leave hungry either - amazing selection of freshly baked bread. Atmosphere is trendy with a bar for eating facing the open style kitchen. We were a bit concerned about food smells hanging in our clothes afterwards but there wasn't a hint. Will come back for sure!
(4)Ashlie-marie J.
Just finished leaving this place and it was mmm mmm GOOD! So delicious. I got there at 12:00 and the food came out in about 15 minutes. I ordered the Rittenhouse Slam with whole grain toast and my best friend ordered Grilled Prawns and it was just amazing and for dessert she ordered the Carjeta Custard, it was so good and beautifully garnished with little flowers. The staff is super polite and timely. The restaurant atmosphere is very warm and inviting. We'll be staying here until Monday and most likely come back for dinner.
(5)Sari A.
I treated my friend for a sunday birthday brunch and it was great. The place was chic and cozy. food was delicious. I had the poached Eggs with a side of baked and grilled potatoes, yummy. My friend got a perfect Steak and Eggs. Our server was so friendly. I will for sure go back again, to try the dinner menu perhaps. Four Yelps!
(4)Courtney P.
It's has very nice ambiance, and the plating was wonderful. Everyone at the table raved about the food they got and we've tried several appetizers and the honey ice cream and pound cake. The cauliflower on the appetizer list is a must try. Even given the classy ambiance, (yet dressy casual also works) I felt that the dessert prices were a tad steep, and entree dishes just a touch small for the price point. I am completely aware that for the atmosphere im not going to get a "standard" portion. I'm new to the city I would go back but I personally would explore other options.
(4)Alison K.
Let me start my review by saying that nothing negative I have to say has anything to do with the food. I had booked a dinner for 7 of my high school friends almost 5 weeks before the actual visit to the restaurant. I feel like that is enough to show the restaurant that we really wanted to be there. We had to wait 40 minutes to be seated. Now, to be fair, the restaurant called around 6:55 to tell us that we would not be seated on time. I think that is a fantastic practice. However, they said 15-20 and it was more like 40. And if it were me running a restaurant, i would have comped a dessert or 2 or maybe a couple glasses of wine while we were waiting. It really was a LONG wait considering the lead time on the reservation. All that said, the food was great. I ordered the dinner menu which was an incredible deal. I had the frisee salad with poached egg, potato and bacon which was absolutely fantastic. I also tried the fish stew and octopus which were executed beautifully. My next course was shrimp with chili sauce which i felt was a little too salty. The lamb bolognese was rich and satisfying and just the right portion. I do not like bananas, but they were perfectly happy to exchange the ice cream to vanilla maple on my pound cake dessert. We had a lovely couple bottles of reasonably priced garnacha which the sommelier or host or whoever he was did not make me feel guilty about ordering. it was a cheaper bottle on the menu and he commented on it being a great food wine. I love when i am not shamed for being frugal. I would go back in a second, but again, to be a repeat restaurant, i would like to see a recognition for a large inconvenience.
(3)Stephen H.
So we decided to go somewhere else. A.kitchen is new, and Jah forbid Rittenhouse have a new eatery that we haven't tried. My party was off to A.kitchen . Oh Christ, it's small plates. Que the panic. How many do I get? Can i just get my own, I really don't like to share. What is everyone else getting? Is it weird if we order the same dish? I see there are three categories, are you supposed to get one of each. Small plates dysfunction my nerves. The waiter calmed me a little by recommending an excellent glass of wine. I did not let on about my uncertainty, but listened politely as he explained some of the dishes. I had to admit they were creative and appealing sounding. I bravely ordered chicken risotto and saffron potato's from their respective list. The food was great, but the potato's came out well before the chicken. I was stuck eating a plate of potato's by itself. Apparently this is where the sharing thing comes in handy. All in all, the food was very good and the service was great. I will go back. This time I will be prepared, but I'm still not sharing.
(4)Karina M.
Crazy overpriced for tinyyyy DINNER portions. I don't even eat that much food but this was sad. I think the veal was 6 thin (see-through) deli slices of lamb over some greens. We had to go to another food location to fill up.
(2)Barrett L.
It's always hard to judge a restaurant based on their restaurant week program, but I think our recent visit to a.kitchen , the sleek, trendy eatery at the aka Rittenhouse, did a good job in giving us an accurate view of the food and service. The ambiance is chic and the plating is aesthetically beautiful, but the food fell far short of both of our expectations. We arrived on the later side of dinner during the middle of the week. As we sat down and poured over the concise restaurant week menu and extensive wine list, we ended up with six dishes to split plus the dessert: Fried Eggplant, Gravlax, Spaghetti Cacio Pepe, Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Braised Rabbit, Roasted Red Snapper, and the Chocolate Terrine. The first coursed fared well but was perhaps a bit pedestrian. The fried eggplant felt a little greasy, and I wasn't too impressed with the Maitake mushroom topping or the anchovy vinaigrette. The gravlax tasted fine and was definitely the better of the two, but I felt the tempura shallots (which looked like calamari) were sort of unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the dish. The second course was my favorite. I enjoyed both the pasta and the meatballs, perhaps the pasta just a tad more. The meatballs were definitely spiced, although just a bit dry, but the accompanying sauce and salad of cucumbers and chick peas helped to add flavor and texture. The pasta was simple, buttery, and a little spicy from the pepper. No real complaints about that. However, the third course presented the most problems. The red snapper was delicious and cooked well but a far too small piece of fish for two people to split. As for the rabbit, it was pretty terrible. Not only did it feel dried out, but the rest of the elements on the plate, the spaetzle and the brussel sprouts, felt soggy and underappreciated. Finally, the dessert was sort of weird. My mouth had no idea how to react to the jarring combination of the cold chocolate mousse cake, room temperature sea salt, and warm caramel sauce and toasted nuts. There were to many distinct temperature differences, and not in a good way. Aside from the food, the service was sort of mixed. The hostess was not particularly friendly, although our server was quite kind. The only major snafu was when the runner brought out the third course ahead of the second, and when we told him that we never received our second course, he acted at first as if we were wrong (we weren't). I was a little miffed that we didn't get to enjoy the restaurant week program in the correct order, but not a huge deal (just a minor disappointment). Finally, it was pretty pricey for what it was, even for restaurant week. Four plates a person and two glasses of wine came out to just north of $100. Overall, it's a cool space that looks the part, but the food doesn't measure up. The so-so service and hefty price tag don't help either. I'd return for a cocktail but probably not for food.
(3)Tara F.
Was recommended we visit but unfortunately proper food safety/sanitation overtly not followed. Sat at the counter, witnessed expediter, sous chef, taste double dipping into a huge pot of sauce...gross! Second, cook using same cutting board for raw meat products and plating finished product resulting in cross contamination. Contacted management but no response. Guess they don't care....
(2)Krista G.
Everything was stellar about this place, starting with making a reservation and ending with a great glass of port. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and handled our large party like family (there were 8 of us!) The food was great - especially the pork chops. My husband and I plan to return.
(5)Sylvie C.
I'm SO DOWN with this place! Back in town, and went for another a kitchen visit. It's all I wanted! We tried a slew of new things, and I became ecstatic over almost everything. The service was perfect tonight. We sat outside on a gorgeous 70 degree evening, and our waitress was so involved without being annoying. She was funny, sweet, and everything you want in a waitress. BEET SALAD with BROCCOLI RABE and HONEY YOGURT. WILD!!!!! I've never had anything like it. I was so, so skeptical but my boyfriend insisted on it. The beets were so fresh, and the bitterness of the broccoli rabe was cut by the honey yogurt. Everything was drizzled in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and that olive oil pulled everything together. One of the most creative dishes I've had in awhile. SCALLOP with CORN FALAFEL and GAZPACHO. This kept the review from a 5 star rating. While the corn falafel was tasty (fried corn. yes please.), the scallop was a strange temperature that just felt WRONG for seafood. SOCKEYE SALMON WITH LEEKS. GORGEOUS presentation. Skin crisped on top, with salmon roe decorating the sides, and two pieces of leeks cut into concentric circles. The plate was stunning. The salmon even more so. I don't think I've ever REALLY been into salmon because it's always a little overdone...this was more on the rare side, and really allowed you to fully taste the flavor of the salmon. I loved it. Simple and beautiful. DUCK PASTA. A little heavy for a summer night, but a nice melange of ingredients nonetheless. Chanterelle mushrooms, peas, braised duck leg, and some large fava beans made for an excellent savory dish. May have been a tad too salty for my taste, but I'm super sensitive to salt. OH MY GOD THE GOAT CHEESE CAKE. With a hazelnut crust, a blueberry compote, and a RIESLING SORBET. The combination was sinful, decadent, and WORTH IT. The goat cheese was AMAZING in the cake - you could really taste it, and when combine with all the other components, I was in heaven. The riesling sorbet tasted better than a glass of riesling, and was awesome on it's own or on top of the cake. Definitely, definitely recommend this dessert. Another awesome experience at a.kitchen .
(4)Chelsea M.
We stopped in to A. Kitchen while visiting Philly in September. Their menu looked great online and we read an excellent review of the establishment in the newspaper. When we arrived they were serving food from the brunch menu. I ordered the frisee salad topped with a poached egg and bacon served on a hash brown. My brunch date ordered the asparagus, mushroom, and aged goat cheese omelet with herb potatoes. Both were excellent. The service was friendly and prompt. We really enjoyed watching the chefs prepare our breakfast at the bar.
(4)Chad B.
Back for a 2nd visit last night. Reservations at 7:30 on a Friday night for 4 of us. Arrived early and had a great glass of wine at the bar while we waited. The space is great and we had a very friendly server. The food was GREAT. We ordered 7 different plates and my favorites: Asparagus with pecorino cream and egg - My favorite of the night - perfect balance Calamari with Chorizo meatballs - it seems they have changed from a tomato sauce to more of a tomato broth. I preferred it more when it was a sauce Mushroom Crepes - they were delicious - rich and delicious Spaghetti with black pepper- tiny portion but delicious. We ordered a 2nd plate it was so good. Corkscrew with duck - loved the fava beans in this dish, didnt expect to enjoy this one but was one of my favorites. I didnt care for the Chicken Risotto - everyone agreed here. Pass on this dish. I also didnt care for a raw fish dish that was added last night. Tasted fishy to me. We had several cocktails each and wine and shared a dessert at the end. The total with tip was $240....I didnt think it was bad at all for a party of 4 - we ate well.
(5)Laura K.
I am all for good, locally sourced food but A. Kitchen was a disappointment. The food was mediocre at best, and the servings were so tiny! Definitely not a place for value. But beyond that the server was not friendly and did not seem to care much for being there. He kept going to the bar and talking to the bartender rather then be more attentive. Also the noodles in the pasta dish was very overcooked and soggy. Would not recommend or return.
(1)Chris M.
The ambience is second to none. The drinks are $12, yikes. But they are VERY good, and strong. Not the typical shlep somewhere else, these are real craft-drinks made in front of you. Food was VERY good, although VERY small portions. We did the tapas, small plate thing.. the scallops are tremendous. Dont go here starving. Sit at the bar, get a good view of the street, and the restaurant. Good ppl watching, and conversation here.
(3)HD T.
Great location and ambience. The prices were high considering the portion size - Need at least 3 plates to feel full. The food was good and well prepared. Did feel rushed, and almost was like a take out restaurant.(we were in and out) There are better restaurant's down town.
(2)Regina F.
a. beet salad full of soft, oozing red beets seated on a large fluffy cloud of airy, semi-sweet mascarpone. + a. glass of the smoothest pinot noir. + a. bowl of 5 large, luscious, juicy shrimp speckled with black pepper, swimming in a cool sea of saffron broth with soft tomato pieces, and topped with spicy tortilla strips. + a. small plate of chopped chilled asparagus resting complacently on a bed of creamy orange puree. = a. wonderful meal.
(4)helene l.
Went for dinner last week and had the Swordfish and beets with goat cheese. BF had the roasted chicken. The food was delicious, service was professional, environment was immaculate. One should not arrive ravenous, as the portions are fit for an anorexic supermodel.
(3)Sean G.
We had been excited to go to A.Kitchen for dinner for a couple of weeks. Walking by, the restaurant looked fun and interesting. We finally made it out there on a Friday Night for dinner. Food: 3.0 stars We ordered the: -Warm Burrata for appetizer -Scallops and Shrimp -Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragu and -New York Strip.... They at 9pm on a Friday night had RUN OUT OF STEAK! Instead we tried the... -Leg of Lamb, Treviso and Black Olives The Warm Burrata was not warm. One of the two Scallops were under cooked and the Shrimp was few and far between. The Pasta in the lamb ragu was grossly undercooked to the point where the center of the Tagilatelle was nearly uncooked. The lamb was delicious but the plate lacked dynamics and only featured bitter flavors. AND... seriously you run out of NY Strip at a higher end restaurant? Poor form. Service: 3.0 stars People were floating around throughout the restaurant but it seemed like they weren't doing anything. Drinks took a while to come out and service was not great but not poor. The restaurant needs to be more cohesive in its service and work to go the extra mile without being noticeable to everyone. Location: 4.5 stars Great location North of Rittenhouse Park on 18th Street. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant is very small and had to sacrifice indoor seating for the external kitchen and bar space. Luck for them, they also have tables outside on the sidewalk. The decor is clean and well done. Price: 3.0 stars Depending on how many drinks you have, expect to pay $30-50 per person. Overall: 3.0 stars The undercooked pasta was inexcusable. The fact that they didn't have steak was unbelievable. For a restaurant which flashes moments of high end gourmet cuisine in its dishes, the general experience falls short because of the issues with preparation and service. There are definitely better places to go at this price point. A.Kitchen better make some changes/improvements because it will have to rely solely on its good location in the near future to maintain business at a high level.
(3)Jessica W.
A.disappointment Despite a great location, atmosphere, and much-hyped chef, this place is just an overpriced disaster with no hope for long-term survival unless the menu and food are revamped. We came here before their liquor license was issued and they graciously gave us free wine and cocktails (a pleasant surprise that saved them from a 1 star review). We sat at the kitchen bar and our drink order wasn't taken until 30 minutes after we were seated despite the chef's friends on both sides of us--who sat down after us--already getting their appetizers. They made this right by giving us a free small plate. Now, this 2 star review is based entirely on the food since I'll give the shaky service the benefit of the doubt since it just opened. The food failed more on conception than execution. We had a lump crab salad over hearty farro that was served with parmesan and pesto. The crab should have been the highlight of the plate but it was dominated by the pesto, cheese, and farro. The sausage stuffed calamari and gnocchi were next and both were inedibly salty (and heavy for a summer menu). They clearly were not tasted before getting sent out. Mushroom croquettes were straight out of the frozen food aisle but at least tolerable. Finally, the low point of the night was the chicken-- mistakenly left in the oven or Ronco food dehydrator overnight. We ate only two bites. Fortunately, our second waiter of the night (Mark, who was a.kitchens saving grace) recognized this was horrific and comped it without us even asking. If you are wondering what happened to our first waitress, we're pretty sure she was high. Seriously. All in all the bill would have been $120 but after 3 free drinks (at $14 each, a free small plate for being ignored, and a comped entree) we paid $60. Still too expensive for the quality. I'm also not the type to try to get free food since I haven't complained or sent back a dish in years. This place is as bad as their website. We will not return (even if they bring back the free drinks).
(2)Steve S.
We went here last night- The bad: 1- The hostess - She couldn't have been more disinterested or unwelcoming. No smile, no warmth. No exactly what you want your patrons to experience as they walk in the door. 2- The wine by the glass. They keep their red wine chilled! I never heard of such a thing. I had to ask if they had the same wine at room temp, which they did, so she opened another bottle - but she seemed annoyed about it. Also, they offer a 3 oz and a 5 oz pour. I ordered the 5 oz. there was no way the bartendress poured 5 ounces in the glass. If your going to offer specific wine portions, they should be measured - she did it by eye. Very lame. 3- The food portions should be larger for the cost! The good: Brian and his staff are putting out great dishes - as expected, from one of Philly's best Chef's in the last 10 yrs. 1st course: The bread is exceptional. Asparagus and Roasted Shiitakes with Radish and Pecorino Fondue - Fantastic. Roasted Maitake Mushrooms, Squash Consommé, Creamy Polenta - Amazing! Spicy Fried Potatoes, Saffron Aïoli - Oh my, heavenly! 2nd course: Spaghetti with Nova Scotia Mussels - excellent! Smoked Octopus, Curried Lentils, and Clementine - great, but too little. 3rd couse: Chili Glazed Swordfish with White Beans and Black Olive Puree - Exceptional. Ribeye Deckle Steak, Spring Onion and Crispy Potatoes - decent, but too little. Roasted Rabbit w. pickled carrots - excellent, but too small. Service: Our server was delightful and well versed on the menu.
(3)Michael O.
So the things they do well they do extremely well. Sadly, the food isn't one of them in my opinion. The food wasn't bad, I always want to be fair and it's only fair not to mislead you. The food is, however, also not the best of any of the many tapas style places in center city to choose from. The food was somewhere in the middle for a mid-to-high priced Rittenhouse establishment. The prices wouldn't be on the high end if the portions weren't so much to the small end. None of the food was inedible by any means, but alas, none if it was worth raving about here, either. Of the 5 dishes we tried, the scallops were the most flavorful and if my entire meal had been scallops then 4 or 5 stars would be above this review. The staff is amazingly attentive. My water never went empty-and I have a weird thing about that-so bravo! My silverware promptly replaced for each different plate, my area wiped of my crumbs before I even realized they were there. I noticed at least 3 people eyeball each plate before it reaches the customer, so they all come out looking very good. Oddly, my coffee was not hot, though it was poured in front of me out of a lovely carafe. The manager and hostess both made a point of saying, "thank you" and "goodnight." Good manners are hard to find in Phila. Not a bad place, and if you're palate is less picky than your expectations of service, you will be pleased.
(3)Al C.
I had hearts salad and a veal bolognese. Salad was OK. Veal bolognese was very enjoyable. Pasta was cooked well and tomato based sauce had good flavor with bits of veal. I don't know if they have a wine list but the Bernard Beaudry Chinon went well with everything although $15 for a 5 oz pour is a little steep since it is a $20 bottle. Bartender was very attractive even though she did not smile. Waiter and hostess were fantastic! Contemporary design was attractive.
(3)Ekta S.
Best 4 bites I've had in a while! This place has a great location, and pretty good food. They should definitely warn their patrons about the small plates. This place is more like an extremely expensive tapas place. Had they not served free liquor I'd probably be disappointed. Good thing I'm on a diet!
(3)Bobby P.
Okay food, but a truly great atmosphere and great service. We love sitting at the kitchen counter for dinner and a show. It's so entertaining to watch the cooking staff weave around one another in those tight quarters, concocting a seemingly endless stream of small plates on the fly. The food itself is good overall, but too many inconsistencies prevent me from calling it great. Of course another advantage to sitting at the kitchen counter is direct feedback*, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see some improvement. I'm partial to the crêpe with mushroom gravy and the wild boar pasta, however the menu rotates so don't be upset if neither is available. *Don't go harassing the cooks while they're busy. At the end of the night they might have some time to socialize or even be open to some constructive criticism. The last time we tried the chorizo meatballs they were extremely salty, but the chef asked us how they were and really seamed to value our feedback.
(4)Rob H.
It's alright with me! But I must have missed the draw. Haven't thought about since my visit.
(3)Danielle M.
I have been wanting to eat here basically since I heard it opened, and was happy to get a chance this week for lunch. The hostess sat us right away. It was a sunny day and my friend and I sat at a spacious table near the open windows. Great spot to people watch and take in the beautiful day. Water and bread came out right away and the server gave us the appropriate amount of time to view the menu. We started with the beet and broccoli rabe. The beets were cooked perfectly and the honey yogurt sauce's sweetness complimented them well. The broccoli was a little overcooked and had a bit of a bitter taste that I wasn't crazy about. I ordered the chicken pancetta sandwich with age provolone. The portion was pretty big and it came with homemade chips. The chicken was moist and the panetta was fresh and tore easily. The bread was soft and the right thickness. The dressing used (some type of red pepper I think) was good but extremely runny/ messy. I was continuously wiping my hands. Which brings me to another downside. The napkins. They provided us with bar rags, which presentation wise isn't great but what got me was that it got lint all over your clothes. My friend and I were both wearing black dresses and it was annoying to have to wipe all the lint off afterwords. The only other downside was that after we finished our meal, it took awhile for the check. Normally, I do not mind though during lunch service I would expect it to be a bit faster. I will definitely go back to try out brunch and dinner. Overall, it's a nice addition to rittenhouse.
(3)Lexi P.
This place was fantastic. First, the food was excellent. My husband and I split 5 of their small plates and each one was fantastic. Second, we went for our anniversary (which was last October, and I am just getting to the review now, oops), and they were so kind! They gave us glasses of champagne on the house and a free dish of their delicious fried oysters. Totally unexpected and very appreciated. Third, the service is excellent. Our waiter was able to describe the dishes and recommend things, but was not too in our face. It is pricey and the portions are small, but this is how thing are in a small plates-type restaurant, it allows you to try more things! And the expense is worth it as the food is really top-notch. We are coming here for brunch for my birthday in a few weeks and I am looking forward to returning!
(5)Ginny M.
Foodie paradise. Very "exotic" dishes but they all worked; braised brussels sprouts, pasta with mushrooms, pear salad, and lamb meatballs were all prepared in an unusual manner but in a way that was flavorful and varied in texture and appearance. (The lamb was not too "lamby" as it sometimes can be when using ground meat). The service was attentive and helpful. The portions are large for "small plate" size but small for individual servings so I think of it as the type of place to go with several people and order multiple dishes to try different things. They do add up, however, so I would rate it as "expensive."
(5)Suzanne H.
Dinner for two last night with an 8 p.m. reservation. For the food we started with the 3-cheese plate that was beautifully presented with a Spanish Indiazabal, Cabot cheddar and Jasper Hill blue along with accompanying various fruit chutneys. We shared the "for 2" entree of the evening: wild striped bass stuffed with celery root along with a side of sauteed fall greens. The fish was delicious and the bitter greens were a nice complement to the richness of the fish. We capped things off with a shared black currant sorbet and coffee. On to the service: Inconsistent and perplexing. We weren't sure what our server's role was since he only appeared on occasion and in between those times a least 3 different people brought us our food and asked if we wanted second glasses of wine. He definitely wasn't very attentive. The space is small so the noise level was loud, so loud in fact that our server asked us to repeat ourselves on several occasions. Nice by-the-glass wine list. The crowd is young(ish) and trendy. Overall I really enjoyed the food but should I return I might do so on a weeknight when it might not be be so hectic.
(4)Ernest S.
This is a pretty nice space, but the food was not up to par. The pasta was undercooked, the cheese plate was uninteresting, and the best thing about the recommended swordfish appetizer was the sauce.
(2)Jim T.
If you sat next to me at a.kitchen this Wednesday, I sincerely apologize. You may have thought I was angry, or arguing with my friends. I assure you I was not. Sometimes, when a meal is really, really great, it actually makes me curse out loud. Sorry about that. Blame the lamb loin, which was cooked to perfection. Or the duck ragu with corkscrew pasta, which I could've eaten by the hotel pan. Blame the taleggio crepes, and the beet salad with goat cheese. Most of all blame the cheesecake with pears and riesling sorbet, which was so g%d#mn good I ignored sharing etiquette and nearly ate the whole thing myself. Our server, Samuel, was great. Attentive but not overbearing. He was intuitive to our needs without hovering, which is saying something is such a small space. Coming from a guy who serves for a living, he gets high marks. (And I hope a decent tip, after three cocktails and a bottle of wine my math might've been fuzzy.) The wine list was huge, but I found an excellent, reasonable Nebbiolo that went with pretty much everything we tried. We sat at the open kitchen counter, and I was amazed that four sous chefs could occupy that small a space and not crash into each other. It was great to see how some of our dishes took shape. Overall a fantastic dinner. I'll definitely return. And I'll try not to curse so much next time.
(4)Caroline P.
party of 5, 9:30 sunday evening - no trouble securing a table nice bottle list and decent selection of cocktails, beers, spirits for some reason we all chose the same cocktail - so a round of moscow mules it was - the combination of ginger beer, vodka and lime was refreshing - the bar area stayed pleasantly active throughout the evening a.kitchen is a warmly intimate space in a spare/minimalist sort of way - open kitchen, no frivolous decor, bare tables, etc we ordered various dishes, a special request was accommodated and we found everything lovely - scallops with meyer lemon and endive, smoked octopus, cacio e pepe, gnocchi with saddle of rabbit, swordfish with black olives/white beans my favorite was the swordfish - i would have liked 17 more we tried some desserts as well - a cinnamon ice cream, a goat-cheesecake, and shortbread with lemon curd - all lovely again most of the table wasn't crazy about the goat cheesecake, but i liked it service was attentive and gracious portions are small, but well-executed and perfect for sharing, or not
(4)Clare H.
I had a very good experience my first time at A.Kitchen. The dishes are small but not too small. I went with two other people and we were all happy with our meals. My only complaint was that the tuna used in the tartare did not seem to be a very good grade of fish - A BIG LET DOWN. My cocktail was fine but not great. I'll come back, at least once more.
(3)Diem L.
I came here for brunch with my friends. Our waitress was great but the food was average. I got the steak and eggs special which was good and my boyfriend got the House-Made English Muffin, Country Sausage, Fried Egg with Potatoes. His meal came out looking like a McDonald's McMuffin with no presentation. It was just the sandwich on a white plate. It looked unappetizing (I'm definitely not one to turn my nose up at a McMuffin) and for a $12 dish, I expect a bit more effort.
(2)Evelyn G.
good brunch. service was great. A+ fresh squeezed OJ
(3)George K.
The simple cacio e pepe, cheese and black pepper on spaghetti, was delicious and, according to my table, by far the best of all the plates. I hope it remains post-restaurant week. The other courses were very good, no disappointments, but not as memorable. The plymouth gin and vergamo vermouth cocktail, basically a martini with more vermouth and less gin, was really crisp and bright -- a standout cocktail. Only complaint: we felt rushed by our server, who was nevertheless extremely polite and attentive. I know, it's restaurant week, but still.. This may be aggravated by the fact that the dining space is so small and so it feels like someone is always hovering around.
(4)HM K.
Ordered french toast, eggs benedict and english muffin sandwich. All are ok-quality but considering the price (expensive) and quantity, I can give only two stars.
(2)Elise K.
Definitely up there in the "Best Meals I've Ever Had" category for both myself and my dining companion. (I'm actually quite surprised at some of these negative reviews.) We sat at the bar, and our service was everything we could have wanted. Our bartender chatted with us, was polite and knowledgeable and was there for everything we needed, while masterfully mixing beautiful cocktails with layers of complexity. They were offering a $32 four-course menu, which I felt was even underpriced for the food I got. I noticed other reviews complaining about prices a la carte, and, just so we're clear, this was an expensive meal, but it was worth every cent. The frisee, bacon and egg salad was a perfect balance of salty and tangy - something I think I would probably be happy to eat for every meal for the rest of my life. Taleggio and mushroom crepe was earthy and delicious, and the shrimp with chilis were large, spicy and succulent. Then came the chicken. Ohhhh, the chicken. The chicken that will surely be one of those dishes that I crave, that I dream about. You wouldn't think that a place like a.kitchen would serve fried chicken and probably be even less likely to order it. This is a major can't miss though - it's unbelievably juicy with a crunchy coating that's not too thick and little bits of perfectly crispy/creamy foie gras that somehow crazily pairs beautifully with the chicken. My dining companion ordered the chicken and was stingy with sharing, and my prix-fixe came with the lamb bolognese. I'm sure it was great, but I didn't really remember anything after tasting the chicken. Actually, not true, the bolognese was wonderful - beautiful ribbons of pasta with meaty sauce that I'd kill to know how to make - even so, if there were a commandment about coveting thy neighbor's chicken, I'd be guilty as charged. We don't usually do dessert, but the savory dishes were so fantastic, we just had to see what the kitchen could whip up in the sweet department. Pound cake and goat cheese cake were above average but not as outstanding as the other dishes. The banana ice cream was the star though, a miracle of gastronomy that packed so much banana flavor into one creamy scoop. We will most definitely be back...for chicken. And to try out brunch, which, from the menu, looks like it'd be amazing as well.
(5)Carol L.
A. Kitchen is extremely conveniently located for us, so I keep trying. The menu is interesting, but the noise level is really unbearable. This is not the place to come if you want to have a conversation and if you don't want to hear the ones around you as if they were yours. I requested the otherwise good shrimp salad to be served on whole grain bread rather than a baguette, and it came out soggy with the ingredients dropping all over. The shrimp were whole, so trying to bite off a piece resulted in the whole shrimp pulling out of the bread. For dinner it is one of those places trying to be a tappas restaurant (I've been to actual tappas places in Spain), which in this country seems to mean an excuse for serving small plates at not so small prices. Nevertheless, the food can be tasty, and I would highly recommend going there on off hours (or bring either ear plugs or a megaphone).
(2)Yelena O.
I came here for dinner and waited an hour for my entree to be served. The waiter checked on it in the middle, but that didn't seem to help. After the lamb steak finally came out, it was inedible because of an odd aftertaste. Staff didn't care to offer taking it off the bill even though it was barely touched. Service, timeliness and food were disappointing. I will not be coming back.
(1)Lowie T.
was excited to try a. kitchen, but minus a star because portions are so small for the price per dish. although a.kitchen claims to NOT be a tapas restaurant, asking patrons to order 2-3 dishes of small plates per person, at $14-$18 per plate begs the question....so what are you exactly? the food was actually very good, but for the three of us, among 8 main dishes, plus wine, and dessert- we left craving a good burger/hearty slice of pizza. the bill probably left room for just that actually. not that i am against paying a lot for good food, but when you have places like amada, which actually IS a tapas restaurant where you leave feeling full and satisfied (and probably pay less despite it being a garces` restaurant), it's hard to justify a place like a.kitchen . some amazing dishes we had were the lobster muffins- large succulent pieces of lobster between two buttery slider-ish buns- you must order this! the foie gras, and the blue crab w/ pesto were also stars. i wasn't a fan of the pork (or beef??) tongue over lentils. i normally love lentils and have had pork & beef tongue before the but the lentils had a strange texture+flavor, and the tongue was a bit dry. i would skip this. the chocolate panna cotta was very, very good, as was the coffee at the end. it's a tasty place to try a few dishes, and i love the decor. very warm, simple, yet modern, with large windows that face 18th street (great for people watching). a great place for a date in terms of atmosphere, but don't expect to get full.
(3)Brian V.
Not thrilled with the food or the waitstaff.
(2)Leah G.
Wanted to love . . . only kind of liked. The food is all fine - not excellent, but pleasant enough . . . .just not pleasant enough for the price tag. Go with light eaters; if you don't, there won't be much for you to eat!
(3)Hannah G.
A. Kitchen was fine. Went there on a whim for lunch with a friend -- we each ordered a glass of wine and a sandwich. It was July 4th and they were fairly slow. Our server was very kind and attentive. The wine selection was nice, but fairly overpriced in my opinion, especially considering the size of their pours. They also have lines on their wine glasses marking the volume of the pour... I suppose it's a good way to avoid any confusion with customers thinking they're being shorted, but we found it a bit tacky. My sandwich (brie & speck) was very tasty. Overall pleasant experience, but probably not a place I will dine at again.
(3)Christie P.
Aaaaaaamazing breakfast. Best French toast Ive had in a long time. Yes, prices were outrageous, but you know that going in. Wouldn't take someone there who can't handle a little noise, because it does get loud ( but in a good, wake you up kind of way!).
(5)Caver B.
Not a bad place, but the Benedict was pretty bland, and the home-made English muffins were more of a crumpet (dense) and surprisingly under seasoned. For the price you can find better. The only reason we ended up there was an early train, and this was one of the few places open before 10Am on Sunday. If we knew more about it, we would have gone back to Marathon on Sansom.
(2)Holly B.
We started with the baby lettuce hearts, blue cheese, pears & walnuts- simple, well flavored, tasty. I loved the roasted cauliflower but the curried lobster broth was a little too much - I understand the "modernist cuisine" but it did not enhance the flavors in any way. We ordered the taleggio & porcini crêpe w/ forest mushroom gravy, but I do not remember it in any way which makes me believe it was mediocre. Half my party went crazy for the blue crab with farro & pesto-- I however was not fond of the creamy crab salad atop teh pesto laced grains, I thought the combination was a bit bizarre. I did love the seared scallops w/ choucroute & my top dish of the evening was the roasted grouper w/ salsify risotto & bottarga. The white fish was flaky & flavorful and the creamy risotto was spectacular. I tried half of a cornmeal-crusted oyster w/ remoulade which was tasty (would be ideal on a Sunday afternoon on the bay!). We had the spiced venison w/ brussel sprouts, blue cheese & apples, again a decent dish cooked perfectly. And we took the waiters suggestion and ordered his fave dish: the duck w/ corkscrew pasta, wild mushrooms, butternut squash- very flavorful, if you like duck, you will love this! Greta execution, a solid meal.
(4)Steve M.
The food is creative, you can tell this guy knows his stuff. Wine list could have more reasonable choices, though I did love the $40. rioja . The ambiance reeks of pretension but the staff couldn't be warmer. I think it's overpriced which is why I gave it only four stars.
(4)Tricia M.
I really wanted to love this place and had high expectations after reading all the glowing reviews about the food. It's definitely a place for "foodies" and for a small plates restaurant the prices were very high. Ironically our favorite dishes were from the vegetable section of the menu, we were not planning on getting 3 dishes. The frisee salad with bacon and poached egg was fabulous, I could not stop eating it as was my husbands mushroom taleggio crepe. But things went down hill from there. The smoked octopus was chewy and the blue crab had shells in it, though the farro was delicious. The venison I had was cold and needed seasoning and my husbands short ribs were overcooked. Mistakes I would not expect from this kitchen. Drinks were good and our server excellent even on a very busy night. I probably would not come back any time soon
(3)Sherri S.
I have always loved this place, until tonight. Horrible service, drinks not available, pasta just so-so, extremely long wait for dessert. I probably won't go back.
(1)Diana S.
I came here w/ three girl friends for dinner before the Philly Half Marathon. The restaurant ambiance was great and the open kitchen was a lot of fun. However, the food was over priced and under cooked. the portions are average / small side for tapas but the prices are standard restaurant entree prices. We got one of the pastas and I couldn't even it because it was under cooked. They also over dressed the salads. The wine menu is extensive, but again overpriced. There are better places in Rittenhouse.
(2)Aicardo A.
Can't find a single thing to complain about...
(5)Laura S.
For a restaurant that just opened this week, a.kitchen is doing very well - I was pleasantly surprised! You can tell that there are some areas in which they are still getting their feet under them, but overall I had a great experience. The physical space is beautiful. I sat at the chef's bar, where I had a great view of all of the food as it was prepped - which is dangerous if you are the kind of person who wants to eat everything that looks good. The space is open and light and comfortable. Service was incredibly attentive - perhaps one of the perks of coming by when a place cares about making a good impression! The beets with broccoli rabe and honey yogurt were excellent - I am a big fan of the pickled beets down the street at Village Whiskey, but I think these beat them out by just a smidge. The deciding factor is the honey yogurt, it is a lovely accompaniment for the beets. If they were open for lunch it would be a perfect mid-day entree; for dinner it was great as a starter on a hot, muggy day. The asparagus and artichokes were also a very good hot-weather pick. The pecorino cream was not overly heavy and the dish had a nice, light citrusy flavor. The only dish I didn't love was the pork belly risotto fritters. As a previous review mentioned, the rice tasted more like plain white rice than risotto. I thought the dish was too oily and a little bland. I can see how I might like the dish better in the fall/winter, though - it might have just been a mistake to order it in 90 degree weather! My waiter noticed that I did not enjoy the fritters and the dish was taken off my bill, which was unexpected but very appreciated. I wasn't going to eat dessert, but like I said - sitting at the chef's bar is dangerous. After watching them head out to another table, I tried the almond macaroons with plums. The macaroons had a great flavor - herbal and minty - although they were a little crumbly and hard to eat neatly (but whatever, who cares how you look when you're eating dessert?). The plums were absolutely perfect, I really enjoyed how seasonal the dessert was. Another unexpected surprise on this visit was that the restaurant is offering complementary beverages until their liquor license is in. I had a lovely white wine that my server recommended, it was deliciously light and fruity. I think this is another way in which the restaurant distinguished itself for me - they could have waited to begin serving alcohol until they had their license, but I am impressed at the way they chose to handle the situation. I am looking forward to returning to try more of the dishes I had a glimpse of this evening (the tagliatelli with veal ragu and chorizo stuffed calamari are first on the list!).
(4)Ashlee P.
Hearing who the chef of a.kitchen is, I was expecting an out of this world dinner. I was underwhelmed to say the least. They serve their food in small plates, but the servers didn't feel it necessary to explain this. The fried potatoes with saffron aioli....I've had better frozen from a bag. The calamari stuffed with chorizo had virtually no calamari; it merely served as a casing. The almond "macaroon" was described by the boyfriend as a rice cake with fruity jam. He wasn't far off. The one redeeming quality is the complimentary hooch. The bartender whipped up great cocktails all night. Otherwise, no reason to go back.
(2)Lily Q.
came here for lunch with a friend, we showed up right before the lunch rush so the restaurant was pretty much empty. we were happy to have gotten there first because we thought that meant our food would come out first...we were so wrong. They didn't even bother to bring us bread until 20 minutes after we had ordered our food, by which time three other tables that were sat 10 mins after we got there not only already finished their bread but also got their food. By the time my appetizer came, the tables who were sat after us were finishing their meals! And what was this painfully complicated appetizer that took 30 mins to make? the warmed burrata...which ironically was as cold as if it just came out of the fridge. The waiter then took it back to the kitchen to warm it up and when it came back the burrata was room temperature. Nevertheless we attempted to eat it, maybe the chef was having an off day but the citrus reduction paired with the cheese tasted like dish detergent making the whole thing almost inedible. I'm not a picky eater, and neither is my friend, who also thought the sauce tasted like household cleaning product, and we were so hungry we would've settled for cheese out of a can by this point, the dish was THAT bad. Since by this point we had already been sitting for an hour and our entrees were still no where to be seen, we spoke to the manager who was courteous enough to cancel our orders and we quickly skipped over to rouge for a real meal. will not be returning and you could not pay me to eat that pine-sol flavored burrata dish again.
(1)Tim B.
The food was delicious, although in ver small portions. i could have eaten three of my plates. The service was another story with a rude bartender. How do these people get jobs wuth these attitudes. You are a freakin' bartender! Put on a shirt that fits and covers your 40 tatoos, so every time you want to show off ridiculously shaking a iced cocktail above your head, I don't have to see your shirt ride up. Drop the attitude, you are a bartender...you serve people drinks.
(2)Melissa P.
In my post Tria Sunday School, I stumbled into a.kitchen . I have been eyeing this venue for quite some time and am glad I dropped in! My New York native friend immediately said, finally! A place that feels like New York!! Now, I know that we're not trying to go for the New York feel everywhere, but it is nice to have it as an option. I really enjoyed my grilled shrimp. The wine was excellent, but I thought that the median price point was too spendy...$17/glass is a little much, especially when it's a 5 oz pour. I'll go back on a breezy fall afternoon.
(4)Jeremy R.
Visiting from out of town and tried A.kitchen for Sunday brunch. Cute place, small, but that's part of its charm. Food on the other hand was weak! Had the sausage, egg, and homemade English muffin. Sausage had no flavor and for that matter was under-cooked. Muffin was ok....the fried egg was ok...but how hard is that?
(2)Clare D.
My boo and I went to a new restaurant that opened in Rittenhouse Square recently called a.kitchen . Yelp reviewers gave it mixed reviews, so here's my take on it. I seldom order the least adventurous thing on a menu like most people do, so I decided against getting the pork belly risotto fritters. Instead, I ordered the razor clams for my appetizer and the leg of lamb for my entrée. The razor clams arrived four on a plate smothered with a healthy amount of garlic, herbs, and oil. The texture of the clams was like the stems of straw mushrooms and the garlic flavor was very strong and punchy. One Yelp reviewer complained that the food was bland. He must've eaten at a completely different restaurant because the food was anything but bland. The lamb was tender, juicy, and flavorful with a black olive chutney next to the radicchio for an extra kick. Perhaps by chance my dishes were the only ones with flavor in them. We sat next to a couple who complained about their meal the entire time they were there. The husband complained to his wife that the bread was stale (it was sourdough bread), questioned why there were three instead of four pieces of food on a sharing plate (did anyone ever teach him how to cut something in half?), and requested A1 steak sauce to go with his flank steak (never ask for A1 unless you're in a diner). Our drinks were comped because a.kitchen was still working on getting its liquor license, so while the restaurant can't legally sell alcohol, they can give it away for free. All in all, a good first experience. I look forward to more of the same.
(4)Michelle T.
Came here for brunch and really liked it! It's not your usual brunch places like Honey's or Sabrinas where the portions are gigantic. Rather, the portions can seem small but the goodness lies in the food's QUALITY, which I prefer over a heaping stack of pancakes that i won't finish anyway. I had their house-made english muffin with sausage and egg, then shared the yogurt parfait with my friend. The english muffin is chewy and delightful! Sausage is not too salty or oily, and the egg is perfectly fried with the yolk just cooked, but not too runny that it becomes a yellow mess. The yogurt parfait was equally satisfying with some exotic fruit toppings that you don't get elsewhere. If you enjoy quality food and don't want to feel disgustingly full afterwards, I highly suggest brunch at A. Kitchen!
(4)christina j.
After the reading reviews, my friend and I checked this spot out for brunch last weekend. The inside reminded us of someplace nordic. We ordered mimosas and decided on the frisee salad and the smoked salmon napoleon. After placing our order, our server apologetically told us they had no more salmon. What??? How can his be?? Hurriedly we selected the tuna salad on the house made english muffin. We were splitting both and the salad was the better choice. The tuna was okay and was not swimming in mayo. We both really wanted to try the smoked salmon. The food was fine but nothing was mind blowing. Our server was friendly and attentive. The prices were reasonable. I would definitely check this place out again.
(3)Jenny B.
The one good thing about this restaurant is that it's in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, it's intimate dining room is great for drinks. I only went for brunch and it was nothing to rave about-average at best. I think I will go back for dinner... one day.
(3)Cecily R.
sat at the bar after center city sips died down last wednesday. decent sized wine selection and definitely quality wines over quantity. drank an amazing red from piedmont. bar staff was friendly and consistent. the ambiance of the restaurant is great, low lighting--most white and marble with black accents. interesting light fixtures. a bathroom so mod, i'd love to take it home with me. ate the seared tuna caesar (red wine and fish--gasp!), amazing dressing, egg yoke sprinkled on top--a good amount of tuna for the size of the dish, it was great. a couple glasses of wine later, the small bar empties out and colin farrell walks up next to me to pick up take out from the bar. the bar staff played it so cool.....good enough for colin farrell, good enough for me! regardless, i'm definitely going back!
(4)Luke L.
Meh, the food was actually delicious. The portions and the price however made me think I just ate a full sized steak dinner. Also as perviously listed some of the staff looks upset that they have to serve you. Or maybe our waiter was pissed because he had to work on friday night? I would go back thou, because of the food not because of the service. At least it has that going for it.
(2)Taylor M.
Just popped in for a quick bite midday. had the place to ourselves. it was really nice all around. amazingly simple, yet elegant, atmosphere. food was superb. service just right. will go back to try their dinner menu which we peeked at (and it sounded awesome)
(4)E.J. C.
After Craig LeBan's 3-bell review, it was a sure bet that I was going to get to a.kitchen ASAP. The space is warm and inviting, though small (which means a reservation is necessary). The bar is covered in marble, and the completely open kitchen is pretty darn cool, and fun to watch. Next time I go, I will definitely sit at one of the seats at the bar right in front of the kitchen. The service was great. The waitress was knowledgeable and helpful. The water glasses were never left empty. And anyone who works in the restaurant is more than willing to help. The food is quite good, but not amazing. Not sure I was as stoked as LeBan was. Though credit is due that there are imaginative and creative dishes. There aren't set appetizers and entrees sections, but everything is small plates that are great for sharing. The frisee salad was light and refreshing, with bacon lardon, hash brown potatoes, and a poached egg. The salad would have been amazing if the poached egg wasn't cooked through so the yolk was hard. The crepe with mushroom gravy is a nice starting bite to the meal, though small. The chorizo meatballs with calamari were skillfully prepared with a seafood broth and olives. The chicken risotto was creamy yet not too heavy, though it seemed that the risotto didn't even need the chicken. The spicy fried potatoes are a nice side dish to the more substantial meat and fish dishes, though the saffron in the aioli should be more prominent. Overall, I think that a.kitchen would benefit from following the advice of Coco Chanel when she said: "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." The flavors in the dishes speak for themselves, and don't have to be muddled with that one extra ingredient. The food is good, and perhaps will get better with time. I will be going back for sure, and looking forward to trying their brunch.
(4)Ken L.
Very Good addition to Rittenhouse area. Small, Small limited Bar. Server was a rookie, did not really know a lot of things He did not direct us anywhere but was nice, He barely poured the water . If you know the portions and dishes you will do well here. Some dishes are stellar like tagliatelle and veal ragou or blue crab and faro. the 30 day aged steak was not aged well imho and came out ice cold!! Please that was the most expensive item on menu and was really bad. Coho salmon at maybe 3 oz wa excellent. Space is nice and I was just surprised as to the lack of contact there. I saw at least 20 people working the room and besides our waiter no one said a word to us not even the owner who passed us several times. Wierd place. I like the food/chefs area bar where you can sit but again no one was talking. I suspect 45 seats in whole place. Not badly priced for the food. We each had 2 drinks and 3 courses was 200 bucks. Again 3 stars because a five star chef could not serve a steak!!! otherwise 4 stars.
(3)Lee S.
A. Kitchen is a step above on the Rittenhouse Restaurant Scene. Tim, the Wine Manager, has put together a small but high quality wine list. The food is very interesting and quite good. Give the place a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(4)Alan M.
The food was good. The portions were small. I had two entrees and dessert and left hungry...all for 100 bucks!!!!!
(2)D M.
It's a shame. Food was decent. Hostess was extremely pretentious. For such a small restaurant it's amazing how long things take to get to you. Wouldn't recommend or go back.
(2)Marco C.
This new trendy restaurant is located in the Rittenhouse Square area of Philly, a quite attractive setting at the ground level of the hotel. The open their doors at 7am to accommodate the residents at the hotel getting up early. Outside seating is provided and a nice view it is as your eyes explore the park across the street. Diners enjoy menus that are comprised of in season vegetables and so forth. Mushroom Crepes are nicely prepared with a Watercress puree mmm so good. Diners can also try out the Octopus with comes with a savoury caramelized watermelon. Chef Bryan McGraw shows his excellent culinary skills with other dishes, and did i forget to mention desserts how about that panna cotta with plum puree so luscious.
(5)Shani F.
I had a terrific dinner at a.kitchen last night. A really great, unusual Slovenian wine was perfect with the blue crab salad with pesto couscous. The strip steak was perfectly cooked. Trendoid fools can have the lame Serafina across the street - that makes it easy to get a table at the far superior a.kitchen ! It's not the cheapest table in town, but it's a worthy indulgence. I'd go more often if it were a smidge more affordable.
(5)Heavi K.
Food was good. I like places that use portion control. Staff was knowledgeable and service was good/what should be expected. Chili swordfish was slightly dry, but still ok. more vegetable offerings for lunch would be a good addition.
(3)Ellen F.
The bread and butter were good, and our water glasses were kept full. Four of us "dined" this evening at a.kitchen . We shared frisee salad with hash brown and poached egg, warm burrata with green peas and candied lemon, asparagus with artichokes, dressed blue crab with farro and pesto, chorizo stuffed calamari, shrimp grilled with chiles, seared striped bass, gnocchi gratin with smoked haddock, and leg of lamb. Not one dish was memorable. Seven spears of asparagus with two overcooked artichoke hearts, underwhelming. The lamb was overcooked. There was nothing discernible about the gnocchi gratin; there were no discernible gnocchi at all. There was nothing served to us that we could not easily prepare at home, with more satisfying results. A restaurant serving small plates should have tables large enough to accommodate all of the plates. Food was brought to the table with no serving utensils. We asked twice, and sat looking at hot food cooling until extra forks and spoons were brought. It seemed that bread was rationed. The initial basket contained 5 pieces, and we had to ask for more twice. The wine list offers nothing under $40. They are entitled to a reasonable mark-up, but there is a disconnect between wine prices and the quality level of food and service. A tasting amount was poured into one glass. Upon acceptance of the wine, the remaining three glasses received a normal pour. No additional wine was poured into the first glass. We chuckled at the lines on the glasses indicating 3oz. or 5oz. Are these training glasses? Condensation from the ac dripped onto two of our party. We pointed it out and our server wiped the ac vent. Granted, it was 100 degrees outside, but attention to ac details should have been paid. This was a pricey, mediocre experience. We will not be back.
(1)Sally f.
very nice place. but the portions were too small for the price, and dont include a side. the bloody mary was watery : (
(3)m m.
Well, this was our second visit in 2 weeks. The first time seemed much better. This time, we just felt ripped off. The suggestion to "share" small plates of food is somewhat misleading. Although we enjoyed some dishes more than others, if you are with a group (we had 5), everyone literally gets one bite.... if lucky two, with each dish. This is fine if you're a bird, but, we like to eat, and when we figured it all out, although we enjoyed the simple Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe dish. for example, (cheese & pepper), we realized that we paid $22 for 2 plates of pasta that probably cost $2 to make... I certainly don't mind paying for delicious, well prepared food, however, for the portion size, we felt taken advantage of. Nothing really stands out as far as the dishes, and we tried everything, oh yes, the asparagus with artichoke dish is good, but again, you need to order several plates to feed a hungry group.Oh yes, and the goat cheese cake,,, I originally enjoyed this at Django... THAT is delicious, but, conforming to the miniscule portion size. The first time we ate at a.kitchen , they were still waitinfg for their liquor license, so, we didn't notice how expensive it is... this time, we ordered a bottle of wine & a couple of drinks. They recently got their license & the bill was about $170 a couple with tip. Again, I don't mind paying top dollar for something extraordinary, but this doesn't quite make it for me.... not like when we'd frequent Talula's Table in Kennett Square, not so long ago, when Bryan was still there... The cost was about $180 a couple, however, it was special, plentiful & quite extraordinary... we have not been back since Bryan's departure, so we were very excited to know he'd be at a.kitchen . Sorry to say, I'm not impressed, It's the new kid on the block so they are buzzing... I have to say, this dining experience was very disappointing & disenchanting...I really wanted to love this place.... sorry I don't...
(2)Gail D.
Went to a.kitchen last night with 3 coworkers and had an amazing dinner. I loved the decor as soon as I walked in and felt the space of the restaurant was very inviting - I even got a slightly log-cabbiny smell from the wood interior (in a good-make-you-feel-cozy kind of way) We shared 3 dishes from each part of the menu: Vegetables, etc: Frisee Salad - everything a salad should be with bacon and hash browns Warm Burata - a savory hunk of yummy cheese Mushroom Croquettes - crunchy on the outside and gooey mushroominess in the middle Fish: Blue Crab Salad - simply amazing Salmon and Caramelized Leeks - I stole all the leeks to eat for myself Chorizo Stuffed Calamari - slightly spicy in a thick tomato sauce Meat: Duck Confit - which was actually duck confit en terrine? a bit confusing but the taste was good BBQ Rib-Eye Skewers - my favorite dish of the night....I would have licked the sauce of the plate if I wasn't with my coworkers Chicken with Albarino Sauce - my least favorite of the night but nicely cooked with a decadent sauce Desserts: Almond Macaroons - enormous and perfectly chewy Shortbread with Lemon Curd - like eating homemade cookies right out of the oven Chocolate Torte - thick and rich and oh-so-good Expect to pay at least $50/person for dinner and a drink, but considering the amount of food we ate and the quality of the dishes, I think it is worth every penny. My only complaint is about the attentiveness of the wait staff....our waiter was prompt to take our order and our food was delivered in a reasonable time, but twice we had to flag down the waiter to order wine and once we didn't quite listen and brought the wrong order. I'm hoping its just a few bumps to smooth out as this new restaurant proves itself as a contender on the Philly small plate scene.
(4)David S.
We were wandering by when we noticed this new restaurant. Seemed busy, the menu looked interesting, so why not? We sat at the chef's counter, which turned out to be a happy mistake - it took us 20 minutes to figure out which few of all the great looking dishes we should order!! The food was terrific, the show spectacular (Val was really fun to watch as he calmly conquered the evening rush), and the staff and managers very friendly. We'd been told by the server about (and could see) portion size, so we ordered 4 plates - all were superb. As an owner of a restaurant myself, I can testify to the skill of this team, putting out a really quality experience after only a week of operation. Good show, mates!
(4)Brian S.
Some dishes are really innovative and delicious, some are not. They offer 3oz and 5oz pours on wine, which I've never seen anywhere. Having 3oz and 5oz fill lines on the wine glasses is totally out of place, as if a point is being made. Our waitperson was nothing short of unhelpful. Overall, the place doesn't live up to the stylish interior nor the "we'll show you how to eat" feeling. High prices, small portions, so if you want simple tastes of things you typically won't find elsewhere, then this is your place. Otherwise, I advise going elsewhere. It's as if they are trying really hard to show that they know food, that we're for the foodie-set. But in spite of some glowing dishes, overall, not even close.
(2)Justin M.
In a nutshell: not worth the price point (even though I didn't pay! LOL) These small plates were uninspired, and half the menu has been done a million times before at other Philly boites. Service was amateur at best, disinterested at worst. $120 for 2 with one cocktail and 6 small plates. Unless you live next door and are really lazy, I don't see the point except maybe for a glass of wine...
(3)Raisa O.
I loved a.kitchen . The food was sumptuous and the ambiance was perfect. It has this understated yet elegant feel. Our waitress was super friendly. All the dishes were perfectly prepared. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)A. H.
i had high hopes when i saw this gorgeous new joint, but it turned out to be pretty awful. save your money. food was bland, unimaginative and expensive. on top of that i got sick from the one thing i did eat [the grilled shrimp dish]. ordered the duck confit that looked like catfood on a plate. i couldn't even look at it far less to eat it so my poor husband did and even he who would eat ANYTHING said it tasted canned and yucky. service was eh. Tria right next door is hands down better and 1/3 of the price. if you are even halfway decent in your own kitchen, a.kitchen would be a huge disappointment.
(1)Wanda M.
Vacillated between a one and two stars, but went with two because the rest of my party thought their food was good and the location is great. We were there for brunch. It was noisy ++++ and crowded. It was not easy to make conversation. The space is small and each time the waiter moved passed my seat he nearly tripped over my feet. The waitstaff was indifferent, though efficient. Basically you got the food tossed at you with little congeniality. The food was tres mediocre. We'd just returned from a vacation in Europe where the food was excellent. My omelet would not have measured up to Portugese street food, although my husband enjoyed the cheese steak (street food??). It was expensive for what we ordered. Finally, they have these cutsey white cotton napkins that look like dish towels - interesting idea. But they left a ton of white lint on both my and hubby's clothes. I was not happy. Not sure what the great reviews here are about, but I was completely unimpressed and won't be back.
(2)Abby W.
Brunch was good, but a little overpriced for what you get. I went with the traditional eggs benedict and really loved the housemade english muffin. It made up for the lack of homefries. The hollandaise was spot on, though, and the eggs cooked correctly. My bloody mary was fresh and tasty, if a little heavy on the horseradish for my taste. My companion got the steel cut oats and a side of eggs. She said had she not gotten the eggs as well, she would have left hungry. It was a pretty small bowl of oats. Everything was tasty, but on the expensive side for the portions. However, sitting with the windows open on a nice Sunday morning, having made reservations in advance through Open Table, does make up for this a bit just from the sheer convenience. I doubt I'd do brunch here again unless I was going to be in the area and had an agenda to stick to (we were going to a bridal expo at the Sheraton at noon). Service was friendly and the coffee was good.
(3)A B.
The menu is creative, as is the presentation, but I definitely left hungry given the small portions. However, the server was wonderful and he kept us laughing throughout the meal.
(3)Dan M.
Great! The brunch was delicious-albeit-plain and the drinks were flavorful.
(4)Susanna L.
I would give zero star if I could! Such a big rip off. For a thirty some dollar scallop, the dish has only three pieces of scallop. The service is super slow and they change plates after every plate, which is just to disguise their overprice and slow service. The flavor is very mediocre and on the salty side. They also do not serve table bread and of course charge you if you ask for bread. Such an overly rated place and will never come back again!
(1)Vanessa T.
This little restaurant is on the corner of rittenhouse square and packed with deliciously good food. I came here for a dinner date and definitely left feeling satisfied. We ordered some small plates (rice cakes, steak platter, steam clams, smoked beets). They were all delicious. For dessert, we ordered the toasted oat ice cream with pound cake and the custard. Both were amazing. I especially enjoyed the toasted oat ice cream.
(4)Michelle C.
Tasty food. Dainty food. Expensive food. My feelings about A.kitchen are mostly positive, but damn are they expensive when you consider the portions. Even for the Square. Now I know how all the celebrities can eat there and get away with keeping their figures. Fortunately, the food is pretty good. My table of ladies ordered the arugula salad, octopus with watermelon, blue crab salad and beets to share. The salad was okay, but the octopus and crab dishes were both excellent. I didn't try the beets but my friends seemed to like them. We each chose our own main and I ordered the fettucine with bottarga. It was very rich, and this is where the smaller serving size actually worked to my advantage. The bottarga flavor was subtle which I preferred when compared with a similar dish I had at another restaurant. A couple of my noodles were slightly more firm than al dente, but overall I was very happy with my choice. My friends ordered a puff pastry filled with white chocolate and rhubarb and a pineapple upside down cake for dessert. I had a teeny bite of each and neither really wowed me, but I'm not super big on sweets. Both were cleared out so my friends definitely liked them. Would I go back to A.kitchen Yes, but most likely if the check is being picked up by someone else. I liked the food and the service but there are other restaurants with similar dishes at more reasonable prices.
(4)Henry T.
Over all disappointed since I anticipated trying this place out. It's a gamble. You may enjoy it. Not a place I would try again.
(1)Ash G.
Tiny place,a bit loud, and expensive, but delicious food, terrific cocktails, and really attentive and helpful service.
(4)relena i.
Ordered Steak and egg, and French toast for brunch. Both of them blew our minds! Best brunch I had in town in the 2 years.
(5)Amanda H.
A.kitchen has broken so many molds for me. I don't live by many codes, but never going to hotel restaurants was a rule to live by. I broke this rule when I went to a.kitchen and it's been my guilty pleasure ever since. I generally don't eat out during restaurant week - mainly because it gets so crowded and I feel rushed. But a.kitchen gives you wonderful service whether you're eating for a bargain or not. I also never really like chef tables, but again, it's somehow awesome here to eat at a bar and watch the cooks make food for other people while you're eating your own. There are mainly small plates, but you some how leave satisfied even if you choose not to order the whole menu. My best advice however is that even if you're here for brunch, save room for dessert. And - if you're here for brunch, get a Bloody Mary. If you aren't, get any other one of the inventive cocktails. Really, I'm from Philly, but this is a hotel restaurant that makes me consider staying in this hotel.
(5)Abby B.
If only every week were restaurant week, then maybe I'd be able to afford A.kitchen once in awhile. After a long day of work, all I wanted was a glass of wine. However, that doesn't come cheap at A.kitchen . I couldn't fathom paying $11 of my hard-earned educator salary on a 3oz. pour, so I settled for a beer. For the first course, I got a mushroom bread thing that was very big and filling. I then chose the skate, even though I'm always nervous when it comes to ordering seafood. This was perhaps the best part of my meal. Elegantly seasoned and very tasty. A+, Akitch. For my main course, I settled on the butternut squash/kale lasagna. The portion was smaller than both of my previous courses, although this was supposed to be the "main" course. I kept eyeing my friend's juicy steak, wishing I would've chosen the meat option. The lasagna was good, but if that had been my sole course for the night, I would've needed to high-tail it to Shake-Shack a few blocks away for a burger and fries after. The dessert was okay - goat cheese-cheesecake is what I had. Overall, a very trendy and "place-to-be-seen" restaurant. Go if you get a raise or don't want to get too drunk. Or if you're not very hungry.
(4)Edward W.
Nice, cozy dining room with good street view. The burger was good, but nothing special. Good beef, tender and juicy, but too thin. The thousand island is a nice touch, reminiscent of IN n OUT. 3.5 for burger, rachet down to three for value. You're better off with the Rouge burger down the street. Perhaps they can add some thousand island for you.
(3)Yuqi Z.
Went once during restaurant week. The food was good, but also cheesy. So not a very big fun of it.
(3)Casey L.
Food was top notch (portions aren't too big so we shared 3 plates and two desserts), service was stellar, waitresses were attentive and very professional and warm without being overbearing. They even noticed the little bits of food that we had spilled on the table by accident and took care to clean those up after every course. Very impressive experience - pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Would go again!
(5)Nico D.
I had to choose three stars, because it's A-OK, right? But truly, it does not deserve more, possibly less. So the concept is that they use a Japanese-style charcoal grill to prepare almost every dish, and it gives this special taste (and smell to the restaurant, and quite possibly your clothes). It is very pricey (small portions of meats, with no sides included), and not that great: the wagyu was OK, but not melt-in-mouth amazing, the chicken was good (with a spicy BBQ sauce). The side of potatoes (extra $8) was so rich, it was impossible to eat more than 3 bites without feeling overwhelmed by the butter and white creamy sauce (mayo? triple cream? liquid lardo?) on top. The bread was OK, but nothing spectacular (Dandelion and Le Parc both have better breads, and theirs are free) and the 'house-made' butter was really really weird. Apparently it's the live culture that creates a funky/cheesy smell and taste. It's definitely not for everyone (personally, I thought it tasted rancid). And the bread+butter are $5... The grilled cornmeal cake with ice cream was very so-so. Cornmeal cakes are heavy, and grilling it does not make it better at all. They were trying to carry the grilling concept over to the dessert menu, but it's just a silly idea. And the ice cream had virtually no taste. Final issue, my wife couldn't find any red wine she liked. And wines by the glass are expensive: hers was $15 and wasn't special. In that price range, we have many better options nearby. Not coming back.
(3)Fatty D.
The following are considered when I rate a more expensive restaurant. $60+/Person. The first listed is the most important and weighted more than the line item following. Flavor/Quality of Ingredients and Plating Service (Initial Welcome to the last thank you) Ambiance/Décor/Environment Price Value of TOTAL Experience You have read all the puffery of other YELP reviews, So, I'll try not to bore you. Joined by Lips, looking fantastic with this years, Gucci shoes, matching Gems, and even down to the socks. With us were a hot new couple. Looking like a real match made in heaven. Class all around. Now down to the food experience. 2 Stars for a restaurant which obviously uses great ingredients, creative dishes along with some ok service. We started with an interesting service fowl up only to be handled poorly. The Server brought over what we thought was a complimentary start of our meal. Wasabi String Beans and then server brought over some sort of dull looking mush. At this point one of or party attendees called over the server (by the way we noshed on the beans) in which we inquired about the starters. At that point he stated it must be a mistake, he whisked the now not so complimentary dishes off the table and that was that. No apology, no nothing. We think a better way to handle this is to explain the error and ask us if we wish to continue noshing on the dishes, Its a "sharing menu" not for everyone. But ok... The other couple ordered Smoked Scallops as well as we did, they were very good. They also ordered another small plate in which was enjoyed. Lips and I ordered the Smoked Mussels, good smokey flavor, they're were about 5 in the dish. Expensive for 5 morsels. The Cucumber Gazpacho with Crab tasted great, again over the top expensive for the portion. Steam Clams, clams so small it seemed silly. Plus the broth was just like any other Steamed Clam dish. Expensive considering the presented product. Shared Entrees by the other Couple was a whole Black Sea Bass. Small but was reported to be very good. And the Wagu Steak. Again value vs portion very small portion but again strictly taste to be good. We shared the Porterhouse Steak (97 dollars, holy sh^t are you kiddng me) Steak was Good, but again nothing extraordinary. Rosemary potatoes no big deal, they were potatoes. Grilled Cesear Salad, good but why was it served with the entree? For this outrageously priced dish you would have thought it would be amazing. It wasn't, all it was was a Porter House cooked as expected. Meh meh and more meh. The correct pricing should have been 34.95 and just enough for one person. But 97 bucks to be shared? At time the food and its presentation seemed to be more ego than anything else. Desserts were the Chocolate Mouse, excellent, the other side of the table they ordered some sort of Custard which was horrible tasting, almost like sour water texture, tasted like a Goat Milk. That was sent back and a Pound Cake Appeared to be a better ending. All in all the Food tasted quite good. The service was ok but again nothing which would dictate the price points. Weird beginning. The atmosphere was sparse, nothing which would wow anyone. Ok... PRICE? For the amount of food we ordered, we should have come away more than satisfied. We didn't. The portions are ridiculously small considering the prices are outrageously high. The value just wasn't there. Not even close. Lets say for arguments sake the portions were better, the expense would still be way too high, but the review would be at a 3 star. (taste, quality)The atmosphere yawn, nothing, the service was ok, again at the level of a 100+ per people expect and deserve more, better and be satiated. So a hard 2 stars for this disappointment. The herd mentality is alive and well on YELP. FATTY SAYS SWING AND A MISS!!! Skip it and the Hype?
(2)Jessica S.
I went for a restaurant week date with my roommate after we looked at the menu and decided it was up to our standards. Yes, we are RW snobs, I'll put it out there right now. While I wasn't disappointed by this place, overall it didn't blow me away either. They really did restaurant week correctly, so I'll start off by saying any of the negative factors had nothing to do with the RW offerings. They actually impressed me with the fact that their offerings included 4 courses, and each course was a really good portion. Also impressed with the fact that this place offered their normal menu in addition to the RW menu. Though understandable why places do this, it usually irks me that I can't at least consider something off their regular menu. Sometimes I just like to look for the sake of coming back next time! Anyway, the food was a mixed bag--some of it was really awesome (lamb meatballs, spaghetti cacio e pepe, braised rabbit), and others were just OK (red snapper, fried eggplant, gravlax). So all in all, I wouldn't run back to this place to check out their other menu options. The dessert they served at the end was an awesome chocolate mousse type thing with salted caramel. Wish I could've had more. Or just licked my plate like an animal. Our server was a little absent and slow, just not quite as attentive as I would've liked. She wasn't very helpful with the massive (impressive) wine list, but said she'd be happy to send over the sommalier (who never showed). We were happy to pick something out on our own as we knew enough about wine to pick out a bottle. She was quick to bring us our check at the end but we didn't feel rushed. The place overall is pretty small, with an open kitchen with bar seats, and a teeny tiny bar on the right as you walk in. If I returned, I'd probably come either for wine, or to sit at that kitchen bar and watch the action.
(3)James R.
A few years ago, I spent my time wandering through Germany looking for the perfect gausthaus....it should have great beer, tasty food, a decent view, and reasonable prices. Researching the Perfect Gausthaus was, in some ways, the highlight of my life! Fast forward a few years to Philadelphia, PA...where lo and behold, I find a place that would have certainly made my Top Ten Perfect Gausthaus list! Although I didn't order food, they did serve up a very nice Pilsner for me and allowed me to take it outside to a table! The weather in Philadelphia was cooperating so it was a pleasant evening to sit outside and enjoy the view and vibe. Everybody in town is so friendly, people kept passing by saying, 'Hello' and smiling! I might move here.
(5)Trang N.
We had reservations on Christmas Eve, as it was one of a handful of restaurants open that night. We thought we would have a nice dinner before heading off to church in the Square. We could even see the glow of the snowflakes under the street lights, as they felt onto the sidewalk. The decor was very minimal, wooden floors, granite tabletops and muted lighting, not to mention that it commands a stellar location, had all the makings of a great dining experience, however the pace at which the food came out and the waitress constantly hovering over us, really took the magic out of our evening. At first we thought the service was efficient and friendly, then we just realized they were trying to get us out the door the moment we sat down. We were lucky enough to get a parking spot out front, the parking times were a bit confusing with the posted meter hours. Thankfully, there was a nice gentleman outside that sensed our confusion and explained it to us. We went inside to the hostess to confirm if he was indeed correct and she had no idea 'what the parking situation was" Really? It is the right outside your door! Has no one ever asked this question before?! Granted, you can argue that we could have read the signs, evidently the gentleman next to us was just as confused. When he heard us talking about it, after we brought him up to speed, he ran out to tend to his meter. That's just poor attention to detail if you ask me, especially if she spends a good portion of the night staring out at the street ,as she did that night. The plates are small and a smidge pricey for the quality. The recommendation is to pick two plates per person, and I would have certainly say three would be a better choice, although you could get a three course meal elsewhere if you went that route! The presentation was nice and clean, but nothing that was visually memorable. We started off with the spiced lamb meatballs, the meat balls were 'chef boyardee' size, the flavors were nice but for $14, we were expecting a little larger portions, we were served 3 meatballs, it was almost silly to divide the third one in half to share! We had another starter, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was (not a good sign!) Then I had the braised rabbit with rye spaetzle and brussles sprouts, again the portion was small, but the flavors were nice, albeit a bit salty. My husband had the roasted red snapper which he said was good, I tried it but again, I thought this was a little salty. If a restaurant is going to be open for Christmas Eve, I think they should be all in; food, service, experience, not rush patrons out to get a quick buck, (since they close early) or don't make as many reservations. They were so eager to turn over our table, when we got our bill, they had already brought over our coats! (I don't even know how they knew which ones were ours without the number!) I'm a bit disappointed, but I'm glad that we didn't spend any money on dessert, they might have taken it away before we finished at the rate things were progressing. The food was ok, but not good enough for me to want to come back, the service was definitely not going to lure me back. We left hungry and disappointed. Long story short, meh- I'm not feeling the love that everyone else has for this place.
(2)Jade V.
Went here for a special little birthday dinner last night and I must say, I loved it. Warm service, warm food, warm ambiance, and warm company in the cold of the winter is always comforting. The cold dishes were pretty good, too! A small restaurant with small plates. Cozy, really. Lots of woods and dim lighting really set the mood. I'm sure that during the day, the big windows let a lot of sunlight onto the floor. The service was extra friendly, quick to help and explain, even with my especially lively group. Quite a catalogue of wine they have going on! Not to mention some fun beers, bottled and tap, and some delicious original cocktails. The sommeliers were friendly and helpful, too, brought us a delicious red Spanish wine. And the food. The food. I love the simplicity of the menu, but it was difficult to guess how much to order, because portion sizes varied widely and there was no way to guess how much would be "enough" would be short of grilling the waiter/waitress on every single dish. We wanted to share a few dishes then have an individual dish to ourselves, but out of our party, one person's individual dish ended up being much smaller than everyone else's. Awkward. Order more to be on the safe side. The food was so good, you'll probably end up eating it all, anyway! I loved the seafood stew. The duck (highly lauded by the waitress), venison, and pork chops were delicious, as well! The blue crab on farro with pesto was an unexpectedly divine combination, the salads fresh and crisp, and the octopus on lentils quite flavorful, although the texture could have used some work. I hesitate to describe the food in great detail, since the menu is ever-changing and what was available when I went may not be available when you go. Bottom line, the farm-to-table concept is skillfully-executed here, though the portion sizes can get confusing. Oh, and don't forget dessert! I loved the goat cheesecake with riesling sorbet, and since it was my birthday, they also gave us a free pound cake with creme fraiche ice cream on top. Candles, too!
(4)Kristin W.
The food is generally good, but pricey. Most of the dishes are considered small plates, so our server recommended we get 2-3 each; we felt full with 5 between the two of us and agreed we would limit to 4 next time (particularly since we liked the bread so much!) In decreasing order of preference: -Scallops with Butternut Squash and Apple Cider - the scallops were sweet and nicely seasoned, but the squash was overly salty -Blue Crab Salad, Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto - there is a generous portion of crab provided with the dish; note that there is very little "salad" aspect if you are looking for some greens -Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi - tasty dish with lovely light gnocchi -Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Pecorino - very nice flavor, but I would have liked the sprouts to be a little softer -Roasted Red Snapper, Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage - while the size of the fish was reasonable, I was not wild about the flavor of this dish.
(4)Caren J.
Wonderful brunch, wonderful table and amazing service. I would definitely go back! Had the Rittenhouse plate and it was delish!!!! The charcoal biscuits were to die for! Lovely atmosphere as well!!! Not on top of each other!
(5)Steve M.
I pretty much *have* to give this place five stars. This is a lot after only one lunch visit, but there it is. I work in Center City near Rittenhouse Square and have been meaning to go hear forever, but just never got around to it. I finally went a couple of weeks ago, and looked over the menu. Lots of choices but nothing seemed quite right. So I rolled my eyes, sighed, and with some embarrassment, I ordered the cheese burger. It seemed like giving up to order a burger but it was what appealed to me at that moment. I've had a lifetime of cheese burgers, like everyone, so to identify one as the best I ever had is saying something. But this was simply the best burger I ever ate in my life. I don't know what set it apart - the roll, the cheese, the bacon, the meat, whatever the sauce was, I couldn't tell you. But I will say that if all they served was burgers, I would go back again and again.
(5)Fran V.
Excellent meal, From soup and appetizer to dessert. The Wagu Steak was so tasty! Compliments to the hard working line cooks and chefs.
(5)Felicia R.
Beautiful restaurant... HORRIBLE service! If you want to be ignored by a pretentious bartender, then by all means, this is your place to go! I wouldn't return even if it was free. Again HORRIBLE service!!
(1)Prasath S.
Had brunch here this past weekend...we got seated on the counter facing the open kitchen which was pretty cool (Apparently we needed a reservation to be seated in the main dining area..even for brunch? hmm okay) We tried the English Muffin S/W which came with a fried egg, gruyere, sausage..it was good but i felt it was lacking some seasoning...i was hoping the sausage would add to the lack of flavor but it didn't..i did however really enjoy the home made english muffin...we also tried the short-rib/white bean puree chili with corn bread and a fried egg..again great dish...loved the creativity but lacked seasoning... loved the service as well (Coffee was yummy and waitress always refilled it) Maybe this is just me but the place and atmosphere felt a little snobby...
(3)Bob L.
Very warm interiors and great service are the main appeal of this small place. My review is based on two dishes only. They shared the same flaw: the subtle flavors of the main ingredient were virtually obliterated by the other things on the plate. The "burrata" appetizer came with dill spice, served on a slice of toast in a potato-leek broth. The broth was wonderful, but the burrata couldn't be tasted as a result of the other strong flavors. It could have been served as soup and I wouldn't have missed the cheese, which itself was too firm and had a chewy texture. Similarly the skate, served with spicy broccolini, was over-shadowed by the spice. Skate is beloved for its delicate taste. Why it was accompanied by a palate killer is a mystery. Again, I don't know if these two dishes are representative of a theme of too much "creativity" or I just had bad luck.
(3)Joseph D.
Th re-boot of a.kitchen is a wonderful improvement. The previous version was excellent but the food has been taken to a new level. One of my favorite spots to sit and have dinner at the bar. Excellent service, great menu and wine and cocktail program.
(5)J K.
New chef and menu are in place. The service is great but I was not blown away by the food- we started with a bread basket which consisted of four different "seasonal" rolls - personally I would have been happier with simple french bread- the selection of bread was a little strange so I suggest asking before you order this item to see whether it is appealing. As to the food the best item we ordered were the smoked mussels. We also had the sea bream which was good but nothing earth shattering, with a few vegetable sides that were enjoyable but again nothing that made me want to rush back. Its pretty expensive as most of these small plates restaurants are, so I really have to be impressed to want to pay those kind of prices. Overall I'm not planning to come back as there are other places in the neighborhood I like better.
(3)Catherine L.
A.kitchen gets A D-grade for food. Which is disappointing - because with the chef pedigree, the location, gorgeous design interior with open kitchen, you would think you're in for an A+ meal. But not so, my foodie friends, not so. Perhaps we're poorly ordering over and over again, but the salads and sandwiches just aren't up to snuff. Service is a bit detached, cold. Salads lack a bit of color, a lot of flavor - terribly bland. But the definite stand-out disappointment were the mushroom croquettes- its contents and sauce were so off-putting, so much so that both my lunch companion and I had a terrible after-taste that lingered long after the meal was over. One highlight however, was the delicious homemade English muffin that had the right amount of fluffiness, crunch with a hint of sweetness and this thankfully was the only factor that took a simple deli tuna salad to a more gourmet level. Otherwise, a very average, expensive lunch all around.
(2)Andrew K.
We went there for brunch. The Bloody Mary was delicious - One of the best in the Rittenhouse area. We were seated right away. The grits dish was yummy.
(4)Aaliyah P.
I would probably go back for apps and drinks. My meal here was sort of what i expected from a hotel restaurant in rittenhouse, obviously pretentious and not that great. RW can either sway me one of two ways, you can give me awesome service, put out amazing food and wow me to come back or you can pull an A Kitchen and provide me with a barely memorable meal from start to finish. My favorite course was the eggplant starter with mushrooms. It had a very complex flavor and the contrast of textures made me want to keep eating. The next course was alright, shrimp in a spicy sauce with a few veggies. The main course was a fliet of fish ( not to e confused with Mcdonalds) that was overly bland and not flavorful , though there was a great sear on the fish. Dessert was uneventful and i probably could make something better with ducan hines brownie mix at home. Saving grace to the spotty service was the hostess and sommelier who remained friendly and helpful throughout our meal.
(3)M B.
My girlfriend and I have been wanting to try a.kitchen for a while. I took her there on Valentine's Day and we were both very disappointed. They had a 4 course prefix menu for 75 a person. The appetizers were way off taste wise. We tried 4 different ones and none of them stood out. The entrees were decent and we both ordered the steak wagu. The steak tasted great but the knives to cut the steak were very dull. It felt like we had to saw the steak and it was very chewy. The overall flavor was good but how difficult the steak was to cut took away from the entree. The desserts we had were awful. I had the chocolate mouse and she had the buckwheat pound cake. I have no clue what was going on there but everything was off and very disappointing. For 250$ I was expecting a lot more. I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone. Only positive experience of the night was the service.
(1)Brian S.
The food here is decent. It's not bad by any means but just ok. My beefs with a.Kitchen are that the menu is limited when you go for brunch and want more of a lunch item (they have all of three sandwiches on the menu). It's also way too small in here, and unless you are a gossip queen, you will probably hear way too much about who or what the next table over did last night. They do have really good homemade english muffins, though...
(3)Vlad L.
I went here for the first time last night for a business dinner. We started off at the new next door sister bar called a.bar . The bar was very nice. Small, sophisticated and you have a great street view of walnut/rittenhouse. The drink menu was also above average in terms of uniqueness of drinks. Our actual dinner was very good as well. Some would say the portions are small but I felt they were pretty on point. The menu has plenty of variety. The warm buratta over dry aged beef, corkscrew pasta and mushroom toast were all good. The plate presentation was very respectable but nothing over the top. I would definitely come here again. Oh and they have a great Czech lager on tap...just wish they served it in a bigger glass!
(4)Barry E.
Great food from a great chef. Was amazed with the "Rittenhouse Slam", though bacon was cooked a little too much. Rum raisin muffin was spectacular, and there's just something about their egg whites that blew my mind. Great restaurant at great service and reasonable prices.
(4)Jamie S.
Portions are pretty small for the price, but everything I have tried has been excellent, from the seasonal spiral pastas to the carrots. If you are starving, this is not your spot. But if you are looking for some refined bites, head on over- especially in warmer months when the outdoor seats are available.
(4)Alie A.
I have to say, I wasn't much of a fan! Came here for dinner not long ago for a celebratory dinner and found myself leaving with an empty wallet along with an empty stomach. Great wine selection and the menu appear to be appetizing, but dishes are small and not dignified enough to justify being priced at the rates they are. The warm field green salad was soaked in oil and felt like something I could have made in my kitchen with a clove of garlic and spinach. I will say that the mushroom stuff quail was amazing. We also had the corkscrew pasta with pancetta which was good but not mind blowing. Regardless, I'd give it another shot but not immediately. The ambiance is romantic and you're offered a great view of the park, yet the vibe is a little a haughty for my linking.
(3)Rob W.
It's funny how the first time I try a new restaurant is always durning restaurant week. It was truly a last minute stop after Zahav and Amada couldn't accommodate us. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into especially when they only had a table in front of the open kitchen, but it turned out to be dinner and a show. Slicing, dicing, grilling, searing, whipping and a lot more verbs were going on in unison like a string quartet. I would dive into each dish but just trust me, it's all amazing. Skate Wing and the Cod were the highlights. The only reason I can't give it a 5 star rating is because it broke the bank. $200 for 2 people ordering off the restaurant week menu on a week night. They snuck in two $15 drinks at the end that was a surprise. You gotta shoot your customers straight or they won't come back, ya know..
(4)Rob K.
We came here on a whim after not having a reservation at a couple of nearby restaurants where we attempted. There were 5 of us and we were all thrilled with our selections. We decided to order several plates for the table to share as the portions can be somewhat small. I ordered the duck breast and the octopus and both were delicious. I also tried the swordfish, striped bass, and the spaghetti with pepper, cheese and fried egg on top. Everything was delicious and the wine selections were on point. You can't go wrong with Italian wines.
(4)Andrew K.
I've walked past this place a hundred times and have always said to myself that I need to stop in and check it out. I finally stopped in after a comedy show on a Saturday evening and sat right at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and very helpful in making cocktail and wine recommendations. As for food, we ordered the wild mushroom tart and the softshell crab dish. The softshell crab dish was amazing. There was just enough breading to still taste the crab and it was seasoned very well. The tart was also very good. This place is a little expensive, as 2 small plates and 2 drinks runs about $50 with tip, but a great experience nonetheless.
(4)Anna Marie C.
i wanted to love it. i love the location, i love the friendly vibe that i got walking in the door. but the food was way darn overpriced. and although good--nothing special. i paid $6 for rolls? tiny tiny rolls? turnips for $7? that fit into a tiny bowl (and i couldn't taste the miso?) and wagyu steak... i think there were about 3 pieces on my plate. although tasty, i felt still half hungry and wanted to get a slice of pizza afterwards.
(2)Dennis L.
I'm torn. This place is definitely a nice ritzy date place, with ritzy small quaint date like giant prices. The prices don't seem like deserve a 3 dollar sign price rating, until you realize, these are almost tapas sized servings. Each normal sized person, not that large, requires maybe 1.5 to 2 of these 15-20$ dishes to really get full. Don't get me wrong? The quality was great. The 4 of us shared the Lamb Meatballs (only 3, but delicious), the lamb loin (again only 3 pieces but cooked well with delicious sauce), chicken and gnochi (lo and behold, 4 pieces!!! but tender to almost the point of seeming fake, like chicken paste), some meatless creamy pasta not on the menu (tasted under cooked, but the garlic creamy pasta was amazing), 2 vegetable sides (zucchini - delicious, asparagus - meh). Including tax and tip, we each spent about $27. We left borderline full, but not really. Dinner #2 followed shortly thereafter.
(4)David A.
I have now been back three times since my first visit earlier in the week. This place is incredible. Last night before the storm I was thinking comfort food: I had the pasta appetizer which has fresh long pasta with butter, grated cheese and salt. Not sure what else but incredibly light and delicious. A simple dish executed perfectly. Next I had the chorizo meatballs with calamari. Incredible flavor, not overly heavy and with a fantastic light red base. The staff is extremely friendly and top shelf. Great creative cocktails, outgoing chefs and knowledgable wait staff. And the owner, David, is always there ensuring great customer service and execution.
(5)Vinny P.
I was rather pleased with my meal from A.kitchen . Service was on point, the space is small and fun and the food was prepared beautifully. I met up with a family friend who will be moving to Philadelphia very soon. She was in for work and then did some measurements to her new place. She requested early dinner, near Rittenhouse. We both began with a glass of rioja. They have both 3 and 5 oz pours of wine (not sure who only wants 3oz of wine, but whatever) They seem to have a very healthy bottle list. We started with the grilled halloumi and the roasted maitake mushrooms. Both were delicious and I highly recommend them. The mushrooms with the foam and polenta really blew me away. For dinner we ordered the crab cakes and the lamb loin. My lamb came a perfect medium (as requested) and the farro risotto was just plain delicious. They didn't skimp on the crab cakes either though I didn't love the potato salad with it. Even still, it was a lovely meal. I was glad we got in early. By around 6:30 the place started filling up and there wasn't an open seat in the house. The mains were a touch small for the price tag but if you're with light eaters, and want some well thought out combinations, this is your place.
(4)Sara S.
The menu is amazing. There is a lot of innovation and creativity in the dishes. What's not okay is the price that they try to justify by calling dishes share plates. 25-40 dollars for a main dish that consists for 4 bites is over the top. The duck main course (cooked perfectly) came out with 2 little slivers of duck breast. High prices come with great food but I need more than an appetizers worth of food in return.
(3)Antonio A.
our 36th wedding anniversary. we head to a.kitchen , one of our favorite places where you can sit at the chef's counter and watch the action. chef eli kulp and ellen yin have revamped the menu. and the food is excellent. here is what we enjoyed for our 36th. 'Ã Chablis,' Olivier de Moor, 2011, Chablis, a bottle is better than a glass Crispy Basque Peppers, kelp salt, spice of life Grilled Prawns, chili & scallion glaze, heads on Pork Cutlet, mustard greens, caper aioli, tender and delicious Deviled Skate, sambal, charred napa cabbage, very, very good Baked and Grilled Potatoes, togarashi buttermilk, my kind of tater paul our wait person was very nice, putting up with an old grumpy married couple.
(5)YelpHatesMe Y.
Review is of the cheddar and bacon burger on house made English muffin, and was take out. GREAT burger! The quality of the meat was good and the sauce that they use was great. It came extra rare, which I LOVED! This inst really a big or hearty burger like Whiskey Village or Rouge but damn if it wasn't tasty. I'll be having more of these. Probably my favorite burger in Rittenhouse.
(5)Michael U.
Dishes sampled included: Almond Croissant Counter Culture Coffee Gruyere Buns with Poached Eggs and Country Ham This meal was better titled "a disaster," from their somehow managing to fail to unlock the doors until 10 minutes after they were supposed to open to the fact that my 'server,' Adrienne managed to ignore me (and my coffee/water refills) until I actively called to her across the room - where only one other patron sat - to the bait and switch menu (no Bread Pudding French Toast despite the online menu) the only thing that could have saved AKA Rittenhouse's restaurant was the food... ...and it didn't. With an almond croissant I would swear was stale considering the way it flaked and cracked - not to mention the slathering of frangipane - to the fairly average Gruyere Buns which unfortunately lacked any flavor of the cheese but did support some nicely poached eggs and savory pork this was the sort of meal that could have been trumped with a Moons Over My-Hammy at Denny's...except for the coffee, which was actually quite nice...but at least at Denny's it would have been refilled by a person I felt deserved a tip; something I did not leave as Andrew Jackson's face seemed more than adequate.
(1)Leigh S.
Went here for Restaurant Week to try out a new location and it was awesome! Definitely not for groups, but the food was great and the wine list EXTENSIVE. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Rachel W.
Positive - service was great. Friendly, attentive, all good! Disappointing - The food was so-so and the prices were high. I had the brunch bagel with salmon, onion, tomato and herb creamcheese. Their idea of toasting a bagel is to grill it. The onion was a white onion cut about half an inch thick. Overall I would not go back.
(2)Geoff S.
I arrived at the downtown hotel early and was hungry for a nice breakfast. Yelp, guided me to a.kitchen and I couldn't have been happier with what I was about to experience. As it was just little 'ol me, I was asked by the hostess if I wanted to sit up at the chef's table, a counter-style area facing the open kitchen. Seemed like a good suggestion to me! The server, Lee, was there promptly with water and asked if I wanted coffee. Yes, please - this came quickly and was very good, as were the frequent refill offers. I looked at the menu while watching one of the chef's at work in the kitchen. My pick for breakfast? Eggs Benedict - a classic and since they said they make their hollandaise sauce fresh, I had to try it. As a side note, their muffins are freshly made in-house too, and they are fantastic. By the time my eggs arrived, another chef was in the kitchen and since they weren't too busy, both were very responsive to my few questions and requests (another small tub of hollandaise sauce, please!?). It was a Saturday morning around 11am and I was, by this time, the only one at the counter-seating, so I thought questions were ok....... The Benedict was superb, the muffin perfect and the ham very well cooked. The hollandaise was outstanding atop the perfectly poached eggs. Love the decor of the place, the chef's table/counter seating, the menu and the service. These things, as well as being a short walk from our downtown hotel, will be bringing me back - probably soon and maybe for dinner too, this time!
(4)Winnie S.
Great wine selection, interesting and thoughtful food, lunch service was a bit slow. Modern decor was elegant and refined, yet not stuffy, staff very friendly, however the kitchen was a bit too slow for the pace of a working lunch.
(3)Xerxes N.
Grab a Stillwater Cellar Door beer and take a seat on their outdoor patio and enjoy the beautiful evening! They offer beers from the continental US and around the world. Enjoy the modern and cool restaurant views while catching beautiful people walking up and down the street. You can even enjoy a nice city like view while on the patio. The most appealing feature of this restaurant are the doors that serve as walls and when opened make for a combo indoor and outdoor restaurant. Definitely a cool spot to hang out and when I'm back in town again I plan to visit and eat!
(4)Tina A.
I went here for the first time last week, after Eli Kulp overhauled the menu. It was sooooo good. The smell of the charcoal grill welcomes you when you enter the restaurant. I think the steak tartar was my favorite, but I also enjoyed the mussels, quail eggs and beets, and the clams. I'll definitely be going back soon!
(4)Andrea T.
Hmm, I could have swore I wrote a review After they first opened I went here for brunch with three friends. Our service was horrible. So horrible that I had to actually ask for my food. Our blintzes came out burnt, not crisp, charred to be exact. Our server didn't even ask me if i wanted a refill on my mimosa which would have made his tip higher. On a brighter note there about twenty great places within ten steps of this sad establishment so save your self and just walk on by.
(1)Lauren S.
I was suppose to go on a date here but my date had to cancelled due to a family emergency luckily for me my friend was free and wanted to check this place out too. It would of been a great atmosphere for a date, dimly lit lights warm vibe to the modern décor. We participated in restaurant week which left us stuffed. I started with the Shrimp a la Plancha, if you don't like shrimp that look like shrimp this isn't the dish for you. The shrimp were huge and tasty. Next I had the Cacio e Pepe, save some bread to dip in the extra sauce. Than I got the Griddled Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Quinoa, Arugula Pesto, Hazelnuts delicious loved the arugula pesto sauce. Wasn't a fan of the Lemon Olive Oil Cake, but at that point I really didn't need any more food. Too bad my date cancelled it would of been a great place for a date. And you can even hop over to a.bar without going outside which was awesome given the fridge weather.
(4)David Q.
I made a reservation for brunch at 145. When I got there, they told me that they overbooked and needed the table at 230. I don't know about others, but when people have Sunday brunch with friends, the last thing they like being told is there is a 45 minute time limit to their meal. I will definitely not be coming back here given the numerous other options.
(1)Erica M.
a.kitchen was very good this time around. The space is beautiful and the service is excellent. I came with a friend for restaurant week. This is one of the few restaurants in which restaurant week is a GOOD deal. Our dishes, if purchased on a "regular" night, would have cost upwards of $50 per person, plus alcohol. So the restaurant week price of $35 was excellent. The food was quite tasty - started with the shrimp, then the fluke, then the hen of the woods mushrooms, and finished with the olive oil cake. My friend did the shrimp, chorizo meatballs, roasted chicken, and olive oil cake. The flavors of all the dishes were very good, and everything was cooked perfectly. But I must say, I don't know if I would've been thrilled had I paid full price. As many others have said, it's expensive and the portions are small. The wines and cocktails are expensive (though I did learn last night that they are all organic). The only time I am okay with expensive and small is if the flavors are truly mindblowing, and a.kitchen's just weren't. I am excited to see the changes made after Eli Kulp gets his hands on the menu...given that High Street on Market is our favorite restaurant, I will definitely revisit a.kitchen after Chef Kulp makes modifications. This place has huge potential - gorgeous decor, excellent servers, and perfect location!
(4)Jason H.
Went to a.kitchen for a late dinner with my GF. Sat at the kitchen bar, which is always a cool scene in any restaurant; this was no exception. Ordered a few items, including skate wing. When the skate arrived, it had the unmistakeable smell of ammonia. Upon further research, I discovered that while this can be caused by the beginning of decomposition (old fish) it is also a problem for any fish in the shark family; apparently skate falls in this category. Sharks, I found out, urinate through their skin, and apparently (especially larger fish) can have this ammonia smelling/tasting problem if not properly soaked in a bicarbonate bath prior to cooking. So, the fish was either old, or not prepared properly. We brought this to the manager's attention, at which time he said it was the "brown butter" and not the fish. We sent it back anyway, and got a substitute. Toward the end of the meal, they switched servers for our table (it was just getting to closing time) and the new server was rather rude, and clearly thought a great deal of herself. When the check came, I was surprised to find no consideration for the problem we had, whatsoever. I wrote to the e-mail on the restaurant's website, and recounted the same tale as you are reading now, and have yet to hear anything by phone or e-mail after more than a week. Pretty poor all around, and after two visits to a.kitchen , we won't be returning. A.shame. -J
(1)Marianna L.
LOVED A.kitchen . Had lunch outside last week, and am so happy with my choice. Although prices are a bit steep for lunch (I guess it is just the area it is in) the portion size is decent, and the quality is top-notch. I got the speck and brie sandwich. It was like an adult grilled cheese and ham! The mustard that it was sitting in on the plate was the perfect accompaniment to give it a kick! The pickled veggies on the side were also a nice, tangy element. The seemingly home made potato chips were perfectly salted and crispy. I would definitely go back!
(4)David S.
The food here was really disappointing for the price. Of the 4 courses my GF and I had only one was worth coming back for. The fish was downright terrible. Bright spot was my cocktail which was actually really good. Go for drinks and wine, pass on the food.
(2)Rachel S.
My friend and I stopped in to a.kitchen for an early dinner tonight and were excited we were able to walk in and sit down without a wait! First off, this is not somewhere I would suggest coming to for an "experience." I was not overly impressed with the decor and the place is small. My intent was to have a great meal with a friend and it delivered completely. We ordered the cheese plate first which would probably be the only "eh" part of the meal. SUPER small amount for the price tag. I would skip even though it was delicious. The rest of our portions were so big and I was so surprised. We were told we probably needed about 5 plates between the two of us and we absolutely could have each gotten a salad and shared one plate and had been full. No worries! We got to try more things and they were all delicious. My friend and I both got the Baby Arugula Salad, Shaved Mushrooms, Bresaola with Lemon Vinaigrette which was potentially one of the best salads I have had in the city. Salty, light and filling all at the same time. SO SO GOOD. We shared the Roasted Red Snapper with Saffron Potatoes, Fennel, Chorizo Nage and the Blue Crab Salad with Sardinian Cous Cous, Basil Pesto which were both awesome as well. The snapper was seasoned perfectly and the blue crab was ice cold and they did not skimp on the crap part whatsoever. Nothing worse than a luke warm, mayonaise-y blue crab salad. We went on to share the Roasted Chicken with Ricotta Gnocchi and by this time we were super full but still kept picking! The chicken was tender and the gnocchi and other little nibbles on the plate were delicious. I would recommend this as a whole meal for someone as well. We also had a plate of the Spaghetti Carbonara which I would say was a super small portion and could have done without it based on fullness and because it was just so-so. All in all I can't wait to go back here. The service was not lacking, the food rocked and the location perfect. Yum!
(5)Kate B.
I recently stopped in here to get out of the heat . My friend and I were too late for brunch and too early for dinner. However - we had a couple cocktails and Michael the bartender was so friendly and helpful. He went over the wine list made some good recommendations also gave us some pointers about Philly. Hope to go back soon for dinner!
(4)Timothy D.
A perfect spot for 2 people to sit, chat, eat, and watch the world go by. Great staff, a menu that does no wrong, and excellent cocktails make for a very good time. Clean and simple and classy through and through.
(4)Sarah A.
While the food was good, it wasn't on par with the prices or balanced out by the portion sizes. The quiche was overcooked, the vegetarian scrapple more like fried tofu than any sort of scrapple, and the waitstaff seemed a bit unkempt (stringy, unwashed hair, particularly noticeable at brunch on a holiday). I, as were those I dined with, was disappointed with the experience.
(2)Justin C.
Decent brunch, underwhelmed by the food for the price. Coffee was VERY strong, didn't finish a whole cup. We got an English muffin egg and cheese sandwich, which was good but not great, eggs Benedict which again was good but not great, and the mushroom scrapple which was bland and more of a cornmeal cake with mushroom than it was scrapple. On the positive side the food came out fairly quickly. Will not be returning.
(2)Samantha B.
I have a thing for coffee shops. When I was working across the park and took the train into work every day, I would stop at a different coffee shop every week to find my favorite. A.cafe wins. Hands down. I seem to be the only person in the city who's discovered that you can walk up to the bar and get a coffee to go. I'm not complaining. There is never a line like at many other coffee joints in the area, commercial or independently owned (cough La Colombe). The coffee is the same price as say..Dunkin Donuts, and incredible. And it makes me feel like I'm in Europe. If I've ever been to Europe. They present your coffee with your own personal tray complete with milk, sugar, and a spoon. It makes you feel pretty rich. Rich as in luxurious. I also tend to make friends with strangers. I like strangers a lot. When I was going to a.cafe regularly, I knew the entire bar staff. We were 'friends.' In the most meaningless sense of the word. But still. They bought me coffee often. I loved it. When I stopped taking the train in and a.cafe wasn't on my route to work, I started coming on Saturday or Sunday mornings and having breakfast by myself at the bar. It's become my thing. Most recently I ordered a simple 2 poached eggs with potatoes and an english muffin with jam. You get your own little jar of jam. As if I needed any more convincing. I also gave in and shared my secret coffee hideaway and took a couple of my friends who were in town visiting for brunch. Was just as cozy and classy as always. A.kitchen is my special little place. Will be interesting how their expansion into Kiehl's turns out.
(4)Kristen F.
Two friends and I went here for girl's night out. It was a Yelp says "A-OK." The highlight dish for the group was the the Taleggio and Wild Mushroom Crêpe with Forest Mushroom Gravy. Also highlights - Smoked Octopus, Curried Lentils, and Clementine & Braised Short Rib and Ricotta Gnocchi Gratin. Surprisingly, the dish I felt was touted the most - the Lamb Bolognese - was underwhelming. Also to note, the hostess was super friendly and went so far as helping us into our coats (I noticed, unless it's a different girl, that she got a lot of slack on Yelp.) Our waiter was so-so, in terms of friendliness and timing. I wouldn't run back to A.kitchen , but I would definitely go back!
(3)Christine B.
I wanted to love this place, but I wouldn't say I do. I went for lunch with co-workers. We had all been wanting to try it because its around the corner from the office. We sat inside, but all the windows were open so that was nice. It was surprisingly pretty empty at 1pm. I had the blue crab salad. It was really tasty, but a little heavy on the mayo, and really small. Other people got sandwiches, the chorizo with calamari, and the veal ragu. Everyone enjoyed their food, but the bill came to about $28 per person. That's a pretty expensive lunch for relatively small portions. I didn't have any issues with the service, the waitress was nice, and checked back with us a couple times to see if we needed anything.
(3)Jonny R.
Though it wasn't a perfect visit, I think I need to indicate that this pace certainly outshines others that I rated with the same original score.
(5)Nicole H.
Just stopped in for a small snack - I had the Pork Belly Risotto Fritters ($9). The plate came with 3 fried balls filled with risotto (it really was more like plain rice) and pork along with a spicy mayo-based sauce. The fritters were very good and the sauce was a fantastic addition. Sitting at the kitchen bar I was able to see a lot of the different menu items prepared. The dishes definitely seemed a little small, but given the location and quality the prices aren't too too high. They're serving free alcohol til the liquor license comes through (not sure how long this is going on), which is a great deal. The staff is welcoming and friendly and the atmosphere is very modern and chic. Definitely give it a try!
(4)Jane P.
Came here with my friend to try the place out. Got a reservation in with the infamous "super bitchy" tiny Asian hostess HAHAHA no, she's actually VERY nice and friendly to guests. AAAAAnnnd also my younger sister. =P We got a spot at the chef's counter which was really neat because watching them prepare the dishes was so much fun! We were intent on just a few dishes and a drink and then would go to a bar after, but we ended up getting some extra dishes and they were all so delicious. I especially loved the Octopus with watermelon. BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Its always a plus when you see the managers on the floor paying attention to the guests and helping out whenever they can. The place can get very loud, but it is overall a nice place to eat in Rittenhouse. The popular drink they had was a blue drink, I forgot the name of it, but it was good. I'm just not a fan of Malibu. We were stuffed afterwards, but had a great time and would love to come back to try more dishes.
(5)Colleen U.
To start, cappuccino, looked beautiful, tasted delicious, but was not hot. My eggs Benedict, were the best I have ever had, the eggs were poached to perfection and the homemade English muffins where amazing. My husbands eggs and flank stake were amazing as well. My daughter's monkey bread pancakes were wonderful as well as the parfait. My only negatives would have to be for the atmosphere. Lighting on the dark side, especially the bathroom!! And for a noisy place as it is, the music was loud and not relaxing for a Sunday morning.
(4)Jemma C.
Overall this was "Meh". Food was average at best, table was way too small for 3ppl, staff lacked any real menu or wine knowledge. Way too many restaurants in Philly to ever warrant a return visit here. Not for me.
(3)Amy J.
The menu looks delicious, and they have a great wine selection, but the portions are just not there for the price. I made the mistake of bringing out of towners here for dinner and we left still hungry after a hefty bill. I won't go back unless it's for dessert only.
(2)Mathew P.
Cocktails were amazing, try the rule of thumb! Food was very good, how ever I did leave hungry. Very small portions Executed very well. Siting at the chef rail was a fun experience
(3)Suzanne G.
This was my favorite meal in Philly last week. I went because of Yelp, also it has a great location - just off the Rittenhouse Square. Sit at the Chef's Bar if you are a group of three or less, you can see all the action. Beets & Broccoli was just okay, could use a little more flavor. The Honey Yogurt was just that: some honey on one side of the plate and yogurt on the other. However, the other two dished I tried: Blue Crab with Farro Salad and the Almond Macaroons were amazing. I can't stop thinking about the simple, refreshing, perfectly complimentary flavors that made up these dishes. I'm not sure why Yelp says just wine & beer. I tried the Renata (Tequila, Rum, Cointreau, Maraschino, Lemon). I like the description better than the actual drink.
(4)Matt C.
A lot has been said about this place, but simply put: it's good. The food is good; the ambiance is good; the service is good; and it's obvious a lot of thought went into preparing the menus. Yes, it's a little expensive than other choices, but it's also a little nicer than other choices and the attention to detail means it's incredibly rare to find anything disappointing. It's not a bargain, and the portion sizes aren't huge, but surely a classy and tasty restaurant, in which it is a pleasure to dine and which presents a variety of interesting options has it's place in the rich pantheon of Rittenhouse Square restaurants. I suspect I'll be back more than once, never ordering the same thing twice.
(4)Meredith B.
Decent lunch - Standard. Breakfast is the way to go here. Smoked Salmon Crispy Bagel Napoleon was refreshingly lite and different.
(3)Holly T.
a.kitchen was one of those places it took us forever to try, even though we walk by all the time, but we're so glad we finally did. More often than not, we just pop in for a drink and snack at the bar. They do wine, beer, and cocktails well, so you can't go wrong, whichever your preference. A few drinks and a cheese plate or appetizer at the bar hit the spot on our walk home from work. In addition to our bar experiences, we truly enjoyed our one dinner here so far. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share, and our server was pleasantly flexible in negotiating how to course them, as well as leaving us the freedom to order more as we went along rather than having to decide on everything at once. Some of the dishes we tried include scallops with blood orange, asparagus with shitake, beets and goat cheese, chili shrimp, and venison. The venison and scallops were especially memorable. I love that their menu changes so often; those particular dishes are long gone, replaced by new dishes we look forward to trying. I find the wine by the glass selection here to be one of my favorites in town; the Morgon and Chinon were both perfect food-friendly wines with dinner. We also had an amazing dessert wine, Barolo Chinato, paired with our chocolate panna cotta. From the outside, I had imagined a.kitchen to be a bit more casual. I'm not necessarily disappointed to find that it was fancier than I expected, it just means it's more in "special occasion" territory when it comes to dinner. It was absolutely worth it, though, and we will definitely be back.
(4)Claire R.
This was such a weird, bad, and dirty (or dusty) experience. A friend and I snagged an outdoor table for an afterwork drink and bite. I was looking forward to trying it because I had passed it and liked the overall aesthetic. But my first sip of A. Kitchen was disgusting. There was a light film of dust/ dirt on the water. The server didn't apologize and seemed relatively unconcerned but did bring me a new water along with my wine and quickly disappeared. Before drinking I checked both of them and noticed the same film. However, we were unable to get her attention again. She was rarely seen for the next 45 minutes or so except for one one or two occasions when she she would walk to the opposite side of tables and stand around giggling and talking. We tried to make eye contact but she would promptly turn her back to us before we could motion for her to come over. Finally someone who appeared to be a manager based on how he was dressed seemed to sense our frustration or notice our attempts to get our server's attention. He asked us if everything was okay at which point we explained that our server had disappeared and there was a dusty film on our drinks. He indicated that he would be back and I fully expected him to return with either a comped check or an apology. Instead he dropped a check in front of us and disappeared. We were charged for our dirty drinks. Rather than waste another 30 minutes trying to get someone's attention and not expecting anything to come of our complaint, we decided to cut our losses, threw cash down on the table to cover the check and headed to another place for drinks and dinner. I will never, ever go here again and have saved a few friends and business acquaintances from the bad experience by vetoing suggested meals or lunch meetings here.
(1)Jillian P.
On Memorial Day at 11:10 AM, my husband and I walked up to the hostess and asked how long it would take to be seated outside (we were with our 2 small dogs). She said 20 minutes, possibly sooner, and that the only party ahead of us just sat down. She asked for our name and number; she would call when our table was ready. We walked to Rittenhouse Square (1/4 block) and waited. And waited. By 11:30, we walked back to the restaurant to check on our reservation. Before we saw anything else, we noticed that every single table had completely new patrons. And the hostess was cleaning off another table for someone else. We turned around, went to Parc and had an amazing meal at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Maybe A.kitchen should hire A.hostess who knows how to hostess? Regardless, I'll never go back. What a terrible way to treat customers.
(1)S L.
Enjoyed a really tasty lunch today at A.Kitchen and the food was good enough that I'd go back again for sure. The service was a bit off. We had to ask for ice twice, and we ordered coffee for dessert that never came (not the end of the world, I know), but other than that, lunch was great. I'd like to go back for dinner at some point.
(4)Ronna L.
Meh. I'm adding a.kitchen to my growing list of Rittenhouse restaurants that are overpriced and overrated. No egregious violations here--the food was decent, the service was okay, and the decor was nice. But I prefer to have my mind (and taste buds) blown when I drop this much cash at a restaurant, and suffice it to say, I left a. kitchen with my head still very much intact. Expect to order two plates if you're hungry. The menu changes frequently, I'm told, but last night, we sampled the spaghetti bolognese, pasta carbonara, cheese plate, lamb loin and octopus. All were just fine, with the octopus (thick, well-seasoned tentacles) being the best of the bunch. Drinks are also more expensive than they should be (there's no reason you should pay $7 for a bottle of Bell's Oberon, even if it is one of the most refreshing summer beers around). No plans on going back to a.kitchen anytime soon, unless someone else is paying. After a mediocre dinner experience, we didn't even bother with dessert and headed over to Insomnia Cookies for a mint chocolate chip cookie instead.
(3)Ben P.
Meh. I was unimpressed. This joint is weird. Dressed up very nicely with a lot of focus on atmosphere and presentation, but they kind of forgot about the whole 'food' part of a restaurant. Tables are way too close together. Sorry you were limited by space, but I don't like my brunch being assaulted (warning:incoming pun alert) by asses on both sides as people get up and sit down. Service was pretentious and insincere. How hard is it to say "Are you enjoying everything" instead of "Does your meal evoke all that you miss about your childhood?" Frankly Jareth, it might have it it wasn't lukewarm. C'mon, son! Portions were a bit on the tiny side, too. Don't misread that as "me big fat 'Merican, want eggs benedict with anaconda egg", they were just being cheap. And cheap this place isn't. It isn't super expensive, either, but I would have had hot food and service that didn't conjure up a desire to give someone a wedgie and a swirlie from The Penrose. Try Parc, up the street. Parc is doing well what A Kitchen meant to do.
(3)Chris M.
I wandered in here with a coworker by complete accident and left impressed. I ordered from the Restaurant Week menu and my culinary ADHD was satisfied. I started with grilled radicchio and wild mushroom toast. The toast was battered and fried and delicate in flavor which balanced nicely with the radicchio and sauce. The sweetbreads were cooked just right and had a crunchy exterior and velvety texture. The slaw in top was one of those rare treats that I could eat everyday and not grow tired of. I also had smoked cod goat cheese cake which were both tasty and a good mix with the first two courses, but not quite as memorable. The service was excellent. If I lived in this town, I'd be here often (and significantly heavier...).
(5)J.M. O.
Stumbled on it for a Saturday brunch and came away extremely pleased.good and attentive service,excellent coffee,beautiful homemade English Muffins and eggs,Great for vegetarians. A very good brunch and would go back in a heartbeat.
(4)Jean R.
I have eaten here quite a few times but this was my first experience since the menu changed substantially (earlier this spring) and unfortunately I give the change a thumbs down. I used to think of it as a place to get a number of delicious healthy options, but yesterday at lunch I had a hard time finding anything that wasn't heavy/fatty/fattening on the menu. I ordered the beet salad and it was "ok"--way more cabbage than beets (where's the beet!") and the dressing had a bottled French dressing quality. Also, the whole restaurant smelled like a kitchen fire (or should I say A.kitchenfire). The service and atmosphere (not counting the smoky smell) was just as lovely as it used to be. Unfortunately though, I am taking this one out of the rotation.
(3)Travis E.
Just.... Ok. I don't mind spending money on good food, but it really wasn't worth the price. Service was great.
(3)Srishti D.
Cute little place with some amazing cocktails and food. I had the bershire pork lion with tunisian and moscow mule and it was incredible!
(4)Alex M.
Food was good, but fairly overpriced for what you get. Service is OK. Try the Blue crab salad.
(3)Catherine H.
Pretend like you're European and eat outside on the sidewalk. Get the chicken sandwich at lunch. Veggie dishes tasty but tiny.
(4)Carrie J.
I've been several times for brunch, but the first time I visited a.kitchen was for dinner and I was so impressed I came back several times for brunch. I can count on this restaurant for a consistently tasty meal and prompt service. Many months ago I came here to meet with some friends for drinks but since we were sitting at the open kitchen, the action and the aroma encouraged us to order meals. Although I am not the biggest fan of mussels, I ordered the moules frites. The mussels were tasty and cooked perfectly (search David Lebovitz's blog for the importance of having properly prepared mussels). But the thing that really impressed me was the authenticity of curry sauce that came with the fries. Upon tasting it, it transported me back to my short weekend in Brussels, where, of course, I had frites with curry sauce. a.kitchen reproduced the perfect Belgian experience. I am hoping this dish will make a reappearance on their menu again. The stand-out meal that I have had for brunch was the chorizo and queso fresco pancakes with sriracha-maple syrup. It was inventive, delicious, and filling. The chorizo and cheese were blended in the batter to produce beautifully fluffy hotcakes. The clean lines make the space look modern, while the small size and wood elements make the interior very comfortable. It doesn't get very noisy even though you will be very close to your neighbors. I am looking forward to trying their brunch hamburger called the "Death Star."
(5)Dina B.
On the whole, we enjoyed our dining experience at a.kitchen . There were pluses and minuses. I thought the hostess had a difficult attitude, so I was wary when we arrived. However, the exceptional service we had during the meal made up for that. The service really was great. No matter who was our assigned server, everyone in the restaurant helped in some way. This was a real plus as dishes did not sit, the check did not sit, and we received a lot of attention. The atmosphere is a bit challenging. It is a small, busy place, with one or two more tables than it should have. The server for the table next to us had to squish between our two tables. It was frenetic and loud. The food is excellent. The plates are on the smaller size, but priced appropriately. Expect to order two to three dishes per person. We started with a salad with blue cheese and pears. The salads were large and extremely tasty. We then had one scallop dish - perfectly prepared -- and the lamb bolognese, which was exceptional. For dessert, we had the pound cake. A perfect size grilled with ice cream. I would return to a.kitchen . There are so many competing restaurants in the area, but this really stood out to me.
(3)Emily K.
"We went there for brunch on my [mom's/sister's/girlfriend's] birthday." That about says it all. Charming and modern interior, servers nervously formal enough to satisfy even the most uppity of Rittenhouse grandmothers, brunch dishes that will certainly do the job and a location that basically explains the validity of the above statement. But when it comes down to it, the brunch is just okay.
(3)Sean H.
Having walked by this place tons of times, I finally went last night with a friend. We sat at the chef's viewing bar area thingy, which was super entertaining. It was so cool to watch them do their thing right before your eyes, not to mention you got plenty of advance warning when your food was on the way. We had the asparagus salad, an order of the spicy fried potatoes, and the grilled octopus with curried lentils. All of the above were quite delicious, especially the octopus. It was funny...one chef made our order, then another came behind her and took a good handful out of the dish before rearranging the garnish and sending it out. I guess she was a little too generous with the octopus. Drinks here were good. I recommend the Moravian, which has bourbon, cucumber, bitters, and one other ingredient that is escaping me. It's quite tasty and approachable.
(4)Kim S.
Their food is really really good but why is it so damn expensive for such small plates?!?
(4)Jen L.
This place is perfect for wealthy skinny people. Unfortunately, I'm neither wealthy nor particularly skinny (I have way too large of an appetite to have an ideal BMI), so this restaurant is not a place I will visit often. However, the brunch I had there was delicious (shrimp and grits) ... not too generous on the carbs (again, targeting the skinny people) but was made of fresh ingredients and had wonderfully balanced flavors, and the ambiance was chic. I would recommend this place to the health conscious, portion-watching crowd in the Rittenhouse area, but if you're hoping to leave the restaurant feeling full, you'll probably need to order more than one dish.
(4)Karol S.
I agree with others' reviews that the staff lacks energy and enthusiasm. However, let's talk about the food. We started with the halloumi cheese. It is served with a few pieces of lettuce and some shreds of pickled onions. It contains two thin strips of halloumi (each about 2.5 inches long). The portion of this appetizer was surprisingly small, but I didn't get hung up on it. ...until I got my entree, chilli-glazed swordfish with white beans and black olive paste. We chuckled at the size of the plate and portion of my meal. It contained 4 small cubes of swordfish (each cube of protein was about half a squared inch), and I could probably have counted the number of white beans with both hands. Yes, tops 10 individual pieces of bean. I laughed but the taste was fabulous. My partner had the fettucini with pork bolognese, topped with a perfect amount of shredded parmesan cheese. Also small portion but satisfying to the taste buds. We shared the upside down plum cake with orange caramel and some roasted almonds. Two small triangular pieces...but we were glad it was more than a bite for each. I would say that you pay for the good taste of the food, not necessarily for the portions. Everything seemed sort of tapas-sized, although that is not explicitly (or implicitly) described. I wouldn't go there if I was really really hungry, unless I planned to order an appetizer, entree, and dessert, all for myself. The reason I complain about the portions is primarily b/c I'm used to restaurant serving an incredible amount of food, regardless of how fancy/trendy and upscale they aim to be. I think a.kitchen provides an air of the portions we all attempt to eat (and/or should be eating). The portions really are comparable to what you would have consumed had you prepared your own dinner. However, because you are eating out, you naturally expect to splurge and indulgence and over-consume. That is still doable at akitchen if it is what you're looking for---you simply have to order more than you would elsewhere. Even the bread (which was only served upon request) is tiny. The waitress brought a sliced dinner roll, whose diameter was really no large than 1 inch. I didn't mind. It's better than having eaten an entire basket of bread a-la-Parc, but still...it was humorous. Just go knowing that everything comes in unexpectedly small portions, but the taste of food is certainly strong. You will not be disappointment by flavor and presentation.
(4)Nicolaus U.
Great place for brunch. Amazing Monkey Bread French Toast.
(5)Ameena E.
Below the hype of expectations! From appetizer to dinner, everything was bad. The scallops and crab meat had a stale stench - the beet salad was not edible. We didn't finish even half of our food after spending a little over $100 for two people. Upside: the service was very friendly!
(1)Stephanie M.
Went here during restaurant week so the price was great ($35 for a 4 course meal). The first two courses were the mushroom toast and fried sweetbread plates which were mediocre..not something I'd go back for. However, the flank steak was delicious! It was tender and juicy with a great wine sauce. The apple tart dessert was also tasty. Service was great and the atmosphere is what makes it appealing. It's a great location which is why I may go back for drinks, but I won't be paying full price for the food anytime soon.
(3)Liz H.
A.mazing brunch. French toast was melt-in-your mouth incredible, as was the steel cut oatmeal with caramelized bananas. I don't know what a vegetarian scrapple is, but it was salty, crunchy outside, creamy inside, delicious. We sat on the sidewalk (side by side; perfect for people-watching) and thoroughly enjoyed every bite and every second. Couldn't ask for a better brunch spot.
(5)Janice T.
My friend and I were pleased to be seated outdoors right away without reservations for brunch this past Saturday. Service was decent and we enjoyed our mimosas and sitting outdoors but I don't recommend the frisee salad+poached egg+bacon+hash brown meal. It's literally one small poached egg with a ton of salad. The hash brown patty was burnt/crisp and didn't taste good because you could only taste the crispness of the hash brown. However, my friend's omlette with asparagus was pretty tasty. It came with potatoes even though the menu doesn't say so. Would I recommend it to friends? Probably not...
(3)Miss Piggy B.
Found this great spot while shopping in Philly- delish food, great wine selection and excellent service! The open kitchen and intimate dining room is fun and energetic and our server was knowledgable and genuine. The risotto was to die for and so was the beet and goat cheese salad. We were also big fans of the asparagus salad, lamb, meatballs, bolognese pasta and the shortbread dessert. Yes, two people ordered all of that- can't wait to go back again! Also, I couldn't help but notice how actively involved every member of the staff was- simply seeing something that needed to be done and graciously doing so. Refreshing. Did I mention how awesome the food was?
(4)Amar R.
Been here twice. The food/service at this place is not something I would write home about. No plans of going back again.
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