Townsend Menu

  • 1St Course
  • 2Nd Course
  • 3Rd Course

Healthy Meal suggestions for Townsend

  • 1St Course
  • 2Nd Course
  • 3Rd Course

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  • Aaron P.

    People like to say "you get what you pay for." I feel like that's an excuse for laziness. Money does not buy good taste, and the devil is in the details. So this is a story about value. About the intersection between quality and cost. It's a story about an $8 glass of tempranillo that has you trapped between rapture, and anger at what you've been spending. It's a story about a piece of chicken so tender you question that it's chicken. Or about a server who knows the middle name of the farmer's nephew in France who churned the cheese that's churning your senses. It's about sitting back at the end of the journey and saying "wow, I've paid twice as much for food half as good, but my future is looking brighter." Townsend is a fantastic blend of charm, comfort, and congeniality. I personally lean toward the relaxed cocktail vibe on the ground level, but upstairs, star-crossed lovers are all-a-gaze over white linen and shimmering silver. I've gone three times in the past month, and tasted everything on the menu that my shellfish allergy would allow; each dish was fascinating. I recommend you go with a large group so you can benefit from a bite or two of everything. The Beef Tartare with Bone Marrow, and the Sweetbreads with Grilled Veal Tongue are personal standouts. Your entrée must be either the Rabbit Pot-au-feu or the Roasted Organic Chicken. Save room for the Chocolate Soufflé, it's a near religious experience. And please, if you have any sense of adventure, ask for the sommelier, Lauren. Tell her what you think you like; tell her how you're feeling, what you're eating, your thoughts on the Winter Olympics. Then let her interrupt you with a glass of wine that changes everything. And take a sip of your brighter future.

    (5)
  • Jason H.

    I visited Townsend recently, and had a great meal. I'm only giving a four-star review because I had a 9:00PM reservation, and was not seated until 9:45PM. I know this can sometimes happen, but 45 minutes seems like a really long time. The space is small (I think they may have a second floor, but not sure) and very cozy. They have a bar area in front, and dining room towards the rear of the 1st floor. The food is French, and the menu setup in a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd course layout, a la carte. The bar makes some very good cocktails, and specializes in French liqueurs and other spirits, as well as quite a number of flavorings they use. I can't comment on the wine list, as I'm not very much a wine drinker. As I mentioned before, the menu is a three-course affair, though a la carte. The selections are limited, maybe five or so per course, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We opted for the pumpkin lobster bisque, foie gras, rabbit, pernod oysters, and the gnocchi special. We enjoyed everything, but both thought the foie gras was a bit off. It was served with a rather thick layer of sweet jelly atop the ramekin, and a pear chutney. The chutney was nice, but we both thought the sweet jelly was a little bit much. We opted for the chocolate souffle for dessert, which was served with a Pernod-infused whipped cream, which was great. We liked Townsend very much, and would definitely return for both the atmosphere and food, as well as the French-inspired cocktails.

    (4)
  • Mike S.

    Went there last night (Monday 9pm) for a peaceful glass of wine. JP and Jeff were working behind bar and very friendly. Pure hospitality, good knowledge of wine and cheese list. I left off one star since I did not eat dinner there yet. Thanks fellas!

    (4)
  • Robert B.

    We arrived at this location for our anniversary. It was a wonderful evening. We arrived and found a wonderful touch by the restaurant. Our menus had "Happy Anniversary" printed on them. I ordered a beer from a small selection but, I was ecstatic because it was a sour beer. And I simply love sour beers. You do not find them on menus. A three course meal was in the offering. My wife ordered oysters that were broiled and she thought it was wonderful. I went with the beef tar tar. It was slightly spicy and sweet. It had bread with it. A wonderful balance of flavor. Although, the horseradish flavor began to overpower other flavors. But, it was wonderfully done. I went with a duck and pasta special for course number two. It was simply divine. Rustic meaty flavor that was broken up with sweetness of cherry tomato and goat cheese. I simply wished for more of the cheese and tomato in the course. The pasta was good and the duck cooked to perfection. My wife had a warm salad that she enjoyed. She especially liked mushrooms in it that were like meat to her. The main course, my wife had a halibut course that was a large portion. She enjoyed it. I ordered the lamb en cocotte course. It was lamb loin and shoulder. It was flavored well. Two applications with the lamb and two flavor profiles. I enjoyed the stewed in bowl with fruit and vegetables portion best. It was flavorful. The cut pieces of loin on the side was delicious with the sauce, but I found it slightly rubbery or chewy. I was not certain about that. On to dessert and a chocolate souffle. They prepared us well by indicating that it takes 15 minutes to cook. We were fine and shared this heavenly dessert of chocolate richness. It was well balanced with a cream on the side. A few things to mention, it is a quaint little location. The staff are helpful but not overly intrusive. I'd suggest curtains on the main floor dining room. The view is nothing to look at and slightly distracting. It is a neighbors back porch and slightly odd. But overall it was an awesome experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

    (5)
  • Kenneth W.

    Beautifully prepared, and artfully presented food. Chef Townsend Wentz's roots show through in presenting dishes that on one level seem simplistic yet have a complex backbone. Four of us went there on a Sunday evening and the only blemish was a heavy hand with salt on the sweetbread second course (which I still completely scarfed up!). The appetizer of oysters with a hint of fennel was spot on; and I almost asked for seconds of the rabbit pot-au-feu main course. The reviews of the chocolate souffle are all correct - rich, not heavy sweet, and enough for the table to share. Also, a shout out to the bartender - order a cocktail as you decide your meal - excellent job!

    (4)
  • Katrina F.

    I would not make reservations here for a special occasion. My reservation was cancelled within 65 seconds of my failing to pick up a confirmation call. No message was even left. When I tried to call back (for over an hour, no one picked up). While I was really excited to try the food, this level of service is entirely unacceptable for the price point. Truthfully, I doubt any quality of food could compensate for this type of treatment. I'm very surprised given the chef comes from Lacroix (which while I haven't love the food recently, has impeccable service). For special occasion in Philadelphia, I recommend Vetri (or Laurel) in the future (where the service and food are truly outstanding). I am just grateful the reservation was only for a birthday.

    (1)
  • Matt K.

    This restaurant is in the space once occupied by Sofia's. It is intimate and cozy, the main dining room seats less than 20 and the bar area maybe 8 more. They have a custom cocktail list like so many great restaurants, and this one is reminiscent of the Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co., with its emphasis on brown liquids in all sorts of interesting combinations. The service was excellent, and personalized, she knew what to do and say for each customer. On to the food which was very protein-heavy, which I like. Then again, I like everything. I started with the beef tartare. The texture was very unctuous, soft and almost pudding-like. It felt wonderful on the mouth. Hints of mustard, citrus, perfectly seasoned but not overpowered. Some chefs feel the need to disguise the beef, not here. The accompanying bread slices were toasted with just a hint of cheese, again quite subtle, and there was a schmeer of a parsley-like very green puree that you could dip into as you wished. Very good! Just one note, there was too much bread so I didn't finish it. The second course was a special veal cheeks with sweetbreads. The meats were cooked perfectly, and the sauce, while quite rich and strong, was beautiful. The cheeks were even more tender than a falling-apart short rib. The main course was rabbit "pot-au-feu", I put that in parentheses because every pot-au-feu I have had has been much simpler and not very interesting. This dish was a complex mix of flavors, colors and textures, and included carrots and potatoes and a crostini with liver on it that complimented each bite fantastically. The sauce again was rich and soft. Coaxed to have dessert, I noted only three on the menu, all simple. I had the creme brûlée and it was what I consider perfect, which is to say that the texture was just slightly thinner than pudding. Creme brûlée should not be custardy or eggy, I think. Real vanilla beans of course, great caramelized crust. Bibou is the top feminine French bistro in Philly with its more delicate treatments of food, and I think Townsend must be the top masculine one. A bold menu that screams protein. Arrhh! Yum.

    (5)
  • Ali W.

    Great cocktails with fragrant, rich flavors and delicious beer selection as well. Very friendly and knowledgable servers. My favorite dishes: foie gras mousse, beef tartare, and sea scallops. The entrees (rabbit and bouillabaisse) were not as impressive after such amazing first and second courses. I will definitely be back here for those amazing dishes!

    (5)
  • Matthew H.

    Dined at Townsend last Friday and it was amazing. Chef Townsend Wentz is a genius and he makes some absolutely wonderful food. Dined there when it was Sophia's and wanted to like it so much but it just wasn't memorable. I am glad that it was replaced by a place like this that is a real addition to the neighborhood. If you went to Sophia's when it was open, the space will looks exactly the same. The menu is divided into 3 sections not including dessert and we went with 1 selection from each section. Started off with the marinated hamachi and the broiled east coast oysters with fennel. Both were exceptional, I have always been an oyster guy but these were just amazing, the addition of the pernod cream made them just silky smooth. The hamachi was equally as stunning, with the ingredients it was almost like a ceviche but one that hadn't been allowed to sit and "cook" yet the flavors were so fresh. Next on the to the seared sea scallops which were cooked perfectly and the addition of truffle is always welcome and the escargot and brussels sprouts "mange tout". This was the star of the show right here, the snails were perfect and the bacon-sherry creme fraiche they came in was just amazing and I made sure to sop every last drop up with the bread on the table. For entrees the artic char and the lamb en cocotte. Again everything was as close to perfect as it could be, the lamb though was just on another level. The loin was perfectly cooked and sliced very thin, the braised shoulder though stole the show. It was fall apart in your mouth tender and was just delicious there is no other word. Save room for dessert because you have to get the chocolate souffle here, I did and there was nothing else that I would even consider ordering. It was divine, rich, chocolately, soft, and crunchy all at the same time. It takes about 15 minutes for it to come out but it is worth the wait. Townsend now goes on the list of places for a special occasions and the place to take people that want to really see what Philly food scene is all about.

    (5)
  • Fifi Y.

    I don't really understand the hype other people are giving this. It's a great meal, but compared to it's competition? Noord, Fond, Laurel, Will? It doesn't compare. It's a totally different style - much more traditional american. I had the skate wing and it was pretty good, although slightly overcooked. I know others at my table were thoroughly displeased with the meal (they ordered a dish they typically order at Bibou, so that's pretty stiff competition) I see this as a place where people go when they can't get a table at above mentioned spots... I personally don't think it's a destination spot. Under other circumstances this would probably get a higher rating, but I expect more from a restaurant on East Passyunk.

    (3)
  • Chuck K.

    2.5 stars You can do MUCH better for the money. I went during East Passyunk Restaurant Week. The establishment should have brought their A-game, but I was badly disappointed, crestfallen. Now, aside from the food, everything was perfect. The ambience was cozy, comfy, sophisticated and had just the right mixture of quiet and "buzz." My server Megin was a dream. On the other hand, bad food is not something I expected at a fine dining experience. I got the 3-course prix-fixe. Everything started well enough. My first course of parsnip veloutte was rich, complex, sophisticated, tasty and exactly what one wants in a restaurant meal--something you could never replicate at home. Unfortunately, everything went downhill from there. First, they simply did not have the lamb which was the whole reason had made a reservation and driven across town. Lame. Second, the venison crepinette which I got instead (for a surcharge) was completely underwhelming. The crêpe was of mysterious composition and added nothing to the deer medallions. But that was nothing compared to the simple, obvious, and disastrous mistake made in their preparation. The meat was simply over-salted. By A LOT. It was a bad rookie error and it made the entire course barely mediocre. But even *that* was no big deal compared to the dessert "pavlova." That thing was an inedible disaster. I enjoyed the accoutrements--a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream and a strawberry coulis (sauce) well enough--but the Pavlova itself was a vile insult to my palette. I think it was made of a mixture of air-dried sugar and sawdust. Instead of three(3) courses of fine dining, I got one(1) course of first class food and two(2) courses that ranged from bungled to utterly ill-conceived. Unless you know someone who has tried the specific dishes you are considering, I would recommend that you spend your fine-dining dollars elsewhere...

    (2)
  • A B.

    A snowy evening, an inviting setting, and French food all make sense together. Top it off with a waiter who was extremely knowledgeable about food, et voila, magic. We shared six paired dishes, all beautifully plated; my faves were the brandade special, steak tartare, and the simple, but delectable chicken.

    (3)
  • Shanemichael D.

    I hold off one star until I can try the whole experience, but Kevin is a top drawer mixologist! Personable, courteous, killer eyes and smile! Definitely a place to visit

    (4)
  • Ryan D.

    Haven't been for food yet but the cocktails are outta sight. They rotate and always have something seasonal and interesting. The bartenders care what you think about the drinks and were really attentive and know their stuff. In a time where craft cocktailery is way in, Townsend is making drinks that still turn heads.

    (4)
  • Alison B.

    I've been here a couple of times for dinner and am always impressed. The menu is fantastic, service is impeccable and their drinks are wonderful. Come here for an authentic french meal or just to try their draft wine!

    (5)
  • YelpHatesMe Y.

    Townsend is small fish in a BIG pond right now. I'm starting to see why this location has the turnover rate that it does. First of all, they have one of the most annoying whiny voiced waitresses I've ever encountered. The one where you just want to stab your own eardrums out. Some skinny blonde trying to tell me what dry wine is. Honey, I was drinking superb wine when you were still trading Pokemon cards and playing with my little pony. Wine. Their wine list is SUPER pretentious. I've been drinking wine for a long time from all regions of the world. Their wine list has about 5 whites and 5 reds, and every one of them are from lesser traveled and less touted about vineyards and regions. All of the reds were sweet. If seasoned wine drinkers aren't even familiar with your wine list, how the hell do you expect just the casual wine drinker to know WHAT THE HELL is on the wine list. Heres a hint. Put some Bordeaux, barolo, cab, Rhone, and Spanish wines on the list. Your list sucks, and it impresses no one. If all of that still confuses you, just walk next door and check out Paradiso's wine list. The food. Menu is VERY limited. The skate wing is being done to death, and theirs tasted like every one elses in the city. I had, what I was told, was wild sea bass. I still think based on the size of it, it was a goldfish filet in tomato sauce. I don't see this place being around much longer, not with Laurel, Fond and Stateside around. The only way I see this place staying afloat is because people couldn't get a reservation at said competition.

    (2)
  • Matt F.

    Fabulous. Expensive, but FABULOUS! I want to go again and again. Restaurant Quest #50

    (5)
  • BostonBestEats X.

    REVIEW OF TOWNSEND POPUP: Chef Townsend "Tod" Wentz (ex-Lacroix & Four Seasons, and fresh off having upgraded McCrossen's Tavern to 2-bell gastropub status) is planning to open the eponymously named "Townsend" in the former Sophia's space located smack dab in the middle of EPx (the "EPicenter" as I call it). Tentatively schedule for an April opening ("when PLCB comes through with a liquor license", according to Tod), Townsend will feature "wine-driven food", which is music too my ears. The rational was nicely explained by his lovely GM, Lauren Harris (ex-Tria & McCrossen's): philly.thedrinknation.co… - But not willing to wait until April, five of us headed to Christopher Kearse's Will byob this past Thursday for a collaborative dinner featuring Chef Wentz's modern Frech-influenced cooking. Townsend is going to be ~50 seats on two floors, with ~10 at the bar, which is quite a bit larger than Will. But the understated charm of Will was a great match for Tod's cooking, which also shares an understated nature that belies its clear and precise flavors. Our meal went from strength to strength, and from "this is the best dish yet" to "this is even better": ~AMUSE-BOUCHE: Kampachi Crudo ~SEA SCALLOPS: Preserved Citrus, Seaweed Butter--this was beautifully cooked, with a nice sear, but just past sashimi on the inside...clearly fitting in with the theme of foods that pair well with wines, in this case a white Burg ~ESCARGOT: + BLUEFOOT MUSHROOM DAUBE: The creaminess of the eggs immediately reminded me of Serpico's Chawanmushi & Caviar, but the escargot and a bit of sweetness made this the favorite dish of the evening for most of the table (my #2) ~RABBIT POT AU FEU: Liver Mousse, Lavender--This being wine-driven food, perhaps I should complement this dish for it's amazing "nose" which surrounded our table...it featured rabbit 3 ways: in a mousse, a roulade, and braised legs. My only slight quibble with this lovely wintertime dish was that it was a bit aggressively salted for my taste ~COAL ROASTED STURGEON: Onion Soubise, Miner's Lettuce, Red Wine Bouillon--It's a bit hard to describe how good this was (my #1), in fact I give up... After a couple of red burgs with the rabbit, most of the table went back to white, but I thought this worked quite well with the reds ~BANANA POT DE CREME: Not on the menu, but one of our group doesn't like chocolate (Oh, the humanity!)...I don't know if this was Tod's or Chris' creation, but it was mighty tasty and much appreciated. ~GATEAU VICTOIRE: You had me at "This is a Julia Child recipe". Dense, rich chocolate and contrasting textures, but a modernized presentation that I think Julia would still love. Wines: ~1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année ~2009 Simon Bize Savigny lès Beaune ~2007 Dom. du Château de Chorey (Germain) Beaune 1er Cru Les Cras ~2011 Alain Hudelot Noellat Chambolle Musigny ~NV Jean Bourdy Côtes du Jura Galant des Abesses--From one of the oldest wineries in the world, an unusual and rare wine, not even really a wine, made from grape must boiled down with 25 secret spices and fortified with old Marc (recipe dates to 1579) Service, as always at Will, was perfect (thanks Eric & Gustavo), and at the end we made a quick visit to the small kitchen which was packed with 2 or 3 more cooks than usually squeeze in. I have to say that I was extremely impressed with Tod's cooking, which certainly epitomized the concept of wine-friendly foods. Combined with Lauren Harris' wine-pairing expertise, Townsend is something for Philly wine lovers to really look forward too... [Unnecessary rant: Too often, in Philly's BYOB-centric, sommelier-less restaurant scene, chefs spend little or no thought on how or even if their food can be paired with wine, despite the fact that most of their guests are bringing some with them. I wish more restaurants would follow the lead of Talula's Table in making wine pairing suggestions ahead of time (which means they have actually thought about it when designing their menu). Food without wine is like sex without... well it's like masturbation!] NOTE: This was the first in a series of collaborative dinner's that Will is doing with some noted Philly chefs: March 13: Ben Puchowitz of CHeU Noodle Bar March 20: Mike Santoro of The Mildred March 27: Greg Vernick of Vernick Food + Drink All are five courses for $70 (Vernick is sold out). philly.com/philly/blogs/…

    (5)
  • Mommy G.

    Recently returned from a trip to Provence in France and needed a French fix. This was outstanding and updated French cooking - We thought divine. Oysters and Hamachi first course were outstanding. We ordered the special foie gras to share for middle course, outstanding French style roasted chicken and my husband loved the dual preparation lamb cassoulet. We initially were not sure we wanted to go when we saw the limited list of entrees..... but, there are so many other delectable choices in addition listed under the first two courses, you may not even need to order an entree. Dessert was Valrhona chocolate souffle - we visited the Valrhona factory and store in Tain L'Hermitage on the Rhone river, and brought some of their amazing chocolate home - so happy to see this on the menu - best chocolate souffle ever. The bill was quite expensive though once you add in some cocktails and glasses of wine and very expensive wine list. I would not try to order a conventional cocktail - that is not their thing. We did not like our Manhattan or whiskey sour (yes I recently started to drink them - they are hip again) and they were very small. My only comment to the restaurant would be to hire a decorator - we sat on second floor which is a lovely space but it is screaming out for some COLOR - so tentative and bordering on drab...I could see some large paintings with big red poppies for example - a punch of color in the timid black white and beige stuff that is already there. Curtains look too amateur and home-made also. There is a large cabinet where the wait staff gets plates and such, and the large door practically hits the unlucky customer sitting near to it - easy fix - change that single door to two French doors that swing out from the middle... Not sure why they have not thought of that. On the plus side - they do NOT SQUOOSH the tables together and you can speak to your dining partners and not be on top of other people. This is easily equal to Bibou - do not agree with other poster that stated otherwise. Among the best in the city in our opinion and we dine out a lot in Philly and abroad. I do feel badly for the wait staff - they have to continually go up and down three flights of stairs - owner needs to install a dumb waiter or elevator for them at least. They do not need a gym membership.

    (5)
  • Margeau N.

    This was literally one of the best meals I've ever had! We got the lamb and halibut as entrees and chocolate soufflé for dessert- everything was delicious and the service was impeccable. Great date spot or for special occasions.

    (5)
  • Susan D.

    Déjà vu... the sensation I've been here before... except this time was sooo much better! Stopped by Townsend for a nightcap several weeks ago with some friends. We were so impressed by the vibe, the bartender, his well-crafted cocktails, and the music (for those who are into indie rock), that we decided to set a dinner reservation. Fast forward a couple weeks later, as our dinner party was sat upstairs, I realized I sat at the same exact table a year ago, when the space was Sophia. That experience was lackluster, but I digress... Do yourself a solid and get the tasting menu. Here's what we enjoyed on our 3 hour tour: Oyster/Grapefruit/Truffle amuse bouche Wild Striped Bass Seared Scallop Seared Icelandic Cod Gnocchi Rabbit Pot-au-feu Petit Filet w/ escargot, fiddleheads, ramps Chocolate Soufflé w/ Pernod Chantilly Not listed (nor expected) were the extra baguettes we ate to soak up the amazing sauces. When we asked who the saucier was, our server graciously had Chef Wentz come out so we can gush and thank him for a great meal. I am almost reticent to post this review, as I would love to go back without having to wait, but it will only be a matter of time for people to find this neighborhood gem.

    (5)
  • Chrissy R.

    Service was super awkward. I think the girl who was serving us must have heard me comment about how awkward she was being because all the sudden someone else was bringing us our second and third course. And guess what? They were weird too. I felt embarrassed for them, and it's not like TV where you can shut it off. I'm not sure I've ever had nervous waitstaff before... especially at a supposed fine dining place. They need to poach staff from bebou... or not hire people in their 20s? I dunno. It would have ruined the night if I didn't get fantastically tispy. It was just SO WEIRD.

    (4)
  • A E.

    Even though I've lived in the surrounding area for a few years now, I have never quite managed to make my way to the Passayunk area, even in spite of hearing that it has become a petri dish of talented chefs creating high end food in an entirely Philadelphia mold. Townsend was my first, and I have to say, if it is a portent of things to come, I really think that Philadelphia has crafted itself as a major food destination among the powerhouses of the US. That's not to say that it was perfect. We arrived early just prior to Valentine's day, right around second seating. We were told that it wouldn't be possible to seat us early, but we were able to camp out at the bar while we waited. Townsend is very clearly a renovated house, turned into a restaurant. This is not the first time that I have been into something of the sort, but I don't think I've ever enjoyed it as much. The small bar in front, set into the old house gave a Prohibitionist vibe. The cocktails were priced fairly standard for a high end restaurant, which usually tends to be a bit over, but they were tasty and packed a wallop. We were seated more or less on time. First course was salt baked oysters and beef tartare. The tartare was the winner by far, as it was a well balanced dish which had some good meatiness to it. The oysters were tasty, but very light and were gulped down greedily in no time at all, with little to leave you. In my opinion, the second course was the best. My date got the escargot and I the sweetbreads. For one, I have to give credit for doing hard to find French dishes. The escargot wasn't overly chewy (as I've seen many times) and the sprouts made it nicely earthy. For me, the star of the show was the sweetbreads. The breading added some nice texture, and the truffle jus and vegetable puree tied really, well well into the intrinsic flavor and combined with the protein for a wonderfully umami symphony. I would come back for that alone. We shared the rabbit pot a feu, and that was the most divisive dish. My date loved every bit. For me, the roulades were crispy bits of perfection, but the braised rabbit and vegetables definitely needed seasoning. We each shared the creme brulee and chocolate souffle, which were solid desserts, but nothing to wax poetic about. Service was pretty good. Our waitron was attentive but not overbearing, and was useful when we decided to hash out what to order. There was a noticeable lag between courses, but again, this was during prime time: Friday night, prior to Valentine's day weekend, and the small place was packed. Overall, I think there were some rough moments, but the overall quality was high, and the fact that they do things that few places in the city will do makes this a destination worth visiting. 4.5 stars, erring to 5 on rounding.

    (5)
  • Jennifer L.

    My boyfriend and I had a "date night" at Izumi last Friday night then as we were walking home, we spotted Townsend. We decided to stop in just for a drink since we had already eaten. It turned out it was the first night that the restaurant was open to the public. It was a soft opening so it wasn't crowded. It's a nice space -- warm lighting, a bar made from gorgeous wood (reclaimed maybe?) and great service. We each had a cocktail and you could tell the bartenders took their jobs seriously. They were easy to talk to as well and seemed happy that we were there. The manager, Lauren, came over and chatted with us for a while, which was great. She explained that the concept is French, which is unique for East Passyunk Ave. My boyfriend and I are both vegetarians but most of the upscale places on EPA are geared toward those who eat meat. That makes perfect sense since most people do eat meat. And there are usually a couple of things I could find to order, but they're not necessarily things I particularly want to eat. It sounds like Townsend will fall into the "I could probably find something on the menu there" type of place rather than a spot that has thoughtful menu items that vegetarians would truly enjoy. But that's okay. I would stop in for drinks again just because the staff was so friendly and welcoming. I wish this restaurant lots of luck!

    (4)
  • alli b.

    I read about Townsend months ago and decided to make a reservation. We were originally a party of 6 and then a snowstorm squashed those plans. My husband and I were determined to go regardless and ended up walking from South West Philly to East Passyunk. We've been to most of the places on East Passyunk: Noord, Fond, Will, Laurel... I was especially excited to go to Townsend after going to the Chef's conference back in January and hearing the co-owner, Lauren, speak. From what I heard, I could tell this was going to be a good experience. It didn't disappoint. The staff is exceptional and the traditional french food is divine. Better than Laurel in my opinion. We had an amazing time. The restaurant is small but the tables are not crowded together and you can feel comfortable and at ease while you dine. Since PHiladelphia was being hammered with snow, the restaurant clearly lost a lot of reservations that night which meant that we had a very quite and intimate experience. The food was perfect. To start off, the bread was perfect when it hit the table. Slightly warm and so soft. We split everything and all the dishes were a stand out. My husband did the hamachi for his first course while I had the beef tartar. Second course was the escargot & brussels in the most amazing cream sauce and lobster mousse which was amazing! Both of them! Third course was the rabbit which was so tasty and tender, served with perfectly cooked carrots and potatoes and the traditional chicken with the most flavorful turnips I've ever had in my life. To end it all, we ordered another round of wine and waited the 15 minutes for the souffle, which was well worth the wait. It is expensive, so be prepared to spend some money especially if you intend on getting cocktails or wine. However, it is an experience and some top notch dishes by an amazing chef. We will gladly go again!

    (5)
  • Mich D.

    The most remarkable cocktails I have ever tasted. I had my first Aviation here and convinced my boyfriend gin really isn't evil! Townsend is an amazing place in the Passyunk neighborhood for a beautiful meal that will leave you emotionally spent at the end, but not ready to explode. Every dish is perfection and I have to catch myself from licking the plate (oh, the scallops).

    (5)
  • Cara L.

    This is a current James Beard nominated restaurant, & I can completely understand why. The cuisine was imaginative, flavorful, brave, and delicious. Our experience was only furthered by the knowledge and kindness of our server, Steven R. We started with the oysters, they were incredibly delicious. In fact, they were so good I had no time to stop and take a photo. The same could be said for the deliciously fresh bread and clearly homemade butter. We also got the escargot with Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, speck, & a cream sauce. It was delicious, the sauce was amazing. The second course was the lobster and shrimp mousse; I was concerned it was going to be too gastronomic, but it was absolutely perfect. For the third course, I got the lamb. I personally preferred the sliced rare lamb on my plate as opposed to the stewed lamb with the fruit that came along with it. However, my dining companion preferred that so it's entirely subjective. We finished our meal with the chocolate souffle, which was incredible. Definitely give it at least 5 minutes to cool off! I couldn't wait, so burning my tongue was completely my own fault. Best drink I had was the champagne, it is crisp and uniquely delicious. It's a pricey meal, but a dining experience you won't soon forget.

    (4)
  • Eileen T.

    Our reservation was made weeks before the restaurant received a James Beard Foundation nomination for best new restaurant, but our dinner last night made apparent why it was nominated. We were told our table would be ready in a few minutes, and two seats had just become available at the bar, so we decided to have our aperitif there. The bartenders were charming and very helpful. We prefer to dine at the bar when we can; it provides insight into the culture of a restaurant, so we declined the table when it became available. First course: The sweetbreads were tender and moist with a crisp crust, accompanied by a creamy onion soubise and parsnip puree. Sumptuous. The foie gras mousse was rich and smooth and heavenly light and creamy. Stunning. Main course: A tender and juicy roasted breast of chicken with slices of perfectly executed galantine from the leg, accompanied by a tasty aigre-doux (sweet and sour sauce) flavored with rosemary. Exquisite. The rabbit roulade served with root vegetables was moist and the flavors were perfectly balanced. Luscious. For dessert we shared a perfect crème brûlée, ethereal in its smoothness and light as a feather with a perfectly thin and crunchy broiled top. They have no espresso machine. Nevertheless, the coffee was deeply flavored, not acidic or bitter, and was served hot. Quite satisfying. I have no doubt we will return again and again.

    (5)
  • kimk k.

    This restaurant was phenomenal. Even on the second day of being open. I can't stress enough how warm and inviting the people were. And the food definitely was just as good. I recommend the hamachi highly. So many flavors blended together that will have you asking for more. The cocktails and wine list were also very good. If you're looking for a nice dinner filled of diverse technique and flavor, this is the best new restaurant in philadelphia to come to. We commented on how well the food was and our server brought the head chef out after our entrees were cleared. It was a nice touch to the end of a beautiful dinner. I hope the next time I go I'll be able to get a reservation because this place WILL be in everyone's word of mouth.

    (5)
  • Chrisna S.

    Came here a couple days ago on a mini-date with my friend. As soon as we got to their front door, the hostess immediately opened the door to us and greeted us. The bartender himself greeted us as well. The atmosphere of the place already have me an impression that I'll have a decent dinner experience, despite the fact that I'm under the age of drinking. Our waiter attended our table well and without hesitating, muttering, or stuttering, gave us our specials. She made the specials sound amazing and a must-get meal. We got their gnocchi spinach special, and their chicken entree for our main course. For appetizer we had their hamachi. The hamachi came out quick and looked beautiful. One of the workers handed us the appetizer and formally told us the recipes used. The taste was similar to a slight Italian dressing to it with other mixes that I'm not too familiar with, nonetheless it's our first French dinner experience and it tastes great. Our waiter attended our table frequently to refill our water and checked on us. During our wait with complimentary fresh bread and butter. We got our dinner and instantly got hooked. The chicken was light and soft, but filled with flavor. I've never really had any chicken in the style that this restaurant cooked with. 10/10. I'll definitely come here again on a special occasion, thank you to all the workers there for making our dinner experience great!

    (4)
  • Marie W.

    There are so many BYO's popping up on Passyunk that I didn't even notice Townsend until my husband and I were given a gift certificate. Overall our meal was really great. My favorites were the oysters with bacon and Pernod creme and the scallops with citrus and seaweed butter. I love a well prepared scallop, and the dish at Townsend was easily in my top 5 scallop dishes of all time. We also got the cod, which was perfectly cooked, making the oily fish seem almost delicate. The chocolate soufflé for desert was well worth the 15 minute wait. I took a star off because there was a gnocchi special that was offered as an appetizer or entree. We opted for the entree size, but I don't think the larger portion quite worked. The bold flavors were better suited to a few bites vs. an entire bowl. Also, the Pavlova seemed over-the-top sweet. The music was great, by the way. It sounded very similar to the Vampire Weekend Pandora station I was listening to only hours earlier. With so many excellent restaurants popping up in storefronts on Passyunk, and given this particular storefront's quickly revolving list of former tenants, I really hope Townsend can make a go of it... I'd really like to go back for more scallops.

    (4)
  • Ted L.

    The skate was excellent. However, the lamb was tasteless (except for the stew that came with it). The server said that's the way it's supposed to be. Ok. Then, in her haste to get us out, she took away a half finished martini. When I objected, she grudgingly took it back off the tray somewhere in the kitchen and returned it to the table. Really? Thanks Caitlynn. That's what we get for $130 (two people) + tip?

    (3)
  • E A.

    A great addition to the E. Passyunk scene. As others have said, the drinks are wonderful and reasonably priced. The service here is impeccable - friendly but not intrusive and a perfect pace for a relaxed, non-rushed meal. The food was excellent. and beautifully plated. There's a nice balance between somewhat adventurous choices and more standard dishes. We loved the foie gras pate, the hamachi and the scallops. All entrees were delicious and not too skimpy on portions. If I had one critique it would be that everything was a bit too salty for my taste - but not overly so. I think Townsend holds its own with Fond, although it may be 1 small notch less well executed compared with Bibou. It is not as sophisticated and mind blowing as Laurel - but great nonetheless. Would definitely go back! Note: not a BYOB but reasonable wine menu

    (4)
  • John F.

    Excellent. Gf and I went for her bday dinner. It was fantastic. We decided the apps looked more interesting than the entrees so we had six of them, two of which were specials. The food was fantastic and the drinks were quite tasty. Look forward to a return visit soon!

    (5)
  • Tabby R.

    This was an excellent date night spot. And the scallops were amazing! Great little Passyunk gem!

    (5)
  • steds s.

    Would have given it four stars were it not way, way overpriced for the service and meal provided. I loved the compact menu and the food was excellent - I had the striped bass and salad appetizer - but for the money I can think of many other places that offer a better dining experience. They need to spruce up the decor (a bit drab) and ask the staff to smile. That might brighten the experience a bit!

    (3)
  • Elan V.

    If I could give Townsend 6 stars, I probably would. Went last night for dinner. Checked Menupages.com before going and saw that it rated Townsend as $$$$$ (5 dollar signs), but that could not be more wrong. Townsend is very reasonably priced. So just a heads up, that is bologna. Anyways, definitely a unique decor and set up going on. Feels kind of rustic, but also open. It is NOT BYOB. They have a full bar, and for the most part, you do have enough space to be in your own conversation and not feel on top of people. Service was very good. Staff was cheerful, happy to help answer questions, and you felt a team vibe from everyone who touched the table. Now onto the most important part --- the food. Best food I have had in Philly in a while! We ordered their Marinated Hamachi, which was EXCELLENT. It had a nice fresh taste and reminded us of sushi, but was so much more complex. It was really excellent and if you like ceviche or crudo, this is an awesome dish. Next we had a special --- Zucchini Blossoms stuffed with Crab, served with Asparagus. Another really yummy dish. This was a special and I would bet it's season, so they probably do not always have it, but just a really tasty combination and once again a super fresh bite. We paired a special app with one of their entrees. The special app was a Potato Gnocchi service with Chantrelle Mushrooms on top of a DYNAMITE Tomato Confit sauce and topped with Parmesan Cheese. I have worked in Italian Restaurants (really good ones) and this Gnocchi was extremely good. Delicate gnocchi paired with a sauce that left us licking the plate. Our entree was a Skate Wing, also seasonal, that was served with a Corn and Lardo Bacon combo. The bacon was really thickly cut, so if you have an non-meat eater int he house, it's easy to avoid. Really great flavors here. Tough to not love Skate. I order it every time it's on a menu. The Skate was almost breaded...it had such a great texture. They had my all-time favorite dessert --- Chocolate Souffle. I have seen Souffles 3 ways --- 1. It stinks, 2. It is mostly dry but it is served with a velvety sauce that is poured tableside into the Souffle, and 3. It has an almost fudgy interior. We got the 3rd version, which is a solid alternative to the second. They give you ice cream as well with the Souffle. All together a great experience, great food. We will definitely be back and it's super reasonably priced. Now in our Top 5 Restaurants in Philly.

    (5)
  • Ryan I.

    Tenderist most juicy chicken I've ever had in my life. For context I'm 31 years old so bear in mind it will be the best chicken you've had in 31 years not necessarily you're whole life. An important detail...but also a reassuring one. I'm blown away.

    (5)
  • Terry V.

    By far, this was the best meal I ever had! I read all the reviews saying to get the chicken and the rabbit. So, I got the chicken. The whole time I'm thinking, "it's chicken. How good can it be?" Well, how does "orgasmic" sound? I did not want this to end! My husband got the rabbit and that was to due for as well! The cocktails and the wine were right on and our server, Megin, was professional, yet extremely friendly and added to our experience! My husband and I agree that it was the best meal and dining experience we ever had!

    (5)
  • Nathan T.

    My partner and I stopped in for drinks Friday night. Great atmosphere! The bar and high top area was clean, inviting, and chic. The bar staff was informative, helpful and willing to go the extra step to make sure we were satisfied. We will be back (with more guests)!!!

    (4)
  • Lisa A.

    Townsend is spectacular. Soon after being seated at Townsend, it's easy to forget you are in a big city. The quaint, simple decor and candlelight table settings foster a comforting dining experience. The waiting staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly- very professional. You can tell Townsend doesn't hire just anyone off the street to wait on tables. I must add, as silly as this sounds, even the music is perfect! I wanted to ask for a playlist. It truly added to the experience. My friend and I each got one dish from each of the three sections of the menu. We were definitely full at the end, but then again, we can put some food back. Although virtually everything was delicious, I will elaborate on my favorite items. My favorite item of the night was the oysters. Holy shuck. These were to DIE for. The sauce was tasty, the oysters were the perfect temperature, and the bacon counteracted the natural (for lack of a better work) wetness of the oysters adding a complexity to the dish. As for the second course, I decided to be adventerous and try the escargot- so glad that I did! They were served in a cream sauce with bacon and mushrooms- again, the flavor complexity was intense but perfect. Thirdly, I tried the roasted chicken. This was cooked to golden perfection on the outside and very moist on the inside. The seasonal side dishes that accompanied were perfect for the chicken and the serving was very large. Lastly, we finished off with dessert cocktails and chocolate lava cake. The cake took a while to come out, though it was obviously cooked to order and worth the wait. The waiter suggested cointreau-infused wine which was some of the best dessert wine i've tasted- and I am NOT a sweet wine person. Overall, Townsend is an experience. It's ideal for an anniversary, valentine's day, or any special occasion. It does have a bar as well- perfect for after a date or outing! Great addition to East Passyunk Ave.

    (5)
  • Joseph D.

    An excellent addition to the Philadelphia restaurant scene. Townsend has an excellent cocktail program with inventive twists on the classics. The food menu is small but still difficult to make a choice due to a expertly curated selection. The zucchini blossom stuffed with crab was superb as was the beef tartare and chicken. Executed and presented in classic French style with an inventive flair. The staff's knowledge of food and wine were superb. I highly recommend Townsend.

    (5)
  • Tim V.

    Went here on a Saturday night, reservations at 8. They have a nice bar area (directly when you get in) which gets a little loud with bigger groups, but has phenomenal cocktails. After waiting for half an hour (which is petty long when you have a reservation) we were seated and ready to enjoy what every critic has been raving about so far. The result was.. Meh. We got the foie gras mousse and oysters as apps, which were both great. Main course however (rabbit pot-au-feu and codd) were drastically under seasoned and just plain bland.. Wines by the glass were good pairings.

    (3)
  • Rebecca J.

    Wow. The best meal and service I have had in a very long time. Specials were incredible, as were the rabbit and sea bass entrees. Wine and cocktails superb! And we got a preview of the summer "spritzer" cocktail--whoa. Perfect pre-dinner, after-dinner and until 2am drink! :) I will be back!!!

    (5)
  • Jordan P.

    I've always been a little wary of restaurant week. My inner cheapskate breaks down the numbers of the restaurants offering everything from special dishes to old favorites to one-off dessert experiments, and weighs this with my typical levels of hunger. Most often, the result is a decisive Nahh, I'll just wait for the crowds to die down and order the exact amount of food I want for the price I expect/am willing to pay. That said, when I saw that East Passyunk Avenue, Philly's hottest nook of up-and-coming dining spots, was hosting their own neighborhood restaurant week, I immediately raced over to OpenTable to make a reservation for my two girlfriends and I. I gotta say that, while I was A-OK with the mandatory phone-in reservation at Zahav a few weeks ago, there's a remarkable ease and convenience to being able to filter using number of diners, date, and time when we were looking for a Monday night out on the town. We spotted space at Townsend and booked it post-haste. We made the right choice. Since there were three of us, we figured we'd try one of each course. Then we saw that one of the first courses was a foie gras butternut squash terrine. And since I'd just binged on terrines last week.... looks like we're doubling up on Brandades! Course one (served shortly after a DIVINE bread basket [that may have been divine or may have merely been 'good', we were pretty hungry]) included a creamy parsnip veloute with brown butter chestnuts, a hint of black truffle, and just enough brussels sprout leaves to leave us wanting more (hee hee). The brandade, a dish I'd never had before, was a crunchy brioche topped with a quail egg, shellfish bouillabaisse, and pernod. How such a tiny little toasty brioche could be so full of flavor.... well I don't (per)nod, but it was incredible. The veloute was rich and creamy, a nice complement to the light fluff and crunch of the other appetizer. But the best was yet to come... I'll shoot you straight, the pasta/vegetarian dish was a little cold by the time it got to us. Flavor-wise, it was fairly unremarkable, and the tastes of caramelized onions and fennel, while there, were hints. If you were only getting this dish, I would not consider your experience worthwhile. BUT if you're lucky enough to have some dining pals, perhaps they'll slip you bites of the glorious speck-wrapped cod (bottom right) atop Tarbais bean garbure with tiny cockles (that came with their own fork!) This fish fell apart the moment your fork touched it, delicate... dare I say exquisite? Oh, if I dared, I'll repeat that word for the venison en crepinette (different from the online menu, description here). Exquisite. We nearly came to (fork) blows over these half-dollar sized medallions, each soaking up the jus and pairing perfectly with the parsnip pureé. This dish would bring me back again and again. Somehow, we had room for dessert. Luckily, it was both light and a delight. The crème brûlée, flawless. Visible vanilla bean is my jam. The blue cheese plate was a nice tangy option for those without a sweet tooth. And for those WITH a sweet tooth: enter pavlova. No, she's not your exotic, sexy neighbor (maybe she is, I don't know where you live). She is actually an it, specifically a crunchy meringue dish topped with mixed berries and strawberry coulis, speckled with fresh mint. Yup. Imagine the finest cotton candy you can even fathom. And then make it fancy, and French, and bury it in berries. We couldn't get enough. Take your dates, your dads, your dudes, your dames, yourself, take them all to Townsend. I'll be back soon to try out their take on rabbit.... I've only heard (read* since I practically live on Yelp) the best things. Thanks, Tod and team, for the tasty treats.

    (5)
  • Jonathan D.

    Went here with my parents last night. I didn't know much about it, other than that they had gone once before and had enjoyed it and thought I'd like it. Townsend didn't disappoint. We lucked out to find a meter right out front (only $1/hr, which is great!), and in we went. The building appears to be a former townhouse/row home that's been stylishly renovated. There is a bar downstairs, along with a dining area set back from it, and then an upstairs dining area. The stairs are somewhat steep if you're older (a little challenging for my mom, but she managed). The upstairs dining room is lovely, light and airy. Service is attentive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic in a friendly but not obtrusive way. Our primary server in particular was fantastic and engaging, and ready to answer any question. But as I often say, if the food isn't up to par, none of those things matter. Luckily, the food was stellar. The menu is divided into two courses of appetizers and then the mains. It's not huge, but since everything is appealing, that was just fine. I started with hamachi, which was chopped into small cubes and served in a little "brick" with cucumber, sesame, lime, cilantro and other accoutrements. It was delicious, as were my parents' oysters with fennel (which came with a wonderful creamy sauce). We also shared an even better beef tartare, which was extremely well-seasoned and came with parmesan topped crostini. Wonderful. While my parents opted for the duck, which I (and they) enjoyed, particularly with its lovely vegetable accompaniments, I was even more delighted with my swordfish. Before I ordered it, our server told me that people marveled at how moist it was, and she was not wrong. It was extraordinarily moist, perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful (bit of a Mediterranean vibe), accompanied by pearl onions, asparagus and an asparagus puree. Foodgasm is an overused term, but this truly was. We finished by sharing a pair of desserts, a Vahlrona chocolate souffle (yum!), and a lemon curd, which doesn't remotely do justice to the delicious combination fresh fruits, pastry and lemon cream. Townsend isn't a cheap date (especially with wine), but it truly is a superb restaurant that I'd return to in a heartbeat.

    (5)
  • James I.

    Outstanding, highly recommend. Portion sizes are perfect to order one item from each 3 categories. I had the himachi ceviche, sweetbreads and duck. The sweetbreads are out of this world, a 10 out of 10. Easily one of the best entrees I have had in the city. The service is also great.

    (5)
  • Eric W.

    Another great Philly restaurant. It seems to be a pattern here; a number of excellent restaurants, many of of which are BYOB, where it's great food in a really small place. While Townsend is not BYOB, although the wine list is eclectic, it's is a nice but small space. Not a drawback for me because I think it's a more intimate dining experience, but I do not know how the economics work for the restaurants. In any event, you chose a three course selection, where the biggest challenge is what gets left out. Not as big a problem if you come as a foursome but tough for two. We had the lobster and beef tartar, both were excellent. Then we had the Brandade, which was stunning; followed by the lamb and rabbit- wow!! Then a cheese course with Sherry followed by the chocolate soufflé and coffee. What a great meal!! The wine list is challenging but we had a good red burgundy that was a perfect choice. Another star in the Phiily food firmament.

    (5)
  • Hana C.

    I took a couple friends who were visiting me from DC. We started with the hamachi, tartare, and gazpacho all of which were good. I had mentioned to the restaurant that one of my friends is a chef at Blue Duck Tavern and I believe for this reason they sent out a complimentary app, the oysters--a thoughtful touch that I greatly appreciated. By far the oysters (grilled? with pancetta?) were the best plate out of the three with the tartare coming in second. For our second courses I had the scallops and my friends had the escargot and the sweatbread. The scallops were perfect. I wish the escargot was more flavorful. For some reason they fell flat and I'm not sure why. I did not try the sweetbreads; I was trying not to be greedy but I wish I had--I love sweetbreads. My friends had no complaints in regards to the sweetbreads and I believe finished it all. For our final course I had the skate, my friends had the rabbit and swordfish. I thought the rabbit roulade was a little over cooked but my friend thought it was balanced well with the ingredients in the center of the roulade. She must have liked it because she finished it all. Her boyfriend stated he enjoyed the swordfish which was a huge helping and he felt so bad he could not finish it. I thought the skate was just a little over cooked but it was still a delicious and well balanced dish. We had no room for dessert at that point. Service was excellent. Each of our cocktails were well done and very tasty. The waitress was quite helpful with the wine list and the Vouvray she picked for me was delicious. The ambience is quiet, simple, and intimate. The space obviously was a home in its past life and gives a more comfortable feel to the relatively fancy food (you're not coming here if you're craving burgers or pizza). I will come again with my husband who has been wanting to come here for some time. And I would recommend it to any one looking for a nice meal out in Philly.

    (4)
  • Cara C.

    We came here for our anniversary dinner and had a lovely table upstairs near the window. They even wrote "Happy Anniversary" on the menu, which was a nice touch, along with a glass of champagne while we were looking over the menu. The service was phenomenal and the waitresses were great. Someone was always around to check the water and bring more bread, clear plates quickly, etc. The food was absolutely fantastic. This isn't a restaurant that you will want to come to if you're starving and just want a huge plate of food. This is all about the taste and creativity. We had crab risotto and gnocchi to start and both were very good, although the gnocchi was pretty basic. We also had the rabbit and duck for our entrees and they were both amazing. The rabbit came 3 ways and each were very tasty and different and each bite was just amazing. Another thing I wanted to mention was the bread and butter! Wow, so good. Just simple bread and butter but the butter was absolutely delicious. We had the chocolate soufflé for dessert and honestly it was just ok. Nothing that will blow your socks off and it was very pudding like in the middle, only a small top layer of traditional soufflé textured dessert. It was still good, but just not wow. The wine list is pretty pricy, but on the other hand, if you're planning a special occasion dinner here, know that it is a pricy place, but well worth it.

    (4)
  • Jina M.

    Four us came to Townsend for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful experience with both the food and the service. The restaurant is on the smaller end so it may be harder to get reservations for large parties. I would definitely recommend booking a reservation. The place was pretty packed on a Friday night. The décor is very classic and simple and we were seated upstairs. Some highlights from our meals: Marinated Hamachi: Very fresh and seasoned well Cooked Oysters: Even if you don't like raw oysters, these may change your mind Sweetbread: Warning- For those who never had these, it's not bread but thymus glands Skate: Perfectly seared Duck Breast: Very tender and doesn't leave a gamy aftermath

    (4)
  • Joshua V.

    South Philly is really stepping up its specialty cocktail game. All of Philadelphia is stepping up for that matter. Since my departure from the City of Brotherly love, nice mixology joints such as these have been (allegedly) popping up like daisies. While I am well aware of this place's identity as a restaurant (and a very good restaurant at that, from what I'm told), I've chosen to label this place as a mixology joint for two reasons: (1) I came here to drink and with no intention to eat... and (2) the drinks were really good. My booze of choice for the past few years (and for the foreseeable future) has been gin, and the gin cocktail of choice for me was the 50/50. Needless to say, it scored a 100 for me. Citrus-y and a bit sweet, but with that refreshing but bitter ginny quality I like... the bartender *ahem* mixologist did a fine job building this cocktail. Speakeasy quality stuff for $12! That's a steal I do say so, and I do say so. However, the vibe of the place had me a bit lost and confused. Again, I understand that this place is for fine dining over drinks, however the front was almost too casual. Some patrons getting drinks at the bar ( which was bumping some contemporary EDM tracks) were of the Millenial/Generation Y variety and were dressed in shorts and t-shirts/polos, while folks in the back dining area (very classy and classic set up) were, at first glance, closer to the retiree age bracket and donning some dress slacks and dinner jackets. Kind of a funny dynamic, and while I assume no dress code or the like is enforced (freedom of expression), it would be cool to have uniformity as far as classy apparel is concerned. Despite the atmospheric confusion, I def plan on coming back here if I'm in town, maybe on a date with some pretty lady or something... because this place is perfect for that kind of thing.

    (4)
  • Dana N.

    The glasses that the cava is served in are so Great Gatsby! The ice in the rocks glass is a giant cube - I love it! The staff is so nice! They brought us water when we ordered our cocktails - without our asking.

    (5)
  • Rohenne L.

    Favorite restaurant in Philadelphia! Every dish got nods and sounds of mmmm from all of us. We were enjoying the food so much that we forgot to talk to each other! Highly recommend their crab risotto (special not on the menu), leek soup, marinated hamachi, brandade, and roasted chicken. Price was not bad, we each spent $50 but didn't get any alcohol. Highly recommend this place!!! Good for foodies, date nights, parents. Not recommended for big groups since the space is pretty small. Make sure to order the chocolate soufflé early on since it takes 15 minutes to make. No complaints about this place!

    (5)
  • Patrick C.

    Tableau 34 avec M. Megin - VrMan XLnt!! One of the BEST meals EVER. Sublime , la démonstration classique et moderne de la gastronomie Française. I have literally just returned from Townsend and I must write this review. For my second birthday dinner this weekend, I chose Townsend and while I had initial reservations about the compact menu but I saw enough on the menu that the two of us would want to try for dinner. I am SO HAPPY that I went ahead with the plans to dine at Townsend. It was a perfect - a truly perfect - experience from beginning to end. We were greeted warmly and seated promptly upon arrival at table 34 (tucked into the bay window) on the second floor of Townsend. The immediate ambiance was calm, elegant and understated yet warm and welcoming. Megin was our server and she was phenomenal. Knowledgeable, pleasant, professional and engaging, truly someone who know what she is doing and knew everything about the food and drink menu (including the cheese plate designations of P, R & T) that is offered at Townsend. We started with a couple of Townsend's signature cocktails - I had the 'Bizzy Izzy Highball' at Megin's recommendation and it was refreshing and yummy. I could have a pitcher of them on a lazy Sunday. My partner had the Pimms Cup and loved it. I am not a gin drinker but I could have had a pitcher of these too...!! I think the ginger syrup and lemon really smoothed out the Christmas tree taste I normally get from gin and made it magnificent. For dinner, I had the Cidre Bouché Fermier de Normandie (a favorite) and next time I will try a bottle of the Isastegi Sagardo Basque Cider. As a cider drinker, I was thrilled to see these on the drink menu. For my first course, I had the Beef Tartare. A very generous portion of fresh, quality beef, perfectly minced and seasoned. It was served with Idiazabal toast which gave a feathery umami kiss to every bite - delicious. There was enough for two of us to enjoy although I would have had no trouble polishing off the whole thing. My dining partner had the marinated Hamachi and it was also delicious. I do not have any raw fish outside of Japan as a rule; but at the insistence of my dining partner; I had a taste and I could have eaten an entire portion of this myself too! Fresh, touched with sesame oil with a furikake finish that seems so perfect and makes such sense that you wonder why it isn't a common pairing. My second course was the foie gras mousse with pear-ginger marmalade. VrMan XLnt! vraiment excellent!! Foie gras mousse perfection. Again, plenty to share if you are so inclined. My dining partner had the sweetbreads and they were cooked perfectly - slightly caramelized crisp outside and creamy soft juicy inside. The accompaniments of parsnip puree, pearl onion soubise and the truffle madeira jus were spot on. I think my dining partner would have licked the plate clean if he could have! In between the second and third course, we added the handmade gnocchi special with tomatoes and crimini mushrooms. Pillowy, light, gnocchi in a beautiful bit of pan sauce accented with some sage (?) roasted cherry tomatoes and crimini mushrooms. We devoured it. For my entrée (normally the third dish, but my fourth), I had the lamb en cocotte - again, recommended by M. Megin. Beautiful dish, an updated, elevated cocotte dish with lamb two ways. Lamb loin roasted and thin sliced and the lamb shoulder braised (en cocotte) with the most unlikely cocotte-fellows of plum/plumcot, zuchchini, squash, apples and saba. Incroyable! My dining partner had the Rabbit pot-au-feu and it was actually a rabbit roasted loin roulade and braised rabbit with a liver mousse crostini amongst the diced carrots and potatoes. I just cannot eat rabbit (no, not even taste it!) and so I had to take my dining partner's word that it was indeed a superb dish. We ended with coffee and dessert, crème brûlée and the pavlova. Both were perfectly executed. Townsend's crème brûlée is the one I like to make at home. Thin, silky cream base, flecked with real vanilla and a crispy, crackly burnt (actually carmelized - not burnt) crust which was garnished with strawberry and blueberries. Delicious! The pavlova was equally perfectly executed - beautiful snow white meringue with a crisp exterior and light as air interior floating on a pool of strawberry sauce lightly accented with pernod. To execute such a perfect pavlova in 72% humidity is the work of someone who know what they are doing. Mademoiselle Megin - mr6 (merci) thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable evening! Chef Wentz - thank you for an amazing meal - vraiment superbe!!

    (5)
  • David D.

    Flawless execution, comfortable yet upscale vibe. This is really a perfect foodie spot. The bartender is quite talented and the drink menu stands out, as well. I particularly enjoyed some of the dessert wines, which are too often an afterthought at other restaurants. The service is refined, knowledgeable, and very friendly. Plates were cleared in a timely fashion and we never felt rushed My water was always filled, and I did not feel pressured to purchase more drinks, etc. Our table was only cleared for crumbs once, but probably could have used one more sweep earlier in the meal. But let's focus on the main variable here, the food! Cooking is rather exceptional here. The execution was tops in the city tied with Vernick. The dishes are classic yet brought up a level, but not over done. A good test was the organic Amish chicken, which was juicy, thoughtfully prepared, and taken up a notch with its sauces and chicken-thigh mouse/pate. A must-get here is the warm salad, which features a perfect dressing, the freshest vegetables, and a hearty feel to it overall. I also enjoyed the hamachi tartare as an app, which had a good kick to it. The cheese plate and soufflé were very well done. The cheeses were nicely portioned and accompaniments such as candied walnuts, various jams, and fruits were perfect. There was a bunch of red grapes, which I enjoyed although one was shriveled. Yes, I am that annoying (but don't worry, I ate it anyway). The soufflé was a good sized portion, but more importantly baked appropriately with a warm-gooey center and an almost crisp exterior. Overall, great evening and I can't recommend Townsend highly enough.

    (5)
  • Aaliyah P.

    Passyunk RW gives me an excuse to stroll a little further south for my dining out experiences. Townsends 4 star review made it an easy choice for my posse a few weeks back. Service was impeccable . Sadly this review has been in draft form and I don't remember revert detail about the dinner . Look and the photos , book your table

    (4)
  • Carol C.

    Came here for a birthday dinner, and it was perfect! This place is intimate, classy, and comfortable.When making the reservation, I put a note that this was for a birthday dinner, and when we arrived our menu had "happy birthday" written on it. Other servers even made sure to say happy birthday - now that's thoughtful service! I think their food menu changes pretty often so can't recommend anything in particular, but have to say everything was done with PERFECTION. I ordered duck with corn, which I thought was an odd combination, but with one bite I was struck with how perfectly they got the flavors to complement each other. I LITERALLY was almost to the point of tears.

    (5)
  • Elizabeth T.

    Exquisite food and service. The hamachi was over the top. The quality of the Tina was mind boggling. The presentation was spectacular. The best chicken I have ever had bar none. The chicken was unadulterated and a very fresh complimentary au jus. We had an engagement to attend or we would have happily waited for the chocolate soufflé. We plan to go back very soon.

    (5)
  • Daniel P.

    The two of us went for a date night on a Thursday. It's a nice space, and the service was attentive and friendly. I don't have anything negative to say about the food - it was all well prepared and lovely. The menu is set in "first, second, and third" course sections and we got one dish each, from each section (for a total of four small plates and two larger ones). Oysters were probably the low point but still good - the hamachi was a high point, as was the roast chicken... among the best chicken I've had. The downside, to me, is what I feel is a common facet of dining out in Philadelphia: the web site describes the wine selection as "value driven" while the least expensive bottle on the list is $60 (there might have been one selection in the $50's, but I'm not sure). I like good wine and it is a shame that the vast majority of selections were more toward the $70-90 range. For the food and two glasses of wine each, the total after 20% tip was $200. Good, but not a repeat for us.

    (3)
  • Sebastian H.

    Ok. I will get right to it since there is plenty of food to talk about! ;) we decided to start with the broiled oysters and the hamachi apps. The starving kid in me instantly grabbed an oyster. I clearly should've tried they hamachi first, which was served in a marinade of cucumber, sesame, lime, and cilantro. Delicate, clean, and a delicious way to prep your pallet for what's in store. The oysters are broiled with spinach, bacon, and a Pernod cream sauce. They serve 4 per order. I will just say this. We instantly ordered another round. YUM! For the 2nd course we had the jumbo lump crab risotto and the sautéed sweetbreads. The risotto was my lady's first or second favorite of the night. It was creamy and cooked to perfection. The sweetbreads were served with a potato aligote, olives, and oven dried tomato Provençal. This was one of my favorites for the night. Neither of us like olives, but they just played part of a delicious harmony in this dish. Again, everything was cooked perfectly. Sweetbreads were slightly crispy on the outside and soft and tender inside. Perfection. Finally we had the duck breast and the rabbit pot-au-feu (stew). The rabbit loin was served in a roulade over braised rabbit with carrots and potatoes. This is where the technique of French cooking shines. They managed to transform a traditional family dish that essentially is a stew and elevate it to much greater proportions. Another success. The duck breast was was cooked to perfection and served with a cassoulet of white beans and a port reduction. For dessert we had to chocolate soufflé and the vanilla creme brûlée. From start to finish this meal was well prepared, presented, and quickly devoured!! Go eat at Townsend. ENJOY!!!

    (4)
  • Bri H.

    I was lucky enough to be taken to Townsend for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint! First of all, I loved the cozy feel of the place. Service was perfect. I ordered a cocktail that I didn't really like. I took a sip, (apparently) made a "yuck" face, then tasted my friend's cocktail and (apparently) made a happy face. The server came over to say that she noticed my facial expressions and was having the bartender make me a new drink! Now THAT is great service. The server was also able to pick out a great wine to go with my dinner based on what I like (dry, bold). The food was great too. Beef tartare was delicous (although Vernick is still my favorite). Poached halibut was tender & flavorful. Great dining experience, would absolutely recommend!

    (5)
  • Abby W.

    Simply fantastic. This space used to be Sophia's and I was heartbroken when they closed, but delighted to hear such a stellar restaurant had opened in its place. I came here on Saturday evening with my boyfriend for a well-deserved splurge after a day of moving and couldn't have been more satisfied with the choice. I had a cocktail with bourbon, amontillado, and pineapple syrup called the Bizzy Izzy that was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. It was sparkling and refreshing with a very unique flavour-profile. I don't typically go for bourbon but I was very pleased with it. I continued the theme of trying things I don't usually like by ordering the broiled oysters for my starter. I hate raw oysters because the texture skeeves me out, but the broiled preparation was absolute perfection, with tiny cubes of bacon and fennel plus spinach and a pernod cream. They were fantastic. My boyfriend went with the special smoked salmon carpaccio and it was also really excellent - very fresh and light. We skipped the second course in favour of saving room for dessert, plus it was too hot of a day to be that full. I had the speck-wrapped icelandic cod and he went with the rabbit. The cod was perfectly cooked and a very light dish. I could have asked for a little more oomph in the tomato broth, like a bit of spice or something, but I have been suffering from allergies lately and it's entirely possible I just didn't have my taste buds in full working order. I followed my cocktail with a glass of rose on special that night and it was an excellent pairing with the fish. His rabbit was absolutely heavenly. That sauce! I could have licked the plate. The dessert selection is minimal - only 3 options - but the two we tried were truly exemplary. I had the creme brulee, a very standard rendition but expertly done. He got the pavlova and really loved it, it was a really special dessert and an unusual option one doesn't often see. A table nearby got the chocolate souffle and it's aroma filled the room; it smelled so good! Service was impeccable, and the meal was well-paced. We enjoyed our requested table in front of the window on the second floor, which makes for spectacular people-watching along the Avenue. The bill was also surprisingly reasonable (which was fortunate because I was having technical difficulties getting my Opentable gift certificate to load and I gave up!), only $123 after tax for 2 drinks and 3 courses each. My single complaint is that I wish the menu had been a bit more seasonal. Many of the courses sounded heavy and "wintry" and I wish they had updated it more to bring in some of the spring season. There were a handful of dishes with seasonal ingredients, but the entree selection in particular leaned heavily toward bold and comforting dishes with few lighter options.

    (5)
  • Lilli C.

    The food here was fantastic, and the service was even better. My friend ordered a cocktail and from across the restaurant, our server noticed that she probably didn't like it so offered to give her a different drink, free of charge. The beef tartare here was great, still not as great as Vernick, but tasty nonetheless. I also loved the brandade, which I'd never had before- it's a salt cod emulsion on a delicious buttery brioche w/ a quail egg. Of the 3 courses, I think this was my favorite. For the 3rd course, my speck (bacon) wrapped cod was also really good but I think I liked my friend's braised halibut a bit more, which was perfectly moist w/ a side of kohlrabhi, which was much tastier than any kohlrabhi I've ever had. Also, leave room for the chocolate souffle which was divine! This was a wonderful dining experience, and I will definitely be returning again!

    (5)
  • Erin C.

    We went to Townsend to celebrate my husband's birthday- our first night out without the kids. First and foremost, the restaurant is small and romantic. We were able to have an intimate conversation and really enjoy our evening together. The beer list is small, but my husband found lots of interesting choices as he is an avid craft beer drinker. I enjoyed my wine and our server was very helpful in making my selection. She was knowledgeable without coming off as snooty like some servers do. We selected the swordfish and skate wing and both of our fish dishes were cooked perfectly. We thoroughly enjoyed both dishes and the contrast between the two types of fish. The steak-like swordfish was meaty and the accompaniments showcased this. The skatewing was lighter and its sides set this off. Both were A+ dishes.

    (4)
  • Brian M.

    Feeling a list here: Oysters - best non-plain raw oysters I've ever had. These four beauts have kind of a rich-man's ranch flavor that will make you feel like you could eat eleventy billion of them. Don't, there's more great food ahead. Beef Tartare - A Snak Pak sized portion perfect for sharing. The shaved Idiazabal cheese burnt onto the toast was a nice touch, and you can really load these puppies up since the tartare portion size was rather large. Sweetbreads - Certainly nice, tender, well done, enjoyable, etc. But I was admittedly distracted by the... Loup de Mer - One of the best pieces of fish I've ever had. Girlfriend ordered it, I tried some then salivated into my sweetbreads hoping she'd offer more. She didn't. I was sad, but understood. PS loup de mer is the same thing as branzino, European sea bass, whatever but sounds so much nicer this way, doesn't it? Yeah, it's just what they call it on the French Mediterranean coast. Chocolate souffle - 15 minute wait for this but of course it's worth it. Only complaint - not a huge fan of the cream they serve with this, kind of like regular old vanilla ice cream so you can mix it with the warm center, make a gooey mess then eat it. Maybe that's low brow but if you don't enjoy melting ice cream on warm chocolate cake then f*ck you you're lying. Service was totally fine, no issues there from us. Wine I had tasted rather young (forget which it was) but that's likely my fault and I'm not a regular enough wine drinker to have that sway you, please. Overall a very pleasant meal.

    (5)
  • Juliana K.

    Overall, Townsend was very well executed french cuisine, but failed to impress and was unmemorable. (Except for the amazing chocolate soufflé that you must get). We had a special appetizer that was some sort of fish mashed up and it was okay, but a bit salty. Sweet breads were really nice. A tad salty, but well done. Seafood bouillabaisse was good, but didn't blow is away. A bit unmemorable. The rabbit had a flavorful sauce, but was a small portion. The lamb duo was definitely the best. Perfectly cooked and tender. DO get the chocolate soufflé. Wow, that was amazing. Creme brûlée was okay. Service and decor are great. Low lit room that isn't packed with tables. You can actually relax, eat, and have a conversation. Service is knowledgeable and attentive.

    (3)
  • Brent K.

    Well done, Townsend! Great high end menu without tightening the screws on your wallet. It was our first anniversary dinner and we decided to give Townsend a try over Barclay Prime, my go-to special occasion dining venue. It paid off! The service was absolutely top notch and they even had a nice South African red blend - since SA has a special meaning for me and my wife, we felt like it was fate that we ended up there. PS - Townsend it also immediately next door to an awesome gelateria - so we skipped desert and went next door instead. All around excellent night and we'll be sure to visit again soon!

    (5)
  • Lindsay H.

    Another fantastic addition to South Philly! Some lady friends and I had enough listening to all the buzz about Townsend and finally decided it was time to go and thankfully, we were not disappointed. First off, the place is adorable. Cozy and casual yet elegant. Lovely. My other first impression was the immediate fantastic service. We were greeted immediately and our server was over quick providing suggestions, etc regarding the drink menu. She even brought us a Rose to taste without even asking. Nice touch! We decided to try a few apps and all got entrees but what I particularly love about my dinner dates is that we're all happy to share so I got to taste many items on the menu. I love being able to try a lot! The highlights for me were the hamachi, beef tartare, the duck, the skate and the cod. Just about everything we ordered of course. :) The menu seems to change a lot so hopefully some of these will stay on! The hamachi was so light and refreshing. Perfect for a hot summer night. The beef tartare was combined with bone marrow. Nuff said on that one. It was like butter. On to the mains....the cod fell apart the second your fork hit it and rest on top of a lovely tomato broth. Then, onto the duck... I have to be honest...I can't remember the details anout the dish but I just remember it being rich, perfectly cooked and delicious. :) Lastly, we tried the skate wing which was again perfectly cooked with peas, lardon and a lemony broth. The perfect combinations with skate. To sum it up, YES! Yes yes yes. I really loved Townsend and honestly can not wait to get back asap!

    (5)
  • Laurence F.

    thin slices of bread and butter tap water 2 glasses of good red wine hamachi tiny cubes of fish with lime and spice tasty warm butter sauce with peas mushrooms ramps asparagus yummy white meat chicken slices and a slice of chicken sausage tasty 5 warm thin duck slices on beans yummy, pic below shows 10 slices 154 for 2, tax and tip included warm thin intimate candelit

    (5)
  • Jonathan M.

    Perfect meal. From the waiter (Steve), to the ambiance, to the drinks (Rose wine special and One Block Down off the cocktail menu), to the apps (crab risotto and the hamachi), the the entrees (swordfish and the black bass), nothing could've made it more enjoyable.

    (5)
  • Jina M.

    Four us came to Townsend for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful experience with both the food and the service. The restaurant is on the smaller end so it may be harder to get reservations for large parties. I would definitely recommend booking a reservation. The place was pretty packed on a Friday night. The décor is very classic and simple and we were seated upstairs. Some highlights from our meals: Marinated Hamachi: Very fresh and seasoned well Cooked Oysters: Even if you don't like raw oysters, these may change your mind Sweetbread: Warning- For those who never had these, it's not bread but thymus glands Skate: Perfectly seared Duck Breast: Very tender and doesn't leave a gamy aftermath

    (4)
  • Joshua V.

    South Philly is really stepping up its specialty cocktail game. All of Philadelphia is stepping up for that matter. Since my departure from the City of Brotherly love, nice mixology joints such as these have been (allegedly) popping up like daisies. While I am well aware of this place's identity as a restaurant (and a very good restaurant at that, from what I'm told), I've chosen to label this place as a mixology joint for two reasons: (1) I came here to drink and with no intention to eat... and (2) the drinks were really good. My booze of choice for the past few years (and for the foreseeable future) has been gin, and the gin cocktail of choice for me was the 50/50. Needless to say, it scored a 100 for me. Citrus-y and a bit sweet, but with that refreshing but bitter ginny quality I like... the bartender *ahem* mixologist did a fine job building this cocktail. Speakeasy quality stuff for $12! That's a steal I do say so, and I do say so. However, the vibe of the place had me a bit lost and confused. Again, I understand that this place is for fine dining over drinks, however the front was almost too casual. Some patrons getting drinks at the bar ( which was bumping some contemporary EDM tracks) were of the Millenial/Generation Y variety and were dressed in shorts and t-shirts/polos, while folks in the back dining area (very classy and classic set up) were, at first glance, closer to the retiree age bracket and donning some dress slacks and dinner jackets. Kind of a funny dynamic, and while I assume no dress code or the like is enforced (freedom of expression), it would be cool to have uniformity as far as classy apparel is concerned. Despite the atmospheric confusion, I def plan on coming back here if I'm in town, maybe on a date with some pretty lady or something... because this place is perfect for that kind of thing.

    (4)
  • Jonathan D.

    Went here with my parents last night. I didn't know much about it, other than that they had gone once before and had enjoyed it and thought I'd like it. Townsend didn't disappoint. We lucked out to find a meter right out front (only $1/hr, which is great!), and in we went. The building appears to be a former townhouse/row home that's been stylishly renovated. There is a bar downstairs, along with a dining area set back from it, and then an upstairs dining area. The stairs are somewhat steep if you're older (a little challenging for my mom, but she managed). The upstairs dining room is lovely, light and airy. Service is attentive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic in a friendly but not obtrusive way. Our primary server in particular was fantastic and engaging, and ready to answer any question. But as I often say, if the food isn't up to par, none of those things matter. Luckily, the food was stellar. The menu is divided into two courses of appetizers and then the mains. It's not huge, but since everything is appealing, that was just fine. I started with hamachi, which was chopped into small cubes and served in a little "brick" with cucumber, sesame, lime, cilantro and other accoutrements. It was delicious, as were my parents' oysters with fennel (which came with a wonderful creamy sauce). We also shared an even better beef tartare, which was extremely well-seasoned and came with parmesan topped crostini. Wonderful. While my parents opted for the duck, which I (and they) enjoyed, particularly with its lovely vegetable accompaniments, I was even more delighted with my swordfish. Before I ordered it, our server told me that people marveled at how moist it was, and she was not wrong. It was extraordinarily moist, perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful (bit of a Mediterranean vibe), accompanied by pearl onions, asparagus and an asparagus puree. Foodgasm is an overused term, but this truly was. We finished by sharing a pair of desserts, a Vahlrona chocolate souffle (yum!), and a lemon curd, which doesn't remotely do justice to the delicious combination fresh fruits, pastry and lemon cream. Townsend isn't a cheap date (especially with wine), but it truly is a superb restaurant that I'd return to in a heartbeat.

    (5)
  • E A.

    A great addition to the E. Passyunk scene. As others have said, the drinks are wonderful and reasonably priced. The service here is impeccable - friendly but not intrusive and a perfect pace for a relaxed, non-rushed meal. The food was excellent. and beautifully plated. There's a nice balance between somewhat adventurous choices and more standard dishes. We loved the foie gras pate, the hamachi and the scallops. All entrees were delicious and not too skimpy on portions. If I had one critique it would be that everything was a bit too salty for my taste - but not overly so. I think Townsend holds its own with Fond, although it may be 1 small notch less well executed compared with Bibou. It is not as sophisticated and mind blowing as Laurel - but great nonetheless. Would definitely go back! Note: not a BYOB but reasonable wine menu

    (4)
  • John F.

    Excellent. Gf and I went for her bday dinner. It was fantastic. We decided the apps looked more interesting than the entrees so we had six of them, two of which were specials. The food was fantastic and the drinks were quite tasty. Look forward to a return visit soon!

    (5)
  • Tabby R.

    This was an excellent date night spot. And the scallops were amazing! Great little Passyunk gem!

    (5)
  • steds s.

    Would have given it four stars were it not way, way overpriced for the service and meal provided. I loved the compact menu and the food was excellent - I had the striped bass and salad appetizer - but for the money I can think of many other places that offer a better dining experience. They need to spruce up the decor (a bit drab) and ask the staff to smile. That might brighten the experience a bit!

    (3)
  • Terry V.

    By far, this was the best meal I ever had! I read all the reviews saying to get the chicken and the rabbit. So, I got the chicken. The whole time I'm thinking, "it's chicken. How good can it be?" Well, how does "orgasmic" sound? I did not want this to end! My husband got the rabbit and that was to due for as well! The cocktails and the wine were right on and our server, Megin, was professional, yet extremely friendly and added to our experience! My husband and I agree that it was the best meal and dining experience we ever had!

    (5)
  • Daniel P.

    The two of us went for a date night on a Thursday. It's a nice space, and the service was attentive and friendly. I don't have anything negative to say about the food - it was all well prepared and lovely. The menu is set in "first, second, and third" course sections and we got one dish each, from each section (for a total of four small plates and two larger ones). Oysters were probably the low point but still good - the hamachi was a high point, as was the roast chicken... among the best chicken I've had. The downside, to me, is what I feel is a common facet of dining out in Philadelphia: the web site describes the wine selection as "value driven" while the least expensive bottle on the list is $60 (there might have been one selection in the $50's, but I'm not sure). I like good wine and it is a shame that the vast majority of selections were more toward the $70-90 range. For the food and two glasses of wine each, the total after 20% tip was $200. Good, but not a repeat for us.

    (3)
  • Sebastian H.

    Ok. I will get right to it since there is plenty of food to talk about! ;) we decided to start with the broiled oysters and the hamachi apps. The starving kid in me instantly grabbed an oyster. I clearly should've tried they hamachi first, which was served in a marinade of cucumber, sesame, lime, and cilantro. Delicate, clean, and a delicious way to prep your pallet for what's in store. The oysters are broiled with spinach, bacon, and a Pernod cream sauce. They serve 4 per order. I will just say this. We instantly ordered another round. YUM! For the 2nd course we had the jumbo lump crab risotto and the sautéed sweetbreads. The risotto was my lady's first or second favorite of the night. It was creamy and cooked to perfection. The sweetbreads were served with a potato aligote, olives, and oven dried tomato Provençal. This was one of my favorites for the night. Neither of us like olives, but they just played part of a delicious harmony in this dish. Again, everything was cooked perfectly. Sweetbreads were slightly crispy on the outside and soft and tender inside. Perfection. Finally we had the duck breast and the rabbit pot-au-feu (stew). The rabbit loin was served in a roulade over braised rabbit with carrots and potatoes. This is where the technique of French cooking shines. They managed to transform a traditional family dish that essentially is a stew and elevate it to much greater proportions. Another success. The duck breast was was cooked to perfection and served with a cassoulet of white beans and a port reduction. For dessert we had to chocolate soufflé and the vanilla creme brûlée. From start to finish this meal was well prepared, presented, and quickly devoured!! Go eat at Townsend. ENJOY!!!

    (4)
  • Bri H.

    I was lucky enough to be taken to Townsend for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint! First of all, I loved the cozy feel of the place. Service was perfect. I ordered a cocktail that I didn't really like. I took a sip, (apparently) made a "yuck" face, then tasted my friend's cocktail and (apparently) made a happy face. The server came over to say that she noticed my facial expressions and was having the bartender make me a new drink! Now THAT is great service. The server was also able to pick out a great wine to go with my dinner based on what I like (dry, bold). The food was great too. Beef tartare was delicous (although Vernick is still my favorite). Poached halibut was tender & flavorful. Great dining experience, would absolutely recommend!

    (5)
  • Elizabeth T.

    Exquisite food and service. The hamachi was over the top. The quality of the Tina was mind boggling. The presentation was spectacular. The best chicken I have ever had bar none. The chicken was unadulterated and a very fresh complimentary au jus. We had an engagement to attend or we would have happily waited for the chocolate soufflé. We plan to go back very soon.

    (5)
  • David D.

    Flawless execution, comfortable yet upscale vibe. This is really a perfect foodie spot. The bartender is quite talented and the drink menu stands out, as well. I particularly enjoyed some of the dessert wines, which are too often an afterthought at other restaurants. The service is refined, knowledgeable, and very friendly. Plates were cleared in a timely fashion and we never felt rushed My water was always filled, and I did not feel pressured to purchase more drinks, etc. Our table was only cleared for crumbs once, but probably could have used one more sweep earlier in the meal. But let's focus on the main variable here, the food! Cooking is rather exceptional here. The execution was tops in the city tied with Vernick. The dishes are classic yet brought up a level, but not over done. A good test was the organic Amish chicken, which was juicy, thoughtfully prepared, and taken up a notch with its sauces and chicken-thigh mouse/pate. A must-get here is the warm salad, which features a perfect dressing, the freshest vegetables, and a hearty feel to it overall. I also enjoyed the hamachi tartare as an app, which had a good kick to it. The cheese plate and soufflé were very well done. The cheeses were nicely portioned and accompaniments such as candied walnuts, various jams, and fruits were perfect. There was a bunch of red grapes, which I enjoyed although one was shriveled. Yes, I am that annoying (but don't worry, I ate it anyway). The soufflé was a good sized portion, but more importantly baked appropriately with a warm-gooey center and an almost crisp exterior. Overall, great evening and I can't recommend Townsend highly enough.

    (5)
  • Aaliyah P.

    Passyunk RW gives me an excuse to stroll a little further south for my dining out experiences. Townsends 4 star review made it an easy choice for my posse a few weeks back. Service was impeccable . Sadly this review has been in draft form and I don't remember revert detail about the dinner . Look and the photos , book your table

    (4)
  • Carol C.

    Came here for a birthday dinner, and it was perfect! This place is intimate, classy, and comfortable.When making the reservation, I put a note that this was for a birthday dinner, and when we arrived our menu had "happy birthday" written on it. Other servers even made sure to say happy birthday - now that's thoughtful service! I think their food menu changes pretty often so can't recommend anything in particular, but have to say everything was done with PERFECTION. I ordered duck with corn, which I thought was an odd combination, but with one bite I was struck with how perfectly they got the flavors to complement each other. I LITERALLY was almost to the point of tears.

    (5)
  • James I.

    Outstanding, highly recommend. Portion sizes are perfect to order one item from each 3 categories. I had the himachi ceviche, sweetbreads and duck. The sweetbreads are out of this world, a 10 out of 10. Easily one of the best entrees I have had in the city. The service is also great.

    (5)
  • Rohenne L.

    Favorite restaurant in Philadelphia! Every dish got nods and sounds of mmmm from all of us. We were enjoying the food so much that we forgot to talk to each other! Highly recommend their crab risotto (special not on the menu), leek soup, marinated hamachi, brandade, and roasted chicken. Price was not bad, we each spent $50 but didn't get any alcohol. Highly recommend this place!!! Good for foodies, date nights, parents. Not recommended for big groups since the space is pretty small. Make sure to order the chocolate soufflé early on since it takes 15 minutes to make. No complaints about this place!

    (5)
  • Patrick C.

    Tableau 34 avec M. Megin - VrMan XLnt!! One of the BEST meals EVER. Sublime , la démonstration classique et moderne de la gastronomie Française. I have literally just returned from Townsend and I must write this review. For my second birthday dinner this weekend, I chose Townsend and while I had initial reservations about the compact menu but I saw enough on the menu that the two of us would want to try for dinner. I am SO HAPPY that I went ahead with the plans to dine at Townsend. It was a perfect - a truly perfect - experience from beginning to end. We were greeted warmly and seated promptly upon arrival at table 34 (tucked into the bay window) on the second floor of Townsend. The immediate ambiance was calm, elegant and understated yet warm and welcoming. Megin was our server and she was phenomenal. Knowledgeable, pleasant, professional and engaging, truly someone who know what she is doing and knew everything about the food and drink menu (including the cheese plate designations of P, R & T) that is offered at Townsend. We started with a couple of Townsend's signature cocktails - I had the 'Bizzy Izzy Highball' at Megin's recommendation and it was refreshing and yummy. I could have a pitcher of them on a lazy Sunday. My partner had the Pimms Cup and loved it. I am not a gin drinker but I could have had a pitcher of these too...!! I think the ginger syrup and lemon really smoothed out the Christmas tree taste I normally get from gin and made it magnificent. For dinner, I had the Cidre Bouché Fermier de Normandie (a favorite) and next time I will try a bottle of the Isastegi Sagardo Basque Cider. As a cider drinker, I was thrilled to see these on the drink menu. For my first course, I had the Beef Tartare. A very generous portion of fresh, quality beef, perfectly minced and seasoned. It was served with Idiazabal toast which gave a feathery umami kiss to every bite - delicious. There was enough for two of us to enjoy although I would have had no trouble polishing off the whole thing. My dining partner had the marinated Hamachi and it was also delicious. I do not have any raw fish outside of Japan as a rule; but at the insistence of my dining partner; I had a taste and I could have eaten an entire portion of this myself too! Fresh, touched with sesame oil with a furikake finish that seems so perfect and makes such sense that you wonder why it isn't a common pairing. My second course was the foie gras mousse with pear-ginger marmalade. VrMan XLnt! vraiment excellent!! Foie gras mousse perfection. Again, plenty to share if you are so inclined. My dining partner had the sweetbreads and they were cooked perfectly - slightly caramelized crisp outside and creamy soft juicy inside. The accompaniments of parsnip puree, pearl onion soubise and the truffle madeira jus were spot on. I think my dining partner would have licked the plate clean if he could have! In between the second and third course, we added the handmade gnocchi special with tomatoes and crimini mushrooms. Pillowy, light, gnocchi in a beautiful bit of pan sauce accented with some sage (?) roasted cherry tomatoes and crimini mushrooms. We devoured it. For my entrée (normally the third dish, but my fourth), I had the lamb en cocotte - again, recommended by M. Megin. Beautiful dish, an updated, elevated cocotte dish with lamb two ways. Lamb loin roasted and thin sliced and the lamb shoulder braised (en cocotte) with the most unlikely cocotte-fellows of plum/plumcot, zuchchini, squash, apples and saba. Incroyable! My dining partner had the Rabbit pot-au-feu and it was actually a rabbit roasted loin roulade and braised rabbit with a liver mousse crostini amongst the diced carrots and potatoes. I just cannot eat rabbit (no, not even taste it!) and so I had to take my dining partner's word that it was indeed a superb dish. We ended with coffee and dessert, crème brûlée and the pavlova. Both were perfectly executed. Townsend's crème brûlée is the one I like to make at home. Thin, silky cream base, flecked with real vanilla and a crispy, crackly burnt (actually carmelized - not burnt) crust which was garnished with strawberry and blueberries. Delicious! The pavlova was equally perfectly executed - beautiful snow white meringue with a crisp exterior and light as air interior floating on a pool of strawberry sauce lightly accented with pernod. To execute such a perfect pavlova in 72% humidity is the work of someone who know what they are doing. Mademoiselle Megin - mr6 (merci) thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable evening! Chef Wentz - thank you for an amazing meal - vraiment superbe!!

    (5)
  • Hana C.

    I took a couple friends who were visiting me from DC. We started with the hamachi, tartare, and gazpacho all of which were good. I had mentioned to the restaurant that one of my friends is a chef at Blue Duck Tavern and I believe for this reason they sent out a complimentary app, the oysters--a thoughtful touch that I greatly appreciated. By far the oysters (grilled? with pancetta?) were the best plate out of the three with the tartare coming in second. For our second courses I had the scallops and my friends had the escargot and the sweatbread. The scallops were perfect. I wish the escargot was more flavorful. For some reason they fell flat and I'm not sure why. I did not try the sweetbreads; I was trying not to be greedy but I wish I had--I love sweetbreads. My friends had no complaints in regards to the sweetbreads and I believe finished it all. For our final course I had the skate, my friends had the rabbit and swordfish. I thought the rabbit roulade was a little over cooked but my friend thought it was balanced well with the ingredients in the center of the roulade. She must have liked it because she finished it all. Her boyfriend stated he enjoyed the swordfish which was a huge helping and he felt so bad he could not finish it. I thought the skate was just a little over cooked but it was still a delicious and well balanced dish. We had no room for dessert at that point. Service was excellent. Each of our cocktails were well done and very tasty. The waitress was quite helpful with the wine list and the Vouvray she picked for me was delicious. The ambience is quiet, simple, and intimate. The space obviously was a home in its past life and gives a more comfortable feel to the relatively fancy food (you're not coming here if you're craving burgers or pizza). I will come again with my husband who has been wanting to come here for some time. And I would recommend it to any one looking for a nice meal out in Philly.

    (4)
  • Cara C.

    We came here for our anniversary dinner and had a lovely table upstairs near the window. They even wrote "Happy Anniversary" on the menu, which was a nice touch, along with a glass of champagne while we were looking over the menu. The service was phenomenal and the waitresses were great. Someone was always around to check the water and bring more bread, clear plates quickly, etc. The food was absolutely fantastic. This isn't a restaurant that you will want to come to if you're starving and just want a huge plate of food. This is all about the taste and creativity. We had crab risotto and gnocchi to start and both were very good, although the gnocchi was pretty basic. We also had the rabbit and duck for our entrees and they were both amazing. The rabbit came 3 ways and each were very tasty and different and each bite was just amazing. Another thing I wanted to mention was the bread and butter! Wow, so good. Just simple bread and butter but the butter was absolutely delicious. We had the chocolate soufflé for dessert and honestly it was just ok. Nothing that will blow your socks off and it was very pudding like in the middle, only a small top layer of traditional soufflé textured dessert. It was still good, but just not wow. The wine list is pretty pricy, but on the other hand, if you're planning a special occasion dinner here, know that it is a pricy place, but well worth it.

    (4)
  • Jennifer L.

    My boyfriend and I had a "date night" at Izumi last Friday night then as we were walking home, we spotted Townsend. We decided to stop in just for a drink since we had already eaten. It turned out it was the first night that the restaurant was open to the public. It was a soft opening so it wasn't crowded. It's a nice space -- warm lighting, a bar made from gorgeous wood (reclaimed maybe?) and great service. We each had a cocktail and you could tell the bartenders took their jobs seriously. They were easy to talk to as well and seemed happy that we were there. The manager, Lauren, came over and chatted with us for a while, which was great. She explained that the concept is French, which is unique for East Passyunk Ave. My boyfriend and I are both vegetarians but most of the upscale places on EPA are geared toward those who eat meat. That makes perfect sense since most people do eat meat. And there are usually a couple of things I could find to order, but they're not necessarily things I particularly want to eat. It sounds like Townsend will fall into the "I could probably find something on the menu there" type of place rather than a spot that has thoughtful menu items that vegetarians would truly enjoy. But that's okay. I would stop in for drinks again just because the staff was so friendly and welcoming. I wish this restaurant lots of luck!

    (4)
  • alli b.

    I read about Townsend months ago and decided to make a reservation. We were originally a party of 6 and then a snowstorm squashed those plans. My husband and I were determined to go regardless and ended up walking from South West Philly to East Passyunk. We've been to most of the places on East Passyunk: Noord, Fond, Will, Laurel... I was especially excited to go to Townsend after going to the Chef's conference back in January and hearing the co-owner, Lauren, speak. From what I heard, I could tell this was going to be a good experience. It didn't disappoint. The staff is exceptional and the traditional french food is divine. Better than Laurel in my opinion. We had an amazing time. The restaurant is small but the tables are not crowded together and you can feel comfortable and at ease while you dine. Since PHiladelphia was being hammered with snow, the restaurant clearly lost a lot of reservations that night which meant that we had a very quite and intimate experience. The food was perfect. To start off, the bread was perfect when it hit the table. Slightly warm and so soft. We split everything and all the dishes were a stand out. My husband did the hamachi for his first course while I had the beef tartar. Second course was the escargot & brussels in the most amazing cream sauce and lobster mousse which was amazing! Both of them! Third course was the rabbit which was so tasty and tender, served with perfectly cooked carrots and potatoes and the traditional chicken with the most flavorful turnips I've ever had in my life. To end it all, we ordered another round of wine and waited the 15 minutes for the souffle, which was well worth the wait. It is expensive, so be prepared to spend some money especially if you intend on getting cocktails or wine. However, it is an experience and some top notch dishes by an amazing chef. We will gladly go again!

    (5)
  • Mich D.

    The most remarkable cocktails I have ever tasted. I had my first Aviation here and convinced my boyfriend gin really isn't evil! Townsend is an amazing place in the Passyunk neighborhood for a beautiful meal that will leave you emotionally spent at the end, but not ready to explode. Every dish is perfection and I have to catch myself from licking the plate (oh, the scallops).

    (5)
  • Cara L.

    This is a current James Beard nominated restaurant, & I can completely understand why. The cuisine was imaginative, flavorful, brave, and delicious. Our experience was only furthered by the knowledge and kindness of our server, Steven R. We started with the oysters, they were incredibly delicious. In fact, they were so good I had no time to stop and take a photo. The same could be said for the deliciously fresh bread and clearly homemade butter. We also got the escargot with Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, speck, & a cream sauce. It was delicious, the sauce was amazing. The second course was the lobster and shrimp mousse; I was concerned it was going to be too gastronomic, but it was absolutely perfect. For the third course, I got the lamb. I personally preferred the sliced rare lamb on my plate as opposed to the stewed lamb with the fruit that came along with it. However, my dining companion preferred that so it's entirely subjective. We finished our meal with the chocolate souffle, which was incredible. Definitely give it at least 5 minutes to cool off! I couldn't wait, so burning my tongue was completely my own fault. Best drink I had was the champagne, it is crisp and uniquely delicious. It's a pricey meal, but a dining experience you won't soon forget.

    (4)
  • Eileen T.

    Our reservation was made weeks before the restaurant received a James Beard Foundation nomination for best new restaurant, but our dinner last night made apparent why it was nominated. We were told our table would be ready in a few minutes, and two seats had just become available at the bar, so we decided to have our aperitif there. The bartenders were charming and very helpful. We prefer to dine at the bar when we can; it provides insight into the culture of a restaurant, so we declined the table when it became available. First course: The sweetbreads were tender and moist with a crisp crust, accompanied by a creamy onion soubise and parsnip puree. Sumptuous. The foie gras mousse was rich and smooth and heavenly light and creamy. Stunning. Main course: A tender and juicy roasted breast of chicken with slices of perfectly executed galantine from the leg, accompanied by a tasty aigre-doux (sweet and sour sauce) flavored with rosemary. Exquisite. The rabbit roulade served with root vegetables was moist and the flavors were perfectly balanced. Luscious. For dessert we shared a perfect crème brûlée, ethereal in its smoothness and light as a feather with a perfectly thin and crunchy broiled top. They have no espresso machine. Nevertheless, the coffee was deeply flavored, not acidic or bitter, and was served hot. Quite satisfying. I have no doubt we will return again and again.

    (5)
  • kimk k.

    This restaurant was phenomenal. Even on the second day of being open. I can't stress enough how warm and inviting the people were. And the food definitely was just as good. I recommend the hamachi highly. So many flavors blended together that will have you asking for more. The cocktails and wine list were also very good. If you're looking for a nice dinner filled of diverse technique and flavor, this is the best new restaurant in philadelphia to come to. We commented on how well the food was and our server brought the head chef out after our entrees were cleared. It was a nice touch to the end of a beautiful dinner. I hope the next time I go I'll be able to get a reservation because this place WILL be in everyone's word of mouth.

    (5)
  • Chrisna S.

    Came here a couple days ago on a mini-date with my friend. As soon as we got to their front door, the hostess immediately opened the door to us and greeted us. The bartender himself greeted us as well. The atmosphere of the place already have me an impression that I'll have a decent dinner experience, despite the fact that I'm under the age of drinking. Our waiter attended our table well and without hesitating, muttering, or stuttering, gave us our specials. She made the specials sound amazing and a must-get meal. We got their gnocchi spinach special, and their chicken entree for our main course. For appetizer we had their hamachi. The hamachi came out quick and looked beautiful. One of the workers handed us the appetizer and formally told us the recipes used. The taste was similar to a slight Italian dressing to it with other mixes that I'm not too familiar with, nonetheless it's our first French dinner experience and it tastes great. Our waiter attended our table frequently to refill our water and checked on us. During our wait with complimentary fresh bread and butter. We got our dinner and instantly got hooked. The chicken was light and soft, but filled with flavor. I've never really had any chicken in the style that this restaurant cooked with. 10/10. I'll definitely come here again on a special occasion, thank you to all the workers there for making our dinner experience great!

    (4)
  • Marie W.

    There are so many BYO's popping up on Passyunk that I didn't even notice Townsend until my husband and I were given a gift certificate. Overall our meal was really great. My favorites were the oysters with bacon and Pernod creme and the scallops with citrus and seaweed butter. I love a well prepared scallop, and the dish at Townsend was easily in my top 5 scallop dishes of all time. We also got the cod, which was perfectly cooked, making the oily fish seem almost delicate. The chocolate soufflé for desert was well worth the 15 minute wait. I took a star off because there was a gnocchi special that was offered as an appetizer or entree. We opted for the entree size, but I don't think the larger portion quite worked. The bold flavors were better suited to a few bites vs. an entire bowl. Also, the Pavlova seemed over-the-top sweet. The music was great, by the way. It sounded very similar to the Vampire Weekend Pandora station I was listening to only hours earlier. With so many excellent restaurants popping up in storefronts on Passyunk, and given this particular storefront's quickly revolving list of former tenants, I really hope Townsend can make a go of it... I'd really like to go back for more scallops.

    (4)
  • Elan V.

    If I could give Townsend 6 stars, I probably would. Went last night for dinner. Checked Menupages.com before going and saw that it rated Townsend as $$$$$ (5 dollar signs), but that could not be more wrong. Townsend is very reasonably priced. So just a heads up, that is bologna. Anyways, definitely a unique decor and set up going on. Feels kind of rustic, but also open. It is NOT BYOB. They have a full bar, and for the most part, you do have enough space to be in your own conversation and not feel on top of people. Service was very good. Staff was cheerful, happy to help answer questions, and you felt a team vibe from everyone who touched the table. Now onto the most important part --- the food. Best food I have had in Philly in a while! We ordered their Marinated Hamachi, which was EXCELLENT. It had a nice fresh taste and reminded us of sushi, but was so much more complex. It was really excellent and if you like ceviche or crudo, this is an awesome dish. Next we had a special --- Zucchini Blossoms stuffed with Crab, served with Asparagus. Another really yummy dish. This was a special and I would bet it's season, so they probably do not always have it, but just a really tasty combination and once again a super fresh bite. We paired a special app with one of their entrees. The special app was a Potato Gnocchi service with Chantrelle Mushrooms on top of a DYNAMITE Tomato Confit sauce and topped with Parmesan Cheese. I have worked in Italian Restaurants (really good ones) and this Gnocchi was extremely good. Delicate gnocchi paired with a sauce that left us licking the plate. Our entree was a Skate Wing, also seasonal, that was served with a Corn and Lardo Bacon combo. The bacon was really thickly cut, so if you have an non-meat eater int he house, it's easy to avoid. Really great flavors here. Tough to not love Skate. I order it every time it's on a menu. The Skate was almost breaded...it had such a great texture. They had my all-time favorite dessert --- Chocolate Souffle. I have seen Souffles 3 ways --- 1. It stinks, 2. It is mostly dry but it is served with a velvety sauce that is poured tableside into the Souffle, and 3. It has an almost fudgy interior. We got the 3rd version, which is a solid alternative to the second. They give you ice cream as well with the Souffle. All together a great experience, great food. We will definitely be back and it's super reasonably priced. Now in our Top 5 Restaurants in Philly.

    (5)
  • Ryan I.

    Tenderist most juicy chicken I've ever had in my life. For context I'm 31 years old so bear in mind it will be the best chicken you've had in 31 years not necessarily you're whole life. An important detail...but also a reassuring one. I'm blown away.

    (5)
  • Aaron P.

    People like to say "you get what you pay for." I feel like that's an excuse for laziness. Money does not buy good taste, and the devil is in the details. So this is a story about value. About the intersection between quality and cost. It's a story about an $8 glass of tempranillo that has you trapped between rapture, and anger at what you've been spending. It's a story about a piece of chicken so tender you question that it's chicken. Or about a server who knows the middle name of the farmer's nephew in France who churned the cheese that's churning your senses. It's about sitting back at the end of the journey and saying "wow, I've paid twice as much for food half as good, but my future is looking brighter." Townsend is a fantastic blend of charm, comfort, and congeniality. I personally lean toward the relaxed cocktail vibe on the ground level, but upstairs, star-crossed lovers are all-a-gaze over white linen and shimmering silver. I've gone three times in the past month, and tasted everything on the menu that my shellfish allergy would allow; each dish was fascinating. I recommend you go with a large group so you can benefit from a bite or two of everything. The Beef Tartare with Bone Marrow, and the Sweetbreads with Grilled Veal Tongue are personal standouts. Your entrée must be either the Rabbit Pot-au-feu or the Roasted Organic Chicken. Save room for the Chocolate Soufflé, it's a near religious experience. And please, if you have any sense of adventure, ask for the sommelier, Lauren. Tell her what you think you like; tell her how you're feeling, what you're eating, your thoughts on the Winter Olympics. Then let her interrupt you with a glass of wine that changes everything. And take a sip of your brighter future.

    (5)
  • Ted L.

    The skate was excellent. However, the lamb was tasteless (except for the stew that came with it). The server said that's the way it's supposed to be. Ok. Then, in her haste to get us out, she took away a half finished martini. When I objected, she grudgingly took it back off the tray somewhere in the kitchen and returned it to the table. Really? Thanks Caitlynn. That's what we get for $130 (two people) + tip?

    (3)
  • Nathan T.

    My partner and I stopped in for drinks Friday night. Great atmosphere! The bar and high top area was clean, inviting, and chic. The bar staff was informative, helpful and willing to go the extra step to make sure we were satisfied. We will be back (with more guests)!!!

    (4)
  • Lisa A.

    Townsend is spectacular. Soon after being seated at Townsend, it's easy to forget you are in a big city. The quaint, simple decor and candlelight table settings foster a comforting dining experience. The waiting staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly- very professional. You can tell Townsend doesn't hire just anyone off the street to wait on tables. I must add, as silly as this sounds, even the music is perfect! I wanted to ask for a playlist. It truly added to the experience. My friend and I each got one dish from each of the three sections of the menu. We were definitely full at the end, but then again, we can put some food back. Although virtually everything was delicious, I will elaborate on my favorite items. My favorite item of the night was the oysters. Holy shuck. These were to DIE for. The sauce was tasty, the oysters were the perfect temperature, and the bacon counteracted the natural (for lack of a better work) wetness of the oysters adding a complexity to the dish. As for the second course, I decided to be adventerous and try the escargot- so glad that I did! They were served in a cream sauce with bacon and mushrooms- again, the flavor complexity was intense but perfect. Thirdly, I tried the roasted chicken. This was cooked to golden perfection on the outside and very moist on the inside. The seasonal side dishes that accompanied were perfect for the chicken and the serving was very large. Lastly, we finished off with dessert cocktails and chocolate lava cake. The cake took a while to come out, though it was obviously cooked to order and worth the wait. The waiter suggested cointreau-infused wine which was some of the best dessert wine i've tasted- and I am NOT a sweet wine person. Overall, Townsend is an experience. It's ideal for an anniversary, valentine's day, or any special occasion. It does have a bar as well- perfect for after a date or outing! Great addition to East Passyunk Ave.

    (5)
  • Joseph D.

    An excellent addition to the Philadelphia restaurant scene. Townsend has an excellent cocktail program with inventive twists on the classics. The food menu is small but still difficult to make a choice due to a expertly curated selection. The zucchini blossom stuffed with crab was superb as was the beef tartare and chicken. Executed and presented in classic French style with an inventive flair. The staff's knowledge of food and wine were superb. I highly recommend Townsend.

    (5)
  • Tim V.

    Went here on a Saturday night, reservations at 8. They have a nice bar area (directly when you get in) which gets a little loud with bigger groups, but has phenomenal cocktails. After waiting for half an hour (which is petty long when you have a reservation) we were seated and ready to enjoy what every critic has been raving about so far. The result was.. Meh. We got the foie gras mousse and oysters as apps, which were both great. Main course however (rabbit pot-au-feu and codd) were drastically under seasoned and just plain bland.. Wines by the glass were good pairings.

    (3)
  • Rebecca J.

    Wow. The best meal and service I have had in a very long time. Specials were incredible, as were the rabbit and sea bass entrees. Wine and cocktails superb! And we got a preview of the summer "spritzer" cocktail--whoa. Perfect pre-dinner, after-dinner and until 2am drink! :) I will be back!!!

    (5)
  • Abby W.

    Simply fantastic. This space used to be Sophia's and I was heartbroken when they closed, but delighted to hear such a stellar restaurant had opened in its place. I came here on Saturday evening with my boyfriend for a well-deserved splurge after a day of moving and couldn't have been more satisfied with the choice. I had a cocktail with bourbon, amontillado, and pineapple syrup called the Bizzy Izzy that was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. It was sparkling and refreshing with a very unique flavour-profile. I don't typically go for bourbon but I was very pleased with it. I continued the theme of trying things I don't usually like by ordering the broiled oysters for my starter. I hate raw oysters because the texture skeeves me out, but the broiled preparation was absolute perfection, with tiny cubes of bacon and fennel plus spinach and a pernod cream. They were fantastic. My boyfriend went with the special smoked salmon carpaccio and it was also really excellent - very fresh and light. We skipped the second course in favour of saving room for dessert, plus it was too hot of a day to be that full. I had the speck-wrapped icelandic cod and he went with the rabbit. The cod was perfectly cooked and a very light dish. I could have asked for a little more oomph in the tomato broth, like a bit of spice or something, but I have been suffering from allergies lately and it's entirely possible I just didn't have my taste buds in full working order. I followed my cocktail with a glass of rose on special that night and it was an excellent pairing with the fish. His rabbit was absolutely heavenly. That sauce! I could have licked the plate. The dessert selection is minimal - only 3 options - but the two we tried were truly exemplary. I had the creme brulee, a very standard rendition but expertly done. He got the pavlova and really loved it, it was a really special dessert and an unusual option one doesn't often see. A table nearby got the chocolate souffle and it's aroma filled the room; it smelled so good! Service was impeccable, and the meal was well-paced. We enjoyed our requested table in front of the window on the second floor, which makes for spectacular people-watching along the Avenue. The bill was also surprisingly reasonable (which was fortunate because I was having technical difficulties getting my Opentable gift certificate to load and I gave up!), only $123 after tax for 2 drinks and 3 courses each. My single complaint is that I wish the menu had been a bit more seasonal. Many of the courses sounded heavy and "wintry" and I wish they had updated it more to bring in some of the spring season. There were a handful of dishes with seasonal ingredients, but the entree selection in particular leaned heavily toward bold and comforting dishes with few lighter options.

    (5)
  • Lilli C.

    The food here was fantastic, and the service was even better. My friend ordered a cocktail and from across the restaurant, our server noticed that she probably didn't like it so offered to give her a different drink, free of charge. The beef tartare here was great, still not as great as Vernick, but tasty nonetheless. I also loved the brandade, which I'd never had before- it's a salt cod emulsion on a delicious buttery brioche w/ a quail egg. Of the 3 courses, I think this was my favorite. For the 3rd course, my speck (bacon) wrapped cod was also really good but I think I liked my friend's braised halibut a bit more, which was perfectly moist w/ a side of kohlrabhi, which was much tastier than any kohlrabhi I've ever had. Also, leave room for the chocolate souffle which was divine! This was a wonderful dining experience, and I will definitely be returning again!

    (5)
  • Erin C.

    We went to Townsend to celebrate my husband's birthday- our first night out without the kids. First and foremost, the restaurant is small and romantic. We were able to have an intimate conversation and really enjoy our evening together. The beer list is small, but my husband found lots of interesting choices as he is an avid craft beer drinker. I enjoyed my wine and our server was very helpful in making my selection. She was knowledgeable without coming off as snooty like some servers do. We selected the swordfish and skate wing and both of our fish dishes were cooked perfectly. We thoroughly enjoyed both dishes and the contrast between the two types of fish. The steak-like swordfish was meaty and the accompaniments showcased this. The skatewing was lighter and its sides set this off. Both were A+ dishes.

    (4)
  • Dana N.

    The glasses that the cava is served in are so Great Gatsby! The ice in the rocks glass is a giant cube - I love it! The staff is so nice! They brought us water when we ordered our cocktails - without our asking.

    (5)
  • Matt K.

    This restaurant is in the space once occupied by Sofia's. It is intimate and cozy, the main dining room seats less than 20 and the bar area maybe 8 more. They have a custom cocktail list like so many great restaurants, and this one is reminiscent of the Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co., with its emphasis on brown liquids in all sorts of interesting combinations. The service was excellent, and personalized, she knew what to do and say for each customer. On to the food which was very protein-heavy, which I like. Then again, I like everything. I started with the beef tartare. The texture was very unctuous, soft and almost pudding-like. It felt wonderful on the mouth. Hints of mustard, citrus, perfectly seasoned but not overpowered. Some chefs feel the need to disguise the beef, not here. The accompanying bread slices were toasted with just a hint of cheese, again quite subtle, and there was a schmeer of a parsley-like very green puree that you could dip into as you wished. Very good! Just one note, there was too much bread so I didn't finish it. The second course was a special veal cheeks with sweetbreads. The meats were cooked perfectly, and the sauce, while quite rich and strong, was beautiful. The cheeks were even more tender than a falling-apart short rib. The main course was rabbit "pot-au-feu", I put that in parentheses because every pot-au-feu I have had has been much simpler and not very interesting. This dish was a complex mix of flavors, colors and textures, and included carrots and potatoes and a crostini with liver on it that complimented each bite fantastically. The sauce again was rich and soft. Coaxed to have dessert, I noted only three on the menu, all simple. I had the creme brûlée and it was what I consider perfect, which is to say that the texture was just slightly thinner than pudding. Creme brûlée should not be custardy or eggy, I think. Real vanilla beans of course, great caramelized crust. Bibou is the top feminine French bistro in Philly with its more delicate treatments of food, and I think Townsend must be the top masculine one. A bold menu that screams protein. Arrhh! Yum.

    (5)
  • Ali W.

    Great cocktails with fragrant, rich flavors and delicious beer selection as well. Very friendly and knowledgable servers. My favorite dishes: foie gras mousse, beef tartare, and sea scallops. The entrees (rabbit and bouillabaisse) were not as impressive after such amazing first and second courses. I will definitely be back here for those amazing dishes!

    (5)
  • Jordan P.

    I've always been a little wary of restaurant week. My inner cheapskate breaks down the numbers of the restaurants offering everything from special dishes to old favorites to one-off dessert experiments, and weighs this with my typical levels of hunger. Most often, the result is a decisive Nahh, I'll just wait for the crowds to die down and order the exact amount of food I want for the price I expect/am willing to pay. That said, when I saw that East Passyunk Avenue, Philly's hottest nook of up-and-coming dining spots, was hosting their own neighborhood restaurant week, I immediately raced over to OpenTable to make a reservation for my two girlfriends and I. I gotta say that, while I was A-OK with the mandatory phone-in reservation at Zahav a few weeks ago, there's a remarkable ease and convenience to being able to filter using number of diners, date, and time when we were looking for a Monday night out on the town. We spotted space at Townsend and booked it post-haste. We made the right choice. Since there were three of us, we figured we'd try one of each course. Then we saw that one of the first courses was a foie gras butternut squash terrine. And since I'd just binged on terrines last week.... looks like we're doubling up on Brandades! Course one (served shortly after a DIVINE bread basket [that may have been divine or may have merely been 'good', we were pretty hungry]) included a creamy parsnip veloute with brown butter chestnuts, a hint of black truffle, and just enough brussels sprout leaves to leave us wanting more (hee hee). The brandade, a dish I'd never had before, was a crunchy brioche topped with a quail egg, shellfish bouillabaisse, and pernod. How such a tiny little toasty brioche could be so full of flavor.... well I don't (per)nod, but it was incredible. The veloute was rich and creamy, a nice complement to the light fluff and crunch of the other appetizer. But the best was yet to come... I'll shoot you straight, the pasta/vegetarian dish was a little cold by the time it got to us. Flavor-wise, it was fairly unremarkable, and the tastes of caramelized onions and fennel, while there, were hints. If you were only getting this dish, I would not consider your experience worthwhile. BUT if you're lucky enough to have some dining pals, perhaps they'll slip you bites of the glorious speck-wrapped cod (bottom right) atop Tarbais bean garbure with tiny cockles (that came with their own fork!) This fish fell apart the moment your fork touched it, delicate... dare I say exquisite? Oh, if I dared, I'll repeat that word for the venison en crepinette (different from the online menu, description here). Exquisite. We nearly came to (fork) blows over these half-dollar sized medallions, each soaking up the jus and pairing perfectly with the parsnip pureé. This dish would bring me back again and again. Somehow, we had room for dessert. Luckily, it was both light and a delight. The crème brûlée, flawless. Visible vanilla bean is my jam. The blue cheese plate was a nice tangy option for those without a sweet tooth. And for those WITH a sweet tooth: enter pavlova. No, she's not your exotic, sexy neighbor (maybe she is, I don't know where you live). She is actually an it, specifically a crunchy meringue dish topped with mixed berries and strawberry coulis, speckled with fresh mint. Yup. Imagine the finest cotton candy you can even fathom. And then make it fancy, and French, and bury it in berries. We couldn't get enough. Take your dates, your dads, your dudes, your dames, yourself, take them all to Townsend. I'll be back soon to try out their take on rabbit.... I've only heard (read* since I practically live on Yelp) the best things. Thanks, Tod and team, for the tasty treats.

    (5)
  • Juliana K.

    Overall, Townsend was very well executed french cuisine, but failed to impress and was unmemorable. (Except for the amazing chocolate soufflé that you must get). We had a special appetizer that was some sort of fish mashed up and it was okay, but a bit salty. Sweet breads were really nice. A tad salty, but well done. Seafood bouillabaisse was good, but didn't blow is away. A bit unmemorable. The rabbit had a flavorful sauce, but was a small portion. The lamb duo was definitely the best. Perfectly cooked and tender. DO get the chocolate soufflé. Wow, that was amazing. Creme brûlée was okay. Service and decor are great. Low lit room that isn't packed with tables. You can actually relax, eat, and have a conversation. Service is knowledgeable and attentive.

    (3)
  • Brian M.

    Feeling a list here: Oysters - best non-plain raw oysters I've ever had. These four beauts have kind of a rich-man's ranch flavor that will make you feel like you could eat eleventy billion of them. Don't, there's more great food ahead. Beef Tartare - A Snak Pak sized portion perfect for sharing. The shaved Idiazabal cheese burnt onto the toast was a nice touch, and you can really load these puppies up since the tartare portion size was rather large. Sweetbreads - Certainly nice, tender, well done, enjoyable, etc. But I was admittedly distracted by the... Loup de Mer - One of the best pieces of fish I've ever had. Girlfriend ordered it, I tried some then salivated into my sweetbreads hoping she'd offer more. She didn't. I was sad, but understood. PS loup de mer is the same thing as branzino, European sea bass, whatever but sounds so much nicer this way, doesn't it? Yeah, it's just what they call it on the French Mediterranean coast. Chocolate souffle - 15 minute wait for this but of course it's worth it. Only complaint - not a huge fan of the cream they serve with this, kind of like regular old vanilla ice cream so you can mix it with the warm center, make a gooey mess then eat it. Maybe that's low brow but if you don't enjoy melting ice cream on warm chocolate cake then f*ck you you're lying. Service was totally fine, no issues there from us. Wine I had tasted rather young (forget which it was) but that's likely my fault and I'm not a regular enough wine drinker to have that sway you, please. Overall a very pleasant meal.

    (5)
  • Katrina F.

    I would not make reservations here for a special occasion. My reservation was cancelled within 65 seconds of my failing to pick up a confirmation call. No message was even left. When I tried to call back (for over an hour, no one picked up). While I was really excited to try the food, this level of service is entirely unacceptable for the price point. Truthfully, I doubt any quality of food could compensate for this type of treatment. I'm very surprised given the chef comes from Lacroix (which while I haven't love the food recently, has impeccable service). For special occasion in Philadelphia, I recommend Vetri (or Laurel) in the future (where the service and food are truly outstanding). I am just grateful the reservation was only for a birthday.

    (1)
  • Eric W.

    Another great Philly restaurant. It seems to be a pattern here; a number of excellent restaurants, many of of which are BYOB, where it's great food in a really small place. While Townsend is not BYOB, although the wine list is eclectic, it's is a nice but small space. Not a drawback for me because I think it's a more intimate dining experience, but I do not know how the economics work for the restaurants. In any event, you chose a three course selection, where the biggest challenge is what gets left out. Not as big a problem if you come as a foursome but tough for two. We had the lobster and beef tartar, both were excellent. Then we had the Brandade, which was stunning; followed by the lamb and rabbit- wow!! Then a cheese course with Sherry followed by the chocolate soufflé and coffee. What a great meal!! The wine list is challenging but we had a good red burgundy that was a perfect choice. Another star in the Phiily food firmament.

    (5)
  • Brent K.

    Well done, Townsend! Great high end menu without tightening the screws on your wallet. It was our first anniversary dinner and we decided to give Townsend a try over Barclay Prime, my go-to special occasion dining venue. It paid off! The service was absolutely top notch and they even had a nice South African red blend - since SA has a special meaning for me and my wife, we felt like it was fate that we ended up there. PS - Townsend it also immediately next door to an awesome gelateria - so we skipped desert and went next door instead. All around excellent night and we'll be sure to visit again soon!

    (5)
  • Lindsay H.

    Another fantastic addition to South Philly! Some lady friends and I had enough listening to all the buzz about Townsend and finally decided it was time to go and thankfully, we were not disappointed. First off, the place is adorable. Cozy and casual yet elegant. Lovely. My other first impression was the immediate fantastic service. We were greeted immediately and our server was over quick providing suggestions, etc regarding the drink menu. She even brought us a Rose to taste without even asking. Nice touch! We decided to try a few apps and all got entrees but what I particularly love about my dinner dates is that we're all happy to share so I got to taste many items on the menu. I love being able to try a lot! The highlights for me were the hamachi, beef tartare, the duck, the skate and the cod. Just about everything we ordered of course. :) The menu seems to change a lot so hopefully some of these will stay on! The hamachi was so light and refreshing. Perfect for a hot summer night. The beef tartare was combined with bone marrow. Nuff said on that one. It was like butter. On to the mains....the cod fell apart the second your fork hit it and rest on top of a lovely tomato broth. Then, onto the duck... I have to be honest...I can't remember the details anout the dish but I just remember it being rich, perfectly cooked and delicious. :) Lastly, we tried the skate wing which was again perfectly cooked with peas, lardon and a lemony broth. The perfect combinations with skate. To sum it up, YES! Yes yes yes. I really loved Townsend and honestly can not wait to get back asap!

    (5)
  • Jonathan M.

    Perfect meal. From the waiter (Steve), to the ambiance, to the drinks (Rose wine special and One Block Down off the cocktail menu), to the apps (crab risotto and the hamachi), the the entrees (swordfish and the black bass), nothing could've made it more enjoyable.

    (5)
  • Jason H.

    I visited Townsend recently, and had a great meal. I'm only giving a four-star review because I had a 9:00PM reservation, and was not seated until 9:45PM. I know this can sometimes happen, but 45 minutes seems like a really long time. The space is small (I think they may have a second floor, but not sure) and very cozy. They have a bar area in front, and dining room towards the rear of the 1st floor. The food is French, and the menu setup in a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd course layout, a la carte. The bar makes some very good cocktails, and specializes in French liqueurs and other spirits, as well as quite a number of flavorings they use. I can't comment on the wine list, as I'm not very much a wine drinker. As I mentioned before, the menu is a three-course affair, though a la carte. The selections are limited, maybe five or so per course, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We opted for the pumpkin lobster bisque, foie gras, rabbit, pernod oysters, and the gnocchi special. We enjoyed everything, but both thought the foie gras was a bit off. It was served with a rather thick layer of sweet jelly atop the ramekin, and a pear chutney. The chutney was nice, but we both thought the sweet jelly was a little bit much. We opted for the chocolate souffle for dessert, which was served with a Pernod-infused whipped cream, which was great. We liked Townsend very much, and would definitely return for both the atmosphere and food, as well as the French-inspired cocktails.

    (4)
  • Mike S.

    Went there last night (Monday 9pm) for a peaceful glass of wine. JP and Jeff were working behind bar and very friendly. Pure hospitality, good knowledge of wine and cheese list. I left off one star since I did not eat dinner there yet. Thanks fellas!

    (4)
  • Kenneth W.

    Beautifully prepared, and artfully presented food. Chef Townsend Wentz's roots show through in presenting dishes that on one level seem simplistic yet have a complex backbone. Four of us went there on a Sunday evening and the only blemish was a heavy hand with salt on the sweetbread second course (which I still completely scarfed up!). The appetizer of oysters with a hint of fennel was spot on; and I almost asked for seconds of the rabbit pot-au-feu main course. The reviews of the chocolate souffle are all correct - rich, not heavy sweet, and enough for the table to share. Also, a shout out to the bartender - order a cocktail as you decide your meal - excellent job!

    (4)
  • Robert B.

    We arrived at this location for our anniversary. It was a wonderful evening. We arrived and found a wonderful touch by the restaurant. Our menus had "Happy Anniversary" printed on them. I ordered a beer from a small selection but, I was ecstatic because it was a sour beer. And I simply love sour beers. You do not find them on menus. A three course meal was in the offering. My wife ordered oysters that were broiled and she thought it was wonderful. I went with the beef tar tar. It was slightly spicy and sweet. It had bread with it. A wonderful balance of flavor. Although, the horseradish flavor began to overpower other flavors. But, it was wonderfully done. I went with a duck and pasta special for course number two. It was simply divine. Rustic meaty flavor that was broken up with sweetness of cherry tomato and goat cheese. I simply wished for more of the cheese and tomato in the course. The pasta was good and the duck cooked to perfection. My wife had a warm salad that she enjoyed. She especially liked mushrooms in it that were like meat to her. The main course, my wife had a halibut course that was a large portion. She enjoyed it. I ordered the lamb en cocotte course. It was lamb loin and shoulder. It was flavored well. Two applications with the lamb and two flavor profiles. I enjoyed the stewed in bowl with fruit and vegetables portion best. It was flavorful. The cut pieces of loin on the side was delicious with the sauce, but I found it slightly rubbery or chewy. I was not certain about that. On to dessert and a chocolate souffle. They prepared us well by indicating that it takes 15 minutes to cook. We were fine and shared this heavenly dessert of chocolate richness. It was well balanced with a cream on the side. A few things to mention, it is a quaint little location. The staff are helpful but not overly intrusive. I'd suggest curtains on the main floor dining room. The view is nothing to look at and slightly distracting. It is a neighbors back porch and slightly odd. But overall it was an awesome experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

    (5)
  • Shanemichael D.

    I hold off one star until I can try the whole experience, but Kevin is a top drawer mixologist! Personable, courteous, killer eyes and smile! Definitely a place to visit

    (4)
  • Ryan D.

    Haven't been for food yet but the cocktails are outta sight. They rotate and always have something seasonal and interesting. The bartenders care what you think about the drinks and were really attentive and know their stuff. In a time where craft cocktailery is way in, Townsend is making drinks that still turn heads.

    (4)
  • Alison B.

    I've been here a couple of times for dinner and am always impressed. The menu is fantastic, service is impeccable and their drinks are wonderful. Come here for an authentic french meal or just to try their draft wine!

    (5)
  • Matthew H.

    Dined at Townsend last Friday and it was amazing. Chef Townsend Wentz is a genius and he makes some absolutely wonderful food. Dined there when it was Sophia's and wanted to like it so much but it just wasn't memorable. I am glad that it was replaced by a place like this that is a real addition to the neighborhood. If you went to Sophia's when it was open, the space will looks exactly the same. The menu is divided into 3 sections not including dessert and we went with 1 selection from each section. Started off with the marinated hamachi and the broiled east coast oysters with fennel. Both were exceptional, I have always been an oyster guy but these were just amazing, the addition of the pernod cream made them just silky smooth. The hamachi was equally as stunning, with the ingredients it was almost like a ceviche but one that hadn't been allowed to sit and "cook" yet the flavors were so fresh. Next on the to the seared sea scallops which were cooked perfectly and the addition of truffle is always welcome and the escargot and brussels sprouts "mange tout". This was the star of the show right here, the snails were perfect and the bacon-sherry creme fraiche they came in was just amazing and I made sure to sop every last drop up with the bread on the table. For entrees the artic char and the lamb en cocotte. Again everything was as close to perfect as it could be, the lamb though was just on another level. The loin was perfectly cooked and sliced very thin, the braised shoulder though stole the show. It was fall apart in your mouth tender and was just delicious there is no other word. Save room for dessert because you have to get the chocolate souffle here, I did and there was nothing else that I would even consider ordering. It was divine, rich, chocolately, soft, and crunchy all at the same time. It takes about 15 minutes for it to come out but it is worth the wait. Townsend now goes on the list of places for a special occasions and the place to take people that want to really see what Philly food scene is all about.

    (5)
  • Fifi Y.

    I don't really understand the hype other people are giving this. It's a great meal, but compared to it's competition? Noord, Fond, Laurel, Will? It doesn't compare. It's a totally different style - much more traditional american. I had the skate wing and it was pretty good, although slightly overcooked. I know others at my table were thoroughly displeased with the meal (they ordered a dish they typically order at Bibou, so that's pretty stiff competition) I see this as a place where people go when they can't get a table at above mentioned spots... I personally don't think it's a destination spot. Under other circumstances this would probably get a higher rating, but I expect more from a restaurant on East Passyunk.

    (3)
  • Laurence F.

    thin slices of bread and butter tap water 2 glasses of good red wine hamachi tiny cubes of fish with lime and spice tasty warm butter sauce with peas mushrooms ramps asparagus yummy white meat chicken slices and a slice of chicken sausage tasty 5 warm thin duck slices on beans yummy, pic below shows 10 slices 154 for 2, tax and tip included warm thin intimate candelit

    (5)
  • Chuck K.

    2.5 stars You can do MUCH better for the money. I went during East Passyunk Restaurant Week. The establishment should have brought their A-game, but I was badly disappointed, crestfallen. Now, aside from the food, everything was perfect. The ambience was cozy, comfy, sophisticated and had just the right mixture of quiet and "buzz." My server Megin was a dream. On the other hand, bad food is not something I expected at a fine dining experience. I got the 3-course prix-fixe. Everything started well enough. My first course of parsnip veloutte was rich, complex, sophisticated, tasty and exactly what one wants in a restaurant meal--something you could never replicate at home. Unfortunately, everything went downhill from there. First, they simply did not have the lamb which was the whole reason had made a reservation and driven across town. Lame. Second, the venison crepinette which I got instead (for a surcharge) was completely underwhelming. The crêpe was of mysterious composition and added nothing to the deer medallions. But that was nothing compared to the simple, obvious, and disastrous mistake made in their preparation. The meat was simply over-salted. By A LOT. It was a bad rookie error and it made the entire course barely mediocre. But even *that* was no big deal compared to the dessert "pavlova." That thing was an inedible disaster. I enjoyed the accoutrements--a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream and a strawberry coulis (sauce) well enough--but the Pavlova itself was a vile insult to my palette. I think it was made of a mixture of air-dried sugar and sawdust. Instead of three(3) courses of fine dining, I got one(1) course of first class food and two(2) courses that ranged from bungled to utterly ill-conceived. Unless you know someone who has tried the specific dishes you are considering, I would recommend that you spend your fine-dining dollars elsewhere...

    (2)
  • A B.

    A snowy evening, an inviting setting, and French food all make sense together. Top it off with a waiter who was extremely knowledgeable about food, et voila, magic. We shared six paired dishes, all beautifully plated; my faves were the brandade special, steak tartare, and the simple, but delectable chicken.

    (3)
  • YelpHatesMe Y.

    Townsend is small fish in a BIG pond right now. I'm starting to see why this location has the turnover rate that it does. First of all, they have one of the most annoying whiny voiced waitresses I've ever encountered. The one where you just want to stab your own eardrums out. Some skinny blonde trying to tell me what dry wine is. Honey, I was drinking superb wine when you were still trading Pokemon cards and playing with my little pony. Wine. Their wine list is SUPER pretentious. I've been drinking wine for a long time from all regions of the world. Their wine list has about 5 whites and 5 reds, and every one of them are from lesser traveled and less touted about vineyards and regions. All of the reds were sweet. If seasoned wine drinkers aren't even familiar with your wine list, how the hell do you expect just the casual wine drinker to know WHAT THE HELL is on the wine list. Heres a hint. Put some Bordeaux, barolo, cab, Rhone, and Spanish wines on the list. Your list sucks, and it impresses no one. If all of that still confuses you, just walk next door and check out Paradiso's wine list. The food. Menu is VERY limited. The skate wing is being done to death, and theirs tasted like every one elses in the city. I had, what I was told, was wild sea bass. I still think based on the size of it, it was a goldfish filet in tomato sauce. I don't see this place being around much longer, not with Laurel, Fond and Stateside around. The only way I see this place staying afloat is because people couldn't get a reservation at said competition.

    (2)
  • Matt F.

    Fabulous. Expensive, but FABULOUS! I want to go again and again. Restaurant Quest #50

    (5)
  • BostonBestEats X.

    REVIEW OF TOWNSEND POPUP: Chef Townsend "Tod" Wentz (ex-Lacroix & Four Seasons, and fresh off having upgraded McCrossen's Tavern to 2-bell gastropub status) is planning to open the eponymously named "Townsend" in the former Sophia's space located smack dab in the middle of EPx (the "EPicenter" as I call it). Tentatively schedule for an April opening ("when PLCB comes through with a liquor license", according to Tod), Townsend will feature "wine-driven food", which is music too my ears. The rational was nicely explained by his lovely GM, Lauren Harris (ex-Tria & McCrossen's): philly.thedrinknation.co… - But not willing to wait until April, five of us headed to Christopher Kearse's Will byob this past Thursday for a collaborative dinner featuring Chef Wentz's modern Frech-influenced cooking. Townsend is going to be ~50 seats on two floors, with ~10 at the bar, which is quite a bit larger than Will. But the understated charm of Will was a great match for Tod's cooking, which also shares an understated nature that belies its clear and precise flavors. Our meal went from strength to strength, and from "this is the best dish yet" to "this is even better": ~AMUSE-BOUCHE: Kampachi Crudo ~SEA SCALLOPS: Preserved Citrus, Seaweed Butter--this was beautifully cooked, with a nice sear, but just past sashimi on the inside...clearly fitting in with the theme of foods that pair well with wines, in this case a white Burg ~ESCARGOT: + BLUEFOOT MUSHROOM DAUBE: The creaminess of the eggs immediately reminded me of Serpico's Chawanmushi & Caviar, but the escargot and a bit of sweetness made this the favorite dish of the evening for most of the table (my #2) ~RABBIT POT AU FEU: Liver Mousse, Lavender--This being wine-driven food, perhaps I should complement this dish for it's amazing "nose" which surrounded our table...it featured rabbit 3 ways: in a mousse, a roulade, and braised legs. My only slight quibble with this lovely wintertime dish was that it was a bit aggressively salted for my taste ~COAL ROASTED STURGEON: Onion Soubise, Miner's Lettuce, Red Wine Bouillon--It's a bit hard to describe how good this was (my #1), in fact I give up... After a couple of red burgs with the rabbit, most of the table went back to white, but I thought this worked quite well with the reds ~BANANA POT DE CREME: Not on the menu, but one of our group doesn't like chocolate (Oh, the humanity!)...I don't know if this was Tod's or Chris' creation, but it was mighty tasty and much appreciated. ~GATEAU VICTOIRE: You had me at "This is a Julia Child recipe". Dense, rich chocolate and contrasting textures, but a modernized presentation that I think Julia would still love. Wines: ~1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année ~2009 Simon Bize Savigny lès Beaune ~2007 Dom. du Château de Chorey (Germain) Beaune 1er Cru Les Cras ~2011 Alain Hudelot Noellat Chambolle Musigny ~NV Jean Bourdy Côtes du Jura Galant des Abesses--From one of the oldest wineries in the world, an unusual and rare wine, not even really a wine, made from grape must boiled down with 25 secret spices and fortified with old Marc (recipe dates to 1579) Service, as always at Will, was perfect (thanks Eric & Gustavo), and at the end we made a quick visit to the small kitchen which was packed with 2 or 3 more cooks than usually squeeze in. I have to say that I was extremely impressed with Tod's cooking, which certainly epitomized the concept of wine-friendly foods. Combined with Lauren Harris' wine-pairing expertise, Townsend is something for Philly wine lovers to really look forward too... [Unnecessary rant: Too often, in Philly's BYOB-centric, sommelier-less restaurant scene, chefs spend little or no thought on how or even if their food can be paired with wine, despite the fact that most of their guests are bringing some with them. I wish more restaurants would follow the lead of Talula's Table in making wine pairing suggestions ahead of time (which means they have actually thought about it when designing their menu). Food without wine is like sex without... well it's like masturbation!] NOTE: This was the first in a series of collaborative dinner's that Will is doing with some noted Philly chefs: March 13: Ben Puchowitz of CHeU Noodle Bar March 20: Mike Santoro of The Mildred March 27: Greg Vernick of Vernick Food + Drink All are five courses for $70 (Vernick is sold out). philly.com/philly/blogs/…

    (5)
  • Mommy G.

    Recently returned from a trip to Provence in France and needed a French fix. This was outstanding and updated French cooking - We thought divine. Oysters and Hamachi first course were outstanding. We ordered the special foie gras to share for middle course, outstanding French style roasted chicken and my husband loved the dual preparation lamb cassoulet. We initially were not sure we wanted to go when we saw the limited list of entrees..... but, there are so many other delectable choices in addition listed under the first two courses, you may not even need to order an entree. Dessert was Valrhona chocolate souffle - we visited the Valrhona factory and store in Tain L'Hermitage on the Rhone river, and brought some of their amazing chocolate home - so happy to see this on the menu - best chocolate souffle ever. The bill was quite expensive though once you add in some cocktails and glasses of wine and very expensive wine list. I would not try to order a conventional cocktail - that is not their thing. We did not like our Manhattan or whiskey sour (yes I recently started to drink them - they are hip again) and they were very small. My only comment to the restaurant would be to hire a decorator - we sat on second floor which is a lovely space but it is screaming out for some COLOR - so tentative and bordering on drab...I could see some large paintings with big red poppies for example - a punch of color in the timid black white and beige stuff that is already there. Curtains look too amateur and home-made also. There is a large cabinet where the wait staff gets plates and such, and the large door practically hits the unlucky customer sitting near to it - easy fix - change that single door to two French doors that swing out from the middle... Not sure why they have not thought of that. On the plus side - they do NOT SQUOOSH the tables together and you can speak to your dining partners and not be on top of other people. This is easily equal to Bibou - do not agree with other poster that stated otherwise. Among the best in the city in our opinion and we dine out a lot in Philly and abroad. I do feel badly for the wait staff - they have to continually go up and down three flights of stairs - owner needs to install a dumb waiter or elevator for them at least. They do not need a gym membership.

    (5)
  • Margeau N.

    This was literally one of the best meals I've ever had! We got the lamb and halibut as entrees and chocolate soufflé for dessert- everything was delicious and the service was impeccable. Great date spot or for special occasions.

    (5)
  • Susan D.

    Déjà vu... the sensation I've been here before... except this time was sooo much better! Stopped by Townsend for a nightcap several weeks ago with some friends. We were so impressed by the vibe, the bartender, his well-crafted cocktails, and the music (for those who are into indie rock), that we decided to set a dinner reservation. Fast forward a couple weeks later, as our dinner party was sat upstairs, I realized I sat at the same exact table a year ago, when the space was Sophia. That experience was lackluster, but I digress... Do yourself a solid and get the tasting menu. Here's what we enjoyed on our 3 hour tour: Oyster/Grapefruit/Truffle amuse bouche Wild Striped Bass Seared Scallop Seared Icelandic Cod Gnocchi Rabbit Pot-au-feu Petit Filet w/ escargot, fiddleheads, ramps Chocolate Soufflé w/ Pernod Chantilly Not listed (nor expected) were the extra baguettes we ate to soak up the amazing sauces. When we asked who the saucier was, our server graciously had Chef Wentz come out so we can gush and thank him for a great meal. I am almost reticent to post this review, as I would love to go back without having to wait, but it will only be a matter of time for people to find this neighborhood gem.

    (5)
  • Chrissy R.

    Service was super awkward. I think the girl who was serving us must have heard me comment about how awkward she was being because all the sudden someone else was bringing us our second and third course. And guess what? They were weird too. I felt embarrassed for them, and it's not like TV where you can shut it off. I'm not sure I've ever had nervous waitstaff before... especially at a supposed fine dining place. They need to poach staff from bebou... or not hire people in their 20s? I dunno. It would have ruined the night if I didn't get fantastically tispy. It was just SO WEIRD.

    (4)
  • A E.

    Even though I've lived in the surrounding area for a few years now, I have never quite managed to make my way to the Passayunk area, even in spite of hearing that it has become a petri dish of talented chefs creating high end food in an entirely Philadelphia mold. Townsend was my first, and I have to say, if it is a portent of things to come, I really think that Philadelphia has crafted itself as a major food destination among the powerhouses of the US. That's not to say that it was perfect. We arrived early just prior to Valentine's day, right around second seating. We were told that it wouldn't be possible to seat us early, but we were able to camp out at the bar while we waited. Townsend is very clearly a renovated house, turned into a restaurant. This is not the first time that I have been into something of the sort, but I don't think I've ever enjoyed it as much. The small bar in front, set into the old house gave a Prohibitionist vibe. The cocktails were priced fairly standard for a high end restaurant, which usually tends to be a bit over, but they were tasty and packed a wallop. We were seated more or less on time. First course was salt baked oysters and beef tartare. The tartare was the winner by far, as it was a well balanced dish which had some good meatiness to it. The oysters were tasty, but very light and were gulped down greedily in no time at all, with little to leave you. In my opinion, the second course was the best. My date got the escargot and I the sweetbreads. For one, I have to give credit for doing hard to find French dishes. The escargot wasn't overly chewy (as I've seen many times) and the sprouts made it nicely earthy. For me, the star of the show was the sweetbreads. The breading added some nice texture, and the truffle jus and vegetable puree tied really, well well into the intrinsic flavor and combined with the protein for a wonderfully umami symphony. I would come back for that alone. We shared the rabbit pot a feu, and that was the most divisive dish. My date loved every bit. For me, the roulades were crispy bits of perfection, but the braised rabbit and vegetables definitely needed seasoning. We each shared the creme brulee and chocolate souffle, which were solid desserts, but nothing to wax poetic about. Service was pretty good. Our waitron was attentive but not overbearing, and was useful when we decided to hash out what to order. There was a noticeable lag between courses, but again, this was during prime time: Friday night, prior to Valentine's day weekend, and the small place was packed. Overall, I think there were some rough moments, but the overall quality was high, and the fact that they do things that few places in the city will do makes this a destination worth visiting. 4.5 stars, erring to 5 on rounding.

    (5)
  • Eileen T.

    Our reservation was made weeks before the restaurant received a James Beard Foundation nomination for best new restaurant, but our dinner last night made apparent why it was nominated. We were told our table would be ready in a few minutes, and two seats had just become available at the bar, so we decided to have our aperitif there. The bartenders were charming and very helpful. We prefer to dine at the bar when we can; it provides insight into the culture of a restaurant, so we declined the table when it became available. First course: The sweetbreads were tender and moist with a crisp crust, accompanied by a creamy onion soubise and parsnip puree. Sumptuous. The foie gras mousse was rich and smooth and heavenly light and creamy. Stunning. Main course: A tender and juicy roasted breast of chicken with slices of perfectly executed galantine from the leg, accompanied by a tasty aigre-doux (sweet and sour sauce) flavored with rosemary. Exquisite. The rabbit roulade served with root vegetables was moist and the flavors were perfectly balanced. Luscious. For dessert we shared a perfect crème brûlée, ethereal in its smoothness and light as a feather with a perfectly thin and crunchy broiled top. They have no espresso machine. Nevertheless, the coffee was deeply flavored, not acidic or bitter, and was served hot. Quite satisfying. I have no doubt we will return again and again.

    (5)
  • Chuck K.

    2.5 stars You can do MUCH better for the money. I went during East Passyunk Restaurant Week. The establishment should have brought their A-game, but I was badly disappointed, crestfallen. Now, aside from the food, everything was perfect. The ambience was cozy, comfy, sophisticated and had just the right mixture of quiet and "buzz." My server Megin was a dream. On the other hand, bad food is not something I expected at a fine dining experience. I got the 3-course prix-fixe. Everything started well enough. My first course of parsnip veloutte was rich, complex, sophisticated, tasty and exactly what one wants in a restaurant meal--something you could never replicate at home. Unfortunately, everything went downhill from there. First, they simply did not have the lamb which was the whole reason had made a reservation and driven across town. Lame. Second, the venison crepinette which I got instead (for a surcharge) was completely underwhelming. The crêpe was of mysterious composition and added nothing to the deer medallions. But that was nothing compared to the simple, obvious, and disastrous mistake made in their preparation. The meat was simply over-salted. By A LOT. It was a bad rookie error and it made the entire course barely mediocre. But even *that* was no big deal compared to the dessert "pavlova." That thing was an inedible disaster. I enjoyed the accoutrements--a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream and a strawberry coulis (sauce) well enough--but the Pavlova itself was a vile insult to my palette. I think it was made of a mixture of air-dried sugar and sawdust. Instead of three(3) courses of fine dining, I got one(1) course of first class food and two(2) courses that ranged from bungled to utterly ill-conceived. Unless you know someone who has tried the specific dishes you are considering, I would recommend that you spend your fine-dining dollars elsewhere...

    (2)
  • A B.

    A snowy evening, an inviting setting, and French food all make sense together. Top it off with a waiter who was extremely knowledgeable about food, et voila, magic. We shared six paired dishes, all beautifully plated; my faves were the brandade special, steak tartare, and the simple, but delectable chicken.

    (3)
  • Elizabeth T.

    Exquisite food and service. The hamachi was over the top. The quality of the Tina was mind boggling. The presentation was spectacular. The best chicken I have ever had bar none. The chicken was unadulterated and a very fresh complimentary au jus. We had an engagement to attend or we would have happily waited for the chocolate soufflé. We plan to go back very soon.

    (5)
  • Rohenne L.

    Favorite restaurant in Philadelphia! Every dish got nods and sounds of mmmm from all of us. We were enjoying the food so much that we forgot to talk to each other! Highly recommend their crab risotto (special not on the menu), leek soup, marinated hamachi, brandade, and roasted chicken. Price was not bad, we each spent $50 but didn't get any alcohol. Highly recommend this place!!! Good for foodies, date nights, parents. Not recommended for big groups since the space is pretty small. Make sure to order the chocolate soufflé early on since it takes 15 minutes to make. No complaints about this place!

    (5)
  • Jonathan D.

    Went here with my parents last night. I didn't know much about it, other than that they had gone once before and had enjoyed it and thought I'd like it. Townsend didn't disappoint. We lucked out to find a meter right out front (only $1/hr, which is great!), and in we went. The building appears to be a former townhouse/row home that's been stylishly renovated. There is a bar downstairs, along with a dining area set back from it, and then an upstairs dining area. The stairs are somewhat steep if you're older (a little challenging for my mom, but she managed). The upstairs dining room is lovely, light and airy. Service is attentive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic in a friendly but not obtrusive way. Our primary server in particular was fantastic and engaging, and ready to answer any question. But as I often say, if the food isn't up to par, none of those things matter. Luckily, the food was stellar. The menu is divided into two courses of appetizers and then the mains. It's not huge, but since everything is appealing, that was just fine. I started with hamachi, which was chopped into small cubes and served in a little "brick" with cucumber, sesame, lime, cilantro and other accoutrements. It was delicious, as were my parents' oysters with fennel (which came with a wonderful creamy sauce). We also shared an even better beef tartare, which was extremely well-seasoned and came with parmesan topped crostini. Wonderful. While my parents opted for the duck, which I (and they) enjoyed, particularly with its lovely vegetable accompaniments, I was even more delighted with my swordfish. Before I ordered it, our server told me that people marveled at how moist it was, and she was not wrong. It was extraordinarily moist, perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful (bit of a Mediterranean vibe), accompanied by pearl onions, asparagus and an asparagus puree. Foodgasm is an overused term, but this truly was. We finished by sharing a pair of desserts, a Vahlrona chocolate souffle (yum!), and a lemon curd, which doesn't remotely do justice to the delicious combination fresh fruits, pastry and lemon cream. Townsend isn't a cheap date (especially with wine), but it truly is a superb restaurant that I'd return to in a heartbeat.

    (5)
  • Hana C.

    I took a couple friends who were visiting me from DC. We started with the hamachi, tartare, and gazpacho all of which were good. I had mentioned to the restaurant that one of my friends is a chef at Blue Duck Tavern and I believe for this reason they sent out a complimentary app, the oysters--a thoughtful touch that I greatly appreciated. By far the oysters (grilled? with pancetta?) were the best plate out of the three with the tartare coming in second. For our second courses I had the scallops and my friends had the escargot and the sweatbread. The scallops were perfect. I wish the escargot was more flavorful. For some reason they fell flat and I'm not sure why. I did not try the sweetbreads; I was trying not to be greedy but I wish I had--I love sweetbreads. My friends had no complaints in regards to the sweetbreads and I believe finished it all. For our final course I had the skate, my friends had the rabbit and swordfish. I thought the rabbit roulade was a little over cooked but my friend thought it was balanced well with the ingredients in the center of the roulade. She must have liked it because she finished it all. Her boyfriend stated he enjoyed the swordfish which was a huge helping and he felt so bad he could not finish it. I thought the skate was just a little over cooked but it was still a delicious and well balanced dish. We had no room for dessert at that point. Service was excellent. Each of our cocktails were well done and very tasty. The waitress was quite helpful with the wine list and the Vouvray she picked for me was delicious. The ambience is quiet, simple, and intimate. The space obviously was a home in its past life and gives a more comfortable feel to the relatively fancy food (you're not coming here if you're craving burgers or pizza). I will come again with my husband who has been wanting to come here for some time. And I would recommend it to any one looking for a nice meal out in Philly.

    (4)
  • Cara C.

    We came here for our anniversary dinner and had a lovely table upstairs near the window. They even wrote "Happy Anniversary" on the menu, which was a nice touch, along with a glass of champagne while we were looking over the menu. The service was phenomenal and the waitresses were great. Someone was always around to check the water and bring more bread, clear plates quickly, etc. The food was absolutely fantastic. This isn't a restaurant that you will want to come to if you're starving and just want a huge plate of food. This is all about the taste and creativity. We had crab risotto and gnocchi to start and both were very good, although the gnocchi was pretty basic. We also had the rabbit and duck for our entrees and they were both amazing. The rabbit came 3 ways and each were very tasty and different and each bite was just amazing. Another thing I wanted to mention was the bread and butter! Wow, so good. Just simple bread and butter but the butter was absolutely delicious. We had the chocolate soufflé for dessert and honestly it was just ok. Nothing that will blow your socks off and it was very pudding like in the middle, only a small top layer of traditional soufflé textured dessert. It was still good, but just not wow. The wine list is pretty pricy, but on the other hand, if you're planning a special occasion dinner here, know that it is a pricy place, but well worth it.

    (4)
  • Jina M.

    Four us came to Townsend for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful experience with both the food and the service. The restaurant is on the smaller end so it may be harder to get reservations for large parties. I would definitely recommend booking a reservation. The place was pretty packed on a Friday night. The décor is very classic and simple and we were seated upstairs. Some highlights from our meals: Marinated Hamachi: Very fresh and seasoned well Cooked Oysters: Even if you don't like raw oysters, these may change your mind Sweetbread: Warning- For those who never had these, it's not bread but thymus glands Skate: Perfectly seared Duck Breast: Very tender and doesn't leave a gamy aftermath

    (4)
  • Joshua V.

    South Philly is really stepping up its specialty cocktail game. All of Philadelphia is stepping up for that matter. Since my departure from the City of Brotherly love, nice mixology joints such as these have been (allegedly) popping up like daisies. While I am well aware of this place's identity as a restaurant (and a very good restaurant at that, from what I'm told), I've chosen to label this place as a mixology joint for two reasons: (1) I came here to drink and with no intention to eat... and (2) the drinks were really good. My booze of choice for the past few years (and for the foreseeable future) has been gin, and the gin cocktail of choice for me was the 50/50. Needless to say, it scored a 100 for me. Citrus-y and a bit sweet, but with that refreshing but bitter ginny quality I like... the bartender *ahem* mixologist did a fine job building this cocktail. Speakeasy quality stuff for $12! That's a steal I do say so, and I do say so. However, the vibe of the place had me a bit lost and confused. Again, I understand that this place is for fine dining over drinks, however the front was almost too casual. Some patrons getting drinks at the bar ( which was bumping some contemporary EDM tracks) were of the Millenial/Generation Y variety and were dressed in shorts and t-shirts/polos, while folks in the back dining area (very classy and classic set up) were, at first glance, closer to the retiree age bracket and donning some dress slacks and dinner jackets. Kind of a funny dynamic, and while I assume no dress code or the like is enforced (freedom of expression), it would be cool to have uniformity as far as classy apparel is concerned. Despite the atmospheric confusion, I def plan on coming back here if I'm in town, maybe on a date with some pretty lady or something... because this place is perfect for that kind of thing.

    (4)
  • David D.

    Flawless execution, comfortable yet upscale vibe. This is really a perfect foodie spot. The bartender is quite talented and the drink menu stands out, as well. I particularly enjoyed some of the dessert wines, which are too often an afterthought at other restaurants. The service is refined, knowledgeable, and very friendly. Plates were cleared in a timely fashion and we never felt rushed My water was always filled, and I did not feel pressured to purchase more drinks, etc. Our table was only cleared for crumbs once, but probably could have used one more sweep earlier in the meal. But let's focus on the main variable here, the food! Cooking is rather exceptional here. The execution was tops in the city tied with Vernick. The dishes are classic yet brought up a level, but not over done. A good test was the organic Amish chicken, which was juicy, thoughtfully prepared, and taken up a notch with its sauces and chicken-thigh mouse/pate. A must-get here is the warm salad, which features a perfect dressing, the freshest vegetables, and a hearty feel to it overall. I also enjoyed the hamachi tartare as an app, which had a good kick to it. The cheese plate and soufflé were very well done. The cheeses were nicely portioned and accompaniments such as candied walnuts, various jams, and fruits were perfect. There was a bunch of red grapes, which I enjoyed although one was shriveled. Yes, I am that annoying (but don't worry, I ate it anyway). The soufflé was a good sized portion, but more importantly baked appropriately with a warm-gooey center and an almost crisp exterior. Overall, great evening and I can't recommend Townsend highly enough.

    (5)
  • Aaliyah P.

    Passyunk RW gives me an excuse to stroll a little further south for my dining out experiences. Townsends 4 star review made it an easy choice for my posse a few weeks back. Service was impeccable . Sadly this review has been in draft form and I don't remember revert detail about the dinner . Look and the photos , book your table

    (4)
  • Carol C.

    Came here for a birthday dinner, and it was perfect! This place is intimate, classy, and comfortable.When making the reservation, I put a note that this was for a birthday dinner, and when we arrived our menu had "happy birthday" written on it. Other servers even made sure to say happy birthday - now that's thoughtful service! I think their food menu changes pretty often so can't recommend anything in particular, but have to say everything was done with PERFECTION. I ordered duck with corn, which I thought was an odd combination, but with one bite I was struck with how perfectly they got the flavors to complement each other. I LITERALLY was almost to the point of tears.

    (5)
  • Daniel P.

    The two of us went for a date night on a Thursday. It's a nice space, and the service was attentive and friendly. I don't have anything negative to say about the food - it was all well prepared and lovely. The menu is set in "first, second, and third" course sections and we got one dish each, from each section (for a total of four small plates and two larger ones). Oysters were probably the low point but still good - the hamachi was a high point, as was the roast chicken... among the best chicken I've had. The downside, to me, is what I feel is a common facet of dining out in Philadelphia: the web site describes the wine selection as "value driven" while the least expensive bottle on the list is $60 (there might have been one selection in the $50's, but I'm not sure). I like good wine and it is a shame that the vast majority of selections were more toward the $70-90 range. For the food and two glasses of wine each, the total after 20% tip was $200. Good, but not a repeat for us.

    (3)
  • Sebastian H.

    Ok. I will get right to it since there is plenty of food to talk about! ;) we decided to start with the broiled oysters and the hamachi apps. The starving kid in me instantly grabbed an oyster. I clearly should've tried they hamachi first, which was served in a marinade of cucumber, sesame, lime, and cilantro. Delicate, clean, and a delicious way to prep your pallet for what's in store. The oysters are broiled with spinach, bacon, and a Pernod cream sauce. They serve 4 per order. I will just say this. We instantly ordered another round. YUM! For the 2nd course we had the jumbo lump crab risotto and the sautéed sweetbreads. The risotto was my lady's first or second favorite of the night. It was creamy and cooked to perfection. The sweetbreads were served with a potato aligote, olives, and oven dried tomato Provençal. This was one of my favorites for the night. Neither of us like olives, but they just played part of a delicious harmony in this dish. Again, everything was cooked perfectly. Sweetbreads were slightly crispy on the outside and soft and tender inside. Perfection. Finally we had the duck breast and the rabbit pot-au-feu (stew). The rabbit loin was served in a roulade over braised rabbit with carrots and potatoes. This is where the technique of French cooking shines. They managed to transform a traditional family dish that essentially is a stew and elevate it to much greater proportions. Another success. The duck breast was was cooked to perfection and served with a cassoulet of white beans and a port reduction. For dessert we had to chocolate soufflé and the vanilla creme brûlée. From start to finish this meal was well prepared, presented, and quickly devoured!! Go eat at Townsend. ENJOY!!!

    (4)
  • Bri H.

    I was lucky enough to be taken to Townsend for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint! First of all, I loved the cozy feel of the place. Service was perfect. I ordered a cocktail that I didn't really like. I took a sip, (apparently) made a "yuck" face, then tasted my friend's cocktail and (apparently) made a happy face. The server came over to say that she noticed my facial expressions and was having the bartender make me a new drink! Now THAT is great service. The server was also able to pick out a great wine to go with my dinner based on what I like (dry, bold). The food was great too. Beef tartare was delicous (although Vernick is still my favorite). Poached halibut was tender & flavorful. Great dining experience, would absolutely recommend!

    (5)
  • Abby W.

    Simply fantastic. This space used to be Sophia's and I was heartbroken when they closed, but delighted to hear such a stellar restaurant had opened in its place. I came here on Saturday evening with my boyfriend for a well-deserved splurge after a day of moving and couldn't have been more satisfied with the choice. I had a cocktail with bourbon, amontillado, and pineapple syrup called the Bizzy Izzy that was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. It was sparkling and refreshing with a very unique flavour-profile. I don't typically go for bourbon but I was very pleased with it. I continued the theme of trying things I don't usually like by ordering the broiled oysters for my starter. I hate raw oysters because the texture skeeves me out, but the broiled preparation was absolute perfection, with tiny cubes of bacon and fennel plus spinach and a pernod cream. They were fantastic. My boyfriend went with the special smoked salmon carpaccio and it was also really excellent - very fresh and light. We skipped the second course in favour of saving room for dessert, plus it was too hot of a day to be that full. I had the speck-wrapped icelandic cod and he went with the rabbit. The cod was perfectly cooked and a very light dish. I could have asked for a little more oomph in the tomato broth, like a bit of spice or something, but I have been suffering from allergies lately and it's entirely possible I just didn't have my taste buds in full working order. I followed my cocktail with a glass of rose on special that night and it was an excellent pairing with the fish. His rabbit was absolutely heavenly. That sauce! I could have licked the plate. The dessert selection is minimal - only 3 options - but the two we tried were truly exemplary. I had the creme brulee, a very standard rendition but expertly done. He got the pavlova and really loved it, it was a really special dessert and an unusual option one doesn't often see. A table nearby got the chocolate souffle and it's aroma filled the room; it smelled so good! Service was impeccable, and the meal was well-paced. We enjoyed our requested table in front of the window on the second floor, which makes for spectacular people-watching along the Avenue. The bill was also surprisingly reasonable (which was fortunate because I was having technical difficulties getting my Opentable gift certificate to load and I gave up!), only $123 after tax for 2 drinks and 3 courses each. My single complaint is that I wish the menu had been a bit more seasonal. Many of the courses sounded heavy and "wintry" and I wish they had updated it more to bring in some of the spring season. There were a handful of dishes with seasonal ingredients, but the entree selection in particular leaned heavily toward bold and comforting dishes with few lighter options.

    (5)
  • Lilli C.

    The food here was fantastic, and the service was even better. My friend ordered a cocktail and from across the restaurant, our server noticed that she probably didn't like it so offered to give her a different drink, free of charge. The beef tartare here was great, still not as great as Vernick, but tasty nonetheless. I also loved the brandade, which I'd never had before- it's a salt cod emulsion on a delicious buttery brioche w/ a quail egg. Of the 3 courses, I think this was my favorite. For the 3rd course, my speck (bacon) wrapped cod was also really good but I think I liked my friend's braised halibut a bit more, which was perfectly moist w/ a side of kohlrabhi, which was much tastier than any kohlrabhi I've ever had. Also, leave room for the chocolate souffle which was divine! This was a wonderful dining experience, and I will definitely be returning again!

    (5)
  • Erin C.

    We went to Townsend to celebrate my husband's birthday- our first night out without the kids. First and foremost, the restaurant is small and romantic. We were able to have an intimate conversation and really enjoy our evening together. The beer list is small, but my husband found lots of interesting choices as he is an avid craft beer drinker. I enjoyed my wine and our server was very helpful in making my selection. She was knowledgeable without coming off as snooty like some servers do. We selected the swordfish and skate wing and both of our fish dishes were cooked perfectly. We thoroughly enjoyed both dishes and the contrast between the two types of fish. The steak-like swordfish was meaty and the accompaniments showcased this. The skatewing was lighter and its sides set this off. Both were A+ dishes.

    (4)
  • Dana N.

    The glasses that the cava is served in are so Great Gatsby! The ice in the rocks glass is a giant cube - I love it! The staff is so nice! They brought us water when we ordered our cocktails - without our asking.

    (5)
  • Matt K.

    This restaurant is in the space once occupied by Sofia's. It is intimate and cozy, the main dining room seats less than 20 and the bar area maybe 8 more. They have a custom cocktail list like so many great restaurants, and this one is reminiscent of the Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co., with its emphasis on brown liquids in all sorts of interesting combinations. The service was excellent, and personalized, she knew what to do and say for each customer. On to the food which was very protein-heavy, which I like. Then again, I like everything. I started with the beef tartare. The texture was very unctuous, soft and almost pudding-like. It felt wonderful on the mouth. Hints of mustard, citrus, perfectly seasoned but not overpowered. Some chefs feel the need to disguise the beef, not here. The accompanying bread slices were toasted with just a hint of cheese, again quite subtle, and there was a schmeer of a parsley-like very green puree that you could dip into as you wished. Very good! Just one note, there was too much bread so I didn't finish it. The second course was a special veal cheeks with sweetbreads. The meats were cooked perfectly, and the sauce, while quite rich and strong, was beautiful. The cheeks were even more tender than a falling-apart short rib. The main course was rabbit "pot-au-feu", I put that in parentheses because every pot-au-feu I have had has been much simpler and not very interesting. This dish was a complex mix of flavors, colors and textures, and included carrots and potatoes and a crostini with liver on it that complimented each bite fantastically. The sauce again was rich and soft. Coaxed to have dessert, I noted only three on the menu, all simple. I had the creme brûlée and it was what I consider perfect, which is to say that the texture was just slightly thinner than pudding. Creme brûlée should not be custardy or eggy, I think. Real vanilla beans of course, great caramelized crust. Bibou is the top feminine French bistro in Philly with its more delicate treatments of food, and I think Townsend must be the top masculine one. A bold menu that screams protein. Arrhh! Yum.

    (5)
  • Ali W.

    Great cocktails with fragrant, rich flavors and delicious beer selection as well. Very friendly and knowledgable servers. My favorite dishes: foie gras mousse, beef tartare, and sea scallops. The entrees (rabbit and bouillabaisse) were not as impressive after such amazing first and second courses. I will definitely be back here for those amazing dishes!

    (5)
  • Jordan P.

    I've always been a little wary of restaurant week. My inner cheapskate breaks down the numbers of the restaurants offering everything from special dishes to old favorites to one-off dessert experiments, and weighs this with my typical levels of hunger. Most often, the result is a decisive Nahh, I'll just wait for the crowds to die down and order the exact amount of food I want for the price I expect/am willing to pay. That said, when I saw that East Passyunk Avenue, Philly's hottest nook of up-and-coming dining spots, was hosting their own neighborhood restaurant week, I immediately raced over to OpenTable to make a reservation for my two girlfriends and I. I gotta say that, while I was A-OK with the mandatory phone-in reservation at Zahav a few weeks ago, there's a remarkable ease and convenience to being able to filter using number of diners, date, and time when we were looking for a Monday night out on the town. We spotted space at Townsend and booked it post-haste. We made the right choice. Since there were three of us, we figured we'd try one of each course. Then we saw that one of the first courses was a foie gras butternut squash terrine. And since I'd just binged on terrines last week.... looks like we're doubling up on Brandades! Course one (served shortly after a DIVINE bread basket [that may have been divine or may have merely been 'good', we were pretty hungry]) included a creamy parsnip veloute with brown butter chestnuts, a hint of black truffle, and just enough brussels sprout leaves to leave us wanting more (hee hee). The brandade, a dish I'd never had before, was a crunchy brioche topped with a quail egg, shellfish bouillabaisse, and pernod. How such a tiny little toasty brioche could be so full of flavor.... well I don't (per)nod, but it was incredible. The veloute was rich and creamy, a nice complement to the light fluff and crunch of the other appetizer. But the best was yet to come... I'll shoot you straight, the pasta/vegetarian dish was a little cold by the time it got to us. Flavor-wise, it was fairly unremarkable, and the tastes of caramelized onions and fennel, while there, were hints. If you were only getting this dish, I would not consider your experience worthwhile. BUT if you're lucky enough to have some dining pals, perhaps they'll slip you bites of the glorious speck-wrapped cod (bottom right) atop Tarbais bean garbure with tiny cockles (that came with their own fork!) This fish fell apart the moment your fork touched it, delicate... dare I say exquisite? Oh, if I dared, I'll repeat that word for the venison en crepinette (different from the online menu, description here). Exquisite. We nearly came to (fork) blows over these half-dollar sized medallions, each soaking up the jus and pairing perfectly with the parsnip pureé. This dish would bring me back again and again. Somehow, we had room for dessert. Luckily, it was both light and a delight. The crème brûlée, flawless. Visible vanilla bean is my jam. The blue cheese plate was a nice tangy option for those without a sweet tooth. And for those WITH a sweet tooth: enter pavlova. No, she's not your exotic, sexy neighbor (maybe she is, I don't know where you live). She is actually an it, specifically a crunchy meringue dish topped with mixed berries and strawberry coulis, speckled with fresh mint. Yup. Imagine the finest cotton candy you can even fathom. And then make it fancy, and French, and bury it in berries. We couldn't get enough. Take your dates, your dads, your dudes, your dames, yourself, take them all to Townsend. I'll be back soon to try out their take on rabbit.... I've only heard (read* since I practically live on Yelp) the best things. Thanks, Tod and team, for the tasty treats.

    (5)
  • Juliana K.

    Overall, Townsend was very well executed french cuisine, but failed to impress and was unmemorable. (Except for the amazing chocolate soufflé that you must get). We had a special appetizer that was some sort of fish mashed up and it was okay, but a bit salty. Sweet breads were really nice. A tad salty, but well done. Seafood bouillabaisse was good, but didn't blow is away. A bit unmemorable. The rabbit had a flavorful sauce, but was a small portion. The lamb duo was definitely the best. Perfectly cooked and tender. DO get the chocolate soufflé. Wow, that was amazing. Creme brûlée was okay. Service and decor are great. Low lit room that isn't packed with tables. You can actually relax, eat, and have a conversation. Service is knowledgeable and attentive.

    (3)
  • Brian M.

    Feeling a list here: Oysters - best non-plain raw oysters I've ever had. These four beauts have kind of a rich-man's ranch flavor that will make you feel like you could eat eleventy billion of them. Don't, there's more great food ahead. Beef Tartare - A Snak Pak sized portion perfect for sharing. The shaved Idiazabal cheese burnt onto the toast was a nice touch, and you can really load these puppies up since the tartare portion size was rather large. Sweetbreads - Certainly nice, tender, well done, enjoyable, etc. But I was admittedly distracted by the... Loup de Mer - One of the best pieces of fish I've ever had. Girlfriend ordered it, I tried some then salivated into my sweetbreads hoping she'd offer more. She didn't. I was sad, but understood. PS loup de mer is the same thing as branzino, European sea bass, whatever but sounds so much nicer this way, doesn't it? Yeah, it's just what they call it on the French Mediterranean coast. Chocolate souffle - 15 minute wait for this but of course it's worth it. Only complaint - not a huge fan of the cream they serve with this, kind of like regular old vanilla ice cream so you can mix it with the warm center, make a gooey mess then eat it. Maybe that's low brow but if you don't enjoy melting ice cream on warm chocolate cake then f*ck you you're lying. Service was totally fine, no issues there from us. Wine I had tasted rather young (forget which it was) but that's likely my fault and I'm not a regular enough wine drinker to have that sway you, please. Overall a very pleasant meal.

    (5)
  • Katrina F.

    I would not make reservations here for a special occasion. My reservation was cancelled within 65 seconds of my failing to pick up a confirmation call. No message was even left. When I tried to call back (for over an hour, no one picked up). While I was really excited to try the food, this level of service is entirely unacceptable for the price point. Truthfully, I doubt any quality of food could compensate for this type of treatment. I'm very surprised given the chef comes from Lacroix (which while I haven't love the food recently, has impeccable service). For special occasion in Philadelphia, I recommend Vetri (or Laurel) in the future (where the service and food are truly outstanding). I am just grateful the reservation was only for a birthday.

    (1)
  • Patrick C.

    Tableau 34 avec M. Megin - VrMan XLnt!! One of the BEST meals EVER. Sublime , la démonstration classique et moderne de la gastronomie Française. I have literally just returned from Townsend and I must write this review. For my second birthday dinner this weekend, I chose Townsend and while I had initial reservations about the compact menu but I saw enough on the menu that the two of us would want to try for dinner. I am SO HAPPY that I went ahead with the plans to dine at Townsend. It was a perfect - a truly perfect - experience from beginning to end. We were greeted warmly and seated promptly upon arrival at table 34 (tucked into the bay window) on the second floor of Townsend. The immediate ambiance was calm, elegant and understated yet warm and welcoming. Megin was our server and she was phenomenal. Knowledgeable, pleasant, professional and engaging, truly someone who know what she is doing and knew everything about the food and drink menu (including the cheese plate designations of P, R & T) that is offered at Townsend. We started with a couple of Townsend's signature cocktails - I had the 'Bizzy Izzy Highball' at Megin's recommendation and it was refreshing and yummy. I could have a pitcher of them on a lazy Sunday. My partner had the Pimms Cup and loved it. I am not a gin drinker but I could have had a pitcher of these too...!! I think the ginger syrup and lemon really smoothed out the Christmas tree taste I normally get from gin and made it magnificent. For dinner, I had the Cidre Bouché Fermier de Normandie (a favorite) and next time I will try a bottle of the Isastegi Sagardo Basque Cider. As a cider drinker, I was thrilled to see these on the drink menu. For my first course, I had the Beef Tartare. A very generous portion of fresh, quality beef, perfectly minced and seasoned. It was served with Idiazabal toast which gave a feathery umami kiss to every bite - delicious. There was enough for two of us to enjoy although I would have had no trouble polishing off the whole thing. My dining partner had the marinated Hamachi and it was also delicious. I do not have any raw fish outside of Japan as a rule; but at the insistence of my dining partner; I had a taste and I could have eaten an entire portion of this myself too! Fresh, touched with sesame oil with a furikake finish that seems so perfect and makes such sense that you wonder why it isn't a common pairing. My second course was the foie gras mousse with pear-ginger marmalade. VrMan XLnt! vraiment excellent!! Foie gras mousse perfection. Again, plenty to share if you are so inclined. My dining partner had the sweetbreads and they were cooked perfectly - slightly caramelized crisp outside and creamy soft juicy inside. The accompaniments of parsnip puree, pearl onion soubise and the truffle madeira jus were spot on. I think my dining partner would have licked the plate clean if he could have! In between the second and third course, we added the handmade gnocchi special with tomatoes and crimini mushrooms. Pillowy, light, gnocchi in a beautiful bit of pan sauce accented with some sage (?) roasted cherry tomatoes and crimini mushrooms. We devoured it. For my entrée (normally the third dish, but my fourth), I had the lamb en cocotte - again, recommended by M. Megin. Beautiful dish, an updated, elevated cocotte dish with lamb two ways. Lamb loin roasted and thin sliced and the lamb shoulder braised (en cocotte) with the most unlikely cocotte-fellows of plum/plumcot, zuchchini, squash, apples and saba. Incroyable! My dining partner had the Rabbit pot-au-feu and it was actually a rabbit roasted loin roulade and braised rabbit with a liver mousse crostini amongst the diced carrots and potatoes. I just cannot eat rabbit (no, not even taste it!) and so I had to take my dining partner's word that it was indeed a superb dish. We ended with coffee and dessert, crème brûlée and the pavlova. Both were perfectly executed. Townsend's crème brûlée is the one I like to make at home. Thin, silky cream base, flecked with real vanilla and a crispy, crackly burnt (actually carmelized - not burnt) crust which was garnished with strawberry and blueberries. Delicious! The pavlova was equally perfectly executed - beautiful snow white meringue with a crisp exterior and light as air interior floating on a pool of strawberry sauce lightly accented with pernod. To execute such a perfect pavlova in 72% humidity is the work of someone who know what they are doing. Mademoiselle Megin - mr6 (merci) thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable evening! Chef Wentz - thank you for an amazing meal - vraiment superbe!!

    (5)
  • James I.

    Outstanding, highly recommend. Portion sizes are perfect to order one item from each 3 categories. I had the himachi ceviche, sweetbreads and duck. The sweetbreads are out of this world, a 10 out of 10. Easily one of the best entrees I have had in the city. The service is also great.

    (5)
  • Eric W.

    Another great Philly restaurant. It seems to be a pattern here; a number of excellent restaurants, many of of which are BYOB, where it's great food in a really small place. While Townsend is not BYOB, although the wine list is eclectic, it's is a nice but small space. Not a drawback for me because I think it's a more intimate dining experience, but I do not know how the economics work for the restaurants. In any event, you chose a three course selection, where the biggest challenge is what gets left out. Not as big a problem if you come as a foursome but tough for two. We had the lobster and beef tartar, both were excellent. Then we had the Brandade, which was stunning; followed by the lamb and rabbit- wow!! Then a cheese course with Sherry followed by the chocolate soufflé and coffee. What a great meal!! The wine list is challenging but we had a good red burgundy that was a perfect choice. Another star in the Phiily food firmament.

    (5)
  • Brent K.

    Well done, Townsend! Great high end menu without tightening the screws on your wallet. It was our first anniversary dinner and we decided to give Townsend a try over Barclay Prime, my go-to special occasion dining venue. It paid off! The service was absolutely top notch and they even had a nice South African red blend - since SA has a special meaning for me and my wife, we felt like it was fate that we ended up there. PS - Townsend it also immediately next door to an awesome gelateria - so we skipped desert and went next door instead. All around excellent night and we'll be sure to visit again soon!

    (5)
  • Lindsay H.

    Another fantastic addition to South Philly! Some lady friends and I had enough listening to all the buzz about Townsend and finally decided it was time to go and thankfully, we were not disappointed. First off, the place is adorable. Cozy and casual yet elegant. Lovely. My other first impression was the immediate fantastic service. We were greeted immediately and our server was over quick providing suggestions, etc regarding the drink menu. She even brought us a Rose to taste without even asking. Nice touch! We decided to try a few apps and all got entrees but what I particularly love about my dinner dates is that we're all happy to share so I got to taste many items on the menu. I love being able to try a lot! The highlights for me were the hamachi, beef tartare, the duck, the skate and the cod. Just about everything we ordered of course. :) The menu seems to change a lot so hopefully some of these will stay on! The hamachi was so light and refreshing. Perfect for a hot summer night. The beef tartare was combined with bone marrow. Nuff said on that one. It was like butter. On to the mains....the cod fell apart the second your fork hit it and rest on top of a lovely tomato broth. Then, onto the duck... I have to be honest...I can't remember the details anout the dish but I just remember it being rich, perfectly cooked and delicious. :) Lastly, we tried the skate wing which was again perfectly cooked with peas, lardon and a lemony broth. The perfect combinations with skate. To sum it up, YES! Yes yes yes. I really loved Townsend and honestly can not wait to get back asap!

    (5)
  • Jonathan M.

    Perfect meal. From the waiter (Steve), to the ambiance, to the drinks (Rose wine special and One Block Down off the cocktail menu), to the apps (crab risotto and the hamachi), the the entrees (swordfish and the black bass), nothing could've made it more enjoyable.

    (5)
  • Jason H.

    I visited Townsend recently, and had a great meal. I'm only giving a four-star review because I had a 9:00PM reservation, and was not seated until 9:45PM. I know this can sometimes happen, but 45 minutes seems like a really long time. The space is small (I think they may have a second floor, but not sure) and very cozy. They have a bar area in front, and dining room towards the rear of the 1st floor. The food is French, and the menu setup in a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd course layout, a la carte. The bar makes some very good cocktails, and specializes in French liqueurs and other spirits, as well as quite a number of flavorings they use. I can't comment on the wine list, as I'm not very much a wine drinker. As I mentioned before, the menu is a three-course affair, though a la carte. The selections are limited, maybe five or so per course, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We opted for the pumpkin lobster bisque, foie gras, rabbit, pernod oysters, and the gnocchi special. We enjoyed everything, but both thought the foie gras was a bit off. It was served with a rather thick layer of sweet jelly atop the ramekin, and a pear chutney. The chutney was nice, but we both thought the sweet jelly was a little bit much. We opted for the chocolate souffle for dessert, which was served with a Pernod-infused whipped cream, which was great. We liked Townsend very much, and would definitely return for both the atmosphere and food, as well as the French-inspired cocktails.

    (4)
  • Mike S.

    Went there last night (Monday 9pm) for a peaceful glass of wine. JP and Jeff were working behind bar and very friendly. Pure hospitality, good knowledge of wine and cheese list. I left off one star since I did not eat dinner there yet. Thanks fellas!

    (4)
  • Kenneth W.

    Beautifully prepared, and artfully presented food. Chef Townsend Wentz's roots show through in presenting dishes that on one level seem simplistic yet have a complex backbone. Four of us went there on a Sunday evening and the only blemish was a heavy hand with salt on the sweetbread second course (which I still completely scarfed up!). The appetizer of oysters with a hint of fennel was spot on; and I almost asked for seconds of the rabbit pot-au-feu main course. The reviews of the chocolate souffle are all correct - rich, not heavy sweet, and enough for the table to share. Also, a shout out to the bartender - order a cocktail as you decide your meal - excellent job!

    (4)
  • Shanemichael D.

    I hold off one star until I can try the whole experience, but Kevin is a top drawer mixologist! Personable, courteous, killer eyes and smile! Definitely a place to visit

    (4)
  • Ryan D.

    Haven't been for food yet but the cocktails are outta sight. They rotate and always have something seasonal and interesting. The bartenders care what you think about the drinks and were really attentive and know their stuff. In a time where craft cocktailery is way in, Townsend is making drinks that still turn heads.

    (4)
  • Alison B.

    I've been here a couple of times for dinner and am always impressed. The menu is fantastic, service is impeccable and their drinks are wonderful. Come here for an authentic french meal or just to try their draft wine!

    (5)
  • Robert B.

    We arrived at this location for our anniversary. It was a wonderful evening. We arrived and found a wonderful touch by the restaurant. Our menus had "Happy Anniversary" printed on them. I ordered a beer from a small selection but, I was ecstatic because it was a sour beer. And I simply love sour beers. You do not find them on menus. A three course meal was in the offering. My wife ordered oysters that were broiled and she thought it was wonderful. I went with the beef tar tar. It was slightly spicy and sweet. It had bread with it. A wonderful balance of flavor. Although, the horseradish flavor began to overpower other flavors. But, it was wonderfully done. I went with a duck and pasta special for course number two. It was simply divine. Rustic meaty flavor that was broken up with sweetness of cherry tomato and goat cheese. I simply wished for more of the cheese and tomato in the course. The pasta was good and the duck cooked to perfection. My wife had a warm salad that she enjoyed. She especially liked mushrooms in it that were like meat to her. The main course, my wife had a halibut course that was a large portion. She enjoyed it. I ordered the lamb en cocotte course. It was lamb loin and shoulder. It was flavored well. Two applications with the lamb and two flavor profiles. I enjoyed the stewed in bowl with fruit and vegetables portion best. It was flavorful. The cut pieces of loin on the side was delicious with the sauce, but I found it slightly rubbery or chewy. I was not certain about that. On to dessert and a chocolate souffle. They prepared us well by indicating that it takes 15 minutes to cook. We were fine and shared this heavenly dessert of chocolate richness. It was well balanced with a cream on the side. A few things to mention, it is a quaint little location. The staff are helpful but not overly intrusive. I'd suggest curtains on the main floor dining room. The view is nothing to look at and slightly distracting. It is a neighbors back porch and slightly odd. But overall it was an awesome experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

    (5)
  • Matthew H.

    Dined at Townsend last Friday and it was amazing. Chef Townsend Wentz is a genius and he makes some absolutely wonderful food. Dined there when it was Sophia's and wanted to like it so much but it just wasn't memorable. I am glad that it was replaced by a place like this that is a real addition to the neighborhood. If you went to Sophia's when it was open, the space will looks exactly the same. The menu is divided into 3 sections not including dessert and we went with 1 selection from each section. Started off with the marinated hamachi and the broiled east coast oysters with fennel. Both were exceptional, I have always been an oyster guy but these were just amazing, the addition of the pernod cream made them just silky smooth. The hamachi was equally as stunning, with the ingredients it was almost like a ceviche but one that hadn't been allowed to sit and "cook" yet the flavors were so fresh. Next on the to the seared sea scallops which were cooked perfectly and the addition of truffle is always welcome and the escargot and brussels sprouts "mange tout". This was the star of the show right here, the snails were perfect and the bacon-sherry creme fraiche they came in was just amazing and I made sure to sop every last drop up with the bread on the table. For entrees the artic char and the lamb en cocotte. Again everything was as close to perfect as it could be, the lamb though was just on another level. The loin was perfectly cooked and sliced very thin, the braised shoulder though stole the show. It was fall apart in your mouth tender and was just delicious there is no other word. Save room for dessert because you have to get the chocolate souffle here, I did and there was nothing else that I would even consider ordering. It was divine, rich, chocolately, soft, and crunchy all at the same time. It takes about 15 minutes for it to come out but it is worth the wait. Townsend now goes on the list of places for a special occasions and the place to take people that want to really see what Philly food scene is all about.

    (5)
  • Fifi Y.

    I don't really understand the hype other people are giving this. It's a great meal, but compared to it's competition? Noord, Fond, Laurel, Will? It doesn't compare. It's a totally different style - much more traditional american. I had the skate wing and it was pretty good, although slightly overcooked. I know others at my table were thoroughly displeased with the meal (they ordered a dish they typically order at Bibou, so that's pretty stiff competition) I see this as a place where people go when they can't get a table at above mentioned spots... I personally don't think it's a destination spot. Under other circumstances this would probably get a higher rating, but I expect more from a restaurant on East Passyunk.

    (3)
  • Laurence F.

    thin slices of bread and butter tap water 2 glasses of good red wine hamachi tiny cubes of fish with lime and spice tasty warm butter sauce with peas mushrooms ramps asparagus yummy white meat chicken slices and a slice of chicken sausage tasty 5 warm thin duck slices on beans yummy, pic below shows 10 slices 154 for 2, tax and tip included warm thin intimate candelit

    (5)
  • alli b.

    I read about Townsend months ago and decided to make a reservation. We were originally a party of 6 and then a snowstorm squashed those plans. My husband and I were determined to go regardless and ended up walking from South West Philly to East Passyunk. We've been to most of the places on East Passyunk: Noord, Fond, Will, Laurel... I was especially excited to go to Townsend after going to the Chef's conference back in January and hearing the co-owner, Lauren, speak. From what I heard, I could tell this was going to be a good experience. It didn't disappoint. The staff is exceptional and the traditional french food is divine. Better than Laurel in my opinion. We had an amazing time. The restaurant is small but the tables are not crowded together and you can feel comfortable and at ease while you dine. Since PHiladelphia was being hammered with snow, the restaurant clearly lost a lot of reservations that night which meant that we had a very quite and intimate experience. The food was perfect. To start off, the bread was perfect when it hit the table. Slightly warm and so soft. We split everything and all the dishes were a stand out. My husband did the hamachi for his first course while I had the beef tartar. Second course was the escargot & brussels in the most amazing cream sauce and lobster mousse which was amazing! Both of them! Third course was the rabbit which was so tasty and tender, served with perfectly cooked carrots and potatoes and the traditional chicken with the most flavorful turnips I've ever had in my life. To end it all, we ordered another round of wine and waited the 15 minutes for the souffle, which was well worth the wait. It is expensive, so be prepared to spend some money especially if you intend on getting cocktails or wine. However, it is an experience and some top notch dishes by an amazing chef. We will gladly go again!

    (5)
  • Mich D.

    The most remarkable cocktails I have ever tasted. I had my first Aviation here and convinced my boyfriend gin really isn't evil! Townsend is an amazing place in the Passyunk neighborhood for a beautiful meal that will leave you emotionally spent at the end, but not ready to explode. Every dish is perfection and I have to catch myself from licking the plate (oh, the scallops).

    (5)
  • Cara L.

    This is a current James Beard nominated restaurant, & I can completely understand why. The cuisine was imaginative, flavorful, brave, and delicious. Our experience was only furthered by the knowledge and kindness of our server, Steven R. We started with the oysters, they were incredibly delicious. In fact, they were so good I had no time to stop and take a photo. The same could be said for the deliciously fresh bread and clearly homemade butter. We also got the escargot with Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, speck, & a cream sauce. It was delicious, the sauce was amazing. The second course was the lobster and shrimp mousse; I was concerned it was going to be too gastronomic, but it was absolutely perfect. For the third course, I got the lamb. I personally preferred the sliced rare lamb on my plate as opposed to the stewed lamb with the fruit that came along with it. However, my dining companion preferred that so it's entirely subjective. We finished our meal with the chocolate souffle, which was incredible. Definitely give it at least 5 minutes to cool off! I couldn't wait, so burning my tongue was completely my own fault. Best drink I had was the champagne, it is crisp and uniquely delicious. It's a pricey meal, but a dining experience you won't soon forget.

    (4)
  • YelpHatesMe Y.

    Townsend is small fish in a BIG pond right now. I'm starting to see why this location has the turnover rate that it does. First of all, they have one of the most annoying whiny voiced waitresses I've ever encountered. The one where you just want to stab your own eardrums out. Some skinny blonde trying to tell me what dry wine is. Honey, I was drinking superb wine when you were still trading Pokemon cards and playing with my little pony. Wine. Their wine list is SUPER pretentious. I've been drinking wine for a long time from all regions of the world. Their wine list has about 5 whites and 5 reds, and every one of them are from lesser traveled and less touted about vineyards and regions. All of the reds were sweet. If seasoned wine drinkers aren't even familiar with your wine list, how the hell do you expect just the casual wine drinker to know WHAT THE HELL is on the wine list. Heres a hint. Put some Bordeaux, barolo, cab, Rhone, and Spanish wines on the list. Your list sucks, and it impresses no one. If all of that still confuses you, just walk next door and check out Paradiso's wine list. The food. Menu is VERY limited. The skate wing is being done to death, and theirs tasted like every one elses in the city. I had, what I was told, was wild sea bass. I still think based on the size of it, it was a goldfish filet in tomato sauce. I don't see this place being around much longer, not with Laurel, Fond and Stateside around. The only way I see this place staying afloat is because people couldn't get a reservation at said competition.

    (2)
  • Matt F.

    Fabulous. Expensive, but FABULOUS! I want to go again and again. Restaurant Quest #50

    (5)
  • BostonBestEats X.

    REVIEW OF TOWNSEND POPUP: Chef Townsend "Tod" Wentz (ex-Lacroix & Four Seasons, and fresh off having upgraded McCrossen's Tavern to 2-bell gastropub status) is planning to open the eponymously named "Townsend" in the former Sophia's space located smack dab in the middle of EPx (the "EPicenter" as I call it). Tentatively schedule for an April opening ("when PLCB comes through with a liquor license", according to Tod), Townsend will feature "wine-driven food", which is music too my ears. The rational was nicely explained by his lovely GM, Lauren Harris (ex-Tria & McCrossen's): philly.thedrinknation.co… - But not willing to wait until April, five of us headed to Christopher Kearse's Will byob this past Thursday for a collaborative dinner featuring Chef Wentz's modern Frech-influenced cooking. Townsend is going to be ~50 seats on two floors, with ~10 at the bar, which is quite a bit larger than Will. But the understated charm of Will was a great match for Tod's cooking, which also shares an understated nature that belies its clear and precise flavors. Our meal went from strength to strength, and from "this is the best dish yet" to "this is even better": ~AMUSE-BOUCHE: Kampachi Crudo ~SEA SCALLOPS: Preserved Citrus, Seaweed Butter--this was beautifully cooked, with a nice sear, but just past sashimi on the inside...clearly fitting in with the theme of foods that pair well with wines, in this case a white Burg ~ESCARGOT: + BLUEFOOT MUSHROOM DAUBE: The creaminess of the eggs immediately reminded me of Serpico's Chawanmushi & Caviar, but the escargot and a bit of sweetness made this the favorite dish of the evening for most of the table (my #2) ~RABBIT POT AU FEU: Liver Mousse, Lavender--This being wine-driven food, perhaps I should complement this dish for it's amazing "nose" which surrounded our table...it featured rabbit 3 ways: in a mousse, a roulade, and braised legs. My only slight quibble with this lovely wintertime dish was that it was a bit aggressively salted for my taste ~COAL ROASTED STURGEON: Onion Soubise, Miner's Lettuce, Red Wine Bouillon--It's a bit hard to describe how good this was (my #1), in fact I give up... After a couple of red burgs with the rabbit, most of the table went back to white, but I thought this worked quite well with the reds ~BANANA POT DE CREME: Not on the menu, but one of our group doesn't like chocolate (Oh, the humanity!)...I don't know if this was Tod's or Chris' creation, but it was mighty tasty and much appreciated. ~GATEAU VICTOIRE: You had me at "This is a Julia Child recipe". Dense, rich chocolate and contrasting textures, but a modernized presentation that I think Julia would still love. Wines: ~1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année ~2009 Simon Bize Savigny lès Beaune ~2007 Dom. du Château de Chorey (Germain) Beaune 1er Cru Les Cras ~2011 Alain Hudelot Noellat Chambolle Musigny ~NV Jean Bourdy Côtes du Jura Galant des Abesses--From one of the oldest wineries in the world, an unusual and rare wine, not even really a wine, made from grape must boiled down with 25 secret spices and fortified with old Marc (recipe dates to 1579) Service, as always at Will, was perfect (thanks Eric & Gustavo), and at the end we made a quick visit to the small kitchen which was packed with 2 or 3 more cooks than usually squeeze in. I have to say that I was extremely impressed with Tod's cooking, which certainly epitomized the concept of wine-friendly foods. Combined with Lauren Harris' wine-pairing expertise, Townsend is something for Philly wine lovers to really look forward too... [Unnecessary rant: Too often, in Philly's BYOB-centric, sommelier-less restaurant scene, chefs spend little or no thought on how or even if their food can be paired with wine, despite the fact that most of their guests are bringing some with them. I wish more restaurants would follow the lead of Talula's Table in making wine pairing suggestions ahead of time (which means they have actually thought about it when designing their menu). Food without wine is like sex without... well it's like masturbation!] NOTE: This was the first in a series of collaborative dinner's that Will is doing with some noted Philly chefs: March 13: Ben Puchowitz of CHeU Noodle Bar March 20: Mike Santoro of The Mildred March 27: Greg Vernick of Vernick Food + Drink All are five courses for $70 (Vernick is sold out). philly.com/philly/blogs/…

    (5)
  • Mommy G.

    Recently returned from a trip to Provence in France and needed a French fix. This was outstanding and updated French cooking - We thought divine. Oysters and Hamachi first course were outstanding. We ordered the special foie gras to share for middle course, outstanding French style roasted chicken and my husband loved the dual preparation lamb cassoulet. We initially were not sure we wanted to go when we saw the limited list of entrees..... but, there are so many other delectable choices in addition listed under the first two courses, you may not even need to order an entree. Dessert was Valrhona chocolate souffle - we visited the Valrhona factory and store in Tain L'Hermitage on the Rhone river, and brought some of their amazing chocolate home - so happy to see this on the menu - best chocolate souffle ever. The bill was quite expensive though once you add in some cocktails and glasses of wine and very expensive wine list. I would not try to order a conventional cocktail - that is not their thing. We did not like our Manhattan or whiskey sour (yes I recently started to drink them - they are hip again) and they were very small. My only comment to the restaurant would be to hire a decorator - we sat on second floor which is a lovely space but it is screaming out for some COLOR - so tentative and bordering on drab...I could see some large paintings with big red poppies for example - a punch of color in the timid black white and beige stuff that is already there. Curtains look too amateur and home-made also. There is a large cabinet where the wait staff gets plates and such, and the large door practically hits the unlucky customer sitting near to it - easy fix - change that single door to two French doors that swing out from the middle... Not sure why they have not thought of that. On the plus side - they do NOT SQUOOSH the tables together and you can speak to your dining partners and not be on top of other people. This is easily equal to Bibou - do not agree with other poster that stated otherwise. Among the best in the city in our opinion and we dine out a lot in Philly and abroad. I do feel badly for the wait staff - they have to continually go up and down three flights of stairs - owner needs to install a dumb waiter or elevator for them at least. They do not need a gym membership.

    (5)
  • Margeau N.

    This was literally one of the best meals I've ever had! We got the lamb and halibut as entrees and chocolate soufflé for dessert- everything was delicious and the service was impeccable. Great date spot or for special occasions.

    (5)
  • Susan D.

    Déjà vu... the sensation I've been here before... except this time was sooo much better! Stopped by Townsend for a nightcap several weeks ago with some friends. We were so impressed by the vibe, the bartender, his well-crafted cocktails, and the music (for those who are into indie rock), that we decided to set a dinner reservation. Fast forward a couple weeks later, as our dinner party was sat upstairs, I realized I sat at the same exact table a year ago, when the space was Sophia. That experience was lackluster, but I digress... Do yourself a solid and get the tasting menu. Here's what we enjoyed on our 3 hour tour: Oyster/Grapefruit/Truffle amuse bouche Wild Striped Bass Seared Scallop Seared Icelandic Cod Gnocchi Rabbit Pot-au-feu Petit Filet w/ escargot, fiddleheads, ramps Chocolate Soufflé w/ Pernod Chantilly Not listed (nor expected) were the extra baguettes we ate to soak up the amazing sauces. When we asked who the saucier was, our server graciously had Chef Wentz come out so we can gush and thank him for a great meal. I am almost reticent to post this review, as I would love to go back without having to wait, but it will only be a matter of time for people to find this neighborhood gem.

    (5)
  • Chrissy R.

    Service was super awkward. I think the girl who was serving us must have heard me comment about how awkward she was being because all the sudden someone else was bringing us our second and third course. And guess what? They were weird too. I felt embarrassed for them, and it's not like TV where you can shut it off. I'm not sure I've ever had nervous waitstaff before... especially at a supposed fine dining place. They need to poach staff from bebou... or not hire people in their 20s? I dunno. It would have ruined the night if I didn't get fantastically tispy. It was just SO WEIRD.

    (4)
  • A E.

    Even though I've lived in the surrounding area for a few years now, I have never quite managed to make my way to the Passayunk area, even in spite of hearing that it has become a petri dish of talented chefs creating high end food in an entirely Philadelphia mold. Townsend was my first, and I have to say, if it is a portent of things to come, I really think that Philadelphia has crafted itself as a major food destination among the powerhouses of the US. That's not to say that it was perfect. We arrived early just prior to Valentine's day, right around second seating. We were told that it wouldn't be possible to seat us early, but we were able to camp out at the bar while we waited. Townsend is very clearly a renovated house, turned into a restaurant. This is not the first time that I have been into something of the sort, but I don't think I've ever enjoyed it as much. The small bar in front, set into the old house gave a Prohibitionist vibe. The cocktails were priced fairly standard for a high end restaurant, which usually tends to be a bit over, but they were tasty and packed a wallop. We were seated more or less on time. First course was salt baked oysters and beef tartare. The tartare was the winner by far, as it was a well balanced dish which had some good meatiness to it. The oysters were tasty, but very light and were gulped down greedily in no time at all, with little to leave you. In my opinion, the second course was the best. My date got the escargot and I the sweetbreads. For one, I have to give credit for doing hard to find French dishes. The escargot wasn't overly chewy (as I've seen many times) and the sprouts made it nicely earthy. For me, the star of the show was the sweetbreads. The breading added some nice texture, and the truffle jus and vegetable puree tied really, well well into the intrinsic flavor and combined with the protein for a wonderfully umami symphony. I would come back for that alone. We shared the rabbit pot a feu, and that was the most divisive dish. My date loved every bit. For me, the roulades were crispy bits of perfection, but the braised rabbit and vegetables definitely needed seasoning. We each shared the creme brulee and chocolate souffle, which were solid desserts, but nothing to wax poetic about. Service was pretty good. Our waitron was attentive but not overbearing, and was useful when we decided to hash out what to order. There was a noticeable lag between courses, but again, this was during prime time: Friday night, prior to Valentine's day weekend, and the small place was packed. Overall, I think there were some rough moments, but the overall quality was high, and the fact that they do things that few places in the city will do makes this a destination worth visiting. 4.5 stars, erring to 5 on rounding.

    (5)
  • Jennifer L.

    My boyfriend and I had a "date night" at Izumi last Friday night then as we were walking home, we spotted Townsend. We decided to stop in just for a drink since we had already eaten. It turned out it was the first night that the restaurant was open to the public. It was a soft opening so it wasn't crowded. It's a nice space -- warm lighting, a bar made from gorgeous wood (reclaimed maybe?) and great service. We each had a cocktail and you could tell the bartenders took their jobs seriously. They were easy to talk to as well and seemed happy that we were there. The manager, Lauren, came over and chatted with us for a while, which was great. She explained that the concept is French, which is unique for East Passyunk Ave. My boyfriend and I are both vegetarians but most of the upscale places on EPA are geared toward those who eat meat. That makes perfect sense since most people do eat meat. And there are usually a couple of things I could find to order, but they're not necessarily things I particularly want to eat. It sounds like Townsend will fall into the "I could probably find something on the menu there" type of place rather than a spot that has thoughtful menu items that vegetarians would truly enjoy. But that's okay. I would stop in for drinks again just because the staff was so friendly and welcoming. I wish this restaurant lots of luck!

    (4)
  • kimk k.

    This restaurant was phenomenal. Even on the second day of being open. I can't stress enough how warm and inviting the people were. And the food definitely was just as good. I recommend the hamachi highly. So many flavors blended together that will have you asking for more. The cocktails and wine list were also very good. If you're looking for a nice dinner filled of diverse technique and flavor, this is the best new restaurant in philadelphia to come to. We commented on how well the food was and our server brought the head chef out after our entrees were cleared. It was a nice touch to the end of a beautiful dinner. I hope the next time I go I'll be able to get a reservation because this place WILL be in everyone's word of mouth.

    (5)
  • Elan V.

    If I could give Townsend 6 stars, I probably would. Went last night for dinner. Checked Menupages.com before going and saw that it rated Townsend as $$$$$ (5 dollar signs), but that could not be more wrong. Townsend is very reasonably priced. So just a heads up, that is bologna. Anyways, definitely a unique decor and set up going on. Feels kind of rustic, but also open. It is NOT BYOB. They have a full bar, and for the most part, you do have enough space to be in your own conversation and not feel on top of people. Service was very good. Staff was cheerful, happy to help answer questions, and you felt a team vibe from everyone who touched the table. Now onto the most important part --- the food. Best food I have had in Philly in a while! We ordered their Marinated Hamachi, which was EXCELLENT. It had a nice fresh taste and reminded us of sushi, but was so much more complex. It was really excellent and if you like ceviche or crudo, this is an awesome dish. Next we had a special --- Zucchini Blossoms stuffed with Crab, served with Asparagus. Another really yummy dish. This was a special and I would bet it's season, so they probably do not always have it, but just a really tasty combination and once again a super fresh bite. We paired a special app with one of their entrees. The special app was a Potato Gnocchi service with Chantrelle Mushrooms on top of a DYNAMITE Tomato Confit sauce and topped with Parmesan Cheese. I have worked in Italian Restaurants (really good ones) and this Gnocchi was extremely good. Delicate gnocchi paired with a sauce that left us licking the plate. Our entree was a Skate Wing, also seasonal, that was served with a Corn and Lardo Bacon combo. The bacon was really thickly cut, so if you have an non-meat eater int he house, it's easy to avoid. Really great flavors here. Tough to not love Skate. I order it every time it's on a menu. The Skate was almost breaded...it had such a great texture. They had my all-time favorite dessert --- Chocolate Souffle. I have seen Souffles 3 ways --- 1. It stinks, 2. It is mostly dry but it is served with a velvety sauce that is poured tableside into the Souffle, and 3. It has an almost fudgy interior. We got the 3rd version, which is a solid alternative to the second. They give you ice cream as well with the Souffle. All together a great experience, great food. We will definitely be back and it's super reasonably priced. Now in our Top 5 Restaurants in Philly.

    (5)
  • Ryan I.

    Tenderist most juicy chicken I've ever had in my life. For context I'm 31 years old so bear in mind it will be the best chicken you've had in 31 years not necessarily you're whole life. An important detail...but also a reassuring one. I'm blown away.

    (5)
  • Aaron P.

    People like to say "you get what you pay for." I feel like that's an excuse for laziness. Money does not buy good taste, and the devil is in the details. So this is a story about value. About the intersection between quality and cost. It's a story about an $8 glass of tempranillo that has you trapped between rapture, and anger at what you've been spending. It's a story about a piece of chicken so tender you question that it's chicken. Or about a server who knows the middle name of the farmer's nephew in France who churned the cheese that's churning your senses. It's about sitting back at the end of the journey and saying "wow, I've paid twice as much for food half as good, but my future is looking brighter." Townsend is a fantastic blend of charm, comfort, and congeniality. I personally lean toward the relaxed cocktail vibe on the ground level, but upstairs, star-crossed lovers are all-a-gaze over white linen and shimmering silver. I've gone three times in the past month, and tasted everything on the menu that my shellfish allergy would allow; each dish was fascinating. I recommend you go with a large group so you can benefit from a bite or two of everything. The Beef Tartare with Bone Marrow, and the Sweetbreads with Grilled Veal Tongue are personal standouts. Your entrée must be either the Rabbit Pot-au-feu or the Roasted Organic Chicken. Save room for the Chocolate Soufflé, it's a near religious experience. And please, if you have any sense of adventure, ask for the sommelier, Lauren. Tell her what you think you like; tell her how you're feeling, what you're eating, your thoughts on the Winter Olympics. Then let her interrupt you with a glass of wine that changes everything. And take a sip of your brighter future.

    (5)
  • Ted L.

    The skate was excellent. However, the lamb was tasteless (except for the stew that came with it). The server said that's the way it's supposed to be. Ok. Then, in her haste to get us out, she took away a half finished martini. When I objected, she grudgingly took it back off the tray somewhere in the kitchen and returned it to the table. Really? Thanks Caitlynn. That's what we get for $130 (two people) + tip?

    (3)
  • Nathan T.

    My partner and I stopped in for drinks Friday night. Great atmosphere! The bar and high top area was clean, inviting, and chic. The bar staff was informative, helpful and willing to go the extra step to make sure we were satisfied. We will be back (with more guests)!!!

    (4)
  • Lisa A.

    Townsend is spectacular. Soon after being seated at Townsend, it's easy to forget you are in a big city. The quaint, simple decor and candlelight table settings foster a comforting dining experience. The waiting staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly- very professional. You can tell Townsend doesn't hire just anyone off the street to wait on tables. I must add, as silly as this sounds, even the music is perfect! I wanted to ask for a playlist. It truly added to the experience. My friend and I each got one dish from each of the three sections of the menu. We were definitely full at the end, but then again, we can put some food back. Although virtually everything was delicious, I will elaborate on my favorite items. My favorite item of the night was the oysters. Holy shuck. These were to DIE for. The sauce was tasty, the oysters were the perfect temperature, and the bacon counteracted the natural (for lack of a better work) wetness of the oysters adding a complexity to the dish. As for the second course, I decided to be adventerous and try the escargot- so glad that I did! They were served in a cream sauce with bacon and mushrooms- again, the flavor complexity was intense but perfect. Thirdly, I tried the roasted chicken. This was cooked to golden perfection on the outside and very moist on the inside. The seasonal side dishes that accompanied were perfect for the chicken and the serving was very large. Lastly, we finished off with dessert cocktails and chocolate lava cake. The cake took a while to come out, though it was obviously cooked to order and worth the wait. The waiter suggested cointreau-infused wine which was some of the best dessert wine i've tasted- and I am NOT a sweet wine person. Overall, Townsend is an experience. It's ideal for an anniversary, valentine's day, or any special occasion. It does have a bar as well- perfect for after a date or outing! Great addition to East Passyunk Ave.

    (5)
  • Joseph D.

    An excellent addition to the Philadelphia restaurant scene. Townsend has an excellent cocktail program with inventive twists on the classics. The food menu is small but still difficult to make a choice due to a expertly curated selection. The zucchini blossom stuffed with crab was superb as was the beef tartare and chicken. Executed and presented in classic French style with an inventive flair. The staff's knowledge of food and wine were superb. I highly recommend Townsend.

    (5)
  • Tim V.

    Went here on a Saturday night, reservations at 8. They have a nice bar area (directly when you get in) which gets a little loud with bigger groups, but has phenomenal cocktails. After waiting for half an hour (which is petty long when you have a reservation) we were seated and ready to enjoy what every critic has been raving about so far. The result was.. Meh. We got the foie gras mousse and oysters as apps, which were both great. Main course however (rabbit pot-au-feu and codd) were drastically under seasoned and just plain bland.. Wines by the glass were good pairings.

    (3)
  • Rebecca J.

    Wow. The best meal and service I have had in a very long time. Specials were incredible, as were the rabbit and sea bass entrees. Wine and cocktails superb! And we got a preview of the summer "spritzer" cocktail--whoa. Perfect pre-dinner, after-dinner and until 2am drink! :) I will be back!!!

    (5)
  • E A.

    A great addition to the E. Passyunk scene. As others have said, the drinks are wonderful and reasonably priced. The service here is impeccable - friendly but not intrusive and a perfect pace for a relaxed, non-rushed meal. The food was excellent. and beautifully plated. There's a nice balance between somewhat adventurous choices and more standard dishes. We loved the foie gras pate, the hamachi and the scallops. All entrees were delicious and not too skimpy on portions. If I had one critique it would be that everything was a bit too salty for my taste - but not overly so. I think Townsend holds its own with Fond, although it may be 1 small notch less well executed compared with Bibou. It is not as sophisticated and mind blowing as Laurel - but great nonetheless. Would definitely go back! Note: not a BYOB but reasonable wine menu

    (4)
  • John F.

    Excellent. Gf and I went for her bday dinner. It was fantastic. We decided the apps looked more interesting than the entrees so we had six of them, two of which were specials. The food was fantastic and the drinks were quite tasty. Look forward to a return visit soon!

    (5)
  • Tabby R.

    This was an excellent date night spot. And the scallops were amazing! Great little Passyunk gem!

    (5)
  • steds s.

    Would have given it four stars were it not way, way overpriced for the service and meal provided. I loved the compact menu and the food was excellent - I had the striped bass and salad appetizer - but for the money I can think of many other places that offer a better dining experience. They need to spruce up the decor (a bit drab) and ask the staff to smile. That might brighten the experience a bit!

    (3)
  • Terry V.

    By far, this was the best meal I ever had! I read all the reviews saying to get the chicken and the rabbit. So, I got the chicken. The whole time I'm thinking, "it's chicken. How good can it be?" Well, how does "orgasmic" sound? I did not want this to end! My husband got the rabbit and that was to due for as well! The cocktails and the wine were right on and our server, Megin, was professional, yet extremely friendly and added to our experience! My husband and I agree that it was the best meal and dining experience we ever had!

    (5)
  • Chrisna S.

    Came here a couple days ago on a mini-date with my friend. As soon as we got to their front door, the hostess immediately opened the door to us and greeted us. The bartender himself greeted us as well. The atmosphere of the place already have me an impression that I'll have a decent dinner experience, despite the fact that I'm under the age of drinking. Our waiter attended our table well and without hesitating, muttering, or stuttering, gave us our specials. She made the specials sound amazing and a must-get meal. We got their gnocchi spinach special, and their chicken entree for our main course. For appetizer we had their hamachi. The hamachi came out quick and looked beautiful. One of the workers handed us the appetizer and formally told us the recipes used. The taste was similar to a slight Italian dressing to it with other mixes that I'm not too familiar with, nonetheless it's our first French dinner experience and it tastes great. Our waiter attended our table frequently to refill our water and checked on us. During our wait with complimentary fresh bread and butter. We got our dinner and instantly got hooked. The chicken was light and soft, but filled with flavor. I've never really had any chicken in the style that this restaurant cooked with. 10/10. I'll definitely come here again on a special occasion, thank you to all the workers there for making our dinner experience great!

    (4)
  • Marie W.

    There are so many BYO's popping up on Passyunk that I didn't even notice Townsend until my husband and I were given a gift certificate. Overall our meal was really great. My favorites were the oysters with bacon and Pernod creme and the scallops with citrus and seaweed butter. I love a well prepared scallop, and the dish at Townsend was easily in my top 5 scallop dishes of all time. We also got the cod, which was perfectly cooked, making the oily fish seem almost delicate. The chocolate soufflé for desert was well worth the 15 minute wait. I took a star off because there was a gnocchi special that was offered as an appetizer or entree. We opted for the entree size, but I don't think the larger portion quite worked. The bold flavors were better suited to a few bites vs. an entire bowl. Also, the Pavlova seemed over-the-top sweet. The music was great, by the way. It sounded very similar to the Vampire Weekend Pandora station I was listening to only hours earlier. With so many excellent restaurants popping up in storefronts on Passyunk, and given this particular storefront's quickly revolving list of former tenants, I really hope Townsend can make a go of it... I'd really like to go back for more scallops.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Intimate
    Noise Level : Quiet
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Townsend

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