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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Queen Village
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It was my 2nd round at Southwark last night & I was even more happy than the last visit!
The food was fantastic, featuring many specials.
Though the service is really what makes my heart beat faster when this place comes to mind. They are perfectly attuned to the guests needs.
If you've not visited yet... get your ass in a cab asap!
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08/02/2008
Boodles Gin, Pressed Tin Ceiling, Outdoor Seating, Superior Food & Service...
Does it get any better?…
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Southwark is really a great place. They do a damn near perfect job on every count. The food is consistently good, the atmosphere is good in both the dining areas and the bar (the bar itself is gorgeous) and the prices are commensurate with the quality of experience.
I do like the spirits, so I'm always thrilled to see bottles behind the bar that no one else in town has on hand, much less knows what to do with. The cocktails are always the perfect temperature, balance of flavors, and all-around sensory treat. I think they have the best bar and bar staff in Philadelphia.
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Sorry this is a few weeks ago, but I seriously want to weigh in my thoughts on this fantastic bar and restaurant.
It was one of those escape weekends from New York, you know, the one where to arrive in Phili and its pissing with rain and you're thinking where the heck should we go, you Yelp, and well the rest is history.
A really elegant and welcoming bar greeted us. It was funny, when I saw white spider orchards in the window I was a little skeptical it might be a bit too upmarket or stuffy, but how wrong we were. We propped at the bar, and were asked what we would like. I said I was dying for a Manhattan, only to be met with a gleeful smile that you don't get from barmen in New York City (well unless they are on crack and trying to sell you something). I was immediately presented with a list of Manhattan cocktail combos so long that I knew I was entering the first level of Nirvana.
A really great spot, non-pretentious owners, staff and even locals. We had an awesome night.
And I cannot stop there. Their online menu gives no hint at how many fantastic seasonal specials that the restaurant prepares. We ate at the bar and were totally delighted by the freshest produce, the clean, uncomplicated flavors, and a clear passion in the food from owner-operators who obviously love what they are doing.
They may not be on the menu when you go, but we had the grilled and melted feta spread that dripped with sweet flavor, the rabbit filled crepes with mild gamey flavors, god then then crispy sweetbreads which were so fresh and succulent that you simply must try (even if the thought of offal scares you, overcome and try, so mild you will immediately fall in love), and finally the pork belly strip with a homemade bean sauce.
If this place was in downtown Manhattan, it would be my local and I would end up having cash-flow problems haha. This is what great food and great hospitality is really all about.
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Guys, Yelp won't let me post my whole review of Southwark. Check out the whole thing here: http://www.romancingth...
Here is the beginning:
Here I am at 9am writing a review on vacation - know anything about me and you'll realize my whole life is a vacation, but we'll talk about that later or maybe you should ask me least the government finds out what I'm up to via yelp. In any case, yes I'm still drunk from last night and everything, including me standing on a chair screaming "If they tell me what to do with my vagina, what's to stop them from telling me what to do with my hands!?" ALL started at Southwark over a Vesper and a bottle of Malbec - Yes, I know that the bitter cold is usually the driving force behind alcoholism in places like Philadelphia, but being out here from SF I was excited and wanted to get a head start.
Ok I'm totally craving some coca cola now, this is going to be bad. You might want to know the details of how I got into this mess. My parents and I were at a musical performance at the art alliance featuring my mother's viola instructor and a few members from the Philadelphia orchestra. We watched the show in a little room with fine would floors. It had an old feel, so much so that I was squinting a bit to see if Jane Austen might be hanging around somewhere - ok this is not true, but it would have been really cool if I had seen her. Throughout the whole thing my stomach was making almost as much noise as the instruments and this, you can imagine, was making me rather anxious. I had planned my diet around when my mother would be coming home with a big bag of fresh Philadelphia pretzels, and alas she had forgotten.
When we arrived at Southwark ON TIME for our reservation (my life was based upon the fact that that would not happen at that point) the waiter told my parents he thought it was his top priority to get me a drink post haste. I guess accidentally interrupting him and not realizing why was a great indicator that I was about to venture into the psychotic component of neurotic. Fortunately a vesper arrived. Then came a basket of fluffy garlicy bread. I was worried that there was no table salt, but fortunately this is Philadelphia and you don't have to salt your food.
We ordered the Oysters, the Steamed Clams ($9), the Roasted Potatoes ($5), the Halibut special (?), Beef ($29), and Sea Scallops ($27). The oysters were puny but pretty good. The second one I got was way more memorable than the first, but nothing can compare to the little babe I consumed at Absinthe months ago (he is still fresh in my memory with his fatty cheeks). The Roasted Potatoes were bomb, served with a roasted garlic aoli which was also similar to a honey mustard dipped. They were well spiced, and didn't require any more salting. Texturally they could have been a little softer, but they were well spiced that's for sure. Likewise the scrumptious clam dish was blasting with flavor - containing dry vermouth, shallots, tomatoes, in a dry chili butter broth - but I felt the chef missed out on the cooking times. This mystified me throughout the meal. Why instruct us on the art of unique flavor combinations and forget the impact of making your food tender? This didn't seem to bother anyone else at the table. My mother requested more bread to soak up the chili butter sauce and I could help but follow. The taste of the roasted tomatoes, so cooked that they seemed frail, coupled with the slivery onions was orgasmic and could easily make me forget that the clams themselves were a little lacking in their 'mouth feel'.
We waited a good amount of time before our entrees came, diving into that Malbec I mentioned at the last minute. I was upset that it cost over $20, but was only from 2007 but at that point I guess it wasn't such a pressing matter. At some point my mom got the impression that the people across from us were Republicans and we made a huge Obama toast, which actually resulted in us being saluted by the other table. Then my mom informed them that we were going to dress me up to Sarah Palin and go canvassing for Obama. I can say "I can see Alaska from my house" with stunning accuracy if I do say so myself. Hello Scallops. The pan seared scallops were elaborately laced with roasted baby beets, plums, and leeks. I'm actually not a fan of beets so the flavor was a bit too earthy for me at first, but after taking a few bites the sweetness of the plums added a new complexity and the sudden saltiness of the leeks turned out to be pure heaven - it was so thinly cut that I thought it was spaghetti squash! The Beef was grilled grass fed sirloin steak with wild mushrooms, gigantic beans, dosed in a far superior arugala pesto than anything I've ever made - opps, do please go after that recipe! The meat, similar to my other complaint, was not tender but don't think this meant it was not flavorful. Put that in my mouth while I was sleeping and you'd wake me up! The meat itself was oozing with flavor
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Well, I never thought I'd eat sweetbreads. And, for the record, they are neither sweet nor bread. But I did. And I lived and managed to feel worldly to boot.
Recently 6 of us dined here in the teeny tiny back room (there's a patio that would be lovely to sit at but alas, it was pouring that night) and ate so much that we could barely move afterwards. My favorite was the scallops, which were made to perfection. Make sure to save room for dessert, too - whatever the chocolate thing I had blew my mind!
But this review wouldn't be complete without saying that the service was the BEST I've ever had in the city. Our waiter was amazing and made sure nobody went thirsty, hungry or without an amusing story. So to that I say 5 stars to both the bar AND the restaurant!
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05/23/2008
After having drinks with some of my favorite people after the Yelp Elite Event at Sonam the other… Read more »
Sent to a neighborhood with no parking to meet friends for dinner, they promptly found an un-timed, un-metered spot and had time to peruse an independant record store.
Forced to slog though a thunderous down pour, they dashed through the door of Southwark.
There were drinks, and sitting in the well appointed dining room, they had a delicious meal.
I love it when a plan comes together.
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My new favorite place in the city. I had brunch here on Sunday and can't stop thinking about it. It was an absolutely perfect experience. The food was "Oh My God" amazing. We started with the Oysters and Caviar, Seafood Salad , the Peach Salad and the Goat Cheese. The oysters were the freshest I have had, and the Goat cheese dip was so good I was angry that I had to share it :)
We all ordered Eggs benedict for our main course, and if I hadn't wanted the homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwich so badly, I would have ordered a second Eggs Benny.
Favorite drinks... Mary Pickford or the Dark and Stormy. Really good wine list as well. Red and white Bordeaux by the glass.
I can't wait to go back. I am thinking of moving to Queen Village just to be closer!
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This is, remarkably, Philadelphia's best kept secret. You would think that word would travel faster and the place would be cramped. But the lack of trendy yuppies that tend to order Pomegranate Martinis contributes to the appeal. Kip, the bartender and co-owner along with his wife, Sheri, the chef, is an old-school bad ass with a penchant for gin and rye whiskey. Ask him to help you expand your horizons and he will happily oblige. Just don't ask him for a Mojito.
The food is not to be outdone, especially for the price. There are ritzier places in town that charge over $50 per entree that do not exceed the quality here, with a price cap of $28. An emphasis on Buy Fresh, Buy Local assures crisp salads, refreshing soups, and in general an inventive menu. Bear Stew? 'Nough said.
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Ooh la la! Nate F. got it right, this place oozes class. So much class it actually clogs your pores and makes you forget, at least momentarily, that your hair is ratty and your feet stink. I've experienced the bar, the brunch table, and as of Saturday night, the full-on dinner experience. There aren't excessive vegetarian options, but if you can rationalize falling off the wagon, this is the place to do it - the chef herself will paint you a family tree for each and every critter that passes through her broiler. Super cocktail options for whatever you fancy, and fun and friendly staff to top it all off. I'd be honored to consider myself a habitue (it means regular - I had to look it up, too).
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I love Southwark because it makes me feel sophisticated without having to be. I can lounge by a classic wooden bar while drinking a snazzy Manhattan and talking politics. But I can do it in a T Shirt while people talk about The Ramones and someone draws a dog. And to me that is awesome!
Went here for the first time after the Elite Event last night (Thanks again Carrie!) and I have to say that it was nothing short of amazing.They had a grand variety of micro brews on tap. But what stands out is the fact that it's the only bar outside of Nodding Head that has beer from Nodding Head on tap! But definitely try their Bloody Mary's. might just be the best that I ever had in all of it's spicy glory.
Can't comment on the food yet, aside from hearing their brunches are supposed to be good. But I look forward to being able too. The great staff and classy setting make this spot more than worth going too.
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Kip and the bartenders make one beautiful cocktail. I dream about the drinks here! Great aesthetics all around - gorgeous large white orchids in the windows, classic bar layout, liquor selection, food, presentation, and background music make this restaurant/lounge a perfect place to bring a date or your mother. A win win! Worth every penny!
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Far and away the best cocktail bar in the city.... everyone who hits up Southwark for a classic drink leaves feeling like they were in the bar scene of a Bogart movie... even the lighting is retro and flattering.
Food here, as others have noted, is intensely local and seasonal.... a grilled peach salad in the heighth of summer was glorious. It's slightly expensive but worth it. Farm-to-table is a nice idea for most, but Sherry is very serious about her craft and what she feeds you.
Oh, the habitues... clientele ranges quite a bit because of South Street proximity... tatooers and piercers, servers and slayers... dancers and their retinues. It can get very crowded so go early - they are strangely not cool with people standing up drinking. Maybe it's a fire code or something.
P.S. Southwark is the original name of the neighborhood, before it became Queen Village, Society Hill or whatever.
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C.L.A.S.S.Y.
That's right, people, classy - everything from the classic bar decor, the amazing old school cocktail menu, and the friendly, witty bartenders. Last night I had what is certainly the best Manhattan I've ever tasted, and I enjoyed it all the more due to the setting. I sampled my friend's Bloody Mary and it was also astoundingly good - I'm planning a brunch visit solely based on that spicy and refreshing concoction.
This place just has a great overall vibe, and manages to do it in style without a hint of pretentiousness. I'm usually a cheap drink kind of guy, but the cocktails are not unreasonable and certainly worth every penny. Although I haven't had the opportunity to sample the food yet, I've heard great things from trusted sources. According to their website, the chef sources her ingredients from local farmers and co-ops to sustain and support local economies. I simply have nothing bad to say about Southwark, and am looking forward to trying some of the food and reporting back in the near future.
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Love Southwark except for some of the habitue's. Spectacular cocktail virtuosity and delicious grub.
I start here with a sidecar when i have high expectations for my evening.
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Kip and Goerge are awesome. Especially since they put up with my buddy Jay ;)
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Southwark is one of Baby's and my favorite restaurants and go-to spots when we want a wonderful dinner back in my old 'hood of Queen Village. We never fail to have a great meal there. And when the weather's nice, we make sure to get a table on the lovely back patio.
The staff is professional and knowledgeable (but without any hint of pretension or condescension) offering friendly and attentive (but not annoyingly so) service. There's a reasonably priced (at least as reasonably priced as possible under the prehistoric PLCB policies) wine list with a nice selection of wines by the glass. And, of course, there are the cocktails - Kip (who I first encountered at the New Wave) and George have done a wonderful job at reviving the fading art of cocktail-crafting.
The menu changes regularly and focuses on local and seasonal foods (Many a time I would see Sherry and Kip shopping at the South and Passyunk farmers' market on Tuesdays.) Having discovered it at VaLa Vineyards, we frequently start out with the baked Shellbark Farm's goat cheese. We've savored the full gamut of entrees - duck, pork, steak, chicken, fish - and never been disappointed. (Baby and I just wish their home-baked bread was served warm - last time we were there it was actually a little cool from the kitchen which definitely detracts.) Desserts are delicious and never heavy or overcloying.
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If you are looking for a classic martini or Manhattan, this is the place. George and Kip behind the bar are wonderful. They are attentive, entertaining, and extremely knowledgeable. The food (Kip's wife Sherry) is very nice. The veal cheeks and charcuterie plate are winners. If you want to go to a low-key bar that is still busy, this is the place. If I want to go to a bar, that will usually have a seat available and not be bothered by teenagers and loud music, Southwark is where I go, on 4th and Bainbridge.
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My favorite restaurant in the city with out a doubt. Kip is an exceptional bartender, and Sherry is a master in the kitchen. it is priced appropriate with the local meats and vegetables, an amazing rye Manhattan, and great clientele. The service is impeccable, whether you are at a table or at the beautiful bar. They have an amazing staff from the back of the house to the front. I highly recommend this place for a relaxing night, or a perfect location for a date. If you want to impress a date, take them here, whether it is in the begging of your relationship, or you have been together for ever. If you have yet to go there you are missing out on the best restaurant in the city in my opinion.
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You should eat here in the warmer months besides their outside area is like eating in an alley in Florence.
The food here is good, but pretty expensive and picky eaters will probably only find one thing they like.
The bar at Southwark is also old-fashioned and a great place to have a glass of wine with a friend or talk with the bartenders.
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Southwark was recently lauded in the Philadelphia CityPaper for its selection of prohibition-era cocktails and I second this motion. Have George make you an Aviation or Kip make you a rye Manhattan and you will be in alcoholic bliss. The bar is almost perfect. For some reason it reminds me of the bar in the Shining...but that's just my bizarre brain a-working in its crazy way. It's shiny and solid and the glassware just seems to sparkle.
The food is gourmet heaven. I've had things at Southwark that I've never tried before-- quail, for instance and venison. The meat is always tender and perfect. The sides feature whole grains, legumes and leafy green vegetables. Eating here always feels like giving your body a present. I recommend the steamed clams, porkchop and pretty much anything on special. They also have unique sorbets for desert (rosemary grapefruit for one) and they have had this goat cheese flan that was unbelievably good. Their wine selection is great and not price gauge-y.
After the dinner crowd has finished eating, the bar has a night-time persona that is quite different--the Coltrane goes off the i-Pod and on comes the Fugazi. It's just another layer that makes Southwark a truly enjoyable experience (to me and anyone else who likes Fugazi).
They also have a great brunch. TK, who barely eats ate like seven courses including two deserts. I think he was catching up...
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hands down the best "BAR" in the city, incredibly knowledgable staff and above that, they are passionate about what they do. when ordering a martini, they've never asked me what kind of vodka i'd like, which if you dont understand, means you might not wnt to go here, on second thought they might just change your perception of a good martini. the food is always awesome and ever changing and if you're an oyster fan, they usually have some of the best you'll find in this city. in closing, love this place, treat it with reverance and don't tell too many people about it, i like being able to get a seat at the bar here. p.s. can i say that everytime i go here it gets better!
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