Irwin's feels like the more intimate expression of everything that makes the Bok Building so compelling. We started with a drink at Bok Bar around 5:30, then walked a few steps across the eighth floor into a former vocational school classroom now home to a Sicilian restaurant. Enormous school windows, worn cream walls, exposed conduit, old tile, flashes of graffiti, palms, and Persian rugs make the room feel sophisticated and faintly exotic without ever seeming contrived. Visually, the room rewards looking around. The graffiti especially caught me; I have no idea which marks predate the restaurant and which may have been added later, but the smaller tags feel completely at home against the aging school surfaces. In the early days of home internet, I was obsessed with Art Crimes, the graffiti site founded in 1994 that still exists in its wonderfully utilitarian form, so those marks immediately pulled me in. Dinner tasted like summer. My wife and I started with focaccia, crudo, and a salad, then moved into clam pasta and pesto pasta before sharing the whole fish. The cooking stayed clean and light while still leaving us full, and our server was excellent. I had a glass of rosé, the huge doors stood open to the evening air, and either the dining room or terrace would have been wonderful. Sicily gave the meal more personal resonance than I expected. I visited years ago during a very different chapter, and my memories of the island remain beautiful but disjointed, fitting for a place shaped by centuries of conflict beneath a repeatedly erupting Mount Etna. I'm grateful I saw it, but I'm even more grateful for the steadier life that followed: marriage, entrepreneurship, 3 young children, a dog, and the chance to slow down enough to notice what actually makes me happy. Earlier, walking through Bok had already explained why Irwin's belongs here. We passed inMovement's enormous gymnastics facility beneath the surviving "Girls Gym" sign, and a fit guy inside happened to be wearing a perfectly worn vintage Venice Beach T-shirt; that tiny image captured the bridge between old South Philadelphia and Southern California running through the building. Bok has the scale and architectural freedom that make this kind of creative reuse feel plausible in Philadelphia or Los Angeles, where an enormous older structure can hold gymnastics, restaurants, and a rooftop bar while retaining its grain. Around us, families, couples, and groups of friends filled the room, with an easy mix of ages and personalities that felt stylish without becoming socially precious. There is something of the brilliant, slightly edgy cousin's apartment in the scene, the place people might once have regarded with mild suspicion before Condé Nast Traveler arrives years later with a photographer and a beautifully edited weekend itinerary. I say that with affection: at its best, broader attention and capital give overlooked buildings and neighborhoods the resources to survive and evolve while preserving enough texture to remain themselves. Walking home to our place near Rittenhouse Square was the perfect final act. I can still remember the New York finance version of myself arriving in Philadelphia because the woman who became my wife was training here, carrying more big city snobbery than I realized and assuming a smaller city meant a smaller life. Years later, pleasantly tired and full after Irwin's, I felt the opposite: I'm happier trying to build something of my own, walking home through a city I love, and heading toward 3 sleeping children and a dog who have made rootedness feel far richer than constant motion ever did. read more

From the "Intentional Eater" - Posted on Resy Review of Irwin's at 4am Friday, July 24th (not seen due to change of reservation platform) I eat out intentionally. I only go out for something I can't get at home. Irwin's caught my attention because it serves unapologetically Sicilian cuisine inside a repurposed high school with rooftop views you can't find anywhere else in Philadelphia. Sicilian is not the same as Italian, in the same way Chicago pizza is not the same as New York or Detroit. Irwin's isn't an award‑winning restaurant yet, but it's the kind of place that makes you wonder why. The James Beard Foundation evaluates restaurants across ten core criteria, and Irwin's is already a front runner in several of them. To be a contender when the time comes, they tighten now. The Sicilian point of view is clear from the start. My mocktail, peach, tomato shrub, basil, club soda, accidentally paired perfectly with both the heirloom tomato on semolina cracker and the Trofie Pesto Trapenese. The tomato dish outperformed versions I've had elsewhere, and the pesto, made with pistachio, almond, and basil, had those little nut pops that only come from a kitchen paying attention to texture as much as flavor. Technique is another area where Irwin's excels. The Half Chicken Agrodolce didn't look traditionally Italian, but the process behind it was deeply intentional. Brined for a day, then slow cooked in its own rendered juices and fat before receiving a final roast. All of those juices and fat were then used to build the agrodolce sauce, which explains why the dish tastes Sicilian and looks nothing like the Italian chicken dishes most diners expect. The person who greets you, introduces themselves by name, and stays with you throughout the meal is your ambassador, not your waiter or server. Yet they're the person who carries the meal, and the one diners notice last. I had no idea what gremolata was before this meal, so I asked my ambassador how to eat the dish. They didn't recite a script but told me how they eat it. A piece of the precut chicken with a scoop of gremolata on each bite. That lived‑in guidance is exactly what JB looks for in staff alignment and cultural fluency. The desserts show the same clarity of Sicilian identity. The Sicilian tiramisu used almond flour cake instead of ladyfingers, cream with a hint of orange, no coffee, cocoa dusting, and a drizzle of EVOO. The torta was a yogurt and soaked phyllo‑based cake, soft and soaked, with the full flavor of the orange, flesh and rind. The savory whipped cream grounded it. Bright. Citrus forward. Deeply Sicilian. Intentionally different. These strengths place Irwin's firmly in the award conversation. Point of view, technique, ingredient integrity, menu cohesion, emotional resonance, and, critically, ambassador level staff alignment. If there's anything left to tighten, it's consistency at scale. Ensuring this level of intention holds across every service, every night. But the foundation is already there. Irwin's isn't just operating well. They're operating with the kind of clarity and confidence that awards tend to recognize. read more

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A friend recommended Irwin's and I'm SO glad I went! Getting there was a bit of a mission since it's inside a historic building, but once we found it, everything was 10/10. If I visit Philly again, I'd go back in a heartbeat. The service was great, and the food was spot-on with such unique, memorable flavors. Must order the fennel salad and swordfish for your apps. Highly recommend! What I ordered: - Focaccia Bread (specials) - Steaktare tare (specials) - Swordfish: Fermented Chili, Kohlrabi - Fennel Salad:Citrus, Parsley - Gnocchi Sardi: Eggplant, Chili - Mafaldine: Lamb Bolgnese - Tiramisu: Coffee, Almond read more

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The usp of this place is surely their location and access to the bok bar rooftop. The staff is very friendly and make it a very personable experience. I was very impressed with everything we ordered, a couple pastas as well as the focaccia. People are not lying when they say the portion sizes are small. However, the vibe is fine dining and the prices as well as the portion sizes reflect that appropriately. When we went, they had the tiramisu and saffron gelato on the dessert menu and both were fantastic. Overall our experience as first timers to Irwin's was a memorable one and I will definitely be back to enjoy their rooftop. read more

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Always good. Always get the chefs tasting. The cutest vibe & decor inside. Right across from bok bar which we love. The service is usually pretty good they get some interesting characters once in a while but overall good. Have been coming here for a couple years and never been disappointed or hungry when i left. read more

Irwin's - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dining is absolutely an experience, and Irwin's is just that. It starts out by sleuthing your way thru a non-descript door into a 1930's vintage former technical high school, now repurposed as an incubator and curator of local artists, makers, non-profits and entrepreneurs. Take the elevator to the 8th floor and here is Irwin's. It's a rectangular space with about 20 tables. Open kitchen and bar to the left, tables to the right. Huge windows overlooking the neighborhood and to the southwest. Decor is industrial speakeasy chic. High ceilings, graffiti and peeling paint from the days when the building was abandoned. Fixtures are reimagined school furniture - science room drawered cabinets, mismatched plastic cafeteria chairs. The whole vibe is laid back and super cool. Our server, Micah, took great care of us. She helped us navigate the choices for drinks and food, perfectly described and kept the meal moving at a great pace. She even brought over owner/chef Michael Ferreri so we could congratulate him on an excellent meal. THANK YOU! Pro tip: For a party of 5, go for the tasting menu. You get to try literally every single thing on the menu. Portions are tapas-sized and just enough to be sated by not stuffed. Pro tip 2: It's a LOUD spot, because it's a cavernous concrete block room. The table next to ours got louder as the evening (and drinks) wore on, and it was challenged for us to converse over the din. We tried literally 14 different things. Each was excellent in its' own right. The roots are Sicilian; with Ferreri's interpretations shining through making everything unique. Highlights include a whole fish entree. On this night, it was dorade. It's sea bass-like - flaky white flesh, slightly sweet. It's broiled to a crispy perfection and expertly seasoned. Served whole, fileted and deboned, making it easy to portion. Yum! Of the pastas, mafaldine was my favorite. Mafaldine is long, wide, ribbon-shaped with ruffled edges. It's served in scrumptious lamb bolognese sauce. Pasta is perfectly al dente, the sauce is garlickly and the ground lamb savory. Even though we were sharing, I went back for seconds of this one. Of the mezze choices, swordfish was excellent. Lightly battered and fried, topped with a spiral of kohlrabi and fermented chili. The texture and flavor combination is so pleasing. Fish is almost creamy, the crunch of the batter, tiny bit of heat from the chili and unusual crunch and earthiness of the kohlrabi. Because the tasting menu includes dessert, you MUST have dessert. They didn't disappoint. Beautiful tiramisu in a classic prep. Moist lady fingers, creamy mascarpone, cocoa powder. The other was a busy concoction. Apple crumble-like, on steroids. Can't remember all the ingredients, but it's caramel on the bottom, apple crisp in the center, topped with a scoop of tart gelato onto which is pooled an herb-based sauce. It's an explosion of texture and contrasting flavors - sweet, tart, a little savory. Good, but the tiramisu is better. This is absolutely a place to try. The vibe is very cool, the food is outstanding, the service friendly and professional. It's expensive, but worth it for the experience. RECOMMENDED! read more

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Came here for HH from 5-7 and it was such a vibe!!! Caught the sunset from outside after our meal and it was so nice! Had the spaghetti with clams and couple snacks such as anchovies and focaccia bread but the standout was the pasta! read more

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We chose Irwin's for our last night of dating since we were getting married the very next day, and we wanted somewhere cool and a little magical. This place definitely delivered. The restaurant sits on one side of the roof of a converted vocational school, with Boi Bar on the other side, which makes the whole setting feel unique and full of character. We made an outdoor reservation hoping for those amazing Philadelphia skyline views, but the wind was way too strong that night. Luckily, they were able to move us indoors without any issue. Our server, Zippy, was fantastic. She had a fun, witty personality and really made the evening feel special. We took her recommendations and loved everything we ordered. Definitely a spot I'd recommend for a memorable night. read more

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This might be my new favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. I was blown away by it all -- the food, the service and the vibes. To start off, it's in a really cool space. The restaurant is located on the rooftop of a renovated school. My party started the night at the bar across from the restaurant where we watched the sunset over the city skyline. We then went to the restaurant (we had to finish our drinks before we were able to be seated). Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the food and wine and gave excellent recommendations. He told us he had recent come back from Sicily where restaurant staff had gone for research purposes, and I now have a new dream job We ordered: Focaccia- so yummy and easy to share because it was pre-sliced Fennel salad- very citrusy which I LOVED Trofie (not pictured)- I preferred the other pasta but this was still great Mafaldine (not pictured)- I wanted to lick the bowl because the sauce was so good Apple for two- this was a recommendation and I wasn't really sure what to expect but the dish delivered. Great texture and flavor. Be sure to visit the bathroom for the fun decor and get a matchbook from the host stand as you leave. read more

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Came here on a Wednesday evening around 6pm, we had reservations for 5:15pm but were running super late, but thankfully since it wasn't a weeknight it wasn't too crowded. We got a few drinks, some mezzes, and some pasta (no big entrees). Party of 3. Our mezze included the swordfish ($22), the crudo ($21), and the seasonal focaccia. For the pasta we got the bucatini and gnocchi. We sat inside. For dessert we also shared a torta and the tiramisu. Pros: - EXCELLENT hospitality and service. Every staff member we interacted with was so kind, checked in with us often, and I loved the touch of giving us extra bread to eat with the leftover pasta sauce at the end of the meal. - Some of my favorite banger food options were the crudo, the tiramisu dessert, and the swordfish. Just super well done all around, the crudo flavors were so unique and pleasant, and the swordfish just melted in my mouth. - amazing view of Philly and you can see the sport stadiums from here, really great when there's a breeze outside too. - Really cool space, a repurposed school? Very artsy and nostalgic - Clean bathroom with a scrunchies and other items that are helpful - Drinks were strong and tasty, spot on. Cons (otherwise would be a 5/5): - I felt like the bucatini fell short of what I expected, felt very basic. - Can feel very overpriced due to the portions being pretty small. I would treat this almost as a fine dining experience when it comes to budget, if you get drinks and want to be full, expect it to be $75 per person. We got the full sized version of the pastas and I felt like for what I was getting, the price could have been $10 less each. Or just remind yourself you're paying for the ambiance and vibe. Overall - I don't regret coming because the mezzes, dessert, and drinks were delicious, and the service and vibes were top notch. I felt like I could have done without the pasta and paying full price for it would have made me pretty sad. Worth a try if you're willing to splurge! read more

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This place is super cute but just come for drinks. The amount and quality of food you get for the price isnt worth it. The gnocchi was tough and not good. I was disappointed by our meals. read more

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I have this place another chance after they completely dropped the ball on a work dinner a few months ago. $500 dinner tonight and had to drink refrigerated wine and small portioned bland food and slow service. This place just sucks I'm never going back and I used to have dinner here monthly. read more

I went to Irwin's with my wife to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. Their hospitality was second to none. They treated us like royalty. Complimentary champagne to start our evening and a personalized card at the end. We went all out to celebrate, and we got the tasting menu with the wine pairing. It was a very lovely evening. The food and ambiance were definitely great, but I am still not entirely sure it was worth the price. We ordered the most expensive options but it was just aggressively expensive. The ambiance there is funny because everyone is dressed up to go to a fancy restaurant, and we were more dressed up than most because it was our anniversary, but obviously you're having dinner in an old high school with graffiti on the walls. But overall, I highly recommend Irwin's read more

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We love this place. The views are incredible, the food and drinks have always been fantastic, and the service is warm and present without being overly in your face. Check out the bathroom for the best mirror selfies in Philly :) read more

Irwin's is an Italian restaurant located inside Bok Building, which was an old school revitalized as an artsy complex space. From the school desks to the chairs, the vintage furnishings of Irwin's give a nostalgic vibe. ＊Shallot and Thyme Focaccia ** They change the housemade foccacia flavor regularly. Glad that we got to try the shallot and thyme one. The bread dough was pillowy with a shiny brown surface, while not feeling oily at all. The sweetness from the caramelized shallot and the herby fragrance from thyme made a harmonious flavor duet. ＊1/2 Agrodolce Chicken** SERIOUSLY how could they make the chicken (even the chicken breast!) so tender and juicy? Also can we talk about the gremolata? It was fantastic as a dish itself, and add extra textures and tangy flavors if you spread it over the meat. ＊Trofie (half) We know their carbs wouldn't be as amazing as their proteins but we still wanted to try. The pasta was cooked to al dente. The mushroom truffle flavor was exactly what you could easily imagine. Nothing mindblowing here. ＊Milk & Honey Gelato We picked this right away because I saw it had "pistachio". The honey was very sweet, but premium in flavor. My cravings was fully satisfied as they didn't skimp on the crushed pistachios on top. Lowkey wished that the gelato melted a bit slower. read more

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Amazing evening upstairs and outdoors at Irwin's located on the top floor of the Bok building. Had never been before (had never even heard of it!) until our 30-something's suggested it for dinner. We went early enough to be able to enjoy an exquisite sunset on a beautiful September Sunday afternoon. The Eagles had just won so that enhanced the mood! Amazing service and incredible very high-end food. We did do the tasting menu but in the end next time we would probably just order individually. The mezzo course of swordfish was a do-not-miss pounded thin and fried. We had a little bit of an issue with a bottle of "natural" wine we ordered (a grüner) but the Wine Director was gracious and kind and let us exchange it for another bottle. It's these little things that make you want to revisit certain restaurants. We will definitely be going back in fact I can't wait! Wish I had taken more food pics but the night was all about the company, weather and views! read more

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Outstanding food and atmosphere. Unique dishes particularly eggplant carbonata (best e er). Though drinks were slow the service was gracious. This is a one of a kind place that u don't forget read more

One of the most delightful and delicious dinners we have had recently. The setting in a repurposed school - on the 8th (tippy top) floor roof deck overlooking Philadelphia at sunset was charming and playful (weighted glass apple paperweights to hold the school themed wine book and menus from blowing away on school room tables with classroom chairs). The tasting menu did not disappoint- blue fin tuna crudo with plums, swordfish grilled and doused with herbs, semolina gnocchi with eggplant, lamb chops and tiramisu! But perhaps best of all was our server Caitlin who was friendly and casual but also super knowledgeable and helpful as we navigated our meal. Bravo! read more

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Very cool space for drinks and friendly team both at front of the house and beyond. Meal was so-so. Eggplant caponata ok Lentils good Crudo good Broccoli rabe ok Gnocchi sardi ok - under seasoned Trofie not good - soupy and under seasoned Tiramisu great read more

One of the best meals we've had recently. Loved the cool, hip vibe and locale. Highly recommend!

The prosciutto and melon was interesting, although I thought the melon cut too much into the prosciutto flavor. I enjoyed the melon vinaigrette a lot. The focaccia was tasty and the crust was perfectly crunchy. I wasn't a huge fan of the tomato sauce. I felt like it detracted from the eggplant and basil flavors. The gnocchi was fine. It was a bit too dense in my opinion. The orecchiette lacked depth, and could use some more salt at least. I really liked the full fish. I forgor what kind of fish it was, but the skin was nicely crisped and the taste was great paired with the salsa verde. The views were crazy. Service was good. read more

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We came to Irwin's tonight to celebrate my husband's birthday. We have both been wanting to try it since we moved to Philadelphia over a year ago, and we were not disappointed. First off, everyone we interacted with, from the hostess in the lobby to the waiters and managers, was extremely welcoming and efficient. Our waitress Lydia was outstanding. She was very knowledgeable about all the items on the menu, and she patiently and helpfully answered all of our questions about the food and drinks. The staff here really worked well together and the service was seamless and never intrusive or overbearing. The food was fantastic. We started with the olives and the focaccia appetizer, followed by the endive salad and two pasta dishes (the rigatoni and the gnocchi) which we shared. The focaccia and mozzarella appetizer (a special) was delicious and could have been and entree in its own right. The endive salad had an amazing mix of flavors and textures. Both pasta dishes were perfectly cooked, and the sauces on both were rich and flavorful. We shared the tiramisu and the chocolate mousse for dessert. The mousse was a bit of a surprise - it had whole hazelnuts on the bottom and was covered with a very thin, spiced cookie. Unusual, but everything worked well together! The decor and ambience are certainly charming and inviting, though some may not like the school-issued plastic seating at most of the tables (we luckily had a table near the bar with regular cushioned chairs, and the seats at the bar are cushioned as well). Even though it was busy, we were still able to have a conversation without shouting, which was pleasant. We left thoroughly satisfied. Yes, it is pricy, but it is a fun, distinctive space to come for a special occasion, and we will not hesitate to come here again. read more

We were impressed with the food and service. It is modern ScilIan cuisine and we chose the tasting menu. The chicory salad, the swordfish, the Malfadine etc etc. Choosing this menu enabled us to try four different pastas in addition many appetizers shareable among four people. We were entitled to two entrees and chose the dorade and roast chicken both superb. Located in the old Bok Vo-tech building it is located on the eighth floor with views of the city. They even used school district chairs. Definitely worth another visit. read more

Irwin's Restaurant here in South Philadelphia is this rooftop charmer! The whole setup is clever and really works. On top of an old High School (like 50's - 60's HS) they fit the decor to represent this building's history. As for the food, it's really good! We were tempted to do the prix fix menu, but a late lunch in downtown Philly put the kabosh on that. So, us four ordered to share: * Octopus with hazelnuts and mushrooms * Fritters Misto with shrimp and panelle * Broccoli Rabe with pecorino and anchovies * Fennel Salad with citrus and parsley * Spaghetti Alle Vongole with white wine and parsley * 1/2 Agrodolce Chicken with gremolata * Bucatini with zucchini and battarga * A bottle of Caruso Arancino and a bottle of Santa Tresa Frappato * Trofie with pistachio, and almonds This was certainly a feast for the eyes, nose and (most important) tongue. My #4 son has been living in Philadelphia for one year now. He and his girlfriend have studied and learned the "Culinary" hot spots here. Tonight here at Irwin's they showed their Chops by taking Mom & Dad here! read more

Irwin's - Irwin's Chicken - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

the food here was....very average at best. Out of everything I ate I would only recommend the crudo and the milk & honey gelato. The pasta was salty and hard. I'm really only giving this place 3 stars for the ambiance and fast service. read more

Irwin's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Good food , nice ambiance. Loved the place. Will come back in the summer to be seated outside. read more

Irwin's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Great dinner at Irwin's. Such a cool space with a great view of the city. And a really awesome view during sunset. We had the tasting menu at the bar. The lamb was amazing. Service was excellent. Definitely would go back. read more

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The reviews on here really had me nervous before my birthday dinner at Irwin's. With all the positive press and buzz, and the fact that I loved Res Ispa so much... I decide that I wanted to celebrate my birthday here. As one does, I came to Yelp for ideas on what to order and what to avoid. I was SCARED, but it was too late to do anything about it. When we arrived at the Bok Building we learned that the main elevator was out. We had to go the 'long' way, but that wasn't a problem because there was ample (cute) signage an elevator involved for 6 of the flights and then 2 flights of stairs to follow. Once we sat down, we were charmed by the interior. This place is super cute and I imagine the views out the window are amazing when you can catch the sunset. Too bad that the sun sets at like 4 PM these days. We got our hands on the menu and I opted for a glass of wine and my dinner partner had a cocktail. To eat, we decided to get the eggplant caponata and scallop dish to start. I agree with others when they say the portions are not large. The $21 scallop dish came with only two scallops, but they were very delicious scallps! We loved the eggplant, too. The sourdough bread that came with it was good, but such a small portion that we asked for more. For the rest of our meal, we split small portions of the Spaghetti Alle Vongole, Gnocchi Sardi, and then the 1/2 Agrodolce Chicken. My favorite was the chicken by far. This was a dish I had tried before at Res Ispa and claimed to be the best chicken I've ever had. It absolutely lived up to the expectations from my memories. The pastas were okay, but not the best I've ever had. Overall, Irwin's was expensive (luckily I wasn't paying!!!!), the service was very quality, and the food was pretty good. Will I run back? Definitely not. But it absolutely hit the spot and I am so glad that there is still a place I can go to get that delicious chicken. read more

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The ambiance at Irwin's is SO cool! The views are unparalleled.. gorgeous space and also quirky cute with the high school themed deco. Service was also fantastic- shoutout to José, our waiter, for taking great care of us! I wish the food had matched the amazing ambiance. I was really quite disappointed with everything. We started with the buffalo mozzarella and the tuna crudo. The mozzarella was ok, nothing special while the crudo was fishy and didn't taste the freshest. We then moved on to a couple pastas, both of which were mediocre. Finally, our entree was the whole fish (it was dorade that day). This was the one dish I did enjoy, it was buttery and perfectly cooked. But it was not the best I've ever had and was quite steep at $65. When we got the bill, it was almost $200 for two people. Definitely not worth the price. I have had much better meals for far less. I will not be returning which is disappointing given how absolutely breathtaking the view was. read more

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solid spot for pasta and a drink! we started with cocktails, all of which were creative and delicious. for appetizers, we ordered the focaccia special and swordfish. the focaccia was small but delicious, the potato and cheese were perfect additions to the soft fluffy bread. the swordfish was perfectly fried and packed with flavor, the sauce was amazing! for our entrees we started with the gnocchi sardi and the gnudi -- both were amazing bites! the sauce of the gnocchi was to die for, and the gnudi simply melted in our mouths. the biggest complaint we had were the portion sizes. we got the larger size which we were told was for two to share, but the quantity really felt like a single person serving. we ended up adding an order of a large trofie as well, we were all still so hungry. the meal quickly went downhill from there. the trofie failed to hold the sauce which was watery, and the dish was rather flavorless aside from salt. the broccoli rabe was offensively salty, so salty that it bordered inedible. we had our server take away the dish, and they comped it from our check. we ended the night with the chicken which was nothing special. it was an improvement from the broccoli rabe and the trofie, but i've had much better chicken before. we were disappointed and skipped dessert. our waitress brought us some complimentary almond cookies to end the night, which was a nice little bite. the dining experience was honestly a rollercoaster. it started off so strong with amazing dishes like the gnocchi and the gnudi then went to near rock bottom with the trofie and broccoli rabe. portion sizes are small and pricey. i'd go back for the bites i know are good, but i'd be scared to try anything new. service was top tier. our waitress was so sweet and personable. irwin's is on the top floor of the bok building, a super unique space! would be a lot of fun to shop around the bok building and then end the night at irwin's. read more

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Highly recommend Irwin's for a dreamy date night. Located on the 8th floor of the hip Bok Building (a refurbished elementary school?think, lockers, big windows, industrial-meets-vintage-cozy) Irwin's has a great view of the city, gorgeous bar, and top tier food and drinks. The me I is small but has great options for shared meals and mezze snacks. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered 1.5 mezze (an eggplant caponata, A+, and olives - hence the .5), 2 small pastas (both fish forward and a delight), a veggie side, and dessert, and it was the perfect amount for two people. You can go big w/ their tasting menu ($85) & wine pairing ($55), but bring your appetite - otherwise, mix and match small plates and entrees for a choose-your-own adventure. Notable wine list including some unique whites and skin contact wines. Tip. The Italian 47 is a perfectly light spritzy cocktail, goes perfectly w: the castlevetrano olives and eggplant caponata to start. Also, end your meal exploring the art studios on the 7th floor!! We will def be back and will try out the tasting menu next time! read more

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Went there on a Thursday night place was not crowded but outside was getting more crowded. The views are amazing. That being said the food inside was fair and very small portions. They suggested we share dinners an appetizers. It was tasty but nothing spectacular. Goes upstairs and have drinks at Bok bar instead read more

Went recently for my birthday dinner with a group-- my requirements were good fish: had the tasting menu. In comparison, I spent a week in Sicily this past summer-- I liked Irwin's more than most of the food in Sicily (they tend to throw super salty anchovies etc. on everything, even salads/vegetables). The tasting menu and number of people allowed us to try most things: several pastas, both fish, etc. It all was delicious, especially the Louisiana hot chicken style swordfish (I'm still daydreaming about it). Selection of natural wines was also amazing. Tutto bene! read more

First of all, this place is stunning but not in a typicaly-stunning way. The inside is a nice but not overwhelming size, with high ceilings and a cool lay out with tasteful graffiti that somehow matches the beautiful views from big picture windows and big wooden doors that delightfully are open in the warmer months that extend the sight of the lovely patio and roof-top city skyline. (This building was formerly a school and the original aesthetic is in place in the most creative way). I have dined here twice. Once on a cold February evening and last night, on the evening of the most perfect temperature in September. We arrived at 5 with the understanding of happy hour which was a misunderstanding. I thought I found that information on the internet but I was mistaken. We sat at the bar and enjoyed beautiful cocktails and delicious food. The olives, focaccia and tasty broccoli raab were perfect. We both ordered the 1/2 pasta dishes that were delightful; mine included summer corn. Order any of the expertly crafted cocktails off the menu. The bartenders know exactly what they are doing. We ended with the flan. Excellent choice. Enjoying all of this from the roof top patio would be lovely but it appears it's pretty difficult to secure that reservation unless one has global dining access to dine which is a bit disappointing. However, the food and service and bar seating were not disappointing at all. read more

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Honestly, I REALLY wanted to love Irwin's, especially after the good press but I just didn't think it was that great. We started out strong with a salad which was fresh and delicious and the fried monkfish, which we ordered after our server talked it up. Both were very good, didn't blow me away though. We then ordered three different pastas to share in the small version. I was so disappointed in these. They all were very bland like they forgot to season them. I don't like overly salted or seasoned food but it tasted like they forgot salt. The pastas were fresh, and I got the flavor from the ingredients but they all felt like they were missing something, like garlic and seasonings. My favorite was the tuna bolognese which I felt had the most flavor, likely from the fish. Also, if you are very hungry I would also recommend ordering more food, I probably could have been satisfied with one more dish or a dessert but we felt like we didn't want to try anything else. I also thought it was a little expensive since we didn't think it was that great. We came to celebrate my fiancé's birthday and appreciated they brought out a candle and small cookies when we decided not to order dessert. I'm hoping I just had a one off experience, I'd try Irwin's again but probably just for drinks and an app or happy hour. read more

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Miniscule portions and similar to leather textured, cooked, pasta. Better for groups of two. ----------------------------------- Saw this restaurant on a bon appetit list and was curious. I came here last weekend with 3 other girls and shared 4 dishes during my Philly trip. Total between 4 ppl and two glasses of wine was $176. Fish $48 Was it worth that price? Not really. They deboned it, and it tasted very clean with the chimichurri but this didn't seem worth the price. The skin was nice and crispy, while the meat was tender. Pasta We got a pistachio pasta and gnocchi to share. Both pastas are the world's most Al dente pasta. The gnocchi texture was not soft fluffy pillows, but rather a new leather couch. The long one had the same texture. The sauce for the gnocchi tasted better than the pistachio, it was unique. Crudo Never had it, but tried it that night. Small bites, but tasty. Cookies Tiny, but complimentary lemon or almond cookies they gave at the end. My friends liked their wine they got, but I'm not sure if I'd come here again. Portions are pretty tiny, barely enough for two people. It is attached to a cool rooftop bar though! read more

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Underwhelming. Average and overpriced at best. You're paying for a southern facing view (which isn't where you want to be facing) and a mediocre experience. They say their menu is family style, but so much so you need WAY more than you'd expect (and expect to pay for per person). The gnocchi sardi was red sauce and a gummy pasta texture...so this I'd skip. Trofie con pesto was actually quite good, but even the large portion was WAY too small to justify $26 for something so plain. The half chicken was...a half chicken. Moist (as it should be) with minimally crispy skin to add a different texture. This could easily be something made at home. We ordered each of the sides - fennel salad, broccoli rabe, and potatoes - none of which were overly stellar. If you were to get one, the broccoli rabe has a nice flavor to it. Overall, I'm confused as to why this has been such a sought after reservation since you're paying through the nose with minimal return and a half full stomach. read more

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I have been wanting to try Irwin's since it appeared on Bon Appetit's list of best restaurants last year. We tried to get a reservation a couple of times and they were fully allocated so yesterday, we booked an early Sunday night dinner there. Unfortunately, it's a cooler time of year so the BOK bar and the patio were closed but we were able to get a seat inside and had Micah, a lovely and well versed server. I was nervous about being on time for the reservation after reading reviews where others were chastised for being late or worse, charged for not making their reservation. That said, I understand why guardrails are important in a high demand setting. We were on time but didn't know exactly where we were going other than the BOK building and had a hard time finding the entrance!! We did and when I mentioned it to our first hostess on the ground floor, she seemed genuinely interested in improving our experience. I told her how well they had done keeping us informed in the day and hours up to our rez and that they could easily add a message about where to enter the building. To start, we got a couple of cocktails. I'm sorry that I don't remember the names but one was mezcal and the other was a gin forward cocktail with lemon and a white amaro. Both were great. For our mezze plates, we ordered some olives which came warm and with huge capers, the calamari, and the broccolini - all were great. I was a little sad that the frito misto wasn't on the menu but was assured that we might see it again in the summertime. For the pasta, we ordered the mushroom trofie and the orrechiete with greens and rancho gordo white beans. Both were very good but I could've used a bit more spice in both. For our main, we got the chicken gremolata. The chicken was excellent on its own and didn't need the gremolata. We also asked for some bread to sop up the olive drippings. It was $2 - not a big deal but not a big deal fro them either given the price of the meal. For wine, we had two glasses. One was the orange skin on wine - which was a very good, easy wine that could have taken me through the whole meal. We also got a pet nat recommended by Micah which I loved. Her service was impeccable. The meal was definitely a splurge for us. I'll go back when it warms up to test out the patio on the roof but at these prices (nearly $300 including the tip for our meal), it will be a special occasion spot. read more

They make the magic up on that roof! The staff is the friendliest and the pasta is what I'm always snackin' on. Give em a big hug the next time you stop by. read more

Knocking off another of the top 50 restaurants in Philly. If you are seated outside, you get a view of South Philly. After getting a brief tour of their very small kitchen, I am impressed with what they offer. We stayed with the traditional pasta offerings since we were short on time along with 2 appetizers. The food was pricey but you are paying for the location and ambiance which is unique for Philly. Definitely worth a stop if you are in south philly. read more

Irwin's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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