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Oyster House

4.3 (1.8k reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 weeks ago

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OYSTER HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Oyster House

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Reviews With Photos

Chris M.

The oysters were absolutely amazing, and honestly the best part of the experience. I wasn't a big fan of the pesto, but that's more of a personal preference. Unfortunately, the service is what really brought the rating down. For a restaurant where you're spending around $50 per person, I expected much better service. My glass stayed empty for long periods of time, and it took forever just to get our waitress to come back to the table. I was dressed in sports gear since I'm visiting from out of town, and I couldn't help but feel like maybe we were judged based on how we were dressed instead of being given the same level of service as everyone else. I can't say for sure that was the case, but that's how the experience made me feel. The oysters were great, but when you're paying these prices, the service should match the quality of the food. Unfortunately, it didn't during my visit.

Maryland Crabcake
Mike C.

This place is FIRE!!! Best oysters I ever had, and they came with a lot of oyster liquor (natural juice that oysters produce, a mix of seawater from their habitat and their own internal fluids such as hemolymph (the invertebrate equivalent of blood) and cellular fluids). The oyster liquor makes it so the oyster remains fresh btw as well which is obviously uber important. We had oysters from Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and all of the ones we chose you could taste the unique differences from one to the next. Crab cakes were on point; the vegetables were next level with the side of asparagus coming with roe on top of it. New England soup was actually light and not heavy like most creamy NE soups which I appreciated as it made me have room for the rest of the meal. We also indulged in some Butterscotch Pudding which in my view had three distinct flavors. The very top tasted similar to sweet creme Brule, the actual pudding was creamy and delish and there was a garnish of whipped cream I believe on top. All items surpassed my expectations and we will definitely be repeat customers. Highly Recommend. As always people SYOY!!!!

Clam chowder
Thomas k.

Service was a little slow today. Usually pretty good. I like sitting at the bar at happy hour. Great service and drinks. There is always a good background noise as the restaurant is typically busy. But not too loud so your party can still have a great conversation. Enjoyed the lunch today especially the fish and chips. The clam chowder is a must. And they have the best fries.

Wellfleet oysters.
Janez S.

Absolutely one of the best oyster experiences I've had. I ordered the Wellfleet oysters, and they were some of the best oysters I've ever tasted. They were fresh, & flavorful. My server was incredibly friendly, attentive, and helpful in guiding me through the menu and making recommendations. She suggested the Mermaid martini I believe it's called, that ended up being excellent and paired perfectly with the oysters. Great food, great service, and an overall wonderful experience. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back.

J N P E.

We went to a house show until 5 a.m. the night before and woke up late. Our reso was at 1:30, but we called and pushed it to 2:30. The hostess said no problem. Great phone voice, by the way. We walked to the restaurant during the purported "heat dome" weekend. Fortunately, the air conditioning is pristine. We sat at the oyster bar and recommend you do so too. Our waiter was great. We should have caught his name but didn't. Either way, he was a real one. P spotted some absolute babe across the bar and asked our waiter what she was drinking. Important side note: attractive people dine here, but not in an intimidating way if you're a normie. Turns out it was a mocktail from the Zero Proof menu. We don't judge. Our waiter then turned us on to an OG move: order a mocktail and add booze. P got the Pink Drink and added vodka. J ordered a Bee's Knees and a Firing Squad. All above average. Anyway, we created an oyster flight and got two of each, working our way across the Eastern Seaboard. The house sauce was fantastic and incorporated some sort of onion and horseradish combination. We don't pretend to understand what that sorcery was, but keep doing it. Create your own GD oyster flight. You won't regret it. We also ordered some shrimp cocktail and shared the lobster roll sandwich. We forgot to take pics, but the generic photo attached is actually how it looks. Not a bad bite. This was the perfect amount of food for two hungover people who took IR Adderall before the walk. We lingered for a while and they don't push you out. Ended up ordering a couple IPAs. They started shucking oysters to prepare for the dinner crowd, which is neat to watch when you're on the spectrum like us. Also, the walls are covered in different oyster plates. We spent about 20 minutes discussing which one was our favorite. We landed on a green one. It's a real vibe lifter of a joint. Brought us back to life. 10/10.

Drink
Dionna J.

Perfect spot for lunch before heading to The Academy of Music. A building and bustling crowd on a Saturday afternoon. The food and drinks were excellent. The standout being the grilled octopus ramen. It's listed as a starter but don't fret, "it's hearty but not huge" per my server. This just might be the best thing I've had here! I also had the lobster roll which never disappoints (devoured it before I had the chance to take a pic). The chocolate pecan pie was not needed, but very delicious.

Happy hour: New England Clam Chowder & Shrimp sliders
Jody S.

We checked out Oyster house during one of our happy hour Fridays and we were very fond! Especially knowing that this is a top rated happy hour location as well as my preference always being seafood, the seafood options are certainly there! Since this was one of our later happy hours, we arrived ~4:30 and we weren't seated at the bar until 5 as it is a popular spot. The vibe was very New England and felt like home. We ordered appetizers, I had the clam chowder and shrimp sliders. I enjoyed my dish and had the desire to try other items on the menu but my stomach was full. They had decent wine selections as well.

The bar
Ashley V.

This place serves some of the best oysters--freshly shucked right in front of you! Food: I came here during happy hour, and it was absolutely worth it. The oysters were fresh, affordable, and delicious. The oysters here tasted way better than the ones I ate in New Orleans. The mussels were also excellent--tender and flavorful. I ordered a lobster roll outside of the happy hour menu, and while they were generous with the lobster, the dish felt a bit dry and overpowered by too much sriracha, which masked the natural flavor of the lobster. Drinks: I ordered a Sazerac, and it was perfectly balanced. I really appreciate a well-crafted whiskey cocktail, and this one hit the mark. Atmosphere: The space was lively, nicely decorated, and very clean--perfect for a casual night out. Service: Excellent and attentive. The staff were friendly and checked in just the right amount. Overall: I had a great time here and highly recommend stopping by during happy hour if you can. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Philly.

Trent O.

We stopped by at 5:30 for a 6:00pm reservation. We were told we were too early, and would need to wait for a spot at the Oyster Bar as we had reserved. No problem. We went over to the bar, and the bartender made eyes with us and gestured to a corner spot on the bar where a couple was settling up to leave. We jumped in their seats and he whipped up some great cocktails and handed us the happy hour menu. (Weekdays 4pm-6pm) we ordered 10 of the raspberry point oysters ($2ea during happy hour!) and the crab deviled eggs. Both were awesome and the appreciated the happy hour deal. We actually spent the rest of our evening at the bar because the folks we were around at the bar and bartender were super engaging in conversation and we enjoyed talking to him while trying the cocktails. We went on to order the lobster roll and fries and crab cake entree, both were awesome. Will definitely be back but we really appreciated the experience and hospitality that the bartender in particular provided. I think his name is was Giovani.

Butterscotch pudding
Diana P.

This place is phenomenal! We tried 3 kinds of oysters: Sweet Amalia (Cape May, NJ); Mystic (CT); and Rough Water (RI) and they were all so fresh and perfectly chilled. Outstanding! We also had the crabcakes served with the most delicious green beans and porcini mushrooms topped with parmesan & a side of asparagus. For dessert, we had the Butterscotch pudding, which was thick and creamy. Every single thing was top notch. Our server was fantastic, so helpful and knowledgeable about Gluten Free items. She put a note on our ticket and also double checked with the kitchen to confirm everything I ordered was GF. I cannot wait to go back and try additional items.

Fisherman's Stew
Joseph S.

I had just returned from a two week vacation driving down the Pacific Coast. Starting in San Francisco, I went to several seafood restaurants for one item - Cioppino (Fisherman's Stew). Starting with Scoma's, I had it 5 times during those 2 weeks. I happened to read an article about the Oyster House here in Philly. It's tucked away on Sansom St. between 15th and 16th streets. The article highlighted the Fisherman's Stew and the lobster rolls. I was ready for the Stew!! It came nice and hot, which is a strong requirement for me - as it stayed hot until the last spoonful. It was excellent! A great stew starts with the broth - this was so flavorful and rich, with just a little spice! I had to remind myself I was in PA not CA! The stew had calamari, so tender - little shrimps which stood out for their flavor and texture - a delicate white fish and mussels. I was so surprised to find such a great stew here in Philly! The Oyster House will be seeing me regularly - next time, I'll try the lobster rolls! I also wanted to mention I sat at the bar and a very lovely lady gave me a brief history of the restaurant, which made the visit even more enjoyable!

Oysters and clams. Happy hour blackberry oysters, a couple Irish point oysters (not pictures, delicious!) and a couple clams.
Linda H.

LOVED it! I love oysters. I love a good happy hour and they had both. They were very busy with a great deal of fun energy from everyone eating, shucking, and serving. I sat by myself at a bar stool with a view of the 5 people shucking oysters and clams non-stop. Oysters were fresh and sweet and would love to go back with friends or by myself, again!

Fries, prawns, octopus
Gerald N.

Came on a weekend night with a reservation and the restaurant was packed. Service was friendly and timely. Good menu with plenty of options for seafood and some meat. 1. Oysters - A good selection of oysters even up to AK. Average priced. 2. Calamari - Small pieces, good quality with good crisp. 3. Octopus - Wasabi sauce so if you don't like wasabi, don't get this. Good quality octopus nonetheless 4. Fries - A bit flimsy but good aoili sauce 5. Prawns - Sizable pieces which were a bit salty but good. Overall a good seafood restaurant to try at least once! Staple in the area.

Roasted oysters

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25 days ago

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Sam M.

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17 days ago

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3 months ago

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Thanks for the lovely review. We hope to see you soon.

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8 months ago

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10 months ago

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1 year ago

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Hi Ashley, We very much appreciate your visit and your lovely review.

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Thanks for the review, Cliff.

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Thanks for the 5-star review, Taurin.

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8 months ago

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Hi Bina, We love being your new favorite restaurant!! See you soon.

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Page 1 of 44

Oyster House Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Oyster House

Do you have to have a reservation if your dining solo?

Hi Emily, You don't need a reservation but we always recommend making a reservation if you know when you'd like to join us.

Is the Oyster House open on Christmas Eve and what are the hours?

Oyster House will be closed on December 24th and 25 for the Christmas holiday. We will reopen on Thursday 12/26. We hope to see you then.

Is it open on Thanksgiving?

Is there any Covid type rules?

Does oyster house still have the partnership with baysave where the used shells are put back into the Delaware for repopulation vs throwing them out?

You'd have to call to ask them I'm sure they're giving back to the community & respecting the environment.

If I sit at the oyster bar, and add tip on the bill, does that tip go to the shucker? Or do I need to tip them in cash?

There are cash tip jars on the bar just for the shuckers. When you tip on the receipt, usually it is for your waitress/waiters.

How is the snapper soup?

Outstanding. One of the best items on the menu.

What dishes would the public recommend at Oyster's House?

If you go for happy hour (from 8-10 pm), i suggest oysters, new england clam chowder, and lobster rolls (half off i think)

Are there any buck a shuck specials?

Yes. During happy hour! Weekdays from 5pm to 7pm. But get there 4:30. You'll probably still have to wait as this place is packed!! Might want to get a table while you wait and munch on something. I want to say on Saturdays it's from 9pm til 11pm… 

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Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse

4.3(1.3k reviews)
0.1 mi•Penn Center, Rittenhouse Square
•$$

My friend an I stopped in here trying to pass time while exploring Philadelphia…read more The cashier was great. He was so helpful with my questions. Oddly I wanted a lobster roll with out the roll but still went with the soup anyway. But, he said he could do that. The soup was pretty good. We do not get a lobster roll when we visited. But, The soup hit the spot. The bathroom was so cute. It had a a nautical theme. This place really made me think of coastal Maine. Pricing was on point for lobster. No complaints. There are a few tables and a window bar like seat option that faces the street. The offer Maine sodas to drink.

Solid rolls! I had the seafood trio to taste them all. Initially I ordered on their website…read moredirectly. After driving around for 20 minutes to find parking I called and they had not received my order. Uber Eats or Door Dash must be the preferred. Or call! Anywho, Uber Eats delivered. It was cold. I don't believe the other lobsters rolls I had were cold. These were and still good. Maybe they are warm if you pick up ‍ They give ample portions and the butter is on the side. Three ramekins! One for each roll. I only needed one for all three. Note to self: always ask for butter on side. The shrimp roll was packed. Thankful because the baby shrimp were baby. The lobster roll was about 1 claws worth. It was the crab that shocked me. Overflowing with crab meat. Everything was fresh. The bread was soft and buttered. I didn't taste much 'seasoning' it was well 'flavored' and covered in oregano (?) I would return. It's a cute little spot that is in the basement of a building. I didn't go in, I know the area well. Next to Sofitel. Hard to find parking

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Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse
Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse - 6oz. Lobster Roll

6oz. Lobster Roll

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Wilder - Bucatini Cacio E Pepe

Wilder

4.4(484 reviews)
0.4 mi•Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center

Such an eclectic, whimsical, romantic atmosphere--you immediately feel like you've stepped into…read moresomewhere special. Our waitress was an absolute sweetheart. You could tell she genuinely wanted to connect with every guest and make sure they had a great experience. We started with the roasted oysters, and they were easily the best roasted oysters I've had in a very long time--if not the best ever. For pizza, we went with our waitress's recommendation and ordered the corn and jalapeño pizza. Definitely not a combination I ever would have thought to put together, but whoever came up with it--thank you! The homemade crust was perfectly crispy, and the combination of flavors was incredible. Sweet, savory, a little heat--it was a total flavor bomb in the best possible way. Such a fun atmosphere, wonderful service, and food that surprised us in all the right ways. We'll definitely remember this one!

Food Quality & Taste- 3.5/5 The food was good. Standouts?…read moreThe Butternut Squash Soup! The Butternut Fried Chicken Sandwich was a little spicier than I anticipated. It was also a nice portion size, particularly since it was a lunch special. -Mantra Meldoy- 3/5 -Butternut Squash Bisque- 4/5 -Butternut Fried Chicken- 3/5 Service- 4/5 The service was great! Very quick and attentive. I appreciate a server who is anticipatory. My water glass was never empty. Atmosphere- 5/5 Wilder is beautiful inside. There's an upstairs and downstairs, and each section of the restaurant gives a different vibe. There's even a small outside seating area, if the weather is nice. Value- 4/5 Some prices are a little expensive, but the lunch special pricing is a steal. Generally, I think it's a strong value and would recommend the restaurant. Opportunities for Learning- 4/5 I went during Black History Month, and they had BHM drink and food specials. It was very creative. Also, how the restaurant got its name is also kind of cool! It's inspired by Gene Wilder. There are a few things to learn here, and I definitely left a little smarter.

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Wilder - Private dining room

Private dining room

Wilder - Mussels and frites

Mussels and frites

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Little Fish - Shrimp & Papaya Salad

Little Fish

4.4(596 reviews)
1.0 mi•Bella Vista
•$$$

At only $120 per person and BYOB, this tasting menu is an absolute steal. From the first bite of…read morewarm bread and butter, I knew this place wasn't going to disappoint. The place was cozy and relaxing, with a nice view of the open kitchen. Our server was very attentive and all of our courses were paced perfectly. It's hard to choose a favorite dish, but I did love the cape cod oysters (and even had to order another two each!). The scallop toast was another standout, and I can completely understand why this is a staple on their ever-changing menu. All of the courses were fantastic, and I left feeling perfectly full. As the menu is seasonal, I'm sure I will be back sometime soon!

I have been in Philly most of my life and this restaurant has been around a while. (Definitely not…read moreas long as me) but I remember coming here at its first location and being blown away by the food and atmosphere, years ago. It seemed to be on the forefront of the dining scene in Philadelphia and felt so special. It's still special. The location has changed and the concept has changed, but it still delivers the intimate setting and mind-blowing innovative, fresh food. I came here with two friends for a belated birthday meal and everything was delicious! This is a pre-set tasting menu so one gets to sit back, relax and relish in each dish that is placed on the table. The Prince Edward Island mussels were so fresh and delicious and I also loved the grilled mountain trout! But truly, all dishes were carefully crafted and were a delight! Bring wine and enjoy this place. Service is professional and elegant and the food is some of the best this city offers. (Still!)

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Little Fish - Inside - seven tables total

Inside - seven tables total

Little Fish
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Alpen Rose

Alpen Rose

4.4(383 reviews)
0.2 mi•Avenue of the Arts South
•$$$$

Loved this place!! A hidden gem, definitely great place for a date night--gives off a speakeasy…read morevibe, and you have to ring the doorbell, they will answer the door and ask for your reservation before they let you in! Inside is beautiful, dimly lit--a cozy and intimate setting. Service was excellent and the food was delicious! Bone Marrow Toast was the bomb--the beef cheek addition to the marrow dish was amazing!! Omg! Both the Bone-In NY Strip and Bone-In Ribeye were perfection, both steaks were well flavored and meat was tender. Creamed Spinach and Pomme Purée were good. We tried the Seasonal Pie which had brown butter crumble with vanilla ice cream. The restaurant (and bar seating) is small so make sure you have reservations, highly recommend this place!

The pretentiousness vibe of the place does not outweigh the need for unique flavors and offerings…read more I am not a vibe person that likes to see and be seen however; this place fit my vibe exactly. Elegant, upscale, and cleanly efficient; this would not be the worst steakhouse in the city by far. For a cookie cutter menu steakhouse with pretty seasonless food and simple desserts; I think it meets my standard by far for the minimum in steakhouse dining with snarky service. I would return for the duck even though it's not smoked; it's expertly prepared. I would not come for a holiday; my friend expressed it a birthday and the staff did not celebrate the occasion in any way

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Alpen Rose - Inside

Inside

Alpen Rose - Smoked Bacon

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Estia

Estia

4.1(958 reviews)
0.2 mi•Avenue of the Arts South, Rittenhouse Square
•$$$

I traveled to Philly recently for the PDR Half and had two meals (dinner) there. Definitely the…read morebest restaurant I tried during the 3-day trip. This Greek restaurant features fresh catches and an old-fashioned, gorgeous dining area. I went there for a late dinner the first night I arrived at Philly. Then I had a pre-race dinner there with my friend who also raced the PDR Half. I tried the following dishes: 1. Complimentary bread: rustic white bread, a little bit sour but not quite strong as a standard sourdough. Served with hummus (kinda weird lol). 2. Halibut: A large, skin-on fillet. Grilled to perfection. Lean but tender. Topped with ladolemono and a veg skewer (bell peppers, potatoes, onions) was placed above it (cool plating idea), and served with olive puree. 3. Royal Dorado: while the dish was listed on the "Theatre Prix Fixe" menu, you can actually order it a la carte. It was my first time to try this kind of fish. It came with a thin filet. Clearly, it was a lean cut, and the meat was denser than many other fish. Also served with ladolemono. 4. Spanakorizo: Greek style "rice with herbs". They used spinach, onions and leeks; seasoned with lemon juice. Compared to most Middle Eastern rice dishes, this one is more "juicy", and the rice was, surprisingly, was more chewy -- almost like orzo. I really liked the leeks as it added some sweetness and freshy spiciness to the rice. I had it with my Halibut 5. Yogurt orzo: I never though about cooking orzo with yogurt (and onions) but it turned out to be fantastic! Indeed, the orzo, coated with the thick yogurt, was creamy and flavorful. I had it with my Royal Dorado. 6. Horta: Sauteed (green) chard with lemon juice. The portion size was sharable among 2-3. Overall these dishes were not seasoned heavily and the flavor was well-balanced. My friend had the lamb shank served with tomato+feta orzo and it looked tasty and filling -- the lamb shank was nearly as long as his forearm! Service was not bad but expect a longer than usual waiting time. Indeed, the restaurant was nearly fully seated at dinner. Besides, I hope that the servers could ask/inform the customers about possible food allergy. This is essential for a seafood-dense restaurant.

I had walked past Estia more times than I can count, but had never been, until this evening. We had…read morejust finished walking around the craft fair at Rittenhouse Square and were looking to get a bite to eat. It was my birthday and my partner wanted to find a nice restaurant. We had been to Greece two years ago and fell in love with the food. We saw Estia was close by, however, it was Saturday at 4 and we found there were no open reservations. We decided to walk over. The hostess was very gracious and not only said she could accommodate, but took us to a delightful booth. The venue is beautiful - the architecture - decorations - and the overall vibe is wonderful. I walked downstairs and was also very impressed with the private dining rooms. It didn't take us very long to decide what we were going to order - we were sharing all plates. My partner started with an Estia (signature) cocktail - the Meli. It's a delicious drink with vodka, passion fruit, almond liqueur, honey and lemon! I would like to mention the bread and hummus we had as a starter - the bread was excellent-warm, freshly baked with a superb creamy hummus. We decided to order the Crab cake and the Spanakopita for appetizers. The crab cake was made with jumbo lump crabmeat and had minimal fillers - I'm from Maryland and this was as good as any I've recently had. There was a Dijon aioli that was the perfect dip for the crab meat. The Spanakopita was also top notch - the crispy phyllo dough was excellent and the filling of spinach, leeks, scallions, dill and feta was perfect! For our main course, we ordered the Lamb Chops (of course!), and the Lobster Linguini. We were told the chops are Estia's signature dish and a must order. First rule of eating chops - you must pick up the chops to eat them - cutting the meat with a fork and knife will not provide the same effect with both the flavor and texture. My first bite was heavenly - the chops were cooked perfectly - which is a feat in itself as we both like our meat Medium - pink, not red. The chops were tender and juicy with a grill that accentuated the flavor of the meat. What a great dish! The chops came with very large, very delicious Greek style potato fries which had a nice crunch and a little cheese! Unfortunately, the Lobster Linguine did not meet our expectations - specifically, the lobster. My first bite of the lobster resulted in my chewing, and chewing, and chewing..... What a disappointment - while the sauce was very savory and the pasta was cooked perfectly, I couldn't chew the lobster and pushed the pieces to the side. There are many reasons why lobster is chewy and rubbery - overcooking is the most common. It was my birthday and our very gracious and delightful server brought a few little treats out. Overall, while the one dish was disappointing, the rest of the meal was great and we will be returning to Estia!

Photos
Estia - Inside

Inside

Estia
Estia - One of the main dining room

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One of the main dining room

Butcher and Singer - Crème Brûlée

Butcher and Singer

4.4(1.6k reviews)
0.1 mi•Penn Center, Rittenhouse Square
•$$$$

A few days before the birth of our first child, one of my oldest friends came down from Brooklyn…read morefor what we understood would be my final properly indulgent night before parenthood. We have known each other since we were five, lived together in New York for six years, and stayed close through marriages, children, and jobs that occasionally made us question our sanity. He has seen me at my absolute best and worst, and he was also the person who helped me get fit and regain some discipline while we worked in finance and used excess to numb the misery of those jobs. Choosing Butcher & Singer gave the evening exactly the ceremonial weight it deserved. Steakhouses take on different meanings as you move through life. In your early twenties, an expense account dinner feels like the dream: free drinks and an extravagant meal while you are broke, eating ramen, and sitting at the bottom of the professional food chain. By your early thirties, after enough wining and dining in Midtown Manhattan, the ritual can feel exhausted, and another steakhouse dinner holds little appeal. In your early forties, with young children and fewer unstructured nights, catching up with a lifelong best friend over a great steak feels incredibly meaningful, partly because neither the dinner nor the friendship needs to become a weekly habit. That contrast was especially fitting because my friend is remarkably health-conscious and frugal despite being tremendously successful. He seldom strays from his disciplined diet, while I have historically been much more willing to wander toward fries, dessert, and whatever reckless topping appears on the menu. A traditional steakhouse lets both people leave satisfied: one can order a lean steak and vegetables, while the other can treat the table as permission to suspend judgment for two hours. We shared the same celebratory dinner, but our plates still reflected exactly who each of us had always been. Inside, Butcher & Singer delivers the classic steakhouse fantasy with extraordinary conviction. The soaring ceiling, monumental columns, and amber lighting give the dining room a glamorous scale, while the dark wood, painted murals, and small shaded lamps keep all that grandeur from becoming severe. This is where Stephen Starr's judgment becomes especially apparent, because both Butcher & Singer and nearby Barclay Prime depend on concepts that could age badly: one could become stuffy and antiquated, while the other could become glossy and artificial. Instead, Butcher & Singer still feels transportive, Barclay Prime remains contemporary and cool, and each succeeds because the design, service, and atmosphere are executed with total confidence. Our meal included what I believe was a Caesar salad, filet mignon, asparagus, fries, and a rich chocolate fudge cake. I added a blue cheese garnish to my steak, a completely unnecessary flourish that became the crown jewel on an already excellent piece of meat, while my friend kept his side of the table considerably cleaner. Parc creates a useful third point in Starr's small Rittenhouse constellation: its bar steak and burger offer a more casual form of red meat, somewhere between an ordinary dinner and the full ceremony of Butcher & Singer or Barclay Prime. I appreciate both, but a burger leaves me feeling heavier, while a properly cooked lean steak can feel filling and indulgent without ruining the rest of the night. Only one detail could have improved our experience. We sat at a small table near the host stand and the clock, which was comfortable and entirely reasonable for a table for two, but it left us slightly outside the dramatic center of the room. This was no one's fault, merely the kind of learned preference that comes from seeing the full room afterward and knowing where I would request to sit on a future visit. I hope to return when the budget allows, settle farther inside among the leather booths, glowing lamps, and sweep of the murals, and once again let Butcher & Singer make a rare night with an old friend feel worthy of savoring.

This place is stunning on the inside and I absolutely love the lore of all the movies that have…read morebeen filmed inside and the various businesses that the building housed before the restaurant. With that, the food was good and it didn't feel just like your typical steakhouse and I attribute that to the service and how wonderful the staff was. We ordered the oysters, onion soup, delmanico steak, porter house, and the fillet. The table shared the hash brown which was absolutely delicious and by far one of the best items I've had at a steakhouse potato wise. We also ordered the asparagus and the seasonal corn dish. For dessert we had peanut butter tart, cheesecake, and ice cream. Over all this was a great experience and I would definitely come back.

Photos
Butcher and Singer - Main dining area from our table.

Main dining area from our table.

Butcher and Singer - Oysters

Oysters

Butcher and Singer - Front entrance from our table.

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Front entrance from our table.

Oyster House - seafood - Updated October 2026

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