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Such a cool place and a unique dining experience. I love any excuse to eat with my hands. Such a fair price for how much food you get and the condiments are so tasty. As always the service is friendly and helpful and none judgement. Fun group dining or date!
My friend and I came to try Filipino food at Perla for the first time. We made a great choice. Based on what I've read from prior Yelp reviews, I was expecting this BYOB to have a menu and the ability to make some decent choices. But not anymore. It's family style only at $50 a head not including tax and tip. But believe me, you'll go home full and probably with a doggie box. The restaurant has less than ten tables and thankfully only one was occupied when we arrived without a reservation. The tables were covered in banana leaves and we almost weren't prepared for what to expect. You eat with your hands (but they'll give you utensils if you dare)! The food is served piled high in the center of your table! You'll start with a nice sweet roll, and then the pile starts. First some garlic rice, then multiple types of vegetables. You'll get a wonderful Paloma Pompano fish, half a BBQ chicken, and crispy pork belly cubes. You'll also receive some spring rolls. Three sauces will come with your pile. Both of us almost burned our hands with the attempts to rip open the chicken and fish. But everything tasted so good. The table and our clothes got messy rather quickly. The meal ended with a chocolate budino with almond crust. For that, we did have a spoon for. Our server was more than happy to answer questions and complimented how "well we cleared our pile." We did have more than enough vegetables and rice for a meal at home. $150 for two including tax and tip. We did also purchase a lemonade type drink each, too. I recommend Perla for something different but really good food! I liked the fish the best.
such a fun experience! cozy byob restaurant with a unique kamayan menu. here, it's recommended to eat with hour hands as per the traditional filipino style. my friend and i chose to honor the tradition, but we did see that other tables were using utensils, so that is an option if you're not up for using your hands. the food was great, and the quantity was massive. my friend and i ate until we were stuffed and still had enough leftover for two full meals. i personally really enjoyed the lumpia and pork belly. the only caveat is that it is a tasting menu, so not suitable for picky eaters or people with dietary restrictions. i also am not sure if the tasting menu changes, so i wouldn't come back unless it does, but i would recommend! i think this is an especially fun dinner if you have a large group. overall, great experience!
DAMN! This was the best Christmas dinner my family's had in a whiiiile.... Definitely a hole in the wall especially with all the other bangin' resturants around Passyunk. That being said, this is worth every dime. The group portion is generous, and everything is absolutely delicious. This BYOB served garlic fried white rice, with curry fried veggies, grilled chicken, roasted pork, and a fried fish I've never had before called Porgy. If I lived closer to Philly I'd make it a mission to eat here at least once a year. This is authentic Filipino food at its best; its clean, filling, and honestly heals the soul. It was exactly what I needed to wrap the year up. Yes, they do provide boxes, and best believeee I was eating the leftovers for days (yes, DAYS, there was so much food...) after visiting here. You eat with your hands and share food with the people you invite, so be sure to invite your bestest of friends.
We had an amazing experience. Family style and part of the whole experience. The fish and pork shank were amazing. All The food was delicious. The service was on point and we had food beyond what we could eat in one sitting. If you are afraid to eat with your hands and share from the table with your friends and family... not the place for you. But if you are in for a delicious culinary experience... this is a must try.
Cozy restaurant that emulates a first floor south philly apartment. It is a set menu and the staff caters to the amount of people eating... with plenty of leftovers. There is a bathroom to wash your hands, since you'll be eating with your hands. Staff does ask if you want utensils, which I took advantage of. 10/10 recommend to do at least once! In comparison to Marrakesh and Casablanca.. I would come back to Perla for their set menu
Great restaurant to go to with a group of friends. We had a lot of food left over with six of us at the table. Food was fresh and came out steaming hot! My favorite was the fish!
This was a really cool experience eating with my hands off a banana leaf. The food was extremely rich and heavy, but also lacked flavor at the same time. Service wasn't great, even for how small the place is. The meal was very expensive for what you get also.
When friends ask for a unique spot in Philly, I point them to Perla. Perla, located in vibrant part of town, Passyunk, showcases Filipino food in its authentic form. For $50 per person, you are given a ton of food on a huge banana leaf that covers the table. No utensils are provided as the food is meant to be eaten with your hands; however, you may ask the staff for utensils and they will kindly bring a set for you. For the spread, you are given fried pork belly, chicken in a soy and lemongrass marinade, fried whole fish, fried rolls, fried pork, assorted vegetables, and dipping sauces, all on a bed of garlic rice. Fair warning, this gets messy especially with all the oils. No shame in asking for some utensils if you're not comfortable with oily fingers, but I recommend embracing the culture and giving it a try! Everything is super flavorful, especially with the garlic rice. It is on the heavier side because most of the ingredients are fried or stir fried in oil, so come with a large group. I've seen groups ranging from 4 to even 12 here. It's really a great time especially since it's BYO. Come celebrate with your friends! However, I might recommend you try another place for a date night because it gets messy, unless you and your date are cool like that haha I think Perla has its place in Philly. Great food and service, with BYO. Can you beat that? I typically pay a visit when a group of friends are in town or if I want to introduce family to a unique experience. Ignore the calories for the night and indulge!
Be ready for something different. This place has a fixed menu. Everything is cooked and brought out and dumped on the table on banana leaves. You eat with your hands. The crispy pork belly was tender inside and cripsy on the outside. There is a whole fish on top that was flavorful and tender. The rice and veggies were cooked in a mild curry and coconut milk. Everything was fresh and tasty. The portions were enough for 8 people. Fun experience , good food, good service.
For a memorable dining experience or a great spot to impress out-of-town guests, Perla is the place to for you! The food is served in a traditional Filipino boodle fight or kamayan style, where everything is laid out on the table over banana leaves and you're meant to share and eat with your hands. For $50 per person, you get a variety of food and the dishes are incredibly tasty. It is well worth the price point and you won't leave hungry-- in fact, you'll probably end up taking some leftovers home!
Such good food for such a great price! Nothing feels more celebratory than digging your fingers into rice and deep fried pork belly. They started us off with this bread roll that was deliciously sweet and soft, then followed it up with a heaping pile of fish, pork belly, chicken, and lumpia. There were also curried veggies. I thought the chicken was a bit salty but the rest of the food was excellent, especially when paired with the sauces that were given. My favorite was the whole fish, which came off in tender flaky pieces. It definitely needed the vinegar sauce but was absolutely delicious combined with that and the fragrant garlic rice. Service was also prompt, and we got hand wipes to clean our hands before the dessert of coconut chocolate pudding. I left stuffed and the two of us had two big boxes of leftovers that we brought home too. For the $50 pp price, this can't be beat!
Went for one of their Kamayan nights Interesting concept and certainly fun to try with friends - as long as you don't mind family style sharing and getting a little messy. A little pricy for what it was ~$70 per person after tax and tip All of the proteins were very well cooked - fish was flaky and moist, the chicken was extreme tender. And the lumpia and pork belly were both crispy and well seasoned. All the sauces were extremely delicious Only downside was the balance - far too much rice in relation to the amount of vegetable curry and protein and neither of these were particularly flavorful The interior was also pretty small although service was attentive If they improved a little on the flavor of their carbs and curry base and provided a little more value for the cost I think this would have been a knockout meal read more
It was A LOT of food, and idk why they havd to serve so much food because literally every table has left over. You get garlic rice, stir fried veggie, fish, pork belly, chicken, and lumpia. The seasoning for the meat is a little sour. Everything compliments each other well but the flavor is pretty normal imo. The bread for appetizer is very basic. I don't like the dessert because the chocolate part is a little bitter. If you want to try, I recommend having a reservation. read more
This is a unique experience. Not for everyone. I highly recommend it!! Coming from NJ, It's not very noticeable when walking up at night and not being familiar with the neighborhood. It's not a bad thing. Just very nondescript. It's a small place but I love what they did with this concept. It's unique and I wish them much success!! This is a set Kayamanan menu. No substitutions or accommodations. The food is plentiful and delicious. The garlic rice has a nice rich flavor. The vegetables are in a coconut milk sauce. It's flavorful but a little too heavy for my liking. The chicken was probably my favorite then the pompano fish. The chicken skin was crispy and the meat was moist. The fish was cooked perfectly. Crispy skin and flaky fish. The pork belly!! Not really my thing but it was on the meatier side than expected. Loved it!!! The highlight for me was the lumpia. I never had it before but now I need this in my life! Is this the best out there? I have no idea but they are now on my list of favorite things!!!! Due to my allergies I couldn't have the dessert, which is a chocolate and nut thing. The server was so gracious and brought me one of the pre-dinner sweet rolls. Then a coconut gelatin dessert. It was totally unnecessary but greatly appreciated!! read more
4 months ago
Such a cool place and a unique dining experience. I love any excuse to eat with my hands. Such a fair price for how much food you get and the condiments are so tasty. As always the service is friendly and helpful and none judgement. Fun group dining or date! read more
1 year ago
My friend and I came to try Filipino food at Perla for the first time. We made a great choice. Based on what I've read from prior Yelp reviews, I was expecting this BYOB to have a menu and the ability to make some decent choices. But not anymore. It's family style only at $50 a head not including tax and tip. But believe me, you'll go home full and probably with a doggie box. The restaurant has less than ten tables and thankfully only one was occupied when we arrived without a reservation. The tables were covered in banana leaves and we almost weren't prepared for what to expect. You eat with your hands (but they'll give you utensils if you dare)! The food is served piled high in the center of your table! You'll start with a nice sweet roll, and then the pile starts. First some garlic rice, then multiple types of vegetables. You'll get a wonderful Paloma Pompano fish, half a BBQ chicken, and crispy pork belly cubes. You'll also receive some spring rolls. Three sauces will come with your pile. Both of us almost burned our hands with the attempts to rip open the chicken and fish. But everything tasted so good. The table and our clothes got messy rather quickly. The meal ended with a chocolate budino with almond crust. For that, we did have a spoon for. Our server was more than happy to answer questions and complimented how "well we cleared our pile." We did have more than enough vegetables and rice for a meal at home. $150 for two including tax and tip. We did also purchase a lemonade type drink each, too. I recommend Perla for something different but really good food! I liked the fish the best. read more
such a fun experience! cozy byob restaurant with a unique kamayan menu. here, it's recommended to eat with hour hands as per the traditional filipino style. my friend and i chose to honor the tradition, but we did see that other tables were using utensils, so that is an option if you're not up for using your hands. the food was great, and the quantity was massive. my friend and i ate until we were stuffed and still had enough leftover for two full meals. i personally really enjoyed the lumpia and pork belly. the only caveat is that it is a tasting menu, so not suitable for picky eaters or people with dietary restrictions. i also am not sure if the tasting menu changes, so i wouldn't come back unless it does, but i would recommend! i think this is an especially fun dinner if you have a large group. overall, great experience! read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
7 months ago
DAMN! This was the best Christmas dinner my family's had in a whiiiile.... Definitely a hole in the wall especially with all the other bangin' resturants around Passyunk. That being said, this is worth every dime. The group portion is generous, and everything is absolutely delicious. This BYOB served garlic fried white rice, with curry fried veggies, grilled chicken, roasted pork, and a fried fish I've never had before called Porgy. If I lived closer to Philly I'd make it a mission to eat here at least once a year. This is authentic Filipino food at its best; its clean, filling, and honestly heals the soul. It was exactly what I needed to wrap the year up. Yes, they do provide boxes, and best believeee I was eating the leftovers for days (yes, DAYS, there was so much food...) after visiting here. You eat with your hands and share food with the people you invite, so be sure to invite your bestest of friends. read more
We had an amazing experience. Family style and part of the whole experience. The fish and pork shank were amazing. All The food was delicious. The service was on point and we had food beyond what we could eat in one sitting. If you are afraid to eat with your hands and share from the table with your friends and family... not the place for you. But if you are in for a delicious culinary experience... this is a must try. read more
Cozy restaurant that emulates a first floor south philly apartment. It is a set menu and the staff caters to the amount of people eating... with plenty of leftovers. There is a bathroom to wash your hands, since you'll be eating with your hands. Staff does ask if you want utensils, which I took advantage of. 10/10 recommend to do at least once! In comparison to Marrakesh and Casablanca.. I would come back to Perla for their set menu read more
2 years ago
11 months ago
Incredible experience. Just go... We had a large group (12) and they accommodated perfectly. Just go.. trust me. read more
10 months ago
Great restaurant to go to with a group of friends. We had a lot of food left over with six of us at the table. Food was fresh and came out steaming hot! My favorite was the fish! read more
2 years ago
This was a really cool experience eating with my hands off a banana leaf. The food was extremely rich and heavy, but also lacked flavor at the same time. Service wasn't great, even for how small the place is. The meal was very expensive for what you get also. read more
When friends ask for a unique spot in Philly, I point them to Perla. Perla, located in vibrant part of town, Passyunk, showcases Filipino food in its authentic form. For $50 per person, you are given a ton of food on a huge banana leaf that covers the table. No utensils are provided as the food is meant to be eaten with your hands; however, you may ask the staff for utensils and they will kindly bring a set for you. For the spread, you are given fried pork belly, chicken in a soy and lemongrass marinade, fried whole fish, fried rolls, fried pork, assorted vegetables, and dipping sauces, all on a bed of garlic rice. Fair warning, this gets messy especially with all the oils. No shame in asking for some utensils if you're not comfortable with oily fingers, but I recommend embracing the culture and giving it a try! Everything is super flavorful, especially with the garlic rice. It is on the heavier side because most of the ingredients are fried or stir fried in oil, so come with a large group. I've seen groups ranging from 4 to even 12 here. It's really a great time especially since it's BYO. Come celebrate with your friends! However, I might recommend you try another place for a date night because it gets messy, unless you and your date are cool like that haha I think Perla has its place in Philly. Great food and service, with BYO. Can you beat that? I typically pay a visit when a group of friends are in town or if I want to introduce family to a unique experience. Ignore the calories for the night and indulge! read more
2 years ago
Be ready for something different. This place has a fixed menu. Everything is cooked and brought out and dumped on the table on banana leaves. You eat with your hands. The crispy pork belly was tender inside and cripsy on the outside. There is a whole fish on top that was flavorful and tender. The rice and veggies were cooked in a mild curry and coconut milk. Everything was fresh and tasty. The portions were enough for 8 people. Fun experience , good food, good service. read more
4 months ago
For a memorable dining experience or a great spot to impress out-of-town guests, Perla is the place to for you! The food is served in a traditional Filipino boodle fight or kamayan style, where everything is laid out on the table over banana leaves and you're meant to share and eat with your hands. For $50 per person, you get a variety of food and the dishes are incredibly tasty. It is well worth the price point and you won't leave hungry-- in fact, you'll probably end up taking some leftovers home! read more
Such good food for such a great price! Nothing feels more celebratory than digging your fingers into rice and deep fried pork belly. They started us off with this bread roll that was deliciously sweet and soft, then followed it up with a heaping pile of fish, pork belly, chicken, and lumpia. There were also curried veggies. I thought the chicken was a bit salty but the rest of the food was excellent, especially when paired with the sauces that were given. My favorite was the whole fish, which came off in tender flaky pieces. It definitely needed the vinegar sauce but was absolutely delicious combined with that and the fragrant garlic rice. Service was also prompt, and we got hand wipes to clean our hands before the dessert of coconut chocolate pudding. I left stuffed and the two of us had two big boxes of leftovers that we brought home too. For the $50 pp price, this can't be beat! read more
3 years ago
Came here with 3 friends on a Sunday evening at 8 pm (reservation required). The servings are obscenely large. Each person gets apportioned a while leg of chicken, large piece of pork belly, and fish to share. There also is a large amount of rice, egg rolls, and vegetables for everyone to share. The chicken was very juicy and the pork belly had a nice crust on it. We each had to take a lot of food leftover. Meal finished with a chocolate mousse. Pretty fun overall experience to enjoy with friends. Interior is quite small and clean. read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Amazing unique experience! One set menu with options for everyone with dietary restrictions - low carb, keto, vegan, pescatarians can all feast at one table. The fish and eggrolls were perfectly fried without being greasy. Pork pata was clean and not overly fatty. The grilled chicken was super flavorful. Vegetables in coconut sauce were luxurious and cooked properly. All of this is piled on a mountain of garlic rice that is good on its own. The chocolate coconut pudding w homemade honey crisps is like a sophisticated version of an Almond Joy and tops off the meal perfectly. Service was friendly and relaxed. Excellent option for both couples who are comfortable enough to eat with their hands and large groups who are looking to celebrate. Best part: I didn't feel any MSG after the feast. BYOB is the crowning element that cements this place one of my favorite places in Philly! read more
2 years ago
Came to Perla for my wedding anniversary and it was exactly what was needed! The chicken was fantastic, it comes with fish, lumpia, rice and lots of vegetables! It also came with some type of sweet bread (I forget the name, but it's so delicious!) The service is also amazing, the waitress tells you about each piece of the dish, and prepares the banana leaves for your meal! The place is super intimate and nice! You can do a family style dinner or a couples dinner. I've been with my friends and my husband! 100% amazing and will be going back again soon. read more
Snug Philippino restaurant for communing with food. Two words completely summarize my experience here: "wow" and "stuffed". Definitely recommend making a reservation in advance even if you're just seating two as the restaurant is quite small, and you might not survive the food envy of watching others eat as you wait. Most tables are two-seaters but they can be combined for a larger group. Currently Perla is only offering their kamayan, or communal eaten-by-hand, menu but this strategy has been paying off even despite not being the most COVID-proof dining. Perhaps without silverware there's less dishwashing, but the set-up for each table is no less tedious. Between diners, the tables are wiped down, layered with plastic wrap, and then large banana leaves that serve as both tablecloth and plate. One of the super friendly and courteous waiters will stop by to explain the menu and ask about allergies. This is your chance to be boring and request utensils for the food, but I recommend the tried and true traditional experience. Water and a warm, fluffy milk bun follow as your eyes register the feasts in various stage of consumption around you. It'll be all you can do to stop yourself from unceremoniously sticking your paws into the pile of aromatic coconut rice that appears on the table before the lumpia, vegetables and meat land. Yes, that is a whole-a$$ fried fish. The next minutes will pass in a blur as you try to taste everything at once and decide which items are your favorites - I personally was partial to the pork belly, fish, cauliflower, and eggplant but there's a little something for everyone, especially when you can mix and match the sauces. If you pay a visit to the single-occupancy bathroom in the back you can sneak a peek into the kitchen where enticing sounds and smells tell of the delicacies that emerge. Leave room for the chocolate coconut boudino served at the end, a perfectly snack-sized, creamy and not-too-sweet treat to top off the meal. And the only time you'll get utensils if you haven't opted for them already. Know that this style of eating encourages you to get personal with your food and messy dining IS encouraged. Just wash your hands before you leave. read more
We did the kamayan feast which consisted of garlic fried rice, mixed veggies, chicken, pork, duck, and fish on banana leaves. It is typically eaten with your hands so be prepared to get messy. This was a unique experience that I would recommend everyone to try. Not only was the experience great but the food was spectacular. Everything was seasoned well and the proteins were all tender. The service was great, explained everything that we were eating and got the food out rather quickly. The restaurant is on the smaller side but it makes the environment feel more homey, like you're at a friend's house. A standout restaurant! read more
2 years ago
The food was overall great! The fish was absolutely the best part. Note: there are bones in the fish for anyone averse to eating meat with bones. The chicken was kind of dry and not as flavorful, sadly it couldn't be rescued with the soy sauce. The pork was juicy and crispy, which was enjoyable to eat. The cream like curry vegetables were tasty and paired well with the meats. For dessert, you get a chocolate pudding with honeycomb. I think this dessert was really delicious! One complaint I have is it was kind of challenging to grab sufficient bites of rice with your hands because the type used fell apart. I thought of sticky rice as a potential alternative. This place is worth trying anyways. Service was good. Atmosphere was intimate and the seating area is on the smaller side. read more
2 years ago
This intimidate dinner was even more intimate and allowed for a flow of conversation and good food. A Filipino myself felt like this meal was authentic to what kind of food my Tita cooked us every Saturday and even further what our family and friends would gather around and do on big occasions like Christmas. The food was truly fresh and cooked to order. I was surprised to see the dining room constantly full even up to a late Sunday night. This was such a great spot to share an intimate meal with close friends and good conversation. It is also BYOB. The dessert is also included for a nice little sweet treat to finish off your meal. We left with two to-go boxes per person and it lasted a while! Will be coming here to bring my parents next time. read more
This is such a wonderful dining experience. I really loved eating here. The place is cozy, service attentive and the food is fantastic. I love the fixed price menu. It is actually a great value. The food is so delicious and plentiful. Watching the chef pour out each component of the meal was so beautiful. The delicious variety of veggies nestled in the rice with fish and chicken and pork belly on top! Oh my! My favorite was the crispy pork belly. This was delicious! Juicy, succulent pork with the most perfect crispy skin. I didn't want to share that. Speaking of sharing... this communal eating experience is such a dining pleasure. Feels like a good meal should be.. heaps of food while talking with friends, laughing and enjoying the best flavors. This spot really should not be missed. (Don't forget your bottle!) read more
Experience/Ambiance:4; Food:2; Service:4; Value:2. It's definitely a different experience to get everything served directly on the table (on banana leaves) and eat with hands. Everything is family style so you don't order, it's served based on number of people, all the same food - grilled chicken, crispy pork belly (supposedly), whole fish, grilled veggies, garlic rice, and dessert (chocolate pudding). We were very excited about the experience, the execution was very disappointing... First of all meats came out extremely dry and flavorless... The pork belly supposed to be crispy skin, but the whole thing was hard as rock, we couldn't bite into it, so we asked for knives (supposedly you are to not use utensils), but there's no way we can eat a big piece of uncut rock. Even the knife was too dull to cut through it... The chicken halves were also super dry and flavorless (except for char grill and salt taste). The fish was the only acceptable/edible texture, but still somewhat overcooked. They have 3 sauces for the meats but they are just ketchup, pickled pepper juice, and some kinda red wine vinegar, none was good enough to help with flavoring! The only good seasoned and well cooked items were the veggies (beans, cauliflowers, eggplants, brussel sprouts). They gave you a boat load of garlic rice, which was kinda mushy, very wasteful. Their sweet bread was pretty good, but you can only get one per person (golf ball size) and not allowed to ask for more! The chocolate pudding was too dense and somewhat sour, very weird tasting. The quality of food vs price point were just disappointing... Overall I respect the idea to showcase and experience the Philippinno family style meal, but the execution was very poor, I doubt it represented the Philippinno cuisines at all. read more
What more can I say about the "Kamayan Feast" that hasn't already been said in other reviews other than don't miss it! Everything is spread out along the banana leaf covered table and you dig in using your fingers. From the Pork Knuckle to the Pompano to the Chicken, everything was delicious. The Garlic Rice is addictive and the vegetables amazing. They run from Brussels Sprouts to Okra, to Egg Plant to Baby Bok Choy among others. The first thing brought to the table is a sweet Philipino bread called Pandesal. On first bite you want to eat all of it. I'd recommend eating little bites as you enjoy your dinner, with it adding a hint of sweetness to your meal. Dessert was a small chocolate mousse-type dish called Chocolate Budino. The crispy top seemed to be pieces of sweet toasted sugar and was very good and as well as totally different. For the three of us the bill, before tip, came to around $145. A unique, delicious and fun meal that you definitely should experience. Remember it's a BYO. read more
2 years ago
It is a one room establishment with tables on both sides of this cozy restaurant. No frills. One bathroom which was clean. The meal is poured out and placed on banana leaves on the table and you eat with your hands (utensils provided if requested) Fun way to eat and relax with your party. Good bit of food. read more
Perla moved to the traditional Kamayan style dinner daily and it was a fun, satisfying experience! The table was covered by banana leaves and after our group settled in and opened the beer we brought (it's BYO!), food was layered neatly down the center of the table: rice, vegetables, whole fried fish, half chickens, thick cut pork belly lechon, and lumpia spring rolls. My personal favorites were the vegetables (especially the bok choy--need that recipe, please!), the chicken (and I'm not usually a chicken person!), which was tender and crispy at the same time, and the spring rolls with the dipping sauces (there are 3 types). You can eat with your hands, in the traditional style, or you can request silverware. In our group of 3 couples, we sat couples across from one another, which worked perfectly because then each couple shared finger space with their other half--would recommend going with friends you're comfortable with and who eat everything. Once the table was a wreck and we'd all had a chance to wash our hands in the powder room, the mini chocolate budino capped off the meal perfectly. Will definitely return! read more
The Kamayan meal was a unique experience! We ordered for 4 people and had plenty to take home afterwards. The garlic rice and chicken were very flavorful and the chicken was super juicy. The fish was flakey and delicious as well but definitely needed the dipping sauce for more flavor. The fried pork seemed inedible because it was so hard. No one at the table could even bite into it. The vegetables were good too although a tad greasy. Price just felt high to us because we couldn't enjoy the pork at all and it seemed like a waste since no one packed it home. It was just completely rock solid. read more
One of my favorites located in south Philly, plus it's a byob so bring your favorites. Another plus, you have stateside vodka across the street if you want extra after dinner drinks. Now onto the food, authentic Filipino kamayan feast. If you haven't been to one, it's so worth it for the experience in itself. You start off with your table covered in banana leaves. Then the food starts coming poured right onto the table, starting with the rice, then the chicken halves, fried pork, lumpia, whole fish, veggies and finally dessert. Communal style dining Filipino style means you're eating with your hands! We came here for a birthday with a group of 17, brought our own cake. The atmosphere, small but plenty of room, of course gratuity was automatically added but the service was worth every little bit. I came here plus ones, and with groups. Regardless, you'll love the experience, you'll love this place ** I wish I can share videos on here but visit my IG- davidyums to see the reel I made for this place read more
One of the first places I always recommend to try when friends and family come into town! It's a traditional Filipino styled meal where it's served on bamboo leaves and you eat with your hands. It's BYOB but a very calm and peaceful ambiance followed by an ABUNDANCE of food. The first time I went, I couldn't find the entrance because I thought I was walking into someone's apartment lol. Get ready for a FEAST. My favorite is the bread!! read more
3 years ago
Are you looking for something new, exciting, and Are you willing to get your hands dirty for it? First, find the Alice and wonderland wooden entry door, you will find a hidden gem of a place. Great staff and attentive service. Staff will explain to you what you are about to experience. Hang on for an exciting food adventure! Here's a place that takes you on a traditional Filipino culture food adventure! Prepare for a food coma! Banana leaves Rotisserie Chicken Fried Pork Garlic Rice Lumpia Tasty Veggies Whole Fried Fish This place is a BYOB, so don't forget to bring your favorite drinks, wine, beer, etc... Please call for a reservation. You have an hour to enjoy time with friends. So, if you're tired of typical food on the plate, try the food on top of banana leaves. Everything is shared. So Please wash your hands. I hope you try this place and enjoy it!! Enjoy the pictures! read more
This might be by far one of the most unique dining experiences I have ever tried. The tables are covered in banana leaves and they offer a set menu that includes everything seen below as well as a delicious dessert. Once you are settled and (hopefully) have washed your hands, the food is served directly onto the leaves and then you're welcome to dig in with your hands. Not only was this experience extremely fun, the food was also incredible! The serving sizes are massive and we all ended up taking home pretty much another meal, so while the price tag might be up there, just remember that the volume of food and the flavor packed into it makes it SO worth it. BYOB was also an added benefit and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here! read more
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Perla - filipino - Updated August 2026
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