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The set menu at Roxanne was truly an experience to behold- from the ambiance, the food quality and selection, and service. -- As a first time diner at Roxanne, I was throughly wowed. Our reservation was for dinner at 8 PM on a Tuesday (8/5/25) with the set menu, and found we were the only ones with this time seating. It made our meal more intimate and special, as if we had rented out the whole restaurant for ourselves. We emailed Chef Alexandra pretty last minute (see email on website), so we were ecstatic that they could accommodate our request for set menu dining. The friendly service throughout our meal also echoed the welcoming nature of Roxanne as an establishment. Chef Alexandra, the amazing one-woman team, honestly wowed us with the set menu. Upon first glance, basically every type of protein was on the menu for us! As a whole, the plating was so whimsical and fun, and the portions were very generous for our party of 4. Around halfway through the meal, we were already full. The extensive menu started off with the appetizers of a baguette, beef tartare, and a shrimp cocktail. The baguette was regular, the beef tartare felt fresh, and the shrimp cocktail had a fantastic spicy cocktail dipping sauce. One of us just started drinking it like a gazpacho since it was so good! The next segment was the confit tuna, chicken, crab, salmon, and duck. The tuna was maybe less memorable than the delicate tart it was served on (and the hand the tart was served on), which really made the dish whimsical. Honestly, the next dish was most shocking dish for me personally- the chicken on a bed of hot sauce and sweet melon, which was such an interesting combination. I had my doubts, but it was such a perfect interplay of flavors! It really subverted my expectations. My personal favorite dish was the crab gnuddi, with its perfectly chewy bounce and generous healings of crab. The slice of duck was amazingly tender and juicy, but the other dishes were the stars for me. Lastly, dessert! Our dessert was a coffee crème brûlée and basque cheesecake. Once again, the plating and theatrics at the table, such as the pouring of cherry sauce over the basque cheesecake dish by Chef Alexandra, really made the meal memorable. For me, the crème brûlée was too sweet (as it should be!), but I really enjoyed the basque cheesecake! Plated like a fluffy cloud, it was airy and balanced perfectly with the sour cherry. I'm singing high praises for Roxanne, and highly recommend it as a "fancy" dining experience. From the service to the ambiance to the food, the all-in $190/pp price tag was well worth it. Although it's past my price point for frequent dining, it was really such a memorable experience!
I was very excited coming into this dining experience at Roxanne with the hype I was seeing online. To start it off, the place is very "unique" I'd say... very hipster edgy vibe. From the paper sign on the front door with handwritten sharpie reading "Roxanne (its a restaurant)", I should've known this would be an interesting one. I walked in for my 8 PM resy on a Saturday night and the place wasn't even 1/4 of the way full. There was one server taking care of all the tables, rightfully so. It took forever for the server to remember I was sitting there and to come take my order, so that was a rough start to the meal. I ordered 3 items and it was time for the meal to get started. First came out the raw prawn starter, which was just okay. Nothing really stood out about it, which kind of made it a chore to eat given that this dish was such a rich texture and mouthfeel to it with no contrasting textures to balance out the slimy richness. Next up was the scallops starter. Also was an extremely rich and creamy dish that would've benefitted from a crispy/crunchy texture contrasting ingredient being added. Got through these two starters and my stomach was already feeling very heavy from the richness. I was kind of regretting getting the entree that I chose after those two starters as my stomach couldn't really handle any more richness. But I chose the richest dish of them all, the duck breast entree. The sear and cook on the duck was great, they nailed it there. It came with a semi hard cheese, preserved strawberries, marinated peppercorns, and a rich sauce. It was pretty tasty and I liked the flavor contrasts of the fruit with the cheese and rich duck flavor. However, again, this one needed something crunchy mixed in there to offset a yet-again overly rich dish. The duck entree was pretty good, but I really regretted ordering it after those first two dishes. Overall, from the vibe of feeling like you're sitting in an illegal dining operation inside of someone's home art studio, to the subpar service even on a slow evening, to the lack of contrasting flavors, textures, and tastes of the dishes, this is definitely not a place I will be returning to.
Vibes: no frills, hipster; like dining in an unfinished art studio; bring a friend or a few Tasting notes: - Octopus: perfectly tender with crispy exterior; onion dip was creamy and light in flavor - Ramps: a different spoonful of fun textures each time among the diced melon, wilted sautéed ramps, and milky cheese - Duck for two: beautifully medium rare; excellent ratio of crispy skin to tender meat with just a touch of fat for butteriness; strawberry sauce mixed with deeply umami jus was heavenly; Stilton was surprisingly not overwhelming while standing on its own - Panna cotta: perfectly fried tater tots made for nostalgic though much upgraded dipping of "fries in school lunch chocolate pudding"; toasty, nutty, rich; candied kumquats added a sweet, refreshing bite Other thoughts: - Relatively quiet on a Saturday night - Staff was attentive and friendly - Appreciated the fresh plates and silverware between appetizers and main course Impression: come for the innovative and edgy dishes!
Sadly I think I got my hopes up too high for this meal. While the food was not bad by any means my expectations were extremely high for a one of a kind flavor with every dish. The experience is rather pricy and I was a little underwhelmed. We got - octopus - hot rigatoni with herbs, shrimp toast, sorbet The rigatoni was very spicy but probably one of my favorite dishes. I loved the fresh herbs and flavors. The shrimp toast was funky but nice to dip in the sauce. And the sorbet was necessary to cleanse the palate after. - lemon poppyseed cod, turnip, pepperoni - duck for two, huckleberry walnut pesto, murray's stilton I really liked the huckleberry walnut pesto on this dish. Duck is not my favorite meat but my husband is a fan so we orders this one. It was a very nice flavor profile. - sweet cream soft serve, banana, st. malachi reserve, kaluga This had a lot of flavors and textures going on. I had seen it in social media so I wanted to order it. Glad I tried it but I would not get it again. Our server was very nice but she failed to explain the menu to us. Which I was disappointed in when I overheard another server explained the dishes in much more detail to his table. Glad I went but I don't think I will be going back.
A truly memorable dining experience. The burger is, without a doubt, the absolute BEST I've ever tasted, complemented by top-tier service that is both professional and incredibly attentive. To top it all off, the chocolate cake is simply INCREDIBLE, unlike anything I've had before. It melts in your mouth. I highly recommend this spot to any food enthusiast, it is an absolute must-visit in Philadelphia. Also, the chef runs EVERYTHING on her own in the kitchen... we still can't figure out how she does it!! Thank you for the incredible experience!
Blown away by Roxanne. I was in charge of organizing a small group dinner in Philadelphia with a set budget per person, and I reached out to Alex at Roxanne to see if it would be possible to create a set menu within our budget. She was gracious enough to craft a personalized menu and even accommodate dietary restrictions! While the service and care was impeccable, the food was insane in a good way, with flavors and combinations I had never had before. The Green Asparagus, Dates, and Mint salad was fresh, texturally nuanced, bright, and absolutely delectable. The Lemon Poppyseed Gnudi dish was divine, with the sauce accented with dill oil bringing a sharp flavor to cut through the creamy cheesy sauce. Unsurprisingly, the Potato with Potato was so comforting, satisfying, and warming - the kind of dish you keep going back for with your spoon. But the icing on top, and maybe the best thing we had, was the Buddha's Hand Gelati with caramel shell, white chocolate pearls, and lemony sorbet. I still think about that dessert! Would definitely recommend Roxanne for a one-of-a-kind, delicious experience that will surprise and challenge your taste buds in the best way.
This place is funky - there's nothing really like it. The ambiance is confusing but hip - reminds me of Brooklyn experimental restaurants in a good way. Wines are local and also reflect the ambiance, providing thought. This is an intimate experience - the chef and owner was the only one in the kitchen that night and there were two very warm and involved servers. The dishes were either spectacular and special and I'll remember them forever OR too salty and just okay. I would definitely recommend going but to focus on share plates, appetizers, pastas and SPECIFICALLY dessert. Standouts were the cheesesteak tartare - wow. I could eat this weekly and it's very unique; hot rigatoni - maybe one of my favorite pastas and I loved dipping the shrimp croissant in the sauce; garlic scapes - subtle and gelatin-like; tuna fish - my dining table's favorite; the desserts. Wow. Best desserts I've had in the city for flavor, uniqueness, and presentation. I cannot wait to return for their dessert tastings after 7 pm
Eating at Roxanne was the most fun I've had out to dinner, ever. Not only is the menu seriously delicious and creative, it's also very clearly a labor of love for the chef Alex. The effort and love is so obvious in the product she creates. I can't remember being more impressed. The menu changes weekly, so I can only speak to my experience, but highlights included scallop, pea purée, and blueberry first course and a (I think?) play on peanut butter and jelly with duck, berry jam, and lobster purée. Alex REALLY knows sauces. Two dessert courses (a staple at Roxanne) including ice cream topped with Parmesan cheese. Not only was everything perfectly cooked, it was all so damn interesting. The cost was $85 per person. Alex came out and walked everyone through the menu first before going back and making everything while someone else served. It was about a two hour experience all in all. The atmosphere was social, friendly, and loud. Music was jamming the whole time, and songs would be abruptly skipped if they weren't to someone's (Alex's, I assume) taste, just like any of us would do in our own kitchen. I can't overstate how much fun and how interesting it was. Air conditioner was blasting all night, so bring a jacket if you are easily chilled. Alex has said on Instagram that this project isn't going to last forever (I think she said within the year a few months ago). I can't express how important it is to get there before this amazing experience ends. It should be top priority for anyone curious.
A delicious, weird, and unique trip down chef Alex Holt's culinary rabbit hole...into a wonderland of fascinating taste and texture combinations. The food: We were delighted, surprised, intellectually and tastebud-ly engaged, and laughed out loud a few times. Our favorites: My partner and I both agreed the banana split was the "wow, home run" last course of the meal. Imagine this: frothy whipped cream with little pops of sourness hidden within (which turned out to be finger limes), over the deep salty taste of yeast ice cream, on top of smooth nutty sunflower fudge and then bits of toasted bread reminiscent of french fries. This is incredible, not only because I want seven more of these sundaes, but also because my partner doesn't much like sweets. I definitely considered asking the person next to us (who was too full to finish her sundae) if I could eat hers. My favorite (after the "seven more please banana split") was the king trumpet mushroom course. A deeply buttery trumpet mushroom glowing with chestnut butter against the savory richness of la tur cheese and a sweet-sour quince paste. It tasted like a mushroom danish, in the best possible way, but with such different textures. My partner's favorite: octopus grilled to perfection with a potato foam, trout roe, and a vinegary boquerones dressing. Worth mentioning for the fun (I think at this point we've almost covered the whole menu): the persimmon salad -- this dish made me laugh when it came to the table and tasted like elementary school. It was so much fun to taste the ways the dish transformed as you tried different components together. spider crab -- chunks of fresh crab covered in a newburg sauce with bites of buttered toasted bread. tasted like a deconstructed lobster roll The vibe: Chef Alex (and her front of house/busser/server/does a little of everything person, Lauren) have put together a restaurant that feels relaxed, eclectic, creatively charged, and fun. Roxane's lavender neon sign shines into a cozy restaurant with moody pink walls lit by tealights in pink himalayan salt containers. Quirky pictures on the wall (one of them, the giving tree) are placed at different levels throughout a gallery wall. There's a wall of tiny plushies outside the bathroom. The music playing is up for grabs -- anyone can go up to Alexa and shout out a request. As Lauren said during our meal, "we're not serious about anything other than the food." Pro-tip: Portions are large (heyyy Philly). If you can't finish something, especially early on, ask for a box. Trust me, you want to have room for dessert. Pro-tip in the other direction: If you are an especially hungry person, make a reservation for 1. A bunch of the dishes are sharing dishes, and if you eat alone, you lucky hungry person, you get twice the food, you get me? Final thoughts: This was so much fun. I kept saying to my partner that I can feel meh about eating out sometimes (especially about brunch, I don't need someone to scramble eggs for me for 5x the money, thanks) but I felt like this was such great value (8 course + a take home for $75 each) for the experience. It's fascinating to see what a tasting menu looks like when seen from the perspective of a pastry chef. I learned a lot, I feel creatively inspired, and I had a great time. I'll be thinking of this meal (and its intriguing choices) for a long time. Go, go quickly, and go often (their menu changes every week!). Especially if you are finding yourself jaded about food or if novelty is your stuff of dreams. We came back musing about the ways we could stretch our own imaginations when cooking and tasting, and excited to experience what happens next time.
Easily this city's most inspired food maker. Y'all are in for a treat tasting Alexandra's dishes. We've been two or three times now, visiting again tomorrow. I need to write a proper review - but then again things are still changing and adjusting. I will revisit writing a formal review with details until it feels like there are some restaurant basics in place. Right now, everything Alexandra touches is gold - it will be tough to pare the plates down to something consistent when so many are outstanding. Perhaps it will never happen - and if so, then this review is a perfect match. Nebulous, beautiful - a blob restaurant for people willing to push comfort zones and play with their expectations. You're in for a treat no matter what. Good people are drawn here, it's clear. Already made a few friends from simply attending. Go.
One of the most unique meals I've ever had in Philadelphia. They're playing with really interesting flavors/textures and experimenting in very cool ways that wake you up with each new course. That steamed apple with the bay oil and sepculoos anglaise was unreal, would never have called that out in a million years. And the black truffle huckleberry lamb was the best lamb I've ever had. Hands down. 10/10 - so lucky to have experienced this.
2 months ago
We celebrated my friend's birthday here. It was wonderful! The food was delicious, the service was perfect, and it had a unique artsy vibe. Our server made us espresso martinis and they were awesome! I would absolutely come back. read more
3 months ago
First of all, the Yelp operation hours/days are incorrect, so call ahead or check the restaurant instagram page or website to get current info. Second, everyone knows about Roxanne's insanely delicious and creative prix fix menus, but did you know they now have a la carte lunch (and dinner) menus? I recently scored a lunch reservation and ordered a classic combo of burger and fries, with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Roxanne can make the tasty inventive dishes, but can they make hometown faves like this? Yes. Yes they can. The juicy well-seasoned burger, pillow soft homemade sesame bun, secret sauce, and onion would have been enough, but the unmelted, room temp red rock cheese gave the burger a kick in the pants that make this a contender for best burger in Philly. The curly fries would put Arby's to shame. They are thicker, crispier, longer, and softer inside. Lastly, it may seem odd to order dessert after lunch. But, if you are at Roxanne, you could be charged with a crime if you leave without it. I went with the American classic of strawberry shortcake since it's practically a requirement on 4th of July and this is our 250th birthday as well! I think the photo explains itself. Obscenely delicious and, yes, I ate it all. Slowly. So, put Roxanne on the top of your list for a Philly lunch stop, and order the dessert too! You won't regret it. read more
Love the ambiance, like a hidden secret. Excellent service. Good very adventurous. We had the snow crab claws, cute presentation, tasty dipping sauce. You cannot go wrong with the Norwegian Salmon or Moulard Duck. Large portions & very tasty. Description on the menu perfect. Tried both zero proof drink options which were interesting, would recommend. read more
The set menu at Roxanne was truly an experience to behold- from the ambiance, the food quality and selection, and service. -- As a first time diner at Roxanne, I was throughly wowed. Our reservation was for dinner at 8 PM on a Tuesday (8/5/25) with the set menu, and found we were the only ones with this time seating. It made our meal more intimate and special, as if we had rented out the whole restaurant for ourselves. We emailed Chef Alexandra pretty last minute (see email on website), so we were ecstatic that they could accommodate our request for set menu dining. The friendly service throughout our meal also echoed the welcoming nature of Roxanne as an establishment. Chef Alexandra, the amazing one-woman team, honestly wowed us with the set menu. Upon first glance, basically every type of protein was on the menu for us! As a whole, the plating was so whimsical and fun, and the portions were very generous for our party of 4. Around halfway through the meal, we were already full. The extensive menu started off with the appetizers of a baguette, beef tartare, and a shrimp cocktail. The baguette was regular, the beef tartare felt fresh, and the shrimp cocktail had a fantastic spicy cocktail dipping sauce. One of us just started drinking it like a gazpacho since it was so good! The next segment was the confit tuna, chicken, crab, salmon, and duck. The tuna was maybe less memorable than the delicate tart it was served on (and the hand the tart was served on), which really made the dish whimsical. Honestly, the next dish was most shocking dish for me personally- the chicken on a bed of hot sauce and sweet melon, which was such an interesting combination. I had my doubts, but it was such a perfect interplay of flavors! It really subverted my expectations. My personal favorite dish was the crab gnuddi, with its perfectly chewy bounce and generous healings of crab. The slice of duck was amazingly tender and juicy, but the other dishes were the stars for me. Lastly, dessert! Our dessert was a coffee crème brûlée and basque cheesecake. Once again, the plating and theatrics at the table, such as the pouring of cherry sauce over the basque cheesecake dish by Chef Alexandra, really made the meal memorable. For me, the crème brûlée was too sweet (as it should be!), but I really enjoyed the basque cheesecake! Plated like a fluffy cloud, it was airy and balanced perfectly with the sour cherry. I'm singing high praises for Roxanne, and highly recommend it as a "fancy" dining experience. From the service to the ambiance to the food, the all-in $190/pp price tag was well worth it. Although it's past my price point for frequent dining, it was really such a memorable experience! read more
10 months ago
I was very excited coming into this dining experience at Roxanne with the hype I was seeing online. To start it off, the place is very "unique" I'd say... very hipster edgy vibe. From the paper sign on the front door with handwritten sharpie reading "Roxanne (its a restaurant)", I should've known this would be an interesting one. I walked in for my 8 PM resy on a Saturday night and the place wasn't even 1/4 of the way full. There was one server taking care of all the tables, rightfully so. It took forever for the server to remember I was sitting there and to come take my order, so that was a rough start to the meal. I ordered 3 items and it was time for the meal to get started. First came out the raw prawn starter, which was just okay. Nothing really stood out about it, which kind of made it a chore to eat given that this dish was such a rich texture and mouthfeel to it with no contrasting textures to balance out the slimy richness. Next up was the scallops starter. Also was an extremely rich and creamy dish that would've benefitted from a crispy/crunchy texture contrasting ingredient being added. Got through these two starters and my stomach was already feeling very heavy from the richness. I was kind of regretting getting the entree that I chose after those two starters as my stomach couldn't really handle any more richness. But I chose the richest dish of them all, the duck breast entree. The sear and cook on the duck was great, they nailed it there. It came with a semi hard cheese, preserved strawberries, marinated peppercorns, and a rich sauce. It was pretty tasty and I liked the flavor contrasts of the fruit with the cheese and rich duck flavor. However, again, this one needed something crunchy mixed in there to offset a yet-again overly rich dish. The duck entree was pretty good, but I really regretted ordering it after those first two dishes. Overall, from the vibe of feeling like you're sitting in an illegal dining operation inside of someone's home art studio, to the subpar service even on a slow evening, to the lack of contrasting flavors, textures, and tastes of the dishes, this is definitely not a place I will be returning to. read more
1 year ago
Vibes: no frills, hipster; like dining in an unfinished art studio; bring a friend or a few Tasting notes: - Octopus: perfectly tender with crispy exterior; onion dip was creamy and light in flavor - Ramps: a different spoonful of fun textures each time among the diced melon, wilted sautéed ramps, and milky cheese - Duck for two: beautifully medium rare; excellent ratio of crispy skin to tender meat with just a touch of fat for butteriness; strawberry sauce mixed with deeply umami jus was heavenly; Stilton was surprisingly not overwhelming while standing on its own - Panna cotta: perfectly fried tater tots made for nostalgic though much upgraded dipping of "fries in school lunch chocolate pudding"; toasty, nutty, rich; candied kumquats added a sweet, refreshing bite Other thoughts: - Relatively quiet on a Saturday night - Staff was attentive and friendly - Appreciated the fresh plates and silverware between appetizers and main course Impression: come for the innovative and edgy dishes! read more
2 years ago
Sadly I think I got my hopes up too high for this meal. While the food was not bad by any means my expectations were extremely high for a one of a kind flavor with every dish. The experience is rather pricy and I was a little underwhelmed. We got - octopus - hot rigatoni with herbs, shrimp toast, sorbet The rigatoni was very spicy but probably one of my favorite dishes. I loved the fresh herbs and flavors. The shrimp toast was funky but nice to dip in the sauce. And the sorbet was necessary to cleanse the palate after. - lemon poppyseed cod, turnip, pepperoni - duck for two, huckleberry walnut pesto, murray's stilton I really liked the huckleberry walnut pesto on this dish. Duck is not my favorite meat but my husband is a fan so we orders this one. It was a very nice flavor profile. - sweet cream soft serve, banana, st. malachi reserve, kaluga This had a lot of flavors and textures going on. I had seen it in social media so I wanted to order it. Glad I tried it but I would not get it again. Our server was very nice but she failed to explain the menu to us. Which I was disappointed in when I overheard another server explained the dishes in much more detail to his table. Glad I went but I don't think I will be going back. read more
8 months ago
A truly memorable dining experience. The burger is, without a doubt, the absolute BEST I've ever tasted, complemented by top-tier service that is both professional and incredibly attentive. To top it all off, the chocolate cake is simply INCREDIBLE, unlike anything I've had before. It melts in your mouth. I highly recommend this spot to any food enthusiast, it is an absolute must-visit in Philadelphia. Also, the chef runs EVERYTHING on her own in the kitchen... we still can't figure out how she does it!! Thank you for the incredible experience! read more
1 year ago
Blown away by Roxanne. I was in charge of organizing a small group dinner in Philadelphia with a set budget per person, and I reached out to Alex at Roxanne to see if it would be possible to create a set menu within our budget. She was gracious enough to craft a personalized menu and even accommodate dietary restrictions! While the service and care was impeccable, the food was insane in a good way, with flavors and combinations I had never had before. The Green Asparagus, Dates, and Mint salad was fresh, texturally nuanced, bright, and absolutely delectable. The Lemon Poppyseed Gnudi dish was divine, with the sauce accented with dill oil bringing a sharp flavor to cut through the creamy cheesy sauce. Unsurprisingly, the Potato with Potato was so comforting, satisfying, and warming - the kind of dish you keep going back for with your spoon. But the icing on top, and maybe the best thing we had, was the Buddha's Hand Gelati with caramel shell, white chocolate pearls, and lemony sorbet. I still think about that dessert! Would definitely recommend Roxanne for a one-of-a-kind, delicious experience that will surprise and challenge your taste buds in the best way. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
This place is funky - there's nothing really like it. The ambiance is confusing but hip - reminds me of Brooklyn experimental restaurants in a good way. Wines are local and also reflect the ambiance, providing thought. This is an intimate experience - the chef and owner was the only one in the kitchen that night and there were two very warm and involved servers. The dishes were either spectacular and special and I'll remember them forever OR too salty and just okay. I would definitely recommend going but to focus on share plates, appetizers, pastas and SPECIFICALLY dessert. Standouts were the cheesesteak tartare - wow. I could eat this weekly and it's very unique; hot rigatoni - maybe one of my favorite pastas and I loved dipping the shrimp croissant in the sauce; garlic scapes - subtle and gelatin-like; tuna fish - my dining table's favorite; the desserts. Wow. Best desserts I've had in the city for flavor, uniqueness, and presentation. I cannot wait to return for their dessert tastings after 7 pm read more
Eating at Roxanne was the most fun I've had out to dinner, ever. Not only is the menu seriously delicious and creative, it's also very clearly a labor of love for the chef Alex. The effort and love is so obvious in the product she creates. I can't remember being more impressed. The menu changes weekly, so I can only speak to my experience, but highlights included scallop, pea purée, and blueberry first course and a (I think?) play on peanut butter and jelly with duck, berry jam, and lobster purée. Alex REALLY knows sauces. Two dessert courses (a staple at Roxanne) including ice cream topped with Parmesan cheese. Not only was everything perfectly cooked, it was all so damn interesting. The cost was $85 per person. Alex came out and walked everyone through the menu first before going back and making everything while someone else served. It was about a two hour experience all in all. The atmosphere was social, friendly, and loud. Music was jamming the whole time, and songs would be abruptly skipped if they weren't to someone's (Alex's, I assume) taste, just like any of us would do in our own kitchen. I can't overstate how much fun and how interesting it was. Air conditioner was blasting all night, so bring a jacket if you are easily chilled. Alex has said on Instagram that this project isn't going to last forever (I think she said within the year a few months ago). I can't express how important it is to get there before this amazing experience ends. It should be top priority for anyone curious. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
A delicious, weird, and unique trip down chef Alex Holt's culinary rabbit hole...into a wonderland of fascinating taste and texture combinations. The food: We were delighted, surprised, intellectually and tastebud-ly engaged, and laughed out loud a few times. Our favorites: My partner and I both agreed the banana split was the "wow, home run" last course of the meal. Imagine this: frothy whipped cream with little pops of sourness hidden within (which turned out to be finger limes), over the deep salty taste of yeast ice cream, on top of smooth nutty sunflower fudge and then bits of toasted bread reminiscent of french fries. This is incredible, not only because I want seven more of these sundaes, but also because my partner doesn't much like sweets. I definitely considered asking the person next to us (who was too full to finish her sundae) if I could eat hers. My favorite (after the "seven more please banana split") was the king trumpet mushroom course. A deeply buttery trumpet mushroom glowing with chestnut butter against the savory richness of la tur cheese and a sweet-sour quince paste. It tasted like a mushroom danish, in the best possible way, but with such different textures. My partner's favorite: octopus grilled to perfection with a potato foam, trout roe, and a vinegary boquerones dressing. Worth mentioning for the fun (I think at this point we've almost covered the whole menu): the persimmon salad -- this dish made me laugh when it came to the table and tasted like elementary school. It was so much fun to taste the ways the dish transformed as you tried different components together. spider crab -- chunks of fresh crab covered in a newburg sauce with bites of buttered toasted bread. tasted like a deconstructed lobster roll The vibe: Chef Alex (and her front of house/busser/server/does a little of everything person, Lauren) have put together a restaurant that feels relaxed, eclectic, creatively charged, and fun. Roxane's lavender neon sign shines into a cozy restaurant with moody pink walls lit by tealights in pink himalayan salt containers. Quirky pictures on the wall (one of them, the giving tree) are placed at different levels throughout a gallery wall. There's a wall of tiny plushies outside the bathroom. The music playing is up for grabs -- anyone can go up to Alexa and shout out a request. As Lauren said during our meal, "we're not serious about anything other than the food." Pro-tip: Portions are large (heyyy Philly). If you can't finish something, especially early on, ask for a box. Trust me, you want to have room for dessert. Pro-tip in the other direction: If you are an especially hungry person, make a reservation for 1. A bunch of the dishes are sharing dishes, and if you eat alone, you lucky hungry person, you get twice the food, you get me? Final thoughts: This was so much fun. I kept saying to my partner that I can feel meh about eating out sometimes (especially about brunch, I don't need someone to scramble eggs for me for 5x the money, thanks) but I felt like this was such great value (8 course + a take home for $75 each) for the experience. It's fascinating to see what a tasting menu looks like when seen from the perspective of a pastry chef. I learned a lot, I feel creatively inspired, and I had a great time. I'll be thinking of this meal (and its intriguing choices) for a long time. Go, go quickly, and go often (their menu changes every week!). Especially if you are finding yourself jaded about food or if novelty is your stuff of dreams. We came back musing about the ways we could stretch our own imaginations when cooking and tasting, and excited to experience what happens next time. read more
4 years ago
Easily this city's most inspired food maker. Y'all are in for a treat tasting Alexandra's dishes. We've been two or three times now, visiting again tomorrow. I need to write a proper review - but then again things are still changing and adjusting. I will revisit writing a formal review with details until it feels like there are some restaurant basics in place. Right now, everything Alexandra touches is gold - it will be tough to pare the plates down to something consistent when so many are outstanding. Perhaps it will never happen - and if so, then this review is a perfect match. Nebulous, beautiful - a blob restaurant for people willing to push comfort zones and play with their expectations. You're in for a treat no matter what. Good people are drawn here, it's clear. Already made a few friends from simply attending. Go. read more
3 years ago
One of the most unique meals I've ever had in Philadelphia. They're playing with really interesting flavors/textures and experimenting in very cool ways that wake you up with each new course. That steamed apple with the bay oil and sepculoos anglaise was unreal, would never have called that out in a million years. And the black truffle huckleberry lamb was the best lamb I've ever had. Hands down. 10/10 - so lucky to have experienced this. read more
4 years ago
We celebrated New Year's Eve devouring a procession of scrumptious and innovative small plates created by chef/owner Alexandra Holt. The restaurant offers a playful, relaxed vibe while providing creative pairings of sumptuous ingredients. The eight-plate menu (served to all) spanned from chocolate pasta, raw beef and monkfish to white strawberries and a mandarin dessert. The service was attentive and impressively fast, given that we received fresh cutlery and plates for each dish. It's BYOB with payment upon reservation. The price includes a set dinner fee and service fee. Reservations are made through an app. You can join a waitlist for cancellations. We wish them continued success! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
More info about Roxanne
Ask the Community - Roxanne
On their site they state that they are not BYOB - do they offer a corkage fee for guests who want to bring their own wines?
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8 months ago
