Got seated quickly at the bar after walking in on a saturday morning - good coffee and yummy salad Standard brunch food read more

So I've been meaning to try this place for a long time. Well luckily we got our chance today. Met with a Swedish paper mill today and wanted to take them to a nice lunch spot. We chose this because the menu had a nice mix of southern and American favorites that they weren't accustomed to. You should've seen two northern boys trying to describe grits to a Swede. Our waitress was awesome. She was great at explaining things and talking about each dish. Of course there were questions. Some things probably got lost in translation but everyone was happy with their choices. I also feel like servers are always put in an awkward position when you ask them to help you choose. Food is like art. It's so subjective. So for starters we got the fried greet tomatoes and the Burrata. Burrata was not ideal for sharing with people you do not know. It was one large piece of toast. So she actually took it back and someone cut it into 4 sections for us. The fried green tomatoes were awesome. It had a nice tangy sauce with sweeter pickles that came along side. My colleague got the open faced chicken sandwich which was an enormous amount of food. It was two fat chicken pieces on two thick slices of toast. I got the salmon sticky rice bowl with a side of the charred broccoli. Both were so delicious. The salmon had some broccoli in it too. So I really over did it. The charred broccoli side had crusted Parmesan in it and a creamy sauce. Both dishes were just knock outs. Almost forgot I got the love latte too. That was really good. I got it with oat milk. So I highly recommend this place. Great for a business lunch too. Easy to hear one another. Music wasn't too loud. Oh they were very gracious with us. We were 15 minutes late because I wouldn't stop talking in the pre lunch meeting. Yeah I'm that guy. Figures I'd be on Yelp. read more

The Love - Salmon sticky rice bowl - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We tried to order a starter and were told "the kitchen likes it when you order apps and entrees together". Service, meh and the amount of food you get for the price is RIDICULOUS. Beef pot roast was $46 and it had a tiny amount of meat. Same with salmon. The mushroom ravioli was very good, I enjoyed it. The banana cheesecake was too heavy and intense, it felt forced; all the ingredients were too dominant on their own. This is the only time I've dined at a place where they've favored "what the kitchen likes" over what a customer pays for. The server wouldn't take one order without the other. read more

A cute spot with a nice array of savory and sweet options for brunch. Service was a little slow the day we went. Portion sizes were large. We had the lemon poppy seed pancakes with cherry sauce, and the omelette. Both were good though I found the pancakes a bit more memorable. We wandered by on a Sunday around lunchtime and they were able to accommodate us even without a reservation. read more

The Love - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Small and cute restaurant in the heart of Philly. The service stood out, as our waiter was attentive and very helpful. The food was also a standout. The shrimp and grits was my fave dish, and the caesar salad was huge. Wasn't incredibly pricey and, even though we didn't have a reservation during the lunch hour, we didn't wait long. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, and they use opentable for reservations. Truly enjoyed it here. read more

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American comfort food with some fanciness. Really nice interior and convenient location near rittenhouse square. The dessert was a bit too sweet and some of the dish and drinks too so if you have sweet tooth. This is the place, I recommend checking it out at least once if you're in Philly read more

The Love - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Great food, service, atmosphere. Definitely a place I would return to. Get the Salmon dish. Perfect place for a date, friends, business, or solo at the bar. Friendly staff. read more

The Love - Salmon, Veggies, Rice: Excellent! Get it. - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

OMG!! The Love restaurant absolutely lives up to its name! We noticed how lively and packed it was while walking by another night, so we made a reservation for the following evening. I highly recommend making a reservation because this place stays busy! It is a bit loud, so if you prefer a quieter dining experience, consider going earlier. We started with the Southern-style hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. Both were fresh and flavorful, although I wish the fried green tomatoes had been crispier. For my entrée, I had the shrimp and scallop spaghetti. It was rich, delicious, and very filling. I requested an extra sear on the scallops, and while my shrimp ended up slightly overcooked, the dish still was flavorful. Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and made our first visit a great experience. We enjoyed it so much that we came back a second night and grabbed seats at the bar. The bar area is surprisingly small and dimly lit, but the bartenders were fantastic. This time I ordered the rigatoni with short rib, along with the ginger-miso greens and cornbread. OMG--it was even better than my first meal! The only disappointment was dessert. I ordered the Whipped Banana Cheesecake, and while it looked incredible, it was overwhelmingly sweet. It tasted like straight sugar, and I couldn't finish it. I actually needed water just to balance out the sweetness. Despite how busy the restaurant was both nights, everything was clean, including the dining room and restrooms. The Love restaurant definitely won me over, and I highly recommend it! read more

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Got seated quickly at the bar after walking in on a saturday morning - good coffee and yummy salad Standard brunch food read more

tuna crudo was lowkey top 5 things placed in my mouth of all time. that's why there's no pic of it cause we ate it too fast read more

The Love - carrot risotto - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I remember when this space was Serafina, which felt familiar from my years in New York, where I used to go fairly often, sometimes after visits to the Met. Serafina was good. The Love is better. The space is beautiful, the service is consistently warm, and Stephen Starr's fingerprints are all over it. I love the painted white brick, the floral artwork along the walls, the street-level energy, and the outdoor seating. I also remember taking the elevator upstairs once. I can't remember whether we actually stayed and ate up there or asked to move back downstairs, but the space was charming and extremely private. It would be a great setting for a group dinner or event. Personally, I prefer downstairs. It's darker, livelier, and I like being at street level. The menu historically leaned more heavily into elevated Southern comfort food, which has never been my favorite style of cooking. That's probably why I've tended to prefer The Love for lunch over dinner, especially when Philadelphia has so many Starr restaurants competing for the same night out. I used to get what I remember as a salmon and farro bowl, although the menu appears to have evolved since then. Whatever the exact iteration was, I loved it. Fish and farro are both right in my wheelhouse. I've also enjoyed the kale salad and other lighter dishes. The thing I remember most vividly, though, is the cornbread. It is outrageously good and reason enough to order something for the table. I also give Starr credit for continuing to broaden the range of food styles in his portfolio. Once you've built restaurants across Italian, French, Mexican, English, steakhouses, seafood, and the rest, there are only so many obvious boxes left to check. The Love feels like its own lane: distinctly American, approachable, comfort-driven, and still polished enough to feel like a Starr restaurant. Looking at the menu now, it seems broader than I remember, with more options that appeal to me, and I'd be psyched to go back. The Love probably isn't the first Starr restaurant I'd choose purely based on cuisine, but that says more about the depth of his Philadelphia portfolio than it does about this restaurant. The room, hospitality, location, and execution are all excellent. I'd happily come here any day. Starr doesn't miss. read more

We were on the search for good lunch spot before heading to the airport. Stumbled across The Love, and immediately fell in "Love" with the space. We ordered the fried green tomatoes (super good crunch), short rib burger, and burrata toast. Everything was delicious! Would go back again and again. read more

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Had a lovely last minute brunch here on Saturday before we spent a day in the city before our flight home. We found a last minute reservation and walked quickly there. It's situated right near rittenhouse square so it's a bustling and great area. The spring festival was happening is it was PACKED! We were seated by a window and immediately given water. We ordered some lattes that took quite a while to arrive - we learned they have one coffee machine so things were backed up! Our serve apologized profusely and they gave us a sweet treat on the house at the end of our meal. I ordered the frittata which was delicious and my husband to the omelette . We also got the drop biscuits with strawberry rhubarb jam and omg am good! Our brunch was great and the interior was modern but felt homey and we had the best service and the manager also came to see things were going. I would definitely recommend this place and hope to come back next time I'm in town! read more

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The Yelp rating hold up! The his place was great! Out of towner here visiting for the weekend. Turned to Yelp to find a good place and this didn't disappoint. The restaurant has 2 levels and there is an elevator to the second floor. We were seated at a window which was quite nice. We were able to watch the city streets and architecture while enjoying our meal. The service was top notch, they were incredibly fast and attentive. All of the food was fantastic. If I lived around the area this would be a staple for a nice night out! read more

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The food was absolutely incredible and the service was so attentive so perfect. I'm looking forward to going back to Philly so I can go back to this restaurant. I had the salmon with the bok choy. It was out of this world. I could not stop eating it. We shared the cookie with salted caramel dessert and had the fried green tomatoes. I wish I had pictures of everything. read more

The Love - Salmon - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here to celebrate my mom's birthday and had a really good experience. The food was good, customer service was great, and the ambiance made it perfect for a celebration. It's definitely not your traditional food, more of an elevated, modern take with a bit of a gentrified twist, but still enjoyable. Overall, good food, great service, and a nice vibe. We'd definitely come back! read more

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Great experience! We came in for brunch on a busy Saturday afternoon and were quickly seated. I must also say that this was after some back-and-forth with the restaurant where they were extremely accommodating surrounding our reservation. We had the fried green tomatoes to start, which were great and then had the shrimp and grits and frittata as our main entrées. Honestly, everything was wonderful and I have zero complaints about anything that we had. Additionally, we had the heartbreaker drink, which was phenomenal. Being that it was an incredibly busy Saturday afternoon they ran this place very well. We weren't left waiting though every table was full and our server was friendly. Overall, I would definitely recommend the love to anyone in the area looking for a great meal. read more

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We made reservations to celebrate our anniversary. I had no idea that right before we left the house we'd also be there that night to celebrate our engagement! Was ready to park in a garage I'm familiar with but there was street parking so we got lucky with that! The minute we walked in the restaurant (first time there for both of us) we loved the vibe! It was dark but not too dark, great music playing, friendly staff and wonderful drinks! We started with the beet salad and the hush puppies. I had the shrimp and scallop Spaghetti (but I asked if the spaghetti could be swapped out for smaller pasta, which they did) and Mark had the crispy Bronzino. I cannot wait to go back! Oh and the drinks were great too but I cannot remember what we enjoyed. read more

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While it's 'only' been open 9 years now, Stephen Starr's, The Love, is a 'landmark' restaurant just off Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. Its ambiance, service and most of all its food, make it a very special place. I was dining alone this evening, so I could 'only' order 2 mains - which, of course, I could not finish and had to take home. The first and foremost, Lovebird. It's easy to fall in love with this bird - it's unquestionably one of the best fried chickens in the city. It comes with two large pieces - a very large breast, and a large thigh. I started with the breast - lean, tender, juicy white meat that's so flavorful with a thin buttermilk fried coating. I was thinking, you don't find really juicy breasts....but The Love brines its chicken which significantly helps chicken retains its juiciness. Before I continue, with my chicken dish, I have to stop to let you know my second dish was the Ricotta Ravioli. I asked for both dishes at the same time as I like pasta with my 'meat' - in this case chicken. I went back and forth between the two dishes as they complimented each other so well. To complete the 'chicken part' - the chicken comes with a delicious dish of buttery corn grits. The grits were outstanding! Lightly salted and very creamy, I enjoyed it with a bite of the chicken. I would like to mention the chicken comes with a sauce which I found to be too spicy. No worries! I asked for honey - which is what I typically eat with my fried chicken. They brought a dish and I dipped every piece in! Okay, last, but not least, the chicken also comes with collard greens, which isn't a favorite of mine but tasted fine. Now for the Ricotta Raviolis - the dish was exceptional. The pasta was tender and full of the softest, creamiest ricotta! It was smothered in a one of the most exotic sauces which completely balances out the creamy cheese! It's a combination of several mushrooms that have been sautéed in this maple bourbon reduction, served with Parmesan cheese and sautéed spinach. It was a memorable dish that I will return to have. I rarely rate 5 stars - but these 2 dishes could have easily stood on their own, as each were great plates. But together, they were epic! read more

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I loved this place! What a wonderful ambiance and fantastic food. I highly recommend the lemon pancakes! The lattes were really delicious. The server was attentive, and made some great suggestions on what to eat when I asked them. I will be back for brunch again! Don't miss out on the desserts, either! read more

I had a lovely dinner at The Love on a Thursday evening! The cocktails were just ok. But the branzino and cucumber salad were very good. The service here is outstanding. We had a beautiful evening and were seated immediately. I'll def be back for an intimate dining experience. read more

The Love - Menu - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Love is a great place in center city with a very friendly staff. The ambiance lives up to the name and it feels like a welcoming brunch place. I ordered the shrimp and grits as well as the lemon ricotta pancakes. Both were stellar and elegantly prepared. I'd go back just for the pancakes read more

The Love - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Upscale dining in a lively small dining room atmosphere. Food: 4. Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: maybe Midlights: - Pretty small round table for 5 of us--we ran out of real estate for our dishes - Had to wait a bit after our reservation but only 19 minutes and they were really nice about it and gave us some skillet rolls to start - Fried chicken: one of the best I've had though my southern hub has different standards. Thomas Keller Napa Addendum style with a light crispy breading and rosemary. 4.75 stars - Cornbread: super soft and buttery big round flat version looked like popped out of a skillet. 4.75 stars - Strawberry burrata toast: nice combo with pistachios scattered by and arugula salad on the side. 4.5 stars - Short rib rigatoni: al dente noodles with tender short rib pieces, but my hub loved the crispy onion strings on top. 4.25 stars - Pork chop: my teen gobbled it down. 4.5 stars - Carrot risotto: good flavor with outstanding fresh peas (pods and stems) though risotto on the runnier side. 4 stars - Layered banana dessert my hub enjoyed. 4 stars - Atmosphere: lovely with colorful art on the wall. Midlights: - Potatoes: expected fries but were wedges. Pure though couidve been crispier on the edges. 3.75 stars - Key lime soufflé cake with marshmallow ice cream. Interesting. 3.5 stars - Hush puppies: decent version with a sliced exterior. 3.5 stars - Shrimp and scallop pasta: seafood was cooked fine but spaghetti with artichokes on the side was bit plain. 3.5 stars Lowlights: - Everything was fine but not many stand out memorable dishes read more

Love The Love Came here to gab over brunch with a girlfriend on Saturday. We made a reservation the day before and glad we did because it was poppin. We had a nice corner booth inside and felt like we had our own space. GET THE BISCUITS they were worth it. The jam was yummy (just wish it came with butter too!) Drinks were great and portions generous. No complaints. Would gladly come again when I'm in town. read more

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I was in town and decided to dine here. As we approached, there were outdoor side walk seating under heated lamps for the cool October night weather. We were greeted at the door and directed to the hostess. The hostess took our number and asked kindly that we give her a few minutes to get us seated. Entering the restaurant there is very mellow vibe with dimmed lighting. The bar area was rather small and under very low light. Lighting was so low that a photo was not easily taken without bright flash that would take away from the vibe that was already set. On this Friday night it was packed but comfortably not over crowded. However, seating is fairly close to the next table. Within a couple minutes we were seated with our waitress promptly greeting us at the table. We had a choice of tap or bottled water. We held off ordering spirit drinks to allow time to look over the menu. We first ordered rolls that came with chive butter. Then our meals short rib rigatoni and seared salmon crunch topped with a verdi salso accompanied with squash and broccoli veggie mix. We added the cucumber and tomato salad as well. Once our meals were in we then ordered our spirit drinks. A Broken Arrow (Margarita) and Sangria. Both drinks were great. The rolls came out and were exceptionally tasty. The chive butter was the perfect match. The meals came in a timely manner and were pleased and satisfied with every bite we took of our meals to include the cucumber salad. The waitress and othet staff were very attentive and quick to clean our table of used china and utensils as well as refilling our water as needed. This by far was a great choice of dining and if in the area I will visit again. read more

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Walked in on a Saturday morning and got seated at the bar right away. The coffee was great, and the salad was delicious!

After doing a good amount of research to find the perfect spot to celebrate my anniversary with my girlfriend, I decided to surprise her with a dinner at The Love, and the restaurant did not disappoint in the slightest. They went above and beyond to make our evening nothing short of magical. The food, the service, and the atmosphere were all exceptional. I reached out to the restaurant ahead of time to see if we could be seated upstairs since it's quieter and more intimate, and they not only honored the request, but gave us one of the best tables in the entire restaurant, right by the window. Overall Ratings Atmosphere - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Food - 5/5 Parking - Street Parking Atmosphere - This restaurant is easily one of my favorites in Center City Philadelphia. Everything, from the decor, to the carefully curated details, to the cozy feeling you get riding the elevator up to the second floor, creates an atmosphere that feels warm, romantic, and thoughtfully designed. It truly sets the tone for a special night out. Service - The service was nothing short of phenomenal. As mentioned, I messaged ahead of time requesting a quiet table upstairs, and they responded kindly, assuring me they would do their best. When my girlfriend called to let them know we'd be a few minutes late, the hostesses were incredibly polite and understanding. The moment we arrived, the hostess greeted us with, "You have one of the best tables upstairs," and both of us looked at each other in surprise, it was the perfect start to the evening. Our waitress, Danielle, was attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. One of the managers even came by to check on us, adding another layer of hospitality. The food runners were professional and well-mannered. Every single person working that night contributed to making the experience feel elevated and memorable. What We Ordered - There's really no need to rate each item individually, everything was outstanding. The flavors, presentation, and execution of each dish were extraordinary. I had one minor issue with my drinking glass being chipped, but it was handled immediately and professionally. -(Drink) Old Fashion -(Drink) Half Baked -Line-Caught Tuna Crudo -Crispy Branzino -Blackened Pork Chop -Ginger-Miso Slow Cooked Collard Greens Final Thoughts - My girlfriend and I loved this place so much that we're already talking about making it our annual anniversary tradition. We were blown away from the moment we walked in to the moment we stepped out. The staff is incredibly professional, the food is phenomenal, and the entire experience felt truly special. The Love lived up to its name... and then some. read more

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Really like the vibe inside. Outdoor patio seating is right on the street and in the sun which we opted out of. This is a comfort food menu, heavy and rich tastes with loads of calories! Enjoyable but not an every day meal for me. Half of the plates still had food as we had our fill. read more

The Love exceeded my expectations! We had a 2pm reservation which is right before they close before dinner service. Service was still fantastic, we didn't feel rushed at all, and the food came out super quickly. Mentioning that we'd be sharing the tuna crudo, they split it up on two plates for us which was super thoughtful. The crudo was definitely the highlight of the meal, the kimchi sauce works so well with the fish. Butternut squash risotto was also delicious with the truffle parm on top! Will definitely be returning, it's a great spot to have brunch with the girls. read more

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Another stellar meal at The Love! I went for a late-ish lunch. The wait for a table was brief (under 5 minutes). I had the homemade ricotta ravioli and all I can say is run, do not walk or meander to grab this phenomenal dish while it's on the menu. The pillowy raviolis were filled to perfection and the ricotta was a perfect texture and delicately seasoned. The real co-stars are the mushroom sauce, maple gastrique and breadcrumbs. Each alone is fantastic, together they are a symphony of earthiness, sweetness and crunch. Add the pasta with a perfect bite and the creaminess of the filling, and holy cow! I'm not a pasta fan, but I could eat this dish on the regular. Enjoy! read more

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Went here for dinner on Thursday and it is by far one of the best restaurants in the city! Had the hush puppies to start and the pepper dusting on top mixed with the salty butter is to die for. The shrimp was some of the best I've had - and we ended the night with the Key lime soufflé! read more

The Love - Hush puppies - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Came on a weekend brunch with a reservation. Service was friendly and it does fill up so reservations are recommended. It is laid back and casual atmosphere. 1. Mushroom soup - Creamy but not overly thick. Loads of flavor and a sizable portion with croutons. 2. Beet salad - Creative and a good mix with fruit and nuts. Very good and would get it again. Overall, a great spot for a light or not so light brunch and would love to come back again! read more

The Love - Mushroom soup and beet salad - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The menu was extensive and the meal was so delicious. The wait staff was accommadating and helpful with helping us with the menu selection.

Truly lovely restaurant inside and out. We were seated on the second floor, and they had an elevator to accommodate getting us upstairs with a stroller. They were also very accommodating to my 2-yo, having a high chair as well as kids bendable straw cups available with a lid. This honestly surprised me given the high-end atmosphere, super nice. We started with the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese; this dish was filling and delicious. The perfect breading for the tomatoes, crisp and a little salted. For entrees, two of us had the fried chicken, both plates were too much to finish! I personally had the shrimp and scallop pasta with the lemon crème sauce. This dish was a dream; light, filling, an abundance of seafood. Perfect. As a side dish for my toddler, we added the charred broccoli. This was the only disappointment to the entire meal. The broccoli was very firm, almost still completely hard, and had a vinegary finish to it. My son wouldn't eat it so I tried it, and I didn't want it either. Overall, phenomenal place and excellent service. Classy and romantic. read more

The Love - Fried green tomatoes - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Really liked our visit to The Love. We went during Open Streets: west walnut which features selected streets closed to vehicular traffic, so folks were out enjoying several blocks of leisurely strolling, dining and a treat of the Temple University band showing off their musical talents. The interior is large with plenty of seating and lots of windows for street views. Service was good-our reservation time change was accommodated without issue, and we were seated right away once my guest arrived. We enjoyed our brunch of beet salad (fresh, tangy), shrimp & grits (creamy and super cheesy with a little spicy kick) and the "posh brunch". Didn't indulge in any cocktails, but the lattes were very good. I'd like to revisit to try some of their other dishes. The fried green tomato and fried chicken dishes passing by on their way to other tables looked delicious read more

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I have been there a few times over the years for everything from brunch to corporate dinners. The food quality has been consistently good. Their fried chicken always stands out. The cocktails are superb and the service is consistently good. The last time I was there, we had the private room upstairs which was a great vibe. I didn't even know that they had this space. read more

Cute place with awesome service and pretty good food. Some items are really delicious while others are just good. The really delicious items we had included the beet salad (the herbed yogurt on the bottom was sooo good), the burger (so juicy, perfect bun, my husband was in heaven), and the fig and the lemon cocktail, which was tart and refreshing and everything you want in a cocktail. As for the rest, the sangria tasted watered down. The cornbread was crisp and salty with delicious butter. The Nashville Hot Chicken had a wonderful sauce but was a bit dry. Overall, very nice experience for lunch! Would recommend either getting there early or making a reservation because it does get very busy! read more

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Stopped in to grab a pre dinner drink. Was able to sit right away at the bar, which was dimly lit with a beautiful lighted up alcohol wall. The bartender was nice, answered our questions and served us right away. While the bartenders started off good, it was tough to get their attention to cash out at the end. read more

The Love - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Summer drinks ...... quite refreshing in this 90* weather ...oh yeh the cake was good too read more

The Love - Summer drinks....refreshing strawberry lemonade can't be beat in 90 degree weather ...oh and cake too... - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The outdoor seating was marvelous. Sunshine, people watching, good food, it's all you'd ever want on a Saturday morning. But yes chances are you'll have to wait for a table which is absolutely worth the wait. I got shrimp and grits and they were DELICIOUS. The sauce was flavorful and plentiful for the serving of the grits. The greens were a nice touch too. And they didn't skim on the shrimp. I also love that they have pancakes as a side - it's served as just a single one. I always want pancakes but don't want to have it as my main so this is a perfect solution. The pancake was nice and fluffy! I just wish they didn't serve it at the same time as the grits. By the time I was ready to eat it, it was already cold. All in all the food here is really good but pretty pricey though. I spent around $50 for a solo brunch. It was close to my hotel so I went for it. I truly had another place as my top choice but this was convenient. I am not mad I ended up here. read more

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