(215) 751-0201
1709 Walnut St First Fl
Philadelphia,
PA
19103
39.95
-75.1692
Neighborhoods: Center City West, Center City
Hours:
Daily 5pm-2am
Parking:
Pay Garage; Metered
Alfa Restaurant & Bar
What People Are Saying About Alfa Restaurant & Bar
The Editor
Tara Nurin
Citysearch
In Short – Although it's every bit as urbane as any Rittenhouse establishment, Alfa wraps its guests in an ambiance that feels genuinely welcoming and plastic surgery-free. One gets the sense that patrons aren't drawn there to show off their new Coach, but rather to relax into some pleasant chit-chat or intellectual banter after a day at the firm. With a new chef as of summer 2008, Alfa successfully accomplishes the task of dividing its focus between its identities as both a bar and restaurant. Contemporary American dishes rotate seasonally and source locally, and a different liquor is…
01/23/09
LAME
by philly81
I don't know what kind of standards the other reviewers on this site have, but Alfa is pretty lame. Granted it isn't a stuffy, superficial Rittenhouse bar, the decor is tacky and their sound system is awful. It's basically just a space that a bunch of people in their late 20s-mid 30s go drink. Oh, and lots of cougars hang out there too. If you don't care about atmosphere, you have zero interest in hearing music at a bar, and like being picked up by old women with Jersey accents, then you will love Alfa.
- Pros: it serves alcohol, isn't a stuffy Rittenhouse bar
- Cons: cougars, bad sound system, cheesy gig posters on the walls, lame
09/22/08
great food, good service, intriguing atmosphere
by volanova
Went there on restaurant week 2008 with a group, mainly because it was the first place we called at the last minute that still had a reservation available (well over 24 hours prior to the reservation time...). So, it was a bit of a shot in the dark. Very low key entrance, easy to miss, but once you get inside the atmosphere is great. They make a relatively small interior space seem large by utilizing large open areas. We had the four course restaurant week dinner (I had the duck appetizer and a main course of the braised pork chop). It was absolutely amazing, especially for a grand total of $35 per person, plus drinks, which were the $5 happy hour cocktails, and were great in and of themselves. The pork chop I had was very easily the best I've ever had in my life, not overcooked, amazingly tender, with a glaze that was only very slightly sweet. It certainly seemed like a meal that would cost much more than $35. But, according to their regular menu, the same thing (or similar) would normally not be much more than that. The clientele seemed to be pretty wide ranging, but that of course is not necessarily a good normal cross section considering the fact that it was restaurant week.
- Pros: Great food, friendly staff, awesome bar menu
- Cons: Parking (but SEPTA's new late night train service on weekends helps alleviate this, only a short walk from Suburban Station)
08/09/08
Horrible Service!!!!!
by onestopman
I had high hopes, the ambience was very nice, and the menu looked great! But beyond that, my hopes were dashed. our appetizers didn't arrive for 30 MINUTES and they were cold. No one took our drink orders while we were sitting, so we trapsed back and forth to the bar ourselves for water and wine. When the entrees arrived, there were substitutions that we were not told about when ordering. No apology, just attitude from the waitstaff. The place turns into something of a dance club once it gets late, we had people bumping into our backs while we were trying to finish our cold apps and crappy entrees. I will not be returning, and advise others to spend their money on an establishment with a shred of management self-respect. My advice fire the GM, FOH manager and Shoot the Chef!!!
- Cons: bad food and service
The Details on Alfa Restaurant & Bar
What To Drink:
Festive happy hours (Mon-Fri, 5pm-7pm) are inspired by the decade that brought us alpha-chick Joan Collins and the late Zen master Mr. Miagi--now two of Alfa's signature drinks.
When To Go:
The kitchen cranks out a full menu until 1am.
The Extras:
Go upstairs for a post-meal fun at Alfa's Walnut Room--a long-time hipster watering hole with amazing cocktails, smart DJs, a cozy dance floor and the occasional record-release party.
Save Money:
Daily happy hours feature extensive cocktail menus with drinks named after funny icons from the 1970's and '80s.
What to Drink:
The mango martini -- one of the city's first -- is still the tastiest in town.
Where to Sit:
While the restaurant is one long room, patrons can sit in one of three areas: the bar, a table or on a sofa in back.
Know Before You Go:
Call ahead to reserve a plush couch in the lounge area for your party. Dining or just drinking? Both are acceptable.
Category:
Bar Scene, Bars & Clubs, Bars & Pubs
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Bar & Pub Special Features:
Restaurant Special Features:
Late Night Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Business Dining, Lunch Spot, Date Spot
Bar & Club Special Features:
Smoking Permitted:
No
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