Happy Rooster

Recommends

ellard

Joined 3 years ago

Really good meal, reasonable price. So, The Happy Rooster is a little small, and I honestly had passed it on the street a million times without noticing it. But my husband heard some good things about it, so we stopped in recently to try it out. I must say, I thought the food was fantastic. I had the oxtail gnocchi, which was truly delicious. I don't know that I have ever had gnocchi that light and fluffy before. My husband had the skate wing, which we loved. And the prices were completely reasonable; both dishes were less than $20. We are definitely going to go back to try it again. The stuffed chicken breast sounded wonderful!

Doesn't Recommend

joan_dimaria

Joined 6 years ago

Fail to see the attraction. Where is it written that just because you're a Center City restaurant that you can gouge your patrons? Last Thursday, my daughter and I dined at the Happy Rooster. The staff was very attentive when we said that we had theater tickets; they moved our meal along nicely without hurrying us. The asparagus appetizer was delicious, but $9 for 9 stalks of asparagus is a bit over the top. My porcini crusted salmon was very good, as were the accompaniments. However, my daughter ordered the chicken - a meal that would have been at home in a diner. It consisted of a chicken leg - yes a leg - with mashed potatoes, baby carrots and green beans. This being said, it was not surprising that when we left at 7:00 PM, there were about 9 people in the restaurant.

Doesn't Recommend

finkeane

Joined 6 years ago

expensive drinks, pedestrian food. The place is nice and cozy inside, but my God! The drinks are Stephen Starr like overpriced! I don't mind paying if I am in a nice place or recieve good service, but the bartender seemed more interested in doing anything other than getting me and my wife drinks (or getting another when we were done with the first.... And I tipped six dollars on the first round of two drinks!)

Anyway, ate in their "dining room" off to the side. Terrible room, and the food is a hair above a dive bar's. New chef? Couldn't tell.

Don't waste your time here.

Recommends

secret1

Joined 8 years ago

hyped. honestly, the place is expensive and the servers can be rude. It also has the "in the industry" air so writers are afraid to critize.

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millercupl

Joined 8 years ago

Delicious Dinner, Cocky Bar. Lovely little rooster bar. Specials written on a blackboard brought to the table, reasonable enough prices, fast, friendly service, nice drinks. Many down home type foods with a twist. Try the marinated skirt steak...WOW! Had a corner bar atmosphere...then again, it IS a corner bar. Really quaint feel.

Doesn't Recommend

begras

Joined 10 years ago

I don't get it. Duct tape on the booth seats? Dank? "Wacky" wall ornaments? I do not get this bar. Why do the meals cost so much? Ohhhhhhhhh! Lawyers hang there and like to pay too much for food so they can show off. Now I get it. Never mind.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Equal rights to expensive fare: Shattering the glass ceiling of Center City dining.. The Scene
For thirty-some years, this caviar and vodka bar was a gritty old boys' club for after-work cocktails. Official house rules: Jackets for men, no unaccompanied women at the bar. Unofficial rules: Bring a lady friend for a martini, and you're sure to get lucky. Today, chaps rule the roost no more. Owner Rose Parrotta (that's right, a woman) took over in the summer of 2000. She polished the rosewood bar's brass lanterns, dusted the cockadoodle knick-knacks and stained glass window, turned up the classic jazz and--ditched the sexist rules.

The Food
A blackboard is scrawled with the day's specials: continental fare and barside staples--including costly caviar plates-- tailor-made for expense accounts. A lunch of soup and a burger (or deluxe roast beef sandwich with steak fries, liqueur-infused French toast, creme-fraiche topped omelette) easily costs $20, without dessert. Other deliciously pricey dishes include: poached mozzarella in a sundried tomato broth, a generous, classic Caesar salad and simply dressed scallops and fresh fish.

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jacknyc03

Joined 10 years ago

Great Lunch. While visiting Philadelphia a couple of weekends ago, my girlfriend and I happened upon the Happy Rooster while walking the spring festival in Rittenhouse Square. So we stopped in for Lunch and sat at the bar. We had such a fun time, everything was excellent from the food to the music to the musculed bartendar, George. [I think he's the reason my girlfriend wanted to eat at the bar!] Seriously though, George was great. We had a wonderful time speaking with him and he was very attentive. At one point the bar was pretty much full and we never felt ignored. I'd highly recommend this place, its very cool, and the food while somewhat pricey, is well worth it. Looking forward to a return trip and checking it out for dinner.

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JCNMD

Joined 10 years ago

Happy Rooster Old and New. My wife and I have been coming to the Happy Rooster for almost 30 years. We liked the old one but love the new "Rooster". Rose has brought energy and fun while keeping that which made the Happy Rooster unique and eclectic. With all her enthusiasm and experience, Rose will add to the legend of the bistro at 16th and Sansom. The food was excellent, the setting intimate and the "scribbled" wine list just the right thing with the Beluga caviar.

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accordionboy

Joined 11 years ago

Something to crow about. Terrific food in a converted cozy corner bar in Center City. Try the mussels with red chili sauce.