London Grill

Recommends

leexjd

Joined 6 years ago

does not live up to the hype. I read about this in a city guide when visiting philadelphia, and it was recommended by the visitors center. I travel alone, so I went here for dinner by myself after seeing the art museum. The staff seemed confused that I was alone, and the hostess did not tell the waitress that it was just one. The waitress then asked if I wanted to order, or wait for my party. What party? The 'sample' appetizer they handed out for free was gross. The worst salsa ever. I did like the warm bread, pretty buttery, but good. My trout was ok, I think it was overpowered by the proscuitto. As usual (every restaurant does this) I got too much meat and not enough vegetables, but ok I can handle that. Good mashed potatoes, good vegetables. The waitress did not often ask how I was, and at a restaurant like this I would expect some recommendations (wine recommendations, what dessert would compliment my meal, anything!) On top of all that, I was seated right next to the kitchen, very noisy, and very dark while I was reading. Most nicer restaurants ask single patrons if they would like some light to read by. I was not impressed.

Doesn't Recommend

officer_jenny

Joined 11 years ago

insulting management and rude service. Management has an insulting attitude towards customers who have any complaints. They do not seem to accept possibility that service needs improvement. Wildly inconsistent service, depending on who you are and if you are a regular or not.

Doesn't Recommend

chellysue

Joined 8 years ago

Don't bother going here!!!. The service is AWFUL, consistently awful. The food is decent, but not worth the wait and aggravation you will experience. We've tried so many times to give them another chance and we've had it. We've been at different times of day, for different meals, for drinks only, with people, with just the two of us, and every time, THE SERVICE STINKS! I live in the neighborhood and I'm not going here anymore because there's much better places to spend $$$ and they treat their customers with respect.

Recommends

kralana

Joined 8 years ago

Great place but needs a new cook...... My boyfriend and I spent our two year anniversary dinner here last weekend. The atmosphere was great and our waitress was very nice. We were seated at a little nook downstairs of the restaurant which was nice and cozy. However, the food (which needed improvement), took way too long to be served. Appetizers were served at least 40 mins after we got seated. I had the Tasting Menu which had a Spinach Gnudi appetizer (a little on the bland side), the beet salad (that was great), a grilled salmon (too salty) and creme brulee (great!). My boyfriend had the chicken (too salty), and we had grilled octopus for appetizers. Overall it was pretty average and I probably wouldn't come back.

Recommends

atlantic17

Joined 6 years ago

Good neighborhood place. London Grill is one of the cornerstones of the Fairmount neighborhood. The food is good, the service is fine, the ambiance is casual and fun... but frankly the rating that this restaurant has on Citysearch is just too high. It's a great place to pop around the corner and grab something to eat on a weekday night, and it's a nice place to grab a drink and sit outside on the sidewalk during the summer. If you're already in Fairmount visiting friends or the Art Musuem or Eastern State Penitentiary, stop by! If you're not, there's really no need to need to make a trip.

Doesn't Recommend

janeweiss

Joined 6 years ago

Maybe dinner is better - Sunday brunch was awful!. What a disappointment! We went for Sunday brunch expecting the best, given the reviews. The atmosphere was nice, and parking on the street nearby was easy. Otherwise, I have nothing good to say. Our server was incompetent. I asked him 3 times for another napkin. Our food was cold when it arrived (bisque and fritatta). No bread was served with the soup. It was lukewarm after we sent it back. The salad was lettuce, unripe tomatoes and chopped up raw red onion. Totally unappealing. Dressing had way too much vinegar. I would definitely not go back.

Recommends

sally1971

Joined 7 years ago

Favorite spot to catch up with friends. I have been going here for years and this place never ceases to amaze. A group of my closest friends and I gather here every couple of months to catch up and have a great meal together. The menu changes often so we feel like we will never get tired of the food. Last time I had a fresh pasta dish that reminded me of my honeymoon in Italy. It was such a surprise! The service isn't always perfect but I have always felt that the servers were truly sincere and seem to like what they do. On that last trip the manager overheard that the girls were having a night out and sent over some champagne, she was so nice. And our server, I think her name was Karen?? was very attentive and thoughtful. I look forward to many more trips to this Philadelphia gem!

Doesn't Recommend

eaglescrazi

Joined 7 years ago

Awful service, food was good though a little overpriced.. This restaurant was probably one of the most insulting dining experiences I've had in this city. I do allow for slow or grumpy table service since I used to wait tables in college and I know how hard it can get however I feel I must comment on the behaviour of the general manager. I felt she was incredibly rude to her staff, and I couldn't help being offended by her very weak veneer of friendliness. She would immediately make faces at her customers when their backs were turned I've never experienced someone so rude in such a high position in the service industry. Hopefully things will change in the near future because I can't see the London Grill continuing to attract regular customers with such patronizing upper staff.

Recommends

mosey_9

Joined 7 years ago

A very special dining experience!!!. I was just in Philadelphia for the weekend and stopped into London for a bite after a day with Family at the Art Museum. We were seated almost immediately and greeted by staff willing to take our coats and get us started immediately (we were told we were a little early for dinner but that they would accomodate). The grilled Salmon was phenomenal, and we were very impressed with the lengthy appetizer selections. The atmostphere of the dining room was lovely, as we sat in a glass-windowed room that kept us warm and dry from the rain that soaked us on the way over. Our waitress was very helpful and explained most of the menu to us. We were very glad to see the traditional Philly cheesesteak on the menu along with calves' liver and the sirloin dinner entrees. I think this place has it all; we all had a very special dining experience!!!

Recommends

fatpants

Joined 7 years ago

Warm, homey place. I've been to the London Grill numerous times over the years and it rarely, if ever, fails to deliver. I would say that London Grill is the perfect spot for those dreary, rainy, dark weekend days when the only thing to do is relax at the bar and enjoy some steak frites and some fine beers. A nice bar with friendly servers can cure anyone's ill.

But it is a fine place to eat anytime; always on my short list of places to go when I want some great grub and some fine service. A true neighborhood bar with an above average menu and a great comfy feel.