02/04/09

Great bar, terrible food

by Bellavisitor

I am seriously blown away by the number of people who have written here saying that the food at New Wave is good. I can conclude either that (1) they ate there at one of the rare times the food was good (I'm told the chef changes with the seasons) or (2) they don't eat out often or, if they do, they do so only at underwhelming locales (i.e., Applebees).

Now, I'm not a guy with fancy tastes, but I eat out at least once or twice a week and the food at this place is terrible. TERRIBLE. By way of example, the pizza. Who makes pizza unappetizing? A feat previously unachieved by mankind until served at New Wave. There are a few serviceable items, like the quesadilla and the burger, but those are impossible to screw up (though I felt the same way about pizza before, too). Don't kid yourselves folks, you've had a good night dining at New Wave if your food rises to the level of "forgettable."

THAT SAID--this is a FANTASTIC bar for drinking. I come to New Wave frequently to grab a drink or two. They have a great variety to satisfy even the stingiest of beer drinkers. The staff is very friendly and attentive and they make the place a very comfortable hang out. Also, they have a ton of seating at tables and the the horse-shoe bar. Good prices, good drink selection, good staff. Great bar for drinking.

All in all, if I just want a drink, I will go to New Wave. If I want to drink and possibly snack/eat dinner, I'm going to walk 5 more minutes to Royal Tavern where ALL the food is GREAT (including one of the city's best burgers).

• Pros: Good bar
• Cons: Terrible food

12/24/08

Best Neighborhood Bar in ALL of Philadelphia!!!

by JoeAnts

The dude/lady to review this place before has no idea what he/she is talking about!!!....there is no attitude about the New Wave. The bartenders are extremely friendly, and go out of their way to engage you in a stimulating conversation and do whatever they can to make you feel at home. The drink selection is extensive. The food is fantastic and very affordable. The neighborhood (Queen Village) is extremely charming. The waitresses/bartenders are very sweet and quite beautiful. This place has it all!!! If it's a quiet night out with a date, if its gameday, if its dinner with friend, drinks after work, or a social Friday/Saturday night out on the Town.....its the New Wave!!!! I shouldn't be saying this because it is my favorite absolute place, and if I give it good reviews I may have trouble finding a stool.

I venture out into the Philadelphia dining scene/night life very often....but more often than not, I find myself longing for this quaint, charming cafe. Kudo's to Aly and his staff!!!

• Pros: Food, service, sports games, atmosphere
• Cons: Parking

12/01/08

Lose the attitude...get a new chef

by steds48

If any restaurant benefits from "location, location, location", it has to be this one. The service and attitude is so BAD that it's clear they're not for want of customers simply because of where they're located.

For a spectacular food and wonderful service, try DIMITRI's across the street (though bring your own drinks because it's BYOB). I should know...I live on the same block as both and avoid New Wave at all costs.

Instead, the food at New Wave is TERRIBLE (unless you're totally drunk which it seems most of the patrons must be). Also, every single one of the waitresses acts as if we should be thankful that they're serving us.

I couldn't believe how ornery and nasty these people were. I asked for an extra bit of salad dressing and they acted as if I'd stolen their child (which, by the looks of them, would be the last thing in the world I'd want).

Please, if you don't like your job and want to push that on customers, find something other than waitering. And someone tell that bartender chick with the dreadlocks that her look went out in the early 90s.

Clearly, it starts from the top. The owner is quite old and oblivious to how his staff is treating customers.

• Pros: When you finally realize how bad this place is, you can go to Dimitri's across the street
• Cons: Horrible attitude from staff. Bad food. A largely unpleasant experience