Pumpkin
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 545-4448
02/12/2008 Posted by IROeater
Pumpkin is always great. The food is always well done, with great care. Full of flavor, fantastic presentation, and interesting combinations. I recommend this place highly. As a regular, I am always given a amuse course, and the chefs are always willing to talk shop, whether it be food, ingredients, or wine. Now, since it seems many people lack BYOB etiquette, let me inform the masses. First, for the prices you pay and the quality you get, you cannot beat this restaurant, along with a few other notable byobs (melograno, mercato, etc). As someone who works at a fine dining establishment in philly, a filling, delicious meal for 2 under $100 is great. But, with that price you lose some of the luxury's of fine dining. If you want somewhere with a "never say no, customer is always right" mentality, go to The Fountain or Le Bec Fin. And, expect to pay upwards of 200 per PERSON! I routinely wait on tables of 2 that spend upwards of $500. Otherwise, you have to deal with certain unavoidable compromises. For one, staff and service. They won't be stellar, but good enough, just because the great ones go to where they make more money. Two, if you sit for a long time, don't be surprised if you're asked to leave. As a BYOB makes no money off alcohol (with its huge profit margin), a customer who is sitting, just drinking wine they bought elsewhere is losing that restaurant lots of money. Please be courteous to the staff, and waiting customers, and leave in a reasonable amount of time. Lastly, trust a restaurant if they say they can't seat you, because they cannot seat you. No one will turn you away if you can be sat. But since most byobs are so small, if a they are booked for an evening, they cannot shuffle things around. If tables are open, but you cannot be seated, it means reservations for them are coming in shortly and must be honored. Next time, make a reservation.
Pros: Unbelievable food, approachable chefs
Cons: can be tight and loud if full. Small kitchen can mean long waits when busy
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