01/27/08

Babka's cooking without the dupa whoopin'

by Phoodelphia

Eating here is like having your Polish grandma cook for you without having to deal with the post-meal guilt trips. The food won't wow you with anything new, because the Cafe sticks to time-proven recipes, as well as your ribs! The pierogies are a must have appetizer and you can't go wrong with any of the entrees, all of which are fresh, healthy and comforting.

The waiters are also wonderful. Since the place is small, it sometimes fills up quickly and one waiter must serve every one. I'm always amazed how they manage to do so with apparent ease. Honestly, the service makes some other places in this city look terrible. The ambience is perfect for a dinner with friends or a semi-romantic date. So, get off your dupa and go!

• Pros: Always good, healthy food, service, versatile ambience
• Cons: -

04/27/07

A Real City Restaurant

by debhurwitz

This place hasn't changed in three decades, which is exactly why it's awesome. Why change something that ain't broke? The atmosphere is warm, genuine and non-pretentious. Light jazz in the background, soft lighting, great service. The perogis are off the hinges. It seems absurd that on the weekend dozens of people are waiting outside on the street for tables at La Viola and Monks -- which are great, of course, but still -- when there's an adorable little spot with a great menu and a solid booze selection just down the block. Besides, at least on the night we went, the waiter and waitress seemed totally into each other, which was just adorable.

• Pros: perogis, ambience
• Cons: nada

02/02/07

Good food, a Philly treasure

by finkeane

The other reviews are all off the mark.....You want refined service? Go to LaCroix. You want perfection in your cuisine? Go to Vetri. You want a trendy-all show- atmoshere? Go to a Stephen Starr place.

At the Warsaw, the food is good. Not great but good. Always the same, but always good. It's where you go to eat where you can't think of where you really would like to eat. It's not a destination, it's a place for some good, comfort cooking.

I go about 7-8 times a year, and that will never cahnge, as long as they don't.

• Pros: Nice place, good food
• Cons: the chairs

06/04/06

Mediocre

by cath1025

It was OK, but but not great. For appetizers my fiance got the borscht which he said was good - I don't care for beets so I really can't comment. I got the russian crepes which were absolutely delicious!!! The highlight of the meal. That was the one item I'd certainly go back for. For entree he got the stroganoff which was a bit overcooked, I got the veal wienerschnitzel - breading was a bit heavy and it was somewhat greasy. Service was good - attentive, knowledgeable and pleasant. Atmosphere was also quite pleasant.

03/12/06

Disappointing

by citybeagle

My friends and I recently threw a birthday dinner here for my boyfriend. The ambience was nice enough since more than half the restaurant was empty, which meant we stayed for as long as we wanted. No one thought their dinner was delicious and the portions were small, but some of us enjoyed the borscht. The dinner cost us $40 each; we each had a glass of wine, an appetizer and a main course. The waiters servicing us did not who ordered what dish. They were also eavesdropping on our conversations and offered their unsolicited opinions throughout the dinner, which was a little bizarre. One of the waiters dropped the birthday cake at the end.

• Pros: quiet, unharried
• Cons: quality of food, service

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Since 1979, homemade Eastern European cuisine near the Kimmel Center with seasonal specials and a wine list; reservations available by phone.

10/13/05

Good Polish Cuisine

by phillywriter

Anyone who'd go to the Warsaw Cafe expecting a Stephen Starr extravaganza clearly knows nothing about the concept of a Cafe. The Warsaw has an interior reminiscent of an Eastern European cafe - it's small (cozy enough for a party of 4 or 2), has the ambiance of a jazz club while the band is on break and offers a GREAT selection of Polish beers. The best vodka martini is made here (the waiter Peter is the best). The food is served warm, not mouth burning hot. The $6 pierogis are worth the cost. (EVEr try making homemade pierogis? each one is probably worth about $5!) This is where you go for an intimate meal. Take your time and relax. This is not an in-and-out place. Know when you go here it makes for a great first date. Enjoy!

09/20/05

User review by oddleopard

by oddleopard

I tried Warsaw Cafe because it was featured in Fine Cooking magazine and I thought it would be a good place to go- NOT SO. There were two wines- merlot and chardonnay. Big bucks for a dinky wineglass with bad wine. Next, I ordered beef stroganoff; my boyfriend ordered "Transylvanian Casserole". Although my boyfriend and I were the only customers, our food took over a 1/2 hour to arrive, barely warm. The noodles and beef in the stroganoff were dry and tough, and the sauce was flavorless. The casserole had pureed vegetables, soggy filo, and weepy ricotta. Even a tv dinner would have been better! The service lacked elegance- the waiter kept going out the front door to either smoke or talk on the cell phone. However, she could tell that we weren't happy and took off the wine and gave us a further discount. STILL, the total was $38!

• Cons: bad food, high prices, outdated atmosphere