03/01/09

The Legend Does Not Live Up To Itself...

by dbroooks009

Wow. Words escape me. I have been a Continental fan and patron since it's inception. I pretty much worship their lunch/dinner menu. That being said, i had strayed away from the "original" Continental since the opening of Cont. Midtown. This weekend, we were really feeling a brunch escape and decided, though out of the way, to take it back to home base and check out the Continental in Old City for brunch. Shame on us for being so excited... maybe our expectations got the best of us, but then again, we LOVE the Continental for it's staples so why should we expect anything less?

We should have. The service was terrible (think no water with our meal until we asked twice and unfilled bloody marys, which you think they would WANT to refill at $9 a pop). Our meal left MUCH to be desired as well. Our home fries were cold... and I am not a big complainer, but I could not even stab them with my fork without it bouncing off. Beyond that, my omelet off of the special menu (with crab?? spinach, goat cheese and tomato) was basically a goat cheese and egg omelet. I think I caught 2 or 3 bites of crab and only half of it had spinach. My husband's egg benedict was also cold and left much to be desired (I won't even get in to the portion sizes).

Suffice it to say that the Continental that I remember must no longer exist. If I ever go back, it will be to the modern, Continental Midtown, where they must have sent their "Varsity" chefs and servers.

A waste of just under $100... would have rather spent it on dinner or around the corner at the Plough and Stars.

• Pros: Drinks, ambiance, well known, staple menu
• Cons: Brunch

07/17/08

Super place to eat cheap!

by ktwelsh

Just moved to Philadelphia from Boston. This is a great place to meet alot of people from all over the city.

Very fashionable staff, friendly, and great food and service! I also got a great reccomendation for a place to get my hair done! My waitress goes to Ultra Hair Studio and I can't wait to try that place. Thanks Philly!

05/27/08

Best Food and Drinks Around--Great Value

by norak82

I've been going to Continental in Old City and in Midtown for years. It always meets expectations and the service is always great. Almost anything you order there is solid--the pad thai, the bbq quesodillas, the sushi rolls, cheesesteak egg rolls--all good stuff. The drinks are on point too! An incredibly good value for the food, drinks, service, and atmosphere.

• Pros: Great service, food and drinks!
• Cons: None

04/01/08

very good food!

by christinamccann1

i have been to continental a few times and every time i love it even more. the food is excellent, the staff is extremely nice and the ambience is amazing. i would recomend the continetal to any who is lookg for great food in a chilled out environment.

02/10/08

Worst Brunch in awhile

by CoryMcDonald

I've heard great things about the brunch here but was really let down. The server seemed like she had other things to do. The food was cold when it showed up and the portions were small. Overall it was terrible and we won't go back.

01/16/08

Good food, brunch

by phlfrdm

In my opinion, this Continental is best for its food whereas drinks and dessert should be gotten at the other location (I prefer the drink options at the midtown location, and desserts in shot glasses here were nothing special). If eating here for dinner, try the Rad Na salad (BIG portion, and the best dish overall), pita and hummus, thai chicken skewers, lobster mashed potatoes, crab pad thai and summer rolls (all were quite delicious!). I haven't been here for brunch in a while but when I did go, I also remember it being quite delicious.

• Pros: small plates, brunch
• Cons: long wait on weekends

08/30/07

Best Brunch and Service in Philly

by stellagroove2000

I threw my sister's bridal shower in the back room. It was a complete success! I worked with Kerri in the Events department, and she handled it beautifully. I had 25 guests and the food, service, and ambience were perfect. Thank you Continental Restaurant!

• Pros: Food, Service, Room in the back was GREAT
• Cons: Can't think of any!

07/29/07

Great Food, But Small Portions Are A Killer

by mikehooligan

i tried this place on the random whim of my girlfriend. i was actually pretty excited to go there, i walk past it all the time. the real problem with this place is the inconsistency of portion sizes. i tried the thai chicken skewers which had a great flavor. my girlfriend had some sushi dish and a dish with dumplings, we were both left hungry. continuing to dessert, i had the cheesecake, which they gave me a total of 1 strawberry, and she had the coconut creme brulee. creme brulee was amazing. because we were still hungry, we decided to split some of the chinese mustard shoestring fries. which the pile was huge. didnt finish it.

service was nice.

everything was pretty expensive for the little amount of food you get.

it was a little loud in there, and i would never recommend it for a romantic night out.

truthfully it was alright.

• Pros: tasty food. great pleasant service.
• Cons: loud. portions are miniscule.

07/11/07

Good Food and Drinks

by sarcasm28

The food was great and the service friendly. We were seated pretty quickly, and thats only because we were willing to sit inside. The outdoor seats were jammed. The shoestring fries were enormous and very good, maybe ask for them without the sauce since it was a little spicy. Since its also a bar, they had an extensive drink menu, all were really great.

• Pros: Everything was great about this place
• Cons: Can't really think of any.

04/14/07

Theme-Decor, but charming staff and great food!

by ket006

Originally, I wanted to stop by another place for a late lunch (3pm), but they didn't serve food at that time. We were directed to Continental and I was suspicious at first of the themed decor (martini's and airplanes?) but the place was packed and appears to always be packed. Luckily it is a cavernous restaurant with lots of different rooms, each with a slightly different feel to them. One is smaller and more intimate - one large group could take it up, the front room is louder and great to see and be seen, where the back room seems better for smaller groups that want to hear each other. Our waiter was a cute aspiring actor - he charmed everyone at the table w/o being obtrusive. There was a table of 6 hip ladies celebrating a 40th bday party - they couldn't get enough of our hansome waiter. The food was great. The burgers were super, but, surprisingly, so was the seared tuna. I wouldnt usually get seared tuna at a place that bills itself as a hip diner, but it was a good call. All in all - great time.