08/21/09

I didn't want my meal to end

by girlinphilly

I can't say enough good things about Little Fish.

Since I went a few weeks ago, I swear I have been dreaming about the halibut I had (and all of the other meals I didn't have). The fish was perfectly done- flaky and not-too-dry all at the same time. The flavors were amazing and the portion size was perfect. I left there full and satisfied, but not stuffed, even though I cleaned my plate. We ordered 2 appetizers for our table of 4 and while they were very good, they were definitely on the smaller side. The space is very cozy - only 23 seats so our reservation definitely helped us. We were not rushed out after we were done our meal like you are in most BYOBs. The waitress was really friendly and passionate about the food at Little Fish.

Overall, I loved it and will definitely be going back!

• Pros: the food! the neighborhood! the service!
• Cons: the restaurant is very small

03/05/09

Cozy restaurant, yummy food!

by seattlespagirl

I came here while visiting family in Philly. Had a wonderful dinner. Started out with yummy bread and pesto-ish dipping sauce. YUM. The (huge) scallop appetizers were yummy! My entree was salmon.....it was also wonderful. Plus the squash and other seasonings were wonderful. I even had my first oyster and it was yummy! I def thought it was well worth $50.

• Pros: yummy fresh fish!
• Cons: the lady who checked our coat was awfully rude and pms'y

Neighborhood B.Y.O.B. deserves to be on every seafarer's map.

by Contributor

In Short
This inviting neighborhood spot delivers fresh, sophisticated seafood takes in a casual, open-kitchen, BYOB setting. Chef/owner John Tiplitz personally delivers bright and healthful twists with creative spins on classic dishes. The menu changes daily, yet many dishes are smoky and sweet thanks to expert pan-searing. Striped Bass, with orzo, clam and corn, littlenecks with fine herbs and shallots, and Greek-style frisee satisfy the eclectic fare.

04/20/08

Great atmoshpere

by RFreerk

Took my parents for the Sunday tasting menu and had a great time. Atmosphere was perfect and the food was excellent. Also thought it was good value for a 5 course menu.

• Pros: Atmosphere, food, value
• Cons: Small

03/15/08

horrible

by xo9123

We were extremely disappointed. After ordering a piece of sea bass [$27] to go, and 3 orders of crab dumplings, we opened a package at our dinner table with a piece of fish the size of a brownie, and dumplings that we ended up throwing away. No lemons were included, and the fish tasted old. We spent $61 dollars and are still hungary. Thank God for Rita's water ice.

03/02/08

little fish

by darlingtonfields

went to the sunday tasting menu. High expectations. Enjoyed atmosphere and service. Food was sub pair. Too much happening with the items. Not enough substance and was not satisfying. Had to go eat a cheesesteak afterwards. Stil enjoyed and would go back to sample the entire menu. Mixed feelings but was not completely sold. Coffee was good...

01/26/08

Fun night

by aaffss

I was a bit nervous reading some reviews on poor service. We made a reservation for 4 on a friday night at 8:30. Our table was waiting for us and we could sit without our entire party. The wait staff was friendly and helpful. We were not rushed and had a lovely evening. The food- not cheap but very good.

• Pros: food
• Cons: price

01/12/08

Good Catch

by phillycmc

Started off with the calamari Sicilian style appetizer, which was excellent. The bread and chimicurri sauce afterwards was tasty too. For dinner, we had the marlin, which was well cooked and was atop sweet potatoes and mussels in a curry broth; interesting. The other entree was mahi mahi over salisfy. It was a good piece of fish, large, well seasoned and cooked well too. the prices are a little high (entrees were all $25-27), but were worth it. As this place is VERY small, reservations are essential.

• Pros: BYOB, good food
• Cons: Tough to get in

10/15/07

The Best Keep Secret in Town

by cakes1366

Little Fish is the best date restaurant in the city. The restaurant is intimate and entertaining. The open kitchen in this tiny BYOB, makes you feel like Chef Mike Stoli is your personal chef for the evening. Ever since Chef Stoli took over Little Fish in January and his food has propelled this South Philly favorite into one of the city's best restaurants. My Girlfriend and I went in on Friday evening and had one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The service was great and unlike so many new restaurants in Philadelphia where having a glitzy and glamorous dinning room is more important then the food, Little Fish puts food first. Chef Stoli changes the menu daily depending on what fresh fish and local produce he can get.

08/31/07

Wish I had gotten some food with the attitude...

by bwann

I was quite excited to try Little Fish restaurant for the first time this Wednesday, to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. We have been hearing recommendations from friends and acquaintances for years, but never made it there to try for ourselves.

When we arrived a little before 8 pm, we were glad to see a number of tables unoccupied (and no one waiting to be seated) as we had been expecting crowds. We walked in to request the open table outside, and after standing near the door for nearly 3 minutes, were not acknowledged (not even a nod/smile/brief word) by either the cooks, or the server, All of whom plainly saw us. When the waitress came over to us, she still did not speak--but I asked for the table outside, and was told "fine, just wait a minute for us to clear it."

We went back outside to wait. After 5 minutes of standing, we decided to sit down and wait, although the table had not yet been cleared. We continued to wait another 10+ minutes. During this time, the server walked past us perhaps 3 times, taking other customers orders, checking in on them, clearing dishes. She did stop to remove the dirty wine glass from our table but did not speak to us once (A simple "I'll be with you in just one moment." would have been sufficient.) How about a smile? No...more like a haughty glare.

After spending over 20 minutes at the completely un-crowded restaurant without acknowledgment, menus, or a little piece of bread or something to gnaw on, we gave up. Don't know whether the staff was having a bad night, whether it's their practice to provide a low level of service, or whether there was something else going on, but we weren't waiting around to find out more.

Needless to say, I'm no longer eagerly anticipating a trip to Little Fish, although I wish I had gotten to try some of the food. I've heard good things...but not good enough to be worth the poor treatment...especially in a city full of places where you can eat good food in the company of good people.

• Pros: Heard good things about the food.
• Cons: Service (so bad, we couldn't make it to the food)