02/13/09

wonderful entertainment, charming restaurant, delicious appetizers.

by coffeegirl36

We have been to this charming South Philadelphia restaurant a few times and its always entertaining; the food is delicious and the service is very friendly. Wonderful date or family place with valet parking.

• Pros: wonderful, refreshing entertainment, great food, excellent service, valet parking, good for dates or a large group.
• Cons: none

07/01/08

One of the last, great, family-owned Italian restaurants around...

by KendrickB

Where do I begin? My dining experience at Victor Cafe was nothing short of spectacular. I took a date there a while ago on the recommendation of a friend. This is a place where "Grammy," who incidentally is pushing 90 years old, spends the entire day in the kitchen concocting new specials with the freshest ingredients available. When your server decides to break into song (which he or she will), the music may enchant you as much as gazing on the black and white photos of all the opera stars and celebrities who have patronized the restaurant over the past 80 years. If you are lucky enough, the current patroness, the latest in the family line, will come over to your table and charm you with her beauty, grace, and wit. Especially good for birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, the staff will welcome your party as if you were a guest in one of their own homes. My pasta was perfectly cooked - not too soggy as is so common these days, and the chocolate cake melted in my mouth. When the check finally comes, you are assured not to want to leave - I stayed long enough that I was afraid to overstay my welcome - but true to family hospitality, I was never made to feel that way. Though I live in New York City, I look forward to the opportunity to return again - and for the right occasion, I would make a special trip just for the dining experience. BEWARE: there are other places nearby that claim to have waiters who sing opera, but don't be fooled: Victor Cafe is the original.

• Pros: Ambiance, Italian home cooking, opera...
• Cons: They eventually close at night...

05/29/08

Charming and Memorable

by mrsam123

I had no idea what to expect when I decided to attend the Victor Cafe. A colleague of mine had recommend it a s a must see when visiting Philadelphia. Not only was the service perfect, but the staff's incredible singing talents blew us away. The food was excellent (get the filet, it was ridiculous) and the overall ambiance is something that will stay with me and my guests for a long time. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

04/24/08

Changes all for the better

by JeffersonMD

My wife and I are longtime Victor's patrons and I agree with the above poster- there are a lot of new faces among the staff at the Cafe.. but I have to say- it's great! To be honest, I was getting a little tired of hearing many of the same arias each time we came, but my wife loves their Filet Maria and so we went last thursday night. To my total surpise I heard all brand new songs! Our waitress did a gorgeous version of "Summertime" and one of the busboys sang a beautiful aria that was so sad my wife and I were totally drawn in by his performance even though we don't understand Italian and then he sang a note we couldn't believe- High C??? The new staff are definitely younger but they share the same dedication to classical music and great service that their predecessors had.. Also, I recommend trying the cheesecake- it's new on the menu and the chef does a great job of keeping it very light and smooth.

Also, it was one elderly couple's anniversary and the staff made a big deal of announcing it to the restaurant and even got the couple to get up and have a dance together with everyone watching. You could tell their kids were really touched watching them dance- it was a really nice moment.

• Pros: Filet Maria, gorgeous singing, valet parking
• Cons: can get loud at times, definitely need reservations

04/10/08

Not the same!

by redsandal

I went to Victor's several times with my date. When I took my girlfriend over the weekend, I was shocked to see so many new faces. The singing was not that great. The food was just "ok" - but not great. What happened to this once popular restaurant? I would have to say that I was disappointed. I may return in the future.

• Pros: Valet

04/09/08

the perfect date place

by iheartfood86

Last Saturday night me and my boyfriend wanted to try something different then just a restaurant, so we went to victors where there was live entertainment while we dined. I was first excited to see they had Valet parking in South Philly then when greeted by the hostess (who was all smiles) I was ushered to my table that I had reserved earlier in the week and was ready for me when i got there. My server neat and respectful also an amazing singer started us with cocktails and appetizers which I got a vanilla martini that was great and the Caprese and Mussels Red.. yum!. The portions were perfect . Then my main course the Tortellini took my breathe away the sauce was delicious and I found it to be really fulling that i even had leftovers. The opera singers gave me chills there voices were beautiful at the table or on stage. After ever good dinner we followed with dessert .. a warm piece of molten chocolate cake . need i say more .. and I was impressed by there large selection of herbal teas since Im not a coffee drinker. All in all this place was great , quint atmosphere , delicious food, and live opera entertainment . We Will Be Back Again!

• Pros: Valet, Good Service, and Delicious Food
• Cons: none

02/14/08

Not Worth It.

by RockyFan

I drove about 2 1/2 hours to get there last week. I found the place was where they filmed Rocky so I was excited to see the place. The food was ok but overpriced, I walked out of there about $70 bucks for one person. The manager was nice had to give him that. But the waiter I had was a bit on the snob side. When I was seated at the table for 4, the waiter came over about 5 times and never bothered to clear the remaining glasses, dishes and silverwear, so I was swamped by the whole thing. I had the most expensive piece of meat on the menu and asked them to cook it rare. There was no problem with the cook, but the waiter I think purposely didnt pick it up because when I got it the entire plate was ice cold.

I tried with all my abilities to try to be nice and all but I got nothing but a snobby attitude from him. What got me the most was that they filmed Rocky 6 there and when I walked in to the place, no one thought about it or you wouldnt of ever thought they filmed Rocky there. When asked about it, I got the impression they didnt want anything to be filmed there. Out of the entire place and there's about 5 different rooms, there was one poster hidden upstairs in the corner of the room that Stallone signed. You'd think they'd have more pride or respect then that.

But in my experience I would not drive 225 miles round trip to visit that place again, I wouldnt go to that place again even if I lived nearby. Very poor service, but it had nothing to do with the manager. The quality of the food was so so and its high priced. But if your looking for a small place to have desert or coffee, then you might enjoy it because the staff sings opera which I found to be nice.

• Pros: Manager was really nice.
• Cons: Waiter was acted like a 25 year old snob. Food was ehh. Ok for a quick bite to eat. Nothing more.

01/16/08

Exceptional Service Matched Only by the Wonderful Food

by kittymama01

I brought my son and daughter-in-law here last weekend for my son's 35th birthday and we had just the best time. We got there about 7:45 or our 8 o'clock reservation and they seated us right away. We had the Clams Casino and the Caesar Salad to start- both were really great. For dinner we had the Filet Maria (Oh My God is all I can say- it's like you die and go to heaven - the mashed potatoes!) and the Dido and Aeneas (like seafood pasta) -Delish! and I forget what my daughter-in-law ordered. For dessert I HIGHLY suggest the Warm Chocolate thing- it's melty gooey chocolatey goodness. Also had the tiramisu- it's big! definitely enough for 2 people to share. Last but definitely not least: The Singing! Wow. Just wow. The waiters sing a beautiful opera song every 15 minutes and basically bring the house down. Come here for romantic dinners, birthday parties, or any old thing- just come.

• Pros: Food, Cheap Valet Parking, Singing!
• Cons: none!

01/04/08

Warm People. Great Service. Reasonable Prices.

by cityguy25

First- The whole staff are so sweet and helpful- they went above and beyond in accomodating my handicapped fiancee.

Second- The food is awesome. I had the Filet Maria- I reccomend it to anybody who likes a tender piece of meat and some of the best mashed potatoes iIve ever had.

Third- The singing. One girl actually brought tears to my fiancee's eyes with her song. It was really beautiful.

All in all a great evening. Thank you, Victors!

• Pros: Food, Atmoshpere, Singing.
• Cons: None!

12/17/07

Great Entertainment - So So Food

by cjaveni

The entertainment is fun, and the bar is great. Service is also above averge. Food is only so-so. Nice to experience once, but wouldnt take anyone there because the food was good or well priced. A bit pricey and small portions also.

• Pros: The singers are excellent.
• Cons: Price/Value/small portions and so-so food.