02/04/09

Great bar, terrible food

by Bellavisitor

I am seriously blown away by the number of people who have written here saying that the food at New Wave is good. I can conclude either that (1) they ate there at one of the rare times the food was good (I'm told the chef changes with the seasons) or (2) they don't eat out often or, if they do, they do so only at underwhelming locales (i.e., Applebees).

Now, I'm not a guy with fancy tastes, but I eat out at least once or twice a week and the food at this place is terrible. TERRIBLE. By way of example, the pizza. Who makes pizza unappetizing? A feat previously unachieved by mankind until served at New Wave. There are a few serviceable items, like the quesadilla and the burger, but those are impossible to screw up (though I felt the same way about pizza before, too). Don't kid yourselves folks, you've had a good night dining at New Wave if your food rises to the level of "forgettable."

THAT SAID--this is a FANTASTIC bar for drinking. I come to New Wave frequently to grab a drink or two. They have a great variety to satisfy even the stingiest of beer drinkers. The staff is very friendly and attentive and they make the place a very comfortable hang out. Also, they have a ton of seating at tables and the the horse-shoe bar. Good prices, good drink selection, good staff. Great bar for drinking.

All in all, if I just want a drink, I will go to New Wave. If I want to drink and possibly snack/eat dinner, I'm going to walk 5 more minutes to Royal Tavern where ALL the food is GREAT (including one of the city's best burgers).

• Pros: Good bar
• Cons: Terrible food

12/24/08

Best Neighborhood Bar in ALL of Philadelphia!!!

by JoeAnts

The dude/lady to review this place before has no idea what he/she is talking about!!!....there is no attitude about the New Wave. The bartenders are extremely friendly, and go out of their way to engage you in a stimulating conversation and do whatever they can to make you feel at home. The drink selection is extensive. The food is fantastic and very affordable. The neighborhood (Queen Village) is extremely charming. The waitresses/bartenders are very sweet and quite beautiful. This place has it all!!! If it's a quiet night out with a date, if its gameday, if its dinner with friend, drinks after work, or a social Friday/Saturday night out on the Town.....its the New Wave!!!! I shouldn't be saying this because it is my favorite absolute place, and if I give it good reviews I may have trouble finding a stool.

I venture out into the Philadelphia dining scene/night life very often....but more often than not, I find myself longing for this quaint, charming cafe. Kudo's to Aly and his staff!!!

• Pros: Food, service, sports games, atmosphere
• Cons: Parking

12/01/08

Lose the attitude...get a new chef

by steds48

If any restaurant benefits from "location, location, location", it has to be this one. The service and attitude is so BAD that it's clear they're not for want of customers simply because of where they're located.

For a spectacular food and wonderful service, try DIMITRI's across the street (though bring your own drinks because it's BYOB). I should know...I live on the same block as both and avoid New Wave at all costs.

Instead, the food at New Wave is TERRIBLE (unless you're totally drunk which it seems most of the patrons must be). Also, every single one of the waitresses acts as if we should be thankful that they're serving us.

I couldn't believe how ornery and nasty these people were. I asked for an extra bit of salad dressing and they acted as if I'd stolen their child (which, by the looks of them, would be the last thing in the world I'd want).

Please, if you don't like your job and want to push that on customers, find something other than waitering. And someone tell that bartender chick with the dreadlocks that her look went out in the early 90s.

Clearly, it starts from the top. The owner is quite old and oblivious to how his staff is treating customers.

• Pros: When you finally realize how bad this place is, you can go to Dimitri's across the street
• Cons: Horrible attitude from staff. Bad food. A largely unpleasant experience

08/26/08

Quiet corner place with great food

by danserval

New Wave isn't a showy place, but what it lacks in fancy menus and decor, it makes up for in delicious food. The four of us cleared every plate we were brought. They have a great selection of brunch food, pizzas, interesting salads, sandwiches, and other entrees. The sweet potato fries are cinnamon sugar heaven! On a nice day, the outdoor dining is wonderful.

• Pros: Quiet area, outdoor dining, great menu selection
• Cons: Ambience

07/12/08

Reliable Neighborhood Hot Spot

by gobosox22

New Wave is one of the first bars/restaurants that my husband and I visited while we were househunting in Philly. A year later we've been back many times even though we bought a house in a different neighborhood. In fact, we often head over when we have company in town. New Wave has a decent beer menu and great food. We always walk in and are able to be seated either at the bar or a table without a problem. The Crab Crakes are always a solid choice as are the shoe string sweet potato fries. My only complaint would be that the service could be more attentive (it seems to really depend on which server you get). Even on the weeknights the bar can get crowded with sports fans, but it makes for a fun and boisterous atmosphere. Plus, the dining room is just out of the way enough that you can still see the game without your conversation being drowned out by excited fans.

• Pros: Consistently great food and drink
• Cons: Entrees can get pricey

01/11/08

Amazing

by laurenopp

I have been to the New Wave about, oh, 60 times in the past year for dinner. It's amazing. The food off of the lunch menu (which is really a dinner menu as well since it is served until 1am) is so good and very affordable. I live right around the corner and have gone to Dmitris only 3 times.

01/02/08

good food not so good service

by soblue4

I heard so many good things about this place so I had to give it a try. I was a bit disappointment. I made reservation for 7:30pm we got there on time. They seat us right by the entrance. It was freezing cold from people opening the door walking in and out. so we moved to the tall table in the bar area. We had to ask for a menu and it took very long time to order and get our food. Server hardly come by. Food was great I will go back to give it another try.

• Pros: good burger, good food
• Cons: service

07/20/07

Why wait at Dmitri's? Go eat at New Wave. Save yourself the grief.

by joeyfoils

Dmitri's was once a Philly staple. Reliable, cheap, reliable, cheap. How much hummus can you eat before being ignored by your server makes you want to throw it at one of the cooks who is ten feet away? The server said she couldn't see us. The place holds 25 people! You didn't see us?

The people at New Wave saw us. Quick service, polite, easy-going atomosphere. Delivers without trying. It's a simple place with good burgers and a hearty brew.

If you want Greek food go to Efiie's at Pine and Quince Streets.

• Pros: good beer selection
• Cons: rough around the edges

05/29/07

Great Food, Great Beer

by goonie1324

While visiting Philly, a friend and I got caught up in an ice storm and took refuge in the New Wave Cafe. We happily snarfed down our lunches and drank some beer at the same time. After our flight out was cancelled, we returned to the New Wave for a beer later in the evening. The atmosphere was great: very comfortable with tons of neighborhood peeps. Definitely a friendly place to catch a meal or a drink. Only problem is that the dinner food is a bit pricey, but (judging from lunch) probably worth a splurge.

02/20/07

hidden gem

by nicole67

I went to New Wave on Saturday and I was extremly surprised. This was my second time going and I have to say the second was much better than the first. This time I sat in the dining room and ordered off their dinner menu. The food was great. Even though the dining room is rather small, we were seated promptly. I had crabcakes that were wonderful, my date had the land and sea.. he loved it! The salmon and potato pancake appetizer was the Best! I will definitly go back.

• Pros: Great dinner menu.. great staff
• Cons: small dining room... more of a sports bar