I was brought here by a colleague on a trip to Philadelphia. We had an outstanding mussels appetizer. I believe the sauce was made with curry and coconut milk. For my main course I had the scallops dish. Very, very good. Ambience and service was above average. I would absolutely come again.
(4)
Joel O.
Eaten here twice now. SHS is a warm, welcoming space, with a really nice vintage vibe and a lovely bar. It does a great job of seeming very classy without being stuffy -- a surprisingly local-feeling place considering its location. I've had fish, scallops, deviled egg, chicken and waffles, and an asparagus thing on toast -- all of it was delicious. The food seems to vary between comfort food and more haute cuisine ambition. Servers take good care of you and do a fine job of talking about the dishes without seeming to be laying it on too thick. I can also recommend the Liberal Arts Degree from the cocktail list, if you like whiskey-based cocktails (which I do). A very nice place for a good, casual dinner and a nice drink or two. I live across town, but if I were in this area I'm sure SHS would be my go-to choice.
(5)
Joy T.
Finally, a wonderful little hipster bar that has elevated the dining options in Headhouse Square. It's a charming revival of an old space. Beers and cocktails are excellent. The food is great, though overpriced for the actual quality. At these prices, you can get a better meal at Talula's. I would expect SHS to grow into itself with time and adjust its menu/prices accordingly.
(3)
steds s.
One of my favorite new places in Headhouse Square and the city. The food and drinks are exquisite. Also, the ambiance at both the bar and peripheral seating for the restaurant are amazing. What a change from the pub/chicken/wing hang-out that was the Artful Dodger. Chef Yun and his partners have really done something great here. Since I've tried many of his great dishes, I'm looking forward to seeing how the menu expands. Definitely a place in Philadelphia you have to visit if you love great food experiences.
(4)
Joe G.
Great spot. The food is delicious! Really well done. They had amazing complimentary bread with one meal I had. The mussels were awesome - delectable Asian inspired broth. Excellent beer selection. Great vibe, fantastic space.
(5)
Frank C.
Cute little spot, really well-stocked bar, short but very good cocktail list. Clearly they put a lot of effort in to each little thing. The house marmalade-lavender marmalade is ridiculous, and the cheeseburger, although lilliputian, was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. The pickle must have been housemade also, as it maintained that wonderful essence of summer cucumber in a way that pickles so rarely do. Great intimate date spot.
(4)
S L.
My girl friend and I went to the Society Hill Society after the kitchen was closed, so only we could eat(drink) was drinks. The servers were so nice to us. However, only downside would be the ladies rooms. There were girls never came out.. Oh well, other then that, everything was so great. I tried a drink and didn't like it and the server changed my order that I am familiar with. How nice. The rejected cocktail was $15..... Thank you....
(4)
Kristen M.
Dining partner and I came to Society Hill Society during Friday of restaurant week at 7pm. First off, the ambiance is wonderful. It's got a rustic country theme going, with wood booths and soft candle lighting. This would, in my opinion, be the perfect place for a first date. Not too loud, you can talk and hear your date. Our waitress was friendly and attentive as well as the other staff members who cleared our plates and filled our waters. The mixologists are good at what they do, signature shakes that are fun to watch! We each ordered Orange Catholic cocktails which were wonderful. The complementary homemade vegetable chips and onion dip were great! The only reason I can't give 5 stars is that we were hoping for larger portions. Standard restaurant week, it was a $35 pre fixe menu. I started off with the pierogies, dining partner had the chicken pot pie croquettes, we both got 3 of each. The pierogies were delicious served with jam and sour cream. The croquettes were pretty good as well. For my entree I had the chicken and waffles, dining partner had the scallops. My chicken and waffles was very filling and LOADED with peas. I'm not a huge fan of peas so I ate around them. Chicken was perfectly cooked and moist, waffle was light and fluffy. All two of the scallops and two corncrakes were gone almost as soon as dining partner received his plate. We expected season's 52 shot-like desserts and were pleasantly surprised when our apple pie in a mason jar and chocolate and berry dessert in a mason jar were very generous. We both agreed the apple pie was much better than the bitter berry and chocolate dessert. Overall a great dinner, we just wanted more! I would love to come back here again when the full menu is available.
(4)
Mg g.
Ok so I went there 2 times the first time I really liked it but was not sure about the menu, so glad I went back. I ordered the supper an incredible ribeye which rivals anything in the city and I go out a lot for business the blue cheese butter amazing cooked to order and the crispy potatoes. I also got the chicken croquettes where so great everyone at my table ate my order. I can't say enough about the steak though I just came back from a trip to Argentina where beef is king and this steak rivaled that perfectly cooked and flavor forward. My wife ordered the duck salad WOW it has a duck scrapple with a frisee salad and a poached egg so great like a great French Salad, Our party loved the drinks, especially the cocktails finally somewhere where we can get a great drink with good quality booze and handmade juices. Cool atmosphere they have transformed this place opening int up to a u shaped bar great mix of people which I really liked everyone from hipster to neighborhood scene. Can't wait to come back
(5)
Steve G.
great craft cocktails, beautiful space, but a little on the pricey side. had a few nibbles, mix of bar nuts wish they gave you more small portion but delicious, duck act apple salad was genius and deviled eggs. everything was executed perfectly just a little to small on portion of cocktails and food for the price they charge.
(4)
Matt W.
We had a reservation for my cousin's 30th birthday the day after Xmas. We confirmed the reservation beforehand...showed up and they were closed!!! It looked like they were closed for repairs, possibly for the holdiays. Regardless, who does that without informing the people that have reservations?!? It's the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen out of a restaurant. We ended up going to Stella, who were gracious enough to accommodate 10 people on short notice. They said they had a party come in the week before that faced the same predicament. Zero stars - bunch of amateurs.
(1)
Aaliyah P.
Go for the Gin Jawn... Its close enough to south street that its acceptable . Ive only been here for drinks and light snacks but definitely want to check out some dinner action. the smoked onion dip is so good you will want to #SYDI i wish it came in a bugger dish with more veggies. The bartenders and friendly and its always a nice crowd here . I think my only issue is the people with strollers that were there the same time as me ( i don't like those people). They have a brunch menu but its really limited in options so ill make my next visit(s) for more eats of the dinner time variety.
(4)
Carrie P.
We came here for my husbands birthday. I really loved the feel of the place. Very cozy and romantic. I started with wine and my husband a $15 mixed drink. Expensive but he enjoyed it. We then had a endive salad and chicken croquettes. Both were good, not amazing. I then had the scallops and my husband had ribs. This is where my warning to not come hungry comes in. There were 3 measly scallops on my plate. Fine but not for $25. They were average too. Husband had 3 ribs. Overpriced!! The dessert was less then to be desired. Overall it's average food for a huge price.
(3)
David G.
Tried SHS twice. Once for lunch on Saturday and then because I could not believe it was so bad, Monday night for dinner as I had head good things and Stella's was closed for repair and it was raining. Lunch: Order ice tea and diet coke, I ordered eggs and toast and spouse ordered soup and salad. Ice tea came with out ice, soda was flat, toast was cold, soup had been left our and had skin on top and salad was mealy. Service was slow even thought we were one of only a few in restaurant. OK slow day and cook must of quit. $34 was very pricey for what we ordered. Dinner: On my own Monday night. Ordered NA beer, did not have any. Ordered ice tea and took 10 minutes. Ordered burger for $8 and onion rings. Burger was maybe 4oz and came cold. Onion rings OK but not great. Again service marginal but polite. $17. Other issue I had was patron at the bar was in deep conversation with bar tender and every third word was a loud F this and F that. Does not speak to class. Given the number of other great options within a block or two you think they would figure this out. I have to assume this is remote management. I will be amazed if this place lasts another month. Great tradition in the location, this version will not be part of any of that history. Given the investment why would you not train staff and kitchen. Quality comes from paying attention to basics first then details. If you want to be just a bar,don't serve food.
(1)
S L.
My girl friend and I went to the Society Hill Society after the kitchen was closed, so only we could eat(drink) was drinks. The servers were so nice to us. However, only downside would be the ladies rooms. There were girls never came out.. Oh well, other then that, everything was so great. I tried a drink and didn't like it and the server changed my order that I am familiar with. How nice. The rejected cocktail was $15..... Thank you....
(4)
Brian S.
This restaurant is nestled in the former Artful Dodger at Second and Pine on Headhouse Square. It's a new addition to the neighborhood that I decided to check out after reading a piece in the paper. The dining room is decorated with a rustic feel that makes you think you're visiting a farmhouse. There are no TV's so bring a friend who you can talk to. Without the espn-addled distractions, the atmosphere is a real treat if you want to eat good food with good people. My date and I were seated right away and ordered drinks. Oh the drinks! The place has a full bar and a nice menu of specialty cocktails in the $12-15 range. The drinks we had were good enough to make the trip here worthwhile on their own. Both were excellent. We eventually had some glasses of nice white wine at the (very good) suggestion of the waiter. We had a while to look at the menu while we had our cocktails. We were given a warm pretzel and homemade mustard, bar nuts and an olive medley while we waited. All of the snacks were fantastic, if anything they were too generous. By the end we were so full we had trouble finishing the main course! We decided on the 3 course "Supper" menu for $45. It didn't disappoint. First course was an appetizer of succotash and a creamy farmer's cheese on toast. As strange as it sounds to describe eating succotash on bread, it worked. The veggies and cheese were fresh tasting and wonderful. Second course was a rich turtle soup in a tomato broth with a poached egg. The tomato broth had some kick courtesy of a helping of tabasco, but this was nicely mellowed by mixing the egg yolk into the soup. Third course was a lamb chop served over mushrooms and noodles. The chop was perfectly cooked and the sauce was flavorful. The dish felt very hearty even though it was just one chop. Finally, the service was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable and prompt, without hovering. The kitchen and dining room were humming along like they had been open for years, instead of a few days. We had a great time and felt very welcome.
(5)
Adam N.
These Guys know food. Their menu is creative and they execute on flavor. The space has a great vibe and they've got a solid drink list. The unpasteurized Pils Urquell was unique for the States. Would encourage 1-2 safer options on the menu for parties with pickier guests (can't bring my parents here).
(5)
David F.
Tried this place for the first time last evening, and loved everything about it -- food, drinks, ambience, excellent and friendly staff. Several of the cocktails are really outstanding -- Witches Sabbath and Twin Moons -- and all are examples of serious mixology. The menu focuses on bar food, but done with flair and skill, and the entrees (they do serve dinner) were worthy of a trip in themselves. Definitely coming back here soon!
(5)
Lisa C.
Delicious food and great atmosphere. Great for a date night.
(5)
Brian S.
This restaurant is nestled in the former Artful Dodger at Second and Pine on Headhouse Square. It's a new addition to the neighborhood that I decided to check out after reading a piece in the paper. The dining room is decorated with a rustic feel that makes you think you're visiting a farmhouse. There are no TV's so bring a friend who you can talk to. Without the espn-addled distractions, the atmosphere is a real treat if you want to eat good food with good people. My date and I were seated right away and ordered drinks. Oh the drinks! The place has a full bar and a nice menu of specialty cocktails in the $12-15 range. The drinks we had were good enough to make the trip here worthwhile on their own. Both were excellent. We eventually had some glasses of nice white wine at the (very good) suggestion of the waiter. We had a while to look at the menu while we had our cocktails. We were given a warm pretzel and homemade mustard, bar nuts and an olive medley while we waited. All of the snacks were fantastic, if anything they were too generous. By the end we were so full we had trouble finishing the main course! We decided on the 3 course "Supper" menu for $45. It didn't disappoint. First course was an appetizer of succotash and a creamy farmer's cheese on toast. As strange as it sounds to describe eating succotash on bread, it worked. The veggies and cheese were fresh tasting and wonderful. Second course was a rich turtle soup in a tomato broth with a poached egg. The tomato broth had some kick courtesy of a helping of tabasco, but this was nicely mellowed by mixing the egg yolk into the soup. Third course was a lamb chop served over mushrooms and noodles. The chop was perfectly cooked and the sauce was flavorful. The dish felt very hearty even though it was just one chop. Finally, the service was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable and prompt, without hovering. The kitchen and dining room were humming along like they had been open for years, instead of a few days. We had a great time and felt very welcome.
(5)
Dennis G.
I was not sure what to expect when I sat down at this place. I liked the look and feel, it is vintage but steam punk at the same time with a cool light fixtures. Old church pews with an eclectic selection of chairs. With some rough hewn walls and some mirrors with a nice patina on them it just feels cool. So for the food. I looked at the prices and wasn't sure what to expect. I bought the Pierogies and Trout Toast (a special). Both were very light and refreshing, very spring flavors and the Pierogies were plated beautifully. My one qualm, they made this awesome onion jam and put it underneath the Pierogies, I would have put it on top of them or in them because the flavor and texture of the onion jam was just awesome. The Trout toast was good. For Entrees, my date got the Scallops and I got the Duck Breast. The Scallops were good but the Duck Breast was amazing, great portion cooked to perfection. I would come back again just for the Duck Breast. Weeknight dinner, so no drinks. The reasons I am not giving 5 stars is that my waiter was slightly slow and it was a long break between the appetizers and entrees. That was my really only complaint. So I would definitely eat here as it was pretty great I would highly endorse and encourage you to GET THE DUCK BREAST!
(4)
Jemma C.
Officially obsessed! Defo in my top 3 restaurants in Philly on all angles: staff, drinks, food, venue, location... I'd go daily. Run don't walk.
(5)
Melanie S.
Was so bummed. We had a reservation and sat for 30 minutes before we could even get a drink, then couldn't get food because the kitchen was understaffed. Shame because the menu looked good. Not sure what happened but today's brunch was a disaster - hope they get their act together.
(1)
Meg R.
This is my new favorite local spot when I'm in the mood for a fancy, herbacious cocktail in lovely surroundings. This is in the same location as the Artful Dodger, and is everything that I wished the Dodger had been and more. One of the best compliments I've heard about SHS is that "it looks as though it's always been there." The period look is understated but consistent throughout. It feels very natural and plays up all the things about the location that makes it relevant to the neighborhood, but doesn't overdo it, like Stephen Starr's Dandelion does. The drinks and food are pricey, but they're good, fresh, unique, well-proportioned, and delicious. I particularly like the chef's modern take on classic American dishes, specific to Philly and early America. As a PA Dutch person, I was particularly impressed with the amazing Shoe Fly Pie desert, which was made using gorgeous ripe figs and plated beautifully. Other meals we've had here are thoughtful and delicious. Think Ela in terms of modern twists on Philly classics, however SHS has a bit more of a nod to the historical Philly scene. The prices are a bit prohibitive, cocktails run around $10-$14 a pop. There are more affordable drink alternatives such as Pilsner Urquells to quench your thirst for around $4-$6. However they are special, this is not a place to come get loaded before you traipse down South Street. It's more a place to soak in the scenes of Headhouse Square while sipping on a delicious and precious hand-made cocktail. I only hope they can keep folks coming with the prices the way they are, this is more of a Serpico crowd, so I imagine folks are coming South from Society Hill and North from Queen Village in order to quaff delicious beverages. All in all, one of my favorite new locales in Philly, I love taking friends and clients here. Thanks SHS I hope you stick around for awhile!
(5)
Elizabeth S.
We really wanted to love this place. We did. The atmosphere is charming...nice location. Staff were friendly. But like other reviewers noted, they seemed very understaffed and we had to wait a very long time for our food, even though there weren't that many people there when we placed our order. From what I could see, there were only 5 people working the whole place: a bartender, a waiter, a runner, a chef and a dishwasher. With the exception of a few things, the food was dissapointing. The pierogies were the only success for us; too bad they were so tiny. Portions are very small...my burger was little more than 2 inches in diameter. I love greasy food, but the onion rings and chips were so oily that I couldn't eat them...and they were completely underseasoned, which made things worse. All we could taste was dirty fry oil. The chicken pot pie croquettes were mushy and they had no seasoning at all. We did a lot of waiting there, and received a lot of greasy, tasteless, unsatisfying dishes.
(2)
David F.
Tried this place for the first time last evening, and loved everything about it -- food, drinks, ambience, excellent and friendly staff. Several of the cocktails are really outstanding -- Witches Sabbath and Twin Moons -- and all are examples of serious mixology. The menu focuses on bar food, but done with flair and skill, and the entrees (they do serve dinner) were worthy of a trip in themselves. Definitely coming back here soon!
(5)
Lisa C.
Delicious food and great atmosphere. Great for a date night.
(5)
Susanne J.
At some point over the summer I found myself following SHS on Instagram and vowed to get there after drooling over their photos of hand-crafted cocktails and elegant "pub" fare. SHS did not disappoint. Having never been to its predecessor, The Artful Dodger, I had no expectations. I really liked the ambience created by the warm, dim lighting and dark wood. It was all very reminiscent of Philadelphia's 18th and 19th century roots. The bar seemed to be populated by regulars and newbies alike and appeared to be a place where you could pop in after work for a beverage and chit-chat without any of the pretension that is served up at other Philadelphia watering holes. I found the staff to be amiable, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. I quite enjoyed the restaurant's take on chicken and dumplings. The chef literally uses the entire chicken (minus the innards) in the dish in a most creative way. The chicken appears to be pressed into small, toothsome triangles and is served with little dollops of buttermilk dumpling in a most savory sauce. The doughnuts I ordered for dessert were light and crispy instead of the leaden balls of dry dough that I've encountered at other establishments. I am normally ambivalent about cocktails - I'm usually overwhelmed by the sheer amount of alcohol mixed in or underwhelmed by accompanying flavors that have been mixed in. I was blown away by "The Gift" at SHS. It was delectable! An elegant and delicate mix of plum, lemon, vanilla, gin, and egg white. It was so smooth with just a hint of creaminess. The flavors blended so well that I was not walloped over the head with the gin or lemon. I will probably start a Paul MacDonald fan-club. SHS is a quiet, lovely little place for a date or meeting an old friend or if your parents are in town.
Sticky buns French toast is a must try, especially if you like Hong Kong style French toast - crunchy outside & moist inside.
(5)
Joseph D.
Decided to pop in for a quick brunch bite after the farmers market. Overall not impressed with the food or service. Friendly staff, cold food and not very attentive despite having very few diners in the restaurant. I am sure things will improve with time.
(2)
Darlene M.
What a new gem!! The drinks are perfect, the ambience is perfect, and the staff is friendly and helpful. I had dinner once and the burger and fried chicken were really good. It's a really cute date spot, or fun place to grab drinks or dinner with a friend. Great place to hang out!
(5)
Brian M.
Ended up here two days in a row, first for a late night drink then the next night for dinner. Drinks: Really nice little stout selection at $6-8 each. As I'm a fan of this style I am a fan of their choices, tis the season for dark beers after all. Enough with the hoppy stuff. Try the North Country Stout - PA produced and specifically call Buck Snort Stout, but that wouldn't look so nice on the menu, huh? Dinner dates (yeah, two of em) both enjoyed the Orange Catholic but wouldn't let me try so can't vouch personally. Food: Had some poutine to start (share) and also tried some of the beet tartare. Poutine had a bit of sog but were nice, finished with pork belly chunks. They seem to like pork belly here. Went with the chicken & dumplings for an entree. I had no idea other people had never heard of this before. They thought it was maybe a weird Chinese twist with the dumplings I think, so had to explain what they were. What was served was certainly way nicer than what Momma used to serve on nights where she had some time to kick the meal up a notch, but to be honest I prefer her actual dumplings. I think she used Bisquick. If the chef here is reading this he's probably Google searching my name right now. BISQUICK MOTHERF*CKER!?!?...chill bro the dish was solid. Very juicy chicken and lots of lovely sauce to sop up. Service was fine also, nothing really stood out other than the awkwardness of seeing certain people twice in a 24 hour period.
(4)
Matt W.
We had a reservation for my cousin's 30th birthday the day after Xmas. We confirmed the reservation beforehand...showed up and they were closed!!! It looked like they were closed for repairs, possibly for the holdiays. Regardless, who does that without informing the people that have reservations?!? It's the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen out of a restaurant. We ended up going to Stella, who were gracious enough to accommodate 10 people on short notice. They said they had a party come in the week before that faced the same predicament. Zero stars - bunch of amateurs.
(1)
Aaliyah P.
Go for the Gin Jawn... Its close enough to south street that its acceptable . Ive only been here for drinks and light snacks but definitely want to check out some dinner action. the smoked onion dip is so good you will want to #SYDI i wish it came in a bugger dish with more veggies. The bartenders and friendly and its always a nice crowd here . I think my only issue is the people with strollers that were there the same time as me ( i don't like those people). They have a brunch menu but its really limited in options so ill make my next visit(s) for more eats of the dinner time variety.
(4)
Carrie P.
We came here for my husbands birthday. I really loved the feel of the place. Very cozy and romantic. I started with wine and my husband a $15 mixed drink. Expensive but he enjoyed it. We then had a endive salad and chicken croquettes. Both were good, not amazing. I then had the scallops and my husband had ribs. This is where my warning to not come hungry comes in. There were 3 measly scallops on my plate. Fine but not for $25. They were average too. Husband had 3 ribs. Overpriced!! The dessert was less then to be desired. Overall it's average food for a huge price.
(3)
David G.
Tried SHS twice. Once for lunch on Saturday and then because I could not believe it was so bad, Monday night for dinner as I had head good things and Stella's was closed for repair and it was raining. Lunch: Order ice tea and diet coke, I ordered eggs and toast and spouse ordered soup and salad. Ice tea came with out ice, soda was flat, toast was cold, soup had been left our and had skin on top and salad was mealy. Service was slow even thought we were one of only a few in restaurant. OK slow day and cook must of quit. $34 was very pricey for what we ordered. Dinner: On my own Monday night. Ordered NA beer, did not have any. Ordered ice tea and took 10 minutes. Ordered burger for $8 and onion rings. Burger was maybe 4oz and came cold. Onion rings OK but not great. Again service marginal but polite. $17. Other issue I had was patron at the bar was in deep conversation with bar tender and every third word was a loud F this and F that. Does not speak to class. Given the number of other great options within a block or two you think they would figure this out. I have to assume this is remote management. I will be amazed if this place lasts another month. Great tradition in the location, this version will not be part of any of that history. Given the investment why would you not train staff and kitchen. Quality comes from paying attention to basics first then details. If you want to be just a bar,don't serve food.
(1)
Kim L.
Really amazing food, great service and a casual atmosphere. We had heard great things about SHS, and couldn't wait to check it out for ourselves. The specialty drinks were really tasty - but I'd highly recommend whatever drink specials they have available. Last Thursday they featured caipirinhas and a lemony-gin concoction for $6 each - a bargain for a mixed drink in Center City! We also had the Thinking Machine (bourbon, lemon-coriander shrub, and amaro montenegro) and the Liberal Arts Degree (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, amaro meletti, absinthe + a lemon twist) for $13 each. For starters, we ordered the red beet deviled eggs and the seasonal mushrooms. We were also served a complimentary warm pretzel with some seriously spicy mustard. The mushrooms were the standout of our first bites and I highly recommend them if they're on the menu! For dinner, I had the duck breast because I can never resist ordering duck, and I was not disappointed. It was perfectly cooked with a crispy skin that paired well with the carrot puree. It also came with housemade sauerkraut, which I skipped because I'm not a fan in general. Tom had the apple-braised pork belly, which was very flavorful and tender. Both entrees were very carefully prepared and cooked. For dessert, we had the chocolate pie-in-a-jar. It was definitely more fruit-present (raspberry) than chocolate, which was a little bit of a disappointment for the chocoholic birthday boy, but it was a nice, light ending to our delicious meal. Our server was also nice enough to bring it out with a candle :) Also, I'm not sure if the AC wasn't working properly (or if there even is AC?) but it was hotter than hell in there on Thursday night. The doors were open which let in a little breeze, but I was pretty uncomfortable during dinner. Aside from that, a wonderful experience!
(4)
Alax G.
Haven't been looking forward to writing this review, as I've heard so many good things about this place and I hope my experience is an anomaly-- this past Sunday morning brunch was pretty much a bust. Sounds like someone in the kitchen screwed them in the morning. There was only one person manning the kitchen, and plates were coming out literally one at a time. My group was one of the first 3 tables to be seated. We actually arrived right at opening and were asked to leave and come back, as they were not ready yet. Once seated, we got our drink orders relatively fast -- the bloody marys are AHH-mazing -- and about 10 minutes later were warned that we could order food but they were extremely understaffed that morning and it would be a while for food. Fair enough. given the stellar brunch reviews, we decided to wait it out. Asked for some bread or toast to tide us over until the food got there. Unfortunately they forgot about the toast. We ended up ordering another round of drinks and asked for the toast again--to their credit, when it finally came, it was delicious toast -- served with whipped butter and the best tasting jam ever. When the food finally did arrive, my ONE poached egg was boiled to crumbling (honestly--is it too much to serve the standard 2--cooked properly?), pork belly was great, and the serving of smoked salmon was skimpy at best. Overall made for a pretty sad, empty looking plate--but I dared not send it back given the atmosphere in the kitchen. To the restaurant's credit, the french toast was amazing, and I didn't even have a chance to try the chicken and waffles as my friend inhaled them before I could blink twice. In the end they took one round of drinks off our bill, and didn't charge us for the toast. I think they stopped serving food all-together right after we ordered. It was a bad morning for them, that was evident, but I do worry about a restaurant that can't properly cook an egg...
(2)
Celeste M.
I have been meaning to write a review of this really cool place since my boyfriend and I went for an early saturday evening dinner back on 5/3/14. We were fascinated as we watched it gradually fill up with a wonderfully eclectic mix of patrons of all ages: great Ambience! Service was perfect as was the food. We tried 2 different "toasts", "Duck Scrapple Salad" and a Scallop Entree. Fairly small but extremely interesting menu! Our wine was good and my "Witch's Sabbath" Cocktail was not inexpensive, but it was to die for!
(5)
Guy J.
I love this pretzel. Also the barkeep Paul is a real pro. It was his wave from within the bar tonight that brought me in - a genial host indeed. Nice decor, good playlist, and Pilsener Urquell on draft. For a headhouse spot this place raises the bar. It's a breath of fresh air! Kudos gentlemen - I'll be back for dinner!
(5)
Alan W.
Way overpriced. For $22, you get 2 medium sized scallops that are not exceptional. The appetizers are also overpriced for the same quality and quantity reasons. The one plus is the ambience...definitely dig the setup. I'd unlikely go back.
(2)
Adam N.
These Guys know food. Their menu is creative and they execute on flavor. The space has a great vibe and they've got a solid drink list. The unpasteurized Pils Urquell was unique for the States. Would encourage 1-2 safer options on the menu for parties with pickier guests (can't bring my parents here).
(5)
C W.
This place was an A+ (or 5 stars). Ambiance: 5 Stars Crowd: 5 Stars Food: 5 Stars Menu depth: 4 Stars Noise Level: 5 Stars Service: 5 Stars Overall: 5 Stars 4 of us went to dinner here. We each tried one of the 4 entrees, split three 'snacks' (starters), a bottle of wine and 2 other glasses. Grand total was around $50 per person, so it's definitely not a cheap night out, but it's worth every penny. The ambience is remarkable, given how close head house square is to the scene on south street. We had 7 pm reservations and we got their a little early and capacity was probably 30%, but 8pm the whole place (including standers at the bar) was near full. The crowd is NOT a south street crowd. It seems really civilized, the noise level was at the right level, not so noisy we couldn't enjoy a conversation, but enough so that the music wasn't drowned out completely. Nice balance. The food was very tasty. Between the scallops, the chicken, the pork belly and the steak - each of us was happy with our order. Steak was cooked perfectly, the scallops tasted fresh, and the chicken was seasoned really nicely. Also, can't go wrong with pork belly. My criticism is only on the depth of food offered. Waiter introduced the restaurant as "pennsylvania heritage" but I have to believe even William Penn had more food options. That being said, the options they have are great. And I imagine over time they may expand the menu, but all in all, limit included ... the food is simply wonderful. Noise: see above. perfect Service: I can't recall our waiter's name, but he was incredibly attentive, not pushy, not pretentious, and incredibly approachable. He wasn't at our table every 5 minutes, but also didn't wait too long to come back to check on us. Great balance. Kudos to him. Overall: Don't go out in head house often, but this place may bring me there a few more times this year. Great restaurant. Great product! 5 Stars
(5)
Truth B Told R.
Went once for drinks and once for dinner. It's good, but not great. The menu was a bit limiting. The burger was good and personally I think they could use more regular entrees at reasonable prices given the location.
We are thrilled to have such a great addition to the neighborhood. The atmosphere is really nice and the interior is beautiful & clean, but still captures the historical feel of the neighborhood. We have been several times and the service was outstanding. Creative high-end cocktails made by friendly, experienced bartenders. They also have a solid pilsner urquell on tap and good selection of bottles. And the food was great. Highly recommend the mushrooms, sliders, oysters, and root chips (dipped in new spin on onion dip but with lamb jus).
(5)
Ethan H.
Excellent food, solid service in a beautiful setting. We were there during the Restaurant Week menu, so I don't know what their normal offerings are like. But the fixed menu included an onion dip with veggie chips to die for, peach soup, fabulous Amish Chicken and Waffles and a great steak dinner. We weren't as crazy about the desserts, but that's the only area where we saw room for improvement.
(5)
Susanne J.
At some point over the summer I found myself following SHS on Instagram and vowed to get there after drooling over their photos of hand-crafted cocktails and elegant "pub" fare. SHS did not disappoint. Having never been to its predecessor, The Artful Dodger, I had no expectations. I really liked the ambience created by the warm, dim lighting and dark wood. It was all very reminiscent of Philadelphia's 18th and 19th century roots. The bar seemed to be populated by regulars and newbies alike and appeared to be a place where you could pop in after work for a beverage and chit-chat without any of the pretension that is served up at other Philadelphia watering holes. I found the staff to be amiable, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. I quite enjoyed the restaurant's take on chicken and dumplings. The chef literally uses the entire chicken (minus the innards) in the dish in a most creative way. The chicken appears to be pressed into small, toothsome triangles and is served with little dollops of buttermilk dumpling in a most savory sauce. The doughnuts I ordered for dessert were light and crispy instead of the leaden balls of dry dough that I've encountered at other establishments. I am normally ambivalent about cocktails - I'm usually overwhelmed by the sheer amount of alcohol mixed in or underwhelmed by accompanying flavors that have been mixed in. I was blown away by "The Gift" at SHS. It was delectable! An elegant and delicate mix of plum, lemon, vanilla, gin, and egg white. It was so smooth with just a hint of creaminess. The flavors blended so well that I was not walloped over the head with the gin or lemon. I will probably start a Paul MacDonald fan-club. SHS is a quiet, lovely little place for a date or meeting an old friend or if your parents are in town.
Really amazing food, great service and a casual atmosphere. We had heard great things about SHS, and couldn't wait to check it out for ourselves. The specialty drinks were really tasty - but I'd highly recommend whatever drink specials they have available. Last Thursday they featured caipirinhas and a lemony-gin concoction for $6 each - a bargain for a mixed drink in Center City! We also had the Thinking Machine (bourbon, lemon-coriander shrub, and amaro montenegro) and the Liberal Arts Degree (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, amaro meletti, absinthe + a lemon twist) for $13 each. For starters, we ordered the red beet deviled eggs and the seasonal mushrooms. We were also served a complimentary warm pretzel with some seriously spicy mustard. The mushrooms were the standout of our first bites and I highly recommend them if they're on the menu! For dinner, I had the duck breast because I can never resist ordering duck, and I was not disappointed. It was perfectly cooked with a crispy skin that paired well with the carrot puree. It also came with housemade sauerkraut, which I skipped because I'm not a fan in general. Tom had the apple-braised pork belly, which was very flavorful and tender. Both entrees were very carefully prepared and cooked. For dessert, we had the chocolate pie-in-a-jar. It was definitely more fruit-present (raspberry) than chocolate, which was a little bit of a disappointment for the chocoholic birthday boy, but it was a nice, light ending to our delicious meal. Our server was also nice enough to bring it out with a candle :) Also, I'm not sure if the AC wasn't working properly (or if there even is AC?) but it was hotter than hell in there on Thursday night. The doors were open which let in a little breeze, but I was pretty uncomfortable during dinner. Aside from that, a wonderful experience!
(4)
Brian M.
Ended up here two days in a row, first for a late night drink then the next night for dinner. Drinks: Really nice little stout selection at $6-8 each. As I'm a fan of this style I am a fan of their choices, tis the season for dark beers after all. Enough with the hoppy stuff. Try the North Country Stout - PA produced and specifically call Buck Snort Stout, but that wouldn't look so nice on the menu, huh? Dinner dates (yeah, two of em) both enjoyed the Orange Catholic but wouldn't let me try so can't vouch personally. Food: Had some poutine to start (share) and also tried some of the beet tartare. Poutine had a bit of sog but were nice, finished with pork belly chunks. They seem to like pork belly here. Went with the chicken & dumplings for an entree. I had no idea other people had never heard of this before. They thought it was maybe a weird Chinese twist with the dumplings I think, so had to explain what they were. What was served was certainly way nicer than what Momma used to serve on nights where she had some time to kick the meal up a notch, but to be honest I prefer her actual dumplings. I think she used Bisquick. If the chef here is reading this he's probably Google searching my name right now. BISQUICK MOTHERF*CKER!?!?...chill bro the dish was solid. Very juicy chicken and lots of lovely sauce to sop up. Service was fine also, nothing really stood out other than the awkwardness of seeing certain people twice in a 24 hour period.
(4)
Meg R.
This is my new favorite local spot when I'm in the mood for a fancy, herbacious cocktail in lovely surroundings. This is in the same location as the Artful Dodger, and is everything that I wished the Dodger had been and more. One of the best compliments I've heard about SHS is that "it looks as though it's always been there." The period look is understated but consistent throughout. It feels very natural and plays up all the things about the location that makes it relevant to the neighborhood, but doesn't overdo it, like Stephen Starr's Dandelion does. The drinks and food are pricey, but they're good, fresh, unique, well-proportioned, and delicious. I particularly like the chef's modern take on classic American dishes, specific to Philly and early America. As a PA Dutch person, I was particularly impressed with the amazing Shoe Fly Pie desert, which was made using gorgeous ripe figs and plated beautifully. Other meals we've had here are thoughtful and delicious. Think Ela in terms of modern twists on Philly classics, however SHS has a bit more of a nod to the historical Philly scene. The prices are a bit prohibitive, cocktails run around $10-$14 a pop. There are more affordable drink alternatives such as Pilsner Urquells to quench your thirst for around $4-$6. However they are special, this is not a place to come get loaded before you traipse down South Street. It's more a place to soak in the scenes of Headhouse Square while sipping on a delicious and precious hand-made cocktail. I only hope they can keep folks coming with the prices the way they are, this is more of a Serpico crowd, so I imagine folks are coming South from Society Hill and North from Queen Village in order to quaff delicious beverages. All in all, one of my favorite new locales in Philly, I love taking friends and clients here. Thanks SHS I hope you stick around for awhile!
(5)
Elizabeth S.
We really wanted to love this place. We did. The atmosphere is charming...nice location. Staff were friendly. But like other reviewers noted, they seemed very understaffed and we had to wait a very long time for our food, even though there weren't that many people there when we placed our order. From what I could see, there were only 5 people working the whole place: a bartender, a waiter, a runner, a chef and a dishwasher. With the exception of a few things, the food was dissapointing. The pierogies were the only success for us; too bad they were so tiny. Portions are very small...my burger was little more than 2 inches in diameter. I love greasy food, but the onion rings and chips were so oily that I couldn't eat them...and they were completely underseasoned, which made things worse. All we could taste was dirty fry oil. The chicken pot pie croquettes were mushy and they had no seasoning at all. We did a lot of waiting there, and received a lot of greasy, tasteless, unsatisfying dishes.
(2)
Melanie S.
Was so bummed. We had a reservation and sat for 30 minutes before we could even get a drink, then couldn't get food because the kitchen was understaffed. Shame because the menu looked good. Not sure what happened but today's brunch was a disaster - hope they get their act together.
(1)
Alax G.
Haven't been looking forward to writing this review, as I've heard so many good things about this place and I hope my experience is an anomaly-- this past Sunday morning brunch was pretty much a bust. Sounds like someone in the kitchen screwed them in the morning. There was only one person manning the kitchen, and plates were coming out literally one at a time. My group was one of the first 3 tables to be seated. We actually arrived right at opening and were asked to leave and come back, as they were not ready yet. Once seated, we got our drink orders relatively fast -- the bloody marys are AHH-mazing -- and about 10 minutes later were warned that we could order food but they were extremely understaffed that morning and it would be a while for food. Fair enough. given the stellar brunch reviews, we decided to wait it out. Asked for some bread or toast to tide us over until the food got there. Unfortunately they forgot about the toast. We ended up ordering another round of drinks and asked for the toast again--to their credit, when it finally came, it was delicious toast -- served with whipped butter and the best tasting jam ever. When the food finally did arrive, my ONE poached egg was boiled to crumbling (honestly--is it too much to serve the standard 2--cooked properly?), pork belly was great, and the serving of smoked salmon was skimpy at best. Overall made for a pretty sad, empty looking plate--but I dared not send it back given the atmosphere in the kitchen. To the restaurant's credit, the french toast was amazing, and I didn't even have a chance to try the chicken and waffles as my friend inhaled them before I could blink twice. In the end they took one round of drinks off our bill, and didn't charge us for the toast. I think they stopped serving food all-together right after we ordered. It was a bad morning for them, that was evident, but I do worry about a restaurant that can't properly cook an egg...
(2)
Celeste M.
I have been meaning to write a review of this really cool place since my boyfriend and I went for an early saturday evening dinner back on 5/3/14. We were fascinated as we watched it gradually fill up with a wonderfully eclectic mix of patrons of all ages: great Ambience! Service was perfect as was the food. We tried 2 different "toasts", "Duck Scrapple Salad" and a Scallop Entree. Fairly small but extremely interesting menu! Our wine was good and my "Witch's Sabbath" Cocktail was not inexpensive, but it was to die for!
(5)
Joe G.
Great spot. The food is delicious! Really well done. They had amazing complimentary bread with one meal I had. The mussels were awesome - delectable Asian inspired broth. Excellent beer selection. Great vibe, fantastic space.
(5)
Frank C.
Cute little spot, really well-stocked bar, short but very good cocktail list. Clearly they put a lot of effort in to each little thing. The house marmalade-lavender marmalade is ridiculous, and the cheeseburger, although lilliputian, was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. The pickle must have been housemade also, as it maintained that wonderful essence of summer cucumber in a way that pickles so rarely do. Great intimate date spot.
(4)
C W.
This place was an A+ (or 5 stars). Ambiance: 5 Stars Crowd: 5 Stars Food: 5 Stars Menu depth: 4 Stars Noise Level: 5 Stars Service: 5 Stars Overall: 5 Stars 4 of us went to dinner here. We each tried one of the 4 entrees, split three 'snacks' (starters), a bottle of wine and 2 other glasses. Grand total was around $50 per person, so it's definitely not a cheap night out, but it's worth every penny. The ambience is remarkable, given how close head house square is to the scene on south street. We had 7 pm reservations and we got their a little early and capacity was probably 30%, but 8pm the whole place (including standers at the bar) was near full. The crowd is NOT a south street crowd. It seems really civilized, the noise level was at the right level, not so noisy we couldn't enjoy a conversation, but enough so that the music wasn't drowned out completely. Nice balance. The food was very tasty. Between the scallops, the chicken, the pork belly and the steak - each of us was happy with our order. Steak was cooked perfectly, the scallops tasted fresh, and the chicken was seasoned really nicely. Also, can't go wrong with pork belly. My criticism is only on the depth of food offered. Waiter introduced the restaurant as "pennsylvania heritage" but I have to believe even William Penn had more food options. That being said, the options they have are great. And I imagine over time they may expand the menu, but all in all, limit included ... the food is simply wonderful. Noise: see above. perfect Service: I can't recall our waiter's name, but he was incredibly attentive, not pushy, not pretentious, and incredibly approachable. He wasn't at our table every 5 minutes, but also didn't wait too long to come back to check on us. Great balance. Kudos to him. Overall: Don't go out in head house often, but this place may bring me there a few more times this year. Great restaurant. Great product! 5 Stars
(5)
Kristen M.
Dining partner and I came to Society Hill Society during Friday of restaurant week at 7pm. First off, the ambiance is wonderful. It's got a rustic country theme going, with wood booths and soft candle lighting. This would, in my opinion, be the perfect place for a first date. Not too loud, you can talk and hear your date. Our waitress was friendly and attentive as well as the other staff members who cleared our plates and filled our waters. The mixologists are good at what they do, signature shakes that are fun to watch! We each ordered Orange Catholic cocktails which were wonderful. The complementary homemade vegetable chips and onion dip were great! The only reason I can't give 5 stars is that we were hoping for larger portions. Standard restaurant week, it was a $35 pre fixe menu. I started off with the pierogies, dining partner had the chicken pot pie croquettes, we both got 3 of each. The pierogies were delicious served with jam and sour cream. The croquettes were pretty good as well. For my entree I had the chicken and waffles, dining partner had the scallops. My chicken and waffles was very filling and LOADED with peas. I'm not a huge fan of peas so I ate around them. Chicken was perfectly cooked and moist, waffle was light and fluffy. All two of the scallops and two corncrakes were gone almost as soon as dining partner received his plate. We expected season's 52 shot-like desserts and were pleasantly surprised when our apple pie in a mason jar and chocolate and berry dessert in a mason jar were very generous. We both agreed the apple pie was much better than the bitter berry and chocolate dessert. Overall a great dinner, we just wanted more! I would love to come back here again when the full menu is available.
We are thrilled to have such a great addition to the neighborhood. The atmosphere is really nice and the interior is beautiful & clean, but still captures the historical feel of the neighborhood. We have been several times and the service was outstanding. Creative high-end cocktails made by friendly, experienced bartenders. They also have a solid pilsner urquell on tap and good selection of bottles. And the food was great. Highly recommend the mushrooms, sliders, oysters, and root chips (dipped in new spin on onion dip but with lamb jus).
(5)
Ethan H.
Excellent food, solid service in a beautiful setting. We were there during the Restaurant Week menu, so I don't know what their normal offerings are like. But the fixed menu included an onion dip with veggie chips to die for, peach soup, fabulous Amish Chicken and Waffles and a great steak dinner. We weren't as crazy about the desserts, but that's the only area where we saw room for improvement.
(5)
Dennis G.
I was not sure what to expect when I sat down at this place. I liked the look and feel, it is vintage but steam punk at the same time with a cool light fixtures. Old church pews with an eclectic selection of chairs. With some rough hewn walls and some mirrors with a nice patina on them it just feels cool. So for the food. I looked at the prices and wasn't sure what to expect. I bought the Pierogies and Trout Toast (a special). Both were very light and refreshing, very spring flavors and the Pierogies were plated beautifully. My one qualm, they made this awesome onion jam and put it underneath the Pierogies, I would have put it on top of them or in them because the flavor and texture of the onion jam was just awesome. The Trout toast was good. For Entrees, my date got the Scallops and I got the Duck Breast. The Scallops were good but the Duck Breast was amazing, great portion cooked to perfection. I would come back again just for the Duck Breast. Weeknight dinner, so no drinks. The reasons I am not giving 5 stars is that my waiter was slightly slow and it was a long break between the appetizers and entrees. That was my really only complaint. So I would definitely eat here as it was pretty great I would highly endorse and encourage you to GET THE DUCK BREAST!
(4)
Jemma C.
Officially obsessed! Defo in my top 3 restaurants in Philly on all angles: staff, drinks, food, venue, location... I'd go daily. Run don't walk.
(5)
Derek W.
Sticky buns French toast is a must try, especially if you like Hong Kong style French toast - crunchy outside & moist inside.
(5)
Joseph D.
Decided to pop in for a quick brunch bite after the farmers market. Overall not impressed with the food or service. Friendly staff, cold food and not very attentive despite having very few diners in the restaurant. I am sure things will improve with time.
(2)
Darlene M.
What a new gem!! The drinks are perfect, the ambience is perfect, and the staff is friendly and helpful. I had dinner once and the burger and fried chicken were really good. It's a really cute date spot, or fun place to grab drinks or dinner with a friend. Great place to hang out!
(5)
Guy J.
I love this pretzel. Also the barkeep Paul is a real pro. It was his wave from within the bar tonight that brought me in - a genial host indeed. Nice decor, good playlist, and Pilsener Urquell on draft. For a headhouse spot this place raises the bar. It's a breath of fresh air! Kudos gentlemen - I'll be back for dinner!
(5)
Alan W.
Way overpriced. For $22, you get 2 medium sized scallops that are not exceptional. The appetizers are also overpriced for the same quality and quantity reasons. The one plus is the ambience...definitely dig the setup. I'd unlikely go back.
(2)
Truth B Told R.
Went once for drinks and once for dinner. It's good, but not great. The menu was a bit limiting. The burger was good and personally I think they could use more regular entrees at reasonable prices given the location.
(3)
F R.
I was brought here by a colleague on a trip to Philadelphia. We had an outstanding mussels appetizer. I believe the sauce was made with curry and coconut milk. For my main course I had the scallops dish. Very, very good. Ambience and service was above average. I would absolutely come again.
(4)
Joel O.
Eaten here twice now. SHS is a warm, welcoming space, with a really nice vintage vibe and a lovely bar. It does a great job of seeming very classy without being stuffy -- a surprisingly local-feeling place considering its location. I've had fish, scallops, deviled egg, chicken and waffles, and an asparagus thing on toast -- all of it was delicious. The food seems to vary between comfort food and more haute cuisine ambition. Servers take good care of you and do a fine job of talking about the dishes without seeming to be laying it on too thick. I can also recommend the Liberal Arts Degree from the cocktail list, if you like whiskey-based cocktails (which I do). A very nice place for a good, casual dinner and a nice drink or two. I live across town, but if I were in this area I'm sure SHS would be my go-to choice.
(5)
Joy T.
Finally, a wonderful little hipster bar that has elevated the dining options in Headhouse Square. It's a charming revival of an old space. Beers and cocktails are excellent. The food is great, though overpriced for the actual quality. At these prices, you can get a better meal at Talula's. I would expect SHS to grow into itself with time and adjust its menu/prices accordingly.
(3)
steds s.
One of my favorite new places in Headhouse Square and the city. The food and drinks are exquisite. Also, the ambiance at both the bar and peripheral seating for the restaurant are amazing. What a change from the pub/chicken/wing hang-out that was the Artful Dodger. Chef Yun and his partners have really done something great here. Since I've tried many of his great dishes, I'm looking forward to seeing how the menu expands. Definitely a place in Philadelphia you have to visit if you love great food experiences.
(4)
Mg g.
Ok so I went there 2 times the first time I really liked it but was not sure about the menu, so glad I went back. I ordered the supper an incredible ribeye which rivals anything in the city and I go out a lot for business the blue cheese butter amazing cooked to order and the crispy potatoes. I also got the chicken croquettes where so great everyone at my table ate my order. I can't say enough about the steak though I just came back from a trip to Argentina where beef is king and this steak rivaled that perfectly cooked and flavor forward. My wife ordered the duck salad WOW it has a duck scrapple with a frisee salad and a poached egg so great like a great French Salad, Our party loved the drinks, especially the cocktails finally somewhere where we can get a great drink with good quality booze and handmade juices. Cool atmosphere they have transformed this place opening int up to a u shaped bar great mix of people which I really liked everyone from hipster to neighborhood scene. Can't wait to come back
(5)
Steve G.
great craft cocktails, beautiful space, but a little on the pricey side. had a few nibbles, mix of bar nuts wish they gave you more small portion but delicious, duck act apple salad was genius and deviled eggs. everything was executed perfectly just a little to small on portion of cocktails and food for the price they charge.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dessert Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
F R.
I was brought here by a colleague on a trip to Philadelphia. We had an outstanding mussels appetizer. I believe the sauce was made with curry and coconut milk. For my main course I had the scallops dish. Very, very good. Ambience and service was above average. I would absolutely come again.
(4)Joel O.
Eaten here twice now. SHS is a warm, welcoming space, with a really nice vintage vibe and a lovely bar. It does a great job of seeming very classy without being stuffy -- a surprisingly local-feeling place considering its location. I've had fish, scallops, deviled egg, chicken and waffles, and an asparagus thing on toast -- all of it was delicious. The food seems to vary between comfort food and more haute cuisine ambition. Servers take good care of you and do a fine job of talking about the dishes without seeming to be laying it on too thick. I can also recommend the Liberal Arts Degree from the cocktail list, if you like whiskey-based cocktails (which I do). A very nice place for a good, casual dinner and a nice drink or two. I live across town, but if I were in this area I'm sure SHS would be my go-to choice.
(5)Joy T.
Finally, a wonderful little hipster bar that has elevated the dining options in Headhouse Square. It's a charming revival of an old space. Beers and cocktails are excellent. The food is great, though overpriced for the actual quality. At these prices, you can get a better meal at Talula's. I would expect SHS to grow into itself with time and adjust its menu/prices accordingly.
(3)steds s.
One of my favorite new places in Headhouse Square and the city. The food and drinks are exquisite. Also, the ambiance at both the bar and peripheral seating for the restaurant are amazing. What a change from the pub/chicken/wing hang-out that was the Artful Dodger. Chef Yun and his partners have really done something great here. Since I've tried many of his great dishes, I'm looking forward to seeing how the menu expands. Definitely a place in Philadelphia you have to visit if you love great food experiences.
(4)Joe G.
Great spot. The food is delicious! Really well done. They had amazing complimentary bread with one meal I had. The mussels were awesome - delectable Asian inspired broth. Excellent beer selection. Great vibe, fantastic space.
(5)Frank C.
Cute little spot, really well-stocked bar, short but very good cocktail list. Clearly they put a lot of effort in to each little thing. The house marmalade-lavender marmalade is ridiculous, and the cheeseburger, although lilliputian, was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. The pickle must have been housemade also, as it maintained that wonderful essence of summer cucumber in a way that pickles so rarely do. Great intimate date spot.
(4)S L.
My girl friend and I went to the Society Hill Society after the kitchen was closed, so only we could eat(drink) was drinks. The servers were so nice to us. However, only downside would be the ladies rooms. There were girls never came out.. Oh well, other then that, everything was so great. I tried a drink and didn't like it and the server changed my order that I am familiar with. How nice. The rejected cocktail was $15..... Thank you....
(4)Kristen M.
Dining partner and I came to Society Hill Society during Friday of restaurant week at 7pm. First off, the ambiance is wonderful. It's got a rustic country theme going, with wood booths and soft candle lighting. This would, in my opinion, be the perfect place for a first date. Not too loud, you can talk and hear your date. Our waitress was friendly and attentive as well as the other staff members who cleared our plates and filled our waters. The mixologists are good at what they do, signature shakes that are fun to watch! We each ordered Orange Catholic cocktails which were wonderful. The complementary homemade vegetable chips and onion dip were great! The only reason I can't give 5 stars is that we were hoping for larger portions. Standard restaurant week, it was a $35 pre fixe menu. I started off with the pierogies, dining partner had the chicken pot pie croquettes, we both got 3 of each. The pierogies were delicious served with jam and sour cream. The croquettes were pretty good as well. For my entree I had the chicken and waffles, dining partner had the scallops. My chicken and waffles was very filling and LOADED with peas. I'm not a huge fan of peas so I ate around them. Chicken was perfectly cooked and moist, waffle was light and fluffy. All two of the scallops and two corncrakes were gone almost as soon as dining partner received his plate. We expected season's 52 shot-like desserts and were pleasantly surprised when our apple pie in a mason jar and chocolate and berry dessert in a mason jar were very generous. We both agreed the apple pie was much better than the bitter berry and chocolate dessert. Overall a great dinner, we just wanted more! I would love to come back here again when the full menu is available.
(4)Mg g.
Ok so I went there 2 times the first time I really liked it but was not sure about the menu, so glad I went back. I ordered the supper an incredible ribeye which rivals anything in the city and I go out a lot for business the blue cheese butter amazing cooked to order and the crispy potatoes. I also got the chicken croquettes where so great everyone at my table ate my order. I can't say enough about the steak though I just came back from a trip to Argentina where beef is king and this steak rivaled that perfectly cooked and flavor forward. My wife ordered the duck salad WOW it has a duck scrapple with a frisee salad and a poached egg so great like a great French Salad, Our party loved the drinks, especially the cocktails finally somewhere where we can get a great drink with good quality booze and handmade juices. Cool atmosphere they have transformed this place opening int up to a u shaped bar great mix of people which I really liked everyone from hipster to neighborhood scene. Can't wait to come back
(5)Steve G.
great craft cocktails, beautiful space, but a little on the pricey side. had a few nibbles, mix of bar nuts wish they gave you more small portion but delicious, duck act apple salad was genius and deviled eggs. everything was executed perfectly just a little to small on portion of cocktails and food for the price they charge.
(4)Matt W.
We had a reservation for my cousin's 30th birthday the day after Xmas. We confirmed the reservation beforehand...showed up and they were closed!!! It looked like they were closed for repairs, possibly for the holdiays. Regardless, who does that without informing the people that have reservations?!? It's the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen out of a restaurant. We ended up going to Stella, who were gracious enough to accommodate 10 people on short notice. They said they had a party come in the week before that faced the same predicament. Zero stars - bunch of amateurs.
(1)Aaliyah P.
Go for the Gin Jawn... Its close enough to south street that its acceptable . Ive only been here for drinks and light snacks but definitely want to check out some dinner action. the smoked onion dip is so good you will want to #SYDI i wish it came in a bugger dish with more veggies. The bartenders and friendly and its always a nice crowd here . I think my only issue is the people with strollers that were there the same time as me ( i don't like those people). They have a brunch menu but its really limited in options so ill make my next visit(s) for more eats of the dinner time variety.
(4)Carrie P.
We came here for my husbands birthday. I really loved the feel of the place. Very cozy and romantic. I started with wine and my husband a $15 mixed drink. Expensive but he enjoyed it. We then had a endive salad and chicken croquettes. Both were good, not amazing. I then had the scallops and my husband had ribs. This is where my warning to not come hungry comes in. There were 3 measly scallops on my plate. Fine but not for $25. They were average too. Husband had 3 ribs. Overpriced!! The dessert was less then to be desired. Overall it's average food for a huge price.
(3)David G.
Tried SHS twice. Once for lunch on Saturday and then because I could not believe it was so bad, Monday night for dinner as I had head good things and Stella's was closed for repair and it was raining. Lunch: Order ice tea and diet coke, I ordered eggs and toast and spouse ordered soup and salad. Ice tea came with out ice, soda was flat, toast was cold, soup had been left our and had skin on top and salad was mealy. Service was slow even thought we were one of only a few in restaurant. OK slow day and cook must of quit. $34 was very pricey for what we ordered. Dinner: On my own Monday night. Ordered NA beer, did not have any. Ordered ice tea and took 10 minutes. Ordered burger for $8 and onion rings. Burger was maybe 4oz and came cold. Onion rings OK but not great. Again service marginal but polite. $17. Other issue I had was patron at the bar was in deep conversation with bar tender and every third word was a loud F this and F that. Does not speak to class. Given the number of other great options within a block or two you think they would figure this out. I have to assume this is remote management. I will be amazed if this place lasts another month. Great tradition in the location, this version will not be part of any of that history. Given the investment why would you not train staff and kitchen. Quality comes from paying attention to basics first then details. If you want to be just a bar,don't serve food.
(1)S L.
My girl friend and I went to the Society Hill Society after the kitchen was closed, so only we could eat(drink) was drinks. The servers were so nice to us. However, only downside would be the ladies rooms. There were girls never came out.. Oh well, other then that, everything was so great. I tried a drink and didn't like it and the server changed my order that I am familiar with. How nice. The rejected cocktail was $15..... Thank you....
(4)Brian S.
This restaurant is nestled in the former Artful Dodger at Second and Pine on Headhouse Square. It's a new addition to the neighborhood that I decided to check out after reading a piece in the paper. The dining room is decorated with a rustic feel that makes you think you're visiting a farmhouse. There are no TV's so bring a friend who you can talk to. Without the espn-addled distractions, the atmosphere is a real treat if you want to eat good food with good people. My date and I were seated right away and ordered drinks. Oh the drinks! The place has a full bar and a nice menu of specialty cocktails in the $12-15 range. The drinks we had were good enough to make the trip here worthwhile on their own. Both were excellent. We eventually had some glasses of nice white wine at the (very good) suggestion of the waiter. We had a while to look at the menu while we had our cocktails. We were given a warm pretzel and homemade mustard, bar nuts and an olive medley while we waited. All of the snacks were fantastic, if anything they were too generous. By the end we were so full we had trouble finishing the main course! We decided on the 3 course "Supper" menu for $45. It didn't disappoint. First course was an appetizer of succotash and a creamy farmer's cheese on toast. As strange as it sounds to describe eating succotash on bread, it worked. The veggies and cheese were fresh tasting and wonderful. Second course was a rich turtle soup in a tomato broth with a poached egg. The tomato broth had some kick courtesy of a helping of tabasco, but this was nicely mellowed by mixing the egg yolk into the soup. Third course was a lamb chop served over mushrooms and noodles. The chop was perfectly cooked and the sauce was flavorful. The dish felt very hearty even though it was just one chop. Finally, the service was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable and prompt, without hovering. The kitchen and dining room were humming along like they had been open for years, instead of a few days. We had a great time and felt very welcome.
(5)Adam N.
These Guys know food. Their menu is creative and they execute on flavor. The space has a great vibe and they've got a solid drink list. The unpasteurized Pils Urquell was unique for the States. Would encourage 1-2 safer options on the menu for parties with pickier guests (can't bring my parents here).
(5)David F.
Tried this place for the first time last evening, and loved everything about it -- food, drinks, ambience, excellent and friendly staff. Several of the cocktails are really outstanding -- Witches Sabbath and Twin Moons -- and all are examples of serious mixology. The menu focuses on bar food, but done with flair and skill, and the entrees (they do serve dinner) were worthy of a trip in themselves. Definitely coming back here soon!
(5)Lisa C.
Delicious food and great atmosphere. Great for a date night.
(5)Brian S.
This restaurant is nestled in the former Artful Dodger at Second and Pine on Headhouse Square. It's a new addition to the neighborhood that I decided to check out after reading a piece in the paper. The dining room is decorated with a rustic feel that makes you think you're visiting a farmhouse. There are no TV's so bring a friend who you can talk to. Without the espn-addled distractions, the atmosphere is a real treat if you want to eat good food with good people. My date and I were seated right away and ordered drinks. Oh the drinks! The place has a full bar and a nice menu of specialty cocktails in the $12-15 range. The drinks we had were good enough to make the trip here worthwhile on their own. Both were excellent. We eventually had some glasses of nice white wine at the (very good) suggestion of the waiter. We had a while to look at the menu while we had our cocktails. We were given a warm pretzel and homemade mustard, bar nuts and an olive medley while we waited. All of the snacks were fantastic, if anything they were too generous. By the end we were so full we had trouble finishing the main course! We decided on the 3 course "Supper" menu for $45. It didn't disappoint. First course was an appetizer of succotash and a creamy farmer's cheese on toast. As strange as it sounds to describe eating succotash on bread, it worked. The veggies and cheese were fresh tasting and wonderful. Second course was a rich turtle soup in a tomato broth with a poached egg. The tomato broth had some kick courtesy of a helping of tabasco, but this was nicely mellowed by mixing the egg yolk into the soup. Third course was a lamb chop served over mushrooms and noodles. The chop was perfectly cooked and the sauce was flavorful. The dish felt very hearty even though it was just one chop. Finally, the service was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable and prompt, without hovering. The kitchen and dining room were humming along like they had been open for years, instead of a few days. We had a great time and felt very welcome.
(5)Dennis G.
I was not sure what to expect when I sat down at this place. I liked the look and feel, it is vintage but steam punk at the same time with a cool light fixtures. Old church pews with an eclectic selection of chairs. With some rough hewn walls and some mirrors with a nice patina on them it just feels cool. So for the food. I looked at the prices and wasn't sure what to expect. I bought the Pierogies and Trout Toast (a special). Both were very light and refreshing, very spring flavors and the Pierogies were plated beautifully. My one qualm, they made this awesome onion jam and put it underneath the Pierogies, I would have put it on top of them or in them because the flavor and texture of the onion jam was just awesome. The Trout toast was good. For Entrees, my date got the Scallops and I got the Duck Breast. The Scallops were good but the Duck Breast was amazing, great portion cooked to perfection. I would come back again just for the Duck Breast. Weeknight dinner, so no drinks. The reasons I am not giving 5 stars is that my waiter was slightly slow and it was a long break between the appetizers and entrees. That was my really only complaint. So I would definitely eat here as it was pretty great I would highly endorse and encourage you to GET THE DUCK BREAST!
(4)Jemma C.
Officially obsessed! Defo in my top 3 restaurants in Philly on all angles: staff, drinks, food, venue, location... I'd go daily. Run don't walk.
(5)Melanie S.
Was so bummed. We had a reservation and sat for 30 minutes before we could even get a drink, then couldn't get food because the kitchen was understaffed. Shame because the menu looked good. Not sure what happened but today's brunch was a disaster - hope they get their act together.
(1)Meg R.
This is my new favorite local spot when I'm in the mood for a fancy, herbacious cocktail in lovely surroundings. This is in the same location as the Artful Dodger, and is everything that I wished the Dodger had been and more. One of the best compliments I've heard about SHS is that "it looks as though it's always been there." The period look is understated but consistent throughout. It feels very natural and plays up all the things about the location that makes it relevant to the neighborhood, but doesn't overdo it, like Stephen Starr's Dandelion does. The drinks and food are pricey, but they're good, fresh, unique, well-proportioned, and delicious. I particularly like the chef's modern take on classic American dishes, specific to Philly and early America. As a PA Dutch person, I was particularly impressed with the amazing Shoe Fly Pie desert, which was made using gorgeous ripe figs and plated beautifully. Other meals we've had here are thoughtful and delicious. Think Ela in terms of modern twists on Philly classics, however SHS has a bit more of a nod to the historical Philly scene. The prices are a bit prohibitive, cocktails run around $10-$14 a pop. There are more affordable drink alternatives such as Pilsner Urquells to quench your thirst for around $4-$6. However they are special, this is not a place to come get loaded before you traipse down South Street. It's more a place to soak in the scenes of Headhouse Square while sipping on a delicious and precious hand-made cocktail. I only hope they can keep folks coming with the prices the way they are, this is more of a Serpico crowd, so I imagine folks are coming South from Society Hill and North from Queen Village in order to quaff delicious beverages. All in all, one of my favorite new locales in Philly, I love taking friends and clients here. Thanks SHS I hope you stick around for awhile!
(5)Elizabeth S.
We really wanted to love this place. We did. The atmosphere is charming...nice location. Staff were friendly. But like other reviewers noted, they seemed very understaffed and we had to wait a very long time for our food, even though there weren't that many people there when we placed our order. From what I could see, there were only 5 people working the whole place: a bartender, a waiter, a runner, a chef and a dishwasher. With the exception of a few things, the food was dissapointing. The pierogies were the only success for us; too bad they were so tiny. Portions are very small...my burger was little more than 2 inches in diameter. I love greasy food, but the onion rings and chips were so oily that I couldn't eat them...and they were completely underseasoned, which made things worse. All we could taste was dirty fry oil. The chicken pot pie croquettes were mushy and they had no seasoning at all. We did a lot of waiting there, and received a lot of greasy, tasteless, unsatisfying dishes.
(2)David F.
Tried this place for the first time last evening, and loved everything about it -- food, drinks, ambience, excellent and friendly staff. Several of the cocktails are really outstanding -- Witches Sabbath and Twin Moons -- and all are examples of serious mixology. The menu focuses on bar food, but done with flair and skill, and the entrees (they do serve dinner) were worthy of a trip in themselves. Definitely coming back here soon!
(5)Lisa C.
Delicious food and great atmosphere. Great for a date night.
(5)Susanne J.
At some point over the summer I found myself following SHS on Instagram and vowed to get there after drooling over their photos of hand-crafted cocktails and elegant "pub" fare. SHS did not disappoint. Having never been to its predecessor, The Artful Dodger, I had no expectations. I really liked the ambience created by the warm, dim lighting and dark wood. It was all very reminiscent of Philadelphia's 18th and 19th century roots. The bar seemed to be populated by regulars and newbies alike and appeared to be a place where you could pop in after work for a beverage and chit-chat without any of the pretension that is served up at other Philadelphia watering holes. I found the staff to be amiable, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. I quite enjoyed the restaurant's take on chicken and dumplings. The chef literally uses the entire chicken (minus the innards) in the dish in a most creative way. The chicken appears to be pressed into small, toothsome triangles and is served with little dollops of buttermilk dumpling in a most savory sauce. The doughnuts I ordered for dessert were light and crispy instead of the leaden balls of dry dough that I've encountered at other establishments. I am normally ambivalent about cocktails - I'm usually overwhelmed by the sheer amount of alcohol mixed in or underwhelmed by accompanying flavors that have been mixed in. I was blown away by "The Gift" at SHS. It was delectable! An elegant and delicate mix of plum, lemon, vanilla, gin, and egg white. It was so smooth with just a hint of creaminess. The flavors blended so well that I was not walloped over the head with the gin or lemon. I will probably start a Paul MacDonald fan-club. SHS is a quiet, lovely little place for a date or meeting an old friend or if your parents are in town.
(4)Michelle C.
I stopped in Society Hill Society with my partner in crime Aaliyah P on a sunny Sunday afternoon. First off, love what you did with the place, SHS! There's still a great rustic vibe but the space has gotten a lot cozier. This bar is the ideal setting for a chilly fall or winter night. We were only in for one quick drink and we both opted for The Mind-Killer, which involved a brûlée torch to finish it off. Fancy! Said cocktail was fun and tasty and pretty to boot! Looking forward to my next visit and trying some of the food menu!
(4)Derek W.
Sticky buns French toast is a must try, especially if you like Hong Kong style French toast - crunchy outside & moist inside.
(5)Joseph D.
Decided to pop in for a quick brunch bite after the farmers market. Overall not impressed with the food or service. Friendly staff, cold food and not very attentive despite having very few diners in the restaurant. I am sure things will improve with time.
(2)Darlene M.
What a new gem!! The drinks are perfect, the ambience is perfect, and the staff is friendly and helpful. I had dinner once and the burger and fried chicken were really good. It's a really cute date spot, or fun place to grab drinks or dinner with a friend. Great place to hang out!
(5)Brian M.
Ended up here two days in a row, first for a late night drink then the next night for dinner. Drinks: Really nice little stout selection at $6-8 each. As I'm a fan of this style I am a fan of their choices, tis the season for dark beers after all. Enough with the hoppy stuff. Try the North Country Stout - PA produced and specifically call Buck Snort Stout, but that wouldn't look so nice on the menu, huh? Dinner dates (yeah, two of em) both enjoyed the Orange Catholic but wouldn't let me try so can't vouch personally. Food: Had some poutine to start (share) and also tried some of the beet tartare. Poutine had a bit of sog but were nice, finished with pork belly chunks. They seem to like pork belly here. Went with the chicken & dumplings for an entree. I had no idea other people had never heard of this before. They thought it was maybe a weird Chinese twist with the dumplings I think, so had to explain what they were. What was served was certainly way nicer than what Momma used to serve on nights where she had some time to kick the meal up a notch, but to be honest I prefer her actual dumplings. I think she used Bisquick. If the chef here is reading this he's probably Google searching my name right now. BISQUICK MOTHERF*CKER!?!?...chill bro the dish was solid. Very juicy chicken and lots of lovely sauce to sop up. Service was fine also, nothing really stood out other than the awkwardness of seeing certain people twice in a 24 hour period.
(4)Matt W.
We had a reservation for my cousin's 30th birthday the day after Xmas. We confirmed the reservation beforehand...showed up and they were closed!!! It looked like they were closed for repairs, possibly for the holdiays. Regardless, who does that without informing the people that have reservations?!? It's the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen out of a restaurant. We ended up going to Stella, who were gracious enough to accommodate 10 people on short notice. They said they had a party come in the week before that faced the same predicament. Zero stars - bunch of amateurs.
(1)Aaliyah P.
Go for the Gin Jawn... Its close enough to south street that its acceptable . Ive only been here for drinks and light snacks but definitely want to check out some dinner action. the smoked onion dip is so good you will want to #SYDI i wish it came in a bugger dish with more veggies. The bartenders and friendly and its always a nice crowd here . I think my only issue is the people with strollers that were there the same time as me ( i don't like those people). They have a brunch menu but its really limited in options so ill make my next visit(s) for more eats of the dinner time variety.
(4)Carrie P.
We came here for my husbands birthday. I really loved the feel of the place. Very cozy and romantic. I started with wine and my husband a $15 mixed drink. Expensive but he enjoyed it. We then had a endive salad and chicken croquettes. Both were good, not amazing. I then had the scallops and my husband had ribs. This is where my warning to not come hungry comes in. There were 3 measly scallops on my plate. Fine but not for $25. They were average too. Husband had 3 ribs. Overpriced!! The dessert was less then to be desired. Overall it's average food for a huge price.
(3)David G.
Tried SHS twice. Once for lunch on Saturday and then because I could not believe it was so bad, Monday night for dinner as I had head good things and Stella's was closed for repair and it was raining. Lunch: Order ice tea and diet coke, I ordered eggs and toast and spouse ordered soup and salad. Ice tea came with out ice, soda was flat, toast was cold, soup had been left our and had skin on top and salad was mealy. Service was slow even thought we were one of only a few in restaurant. OK slow day and cook must of quit. $34 was very pricey for what we ordered. Dinner: On my own Monday night. Ordered NA beer, did not have any. Ordered ice tea and took 10 minutes. Ordered burger for $8 and onion rings. Burger was maybe 4oz and came cold. Onion rings OK but not great. Again service marginal but polite. $17. Other issue I had was patron at the bar was in deep conversation with bar tender and every third word was a loud F this and F that. Does not speak to class. Given the number of other great options within a block or two you think they would figure this out. I have to assume this is remote management. I will be amazed if this place lasts another month. Great tradition in the location, this version will not be part of any of that history. Given the investment why would you not train staff and kitchen. Quality comes from paying attention to basics first then details. If you want to be just a bar,don't serve food.
(1)Kim L.
Really amazing food, great service and a casual atmosphere. We had heard great things about SHS, and couldn't wait to check it out for ourselves. The specialty drinks were really tasty - but I'd highly recommend whatever drink specials they have available. Last Thursday they featured caipirinhas and a lemony-gin concoction for $6 each - a bargain for a mixed drink in Center City! We also had the Thinking Machine (bourbon, lemon-coriander shrub, and amaro montenegro) and the Liberal Arts Degree (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, amaro meletti, absinthe + a lemon twist) for $13 each. For starters, we ordered the red beet deviled eggs and the seasonal mushrooms. We were also served a complimentary warm pretzel with some seriously spicy mustard. The mushrooms were the standout of our first bites and I highly recommend them if they're on the menu! For dinner, I had the duck breast because I can never resist ordering duck, and I was not disappointed. It was perfectly cooked with a crispy skin that paired well with the carrot puree. It also came with housemade sauerkraut, which I skipped because I'm not a fan in general. Tom had the apple-braised pork belly, which was very flavorful and tender. Both entrees were very carefully prepared and cooked. For dessert, we had the chocolate pie-in-a-jar. It was definitely more fruit-present (raspberry) than chocolate, which was a little bit of a disappointment for the chocoholic birthday boy, but it was a nice, light ending to our delicious meal. Our server was also nice enough to bring it out with a candle :) Also, I'm not sure if the AC wasn't working properly (or if there even is AC?) but it was hotter than hell in there on Thursday night. The doors were open which let in a little breeze, but I was pretty uncomfortable during dinner. Aside from that, a wonderful experience!
(4)Alax G.
Haven't been looking forward to writing this review, as I've heard so many good things about this place and I hope my experience is an anomaly-- this past Sunday morning brunch was pretty much a bust. Sounds like someone in the kitchen screwed them in the morning. There was only one person manning the kitchen, and plates were coming out literally one at a time. My group was one of the first 3 tables to be seated. We actually arrived right at opening and were asked to leave and come back, as they were not ready yet. Once seated, we got our drink orders relatively fast -- the bloody marys are AHH-mazing -- and about 10 minutes later were warned that we could order food but they were extremely understaffed that morning and it would be a while for food. Fair enough. given the stellar brunch reviews, we decided to wait it out. Asked for some bread or toast to tide us over until the food got there. Unfortunately they forgot about the toast. We ended up ordering another round of drinks and asked for the toast again--to their credit, when it finally came, it was delicious toast -- served with whipped butter and the best tasting jam ever. When the food finally did arrive, my ONE poached egg was boiled to crumbling (honestly--is it too much to serve the standard 2--cooked properly?), pork belly was great, and the serving of smoked salmon was skimpy at best. Overall made for a pretty sad, empty looking plate--but I dared not send it back given the atmosphere in the kitchen. To the restaurant's credit, the french toast was amazing, and I didn't even have a chance to try the chicken and waffles as my friend inhaled them before I could blink twice. In the end they took one round of drinks off our bill, and didn't charge us for the toast. I think they stopped serving food all-together right after we ordered. It was a bad morning for them, that was evident, but I do worry about a restaurant that can't properly cook an egg...
(2)Celeste M.
I have been meaning to write a review of this really cool place since my boyfriend and I went for an early saturday evening dinner back on 5/3/14. We were fascinated as we watched it gradually fill up with a wonderfully eclectic mix of patrons of all ages: great Ambience! Service was perfect as was the food. We tried 2 different "toasts", "Duck Scrapple Salad" and a Scallop Entree. Fairly small but extremely interesting menu! Our wine was good and my "Witch's Sabbath" Cocktail was not inexpensive, but it was to die for!
(5)Guy J.
I love this pretzel. Also the barkeep Paul is a real pro. It was his wave from within the bar tonight that brought me in - a genial host indeed. Nice decor, good playlist, and Pilsener Urquell on draft. For a headhouse spot this place raises the bar. It's a breath of fresh air! Kudos gentlemen - I'll be back for dinner!
(5)Alan W.
Way overpriced. For $22, you get 2 medium sized scallops that are not exceptional. The appetizers are also overpriced for the same quality and quantity reasons. The one plus is the ambience...definitely dig the setup. I'd unlikely go back.
(2)Adam N.
These Guys know food. Their menu is creative and they execute on flavor. The space has a great vibe and they've got a solid drink list. The unpasteurized Pils Urquell was unique for the States. Would encourage 1-2 safer options on the menu for parties with pickier guests (can't bring my parents here).
(5)C W.
This place was an A+ (or 5 stars). Ambiance: 5 Stars Crowd: 5 Stars Food: 5 Stars Menu depth: 4 Stars Noise Level: 5 Stars Service: 5 Stars Overall: 5 Stars 4 of us went to dinner here. We each tried one of the 4 entrees, split three 'snacks' (starters), a bottle of wine and 2 other glasses. Grand total was around $50 per person, so it's definitely not a cheap night out, but it's worth every penny. The ambience is remarkable, given how close head house square is to the scene on south street. We had 7 pm reservations and we got their a little early and capacity was probably 30%, but 8pm the whole place (including standers at the bar) was near full. The crowd is NOT a south street crowd. It seems really civilized, the noise level was at the right level, not so noisy we couldn't enjoy a conversation, but enough so that the music wasn't drowned out completely. Nice balance. The food was very tasty. Between the scallops, the chicken, the pork belly and the steak - each of us was happy with our order. Steak was cooked perfectly, the scallops tasted fresh, and the chicken was seasoned really nicely. Also, can't go wrong with pork belly. My criticism is only on the depth of food offered. Waiter introduced the restaurant as "pennsylvania heritage" but I have to believe even William Penn had more food options. That being said, the options they have are great. And I imagine over time they may expand the menu, but all in all, limit included ... the food is simply wonderful. Noise: see above. perfect Service: I can't recall our waiter's name, but he was incredibly attentive, not pushy, not pretentious, and incredibly approachable. He wasn't at our table every 5 minutes, but also didn't wait too long to come back to check on us. Great balance. Kudos to him. Overall: Don't go out in head house often, but this place may bring me there a few more times this year. Great restaurant. Great product! 5 Stars
(5)Truth B Told R.
Went once for drinks and once for dinner. It's good, but not great. The menu was a bit limiting. The burger was good and personally I think they could use more regular entrees at reasonable prices given the location.
(3)Thomas W.
Out of business as of early January 2015. This newly opened (April 2014) bistro had a lot of potential but was still something of a work in progress. The theme was authentic locally grown fare with an emphasis on Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. First the really good. The decor was pleasing in a traditional sort of way with light pastel paints and an open floor plan. My beef (from Maine) was excellent with an interesting sauce and a succotash and corn side. My wife had the scallops and corn cake and was very satisfied. The pea and ham soup was excellent. The wine by the glass was not cheap at $10 but the pour is very generous. Areas for improvement include attention to serving hot food, inadequate portion size, and overpriced entrées and bottled wine. Our entrees were served halfway between Luke warm and stone cold. The soup was warm but not hot. At $32 for the entree I was expecting a generous steak. Instead I received a nouvelle cuisine portion. Ditto for my wife , although her entree was reasonably priced. Finally , the wine list includes only 4 bottles starting at $55 or $60.00. This is Philadelphia, not New York ! Also we had to request that the recorded music volume be lowered so we could have a conversation. Fortunately the server was very accommodating. We are sorry that it died so young.
(3)Stefanie A.
I want into this society! My friend works here and raved about it. So we stopped by for dinner. It's a huge upgrade from the artful dodger. The space is light, airy, and rustic. There's lots of seating at table and at the big brass (or copper?) bar. From the beautifully decorated space to the drinks to the menu offerings this place was top notch. We started with cocktails which were inventive and tasty (liberal arts degree and woozles/boozes? Whatever it was called it was delicious with a kick of rhubarb.) the mushroom side dish was orgasmic with a chestnut crema, exotic mushrooms and a sweet touch of berries we couldn't decipher. The duck scrapple frisée was delicious, also with a sweet little something something that added to the flavor profile. And the scallops were served with corn cakes that looked like the scallops--and we're almost as tasty. Excited to go back for their new brunch and try the sticky bun French toast. And the rest of the drink menu.
(4)Holly F.
We are thrilled to have such a great addition to the neighborhood. The atmosphere is really nice and the interior is beautiful & clean, but still captures the historical feel of the neighborhood. We have been several times and the service was outstanding. Creative high-end cocktails made by friendly, experienced bartenders. They also have a solid pilsner urquell on tap and good selection of bottles. And the food was great. Highly recommend the mushrooms, sliders, oysters, and root chips (dipped in new spin on onion dip but with lamb jus).
(5)Ethan H.
Excellent food, solid service in a beautiful setting. We were there during the Restaurant Week menu, so I don't know what their normal offerings are like. But the fixed menu included an onion dip with veggie chips to die for, peach soup, fabulous Amish Chicken and Waffles and a great steak dinner. We weren't as crazy about the desserts, but that's the only area where we saw room for improvement.
(5)Susanne J.
At some point over the summer I found myself following SHS on Instagram and vowed to get there after drooling over their photos of hand-crafted cocktails and elegant "pub" fare. SHS did not disappoint. Having never been to its predecessor, The Artful Dodger, I had no expectations. I really liked the ambience created by the warm, dim lighting and dark wood. It was all very reminiscent of Philadelphia's 18th and 19th century roots. The bar seemed to be populated by regulars and newbies alike and appeared to be a place where you could pop in after work for a beverage and chit-chat without any of the pretension that is served up at other Philadelphia watering holes. I found the staff to be amiable, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. I quite enjoyed the restaurant's take on chicken and dumplings. The chef literally uses the entire chicken (minus the innards) in the dish in a most creative way. The chicken appears to be pressed into small, toothsome triangles and is served with little dollops of buttermilk dumpling in a most savory sauce. The doughnuts I ordered for dessert were light and crispy instead of the leaden balls of dry dough that I've encountered at other establishments. I am normally ambivalent about cocktails - I'm usually overwhelmed by the sheer amount of alcohol mixed in or underwhelmed by accompanying flavors that have been mixed in. I was blown away by "The Gift" at SHS. It was delectable! An elegant and delicate mix of plum, lemon, vanilla, gin, and egg white. It was so smooth with just a hint of creaminess. The flavors blended so well that I was not walloped over the head with the gin or lemon. I will probably start a Paul MacDonald fan-club. SHS is a quiet, lovely little place for a date or meeting an old friend or if your parents are in town.
(4)Michelle C.
I stopped in Society Hill Society with my partner in crime Aaliyah P on a sunny Sunday afternoon. First off, love what you did with the place, SHS! There's still a great rustic vibe but the space has gotten a lot cozier. This bar is the ideal setting for a chilly fall or winter night. We were only in for one quick drink and we both opted for The Mind-Killer, which involved a brûlée torch to finish it off. Fancy! Said cocktail was fun and tasty and pretty to boot! Looking forward to my next visit and trying some of the food menu!
(4)Kim L.
Really amazing food, great service and a casual atmosphere. We had heard great things about SHS, and couldn't wait to check it out for ourselves. The specialty drinks were really tasty - but I'd highly recommend whatever drink specials they have available. Last Thursday they featured caipirinhas and a lemony-gin concoction for $6 each - a bargain for a mixed drink in Center City! We also had the Thinking Machine (bourbon, lemon-coriander shrub, and amaro montenegro) and the Liberal Arts Degree (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, amaro meletti, absinthe + a lemon twist) for $13 each. For starters, we ordered the red beet deviled eggs and the seasonal mushrooms. We were also served a complimentary warm pretzel with some seriously spicy mustard. The mushrooms were the standout of our first bites and I highly recommend them if they're on the menu! For dinner, I had the duck breast because I can never resist ordering duck, and I was not disappointed. It was perfectly cooked with a crispy skin that paired well with the carrot puree. It also came with housemade sauerkraut, which I skipped because I'm not a fan in general. Tom had the apple-braised pork belly, which was very flavorful and tender. Both entrees were very carefully prepared and cooked. For dessert, we had the chocolate pie-in-a-jar. It was definitely more fruit-present (raspberry) than chocolate, which was a little bit of a disappointment for the chocoholic birthday boy, but it was a nice, light ending to our delicious meal. Our server was also nice enough to bring it out with a candle :) Also, I'm not sure if the AC wasn't working properly (or if there even is AC?) but it was hotter than hell in there on Thursday night. The doors were open which let in a little breeze, but I was pretty uncomfortable during dinner. Aside from that, a wonderful experience!
(4)Brian M.
Ended up here two days in a row, first for a late night drink then the next night for dinner. Drinks: Really nice little stout selection at $6-8 each. As I'm a fan of this style I am a fan of their choices, tis the season for dark beers after all. Enough with the hoppy stuff. Try the North Country Stout - PA produced and specifically call Buck Snort Stout, but that wouldn't look so nice on the menu, huh? Dinner dates (yeah, two of em) both enjoyed the Orange Catholic but wouldn't let me try so can't vouch personally. Food: Had some poutine to start (share) and also tried some of the beet tartare. Poutine had a bit of sog but were nice, finished with pork belly chunks. They seem to like pork belly here. Went with the chicken & dumplings for an entree. I had no idea other people had never heard of this before. They thought it was maybe a weird Chinese twist with the dumplings I think, so had to explain what they were. What was served was certainly way nicer than what Momma used to serve on nights where she had some time to kick the meal up a notch, but to be honest I prefer her actual dumplings. I think she used Bisquick. If the chef here is reading this he's probably Google searching my name right now. BISQUICK MOTHERF*CKER!?!?...chill bro the dish was solid. Very juicy chicken and lots of lovely sauce to sop up. Service was fine also, nothing really stood out other than the awkwardness of seeing certain people twice in a 24 hour period.
(4)Meg R.
This is my new favorite local spot when I'm in the mood for a fancy, herbacious cocktail in lovely surroundings. This is in the same location as the Artful Dodger, and is everything that I wished the Dodger had been and more. One of the best compliments I've heard about SHS is that "it looks as though it's always been there." The period look is understated but consistent throughout. It feels very natural and plays up all the things about the location that makes it relevant to the neighborhood, but doesn't overdo it, like Stephen Starr's Dandelion does. The drinks and food are pricey, but they're good, fresh, unique, well-proportioned, and delicious. I particularly like the chef's modern take on classic American dishes, specific to Philly and early America. As a PA Dutch person, I was particularly impressed with the amazing Shoe Fly Pie desert, which was made using gorgeous ripe figs and plated beautifully. Other meals we've had here are thoughtful and delicious. Think Ela in terms of modern twists on Philly classics, however SHS has a bit more of a nod to the historical Philly scene. The prices are a bit prohibitive, cocktails run around $10-$14 a pop. There are more affordable drink alternatives such as Pilsner Urquells to quench your thirst for around $4-$6. However they are special, this is not a place to come get loaded before you traipse down South Street. It's more a place to soak in the scenes of Headhouse Square while sipping on a delicious and precious hand-made cocktail. I only hope they can keep folks coming with the prices the way they are, this is more of a Serpico crowd, so I imagine folks are coming South from Society Hill and North from Queen Village in order to quaff delicious beverages. All in all, one of my favorite new locales in Philly, I love taking friends and clients here. Thanks SHS I hope you stick around for awhile!
(5)Elizabeth S.
We really wanted to love this place. We did. The atmosphere is charming...nice location. Staff were friendly. But like other reviewers noted, they seemed very understaffed and we had to wait a very long time for our food, even though there weren't that many people there when we placed our order. From what I could see, there were only 5 people working the whole place: a bartender, a waiter, a runner, a chef and a dishwasher. With the exception of a few things, the food was dissapointing. The pierogies were the only success for us; too bad they were so tiny. Portions are very small...my burger was little more than 2 inches in diameter. I love greasy food, but the onion rings and chips were so oily that I couldn't eat them...and they were completely underseasoned, which made things worse. All we could taste was dirty fry oil. The chicken pot pie croquettes were mushy and they had no seasoning at all. We did a lot of waiting there, and received a lot of greasy, tasteless, unsatisfying dishes.
(2)Melanie S.
Was so bummed. We had a reservation and sat for 30 minutes before we could even get a drink, then couldn't get food because the kitchen was understaffed. Shame because the menu looked good. Not sure what happened but today's brunch was a disaster - hope they get their act together.
(1)Alax G.
Haven't been looking forward to writing this review, as I've heard so many good things about this place and I hope my experience is an anomaly-- this past Sunday morning brunch was pretty much a bust. Sounds like someone in the kitchen screwed them in the morning. There was only one person manning the kitchen, and plates were coming out literally one at a time. My group was one of the first 3 tables to be seated. We actually arrived right at opening and were asked to leave and come back, as they were not ready yet. Once seated, we got our drink orders relatively fast -- the bloody marys are AHH-mazing -- and about 10 minutes later were warned that we could order food but they were extremely understaffed that morning and it would be a while for food. Fair enough. given the stellar brunch reviews, we decided to wait it out. Asked for some bread or toast to tide us over until the food got there. Unfortunately they forgot about the toast. We ended up ordering another round of drinks and asked for the toast again--to their credit, when it finally came, it was delicious toast -- served with whipped butter and the best tasting jam ever. When the food finally did arrive, my ONE poached egg was boiled to crumbling (honestly--is it too much to serve the standard 2--cooked properly?), pork belly was great, and the serving of smoked salmon was skimpy at best. Overall made for a pretty sad, empty looking plate--but I dared not send it back given the atmosphere in the kitchen. To the restaurant's credit, the french toast was amazing, and I didn't even have a chance to try the chicken and waffles as my friend inhaled them before I could blink twice. In the end they took one round of drinks off our bill, and didn't charge us for the toast. I think they stopped serving food all-together right after we ordered. It was a bad morning for them, that was evident, but I do worry about a restaurant that can't properly cook an egg...
(2)Celeste M.
I have been meaning to write a review of this really cool place since my boyfriend and I went for an early saturday evening dinner back on 5/3/14. We were fascinated as we watched it gradually fill up with a wonderfully eclectic mix of patrons of all ages: great Ambience! Service was perfect as was the food. We tried 2 different "toasts", "Duck Scrapple Salad" and a Scallop Entree. Fairly small but extremely interesting menu! Our wine was good and my "Witch's Sabbath" Cocktail was not inexpensive, but it was to die for!
(5)Joe G.
Great spot. The food is delicious! Really well done. They had amazing complimentary bread with one meal I had. The mussels were awesome - delectable Asian inspired broth. Excellent beer selection. Great vibe, fantastic space.
(5)Frank C.
Cute little spot, really well-stocked bar, short but very good cocktail list. Clearly they put a lot of effort in to each little thing. The house marmalade-lavender marmalade is ridiculous, and the cheeseburger, although lilliputian, was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. The pickle must have been housemade also, as it maintained that wonderful essence of summer cucumber in a way that pickles so rarely do. Great intimate date spot.
(4)C W.
This place was an A+ (or 5 stars). Ambiance: 5 Stars Crowd: 5 Stars Food: 5 Stars Menu depth: 4 Stars Noise Level: 5 Stars Service: 5 Stars Overall: 5 Stars 4 of us went to dinner here. We each tried one of the 4 entrees, split three 'snacks' (starters), a bottle of wine and 2 other glasses. Grand total was around $50 per person, so it's definitely not a cheap night out, but it's worth every penny. The ambience is remarkable, given how close head house square is to the scene on south street. We had 7 pm reservations and we got their a little early and capacity was probably 30%, but 8pm the whole place (including standers at the bar) was near full. The crowd is NOT a south street crowd. It seems really civilized, the noise level was at the right level, not so noisy we couldn't enjoy a conversation, but enough so that the music wasn't drowned out completely. Nice balance. The food was very tasty. Between the scallops, the chicken, the pork belly and the steak - each of us was happy with our order. Steak was cooked perfectly, the scallops tasted fresh, and the chicken was seasoned really nicely. Also, can't go wrong with pork belly. My criticism is only on the depth of food offered. Waiter introduced the restaurant as "pennsylvania heritage" but I have to believe even William Penn had more food options. That being said, the options they have are great. And I imagine over time they may expand the menu, but all in all, limit included ... the food is simply wonderful. Noise: see above. perfect Service: I can't recall our waiter's name, but he was incredibly attentive, not pushy, not pretentious, and incredibly approachable. He wasn't at our table every 5 minutes, but also didn't wait too long to come back to check on us. Great balance. Kudos to him. Overall: Don't go out in head house often, but this place may bring me there a few more times this year. Great restaurant. Great product! 5 Stars
(5)Kristen M.
Dining partner and I came to Society Hill Society during Friday of restaurant week at 7pm. First off, the ambiance is wonderful. It's got a rustic country theme going, with wood booths and soft candle lighting. This would, in my opinion, be the perfect place for a first date. Not too loud, you can talk and hear your date. Our waitress was friendly and attentive as well as the other staff members who cleared our plates and filled our waters. The mixologists are good at what they do, signature shakes that are fun to watch! We each ordered Orange Catholic cocktails which were wonderful. The complementary homemade vegetable chips and onion dip were great! The only reason I can't give 5 stars is that we were hoping for larger portions. Standard restaurant week, it was a $35 pre fixe menu. I started off with the pierogies, dining partner had the chicken pot pie croquettes, we both got 3 of each. The pierogies were delicious served with jam and sour cream. The croquettes were pretty good as well. For my entree I had the chicken and waffles, dining partner had the scallops. My chicken and waffles was very filling and LOADED with peas. I'm not a huge fan of peas so I ate around them. Chicken was perfectly cooked and moist, waffle was light and fluffy. All two of the scallops and two corncrakes were gone almost as soon as dining partner received his plate. We expected season's 52 shot-like desserts and were pleasantly surprised when our apple pie in a mason jar and chocolate and berry dessert in a mason jar were very generous. We both agreed the apple pie was much better than the bitter berry and chocolate dessert. Overall a great dinner, we just wanted more! I would love to come back here again when the full menu is available.
(4)Thomas W.
Out of business as of early January 2015. This newly opened (April 2014) bistro had a lot of potential but was still something of a work in progress. The theme was authentic locally grown fare with an emphasis on Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. First the really good. The decor was pleasing in a traditional sort of way with light pastel paints and an open floor plan. My beef (from Maine) was excellent with an interesting sauce and a succotash and corn side. My wife had the scallops and corn cake and was very satisfied. The pea and ham soup was excellent. The wine by the glass was not cheap at $10 but the pour is very generous. Areas for improvement include attention to serving hot food, inadequate portion size, and overpriced entrées and bottled wine. Our entrees were served halfway between Luke warm and stone cold. The soup was warm but not hot. At $32 for the entree I was expecting a generous steak. Instead I received a nouvelle cuisine portion. Ditto for my wife , although her entree was reasonably priced. Finally , the wine list includes only 4 bottles starting at $55 or $60.00. This is Philadelphia, not New York ! Also we had to request that the recorded music volume be lowered so we could have a conversation. Fortunately the server was very accommodating. We are sorry that it died so young.
(3)Stefanie A.
I want into this society! My friend works here and raved about it. So we stopped by for dinner. It's a huge upgrade from the artful dodger. The space is light, airy, and rustic. There's lots of seating at table and at the big brass (or copper?) bar. From the beautifully decorated space to the drinks to the menu offerings this place was top notch. We started with cocktails which were inventive and tasty (liberal arts degree and woozles/boozes? Whatever it was called it was delicious with a kick of rhubarb.) the mushroom side dish was orgasmic with a chestnut crema, exotic mushrooms and a sweet touch of berries we couldn't decipher. The duck scrapple frisée was delicious, also with a sweet little something something that added to the flavor profile. And the scallops were served with corn cakes that looked like the scallops--and we're almost as tasty. Excited to go back for their new brunch and try the sticky bun French toast. And the rest of the drink menu.
(4)Holly F.
We are thrilled to have such a great addition to the neighborhood. The atmosphere is really nice and the interior is beautiful & clean, but still captures the historical feel of the neighborhood. We have been several times and the service was outstanding. Creative high-end cocktails made by friendly, experienced bartenders. They also have a solid pilsner urquell on tap and good selection of bottles. And the food was great. Highly recommend the mushrooms, sliders, oysters, and root chips (dipped in new spin on onion dip but with lamb jus).
(5)Ethan H.
Excellent food, solid service in a beautiful setting. We were there during the Restaurant Week menu, so I don't know what their normal offerings are like. But the fixed menu included an onion dip with veggie chips to die for, peach soup, fabulous Amish Chicken and Waffles and a great steak dinner. We weren't as crazy about the desserts, but that's the only area where we saw room for improvement.
(5)Dennis G.
I was not sure what to expect when I sat down at this place. I liked the look and feel, it is vintage but steam punk at the same time with a cool light fixtures. Old church pews with an eclectic selection of chairs. With some rough hewn walls and some mirrors with a nice patina on them it just feels cool. So for the food. I looked at the prices and wasn't sure what to expect. I bought the Pierogies and Trout Toast (a special). Both were very light and refreshing, very spring flavors and the Pierogies were plated beautifully. My one qualm, they made this awesome onion jam and put it underneath the Pierogies, I would have put it on top of them or in them because the flavor and texture of the onion jam was just awesome. The Trout toast was good. For Entrees, my date got the Scallops and I got the Duck Breast. The Scallops were good but the Duck Breast was amazing, great portion cooked to perfection. I would come back again just for the Duck Breast. Weeknight dinner, so no drinks. The reasons I am not giving 5 stars is that my waiter was slightly slow and it was a long break between the appetizers and entrees. That was my really only complaint. So I would definitely eat here as it was pretty great I would highly endorse and encourage you to GET THE DUCK BREAST!
(4)Jemma C.
Officially obsessed! Defo in my top 3 restaurants in Philly on all angles: staff, drinks, food, venue, location... I'd go daily. Run don't walk.
(5)Derek W.
Sticky buns French toast is a must try, especially if you like Hong Kong style French toast - crunchy outside & moist inside.
(5)Joseph D.
Decided to pop in for a quick brunch bite after the farmers market. Overall not impressed with the food or service. Friendly staff, cold food and not very attentive despite having very few diners in the restaurant. I am sure things will improve with time.
(2)Darlene M.
What a new gem!! The drinks are perfect, the ambience is perfect, and the staff is friendly and helpful. I had dinner once and the burger and fried chicken were really good. It's a really cute date spot, or fun place to grab drinks or dinner with a friend. Great place to hang out!
(5)Guy J.
I love this pretzel. Also the barkeep Paul is a real pro. It was his wave from within the bar tonight that brought me in - a genial host indeed. Nice decor, good playlist, and Pilsener Urquell on draft. For a headhouse spot this place raises the bar. It's a breath of fresh air! Kudos gentlemen - I'll be back for dinner!
(5)Alan W.
Way overpriced. For $22, you get 2 medium sized scallops that are not exceptional. The appetizers are also overpriced for the same quality and quantity reasons. The one plus is the ambience...definitely dig the setup. I'd unlikely go back.
(2)Truth B Told R.
Went once for drinks and once for dinner. It's good, but not great. The menu was a bit limiting. The burger was good and personally I think they could use more regular entrees at reasonable prices given the location.
(3)F R.
I was brought here by a colleague on a trip to Philadelphia. We had an outstanding mussels appetizer. I believe the sauce was made with curry and coconut milk. For my main course I had the scallops dish. Very, very good. Ambience and service was above average. I would absolutely come again.
(4)Joel O.
Eaten here twice now. SHS is a warm, welcoming space, with a really nice vintage vibe and a lovely bar. It does a great job of seeming very classy without being stuffy -- a surprisingly local-feeling place considering its location. I've had fish, scallops, deviled egg, chicken and waffles, and an asparagus thing on toast -- all of it was delicious. The food seems to vary between comfort food and more haute cuisine ambition. Servers take good care of you and do a fine job of talking about the dishes without seeming to be laying it on too thick. I can also recommend the Liberal Arts Degree from the cocktail list, if you like whiskey-based cocktails (which I do). A very nice place for a good, casual dinner and a nice drink or two. I live across town, but if I were in this area I'm sure SHS would be my go-to choice.
(5)Joy T.
Finally, a wonderful little hipster bar that has elevated the dining options in Headhouse Square. It's a charming revival of an old space. Beers and cocktails are excellent. The food is great, though overpriced for the actual quality. At these prices, you can get a better meal at Talula's. I would expect SHS to grow into itself with time and adjust its menu/prices accordingly.
(3)steds s.
One of my favorite new places in Headhouse Square and the city. The food and drinks are exquisite. Also, the ambiance at both the bar and peripheral seating for the restaurant are amazing. What a change from the pub/chicken/wing hang-out that was the Artful Dodger. Chef Yun and his partners have really done something great here. Since I've tried many of his great dishes, I'm looking forward to seeing how the menu expands. Definitely a place in Philadelphia you have to visit if you love great food experiences.
(4)Mg g.
Ok so I went there 2 times the first time I really liked it but was not sure about the menu, so glad I went back. I ordered the supper an incredible ribeye which rivals anything in the city and I go out a lot for business the blue cheese butter amazing cooked to order and the crispy potatoes. I also got the chicken croquettes where so great everyone at my table ate my order. I can't say enough about the steak though I just came back from a trip to Argentina where beef is king and this steak rivaled that perfectly cooked and flavor forward. My wife ordered the duck salad WOW it has a duck scrapple with a frisee salad and a poached egg so great like a great French Salad, Our party loved the drinks, especially the cocktails finally somewhere where we can get a great drink with good quality booze and handmade juices. Cool atmosphere they have transformed this place opening int up to a u shaped bar great mix of people which I really liked everyone from hipster to neighborhood scene. Can't wait to come back
(5)Steve G.
great craft cocktails, beautiful space, but a little on the pricey side. had a few nibbles, mix of bar nuts wish they gave you more small portion but delicious, duck act apple salad was genius and deviled eggs. everything was executed perfectly just a little to small on portion of cocktails and food for the price they charge.
(4)