Lark

Delicious food, beautiful scenery, very friendly staff.

Perfect date night spot! It was a very memorable meal — so delicious! It’s a beautifully designed space with beautiful views! Get the burrata, and a mezcal cocktail!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband and I went to Lark for my birthday dinner on the recommendation of a friend. I had been to the Landing Kitchen previously and thought it was such a unique and beautiful space, but that did not prepare me for the experience at Lark. Chef Elmi has created such a beautiful restaurant that delivers a completely immersive experience, from the professional service, the beautiful interior complete with candles and warm lighting, and the show stopper, the terrace looking over the Schuykill.

We were lucky enough to nab an outdoor table, and it was a beautiful evening. Our server, Pete Gillespie, could not have been more amazing. He gave us suggestions from among his favorite dishes, and each one was so stunningly beautiful, with subtle flavors and a unique twist on Mediterranean cuisine. Our dishes were also accompanied by a wine service, and our sommelier was incredibly helpful as he suggested pairings for each course.

We started with three appetizers: a raw scallop dish, tuna crudo with strawberries and balsamic vinaigrette, and our favorite, octopus served with muhamarra purée and pomegranate seeds. My husband said that the octopus was his single favorite bite of the evening. It was tender, smoky, and bursting with flavor. The tuna was so fresh and light, like summer in a bowl. And the scallops had an unexpected Thai vibe with coconut cream, dabs of chili, and crushed peanuts.

Next came our pasta dishes. The first one had sunchokes and tomatoes and pancetta and was so light and flavorful. The second was unexpected, as I’d never had pork cheek before, but it was delicate agnolotti pasta stuffed with pork cheek in a ridiculously tasty ragu. Finally, we shared the potato crusted halibut entree, which was delicate, cooked perfectly, and seasoned to perfection. That might’ve been my favorite course of the night.

Through it all, we relaxed, drank delicious wine, and took in the scenery, watching other diners enjoy their meals and chat in this stunning location. This is going to be a must spot for special occasions for us, and I plan to recommend it for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It is a splurge for sure, but it’s more than a meal. We felt so cared for by all the staff, and I have to give another shout out to our server, Pete, who made our experience so special. It was definitely one of the best meals I’ve had, but the entire experience, from having a blood orange margarita at the gorgeous bar to sipping a Sauterne with melon sorbet at sunset, elevated it to a night I will not forget.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I’ve been excited to try this restaurant for quite some time, and I finally had the chance — but unfortunately, the experience ended up being a disappointment.

We ordered two main dishes along with an appetizer. The lamb T-bone was actually quite delicious — tender, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. But the halibut dish really fell short. It was dry, bland, and lacked the bold, vibrant flavors I associate with Mediterranean cuisine. For a restaurant that brands itself as Mediterranean, I expected the food to burst with flavor — this did not deliver.

The service was another major letdown. We waited close to an hour for our food, and the delay was so noticeable that someone eventually came out to apologize for how long it was taking. But even with the apology, no effort was made to keep us comfortable while we waited — no complimentary small plate, no bread, nothing. It felt like we were just being ignored. And once the food finally arrived, no one came by to check on how our meal was until I was nearly finished eating.

To be fair, the space itself is beautiful. The ambiance was warm and inviting. But good ambiance can’t make up for underwhelming food and inattentive service. I really wanted to love this place — but I walked away feeling disappointed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

The food was just plain incredible!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Do not go here if you are celiac or have a gluten sensitivity. I ate here and before dessert was brought out I became very symptomatic and had to rush home. I was reassured when the food came to the table it was gluten free but something definitely wasn’t. Food was not good enough to feel this way.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

One of my favorite restaurants! Excellent service and delicious food every time!

Always amazing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is special. GM Julien and Sommelier Tommy A are spot on. Service is great and dishes are wonderful. Great vibe and location.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Over ten dinners here and all have been top tier experiences. This restaurant has earned my five stars.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Disappointing Experience at The Lark

Last night, I visited The Lark to celebrate a friend's birthday with a group of over 50 professional African American individuals. We had communicated this large gathering well in advance to the venue to ensure they were prepared for our arrival. Unfortunately, our experience was far from satisfactory.

The main issue was the severe understaffing and overwhelming workload of the wait staff assigned to our room. Despite knowing the size of our group and our expectations, the service was chaotic and inefficient. To make matters worse, the bar service, particularly from Vita the barmaid, was outright biased. I tested this by asking Vita four times for a glass of chardonnay, only to be ignored. Interestingly, when a white woman next to me ordered the same, she was served promptly. Vita's attitude was not only unprofessional but also demeaning.

As a result of this evident bias and poor service, our group unanimously agreed that our patronage and money were neither valued nor welcomed. Therefore, I caution potential patrons to spend wisely at The Lark. If you do decide to visit, I sincerely hope your experience is better than ours. It's disappointing to pay over $17 for a tiny pour of wine (and they add a credit card fee to the bill) only to be met with such inadequate service. As for eating...since we could not order drinks, we opted to eat somewhere else.

Response to Management’s Message

Let me be clear: I was a GUEST, not the birthday organizer. I had no part in making reservations, coordinating the headcount, or arranging logistics with your team. So your response—angry, defensive, and misdirected—has absolutely nothing to do with me or my experience, which is what my review reflected.

I came to your establishment expecting good service, especially since this gathering was communicated to your venue in advance. Instead, I spent the majority of my evening at the bar, where I received **no service**. After requesting a glass of wine multiple times from your bartender, only to be ignored, I witnessed others—who did not look like the majority of our crowd—being served promptly. The bartender’s demeanor was dismissive and unwelcoming, and your message here carries the same tone.

So let me ask you: what’s your excuse for the service—or lack thereof—at the bar? You don’t need a private event agreement to pour wine. You don’t need a headcount to deliver basic courtesy. The bias was clear, and the lack of accountability in your message only reinforces the issue.

And as for the footage and documentation you referenced—great. Please review it. You’ll see many patrons waiting patiently, being ignored, and and dismissed. Your attempt to shift blame, insult my character, and conflate me with the organizer is unprofessional and only further reflects poorly on your management.

I repeat: I was a guest, not the planner. Honestly, your issue with her should not be apart of this review but I am glad you aired your contempt. This will allow readers to see just who you are. I shared my honest experience as a paying customer. Instead of listening or taking the opportunity to acknowledge a valid concern, you chose to attack and deflect. That tells me everything I need to know.

Do better.

Atmosphere: 3

Service: 1

Nice restaurant in the hotel penthouse location. Nice food with good and attending service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Gnocchi

We had a lovely dinner at Lark. The service was impeccable, food and drinks were delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. They accommodated dietary restrictions readily, and had a good selection of vegetarian options. We’re so glad to have found this hidden gem. Thank you for a great night!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had a reservation for four and it was an incredible experience. Everything was great start to finish. The food was phenomenal, our server was very knowledgeable and pointed us in some great directions dish wise and what a location! Cant wait to go back

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5