We recently dined at Laurel restaurant last night and we were left absolutely stunned—though not in a good way. The prices were ridiculous for what we received, it’s a stamping menu, It’s as if the chef thinks he’s channeling Gordon Ramsay with those sky-high prices, but let me tell you, even Ramsay’s restaurants are more reasonably priced. Food was Subpar, everything was salty. . Our bill for four people came to $760, which is outrageous for the quality of the food. And then there were the drinks—six cocktails for $110? That’s more than some full meals at other places. It’s clear the chef is aiming for some kind of high-end experience, but the value just isn’t there. For what we paid, I expected so much more. Definitely not returning. I forgot to mention something sitting inside the restaurant they had the front window open near the host station so if you’d like to smell marijuana coming in through the restaurant from the street and loud music from the passing cars this is the place for you. For the price we I paid I would expected them to turn on the air-conditioning. Also, I don’t even think that they charge this much in New York City. Surprise the place is still in business But then again, it was not crowded. Pass on this restaurant, it’ll take your wages for the week.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Matt Marino
We had a good, not great meal here. For the price (which was considerable) we were definitely expecting a bit more. The cocktails were great and the service great, the food was a bit underwhelming. We went with the tasting menu instead of a la carte and found the dishes good, but not anything particularly special. They were very accommodating with an allergy which was very nice. I'd like to try the bar menu but probably don't need another dining room experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Kay Cole
A slight letdown at laurel. We have never been to the previous iteration but we were expecting a yummy and exciting meal. The winners: sourdough with onion butter, mushroom with caviar and koji (really the caviar was undetectable other than saltiness, just skip it and make it more affordable or use a cheaper textural element like flying fish roe), and the fluke crudo (fish+citrus+texture element is always a win), oysters. The slight misses were the steak (the leek didn't add that much and were large and hard to eat) and dare I say not quite salty enough? The monkfish was nice, the radishes delicious but the sauce on that one a bit too salty. The corn mascarpone dessert was ok (fancied up corn flakes but in a good way), could've done with a lot more blackberry jam. Was it worth 300$ after tip for 2 including 3 drinks? not sure about that. nice service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Rosie Simmons
Fun experience! Came with 3 friends and we ordered almost one of everything on the menu. Food comes out so fast and everything is pretty tasty. Favorites were the quail, oysters (little spicy) and the bread and butter
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Lester Cohen
Well prepared and seasoned food Loved the mussels with shiso and the mushrooms
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Elizabeth Zelasky
Overall the meal was good, only two dishes really stood out though. Presentation needs some work though, dishes came out too fast. We felt rushed.. Servers need more training. We were seated in the bar by the bathroom door. Overall experience felt more like a bistro than fine dining. Definitely not worth the money.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Thomas Cantrell
When it comes to fine dining, sophisticated flavors and presentation, you can hardly do better than Laurel around Philly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leena IB
An old favorite but was disappointed this time...One of things we love about this place is the ever-changing menu and the interesting combination of ingredients and flavors. We started with the endive salad which was outstanding but it went downhill from there. The brioche was too crunchy and oily (but the escargots and tomatoes topping was very good); the enoki mushrooms were a little overpowered by the other flavors; the oyster mushrooms were quite charred; and the fish was overcooked. Drink-wise, also did not think much of the "void essence" cocktail - was a little bland for me. Service as always as excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Annamarie Marino
Not very good but note, we did not try the food, only reviewing menu, atmosphere, and service. We walked into the restaurant, we noticed how very dark it was, and as we sat down and looked over the menu, which was very confusing ? they offered a margarita with corn in it, as well as corn in the desert. Menu had very strange options, one of them being a sampler and you get seven dishes for $135. Per person. Of those seven dishes two of them are mystery dishes…literally. I’m sorry but if I am spending that much money I’d like to know what the hell I was eating. a little over the top for me. Service, for as short of a time we were there was very good.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 5
Alexandre Daly
Unbelievable. The afterglow and mille-fieulle are worth the price of admission.
Had a lovely visit, and an incredible dinner with friends Saturday night at Laurel Restaurant on E Passyunk. We sampled a tasting menu with wine pairings and I can't say enough good things about our experience. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and the food was over the moon! Our main server Rebecca was a treasure and made sure we never wanted for anything. We each had a different favorite dish, which was wild in that they provided us different dishes that really appealed to our individual palates. Please visit if you're in the neighborhood.
Parking: Easy parking in lot just across the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fluke Crudo, Oysters on the Half Shell, Wagyu Beef
Alison P
Have had fantastic food and drinks here. Definitely on the pricier end for the area, but they do have a la carte options now for food, which is nice.
Marie Kermise Talleyrand Joly
It is a very cozy place to enjoy with family, friends or with your partner. The service is excellent and very fast. I would definitely go again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
George Netto
Food is superb! No Tables needs to be white cloth and wood plank seats are not appropriate for a top chef set menu!!!
We recently dined at Laurel restaurant last night and we were left absolutely stunned—though not in a good way. The prices were ridiculous for what we received, it’s a stamping menu, It’s as if the chef thinks he’s channeling Gordon Ramsay with those sky-high prices, but let me tell you, even Ramsay’s restaurants are more reasonably priced. Food was Subpar, everything was salty. . Our bill for four people came to $760, which is outrageous for the quality of the food. And then there were the drinks—six cocktails for $110? That’s more than some full meals at other places. It’s clear the chef is aiming for some kind of high-end experience, but the value just isn’t there. For what we paid, I expected so much more. Definitely not returning. I forgot to mention something sitting inside the restaurant they had the front window open near the host station so if you’d like to smell marijuana coming in through the restaurant from the street and loud music from the passing cars this is the place for you. For the price we I paid I would expected them to turn on the air-conditioning. Also, I don’t even think that they charge this much in New York City. Surprise the place is still in business But then again, it was not crowded. Pass on this restaurant, it’ll take your wages for the week.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
We had a good, not great meal here. For the price (which was considerable) we were definitely expecting a bit more. The cocktails were great and the service great, the food was a bit underwhelming. We went with the tasting menu instead of a la carte and found the dishes good, but not anything particularly special. They were very accommodating with an allergy which was very nice. I'd like to try the bar menu but probably don't need another dining room experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
A slight letdown at laurel. We have never been to the previous iteration but we were expecting a yummy and exciting meal. The winners: sourdough with onion butter, mushroom with caviar and koji (really the caviar was undetectable other than saltiness, just skip it and make it more affordable or use a cheaper textural element like flying fish roe), and the fluke crudo (fish+citrus+texture element is always a win), oysters. The slight misses were the steak (the leek didn't add that much and were large and hard to eat) and dare I say not quite salty enough? The monkfish was nice, the radishes delicious but the sauce on that one a bit too salty. The corn mascarpone dessert was ok (fancied up corn flakes but in a good way), could've done with a lot more blackberry jam. Was it worth 300$ after tip for 2 including 3 drinks? not sure about that. nice service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Fun experience! Came with 3 friends and we ordered almost one of everything on the menu. Food comes out so fast and everything is pretty tasty. Favorites were the quail, oysters (little spicy) and the bread and butter
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Well prepared and seasoned food
Loved the mussels with shiso and the mushrooms
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Overall the meal was good, only two dishes really stood out though. Presentation needs some work though, dishes came out too fast. We felt rushed.. Servers need more training. We were seated in the bar by the bathroom door. Overall experience felt more like a bistro than fine dining. Definitely not worth the money.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
When it comes to fine dining, sophisticated flavors and presentation, you can hardly do better than Laurel around Philly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
An old favorite but was disappointed this time...One of things we love about this place is the ever-changing menu and the interesting combination of ingredients and flavors. We started with the endive salad which was outstanding but it went downhill from there. The brioche was too crunchy and oily (but the escargots and tomatoes topping was very good); the enoki mushrooms were a little overpowered by the other flavors; the oyster mushrooms were quite charred; and the fish was overcooked. Drink-wise, also did not think much of the "void essence" cocktail - was a little bland for me. Service as always as excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Not very good but note, we did not try the food, only reviewing menu, atmosphere, and service. We walked into the restaurant, we noticed how very dark it was, and as we sat down and looked over the menu, which was very confusing ? they offered a margarita with corn in it, as well as corn in the desert. Menu had very strange options, one of them being a sampler and you get seven dishes for $135. Per person. Of those seven dishes two of them are mystery dishes…literally. I’m sorry but if I am spending that much money I’d like to know what the hell I was eating. a little over the top for me. Service, for as short of a time we were there was very good.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 5
Unbelievable. The afterglow and mille-fieulle are worth the price of admission.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful food and wine ! Way beyond expectations
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a lovely visit, and an incredible dinner with friends Saturday night at Laurel Restaurant on E Passyunk. We sampled a tasting menu with wine pairings and I can't say enough good things about our experience. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and the food was over the moon! Our main server Rebecca was a treasure and made sure we never wanted for anything. We each had a different favorite dish, which was wild in that they provided us different dishes that really appealed to our individual palates. Please visit if you're in the neighborhood.
Parking: Easy parking in lot just across the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fluke Crudo, Oysters on the Half Shell, Wagyu Beef
Have had fantastic food and drinks here. Definitely on the pricier end for the area, but they do have a la carte options now for food, which is nice.
It is a very cozy place to enjoy with family, friends or with your partner. The service is excellent and very fast. I would definitely go again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is superb! No Tables needs to be white cloth and wood plank seats are not appropriate for a top chef set menu!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
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