First time and a wonderful experience! Food is excellent, superb service, can’t wait to go back:)!
Amanda Neill
I love being a member at Messina!
Frank Wolchko
Atmosphere, cocktails and food were top tier!
Samantha
The dinner that I enjoyed at MSC falls within the top 1% of meals I’ve had in Philly. The flavors, ingredients, and presentation were all hitting at an elite level. The shrimp cocktail was a beautifully strange rendition (shrimp cubes???!), but also one of the tastiest. The focaccia speck toast hit salty and sweet notes perfectly. I loved how bottarga acted as a parm/salty element in the crab gemelli alla vodka, which featured perfectly al dente pasta. Scallops couldn’t have been more luscious and tender, and the series of sauces worked together in perfect harmony. Based on the panna cotta and budino, I’m certain dessert should never be missed. The team is warm and inviting, including the head chef who came out and spoke with us briefly. Can’t wait to return!
Melbourne_ 3000
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been invited to the extraordinary Messina Social Club in South Philadelphia by my American family, traveling all the way from Melbourne, Australia. Without a doubt, it was worth every mile of the over 10,000-mile journey. This dining experience exemplified the perfect blend of exceptional hospitality, artistry, and innovation in food and drink.
From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear that this was going to be a night to remember. The service was nothing short of outstanding, with the team demonstrating an unparalleled level of attentiveness and care. Every detail was meticulously considered, with a personalized touch that truly set the experience apart.
The cocktails and drinks were a highlight of the evening. Each was tailored not only to the dishes but also to the preferences of the individuals ordering them, making for a truly bespoke experience. Every drink was a masterpiece—original, exquisite, and bursting with flavors that were simply unmatched. The pairing of these drinks with the menu was masterful, enhancing both the food and beverages in a way that elevated the entire dining experience.
The meal itself was orchestrated to perfection, starting with delightful nibbles and flowing seamlessly through appetizers, entrées, and desserts. A particularly charming touch was the changing of cutlery and dishes with every course, each piece part of a unique china pattern. We were told these were from a collection the restaurant has gathered since the early 20th century, adding a layer of history and elegance to the night.
The ambiance was equally impeccable. The music and overall atmosphere were perfectly curated to create an intimate and enjoyable setting. It was the ideal backdrop for a memorable evening filled with laughter, great company, and unparalleled culinary experiences.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire team who looked after us so wonderfully throughout the night, with a special mention to Ryan, whose warmth and professionalism as our host made the evening even more extraordinary. I am already looking forward to the privilege of visiting again in the future.
Betsy
We have previously dined at Messina and always enjoyed our food and drink. Last night was our first ingredient dinner which they offer approximately once a month. The showcased ingredient was mushroom which had a role in every course including dessert. It was a marvelous dinner, full of surprises and innovation. Each course was excellent and a few memorable - first and second courses. We also ordered the wine pairing and particularly liked the beer and milk punch combo with dessert. Thank you to the staff. We enjoyed our interactions with Mike, Nick and Ed. We plan to be a frequent guest at ingredient dinners.
Ryan Nierstedt
Incredible meal and experience!! Delicious and thoughtfully crafted food in an awesome environment with excellent service. Highly recommend to anyone in Philly!
Mallory Paul
This is one of my favorite spots in the city! We decided to get a membership because of Chef Eddie, who we just adored on top chef, and recently went for our first time. The vibes were so incredible and cozy (plus, we LOVED The livestream of the Jellyfish cam and we asked for the Spotify playlist on our way out, the music was so good!), but the food was incredible!
Every dish was creative, well seasoned and perfectly portioned, if not a little oversized (I couldn't bring myself to finish the last two courses of our tasting menu, I was on the verge of needing to unbutton my pants). We recently had the gnocchi with honeynut squash and almond streusel and it was one of the most creative and delicious dishes I've had in years. Plus, we got to meet Eddie and he was so lovely!
Thank you so much for an incredible experience.
Angela Kim
I can’t say enough amazing things about Messina Club! I went for the first time last night to celebrate a friend’s birthday and we all loved our dinner and time there. The food is so delicious - we had the salmon toast, Messina salad, all 3 pastas and the scallops and each dish was full of flavor and the ingredients are so fresh. Do NOT skip out on the panna cotta. Wow. The best mix of salty and sweet and chocolate :) the cherry on top was the impeccable and warm service. We felt so welcomed and the intimate knowledge about the wine from our server was so helpful! Bonus was also the 90s hip hop playing. We look forward to coming back here. One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Philly. Truly.
A truly fabulous evening that lasted well into the wee hours. The staff is attentive, lively, knowledgeable, accommodating, and fun. The tasting menu an utter delight, with a rich and delicate yet diverse span of flavors and textures. What a memorable experience.
Jessica Sorcek
Awesome food, cocktails and atmosphere
Tan Nguyen
Excellent food and cocktails! We rarely get all the dishes prepared perfectly and they knocked it out of the park. We had the chickpea fritters, seared Hokkaido scallops, king salmon crudo, spaghetti squash and crab, and the vegetarian pasta special. My cocktail, the Fast Fashion was a delectable take on a martini but even better! The white wine was an Italian wine that paired nicely or could be easily drank on its own. Nick was our server and friendly, knowledgeable and super helpful with our selections. The vibe is elegant and understated. Membership is reasonable and well worth it if you love food. Thanks for an amazing meal!
David Greenberg
Cozy, friendly private social club in South Philly with attentive bartenders and solid drinks. Unfortunately, I wasn’t hungry when I attended as a guest of a member but the options looked good.
Josiah Nedd
Wow, what a great experience. I stopped in for the tasting menu on a Friday and the atmosphere, service, drinks, and food were all amazing. Every dish was executed perfectly, not just well...PERFECTLY. This is some of the best food I've had in the city and they're a strong contender for being my favorite restaurant.The 'Social Club' aspect of it makes it feel extra special too. This is going to be the new place I take people to to impress them. They made quite an impression on my first visit and I'm looking forward to going back there very soon.
Great!
First time and a wonderful experience! Food is excellent, superb service, can’t wait to go back:)!
I love being a member at Messina!
Atmosphere, cocktails and food were top tier!
The dinner that I enjoyed at MSC falls within the top 1% of meals I’ve had in Philly. The flavors, ingredients, and presentation were all hitting at an elite level. The shrimp cocktail was a beautifully strange rendition (shrimp cubes???!), but also one of the tastiest. The focaccia speck toast hit salty and sweet notes perfectly. I loved how bottarga acted as a parm/salty element in the crab gemelli alla vodka, which featured perfectly al dente pasta. Scallops couldn’t have been more luscious and tender, and the series of sauces worked together in perfect harmony. Based on the panna cotta and budino, I’m certain dessert should never be missed. The team is warm and inviting, including the head chef who came out and spoke with us briefly. Can’t wait to return!
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been invited to the extraordinary Messina Social Club in South Philadelphia by my American family, traveling all the way from Melbourne, Australia. Without a doubt, it was worth every mile of the over 10,000-mile journey. This dining experience exemplified the perfect blend of exceptional hospitality, artistry, and innovation in food and drink.
From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear that this was going to be a night to remember. The service was nothing short of outstanding, with the team demonstrating an unparalleled level of attentiveness and care. Every detail was meticulously considered, with a personalized touch that truly set the experience apart.
The cocktails and drinks were a highlight of the evening. Each was tailored not only to the dishes but also to the preferences of the individuals ordering them, making for a truly bespoke experience. Every drink was a masterpiece—original, exquisite, and bursting with flavors that were simply unmatched. The pairing of these drinks with the menu was masterful, enhancing both the food and beverages in a way that elevated the entire dining experience.
The meal itself was orchestrated to perfection, starting with delightful nibbles and flowing seamlessly through appetizers, entrées, and desserts. A particularly charming touch was the changing of cutlery and dishes with every course, each piece part of a unique china pattern. We were told these were from a collection the restaurant has gathered since the early 20th century, adding a layer of history and elegance to the night.
The ambiance was equally impeccable. The music and overall atmosphere were perfectly curated to create an intimate and enjoyable setting. It was the ideal backdrop for a memorable evening filled with laughter, great company, and unparalleled culinary experiences.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire team who looked after us so wonderfully throughout the night, with a special mention to Ryan, whose warmth and professionalism as our host made the evening even more extraordinary. I am already looking forward to the privilege of visiting again in the future.
We have previously dined at Messina and always enjoyed our food and drink. Last night was our first ingredient dinner which they offer approximately once a month. The showcased ingredient was mushroom which had a role in every course including dessert. It was a marvelous dinner, full of surprises and innovation. Each course was excellent and a few memorable - first and second courses. We also ordered the wine pairing and particularly liked the beer and milk punch combo with dessert. Thank you to the staff. We enjoyed our interactions with Mike, Nick and Ed. We plan to be a frequent guest at ingredient dinners.
Incredible meal and experience!! Delicious and thoughtfully crafted food in an awesome environment with excellent service. Highly recommend to anyone in Philly!
This is one of my favorite spots in the city! We decided to get a membership because of Chef Eddie, who we just adored on top chef, and recently went for our first time. The vibes were so incredible and cozy (plus, we LOVED The livestream of the Jellyfish cam and we asked for the Spotify playlist on our way out, the music was so good!), but the food was incredible!
Every dish was creative, well seasoned and perfectly portioned, if not a little oversized (I couldn't bring myself to finish the last two courses of our tasting menu, I was on the verge of needing to unbutton my pants). We recently had the gnocchi with honeynut squash and almond streusel and it was one of the most creative and delicious dishes I've had in years. Plus, we got to meet Eddie and he was so lovely!
Thank you so much for an incredible experience.
I can’t say enough amazing things about Messina Club! I went for the first time last night to celebrate a friend’s birthday and we all loved our dinner and time there. The food is so delicious - we had the salmon toast, Messina salad, all 3 pastas and the scallops and each dish was full of flavor and the ingredients are so fresh. Do NOT skip out on the panna cotta. Wow. The best mix of salty and sweet and chocolate :) the cherry on top was the impeccable and warm service. We felt so welcomed and the intimate knowledge about the wine from our server was so helpful! Bonus was also the 90s hip hop playing. We look forward to coming back here. One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Philly. Truly.
Restaurantji Recommends
A truly fabulous evening that lasted well into the wee hours. The staff is attentive, lively, knowledgeable, accommodating, and fun. The tasting menu an utter delight, with a rich and delicate yet diverse span of flavors and textures. What a memorable experience.
Awesome food, cocktails and atmosphere
Excellent food and cocktails! We rarely get all the dishes prepared perfectly and they knocked it out of the park. We had the chickpea fritters, seared Hokkaido scallops, king salmon crudo, spaghetti squash and crab, and the vegetarian pasta special. My cocktail, the Fast Fashion was a delectable take on a martini but even better! The white wine was an Italian wine that paired nicely or could be easily drank on its own. Nick was our server and friendly, knowledgeable and super helpful with our selections. The vibe is elegant and understated. Membership is reasonable and well worth it if you love food. Thanks for an amazing meal!
Cozy, friendly private social club in South Philly with attentive bartenders and solid drinks. Unfortunately, I wasn’t hungry when I attended as a guest of a member but the options looked good.
Wow, what a great experience. I stopped in for the tasting menu on a Friday and the atmosphere, service, drinks, and food were all amazing. Every dish was executed perfectly, not just well...PERFECTLY. This is some of the best food I've had in the city and they're a strong contender for being my favorite restaurant.The 'Social Club' aspect of it makes it feel extra special too. This is going to be the new place I take people to to impress them. They made quite an impression on my first visit and I'm looking forward to going back there very soon.
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