Wrote this review almost 4 years ago now. Such a shame to see them go: Remarkably chill and visible kitchen, great service, pretty darn exciting food - but really it's the attitude of the chef and his insistence on a relationship to the ingredients that makes Musi such a special addition to Philly. It helps that the 7ish course dinner is simultaneously "homey", masterfully flavored and inspried. My taste buds left happy, and each person seemed incredibly content. Thanks for making my partner's birthday a success.
Ryan O.
This review is for Musi at dinner. This one is simple. 4 of the 5 dishes were very good. In the 4.5-5 star type of review range. Bread and butter, halloumi, gnocchi, and the tortellini were delicious. The falafel was mediocre. But the main point is the portions were incredible small for the price. They were barely a step above a 9-10 course tasting menu size (minus the tortellini dish) and cost the price of a full size portion. Secondly, there was a 22% automatic gratuity added without any mention of it on the menu. I am all for livable wages and support items to get to that point BUT i believe if something is automatically added it needs to be on the menu so customers are aware.
Stan Hoffman
My first time there and it was really really good. I will definitely go back.
Karena A.
Felt like we were rushed and the food was not that exciting and lack of spice/heat with the dishes.
Kartal Magnuson Heather
The website states they are still requiring a poison injection A vaccine that doesn’t present covid and may cause other health related issues No logic behind this unless they are getting a kickback from big pharmaceutical companies
Yuval B.
Pros: the food was quite good. Cons: Very small portions, 22% tip added automatically in addition to one dollar per person of some other charge. Summary: pretty good food, but we felt it was overpriced.
Austin B.
tl;dr FRIZWIT REVIEW -- this recent phenom of cheesesteak showcases stellar flavors but suffers from its limp roll and a slightly skimpy portion of meat During COVID, Musi head chef/owner Ari Miller doubled down on his chic spin on the Philly cheesesteak. Features local distributors such as Primal Supply steak and Merzbacher's rolls, this pivotal sandwich turned heads and even earned a shoutout in Food & Wine's "The Best Dishes We Ate in 2020." Frizwits were a daily offering during the pandemic, but now they are limited to a monthly Musi affair. Musi itself is a small, quaint BYOB, decorated like a country family's dining room. Offwhite walls are decorated with offbeat adornments, from ornate mirrors to mismatched picture frames. The windows are cluttered with houseplants and repurposed wooden milk crates, letting in the light but maintaining pleasant privacy. Antique teal chairs are upholstered with gaudy flower seat cushions. Glass vases, filled with flowers and dandelions, deck the varnished wooden tables. The low ceilings are outfitted with noise-proof paneling, and country music plays unobtrusively throughout the space. Pennsport is certainly a hike from my Rittenhouse apartment, but during this past Frizwit popup, fair weather made for a pleasant bike ride. I arrived just after 5pm to a short queue. I gave my name, was awarded my meal, grabbed a table, and popped open my brew. It was time to sink my teeth into the fabled Frizwit. True to Philly, the sandwich was overwhelmingly greasy: I blew through a napkin even just opening up the foil wrapper. Tragically, however, this translated into a limp, soggy roll, even though I chowed down in-house. The long roll was heavily loaded with well-seasoned, thickly chopped caramelized onion, but felt light on the unevenly sliced meat. The highlight was Musi's homemade Boursin-style cheese sauce: this truffley embodiment of umami incorporated Abundantly Good cheddar and Two Locals Prolific Hazy IPA. The kitchen was humming even at 5pm, but I enjoyed a friendly chat with the staff in between the waves of customers. At $15 dollars per sammy (before tax and tip), the Frizwit must rank among the most expensive cheesesteak in the city. While a darn satisfying sandwich, I don't believe that the Frizwit claims the throne of the best cheesesteak I've ever eaten. Nonetheless, I admire Miller's commitment to upscale cheesesteaks, and I hope to try Musi for sit-down dining in the near future -- and maybe even snag a bottle of that cheese sauce to-go.
E W.
Very impressive creative small plates, not your usual fine dining, but more like those "odd" Michelle 3-star restaurant. First time I ever had capon. Btw it's BYOB.
Raul Jauregui
Fight for this reservation and reserve again! Musi enamels its locally sourced food with subtle explosions of Mediterranean notes--lemon, fennel, poppy--and high end cooking techniques. Overall, an amazing umami feast, and extremely sustainable to boot.
Miguel E.
Surprisingly rude and arrogant. The food isn't even good enough for their owner and staff to act the way they do. Would not recommend.
What fun! A very special fixed price menu with homemade pasta, delicious chicken, lettuce soup, and various surprises throughout the meal. Byo and gratuity included. Wonderful, friendly service. Low music, pretty and eclectic atmosphere. A visit to our table by the chef. Good Covid protocols. Can't wait to come back.
Cherie C.
I first learned of them through the Too Good to Go app. I was running errands nearby and picked up some bargain priced hummus and pita chips. I looked them up online and was intrigued. I was also impressed that they seem to care about reducing waste. Hummus comes in reusable containers. Chips were in paper bags that I can compost. They asked if I needed a bag; I'd brought my own reusable one. They even make hot sauce from kitchen scraps and compost the rest. We returned to pay full price on a weekend when the spot runs as Frizwit, a sandwich shop. Their take on a cheesesteak, with more upscale ingredients, was unique and delicious. The vegetarian mushroom "cheesesteak" was equally flavorful and delicious, just as satisfying as the beef version. We tried pickles (I love pickles) but we're underwhelmed. Perhaps they just weren't as impressive as the sandwiches. But I keep thinking about those sandwiches and am planning my next visit so I can try the rest of them. As for Musi, they are finally back with a tasting menu, it seems. When I'm ready to eat indoors again (not yet, though), Musi is on my to-try list.
Elaine H.
This rating is for your beautiful article in food and wine. Hope you realize how many positive responses you received. I hope this is noticed by all restaurant owners. Oh, thank you.
Pl H.
I love this place. Conscientious, caring business looking out for customers and employees. Now that my husband & I are beginning to venture out for dining, this is exactly what we're looking for. Tasty, creative dishes prepared with love, immaculately clean, with concern for everyone's safety, and unparalleled service.
William M. Sauve
Virtue signal on social media about requiring vaccine? Good luck to you! I ever find myself in Philly, I’ll go anywhere but your establishment. I do not dine with tyrants.
Wrote this review almost 4 years ago now. Such a shame to see them go: Remarkably chill and visible kitchen, great service, pretty darn exciting food - but really it's the attitude of the chef and his insistence on a relationship to the ingredients that makes Musi such a special addition to Philly. It helps that the 7ish course dinner is simultaneously "homey", masterfully flavored and inspried. My taste buds left happy, and each person seemed incredibly content. Thanks for making my partner's birthday a success.
This review is for Musi at dinner. This one is simple. 4 of the 5 dishes were very good. In the 4.5-5 star type of review range. Bread and butter, halloumi, gnocchi, and the tortellini were delicious. The falafel was mediocre. But the main point is the portions were incredible small for the price. They were barely a step above a 9-10 course tasting menu size (minus the tortellini dish) and cost the price of a full size portion. Secondly, there was a 22% automatic gratuity added without any mention of it on the menu. I am all for livable wages and support items to get to that point BUT i believe if something is automatically added it needs to be on the menu so customers are aware.
My first time there and it was really really good. I will definitely go back.
Felt like we were rushed and the food was not that exciting and lack of spice/heat with the dishes.
The website states they are still requiring a poison injection A vaccine that doesn’t present covid and may cause other health related issues No logic behind this unless they are getting a kickback from big pharmaceutical companies
Pros: the food was quite good. Cons: Very small portions, 22% tip added automatically in addition to one dollar per person of some other charge. Summary: pretty good food, but we felt it was overpriced.
tl;dr FRIZWIT REVIEW -- this recent phenom of cheesesteak showcases stellar flavors but suffers from its limp roll and a slightly skimpy portion of meat During COVID, Musi head chef/owner Ari Miller doubled down on his chic spin on the Philly cheesesteak. Features local distributors such as Primal Supply steak and Merzbacher's rolls, this pivotal sandwich turned heads and even earned a shoutout in Food & Wine's "The Best Dishes We Ate in 2020." Frizwits were a daily offering during the pandemic, but now they are limited to a monthly Musi affair. Musi itself is a small, quaint BYOB, decorated like a country family's dining room. Offwhite walls are decorated with offbeat adornments, from ornate mirrors to mismatched picture frames. The windows are cluttered with houseplants and repurposed wooden milk crates, letting in the light but maintaining pleasant privacy. Antique teal chairs are upholstered with gaudy flower seat cushions. Glass vases, filled with flowers and dandelions, deck the varnished wooden tables. The low ceilings are outfitted with noise-proof paneling, and country music plays unobtrusively throughout the space. Pennsport is certainly a hike from my Rittenhouse apartment, but during this past Frizwit popup, fair weather made for a pleasant bike ride. I arrived just after 5pm to a short queue. I gave my name, was awarded my meal, grabbed a table, and popped open my brew. It was time to sink my teeth into the fabled Frizwit. True to Philly, the sandwich was overwhelmingly greasy: I blew through a napkin even just opening up the foil wrapper. Tragically, however, this translated into a limp, soggy roll, even though I chowed down in-house. The long roll was heavily loaded with well-seasoned, thickly chopped caramelized onion, but felt light on the unevenly sliced meat. The highlight was Musi's homemade Boursin-style cheese sauce: this truffley embodiment of umami incorporated Abundantly Good cheddar and Two Locals Prolific Hazy IPA. The kitchen was humming even at 5pm, but I enjoyed a friendly chat with the staff in between the waves of customers. At $15 dollars per sammy (before tax and tip), the Frizwit must rank among the most expensive cheesesteak in the city. While a darn satisfying sandwich, I don't believe that the Frizwit claims the throne of the best cheesesteak I've ever eaten. Nonetheless, I admire Miller's commitment to upscale cheesesteaks, and I hope to try Musi for sit-down dining in the near future -- and maybe even snag a bottle of that cheese sauce to-go.
Very impressive creative small plates, not your usual fine dining, but more like those "odd" Michelle 3-star restaurant. First time I ever had capon. Btw it's BYOB.
Fight for this reservation and reserve again! Musi enamels its locally sourced food with subtle explosions of Mediterranean notes--lemon, fennel, poppy--and high end cooking techniques. Overall, an amazing umami feast, and extremely sustainable to boot.
Surprisingly rude and arrogant. The food isn't even good enough for their owner and staff to act the way they do. Would not recommend.
Restaurantji Recommends
What fun! A very special fixed price menu with homemade pasta, delicious chicken, lettuce soup, and various surprises throughout the meal. Byo and gratuity included. Wonderful, friendly service. Low music, pretty and eclectic atmosphere. A visit to our table by the chef. Good Covid protocols. Can't wait to come back.
I first learned of them through the Too Good to Go app. I was running errands nearby and picked up some bargain priced hummus and pita chips. I looked them up online and was intrigued. I was also impressed that they seem to care about reducing waste. Hummus comes in reusable containers. Chips were in paper bags that I can compost. They asked if I needed a bag; I'd brought my own reusable one. They even make hot sauce from kitchen scraps and compost the rest. We returned to pay full price on a weekend when the spot runs as Frizwit, a sandwich shop. Their take on a cheesesteak, with more upscale ingredients, was unique and delicious. The vegetarian mushroom "cheesesteak" was equally flavorful and delicious, just as satisfying as the beef version. We tried pickles (I love pickles) but we're underwhelmed. Perhaps they just weren't as impressive as the sandwiches. But I keep thinking about those sandwiches and am planning my next visit so I can try the rest of them. As for Musi, they are finally back with a tasting menu, it seems. When I'm ready to eat indoors again (not yet, though), Musi is on my to-try list.
This rating is for your beautiful article in food and wine. Hope you realize how many positive responses you received. I hope this is noticed by all restaurant owners. Oh, thank you.
I love this place. Conscientious, caring business looking out for customers and employees. Now that my husband & I are beginning to venture out for dining, this is exactly what we're looking for. Tasty, creative dishes prepared with love, immaculately clean, with concern for everyone's safety, and unparalleled service.
Virtue signal on social media about requiring vaccine? Good luck to you! I ever find myself in Philly, I’ll go anywhere but your establishment. I do not dine with tyrants.