What a beautiful restaurant! Love the atmosphere. Drinks and food are so amazing. Even stuffed, I finished every bite! Can't wait to go back. The staff are all so friendly and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nova Fries
MDmom
Every time we come here the food is so good, as is the service— the squash tempura recommended by the waitress was delicious, and we devoured the Nova fries, buffalo cauliflower, and Brussels spouts. The salmon was perfectly cooked, and the roast chicken was amazing. We love coming here!
Debbie Nailor
Our server Cece was excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J. Bobby Sethi
A total breathtaking experience. Great ambiance, good food and drinks, and above all friendly staff.Wheelchair accessibility: Totally wheelchair accessibility ♿️
Early for my reservation. We were sent to the bar and told to return to the hostess's desk at 7:30PM. Returned, still another 15 minutes. We stood by one of the walls and within a couple of minutes we had a table. Food was good , drinks were good. Jordan, our server was very attentive. There was an honest mistake w/ an order, the wrong main course was brought out. No issue. It was corrected immediately. Very happy with the dinner. And they validate parking.
Foodie
Came for lunch with my college age son. He ordered the pepperoni flatbread and Cuban sandwich and was happy with both. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with ricotta. Chicken sandwich was just ok. The balsamic dressing over powered the sandwich as the focaccia was drenched in it. The sandwich was also more focaccia than chicken. Overall it was fine, can't beat location when visiting kids at Nova.
MiKA
The restaurant is nicely appointed, the staff is attentive, and the food and cocktails are always good. I only wish it was quieter. It was not overly busy on my last visit, but was still noisy.
Meredith Schnoll
My experience at The Refectory left me utterly dismayed, not only by the lackluster quality of the food but also by the alarming disregard for customer well-being and basic courtesy. Having dined here a couple of times, my recent visit ended in a distressing ordeal when my husband fell severely ill after consuming The Master Class burger.Upon discovering his condition, I immediately reached out to The Refectory, leaving multiple messages and earnestly requesting to speak with a manager. However, despite assurances of a callback, my efforts were met with perpetual silence. Months have passed, and the promised response remains elusive, leaving me astounded by the sheer apathy demonstrated towards our ordeal.Reflecting on the culinary aspect, the offerings failed to impress. My meal, comprising a salad and salmon, was unremarkable at best, lacking the freshness and flavor one would expect. Meanwhile, the Master Class burger, ordered by my husband, not only failed to satisfy but inflicted significant harm, prompting an emergency room visit in the dead of night.The absence of empathy and accountability exhibited by The Refectory's management is deeply troubling. In an industry built on hospitality and customer satisfaction, their indifference towards our plight is nothing short of appalling.For prospective diners, I implore you to consider alternative establishments in the area that prioritize customer care and culinary excellence. Your time and resources are better invested elsewhere, steering clear of The Refectory's disappointing and potentially hazardous offerings.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
BBdiner
Pleasantly surprised that this restaurant on Villanova campus was so good. Went before the theater (across the street). Enjoyed interesting cocktails, Violet Moon and Cellar-y Door, and delish appetizers, mushroom toast and spicy calamari. Waiter was professional; experienced, not a student. Duck ravioli special was very tasty. Waiter even offered to validate our parking. Definitely noisy ambiance. Will go again.
OOPACK
The food was good, some dishes better than others, but all in all delicious. The service was nice, our server bright and smiling. The drinks are way over-priced and I say that knowing they generally are, but I think these were way overpriced for what we got.
The food was interesting and very good, the service from Emily excellent, and the setting attractive. Alas, the noise level turned conversation into everyone shouting, which raised the noise level even more. We would go back but never on a Friday night; maybe a Tuesday or when weather allowed. outside seating. The traffic on Lancaster Ave. would quite literally be quieter than the dining room.
KimM
Our waiter Jake was terrific!! The food was delicious. We enjoyed ourselves so much we stopped back after the game for a glass of wine and the bartendor Anya was so friendly and professional ! Will definitely come here again!
HRKoffee
The food is great and the kitchen is consistent, whether it's the weekend and brunch or the evening and dinner. The staff is friendly, helpful and professional. We have enjoyed every time we go, which is frequently! Highly recommend you try it.
The service was a little slow. When the waiter said he'd return in a few minutes, it was more like 10-15 minutes. I ordered the duck special... it's usually served rare...mine was much more overdone than I liked and also more saltier than I like. My husband ordered the sea bass special.. It was very salty. This was our second time here. I would definitely return and give it one more try.
ColleenR
Cocktails were filled 2/3 of glass- for $15 it felt skimpy. OLF fashioned was delicious! Chicken cordon blue delish but minimal, as was Campanella pasta dish- very little meat. No rolls or anything to start on. Overal:l expensive, good food, small portions for price.
What a beautiful restaurant! Love the atmosphere. Drinks and food are so amazing. Even stuffed, I finished every bite! Can't wait to go back. The staff are all so friendly and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nova Fries
Every time we come here the food is so good, as is the service— the squash tempura recommended by the waitress was delicious, and we devoured the Nova fries, buffalo cauliflower, and Brussels spouts. The salmon was perfectly cooked, and the roast chicken was amazing. We love coming here!
Our server Cece was excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A total breathtaking experience. Great ambiance, good food and drinks, and above all friendly staff.Wheelchair accessibility: Totally wheelchair accessibility ♿️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ribs, Cajun Calamari, Spicy Vodka Rigatoni, Buffalo Cauliflower
Early for my reservation. We were sent to the bar and told to return to the hostess's desk at 7:30PM. Returned, still another 15 minutes. We stood by one of the walls and within a couple of minutes we had a table. Food was good , drinks were good. Jordan, our server was very attentive. There was an honest mistake w/ an order, the wrong main course was brought out. No issue. It was corrected immediately. Very happy with the dinner. And they validate parking.
Came for lunch with my college age son. He ordered the pepperoni flatbread and Cuban sandwich and was happy with both. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with ricotta. Chicken sandwich was just ok. The balsamic dressing over powered the sandwich as the focaccia was drenched in it. The sandwich was also more focaccia than chicken. Overall it was fine, can't beat location when visiting kids at Nova.
The restaurant is nicely appointed, the staff is attentive, and the food and cocktails are always good. I only wish it was quieter. It was not overly busy on my last visit, but was still noisy.
My experience at The Refectory left me utterly dismayed, not only by the lackluster quality of the food but also by the alarming disregard for customer well-being and basic courtesy. Having dined here a couple of times, my recent visit ended in a distressing ordeal when my husband fell severely ill after consuming The Master Class burger.Upon discovering his condition, I immediately reached out to The Refectory, leaving multiple messages and earnestly requesting to speak with a manager. However, despite assurances of a callback, my efforts were met with perpetual silence. Months have passed, and the promised response remains elusive, leaving me astounded by the sheer apathy demonstrated towards our ordeal.Reflecting on the culinary aspect, the offerings failed to impress. My meal, comprising a salad and salmon, was unremarkable at best, lacking the freshness and flavor one would expect. Meanwhile, the Master Class burger, ordered by my husband, not only failed to satisfy but inflicted significant harm, prompting an emergency room visit in the dead of night.The absence of empathy and accountability exhibited by The Refectory's management is deeply troubling. In an industry built on hospitality and customer satisfaction, their indifference towards our plight is nothing short of appalling.For prospective diners, I implore you to consider alternative establishments in the area that prioritize customer care and culinary excellence. Your time and resources are better invested elsewhere, steering clear of The Refectory's disappointing and potentially hazardous offerings.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Pleasantly surprised that this restaurant on Villanova campus was so good. Went before the theater (across the street). Enjoyed interesting cocktails, Violet Moon and Cellar-y Door, and delish appetizers, mushroom toast and spicy calamari. Waiter was professional; experienced, not a student. Duck ravioli special was very tasty. Waiter even offered to validate our parking. Definitely noisy ambiance. Will go again.
The food was good, some dishes better than others, but all in all delicious. The service was nice, our server bright and smiling. The drinks are way over-priced and I say that knowing they generally are, but I think these were way overpriced for what we got.
Restaurantji Recommends
The food was interesting and very good, the service from Emily excellent, and the setting attractive. Alas, the noise level turned conversation into everyone shouting, which raised the noise level even more. We would go back but never on a Friday night; maybe a Tuesday or when weather allowed. outside seating. The traffic on Lancaster Ave. would quite literally be quieter than the dining room.
Our waiter Jake was terrific!! The food was delicious. We enjoyed ourselves so much we stopped back after the game for a glass of wine and the bartendor Anya was so friendly and professional ! Will definitely come here again!
The food is great and the kitchen is consistent, whether it's the weekend and brunch or the evening and dinner. The staff is friendly, helpful and professional. We have enjoyed every time we go, which is frequently! Highly recommend you try it.
The service was a little slow. When the waiter said he'd return in a few minutes, it was more like 10-15 minutes. I ordered the duck special... it's usually served rare...mine was much more overdone than I liked and also more saltier than I like. My husband ordered the sea bass special.. It was very salty. This was our second time here. I would definitely return and give it one more try.
Cocktails were filled 2/3 of glass- for $15 it felt skimpy. OLF fashioned was delicious! Chicken cordon blue delish but minimal, as was Campanella pasta dish- very little meat. No rolls or anything to start on. Overal:l expensive, good food, small portions for price.