On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Lounges, American (New), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square, Penn CenterDon't Just Wish Someone A Good Holiday, Give Them One With Chili's.
Loading...
Just a note: I never tried the food here so this review is for the bar, staff, and venue itself.
This was part of a bar/pub/restaurant crawl I went on with my dad and uncle in Philadelphia. As my uncle lives in Philly, he wanted to show us around town and where he usually hangs out, drinks and womanizes. Hey, I guess it runs in the family.
This place is a classy looking joint, with a nice set up, cool looking basket chairs that hang from the ceiling on the upper level of the restaurant, and a gorgeous outside terrace overlooking the nicer area of Philadelphia up on the second floor.
The bartenders were nice and cheerful. The Guinness was delicious. And it tasted so much better in the fabulous 70-degree weather out on the terrace.
When I come back to Philly, I will need return here to try the food while sitting in one of those basket chairs.
Everyone told me to go to this place for the atmosphere. "It looks like an oldschool diner with a classy feel." And sure, that's kind of what it is except the seats upstair also smell like an oldschool diner and I couldn't exactly be expected to sit still the the two seater swings... but hey, that's their appeal.
The food and the drinks though? Amazing! My friends and I each got a plate to share (BBQ chicken quesodilla, open-faced shrimp quesodilla, and the cheesesteak egg rolls) then we each got dessert (cheesecake, a blondie, and some banana fried dumpling) We spent the entire meal basically just stating how good to food was.
Their specialty drinks are also really good, but slightly pricey for the small amount they give you. The most popular one I saw was a champange cocktail, but instead I got the Pimm's cocktail and the Gin martini with Rangpur and Lime cordial. Delicious!
Our waitress was friendly as ever and got a great tip out of us. I'd def. go here again with a bunch of friends... though it is slightly a novelty place for me.
This restaurant is another one of Steven Starr's stylish incarnations. With a spacious floor plan and a swanky upstairs martini bar, Continental repeatedly draws me in. Starr began with the other Continental, in Old City, and it's diner-like bar and mini tables; however, this location is the complete package. For a fix of trendy and cool, a lunch, dinner, and/or drinks, choose this site over its Market Street sister.
Out of the mixtures, I suggest Sweet Manhattan and Rob Roy cocktails, both containing a lush vermouth-bitters combo. Decked out with Rat-pack-meets-007 style, with a bright palate and soft lighting, the chic dining areas are appropriate for a date or a dinner out with chums. The Asian inspired tapas variations, which you can order as an appetizer or a full meal, seal the deal.
The gargantuan spherical halogen lamps and stainless steel tables glisten to illuminate the a-la-60s dining area. I could go either way about the "birdcage" chairs. The rooftop bar is the real highlight - a rare view and a metropolitan treat on a nice evening. Dancing breaks out occasionally at the bar/lounge upstairs, but it's still suitable for intelligent mingling with friends and colleagues. On busy nights expect a wait for seats and entrees. Overall, a swanky (in the campy application of the term) spot.
boyfriend and i went here a few nights ago.
the atmosphere is crazy in here, with a huge chandelier, couches downstairs that wrap and wind around, and upstairs has basket seats that hang from the ceiling! overall its an interesting looking place indeed.
now, onto food. we shared the lobster mac and cheese [which uses orzo instead of a more tradtional noodle, and has seasoned breadcrumbs all over the top] YUM, and the bbq chicken quesadilla [came with avocado sour cream, mmmmm]. both entrees were amazing, but the menu is smallish which may make it harder for a picky eater to find something right away. so overall, food was very good and came out very quickly.
BUT the problem that i encountered there was that i asked for REGULAR sweet tea to drink and i was informed that they only carry flavored teas, so i think "okay, no problem, peach tea please" and boyfriend orders a raspberry tea. all well and good untill we get our bill and our two teas each and one refill each [four teas total] equals out to over $20!! thats more than the lobster mac and cheese costs! so we asked if this was correct on the bill, only to be informed by another waiter which was not our own that they DO in fact carry regular sweet tea and that it is the only kind that has free refills!
so if this review was only food based, five stars all the way.
but due to five dollar water and tea power concoctions, 3 stars it is my friends.
Like a lot of the Starr restaurants, I feel like this place gets a lot of lovers and haters. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Here's the story with this place: it does look nice, the tapas style food is usually tasty, and the drinks are solid...but very expensive. If you're looking for a place to see and be seen, and throw down in that "let's get loud and drink martinis" kind of way, you will have a blast here. The roof deck can be a good time in the summer, though I think it can bring in a bit of the Philly equivalent of the bridge and tunnel crowd. If, you're looking for more of a quiet night with your friends, come here midweek, or pick another spot.
This place has a little bit of everything. I did a little research before a weekend in Philadelphia and decided on this place for its drink menu and small plate menu. One thing, no reservations allowed and this place does fill up...fast.
We went on a Friday night and when we got there around 7pm we had to wait for about 20 minutes, grabbed a drink at the bar (30 bucks for 3 cocktails!!). The inside of this place is great. A total retro throwback and the cocktails went right along with it.
Once seated, the staff was very helpful and friendly. They suggested we pick 4 or so plates for 3 people, they would figure out which should come first and bring another out when we were finished. Our server definitely encouraged a slow relaxed meal.
We started with the shoestring fries and cheese steak egg roll. The fries were good came with a chinese style hot mustard. The only thing I did not enjoy was how thin they were, kinda hard to eat and not make a mess. The cheese steak egg roll was really good. It is just as you would imagine it. It even came with a hot cherry pepper and siracha ketchup. Our other two plates were also very good, an open faced shrimp quesadilla and thai chicken lettuce wraps (our server even asked if we wanted more lettuce). Dessert is definitely not there strong suit. We chose two ice creams, one caramel popcorn and I cant remember the other one. The only thing I remembered is that I didn't taste caramel popcorn in the first one.
Overall, the Continental is fun place to go. The food is very good, I like the small plate style restaurant and service is also very good. The drink menu goes on for ages, ranging from classic cocktails to new different ones.
This is definitely one Starr restaurant that you don't go to just for the food. The atmosphere is what you're paying for, and it's a sleek, fun place to get together with friends. Booths along the walls are spacious, curvy sunken booths in the center of the floor are the place to see & be seen, and the swinging chairs upstairs are great for laughs and photo ops. Food takes a backseat to the main draw, which is having a great time.
That being said, the lobster mac & cheese is really good, but otherwise, stick to the basics. I've never been adventurous enough to try the "global" tapas, but the tried & true dishes (shoestring fries, caesar salad, chicken satay) are yummy. I've never had a specialty cocktail I didn't like.
Really neat atmosphere and really great food.
Very unique dishes, such as Lobster Mac & Cheese, and Cheesesteak Egg roll (both of which are fantastic)
I was also impressed with the Quesadilla's which were not your usual Quesadillas but had a sauce that is very unique and delicious.
They have lots of choices for drinks and a friendly staff. It is a little pricey but it's worth in my opinion as the food is delicious!
Came here Saturday night with some friends I haven't seen in a bit. People do like coming here, and I think it's because it's Stephen Starr.
The decor is nice and pleasing to the eye, the lighting is somewhat dark, good for ambiance. The crowd is upscale chic, with a nice dearth of "frat" people (even with the close proximity of Drinkers!). The music is quite low, so you can easily hear conversation.
We were in the roofdeck, and if you've been once, you've been a thousand times. The type of crowd that comes in is not eclectic. You will find good looking people dressed well. The crowd is not diverse - that's usually a bad thing for me, but the crowd here is much more blase - they were much more into their own conversations than interested in the differences of the types of people. That's refreshing. I only notice the diversity if I feel out of place - this place doesn't make you feel that way (unless you're in sweats or dressed inappropriately).
All in all, I wouldn't complain coming here, and I might even be slightly excited, but it wouldn't be my first suggestion when going out.
Recommendations:
1. Roof Deck
2. The Astronaut cocktail (It has TANG) - ask about what it used to be called and why they changed it.
BONUS - Sparkler and blondie sundae serenade for my birthday!
Will definitely come back to try some more tasty cocktails and hopefully the cheap happy hour food specials (did someone say hummus?!?)
Roofdeck seems to impress everyone. (Be warned, there will be a line, and for some reason wedding parties love to come here for an afterparty.) Drinks can be pricey, but the view is cool, and the inside has hammock seats and a futuristic vibe.
Menu needs some improvements, so eat if you're eating lightly or a late night snack.
Didn't get a chance to try any food... I was turned off when the upstairs bartender charged the guy next to me $16.50 for 3 beers that cost $5.50 each, and proceeded to charge me $6.60 for 1 beer that cost $6.00. On top of that I gave him a 20 dollar bill and received 13 dollars change.
This used to be my go-to place for brunch with one of my closest girlfriends but after one too many dissapointing experiences we decided to find a new place. The decor is pretty fun and the swing chairs on the second floor are pretty great (I'm a sucker for gimmicks and personal entertainment) but the overall service and food are not up to par. Given that it is a restaurant and not an amusement park that's kind of a deal breaker. Brunch isn't too bad with some interesting choices including a tiramisu waffle and omelets with poblano peppers but nothing knocks your socks off like you would hope. The salads, while big, usually consist of a fair amount of wilted lettuce so try something else. The desserts are fun and really good but super tiny (but that just means you get to try a couple).
I've heard that the roof bar and the nighttime scene can be fun so if that's what you are going for ignore this review. If you are going for breakfast or lunch you may want to choose from the vast array of better options in the neighborhood.
This place isn't bad in terms of location, atmosphere and crowd. It's a good place to go for a casual drink after work or on a weekend. If you're trying to go for a serious meal, though, it may not be your best bet, unless you're one of those people that will drop $30 for a weekday lunch.
Their cocktails are delicious, if a little pricey. The Strawburst is awesome, really tastes like a strawberry Starburst.
As for the food, it's alright, but also a little pricey. The wasabi mashed potatoes are out of this world, but they were served with a teriyaki filet mignon that was just okay. The chicken skewers were a little dry. Tuna tartare is alright, I like the wonton chips (I think) that they served it with. Pita with hummus is good lunch fare if you're trying to stay healthy.
Overall, not a bad place for casual drinking and dining.
My date insisted that he was too "manly" to drink martinis, so instead he ordered some champagne mixture. Ha ha ha. All I can say is that his glass came rimmed with pink sugar!
This is a great date spot with fun drinks and some truly tasty food. The bbq chicken pizza is especially good. They also have something similar to bruschetta (or maybe it was bruschetta)... and it was divine.
I think it was somewhat pricey, but I'm not sure. Love being a girl, lol.
So whenever Lisa is hungry --- Lisa gets moody. She shuts down, doesn't talk, doesn't smile.......
So I flew from Cali to Philly one weekend to meet up my hubby. I flew all day --- I was tired and hungry. I eventually reached to the point where my hunger died down ---- I HATE THAT FEELING!
My hubby (poor guy) was pissing me off, he was indecisive, didn't know where to go --- he eventually decided on Continental. Continental wouldn't be my first pick --- but HE was desperate.
We walked into the restaurant and were bombarded with douche bags and hoochies ---- woah woah, I thought I was coming in for dinner, not to get my freak on.
The hostess led us to our table --- two hanging wicker chairs --- you're fucking with me, right? By this point, I thought the food was going to be crap like the atmosphere and the clientele.
I WAS WRONG!
Lobster Mac and Cheese --- so creamy, so smooth. They used orzo pasta with chunks of REAL lobster and bread crumbs sprinkled on top.
Spinach Ravioli ---- Freshly made pasta stuffed with a mix of spinach, pine nuts, and ricotta --- with tomato sauce on the side
Szechuan Shoestring Fries ----- so thin and so crispy, served with a side of chinese hot mustard ---- I used these fries to top my lobster mac and cheese so I get that extra crunch!
I'm back in Cali and I keep thinking about that LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE! GOD, I wish there were a Continental in Sacramento!!!
I stopped by the Midtown on Sunday afternoon mostly to escape the rain partially out of curiosity. My friend and I were actually headed to Devils Alley for brunch when the sky opened up and unleashed there fury. The Midtown was closer so we hoped in there to warm up and get something to eat.
The Decor is great very quirky and trendy but fun at the same time. I feel bad for the waitresses though the uniforms are horrible almost like car hops without the skates.
I ordered a burger which was fantastic and my friend got the lobster mac and cheese which was very good. I also tried the bacon infused bloody Mary which sounds scary but was amazing.
It didn't seem like that had a very extensive menu for that hour of the day but I liked what I ordered so oh well. Our service was good nothing over the top amazing but decent. all in all it was a OK experience.
I just have to disagree with a lot of these posts when they talk about the service. I can absolutely say that we experienced 5 star service while recently celebrating a birthday! We received such attentive care from Danny, Nick and such a lovely young woman at the reception desk (sorry I forgot your name!). As I mention in many of my reviews, I go out to eat to have delicious food but primarily to have delicious food and an excellent customer service experience. Definitely received that here! Though everyone we encountered was quite friendly, a special shout out to Danny and Nick. They really did make us feel so special.
Now then... to the food.
Tandoori Chicken - yum city
Octopus - slightly oily for my taste
Paella (a special that evening) - please make that permanent fixture!
Lobster Mac 'n Cheese - oh yes... totally indulgent
Crab Pad Thai - very nice
Duck Confit Salad (a special that night) - and very special it was!
We did not have dessert there as we had brought a birthday cake ($3 plating fee, but very nicely presented and cake to go wrapped up conscientiously).
All in all - thank you for such a great time! Despite a very, very busy Saturday night we did not feel anything except truly attentive service.
Even knowing the pretension level here was going to be high I was still disappointed in this overpriced Starr joint. From the snooty hostesses that informed me that I could not be seated until my party was ready (they were finishing cigarettes outside) I could tell this place was not going to entrance me.
We opted to sit at the bar as the hanging wicker chairs did not appear to be made for men of our stature. Plummeting to the ground and being struck on the head by some bolt pulled loose may give some visions of workmen's comp, but not me, thanks!
Yeah, the look is kitschy in that 1960's jetson's sort of way. The tang astronaut cocktail was well received by one of my friends, and the Bacon Bloody Mary was something I predicted a while back and have been surprised to see show up so slowly. Too spicy for some, and of course if you ask them to make one not as spicy all you get is a blank stare and 'It's pre-made'. Wow! Way to be a bartender! If I ask for something beyond a shot and beer will your head freaking explode?
Actually, that might be more exciting than anything else served here that's for sure.
The bathrooms have large mirrors that act as one way glass so you can see IN to the bathrooms. Now, not being a shy type I personally didn't mind, but in this age of cell cameras everywhere this does seem creepy. I understand Starr loves the whole 'shared bathroom we're all adults' concept, but wow.
The other concept that goes quickly downhill is the beaded metal curtain behind the urinals. It provides a modicum of privacy as you're 'occupied' but then you walk through it to get to the sink. Ok, now follow my hospital trained cross contamination train of thought here. Drunk dude goes in, whips it out, sprinkles everywhere, turns, USES HANDS TO MOVE BEADED CURTAIN, etc. You now have to walk through said baptized curtain to get to the urinals. Yes, Bleah, now you understand why I was skeeved out by it versus 'wow isn't that cool'. And don't even try to tell me they have someone who cleans it. No star employee gets paid enough to stand there and wipe a damn bead curtain down with Lysol.
So, go for the 1960's futuristic vibe, the see and be seen environment, some peeping, but not for the food or drinks. Oh, and bring purell. Yuck.
Alright, damn, you got me. I like gimmicks. Some may even call me a sucker, but in my world, I'm the only one that gets to call people names.
My friend told me about this place in Philly that has "swings" instead of chairs. WHAT?! That's too much fun. You know, how children get distracted at meals and then you have to pull them back with something else perhaps just as enticing? I am pretty much the same way, give or take a few years of pseudo-adulthood.
The food was pretty good. Nothing spectacular, some of the items seemed interesting enough. Like tiramisu waffles? Gotta love bastardized food first thing in the morning. But not enough to keep my attention throughout the meal.
I'd like to give this place four stars. But my final answer is three stars for the food, because I think most people care more about the meal than a wicker chair swing.
Went back here yesterday not my own choosing. I really don't think I like this place...nothing in particular I can point my finger to. I guess it's just vibes.
We came here after happy hour at JL Sullivans (I'll review that next). I didn't get drinks at continental except for a coke. My friend ordered some of the food..i tasted but wasn't impressed.
Next we headed to The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co . But yeah, I'm not a continental person at all.
uhmmm...I'm gonna quote from the review below me (By Bridget)-
"...I came here for drinks and I…
Read more »
Our first time going here we did the swinging chairs..lets just say we didn't do them again...I got the lobster mac and cheese omg was it good..The "mac" part was actually orzo and it came topped with yummy bread crumbs..soooooo good. My mate got the calamari salad..He said it was good just wished that the calamari was crispier.
Our second time here I had an egg fritatta (a classic of there's) and he had the grilled chicken sandwhich..HIS sandwhich was so good..I was disaapointed with my fritatta..as a matter of fact its still in my fridge. Overall an enjoyable but slightly pricey experience.
I love Continental. The atmosphere + food = great brunch.
Recently went there for Sunday brunch. Waitress was friendly and prompt. Gave us tiny watermelon icy drinks to "cleanse the palate". Ordered Eggs Benedict w/ salmon which was amazing! The salmon was light and perfectly flavored.
I was still finishing up the last morsel of food on my plate and was talking to my friend next to me when the waitress took my plate away! Would have been nice if she asked if I was done.
On a summer evening the Continental's rooftop deck has some charm. You can smoke out there, that's for one. The baby trees smattered around the patio give the space a less concrete-boxed in feel (it is, in actuality, pretty boxed-in).
I can't speak to the food, since none of it looked all that original or impressive. We each ordered a martini. I asked for mine with three olives and the waiter gave me the option of whether I wanted the lemon rind stuffed olives or the traditional. I asked for two lemon and one regular and he didn't blink twice. The lemon stuffed olives ended up being quite a nice mash up of flavors and textures.
All three of us were rather disappointed by the plastic glasses in which our martinis were served. While it wasn't the most expensive drink I've ever bought, at $10 we expected the satisfying clink of glass on glass when we cheersed. Drink was decent, nice and dirty. This is not as 'special' a place as it sells itself, but isn't completely without its charms.
The beer was way overpriced, and so were the mixed drinks. The good thing was that the mixed drinks were super strong - the rum and Coke was nearly translucent.
The roof deck bar area is just an air conditioned space on the roof, which was kind of disappointing. The music in the bar area was incredibly loud, except it's not an environment conducive to dancing. The result is lots of people sitting on couches shouting at one another.
Had dinner last night here. The service was good. Some of the dishes where very tasty and some was kinda blah. It was just all about what you taste are craving. They service was fast and the price was normal for this area. Its a great place to take friends in a relaxing and trendy enviroment!
If we are talking strictly atmosphere and fun place to party, this is the place to go. The drink menu is pretty decent and usually are tasty, though there are some drinks that just taste straight up like cough medicine. (They are also priced incredibly high)
However, if we are talking about food, I have to say, it is over-rated. My boyfriend and I love mac and cheese, and love lobster mac and cheese even more. When we ordered it here, we found pieces of lobster shell in the dish. Enough said. (It wasn't cheap either)
At first glance my thought of continental was "this is going to be ridiculously expensive". The atmosphere is very hip, with all kinds of comfy seating and interesting lighting. And while the drinks were expensive ($10 for a mimosa!) the food was not.
I had a really hard time deciding what to eat for brunch, but went with coffee and the garden omelet. I liked that i had the option of getting a salad or fruit salad instead of potatoes, but i was on vacation so potatoes it was! My omelet was packed full of vegetables like spinach and tomatoes and onions.. yum. It also had boursin cheese, which i was unfamiliar with, but immediately fell in love with. The cheese was creamy and chivey, but there was just a little too much that it overwhelmed the omelet. I know.. who knew there could be too much cheese in something! What i did love was the potatoes. They had peppers and onions mixed in and were absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan!
We also tried the banana fritters, which were light and tasty. Jeff's chicken biscuit looked amazing and may have been able to rival chick fil a.
Our server was incredibly friendly and attentive. One of the best i've ever had.
Oh and when they ask you if you want to sit in the swing chairs.... they are scary looking, so i reccommend a regular seat
Definitely worth checking out for brunch!
Not since Jones have I been so disappointed with a Starr restaurant.
I drank three champagne-o-rama drinks without reading what was in them on the menu. Turns out it's champagne w/ a shot of raspberry vodka in a sugar rimmed glass, not fruity syrup in champagne. My boyfriend was drinking Long Islands which were as weak as my drinks were strong.
I don't remember what we ordered to eat, but I remember it being small and expensive. I do remember being carried home by my very sober, very annoyed and very hungry boyfriend.
I think the rooftop deck is overrated and I hate the plastic "glasses" they serve their drinks in.
*Another review that's bought to you by the people that McThrill considers worthy enough to go out of his way to catch up with*
My thoughts on Steven Starr places are no secret. Generally I'd do all that I can to avoid setting foot in one of his places. I guess it's just that to me they generally represent the overpriced scum of smug douche whistles that believe in flash over taste (not all of them, just the majority). But my friend was here for drinks on her birthday, and she's someone that's cool enough to the point that I'd generally go anywhere for. So to The Continental I went!
It was my second time going here (another moment that would have been bought to you by people that McThrill considers worthy of going out of his way to catch up with, if I had decided to write about it instead of blacking it out.) and I was loathing my entry to the point that I did a couple unneeded walks around Rittenhouse Square before hand. And as I was riding the elevator up to the roof the main thought going on in my head as I was looking at the other people riding it was "One of these dudes is not like the others, one of these dudes doesn't belong.....". But as I first set foot on the roof bar my instant thought was "Holy hell is this roof freaking posh!". It would have been a hell of a lot better if it overlooked more than Rittenhouse high rises, but when it came to roof bar experiences it wasn't too shabby, and it upped my review that would otherwise be a 2 stars.
The majority of the crowd sucked ass, but the 4 people that I was with made up for that setback. The beer list was pretty much the basics and predictable imports, but the prices were decent considering the place that it was. The cocktail list was vast, but from what I tried they were a little on the weak side and therefore somewhat overpriced (tasty at least). The only food that we picked up was edamame, which was good. Of course if you screw up edamame then there's something seriously wrong with you. The major thing that really sucked arse was the extra gratuity added on to the bill.
So end result, Continental indeed merits 2 stars, and if your on the 2 main floors than I can easily see that being the result. But the roof does add a extra something that can make it tolerable, and somewhat enjoyable. and that earns the extra star.
After a hard days work, I like to come here because they have a great atmosphere. But besides that there isn't anything too special. The service is okay, and the food is okay (especially when considering the price). I can also say that if you enjoy something there once, there is no guarantee that it'll be just as good the second time. Like for instance, the Szechuan Shoestring Fries could come out hot and crispy, but the next time you order, they could be cold and soggy. So, I give this place three stars since it's for the atmosphere that I return, not necessarily for the food.
Nice decor. Average food :(
Would love to try the bar upstairs and on the rooftop
Loved the empanadas...also the carrot cake
The flat bread was quite boring
I'd like to go back sometime to see if my experience varies
Yes, Continental can get expensive, but somehow it always turns out to be a crowd pleaser. For one, the decor is creative and fun and is a great place to bring friends from out of town. While ordering a lot of small plates can get pricey, this is the perfect place to go when you're not sure what you feel like eating or the thought of a big meal before a night out is too daunting. I always go with a bunch of friends and the menu is diverse enough so nobody has to agree on a certain cuisine. Some of our favorites are the calamari salad, crad pad thai, cheesesteak eggrolls, and the lettuce wraps.
Visiting from San Francisco, I was disappointed .
UGGHHHHHH!! This is the only time I'll say this and these words totally describe this restaurant, "UBER LAME."
Uber is such a lame word and with that, kids..momma's going to teach something about Continental's lame customer service and overrated food and drinks. The ambiance and decor were unharmoniously cohesive with each part of the restaurant, bar, and lounge. Glassware was more like "acrylicware' -- WTF.
We settled for drinks and dessert which were uninspired and felt like a complete afterthought. I really wanted to like this place but fell short of its charm as soon as I sat down.
Sorry Philly, this is a miss.
The drinks are good (although I once asked for a bellini at the indoor bar and received champagne mixed with peach schnapps-- I don't think so!), the food is consistent and tasty, but the rooftop deck has several issues that this cupcake does not love.
First, the glassware. Or shall I say, plasticware. When I order a ten dollar martini, I do not want to drink it out of room temperature plastic in a martini glass shape. I'm sure the reason behind this decision is so knucklehead drunks don't go throwing things over the ledge... but at the very least, they could serve real glasses to the patrons seated at the bar or at tables having dinner, or save the plastic for after 10 p.m.
Second, although there were no pools in sight, the entire deck area curiously smelled like one. Musty, chlorine-filled air combining with the scent of prepared foods was not at all appetizing. A rooftop bar in the middle of Philadelphia should not smell like low tide under the boardwalk. Please, Mr. Starr, give this place a good scrub down and replace the flooring with something that doesn't absorb spills.
I'm sure this wasn't my last visit to the deck at Continental Midtown... but with more bars and restaurants opening outdoor patios and setting up street-side tables, this place won't be topping my list for drinks al fresco.
I've walked past this restaurant many a time and have always wanted to check it out. I always thought it looked like a cute and fun place.
I finally got the chance to eat here when my boyfriend visited me. From the outside, I could only see the booths. Little did I know that the decor only gets better inside.
We came here for Saturday brunch/lunch and it was pretty busy. It seems to be quite a popular place and we had to wait about 10 minutes, which wasn't a problem, since we got to check out the lounge behind the bar upstairs, which was comprised of white mini tables and large orange soft unrecognizable-animal-shaped seats.
The downstairs seating looked really comfy and fun, but we enjoyed sitting at a two-person table upstairs, with the wooden swingy chairs that hang down from the ceiling and overlook the bottom level.
For such a swanky place, I thought it would be on the pricier side- and maybe it is a night, but for brunch/lunch, it wasn't too bad. There are a lot of dishes that I've read in other reviews and on the menu that sound really good, but some of these are apparently only available on the dinner menu, because I didn't see them when I was there. You can apparently get your food tapas style, but it wasn't apparent to me during lunch, so maybe it's just a dinner thing?
The waiter started us off with complementary samples of one of their fruity drinks in a cute tiny cup. It was really tasty and refreshing.
I decided to get a breakfast dish. If I remember correctly, it was called the Big Bang. It was pretty yummy, but nothing out of the ordinary, since it was just your typical plethora of breakfast foods- pancakes, bacon, eggs, toast, etc. My boyfriend got some special they were having that day, which was some biscuit sandwich, which sounded and looked good.
Overall, it's a fun and hip place to eat. The menu I got on Saturday afternoon wasn't very extensive. It includes breakfast foods and some favorite dishes picked out of the regular menu- I assume. I'd like to check it out for dinner sometime to see if they offer more dishes at night and to see if it's more costly- which I'm betting it is.
Gotta agree with others on this place. The service is poor, servers often have had a bad attitude and the food is mediocre at best. Like others have said, you're really buying the theme when you go here. Might be a good place for cocktails but definitely have dinner elsewhere. I'd even say this is a pass for lunch.
The roof deck is what keeps me coming bakc to theis place. On a nice night, it is a very chill place to be outside and enjoy an adult beverage. Caution: it can get crowded on weekend nights and they limit the number of people up there, so you may have to wait in line to get in the elevator. There is no cover charge though.
Another aspect of this place is the food. I've been there for brunch and it was average. The dishes are fairly priced and the food okay. It can also get crowded for this as well, so plan ahead and give yourself some time.
Continental Midtown was obviously designed by somebody with good taste and a sense of humor.
The first thing you notice upon entering is the decor. It's a blast from the past fused with futuristic accents and a significant pop element. Somehow, it all comes together and makes for a very interesting and yet pleasing environment in which to eat.
The food was sapid and scrumptious. There are big dishes, which you can eat family style and share with the rest of the table, as well as small dishes if you'd just like something for your self. Everything I sampled was tasty. I especially enjoyed the Thai chicken and spinach ravioli. Dishes ranged from plentiful to sparse, but in the end I think everybody got their fill. All of the food was very well presented, and discussing and sharing food was a springboard for conversation.
I wish I had read the rave reviews on yelp about the drinks before eating here. We were a little conservative, ordering just beers and wine, but it was good. They have a big drink menu, and drinks are a little expensive, but you'll get what you pay for.
The service was great. Our waiter was knowledgeable and attentive.
A fun side note about the bathrooms, the mirrors inside are actually two-way, as in people from outside the bathroom can see through them, as one girl from our party excitedly pointed out upon returning. This just another example of the whimsy and humor in the design.
So in short, if you're willing to splurge a little, try Continental for fun ambiance and good food.
It appears the fashion is to show a lot of ennui about this place based on many of the reviews...but I really enjoyed the dinner my boyfriend and I had here.
I didn't even go up to the roof top bar so was not subjected to the oft lamented lame plastic glasses. By the way folks - though we may find plastic glasses ridiculous with Grey Goose, the harsh reality is that rooftop restaurants all have to comply with regulations these days - we have the same thing in San Diego, so it's not really fair to slam the restaurant for plastic glasses -ok, done with my rant now :)
I had a couple of vodka martinis that were just right. We enjoyed the tapa type dishes most of which were quite delicious, particularly the ahi tuna tartare, lump crab cake and pan-seared hanger steak.
We also tried - on a whim - the cheesesteak eggroll, which is a bit much. It's tasty enough but a little too much of a good thing and a bit gimmicky, but still a fun thing to order.
Our server was a bit rushed, but it was a busy night, and I have to say the dishes came out fairly quickly and one at a time which worked well since we were never quite done with one when the next one came out.
Had I known about the Olde City location, I would have liked to try that one since other reviewers seemed to like it better, but I enjoyed myself just fine at the Continental Midtown.
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Category: Nightlife
Neighborhood: Market East
Category: Steakhouses
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Category: Bars
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Definition: "Given an undue amount of credit for…
Visiting the City of Brotherly Love? Check out…
The best (and only!) reason to get up early on…
after the first one, the restaurants are in no…
Brunch or bruncheon is a combination of breakfast…
Bad puns aside, here's where you can take the wee…
One of the most common questions I get asked:…
