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L2 Restaurant & Bar
Rating Details »
Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square2201 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 732-7878
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
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- Category:
- American (Traditional)
- Neighborhood:
- University City
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12 reviews for L2 Restaurant & Bar
The good: There are some fantastic items on their menu, and they always have specials that are often equally delicious. The dining room is dark and gorgeous, and has a great atmosphere.
The bad: The bar is terrible. There are never any drink specials, and the mixed drinks are rarely tasty. Ask the server for drink suggestions? That won't work either, he will look at you like you're a fool.
The food more than makes up for a lousy bar, but it's important to note that you should probably stick to beer, wine or water.
I was invited to a group dinner at L2 and honestly, had very low expectations. I had never heard of the place, and after reviewing the menu, the cost of the entrees seemed unusually low. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised.
I started with a bleu cheese salad that consisted of romaine lettuce, crisp bacon and the perfect amount of bleu cheese dressing. For my entree I had the crab cake which was loaded with lump crab meat and practically no filler. It was accompanied with tasty mashed potatoes and perfectly grilled zucchini and red peppers. I had an espresso to end the night, which I found to be a bit weak.
The decor was warm and inviting - including exposed brick, dark woods, high ceilings covered with pressed tin, and random artwork. And the waiter, though a wisenheimer at various points, was attentive and informative.
We ended the night (and actually closed the place down) at the front bar. Drinks were reasonably priced and the staff was very friendly.
I highly recommend L2, though don't overcrowd the place making it impossible for me to get back in!
Heavy hand bar keep
Pay attention, don't be cute
Next day I want more
Had a great night with a group of 10. Alcohol is a wonderful social lubricant and two sips into our cocktails everyone was old friends. If you can't read between the lines I am saying they pour a stiff drink here!
Our waiter was nice enough, but got a little snarky with a girl who was having a hard time deciding and ultimately got part of her order wrong because he was trying to be funny...at least he calmed down once he realized. I second Brad, that sea bass was great. Several in our party had the Crab Cake and all seemed pleased with the copious amounts of lump crab. Most of our party had one of their varied salads and all were huge and delicious. It's the Tuesday after and I'm thinking of going back for the beet salad...I never give salads this much thought!
Love the atmosphere. Simple and understated. A bit of shock at how reasonably priced the place is...and you will be too.
Lastly, if you are not familiar with this neighborhood (as I am not) then be warned that there aren't parking garages everywhere. At least none that I could find in my expanding circling for parking. Offer up a sacrifice to the parking gods before you leave the house and hope your prayers are answered...
Add this to list of places in my neighborhood that make it awesome. For a few dollars more, walk an extra block and pass up Ten Stone in favor of L2. Though I've had drinks here before, I had never sat down for a meal (in the back dining room that I didn't even know about!!!! It's so cushy and cozy and awesome.) until this past weekend, and I am so glad I did.
On Friday after work, when trying to decide what to do for dinner, I narrowed it down to the most unreasonable checklist ever: it has to be delicious, small/cozy, affordable, close to my house, and not obscenely crowded at 8PM on a Friday. The only place we could think of that even remotely matched that description was L2. So we set out.
Their wine by the bottle is reasonably priced for a restaurant, and we had a seat in the corner where we could people watch to our heart's content. The food was really yummy, and it seemed like everyone was having a really great conversation with the person across from them.
I have always loved the decor in this place, and even moreso now that I know about the back room. Definitely check this place out--it's an excellent go-to place to eat.
I had never been to L2 before. I had driven by it many times never even noticing it at the corner of 22nd and South streets. My friend had been to L2 and really liked it. So we went together for dinner last Saturday night. She told me it was like a Yelp 3-star kind of place. So I was expecting and average to pleasant experience.
I was more impressed than I thought. I gave it four stars. The menu was limited but they featured enough choices to appeal to as many people as possible.
I had the Arugula Salad which was fresh, crisp and the vinaigrette was flavorful. The halibut was done just right and served over sauteed spinach. My friend like her portabello mushroom appetizer but it's rather large so you could eat it as an entree.
Dessert was a slice of bing Cherry pie with incredible homemade whipped cream. To die for.
Service was quite good and our server was nice and sincere. I love the eclectic decor and lighting.
I would definitely go back again.
Wow!!!!! I am gonna go out on a limb here and give these fine people the full 5 stars (some may argue its a 4 star experience - but what we had last night was truly 5 stars all the way.)
NOTE: We also went BACK on 4/4/09 and it was fabulous AGAIN!
Starting with the bar and terrific bartender who mixed me a fine Whiska-retto Sour (That's a Canadian Club Whisky Sour with a splash of Amaretto to sweeten it up. - YUM.). The bar has a retro feel with colored shelves that slant at different angles to display the bottles of liquor.
Next we (there were 4 of us) were seated by our gracious host/waiter/manager (possibly owner?) and ordered lots of tasty treats.
We started with an appetizer course. I had a terrific goat cheese (mild - not too goaty) and beet salad. 2 of us has the slightly salty but very tasty French Onion Soup, and we all tasted the Chicken Shumai (obviously frozen - but tasty nonetheless.).
Also the stuffed portabello mushroom is SO TERRIFIC.
Since one of the entrees - Pasta "Mikey" appealed to all of us - we ordered one order and split it 4 ways on 4 little plates as a pasta course. The pasta was penne, coated in a rich, creamy pink sauce accented with shavings of proscuitto. Very tasty and perfect as an app. (May be too rich to eat a big plateful.)
For entrees the standout was the lamb - a gorgeous frenched rack of 8 chops total, served with airy riced potatoes and asparagus spears. The meatlof entree (with more of the delicious mash) and my husband's "special" of flaky-crusted chicken pot pie, all disappeared.
We were nearly stuffed by now, but stayed for delicious rich cups of freshly brewed coffe and decaf. And split amongst us 1 cheesecake (classic and creamy) and a decadent chocolate bourbon pecan pie. (The crust of which was outstanding.).
We have returned twuce. What lovely evenings we have had, surrounded by gorgeous decorations and the classic portraits that adorn the walls.
This is a unique place that seems like "nothing" when you walk by. Go INSIDE!!! Go!!!
You will not be disappointed.
Food was decent but not spectacular. The duck was tasty and well presented but the sea bass that I had ordered was on the underseasoned and under-cooked side which was a bummer. I had gotten a mushroom soup and while it was very powerfully mushroomy (which I like) the texture was a bit on the odd side--not quite smooth and creamy and not chunky. It was like having a savory slurry of coarsely ground mushroom and cream.
Would I have paid full price? No. That's what coupons are for.
We made reservations, which for a Tuesday night, turns out not to be necessary. We walk in, and see a bar area, manned by what looks like a few regulars. Nobody greets us. Finally a woman drinking a beer gets up and says she is just a customer but she'll show us to the dining area. We are led into a gorgeously decorated room, with red velvet, high ceilings, and distressed walls. We are met by a man who seats us in a cozy little corner. A beautiful place for an anniversary dinner, which is what this is. The lighting is dim and the decor makes me feel like I am in 1920s Paris. The waiter seems very pressed for time (there are only 2 other parties there, so this seems odd). He asks us what we want to drink. We inquire as to whether they have any special drinks or cocktails to recommend. He says no, and stands there in silence. We both order fried catfish and tortilla soup, which is decent. So over all: food is ok, service sucks, but atmosphere is divine. I would definitely rent out the space for a party.
After a wine-filled dinner out with two girlfriends, we decided to pass on dessert and instead continue our night with an after-dinner drink. Someone suggested L2 since it was nearby so off we went.
It felt like fate when we walked into the bar and three front and center bar stools were available. I proceeded to order a chocolate martini from Liz, the friendly tattooed bartender who was positively jamming to the Prince CD playing in the background. The martini was so good and seemed perfectly matched with the Goldfish crackers that were in glass milk jugs on the bar. The combination reminded me of my youth, which was awesome.
DISCLAIMER: Next time I want to re-create a childhood snack, I'm going to stick with good old-fashioned chocolate milk, because three chocolate milks will not cause the side-splitting headache effect that three chocolate martinis (and many glasses of wine) will the next morning. However, if I'm ever again jonesin' for ONE really good chocolate martini, L2 is my place!
I wondered downtown tonight intending to go over to Ten Stone - but changed my mind at the last minute. After wandering around for a few minutes I was pointed over to L2 by a local barista. It's located where the old Cafe Republic used to be... with an interesting antiqued motif, quiet atmosphere, AWESOME service and great food. If you're looking for a great spot for a mid-week date... this is your spot.
I had the Spinach and Artichoke dip off the additions menu which was ok... but the grilled Green Peppercorn Filet Mignon I ordered was excellent. I also tried a bit of the Chilean Sea Bass my sister ordered and the Roasted Crispy Duck off my Dad's plate - both of which were excellent... and I think that if I go back I'll go for the Sea Bass if the special doesn't sound real exciting.
Working in Midtown I don't get out past like 18th or much further south than Locust often - but this place will remain an exception to the rule.
it's good. let me put it this way, i rather eat than type long comments or story for all restaurants i have been to. short is sweet and understandable.
Dark and artistic atmosphere. Unique Italian-ish quisine. There is very little to dislike about this place. The Sea Bass will melt in your mouth. I highly recommend this restaurant.
