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Sonata Restaurant
Rating Details »
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties1030 North American St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-1240
- Hours:
Tue-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- None
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- Category:
- American (Traditional)
- Neighborhood:
- Market East
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6 reviews for Sonata Restaurant
Sonata was fantastic. The Executive chef is a 2002 graduate of The Restaurant School, which me and my girlfriend are also an alumni of. We got to try the fall menu and they even offered us complimentary wine since we didn't bring our own. I thought that was a very nice touch. We were the only ones in the place on a Thursday night. The chef came out and talked to us after our meal, which was really cool. He explained that week nights are slow, but they are packed on the weekends.
I got the Crispy Pork Belly appetizer and The Salmon entree. My girlfriend got the Potato Leek Soup and the Lobster Mac & Cheese. All of them were really good, but I my salmon was a little overcooked. The sauces on each dish were what really shine. The presentation on every dish was really amazing too.
I hope this place does well and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a nice BYOB in the NoLibs area.
So me and the babe participated in the Northern Liberties Restaurant week because we shun the CC one for some reason. Sonata is a place we walk by almost everyday as we live in the Walk and always wanted to patronize since opening, but it always ends up an after thought.
So, we were presented with the three course menu with three options to choose from. Neither of the duck apps sounded appetizing mainly because I really like ducks and cannot stomach one. So we both ordered the potato soup. How good can potato soup be you wonder? Well this soup...let me tell you...this soup was really something special. I cannot think of an adjective to describe how delicious and creamy it was without being too heavy or starchy. We licked our bowls as usual and then our entrees arrived. I was safe and ordered the bone in chicken with potatoes and beans (green stuff=yuck because I am mentally 5 years old). B got the salmon with fennel and the most DElicious mushroom risotto I have ever tried. That does not say much as risotto is not one of those dishes I order a lot, but my standards are pretty high. We tried to eat slowly and act like normal people rather than devouring it as usual and it was a success.
After the entree we had three yum desserts to choose from. I chose the creme brulee bread pudding and he got the chocolate mouse cake. (I say mouse because that's exactly how he ordered it and I just about spat out my red wine at the waiter because I was laughing so hard). His embarrassment did not last long because we tore into our desserts like champs. I NEVER eat dessert because I just like food so much that I usually prefer appetizers, eight loaves of bread, drinks and our entrees that it always seems unnecessary. It was so fantastic and creamy and light though, I am pretty sure I will never get over it.
The place was great. I checked out their regular menu and unfortunately the dessert is not listed but that is ok. I want to go back for the lobster mac and cheese and gnocchi. I love Sonata and I think everyone else should too.
I love trying BYOB's and this by far is one of my favorites. I have sampled the summer menu and most recently the fall menu which included an amazing Lobster "mac-n-cheese." The service was wonderful. The chef came out to ask us of what we thought about the meal, which personally I love when they came out to greet their guests. Also, they have an amazing Foie Gras. I went with a group last time I went and got to sample most of the plates. The more popular appetizer was the pork belly, which was wonderfully cooked ("melts in you mouth" deliciousness but at the same time with a crispy skin. Loved the textures). This place is also in a good location in NoLib. After dinner I just walked around the piazza.
I took my girlfriend here for her birthday and we both really enjoyed the place. Nice decor, but not an overly romantic spot. A little on the bright side for that. The neighborhood is nice as it's easy to grab a drink before or after dinner. It's relatively new and the wait-staff seemed a bit green.
On to the food: everything we had was terrific. We got the duck risotto and pork belly appetizers and both were amazing. Pork belly is rarely anything but delicious, but this was REALLY good. My girlfriend had the stuffed porkchop (which was huge) and I had the potato-encrusted salmon. Both were delicious.
The chef came out to talk to us and seemed genuinely interested in our thoughts. When we left, we were the last ones in the dining room and there was no one there to say goodbye. A bit bush league, but nothing to sweat too much.
A great little BYOB in NoLibs.
Delicious but nothing special...
The quality of the food was great, but the menu options didn't surprise me at all. They are typical, Philly byob food ... limited and not-so-out-of-the-box in terms of creativity.
Didn't love the IKEA glass and dishware -- that is SUCH a turnoff in a restaurant. Also, the service was extremely fast...was in and out of the restaurant in one hour flat, even though we had each ordered our own appetizer and entree.
So yes, while the food tasted delicious, nothing stands out from this byob as being different than others -- though I'm hoping the chef will change this over time.
The thing that really struck us is how Chef Mark used multiple ingredients to create complex, rich tastes so effortlessly. We have then pork belly (the accompaniments added two additional dimensions to it), the tuna and the salmon. My wife noted that the tuna, prepped with truffles and fava beans, finally offered an alternative to the usual sesame crusted tuna with wasabi mash. Dessert (chocolate served three ways) was also inventive delish. All in all, unique, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully plated dishes at an affordable price point - we will definitely be back.
