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Union Trust
Rating Details »
Category: Steakhouses [Edit]
Neighborhood: Market East717 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-6000
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner, Late Night
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
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- Category:
- Tex-Mex
- Neighborhood:
- Market East
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16 reviews for Union Trust
Hold the phone! Union Trust is offering a $7.17 lunch menu!! While I had trouble choosing between the three options: Duck salad tossed with cranberries and candied walnuts, fish and chips, and the Kobe beef burger, I ultimately caved into my beef calling. Delicious brioche bun, perfectly seasoned meat topped with melted American cheese. Simple but awesome.
To think you can now experience UT without have to dive deep into your wallet. Wonder if Tommy Up's going to pull another receipt stunt.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/8/2009
So before heading to Chifa for dinner, my friends and I stopped over at Union Trust for cocktails.… Read more »
I'm all about the Philadelphia steak houses right now. I love steak, and love the vibe of this type of restaurant. I'm not some average white dude on a business dinner. I know I don't fit the bill of the fat dude in a small suit, talking loud, entertaining my sales clients. What I'm getting at, I can be my trendy glasses, slightly under dressed, backpack toting, 30 something eating steak, drinking wine.
Based on buzz, I checked out Union Trust. What I will write will not compare to the guy on here from California that wrote his review. However, I will give you my check information and my thoughts on each.
Date: 12/2/09, 8:07pm, check# 32035, Table 51.Server#68.
2 Kusshi Oysters $5.90-not the ones I ordered, but still very good
2 Rome Point Oysters $5.30-yummy
1 Beet Salad $8.00-ok.red and white beets, just ok. I love beets, wouldn't order this again.
1 Ancho Rub Ribeye-$49.00-cooked wrong, cold, sent back to cook more, still cold. Ate about 30% of the steak and had it thrown away.
1 NY Strip $42.00-cold, fine. Other than the temperature, it was fine.
1 side caramelized onions $9.00-do not order this. worse than 6th grade lunch food.
1 side asparagus $9.00-better asparagus at Acme. Bad.
2 glasses Kooyon Pinot Noir $30.00- good
1 Allagash White $6.50-good
total $178.61+tip 20%
The place had a nice interior if you didn't look close at the broken glass and Ikea wine racks. It just didn't deliver. All of the servers were running mad around the restaurant and too many managers trying to avoid feedback. This place wasn't good (compared to any of the other upscale steak restaurant in town) and I know I will be dragged back here by one of my local friends that doesn't believe me. Stay tuned for next time.
Hello! I didn't realize I was lunching at a fancy place! Yes, when I walked in, I was very impressed. This obviously historic building is spectacular to look at. If you want to impress someone, or are sure you want to go to a "fancy" place, this is really great. The fish man, (sorry, I forget his name) in the front was really great at telling my friend and I about the oysters, the bar upstairs and their specials, etc. He was a very personable and enthusiastic guy who obviously likes his work.
We went for the lunch special - I think it was a $7.17 burger, among 2 other choices. I can tell they enjoyed adding on that $.17 for fun (the address), but now I know why. They nickel and dime you for everything. Since I wanted cheddar, instead of the standard American cheese that comes on the burger - $2 extra. Since my friend refilled her Sprite - bam! $charged for another soda$! I'm surprised I wasn't charged for the mustard I requested.
Granted, the burger was delicious, and the fries were outstanding (as well as served in a cute personal fry basket), but the hour it took to get it kind of sucked, too. We were there at the lunch rush, but geez, I'm a normal person with a normal 1-hour lunch break. I'm sure the rest of their food is excellent. Everything seems top-notch. This place might be good for entertaining your clients, or if you have a lot of time and money.
I went for their lunch special one weekday afternoon. I was immediately in awe of the decor: the former bank still retains some of its charm with the high ceiling and opulent design.
Seated at the bar, I ordered the burger. I felt it was overcooked and the fries were too salty.
Would I come back? Maybe.
So I returned last night to Union Trust, being enticed by the rumor that during happy hour, oysters are $1 each. It's happily true! From 4-7pm Monday-Thursday buck a shuck has taken hold.
I had a chance to meet the raw bar Chef, Gordon, last night as well. Gordon, I'm told, is the third fastest shucker in the US, and did a fine job last night. I had about a hundred oysters and will say that there was very little particulate matter in them, all were properly cut free of the shell, and none were off. I was disappointed when they ran out of malpaques, as there were absolutely delicious last night, but such is life.
The carpaccio was much better, but needed a touch more salt and some cracked black pepper. I was also disappointed it didn't come with bread by default, and that we had to request the bread basket.
Hamburger sliders were ordered by one of my guests and proclaimed good but bland. Risotto fritters were declared 'inedible' by the kitchen and the whole batch tossed, wiping them off the menu, a sad thing as several of my guests were risotto aficionados. I guess it is better to pull it than serve something of poor quality, but this isn't the bush leagues, and someone should have re-made the stuff.
Crabcake sliders were pronounced good but again, nothing spectacular.
The bar staff was definitely out of its groove last night. Apparently there was a big party coming in upstairs, which left a single bartender on downstairs to handle the 5pm rush. Although Claudia did an admirable job, things were forgotten, several times, due to the amount of people she was trying to assist. this was poor planning on the part of management. I understand you're getting big $$$ for that party, but your bar patrons are your repeat customers, if we feel slighted, no single party will keep you going.
So no five stars. I love the dollar oyster night, and the food is on the upswing, but service is just as important, and last night, it was off.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/25/2009
For the holiday weekend I decided a treat was in order, so we popped into UT for a Sunday night… Read more »
Wow.
That was my first impression when walking into Union Trust. Beautiful architecture, and what were probably some crazy-expensive renovations, stretched from marble floor to richly adorned ceiling. The main level bar was still swinging after 10 on a weeknight, but there were plenty of available chairs at the upstairs bar for an after dinner cocktail. As my mom and I sat there chatting, I had a hard time focusing on the conversation as my eyes were wandering all over the room. For me, this restaurant instantly became the most glamorous in the city, and has shot to the top of my "places to dine" list. Therefore, my stars are all based on my cocktail experience alone (said cocktail was a tasty gin, strawberry and basil combination made by a friendly bartender). I hope they can be matched when I come back for dinner, so I can love on this place even more!
This restaurant is really beautiful. We were invited to the grand opening, but came down with something and couldn't make it and were super bummed. We felt like jerks for RSVPing and being no-shows, so when we called to apologize, management insisted we come back another night. So, that we did.
The service was great and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered the Wagyu steak, which goes for a whopping $100. I wanted to know why it was $100 and I was informed that the cows are Australian, are fed only beer, and receive massages all day. (I want to be one of those cows!) Anyway, the steak was excellent. As was the caprese salad, which I always order anytime I see that on a menu.
This place is pricey, but doesn't disappoint. A word to the wise -- do not take someone here on a first date. There'll be nowhere to go from there!
My wife and I went tonight. Interior is amazing. Beautiful space. Bar is small but nice. They also have another bar on the 2nd floor.
Serivce was great. Steaks were good but not great. The Capital Grille and Del Friscos are just as good. Very expensive! Very!
I will go back though. Not bad at all.
I respect anyplace that spends a small fortune on the decor. I don't know for sure but it looks like they spent a few million to build this place. The ceilings must be 50 feet high. The openness is very comfortable. The layout is just right. You can sit at a table on the balcony overlooking everything, or next to the bar where the action is or in a more private area. The fact that there are no echo's in this place is amazing (must be great engineers that built it). The staff is over-the-top helpful and friendly (not to mention hot!) The quality of the food and drink is top flight. I really enjoyed the tuna tar tar appetizer.
I wouldn't say that it's the newest "hip" place but it's an instant Philly classic steak house with a serious emphasis on seafood.
The prices are what you would expect from a high end steakhouse. Is it worth it? I would say, yes (once in a while).
I heart Union Trust. It is truly a beautiful restaurant and I especially love the openness and the gorgeous decor.
I have been there twice for drinks as a post-dinner jaunt after Morimoto and Jones. On a Saturday, the place was PACKED with a diverse clientele of memaws and pepaws getting their date night on, the 30s/40s set spending ducats with their compadres and a few twentysomething big-spenders sprinkled in. It was a lively scene--not pretentious but comfortable.
I went last night (Friday) and it was a ghost town however the bartenders were uber-friendly and the one male bartender made my "date" (read: sexy bestfriend) a VON-derful (yes pronounced that way) dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. I took one sip--too strong. I am such a lightweight and he made me something fruity and girly in a martini glass and made me feel like the young'n I pretend...errr...I am. After overhearing a conversation between two yuppies, one flipping his black card for the world to see (insert: sarcastic oohhhh and aaahhhss) and the other over-enunciating the "Haaaammmpptoonnnnss" about "rubbing one out" later, we bounced.
I can't comment on the food, which I heard is fantastic but the drinks, service, and ambience is worth it. Next time, I will try not listen to others' conversations and just concentrate on the greatness that is Union Trust!
Really expected much more from this spot. So much more. The room itself is spectacular on the surface. The marble imposing, the set up unique, the bar aesthetically pleasing...
But then I started to pay attention.
The yellow neon things by the bar just don't fit in a steakhouse and the music was corny canned loop CD's made for restaurants. The place cried for Rat Pack and smoke hanging in the air...
Instead it's neo-Yani Steven Starr-ish bullshit and a sterile environment where the way, way over staffed bar is way, way over crowded and so, so tiny you can't move or think.
Tried to chill at the bar, have a bite, and check the spot out with my girl, but we were constantly harassed by the platoon of bartenders and suited waiters and smelly, almost well dressed patrons. Money without taste.
The theme of this entire establishment. Like School on Sunday.
NO CLASS!!!
The food was OK, but unimpressive for the price. The bar staff was not well trained and amateurish, it was just a weird, unfulfilled vibe all around.
Everything from the bartenders to the people paying to eat and drink here smelled. Smelled isn't strong enough...They literrally reeked....
of JERSEY.
Not that there's anything wrong with that (But there really is)
Stay away! There's 32 other steakhouses you can find a more interesting one, or seven, to waste your time and clog your colon.
Have now been here for drinks and dinner. Going tomorrow night for a party. Space is - as others have said - breathtaking. A grand old bank building with incredible architectural detail that has been just impeccably transformed into an elegant, spacious and swanky spot. Steaks were perfectly prepared (as one would expect). I had a killer chimichurri sauce, which is one of the many sauce options. For the fishetarians there is a full selection of great seafood - the wife had a delicious perfectly rare tuna. The sides were also great - a potato gratin to die for, roasted root veggies and roasted wild mushrooms. MMMM! In addition to the downstairs bar, which is lovely but can get crowded and noisy, there is (as Michelle C. has noted) a really nice balcony bar that is sort of hidden and less crowded. There are also a few really nice private rooms of varying sizes - anyone want to throw me a party there? Service is impeccable.
Union Trust is everything it's cracked up to be. It's very impressive on the inside, just as you'd expect it to be. The food is quite good. I had steak frites and the steak was one of the best I've ever tried. Overall I had a great experience and I'm glad to see another grand restaurant here in Philadelphia.
great time. The service got better through out the night.
This is a wonderful place to dine in Philadelphia. It new and trendy but don't let that put you off. The room is both grand and contemporary at the same time. It's a young crowd with money but the place pulls it's weight. The steaks are perhaps some of the best on the Eastern Seaboard and the service is attentive without being overbearing. It's a steak house so don't expect more. It's also pricey but the food and the service match the tab. A restaurant to put on your list.
hands down the most visually impressive resturant in Philadelphia. i still dont see how they spent 22 million dollars but for someone who usually does not give 2 shits on the architecture of a restuarant i was quite impressed, esp with the detailing on the ceiling-i know this sounds quite stupid but it was really quite nice. but either way down to what really counts the food: Silver seafood platter- excellent everything fresh and a healthy proportion, mac and cheese- one of the best i have had, salmon- very nice prob the best I have had in philly- ( in my defense i ordered fish at a steakhouse b/c i had went out for steak the night b4 and the day prior I had Korean bbq) and the 1/2 of a filet the gf did not finish- i prefer a bit more char, but overall a good cut of meat. only let down was their deconstructed key lime pie was a deconstructed pile of ehh. why fck w/ a classic? key lime pie is delicous and perfect the way it is. bit on the $ end but a fine addition to the Erik's contribution to an early heart attack where did all my $ go list. plus they have dollar oysters during happy hour! (avoid the sliders though they have the case of the sucks.)- varga happy hour sliders are way better.