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Don't Just Wish Someone A Good Holiday, Give Them One With Chili's.
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I may have said this before, but I'm one of those people that don't revisit a restaurant too often. Not because they suck, but because there are sooooo many places to try. I'm also one of those people that rarely give 5 stars (without some mention of how it should really be 4.5). However, Xochitl has commanded both a revisit (and a re-revisit, with more in the future), and 5 genuine stars from me.
I've been here several times now, and each time I've been really pleased. I've liked everything I've ever tried. I won't go into specifics because the other reviewers have covered that pretty well. Also, at this point, between my friends and I, we've probably tried the whole menu. So this review applies to the whole menu. The guacamole, ceviche and main entrees are all, as Guy Fieri (hate him) would say, "Money".
And if you needed any more reason to give this place respect, the Chef, Dionicio Jimenez started off as a dishwasher and worked his way up from Vetri's kitchen to open this place. Mad props.
I would like to give you a higher score, Xochitl but you left me wanting... Halloween is my anniversary, and every year my partner and I try to go somewhere new every year to celebrate. This year I came across Xochitl's Dias de los Muertos four course $35 prixe fixe menu, and we decided to go!
Sopas - My partner had the Pozole de Conejo (Rabbit) and I had the Caldo de Gallina y Masa (Chicken and Masa). They were good, but I did not have a single Masa dumpling in my soup... I was a little bummed.
Antojitos - My partner had the Gorditas Infladas con Frijoles y Queso Panela and I had the Escabeche de Guajalote. I was pleased with my dish, but my partner was not pleased with his.
Platos Fuertes - My partner had the Carne con Cileajo with blue masa tortillas, I had the Pescado Zapoteco with pumpkin seed mole! AMAZING! We both loved these dishes!
Postres - My partner had the Crepas de Plantano Macho, and I had the Clafouti de Calabaza. Mine was so / so and my partner only had a taste of his... They were not that great.
We were both uncomfortable, mostly because we were tucked away in a corner. The service was slow and our waiter did not seem like he was interested in being at work. We are definitely going to go back, but we are ordering from the main menu and we are making sure we have a different waiter / waitress.
Wife and I had dinner here last night for the first time. Being big fans of Mexican food we'd been trying to make time to get there. Over all impression is this place is run very well and has wonderfully creative menu - and above average presentation.
The margaritas were excellent...but one problem - the 1st round they were light on the alcohol, and very heavy on the ice. The 2nd round was much better proportioned.
The guacamole is prepared table side - nice touch. We had the evening special made w/ bacon and some type of cheese, along with the rest of the usual items. It was amazing! Also, the chips are clearly home made in their kitchen, and awesome!
I had the soup "Sopa Azteca w/ Fried tortilla, pasilla pepper, crema, avocado and Chihuahua cheese". It was amazing. The broth was superior and they way it was served is again a testament to their creative presentation.
Wife had the "Costillas de Res - Braised short ribs with sweet potato-chipotle mash" - it was just perfect.
I had the "Chile en Nogada- Poblano pepper stuffed with ground turkey, dried fruit and nuts, with a creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate". It tasted great, but there was one problem, the ground turkey was almost nonexistent...couldn't have been more than a tablespoon of turkey...pretty lame!
One last thing the young male host at the door was very snooty when we arrived at 7pm and asked for a table for 2. He asked if we had a reservation, which we did not not. He was annoyed that he had to figure out where to seat us. We almost left because of his unpleasantness.
I ate a lot of food at Xochitl last night. My boyfriend and I went for a late 1-year anniversary dinner and we left with that never-going-to-eat-again-I'm-so-full feeling. And it was worth it.
The basics. The price was reasonable. Not cheap, but worth it. I'd say the food is priced accurately. Service was friendly and quietly attentive. The atmosphere is great. Not fancy, but definitely nice. The beverages are also good - I like that they don't offer your standard sodas - only Mexican Coke and a few fruity sodas, as well. I had a pineapple-infused tequila cocktail and my boyfriend had a Dos Equis (draft). The cocktail was perfectly made. I reccomend.
We started off with a guacomole special - pomegrante seeds and bleu cheese. SO DELICIOUS! It was made tableside and it is everything you'd imagine it would be. The cheese added a mild flavor and the pomegrante seeds added a whole other level I didn't even know about yet. Very good. We followed that up with the Sopa Azteca (tortilla soup) and one of the ceviches. Both of these were excellent. The ceviche trio was light and tasty. The soup (which is vegetarian, fyi) was warm and tasty. When we switched plates, the spoon fell into the bowl and got a littly messy - this was, literally, the only thing wrong with the entire meal and it was entirely our fault. My fingers got a little wet because I didn't feel like asking for another spoon, but that's just the way it goes. The tortilla strips in the soup were stil crisp, the broth was flavorful, but not overpowering, and the cubes of cheese got meltier and meltier as we ate, which was a delight. I love cheese.
For my main course, I had their vegetarian dish, a cheese empanada trio (which is new to the menu, replacing the leek "scallops" - the sever had to inform us of the new items, as the new menus they ordered are on their way). It was served with long julienned roasted veggies, rice, and adobo sauce. The empanadas were small but incredibly rich and delicious. I forget the exact combinations, but one was full of bleu cheese and apples, another manchego (and maybe something else), and the other with another type of cheese and dates. I may be mixing these up, but either way, they had a very distinct flavor and were extremely filling. My boyfriend had the grilled strip steak, medium, and was blown away. It came with veggies, some sort of green salad with crema. The blue corn tortillas that come with the dish are a nice bonus, even though he only used one since the steak was perfect by itself.
After our entrees we were full. Not kind of full, or almost there. Stuffed. But we opted for dessert, still. We ordered the carmelized bananas with some sort of rum sauce and walnut ice cream (again, I am basing all of this off of memory, this could be slightly inaccurate). It was flipping delicious. The bananas were sugary and crunchy, but not too sweet.
We left satisfied. Almost too satisfied. I could have puked I was so full. But the meal was delicious from start to finish and the restaurant itself is great. Five stars, I'd give it five and a half if I could.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVEEEE Xochitl. The place is tiny but has one of my favorite margaritas in the city which is saying a lot! I have sat at the bar there more than a couple times and love the fresh squeezed margaritas (no lime mix here) and the Michelada's and the bartenders are always charming. Their happy hour runs from 5-7 and offers half-priced margaritas and beer specials.
I am a big fan of guacamole and Xochitl's is fresh which is a major plus in my book and has the right amount of lime and cilantro which a lot of places get wrong. When I was in there last they had some sort of delicious cabbage stuffed enchilada dish but I don't see it on the current menu. My dining partner had the goat dish and thought it was awesome and we shared the Sopa Azteca and it was quite good. It's not cheap mexican but if you're looking for amazing food and drinks in a great, comfy atmosphere I would definitely check out Xochitl!
One of the best places I've been for Restaurant Week. Here's what I had:
Ceviche trio: Tasty with strong flavors. Loved the dipping sauces.
Smoked cinnamon figs w/ blue cheese: Yum! Loved the combo of sweet cinnamon with pungent cheese.
Squid hot pot: Delicious. Tender (not chewy) squid, and lots of it.
Churros w/ dipping sauces: Mmm. Creme sauce was my fav, though you can never go wrong with dark chocolate.
Downstairs seating area was roomy and quiet. Friendly, helpful service, and the cookies that came with the bill were an unexpected treat. I love when I think I'm finished eating and out comes more food! The $10 coupon for a return visit is a smart business plan... it encourages ppl to come back, and they'll certainly spend more than $10 when they do.
Definitely worth my $35 and Wed. night!
I have finally experienced the awesomeness that is Xochitl. Reluctantly, after several seasons of passing up on Restaurant Week, I decided to give the promotion another shot. Xochitl has made me a believer again. My friend and I arrived slightly early for our 7 p.m. resie but we were escorted to a table immediately. Our water glasses were filled and bread was dropped off with two buttery spreads.
Our server, whose name escapes me, was wonderful throughout the experience. When she asked to take our drink order and I handed over the recipe for a "Skinnygirl Margarita," she didn't bat an eye although she did let me know that their regular margaritas are made only with tequila, fresh lime juice and a little bit of simple syrup. No sour mix, no triple sec, no hidden agendas; just honest ingredients, served over ice, with a rim of salt. I ended up taking her word for it. (For the record, one Skinnygirl plus two positively delicious Xochitl margs equals three sheets to the wind, minus any trace of a stomachache, which I almost always get when I drink margaritas anywhere else. Hallelujah!)
The food was glorious. For our first course, we both chose the tortilla soup. Large bowls containing cubes of cheese, slices of avocado, tortilla strips and dried peppers were presented to both of us. The broth was poured on top, tableside. I really enjoyed this dish, although my friend and I agreed that the dried peppers had a curious taste. She didn't like them, I was intrigued by them. Next, we both ordered the octopus, mackerel and shrimp ceviche trio. Each was served atop a little fried tortilla round. I have been daydreaming about the octopus ceviche since I awoke this morning. It was easily the most tender, well flavored octopus I have had (sorry, Mr. Garces).
For my entrée, I chose the squid hot pot, which was another win. When the lid was removed from the pot, tender rings of squid in a spicy tomato sauce appeared before us. I have to say, the dramatic presentations really made the dining experience special. The woman seated next to me ordered a stuffed pepper that was so beautiful it could have easily been pictured in a food magazine. Meanwhile, at our table, my friend had food envy as she was experiencing mixed feelings about her skirt steak (which I thought was good, although it was served lukewarm).
For dessert, my friend had the churros, which came with three dipping sauces. One of my favorite things in life is the right to choose several condiments to go with a meal and this presentation was right up my alley. Fortunately, I had my own dessert to tackle; an appropriately sized mini chocolate soufflé with a mini scoop of cajeta ice cream alongside. Perfection.
Our experience last night wasn't just great by Restaurant Week standards; it was great by any night's standards. What a truly fantastic meal. When our bill was dropped, along with a plate of mini biscotti (delish, by the way), we were also each given a $10 card to use any time before November 31. My dining companion and I are already discussing what we will order on our return visit!
I came here on my birthday with my boyfriend who was able to skip out of football practice at Villanova. Thank God. We were both extremely hungry and couldn't decide between Chifa or Xochitl. I had heard great reviews about Xochitl. Plus, I was craving for some guacamole. We chose Xochitl.
We were immediately seated in a secluded corner and the waitress explained the daily special. Having no clue whatsoever, we chose the $35 prixe fixe menu. That was the best decision, ever.
Guacamole - I'm an avid fan of guacamole but I thought Xochitl's guacamole was a bit bland. I still enjoyed it.
Ensalada Xochitl - The salad was absolutely refreshing. It had avocado, papaya, watermelon, and fennel salad dazzled with tequila vinaigrette. The ingredients complimented one another. You won't be disappointed.
Cabrito con Salsa Mulato y Habas - This dish was another hit. It had baby goat with salsa mulato and fresh fava bean salad. The meat was extremely tender and the fava beans were very tasty.
Pan de Chocolate - My dessert was absolutely delicious. It was a chocolate souffle cake with cajeta ice cream.
My boyfriend had the Cóctel de Camarones. It's a shrimp cocktail with fried artichokes, corn foam and chicharrones. He didn't like this at all. The Costillas de Res was his favorite. It's braised short ribs with sweet potato-chipotle mash. He chose the Tacos Dulces for desert. It's a trio of sweet tacos filled with vanilla, chocolate, and mint. He wasn't too fond of this. Actually, he wasn't too ecstatic with any of his dishes. He ended up eating the dishes that I ordered!
The atmosphere is warm. It's a great place to bring a date. The staff was extremely friendly. I ordered a margarita that was a little too strong for me. The waitress noticed my untouched glass and actually took the drink off our bill. We thanked her profusely.
Xochitl, you have won me over.
Probably the best margaritas in Phiily I've had. Spectacular guacamole, and the downstairs is lots of fun on weekends to shake it out. The prixe fixe menu has been great the past couple of times we went.
I never thought I would give a Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia 5 stars. Xochitl's combination of great tasting food, flawless presentation, awesome ambiance, creative drink list and fantastic service give them 5 stars in my book.
I came for restaurant week but plan on returning again very soon.
First things first: I don't know how anybody could say this place has bad service. While I know experiences definitely differ from person to person, our server was friendly, attentive, super helpful, and personable. My water glass was never more than half empty before being refilled...and I drink a lot of water (I know; I'm wild like that.).
We came here for restaurant week and will be coming back as soon as possible. Highlights for me were the ensalada de higos (smoked figs?! DIE.) and the churros. The Pechuga Rellena con Requesón (i.e. the chicken) was also pretty amazing. The corn served on the plate was SO GOOD, though I thought the dish itself could be a little spicier. Still, it was perfectly prepared. PERFECTLY.
The ambiance up in hurr is so nice. We felt relaxed and at home the whole time and it's simply but wonderfully decorated and lit.
OH. And the margaritas. BEST.IN.PHILLY. Honestly. Places tend to look at me strange when I ask bluntly if they use sours mix in their margaritas. I hate sours mix. It should not be involved in my drink of choice. Half price margaritas for happy hour! I will be back here any time I need a good marg. Yum.
Amazing chile margaritas and decent mexicana. They make the guac right in front of you and it's so drool-worthy. The ceviche is so-so but the skirt steak is SO delish. Desserts are meh.
Still, one of the best new restaurants in Philly. They're a bit weird on large group reservations (you have to rent out the entire bottom floor, even if only 10 people), but the atmosphere and music are fantastic.
Late nights at Xochitl are great, especially with "the one" bartender. He'll top you off and it's like a freakin' party at the bar with this guy. Not sure of his name, but he's skilled. He'll make a good enough "custom" drink for you to make you never want to order your usual again.
I ate here for restaurant week. The restaurant is cute, very clean, small in a nice way. The server we had was a little uninformed as far as what the wines were like and what exactly was in every dish, but that's forgivable.
The food? Not so much. Overall, everything tasted old. I had a salmon ceviche that tasted like it had been in the fridge for over a week. My main course, a steak dish, was inedible. The steak, again, tasted OLD and the frying the avocados rendered them oily and flavorless. There was also some sort of "enchilada" on the plate that tasted like it was made from raw potatoes. The churros for desert were too doughy and over seasoned with sugar and cinnamon.
I'd probably stop in here for drinks, but the food was definitely a waste of time.
As someone who bases their schedule around this town's happy hours, I am extremely excited I found Xochitl.
On my first visit, I had already eaten dinner, but I couldn't resist the house salad of avocado, papaya, and watermelon. It was a fantastic and fresh mix of flavors.
My margarita was perfect, with the limes squeezed fresh in front of me. My friends' watermelon cocktail was even better. And my last drink made with thyme and jalapenos would have been amazing if it had been strained or made with a thyme infused syrup; I almost choked on thyme leaves. It was a little disgusting. But I didn't care because I was already a little drunk and our bartender Pete was great.
I will definitely return for dinner and a flight of tequila.
Best margaritas around, freshly made (not concentrate or artificial tasting sour mixes) from real limes. Best of all, only $5 at late night or after-work happy hour. Definitely my new favorite special.
Guacamole is awesome and the spicy salsa they serve it with adds the perfect kick. I also had the squid hot-pot which was tasty, but I could probably eat dinners here of just the guac.
Decent Mexican cuisine in Society Hill.
So there was lots of talk about this place recently with the whole Top Chef thing, but that wasn't my reason to go there for dinner...It's been on my list.
Anyway...it's in a really nice area on a small street close to 2nd and Pine in Headhouse Square. Its interesting walking in since it splits off into 3 areas. The first side is the bar area with some table, and on the other side was another area with mostly tables. Downstairs is the lounge which i think is very popular, since while we were there we noticed lots of people coming in and just heading straight downstairs.
The menu was pretty decent. Lots of familiar things, and overall a good mix of ceviches, small plates and a few larger plates of meats and seafood and drinks and such. However that saying, you won't find names like fajita, burrito, enchilada, etc.
We started out with margaritas, which were actually really good. But anything is pretty good with tequila right? Then we had the "Vuelve" ceviche, shrimp octopus, scallops and oysters, which again was a nice starter. Very refreshing and well portioned for two. Next was some baby goat (don't knock it till you try it, goat in general I mean) and the parrillada, which was a mix of chicken, steak, shrimp and duck. Interesting....my goat was pretty good, cooked well, could have done with some more heat and seasoning. The parrillada was good as well.
Service was great, our waitress was very attentive and made some good suggestions for us.
I was expecting something more, but it didn't really live up to all the hype for me. Not saying I won't go back or it wasn't good, but that besides great presentation of food, nice drinks and a cool lounge, there is better mexican food to be had in town.
I like the food. Its not impressive, but its good if you want a little something. The food is consistent, so is the terrible service. I have been there at least a dozen times because my husband likes one of their plates and every time we went, there was always a problem.
First off, if you get there as they are opening, the manager will make you stand outside regardless of the temperature until he feels like opening - regardless of their posted hours. On several occasions, they walked away with our drinks when there was half still left, then asked if we want another one. Its clear that they find every way possible to increase the size of your bill. Another time, I asked if they would mix soda water with juice in a glass and when the bill came, I was charged for a glass of each.
Recently, their new talent has been bringing one entree (mine), then once its finished, taking the plate and silverware, then bringing my husband's a solid half hour later. By the way, we both ordered tacos, and other than us, the place was empty. We were offered drinks to make up for the "confusion" which we were double charged for.
This place has potential if they can only get the employees to get their acts together and their fingers out of my wallet. As for me, I make no secret of the fact that its a terrible place to be.
We ended up at Xochitl almost by accident. It was a very pleasant surprise. Good food, great menu, great service. It might a little on the pricey side, but not too expansive.
If you are into tequila and/or margarita they have an amazing selection.
What prompted my interest in going to Xochitl was their "Pre-Hispanic" special menu back in March, and they certainly did not disappoint.
From the staff to the space to the menu itself, Xochitl is all about an intimate connection with Mexican food and culture. The staff is warm and attentive, the space itself is small and cozy, and the offerings paralleled the experience. (There were times when I wish their portions were a wee larger, I admit.)
The grasshopper tacos were an unexpected delight and probably my favorite part of the menu. Chocolatey and crunchy with a mild heat, they begat their buggy origin. The venison meatballs with huitlacoche sauce and the broccoli cakes with mole negro were also fantastic.
Looking forward to making the trip for a future special occasion someday!
Very rarely do I go out for restaurant week and end up full! Four decent sized courses. The chicken was AMAZING. I'm the boring person at each restaurant week table that orders the chicken dish, but I did not regret it at all. It was so tasty and perfectly cooked. The chocolate dessert was to die for. The smoked salmon course was also very tasty. The $10 coupon for a return trip is a good idea, and I will definitely be back. The atmosphere is a lot of fun, and the service is friendly and paced correctly: not too quick where you feel like you are being thrown out, but not so slow that you end up starving. The margarita was sizeable and yummy. :)
So I went for the Sabores Ingidenas night. This was the celebration of pre-hispanic Mexico. My guest and I arrived early and sat down for some happy hour discount margaritas that kicked butt. The bartender had been given some of the roasted grasshoppers that would be in the grasshopper taco entree and he passed these along to us. They were great, with a dusting of chipotle powder that made them taste like slightly spicy popcorn. I'd eat these any day over the crap some bars put out as a snack.
We had made reservations for 5pm the first day this menu was being offered, which just happened to correspond with St. Patrick's day, so the crowd was light. We ordered the special menu with the beverage accompaniment.
For appetizers we had the grasshopper tacos and the zucchini blossoms with air-cured beef. I know - shame on me for not getting the breaded veal brains, but my stomach was a bit off from a cold earlier in the week and I was concerned something that unique to my palate might result in a scene.
The tacos were delish, and the grasshoppers really didn't add more than a crunchiness to the taco. The air cured beef was also nice, resembling a light speck in taste. The accompanying beverage, was rum infused with honey and anise, and was wayyyyyy to sweet for me. I passed this to my guest, who enjoys sweeter drinks and gave it thumbs up.
Second course brought venison meatballs with huitlacoche sauce and tostadas with monkfish tinga. The meatballs were quite heavy, and I wished for more of the huitlacoche in the sauce as the taste was very faint. The tostadas were nicely light with good portions of monkfish. The beverage was tequila with fermented pineapple and piloncillo. Nice and not too sweet.
For the third course, we had the frog legs with butter and garlic and braised wild boar. Both dishes were perfectly prepared and tastes as expected. The frogs legs were light and sweet, and the boar rich and woodsy. Mezcal with prickly pear juice was the accompanying drink and my favorite of the lot.
For dessert we ordered the tropical fruit flan and the chocolate cake with amaranth and walnuts. The flan was the winner here, with rich taste and a surprising lightness, and both my guest and I like chocolate, so it was a surprise to both of us we liked this over the chocolate cake. The cake was good, but the flan was great. The drink was agave, mango, and coconut and again was too sweet for me. My guest liked it, though noted the agave gave it a substantial viscosity.
Overall - the food was very good and the experience of trying some of these fun, off the normal menu dishes was great. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to try the regular menu.
I was so hyped up to come here last night for dinner. It looked so beautiful inside and located on a quaint side of town.
My friend and I have been craving guacamole for a long time, so we wanted to see what the whole fuss was about. Now we know. It was really neat to watch the waiter make our guacamole in front of our eyes. We got the guacamole special which was the guacamole on the menu plus some extra ingredients, which for us were truffles and manchego cheese I think. Cilantro and some jalapeno are mashed into the guacamole; don't be afraid of the jalapeno, you won't feel the spiciness.
So this is one of those places where if you sit in the dining room, you won't be able to take advantage of the happy hour special. Lame. I'm not a tequila fan, and even after a drink here I'm still not a tequila fan.
We got the enfrijoladas to split between the two of us because we were determined to finish our guacamole and we were limited to veggie and fish options due to our dietary restrictions at the moment. They were alright. I expected seeing more, erm, exotic vegetables inside as opposed to seeing mixed vegetables which I can easily get from the freezer section of the supermarket.
And service. Really, now? I see you giving other customers better service, what the hell? Biscotti with the check, really? Well we never got one, thanks very much. We barely saw our waitress and when asking them for advice, I never got any.
Never want to go back. Really, a meal that looks like I could have microwaved it myself, happy hour limitations, and curt service. Awful. One star experience, another star salvaged for guacamole.
You let me down Xochitl. You so-cheet-ed me. Have a good life.
If you like Mexican food, real Mexican food. OMG this place is the best. We didn't expect anything going in. WOW!
As you walk in you realize how small it is. cozy, tight seating. if you get a two top, then your very tight. but that all goes away as you get sucked into the atmosphere and the food.
Start off with the chips, Awesome! we ordered Guac wow! Queso Fundido, wow. I got a Blood Orange Margarita on the Rocks, Perfection!
Then the Sopa Azteca, Perfect!!!
If you didn't fill yourself up on the main cource, I got a special with Duck Enchilada Mole, so good, the dessert. the special coffee (i can't think of the name) and Churros are amazing, fresh, small served with chocolate dipping sauce, WOW!
If i could go anywhere to eat, this would be in my top 2 places to go (Morimotos is the other...)!
Just treated myself to an affordable night at Xochitl!
Last night my friend and I were lured there by the newest recession deal, it's $2 cans of Modelo beer and 1/2 priced house margaritas which are great ($4.50).. but would you expect less of a place that brags about it's extensive tequila collection? Oh yeah, you can also get 1/2 priced food from the late night menu in the lounge after 10pm. So It's another late night happy hour. I've tried Steven Starr's same type of deal at Jones but that's like slumming it compared to Steven Cooks menu at Xochitl.
My friend and I arrived hungry and thirsty, which meant we were gonna spend money regardless of the price. We drank a few house margaritas each after a round of beers. The main bartender in the lounge was working like crazy because this place was packed. There were also people drinking while waiting for a place to sit. We sat at the bar which probably was a good bet. Drinks taste better when you see just how generous a pour they give you with the booze. [sigh]
Agreeing to split all the food we ordered, we started with an order of the Lamb tacos which were very delicious and a decent portion compared to the Sopes (Duck, goat cheese and chorizo on fresh masa tortillas with black beans) which tasted great but mini tapas sized and the same price. I probably wouldnt order the Sopes again. We ordered the frise' salad that had duck and cinnamon smoked figs and blue cheese. Yeah, the ingredients read as culinary porn for sure but the portion wasn't porn sized, if you know what I mean. (do I need a cheesy wink here?)
We were still hungry since we were two guys with empty stomachs. Since we enjoyed the tacos so much, we tried the even better pork ribs tacos and the skirt steak sandwich. Considering we'd already taken the edge off our appetites, these dishes were sooo good. I'd definitely recommend sandwhiches and tacos if you're looking to fill up. They were so savory my friend claimed there was an orgy in his mouth.
Service down there was outstanding for us and the food overall was very good. Final bill was only around $64 before tip. HOLY CRAP that was good.
WOW. That's the word for our experience at Xochitl.
Xochitl was the foodie group's 7th destination…
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This place is amazing.
Don't expect burritos and tacos here, however. This isn't your average Americanized Mexican food. It's authentic and delicious, and the drinks are fabulous as well.
We had the Queso Fundido, which is deliciousness consisting of melted Chihuahua cheese and it comes with flour tortillas. I had the Filete de Puerco al Tamarindo y Chipotle, which had the perfect amount of spicyness and rich flavors that blended so well together. My cousins shared the Parrillada for two, which consists of a mixed grill of steak, shrimp, chicken, morcilla, duck and melted Chihuahua cheese, and they absolutely loved it.
Xochitl has a happy hour as well, Tuesday-Sunday, 5-7 pm. Since it's on the pricey side, if you're looking for a less expensive drink I would recommend going then.
It's a small place and it can be hard to get a table there. I would definitely recommend having a reservation.
It is pronounced, "so-SHEET" amigos and don't expect sombreros here. This lounge setting has lowered ambient lighting and is reasonably priced.
Great Tequila selection.
I came here for Restaurant Week with a friend and a wonderful and surprisingly filling meal. Authentic and wholesome ingredients are made in this fresh Queen's Village spot.
So, Guacamole, Tequila, good date place amigos.
Superb! Delicious! Amazing!
This place is possibly some of the best mexican food I have had in years! I went with friends last sat and although its a little off the beaten path when you are trainin it from Jersey it was still well worth the hike!
I ordered the skirt steak with avocado fries and was very impressed my steak was cooked perfectly and all I can say is the avocado fries are my new favorite food aside from there table side guac.
Ohhh the table side quac was so good I was very tempted to just stick my face in the bowl to lick it clean but didnt want to offend my friends I was dining with.
All In all a wonderful experience great service and a very relaxed atmosphere.
I'm really happy with my experience at Xochitl. My boyfriend and I were celebrating our birthdays with dinner there. We sat at the bar since the dining room was full. The hostess offered us the opportunity to sit at one of the tables in the bar downstairs which apparently opens at 6:30, and even came to ask us if we wanted a table downstairs instead. A lot of people were eating at the upstairs bar, and the feel was very pleasant, so we just stayed there. Both bartenders were very nice, and the service was fast and courteous.
The cocktails are a bit expensive, but delicious and strong! One is definitely enough. I also tried the tamarind aqua fresca, which I don't really know how to describe. Apparently it is a seasonal recipe. I have never had anything like that before, but it was certainly good, and helped me sober up.
We ordered a guacamole to start, which was great. I had the squid hot pot, and my boyfriend had the pork loin entree. Mine come in a terracotta pot dressed with a lime and red sauce. At $17, it was good and very filling, almost too much food. The pork loin was served with potatoes and little blue corn tortillas in a nice medley of flavors. He complained a little that that his was expensive, and compared to most burrito joint Mexican fare it is, but the portion size and quality are excellent. He said based on the price, he would rate it 4 1/2 stars since he was the one who paid! The food at this place reminds me of the way Lolita was a few years back, but better, especially since it has a full bar.
Enchanting location right on Headhouse square, where all the little colored lights sparkle on the trees at night. The interior is quaint without being overdone; candles, wrought iron and Mexican tile work, but in keeping with the colonial feel of the building and surrounding area. Very pleasant and enjoyable overall!
This place is great. Although, you may want to consider going here during restaurant week, if you want to justify carrying your wallet (I mean, you will spend all your money and have none leftover to carry in your wallet. Gosh! Don't you get the joke?!)
Seriously, this place is authentic and great. Some of the best food I've had in Philly.
I had a really great time here, sitting at the bar on a Sunday night with my BFFs. The bartender, Pete, was super friendly and attentive. He helped us order delicious margaritas, making his own helpful suggestions. The michelada was also really good. My only qualm was that I didn't eat; the food I ate off of my friends' plates was very satisfying. I think I could make this a regular spot! Looking forward to a return visit for sure.
Another restaurant that lives up to its hype. Sweet. Xochitl (so-cheet) is located in the middle of the pretty cusp of Old City and Society Hill. I love this quaint little place. We went for restaurant week and despite what some here on the yelp say the service was not scaled back.
The hostess was very friendly, seated up promptly and took our jackets. I wasn't expecting a coat check. +1 for a great hostess and a coat check. It was cold as shit and I personally hate having to sit with my jacket pushed against my back.
We started with an awesome red sangria (it has tequila in it! w00t!) and they brought out some fresh baked warm and toasty bread (possibly the Xochitl take on pan de agua), with some regular butter and some sp!cy butter. At this point I was already head-over-heels.
Xochitl really went all out this year for restaurant week. Instead of the standard 3 courses for $35 Xochitl offers 4 courses for the same price. That earned them another +1. I started with the pollo con vegetales soup and it was a delight. My fiancée had the corn soup with truffles and goat cheese. She won. That soup knocked my socks off and I want to go home and make it.
Next up for me was the seafood ceviche. It was served tapas style on little fried corn cakes. There was one of each (Spanish mackerel, octopus, and shrimp) and they were tasty. I used to be the anti-ceviche guy, but after having great experiences at two places now, I am sold.
Main course is always my favorite course. I ordered the skirt steak medium and it came out medium. +1. It seems no one ever gets my steak right, but tonight Xochitl was running on all fours. The skirt was topped with a special salsa and had a side of pureed turnips. Everything on the plate complemented each other which of coarse is the way it's supposed to be. Often times when a sauce is added to a skirt, it's used to mask the quality of the beef. This was not the case. I tasted every flavor that this dish offered and there I decided that this place wasn't going to do me wrong.
Dessert: Churros w/ two pudding style dipping sauces. I was wow'd. I mean a churro isn't really anything special, and I am not really a dessert guy, but they were warm, tasty, and the little bit of chocolate dip was a great finish to a wonderful dining experience.
Xochitl earned itself a good 5 star rating from me. Ambiance was great, food was great, server was friendly, host was on point... It feels great to try out a new restaurant and be impressed. $35 for four courses makes it feel even better.
OK, the hot Aussie bartender is still there (Big plus.) but a few things have changed. 3 of us had dinner at Xochitl on sunday night.
We were made to wait until about 7:20 (at the crowded bar) for our 7 PM reservation. Not a huge deal, since I was intent on ordering Dona Florindas.
Well, they changed the way they make them and now they use apricot infused tequila instead of pineapple infused tquila - but hot bartender made me one old school. TERRIFIC.
The 3 of us each ordered the Sunday Special - 3 courses plus Guac for the table for $35.00. It was a ton of food - and a good value.
The table-side guac was top of the line, as usual. So delicious. Once we ate it and had our apps (I had a fresh and sublime shrimp cocktail with jicama and mango) we were too full for the entrees. I enjoyed my skirt steak with unique "Avocado fries". My friend special ordered a mixed grill and did not like it. I felt bad for her.
Meanwhile, DH had the pork and enjoyed it. I never eat pork, but it looked well prepared.
Since I was so full - I ate about 3 bites (yummy, tender, succulent bites) of the steak and had it boxed to go. We still had dessert coming and I was jonsin' for churros. Well, they came out burnt. Such a shame - as we had eaten them twice before. DH had the chocolate cake which was rich and delectable and came with a Cajeta ice cream.
All 3 of us had the Mexican Hot chocolate - and I like Xochitl's version even better than the Aztec one at the Naked Chocolate Cafe. (Nakeds is too spicey for me.)
So it wasn't quite the 5 star experience that we had on the 2 prior visits - but it was still very, very good. It just kinda feels like (maybe its the economy, maybe it's just a factor of restaurant age) service and food quality are slipping a little.
Don't get sloppy, Xochitl. We're counting on you for a 5 star visit when we return.
And I will return (not sure about my friend though.).
Xo-Cheat on your diet! It's Xo-worth it and Xo-great to come here. I love the Oaxacan cuisine and… Read more »
I've frequented Xochil many times and have always had a positive experience. I went there on a date for dinner and everything we had was top-notch. I had the Aztec soup, delicious! For appetizers we had the quesa fundido, also delicious. For the entree I had the pork tenderloin with chipotle sauce, potatoes, and poblano peppers, amazing! For drinks we had several of their margaritas. A little salty, but very good.
I've also gone here several times late night. Between 10 pm and 12 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, margaritas are only $5 (compared to the usual $10) and beers are only $2. We often go here then go out to Olde City or somewhere in Society Hill. Plus the lounge downstairs is very chill and a good place to go if you have a big group. I highly recommend this place.
I was very excited to try out Xochitl, the menu looked delicious and I'd heard so many great reviews from friends. I'm happy to report it didn't disappoint. It's in such a beautiful little corner of Headhouse Square.
I actually screwed up on the reservation and made it for the wrong day so we showed up on a Sunday without an actual reservation. However they were able to seat us at a small table in the bar area. It worked out for the best because we were able to get the happy hour specials. I had a couple margaritas and they were really fantastic. They were definitely fresh.
For an appetizer we had one of the guacamole specials that included pine nuts and cilantro. It was mouth watering. It they would have handed me a vat full of it and a spatula I would have polished it off. My only gripe about it at check time is that it cost $13, when regular tableside guac cost $8. Next time I think we'll just go with the traditional guacamole.
For dinner I had the Bistec Azteca, which was a skirt steak with avocado fries. The steak was tender and delicious, although not remarkable. The star of the show was the avocado fries. Seriously. Why have I never had this before? Why have I never made this before? The hot avocado inside the fried outside was creamy and absolutely phenomenal. Thinking of it right now is making me hungry. Truly the star of the night.
My husband had the pork tenderloin. Of the two meats I preferred his, the seasoning was strong, and I definitely recommend.
For dessert we had churros with chocolate dipping sauce. They were your traditional churros and brought us back to churros for breakfast in Mexico.
Xochitl is definitely my favorite Mexican restaurant in the city.
OK, as per my original review, I said that if I visited Xochitl again, I would order the mixed grill.
I called ahead of time and requested that the 'mixed grill for one' have substitutions on it. I know...I'm a pain.
We get to Xochitl, and they describe a promotion they are running: $35 for chips and guacamole, an appetizer and an entree. All three of us totally went for the promotion.
Chips along with table side guacamole that was made to order was wonderful as always. As my appetizer, I ordered a cheese fondida (fondue) with warm tortillas. The fondue arrived melted and sinfully good presented in a little skillet. I made tortillas with melted cheese. But after I ate the second tortilla with cheese, I was STUFFED! I mean, I felt sick. It was totally yummy and and the prepared cheese was definitely high end. But the cheese fondue proved to be too heavy an appetizer and pretty much spoiled my appetite for dinner.
The mixed grill arrived with my substitutions: chicken (all dark meat), roasted veggies and salmon. But the same melted cheese from the fondue appetizer was also the cheese that accompanied the mixed grill entree. So again, I made warm tortillas with chicken, veggies and salmon along with the melted cheese. I didn't eat much of it. I was trying to save room for dessert. I ended up taking home most of my entree.
Dessert arrived and I ordered the churros. They were so overcooked, dehydrated and rubbery. I won't order these again.
I know Xochitl can do better. So I will give them another try int the future. Last night was just 'eh.'
A friend and I had an intimate get together at Xochitl. We were seated in their lower level which… Read more »
The best meal that I had the entire week that I was in Philly!
I had had my share of Philly Cheesesteak Samiches, Colonial American food at City Tavern, and room service while I was in Philly. By the time my last night rolled around, I needed SPICE. A girl from the Bay area needs some flavor in her diet!!
My coworker and I started off with a guacamole infused with truffle oil. YUM! I had the barbacoa, it was delcious and melted in my mouth. It went along well with my margarita. For dessert, I had miniature churros with a caramel and chocolate dipping sauce, along with some mexican hot chocolate.
Delicious!! The only thing that makes me sad is that its all the way in Philly. The atmosphere is beautiful and its not your average Mexican joint. If you're a local, I envy you. I hope I get another opportunity to come back to Philly because I am craving the food already!
No offense, but I thought the food was pretty mediocre. I really wanted to like this place, and I thought maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. But I also tasted what others in my party had, and we were all pretty disappointed. I appreciate the effort to make innovate yet "authentic" dishes, but I think the execution was off. My mole dish did not taste like mole. It was just bitter and I could barely eat it. My tortilla soup was so-so. The Chile en Nogada was super sweet so almost inedible.
The margaritas are good. But I have to say, overall the food was a huge disappointment. I won't be going back unless it is for the tequila.
Yowsa', most everything we got here had some spice. But I love some spice, so no complaints there.
We ate in the bar, but unless the dining room is a shack of some sort, I can't imagine that it would be anything but possibly better then what we experienced.
The menu was inventive, and I knew things were off to a good start with the tostadas de ceviche appetizer, which had the perfect amount of citrus, and tender chunks of seafood. The octopus had a nice texture-- and I do not like octopus, but this go around it was surprisely not chewy.
For dinner, the boy had the pork shank, which annoyed me because who goes to a pricey spot to get pork?? But I was silenced - it was awesome, crazy fall-off-the-bone tender when you sank your fork into it.
I had the barbacoa, and though I've never really been much of a goat meat fan, it was incredible. Beware the tiny thai peppers sitting on the plate--unless your mouth is iron-coated, it'll burn a hole. The cactus salad on the side was also tasty!
For dessert, we had the churros with chocolate and caramel-esque dipping sauces. We literally ate all the sauce out of the little dipping bowls. This is now my churros and margarita spot of choice (with a side of dinner). Plus this place is sooooo pretty.
Love the bar. Great Tequila selection, and better drinks.
Food is great and creative. Seating upstairs is ok, downstairs is a different story. Get a seat at the bar if you're into the drinks, for there is no wait-service downstairs and the bar is smaller than my closet. So, unless you play Center for the Sixers, you're gonna wait to get a drink downstairs.
I recommend a 'flight' of Tequilas. Ask the bartender for advice if needed, they know what they're talking about here.
Been here when its empty and bar is to ourselves, and on a busy Sat night..opt for the prior if you can. DJ sometimes (call ahead).
I am a guacamole snob. I think that mine is the greatest ever, and I judge every restaurant's by this extremely biased stance.
Xochitl, however, puts me to shame. It's good guac ... there's just no denying it. It's fresh, delicious, creamy yet still chunky. If there's one thing I cannot stand, it's runny guac. They get it right. Oh, so right.
And half priced margs from 5-7 every weekday, and 10-12 on the weekends? Let's just say they've gotten me into trouble on a few occasions. They're delicious - not too sweet, just the essentials. No stomach-turning pre-made mixes here. Highly recommended!
Neighborhood: Society Hill
Category: Middle Eastern
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Society Hill
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Society Hill
Category: Pubs
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