Derek's Restaurant Group

Remembering the days of the fab 3 ? Arroyo, Kansas City Prime, and Sonoma ? I didn?t flinch when my girlfriend recommended Derek?s for Sunday brunch. After the name change, I had dinner there and it was OK but never brunch. We arrived and the air in the dining room was stale and humid. The brunch menu was short but all the items looked great. My boyfriend elected to order a burger from the regular menu. After hearing a bus boy drop what sounded to be an entire bin of place settings, a runner delivered our food. My omelet came accompanied with potatoes and fruit. The fruit was fresh but looked as though a child cut it with a plastic knife as it was mashed in the corner of my black square plate. The potatoes had enough grease underneath them, you could see the reflection of the skylight? The omelet was fair although very bland and un-colorful which complimented the very drab colors that surround. I would expect this at a greasy spoon diner but on Main St? To make a long story short, my boyfriend (a chef for many years) ended up horribly sick and in the bathroom for the next 15 hours (not an exaggeration). We don?t know if it was an undercooked burger or e-coli but something was not right. I spent the next day taking care of him and feeling awful I ever exposed him to Derek?s. We go out to restaurants all over Philadelphia often and this is the very first time in about 8 years I have ever had to write a bad review? Please proceed with caution going to Derek?s. Maybe they were just having a really bad day in the kitchen yesterday but it was enough that I will never patronize this place again. I used to love this place... never again... Pros: Parking, Bar Service Cons: Everything else more

Tonight my boyfriend and I decided to venture out of Center City to Manayunk for dinner. At the advice of a friend we decided to stop by Derek's... we should have turned around. As someone in the industry I appreciate good service and give credit to the front of house. Service was prompt, friendly, and attentive. The food, on the other hand, was EXTREMELY disappointing and overpriced for the quality. To start I had the lobster bisque and he had the broccoli cheese soup. The bisque was great; it was flavorful, smooth, and the crab cake was a nice touch. The broccoli soup, however, was very mediocre (he commented how Campbell's does it better!). For the entree my boyfriend ordered the filet and I chose to go with the "surf and turf", which was one of the specials. I highly discourage anyone from ordering this. It is essentially a big pile of arugala greens with two dried out skewers of what I was told was beef tenderloin and marlin. The beef reminded me more of a discount piece of swiss steak that had been ignored and left to dry out on the grill. The marlin tasted like left over chicken, equally as dry and flavorless. I picked at the meat, gave up, and ate my $21 pile of greens. The filet was OK. The meat was cooked correctly. The mashed potatoes were bland. A third of the plate was covered with deep fried onion...stuff. We were going to get dessert but decided to avoid further disappointment. During the ride home I kept thinking "I wish we went there" ever time we passed a different restaurant. Pros: Service Cons: Food, Price, Quality, Parking, more

Tonight my boyfriend and I decided to venture out of Center City to Manayunk for dinner. At the advice of a friend we decided to stop by Derek's... we should have turned around. Pros: Service Cons: Food, Price, Quality, Parking, more

We were initially impressed with the atmosphere and the friendly service and nice wine list, but it went down hill after that.. We hardly ever send back food. It has to be pretty awful, but the mussels were just that. I eat mussels is all kinds of sauces, but they were grttty and fishy and left a bad after taste.. My gnocchi was salty and his venison was just ok.. we asked for desert and coffee but the server told us everything was shut down. (It was only 10:30!) After spending $120 on dinner, they should have made coffee if we wanted it ? or asked us during the meal if we would be wanting it after? I would not eat there again and I would not recommend it. more

We were initially impressed with the atmosphere and the friendly service and nice wine list, but it went down hill after that.. We hardly ever send back food. It has to be pretty awful, but the mussels were just that. I eat mussels is all kinds of sauces, but they were grttty and fishy and left a bad after taste.. My gnocchi was salty and his venison was just ok.. we asked for desert and coffee but the server told us everything was shut down. (It was only 10:30!) After spending $120 on dinner, they should have made coffee if we wanted it ? or asked us during the meal if we would be wanting it after? I would not eat there again and I would not recommend it. more

I really enjoyed the service at Derek's. We went 2/15/08. The waitstaff was wonderful the food was great!! The only downside was the owner Derek. My guest "" who happens to be named Derek"" introduced himself to""Derek"", unfortunately the owner was more interested in talking to a waiter, when my friend introduced me, it was like he was more interested in having his conversation. First impressions are really important to the consumer, if you are having a conversation, take the five minutes to speak with the people that just spent money in your establishment. My family and friends are always looking for a nice restaurant for birthdays and celebrations.(by the way the conversation did NOT seem to be of a business matter). All in all I will come back to your restaurant, the food was very good. Pros: Great Ambience Cons: Parking more

I really enjoyed the service at Derek's. We went 2/15/08. The waitstaff was wonderful the food was great!! The only downside was the owner Derek. My guest " who happens to be named Derek" introduced himself to"Derek", unfortunately the owner was more interested in talking to a waiter, when my friend introduced me, it was like he was more interested in having his conversation. First impressions are really important to the consumer, if you are having a conversation, take the five minutes to speak with the people that just spent money in your establishment. My family and friends are always looking for a nice restaurant for birthdays and celebrations.(by the way the conversation did NOT seem to be of a business matter). All in all I will come back to your restaurant, the food was very good. Pros: Great Ambience Cons: Parking more

I love the filet at Derek's and I always ask for Michael the waiter, he's the best. They always seat me right away and Michael makes sure my glass is full with my favorite. Get the bread pudding. Pros: Always there for me Cons: Sometimes it's too crowded more

I love the filet at Derek's and I always ask for Michael the waiter, he's the best. They always seat me right away and Michael makes sure my glass is full with my favorite. Get the bread pudding. Pros: Always there for me Cons: Sometimes it's too crowded more

I found Derek's online and was impressed with the menu and the fact that you can BYOB even though they have a large wine list. I made a reservation well in advance but my party of 8 had to wait almost 2 hours to be seated! When we got there we were told it would take only 10 minutes to be seated. We spoke to the manager numerous times and each time we were told that we would be seated shortly. He needs to learn how to set proper expectations. A little after 10pm we finally got our seat only to be placed right next to a DJ which was setting up for the night. The food was average and considering the awful service, I would NOT recommend this place. My night out with my friends was filled with frustration and mediocre food. The only good thing about the restaurant was the wine that WE brought! more

I found Derek's online and was impressed with the menu and the fact that you can BYOB even though they have a large wine list. I made a reservation well in advance but my party of 8 had to wait almost 2 hours to be seated! When we got there we were told it would take only 10 minutes to be seated. We spoke to the manager numerous times and each time we were told that we would be seated shortly. He needs to learn how to set proper expectations. A little after 10pm we finally got our seat only to be placed right next to a DJ which was setting up for the night. The food was average and considering the awful service, I would NOT recommend this place. My night out with my friends was filled with frustration and mediocre food. The only good thing about the restaurant was the wine that WE brought! more

Derek's is the kind of restaurant every town should have. It's got everything!! Whether you're in the mood for a small bite, or a full on meal, Derek's has it. Whether it's a cold microbrew, a heady martini, or a great bottle of wine, Derek's can accomidate. It's the place i bring my friends when they come in to town for a few drinks. It's the place a bring my family to for a great special occasion meal. It's chic and down to earth all at the same time. I hope if i ever leave manayunk that there's a place like this. Thank You Derek Davis!!! Pros: great food for a great price Cons: still waiting to find one more

Derek's is the kind of restaurant every town should have. It's got everything!! Whether you're in the mood for a small bite, or a full on meal, Derek's has it. Whether it's a cold microbrew, a heady martini, or a great bottle of wine, Derek's can accomidate. It's the place i bring my friends when they come in to town for a few drinks. It's the place a bring my family to for a great special occasion meal. It's chic and down to earth all at the same time. I hope if i ever leave manayunk that there's a place like this. Thank You Derek Davis!!! Pros: great food for a great price Cons: still waiting to find one more

I love waltzing into Derek's anytime and everyone smiles at me. Being that I live in the neighborhood this is my "go-to" place. Every neighborhood should have a place like Derek's. I can stumble in on Sunday morning all hungover, have my brunch, read my paper, and watch my football. I can bring dates here and show off with the great bar and winelist and have a gourmet meal of local seasonal foods. The specials are always great because I can be assured that it is the freshest and most seasonal. I even threw my girlfriend a surprise birthday party here last year, everybody loved the appetizers and some of her friends have become regulars after coming here for the first time. The burger here is as good as it gets, so is the filet mignon [even though it's triple the price of the burger, but well worth it!] My favorite things at Derek's are the chopped salad, the spring rolls, and the apple cobbler. Anytime! Pros: Everyone is so nice Cons: Too crowded on weekends more

I love waltzing into Derek's anytime and everyone smiles at me. Being that I live in the neighborhood this is my ""go-to"" place. Every neighborhood should have a place like Derek's. I can stumble in on Sunday morning all hungover, have my brunch, read my paper, and watch my football. I can bring dates here and show off with the great bar and winelist and have a gourmet meal of local seasonal foods. The specials are always great because I can be assured that it is the freshest and most seasonal. I even threw my girlfriend a surprise birthday party here last year, everybody loved the appetizers and some of her friends have become regulars after coming here for the first time. The burger here is as good as it gets, so is the filet mignon [even though it's triple the price of the burger, but well worth it!] My favorite things at Derek's are the chopped salad, the spring rolls, and the apple cobbler. Anytime! Pros: Everyone is so nice Cons: Too crowded on weekends more

I used to live in Manayunk and frequently went to Derek's. The food was always good, service not a problem and bar scene upstairs/downstairs was a good time throughout the week/end. It's a good place to get away from the other bars on Main Street that are more fraternity oriented. In my opinion its in the top 3 of restaurants on Main Street. It's decor is more of a lounge/bar/restaurant with granite rather than wood bars. It's one place on Main Street I enjoyed having a good, relaxing meal and drinksss. more

I used to live in Manayunk and frequently went to Derek's. The food was always good, service not a problem and bar scene upstairs/downstairs was a good time throughout the week/end. It's a good place to get away from the other bars on Main Street that are more fraternity oriented. In my opinion its in the top 3 of restaurants on Main Street. It's decor is more of a lounge/bar/restaurant with granite rather than wood bars. It's one place on Main Street I enjoyed having a good, relaxing meal and drinksss. more

The service is slow and the waiters are far from friendly. The portions are small and pricey. The only thing good is the comfy seats at the bar and the wine selection. Try Burbon Blue, US Hotel or the Brew Pub if your really looking to dine in Manayunk! more

The service is slow and the waiters are far from friendly. The portions are small and pricey. The only thing good is the comfy seats at the bar and the wine selection. Try Burbon Blue, US Hotel or the Brew Pub if your really looking to dine in Manayunk! more

A great concept (reasonable Bistro) which falls short on execution. I have had the occasion to have cold soup, lack luster service, and mixed up meals at Derek's. For such a great looking place with lots of vibe, the food is really very poor. The one thing that has been common about my 3 visits is that their food is always lacking in something...correct texture, warmth, spice, timing with other meals, etc. If you must go....go for the wine or atmosphere, but not for the food. As a traveler I know good restaurants and good food, I can say that Derek's has some work to do to be described as good in either category. more