I use to work at Bar Ferdinand. I loved it! I loved the food, the energy, the neighborhood, and even the people I worked with, though I do agree with most people that they are rude and snobbish.... More

I use to work at Bar Ferdinand. I loved it! I loved the food, the energy, the neighborhood, and even the people I worked with, though I do agree with most people that they are rude and snobbish. This was a second, part time job for me, I am a teacher full time. I worked my butt off. As a server there you had to work triple as hard b/c in addition to taking orders and normal server duties, most of the time you had to run your own food (except for weekends), run your drinks, bus your tables, and water tables. Now normally I could manage this. I think most people can. You just have to figure out how to divide your time accordingly. BUT it is a tapas restaurant. There are LOTS of small dishes. NO ONE could keep up with what needed to be done. By the time you ran a drink, you had to take someones order, and another of your tables food came up, but they can't get it until you clear their table of 10 tiny plates and get them new silver. All at the same time, and you just got sat and there are 20 more tiny plates that need to go out to 3 of your tables... Get the idea? The management is horrible, and did not and probably from what it seems, still does not staff the restaurant accordingly. You can't get good service when management is bad and morale is low. I tried my best to do everything as efficiently as possible there. And I was always cheerful and nice to my customers. The restaurant is run inefficiently, and will continue to unless morale there rises, and management realizes the needs of the customers and the staff. The management ultimately was my demise with the restaurant. They do not know how to treat people. I am not an idiot. I work hard all day as a teacher, and I worked that extra job so I can make ends meet. I would not do that job if I were going to be rude to customers, because I needed my customers to love me so I could get a good tips. Why work if you are going to make 10% tips all night?? I now prefer Amada. Pros: yummy creative food Cons: management, service
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The food is OK and the service is awful. I have been there twice and would not go back. The waitress was rude. There are other way better tapas restaurants in Philadelphia.

The food is OK and the service is awful. I have been there twice and would not go back. The waitress was rude. There are other way better tapas restaurants in Philadelphia.
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Bar Ferdinand is a great spot to go on a date for a romantic supper or diner. The interior is cozy, dark, and well-decorated. The food is meant to be shared and is just delicious, with a nice range... More

Bar Ferdinand is a great spot to go on a date for a romantic supper or diner. The interior is cozy, dark, and well-decorated. The food is meant to be shared and is just delicious, with a nice range of hot and cold dishes. There is something for everyone, especially if you're adventurous -- some of the things I've tried here I would not have even been able to imagine, yet taste amazing, and others are simple and delicious. Be sure and stop by on a Monday for 1/2 off wine bottles, since wine is perfect to go with the food and atmosphere. Also, they have a great outdoors seating area and often cook outside too, so stop by on a pleasant sunny day. Finally, the staff is friendly and knows the menu (food and drink) well, so they are able to make good suggestions or clarify something if you're uncertain as to what something is/will be.
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Staff: friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. It's one of those extra things that some of the other area restaurants neglect. Food: always excellent. Truthfully, my husband and I... More

Staff: friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. It's one of those extra things that some of the other area restaurants neglect. Food: always excellent. Truthfully, my husband and I find at least one new must order plate for our next visit. For those not familiar with tapas, most things come as three or four bites, easy to share and have over a long evening with plenty of good wine to share. The Sunday brunch is a nice change of pace from the usual brunch fare. Atmosphere: can be a little noisy inside during busy times, but not overwhelming. The decor is pleasing and cozy. Outdoor seating when the weather is nice is equally pleasant. Overall, Bar Ferdinand is one of our favorite places to go in Northern Liberties. Make sure to phone in a reservation if you're looking to go on Friday or Saturday evening.
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This restaurant has a really nice atmosphere and great food. Located in Liberty Walk, this is one of the best places in the strip. I simply love their store design and Spanish black beer. If the... More

This restaurant has a really nice atmosphere and great food. Located in Liberty Walk, this is one of the best places in the strip. I simply love their store design and Spanish black beer. If the weather is good, outside seating is great thing to consider. I usually take those who are from outside of Philadelphia since it is close to where I live. They usually are happily surprised with their offering.
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I have dined here in the late evenings and found the place to be just perfect. From a large party of twenty some to a friendly dinner of four, the place satisfied beyond expectation. The late happy... More

I have dined here in the late evenings and found the place to be just perfect. From a large party of twenty some to a friendly dinner of four, the place satisfied beyond expectation. The late happy hour allows for great tasting without the full price. The sherry taster was a nice familiarization with the drink, allowing to get a preferred one later. The sherry was are also wonderfully paired with almonds. Worth to mention their Monday night 1/2 off bottles of wine. The stuffed dates are most exquisite.
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While the food at Bar Ferdinand is quite good, the service is awful. We used them for our holiday party last year and they were a total nightmare. We were afraid that the food wouldn't even arrive.... More

While the food at Bar Ferdinand is quite good, the service is awful. We used them for our holiday party last year and they were a total nightmare. We were afraid that the food wouldn't even arrive. This year, my boss decided we should try them again (who knows why). After leaving multiple messages, I've given up. When I called today, the woman who answered said "he's not in, can I take a message." I explained that I'd left messages all week and I was done. We'd take our business elsewhere. Her response: "um whatever." I have no energy for a place that employs people who don't understand customer service.
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I don't know what the person below me is talking about, this is one of the BEST restaurants in the city. My girlfriend and I eat at least one meal here a week and have NEVER been disappointed or... More

I don't know what the person below me is talking about, this is one of the BEST restaurants in the city. My girlfriend and I eat at least one meal here a week and have NEVER been disappointed or unsatisfied with the quality of the food, presentation, or service. I'm glad that the person in the previous post "won't be coming back," it means less of a wait for me and everyone else who loves this place :). Let the haters eat boring overpriced food at a pretentious Stephen Starr joint. Come here for great food, drinks, service and atmosphere, straight up. The brunch is awesome too...
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I ate at Bar Ferdinand for the first time 2 weekends ago for a going away celebration for a friend of mine. The sangria was good, but there were fruit flies in it!!! We tried the white and the red,... More

I ate at Bar Ferdinand for the first time 2 weekends ago for a going away celebration for a friend of mine. The sangria was good, but there were fruit flies in it!!! We tried the white and the red, and I counted 4 fruit flies in the pitchers. Disgusting. I wonder what the kitchen looks like if the flies are that prolific in the drinks. Also, I had a desert that looked like chocolate cat poopies with sticks stuck into them...upon chewing, I crunched something so hard that it chipped a lil bit of my front tooth. DEFINITELY will never go there again. Oh, and the waitress apparently thought I was lying. She was rude and unconcerned, and didn't even offer to comp the bill. Just awful customer service. Save your money and go to one of the other 200 GREAT restaurants in Philly.
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We went here for an anniversary dinner (11th) and were very pleased with both the service and the meal. We went on a Saturday night, very early (6 p.m.) and found parking right in front. Probably... More

We went here for an anniversary dinner (11th) and were very pleased with both the service and the meal. We went on a Saturday night, very early (6 p.m.) and found parking right in front. Probably because we were so early, the service was perfect...no worries about the earlier reviews and the scruffy waiters. Our waiter was very knowledgable about the wine choices and the menu. The place filled up before we left (almost 8 p.m.) but our waiter was right on the mark, and our table was cleared after every entree. Our faves were the duck confit, the crispy quail salad, and the baked goat cheese (queso de cabra). Had a glass of rose and a glass of black Spanish beer to start, a bottle of Ole red with dinner, and the special sangria sorbet for dessert. Pros: Good service. Good food. Great atmosphere.
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