London Grill

i ordered a burger and fried pickles. i would not recommend the fried pickles for delivery; they came a bit soggy and were too juicy. The breading does not stick on the pickle very well either. The dipping sauce was nice and cut the grease and brininess of the pickle. The fries that came with the burger were good and the burger was medium well when i asked for medium rare. The meat is bland on the burger, it could use some salt and pepper - I can taste the smokiness from the grill (which is super yummy). For toppings on my burger I got carmelized onion, swiss, mushroom, and bacon. The bacon was burnt and the swiss and mushrooms are lost in this burger and these onions are not carmelized, just thrown on the stove for a minute or two. I would not order from here again for delivery. more

2 happy customers! Kudos for the lobster risotto, fettuccine special, bread and beer list. Excellent service to boot. more

My girlfriend and I went to London for brunch on a Sunday. Stood for about 20 minutes while we waited for the hostess to emerge from some back room. Then she didn't acknowledge our presence be cause she assumed we were in another party that had already been seated. We waited over an hour for our food. When the food came some of it was cold. My girlfriend ordered ""huevos rancheros."" It didn't have all the ingredients that the menu stated (avacados). It was really just a fried egg with some cheap salsa/black beans from a can on a cheap taco shell with no care taken in preparation/presentation. We sent it back and they took it off our bill. They also comp'd us our coffee, but not the cold bagel (actually a mini-bagel for $3?!)that I didn't eat because it was cold (like refrigerator cold, yet had been toasted at some point). Pretty lousy brunch. I've had the bar food there and it's not bad, but because of this experience I wouldn't go back, nor would I recommend anyone else go to London Grill. more

I went with some people to the London Grill for lobster week and found the food to be pretty mediocre. I got the Lobster bake and the chorizo sausage tasted old and dry. My friend had ordered the lobster claws and they just tasted like lobster claws. Nothing spectacular. My other girlfriend was the only one that didn't order something lobster which was some kind of chicken meat ball w/pasta and fries. Her meal tasted better then ours. Maybe my experience wasn't as positive because lobsters are not the London Grill's forte, but one would expect nothing less in this city of foodies when you advertise a fabulous and limited time offer of lobster week. Especially for the prices they charge. more

my husband and I decided to try london last night and we were very pleased! We were greeted at the host area with a warm friendly smile. Our table was in the greenhouse area and was extremely romantc. The waitress was very prompt in bringing everything we needed to the table and the chef did an excellent job with our meal. I did get a chuckle when using the ladies loo, for there were monkeys all over the walls! Overall we left very satisified and will return again with our friends. Pros: prompt service, atmosphere more

I took a friend to London Grill for brunch after finding it on a website. It took a very long time for us to receive our appetizer, and even longer to receive our pancakes. When our pancakes arrived, they were cold. No one came to refill my ice tea so I had to request a refill after my glass sat completely empty for over fifteen minutes. Other couples came and left in the amount of time we waited for our food and no apologizies were made for the delays. Pros: The bartender and host were very friendly. Cons: It took an extremely long time to get the pancakes and they were cold when they arrived. more

Went to the Grill tonight because the great brewer/author Garrett Oliver was there with a good selection of Brooklyn Brewery beers. The beers were on the menu for a decent price (bottles between $4 and $6 - local one for $15) and our table enjoyed the meatballs and sliders. The problem was the beer sampler - $12 for three little glasses that held less than four ounces each!!!. What gives? We could have ordered three bottles and come out with the same price! Needless to say, the bill was very high and we had drunk little. To keep our spirits high, we went to the Belgian Cafe and ordered some bottles of beer - world class for a lot less than the ""sampler"" rip-off at the Grill. Pros: meatball extravaganza tasty, little burgers fine Cons: sampler of beer puny and expensive more

The food is mediocre and the prices are high. This restaurant just doesn't go the extra mile with an exciting menu to merit the high prices. I was unimpressed by the slow service as well. Philadelphia has lots of great restaurants so there's no need to frequent this one. Totally overrated. Cons: Food, Service more

Don't waste your time here. The menu lacks creativity and the food is disappointing considering the prices. I also found the service to be unpleasant - inattentive and somewhat rude. Alternate suggestions - The Fountain or the Swann Lounge at the Four Seasons, or head out west to the White Dog, or east to Farmicia. You'll find a much better menu, better food and friendlier, more accommodating service. Cons: Service, Food, Price more

Visited this place after King Tutt and was truly surprised. I had heard about it for years, but never made it in. We got their before dinner service had begun, so we bellied up to this amazing bar with tons of local drafts and one of the largest booze selections I have seen in years. We were pleasantly surprised by a 3 hour, 3 dollar happy hour. Got to try small plate versions of what the bartender informed us were some signature dishes like the mini burger with a nice garlicy cheese and fried onions. The bartender was friendly and informative, gave us the hisory of the place, (been a bar since 1800's) and made suggestions for dinner. After enjoying the happy hour, the manager, who was super sweet, moved us to the dining room for dinner. We had fresh gnocchi with duck meatballs and a beautiful octopus dish for appetizers, then we had a salmon dish with sweet corn and porkchop special. Everyone was gracious and friendly - I am sorry that we hadn't been there sooner, but we will be sure to return soon! Pros: Service, creative food, historic bar more

I used to work in Fairmount and eat at London at least once a week. Since moving out of the area, I was worried I would feel like a stranger when I would come back. But every few months or so when I return the place just seems to get better! While I don't recognize the staff any longer, last week when we walked in it felt like we were walking into our own neighborhood place. The staff was friendly and sweet - knowledgeable too - and the one of the owners was enjoying her own dinner with friends. She came by and said hello and made me like I was visiting family! The food is better than I remember too! I still recommend the burgers but the nudi ravioli (i think they called it that - its ravioli without the pasta) was fantastic! more

I read about this in a city guide when visiting philadelphia, and it was recommended by the visitors center. I travel alone, so I went here for dinner by myself after seeing the art museum. The staff seemed confused that I was alone, and the hostess did not tell the waitress that it was just one. The waitress then asked if I wanted to order, or wait for my party. What party? The 'sample' appetizer they handed out for free was gross. The worst salsa ever. I did like the warm bread, pretty buttery, but good. My trout was ok, I think it was overpowered by the proscuitto. As usual (every restaurant does this) I got too much meat and not enough vegetables, but ok I can handle that. Good mashed potatoes, good vegetables. The waitress did not often ask how I was, and at a restaurant like this I would expect some recommendations (wine recommendations, what dessert would compliment my meal, anything!) On top of all that, I was seated right next to the kitchen, very noisy, and very dark while I was reading. Most nicer restaurants ask single patrons if they would like some light to read by. I was not impressed. Pros: location? Cons: does not live up to its name more

Management has an insulting attitude towards customers who have any complaints. They do not seem to accept possibility that service needs improvement. Wildly inconsistent service, depending on who you are and if you are a regular or not. more

The service is AWFUL, consistently awful. The food is decent, but not worth the wait and aggravation you will experience. We've tried so many times to give them another chance and we've had it. We've been at different times of day, for different meals, for drinks only, with people, with just the two of us, and every time, THE SERVICE STINKS! I live in the neighborhood and I'm not going here anymore because there's much better places to spend $$$ and they treat their customers with respect. Pros: there's better places to eat nearby Cons: service, atmosphere, service more

My boyfriend and I spent our two year anniversary dinner here last weekend. The atmosphere was great and our waitress was very nice. We were seated at a little nook downstairs of the restaurant which was nice and cozy. However, the food (which needed improvement), took way too long to be served. Appetizers were served at least 40 mins after we got seated. I had the Tasting Menu which had a Spinach Gnudi appetizer (a little on the bland side), the beet salad (that was great), a grilled salmon (too salty) and creme brulee (great!). My boyfriend had the chicken (too salty), and we had grilled octopus for appetizers. Overall it was pretty average and I probably wouldn't come back. Pros: Cozy atmosphere, friendly service Cons: Long wait for too salty entrees more

London Grill is one of the cornerstones of the Fairmount neighborhood. The food is good, the service is fine, the ambiance is casual and fun... but frankly the rating that this restaurant has on Citysearch is just too high. It's a great place to pop around the corner and grab something to eat on a weekday night, and it's a nice place to grab a drink and sit outside on the sidewalk during the summer. If you're already in Fairmount visiting friends or the Art Musuem or Eastern State Penitentiary, stop by! If you're not, there's really no need to need to make a trip. Pros: Good bar menu, good draft beer list, unpretentious atmosphere Cons: Sometimes spotty service, ocassionally inconsistent food more

What a disappointment! We went for Sunday brunch expecting the best, given the reviews. The atmosphere was nice, and parking on the street nearby was easy. Otherwise, I have nothing good to say. Our server was incompetent. I asked him 3 times for another napkin. Our food was cold when it arrived (bisque and fritatta). No bread was served with the soup. It was lukewarm after we sent it back. The salad was lettuce, unripe tomatoes and chopped up raw red onion. Totally unappealing. Dressing had way too much vinegar. I would definitely not go back. more

I have been going here for years and this place never ceases to amaze. A group of my closest friends and I gather here every couple of months to catch up and have a great meal together. The menu changes often so we feel like we will never get tired of the food. Last time I had a fresh pasta dish that reminded me of my honeymoon in Italy. It was such a surprise! The service isn't always perfect but I have always felt that the servers were truly sincere and seem to like what they do. On that last trip the manager overheard that the girls were having a night out and sent over some champagne, she was so nice. And our server, I think her name was Karen?? was very attentive and thoughtful. I look forward to many more trips to this Philadelphia gem! Pros: Cheap parking, great upscale menu and great bar food more

This restaurant was probably one of the most insulting dining experiences I've had in this city. I do allow for slow or grumpy table service since I used to wait tables in college and I know how hard it can get however I feel I must comment on the behaviour of the general manager. I felt she was incredibly rude to her staff, and I couldn't help being offended by her very weak veneer of friendliness. She would immediately make faces at her customers when their backs were turned I've never experienced someone so rude in such a high position in the service industry. Hopefully things will change in the near future because I can't see the London Grill continuing to attract regular customers with such patronizing upper staff. Pros: Food is good, drinks menu fine Cons: Rude and patronizing managers more

I was just in Philadelphia for the weekend and stopped into London for a bite after a day with Family at the Art Museum. We were seated almost immediately and greeted by staff willing to take our coats and get us started immediately (we were told we were a little early for dinner but that they would accomodate). The grilled Salmon was phenomenal, and we were very impressed with the lengthy appetizer selections. The atmostphere of the dining room was lovely, as we sat in a glass-windowed room that kept us warm and dry from the rain that soaked us on the way over. Our waitress was very helpful and explained most of the menu to us. We were very glad to see the traditional Philly cheesesteak on the menu along with calves' liver and the sirloin dinner entrees. I think this place has it all; we all had a very special dining experience!!! more