Estia Restaurant

We went last night (and have been once before). Once again, we loved the elegant decor and the food.------ They have $30 'pre theater' dinner (app, entree & basic dessert -walnut cake or fruit) that is a good value.----- When we entered, we were hesitantly greeted by an attractive lady who was minimally friendly (Hey lady, we're about to drop $100 in this place, lighten up!)----- We loved our table and were promptly given our menus. A few minutes later our waiter asked for our drink order. He was trying very hard to be 'cute' and amusing???----- Before ordering, he gave us a brief lecture on ordering QUICKLY because 'some people come in an hour before the theater and expect to have special service' (We were there at 5:15 for a 7:30 curtain......) When we asked a question, he said 'I thought I'd already answered that!' (Losing points rapidly.......) A salad (Horiatiki) was large enough for four people but was 90% tomatoes! The food came hot and was delicious. Not sure if we'd go back; the attitude of most of the staff needs major improvement (friendlyness training?). Maybe they all got free Botox shots and couldn't smile Pros: Beautiful bar area and dining areas, Food good Cons: Stone faced reception and waiters, expensive more

Estia accepts 1 YourCauseCard with a $100 min. Estia is participating in the YourCauseCard fundraising program. When you buy a $5 YourCauseCard a bonus donation is made to the cause you select. Then you get to spend the full value of the cards at Estia and other participating restaurants and retailers. Raise money for Your cause, the donation is free. Pros: Raise Money for Your Cause Cons: Eat good food more

It has pretty much all already been said about this fine restaurant. The food's great and occasionally verges on the exquisite, and table service was perfect, even on a very busy pre-theater Saturday night. My one gripe is that it was pouring cats & dogs on the night we arrived and we waited, and waited, for the valet to show up and park our car, went twice into the restaurant to inquire about it only to be told by the reception folks that he was there--somewhere. Finally, after nearly 15 minutes, one of our guests already present in the restaurant left the bar and parked the car herself. This might not be such a big deal, I suppose, but one of our party in the car was a Senior using a cane-- and she was the one who made the inquiries at the desk about the missing valet! Nobody showed any particular concern for her situation. At a restaurant of this caliber, I would have expected one of the front desk people to volunteer to deal with it --hence one less star here than I would normally have given it. Pros: You won't find grilled octopus as good as this anywhere. Cons: Parking valet nowhere to be found on rainy Saturday night more

Can't say enough about this jewel of a restaurant. It is unmatched as far as quality greek dining is concerned. Love u guys Pros: great food, gorgeous place more

Went for a romantic dinner Saturday night and was horribly disappointed. We were put next to a rowdy, drunk table who ruined the dinner of all nearby diners, oblivous to management. There appeared to be 2 managers, but they just hung out in front of the kitchen all night, and in ear shot of this table, but did nothing. I order the calamari app. and when I received it it was completely different from the description in the menu. I asked the waitress and she said they were 2 calamaris, and that I should have been specific. I told her I wasn't aware of that, but I wanted the other, she brought it and charged for BOTH! My husband's $40 fish was burnt. It took 25 minutes to get the check. The entire time we could not have a conversation because of the obnoxious table next to us. Horrible experience! Don't go! Pros: nice atmosphere Cons: servers, managers more

So impressed! We had a very attentive server who took time to explain things on the menu if we had questions. She also overheard us saying the salads were large and asked us if we wanted to remove one of the sides from the dinner. That was considerate. I ordered the hailbut which was very tasty and melted in my mouth. Portion sizes were adequate! I also ordered the roasted potatoes based on recommendation and they were to die for! I never knew roasted potatoes so could be light and tasty. My friend ordered the 3 day marinated Lamb Chops which he kept raving about. The salads we had were both excellent, the saganaki cheese was great and the tzatziki sauce was excellent as well. We will definitely go back! It is located in downtown Philly so in the middle of all the action. Pros: Excellent food, service, good location Cons: couldnt hear the live music more

My sister is getting married in the beginning of August. Because I am the maid of honor and since my parents are taking care of everything else, I have volunteered to take responsibility for finding and planning the perfect rehearsal dinner. I’ve used this as an excuse to go out to dinner at least two times a week. This weekend I went to Estia after a friend of mine said she attended a bridal shower luncheon there and said it was great. Before I was seated I requested a brief tour of the banquet room. I must say, I was so impressed; the entire design of the room gave it such an antique effect, perfect for the rehearsal diner. After my tour I sat down to eat and had a difficult time picking from all of them delicious items on the menu. My server was so helpful and helped me narrow my decision after giving me her opinion and describing the dishes. I booked my sister’s rehearsal diner this morning, and cannot wait! However, I don’t think I can wait until August to go again! more

This is definately the best Greek food in the city. Mostly focuses on seafood. They have excellent whole greek fish done with varying sauces. You will enjoy! Pros: seafood more

First off, the restaurant is beautiful. The staff is always extremely friendly, and most importantly, the food is fantastic! Try the Estia Chips and also the eggplant spread. I am so impressed with the place that I'm planning a rehearsal dinner here, and the coordinator has been awesome at accomodating us. I'll post a review afterward to let you know how it went. Meanwhile, check this place out! Pros: ambiance, food, service, location more

Excellent, I can't say anymore, very fresh food, wonderful flavors via what I can only call perfect seasoning and preparation. The presentation was excellent and the decedent deserts topped off a wonderful meal. I must also mention that the outstanding service and knowledge of the waiter only added to an already wonderful evening. Pros: Some of the best food I have had in years Cons: High prices will keep you from returning as often as you would like more

I just attended a dinner party here that was held in the main dining room. The food was excellent, but the hostesses were stuck up and rather cold and although I appreciated their effort, the busboys were always appearing to do something. Other than that, it was good. Pros: Outstanding food, parking is right next door, perfect for theater nights Cons: Cold hostess, busboys a bit too eager more

I have been going to Estia since they openned.And let me tell you the food is as close to original as greek it can be. IT IS SUPERB! As i have been to Greece many times and Rome. A lot of you people here, ARE VERY IGNORANT,you thing you are going to the china buffe ! Hey ,who the hell are you to say how the food should be presented and served when you are clueless of what the greek cuisine is suppossed to be! I like the comments i read from some of you that they did not like the music or it was this or that. You don't like the prices go to burger king. Do you think you are in the philly Kessington area? Let me enlighten your rusty thoughts here: When you go to any international restaurant you want it to be a original it is from it's origin of it's country ! You want to be in the atmosphere of a greek restaurant! One time I went to a mexican restaurant and they were playing blues and jazz music. I was like what the hell is james brown going to come out the curtain and dance next? Me and my wife who is latina we got up and left.The server said why are you leaving? I responded: If want to hear jazz or blues i will go to a jazz club. Get the point? Pros: Excellent food and can't get any more original greek. Cons: none more

After hearing mixed reviews from friends about the food and service we decided to give it a try and judge for ourselves. I was impressed by the beauty of the restaurant. We could not have a more perfect table. It sat on a step up level in the center back overlooking the main room. My first choice of wine from the menu was not available but the server suggested an alternate which was very good. Our appetizers were very tasty and large enough to share with 2 or more. Then things turned. Although we ordered sparkling water we were served from the bottle we ordered only once and than they used tap water. We waited for quite a while before our entrees came out and one was scolding hot while my halibut was colder than room temperature. I informed my server who did take it back but to my surprise everything on the plate was exactly the way it was when I sent it back. This let me believe that it was placed in the microwave for a few seconds and actually was brought back out still cold. The dish was halibut which warms up quickly on a skillet so I do not see why that was not done. The server was than not around for what seemed like forever while my dinner continued to sit in front of me cold. When I finally spoke to a ?manager? he made me feel as though I was nobody. He said to me ?I am sorry you believe it was cold? never apologizing for the lack of service. What a disappointment. Pros: The food was tasty when served hot Cons: poor service, horrible manager more

The food at Estia is WONDERFUL. It was the freshest, most delectable food I have ever eaten. The service was wonderful. The staff is very knowledgeable on the menu and helped me and my boyfriend pick out what we were going to order. The drinks had a Mediterranean spin on them, but they were exotic and yummy. The atmosphere is so romantic. It's a very classy restaurant. I have never had a meal that was this good in my entire life. We had a wonderful time. I highly recommend this place to EVERYONE. You will not be disappointed. Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more

I loved the mixed cold appetizer platter, it was perfectly seasoned and there wasn't a drop left between us. The sauteed vegetables were good and the roasted chicken was tender and flavorful. Price can be an issue so I suggest coming for the pre-fix dinner which I think is served before 5-7 p.m. for about $35. Pros: Food, Nice Bar and Service Cons: Pricey more

This might have been one of our best restaurant experiences while visiting Philadelphia except that we were quite put off by an ungracious hostess. Perhaps because we had our two children with us (who are very sophisticated diners, ages 11 and 14), we were shown to a table in the bar next to a TV completely separated from the rest of the dining room. When we asked for a different table, we were told that was not possible because it was booked. We persisted and were shown to another table in the dining room, where we noticed that at no time during the entire hour and a half we were there, was the restaurant ever filled, and there were a number of 4 tops which remained empty. What kind of message was the host staff trying to send to us? Children not welcome? I'm not sure because I noticed another couple, elderly, experiencing the same thing. They too persisted and were given much better tables, after they took it upon themselves to select one of the many empty tables that apparently the hostess didn't deem appropriate for them. In any event, fortunately our waitress was very gracious and the fish was superbly prepared. We highly recommend the fish by the pound - we had the fagri. We ordered one whole fish for three, but I probably could have eaten the whole fish myself. Also recommend the white greek wine by the glass, don't remember the name, but it was $13/glass. The whole family agreed the food was very good, and we enjoyed the live music, but the hostess really needs to learn the meaning of the word "hospitality", because that was sorely lacking, and it certainly soured our experience . (My husband and I are a restaurant owners,and one lesson I would pass on is don't make your guests feel like they're being given the worst table in the house on purpose, - be gracious and welcoming to everyone.) Pros: Superb fish Cons: Hostess more

The food was very enjoyable, and the location is perfect. The waiter was rather stuck-up and the staff in general seemed unnecessarily elitist. A little overpriced, but the decor was lovely (especially downstairs!)and I would say you should try it if you're already in the area. Otherwise there's no reason to go out of your way. Pros: Beautiful, and a great location Cons: Stuffy staff, pricey more

The best place in the city to get whole fresh fish. unfortunately, that privilage costs a bit more than I... more

The best place in the city to get whole fresh fish. unfortunately, that privilage costs a bit more than I can afford on a regular basis. The lamb... more

The best place in the city to get whole fresh fish. unfortunately, that privilage costs a bit more than I can afford on a regular basis. The lamb... more