Marcia's Cleaning Service

I was recently home in Philadelphia for a month, and during that time I ate at Amada six times. This is easily the best new restaurant in Philly -- and probably the best food I've had in the past year (take that LA and NYC). I love spanish food, but its at times bland --- at Amada they take the delicate flavors and spain and pair them exquisitely with the new flavors of american cooking. This is also the best Spanish wine menu you will find in town -- I particularly recommend a glass of the Condessa Leganza. Another standout is the Salad with Jamon serrano and their Pa' tumacca. Pros: Food, wine list, attentive servers Cons: Not enough room in my stomach more

I was there last week and I had a great time. We got the tasting menu ($45 per person) and it was awesome! Our waiter (Jose) was knowledgeable and charming. We will be back. Pros: food Cons: too busy more

I convinced my best friend to go to Amada and we had a great time! The waiter was so incredibly helpful and hate great suggestions based on tastes. I was in Spain last summer and missed the tapas "feel". I probably wouldnt go here on a weekend because apparantly its mobbed and you usually cant get in, but we went on a Tuesday and she loved it and so did I! Pros: helpful staff, amazing food, great seating Cons: in a crowded area, difficult reservation, in old city more

Just "eh". The seared tuna served with tomato escabache was so bland, so flavorless, yet the manchego croquettes were excellent (3 the size of marbles). The spinach and artichoke empinadas were good but overpriced (it was one cut in half). Though I can understand tapas at a place like Tria which bills itself as a wine and cheese bar (plus serves sandwiches), but for a restaurant that actually has a dining room, it can mislead one into thinking that you can actually order dinner here. Well, you can order a paella for 2-at $75!!! Really, though the food is decent, and the mixed drinks are cleverly named after Amoldovar films, you'll have to order 4 dishes for 2 people, at an average of $12 each you do the math. You want good tapas? Go to Valanni or Tria. I'm a hotel concierge and I'll never send anyone to Amada. Pros: Atmosphere, Drink menu, Wide selection Cons: Overpriced, Measly portions more

Maybe a bit pricey. Most of the items on the menu would run you about 3-4 dollars US in Spain. Here they cost $10-$12. I only mention this because we basically ordered everything on the menu! Aside from this issue, our food was delicous and the wine selection was impressive. The wait staff was attentive. I'll be back. more

My husband and I made a reservation for Valentine's Day... or so we thought. We showed up to find they had no record of our reservation. The hostess acted like we were lying. I understand they're a new restaurant and may not have the whole system down yet, but there was no need to be rude. more

The food was excellent and as long as I have the perception of value I am going to be game, but $12 for ONE empanada?! Even with aged Manchego and plantain dough, $12 for one tiny empanada is ridiculous. Nitpicking aside, the service was knowledgeable and attentive, the ambience was a bit loud but not overbearing, and it was an exceptional dining experience, highlighted by the lamb chops, which were the best I have ever had. The baked goat cheese was creamy and slightly smoky, with a tomato sauce that balanced the tanginess of the cheese. For value, check out the roasted pork over beans, the fava bean salad, and the crema catalana with a hint of rosewater and cinnamon. Make sure you request bread. Everything we tried was worth the price except the empanada. Pros: Food preparation, Service, Drinks Cons: Expensive, Loud more

Having lived in Spain, I was extremely excited to finally see a tapas restaurant in Philadelphia. Food was extremely rich, but not what I would call authentic. Was a little turned off by the service at first (a bitchy hostess/waitress gave us a hard time when we sat at a table that was clearly part of the bar while waiting to be seated), but things improved once we were seated. Ordered the croquettes and were informed that the kitchen had run out, so not only did they give us a plate of this amazing asparagus, but also gave us each dessert on the house! Atmosphere was very nice, but far from authentic. The tapas experience should be very casual, not upscale and swanky like this place. In conclusion, food was amazing and I'll probably return, bu still waiting for a real Spanish tapas bar to open here in Philly! Pros: great food Cons: a little pricey more

Definitely try the plate of mixed meats (ask for extra bread) and the manchego cheese with sliced applies and lavender honey is a great combo. I wouldn't go for a full dinner--the food is not very filling--but tapas are NOT meant to stuff you. Instead, take a seat at the bar and order a few plates to nibble on while having a round or two of drinks. Overall, Amada's atmosphere and crowd was a welcome change from the normal Old City Friday night fare. The bar was busy and full, but drunk people were not falling over each other and you can still have a conversation without screaming. I hope this place stays for good and inspires more bars and restaurants like it. more

The atmosphere is nice, the servers very helpful and the sangria has a hint of cinnamon, delicious touch. But don't be fooled by the "tapas" reference, some of the plates are way too small to be considered tapas and not quite the true Spanish delicacies although very close. The presentation is wonderful but $12 for 3 bite size cod croquettes is a bit much, the parmesan artichoke is delicious but also only offers 3 bites. Other plates offer better value like the tortilla espanola (although not the real thing) and the cheese plate on the dessert menu offering 3 cheeses with sweet accompaniments. Conclusion: Good for drinks and a couple of bites but don't go there for a Tapas dinner unless you have a stuffed wallet. I'm still waiting for the true Spanish Tapas restaurant to open in Philly. Pros: Spanish Tapas, Nice Decor, Great service Cons: Overpriced more

Despite the tapas not being the authentic Spanish fare, we (two Spaniards) enjoyed it. Several items on the Spanish-written menu (tricky to read in the penumbra) were misspelled. Any decent Hemingway lover should get Pamplona right! And why spoil a perfectly good paella valenciana by adding chorizo? If you find one in Valencia, get out of there: its a tourist trap. The Spanish coffee comes with orange liquor, chocolate and whipped cream, definitely un-Spanish. We had the tortilla (too dry), cheese with membrillo (delicious!), piquillo peppers (crab meat lacked salt), octopus (slightly tasteless) and leche frita (tasty but three tiny squares!). The sangria came with a cinnamon stick (unheard of in Spain!). We asked for extra bread (the complimentary flat bread is sauce-impaired) and werent charged for it. In general although the tapas are ridiculously small and not the genuine thing they were quite good. We plan to come back! Pros: cheese with membrillo, service, decor Cons: not genuine spanish, quite dark, cold draft near doors more

I found the service to be unpretentious and our server knowledgeable. Some of the plates were very small, but how much food do you need to eat to really enjoy it? The first two bites are the most enjoyable, anyway. As for the price, I found it to be typical of center-city dining and worth the cost. The ambiance was relaxing at our seat in the back; in the front of the restaurant, a flamenco dancer entertained the audience. I especially enjoyed our cheese plates, one of which consisted of a soft goat cheese with a nutella accompaniment. The sangria was better than what I had in Madrid. The chocolate sampler dessert was disappointing; creme brulee was dreamy. While the food was not an exact replication of a cafe in Spain, it was fabulous for what it was. The true test will be the consistency beyond opening night.... Pros: service more