Marigold Kitchen

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501 S 45th St
Philadelphia, PA 19104

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(215) 222-3699
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Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Marigold Kitchen - Philadelphia, PA
Reviews
( 11 )
( 1 )
( 4 )
( 1 )
( 3 )

Best

I've been to a lot of great restaurants, but this is by far the best meal I've ever had. Everyone in my party was blown away. Upon asking one, who frequents Europe and lives for M...

Worst

Ever since I moved to Philly I have wanted to go to Marigold, but the place was so popular that it took me 2 years to get a Friday night reservation. I was looking forward to the ...

Words cannot describe 7/11/2011

I've been to a lot of great restaurants, but this is by far the best meal I've ever had. Everyone in my party was blown away. Upon asking one, who frequents Europe and lives for Michelin starred restaurants, how this compared to his most recent experiences, he replied ""This just blows them out of the water"". The service was casual and friendly, the atmosphere intimate, and the food outstanding. We went for dinner, prepared to open one bottle of wine (out of 3 options we brought), and have a quick meal. We ended up staying for three hours and polishing off all the wine. We were kept busy with an array of amuse bouche options between courses, and our main meals were so incredible conversation simply stopped. Just go. Go now. Just do it. more
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Terrific new fall menu 10/14/2008

The editor's review predates current chef Erin O'Shea. When O'Shea took over in Jan. 2008, the change in focus to an all-Southern menu didn't excite me and I had not been back this year. That approach has been softened recently and the menu this summer, and now this fall, is Southern-influenced (she still puts bits of tasty ham in a number of dishes) but it is not overwhelming. Call it creative cuisine with a Southern flavor. Pros: Quality of food, service Cons: Small dining room has the tables close together more
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Great food 10/12/2008

I went here for the first time in the spring and have been back twice because I liked it so much. The food is unique and delicious. In the spring I especially like their vidalia onion soup and the halibut. I love that they change their menu seasonally so you can be sure that you're getting the freshest produce. The only con is that the seating is really cramped, particularly for parties of two. You feel like you're having dinner with the people next to you. Other than that I definitely recommend it! Pros: fresh, delicous food Cons: cramped seating more
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Good time at This Old House 3/30/2008

We visited Saturday evening and had a very satisfying meal. We were seated in a second floor room, which lent intimacy to our meal, although the more raucous first floor had its proponents, too. Two of us had the featured appetizer of cornbread, greens and a sunnyside egg, and we loved it. The ladies opted for the butter lettuce and found the dressing a bit overwhelming. Main course the ladies chose the scallops and mussels, cleverly paired with pearl tapioca. Scallops were done to perfection and the mussels very tender. I had the braised shortrib and it was tender and tasty with mushrooms, carrots and pureed cauliflower. The other choice was the pork tenderloin with white beans, and it too was excellent. For dessert we had three selections, the banana bread pudding, chocolate cake and apple tart. We found each one to be very good, the chocolate cake probably the favorite and the banana bread pudding maybe a bit dry, despite a dollop of coffee ice cream. more
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Phenomenal BYO! 1/13/2008

I'm shocked by the negative reviews as I've had nothing but excellent service at Marigold over the last year. The staff is always extremely attentive and friendly. We are always seated promptly and attended to accordingly. I enjoy the originality of the menu very much and often try new dishes with increasing delight. The sweetbreads wrapped in crispy chicken remain a favorite although the soups are always innovative and delicious. I've recently learned the restaurant has welcomed a new chef and I look forward to my next visit to sample the new menu! Pros: Delicious food, attentive service more
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Highly Overrated 11/16/2007

Ever since I moved to Philly I have wanted to go to Marigold, but the place was so popular that it took me 2 years to get a Friday night reservation. I was looking forward to the eclectic yet innovative cuisine I have been reading so much about. I have to say that the place is really disappointing. Pros: Polite service Cons: Unimaginative menu, dicey neighborhood, dull decor more
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Worst BYOB in Phildelphia 10/16/2007

Hands down the worst BYOB that I have ever been to. I had my husband's birthday dinner at Marigold Kitchen. The service was slow..... not only did it take us 4 hours to get a 4 course meal but they got most of our orders wrong. The restaurant is basically in an old house with no renovations or decorations to mention. They sat us in an old bedroom in the upper section of the restaurant.The portions were extremely small and inedible, not to mention extremely pricey. I was embarassed that I invited our family and friends to have dinner at such as atroscious restaurant. Pros: Parking Cons: Everything else more
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Perfect Food. Snotty Staff. 8/17/2007

I have visited Marigold Kitchen twice in the past year and a half, and have had the same experince both times. The food is incredible. I enjoyed a delcious quail entree that I still rave about to friends. The last time I visited, I had a chicken and crawfish dish that was to die for. However, the food is sadly overshadowed by an incredibly snotty, unattentive service staff. The first time, the waiter actually rolled his eyes at my table of 6 friends (all of whom are also in the service industry) when someone asked what a specific ingredient was. His attitude became so insulting throughout the evening that we actually made a comment about rude he was, to which he again rolled his eyes. The second time our waitress was too lazy to give us new wine glasses when we switched from a bottle of white to red wine, and was just downright rude. It's a shame the staff is so awful because the restaurant itself is fantastic. Pros: Ecclectic menu, delicious food Cons: Terrible service more
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Fatty brisket weighs against Marigold 4/18/2007

Our meal was a big disappointment, given the overall high ratings of this restuarant. The fava soup was bland while the sweetbreads were overpowered by the chicken skin wraps. The big disappointment was the beef brisket which was half fat. I have seen brisket with a layer of fat, but not in the center of the pieces served. On the positive side, the potato gnocchi with ramps was light (not easy for gnocchi) and tasty and the service was attentive (although they only offered to replace the brisket with another dish -not a very helpful alternative when a companion is already eating the entre). more
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Great B.Y.O.B?.... NOT SO MUCH... slow service and overpriced small portions 4/13/2007

The tone was set for tonight at Marigold with the host's solemn demeanor which was followed by the service of a snooty disinterested wait staff. As an avid B.Y.O.B. attendee, geniune service is one of the crucial elements I look for at these locations. Don't expect it here. I went with my companion who started her 1st course off with the fava soup, leave that in Green Bay with Brett. You'd be better off picking up your own at your local grocery. The porkbelly was average. For our entree's she chose the beef brisket which she commented, melted in her mouth. I went with the stuffed chicken breast. To my surprise, I would say one of the best I've had in awhile. Dessert was nothing to rave about. Overall, if you plan on visiting Marigold, cancel any plans you may have later on because the service is slow and also almost non-existent. Pros: Quiet neighborhood...street parking Cons: slow service..small portions..disinterested wait staff more
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Perfection 1/10/2007

This was easily the best meal that I have had in Philly. We ordered the tasting menu, trusting the chef to send out his favorite dishes to us. At only $60 for what turned out to be a 6 course meal, this was a great value and we had some of the most imaginative dishes I could imagine. Sweetbreads wrapped in chicken skin, roasted garlic consomme with smoked capon, tajine of black bass, orange and olive mediterranean chicken, expertly paired cheeses, and two different desserts for my companion and myself, a halvah semifredo and an apple tasting. Most recommended restaurant in the city in my book and go with an open mind to try the chef's imaginative cuisine Pros: Small space, relatively quiet, Superior food and excellent service Cons: All alone in its neighborhood...but worth the trip more
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If you like good food, maybe the best you have ever had anywhere in the US, this would probably be it. 12/9/2006

I eat a lot and I like to try everything so I had the tasting menu. There is no way to adequately describe how great the food is. I was thinking it might be great to drop dead after dinner because everything I eat in the future will be downhill from here so not much to look forward to. Very attentive staff. more
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Amazing Flavor!!! 8/19/2006

My boyfriend and I went on a Friday night while we were in from out of town. We sampled many different dishes that Mairgold had to offer and were impressed with each. It was outstanding food, full of flavor! The wait staff was very knowledeable and friendly as well. I recomend it to anyone who enjoys fine dinning and rich flavor. Pros: Great flavor, lovely dinning room. more
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Granted, my buddy's friends with the chef... 7/29/2006

...but this place would've been fantastic without any special treatment. The pork I had made sweet, tender love to my tastebuds. What I tried of others' food was also tip-top. The third-best meal I've had in Phila., after Morimoto and Striped Bass. Pros: Awesome food Cons: Out-of-the-way location, unprepossessing dining room more
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Not-So-Special Birthday Dinner 3/7/2006

My family and I went to Marigold for my birthday this year, and what a dissapointment! A disinterested greeting from the staff was followed up by a refusal to move us to a different table, even though they sat us right next to the kitchen/bathroom, and there were other tables available. My calarmari risotto appetizer was bland and overly salty, and my tiny, tasteless entree wasn't an improvement (white fish rapped in a leaf). My fiance's dish (red meat special) was also uninspired and flavorless, and my mother's pork was just flat-out ick. My dad liked his scallops, but all of the dishes were way overpriced, especially considering the miniscule portions! Moreover, the minimalist decorating and drafty windows felt more institutional than romantic to us. Don't believe the hype - there's plenty BYOB's in Philly that have much better food for a lot less. Pros: free street parking, BYOB Cons: tiny portions, tasteless food, unfriendly staff more
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A Special Birthday Dinner 11/18/2005

My husband and I are locals in this neighborhood and had been wanting to try out this restaurant after the renovation. The place was simple and elegant and the food was the best! We had the escargot appetizer and I had a striped bass that was wrapped in a grape leaf. All the dishes were unique and inventive without going overboard. We bought a great (cheap) bottle of Chilean wine at the local spirits shop and they didn't even charge a corkage fee!! Polite service with a relaxed pace w/o feeling 'slow.' I still think back on our dinner and smile :) We did have two small children w/ us and altho this is not a great restaurant for kids, they were made to feel welcome. Pros: Fab Food, No Corkage Fee, Elegant & Romantic Cons: Street Parking, Need reservations more
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User review by dxdxmxe 10/23/2005

Truly sublime, the best food I have had in Philadelphia in a very long time. Innovative and exciting menu, beautifully presented. Quiet, respectful, unobtrusive service. The Brioche and salmon appetizer is incredible. Decor is ambitious but understated, unfortunatley the bathroom sink was overflowing, cool looking, bad design. Only the cheese selection was uninspired, while tasty it featured too many similiar types. Pros: food, service, atmosphere more
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Great food, average service 10/7/2005

We were served from the Autumn menu. We were seated at the worst table in the house. Too much foot traffic rattled our glasses. Lobster Squash soup was served lukewarm, the Brioche appetizer was amazing. Entrees were great although portions were small. Desserts were terrific- Lavendar ice cream, cheese plate. Our bill came and was $50 overpriced (mathematical error). The waiter apologized and corrected the error but no additional courtesy was extended... make sure you bring a calculator! Pros: prompt seating, delicious food Cons: small portions, out of the way, overextended waiters more
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A gem in University City 4/12/2005

This is an unpretentious little restaurant with the emphasis on exceptional food--think Django West. Like that Old City restaurant, the courses at Marigold Kitchen are visually striking and have layers of flavors. Service is friendly, the pacing of the meal is well done, and they are thoughtful about your BYO wine. Reservations are a must, at least on Saturdays, when it was booked solid until later in the evening. Pros: Exceptional food, Service, Accept credit cards Cons: Small dining room, Only street parking more
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Overrated and snooty 3/7/2005

My wife and I stopped by on a Tues evening at 8:20. We were told that they didn't have any table available. I had noticed 2 empty tables and I pointed it out to the host. He claimed that they only have 10 tables and were expecting guests in 20 minutes at the empty tables. I told him we were only there for dessert and would appreciate it if he could accomodate us. He flatly refused. I asked for takeout and he said they didn't have containers. VERY RUDE, NEVER GAVE US A WAIT TIME AND LIED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF TABLES (editorial review claims 46 tables). Where does a restaurant not give you a wait time when you are there at 8:20pm and it closes at 11:00pm. I guess too many good reviews make even a good restaurant believe that it is invincible. They sure need a reality check! Cons: SNOOTY, RUDE more
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Menu for Marigold Kitchen


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Editorial

  • Evidently, the new (as of fall 2009) owners are in love with foam. They’re also quite taken with the notion of skimpy entrees that emphasize aesthetic artistry over robust saveur. But so it is at...

  • 1/6/2010 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Wed - Thurs: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Fri - Sat: 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm Sun: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
  • Payments: Discover, Master Card, American Express, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia
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