- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Farmers' Cabinet
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Canadian (New) Bars, Canadian (New) [Edit]
1113 Walnut StPhiladelphia, PA 19107
Neighbourhood: Market East
(215) 923-1113
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 3 pm - 2 am
Sat-Sun 11:30 am - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
252 reviews for The Farmers' Cabinet
Review Highlights
-
"unreal beer list, far beyond my expertise." In 26 reviews -
"...and the candle light in Fork & Barrel is the bomb to me." In 8 reviews -
"Also, the cocktails are #1 certified delightful." In 44 reviews
Loading...
252 reviews in English
-
Review from Mary S.
5/17/2012
This is a cool, 1920's speakeasy with two floors. When you first enter, there is a two-bar layout-one for beers and one for mixed cocktails. The bartenders take their time with your drink and fully explain each one. (Plus they shave their own ice!)
The cocktails are a bit pricey for Philly, but they are strong for sure. The atmosphere was pretty laid back when I went (granted it was a Saturday afternoon.) I heard there's live music at night too. I'd return next time I'm in Philly! -
Review from Tabitha J.
Philadelphia, PA
5/15/2012
Amazing, delicious drinks.
My first time here I had the impression that the place was trying too hard. Over the top decor, over the top bartenders. But the drinks were perfect. After a few more visits, my appreciation for this place is cemented.
Yes, the place is usually crowded. But isn't it fun eavesdropping on crazy-awkward first dates? Yes, the drinks are expensive. But they are fantastically made and appropriately sized (do you hear me, Franklin & Mortgage??).
I can't speak for the food here, but if I were to eat dinner here, I wouldn't get cranky about long wait times. Because it's a busy, popular establishment. And sometimes you need to accept a restaurant for what it is, before getting cranky about your own expectations. Is it fair to go to Micky D's, and get upset that your meal was not 5 stars? -
Review from Holly T.
5/12/2012 6 Check-ins Here
Farmer's Cabinet is one of my favorite spots to get a drink. The bar experience is 5 stars all the way, but the dinner experience brings my overall rating down to 4.
I really enjoy the two-bar layout, one bar for beer and the other for cocktails (though it doesn't prevent you from ordering whatever you want wherever you sit). The cocktail program is simply incredible. I have had the most inventive drinks here, including one on their autumn menu that was made with beet soda, and one on their winter menu with carrot juice, black walnut liqueur, and fleur de sel. I love sitting at the cocktail bar and watching them make the drinks with precision and care. The bartenders I've talked to have all been knowledgable and friendly.
This is also an excellent place to drink beer. The selection of European craft beer on draft is astounding, and it's constantly changing. I feel like every time we go, we get to try something rare and unusual. Their house beers are also quite good.
I like the old-timey atmosphere, especially when they have a live piano player. It can get really dark inside, but it's lovely when it's a nice day and they can open the windows, especially if you sit at one of the barrels in the bar area.
I recommend getting snacks at the bar, especially their bavarian pretzel, which is served with delicious mustard and house-made ranch. I've also quite enjoyed their cheese plate and meat board; most of the cheese is local/regional, and the charcuterie is made in-house.
When we came for dinner, it was good, but not great, especially for the price tag. We ordered duck breast and hangar steak, which were not on par with similar preparations we've tried at other restaurants in town. We thought perhaps that securing reservations would mean a private table, but we didn't realize at the time that the dining area is basically one long communal table. They seat parties of two across from each other, so it was difficult to converse, and it was awkward to get in and out from the benches when you have people on either side. It's not exactly intimate, but I won't hold that against them, it's just about setting expectations appropriately, and now I know what to expect. Overall it was just not a very satisfying experience, and we didn't get very good service in the dining area compared to the bar. Which is not to say I wouldn't give it another chance, as they recently changed their menu again and I'm eager to try a few things. In the meantime, though, I'll stick to the bar. -
Review from Diana K.
Philadelphia, PA
4/26/2012
Ummmmm no. Farmers' Cabinet is pretentious and overpriced! Why would I ever spend $13 on a cocktail while sitting in an awkward, empty dining room during HAPPY HOUR. If you call it happy hour, have some specials for goodness sake! I understand they have a certain theme going, but the waiters need to seriously calm down and talk to customers like they are human beings. Our server could not help but talk about how he was an expert in all things alcohol, and even proceeded to explain exactly where the lettuce from the salad came from. There were three pieces of lettuce total in the $9 salad. If that doesn't explain the value at this place, then I don't know what does.
I am not usually harsh, but this place did not live up to the hype and I was just really annoyed the whole time I was there! Bummer! -
Review from Lan G.
4/19/2012
I have been wanting to check out this place for a while now. I recently made it out there with a few friends for a birthday party. For a Saturday night, it was a crowded place. We managed to secure a corner spot by the bar and I was immediately intrigued by the unique style and the drink menu. =)
Per bartender's suggestion, I got Flames of Troy. If you like bourbon, get it! I really enjoyed it. It may taste strange at the first sip, but the after taste is incredible.
Later that night, they also have live jazz quartets. It's a perfect touch up to the night.
If you need a place to host a large happy hour, I am not sure this place is large enough. But if you want to grab a couple of good-quality old-fashioned drinks, Farmer's Cabinet is definitely the place to go. -
Review from Hazel A.
Philadelphia, PA
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
The whole experience was simply, "Okay," for me. My party of 6 got there early for our 9:00p reservation and were not seated until 9:30p, which bothered my quite a bit. They had a great selection of beers, but the cost of everything was a little excessive. I think it was about $30 for 4 small slices of pork chop ;o/..
Despite the fact that the food was good, I felt like I could get the same tasty meal for 1/4 of the cost.
I did enjoy the live music that they had that night
Overall, I don't think I'll be coming to Farmer's Cabinet again for dinner. If anything, I'll stop by to grab a drink and to enjoy the live music. -
Review from Jeff S.
4/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
After a busy week of convention food and drink, I had Thursday night to explore Philadelphia on my own. After checking yelp, I decided there were two places I had to check out. The Farmers' Cabinet was one of them.
I was immediately impressed by the atmosphere and decor of the place. Very cool, with a few doorways opened to the sidewalk outside. I was seeking a Buffalo Trace bourbon (check out my quick tip!) so I sat down at the bar and was served immediately. I didn't realize there are two bars - one for beer and another for cocktails. They are on opposite sides of the room. Of course, me being a perennial Murphy's Law victim, I sat at the wrong bar so it took awhile for my drink to arrive.
Once my first impression wore off I was bored rather quickly. It was fairly early in the evening, and the patrons that were there were engaged in conversation with friends and companions. The beer bar was rather quite, but the conversation was lively at the cocktail bar. There is no TV, so I watched people for awhile, finished my drink and headed to my next stop.
Pros for me included the decor and the fact that they offer Buffalo Trace. Cons were no TV's. This would be a great place to meet friends for drinks. If you're alone, look for something a bit more user-friendly. -
Review from Edi D.
Washington D.C., DC
4/7/2012
No.
Is "no" an acceptable review?
I didn't "get it." What makes this place deserve high reviews?
I first ordered the country salad and it tasted like a cup of salt had been dumped on top of lettuce. I had to return it. I ordered the beet salad instead which was interesting...but not very satisfying.
I ordered the Tile fish atop mushrooms and it totally didn't do it for me. The fish was pretty flavorless and the mushrooms were of good quality but the whole dish lacked flavor.
The restaurant itself is pretty and the service good, but the food disappointed me in every respect, especially the price tag.
The one thing I'll give them props for is the bread and butter at the beginning of the meal -- that was very tasty.
Do not plan on returning. -
Review from Angela E.
4/16/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Five stars for the beer list. I haven't eaten much here, save one lamb appetizer that was pretty good, but what makes me want to come back here time and time again is the beer list, the atmosphere, and on the wknd, the music of Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society. Do yourself a favor and fight the wknd crowd for a barrel spot in the bar area and listen to this band rock it out 1920's style. I'm telling you, you will love it!
I don't think it's that expensive beer-wise, because they are so different and delicious. For a craft-beer-friendly-city like Philly, this place manages to fit right in but has easily set itself apart from its competitors. -
Review from Erika B.
4/14/2012
I loved the atmosphere and the decor. Our pate was wonderful. I had trouble selecting a dish from the short list because they all looked appealing. I settled on a fish confit with mushrooms which was very good.
I struggled a bit with the beer menu because they were all imports that I didn't recognize. It was an elaborate menu of craft beers from all over the world. I struck out on my first try with an oddly sour Berliner weisse but the waitress directed me towards a fabulous Kipling that made me very happy. I would have preferred if they had offered a flight option.
It was a great bar/restaurant scene and I will return. -
Review from Sally f.
Philadelphia, PA
4/13/2012
MOST UNIQUE LATE NIGHT HANG OUT IN PHILLY.
THE 20S LIVE MUSIC AND VIBE IS KICKASS.
great staff, great drinks. pricy food. -
Review from Jessica S.
Clayton, NJ
4/23/2012 Seated via OpenTable
I love this place so much. I have been in for cocktails and snacks several times and had dinner here for the first time last weekend. I took my folks here for their 27th anniversary.
We started with the cheese plate with the bourbon figs which never disappoints. I'm a gin drinker; I always get either the gin daisy or the gin fizz (or both), and they're delicious. My mom got the rum crusta and the Thieves of Mercy which were both quite good if you're into that sort of thing. I got the striped bass, mom got the venison, and dad got the rib eye. All delicious. For dessert, we ordered a piece of the goat cheesecake to share. It was unusual and fantastic, and I'm going to attempt to make it at home. So good.
The atmosphere is what really sets the Farmers' Cabinet apart. It just has a really good, warm vibe. The band is great. The service is great. Our waiter was just darling, so accommodating. My mother (who has been overcooking everything for at least 27 years now) felt that her venison was a little undercooked, and they were so gracious, so apologetic.
This is probably my favorite place in Philly. I look for any excuse to stop in for a drink. -
Review from Amanda S.
Philadelphia, PA
5/13/2012
Pros: Beer selection excellent. Pretzel appetizer delicious and perfectly served. Lamb entree yummy. Second floor area intimate and welcoming. Service timely and professional. Dessert terrific.
Cons: Menu written in tiny, fancy, hard-to-read font with poor contrast. Especially hard to understand given the dim lighting (which I don't begrudge). First floor way too loud for my tastes. Pork entree extremely forgettable. Bread meh. NOT CHEAP. Somewhat pretentious.
You should know: Water is on the table in a serve-yourself carafe. Nice touch, although I initially thought it was a vase and overlooked it. Whoops! -
Review from Kyle D.
Philadelphia, PA
4/29/2012
Ive been here a couple of times. Drinks are good and if you get a great bartender, the night is going to be good. Sadly most of the bartenders are junky and ruin any appeal of this place or any drink made here. One time I was in there, the bar manager or floor manager ( I forget who the person was) was so drunk and obnoxious, my date and I swore never to return.
-
Review from J O.
Manhattan, NY
3/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Bar: 4 stars
Restaurant: 2 stars
The bar is the perfect place for douchey beer snobs (love them) to sit around and say things like, "I suppose this ale is okay ... but it can't really compare to drinking one IN Belgium of course..." and "The last bar I was at had Blue Moon labeled as a Belgian beer - can you believe it?!" (Actual quotes) The scene is great - the area is dimly lit and very "in theme."
I ordered cocktails and loved them - really interesting mixes and their cocktail menu is huge with plenty of options for even the pickiest drinker (read: me).
At dinner, however, we weren't crazy about anything we ordered, especially for the price. I literally couldn't eat the butternut squash soup because it was so heavy and creamy; the chicken entree was bland and the portions were on the small side. Overall, we were very disappointed with the meal (appetizer, entrees, and dessert). -
Review from Lily T.
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Farmers' Cabinet only opened last year and quickly became one of my favorite places in Philadelphia, in terms of ambiance and decor. The lighting is dim, but tolerably so. You only need light to read the menu, and we have something called phones (or its reflection) to supplement this.
When I go to a speakeasy-type establishment, I order exclusively cocktails. The Fizz was my personal fave. I had 2 of those babies and the past week's worries disappeared for the rest of the evening. My entree of choice was a burger with an egg. I played it safe because I had been craving beef all day. I also had a piece of my girlfriend's pork chop, which made me wish I had been my usual adventurous self that night. In addition, I asked for my burger to be medium rare, but the server brought me one that was visibly medium cooked. Instead of raising an issue there and then, I use Yelp as a platform for my complaints. It is what I do best.
In the middle of our meal, the live jazz band started playing. Mood was set. What a perfect conclusion to our girls' night out. I really felt like we traveled back in time to the Prohibition era (although realistically, I, a Person of Color, would have had to enter through the back entrance during that time period). Note to self: live in the present.Listed in: Philadelphia faves
-
Review from Elizabeth H.
Philadelphia, PA
2/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Preface: There is a strong possibility that my review is a little lower than what I'd normally give given the fact that (1) I was hungover and the candle fumes were making me nautious (and possibly depriving me of oxygen); and (2) I came for lunch during restaurant week and I usually think that the food is never the best during restaurant week. Also, due to these circumstances (mostly the first one), I did not order any drinks, so my review is not based on or influenced by their purported amazing libations.
While I give this place a 3 star for food (when compared to similar establishments), it gets an overall 4 star for the unique rustic meets vintage decor and atmosphere. It's definitely a cool speakeasy-esque vibe.
I had the duck rilette and the confit rohan duck sandwich. Yes, it was a ducky day. Both were solid dishes, but not memorable. -
Review from Alison H.
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Empty wine barells as tables....Check
Dim sexy lighting.....Check
Great drinks..........Check
Rag time band....Check
Better watch it NYC, Philly is doing it's thing.Listed in: I Felt Cool Here
-
Review from Carla T.
Philadelphia, PA
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went here for dinner and drinks last night and had a blast. A lot of that had to do with who I was with but also with the place we chose.
The service was well paced and attentive. Ambiance is unique and fun, the house band also adds a lot to the atmosphere.
Interesting food menu and and insane beer menu.
As far as food goes, although it was good, I feel like the price was too high. We ordered a few cheeses, prosciutto and pickled beets to share and then shared an entree of duck breast, japanese sweet potato purée, baby carrots, chocolate coffee salt, natural jus.
Word to the wise: seating in this place is communal which I found charming but that being the case, the seats are long benches... so ladies, don't wear a skirt or dress unless you're prepared for an awkward start and end to your evening.
I would come back for drinks for sure, maybe dinner but again, I found it pricy for what it was. -
Review from Diana H.
2/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice vibe especially if you want to impress a date, good service and well made drinks. I actually would probably rate this place 4 stars if it was just for the drinks and atmosphere which I believe others have said as well in their reviews.
The food is underwhelming, very forgettable but at not forgettable prices.
Come here sit at the bar, order some appetizers and drinks and call it a night, then you will be fully satisfied with your experience. -
Review from Stephanie H.
Philadelphia, PA
4/24/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Beer was great, food was delicious, live music a plus, we were seated at our reservation time (8pm on a Saturday), but it was EXPENSIVE and very loud. Not really appropriate for a romantic dinner for two. We were at a long table across from each other elbow to elbow with other diners and could barely hear each other talk. I'll come back for the awesome beer selection, but not for dinner.
-
Review from Sean H.
2/25/2012
I cannot comment on the quality of the food, but I can tell you that the drinks are OUTSTANDING. The menu changes periodically, but it's always very cleverly based around some kind of literature theme. When I went, cocktails named after Shakespearean quotes were on offer. The Impudent Sauciness was just as sultry and exciting as the name implied. I'm very much looking forward to my prompt return to this fine establishment.
Also, the décor is fantastic. Think an old farmhouse living room, or perhaps an old British lady's sitting room. Wonderful stuff. -
Review from Brian C.
1/30/2012
This place looks so cool. From the outside. Inside you'd be lucky if you see anything. I'm fine with dim lighting in a restaurant, but this is more like feeling around in the darkness. It's funny because if you look at the food pictures on Yelp a lot of them seriously look like they're taken with night vision goggles on, Blair Witch style. Anyway, the lighting isn't really the main point though.
If you're a beer drinker, this place has an awesome selection. Seriously. It's good.
Maybe it was the night I was there, but the service I had was not very good. We ordered appetizers prior to our friends showing up, and 25 minutes later, when they did show up, we found out our order wasn't even placed yet. Our drinks were also forgotten. But even that isn't the main point.
The food just wasn't that good. The price for the food was also exorbitant for the food not being good. We had ribs which were a bit dry, and the rabbit which was again... dry, and we shared a punch bowl which costed $45. It was okay.
We ended the night getting some house made wet, soggy marshmallows which were actually kind of gross.
This would definitely be a place to go for drinks, but I'm sorry the food leaves something to be desired.Comment from Will P. of The Farmers' Cabinet 1/30/2012
We must note that this review, which was written in January,… More » -
Review from J T.
Meredith, NH
2/4/2012
My rating applies to the Bar at the Farmers Cabinet as I did not have the opportunity to eat there.
I went to the Farmers Cabinet in June and since I just opened a Yelp account wanted to make sure that I included a review.
I have never been to a bar as unique as this one. I went with some colleagues from work while at a conference and at first was wondering what I was getting into. There was this neat Prohibition Era feel to the place and a funky band playing when we walked in. Some of the lyrics had a little dirty innuendo which was immediately endearing to me...so I sat!
There was something about the ambiance of this lounge that was extremely authentic. The drink menu looked like it was printed out by an old school printing press and the drink list was like nothing I've ever seen. There was a little tray for the bartender containing what could only be described as concoctions or potions for the drinks.
I had this drink which I called Mothers Milk, really it was that good, but I think they called it Salt of the Earth or something like that. The bartender was pretty serious about making this drink amazing. She shook the HELL out of it and I believe that she smacked the ice with a spoon to crack it. I think that you can really taste that extra effort.
The drink contained FRESH basil and I didn't think I'd ever had a better drink in my life....until I had their Vodka Sour. It was sometime after my 3rd mothers milk that I did the swap-over. I proceeded to order MANY of those Sours which were made with the extreme attention to detail that I described above. I'm positive that it wasn't my buzz that told me this was the best drink I'd ever had in my life because I went back to this bar each and every night I was at this conference just to make sure!
If I ever am lucky enough to get back to Philly this will be the only place I go. The drinks were a little pricey but worth every penny. I'm not a serious drinker but this place could turn me into a lush! -
Review from Eric D.
Philadelphia, PA
3/5/2012
Went into Farmer's Cabinet for Brunch and was taken at once with the decor and ambience. We got to sit at the far end of the benches right next to the barrels of beer that I'm hoping were full and to be tapped soon.
The Beer list was really good and you can't really beat a 7oz pour of 17.5% beer for brunch. Something to try would be the Lamb Sausage Scramble appetizer that was finished in minutes. Overall, the food was good and would definitely go back for dinner. -
Review from Matt M.
2/23/2012
On a night out in town with a woman of exquisite taste and sublime beauty you need to find a place that suits a companion of this import. If you can find another one like my wife then take her here.
Drinks are fantastic. They have their recipes but for her there is only one on the cocktail list...Corpse Reviver number 2. It makes her smile. This is the kind of place you tell your server the type of booze you want as a base and let them go from there. Great craft beer selection on tap. The bar is the star here. Very dim lighting forcing you close together to hear and see the company you are with (fine on all accounts by me). In fact most of the primary light here is derived from tea lights in mason jars strung from the ceiling.
Make it a stop on the way through your travels in Philly pre theatre or just night out. You wont be disappointed. -
Review from Kane A.
New York, NY
2/26/2012
I came here for drinks and appetizers before dinner and let me just say, I wish I had eaten dinner here. I love the family style seating, the cocktails were delicious and the food (at least the small bit we had) was done really well.
I can't wait to go back here for a full dinner. Yes, it is on the pricier side, but it's a nicer place - not just a beer / cocktail bar. -
Review from Scarlett L.
Philadelphia, PA
2/2/2012
Delicious food, Fantastic cocktails, great beer. I haven't had anything bad off the menu. I go with friends and family here often and they also rave about the food and drinks. I also like the ambience.
Drawbacks:
Communal dining, not a fan. I like to sit next to people when I go out so I don't have to yell at them, especially when there is a piano player right in the bar.
Drinks are pricey, bill starts to add up quick. -
Review from Chérie S.
Philadelphia, PA
2/7/2012
I haven't dined here so I am only rating the bar atmosphere and what an atmosphere it is! I adore this place. It has all the old world charm you could want and the decor is absolutely beautiful. It felt as though everyone in this establishment was a blast from the past, and not just the employees. I couldn't help but feel like I was in a scene from 'Midnight in Paris', especially when the band started to play. Swoon!
Absolutely wonderful and I really dig the beer collection too! I will definitely be back, however I just wish everything was at least $2 cheaper. That's the only thing that's going to keep me from being a regular here. Otherwise, very well done! -
Review from Jessica R.
Philadelphia, PA
2/5/2012
First off, I'd come back just for the decor - it's amazing! I adore all the hanging tealights in jars, the cheese counter, the barrels to stand around...the decorator went all out, and did an phenomenal job. I felt instantly transported from the second I walked in until the second I walked out and went back to being in Philly.
Now for the food - we came for restaurant week, and I started with the Bavarian pretzel, which was huge (definitely the way to go if you're hungry) and delicious. It was soft and buttery and had the perfect amount of salt - everything you'd want in a pretzel. It came with mustard and house-made ranch - while I appreciated that the ranch was house-made, it was too subtle for my tastes - ranch needs to be bursting with flavor.
For my main course, I had the Lancaster Roasted Chicken, which (just like the pretzel) was everything you could want in chicken - super moist, and flavorful throughout. It came with a puree of Yukon Gold potatoes and French beans, both of which were also delicious.
Unfortunately, the meal fell down at dessert - I was very disappointed with my bread pudding. It was very dry, and the only sauce was a small dash across the plate. The very fact that it was served on a plate was all wrong - bread pudding should be served in a bowl, with lots of sauce. It was missing the moistness and creaminess that is key to bread pudding and basically tasted like a dried out cinnamon roll.
Although dessert was a let-down I'll definitely go back for appetizers/main courses, and just walk down the block to Capagiro for dessert. =) -
Review from Kevin O.
North Wales, PA
4/5/2012
Farmers' Cabinet. Meh. First of all, the do have a great beer list, with a bunch of different options that are all very well selected. The atmosphere there is very nice too, especially in the bar area. I had actually just watched Midnight in Paris the night before, and it sort of reminded me of a trip back in time to the 20's/30's era.
The food however was just ok. They have a lot of different foods that felt like it was trying just a little too hard. They had all of the the trendy things you should have on a menu at the time. They had pork belly and pate, they had duck confit and lamb sausage. Despite having all of this trendy food, I was frankly simply satsified, not blown away by the dishes. None of the appetizers were excellent to me, but reather everything was just about OK.
I would definitely come back here for some drinks, as I really liked the bar, and the picnic style tables were very cool, but in Philly there are so many good places to go. I think my underwhelming feeling regarding the food here is something of a testament to how good the food in Philly has gotten. There are just so many places to go that I feel are so good now, that if I am not in love with a place, I just don't see the need to come back.
Bottom line: go for drinks at the bar! Definitely a place you want to try once, but with such stiff competition in Philly, there are a lot of other places. If you are in that area, Talula's Garden is certainly the best of the lot. -
Review from Ettya F.
1/10/2012
Oh dear Farmers' Cabinet. How you've so failed me.
While your candlelit ambiance is as darkly romantic as a seance in a rustic outpost from the Civil War, and your drinks are something stellar - the Coffee in Heaven is a veritable alcoholic blend of coffee and chocolate and a frothy egg white for added creaminess, and the Cockaigne is delightfully sour and fizzy - the rest of you has left me yearning for something more...something like PZAZZ.
The Duo of Elk - cooked mid rare like all meat should be - was as boring as meat and potatoes....because literally, that's all it was: tough meat and potatoes. What is impressive about this dish, however, is that you get to pay a whopping $32 for something similar in taste, texture and portion size you could have bought for $3.20 and microwaved for 30 seconds.
I think I might have had some pickles, and they might have been okay. But I don't really remember.Listed in: FtA: Egocentrism
-
Review from Jim L.
Camden, NJ
3/5/2012
I'm writing my review not based on a sit down dinner in the restaurant but on the drinks, social scene and service at the bar. I have dined in the restaurant in the past and I did like it but that review will have to wait until I have a seat in the restaurant again.
Let me start with the one negative I find about the place. So glaring that it must be mentioned. This place is EXPENSIVE and that's probably the one thing that keeps me from committing to a 5 star review. The pros far outweigh this con and there is a lot to love about this place.
I spent Saturday night with friends at Farmers' Cabinet, it's a place caught up in the current rage of speakeasy style, prohibition era watering holes. So caught up in the nostalgia of the era is this place that the band playing between the 2 bars at the front of the house sticks strictly to authentic 1920s music. Things come complete with the musicians dressed in actual '20s garb, playing authentic 1920s instruments with the singer singing into a very old time looking microphone. These guys are a lot of fun.
There were big crowds at both bars. One bar is the beer bar and the other is the cocktail bar. The beer bar is very popular amongst suds connoisseurs and I can tell you that Farmers' Cabinet's beer list takes a back seat to no other beer list in the city and it truly is a sight to behold. The cocktail bar specializes in high end, handcrafted cocktails usually of a whiskey or bourbon base. The drinks are made with care and pride and they take a while for the hard at work bartenders to make. On Saturday night I was lucky enough to have four bourbon old fashions made with care by Mikey The Kid, a young man who takes his position very seriously and just may be the best bartender in Philly. If you order a drink from Mikey, you will realize that this guy is the real deal and you will realize that you are lucky to have him serving you.
Yes, the Farmers' Cabinet is pricey but it's fun and crowded and the drinks are delicious and savory. I was happy to go four deep and leave the place shitfaced and happy. Yay, I'm a fan and I will be back!! -
Review from Emma N.
Dover, DE
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Overall experience 3.5.
It's like stepping back in time here. It's a pleasant surprise from the hustle and bustle out there....Came with my friends for a night cap. The drink menu is quite extensive. A little on the pricey side but I can tell I'm paying for the ambiance. This would be a great first date place, to figure out if you're date is worth shelling out for dinner. It's definitely not the local sports pub. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by the drink choices. But hey...this would be a great conversation piece on your first date. -
Review from J. Christopher E.
Philadelphia, PA
1/23/2012
This is a great place to sit at the bar and have beers and cocktails and then order some better than average food (duck breast dinner was great, bone marrow appetizer was good, but not enough bone marrow).
I very very much don't like the common dining room. Crowded and cramped and hard to get in and out.
I try to come on the off-nights when it's a little less crowded and a little more low key. However, I do like the busier nights when they have the band playing music from the 20s and 30s.
TIP - go see the movie the Artist and then come to the Farmers' Cabinet to listen to music from the same period. -
Review from Tery S.
Philadelphia, PA
1/30/2012
Ate here for the restaurant week special. I had done my research on Yelp, and knew to ask for a table instead of that big communal bench that some people complained about. When we went, we saw that there were normal tables, barrels converted into tables, and the long communal bench, so the option is definitely there as to how you would like to be seated.
Walked in, and it was nice and dark....ahhh I love dim lighting. Ambience was cool, a throwback to 100 years ago, or what I would assume a restaurant looked like 100 years ago since I wasn't alive in 1912, but it was different and unique so I can appreciate that.
Service was good despite the place being pretty busy. Here is the rundown on what we ordered:
Bavarian Pretzel- Very tasty. Warm, soft, homemade tasting. It came with two dips, a mustard and a ranch, but after starting out with the mustard and really liking it, I pretty much just used that for the whole pretzel and never got around to trying the ranch. The mustard was light and perfectly seasoned, tasted like mustard but at the same time, didn't taste like mustard, if that makes any sense? Either way, it was good.
Butternut Squash Soup- My spouse ordered this but I tasted it as well, we both agreed that it was tops. Nice flavor, no complaints at all.
Fluke- Perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was fish and it was good fish and I enjoyed it.
Hanger Steak- Yum! I don't usually eat beef but my spouse does, and since it was already cooked and sitting there I decided one bite couldn't hurt. Perfectly cooked, medium rare just as requested, definitely tasted better than the steak they sell at ACME lol
We are both chocaholics so we both ordered the chocolate cake for dessert and we both enjoyed it.
My spouse was drinking beer, which I did not taste as I do not like beer, but my partner enjoyed it and was raving about all the rare imported beers on the menu. I ordered the punch which was really strong but that is fine by me!
Normally we could not afford to go to such an upscale place but the $35 for 3 course restaurant week special worked out great for us. The waiter told us that they have a similar special year-round "The Theater Menu" so we will probably do that at some point in the future. -
Review from Jonathan P.
Philadelphia, PA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
This restaurant came SO close to being a 5 star, but two things kept it from this.
I went with a friend for Restaurant Week. The menu was quite extensive and I was impressed. The Bavarian Pretzle was wonderful, and the mustard that came with it was exactly what they serve in Germany.
Next I had the bbq Pork Shoulder Sandwhich. It was AMAZING. There was a menu error which said it came with Lettuce and Tomato, which I didn't want. The manager (I think!) came out and let me know that it was a "rogue" menu and it really came with pickles. No problem, they were super nice, and offered to let me reorder. I am glad i didn't. The chef did the pork PERFECTLY. He managed to serve a BBQ Pork sandwhich where the BBQ sauce didn't overpower the flavor of the pork, this is RARE. The cheese and roll were a perfect addition.
I also ordered a Berliner-esque beer which was a perfect addition to this meal.
Now for the two problems I had. First, the minor problem. The chocolate cake I had for desert was just blah. The chocolate they use is NOT strong enough and renders the cake sort of tasteless.
The MAJOR problem, and the one I complained about, was the bathroom. While appearing clean, the stench of urine was so prominent that it actually burned to breathe in there. I hope this was a one-time event, and not a common occurance.
I love the ambiance, and was trying to count the number of beers on the bottle wall that I had tried. Also, the service was great. I also loved the environmentally friendly touches that Farmer's Cabinet has that are very understated and almost unnoticable. Most of the light is provided by candle, both saving energy and adding to the ambiance. Secondly, you won't find a single paper napkin or towel in the whole place, including the bathroom! Bravo for being green but not pushy about it.
I will definately be returning. I hope truly that the bathroom issue was one-time! -
Review from Lyndsay W.
Philadelphia, PA
1/28/2012
My boyfriend's family and I went here for restaurant week and the meal was outstanding from start to finish. For appetizers we had the duck, pretzel, and soup. Personally, I think the butternut squash soup at Farmers' Cabinet is they best I have ever had. For our main courses, between the six of us, we sampled 4 out of the 5 restaurant week items. The pork chop portion was great, the steak and duck were cooked perfectly to order and the fluke was delicious. I was shocked at the portion sizes given even during restaurant week. The desserts were delicious, especially the bread pudding and chocolate cake, and the new cocktail menu is exciting. I will definitely be back to sample more of the unique cocktails.
Overall, a really great experience. -
Review from Chiara I.
Philadelphia, PA
2/1/2012
I went here with the bf for restaurant week dinner. I've been hearing about their amazing beer selection and was excited to try their food.
The ambiance was pretty sweet. Loved their beer wall with candles interspersed. The barrel bar tables add a nice touch. The long picnic benches are good in theory and looks. In practicallity. meeeeh. That may be the one down star. I was stuck on a bench with a guy who liked the bench scooted too far from the table. Maybe I'm too short... maybe I'm too nice. But, I do like my own chair.
Now on to the food. Butternut squash soup with pistachios hit the spot on a cold winter night. Silky smooth texture with deep flavors. I had the duck for my entree. This is what really drew me here for restaurant week. It was the least tasting duck I've ever had. I dont know if that's a good or bad thing. But I actually enjoyed it. It tasted more like pork. My bf had the pork which was sweet, juicy and ham like. The desserts were ok. Nothing too crazy to rave about.
The draft beers are pretty legit. No scrimping on quality here. If anything.. that completely lived up to it's expectations. Cheers! -
Review from Mary B.
Philadelphia, PA
2/2/2012
This review only covers beverages and the bar area. I haven't eaten any food here yet, nor sat in the back area.
I've been here a few times. The atmosphere is pretty cool - very throwback saloon feel, what I imagine a saloon would have felt like, but only the saloon visited by the wealthy. In every visit, the staff was very friendly, whether they were serving us or not. They really seem to enjoy their jobs and each other. (If they don't - good acting job!) This really makes for a great environment.
I'm no cocktail expert, so I frequently defer to the suggestions of those who are. I have never been disappointed. Christian made a fantastic drink off menu based on my request for a drink with Pimm's. I'd love to recreate it, but it would cost far too much to just get all the ingredients. That, and my drink making skill is limited to adding some liquor to some non-liquor, and stirring. I've had several drinks on and off menu, some new inventions, some traditional drinks, but all delicious. All the bartenders I've encountered (at least five) are quite skilled. They're great asking some questions and making recommendations. Sure, the drinks are pricey, but you're not drinking a Jack and coke here. The prices are worth it.
Pros: fantastically tasty drinks, great staff (both in talent and attitude), great environment, huge beer selection (which I didn't try, but I already know plenty about beer)
Cons: drinks aren't free. One can dream.
