Laurel Reviews

A gem! Nick Elmi has created his own piece of heaven here. It's very difficult to get a reservation - try at least 2 months in advance (I just got a rez for August). Have been there several times and never disappointed. The service is great, the food is awesome and the bill won't send you into despair!! And it's BYOB!

Laurel is one of the most sought after restaurants in Philly today, twice rated the best in the city. I would disagree with those rankings. The place is small, with large comfy chairs, which are too close to each other. The service is good but somewhat mechanical, as if going through the motions, and the pace is too fast. The combination of the cramped quarters and the pace and style of service does not result in a relaxed, luxurious feel. There is no menu, only a 7 course meal where you find out what you are eating when served. If you like to have choices, this is not the place for you. As you would expect from a 7 course meal, the portions are small. You would expect each to be memorable in taste and presentation. While there is a certain element of preciousness in each, too many of them just felt flat in terms of taste. The black cod was exceptional and the duck was very good. As for the rest, it was underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, it was a fine meal, but when measured against expectations, it just felt short. If i was going to spend upwards of $100 per person without drinks, I could think of a few other restaurants in Philly where I would rather be.

There were three of us dining this night and we brought our own bottles of wine. Greeting upon entering made my party feel great and wanted. As stated by others, this restaurant is small, with only 8 tables and I believe seating for twenty two. The waitstaff, all women, are fabulous as they all work together to make for a seamless evening. All are well versed in all components of each dish and are eager to please. As for the food, the only option is the prix fixe menu, which is $89.00 per person and there are 2 additional plates for the table that are an additional $50.00 each. The tasting menu for my party was more than enough. I am hard to please when going out because most foods at restaurants are just O.K.. At laurel, all of the courses were not okay, they were delicious. I was not only surprised but so impressed by the bold favors of some courses and the attention to detail. Laurel is a winner in my book and will be back again as my daughter is starting Upenn. Great experience and thank you!

In need of a date night we were able to take a friend's reservations. Amazing service! Weekend Chef tasting menu was superb. Arctic Char was my favorite, maybe the duck. My wife never had duck before now she can't wait to try it again...quiet and romantic...we will be back!

I managed to grab a coveted reservation three months prior to our anniversary. Wife was very excited to check Philly's No.1 restaurant and make the comparison with other top joints. For the 7 course menu, we decided to add one, their Wagyu Beef for two ($55). Definitely worth it, beef just literally melts in your mouth like butter! Enjoyed the soft, subtle and yummy escargo, with mushrooms and potato. Roasted duck breast is tender and quite a treat. The remaining dish are just fine, not impressive. Service staff are nice, good and friendly. However, we saw Chef Nick personally serve 7 of the 8 tables...and our table was that no. 8! The first time we saw Nick was back in Le Bec Fin. Same demeanor, he just walked by without acknowledging patrons. He should be more consistent...if you stop 3 times to chat on one table, may be worth stopping or at least wave at the others. Choosing between Laurel and Bibou...i'd be more excited to go back to Bibou.

We've been here twice, the last time on a Friday night. We had the chef's tasting menu and it was a spectacular meal. Each course a delightful experience of food I would probably never have chosen on a menu but providing an explosion of flavors - all amazing. The tasting menu is the only thing that's available on weekend nights. Three of us dined there on a Wed night and made our own tasting menu - each ordering different items and sampling them all. It's a small intimate restaurant where the food is the star. BYOB. Getting a table is a challenge. They book three months out and it fills up. We followed them on twitter @LaurelEPX to snag a last minute cancellation when it became available.

Went here with two colleagues for dinner after managing to snag a relatively last minute reservation. After being seated we ended up waiting for about 10 minutes before being served our amus bouche, which was rather disappointing. It included a rather strong foam and didn't mesh well. After the amuse bouche the pace of the service did pick up and dishes came out relatively quickly. 1st dish was a cold spanish mackeral, which while tasty didn't quite compare in quality to some of the top tier sushi restaurants I've been to in the US. The 2nd dish, the scallops were jaw droppingly good. The scallop has been very lightly cooked and was extremely tender. Perfectly seasoned with truffles and grapes, the dish had a wonderful ethereal tendency. Really something special. This was followed by an excellent snails with mushrooms and whipped potatoes. Very hearty and tasty for a winter evening. The 4th course was a ferro dish which was maybe (?) served as a palate cleanser. It was fairly bland an uninteresting. Fortunately the Ocean Trout which followed had a similar near ethereal character as the salmon. It was most likely cooked sous vide as it was just slightly warmed and incredibly tender. Seriously, the weight of your could cut it. These guys really know how to cook seafood... The Venison dish which followed was great as well, though not quite as tasty as Bibou's. Perfectly cooked and the brown butter sauce complemented it quite nicely however. We had a long wait for dessert, which was a mishmash of items and felt a bit gimmicky, but then I'm not really a huge dessert person. At $89 prices were pretty reasonable for the food and I would probably go back again. The place is no longer BYOB (though there is no corkage fee) so something to keep in mind. Service needs a bit of work, between the long wait for amuse bouche to a couple of instances when water glasses were empty to us pouring all of our own wine bottle (yes that seems silly but this is fine dining). Overall I noticed a few tables had issues with pacing, so didn't seem like we were alone. Bottom line: Great food, a bit inconsistent, but worth it for the jersey scallop and ocean trout.

Exceeded expectations and then some! We have eaten in a lot of high quality restaurants, from NY to Napa to Paris and Nicholas Elmi's little BYOB in south Philly ranks among the best we've experienced. Since it was our first time, we opted for the tasting menu. Service was superb, ingredients were fresh (try the scallop), dishes were delicious and creative. Dessert, not usually my favorite, was as memorable as the rest of the meal. Wish the location was more convenient, but we will be back! Highly recommend.

My husband and I had the pleasure of dining at Laurel on April 30th after a 3 month wait because it was all booked and it was well worth it! The restaurant is decorated simply but elegantly. It doesn't come off as stuffy and it is in a very intimate setting. The waiting staff is knowledgeable and very friendly. They were very attentive and always willing to answer questions! The menu is a fixed 7 course tasting menu, but they staff are more than willing to make substitutions for food allergies or aversions. From start to finish, the food was nothing short of divine! The wine pairing was also delicious, and it is not required that everyone at the table participate in the wine pairing either. You can request a copy of your menu / wine pairings at the end of the evening as a keepsake as well. My husband and I watched Top Chef and both were fans the Nick Elmi. We were so excited to finally be able to enjoy his food. Chef Nick frequently steps out of the kitchen to serve his guests and will stop and talk with different tables periodically. He is so friendly and humble. It was a huge pleasure and added bonus to meet him. I see why Laurel has held the title as #1 restaurant in Philly. If you are in the area and looking for a fine dining experience, this is the restaurant you need to go to. But make sure to plan ahead, they are booked up months in advance.

Okay, I had heard for years Laurel was the best restaurant in Philly and it was impossible to get into anytime I tried. So I decided to book 60 days out for us and another couple. What a let down. First of all, it is nowhere near worth the $350 per couple we paid. Outrageous robbery at that price. The portions are extremely small. Almost laughable at some courses. There are no choices. Fixed course dinner that they rush you through. As one course is cleared another comes out. It took longer to get a poorly made drink from their bar then some of the courses that came out. No choice nor did anyone ask how well we wanted our meat cooked. Most courses came raw. But worse, nothing tasted good! The restaurant is bare bones. Old glasses and silverware, poor decor, no table cloths. Only about 8 tables so it’s misleading as to why you can’t get a reservation. Seriously skip this restaurant. Many other very very good and better restaurants in Philly. Worst part is after a $700 dinner in Philly all 4 of us were starving and wanted to go to the local pizza restaurant on the corner. There are two additions to the menu you can choose to add for more money. Wagyu beef and gnocchi. Ironically the meal we had to pay extra for was the only edible dish, the gnocchi. So disappointed. Will never return.

Laurel is a tiny (8 tables!) restaurant in a south Philly neighborhood, right in the middle of the block. We had the chef's menu, where they ask if you have any foods you don'y like, then they bring you a variety of small dishes with so many mixed elements it's hard to keep track of them. Things like sea urchin with sunflower truffle vinaigrette, miso fermented bamboo. Sounds crazy, right? But it was great.There were seven little courses before dessert, and the only one I didn't like was the scallops (because i don't like scallops). My husband does, however, and he ate mine. Their wine pairings are spot on, and service was very good, especially since they work out of the smallest restaurant kitchen I have ever seen.

We were on a week long trip celebrating my birthday by going to bucket list museums, and dining at celebrity chef restaurants in Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Needless to say, we were very much looking forward to our dinner. It was pouring rain when we headed to the restaurant and being that we are not from Philadelphia we had no idea what to look for. The street is on the dark side in December and the restaurant is not well marked. They do not answer their phone once they start serving, and thus we had to go round and round with the Uber driver who had no idea either what to look for and spoke no English. When we finally located Laurel and got inside the waiter said that their door was being replaced and hence the poor visibility from the street. Ok so thats over, lets move on. The menu looked good but the first dish caused us to pause~mackerel. It was served with persimmon and pear, and no that did not help it one little bit! It was soooooooo fishy. I only ate it because I kept thinking "give it another chance" It was and is a nasty tasting bait fish.I agree that it is sustainable, but it is sustainable because most people don't want to eat it cooked, much less basically raw! We told them at the end of the meal that it was nasty, (we were the only ones left, it was a very slow night) and they politely smiled and probably wrongly assumed we were not really fine diners so no need to worry about what we thought. If you go and they are going to try to serve you this bait fish, tell them you are allergic to it and ask them to sub in another fish. Be prepared to suggest one that is edible and not used for bait. The restaurant is very relaxed and rustic which was a little disappointing for the cost. The wine pairing was expensive, and honestly did not wow us. The portions of food are extremely small, but very tasty! I am all for the elevated dining experience with new and creative presentations, but for heaven sake make the portions big enough to see! My little birthday cake with gold foil on it was absolutely adorable and I truly appreciated it! At the end of the dinner the bill was close to $600 US dollars. We left feeling like that was a lot for what we ate, and the ambience of the restaurant. I am not sorry we went, but it is a one time pick.

We were celebrating the July birthdays and made reservations for a week night a month in advance. We selected two add ons to go with our fixed price menu. Everything was delicious. Service was attentive. The chef gave me an alternative when I indicated that I couldn't eat walnuts that was as good as the original. A very nice evening.

I dined at Laurel with my wife a couple of nights ago. We thought it was great. The fact that it's a fine dining BYOB in Philadelphia is very appealing. It is set up as a four course tasting menu. You pick from four selections in each category, dessert has three selections. I had the tuna appetizer, seasoned & seared perfectly. Same for the spanish mackeral for the second course. They were out of the trout but the dorado that they substituted was also done perfectly. Very well seasoned with crispy skin & moist meat. I brought red & white wines but the menu is very white wine friendly. The space is very nicely decorated and only has 28 seats so the service is intimate & very attentive. I almost hesitate to say how good it is because it is already hard enough to get a reservation there but it was worth the wait.

Best service, best meal, MUST GO HERE. MUST CALL AHEAD. MUST!!!! If you are looking for a true dining experience and a truly talented chef try Nick Elmi and his crew out at Laurel. As good as it gets in Philly today.

As others have mentioned... food is very good... service is friendly and competent... atmosphere is a little lacking... go for the food.

We just had our third dinner at Laurel and were not disappointed. The food is always superlative and the staff is friendly and very professional. You can tell that everyone here takes the diner's experience seriously. I only have two suggestions: First, please rewrite the menu so folks can understand it. Some of the descriptions are so pretentious they turn me off. Second, I would love to see something green on my plate once in a while. The only discernible vegetables were mushrooms, and they don't really count.

7 dishes between us, only one OK plate. Only hope we can get a seat for the chef's tasting menu. Had a few WOW plates. April 2014 menu

We tried about 12 things on the menu, plus dessert. Dessert wasn't anything special but everything else was delicious. Carabiner, scallops, wagyu beef, and boquerones were my favorites.

but be aware of the menu's composition before you go and be sure to tell them of any allergies you may have as well as strong food dislikes. Our meal was fantastic: Snacks of beet meringue, marinated carrot and daikon radish Hiramasa with apple and horseradish Foie Gras Granola Snails with Mushroom and onion ragu served with a delicious loaf of bread for 2 Mackerel An Additional course for $40 - gnocchi with truffle Arctic Char Duck Breast Yuzu Curd or Cheese for dessert Portions are small to moderate, very rich and for people with open minds and palates. 3 out of 4 in our party loved our meal, even considering the price, which did not include any alcohol. Unfortunately, our fourth companion could find very little to like. He's not a fan of duck, doesn't like liver or raw fish. For him the highlight of the dinner were the snacks to start, the gnocchi and the bread. That's not a lot of satisfaction for $85. So while part of me applauds the kitchen's talents, in both imagination and execution, the smooth service, and beautiful platings and presentation; I can't help but feel some nostalgia for their original menu of four courses where diners could choose a meal to suit their personal taste. Figure lenght of time for dinner at about 2 12 hours and will cost between $450-600 with tax, tip etc. for a party of four. Excellent choice for devoted foodies celebrating a special occasion or in need of a romantic dining experience.

We went on a Saturday night Had a couple of drinks in the bar next door (also owned by Laurel) and then settled for our meal. They have a wine pairing, but also are BYOB with no corkage fee...if you have a special bottle saved up Its a Chefs tasting menu. Outstanding in every respect. There were a couple of supplemental dishes. We tried two. Would absolitely recommend! The Wagyu beef and the Truffle (REALLY truffly) Gnocci Plan ahead. Reservations a little difficult to grab.

I've heard nothing but positive things about Laurel. On a complete whim I called to see if they had availability for 2 people and thanks to a cancellation they did! Pros: - They are a BYOB with no corkage fee - They offer a wine pairing with your meal - They have awesome decor - The space is intimate - The staff is friendly - They have a bar, ITV that they also own and it is connected to the restaurant - The presentation of each plate is truly a work of art - The price for their normal menu is in line with others of its caliber - The food quality is top-notch - The gnocchi was especially amazing Cons: - The gnocchi plate was an add-on. I would have included a much smaller portion as a substitute for one of the other courses - The courses came out faster than I had expected - More seafood than I had hoped Overall, it is worth trying. I saw some who absolutely LOVED everything. My experiences are exactly that, my experiences. If you're a lover of food you owe it to yourself to go and leave your own review. One thing is for certain, I've spent more time thinking about this restaurant than almost any other. I believe I had expectations based on so many saying Laurel is the best meal they ever had and that would have been better left home. If I make it back I will probably leave my wine at home and splurge for the wine pairing. That would allow for me to experience every flavor the way the staff intended it to be. Who knows, maybe then I'd be over the moon in delight :-)

The prix fixe tasting menu is a great choice for foodies. The server asks if you have food aversions or allergies prior to the start. Be brave and let them surprise you if possible. Those who can't, should stay home. (A gentleman at an adjacent table complained loudly about every course and how odd it was.) Most course you get flavors like you've never had before. You try to remember what the server says the dish is, but everything leaves your head when you put it in your mouth. Luckily, they provided a menu upon our departure to discuss on the way home. Very intimate dining room with a team server process that really works.

Came here for dinner. Rebecca was patience in describing the menu. No usual entree here! menus crafted to seasonal delights. Everything was delicious and unlike anything I eaten before. The wagyu beef and pork collar were special.

Went in Jan 2019. We were actually going to Townsend and as we walked by I stopped in to see if we could score a seat. We did! Last 1 they said and that rarely happens. We opted for the 9 course option plus the additional steak/gnocchi. The additional 2 were awesome, glad we chose. The 2 dishes if duck and version were just ok, I ate them but just wasn't crazy for it. The other dishes were outstanding! Great service well paced, but you are literally sitting right next to a stranger. If you like tasting menus I would definitely be trying. It's costly, expect to pay 475 for 2. It is one of the best meals I have had but you have to get someone who is adventuous with food. If you only eat certain things it would not be worth it. I never tried alot if the options on the menu but throughly enjoyed it. I would go back but too many other places to try in the city!

Fresh, local ingredients drive this excellent Passayunk Ave restaurant. 7 courses probably extended to 10 with the various 'amuses'. The menu changes regularly (maybe even nightly) and we were delighted by the variations in taste and texture from one course to the next. One of the best restaurants in Philadelphia and for $75, still giving reasonable value.

I'm a fan of Top Chef, so I can admit to feeling a little geeky when Chef Nick Elmi popped by at the table. But beyond this, the food was really great, almost top to bottom. A couple of items of note: The Gnocci was perhaps the best thing I've ever eaten. So soft, and buttery, and amazing. Also the dessert was a chocolate mousse with crumbled up pieces of chocolate Malt. And.. lamb belly. Seriously? I love lamb, I love pork belly. Where has this thought been all of my life? If I have to say something negative, the portions were a tad small. I left perfectly satisfied, but not "full". To get 5 stars for value, I need to be 'full'

I will readily admit to being jaded; my wife and I have eaten at many (too many?) marvelous restaurants, enjoying the chef's skills via the tasting menu. This chef's skills? Outstanding. But then again, he is not alone. The best of the best? Nope, but truly mighty fine. We chose the nine-course tasting menu, and it was just right. We left with full tummies, but not overfull. Each course was small, but genuinely exquisite; wonderful taste and each a work of culinary art unto itself. (You know it's good when you think, "I feel guilty eating this. It's so beautiful!) but... The place is too small. They were able to handle the noise, with mufflers attached inconspicuously to the ceiling, but if I'm paying north of $500 for dinner, I don't want the neighboring table to be less than six inches from mine. We also got incorrect info about corkage. The resto DOES allow it (at no charge, I believe) but it also has a nice wine list, except that "the cheap stuff" starts at $50/bottle and quickly jumps to the $80 range and beyond, thus the high total tariff (two bottles at $80+ each, plus tax, plus gratuity). The third but relates to the dessert: Neither my wife nor I were impressed by the appearance (just OK; we were expecting something at least as gorgeous as gorgeous as the other eight courses). Last, let's talk about service: Fabulous. One of the few servers ever who knew how to pour white wine; in small quantities, so you don't wind up drinking warm white for the second half of the glass.) And she was a total foodie who loved to answer each and every question, including a few we only thought about. All told, truly a wonderful place with room for improvement.

As always excellent food, excellent service BUT everything is now a tasting menu meaning you get what they want to give you and you pay $183 per couple. No Choices!

Chef Nick and the entire staff at Laurel made my birthday celebration the best ever! We totally enjoyed the seven course tasting menu and the wine pairing. Selections like the snail and scallop courses showed me how much better foods I love can be when they are properly prepared. We had been looking forward to our visit for nearly two years and it still exceeded our expectations.

Amazing tasting menu. Outstanding service. Diligently accommodated food restrictions. They provided a special complimentary additional dessert for birthday celebration. We brought our wine. They charge a $25 corkage fee. Very fair. Great experience. See tasting menu and our wine selection attached.

The restaurant had a last minute cancellation and tweeted out availability. We were fortunate to get in under the wire. We have been to Laurel a number of times, but had not for awhile. ALL of our previous dining experiences here have been special, with respect to the level of service, friendliness, and quality of the food being prepared and served. It does change seasonally taking advantage of farm to table offerings from local folks as much as possible, or lately as the weather permits. My wife and I arrived about 10 minutes ahead of our early reservation and decided to stop next door at Laurel's sister restaurant, ITV (in the valley). It warrants a visit as well in its capacity of a wine bar with small plates and great drink offerings. Getting back to Laurel, we took our drinks through the doorway when out table was ready. You have a choice here of BYOB or ordering wine, wine flights, cocktails and beer. I brought a French Cotes du Rhone that I thought would marry up with at least three of the 7 courses. It worked out as I looked at the menu before traveling down. I did order a glass of a chardonnay/Chablis from Italy that was magnificent with the fish courses. I let our server, Jane, pick it out. Chef Elmi delivered an Amuse Bouche to us, compliments of the house. If I heard him correctly, it was a kind of consommé inside a shell of chocolate. tt was unreal and unlike anything I'd ever seen or tasted. First course was a crudo consisting of cobia brined in Kombu with Calamansi broth, caviar, and dill. I wanted to just drink the broth after dispensing with the fish and caviar. Second course of braised Burgundy snails with polenta, shitake mushrooms, truffle and toasted hominy was to die for. A tag along intermezzo was served after the snails. It was a frozen fois gras tarte, blueberry vinegar, & hibiscus. Our third course was another home run. Jumbo white asparagus, stinging nettle, frog leg confit, with just a hint of jalapeno. I had never heard of nettle and asked. It is a wild edible perennial plant and it was delicious. Fourth course, slow roasted Tasmanian trout, accompanied by broccoli rabe, turnip, mushroom, in a chicken dashi (broth). Outstanding right down to the broth as we both spooned it away. Fifth course was Peking Duck another hit, and the sixth course was a longtime favorite of my wife's. Venison with fingerling potatoes that came sliced and whipped, along with green onion and green peppercorn. Don't know what they did to the potatoes, but when combined with the venison, it was a flavor like nothing else. We were afforded a sampling of four desserts. The white chocolate pudding and the lemon curd, crème fraiche were two favorites. Our servers, Jane, Neal, and Melissa made for an outstanding dining experience. You gotta love it when the Chef comes out as well. On a closing note, I don't understand folks stating the courses are too small. They are not. They are not one bite offerings. Our one bite experiences were the Amuse Bouche and the Foie Tart, and they were meant to be that way.. As far as asking how would you like your meat done, I wouldn't want a piece of shoe leather coming out from the kitchen. Price here is $96.oo for the tasting menu. Like I said, you can bring your own wine. Can't wait for the weather to break on the warm side we I can take the family and sit out back at the family table in the intimate garden setting. You even get a look see at the kitchen in accessing the garden. Thanks Laurel for another great night. Should be in the Top Five. Cuisine: French Influenced American, as I look down below it's either or in cuisine choices.

Well worth the 2 month wait. Professional,personable,friendly female wait staff worked well together and with the well run kitchen.The tasting menu with the addition of the ricotta gnocchi and the wagyu beef was outstanding.Standouts were the foie gras with black walnut granola,the snail ragout with mushrooms and potatoes, Maryland crab,corn,crab custard and crab broth. The attention to detail in each dish was amazing.Flavor,texture and presentation all thought out. One of the best meals .

Sweet neighborhood gem that features American cuisine with French technique influences. Six course only tasting menu at present with a choice of 9 course before Covid. The creativity and imagination exhibited by Top Chef winner Nick Elmi and his Chef du Cuisine Alex, put out over the top kick butt dishes, one built upon the course preceding it. We just dined there last night and it was unbelievable. Beyond the food, the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable when it comes to what is being served and what wine you might want to pair with the courses. Great cocktails can be had as well. Choices abound with seating as they feature an outdoor "Streetary" and an outdoor garden setting. Both areas feature heaters out of season. Small municipal parking lot and cheap metered street parking available. Prior to the pandemic Laurel features a sister space, ITV (in the valley), but that space is being used for Laurel dining until they can reopen it it (staffing). The Laurel Experience is not to be missed.

We wanted to love Laurel. We really did. And we aren’t all that picky and we’re easy guests. The service was lovely; there is nothing at all to fault the staff for - and the cocktails were excellent. But for the price, the prix fixe menu, even with the added wagyu beef (which was really fatty and weirdly not delicious), was simply awkward. The most interesting item may have been the first one - caviar with brioche, but these were tiny portions… the salmon and monkfish were ok - but not anything one couldn’t get for much less elsewhere. (My partner dislikes salmon, so the “mystery” of the menu turned out to mean that he didn’t eat one of the more substantial components of the meal. It would have been nice to know that was part of the menu.) Small courses are fine and understood, but these were two bites, maximum, in huge bowls that just emphasized that, yes, this is a tiny amount of food. The dessert was also kind of ok - basically a chocolate pudding with a little bit of ice cream on it. But taken together, the courses might make nice Instagram photos, but if we’re honest, they weren’t remarkable separately, and nor was there any coherence between them. At the end, we weren’t even sure what the meal was meant to be. (For a comparison of a high end prix fixe that works beautifully, see the remarkable Hiroki.) I don’t ordinarily write negative reviews, but in this case I feel the restaurant may be losing what obviously made it special - and at this price level, a place has to be special to survive in the long-term. And for my birthday dinner, in the end, though we’d looked forward to this, it just didn’t deliver. That said - if there’s a menu that makes more sense and some items that actually satisfy and anchor the string of dishes, the service is good enough that it might be worth another try.

I do not do many "fine dining" experiences. This may have actually been my first. And to be transparent, I was attending because I knew that Eddie Konrad, from Top Chef: Kentucky, was on the staff (I'd podcasted about the TV series and wanted to say hello). And Laurel was spectacular. A friend and I had reservations at 8:45pm, but the restaurant phoned to let us know we could arrive earlier if that accommodated our schedule better (which we took advantage of). Luckily, we perused the menu online beforehand, so we were aware that it was a tasting menu (your choice of six or nine courses)...and we came prepared to go the full nine. I'm also not a big wine fan (I know little about wines), so we also invested in the wine pairing (six wines and a cider) for the nine courses. We also had the option to add two additional plates (gnocchi and wagyu beef). In short...I've never had an experience like this, let alone a three-hour meal...and the time just breezed by as course after course was brought out and explained. Is it pricier than your average meal? Yes. But it was one hell of an experience that I'm glad I undertook.

This is one of the best restaurants in the city and a great value for the money. The space is intimate (only 22 seats) and the food is what you would expect from a winner of Top Chef (at times a bit precious, but overall really interesting and tasty). Service was friendly and matched the vibe of the restaurant. I would get here while you can because I imagine prices will only go up and/or this chef will be on to bigger things. As it stands now this is a unique opportunity to sample very creative dishes from a talented young chef and actually know that he is in the kitchen (and often the dining room) overseeing every detail.

We had two of the best meals ever at Laurel. The tuna and gnocchi are must haves. Both times we went we left with reservations for the next available date. Next week we have the chef's table and are looking forward to introducing 6 friends to this great experience. I love the ambience - you feel like you are having dinner at a good friend's home and you will feel like a very special guest.

If you are looking for a very high end dining experience with many layers and textures, Laurel hit the mark. Nice flavours, fresh ingredients. Some of the plates felt a little disjointed, however, as if the chef was trying too hard to make things work. Not quite sure what he was trying to achieve. The cost was certainly well above what I would call good value for this dining experience. Am I glad that I went? Yes, absolutely. Will I return? Unlikely.

We had a fabulous dinner tonight at Laurel. I Love the new decor and the private garden out back is perfect for a small group. Highly recommend this restaurant. You simply "Must" try this place.

Eating at Laurel was an amazing adventure. My mouth was alive with so many different and unusual flavors. I felt like I was at an art exhibit except that I could eat the exhibit!

My wife and I just visited Laurel for the second time, and we did the nine-course tasting menu (there is also an option for a 6 course) and were once again blown away. There are certain meals that blow you away because the setting is wonderful, or the service is incredible, or the food itself is out of this world. In my two Laurel visits, they've managed to expertly combine all three. Every single dish was memorable which had to be near impossible to accomplish. The snails in whipped potatoes (mmmmmmmm butter!,) and the caviar with chips and ice cream had me dreaming about them in private and approaching strangers in public to sing their praises for a week afterwards. The drinks were exciting and delicious as well, and the win (we didn’t do the pairing0 was reasonable and fantastic both in taste and offering. Service in this intimate setting is a delicate balance, and Laurel pulled that off seamlessly as well. They remembered and addressed some allergies proactively and made us feel welcome the entire time. Service was also leisurely and attentive simultaneously, allowing us to tarry over our meal as an experience without feeling like we were alone on an island. Lastly, I have t say the people watching, even with such a small amount of tops, has been incredible both times. From our fellow diners questions to staff, to discussion of the food, to watching kitchen staff through the door and when they were on the floor, it really was a fantastic experience.

This review is long overdue for Chef Nick Elmi and his crew at Laurel. Beautifully executed dishes that popped with flavor. It's a bit cozy inside for an intimate fine dining meal. Service was wonderful. Never hurried, and perfectly engaging. It was my wife's birthday, and Chef Elmi hand delivered her dessert with a candle! Walked away thoroughly happy and longing to go back again. Kudos, Chef!

My husband and I visited Laurel and loved it. The food was fabulous and every plate was a piece of art. Beautiful. The restaurant had comfortable seating and although it is small we did not feel cramped The wait staff was very attentive and nice. Nick served us the gnocchi which was awesome. It was very special to see him visit each table. We enjoyed talking to him. We will be back!

Laurel has been on my bucket list for years. I was so excited to finally snag a rezzie for my birthday dinner. Unfortunately…the meal was just average. The wine pairings were just meh. In fact, the cider was so not my taste, I had one sip and didn’t drink the rest. The server just responded saying “that’s the best part about a tasting, it’s on the smaller side”. The egg cup caviar dish was AMAZING. And the veal was to die for. But everything else (including the truffle gnocchi) was just average. And the flaming bird nest served with the chicken sausage filled the restaurant with so much smoke that it actually hurt my eyes. I’m glad I tried it so I can check it off my list, but I’m in no hurry to go back.

The ambiance was pleasant, though the music didn't feel appropriate to it. Servers and staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and timely. We felt welcome, and were not rushed. The menu/ food was mixed in my opinion. Some things were quite tasty; some just seemed over-wrought. Maybe there's a reason you've never heard of certain ingredients together. The whole experience of shared plates and various tastes was fun. However, I feel it was over-priced. Glad for the experience but not likely to repeat it any time soon.

The waitress was phenomenal. She was patient, knowledgeable and delightful. The gnocchi were out if this world. The tuna was delicious and unusual. The best part of the pork was the dumpling and crispy pumpernickel. Glad for the experience. Would not return.

It took us a few months to get a reservation, but wow, was it worth it. The 7 course tasting menu was "just right". I have been at other places where the food is too rich and seven courses end up making me kind of sick due to how rich every course is. The chef at Laurel did a fabulous job of starting out very light and building the menu so that you are satified and very happy at the end but not overly stuffed. The price of $85 is so reasonable given the level of sophistication of the dishes, and the BYOB makes it extra affordable. I have been to restaurants which cost three times as much per person and they were not as good. The flavors were exquisite. We were a party of six and reserved the chef's table out back. It was just us, and the chef brought out each course. It was sheer heaven. I recommend you either follow them on twitter or facebook to snag "last minute" cancellations, or go on a waiting list if you dont want to wait a few months for a table.

We were lucky enough to pick up our son's reservation when he and his wife could not make it.So glad we did as both the meal and service was excellent ! Started off with a Foie Gras app and an Artic Char dish that we all loved. For seconds we had a Ricotta Gnocchi that was just as good. And for the last course my wife had a roasted Walu dish that was the most perfectly seasoned fish I have ever tasted, my son had Berkshire Pork done 3 ways that he raved about & my daughter-in-law & I had a beef dish that was spectacular! I don't know how anyone could complain about the service as our server could not be more helpful or friendly if she tried. One warning...the restaurant is tucked away in a part of South Philly where parking spots are about as frequent as soccer goals. There is valet parking on week-ends but during the week allow extra time to park or take a cab. Either way it's well worth the over 2 month wait to get a reservation at this wonderful BYOB !

My wife and I celebrated our 50th anniversary at Laurel. Pat is a bit reluctant to try new culinary treats and told our waitperson that. Next thing Chef Elmi is at our table, asking my wife what she likes and doesn't. The 7 course meal continues with a few customizations for my wife, who quickly became a convert to the exquisite food and presentations in Laurel. Great service and so wonderful to see the Chef so involved with his food and customers. The duck, halibut, artic char and Shitake mushroom were to die for.

Some of the dishes were spectacular, particularly the New Jersey scallop and the ocean trout. Some were not as flavorful but interesting. Their bread loaf was delicious. I felt the desserts were somewhat disappointing. It is a very nice restaurant and the meal we had was very good but since expectations were so high, it was not as great as we had expected.

After watching the wonderful documentary King Georges, I was very motivated to experience Top Chef Nick Elmi's Laurel. We were so very fortunate to dine with another couple on a Friday night in December, as the restaurant has very limited seating and is wildly popular. It's not often that such a highly hyped restaurant exceeds expectations, but this was the case. The service was truly exceptional, the seating was extremely comfortable. But the real star was the food, which was extraordinary -- beautiful, innovative and interesting, for sure, but most importantly, delicious and perfectly prepared. Each of the seven courses was a delight, a beautifully wrapped present on Christmas morning. As a person who tolerates but does not love foie gras, I was completely enchanted with this preparation of cured foie gras with black walnut granola, elderberry vinegar and currant. It turned out to be one of my favorite courses! My all-time favorite is escargot, and never have I enjoyed them as much as this meal. I was afraid the dessert would cross the line from innovative to weird, but it did not. Rosemary yogurt, potato and malt did not sound appealing in the least, but like everything else that night, it was an unexpected surprise and delight in the very best possible way.

The usual means outstanding when you're dining at Laurel. Our 3rd visit to the restaurant coincided with their 3rd anniversary and we were treated to a complimentary glass of champagne. The wait staff is attentive and never rushed, explaining each course as it is brought out to the table. We had called beforehand letting them know of allergies, and they always verify it when we are seated. Each dish is presented in a bowl or dish that is like a still life setting. I loved the first course, Maine surf clam in a broth served in a giant clam shell. Two other outstanding dishes were the snail and whipped potato course and the faro served over black garlic. Delicious!

One of the best meals I have had. I love the small space and the atmosphere. Service was exemplary: example, they suggested pairing our sauternes with the foie Gras course. Perfect pairing. (I was saving it for desserts) Same with a barolo and the black truffle/risotto/gnocchi. Let them take the steering wheel and go for a ride. If you are looking for a bargain, go elsewhere. Worth every penny IMHO.

First off, the picture here of Laurel is an old pic of the dining room. The dining room has been transformed into a dining space you really don't want to leave. They did a magnificent job, not that the old space was bad. THIS is more. It seems that any establishment associated with Chef Nick Elmi must have the nicest and most informed waitstaff around. The staff is there when you want them and not there when you don't. I think they have special radar. Anyway, not our first rodeo here and certainly not the last. Love the seasonal changes to the menu drive by local availability. Whether it's drinks and small plates or small plates and entrees, everything that comes out of the kitchen is beautifully presented and delicious. For this visit, we rolled the dice and did not make reservations. We actually wanted to sit in the bar area and wound up sitting at the window (Perfect). On this night, a Chef's Tasting Menu was offered and that's what we decided to do. Again on this night, we loved everything, every course. Can't wait to return. Love to gather up 6-8 people in order to reserve the Garden Table out back of the kitchen in season. It is quiet and beautiful.

This is a very interesting french bistro. Small seating, only 22-25. Can get noisy with a youthful crowd. My spouse had the squid appetizer followed by the Walu and I had the Bibb lettuce with truffle vinaigrette and white anchovies followed by a grilled Black Sea Bass. The food was excellent as was the service. It is a BYOB so the cost is reduced. The menu has 4 courses listed with the ability to select items from any course. It is somewhat limited, this one had 2 fish and 2 meat for main courses.The menu changes often, almost daily, a result of using only fresh ingredients. Many small suppliers are sources of the fresh ingredients. They are already taking November reservations so please call early since they are quickly filling their available seatings.

Went with my wife after our 2 month wait for reservations. That is the standard wait, however you can score cancellations as people have mentioned. It is a 7 course tasting menu, $85/person BYOB no corking fee. I agree with other reviews to do your homework and know that you're going in for a sophisticate foodie experience, not a steakhouse. We didn't take our menus home so I cannot recall the specifics of each dish. Everything was tasty, complex and invective. Some dishes naturally were better than others. The gnocchi certainly was a highlight: light, pillowy tasty. Really thought the duck was cooked well coupled with a cocoa sauce to enhance the richness of the duck. I enjoyed the foie course, but my wife didn't as much. We opened with sea urchin which is a flavor I've not had often so I appreciated that. Sorry I'm out of order here, but I will end with the dessert which was phenomenal! It was a light pudding served with various crunchy goodness. Sorry for lack of specific detail but like I said I didn't take home the menu. Trust me it rocked! I would definitely return just not ready in 2 months yet. Still so many incredible dining options in this city!

Laurel is outstanding. We ate at the 6 person patio table. It was absolutely beautiful and just seems so special. I cannot rave enough about the food. The sun chokes and tuna were delicious and it just kept getting better. The gnocchi I could have died after eating and rested peacefully! The roasted walu was excellent. I almost licked the dessert bowl clean. Service was excellent and Chef very kind and hospitable. BYO for us is always a bonus. We were told it was excellent-- that was an understatement.

As soon as you see a menu that says "Tonight we are serving" you know you are doomed. The tasting menu at this restaurant is overly precious and outrageously priced. There were eight courses [we elected to take the optional beef course], any one of which could easily have fed..........nobody. Tiny portions of things, some of which were very tasty, but after the meal I was craving food. I love to eat, I love good food and I love good restaurants. This was like a master class in overwrought. Not a fan. If you do like this sort of thing, the room is very nice. There is a separate room for the bar, which is cozy and well stocked. Service was attentive, but again the dissertation on ingredients for each course was just too much.

First, thank you thank you thank you. For the upholstered chairs, the acoustical sound tiles and for creating an intimate yet modern room that is perfect for couples or small groups of friends. There are so many BYOs that have sacrificed diner comfort at the altar of the Chef's food. And while its important that food be our primary focus of a restaurant review, it's nice to see an establishment that has taken into consideration the total experience of 'dining out'. At $60 and above per person you want to enjoy your companion's conversation as well as be able to not spend the night shifting around on a hard wooden chair. A good dining room frames the art of the meal. And the food here is art. I'd recommend getting one of each of the four courses offered unless you have a tiny appetite. We started with a soup and salad followed by a ricotta gnudi & then a fish course. There may be lots of components in the dishes you won't recognize. Please don't be afraid to ask your server (ours was super-delightful by the way) what things are & what temperature they're served at or how they are presented or prepared. This is a modern American menu with lots of seasonal and regional products. The staff is eager to answer your questions & make sure you have a special experience - don't be afraid to have a dialogue. Then sit back and relax and enjoy a meal filled with creative pairings of fresh food with interesting (but not stupid) flavor profiles. All plates were elegant in their presentation and were uniformly excellent from the first dish to the coffee. Please be advised Laurel is a very tough weekend reservation; as it is such a small room, and it is located on East Passyunk Ave, so parking will be tight but not impossible, just allow for more time if you drive.

I am a huge fan of Top Chef on the Bravo network and eaten at numerous restaurants headed by former contestants on Top Chef and Top Chef Masters. Chef Nicholas Elmi won the most recent season of the show and I must say with good reason. Laurel is a very small, intimate restaurant seating maybe 26 people. The menu lists 4 courses, but you may try as many as you like. We did all 4 courses and it was well worth it. The preparation was just beautiful and the flavors were out of this world. It ranks high at the top of my list. The gnocchi was just superb!!! He is a gracious chef and greets every table around the dessert course. He was even nice enough to oblige this Top Chef junky with a photo-op! Service was also top notch!!! Hats off to Laurel!!!

10/5 review. Absolutely mind blowing. An absolute must, Kate is extremely professional and knowledgeable. Unlike any cuisine we’ve had before, we love tastings. Y’all gotta try it.

We waited months to finally experience our evening at Laurel. Just over a dozen tables. Well worth it. If you like gastronomic ingenuity and wonderful taste, this is the place. South Philly parking aside everything from service to food was flowing, personal and satisfying. They suggested tastings from four areas, but we split our choices and our dessert to reflect our mood and differences. As usual, we also shared all the orders. My bride began with the foie gras and cocoa terrine, blood orange and candied celery root. I agreed with her smiles once I tasted all on toasted tips. Yum. I had the shrimp broth swimming with pumpkin seeds, golden mushrooms, and preserved lemon. Warming and very tasty. Her entree was a roasted walu under sunchoke, hazelnut and apple blossom. Mine was the Berkshire pork (three ways–a study of pork...), accompanied by white asparagus, hickory nut pesto and citrus. We shared each and proclaimed our happiness with the choices. Her fish was moist and tasty and my pork was varied and infused with marvelous flavorings. We concluded with a shared carmelized white chocolate pudding with puffed grains (was it popcorn or some other delicious concoction?). Hard to believe it all was under $100–of course we had our own bottle of wine–and the chef, Nick Elmi, served our dessert. We can't wait for the next visit...sometime in four months.

Having recently eaten as Goosefoot BYOB in Chicago this finishes a decent 2nd but nonetheless is quite good. Somewhat akin to Will it is very creative and inventive. Seating is quite comfortable and service is very good. The menu is divided into 4 sections with a choice of about 4-5 from each. The "chef suggests you order 1 from each section" but that was too much for my wife and I. There are a few faux pas if you will. Several fish dishes in Section 1 are raw, and you are not able to tell that, nor are you told. My wife ate the raw scallop, but commented she would not have ordered it had she known it was raw. There is no salad on the menu..at least we could not find one. The pork dish was probably one of the best I've ever had and the chicken was quite good as well. Desserts were interesting and creative but not outstanding. My opinion..overall very good but a bit overhyped!

My wife and I last ate here two years ago. At the time, we found it to be good, but not great, at a price that seemed a bit high for what you got. What we got was the chef's six-course tasting menu, absent the black-truffle add-on or the three-ounce kobe add-on, one being (if memory serves) $65 and the other $75. The six-course dinner (plus opening amuse bouche) was $125; the chef selected all the courses, being mindful of any food allergies. Corkage for two bottles (no limit) was $25 each. We sat at the bar; great view (to the out-of-doors) and comfortable. I doubt that the not-enough-space-between-the-tables issue we had last time has changed. The venue, though delightful, is small. The service, as before, was as close to perfection as one can get. The presentation of each course was solid; you want to eat it all, but still feel guilty about ruining the art of your plate. BUT, as for the food, good. Great? Nope, not in our opinion. And we were disappointed, because we were hoping for more. Still, there is a there there. Just not more there.

One reason we enjoy visiting Philadelphia is the opportunity to eat at the many small BYOB restaurants. So far, Laurel is not only the best of the bunch, but the combination of delicious food and gracious, attentive service, made it one of my best ever dining experiences. We went to Laurel on a Thursday evening so that we could order off the a la carte menu rather than having to do The Chef's Tasting Menu. While all the food was absolutely delicious, we were glad we only did two courses and a third dessert course. At the end of the evening we were both totally full and I'm not sure we would have been able to totally enjoy another course. I started off with the Fresh Ricotta Gnocchi (recommended by the concierge at our hotel, and by the waiter), and my wife started with the Seared Foie Gras. Both were delicious. My gnocchi were smooth and light in a wonderful source; I'm afraid we probably ate too much bread that evening just to make sure we didn't leave any of the sauces behind. For our main courses I had the Hudson Valley Duck Magret and my wife had Pork stuffed Pork. Again, both were delicious. Duck is one of my favorite dishes, and one that I have tasted all over the world. This was the best. The meat was moist with a wonderful and flavorful charrred exterior. My wife also enjoyed her pork; the small bit I sampled was moist and delicious. For dessert, we both ate the Caramelized White Chocolate Pudding, which sounds wonderful, and tastes even better. Throughout the entire meal, our waiter and the rest of the staff were attentive without being intrusive, making for a relaxing, delicious meal. I need to return the next time I am in Philadelphia!

First google the menu and then realize it’s the best, most well written menu of your life. Service is phenomenal! But the chef remains my highlight. The food is exquisite- absolutely the finest dining in Philly. It’s a small, intimate venue. It’s a fantastic concept and the chef comes out to meet you. What a lovely place! I will definitely return. I did the wine pairing and wasn’t the biggest fan of it- I applaud serving wine from New Jersey but personally preferred French wines. Well executed, fun, playful and if you have an anniversary or celebration come here!

My husband and I were visiting Philly to celebrate our wedding anniversary and reserved a table at Laurel for the occasion. We'd dined there on a previous visit so we knew we'd have a special meal, and we were right. The tasting menu comes with some optional add-ons, and being that it was a special occasion, we ordered both of them, gnocchi and wagyu beef. It was a lot of food, however, we're still glad that we went for both since they were fabulous! The beef was expertly seared, rich, flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the gnocchi were light and flavorful. Everything else was also delicious with some surprising touches. The wine pairing was very good as well. The atmosphere is casual for such a fine dining destination and service was attentive and personable. If we lived in town we wouldn't wait for a special occasion to return. While not inexpensive it's a great value for the quality and well worth the cost.

We had an excellent 7 course small portion dinner tonight and it truly is unique experience. The flavors are amazingly varied and the menu is expertly planned and executed to near perfection.A very nice somewhat spare sitting with a pretty groovy 60's Pandora station playing that worked very well for my wife's 60th birthday. Service was a bit mixed with one very well versed friendly server and another who was a bit uptight. No real issue. And love the byob option. An excellent night at Laurel!

Thanks to the Po-pocalypse - i.e., the weeks of fear-inducing press releases and security overkill by City officials in advance of Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia that persuaded a LOT of locals to flee the City early - we found ourselves able to get reservations at Laurel for a reasonable hour, and on a Thursday night, no less. After trying to get in there for so long (reservations typically project out a couple of months), we were really looking forward to our visit. Unfortunately, I have to agree with "pjzimmerman" ... Laurel didn't quite live up to expectations. It's a seven course tasting menu - four of which were exceptional, including all three seafood plates. Of the remaining courses, one (the second course) was a fois gras dish - one of the essential ingredients is champagne grapes. I have an allergy to some raw fruits, which we noted at the outset of our meal. Properly, the folks at Laurel removed the fruit from my plate, as you'd expect. Unfortunately, the fois dish clearly needed the sweetness that the grapes added. (Grapes are not one of the fruits I'm allergic to, so my GF helpfully added a few from her own plate. Huge difference.) I just found it odd that the chef would compromise the dish by omitting a key ingredient - or not have a back-up plan when a guest presents with a fairly common food allergy. Struck me as odd. The remaining two dishes were very creative and well presented ... I just wasn't excited about them. The service is great, as is the atmosphere, and the chef is clearly creating edible art. Presentation was wonderful. But, when a small plate BYO costs me north of $100 a head, expectations are raised. Here, they just weren't met.

The food and service at Laurel is impeccable. The atmosphere is cozy and elegant. We had the 7 course tasting menu. Each dish was handcrafted and looked like artwork. Visually stunning really. The ingredients and combinations of each course were just delicious. It was a feast for the eyes and palate. I wish I could come more often. It was an expensive experience but worth every penny.

Was here six years ago and gave it 4-stars, but on my second visit several things have improved. I don’t know if it’s because of COVID, but the dining room is far calmer and quieter which needs to be a prerequisite for this tasting menu which requires focus. Also the chef has seemed to gain in confidence. The flavor profiles are clearer and bolder for each dish. The fluke crudo is excellent as are the snails and the desert. The star is still the adventurous wine pairing.

Getting a reservation at Laurel is very tough. After eating there I can see why. The combination of superb food, excellent value and small room size makes this a given for a hard table to procure. But well worth it for sure. Every course was delicious. A nice combination of fish -mackeral, scallops and then meats- chicken, venison as well as the optional 8th course-(served mid meal) gnocchi flavored with black truffle (at 55 dollars, by far the most expensive pasta dish I have ever had, but also likely the most memorable and -in fact-well worth the price). We used the BYOB option although drinks and wines are available including a wine pairing option ,( 65 dollar supplement on top of the 85 dollar prix fixe. ). Allowed us to splurge a bit such as on the gnocchi-a good trade off in my opinion. Service was as expected- very competent, pleasant, not over bearing. Overall, my finest French meal in Phila. since last at Le Bec Fin years ago Not the elegance or room magnificence of the latter, but not the stratospheric prices either. And the food is certainly in the same wonderful category.

This restaurant has a tasting menu only to which you can add one or two specials. We added the gnocchi was was delicious. The 7 courses were great. I'm not a huge fish person so I skipped the trout and mackerel. But the scallop course, snail course and venison were amazing. Dessert was also fabulous. Wait staff were very friendly and helpful.

Our previous visits to Laurel were pricey and precious, for sure, but the experience was worth it. This week, we went in the middle of the week again because it's nearly impossible to get a weekend reservation. Yet when we got there, we discovered the menu had changed and they were offering a fixed-price tasting menu - 7 courses at $85 per person. There was no choice. My first impulse was to leave. But when I saw that my husband seemed curious to try the new menu, I figured WTH, let's see what happens. The dishes were small and some were very good. But others required a palatte more refined than mine to appreciate the nuances of delicate flavors, and a command of language to understand such items as Cocoa Cured Foie Gras Chilled and Shaved. Does that indicate some weird combination of chocolate and goose liver cut into cold indeciferable slivers that were neither sweet nor meet? One dish featured a frothy potato sfumo that hid some actually quite tasty morsels of snails and mushrooms under goupy starch. Each time the waitperson brought another dish, we found outselves asking "what does that mean" of the description. Honestly, I'd much rather select what I want from a list of selections than accept the chef's pretentious whims of the day. Especially at that price! Coincidentally, the place was not filled. I don't think we'll be going back, either.

We went here for a birthday celebration and were not disappointed. Each course was well balanced, beautifully presented and delicious. The wait staff were also friendly and provided top notch service. The atmosphere was comfortable and the dining room was relatively quiet. Don't miss an opportunity to dine here, you will not be disappointed.

The long and short of it is Laurel has the potential of being a great restaurant but in this reviewer's very humble opinion it is not there yet. The space is comfortable and makes for easy conversation and dining. The entire wait staff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. All of the previous adds to the main course, the food, which was bright and interesting in some cases and just good in others. High points of our dinner were the Peekytoe Crab, Maine Sea Urchin, Smoked Trout Roe, Melon and Yuzu Potage. This was a great inventive light and summery marriage of wonderful flavors. The Albacore Tuna Horseradish, shallot, pear,yogurt was outstandingly fresh and again tasty, new and delicious. The rest of our choices, though good and even had features that were memorable, lacked a wow! factor. The Foie Gras and Cocoa Terrine though interesting did not seem worth the trouble, The Cherry and candied celery root accompaniment was outstanding and full of fruit flavor. Spring Bean Ragu, Rabbit Confit, Lardo, Wheatgrass was good, especially the fresh ragu and snappy peas. The Rabbit was tender. There was nothing wrong with the dish but it just did not Pop! Fresh Ricotta Gnocchi, Pancetta, sourdough, Garlic. I have never had such light and fluffy gnocchi but most of the taste seemed to come from the pancetta, so it was a tasty dish but lacked total overall interest. Berkshire pork...simply pedestrian and without specialness. Seared Sea Bream, white lentil, Nori, Crustacean Butter was done perfectly as expected. Could have used either more sauce or a better vegetable contrast to the fish? Roasted Walu, Sunchoke, Grape, Sunflower Granola. Again very fresh fish and perfectly cooked and a better combination of flavors than the Bream. Almond Goat Milk Semefreddo, Rhubarb, coffee, hibiscus was just okay. Cheese Plate was tasty and a nice finish. We were there the day after a holiday and it is possible everything was not up to the regular standards. This is an exciting restaurant with a chef and staff that are reaching for the very best and willing to do whatever it takes. The food we had was almost outstanding. We also thought it was a bit expensive for what we experienced. $75 a person plus tip. If you are coming to visit Philadelphia it will be worth your time and effort to make a reservation far in advance to secure a place and taste what everyone is talking about.

I had a truly enjoyable experience here. The food was just as good if not better than many French restaurants in NYC. The ambience and servers were far more casual than many other "fine dining" restaurants in other cities. I actually like that. The restaurant is very small making reservations tough to get. I watched open table for a few days and was able to catch a random table that opened up on a Friday night. I saw it about 1 week ahead of time. Noticed tonight that there are a few tables for late in the evening that are available- so it may not take months to get in as others have mentioned. A 7 + tasting course is the only option. You can byob. I chose the wine pairing which I enjoyed but be aware that it included only one red out of 6 wines. I suspect that may vary by the season. I chose not to add on either optional dish ( gnocchi or wagu beef) as I was attending a conference and dining on my own. Although I am sad to have missed the beef- honestly I barely had enough room for all of the regular items on the menu. My personal favorites of the evening- the beet amuse bouche was excellent and I don't usually care for beets. In fact all of the accompanying vegetables turnips, raddish, corn were stellar. The Maryland crab with custard, corn and black garlic, the foie gras, and the swordfish were all standouts. All meals were well balanced and had good texture as well. I noticed several people complained about the price- yes it is expensive but well worth the price. Don't hesitate to go!

The chef was a Top Chef winner. So, if you are a fan of the show, how can you not visit this place. My wife and I ate here on a Friday in January which means we had the seven course tasting menu. There is no alternative on Friday and Saturday. That was fine with us as we both enjoy tasting menus. We had a total of eight dishes as I chose venison as a supplemental offering. Two of the dishes--the venison and the gnocchi--were extraordinary. I've never had gnocchi as light, and the venison was the tastiest "game" dish I've ever eaten. Never had I game that was so tender. Four of the remaining six dishes were excellent and one was very good. The remaining was a take on crudo, but the offered fish was merely good. So, we have six out of eight offerings worth five stars--with two being a best in class for me. We have one four star and one three star. The food coupled with very good service including a visit from the chef causes me to give Laurel a five and gives me reason to return. Would I come during the week and order a la carte? I don't know. I doubt that it would save me very much money, and I do love the whole tasting menu thing. Note there is twelve dollar valet parking a half block north of the venue. Complaints?? Well, as an older gentleman, I find it rather casual for a fine dining establishment. However, I went with a sweater rather than a jacket and tie. So, I guess I can't complain too much. My only other complaint is that I wish some of the offerings would have been sized slightly larger. Two last things. Since a restaurant like this is a special occasion destination, I don't mind making reservations three months in advance. The three month thing might be a downer for some of you. Lastly, it is BYOB. I heartily recommend a white wine as dry as you can stand. The flavors of the dishes are extremely subtle and I fear a red would overpower them. Yes, a red would have gone wonderfully with my venison, but the white didn't detract from it nearly as much as a red would have detracted from some of the fish courses.

Every time we go to Laurel they prove once again why Chef won Top Chef and show how fine dining is meant to be done! Do not miss this amazing spot but plan ahead to get a table.

I dined with friends at Laurel in Aug 2023. It was the most wonderful and unique experience I've had. The food was delicious, the service was excellent and the ambience was inviting. It was the perfect dining experience and I highly recommend Laurel to Philly natives and well as visitors.

Beautiful place with amazing service and beyond incredible food. Chef Elmi is truly talented. I definitely will be back.

I have been waiting to go to Laurel ever since I read about it in one of my food magazines. We hopped on the wait for reservations and were able to get one two months in advance. While they do ask you if you have any aversions or allergies ahead of time, they don’t share the menu with you. If you’re not a fan of duck, you’re out of luck with this place. I think 3 of the 7 courses involved duck. Some interesting combinations of flavors, and as a tasting menu, portions are on the smaller side. However, after course 4, I was pretty full… and ill. Whether my stomach couldn’t handle the random combinations, or if it was something I had eaten, I can’t be sure, but we will not be going back. One positive was that the wait staff was very attentive with filling waters and such, and even packed the rest of our course in a to go bag.

We met the chef (Eddie) at a Top Chef dinner at Heirloom Kitchen in New Jersey. He's a super nice guy and makes amazing food so we decided to drive down to Phila to try his restaurant, Laurel. AMAZING! There are two choices, a six or nine course tasting menu. We went for the nine course menu and I have to say, this meal was amazing. From the amuse to the last, (surprise) second dessert, each and every dish was incredible. Not only was each dish beautiful, but had so many flavors and layers.... Service was super professional yet casual, (as was this entire 28 seat restaurant). Another great feature was it was a BYOB, even though they have a full bar and liquor license. We brought great wines and they paired great with the food. If you want to try a very special place run by a super talented chef (who is a humble as they come), take a drive to Phila., and go to Laurel....in one word, AMAZING!!

Not just anyone can be a chef – much less a ‘Top Chef’. To make it as a chef, you need to be irrationally in love with cooking. It's all or nothing and I can equivocally say after my experience at Laurel tonight, Chef Nicolas Elmi is definitely a Top Chef. I am a fan of the show Top Chef and a fan of cooking and of eating in all manner of restaurants from Michelin 3 star to a Tokyo yakitori yatai or street stall vendor. If I’m honest, I sat down at Laurel with very high expectations, perhaps unfairly so; but there it is. We decided to go with the wine pairing for the 7 course tasting menu and added the extra Wagyu Beef beef entrée to the 6th course for a total of 8 dishes. Lauren (I’m unfortunately not sure if it was Lauren J. or Lauren U.) was our server and she was a delight to be sure. We would definitely request her on a return visit to Laurel. To starts, we each had a signature cocktail, I had the Drunken Farmer (Bourbon, Fig Leaf, Peach, Egg White) and it was phenomenal. So delicious – I could have swilled a pitcher of them. My dining partner had the Navigator (White Rum, Cocchi Rosa, Vermouth) and it was also delectable. The amuse bouche was a dehydrated beet cube of some sort (I forget the description, apologies) and it was tasty. It reminded me of a softer, gentler li hing mui – and I liked it. The first course was Hamachi, salted peach, green tomato, pepquino and tomato kombu purée and it was tasty. We both liked the green tomato’s slight acidity and crunch. The second course was a cured foie gras with black walnut granola, elderberry vinegar gelée and stone fruit and it was phenomenal. Icy cold, meltingly smooth and the most delectable foie granola you can imagine. Course 1 & 2 were paired with a Tsurunoe Junmai saké and it was a perfect pairing. The third course was a ragoût of wild burgundy snails, mushrooms and spring onion with whipped potato and vegetable ash. It was served with a small warm loaf of soft bread – almost like a Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bread – and butter. Again, an unusual combination that was just delectable and delicious. Like the wine it was paired with, it was a dish evocative of the southern Bourgogne and yet brand new. Course 3 was paired with a 2012 Domaine Thenard, Givry Premier Cru and it was perfect. The fourth course was Maryland crab and broth, corn, quinoa, black garlic breadcrumbs and softshell crab custard. Amazing – one of my favorite (if not favorite next to the foie granola) dishes ever and I am not a crab fan by any means. I could have eaten a quart of it and had an entire bottle of the wine paired with it. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Course 4 was paired with a 2011 Marc Tempé Grafenreben Riesling from Alsace and it was sublime. The fifth course was the roasted swordfish, swiss chard, radish and tarragon emulsion. It was good and we both felt that it was our least favorite dish of the evening, but it was good. Neither of us cared for the wine pairing but that isn’t to say that it wasn’t a good pairing – it was just not to our tastes overall. I am not a wine expert by any means but it was (to me) smoky, earthy, and had a bit too much acid for my taste. Course 5 was paired with a 2010 Benito Santos Pago de Xoan Valdo Salnés The six and added seventh course came out together and both were rich, robust meat dishes. The Long Island duck with beach rose hip jam, petite chanterelle mushrooms and duck egg emulsion was spectacular (and I don’t generally care for duck) and the wagyu beef dish was equally spectacular and in the same flavor range of rich, robust, meaty goodness. Course 6 and 7 was paired with a 2011 Austrian Tinhof, Saint Laurent, Burgenland and it was great. Finally for dessert, we tried each of the two dessert dishes: vanilla-fromage blanc panna cotta with local berries and basil (the mini blueberry marshmallows were awesome) and the Spring Brook Farm’s Ashbrook Morbier-style cheese with almond crumble and huckleberry was scrumptious. We had an additional bonus from Lauren who presented a chocolate ganache slice with edible gold leaf topped with a lit candle for our belated 20th anniversary. For our first time at Laurel; to get such a personal touch during a busy service was a testament to Lauren and to Chef Elmi’s restaurant and staff. We felt very special, indeed. The dessert course was perfectly paired with a Spanish Los Bermejos Malvasia Dulce, Lanzarote, NV. Then AFTER the dessert course, we were served (in the cutest pots that I now want for myself) a white chocolate caramel pot de deliciousness that added that last sweet touch to the evening. The service – thank you Lauren! – was great, the wine pairings – thank you, Heather! – and the food – thank you Chef Elmi! – was great and so at the end of the evening; we can clearly say that we had a truly ‘Top Chef’ experience and we enjoyed every bit of it.

Food was phenomenal and service matched! Best scallop dish in Philadelphia and gnocchi better than Fiorella or Vetri.

Negative: 1.) If you are a meat & potatoes person and cannot appreciate fine dining at its best, this may not be the restaurant for you. 2.) Typical put your game face on South Philadelphia parking situation. Narrowed down positive points: 1.) Went on date night with my husband but we look forward to enjoying this restaurant with a group of friends this summer/fall with newly conceptualized outside seating. 2.) The staff fawned over us from the moment we stepped in and made us feel appreciated & special. Also, we appreciated the Chef taking time to visit with us. 3.) The first two courses of the 7 course tasting menu were small in volume but huge punches of flavor (fluke & Mackerel). The gnocchi & duck (4th & 6th courses) were probably my favorite courses but the white bean/Duck Confit (course 3) was my husband's favorite. ALL courses were delicious. Do your homework & look up the ingredients before you go so you can appreciate the complex tastes but they will give you a menu to take home if you ask. 4.) I didn't think I could fill up on a tasting menu but had my last course wrapped and couldn't finish course 6. The staff was so in tune with our dining experience that they approached us at the moment I realized I was just too full. (Leftovers for breakfast today were STILL delicious). 7.) No corking fee is appreciated. 8.) Chef Nicholas and his team should be very proud. This was a special treat for my husband & I & our expectations were exceeded..

The service was excellent and the ambiance of the restaurant was great. The food was overall OK--the fois gras was excellent, the rest ranged from just good to truly mediocre. The desert was the worst course. I would not go back to Laurel for another meal, although I enjoy fine dining I would prefer more control over my selections.

Combine amazing, well presented, delicious food with terrific service and a warm atmosphere and you've got one of Philadelphia's finest restaurants - Laurel. We had a wonderful experience and can't wait to return.

we had been trying to get reservation for several months and finally were able to go yesterday with friends at 545 ( too early for dinner). The food was ok, nothing memorable. The service atrocious, they were picking up plates before everyone at the table was finished. We had to tell them on several occasions that we felt rushed, no response or change in behavior. There are so many wonderful, warm restaurants in Philadelphia with amazing food, that I do not recommend anyone waste their time getting reservations, or their money on a rushed dining experience.

This is a must visit for Philadelphians who appreciate fine dining. Absolute perfection. Go during the week so you can choose from the menu. Weekends are for Chef Tasting menu lovers. A true gem.

I have mixed feelings about Laurel. As for food - we went a la carte. We should have skipped the 1st courses - tiny and underwhelming, waste of money. The 2 nd courses appetizers were wonderful , but one of them - the seared foie gras very expensive and very small. The main courses - duck breast was absolutely delicious, wagyu beef just ok. Desserts had great flavor. As for ambiance - it's supposed to be small and intimate. What I felt is that we were too close to next table, could hear everything our neighbors said in addition to all the noise from the other tables, because it's crowded. I have had more pleasant dining experiences in many other restaurants in Philadelphia where food is not worse and maybe even better, with more generous portions.

We celebrated our one year anniversary at Laurel and it was a pleasure. First class service through out the meal and the food was truly extraordinary. We went with the nine course tasting and were told it would contain some more adventurous dining experiences and they weren't wrong. A dish containing snails and ice cream along with a foie gras bonbon may not sound appetizing but one of them was amazing and one I will never forget. Each course flowed into the next and were accompanied by unique wine tasting. Towards the end of the meal it just about hit the too much of a good thing mark but the final taste of butterscotch left me wanting just another little taste. Excellent dining experience that met the importance of the day. peace

First of all the picture here on the TripAdvisor page of the restaurant is dated. It is how the dining room looked before it was completely renovated last year. It was nice before, but now, you just don't want to leave. You can make reservations for Laurel's Dining Room or walk-in for bar and high top window seating. Either way, you'll be happy. On this visit for Valentine's Day, it was last minute and we were fortunate in sitting at the front window, watching as folks rolled into Laurel via Uber. On this night, a tasting menu was offered and we decided to go for it, leaving it to the discretion of the Chef. Everything was wonderful that came out of the kitchen. Each course better than the previous one. On this rare night I enjoyed 5 drinks. I don't usually do that, but the cocktail I first had ("BACK IN MY DAY") was so good I had two more. A glass of red with the courses, finishing up with a dessert cocktail. When tasting menus are not offered, there is plenty at Laurel from which to choose. There are small plate offerings a a small number of larger entrees. Either way it works. What I love here is the professionalism and genuine warmth exhibited by the staff. They are a well oiled machine. They offer attentive service without encroaching upon your "dance space". Laurel is a neighborhood gem where you could just pop in for a couple of drinks or glasses of wine with some small plates and be happy as a clam. Enjoy.

I try not to give out 5 stars as it rarely really applies. There are many good or great places. That's all well and good, but the exclusive 5 star ranking should only apply at truly special places. Clearly where I am going with this is Laurel is fully deserved of this 5 star review. From the moment one walks into the door with a friendly greeting then seated in a comfortable, yet small well lit, but soft toned dining area service is exceptional - helpful but never overwhelming. Wines are immediately attended to and the host/maitre d inquires about one's dining habits as far as adventurous eating. The food? Where to begin and end. I almost don't want to list all the magnificent, well thought out dishes so as to not ruin the surprise at each plating. From the fish with horseradish ice to the snails, to the duck, the gnocchi, the foie, oh the foie!, the kobe, scallop, (and another dish I won't name here) and on and on. Not a single dish was a miss. Textures, flavors, seasonings, sizing, timing,everything spot on. Each item was explained without droning on or sounding snobby. While the dinner wasn't cheap I should add that we've been to restaurants of similar quality and theme and spent a lot more. In fact, given the category of exquisitely prepared fine dining I would say it was a relative bargain. Seek out Laurel asap. Just leave a few dates for me to return. :-)

This restaurant mighyt have been better if we had been able to order ala carte. The lightly smoked Artic char with frozen horseradish was spectacular but way too small. The sour dough bread was mediocre and I have had better at our local supermarket. The Catfish was surprisingly great and done perfectly. The peking duck was not very good at all. It consisted of a very small piece of duck breast, very bland. In fact , the next day at an Asian restaurant we ordered a half of duck that was so far superior to this dish there was no comparison. It was tender, moist with crispy skin. Another dish was the duck confit with crispy chicken skin blended with a bean puree and a duck egg on top. This was a visually interesting presentation but there were only a few specks of duck, no taste of chicken skin, virtually tasted like a bean puree with egg. Their sourdough ricotta gnocchi with pancetta was pretty good and rich. But I felt the gnocchi were overcooked and a bit mushy. I have had better ricotta gnocchi at Ulivio and other restaurants. The optional 3oz venizen chop was good but it is not in addition it is instead of the duck. What a rip. The setting was very friendly and inviting and they have comfortable upholstered chairs. I loved the fact that they are byob as we were able to bring a bottle of wine that was even better thn the meal that I otherwise could not afford to order at a place with a liquor license. At $240 a couple including tip I was disappointed. Since this is considered the best restaurant by many including food critics from local papers and magazines, it is very hyped up. In a way its not cool to criticize this hot trendy place that is tough to get a reservation especially on the weekends.

We tried the 7 course tasting menu and it was amazing. Each dish was creative and very flavorful. We're foodies and we all agreed that Laurel was one of the top restaurants in Philly. The Chef is truly a master of his craft. The service was on point and very friendly. We will definitely go back. Thank you Laurel for a wonderful experience.

I wanted a special experience for my husbands birthday. We were underwhelmed. We got the tasting menu. Most of the courses were unmentionable. The duck, gnocchi were the best dishes, but too heavy and rich. Good quality food should just be enhanced by culinary frills, not overtaken by them. Service was too rushed. THere are many excellent restaurants, I would not return to this one.

At over $100 per person (not including the wine you bring), Laurel is super pricey. We got a gift certificate - so we had to check it out. The reservation making experience was horrible - unfriendly - pretentious. But wait - So we ended up arriving at Laurel with a big chip on our shoulders. It is a 7 course prix fixe menu that is an incredible trip for your mouth. Laurel is the exact opposite of steak and potatoes. Each dish was very small, but offered incredible richness in terms of texture and flavor. Some dishes go for extreme contrasts, others go for layers of subtle richness. In the end, we were completely won over. The staff were wonderful. We brought a dry Rose from cote du rhone to start that complemented the fish dishes that began the meal and we brought a pinot noir that went well with the chicken and pork dishes. Bon A petite

Intimate setting with about 20 seats in a relaxing room. Phenomenal waitstaff are very positively customer focused, as is the sommelier. Noisy attached bar has an odd arrangement with a huge swinging door into the restaurant...only jarring note in an otherwise serene space. Noise volume was perfect. Each plate was well constructed and delicious, albeit small. You'll walk out satiated, not stuffed. We called ahead with gluten/dairy/no meat dietary restrictions and we graciously accommodated. Other restaurants of this caliber have done so as well, just none as flawlessly and with an attitude to please. Wine pairings were wonderful and the som stepped up on the accommodation front - I anted only reds or champagne, while my husband yielded to the recommendations. Attached is the menu provided after dining to revisit the food choices. Was steep at over $400 for 2 people. Also, was one of our best Philly dining experiences. Food as good as Vernick with more polished and customer focused service.

Delicious! Dishes are intended to be shared and we enjoyed Gnocchi, Wagyu Beef, Tuna, Celery Salad, Eggplant, Duck, and Boquerones — each excellent. Duck and Beef both very tender.

Having read the menu before our visit and seeing a collection of pompous descriptions (cured egg yolk?), I was all set to hate this place. Then I tasted the food. Everything was perfectly delicious. In addition, the seating and noise level were comfortable and the wait staff was attentive, friendly, and helpful. My only suggestions are to simplify the language on the menu a bit (really, what is cocoa nib?) and add something green to each plate for those of us who care about nutrition. Ultimately, this restaurant did a good job of pleasing someone who loves food and isn't fooled by fancy and expensive.

My husband and I are foodies and always try to dine at the best/hottest restaurants when we are traveling. We were in Philadelphia this past weekend to run the half marathon and managed to snag a table at Laurel for saturday night. We had to book months in advance. This is a small intimate restaurant away from the touristy sites of central city. The service was excellent. We arrived early for our reservations in hopes of getting a cocktail at the bar next store, which has the same owner. We were taken to our seats and honestly, every person that we interacted with could not have been more pleasant. It is a team approach, and there are a number of people bringing us different courses, even at times the hostess. The cocktails were completely completely delicious. We chose the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. We also added the truffle gnocchi for an uncharge. The food was excellent. Stand outs for us were the sea urchins and the truffle gnocchi. There was not a bad course and the tempo was perfect. It is shocking to us that food this good does not get any recognition from the michelin rating of restaurants. If you are not in NY or Chicago, or San Fran, then it appears impossible to get a michelin star. The good news is that one is able to dine at excellent restaurants for a significantly cheaper price than in other cities. This is not to say that this is an inexpensive meal. It is not and we paid about 500$ for the 2 of us. However, we really enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to anyone who is looking to have some very interesting food in a relaxed and intimate setting. To defray the cost, it is still a BYOB so one can bring your own wine and have an excellent but more reasonably priced meal. Thank you Laurel staff. We are already planning our next trip back to Philly.

If we were playing the word association game and you asked me to give you two words that immediately popped to mind when I thought of Laurel they would be - overhyped, and EXPENSIVE. This restaurant has been written about and has a lot of buzz around it. Some articles even name it as the best restaurant in the city. Reservations are very hard to get and we were very excited when we were able to jump on a reservation resulting from a cancelation. Place is a really small BYOB in a cool space and we were seated right away. Service was very good. We were dressed casually and felt very comfortable in what we were wearing. The only option seemed to be the tasting menu and everything we read said the gnocchi (extra cost) were fantastic and needed to be tried so we ordered those also. The food was good and they seemed to be doing some interesting and experimental stuff but portions were very, very small. I tend to eat lightly and this is the first time I have left a fine dining establishment hungry. My wife and our dinner companions did also - we all raided the pantry when we got home. The gnocchi were very good but the plate was $55 and there was nowhere near enough for 4. A normal person could easily hold all of them in one hand - recall they were $55. The server knew we were ordering them for the table and should have mentioned if they were portioned for one or even 2. We could have then decided to either pass or double down and get 2. The bill - with a decent tip it worked out to be $140 per person. No typo there - per person. And this is without alcohol - recall it is a BYOB. This was a good meal. You could even call it a great meal (portion size notwithstanding) but there is NO WAY this was a $140 meal. We griped about it in the car on the way home and concluded that they charge this much because they CAN based on the hype not because they SHOULD based on the food. We paid around that when we went to Morimoto but didn't blink an eye at the bill there because we had a fantastic meal, got good value and want to go back. Glad I tried it to check it off the list, not glad I paid $280 for dinner and still had to come home and eat again, won't ever go back. If you do try it, my advise it to eat first and expect a shockingly high bill.

FOod was not good, I was treated badly by the staff, horrible experience. Would never go back there, even if it was someone's treat.

First of all, do not pay attention to the picture displayed here of the old dining room arrangement. The dining room looks nothing this, having undergone a fairly recent metamorphosis. Now, it borders on spectacular. Enhancements have also been made at Chef Elmi's space next door, formerly called ITV Bistro & Wine Bar. It remains accessible via a pass through door from the dining room. It now serves as an extension of the Laurel dining experience, welcoming a faithful walk-in trade. I made reservations on Resy, which you can make for the dining room. You can also add a note requesting seating in the bar, banquette area, or window high top seating. Now the food; Laurel used to be all Chef's Tasting Menu but now you have ala carte choices which include small plate offerings as well. From being warmly welcomed into Laurel, throughout service, the people just can't do enough for you, but they are not in your face. They just know when to approach the table and when not to. There is nothing pretentious about Laurel. It is simply exquisitely prepared food, with a great amount of attention to detail. It took me awhile to even look at the menu, as I could not believe the transformation that happened with the dining room from how it looked prior, to what it has become now. Amazing and eye candy fit the description. Our food choices last night ranged from fresh oysters on the half shell, to a beautiful Hamachi Crudo, to Parisian Gnocchi, to something I thought rather bizarre, a Celery Salad. It sort of looked like section of celery stalk, but they had an appearance of having been marinated. The celery was served with hazelnuts, dates, and topped with a generous amount of ricotta salata. It was magnificent!!! We followed with a special entree of the night, which was a slightly peppercorned breast of duck, sliced and dressed with a beautiful plum sauce glaze. My wife and I finished our meal with two the three in-house made desserts and they were to die for. I did enjoy a glass of a French Pinot Noir which paired perfectly with the duck. Laurel offers a wonderful variety of cocktails, wines, and beer. There's something for everybody at Laurel and it starts with the staff, the ambience and the talents in the kitchen. Thank you Laurel, for such a great experience. Oh Yea; in season and nice nights they offer a Chef's Table in the little garden out back of the kitchen. Sweet it is. Cheers!!!!

We went here for a 70th birthday celebration. We were 10 adults and did the 6 course tasting menu. Everything was superb from the sous vide salmon to the home made ice cream dessert dish. A special shout out to the caviar dish, the pheasant sausage dish, and the lamb. We did bring our own wine. This is a small restaurant but the 10 of us fit comfortably at the back of the inviting dining area. Service was cheerful and efficient. Not an inexpensive evening but well worth it.

We had heard such glowing things about this restaurant that we were excited to go there. In a city with such fine restaurants, we just can't understand how this place gets such praise. The food was mediocre and lacked any zip or character. There are so many better spots to go to.

I was concerned that our experience wouldn't live up to expectations given all the accolades accorded Laurel but our party of four was not at all disappointed. Each of the 7 courses was a heavenly combination of taste, texture and presentation. The service was excellent and the vibe relaxed. Yes, I needed to make my reservation 2 months in advance and yes it is expensive but given the quality of the food I definitely want to return.

This was my second visit to Laurel, The first being a Sat. night several months ago. At that time we were able to order from the menu. This time; however, we learned that only the 7 course tasting menu ($75) was available on weekends. If we had not checked the website, we would not have known this. Since our friends had never been there, we decided to go anyway. The wait staff were very friendly, attentive and knowedgeable about the food and its preparation. The food was outstanding!!! Chef Elmi is extremely talented and definitely deserved ro be "Top Chef"! My one issue with the tasting menu are the tiny portions. Understandably, tasting menus are expected to be small, but in this case, you were barely able to taste the main ingredient. My favorites are the gnocchi, the tuna and the berkshire pork. And, the white chocolate desert is to die for!!! Don't forget it's a BYO. If you're not into tasting menus, go during the week, when you can order what you'd like. One small tip: there is valet parking nearby for $8.

My husband and I managed to get a last minute reservation on a Saturday evening. Note to the frustrated people unable to find a reservation - do it last minute and grab someone's cancellation! We were seated next to another couple who didn't mind chatting with us, otherwise it would have been awkward. Seating is close. You don't choose your menu but can get some add ons. I was disappointed in our add on choice but would have regretted not trying it. The food was good and I left generally satisfied. I took one point off for the pricey add on that wasn't all that great and wishing there was more dessert (which is a bad yet good thing).

The restaurant is very small and a bit crammed with only 30 or so seats. You can hear the conversations at the table next to you but since I was not discussing any mergers it was not a problem. They offer a six course and nine course tasting menu with a steak add on. They also have a full bar but also allow you to bring your own for a small fee which is a nice touch. My wife and I opted for the six course since we are not very big eaters. Each course was extremely small with at most a couple fork fills. The first couple courses had a lot of greens and were somewhat bland. Then there were couple fishes that were good but not great. The only memorable dish was the duck which was well presented and extremely tasty but it was hard to get excited over any dish that was so small. The desert was good and the largest portion. We should have gotten the nine course since we went home hungry. Not sure why they even offer the six course unless you have dinner plans later. I gave a rating of 4 stars because I really had a very nice evening.

We had dinner at Laurel December 8. We arrived on time but had to wait for a bit. The staff were very apologetic. One aspect that we enjoy is that the space is very small and intimate. There is a fixed menu which can be adapted to food allergies or aversions. Our foursome had none so we just sat back and enjoyed. Note: If you are someone who is uncomfortable with creative reinterpretations of dishes, this is not the place for you. If you need to salt or pepper every dish before you taste it, this is not the place for you. If you need your food cooked to very rigid specifications, this is not the place for you. There were so many lovely little dishes that were beautiful, so creative and melted in your mouth. Initially our guest thought he might be hungry at the end.We were tempted to add on the additional gnocchi and Wagyu beef specials, but were concerned we couldn't finish. We were sorry to miss tasting them but we were right to hold off. We were STUFFED! More importantly, we were entertained by the creativity of the dishes and the fantastic skill in preparing them. We had a lovely evening and it was a taste sensation. Can't wait to go back!

This was our first time at Laurel. It was an amazing experience. Service was friendly, attentive but not intrusive. And the food! Chef does something special with every dish but his treatment of vegetables was exceptional. I would gladly eat the orange salad and his roasted oyster mushrooms every meal! But really, everything was terrific including the apple butter and vanilla ice cream dessert - salty, sweet, warm, cold...yum.

This is a great addition to the E. Passyunk area. The food, service and ambiance are outstanding. Now that the chef has won Top Chef, it will be hard to get reservations. We were there before he won, and it was just an amazing experience. Every part of the tasting menu was perfectly planned to go with every other part - and every dish was superbly prepared and served. Bravo!

A few friends and I decided to try our luck and call for a reservation at the end of November. The first table available wasn't until February, after dining there I understand why! Not only was the food excellent, the service was attentive and comfortable. Everyone working there wanted you to completely enjoy the experience. Service and ambiance is not stuffy at all. They encourage you to ask questions and share preferences. I suggest doing the 7 course tasting menu if you are going for the first time, it gives you the opportunity to try a little of everything. My friends and I can't wait to go back!

Been trying for a while and finally got into Laurel last night. Enjoyed our experience, worth bringing good wines. Service was exceptional without being overbearing , ambiance very pleasant, dishes were inventive and unique. Especially enjoyed the cocoa cured fois gras, ricotta gnocci, Peking Duck breast and heart,and the caramelized white chocolate pudding. 7 courses, $85. Small, but plenty of food. Really good homemade bread. Our server, Heather, was delightful.

The food here is VERY creative. Its exciting to see each dish served to you, and parse through the interesting components. Certainly a great choice for a special dinner and worth the 2-3 month wait for reservations. That said, the food is a bit fussy and most dishes didn't have the flavor punch I wanted. The cooking is a little overly restrained and too often each dish has the same level of subtly. Exciting? yes... genius? not yet....and for $85 for a tasting menu in Philly, it really should be. Also the restaurant is a bit cramped and definitely too loud. Ownership: Please don't have your hostess making reservation calls during dining - it really feels like you don't care about our experience.

We really enjoyed our first dining experience at Laurel and now realize why there is such a long wait for a reservation. Chef Nicholas Elmi's creations were sublime, beautifully presented, and with an incredible combination of flavors, textures, and colors in each course. The wine pairings were superb. The talented sommelier has a fresh approach to finding interesting wines to match with the food. The exceptional service of the engaging and professional staff made for a special evening. The ambience is low key and comfortable but the cuisine is "haut". Laurel deserves its place as the best restaurant in Philadelphia!

It's a special place that will accommodate dietary preferences and do a spectacular job of it. Two of us eat Paleo style, and they did a great job with the seven course tasting menu to accommodate us. Every dish was not only flavorful but plated in a very elegant and enticing way. Taste, texture, smell, visual presentation all came together in a very terrific way. I can see why they were voted the number one restaurant by Philadelphia magazine, as we will definitely be returning.

After making a reservation nearly three months in advance, I was prepared to be wowed by Nicholas Elmi's Laurel and I certainly was. My wife and I had a 6:30 reservation and we were met at the door and seated promptly. It's amazing how small and intimate the dining room is. It's like having dinner at a friends house...if your friend is the reigning Top Chef winner. Saturday night features a seven course chef's tasting menu as the only option and we were eager to see what the chef has in store. The seven courses were: 1. Albacore tuna was yogurt and horseradish 2. Torn sea scallop with sea urchin, smoked trout roe and lime 3. Braised whelk with heirloom tomatoes and pickled mustard seeds 4. Fresh ricotta gnocchi with pancetta and sourdough croutons 5. Walu with sweet corn and a lobster emulsion 6. Lamb loin wrapped in a lamb sausage with trumpet mushrooms and an English pear puree 7. Carmelized white chocolate pudding with puffed grains, malt and a tasting of strawberries I would definitely rank the gnocchi and lamb as my top two courses, but the other courses were amazing as well. Not a clunker on the menu in my opinion. Chef Nicholas comes to every table towards the end of the meal and he was friendly, humble and very soft spoken. For $75 per person, I felt like we received an exceptional meal at a very good value. The fact that Laurel is a BYOB is very nice as you can bring a bottle of your favorite wine from home and not spend a fortune on it. Overall, an excellent meal and dining experience. Highly recommended.

Table for two, birthday dinner, byob (no corkage fee) and foodies ready to eat. We were excited to try Laurel, which was ranked 3rd in the city recently, and were having high expectations. We had the 7 course menu + included the black truffle dusted (tableside) homemade gnocchi add on for a small fee of 65. Standouts, all were wow dishes, in order, include the Wahoo Octopus Bolognese with persimmon and jalapeno, the gnocchi (see above), and the basied lamb neck, cauliflower, pistachio, and honey. This place has Michelin level dishes, and it was exiting that you can get this in Philadelphia. I don't think the atmosphere or the service level would be though, but it was still overall good for our meal. We would come back. 4.6/5

My wife and I had the 6 course tasting menu with the pumpkin gnocchi addition and for the most part the food was incredible. The modern French inspired dinner had a range of textures and flavors that was a hit on almost every course. Some dishes were more outstanding than others, but at the end of the meal we both left happy. Arguing value is always difficult, and while the dishes were all a couple of bites each, they were thoughtfully constructed and delicious. The ambiance with it's dim lighting, big, comfortable chairs, and attentive waitstaff also added to the fine dining experience. While not a restaurant I would crave to return to often, I would recommend those in Philly seeking an upscale gastronomy night to give Laurel a try.

We visited Laurel for the first time last night and probably won't come back anytime soon. We went if fully prepared for the $85pp six course meal but where told about a couple of additions to the pre-fix menu. The Truffle Gnocchi sounded delicious so we decided to share it. When the bill arrived there was a $65 charge for the gnocchi alone! To their credit, it did have fresh, table-side shredded truffles however I feel if they're going to charge for one dish almost what they charge for six courses they owe it to their patrons to communicate the price.

This place is fantastic and it is a must try if you can afford it and if you can score a table. Everything about the meal and service was excellent but as I said there is a down side in that you may be hungry when you leave. We ordered two supplements (for 2 people) and were still hungry due to portion size.

We had to reserve over 2 months in advance for our anniversary dinner here, and as others have said, it was worth the wait. Laurel is an intimate, unpretentious restaurant that serves fresh, innovative, delicious food. In particular, the torn scallop appetizer was heavenly--fresh raw scallop served in a large shell with a savory citrus broth, topped with smoked trout roe. This is the best dish I've ever had, so light and flavorful. The portion was small though--I could easily have ordered another 4 of these as a meal and been happy. The albacore tuna with horseradish and sour cream starter was also fresh and flavorful. Everything we ordered was delicious, with original and fresh ingredients. The walu with corn, barley, and lobster froth was very good, as was the black sea bass, though that was just a bit too salty. Overall a lovely space with fresh, original food. Top Chef Nick Elmi came out to greet each table in person--he was gracious and unassuming and enjoyed explaining how he prepared the dishes. As my husband jokingly said, eating here made him forget who Jose Garces was (and we do really like Garces's restaurants). When the bill came, we were pleasantly surprised that it was just over $100 for such a memorable evening, with some of the finest food we've had the pleasure of enjoying.

Laurel's chef, Nicholas Elmi, won the 2014 Top Chef competition and Philadelphia Magazine named Laurel its 2015 #1 restaurant. Those plaudits and the $85 tasting menu set a high bar, but Laurel exceeded my wife's and my expectations. Despite dining there on an anniversary splurge, we did not take advantage of BYOB and instead opted for the "spectacular" rosé suggested by our server, a $12-per-glass 2012 Domaine Dupasquier Pinot Noir Savoie. It stood up deliciously to 7 spectacular, complex and often surprising courses, starting with a serving of yellowfish with mountain rose apple in horseradish ice. Each course brought a new discovery. The sixth, corned pork cheek with blueberry miso and , chanterelle mushroom, left just enough room for the olive oil custard with huckleberries. What a spectacular way to celebrate our special occasion!

Myself and 2 friends finally were able to dine at this quaint BYOB. We had to wait three months before we were able to even get a reservation!. We decided to go with the seven course tasting menu and it was absolutely superb from the first course to the last.. The and gnocchi were light as a cloud The best I've had in years. The foie gra was smooth as velvet.. We had a great bottle of champagne to top the night off.. We will definitely return to this restaurant again sooner than later

Excellence in everything, from start to finish. The plates are small, beautiful and packed with flavors and textures. Of five people dining together, only one ordered an entree. The rest of us were happy with a mix of first and second courses. My tuna with horseradish was a big hit with everyone who tried it. With our own wine and beer, this still added up to a tidy sum, but I'd go back in a heartbeat.

This is one of the finest and friendly dining experiences that I have had the pleasure to have partaken in with friends. The menu is a chef' s tasting , which can change daily. We notified the restaurant about dietary restriction for two our party. They prepared dishes to accommodate their needs. Very classy. , in my opinion Laurel is a BYOB. We started with Tattinger's Champagne , then fine pure burgundy from the Tourraine region of France , finished with Toschi Limoncello. ( now a Laurel staff favorite. Every course was just superb and ingredients are explained table side. Top chef Nick Elmi and Top sous chef Ed Conrad , visit the tables to converse. The feeling that you were dining in there home. The relaxed atmosphere , lack of pretension, and the interaction with other guests , makes Laurel a special place . I cannot wait to return again.

Maybe one of the reasons I loved this meal is that our friends, who are serious about their wine, brought eight bottles for six of us and had carefully considered the offerings on the tasting menu before we came. In fact they brought the wine over two days in advance so it could be properly rested. (Don't worry, we didn't get through all of the bottles!). But needless to say, the pairings enhanced the precious offerings of all eight courses. The atmosphere is decidedly understated/casual. The reason the reservations are so hard to get is that there are very few tables, making the dining experience intimate. The focus is on the food. Often, when out, I think that I could have cooked just as good a meal at home. Here I thought I could have cooked all day and not managed one of the eight courses. Each was a tiny taste of something exquisite with surprising flavor combinations that made me smile. The dishes ranged from morsels of fish, to gnocchi, duck/venison. I was surprised by the scarcity of vegetables. At the conclusion of the meal we were all full and very satisfied! The price is a bit heart stopping. But one is paying for top chef talent, trained at Le Bec Fin, winner of a top chef competition who is turning out very serious food for those in know.

Laurel may not woo everyone’s tastes. It is a snug little spot with a complex menu of local, sustainable, foods from many different vendors from both the US and abroad. The portions are intentionally small and the flavors are complex. The dishes are seasonal. No they don’t cook your meal to order. If any of this is going to bother you then don’t go. If you love food and love a bit of adventure when you eat, then let Chef Nick Elmi and his staff take you on a trip you will never forget... Dining at Laurel is, in my opinion, the finest culinary experience I have had anywhere in the world. Period. Full stop! Chef Elmi is a culinary genius and his artistry is on full display at Laurel. If you do one thing in life, go have a meal at Laurel; you will remember it forever!

I've lived in Philadelphia for several years, and I've dined at almost every restaurant on Philly Mag's Top 50 list (as well as several Michelin-starred restaurants elsewhere in the world). I have to say: the fact that Vernick recently overtook Laurel for the top spot on Philly Mag's list is something of a cruel joke. Vernick is an excellent restaurant, no doubt; but if you are looking for avant garde cuisine in a relaxing, elegant atmosphere, no restaurant in Philadelphia can compare to Laurel. I have eaten at Laurel well over a dozen times, and will continue to frequent the restaurant, knowing that each and every meal will be an entirely new and exciting experience—replete with fantastic service and culinary techniques I have yet to experience elsewhere in the city. Laurel is a true gem in a city with quite the respectable food scene.

We called last minute and secured a reservation even when open table said none available. First of all the service is top notch. The only choice to eat is a tasting menu of 7 courses plus an additional optional course or two. The food is incredible. We probably had a dozen ingredients that we had never had before. The tasting menu was $96 per person. Our additional gnocchi course was $65. The food is art. We couldn't eat here every day, but this is an excellent special occasion place.

Actually, this is a 4 1/2 star review. Laurel is one of the finest restaurants in the city. For BYOBers, this is a very special place, along with Bibou and Kanella. My wife Karin and I have eaten here twice. The service and ambiance are wonderful. The first meal was flawless. We had the gnocchi (fantastic), the foie gras (also fantastic), pork three ways and the chicken.The entrees were flavorful,creatively presented. I can't remember the dessert but it was delicious. The most recent meal was almost flawless. Our server was very pleasant, helpful, efficient. She decanted an aged wine very well. I ordered the albacore tuna with shallots, sour cream, apricot and frozen horseradish, The combination was terrific: crunchy, spicy, touch of sweetness(apricot) and flavorful tuna. Presentation was beautiful. This time I ordered the gnocchi as an entree. My wife had the gnocchi app, and the Bavette (beef) with truffle crust, crisp potatoes and carrots. Presentation was also appealing to the eye. The beef dish, which my wife rarely orders in a restaurant, consisted of 4 small but thick pieces. I specifically asked our server about how the beef is cooked. It sounded like medium rare to medium, but it was just a little more cooked than raw. She sent it back but it was still a bit too raw, even for me. We noticed that another patron also sent this dish back to be cooked a bit more.I think it is a texture issue not a flavor issue. Chef Elmi did a fine job in plating after the beef was cooked a little more. I know all chefs like to cook meats as little as possible, but I think the one who orders the beef should choose how much the meat should be cooked, to a certain degree. My wife was not entirely pleased with the beef but still found the dish appetizing. The pudding dessert was terrific. We will return to Laurel again and again. We want to bring friends to experience this wonderful restaurant.

We had the seven course tasting menu, which is standard on the weekends. Every course was incredibly delicious, from the Kombu cured fluke with refreshingly cool citrus, radish, and aloe, to the cool caramelized white chocolate pudding with cocoa, crunchy puffed grains, cranberries and elderberries. And we loved the five courses in between. Service was impeccable. A team of wait staff swooped in with each course, followed by a low key, not pretentious description of the course. All of the staff were friendly. It's a small place, with twelve tables, and hard to get a reservation, but very much worth the effort. And despite its well deserved popularity and full booking, the pace of the evening was perfect, with no sense of being rushed or served too quickly or too slowly. In short, a perfect evening.

A 7 course prix fixe menu.Everything is prepared with a love and passion of food. The entire restaurant strives for excellence. Since the prix fixe does not allow choices it is not for the timid,but everything is recognizable and prepared with the best ingredients. The masterful Chef will happily work around any food allergies,it is helpful if this is made known in advance. Since this is a small space reservations should be made as close to 2 months in advance-a hassle but highly WORTH-IT!! It is a BYOB and highly deserving of your best bottles

Top notch all around. Excellent food, presentation, very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Food is prepared with meticulous attention to detail. Atmosphere rounds everything out to be a wonderful experience.

My experience with Laurel does not seem to agree with the glowing comments by other reviewers. Let's start at the beginning: contacting the restaurant "reservationists" was difficult; I was on hold for 30 minutes the first time I tried to speak with them. When I did finally get through, the "reservationist" was pleasant and provided an email address (which I could not find on the website). I emailed the "reservationist" to alert the kitchen to allergies and asked that the email be confirmed: that didn't happen. So, I had to call back to check to see that my issues were addressed. The restaurant itself is attractive, but has no tablecloths or silverware to speak of: everything is consumed with a spoon, and everything is served in a bowl. I must say that, for a BYO, the glassware was good. The menu consists of a set number of courses, no 'a la carte' options. I had some allergies so I expected the chef to come up with some creative alternatives to the set menu: no such luck...I had the impression that the offending items were merely left out of the existing courses, leaving me with half portions. Needless to say, after the buildup by the other people at my table I expected to be wowed. I just felt cheated.

Consistently ranked one of the top restaurants in Philadelphia, our trip to Laurel did not disappoint. Chefs tasting menu is the only dining option here, but Chef Elmi will make sure you enjoy every course. All dishes clearly have much thought put into them. Laurel is a bit pricey, but being a BYOB helps out with the cost a bit. Chef Elmi comes out to talk to every table at some point during their meal, which is a nice personal touch. This is a perfect spot for a special occasion, just make sure you get reservations well in advance as they are very hard to find! I will definitely be going back!

This was my first experience with a tasting menu, and I was not disappointed. I was in Philly for a conference and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to check out Laurel (mainly bc I am a Top Chef fan). The servers were knowledgeable, the 6 course menu was just the right amount of food, and it was delicious. My favorite was a dish with snails, leeks, and crunchy black onions.

After a two month wait for Sat nite reservation four friends finally experienced Laurel and enjoyed it very much. Seven courses provided us with unusual combinations of herbs & spices with yellow fin tuna or snails or pork cheeks. Special kudos for the sauté scallop and the cod plates for flavors above & beyond. We all started out believing we would not be full after these very small portions however the preps are extremely rich containing butter, cream or stock and by the 7th plate we struggled to complete a fabulous evening. BYOB softens the check somewhat and unless you are willing to try very different and perhaps never before eaten items my recommendation is to pass Laurel for more conventional kitchens. However, if you enjoy experiencing new flavors & food from a creative Chef in a cozy atmosphere with friendly service, get a reservation at this South Philly gem.

My wife and I took a friend to Laurel last evening. We all love delicious fine dining establishments. We loved Laurel. Six out of seven of the courses were superb. (The seventh- a slow roasted fish- was a little dry and bland.) The others had such delicate and intricate sauces and textures and complex flavors that we were all in awe of the chef's creativity and ability. We added a wagu beef course. It was delicious and you could literally cut it with a spoon. All of the courses are tiny. We left full because we were there quite awhile. Nothing was rushed. In that context nothing should be rushed. The staff all are pleasant and knowledgeable. We were just there for dinner. It would be a great spot for a celebratory dinner!

Laurel is a an elegant dining experience in a cozily small South Philly location off Passyunk, of all places. You will get the high end dining experience with six courses each described in detail as they arrive. The food is French inspired, featuring fresh ingredients and unique riffs on French dishes.Highly recommend the wine pairing menu, which provided an opportunity to learn about some unique wines you may not have heard of. Staff are all very friendly without being intrusive or obnoxiously posh like other fine dining establishments. Mood is a classy yet Philly business casual atmosphere.