Root Restaurant + Wine Bar Reviews

Root is one of the recent newcomers to Fishtown/Kensington's ever evolving scene - what a foodie gem! Celebrating great news, we explored this wine/tapas bar, next to Fetta Sau & Frankford Hall (they opened in March). Spectacular! Brainchild of dual, young, ambitious talents: chef extraordinaire of NYC acclaim, Nick Kennedy, and gregarious front of house host, Greg Root (Starr Restaurant secret weapon) - the food, wine, & ambiance are a dream. Accommodates all $ ranges and tastes; popular happy hour AND they've networked to add monthly pairing classes for the curious! Designed by skyline-changing, relatively nascent Stokes Architects (La Colombe, Le Peg Brassiere at Fringe Arts Tuesday 7PM dinner was perfect for us, avoiding the late night/weekend rush. Service was impeccable. Warmed olives, anchovies, crystallized aged Goat gouda with chorizo Ibérico, pork & beef meatballs, spinach & ricotta mushroom gnudi....Argentinian malbec.

I have no idea why I would order a burger at a place that specializes in vegetable based dishes so I blame myself...I have rarely had a vegetable burger that blew me away except for the time I had a kale and chickpea salad at another restaurant close by so I went for the beef burger instead of the mushroom burger...overall I liked the burger it was both tasty and had a nice bun but it was small and comes with generic fries and after tax and tip came to 17.00 but once again I blame myself for ordering a beef burger at a place that specializes in vegetable based dishes

Located in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia, we heard it was a place to check out and were we glad we did! Beautiful, open restaurant. Friendly, very welcoming staff. Beautifully plated, delicious small plates. Fresh, quality ingredients prepared perfectly! It was the best place we ate during our 5 days in Philly. Started with the Fried Chickpeas and Mozzarella di Bufala. Both very tasty!!! (I could eat endless amounts of the Fried Chickpeas!) Then we ordered the Cauliflower & Manchego salad, Seafood a la Plancha, and Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi. OMG! We were stuffed but I really wanted to order a dessert so I did, the Panna cotta with braised plums. It did not disappoint. An excellent dish to end our meal! Cocktails were perfect and coffee was nice and strong. Loved the whole meal, not a dish out of place and again the service was amazing, friendly and professional. Root is now one of our "must go to" places whenever we are in Philly.

Everything from the food, service, decor, music, and overall vibe of Root is enchanting. I had a leisurely evening with friends here on a Sunday night and was surprised at how "happening" this place was. The small plates menu has a terrific variety of choices and tastes. I recommend you save room for the chocolate-hazelnut creme brulée. Perfect for a cozy tete-a-tete or a gathering with friends. I'll be returning to check out the brunch menu.

As a lifelong Philadelphian, you tend to stick with tried and true places, rarely venturing past the boundaries of what used to be a "bad" neighborhood, but Philly's Fishtown is now hopping, so we middle-aged couples wanted in on the act. We tried Root as our first foray and we were not disappointed. The food and the service were excellent. Our chicken liver pate on toast was TDF (to die for) and we also loved a "naked" gnocchi and an apple/walnut/farro salad. Drink choices were lovely, too. Our server was there when needed and not there when not needed. Water was constantly refilled (thank you) and we just felt comfortable and enjoyed the evening. We'll be back.

Smallish place, nicely decorated, very hip, good service, but if I have my druthers I won't be going back. The food is interesting and fresh, but the portions are microscopic and the prices gigantic. I do believe that my first (and likely last) visit there was also the first time that I experienced a 4 oz. gin and tonic-- and believe me, it wasn't all, or even half, gin... for $8. There are so many restaurants in and around Philadelphia that are just as hip and fresh, and are superior values. Save your money.

You know you've been living in the city a while, when you remember another Root restaurant that had a short lived and unimpressive stint in Llama's Tooth on Spring Garden's current space. Thank god this particular Root is nowhere near close to what that brief other Root was. Phew. Hot Dang, is Frankford (and Fishtown generally) ever on fire and Root is adding fuel to the flames. Love the size (intimate, warm), décor (everything from the lighting to the gorgeous floor tiles), service and most importantly, the cuisine. Came in with no expectations, and then dinner came and went and made me ever so happy and sated. The service is impeccable, delicate and intelligent. Everything is spotless, (down to the bathrooms, perfect and lovely hand soap too, it's the little touches, I tell you) and well executed. Do yourself a favor and explore the menu very well, have a few appetizers, a toast or two, and partake in a cheese and salumi, then hit the plates hard (but, you know, not too hard) and oh, don't forget the desserts and chocolates (just as exciting as the rest!) The four gin cocktails are right up my alley and the wine selection is varied and interesting. The croquettas and cauliflower-caper zeppoles are easy to share, as are the toasts (the pan con tomate, though simple, was a winner in my book); the cheese and salumi offerings are refreshingly not tiny like other places that offer something similar, so that was a lovely surprise. The plates are thankfully conservatively (and perfectly) sized, and my favorite by far had to be the super fresh Seafood a la plancha served with fingerling potatoes and a sunchoke puree and shrimp with the heads on (the only way to fly!) - though the potato gnocchi came a close second. The sweets are so delicious and not an afterthought. Both the brulée and the brown butter are incredibly yummy, but the roasted pineapple and maple yogurt made the brown butter cake my favorite, while the mendiants of chocolate were equally good in their own right, I'd steer you towards the other two if you want a perfect ending to your meal. Can't wait to go back.

We made a reservation a week early for our anniversary dinner. Thirty minutes before our reservation, the host called to tell us that there was an error with their booking system and our reservation was now at the bar. We were seated in the water and prep section. Servers were constantly reaching over us and literally running into me. I brought coat, because it was a chilly night, and because we were on a bar stool, I could't hang it over my chair. I had to put it in my lap. This was obviously an awkward seating arrangement for our anniversary dinner, and we were not offered any compensation for the lost reservation. No free drink, no free appetizer, nothing. No one came to take our order. We had to ask the bartenders while they were making drinks an inch away from us if we could order food. We ordered two small plates to share (we would have ordered more if we were comfortably seated). The food was delicious and tasted fresh, but is definitely designed to share. You can't eat four tiny meatballs yourself and feel satisfied. A tasting menu for smaller groups seems more appropriate for this place. We ordered two small plates and four drinks. The total, without tip, came to just over $80. I would not go back, and I have told my friends to skip this one.

We saw Root when it was a work in progress - not yet open to the public - and could not wait to check it out. We were in the area last night and stopped in for drinks and snacks. The staff is friendly and made us feel welcomed throughout the meal. There was a nice crowd. We were seated by the window which was great - always fun to people (and dog) watch. The wine selection is great. Atmosphere - cool lounge! We tasted a few things - my faves were the fried chickpeas (holy awesome - can I buy a bag?) and possibly one of the BEST THINGS I HAVE EVER EATEN - the all mushroom Duxelle Burger. The flavor, the texture, the bun - were all wonderful. It made my mouth water. I almost forgot I also had the "Pan Con Tomate" which was not just your run-of-the-mill bruschetta. This "toast" as they call it, was PERFECTLY seasoned. Just enough salt and the perfect amount of olive oil, which they shared is from Sicily. My husband tried out their seafood options and thought they were all wonderful, as well. The owner was very nice and spoke to us at our table - despite the fact that the place was filling in as the afternoon became early evening. His personal touch only enhanced the already wonderful impression we had about this place. Cannot wait to come back for more... but will I ever be able to taste another thing now that I have met that Duxelle Burger!?!? PS: There are many options for vegetarians (me!) and things that can be made vegan, too! Sometimes me!)

We ended up in this area of Philly because we read an article about a pizza joint near here. We walked the neighborhood a bit looking at the menu's as we were looking for a place to have a glass of wine and a bit of food. We ordered the warm olives, the Pan Con Tomate and the Steak Tartare. The service was excellent and friendly. Our food was delivered timely and accurate to what we ordered. The taste was excellent for each of our dishes. The ambiance in the restaurant is geared towards date night but still very comfortable.

From cocktails to food, our dinner here was perfect. We tried some of the snacks, cheese and salumi, they were all wonderful. We all ordered different plates, but everyone was happy! I will come back for sure.

I was happy with my visit to Root but I have to admit it's not the best wine bar I've been too. At the time I went, it lacked diversity and the food was very expensive.

We went to Fishtown looking for a restaurant for dinner. We were so lucky to find a table on a Friday night. One of the best restaurants we’ve eaten at in a long time. The scallops were so beautiful, and creative and delicious.

Our party of 4 enjoyed our dinner at Root in Fishtown. Root is in the heart of the action, right on Frankford Avenue. This was my first visit to the area, and I was very impressed with the energetic (and young) vibe. The areas around Fishtown are sketchy, but that part of Frankford seemed as busy as Times Square. We were greeted and seated immediately upon entering at a window-side table with great views of all of the activity on the street. The décor is very modern, but not cold. We were offered water almost immediately and asked if we wanted a beverage within minutes of being seated - major pluses for a place that was very busy. Our waiter was very pleasant and friendly, if a bit harried (he would have to keep darting away to bring out food or drinks to another table) - he was knowledgeable about the food and drink options and willing to share his opinions if asked. The gin-based cocktails (a featured item) were very tasty. The food ranged from good to excellent, with the meatballs (an order of 4 decent sized meatballs in red sauce) the star of our meal. Of the starters, the cheese and salumi plate (you pick up to 3 items) was probably the best, with the chicken-liver toast binging up the rear (it was OK, but could have had more flavor). We also enjoyed the black cavatelli pasta with rock shrimp. With tax, tip and including 6 alcoholic beverages, the meal came to about $60 per person - for what you get, you may be paying a slight premium for the "scene". I was glad we went, but I don't know if this will be part of our regular rotation.

Everything is top notch- food, service and design / ambiance. Highly recommend! We're from NYC and are usually disappointed dining in other places but this place is outstanding.

Food was amazing and the service was great. We ordered several appetizers and various entrees and they all where superb. We'll definitely return when we visit Philly.

I have been coming to this restaurant since its beginning and I can't say enough about this place. It's located on the Frankford Av corridor in Fishtown. each and every visit you are greeted by the host/hostess and Greg the owner always checks in and makes sure you are being waited on. The bourbon sidecar is my favorite cocktail and the food is always cooked to perfection, the burger is the right size paired with the right amount of fries, the lamb chops are also another favorite. Open for brunch on Saturdays & Sundays the lemon ricotta pancakes and the breakfast sandwich are 2 of our favorites. Greg the owner has a great and well organized staff that will make you come back time and time again.

This is my Philly friend's go-to restaurant and I can see why. The food was delicious! Apps were great, wine selection on point, and fun cocktail lists (how many kinds of gin and tonics are there??). And the fish dish! I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember what kind of white fish it was, but I can say that it was cooked perfectly. The way they seared it to have that thin layer of soft crunch on that piece of flaky flesh... so good! All in a plate of perfectly smoky beans and potatoes. Yum! Oh, and kudos to whomever is curating the music. It was fun naming that tune. Someone has great taste.

Very small room run by professionals. Bar is the centerpiece of the room--steel accents make it seem very modern. Doors open to the sidewalk (closed on my visit due to cold). Cocktail menus are everywhere--this one has 4 thoughtful gin & tonic combos. The rest look entertaining. The wine list is very interesting--more than half from Italy, but all continents are covered. Several interesting choices by the glass. Food is why we go to a restaurant and Root delivers. We usually share things. We started with CAULIFLOWER & CAPER ZEPPOLE--teeny morsels of perfection. We ordered Meatballs (in red sauce) that were just right and the spice rubbed Lamb chops were perfect. Service is top notch. Greg Root, the owner, is everywhere & it shows in a seamless dining experience.

We happened upon this place in search for the best vegetarian burger. This was Oma list of top 10 by thrillist.... Roots’ Duxelles ‘burger’ has the option to add an egg, which we both did. The meal was decent, but overly salted. (I love salt, so that’s saying a lot!) I drank about 10 glasses of water in the short time we were there. Still in search of the best veggie burger in Philly...

If you want to eat great food in a trendy restaurant in Fishtown, this is the place to go. Our dinner was fantastic!! We had several appetizers and entrees; and in a nutshell, our plates were quickly emptied. I recommend it 100%!!

Visited on a Friday night and sat at the bar. It's a small place but impeccably designed. The service was fantastic, very friendly and attentive without being intrusive. Great cocktails- I couldn't decide which my favourite was between the Furiosa and the Cucumber Pisco. And the food was stellar. Will definitely be back!

My husband and I are making the rounds of Fishtown restaurants -- Dinner at root was good -- our server was full of menu knowledge and we were able to partake of the Happy Hour Wine deals!

A sensory delight from the food to the atmosphere. The receptionist to the wait staff are very knowledgeable about the food and wine being offered. We were there on a Friday night and the place was filled to capacity both inside and out. Everyone around us seemed to be having a great time and enjoying the treats coming out of the kitchen. Will be returning with friends. Only downside is to allow plenty of time to find a parking space.

Got a call from some friends to go out for dinner and i suggested this place based on the review from the Phila. Inquirer a few weeks ago and so off we went and arrived on a monday night at 530 and we were the only folks in the restaurant at that time. The servings are tapas like, small portions and it was happy hour on drinks. My friend and I had a glass of Sangria and ordered appetizers...potatoes which were great, a cheese platter and a veggie salad. The veggie salad was nothing to write home about but the potatoes and the cheeses were excellent. The main course we ordered was a veggie burger made of mushrooms which my friends wife said was good, He and I split a shrimp dish with jalapeno, good and with the appetizers we had enough except for desert which was an olive oil cake which was tasty . Service was excellent,, maybe the service was good because it was early on a monday night but who knows? The only thing i would have liked to have seen on the menu was a soup and perhaps with the onset of cold weather, it will be included. The total for the three of us with drinks was 115...pricey but on occasion a treat. ..seth koch

I am in town for business and found this place on the Philly heat map. I came solo for dinner and it was a treat! Parking is not readily available. I started with the #2 gin tonic with sage and grapefruit along with a meat and cheese plate. It was all very tasty, even down to the extras that came with the meat and cheese including honey from PA courtesy of the owner's grandpa. Even if that's just a PR story, it was really good. I the. Had the meatballs and a Malbec. The wine pour was a little skimpy but that may be due to the close watch of the manager/owner that is hanging around. I don't blame him. The meatballs were so good! The tomato sauce was not too sweet or tart. The meatballs themselves were very tender. It was all very delicious. I think I'm a fan. Next up was the seasonal strawberries dessert. Super fresh and light. It convinced me to come back and drag my colleagues with me.

We had a selection of small plates, but the food was fresh and well presented and really a great value. the croquetta was filled with a creamy mushroom filling that was so flavorful and the chicken liver spread on toast was outstanding. We also had a salumi and cheese selection -- only wish I'd been able to sample more of the cheeses and meats. Definitely would come back next time I'm in Philadelphia!

We had dinner tonight at Root. It was disappointing. The service was spotty and felt rushed. We either had several people checking in with us or no one for 20 minutes, The food was good, but stingy as were the wine pours. When I compare Roots to other restaurants at the same price level it falls short. Bummer.

This is a gem of a place, just off Girard on Frankford in a part of Philadelphia (Fishtown) that is rapidly becoming a "go to" neighborhood. The menu isn't extensive, but it's good! We started with cocktails. They're known for their gin tonics, and our party agreed that the creativity of these offerings (they have 4 variations) was delightful. Another liked the Sidecar, and I enjoyed a great Portuguese red wine. I LOVED the pork and beef meatballs--they were savory, wonderfully sauced, and accompanied by thick slabs of lightly toasted bread to soak up the extra sauce. Our party also enjoyed the cavatelli with rock shrimp and the kale and escarole salad. The emphasis is on small plates, so none of us left feeling over-fed. The service was excellent, from the hostess who greeted us warmly and sat us immediately (although we were a few minutes early) to our lovely attentive waitress, to the food runners who brought our food--every exchange was gracious and affirming. It's also beautifully decorated! Our daughter lives in the neighborhood, and we'll definitely be back.

Fantastic brunch! We had to go early for brunch (10:45) because all the other times were booked, but it was great anyway. The place is small but the bar has a good amount of seats so in case the dining area is booked. We split the steak tartare, lemon ricotta pancakes, and a few orders of turkish eggs. I don't eat poached eggs but the rest of my party raved about them. Excellent bloody mary, too.