The Dandelion
124 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
★★★★★ · in the last week
The Dandelion is a delightful spot that truly captures the essence of a great dining experience. The food was nothing short of exceptional, with each dish carefully crafted and presented with elegance. The service was prompt and attentive, making the meal even more enjoyable. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, offering a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication. While the price per person was on the higher side, the overall value was worth it given the quality of the food and the ambiance. The noise level was moderate, allowing for easy conversation without feeling too loud. I would definitely recommend The Dandelion to anyone looking for a memorable meal.
★★★★ · in the last week
Came here for a late dinner last night with two friends, and what a lovely spot for a girls’ night! First of all, this place is BEAUTIFUL. Everything is UK-themed, and there are so many different seating areas spread across the upstairs and downstairs. The decor is tasteful and cozy without feeling overdone. It's the kind of place where you can settle in, enjoy your food, and catch up with friends for a few hours. There were three of us, and we ordered a salad, three appetizers, and dessert. We got the beef tartare, Scotch quail eggs, and cheese board. The Scotch eggs were very pork-forward, which I know is kind of the point, but I would have liked a little more egg in the ratio. They were certainly generous with the sausage! My only issue was that the pork had quite a strong, gamey flavor that reminded me of boar taint. I'm particularly sensitive to that flavor, though, and I know not everyone notices it as much, so I wouldn't necessarily fault the restaurant for it. The beef tartare was nice and tender, and it tasted fresh. I REALLY appreciated the way the beef was prepared, too. It was finely and neatly diced rather than mashed into something resembling ground beef. The texture was lovely, and you could actually appreciate the individual pieces of meat. Small detail, but very appreciated! My only complaint was that it was a little too tart for all of us. We actually had a hard time finishing it as a group because we all found the acidity a bit overwhelming. So while the quality and preparation were great, the flavor just wasn't quite to our collective taste. The cheese board had a nice spread, and it was a good option for sharing. The complimentary bread was surprisingly salty, especially paired with the salted butter. I don't mind salt, but between the two, it was a bit much. We also ordered a salad, which was fresh and refreshing. I was particularly curious about how they sliced the avocado into these pretty little loops. It looked so neat! I always appreciate when a restaurant puts a little thought into the presentation of even something as simple as a salad. For dessert, we got the espresso and sticky toffee pudding, as well as the banoffee. The sticky toffee pudding came out PIPING HOT, and the flavors were wonderful. I especially loved the ice cream served alongside it. It had a tangy, yogurt-like quality that balanced out the sweetness of the cake really well. The syrup itself was a little too sweet for me, but that contrast with the ice cream made the dessert work. And the banoffee? AMAZING. I absolutely adored it. Banoffee is such a satisfying combination of banana, toffee, and cream, with that rich caramel-like sweetness balanced by the soft banana and cool, creamy topping. It's indulgent without needing to be complicated, and this one really hit the spot. Honestly, I would happily come back for dessert alone. The staff were also incredibly kind and attentive throughout the evening. Service really added to the experience, and we never felt rushed. It's especially nice to find somewhere this welcoming when you're having a late dinner. My main reservation is the price. For what you get, it's a little on the expensive side, and while the food was generally good, not everything blew me away. That said, what other place is open this late on a Tuesday night, has such a beautiful interior, and gives you wonderful service? Sometimes the overall experience counts for a lot, and this was a genuinely lovely place to spend an evening with friends. Definitely a great option for a cute dinner date or a girls’ night out when you want somewhere with atmosphere, attentive service, and a proper dessert menu. Just be prepared to spend a little more!
