whole fish in philadelphia

[kazmodo]

Hi fellow chowhounds......
I am hoping you will help me compile a list; after vacationing in the meditterean a few weeks ago, I have realized that fish fillets do not really satisfy me anymore. There's nothing more delicioius than a whole, fresh fish, simply prepared. I want to make a list of philadelphia restaurants where a whole fish is often on the menu...Here's what I have so far:
Estia
Rx
Branzino
Mezza Luna
Ava
Tre Scallini
Cucina Forte

[fancynewbeesly]

Sotto Varelli also does a special whole fish!

[mazza3]

almost every italian byo in the city will do a whole fish (usually branzino or some other type of bass, snapper or sole). unfortunately, what i love about the mediterranean, grigliata mista, is impossible to come by. even a nice plate of grilled sardines is near impossible.

i think little fish might do whole fish too, but if not, you shouldn't avoid them just because they do a lot of fillets. the chef there is excellent and they do an absolutely amazing sicilian squid stew. YUM!!

[kazmodo]

Actually, Little Fish does NOT serve a whole fish -- which is actually why I started this in the first place. We were just there and I was VERY disappointed in their fish fillets --- they did not taste fresh. I do love Branzino, and do agree that at least half of the Italian BYOs do one, but I was hoping to get some surprises out of this list, which I have, and I thank everyone for so far! the updated list:
Estia, Rx, Branzino, Mezza Luna, Ava, Tre Scalini, Cucina forte, Radichio, Kanella, Penang, Buddakhan, Bistro Juliana, Sotto Varelli, Paradiso, Vetri, Dmitris.
THANKS EVERYONE!

[keby]

I love the whole red snapper at Buddakhan

[Boognish]

Radicchio.

Vientienne often has a whole fish special.

[mschow]

Penang serves delicious whole fish of the day.

[kazmodo]

Thanks, this is great --
so add
Paradiso
Vetri
Dmitri's
Kanella

any more??

[rabidog]

xochitl had a whole fish (branzino?) but i think it was on the specials menu.

[heartdoc]

would strongly reccommend Kanella, they do several whole fish
also Bistro Juliana in fishtown, was excellent

[percyn]

And of course there are many places in Chinatown that offer an Asian variation.

[Buckethead]

Kanella does a whole fish every night, the fish species varies.

[ddeblasi]

My fave is Dmitri's for whole fish. Go to the original on 3rd and Catherine. Simply char-grilled, they usually are serving dorado and pompano. Roughly $22-24 per fish. Enjoy...

[Philly Ray]

Paradiso does a whole grilled branzino and Vetri does a salt crusted rosted whole branzino (with truffle oil!!!).