PHL - Ansill is still awesome, in case you forgot

[Buckethead]

I was there for happy hour oysters not long ago ($1 oysters and the best mignonette I've ever had) and, as usual, one thing led to another and we ended up eating dinner at the bar. And, as usual, everything was fantastic. It's always been one of my favorite places in the city, and it has only gotten better as time goes on. They have a new smoked paprika grilled chicken dish on the menu that is one of my favorite things I've ever had there. Their steak tartare is the best I know of. Also, they are giving out coupons for 50% off your second entree (on a subsequent visit).

I know some of you have never been there because you're vegetarian or you think it's too scary because they serve offal, you should go anyway. There are quite a few vegetarian dishes, and they're not the token veggie dishes you see at a lot of other places. The offal dishes are excellent but if you don't want to eat them it's pretty easy, they're probably only 10-15% of the menu at any given time.

[witnessprotection]

Agreed! There is enough choice to satisfy all but McDonald's eaters. Service is familiar but extremely knowledgable and professional. David is always wandering around and accessible. It's one of my favorite places in the city.

[sadiefox]

We went recently on a Tuesday for my husband's birthday. It was BYOB night so we did... we had tons of food and a couple of extra cocktails and the bill was extremely reasonable. Enjoyed the grilled romaine and steak tartare (topped with a quail egg), papardelle with escargot, pig's trotters (delicious -- wasn't sure what to expect) and asparagus with preserved lemon. Finished with an awesome cheese plate which was almost too much for 2 people (enough for 4) but we managed to choke it down :) . David Ansill was out and about, wished my husband a happy birthday, and comped a draft beer.

Yum!

[Boognish]

It must be birthday season! I went last week for my birthday as well. I don't think there's another place in the city where I feel as comfortable as the bar at Ansill. Slurping down oysters, eating a couple little plates, and drinking a martini is about as good as it gets. And David is a gracious host who always makes you feel welcome. I'm very happy he and his lovely wife were able to "graduate" from Pif to this full-service restaurant. Of course Pif will always be close to my heart (my first date with my soon-to-be wife was at Pif), but Ansill is certainly something special.

Thanks for bringing this up Buckethead!

[kmsue]

I wholeheartedly agree! I went there for my birthday recently and the food was amazing! (and I had high expectations to begin with!) I need to go back soon and that 50% off coupon isn't a bad idea...

[Bashful3]

YOu are tempting me just for the happy hour oysters. What are the rules on that?

Yum.

BAshful3

[Buckethead]

Happy hour is 6-8 pm Tuesday through Saturday (they just added Saturdays), they also have a draft beer and a couple glasses of wine on special, and if I remember correctly a special on a cheese and a small plate of some kind (when I was there it was a salmon roe tartine, also fabulous).