Discover Philadelphia 💐 Creative French Restaurant

Two days ago, I visited TOWNDSEND, a French restaurant located in South Philadelphia. Named after its head chef Townsend Wentz (who also runs the Spanish restaurant Oloroso in Philly 🍴), this spot offers a unique twist on traditional French cuisine by blending Spanish tapas flavors with Mediterranean and Asian-inspired seasonings. The result is highly approachable and delicious 😄. The exterior of the restaurant feels like a cozy wine bistro 🍷, complete with skilled mixologists and open until 2 a.m. Inside, the dining area is set up like an elegant home—white tablecloths, flickering candles 🕯️, and an intimate atmosphere perfect for dates or birthday celebrations! ✨ TOWNSEND ✨ 🏠 Address: 1623 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia 💰 Price per person: $80–100 💐 Seared Scallops For the first appetizer, we chose pan-seared scallops with asparagus. Simple yet skillfully executed—the scallops were perfectly cooked, lightly charred on the outside while tender and juicy inside. The only downside was that the asparagus was a bit tough. 🌟 Rating: 4/5 💐 Escargot A must-try French classic! I expected traditional baked snails but got a risotto instead (oops, should’ve read the menu more carefully 😊). Still, it was delightful—fresh snails paired with sorrel sauce-infused risotto, rich in creamy flavor with a hint of herbal freshness. 🌟 Rating: 5/5 💐 Marinated Hamachi We also tried the marinated yellowtail with apple—a light, tangy, and refreshing starter. However, compared to the other appetizers, it felt a bit ordinary, and the hamachi wasn’t as fresh as expected. 🌟 Rating: 3/5 💐 Lamb Printemps A highly recommended roasted lamb chop 🥩—absolutely lived up to the hype! The exterior was crispy, while the inside remained tender and juicy. The red wine sauce, infused with cherries and plums, added a sweet and tangy note that balanced the richness. Minced lamb in the sauce also added a deeper meaty aroma. 🌟 Rating: 4/5 💐 Butternut Squash - Truffle Gratin For the final main course, we chose a French-style gratin potato dish 🥔, creatively enhanced with pumpkin, black truffle, and mushrooms. The flavors were rich and layered—starting with the creaminess of potatoes and the sweetness of pumpkin, followed by the decadent truffle cream, and finishing with the toasty crunch of breadcrumbs. A truly satisfying main course! #PhiladelphiaEats #FrenchCuisine #DateNightSpot #FoodieAdventure #TownsendRestaurant