The Twisted Tail — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Last night, my sisters, our cousin, and I celebrated our cousin’s birthday at The Twisted Tail, and I can confidently say it was an incredible experience from start to finish. We made reservations through OpenTable for 7:30 PM, and while I’m unsure if reservations are necessary, it ensured we were seated promptly. Upon arrival, my sisters and I were greeted with warm hospitality. While waiting for our cousin, the staff brought us water and a small bag of freshly popped popcorn—a delightful touch and better than any movie theater popcorn I’ve had!

Food and Drinks

The food was beyond amazing. We ordered and shared a variety of dishes, including:

• Barbecue Ribs (our favorite) • Crawfish Mac and Cheese (our favorite) • Jumbo Shrimp (our favorite) • Shrimp and Grits • Mussels • Smoked Chicken • Beef Short Rib • Hanger Steak • Roasted Broccoli

Every dish was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The barbecue ribs and jumbo shrimp were the absolute standouts for our group.

For drinks, the restaurant offers specialty cocktails, but I opted for a classic lemon drop. Our cousin chose a festive holiday-inspired drink, and my sisters enjoyed a mojito and a cranberry vodka mix. The cocktails were well-crafted and added to the overall dining experience. Our server was attentive and ensured our glasses were never empty, offering another round whenever needed.

Ambiance

The Twisted Tail offers a warm and inviting ambiance, blending Southern American cuisine with a lively atmosphere. The lighting, decor, and layout create a cozy yet social vibe. We dined on the second floor, where communal long tables are shared with other guests, but the spacing felt more than adequate for comfort.

Adding to the magic of the night was the live band. The music was excellent, and some guests even got up to dance casually—just enough to enjoy the moment without being intrusive. It elevated the experience and gave the evening a celebratory feel.

Service and Birthday Surprise

The service was impeccable. I had noted on our OpenTable reservation that we were celebrating a birthday, and the staff executed the request flawlessly. At the end of our meal, our server brought out warm beignets with a caramel dipping sauce, complete with a candle. We sang a quick, intimate “Happy Birthday” to our cousin, who was touched by the gesture. It was a sweet and memorable way to end the evening.

Overall Experience

Everything about The Twisted Tail exceeded our expectations—amazing food, great drinks, live music, outstanding service, and a wonderful ambiance. Despite indulging in several dishes and cocktails, the prices were surprisingly reasonable, making it even more worthwhile.

Would I recommend The Twisted Tail? Absolutely. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a night out, this is a place you’ll want to visit. We’ll definitely be back.

Pro Tip: Make a reservation and try the barbecue ribs and...

We visited The Twisted Tail earlier this week for the 2022 CCD Restaurant Week. Sadly, the experience did not match our expectations. To start with the positive, all of the staff I interfaced with were friendly. I received a call a few days prior to the reservation to confirm the details. The host and waiter were both very welcoming as well. The cocktails we ordered, the Black Cherry Gimlet and Honey Apple Sidecar were delicious. Really some of the better cocktails had in Philly recently. We were surprised to be delivered some complimentary popcorn to accompany the drinks while we waited for the food. As far as the ordered food, the crawfish mac & cheese ended up being our favorite. The cheese sauce was pretty good.

Unfortunately, that’s about where the positive ends.

For my four-course experience, I ordered heirloom beets, salmon wonton cups, fried chicken, and ricotta beignets. The wonton cups tasted extremely bland and the only memorable note from them was that the cups produced a comically loud crunch biting into them. I ended up adding other elements from our meal to my last cup to try to help it out. The fried chicken was the biggest disappointment for me. It was the reason I made the reservation and while the chicken was undeniably fried well with crispy skin and juicy meat, the flavor was completely absent. The chicken tasted unseasoned and lacking flavor. The hints of honey on the skin were good but overall extremely disappointing. The beignets didn’t fully hit the mark either and after seeing a peach galette on another plate, I wish I had gone in that direction.

For my girlfriend’s four courses, she ordered the aftermentioned crawfish mac & cheese, the chorizo taco, braised short rib, and bourbon crepe cake. The chorizo taco was prepared much differently than both of us were expecting. It looked like a hotdog or sausage on a tortilla. While that alone wasn’t an issue, the taco itself was rather dry tasting even with the sauce and fresco added. It seems the taco was missing an element or two to add more freshness and juiciness to complete the experience. For the braised short rib, it was also anywhere from underseasoned to not seasoned at all. It amounted to just eating a giant slab of meat. Her dessert was not her favorite in taste and one minor note was that the menu read that it was served with raspberries but instead hers was delivered with blueberries.

Overall, The Twisted Tail seemed to have strengths on the menu that maybe we missed. The drinks were very good which leads me to believe the brunch experience might be much better but I’m not in a hurry...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Twisted Tail during restaurant week, and it turned out to be a delightful experience that exceeded my expectations. Celebrating my birthday with my family, we were treated to a culinary journey that left our taste buds dancing.

Ambiance and Entertainment: The Twisted Tail offers more than just exceptional food; it provides a lively and vibrant atmosphere. The addition of live music added a wonderful touch to the evening, creating a dynamic and enjoyable backdrop to our celebration.

First Course - Spanish Octopus and Chorizo Taco: Our culinary adventure began with the Spanish Octopus and Chorizo Taco, a perfect start to the evening. The flavors were expertly balanced, with the tender octopus complementing the spiciness of the chorizo. The presentation was elegant, setting the tone for a memorable meal.

Second Course - Crawfish Mac & Cheese: The Crawfish Mac & Cheese stole the spotlight during the second course. Creamy, indulgent, and rich in flavor, it was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening. The generous serving of crawfish added a delightful twist to the classic mac and cheese, making it a dish to remember.

Entree - Blue Bay Mussels: For my main course, I opted for the Blue Bay Mussels, and I was not disappointed. The mussels were cooked to perfection, and the broth was a savory blend of flavors that left me savoring every bite. The portion size was generous, making it a satisfying and delectable choice.

Dessert - Chocolate Crepe Cake: The culinary journey concluded on a sweet note with the Chocolate Crepe Cake. This dessert was a chocolate lover's dream, with layers of delicate crepes and rich chocolate ganache. It was a heavenly ending to an already fantastic meal.

Drinks - Black Cherry Gimlet and Kool Kat: The beverage selection at The Twisted Tail perfectly complemented the meal. The Black Cherry Gimlet was a refreshing and well-balanced cocktail, while the Kool Kat added a touch of uniqueness to the overall experience. The drink menu, much like the food, showcased a thoughtful curation of flavors.

In conclusion, The Twisted Tail not only met but exceeded my expectations for a birthday celebration. The combination of exceptional food, attentive service, live music, and a vibrant ambiance made for a memorable evening. I highly recommend The Twisted Tail for anyone seeking a culinary adventure with a perfect blend of flavors and...