The Victor Café — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I typically do days of research before going to spend my hard earned money and taking someone I love. This time I did maybe 4 hours. I'm not going to fabricate, the reviews and almost 5 stars swayed me. I trusted in that, it was a big time mistake. This experience with establishment, food, and welcoming staff was a huge miss minus the host and valet. We first arrived, walked in after parking valet and asked the bartender a simple question, he dismissed me to the host which wasn't at the station yet. Just rude. We are welcomed by the host which was very nice and warm and seats us. As we are walking back everyone seated dining looked at us like we were lost and not welcomed. It kinda went with the theme of the old black and white Polaroids on the walls. We sat reviewed the menu and watched our server Collin walk past our table 5 times without greeting us or taking our order. We sat at that table as he tended to other parties annoyed. We sat there for 33 mins, within that time we watched other tables get sat, order and had to endure opera rituals which were brutal. After the long wait, unwanted stares and countless snickers towards us our waiter came. He apologized for the wait as if we didn't just witness him avoid us for over 30 mins. We told him no need to wait or go over the menu we were ready to order now. He said ok, turned around and went to another table to take their order. The table was white patrons, exclusively the entire establishment was. At this point I'm ready to make a scene but my wife was ready for a meal after a long day and had more patience. After we sat for another 3 mins watching him tale another tables order, we decided to leave. The issue with leaving was my wife was hungry, we paid for valet parking and was in South Philly where we didn't frequent restaurants. We get to the entrance and ask the host for our keys, she was stunned and worried about why we were leaving so early. She asked what was happening, we explained, she willingly got the manager. While waiting I had a dispute with valet requiring cash payment although we didn't get service at all. After we talked it out with valet and he agreed to do cash app payment, I wasn't ok with it but due to the circumstances I would. The manager came and heard our experience, she listened and reimbursed valet and comped a appetizer and a drink per person. That interaction was ok, I feel she was just trying to manage the situation because she made excuses for our waiter on why we were treated that way. The excuse he's new... We stayed because of the uncertainty of leaving and finding another establishment to eat in a timely manner, it was now 8 pm. The drinks were good, strong. The appetizer, mussels were good, just a weird after taste, very weird. The entre I had was NY strip steak , it was bland , taste non existant, the best on my plate was the mash. My wife got a lamb chunk, she didn't enjoy it one bit. Overall the food was bad, drinks good, and experience was note worthy to say the least. I will never recommend this place or visit again. I will urge all people of color, stay away or use this experience as a reference before you go so you're not blind sided. Our bill still came to $100 even after the comps, a tip was left which was undeserving. I wish we followed our mind and left after the initial experience. I'm all for trying different things and stepping out my comfort zone but if that requires me thinking about my safety, or being disrespected I will not stand for it. All nostalgia isn't good, this is one of them, the rocky movie cameo shouldn't be the reason you accept...

I took a friend there for his birthday. The vibe was off as soon as I entered the establishment. The hostess had a palpable air of superciliousness before I even opened my mouth (I am brown). I did not like the frequency of their little operatic numbers. Too often and too distracting from dining. Our server was pleasant, albeit a bit rude. He said he hated that he studied Opera. I told him I had a close friend star in the Madame Butterfly, to connect with him, even though that’s not my job; he is the help..of course he doubted my veracity. The staff wasn’t very diverse, even though I’m not surprised..the place reeks of PWT from the 70’s area.

The seafood fra Diavlo lacked flavor, and I could have done better job making it at home myself.

Overall, the food was tolerable. The waiting staff not so much. I still don’t understand the entitlement of American servers and waitresses. You don’t get a 20% tip just because..you have to work for it. And being a social scientist and knowing about pay disparities, there’s nothing like being “greeted” by some clueless hostess destroying a potentially positive dining experience simply because of Karen’s prejudices.

I left a tip of my usual 20%, regardless of the poor quality, because I always don. After all, the help needs it more than I do. However, I’m beginning to not care so much. They’ll give your subpar service anyway—just because how you look. Or course I was wearing 5k worth of clothing, but I don’t need to tell them that.

Anyway, on top of all that—they “forgot” to sing my friend happy birthday (even though the reservation stated it and it was confirmed at the hostess). Awful my friend felt slighted.

The bill only came to $116, I left 25 tip because, the plump “1/2 Filipino” server looked like he needed it. He asked if I needed change back and I told him no. He was surprised because I always tip 20-25%…even though most don’t earn it. So funny..I’m Filipino and mixed, brown dining. My friend is Filipino and Tanazanian and was a lead in Madame Butterfly. Our Filipino (but whitewashed mix) provided poor service and was singing intermittently since he fell off with his opera career. DO BETTER and treat all of your patrons equally—you just never know who might dine and spread the word about your establishment.

Overall, this place was a disappointment. The food lacked flavor and the staff needs more diversity. Cut the performances to...

This place deserved a review. I was so excited to eat here. Someone had recommended it because I love Opera and have never seen anyone sing it live. Yesterday was my Birthday 🎂 and let me just say I did not have a good day. My reservations for 3 ended up being only me. So I was a little down when I arrived. I spent the first 15 minutes of my time talking on the phone about what I had went through that day. So when I was seated I wasn't really present. I put my phone down to hear the first waitress sing behind the make shift screen that was up I'm assuming because of Covid restrictions. That's when I clicked in. I started looking around at all the beautiful photos and warm ambience of the restaurant. It felt like I was in a small town in Italy somewhere. The music filled my ears and called a peace from deep down in me. I watched the faces of the customers so lovingly engaged with their families and like myself lost in the music. My waitress recommended an appetizer and I picked the mussels in white sauce and main course of pork chop with garlic mashed potatoes and apples. The food was delicious. My waitress switched my table for me so that I could get a better view of the performances which where around the corner from my table. I wish I had known about this place prepandemic so that I could see the waitresses walking around while singing. The building really is charming they offer valet parking out front so I didn't have to walk in the heat with high heels. There is dining out front under romantic lights the upstairs where the bathrooms are located has a separate dining area it's really nice up there and a small bar. Down stairs has 3 different dining area and bar. The other customers where so friendly that I didn't feel alone getting happy birthdays from so many people. I believe it was because of the atmosphere of the restaurant. The staff was so warm welcoming and talented. I can't remember my waitresses name but she was a beautiful curvy woman with curly hair. Her voice moved me most of all that night. Before I left she brought me a cup of whipped cream with a candle with my dessert (chocolate cake). Thank you Victors. For a great night. Worth money for a delicious meal and talented staff. My tiny thing I wish is that there was a little bit more light for picture taking lol. I wanted to get some really nice photos but...