Haute Lounge - Philadelphia

I wish there was an option to have “not applicable”. I made the reservation and then I read all the reviews. I was a little empty, so I had plans too. Good thing I did. They called me about three hours before the reservation to say that they had a private party and I could come later. We went to the nut cracker so I couldn't come later. Not sure if I will ever try to go there or not!

When I arrived for my 6pm reservation, there was no host I had to wait 10 mins for someone to appear from the back. There was only one person seating guests, taking orders, making drinks delivering food to the tables. The clam chowder was too salty, the mussels were okay the grits for the shrimp grits were still gritty. Asked for mashed potatoes as a substitute waited for over 30 mins for them to be delivered to the table. Let's just say that I didn't even wait for dessert.

The establishment was not at all upscale, I was very disappointed.

Food was not up to par for a review. Most of the food was so bad in taste, and salty. Salad was a disappointed, roasted eggplant with few pieces of lettuce on top and few string of carrot. Dressing is like is mostly vinegar and salt. New England chowder is canned good and just warm up on the stove. Mussels are from package, just reheated and added salt without any bread like other restaurant, maybe it is a good thing since I don't want to consume all that added salt to the mussels anyway. Then come Shrimp and Grits, mostly the same, package or canned good, nothing made in house. Bartender is so inexperience with drink menu and very expensive. Overall, the restaurant is overrated and not worth the price.

FIRST TIME THERE WENT DURING RESTAURANT WEEK...WOULD GO AGAIN