Great Food in a Tiny, Little Package
Written: Aug 05 '03 (Updated Aug 05 '03)
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Pros: Fantastic Mediterranean cuisine, cool atmosphere
Cons: crowded seating
The Bottom Line: If you want it good and don't care about pretenses, then this is the place for you.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Dmitri's |
The other night, my wife and I were hungry and trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Perhaps Indian at New Delhi? No ... too heavy. Cheesesteaks? Nope - we wanted healthy. Then it came to me - someplace with good, healthy food that would be satisfying in the stifling heat of Philadelphia in August.
Dmitri's.
If you are from around here, you've definitely heard of it. If you're lucky, you've experienced it. If you're smart, you've become a regular. Dmitri's isn't a glitzy restaurant like many in the area, but it IS one of the best Mediterranean places to grab a delicious meal in Philly.
When we arrived, we put in our name (they don't take reservations) and were told 30 minutes to wait. No problem - the restaurant only has about 25 seats, including the 'bar' seating - and is usually packed at dinner time. So, we did what most people do - went over to the New Wave Cafe to have a drink while waiting. [Note: the New Wave is a great place in and of itself, and is worth checking out if you have a chance.]
I went and had a Flying Fish Farmhouse ale, which was exquisite, while we waited for some room to open up. The bartender was pleasant and made our short visit a nice one; short being the operative word, since the Dmitri's server came over about 10 minutes after we arrived to tell us that our table was ready (that ALWAYS happens, by the way). So, with our stomachs grumbling and our orders already nearly solidified in our minds, we wandered back to our table.
FOOD
Dmitri's specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, focusing on fresh fish. The menu is limited - about 20 items in all - but what they do, they do well. We already know the menu by heart - the only question is what their fresh fish of the day is.
For us, the most obvious openers are the calamari and/or the grilled octopus. Unfortunately, they weren't offering the calamari because of the poor quality they were getting from their distributor. But, that just meant we would be getting the octopus. In addition, we ordered the baba ganoush and the Greek salad with greens to start. They had three specials, including a Whole Red Snapper in lemon and olive oil and Sauteed Soft-shell crabs. We ordered the latter as a shared entree and waited for our food to arrive.
The opening dishes were there in only a few minutes. The baba ganoush was excellent, having a delicate yet enticing roasted flavor beyond the norm. There was also a hint of spice in the cool spread, which was delicious with the ample pita provided.
The Greek salad was good, although the greens were slightly disappointing. The feta, however, was fantastic, as were the sweet, fresh cucumbers, olives and tomatoes.
But the highlight was the octopus. Served still warm in a lemony marinade, they were EXCELLENT - in fact, they were the best that I had ever had them at Dmitri's. The pieces were soft with just the right amount of chewiness to allow you to savor the flavors. The grilling gave it a hint of charring which only served to accent the excellent taste that we were anxiously awaiting.
We were through the appetizers (except the baba ganoush) and had sat talking and people-watching for a short while, waiting for the entree. Unlike the appetizers, entrees can take a while longer to get; ours arrived just as we were getting curious about it.
The three soft-shelled crabs were lightly breaded and peppered, surrounded by a brown rice mixture and boiled okra. I avoided the okra, but dug into my first crab. I'm relatively new to the soft-shell variety, but these were fantastic. The breading provided an introductory flavor, with hints of lemon and pepper, and the crunch of the shell was subtle enough to not be distracting. The crabs were done perfectly, if a little smaller than we expected (especially for $24).
In addition to our normal fare, Dmitri's also offers a variety of other Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus (excellent), lamb and olives. Their specialty, however, is the seafood, and they have always provided excellent varieties and quality fish. In the past, we've had bass, talapia and bluefish, and all have done in a way that makes you feel like you are sitting on the Greek coast.
Prices
Most of the appetizers range from $4-7, and the entrees will run from $10-16. Specials are usually more expensive ($16 - $30), but you also get a lot more food with them. Expect to pay about $30 a person for a good meal.
One Note: If you want to drink, you'll have to bring your own as the restaurant is BYOB. There is a liquor store about 2 blocks away, and the New Wave Cafe has 6-packs, but it's better to plan before you go.
DECOR
Dmitri's is a restaurant that doesn't spend a whole lot of time or effort to be the 'next big thing'. The kitchen is set up diner style - several seats right in front of the open grill and prep area. The diner theme continues throughout the restaurant - from the tall tables and chair along the window to the main dining area, where the tables are somewhat crowded together. But all of this is part of the scene, and you won't even notice after a few minutes.
Dmitri's is always bustling, and tables are at a premium - especially on weekend nights. Expect to have a good view (and scent) of the food on the tables around you. If you have a big group, expect to wait a while - seating for more than 6 people is very hard to come by.
SERVICE
The servers here are friendly, but they aren't going to spend a lot of time making small-talk with you. At most, there will be 3 serving the restaurant and they are HUSTLING around. I've heard others talk about the servers being rude - but the worst I've had is a quick visit to drop off the food with no time to chat. Abrupt, yes. Rude, no.
But they also know their stuff. If you are a first-timer, they'll be able to really tell you what you need to know about the menu and give you some helpful hints. If you are regular, they'll know what you want before you even ask.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Dmitri's isn't for the 'see and be seen' set, but it doesn't want to be. Practically a legend in the South Street Philly area, they do abundant business and word-of-mouth keeps it up. If you want a good meal while in town, take the time to sit back and enjoy what they have to offer. But be sure to bring cash ... because they don't take American Express. Or Visa. Or MasterCard... i.e. no credit cards accepted.
MORE INFORMATION
Dmitri's
795 S 3rd St
Philadelphia, PA 19147-3326
Phone: (215) 625-0556
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The Grilled Octopus is fantastic, as are most of their daily fish specials. Note: the restaurant is BYOB, so bring your own wine if you want it.
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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