Hoof + Fin

Called for a week to make reservations and no one answered the phone.
Stopped in Monday at 7 to have dinner, and it was closed… permanently?!?

An FYI, not a review:
Was so excited to try this restaurant last night. Get there around 9:30 p.m., restaurant is CLOSED. Doesn’t look closed-​forever closed, but it was definitely closed. On a Friday night in spring in Philly. Neighboring restauranteur acknowledges that it’s closed, with more of a closed-​for-​good vibe. This explains why when I called 4 times earlier in the night to make a reservation, no on answered the phone. And I just thought they must be super busy haha.
Anyone know the real story?

I’m not sure what all the fuss is about. The food is rich and mediocre and the atmosphere is just average.
If you live in the neighborhood, give this place a try. Otherwise, there are about 20 other places I would recommend over this restaurant.

My favorite restaurant in Philadelphia! I had a great experience both times that I had dinner here. I’ve had the ceviche, oysters, empanadas, truffle gnocci, milanesa. and for desert tried the fruit crêpe and tres leches cake– everything was truly amazing. Better Argentine food than I ate in Argentina! The ceviche and milanesa were especially impressive.
I also had really great service here and love that it’s a BYO. We took our time enjoying the food and weren’t rushed out of the table like I’ve experienced at some other BYOs.

It has been quite the saga trying to come here to eat, beginning about 9 months ago, when the man and I got married. See our problem is that O’Neal’s is just waaaaaay too close and we always get stuck there. Finally, last week, we made it.
Décor/​ambiance: Very nice, but on the dark side. I could understand how it could get noisy when packed. Nicely set tables (IMO-​I like sitting at a «rustic» table). Also, nice bathrooms.
Service: Excellent. Chris our waiter was the star of the evening. Very accommodating. Our table was for 7, but we were at O’Neal’s and decided to have one more drink (see told you), so I asked for 7:30, not a problem. Great table side manners.
Food: Unfortunately, this is where H+F looses those 2 stars. Their amuse bouche was a chickpea salad that wasn’t very exciting/​original and was served with saltine crackers (??). We ordered the chicken liver pâté, mussels and gnocchi to start. Pâté… well, let’s put it this way… I want to swim in a pool of it and eat my way out. Topped with homemade strawberry it was our favorite app. Mussels were good, but overly salted. Did enjoy the frites that came with them. Alas, the gnocchi were just… okay, which breaks my heart. They weren’t as delicate and profound as I had hoped. Sigh. Where in this city can I feed my crippling gnocchi addiction?!
I had their version of paella, which was a good serving and had plenty of fresh seafood, but again was a little too salty. And the Mr. had the. emm…“plate ‘o meat”, which included hanger steak, pork, sausage, blood sausage, and a whole bunch of other meat topped with a fried egg. Considering he hails from Ireland, the lad was practically weeping over the fact they had (GOOD) blood pudding. Very nice dish, but a little too much animal for this lady.
Got our desserts to-​go, the chocolate cake and the tress leche cake. Both were middle of the road, but I was very pleased to see a homemade tres leche cake.
So not a life-​changing experience, but not awful. I’ll return and try other dishes or just request a kiddie pool of the pâté to lounge in.

Food: 2.5 stars
Service: 3.5 stars
Atmosphere/​Ambiance: 4 stars
This place has great potential but I wasn’t impressed by the food. The little chickpea sampler dish you get in the beginning was very tasty and such a tease b/​c our beet salad w/​gorgonzola app was just ok. For $ 8 I expected a little something more. The meat sampler for 2 ($ 46) was decent. My bf liked the lamb and hanger steak the best and I was sort of indifferent about everything, even the shortribs since I like them Korean-​style over any other style. The sweetbread was ok and the blood sausage freaked my bf out a little but I thought it was pretty tasty. The chorizo tasted much better the next morning in an omelette I made. The server was enthusiastic, attentive and kind but I was disappointed with the food given the great pictures on Unilocal and the reviews. Maybe I’m biased because I was looking for an Argentine place very similar to the one I love in midtown Manhattan…

went to check this small byo out on a Friday night, the host squeezed us in before a later res so that was clutch. The weather was splendid so we had a bottle of white and it paired well with the Argentinean fare.
We ate the pulpo ceviche, which was fresh and well done.
We also had the gnocchi (hit or miss at the table, I enjoyed them) in a sage brown butter. Also had a paella like saffron rice seafood dish and a skirt steak topped with lump crab. dessert was a tres leches cake, not the best I’ve had but also not the worst.
I enjoyed mostly everything, but wasn’t necessarily wowed by anything. Will be back to check out their prix-​fixes menus and to check out their outdoor patio seating.

We loved Hoof + Fin!
The moment we got inside, the atmostphere was great. Very cozy and romantic. The waiter’s were friendly and efficient.
For appetizers we got the corn and cheese empanadas and the malbec braised short rib pasta. Both were great. I was partial to the pasta because you could tell the noodles themselves were homemade and the meat was so tender and delicious.
For entrees, my boyfriend got the mahi mahi served with fried plantains and coconut rice. AWESOME. I am not a big seafood lover, but I would have gladly eaten his entire meal in addition to mine. The flavors just went together well. it was great. I got the hanger steak which was also fantastic. The meat was very tender and delicious. Both entrée’s came with a small salad on the plate which wias a nice touch as well.
For dessert we had the crapes filled with dulche de leche and fresh strawberrys… again.;. so amazingly delicious.
Overall, we had a great meal and a great time. We’re definitely adding this to our regular rotation of restaurants.

Nestled discretely between South and Bainbridge on 3^rd, it’s easily missed if you’re «hoofing» it (pun totally intended).
The menu rotates every four weeks, so if you see it floating around on their minimalistic, trendy website, be sure to disregard and go with the chef’s flow. We sampled barbecued octopus that was simply right with the world and amply juicy; a gnocchi that was scantly served in a delicate, buttery sauce (is that a hint of cinnamon?) leaving you with a delicate impression; and a duck breast served over lentils that just came apart with each fork dab.
The venue is small and intimate and yes you may sit close to another couple or group, but you know what? If you don’t have ADHD and can focus on your date’s conversation, you’re ready for a very intimate, personal dining experience.
TIP: Stop in Southwark’s around the corner for pre-​dinner Apéritifs or a post digestif. Or fuck it and just get the Manhattan the bartender recommends (because it’s usually pretty awesome).

A couple weekends ago, I enjoyed a lovely date night at Hoof & Fin. We arrived for our reservation and the dining room was hectic, but we were seated right away. Things got off to a slow start with receiving water and having our wine opened, but after we gave our order to our funny, engaging server, the rest of the evening was pretty close to flawless.
We started with beef empanadas and provoleta fundida. The empanadas were incredible; we immediately started discussing which version we would order on our next visit. The fundida was comparable to the queso fundido at Xochitl: although the latter has the slight edge for me. Still, a great selection nonetheless.
For his main course, my boyfriend had a rice and shellfish special, very similar to the arroz a la gallega which is on Hoof + Fin’s regular menu, only this was made with coconut milk and spinach, I believe. It was excellent, and I stole forkfuls at every opportunity. My dish, skate wing with truffle potato gratin and a side salad, was fantastic, except for one thing: too much salt. It wasn’t at the point where I couldn’t still enjoy it, but I did drink a lot of water with that meal.
We somehow managed to save a small corner of room for dessert, so we went with the churros and dipping chocolate. Unreal. They were especially awesome with a cup of La Colombe coffee.
My boyfriend loved the meal so much he went back the following week with his mom and loved it all over again. I’m looking forward to my next visit as well!

We had dinner here last Friday for a friend’s birthday. Great BYOB for Argentine cuisine– bring a few bottles of a good Malbec with you. Unassuming on the outside and charming inside with lots of kitschy items on the walls and all the waitstaff in dressed in plaid shirts. Friendly and attentive service, and lively atmosphere.
Loved the free crunchy breadsticks with sweet bell pepper aioli. The aioli was very tasty; we kept it through the entrée courses to use as a dip for our thick-​cut fries. I’d highly recommend starting with the calamari (the breading wasn’t too heavy, and it was drizzled with a nice barbecue sauce) and the queso fundido (the chorizo sausage inside made it really great).
All the protein entrees come with two side dishes included (one starch and one vegetable dish). I had the fish of the day, mako (shark), with sweet potato and creamed spinach. Every component of the dish was superb and perfectly cooked. I’d also recommend the shortribs papardelle– the meat melts in your mouth.
I thought the bone-​in ribeye was solid, but I wasn’t wowed. And even though I enjoyed the seafood rice dish (essentially a paella), it was rather soupy and I would have preferred a higher rice to soup ratio.
Save room for dessert. We had dulce de leche panqueques (crepes), which were great, and I noticed other tables with small cakes that looked pretty delicious as well.
Overall, a terrific dinner– I’d definitely come back again.

This is strictly a brunch review. We ate here for a friend’s birthday and sat outside on a perfect Fall day. We brought champers for mimosas and started with a fruit salad «for the table.» Unfortunately the portion was a bit small for sharing but the bananas were particular good.
I had the panqueques, a word that looks like «pancake» but is actually more of a crêpe, filled with mushrooms, sour cream and truffle oil. Wow, it was rich but tasty. My boyfriend ordered the steak + eggs which I would have to say I liked better than the dish I ordered. The steak was medium rare and cooked to perfection.
I had also the rum soaked yellow cake which was a sweet end to our brunch. I am looking forward to trying Hoof and Fin for dinner soon!

I have to bump the brunch up one star. Went back again this weekend. Menu is still mildly pretentious, but I got the egg sandwich this time, and I can’t deny the deliciousness of the drippy yolk or brioche bun. I think the chefs have hit their stride.
Also, sitting outside in the courtyard + a free mimosa really sweetens the deal.

If you’re looking for a steak-​centric BYO, Hoof & Fin’s skirt steak for around $ 20 serves up one of the most flavorful, well-​grilled pieces of meat in the city for a great price.
The steak was the standout, the provencial fries were excellent, and the empanadas were good but I’m a sucker for pastry-​wrapped meat.
That’s what she said.

I had the pleasure of dining at hoof + fin last Friday. On short notice, my friends and I needed a byob that was good for large groups (party of 7). Hoof + Fin to the rescue! As an added bonus, we were seated in the courtyard, which is lovely when the weather is nice.
I ordered the arugula salad because I am a fiend for peppery greens. Overall, I loved the simplicity — arugula, shaved gran a padano, olive oil and coarse sea salt. My one minor gripe is that I thought the sea salt was a bit overpowering. However, I am extremely salt sensitive, so take that into consideration. I sampled mr. H’s corn and cheese empanadas and they were yummy. The sweet corn flavor was a nice surprise.
For my main, I ordered the sangria braised short ribs, which were fall off the bone yummy. I thought the blueberries and mandarin orange on top were a bit weird, but I assume they were included to go with the sangria theme? At any rate, that complaint was easily rectified by just sliding off the fruit. Besides, the creamy chimichurri more than made up for things. The potato tortilla side and tomato watercress salad rounded the meal off nicely. I would definitely order again.
I was able to sneak a taste of the pappardelle with malbec braised short ribs and the grilled skirt steak. Both were tasty.
I definitely recommend hoof + fin (well, the hoof side) for a nice, casual, leisurely meal.

Hoof & Fin is not a magazine for the blue-​blooded brood that hunt and fish on the weekends at their country manors — it’s an adorably named BYOB that’s taken over Gayle’s space and has done it justice.
Light and airy, they’ve painted over those former dark green walls and opened up the space with décor I would dub industrial farm chic and with art seemingly sourced from Etsy. Kick-​ass musical selections (whomever is choosing these mixes has got great taste)
Service is just the way I like it, friendly, informed and involved. Best yet, is the food that comes from that kitchen. The hoofs and fins are well represented on this menu — and their preparations are solidly executed, fresh and unabashedly straightforward.
From the bread sticks, to the Mahi-​mahi mini tacos, the summer asparagus with poached egg, to the short rib in chimichurri to the most sinful desserts — our meal was near-​perfection — and one of the better meals I have had in Philadelphia this year. H+F will now be heavy rotation — oh, and don’t forget they serve a great brunch too and take advantage of that gorgeous patio space in the back!

Had a chance to try this place last week and was definitely not disappointed. It’s a great use of the space in Queen Village and fits right in with the neighborhood. When I arrived for dinner, the restaurant was empty, but it filled up around 7:30 or 8:00 and was bustling when we left. The service was attentive and our server had a good grasp of the menu, which I think is important in a small BYOB place.
The atmosphere was quaint, and the patio is open now that the weather is nice and next time I definitely plan on checking it out. Within the restaurant, the decorations are simple and clean, and complement the cuisine well.
Now for the meat of the review. I really wanted to try the grill tasting special, but I’m not a fan of sweetbreads, and since it was my first time here I wanted to try a pasta dish also. The Gnocchi was fantastic, being a little light in a rich truffly butter sauce. I then arroz a la gallega, which was like a paella with well seasoned seafood. My friend got the softshell crab special with a strawberry sauce that was very tasty as well.
I can’t comment too much on the tres leches cake, because I only got one bite before my friend inhaled the rest. She really seemed to enjoy it, haha.
Overall a great BYOB that I definitely plan on visiting again.

A great addition to Queen Village for sure… my wife and I visited Hoof + Fin for brunch Sunday and were (sadly) the only people in the restaurant. Sure it was a little drizzly, maybe it was a bit too early (11:30), or maybe the word simply hasn’t gotten out yet. Either way, the service was good (it should have been being the only patrons), the coffee fresh and strong, and the food fresh & well prepared.
I had the Scramble Egg Gramajo with bacon, shoe string fries, tomato confit, and provolone cheese which was out of this world. It was served with a small side salad and was the perfect portion size. My wife had the panqueque (which they have in both sweet & savory and are similar to crepes) filled with mushrooms, sundried tomato purée, provolone, sour cream & truffle oil. Also, an added kick to brunch was the complimentary mimosa or bloody mary. Great atmosphere and music also…
While they have a sandwich board outside noting their brunch and complimentary drink they do not have their brunch menu posted. I saw many people walk up to read it then walk away without finding what they wanted. Granted, I think there were two other tables in the restaurant when we left but this restaurant is certainly worth more. Hopefully the positive words will continue to spread and the reservations we had will actually be necessary in the future. I look forward to going back and enjoying dinner and their back patio area (which was closed due to the weather).
This is a great new addition to the Queen Village area a half block away from the craziness of South Street. I highly recommend the brunch and will post again once I sample their dinner… enjoy!

If South Street is a sea of philistines, Hoof + Fin is the lucky piece of driftwood washed up on shore. Tucked away from the madness, H+F sits on 3^rd between South and Bainbridge. A spot like this would seem better suited for Rittenhouse, but maybe that’s why I liked it so much. It’s something awesome in the least likely of areas.
Surf and turf menu with simple but inspired dishes. Spotless aesthetic: vintage prints of animals in gold frames of all different sizes, hung on a large wall to create a giant collage of cute. I was originally drawn to this place weeks ago when I admired their sign: a wooden slab and the haphazardly carved, «Hoof + Fin.»
Armed with lots of cheap wine and a bunch of gays, dinner at H+F was already off to the right start. To begin, someone ordered the calamari. Each ring was lightly fried and glazed with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Delicious and we fought until the very last one was had.
I went with the whole fish special — a perfectly prepared mild, white Mediterranean pesce. This being the first whole fish I’ve ever ordered at a restaurant, one of the servers was kind enough to debone it for me. My friend’s skate wing was awesome, she mentioned never having had this kind of «bird» before. Oy. All the gays on a diet ordered the mahi mahi — really awesome — and my final friend went with the short rib pappardelle — my favorite pasta dish. Sadly, we didn’t have room for any of the homemade dessert.
The best part? Towards the end of dinner, a man and his guitar hopped on a stool and started serenading guests with lovely little flurries of background music.
What a hidden gem you are, Hoof + Fin.

Hooray! We are blessed with another wonderful BYO in Queen Village! Hoof + Fin just opened next to Hostaria Da Elio, where Gayle used to be. Hoof + Fin offers a Latin American twist on surf and turf including raw oysters and ceviche. My husband and I were both so stricken with an overwhelming anxiety of indecision that we only were able to decide on our order with the comfort in knowing that we would be back to try the rest in the near future.
Breadsticks and basil aioli: hold back your desire to use these long & skinny Italian breadsticks to swordfight your dinner mates. I dare you not to eat them all — that little green bowl of aioli is addicting!
Hamachi Taquitos with lime and jalapenos: these two taquitos were light and refreshing. Reminded me of something that would come from Distrito. Good to share between 2 people.
Butternut Squash Risotto with wild mushrooms, edamame, and grana pandana: we ordered the small version, which was way bigger than I had envisioned. I love butternut squash but I actually thought the squash could have had more of a presence in the dish. This risotto was comforting and filling thanks to the grana pandana. Like a grown up mac and cheese. That sounds wrong to say, but it has that same blissful satisfaction you get from a hot bowl of mac and cheese.
We both ordered entrees from the grill. We wanted one of everything from the menu but settled on these:
Scallops U10: Four large scallops from Cape May
Whole Fish (seasonal 1 ¼ lb): Branzino
Both entrees were generous in size — so generous we regretted eating all those breadsticks! The scallops were very fresh and noteworthy, but I was more moved by the branzino which was moist and melted in my mouth.
If you order from the grill, you can pick 2 sides: one starch and one vegetable. I will have dreams about the pureed parsnips for days. I know, who would pick parsnips over buttermilk mashed potatoes? But no lie, they were the best damn parsnips I’ve ever had! Not bitter or harsh, they are sweet and perfectly creamy. You won’t regret it if you get them. Seriously.
We also tried provencal fries, roasted brussel sprouts with toasted almonds, and broccoli rabe with stewed tomatoes. The fries are thick and more like wedges or long home fries with a crisp chimichurri outside. Probably a better complement to a turf dish, but good all the same.
2 people: 1 appetizer, 1 risotto, 2 grilled entrees with sides = too full for dessert! So much food! We couldn’t help ourselves. We ended up doggie bagging it. Next time we come, and that will most certainly be in the near future, we will probably only order 1 grilled entrée and get 1 main, so we can leave room for the bread pudding. All of that for about $ 70.
Casual, no frills, rustic ambience. Friendly and helpful service.
Closed on Tuesdays. Hours 5pm — 10pm Sun, M, W, Th; 5pm to 11 pm Fri/​Sat.