The Pickled Heron

I came here late May 2016 for a going away party for a friend. It was a party of 6 reduced from the original booking of 8. We had called that morning to change from 8 to 6.
Most of us live in Fishtown so locals we are. Four of us have been once or more before so far in 2016.
We arrived a few mins late and I was surprised to be asked to wait while our table is set up, didn’t you know we were coming! I got the impression they were short staffed. One staff member looked like she came straight from yoga class.
We got seated by our server, wine cooler and all that. The server seemed nice and friendly. We took our time ordering because we were all chatting etc. I couldn’t tell if this was irritating to server or not.
Save space*****
We ordered some shared plates to start, 2 orders of foie gras, one for me and one for sharing. I had the foie gras there last time I was there and it was delicious both times.
Save Space******more on apps.
I had the bream with calamari. It was very good. I thought it was slightly over cooked and probably helped by the fairly hot dish it was served.
My wife had the duck and said was undercooked, it was ordered rare but was barely seared. It was a bit chewy. My friends had the Rabbit, Gnocchi, Steak bavette.
I cant remember our server back to ask how food is, but I need to double check on this…
The place emptied of customers and staff. Our server stood up up at kitchen. I got the impression we had out outstayed our welcome. Hopefully our generous tip made up for it.
The few times I have been in PH I noticed it is usually an older crowd, and I am almost 50! PH is a smaller intimate restaurant with open kitchen.
I’m not sure if they play music, Its loud with conversation.
I/​we will probably be back to PH. I like it here despite my comments on this visit. The food can be excellent. I like the pace between courses and of course its BYO which is a big plus when dining out.
Not complete.

I have been to The Pickled Heron several times. The food is delicious. This is one place where you can get delicious foie gras. They also have a nice charcuterie plate and wonderful deserts. I have had variable service here. The waitstaff can be hit or miss. But the owner and the head chef are very gracious and wonderful. A great neighborhood BYOB!

The atmosphere, food and service all get the full 5 stars. With so many great places opening in Fishtown I don’t go as often I’d like but always wonder every time I do go why it has taken me so long to get back in there. Had the striped bass last night, along with a great pasta/​mushroom/​radish appetizer. The lime meringue for dessert was amazing.

Visited: 02/​21/​2016
Parking: street parking, Philly style :)
During my visit to Philadelphia, a friend recommended that we all come here to eat because others had given this place rave reviews. Therefore, we all came, a group of 6 with a reservation.
The menu isn’t large but I could tell it was quality over quantity. It was a relaxed, quiet ambiance that was great to hold our dinner party.
Our table ordered: Lobster Cavatelli, Duck Breast, Grilled Steak Bavette, Pork Loin and Moules Frites.
We enjoyed everything and it all came out in a timely manner. If you are interested in a place that is quiet and friendly, this is certainly the place! It’s just such an intimate setting that allows you to really talk and eat comfortably. Overall, I’d recommend this place!

This restaurant is exactly why I live in Philadelphia. We started with the charcuterie and the escargot pasta, both of which were absolutely amazing. Then followed by the pan seared duck, cooked to perfection with delicious sides. Best part for my sweet tooth was the chocolate cake, peanut butter ice cream, and pretzels. I returned home to describe in detail to my much jealous husband regarding the wonderful experience I had in this adorable restaurant.

I just wanted to write a quick update to my original post. I received a call from the chef/​owner after he read my review. He wanted to apologize for what happened on new years eve, and also thank me for the feedback overall. Taking it one step further, he explained that he’d leave a bottle of bubbly at the restaurant with our name on it to enjoy during a return visit.
While this doesn’t necessarily «fix» the issue from NYE, it certainly shows that he cared enough to take some action. It is appreciated.

BYOB
Lobster cavatelli was served with roasted cauliflower and a yellowish «crème fraîche» sauce. This was terrific, the texture of the roasted cauliflower paired well with the texture of the pasta, and the sauce was delicious (I wish I knew what was in it). This was by far, my favorite dish that we tried this evening, and I would have preferred to have a whole bowl of this dish.
The tile fish was served with roasted shallots, cauliflower, tamarind cream and some curry, on top of couscous. I enjoyed this dish, especially the curry with the couscous. I think I would have preferred a stronger flavored fish (but that’s pretty typical for me) to go with the other flavors on the dish. The fish was flaky and well cooked.
The steak bavette was served with brussel sprouts, and fingerling potatoes. A simple dish that was well cooked. The spouts and potatoes are a classic pairing with the steak.
We had dessert of crème brûlée and some sort of apple cake. Both were very good. The crème brûlée was especially good, delicate custard and a thin, not overly burnt sugar shell. The coffee (half a french press) that we had with dessert was also very good; good enough to drink black.
Service was what you would hope for in this type of place. Attentive and easily found when needed, and otherwise out of the way.

Mediocre food. I have visited this restaurant twice. The first time was during the first month it opened as a business. During this visit, I thought the food was mediocre. Unfortunately, giving it the benefit of the doubt, I decided to return more recently and not much to my surprise… food was mediocre.
Before I continue to use the word mediocre, let me point out that it is only the food that is mediocre. But then again, what is a restaurant without its food? The restaurant is a cute little BYOB with a homey atmosphere located in Fishtown. The décor is warm and welcoming, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, but the food lacks depth and innovation. It’s such a disappointment.
Have you ever eaten something and thought, «its good, but its missing something»… that’s this restaurant. The items on the menu sound innovative and intriguing but don’t taste as good as they sound. In other words, the ideas are there but in terms of execution, it misses the mark.
Bottom line, it isn’t a bad restaurant, it’s just not a great restaurant. If you aren’t someone who loves restaurants and food culture, chances are you will eat here and think its great but if you are, then you will most likely think the food lacks flavor and therefore, is just mediocre.

I came here with a party of 7 on New Year’s Eve. We were disappointed to learn upon arrival that there was a prix fixe menu. No mention of a prix fixe menu was made on the website or by the hostess who confirmed our reservation. Our whole party was excited to try some of the regular menu items, none of which was featured on the prix fixe menu. That in itself was disappointing.
The food and service were mediocre. We were the only table who was not offered coffee/​tea with dessert and the wait staff did not come back to our table to check on us in between courses. The one highlight of the dinner was the dessert. The chocolate bomb and blood orange cakes were phenomenal. The appetizer, 2^nd course, and main courses were okay but nothing special. For $ 60 per person, I would have expected more of a quality dinner. I know it was a holiday, but overall our entire party was underwhelmed with the experience. I wonder if the regular menu would be better, but I wouldn’t want to spend any more money at this place to find out.

I picked this place based off of the top Philly restaurants that serve seared «Foie Gras». We came here for my birthday and brought some wine. The appetizers, dinner and dessert were cooked perfectly. We will definitely becoming back. One of my favorite Foie Gras dishes by far!!!

Since Bibou became a $ 100 fixed menu… i think i’ve found a perfect new a la carte byob! The food was fantastic and the meat was so good. Enjoyed the venison denver leg and the duck breast both of which were perfect. Dessert the waitress suggested the duck egg crème brûlée which was very nice. There’s a cute love seat in the back that would be nice to enjoy dinner (albeit side by side) when we return. It actually takes credit card – not cash only!
Share charcuterie and dessert plus two mains came out to be $ 95 for two. Not too bad.

Did I ever say I love this city? OK, I’ll say it again, I love this city! To find a cozy, warm foodie destination in the heart of Fishtown is just one example of my affection. This BYOB with an open kitchen is very inviting.
The service is just what you needed, very helpful, efficient and attentive when requested.
Two wonderful appetizers kicked off the food event of the evening. The foie gras was perfectly seared to «melt in your mouth» tender, served with housemade rye bread and a smooth non-​overbearing grape jam. And the Charcuterie, which changes daily, this night had duck confit, a foie gras mousse, I believe a battered and fried head cheese, trust the chef, it was fabulous.
I am not a duck fan, (except for the Afflack duck on TV), mostly because of the layer of fat and the usual unimaginative prep way of smothering in some sort of fruit compote, but after reading reviews here, I decided «simple» might be just what I would like to try. No fruit, the fat was minimal, great start, seared perfectly with the internal temp a medium rare warm, served atop it’s own juices, was really nice for me, I liked it. One end was a little chewier than the other end which was tender and lovely. The potato pave with apple was amazing and the perfect accompaniment. That pave was the flavor assist on the dish. There was a shrimp special my friend ordered with some sort of «pig» (like bacon) wrap, and served with a very good risotto.
A charming dining destination with nearby street parking not hard to find at all, and just a few blocks north and east of Northern Libs, go for it. I did and I was very pleased.

This place is absolutely, unequivocally, and without a doubt the best place in Philly for French cuisine. The atmosphere is cosy and comfortable. The food is unbelievably good. Service is exquisite. Perfect spot for a date or special occasion. I like that you can see the kitchen from your table. The owner sent us out rabbit ravioli during our meal and it was super tasty.
Don’t forget that it’s a BYO. I stocked up on red wine, champaign, and chartreuse before our dinner.

This place is so cool. From the moment we walked in the service was so good, that I assumed the waiter was the owner. I was WRONG! lol
It is BYOB, so go to Bob’s Tavern and get some great local beers. Then your ready for your taste buds to dance. Really they will!
The food was amazing we met the chef/​owner and she was so warm and friendly we felt like family. We are going back to work our way through the Menu.
Please check this place out and enjoy the Dance. lol

Came here on a double date on a busy Saturday night. Its a small byob in Fishtown. It has a really nice atmosphere. I like the simple menu thats to the point and very small. We started with a couple appetizers that included fois gras, crab salad, and assorted meats with crackers. The food was good but nothing that stood out or amazing. Also the bread that was served wasn’t fresh or warm. The bread usually says a lot about a restaurant. For entrees I had the fish (forget name and cant find it on the menu online) but it was really amazing. My friends ordered medium cooked duck and beef. The duck just wasn’t good. It didn’t have much flavor and it was dry. We were recommended to try it medium rare but we were not about to eat bloody duck. Another person had the beef and he said it was good. For dessert we had the warm chocolate cake and it was tasty. Overall it was a good experience, good service and mostly pretty good food.

It was… well… it was extremely all right. Tragically so. All the makings of something that could have been great, but it was just… fine.
Outside of the fact that the menu lacked a fancy French cheese plate option (a tragedy in and of itself), I don’t have many complaints. The service was wonderful. Love me a good BYO. My scallops were plated and cooked beautifully. The atmosphere was charming, but…
I don’t know. It just lacked chutzpah to me. The menu was absent of the inventiveness and creativity that I’ve come to enjoy in the Philly dining scene. Nothing jumped out at me. Nothing inspired me. Nothing left me begging for more.
Overall… Solid. Solid, but forgettable.

i had a lovely experience here!
honestly, i was very worried after reading some of the reviews on Unilocal.i even went as far as to look on other foodie platforms for some reassurance lol~ anyway, i’m really happy that it turned out great. it was a very quiet and intimate dinner with my family :)
on contrary to what some Unilocal critics have mentioned, i did not think PH’s dishes lacked flavor. i enjoyed my appetizers (crab soufflé and foie gras) and pan seared duck very much. i don’t think it’s fair to put this on par with other well established restaurants. don’t get me wrong but PH is a very low key spot. it actually reminded me of the idea of speakeasies. it has a very homey feel and taste to it. yet the dishes are complex enough that there is no way i can make it at home!
Appetizer:
Foie Gras — loved the pear sauce with it~ very wintery feel
Crab Soufflé — almost like a crab cake, i just wish there was more crab in it. very unique! but the horseradish salad was a little overpowering i thought.
Entrée:
Pan Seared Duck — loved all the elements on this dish! generous portion!
Beef Bourguignon — similar to a beef stew~ i only had a bite of it but it was very yummy. portion seemed a little smaller compared to the duck
Grilled Venison — yummy but nothing overwhelming~ the chestnut purée was a fine touch to compliment the game
the only thing i could pick at was the quality of the ingredients. both the foie gras and the duck, frankly, were not the best– quality wise. i don’t know how to explain it but it just didn’t deliver that winning blow~ the duck was recommended to cook to medium rare– not a problem to me. however, the meat was too tough! we had a hard time cutting it on the plate. medium would have be better. the skin also carried just a tad too much fat than i would like. other than that, the dish was very well prepared. it was very scrumptious!
the other thing my family mentioned was them not offering warm bread :/​i mean it’s pretty cold out~ warm bread would’ve been a beautiful start lol but the butter was fantastic! we ended up having seconds to a serving of bread anyway.
other than that, it was a fantastic saturday night~ we left very full and satisfied. i would recommend PH to other people :) and definitely bring some wine to spice up your night! cheers!

I sometimes make the mistake of having way to high expectations of a restaurant.
Pickled Herron unfortunately falls into this category.
My gal pals and I were eager for our meal here we love Byobs and French fare so to say we were highly anticipating this meal would be right.
Service was flawless, I can’t recall her name but she was super sweet and did a great job of checking in and keeping water glasses full.
My reasons for 3 stars instead of four:
–Menu online clearly different then the hand printed one placed before us. I always check a restaurants website to make sure there will be some options for me in the event something isn’t available. I’m sad to say the scallops i had been salivating over were no longer an option
— what French restaurant doesn’t have a cheese board or at least a cheese feature? I was very perplexed and slightly offended by this. I’m not sure you can call yourself a French establishment without any fromage.
— the charcuterie board is actually house made but mostly or terrines and pates… no thank you
I went with the arugula and peach salad along with the mussels and frites.
The peach salad left me feeling a little puzzled. The peaches weren’t ripe enough in my opinion so the sweetness that should have been there was lacking. The salad was dressed lightly and featured a few nuts. It was ok but is something I could have made at home.
The mussels were divine and I was very happy with my choice. The frites were perfect and I consider myself a French fry connoisseur.
These two items were the perfect portion for me.
My dining companions seemed to enjoy their steaks and as stated before service was on point .
I’m not sold into coming back wish the outcome was different.

The Pickled Heron has been on my list of bookmarked restaurants for a long time, and I finally got to check it out with two girlfriends on Friday. We arrived armed with three bottles of vino. Though the restaurant was featuring some type of restaurant week deal, they still had their full menu available, which was our preference. Unfortunately, the menu didn’t exactly match the one online, and my friend was disappointed to see that the scallops were no longer being offered. Luckily, there were still a handful of other seafood options.
I started with the moules frites. The mussels were served in a light, saffron-​scented broth and they were fantastic. The fries were piping hot and served in a cone with a mild dipping sauce. Next up was a steak with bone marrow stuffing, mushrooms and onion. The steak was a perfect medium rare as requested.
We passed on dessert but said yes to French pressed coffee. I’m glad I finally got a chance to try The Pickled Heron and I’d be down for a return trip sometime.

I’ve been wanting to try out a French restaurant in Philly for a while, so it just had to happen last night. The Pickled Heron wasn’t my first choice, but I’m a procrastinator when it comes to making reservations so there wasn’t much choice on a Saturday night.
The décor is great. Warm, yellow walls in the dining room and even the restroom walls were beautiful deep red.
I had the foie gras as a starter. It was tasty and it went great with the sauce. My husband had the charcuterie. He thought it was just OK, but I tasted it and thought it was lovely. For our main courses we had the duck breast and the lamb. The duck came with risotto. Flavors could’ve been a bit stronger, but on the other hand. It was cooked very well and so I was happy. My husband loved his lamb dish. He said it was rich in flavor. For dessert we shared the chocolate terrine which was simply delish!
It’s a nice restaurant, but I’m not sure if I’d go back. I thought service was just OK, not overly friendly or welcoming, pretty standard. Also, the crowd here is a bit older… Overall, we had a lovely dinner with interesting flavors. Well done!