Oloroso

The roasted half pig head ($76) is the main reason to come to this restaurant The pig head is served in its full glory (tongue, ears, teeth, snout, etc.) with sides of potatoes, shishito peppers, and 3 dipping sauces. Once you take your photos, the server will remove all of the bones and leave you with a heaping mixed platter of juicy, crispy, tender pork (depending on what part you're eating). Note that if you're not one of those people who wants to think about what animal you're actually eating, you might want to wait for the deboning to return back to the table.

I gave the restaurant a 4 instead of a 5 because everything else we ordered was good and satisfying but not out-of-this-world. For the 4 of us, we ordered the large seafood paella (a little on the wet side), the wood oven pork belly, the grilled octopus, the charred eggplant, and roasted wild mushrooms. I would happily eat any of these items again, but they were not nearly as impressive as the pig head.

Final thoughts: the pig head came last in the meal so make sure you save room! Some people say that there are a limited number of the pig heads that are served every evening so if you want to be sure to get one, make sure you don't go eat too late. For reference though, our reservation was at 7:30 pm on a Saturday night and we had no problem ordering one.

Last night's dinner with my friend was a solid 4 1/2 star experience, but I'm rounding up this time because i had one of the best things I've ever eaten in a very long time at a restaurant...1/2 Pig's Head!%^$*&$ YES!

I got to the 5:15pm reservation on time, but my friend did not calculate the lousy traffic getting into the City, so he was quite a bit late. Because of the expected heavy turnover, the front staff said that the table was now gone, but if we wanted to eat at the bar, that would be fine. The bar was fully empty at the time, and since I downed two fig sangria drinks already and was hungry, we took the offer, and was able to move to the corner of the bar by the front door so we had plenty of space to talk.

While reviewing the menu, our well-versed bartender made some recommendations such as the $65 5-course Chef's choice with a $10 add-on for some of the Pig's Head. Instead, we opted for an appetizer each and then while discussing about the possibility of getting the Pig's Head as I mentioned about some of the pictures on Yelp of it, our bartender said that there were only three left for the evening. I jumped on it and said one of them was ours.

The appetizers were one ok (friend's) and one outstanding (mine). I had the Charred Eggplant Tangine (Honey, Ginger, Piparras). This was at least over an inch thick piece of hockey puck-sized eggplant that was amazingly cooked with the honey and fancy and tasty greens on top. Very tender, easy to cut, and tasted wonderful and sweet like dessert. I felt this was worth the $10. My friend had what were supposed to be sardines (don't remember the name), and the five 4-5 inch slivers of fish just were not worth the price and the taste was not what he remembered from Spain.

The homemade bread we got seconds of with some olive oil, and then the 1/2 Head came out in all of its glory. The bartender let us take our photos (which is now one of my Yelp shots), and served us. The Pig's Head takes over 24 hours to make, and they serve maybe 8 or so nightly. They had less this night because of selling some the night before, and it's not a regular thing. Cracklin' skin, super-tender meat from all pieces of the head including the tongue, snout, jowl, and everywhere else. It's very filling! Both my friend and I loved it. You have to order it for two, and it was $38 each. If you do not get there when the restaurant opens and the first hour or so, you will probably not get the Pig's Head because they sell quickly. Ours was ordered just after 6pm and there were only 3 left. The sauces that came with the Head along with some outstanding well-crisped potatoes and not-so-hot peppers were flavorful and made the Pig's Head that much better (but you could do without them as it was that good.)

We were in a food coma for some time after eating and drinking. My friend noticed that they had several Sherry options available from not so sweet to sweet. He chose one on the bartender's recommendation and I tried a separate sip. It was like liquid raisins.

So for having to lose our table and a not-so-great appetizer, we still overall had an awesome meal and one of the most unusual dishes we've ever had, but it was one of the best, too. We'd like to come back!

$180 including drinks and tip for two appetizers, 1/2 Pig's Head main course, and three drinks. I spent $25 on two more drinks waiting for my friend beforehand.

I really enjoyed this spot! I asked my hotel concierge for recommendations, and this place topped her list. A short walk and a seat at the bar on a Wed night - still fairly busy!

I ordered a nice variety of things. I read a bunch of reviews saying the squid ink risotto was great, but I wasn't feeling it. Here's what I got:

1. Blistered peppers - crispy and seasoned perfectly.

2. Tortilla de patata - surprisingly filling and dense, with an amazing sauce.

3. Pork belly - worth every penny. Seriously, the crisp they get on the outside of this is just delicious, and seasoned so well.

4. Butternut squash daily special - a really nice roasted squash done in sous vide first, and perfect sauce and spices. Highly recommended if they have it when you go.

Also got some of their bread which kicks ass. And a glass of red wine which wasn't that memorable, but their selection is good.

Check this place out! I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere.

I've been there for the first time and it will not be the last. My girlfriend and I decided to get the Special San Valentine's day menu and it was INCREDIBLE!!! Every was super interesting and particular, their cocktails unbelievable too. I tried the esteban and the good reverend and they were amazing. The price was more than adequate for what we ordered. In short a restaurant where you can experience a great adventure and spend a great time. GREAT JOB!!!

While in the mood for a dining experience we wanted to check out Oloroso. They specialize in regional wood oven Spanish tapas. The ambience is very relaxing, romantic and the fragrance from the wood burning really gives you that rustic feel. We were very happy to sit in the back of the restaurant were the kitchen is open and you can enjoy watching all the action. Our server Matthew was outstanding, making our experience a memorable one, along with chef Townsend Wentz coming to our table and having a great conversation.

We started our culinary journey with the Boquerones (anchovy, olives and salsa verde). The anchovies were fresh and meaty and the seasonings and salsa were a great accompaniment. Next was the Wood Oven Brussels Sprouts (Brussels, chorizo vinaigrette and breadcrumbs). The Brussels were cooked perfectly, they really picked up the wood flavor and the vinegarette was delishious. Next Charred Eggplant Devine (eggplant, honey, ginger and piparres). The eggplant was nice and charred and the inside had great texture and flavor. Next the Grilled Octopus (octopus, chorizo, chickpeas and harissa). Just a fantastic combination of textures and flavor. Next Braised Tripe w/peppers and a pimenton-egg crostada. Unbelievably great! If you are a fan of tripe they really hit this one out of the park.

For our main course we had the Roasted Half Pigs Head with Blistered Peppers and Patatas Braves (potatoes in a spicy tomatoe sauce). The pig's head was incredible. The skin was super crispy and the meat was tender and mouth watering. The peppers were delicious and the potatoes were tender and we really loved the spicy sauce. If your planning a dinner with friends or a romantic night with someone or just in the mood for blow your mind diner, put them on the top of your list!

I was on a business trip for a few days and i wanted to eat something good, I'm glad coming to your restaurant wasn't a mistake. I enjoyed eating the albondigas, honestly I've ever never tasted anything better

Made a resi via Resy - super easy. The two of us shared Pork belly, eggplant, Branzino & octopus. Loved everything but prob would try another dish than the branzino next time!

I had a phenomenal dinner experience at Oloroso. We ordered five tapas and everything was great. Two of the dishes (eggplant and clams) were out of this world good. They also have a fantastic selection of Spanish wines and Sherry.

Dishes ordered:

Spicy Chorizo (A-): sliced thin served with fresh green olives
Roasted Shisitos (B+): roasted just right but not a standout by any means
Eggplant Tagine (A+): outstanding. have never tasted eggplant like this. The caramelization from the honey makes it taste more like sweet squash
Braised Lamb Shoulder (A): excellent. Lamb incredibly succulent and cocoa farro rich and delicious
Littlenecks(A+): outstanding. Sherry broth with onions and breadcrumbs

Came here for restaurant week with the fiancé so I got to try a couple of different things!

Appetizers:
Gazpacho and squid ink rice were probably the best parts. Gazpacho was tangy and fresh! Squid ink rice was filled with lots of flavor and the calamari was good too. Unfortunately, we weren't served their housemade sourdough bread -- seems like they forgot about us since we noticed them serving it to everyone else.

Entrees:
Chicken paella - more filling, but kind of disappointing. It didn't really taste like paella -- we've both had paella in Spain and it's more soft and mushy rather than hard. It was yellow...kind of tasted/looked like that Chinese fried rice take out stuff. The flavors in it were pretty decent though and had chorizo, some veggies & tender chicken.

Grilled octopus - really really delicious flavors, but not very filling. It's served on a bed of chickpeas and this delicious Harissa tangy sauce. The octopus itself was also good, but it would have been nice to at least have 2 of those. Felt more like an appetizer portion.

Dessert:
Churros con chocolate - it was fine; nothing too special. Chocolate was not too sweet which I enjoyed. Churros were a bit too crispy rather than chewy, which is how I usually like it.

One of Philadelphia's finest restaurants. The rustic ambience, the cocktails and the tapas are sensational. For the first course, we tried the Spanish omelette, Brussels sprouts seasoned with chorizos vinaigrette and shrimp toast with squid ink and mangalica lardo. The shrimp toast is one of the most innovative yet tastiest tapas you'll eat in Philadelphia. It blew my mind!!

Who knew Brussels sprouts could be so delicious? The chorizo vinaigrette seasoning is a touch of pure innovation and class. I'd also recommend the calamari and squid ink rice - a rare find, yet one of the best dishes I've had in recent times. I'm adding this to my list of favorite restaurants in Philadelphia! Two thumbs up