Dmitri's

944 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 592-4550
Website

One of the worst parts about leaving South Philly is being farther away from what is certainly one of my favorite places to eat in the city. I swear by the 3rd Street Dmitri's (can't stand the one on 22nd), so when I realized there was one now open on 2nd street in Northern Liberties, I figured it was worth a try - at least it is a BOYB, like the original.

There are a couple of things that set it apart from the original. First is the space. There is plenty of room to eat, without being squeezed next to a couple that is literally six inches from your table. There is so much space that there's even OUTDOOR seating. The second is . . . they take cards. Thank God. I love all of the little BYO's in town, but any place that doesn't take a card annoys the hell out of me. Don't get me wrong, I still frequent plenty of cash-only establishments, but having to estimate what my meal will cost, warning everyone joining me for dinner that it's cash only, and occasionally tailoring what I order based on how much cash I have on hand in order to have enough for a good tip, is just plain annoying in this day and age. I mean, I get the economics of it, but it's often a pain in the ass for customers. Third is that they have the same menu as the OG, plus some new items and everything is in the same price range.

What's (one of) the best part(s) about Dmitri's? The unlimited bread and grilled pita basket. The pita is the perfect delivery vessel for the various dips and sauces that come with most items. One difference here is that instead of a lightly seasoned red wine vinegar and oil dip, it is served with a complementary oil and chopped basil version that is far superior. It's like a basic pesto oil, that was ridiculously good with a glass of red wine.

Two other variations on the menu include the Mediterranean sampler, packed with hummus, baba, assorted olives, lentil salad, cucumbers in yogurt sauce, and pickled beets. It's basically what I was already going to order, but served together for a very reasonable $15. I was actually surprised at how plentiful the servings were.

Another new menu variation was the sizzling cheese. How the hell am I NOT going to order that one? I believe it's Haloumi, served with olive oil, and rosemary. Nothing more needed. This cheese is awesome. However it should be noted, that it's served in a slice approximately one half of a brick. It's definitely a good one to order with more than one (or 3) person(s), unless you are a true champion of eating. You can also take the rest to go, I promise it will still be delicious tomorrow, but it will be lacking the caramelized crisp in the crust. The cheese itself is like a brie, crossed with parm, with a sharp hint of salty feta. The rosemary was an aromatic, piny treat, and accented the robust flavor of the cheese nicely. It was a heavy, addictive, perfect base for the light seafood that was still to come.

The shrimp scampi (way better than the Pil Pil) is a must order. An oily, garlicy, smokey sauce accented by lemon and perfectly cooked shrimp is the best of all of the dipping options. I seriously could bath in this sauce. Fresh parsley adds some greens and a squirt of the lemon brings a touch of vibrant acidity to this simple dish.

The original offers scallops, but only as a meal. I have had the escarole and rice, and it's best left to those who are on a diet. I prefer the carb-centric dipping of bread in sauces. And the eating of proteins. The seared scallops are available here on their own, with a slightly sweet, salty and spicy crust. Where else will you get eight scallops for $12? I have often received four for $25 in ordering a scallop dish at nice restaurants. So what's the difference? They are cooked perfectly here.

The chocolate pot came recommended by the server, and upon clarification that they were not serving a hashish fondue, I splurged and ordered some dessert. It was a nice end to the meal, small enough that it wasn't too overwhelming (I had consumed about fifteen whole pitas by this point) and light enough that it didn't sink me like a stone.

The light, sweet chocolate was like pudding for adults; it finished off the meal and the wine quite nicely.

Luckily this Dmitri's has lived up to it's BYO predecessor, and I can safely forgo the wait (and trip) down South.

Dmitri's

795 S 3rd St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-0556

Okay, well this review has been a long time coming. Why? Because I didn't want any more people than already know about this Dmitri's to go there. The wait is already long enough. But alas, I cannot hide my love for my favorite BYOB in the city anymore. There I said it. Dmitri's is my favorite BYO, and one of my favorite restaurants in all of Philadelphia. It's where I like to go, if I am paying. The prices are extremely reasonable, the service is brisk, but cordial, and you can bring your own wine as you see fit. Oh, and the food is absolutely incredible. It's never-fail, fresh, simple Mediterranean food (a majority of it from the sea) of which I never grow tired. Seriously. I have eaten here more than any other "sit down" restaurant in the city. Not to mention the pita bread. Oh that pita.

I have heard they get their pita shipped down from Brooklyn and it comes in large stacks inside of plastic bags, coated with oil. Wherever it comes from, it tastes as though it arrived from heaven. They grill it fresh before it arrives to your table, and although they provide a dish of olive oil and red wine vinegar, it is worth it to wait for your order of 'half baba ghanoush - half hummus' to arrive. Because you HAVE to order a plate of it. The baba is smoky, thick and delectable, while the hummus is smooth and creamy, which makes for pita dipping perfection. Garnished with some smoked paprika and olives, this always arrives first and helps satiate your dining partners, who are no doubt ravenous after seeing other diners' plates, and smelling the fresh seafood being grilled over blazing hot grates.


So next, do yourself a favor and order the 'snap peas'. They are crisp, served with a fantastic tomato sauce and topped with chunks of feta that does not melt, but softens in the warm sauce.

Now stop. Ask for more pita!


Okay, on to the next delivery. The 'mussels saute' are delectable. You receive about two dozen of these salty, crunchy little shelled crustaceans. They are sort of a Greek version of popcorn shrimp. They are really quite good with a squeeze of lemon.


The 'meatballs' are also really good, offering a slightly crispy exterior with a moist, juicy inside. I always order a side of tzatziki, to dip them in, which really solidifies their "Mediterranean-ness" (and I love sauces).

The 'fried smelts', are not fishy at all, and have a meaty, tender interior, with a slightly crunchy breaded exterior. They are served with a sauce that seems to be some kind of horseradish dip, but it is not super flavorful. I would just suggest a liberal squeeze of lemon and really embracing the delicate flavor.


Which brings me to my favorite of these tasty small plates. You will want to make sure you have extra pita left for this little number. Dimitri's 'shrimp scampi' is, to me, one of the best presentations of shrimp around. They are cooked simply in oil and some vinegar, with red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs. But the results are fantastic. Everyone at the table was commenting on how much they thoroughly enjoyed these delicious shrimp, all the way to the last drop of that succulent oil. A must, on every trip.


A head's up, you have to order everything at once here (not by choice), because it is tiny inside, and people tend to sit for a half hour or more after they finish and shoot the breeze drinking their wine, which is fine, unless you are waiting for a table. Fortunately, the New Wave Cafe is across the street, and serves an ample array of wines and micro brews to hold you over during the excruciating waiting game that sometimes exists. The hostess will come across the street and get you when your table is ready. Sometimes I will go in and get a table right away, although I am used to waiting about 30-45, and have even once waited for an unprecedented two and half hours on a Saturday night (I really wanted grilled octopus).


The food is amazing, and the bill will pleasantly surprise you. Although they have a Fitler Square location (not a BYOB) and a new one in Northern Liberties (not sure on the liquor license status), I always stick with the original. Just be prepared for a wait, and bring cash (they don't accept cards).