Juniper Commons

I’m a big fan of Top Chef winner Kevin Sbraga and his eponymous restaurant at the Symphony House — Sbraga. So it’s a no-​brainer that the GF and I would check out Juniper Commons, his 80’s themed outpost across the street. The GF loves any themed concept, but I’m down with any Chef that can turn out a deliciously decadent foie gras soup.
So we pushed past all the negativity surrounding the supposedly regressive concept and decided to stop by for a pre-​theater dinner. Some say the 1980s was one of the ugliest decades for décor, but the design here was still sleek and open. They even have a fire pit in the open kitchen — perfect to roast a prime rib or a 32 oz. steak.
Bread Service
Zucchini bread
Service started off with some zucchini bread, provided with a pat of butter topped with sea salt. Moist and studded with raisins and walnuts, this was a delicious, yet surprisingly sweet start to the meal.
Pimm’s Cup [$ 12]
Pimms, lemon, cucumber, strawberry
The GF can’t be denied her Pimm’s Cup and Juniper Commons’ iteration was appropriately fruity, light, and refreshing.
Point Breeze [$ 12]
Bluecoat gin, grapefruit, rose
Considering the name of the restaurant and the theme, you’d expect a great gin program which Juniper Commons has in spades. This tipple featured Philly-​based Bluecoat. The floral notes were rendered more complex with the addition of grapefruit and rose. Himalayan pink salt studded the rim.
Peel n’ Eat Shrimp Cocktail [$ 15]
Cocktail sauce, lemon
These Florida Sun shrimp were nicely poached, shell-​on. The GF wasn’t a fan of working for her food, but we both enjoyed these substantial and snappy crustaceans nonetheless. The accompanying cocktail sauce was sweet, with a nice horseradish kick.
Fried Smelts [$ 8]
Chili pepper aioli, lemon
While not exactly this year’s pork belly, you do see fried smelts gaining ground. And why not? It’s the perfect salty bar snack for those who enjoy fish. Head-​on, these fishy fries were aggressively seasoned and had a thin, crisp batter, with the bones within offering even more texture. The chili pepper aioli had some acid and kick to balance out the weight of the flaky and meaty fish.
Eggplant Fritters [$ 16]
Eggplant relish, mozzarella curds, pomodoro sauce
This dish was definitely redolent with the components of eggplant parm. The pomodoro sauce was well developed with the fresh herbs providing additional flavor. The mozzarella curds were chewy nuggets of gold. Still, the eggplant was inconsistently cooked. The relish was great — well roasted and packed with seasoning. But a few of the crispy fritters showcased eggplant that was extremely chewy and gummy, rather than tender. A decent dish that could have been better executed.
Lobster Roll [$ 26]
Mayo, celery salt, drawn butter, chives, potato roll
On the other hand, the GF’s lobster roll was top notch. It doesn’t get better than a perfectly buttered and toasted potato roll, packed with huge chunks of sweet lobster with minimal dressing. A pat of pickled veggies provided some balance between bites. Almost overshadowing the lobster roll were the beef fat fries. Thick-​cut and properly fried, each bite was lightly crisp, yet melted upon mastication. In fact, one of the servers who stopped by to chat described them as being seductive. Considered me seduced.
Pinot Noir Wine Cooler [$ 9]
Apple brandy, blackberry
There wasn’t a dessert menu on hand, but of the few offerings rattled off by our server, none seemed to surpass our need for a Salty Pimp from Big Gay Ice Cream next door. Still, I had to end the meal with one of Juniper Commons’ wine coolers — bottled in-​house, sparkling, and slightly chilled. This was easy drinking — light fruit with a brandy buttress.
Service as a whole was very good, with a friendly hostess and a manager that stopped by to check on things. While there were some inconsistencies in the eggplant dish, everything else was well-​executed and delicious. For the naysayers, I don’t think the point is to blow you away with creative twists on classics. They’re classics for a reason. The lobster rolls are done right and their raw bar is fresh. I highly recommend popping in during Happy Hour for some fried smelts and a drink or two. Lastly, you’re failing at life if you don’t order the beef-​fat fries.

Upscale comfort food is making a comeback! The newest addition to the Sbraga family had received many mixed reviews. The Zucchini bread with soft butter as a main starter is a MUST. Can I get the recipe please? BBQ ribs: rich flavor and big portions! served with toasted white bread. Other items are «predictable», no surprises because most people have had these foods in their lives.

This place is awesome! I went today with 3 other girls for the Jazz brunch and loved it!
The service was really really great! Our waitress made sure we always had everything we needed and was very thorough with explanations. Two of us got the egg breakfast with potatoes and two of us got the fried egg BLT. The two who ordered the egg breakfast were asked how well done they’d like their scrambled eggs. I’ve never heard of a place asking this but am happy that someone does, I hate runny scrambled eggs! Unfortunately both of the girls who got this dish said it was too salty. The two of us who got the egg BLT really enjoyed it! It’s a bit messy (to be expected) and mine could’ve used more lettuce but overall good. The bacon wasn’t quite crispy enough for my tastes but I didn’t specify so that’s on me. It was high quality bacon, though. Delicious. Was served with steak fries.
I also had hot lemon ginger tea and a chocolate cherry pastry that was made Fresh this morning in their own kitchen. The carrot cake was good according to my friends but the icing wasn’t cream cheese which is what they wanted. The sticky bun was also reportedly delicious.
The décor is a lot of fun and the live jazz music is a nice touch. And they gave us each a complimentary flute of champagne! Prices were reasonable, $ 21 each after tax & tip which covered 4 entrees, 4 pastries and my hot tea. Loved it and can’t wait to go back to try dinner!

Admittedly, I wasn’t dining out (or even alive) in the 1980s, so I can’t quite judge the entire concept or how accurate/​inspired it may be.
We made a reservation and were seated right away, but I was somewhat surprised the place wasn’t more crowded on a Saturday night at 7:30pm.
The house-​made zucchini bread was a nice change of pace from typical bread at a restaurant. Flavorful and light — I could have had another piece.
We opted to split everything we ordered:
— Caesar salad (prepared table side for 2)
— Fried Smelts
— Daily special: Hangar steak with mashed potatoes, ramps, Brussel sprouts and fiddlehead ferns
For drinks, we ordered:
— Point Breeze
— Sand in Your Shorts
Everything was uniformly delicious. Each dish was presented and prepared with care, attention to detail, and left us very satisfied.
The drinks were good — I think I preferred the Sand in Your Shorts over the Point Breeze, but both were refreshing and well-​balanced.
The server who came by and made our Caesar salad was fantastic. She was really friendly, engaged with us, and made the act of juggling a multi-​step and multi-​ingredient process look fairly effortless and easy. The Caesar salad was good. The dressing was a nice mix of spicy and fishy, with notes of acid from the lemon. Best caesar salad I’ve had? Probably not. Perfectly enjoyable? Yes, especially with the service/​presentation.
I had never tried smelts before, but they looked interesting and we figured, «Why not!?» They were incredibly delicious. A perfect appetizer hitting all of the salty, fishy, and fried notes you would really want. My boyfriend commented that they were kind of like «high end fish sticks» and then our server made the same comparison a few minutes later. That comment isn’t a dig at the dish in any way — instead, the dish is evocative of your childhood and the contrast of an upscale restaurant. Generous portion for two people.
We ordered the special after our server mentioned it — we both thought it sounded great. The steak was cooked perfectly to medium. The «mashed potatoes» — on the loose/​soupy side, mixed with the sauce from the steak, might have been my favorite part of the dish. The addition of the incredibly seasonal ingredients like the ramps and fiddlehead ferns brought some lightness and brightness to the dish.
One thing to note, it’s a very… busy restaurant. Granted, we were seated in between the door and the open kitchen (I always like an open kitchen). Our placement in the midst of everything led to feeling like we were in a whirlwind. Servers constantly walking by and zipping around tables to pick up from the kitchen. I don’t know if it was a detractor from our meal, but it’s definitely something I noticed.

I was born in 1987. Despite the fact that this technically makes me an 80s kid, I have virtually no memories of my tender first few years. But Kevin Sbraga, Philly’s original Top Chef… he was born in 1979. Chances are, he probably gets it a little more than I do. Good thing, since his newest venture, Juniper Commons, channels the era through atmosphere, edibles, and attitude. The other weekend, my brother and I visited for some brunch. The walls are covered in a wallpaper made up of 1980s newspapers, there’s a gin-​centric bar at the rear, and the open kitchen vibe feels homey and warm.
While I’m typically a savory breakfast babe, the description of the pancakes (complete with peanuts, bananas, & toasted marshmallow) had me insisting my brother get that, having me stick with their take on Eggs Benedict (with country bread, roast beef, and hollandaise [Ideal for a gal who would take roast beef over ham in a second]). The slightly toasted puffs of marshmallow fluff were TOTAL game-​changers, making these pancakes borderline s’more-like (a very good thing, IMHO).
Brother and I both agreed, though, the winner was the savory. I think the country bread over an English muffin was right up my alley, and they did NOT skimp on the roast beef, served juicy, salty, and hot. Bonus: Juniper Commons makes their OWN wine coolers! This Pinot Noir (can’t even type that without thinking exclusively of Kimmy Schmidt’s Titus) was fizzy with hints of blackberry and apple brandy (or so I was told. It mostly tasted like bubbly wine juice, which I’m into).
I took a gander at the dinner menu and, truth be told, I think it’s a little pricey for what the descriptions of the dishes sound like. But for a semi-​schmoozy, little bit boozy brunch and/​or lunch, the vibe would bring me back and the price point seems pretty level with the rest of the Philly scene.
Found in the heart of the city, you can’t beat the location. Throw a burly, shirtless Selleck (or at least the giant larger-​than-​life sized poster found in the women’s bathroom) in the midst… I’ll be back again.

I hold Kevin Sbraga near and dear to my heart. The guy is a culinary genius trying to make it in a city where impeccable food is just a stones throw away. Sbraga on Pine and Broad has already made a name for itself with its tasting menu, and who could blame the guy for trying to create a themed restaurant centered around something as broad as the 80’s?
Well K. Sbrags, you did it and I couldn’t be prouder. Your NEW menu kicks major ass… this American fare with a new twist on old classics is exactly what your restaurant needed to take it to the top of this foodie haven we call Philadelphia.
The only thing I really want to talk about is the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich. Good job teasing us with summer fare. On buttery sourdough bread with shaved white onions, tartar sauce and a huge soft shell crab, this is delectable. Did I forget to mention the jalapenos? Oh that’s right, they are jalapeño business.
The atmosphere at Juniper Commons is casual yet upscale. The chefs counter is amazing, be sure to sit by the rotisserie and watch these chefs do their thing. You’ll be salivating at the plethora of meats being chargrilled in front of you.
If you like gin cocktails, you’ve come to the right spot; they are all delicious.
Do yourself a favor and stop by Juniper Commons for a retro feel. If you aren’t singing Madonna by the time you leave, you’re doing it wrong.

This place is scrumptious! Forget the décor and 80’s dining throwbacks, the food is simply and unpretentiously good. Sbraga’s 80s themed restaurant is going to make you want to come home, put on the Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller, and call your mom on her landline. The drinks are amazing and the easy, homestyle menu will appeal to even the most discerning pallets. Think of it as your mama’s cooking refined, like if mama got a culinary degree and pops got a bartending license.
My favorites on the menu include crab cake, chicken (best I’ve had in the city), prime rib of course and the cherry wine cooler. If you find yourself here for brunch, try the roast beef or the turkey club, both equally flavorful.

This is one of those places that isn’t bad and isn’t necessarily good. The service was spectacular. I was in to the décor. The music is perfect for an 80’s baby. However, the the table side caesar salad was good but I didn’t like that they had to move everything on our table to fit the bowl. Shouldn’t it be done on a cart table side?
The beef bourguignon was super salty and had about 2 noodles that were under cooked. The manicotti was my favorite. We skipped dessert.
I may give it a second chance though because I really want it to be good.

The staff was great but the food was not good. The lobster on the surf and turf wasn’t done. The ribs were hard as a rock. The crab cakes was very amateur. The whole cooking experience was amateur show. The table side salad was the highlight of eating experience. The ginger tea was great also.
The food experience was not good at all.

Juniper Commons, you had me at the homemade wine coolers. Swoon! I got a last minute (4 days prior) reservation to celebrate a friend’s birthday here, and we had a blast! As others have stated, the décor and the playlist are top notch. I would love it if that furniture would make its way to my living room! This was my first Sbraga dining experience, so I had nothing to compare it to, but I have already decided its my favorite.
The seating is a little tight (especially for the table-​side Caesar salad, which was really fun, but the salads end up quite small), but luckily the people we were seated next to were friendly. (The woman also accidentally lit her menu on fire with the candle in the middle of the table, which seems to be a pretty common thing around here… maybe they need taller holders?). They bring out homemade zucchini bread with salted butter right when you sit down and it was divine. The gin list is also crazy impressive. Our server was fantastic and didn’t mind that our conversation kept distracting us and we spent way more time chatting than eating.
For entrees, we both decided on the beef sandwich, which is a nod to the French dip, and split the Brussels. The sandwich is definitely one of the cheaper things on the menu– some of the other items seem a tad overpriced (ex: $ 26 for a Lobster roll). The sandwich was heartier than it looked, the bun was fluffy, and the meat was melt-​in-​your-​mouth good. The Brussels were also really good, but its hard to mess those up. Honestly, the single reason this review isn’t 5-​stars is the French fries! More than half of them on each of our plates were burnt to a crisp, past the point of being edible. I feel like this just had to be a fluke, but I am surprised they served them to us. Regardless, I hope to have an excuse to come back and give them another shot.

This place has a bit of an identity crisis going on – supposed to be an 80’s vibe but the décor and the menu is on the modern side. Also, they have an incredible gin selection which is great but again kind of takes the theme of the place down a different track. From a cocktail and décor perspective I would give 4 stars. From a food perspective I would give more like 2 stars so overall the experience shakes out to about 3 for me.
We had oysters… many, many oysters. We got some east some west. The mignonette was not my favorite but the cocktail sauce was sweet and nice. We also ordered the caesar salad — which they make table-​side and is supposed to be a really big deal. It was not.
For my main, I had the lobster roll. Great portion of lobster I will say that, but it was a bit overdressed and somehow under-​seasoned. Kind of like the salad. The most popular dish at the table was the short rib so if I went back, would probably order that instead.

I like totally love Juniper Commons. First of all, I already love everything 80s, so clearly this place was for me. The playlist was totally rad. The wood paneling. Everything.
And this vegan was easily accommodated. The «salad bar» was amazing (pic) & the dressing was phenomenal. The rest of my meal was a variety of sides, & I LOVE a variety of sides. I had the root vegetables, the baked potato, & the Brussels sprouts. All delicious. I wanted to lick the plate that the root vegetables came in, but I try to avoid doing that in public.
Also, their homemade wine coolers. LOL wine coolers. I totally got drunk on wine coolers back in the 80s. And I totally got drunk on wine coolers tonight. I had 2. 2! And I’m like totally writing this review while drunk on wine coolers. That’s how dedicated I am to Unilocal.
OH! And our server – I don’t remember his name, but he was wearing Ray-​Bans & he said his sister is vegan. He was rad. I’m a big fan.
You should like totally go here.

If blasting the Beastie Boys all week isn’t enough to curb your 80s craving, you like simple food, and love gin cocktails, then this is the place for you.
Food was average, and definitely over priced. My friend and I had a cocktail each, crab cake, salmon, and split a piece of chocolate cake. Our bill was about $ 85 before tip. In my opinion if the menu is plain the dishes should be exceptionally good. I was let down. They were all ok, or could have been better.
Though the atmosphere is well done, especially the music, In this case it’s not worth the price tag. Like mustaches, the 80s is a played out theme. If you can find props to match the theme at Target, then I don’t feel comfortable knowing that the price of the food is largely for the atmosphere.
Service was prompt, and knowledgeable. My experience may have been different if I had ordered the chicken, or one of the salads that’s created table side, but there’s too many other good restaurants in the area to go back and try again.

So.. this place is like totally bitchin.
I’ve been dying to check this place out because I’m a big fan of Sbraga’s but I just couldn’t get excited about the dinner menu. Then when I saw they were doing brunch AND there was going to be complimentary champs AND there was going to be live jazz it was basically all I could think/​talk about.
Service was excellent, the décor was great and the food was well executed and delicious. We split the eggs benny with roast beef and the whitefish/​lox bagel. Both simple, but just delicious. The champagne and live jazz really took the experience up a notch, especially the adorable old couple who decided to show off their dancing skills.
Highly recommend for brunch/​a great start to a Sunday afternoon. Go ahead, tease your hair, put on your shoulder pads and check it out.

The décor of Juniper Commons, from the plaid printed seats down to the clear etched plates and yellow glasses, were spot on 80s.
My husband and I had enjoyed the zucchini bread and salted butter they provided before our meal. The tableside caesar salad ended up with far too much dressing and it was not thoroughly blended.
My husband had the surf and turf with a side of crispy brussel sprouts. I had the dry aged burger with a side of broccoli and cheese. We agreed that everything was good, but that’s about it. Nothing really stood out.
The pecan pie we had for dessert needed something more — perhaps a la mode? For the price of the slice, we needed more.

80s themed food with a slant towards gin cocktails? Yes, please, sign me up! Unfortunately, my visit to Juniper Commons fell short. I’ve enjoyed all of Kevin Sbragas restaurants in the past and frequent them often but this seems like a misstep.
The space is large and open with rust and gold hues dominating the interior. The service was good, friendly and attentive. The cocktails were tasty and the menu gin heavy… so far so good. The issue came with the food and I felt, in the end, I would have been better served at the local diner. For $ 80 before tip, we sampled a cup of lobster bisque, the deconstructed corned beef «sandwhich,» the brussel sprouts side and the bbq ribs (5 small ribs.) The highlight was the charred brussel sprouts and that’s not enough to get me back. The ribs were overcooked, the cole slaw accompaniment tastless, and the overall dish overly priced ($ 26!) Nothing wowed me at all and for the price tag I wanted something to be great. Right?
I’ll still enjoy Fat Ham and Sbraga but don’t think I’ll return to Juniper Commons.

I may be having a little too much fun at Juniper Commons. What? There’s no such thing? Okay then. We’ll just settle on lots of fun being had during my two visits so far. Not to mention, great food and drinks.
There’s a lot about the 80s that should probably be left in the past, but the folks at Sbraga Dining managed to pull out all the best parts and incorporate them into their new restaurant. The music selection is on point. I’m talking dance in your chair, sing all the words magical.
The décor is most definitely 80s-​esque without being cheesy. I am in love with the lounge area, with its great furniture and throwback culinary magazines. The shirtless Tom Selleck photo on the wall in the ladies room is the cherry on top.
The food that I’ve tried has been great. I enjoy salads more than the average person and the tableside Caesar and wedge are both awesome. I’ve had the crab cake on both visits and it was even better on night two. The baked potato is perfection. I’ve also had bites of the clam chowder, manicotti, eggplant parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, and creamed spinach. All great choices.
The cocktails are mostly gin-​based with a couple other fun options like house-​made wine coolers. The Flying Caucasian, a gin and coffee concoction, went down really, really easy. My next reservation has already been made and I am looking forward to many more visits!

Chef Kevin Sbraga has some balls opening this restaurant. Its a giant space right on Broad and South for all to see. Then to top it off, his theme is 80’s dining? What?
First of all, the food was really, really great. Its what I have come to expect from Sbraga. And to top it off, the menu is not truly over-​inventive. He is serving some «classic» dishes like prime rib and eggplant parmesan. We got the table side Caesar salad and it was hands down one of the best I have ever had. I had the eggplant and it was simple but so delicious and not too salty. My date had the prime rib and he gave it a thumbs up. We also had the Brussel sprouts which were cooked perfectly and served with a lemon aioli sauce.
Second of all, the service was just ok. I think that just comes from a new big restaurant opening so I wouldn’t hold that against them.
Lastly, this place is expensive. Surprisingly expensive for «classic 80’s cuisine (re-​invented)».
I would love to see this place succeed. I am only a diner not a restauranteur but this seems like a big gamble to me. I’m not sure its the type of place I would want to go to over and over, its kind of a novelty.
I guess time shall tell…

This might have been the best thing to come out of the ‘80s!
Been following Juniper Commons’ opening via Twitter. Looked over the menu and headed over there to check it out myself. Got there a bit before 5pm and sat in the lounge area surrounded by windows. The sun had set and created a warm glow accented by the twinkling candlelight. I didn’t want to move.
At the bar area, the team was just finishing up its crew meeting. I was seated at the Chef’s Table which is really a counter over looking the cooks. It was directly in front of the grill and made it very toasty and cozy. I learned a few things from the cooks who entertained me with my curious banter. They take things very seriously and I saw some really reassuring health practices, like washing hands a lot while handling the meats/​chicken and testing the doneness of the meats with thermometers. While I was there, the chef rejected a slab of ribs because they were too crispy on the outside. Very quality control-​oriented here.
The décor is really warm and candle lit. There are tables and also booths along the windows. Over head… the 80s soundtrack from Barry Manilow, Hall & Oates and other light rock from the 80s.
I enjoyed looking over the menu because it was crafted after 80s food dishes. The salad bar? It’s actually a bowl of lettuce brought to you, surrounded by like 18 little dishes containing toppings. Clever! The Caesar Salad is made table side for two. Fresh oysters from both coasts. Surf-​n-​turf. And aptly named drinks based upon 80s culture.
I enjoyed a corned beef/​gruyère appetizer. That knocked me out! Followed it with a wedge salad and the delicious Fettucini Alfredo. It wasn’t the most adventurous thing I could have ordered, but it was deeply satisfying. I followed it with a slice of cheesecake. I hope they begin to offer more variety in the dessert menu.
I really enjoyed my meal. The staff was pleasant. I would recommend Juniper Commons.

Juniper Commons’ overall vibe is trendy, nostaligic and fun. They have a great 80s playlist and you’re automatically reminded of epic moments in movie history.
As soon as you walked through the door, you’re greeted by friendly faces and promptly seated. Right away you’re introduced to your server and they go over the menu in detail. So far so good!
Now on to reviewing the drinks and food. Juniper Commons has great cocktails. Period. I had the #6 was the perfect balance of what i was looking for and no one ingredient was overpowering.
As it was the opening week, I will give the kitchen some credit as they still need the seasoned pans and grills as you know any great establishment had that flavor to their food that adds that special something overtime by being used over and over again (like grandmas favorite skillet that’s been used for 50+ years). I ordered the shrimp cocktail and the dry aged burger cooked at medium.
The shrimp cocktail was the peel kind which I don’t mind much but caution to the wind, their cocktail sauce is not made with horseradish but with onions. I absolutely LOVED it but if you don’t love onions, probably want to tell the server before hand. Soon after, my burger was placed and it looked picturesque so obviously I took a photo of it. It was big so I had to cut it with a fork and knife but sad to say the dry aged beef had little flavor but the Aoli they have on it is delicious. I still enjoyed it but it didn’t have that full flavor meat taste that a normal seasoned dry aged beef would have. It wasnt too greasy either but no love lost here. Regardless my experience here was great.
The portion sizes was filling and not overwhelming. The general cost is a bit pricey for the traditional american fare but the dining experience is great for friends to get together and shoot the shit. Def worth trying the newest addition to the Sbraga name.