Located in the middle of corporate office complex, Twenty9 fits the bill inside, with ample bar seating and tables designed for happy hour interaction. Â
We went there for dinner on a Saturday night and the restaurant was only half full when we got there just before 7 p.m. Â (It did fill up over the next hour.) Â The service was very friendly and the management and staff were attentive. Â
I ordered the crab cake, listed as "crab cakes" on the menu. Â I was assured when I ordered it that it was sizable. Â There were some other typos on the menu that gave us and the server a laugh. Â The food was well-presented. Â The crab cake was excellent: big chucks of crab, very little filler. Â I would return to try some other dishes and possibly sample the raw bar.
This place used to be called the Boathouse. Â It's a very popular place for the Great Valley Corporate Center types. Â They welcome local bands and have a nice patio to perform on. Â I watched a band perform and they had to stay inside due to very bad weather. Â The ventilation is terrible. Â The bar was very hot & muggy on the inside. Â They also need more wait staff. Â The service is very slow and you may find yourself walking over to the bar to get a drink. Â I've been to worse places but for the area and location, this was disappointing.
Review Source:Yeah - that's about it for me and Twenty9. I tended to come here a lot since it was right next to the office park (Great Valley Corporate Center) where I worked, but at this point, there are enough other locations in the area (The Office, Classic Diner) in the area that I'll get my fix elsewhere.
I hear stories from old colleagues about how the place used to be back in the day when it was under a different name and ownership, but at this point, my experiences here have helped seal my opinion of it. Maybe I'll come back in the future if things improve - let's see.
What's wrong, you ask? For one, I've rarely ever had to ask for water to be refilled at a restaurant. Let alone ask 4 times over the course of 45 minutes before it finally happened. And that too on a rather empty-ish day. I know your gossip over there in the corner must be interesting, but for christ's sake, I just need some water!
Further, the food is still good, but the silverware at our table was downright grimy when we got there. We had to ask it to be swapped out, and even then, we got a look as if it were our fault that their dishwasher didn't work correctly.
Finally, to top it all off, after being there for an hour and 45 minutes, predominantly due to having to wait such a long time for the water and the check, we still ended up leaving a solid 18% tip at the end. My de-facto is 20, but I vary it between 18 and 20 depending on how the service went. After all, I've been in a server's shoes before, and I know that folks may just be having a bad day.
Regardless, if you're going to audibly call me a "cheapskate" as I'm leaving for leaving you an 18% tip for a table of two that had downright bad service during a rather empty lunch hour, I'm not coming back. I don't think it's ever justified to say something like that, but even as such, this was certainly not the case for me, and all set and done, they've lost my business.
TLDR: Bad service, rude, would not return or recommend!
The plus side is that the prime rib egg rolls are indeed wonderful. Â The nachos are quite good as well, but might have a little too many ingredients on them. Â They're a fine happy hour choice. Â
But I can't give them more than two stars when their server on the deck delivered a round of our appetizers to the wrong table, and we didn't find out until 20 minutes later when the group that got our food asked us if it was ours. Â
Bush league mistake.
Great time every time. Â we often grab a few bite at this local, and its always a good experience. Â Helpful staff, friendly bartenders, and many strong choices on the menu. Â Oysters fresh and quality, don't pass on the prime rib egg rolls, feast on the flatbreads, and dive into the steaks.
Review Source:The deck is a nice happy hour spot. Â Pay attention to your bill. I only had an appetizer and I ended up paying just over 60 percent in gratuity. I've always been a generous tipper. I understand why some businesses add gratuity to a large bill, but adding to my bill for 1 appetizer was a bit of an insult. I'm not one to examine a bill, but I'll know better next time I go.
Review Source:As a vegetarian, I had to adhere to a fairly limited menu at Twenty9 but the two dishes that I ordered - the goat cheese & beet salad and a side of vegetables (yes, I'm that kind of person) were outstanding. The salad had two very thin slices of meat on them that were easily avoidable and the rest of the salad - greens, beets, cheese & all were delicious. The mixed veggie side was a mix of greens, mushrooms and some other local vegetables and was possibly a more delicious medley of vegetables than I have ever had. It was creamy and fully of flavor. The ambiance wasn't my style and the service wasn't the best I've ever had but it was still a memorable place.
Review Source:We eat there all the time and love it. Â Don't have anything negative to say about the food or service. Â However, the back left leg of my chair broke while sitting outside and on the deck and ended up falling on my back. Â I was wedged into the chair with my feet in the air like I was sitting in a gynecologist chair until someone sitting close by helped me out of the chair. Â The whole thing was really embarrassing. Â When the manager came over to check to see if I was ok, I think he could have offered something more then just buying us a drink such as how about offering to buy us dinner especially because we're in the so often. Â I'm actually sore today from hitting my head. Â I would have thought the manager would have wanted to take my name and contact info to follow up with me.
Review Source:Got a deal here from CBS local. Â I thought the restaurant was awesome and I'll definitely go back. Â All of the food was delicious. Â The seafood chowder probably had the most seafood I've ever seen inside of a bowl of soup. Â There was no Caesar salad on their dinner menu, but I asked my waiter if they could still make it and he ended up making me one himself! Â And it was perfect : ) Â We also had the papardelle bolognese and a pork loin special that were delish. Â Our waiter, Izzy, rocked. Â The only thing I could tell this restaurant is to bring out the food more spaced out since their portions are so big! Â Gotta give people a minute to breathe. Â Everything was so good though.
After dinner we went downstairs. Â They have a huge party area with a bar and a dance floor and probably the most middle aged people hanging out together and partying that I've ever seen in one spot. Â I thought that was cool. Â The place was really packed. Â There were two open seats at the bar. Â Sweet! Â Then I noticed that there was a cloth napkin draped over the backs of the chairs. Â So, I moved it. Â We ordered our drinks and we're hanging out and like ten minutes later this bitch comes and tells me that she was saving these seats! Â Hahaha. Â Did I miss the part where people are able to save seats at a bar with a napkin? Â They had also left their drinks there! Â I wish I had roofied her.
I was not overly impressed with the menu or the service. It took the waitstaff a while to figure out where we would be seated and the restuarant was practically empty which made no sense to me.
The first time I went I had a delicious piece of salmon and my friend had braised short ribs. Both were fantastic (although service was slow). During my next visit, I was really looking forward to enjoying the salmon again, but this had been taken off the menu. I decided to do another fish and it wasn't nearly as good. Again service was slow and personally felt it was over priced for the atmosphere, quality of food, and service.
I have heard great things about this restaurant. However, I went there tonight for dinner with a friend and was disappointed by the rude attitude of our server. We asked to sit in the bar area, but then he told us we couldn't have the happy hour menu because we weren't physically sitting at the bar. He frequently disappeared and we waited a long time just to get a few appetizers. The bill came and was quite pricey for not a lot of food. Another waiter took the check for us because our waiter was nowhere in sight. We paid for the meal in part with a gift card, and I put the remainder on my debit card. Our waiter took the bill and we stayed at our table to chat for another 15-20 minutes. As we were about to put our coats on and leave, the waiter came over and informed us we had made a mistake on the gratuity, and had only tipped on the portion of the bill left over after the gift card, not the original amount. While I did overlook this, the difference in gratuity was $4-5-- NOT, in my opinion, enough to come back to the table and rudely ask for a BIGGER TIP! Not professional at ALL, and created an extremely uncomfortable end to our dinner. A tip is the decision of the customer and it is unacceptable for this waiter to have demanded a larger tip, especially when the money up for debate was insignificant.
I will say that our appetizers were all good. I probably would not go back because of this experience.
I was here on Friday for dinner with a group of eight. We had made a reservation but they were not ready for us when we arrived and we had to wait at the bar, where the drinks were way overpriced. There really wasn't much on their menu that was appealing to me besides the lobster macaroni and cheese. The service was slow and when I finally got my meal I was let down big time. The mac and cheese was mediocre and there was a serious lack of lobster; just two small pieces in the whole thing. It wouldn't have been as disappointed if the mac and cheese wasn't $22. I went out to dinner last night and ordered a main course that was $28 and filled with lobster, scallops and jumbo shrimp.
All and all I'd say that this place is overpriced and the service is lacking.
Went here with a coworker for lunch one day and fortunately by boss is not real stringent on only taking an hour for lunch as service was on the slow side! We arrived just before noon and there were patrons already eating lunch, but it was by no means busy. Our waitress did come over pretty quickly to take our drink order and a bit later for our order, but things came to a crawl waiting for our lunch to come out. My coworker had the fish tacos and she said they were good. I had the burger, which was good but difficult to eat. It was so tall, that when I went to pick it up, stuff just started sliding out of the burger. At the end of the day, I ended up eating it with a fork and knife. They do offer a buffet at lunch, so if you are in a hurry, that may be the better route to go. Since this was my first time here, I can't really say if slow service is the norm or not.
Due to the openness of the place, it can get a bit loud in there. At first glance, you would think they are going for a bit more upscale look, but then in the middle of the restaurant, you will find a bar with TV's.
The food was good enough that I will likely try it again, but I'll make sure I don't have a 1 PM meeting to get to afterwards!
The deck bar out back is great for happy hour. The restaurant is comfortable/classy. The menu is varied and interesting. We split the blue crab and tuna ceviche. Yum. It was served on an interesting little plank with tasty crackers. We shared a medium rare burger with bacon and blue cheese. It was pretty darn good too, great roll. So - how do you make hand cut fries crispy? Shhhhh - let em hang in the basket for a few minutes after the first cook and then dip them again to crisp them. Now you owe me one twenty9.
I am a repeat customer and recommend to my friends and business associates regularly.
"Fine and Finer"
It was a Sunday, and I was back in my old neighborhood. Trees were taller, homes showed more age, hangouts of the past were gone.
I was at an old friend's house--a mansion made from stone with circular drive, set back from the road on an acre of lawn with woods in the back. We sat on his porch with a bottle of suds, talking of old times. Laughing at things we had done, laughing at things we had said. Each of us had turned out roughly as we'd predicted, laying testament to the adage that we usually become what we think about most.
Eventually we became hungry, and I suggested we eat out. His wife had been slaving in the kitchen, preparing for a party. A girl thing, you see. Frilly items of decorative nature intended for quick consumption, complete with inane trivia considered extremely important.
Tsk, tsk.
I deferred to my old chum and we hit the road. After some turns down vaguely familiar streets, we landed in a small business complex. We swung left, and I recognized the structure immediately. Memory fails as to its name back in the 90s but now it was TWENTY9 Restaurant and Bar. Here's what the place looks like, both inside and out:
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwenty9restaurant.com%2F&s=faa38585f99f30eeab2dcb52d930f4897c999d9d51278a0f0e710823023fa4a6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://twenty9restaurant…</a>
We walked in, sat ourselves near the tellys, and waited. Not long after a tall brunette strolled over. Hair in a pony, cute face, good curves. She handed us menus and we studied. I hadn't eaten all day and was pretty hungry. I looked at the appetizer list and selected Prime Rib eggrolls, then went with Wild Striped Bass with creamy black lentils and poached tomato for the entree. My pal chose tuna & blue crab ceviche for starters and Papperdelle Bolognese for the main course(braised short ribs, creamy tomato sauce, papperdelle pasta).
While we waited for our food I drank a dirty martini with 3 blue cheese olives while my buddy sipped a, well, I don't remember what he had. Something from the drink menu he enjoyed in spite of my memory lapse. We shared bread and salsa with our cocktails while we watched pre-season football and chatted.
Soon our entrees came and I ate my prime rib eggrolls with generous dollops of creamed horseradish. Crisp rolls but not too crisp. Just right. Pleasant beef taste as well. Very good. My friend enjoyed his appetizer as well.
My bass was good but the creamy lentils were great. Very tiny and not too pasty. Again, my dinner mate enjoyed his entree as well, should an empty plate be any indication. Our server was attentive and everything ran smoothly.
My friend picked up the tab and I left the tip. I noticed there was seating outside that had filled up quickly. Looked like a nice spot.
Back in the car we headed back to his place for snifters of Scotch.
Life is good sometimes, especially with fine food and finer friends.
TWENTY9 was fine, but my old chum was way more than that.
Had dinner here with my daughter last Saturday night.
The service is on the money (we were on the porch and I think her name was Jess).
It was about half full, it looked like she had the room to herself and we never felt like we weren't being attended to. Drinks were brought, menu explained, orders taken and food delivered all in a timely and professional fashion.
The food was very good.
We started with the prime rib egg rolls. Delicious, but I wish there were more. (They were gone in about 3 seconds).
I had the short rib bolognese ($28) and my daughter had the filet ($35). Both were well prepared and the temp on her steak was spot on.
My only knock would be its a bit pricey for an everyday place and it's not quite nice enough to be considered a special occasion venue. Picture General Warren pricing with McKenzie's decor.
My husband I went there as a result of a Living Social deal we purchased. Â We weren't sure to expect, however, Twenty9 definitely exceeded our expectations. Â The service was great and the food was phenomenal. Â We had the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, which I loved even though I don't like mushrooms. Â The bacon-wrapped filet was really tasty, I would definitely get it again. Â The atmosphere and decor made the restaurant feel very cozy. Â We will definitely be going back again!
Review Source:I had dinner here the other night with 3 other people. Â Cute atmosphere, however there was a party going on with a dj so you could here the music all the way inside. We started with the calimari, so good. Cooked perfectly and the chili sauce on the side was delish. I had the tilapia, cooked well and filling. My boyfriend got the filers Oscar and asked for it medium rare, it came put more medium to medium well. Super upsetting. He said it was still a great piece of meat. We only went here bc they have a <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.com&s=c5fe485af4df376130bee54f875814d79c4d7913e1258123b1206d2bdbf4873b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://restaurant.com</a> deal so we saved $50. Might come back again for a happy hour.
Review Source:Went here for my birthday and it was amazing.  We had never been before but I found  a <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2FRestaurant.com&s=0aab4cbd731f3d3b0d1453050d3abc56a8c80bd214e25469c7555b750dca8a51" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://Restaurant.com</a> cert online and decided to give it a go.  Everything was delicious from the mac and cheese to the steak to the bread served before dinner.  I can't wait to go back. Â
Don't waste your time driving down 76 to get into the city this place is just as good if not better than many of the city restaurants and you don't have to pay for parking.
I went here for dinner with my boyfriend and a couple of friends. We were all impressed by the decor and atmosphere. We had reservations for 7, our table wasn't quite ready so the host suggested we grab a drink at the bar and he would come get us when it was (much appreciated).
When we were seated, we found that our waitress was on the newer side and didn't know the beer menu. This was frustrating, as the restaurant also doesn't have a drink menu (besides a wine list).
The food was great. Well seasoned and tasty. For apps we had spinach artichoke dip and bruschetta, both delicious. For entrees we had the goat cheese & spinach agnolotti, the short rib bolognese, the parmesan chicken, and the NY strip. Portions are huge! Sides are ordered separately (we got mac & cheese and asparagus) and are sharable. However, it did take FOREVER to get to the table. We had our apps and probably a 30 minute wait for entrees. We skipped dessert because we were so full.
I recently dined here with my girlfriend for a late lunch.
I was not all too impressed.
It seemed to me the service revolved around the bar and larger groups then those dining.
The menu looked nice but nothing really popped. I can see this being a good happy hour spot for the corporate offices in the surrounding area.
As for the food, my burger was under seasoned and when it came out it was missing the sauce on thee BBQ Bacon burger. That kind of defeats the purpose.
I won't be returning here any time soon.
This place is really close to my PA office and I ate here while traveling here for work. I didn't get a chance to check out the downstairs but upstairs was very nice. I was with 3 other co-workers and we had the calamari and another appetizer sampler to start. On the sampler, I tried the bacon wrapped shrimp and prime rib egg roll. Both were very good.
I had a glass of their house Riesling and was pleased it was Woodbridge by Mondavi and reasonably priced at $6.50. For dinner, I had a cup of French Onion soup and side of their parmesan risotto. I wasn't into the soup but that was no fault of the restaurant since I am not really into French Onion soup. The risotto was great. I was I hadn't gotten full on their apps and yummy garlic pita bread so I could eat more risotto.
And to top off a good meal was the Yelp check-in offer: $20 off a $50 bill. You just can't beat that!
Came here because of a Groupon - type certificate that was about to expire. Â I was somewhat apprehensive as we pulled up to a barn in the middle of a deserted business park (it was a Sunday). Â Big bar with tv tuned to football, not exactly cloth napkin type atmosphere. Â
However, I've got to say this was no bar food. Â The pepper seared tuna was well prepared, and that wasabi creme had serious kick. Â Bacon wrapped shrimp with horseradish were moist and flavorful.
The entrees were fairly simple, but executed very well. Â N.Y. Strip was cooked perfectly, nice and tender with good flavor. Â Menu said 16 oz., whereas online it says a more normal 12. Â They should probably correct that. Â It came with some green beans and very good mashed potatoes. Â Wife had the tilapia with scallops and crab meat, which she also enjoyed. Â
I had the creme brulee trio for dessert. Â Each is infused with a different liquor, although the Frangelico one looked/tasted like a normal creme brulee. Â The Kahlua and Chambord ones were more distinct. Â They were all good, although I prefer it to be served warm over slightly chilled.
BYO Sunday / Monday, a nice extra. Â The certificate made our meal an absolute steal, too. Â We'll definitely keep Twenty9 in mind when we're in the area.
Just got back to work from meeting a friend for lunch at Twenty9. My friend and I did the lunch buffet and it was delish, the food spread covered all tastes and the dessert was magnificent. The staff was friendly, fun and very social. One waitress spoke to my heart when I couldn't decide between the cannoli or the cheesecake--just then a voice came down from up above (well not really) but it was an angel who said "get both".
We will be doing lunch here again and with the lunch buffet priced right around $10 you can't beat that for all-you-can-eat. The only negative was that I couldn't eat all that I could because I needed to head back to work and be productive (not full and sleepy).
JUST got home from here, and I must say that I was VERY impressed. I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars, since I usually save 5 stars for the best of the best, but after thinking about it, I couldn't find ANYTHING wrong with my experience, so I gave it the 5. Anyway, on to the review:
First of all, we got a Groupon that was insane in its usefulness. $45 for 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. The ONLY stipulations were the daily specials and the market price whole fresh fish. Other than that, EVERYTHING on the menu was up for grabs.
For the apps, we went with the sampler (which was 2 lobster and crab stuffed portabella mushrooms, 2 steak eggrolls and 2 bacon wrapped shrimp, all with a horseradish cheese sauce and ALL, ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS) and the bruschetta (also delicious.) For the entrees, I got the center cut filet, with green beans and garlic mashed potatoes, and the misses got the NY Strip signature dish with onions, mushrooms and blue cheese and broccoli rabe. Seriously, my entree was $29.50, hers was $32 so we already got the value of the Groupon almost immediately. Anywho, the entrees came out and were absolutely scrumptious. The steaks were cooked perfectly. For dessert, I went with the Xango, which is a fried banana and cheesecake dessert, covered in cinnamon and sugar that was criminally good. The wife got the bread pudding but boxed it because she was so stuffed.
Just off the bat, the food was enough to get 4 stars, but our server put it over the top. Toni, our server, was absolutely fantastic. Attentive, friendly, funny, just a top notch server. The restaurant itself is clean, open and inviting. There are tvs playing the game for the sportsfans, and an outside deck for you nature lovers out there.
The ONLY negative is only a negative if you are the owners of Twenty9....location, location, location. The restaurant is tucked away in a business development and took a few twists and turns to actually get to. I don't think you can actually see it from the road, so you have to kinda know about it to go there. But, thats fine for me; I plan on going back and would hate for this place to be a crowded mess or turn into a chain restaurant.
I am stuffed, happy and for all that food, plus FOUR GLASSES OF WINE, it cost me $25 (plus the $45 for the Groupon.) By the way, a glass of wine is a goddamn GLASS OF WINE! Its like the pour you'd give yourself at home. Its literally AT LEAST twice what you would get ANY where else, at no extra cost. I want to shake the hand of the owners.
This is our new favorite place! Excellent food at a very reasonable price. Amazing prime rib egg rolls are my favorite appetizer! Their specials are always outstanding - some of the best steak, lamb or fish we've ever had. Â Great deck and party room as well. Check it out for lunch or dinner.
Review Source:This place is good for one thing. Drinking. Don't eat there. Expensive and not so good. It was the old Boat House. They tried to fix it up and put lipstick on a pig. The downstairs and the deck are the same basically. They should have left it the way it was. Â No more good Boat House wings thats what they did best here. Now you can get a 27.00 steak. Â Don't want or need it.
Review Source:I was just here last night to meetup with some friends. Â The Phillies was playing that night so got to see the game on the big screen at the deck. Â This place has a nice outdoors atmosphere. Â Plenty of people here which I didn't expect for a pub in an office park. Â Overall, staff was courteous and attentive with drinks. Â I would come out here rather than the Fox and Hound which tends to be overcrowded.
Review Source:Twenty9 replaces the old Boat House. The focus is on steaks which looked good going by to other tables but I chose the lamb special with a cherry demi glace and my lovely had the Dover sole. Both were very good, carved/filleted table side by the owner. Beer selection could be better, less generic. Atmosphere is open with tables surrounding a large bar, a live singer was there last night who was reasonably good, a separate area is available if you want quiet but it looked boring. Recommend you try it.
Review Source:Got to say, I miss the Boathouse. But, this is a great replacement. Stopped in the other day to check out the new place and it gets a thumbs up. Sat at the bar and had great service. Opted for sandwiches over the tempting lunch buffet menu and was not disappointed. Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich was great.
Review Source:This place is a mess, the servers were chaotic, the menu offered sandwhiches but then we were told they were not being offered, the food is bland and overpriced. Â Tables next to us were sending back food and complaining as well.
They comped a round of drinks, but it did not make up for the problems. Â Twenty 9 needs to realize what they are-a place for happy hour and bar food. Â They are attempting to be an upscale dining experience in a corporate center but do not have the staff, food or management to succceed in this venture. Â The formula is simple: drinks, music, bar food.
Read my other reviews- I don't complain about places-this place stinks.
Let me start off by saying that I loved the Boathouse. Â Furthermore, I was a downstairs kinda guy. Â The BH was a very comfortable place to come for a few drinks after work and just unwind.
After coming to Twenty9 a few times it seems everything I loved about the BH is gone.  A friend and I came for lunch and enjoyed everything we ordered but had to flag down a waitress to get a  check. (Here's a tip- you're in a business park, fast and efficient lunch service is the way to go) Both times I've been for happy hour the service has been sub-par. Â
It seems like the new ownership is headed in a different direction so for now, I guess I will be too.
A large group of us went there after work and were amazed at how different it looks! Considering they had just opened, we didn't expect the food to be that good so we ordered a bunch of appetizers to share. They turned to be so good that we ended up going back the next day! The loaded Nachos, I know it sounds pretty standard but they are TO DIE FOR!! The calamari, French Onion soup & their burgers are also amazing!! One of the guys ordered the steak and claimed it melted in his mouth. We're actually going back today and then our department is going for a holiday lunch on Thursday... If you can't already tell, I'd highly recommend checking it out! :0)
Review Source:I had the change to go to Twenty9 with some work colleagues during lunch today. Â You can tell they spent a good amount of $ overhauling the upstairs from the look of when it was the boathouse. Â The interior was a complete change. Â Although the interior was very polished, it was interesting that they put the bar in the space that it is. Â You get the look of a high end restaurant that put the bar and TV's right in the middle. Â It was an interesting mix. Â
The food was pretty good. Â I had the lunch buffet and it was pretty well done. Â The roast beef was excellent. Â The other items were good, nothing special but it was a good deal and you could just walk up and help yourself. Â A definite plus if you are tight for time at lunch.
The rest of our party that didn't get the buffet waited a long time for their food. Â The place didn't seem that busy, granted I was with a large party, so that may have contributed to the wait time. Â Asking around my table the burgers were good and the fries were excellent. Â
To put it all together, they gave the old Boathouse facility a much needed scrub. Â The overall the experience wasn't bad, but wasn't amazing either. Â We'll see how they do once it warms up and they handle the happy hour crowd.