Han Dynasty in West Philly/University City

**annie** · 03-22-2012, 08:18 AM

Han Dynasty Moving Into Former Mid-Atlantic Space - Expanding Empire - Eater Philly

**boognish** · 03-22-2012, 08:50 AM

This is the greatest thing I've heard all week.

Thanks for the heads up!

**Zigster** · 03-22-2012, 08:51 AM

unreal. I feel bad for Mid-Atlantic, though.

**walnuthill** · 03-22-2012, 08:55 AM

That location is really terrible. It's such a no-man's land after work hours and on weekends. I wish them luck though, and will have to try it out!

**boognish** · 03-22-2012, 12:23 PM

Although the location is somewhat awkward, it's only about a block or so from Chili's and Abner's. Mid-Atlantic failed because it simply wasn't very good.

Han Dynasty is a real draw.

**walnuthill** · 03-22-2012, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by boognish

Although the location is somewhat awkward, it's only about a block or so from Chili's and Abner's. Mid-Atlantic failed because it simply wasn't very good.

Han Dynasty is a real draw.

Cool, I look forward to being proven wrong! I will definitely check it out when it opens.

**Ptolemy** · 03-22-2012, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by boognish

Although the location is somewhat awkward, it's only about a block or so from Chili's and Abner's. Mid-Atlantic failed because it simply wasn't very good.

Han Dynasty is a real draw.

Oh, I disagree, I really liked Mid-Atlantic. The pork chop was so good it was in my opinion gorgeous.
The plate of local cheeses and relishes was something a real connoisseur could appreciate, but not so exciting to your average Drexel or Penn student.

However I will concede that Mid-Atlantic was pricey. It was an upscale take on regional Pennsylvania and even "Pennsylvania Dutch" cuisine ... not a very exotic or intriguing cuisine. Even the name "Mid-Atlantic" is kinda blah ... sounds like a local AAA office.

But I love good Chinese food, so this may be a blessing in disguise!

**boognish** · 03-24-2012, 10:47 AM

They had some decent food, but the execution was spotty at best. Add in some poor management & over-inflated pricing and you've got yourself a disaster in the making. Daniel Stern simply had too many balls in air to juggle. Rae failed, R2L underachieves, and Mid-Atlantic was like his red-headed bastard.

I really wanted the spot to succeed, but I had too many disappointments there to make it a regular stop. Great beer-pricing at happy hour. Too bad the oysters were crummy (I love oysters).

**lewblum** · 03-25-2012, 06:38 PM

Mid-Atlantic was a strange concept that they were never able to hit the bullseye on. PA Dutch-Chesapeake-Virginiana???
I went when they first open and was so underwhelmed that I never went back. But I did manage to go for a party the week before they closed and thought they actually managed to step up their game. The food was awesome.

With that said, I think if any restaurant can succeed here Handy Nasty is one of them. People will go out of their way to come here, unlike Mid-Atlantic.

In terms of the bigger picture, there needs to be residential uses mixed into the Science Center to help support this kind of ground floor commercial space.

**BarryG** · 03-25-2012, 06:47 PM

Michael Klein tweeted that the deal isn't signed yet for the space.

Han has a knack for going into less than ideal locations and succeeding... the Old City location actually kind of sucks but yes people seek it out. I think he'll do well in the MA spot.

Also both the Old City and Manayunk locations were former restaurants that he did very little, if any, remodeling to.

**lewblum** · 03-25-2012, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

Also both the Old City and Manayunk locations were former restaurants that he did very little, if any, remodeling to.

Yeah, that basement in the Old City one is something else.

**Ptolemy** · 03-27-2012, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by boognish

... Too bad the oysters were crummy (I love oysters)...

I also LOVE oysters.

I find myself heading to South Philly to Snockey's for raw clams and oysters which are usually (but not always!) good ... Cape May Salts, Blue Points, Chesapeakes, James River and the wonderful Rappahannock River oysters. They have a "clammy hour" from 4 - 6 PM when clams are 60 cents and oyster are 80 cents (1:30PM - 4 PM on Sat/Sun). You gotta be careful with raw shellfish though ... a bad one will be served every once in a while.

**boognish** · 03-27-2012, 11:13 PM

Thanks for the headsup! I've always meant to try Snockey's out, so this is a great push in that direction. Maybe later this week I'll hit Federal Donuts for chicken and stop in Snockey's for a snack.

**onlyone** · 03-28-2012, 12:43 AM

There's a new oyster bar next to White Dog also. Anyone know if it's any good?

**boognish** · 03-28-2012, 09:42 AM

Is that open already? The name escapes me, but it's the second location for that place. Seemed a little sterile from their website, but I haven't actually been yet.

Any other places in W Philly doing oysters?

**onlyone** · 03-28-2012, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by boognish

Is that open already? The name escapes me, but it's the second location for that place. Seemed a little sterile from their website, but I haven't actually been yet.

Any other places in W Philly doing oysters?

Not sure. Haven't been down Sansom St in awhile.

**westisthebest** · 03-28-2012, 10:49 PM

Dan Dan Noodles are soooooo good here!!!!!

**annie** · 06-01-2012, 12:07 PM

Han Dynasty quietly opens its West Philly location | West Philly Local

**boognish** · 06-01-2012, 12:13 PM

We went a few weeks ago. The place was packed, and we were the only non-Asians in the whole place.

Han is hilarious, as he has no censor button.

Hmmmm...maybe we'll swing by tonight.