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    Vetri Cucina

    4.5 (589 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Vetri Cucina Photos

    Business Info

    VETRI CUCINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Vetri Cucina

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    Americano

    Wow in all aspects! We were treated with outstanding customer service by Diana, Danielle, and Erasto! Nothing short of AMAZING!!! The Prosecco to begin, the seafood salad, scallops w mangos, the fusillis, pasta, orata entree cooked to perfection and wagyu! Can't forget the absolutely fabulous peaches & cream dessert!!! What a fabulous VETRI team! Memorable and can't wait to go back!

    Raagini Y.

    Don't ask. Just go. Phenomenal service and ambiance is lovely and intimate with the absolute perfect lighting. I asked for everything non alcoholic and they accommodated me. Some of the best bites of pasta I have ever had.

    Blueberry crostata with almonds and ginger gelato
    Araba N.

    A+! Located in what looks like a row home, this restaurant is hard to miss. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice and quiet, and our waitress went above and beyond. Particularly, when it came to choosing a wine, she was extremely helpful and generous in giving us samples before settling on a final selection. Food wise, everything I had exceeded expectations. The sweet onion crepe, which is a long standing menu item, particularly stood out. There are two menu options, a standard tasting menu and the premium. The standard plus an additional appetizer was the perfect amount of food. Highly recommended!

    Winnie R.

    Such a great experience and great food. I love the option that those sitting at the table can do the classic tasting menu or the seasonal forchetta menu. The service was wonderful. Everyone from the food runners to the waiters knew the history of the food. Can't wait to come back for the wine pairing.

    Squab en Croute
    Arthur N.

    Tucked away in a stately Spruce Street townhouse - the former home of Georges Perrier's late, great Le Bec Fin before it moved to its Walnut Street location - Vetri Cucina, which opened its doors in 1998, remains the distinguished flagship of chef/restaurateur Marc Vetri's restaurant regime. The interior is sedate and sophisticated. And while servers are young, they are also quite personable and extremely knowledgeable with regard to both menu and wine list. They set the tone for our evening at table; and we sensed from the moment we were seated that the experience will be a pleasant one. The evening of our visit we chose the four course tasting menu, currently priced at $165.00 per person (plus beverages, tax, gratuity and various supplements). There were, however, a number of freebies along the way, which added enjoyment. My dining companion and I began, for example, with complimentary glasses of prosecco spiked with bitters, a delightful concoction that immediately energized our appetites for the good things to come. This was followed by an intriguing amuse-bouche of mini toasts adorned with silky chicken liver mousse topped with mascarpone and pistachio. To begin the meal proper, my dining partner couldn't resist the Squab en Croûte, the moist tender meat of a young pigeon encased in a light, flaky pastry crust. The thing that really attracted her to the dish, however, was its accompaniment, the rhubarb agrodolce. This is a condiment that is made by reducing sugar or honey, vinegar, and sometimes fruit and/or vegetables; in this case, rhubarb. The result was a slightly sticky, marvelously tangy sweet-tart sauce that succeeded in propelling the appetizer into orbit. And my Sweet Onion Crepe was every bit its equal and even more addictive. Prepared to caramelized perfection, the sweet onion flavor was simply irresistible. But the pièce de résistance was the pool of truffle-infused parmesan fondue, the perfect complement to the decadently delicious starter... This is one wow of a dish that is simply not to be missed. The pasta course also had a great deal going for it. My dining partner quickly settled on the Spinach Gnocchi, which was an excellent choice... And the ethereal dumplings found the perfect traveling companions in shaved ricotta salata and splash of brown butter. But even better, in my opinion, was the Ramp Ravioli revved up with a ricotta cheese filling and dash of lemon. An absolute winner! As an added bonus, the kitchen sent out a complimentary plate of their Tagliolini with Morel Mushroom Ragu for us to share. Tagliolini is a type of ribbon pasta, long like spaghetti, similar to tagliatelle, but thin like capellini. It is a traditional recipe in the Molise and Piedmont regions of Italy. Although not as photogenic as either the Spinach Gnocchi or Ramp Ravioli, the Tagliolini was, in its own unique way, exceedingly comforting as well as soul-satisfyingly delicious. Since my dining partner and I both love Dover sole, when the Dover Sole for Two was announced as an entrée special, it was, as they say, a done deal - especially since our server noted that it would be prepared à la meunière. The word itself means "miller's wife" in French. The fish is first dredged in flour and then sautéed. The meunière sauce, as the name implies, is a simple, rustic presentation consisting of brown butter, chopped parsley, and lemon. What arrived at our table, however, was strictly a bastardized version... filets drowned in a surprisingly viscous sauce overwhelmed with radish slices and a salty flavor derived from a surfeit of capers... And, as if to add insult to injury, the texture of the fish was decidedly rubbery, a sure sign of overcooking. Not the kitchen's finest hour. Desserts, though were right back on track... However, one very important additional item needs to be mentioned... namely, the wines. Two white wines being offered by the glass were particularly noteworthy. The first was the Tiefenbrunner Müller Thurgau 2018 "Feldmarschall von Fenner" from the Alto Adige region of Italy; the second, Domaine Thomas St. Aubin 1er Cru 2018 "Murgers des Dents de Chien," a chardonnay from Burgundy, France. Both wines were extremely impressive... And the restaurant's price tag was pretty impressive as well... $35.00 per glass. $35.00!!!!! Both these wines were very nice, indeed... but charging $35.00 per glass is more than just a little outrageous. Especially when you realize that the Tiefenbrunner may be purchased online for $43.99 per bottle ($48.99 through PA State Stores); and the Domaine Thomas is available from Total Wine for $59.99 per bottle. Couple this with the disappointing Dover sole, and the fact that the check for the evening, including tax and tip, came to over $400.00, and you begin to understand why our visit to Vetri Cucina prompted such a host of mixed emotions.

    Dustin W.

    Service was absolutely amazing. We were running late, and they were very accommodating and told us to just relax when we got there (almost 40 min late for our reservation due to Presidency campaigning being in the city & blocking off many freeway exits). They started us off with some sweet wine which was great. We got the Classic Tasting Menu which I'll detail below. The "*" indicates their older menu items that have not really changed and they highly recommend. It was not always my favorite. I also did the wine pairing which is 3 oz a pour each item, and was decent. If you finish it all it can get you a good buzz. For the price of another person, I do not know if I would do it again though. (Free) Oyster - strawberry ontop. Already separated for you so you can just slurp it up. Tasty and nice freebie. *FOIE GRAS PASTRAMI with TOASTED BRIOCHE - Four pieces, very rich and buttery. Well prepared and creamy - not a huge foie gras person but probably one of the best I've ever tried (Free) Tableside bread - very soft, came with a pork/sausage spread which had a pepperoni-like spread taste. Unique. Antipasta - TESTINAMILANESE - the most flavorful, very tasty and enjoyable. Probably my favorite of the 3 tried - GRILLED OCTOPUS - was expecting more. It was well cooked but just not super flavorful - *SWEET ONION CREPE - Very uniquely cooked with the layers. Nice flavor. Would recommend. Pasta - MANDILLIDISETA - not a big portion but very tasty, not a strong mushroom flavor. probably my favorite of the 3 tried. - PACCHERI ALL'ARRABBIATA - lobster was good and pasta was shaped in a very unique style, was good but nothing super unique - *CLASSIC SPLIT - gnocchi is more flavorful but has a decently strong spinach flavoring Secondi - POACHED HALIBUT - well cooked just a little too soupy/watery. The - VEAL - little bit of fat in the piece served but tasty - PORK SECRETO - pork shoulder that's nice and crispy, potatoes were layered and very well cooked. My favorite of the 3 tried. (Free) Palette cleanser - tasty light, mix of luke warm and cold, sweet flavoring Dolci - *MOLTEN PISTACHIO CAKE - a must! This was delicious. Came with a little congratulations chocolate. Easily the best of the 3 - STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE - Good but nothing out of the ordinary - COFFEE SEMIFREDDO - Tasty, nice combination of a hard and soft pieces. (Free) Cookies - Nice finishing 3 types of cookies given at the end Throughout the night there was fantastic service. The initial server did mishear me in asking for still instead of sparkling water so the whole night I got sparkling water but I didn't mind. The servers speak off a script when presenting the food, and it felt so rehearsed I'm not sure how much they would know if asked things OFF the script. Inside looks a little older style. The glasswear and setting are all nice. There is a kitchen experience that I saw some others going to that seemed very fun to hang out with the chefs. Overall, it is a pretty penny to attend but service is fantastic and they give you a bunch of freebies throughout the night. We got an extra dessert because they served an incorrect one on accident (not sure if it was truly an accident because they had the second one ready immediately), oysters, a Polaroid picture for memory, extra cookies, and wine. Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Food: 4.5/5

    Torta di riso with figs and fig leaf gelato.
    Ju L.

    Last weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a lovely date night at Vetri. The last time we ate at Vetri was 3 years ago, right before the pandemic. There have been some changes and new additions to the tasting menu. We definitely had more variety and more food before. Even though we got less food from the tasting menu this time around, the cuisine was more elevated. The complimentary pre-dinner bites from 3 years ago were these local raw vegetables. There's nothing wrong with local raw vegetables, but it just didn't make any sense as part of Vetri's tasting menu. Last weekend's complimentary pre-dinner bites were raw oysters with salmon roe and a celery root soup, which made more sense and was definitely an upgrade from before. I did notice service was slow to start and reminded me of the slow service from 3 years ago. Since we were both starving, we ordered the foie gras pastrami with toasted Brioche as an add-on and thought that would arrive quicker than the rest of our food. Eventually, the foie gras pastrami with toasted Brioche arrived, and it was so good. After that, the service picked up. The house bread with house made 'nduja was delicious. Our server didn't mind that my husband asked for another serving of 'nduja. For our appetizers, my husband had the torched Hiramasa Crudo, and I had the Potato Burik with broccolini and caviar. Nothing out of the ordinary, but we both enjoyed our dishes. Then came the pasta course. The spinach gnocchi and almond tortellini classic split and the chestnut agnolotti were spot on. You can always count on Marc Vetri's pastas. After the pasta courses came our meat dishes. I had the seared venison, and my husband had the smoked baby goat. I loved my seared venison. It was perfectly prepared and I could have totally eaten another one. Desserts were a molten pistachio cake and rice cake. The Molten pistachio cake was delicious. My husband wished he didn't get the rice cake. I definitely prefer the new and improved version of Vetri. Even though I didn't walk out with a stuffed belly like last time, I enjoyed every single bite.

    Gnocchi Alla Bava with Perigord Truffle and Sottocenere
    Jon H.

    For me, this was a once in a lifetime culinary experience I'll never forget. While I do enjoy dining at nice restaurants, I don't see myself splurging to this extent. The generosity of my fiancés cousin & husband is unmeasurable as they, along with Vetri, treated us, for our engagement, to the most incredible meal that no words can describe. Vetri is set in a charming, old 3 story row home located in Washington Square not far from Broad Street. There is a lot next door but we opted to Uber. Upon arriving we were shown to our table which was decorated with small wooden hearts and each employee we interacted with congratulated us on our engagement. Everyone we had the pleasure of meeting that night represented Vetri so well and went out of their way to make our experience as smooth and unforgettable as one could imagine. We decided on the 6 course set tasting menu (the 4 course tasting menu has multiple options to choose from for each course) and coupled our dinner with wine pairing. A half glass (heavy pours - and all imported from Italy) was paired with each of the 6 courses. Vetri also has a full bar and offers drinks a la carte if you'd prefer not to do the wine pairing. Vetri starts your night off with a delicious complementary spritz and a little, delicate foie gras. I have to admit I'm not a fan of liver but I did enjoy the taste and texture. We were served 2 different breads, both warm and fresh with great crust. Once our tasting started, I had already felt like I was seated for a while (but not in a bad way). I wanted this experience to last and to be able to soak it all in. I keep referring to this night as an experience, because that's exactly what it was, not just a dinner. I also felt the spacing between courses was perfect. At no point did we feel rushed, but we were also never waiting for our next dish. Enrique, our primary server, was outstanding. He was professional, personable, and treated us as if we were his regular customers even though this was the first time we've met. His passion for his job was clear and he was enthusiastic and thorough while explaining each plate and wine he brought out. Our first course, Shrimp Carpaccio with Jimmy Nardello peppers, was delicate and delicious. It was plated beautifully and must've taken meticulous care to slice the shrimp so thinly and uniformly. Our 2nd course, Gnocchi Alla Bava with Truffles. The gnocchi were light and pillowy, and were far and away the best gnocchi I've ever had. The next course, which took over my favorite of the night, was Wagyu Short Rib Ravioli in a Bone Marrow Verde sauce. Stunning, rich, savory. The bone marrow sauce could not be wasted and soaked up perfectly in the bread served earlier in our seating. We moved onto the Seafood Mixed Grill. A generously sized piece of Bronzino, Octopus, and lobster tail for each person. The Bronzino was flaky and the skin added great texture. The Lobster and Octopus were both firm yet very tender, and the octopus was lightly and nicely charred. Next came the Roasted Hen topped with Maitake Mushroom. My first time having a Maitake mushroom and I loved it. The flavor and texture complemented the hen perfectly. For dessert, they brought out multiple items, contrary to the menu. Again Vetri showed their awareness and focus on making their customers feel special as one of the desserts had a white chocolate ribbon with "congratulations" written on it. At this point we were full and made a little extra room for dessert. Vetri went above and beyond to make our experience not only memorable, but unforgettable. From the moment we walked through the front door we knew we were in for a one of a kind night. If you have the opportunity to go to Vetri, please go. I know you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

    Morel mushroom pasta 5/5 recommend
    Tiffany T.

    This was our first visit to Vetri after years of being on our list. We came to celebrate a special occasion, and Vetri did not disappoint. Service was 5/5 100% One notable situation that night is that when we were ordering the pastas, I had asked the server if we can add on a pasta mid-meal as we weren't sure of our hunger level and were stuck between 3 pastas we really wanted to try including the morel mushroom one. The morel mushroom one ended up being the one we were going to add on later. The server had asked which pasta we were thinking about adding on later. Fast forward to the pasta portion of the meal, our server had given us a serving of the morel mushroom pasta to try - on the house! That morel mushroom pasta was so flavorful, and ended up being our favorite of the 3 pastas we chose. The noise level is average, and the setting of the restaurant is well lit, bright and a wonderful atmosphere for a good meal. For our entree we tried the pork cheek and the sole. Both were very good - but 2 months later what I still remember the most is that mushroom pasta and the service we received. At the end of our meal - the desserts were decorated with "congratulations" from the pastry chef, a thoughtful touch to our celebration. When the check came, there were even more complimentary bon bons - my favorite being the raspberry caramel. I would highly recommend Vetri for a special occasion. It's not cheap, but in my opinion worth every cent for the experience you receive. Hats off to both the front and back of house, chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs , everyone - thank you for an unforgettable experience.

    Classic split with spinach gnocchi and almond tortellini (additional item)
    Nikki K.

    Hands down, this was the best restaurant I have gone to in Philadelphia. Although a hefty price, it was worth every penny. The food was plentiful and incredibly flavorful. The fettuccine was so light and tasted like the pasta I had in Italy. We did not do the wine pairings, but all the wines that they offer sound incredible. We did split a bottle of Lambrusco and enjoyed it so much we each separately purchased one to bring home. The service was excellent and our waitress had great recommendations and was very accommodating. Overall 10/10, would highly recommend. Great for a date spot, celebrating birthdays, or just to enjoy an upscale meal.

    Bread
    Fran H.

    I read a lot of reviews prior to writing . I didn't want to start mine out the same but it true. I wanted to love this place so much more than I did. A Philly icon chef who has taught and train so many more talented chefs what a place. We arrived for our 6 o clock reservation. Many tables were full. The space is dimly lit , drab void of any decor. It was meant to be simple cooking with simple ingredients. The china was bone and white plain, the glasses were all murano and noticed the napkins were also from Italy. Now on to the food. The summer menu wasn't awfully appealing to us but one of many wait staff explained that you can add on take away, substitute from either menu. We stuck to the regular menus and picked courses to our liking. We were asked about food preferences and allergies at the beginning and told the chef will accommodate as best they can worth mentioning we didn't have any allergies or preferences. We started with amuse bouche. Was a lobster soup wonton. It was meant to not be savored but one bite. It was tasty but hard to taste in one bite. We had the onion crepe which looks more like a slice of an onion crepe but wonderfully flavorful with sweetness and saltiness. My better half opted for the chorizo stuffed octopus which he say was good not amazing. We had a pasta course of rabbit ragu and the split gnocchi and tortellini. The tortellini was good but the brown butter was off for the gnocchi. It usually has a nutty flavor but this seemed greasy only. For entrees I had the smoked lamb which was absent of all smoke. One lamb chop came on the plate which offered about three bites . We also ordered the striped bass which came out decorated beautifully but not flavored so well . Only finished half of the entree. The dessert was the star the molten pistachio cake was complimentary for our anniversary and was good. The cheeesecake option was also decadent and creamy and delicious. We also had the polenta biscuit with gelato that one wasn't as memorable or pretty. The meal also had some bread service with butter and andouille spread which was just off. We had a sorbet with yogurt palate cleanser. They started off the meal with complementary cocktail.... It was lovely summer spritzer that was nice start. We opted not to do the wine pairing as we don't always love sweeter wines and opted to buy a single bottle to share. The wine was Italian and good. All in all we had a nice time , it definitely didn't live up to the hype of other reviewers but that's food for you. We all have different preferences and expectations. All in dinner was 540.00 for 2 people including gratuity. Was a special night out for us.

    Halloween evening at Vetri
    Elle M.

    A 20-minute drive from the Philadelphia airport into a beautiful historic neighborhood, less than a mile from Independence Hall, this is a perfect introduction to the city. It was Halloween night, and the Phillies were in the world series, so I lucked out with the only reservation left for the evening. There's no valet, but there's a parking lot right next to the restaurant. This is a memorable, price fixe menu with the four courses offering enough on its own. I benefited from the hospitality of the associates here who delivered several bonus items to the table throughout the evening- aperitif, amuse-bouche, an extra pasta dish, a large pour at the end of a wine bottle, palate cleanser between courses and finally, petit fours and cappuccino after dessert. Every taste became my new favorite. As I walked the surrounding area after dinner, I was still thinking about the experience. Just lovely.

    CHESTNUT MILLEFOGLIE WITH FLAVORS OF TIRAMISU

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    Vetri Cucina Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Vetri Cucina

    Does Vetri offer any sort of non-alcoholic beverage pairings?

    Vetri offers an extensive selection of non-alcoholic beverages because they have a full bar. However there is no formal NA pairing equivalent to the wine pairing. My recommendation would be to speak with your server and also mention your interest… 

    Is a picture on phone adequate for proof of vaccination?

    Not necessary anymore

    Can you bring wine? Is there corkage?

    No they offer wine

    Do you have to order a tasting menu or can you go al a cart?

    Tasting menu only.

    As of August 2018, how much is the tasting menu + wine pairing?

    I believe it's around $275 for both.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Little Nonna's

    Little Nonna's

    4.2
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We were able to get a last-minute reservation on a Saturday night, and I'm so happy we did! We've…read morebeen here a couple of times. I actually celebrated my birthday here last year and this place is always a hit, never a miss! We started with the cucumber and tomato salad and the country bread, and what a delicious combination! We also ordered a side of olive oil, and they seriously have some of the best olive oil I've had in a while. I definitely recommend getting some on the side to dip your country bread in. Trust me! We paired everything with a pitcher of sangria, which gives you about four drinks and was much more economical than ordering individual cocktails. I finally tried the chicken Parmesan, and boy, am I kicking myself for not trying it sooner! The chicken breast was thick, juicy, moist, and perfectly crunchy. Some places make their chicken Parm so thin that it barely feels like you're eating chicken, but this was an actual substantial piece of chicken with the perfect bite. Our waitress told me I could swap out the pasta and sauce that normally come with the chicken Parmesan, so of course I did! I got the rigatoni with vodka sauce, and it was DELIGHTFUL. The portion was massive, so I took leftovers home and yes, I absolutely ate them the very next day! My fiancé got the branzino and wanted something lighter so he could help me with the rigatoni. His plate was beautifully presented, the fish tasted incredibly fresh, and it was exactly what he wanted. Overall, we had another wonderful experience. This restaurant will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we'll definitely be back! A special shoutout to our waitress, who was absolutely delightful and told me I could change the pasta and sauce with my chicken Parmesan. You changed my life! You have no idea how happy you made me. I wish I had gotten your name, but truly, everyone there is always so lovely. Thank you for another amazing experience!

    Went for a work dinner with my colleagues and had such a good experience here!! We got the…read morearancini, the garlic bread, and the shrimp and lobster pastas and all were perfect. The arancini was so decadent and the garlic bread came with a head of garlic confit - both were perfectly appetizers. We also got the shrimp pasta and lobster pasta and both were delicious! The lobster pasta was very filling, so I recommend the shrimp pasta if you want something on the lighter side. The service was good, but there was a wait both times we strolled by (Sunday and Tuesday), so would recommend making a res. The only caveat is that I would not recommend coming here with a party larger than 4 people, the restaurant is very small and rustic and can't fit a larger party. It was fine for us as we were able to push some outside tables together (and it was a beautiful evening), but I do wish we could have sat inside.

    Photos
    Little Nonna's
    Rigatoni Alla Vodka
    Rigatoni Alla Vodka
    Meatballs

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    Meatballs
    Barbuzzo

    Barbuzzo

    4.3
    (3.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    During a busy summer of sporting events we were concerned we would need reservations but we walked…read morein and were seated right away. Our server apologized for a delay in taking our drink orders. She was attentive the rest of our meal. I ordered a Charles deGaulle whiskey cocktail. Lemon, aperol and simple syrup added a refreshing twist. For entrees, my wife ordered the pacherri; a simple pork ragu with tender broccoli rabe, Parmesan, stracciatello and basil. The dish was delicious. I enjoyed my plate of sea-inspired tonnarelli nero. Bay scallops in crab ragu with fennel sofrito. Served with squid ink pasta that imparted a slight brininess. The pasta was cooked pangrattato style-- coated in panko bread crumbs and garlic. The dish had many flavors but they all came back to the theme. Cocktail prices and entree prices were very reasonable. They offer happy hour drinks and specials. Certainly a very good choice if you're in the area.

    None of us had eaten there before so we just ordered a bunch of stuff to split. The whipped ricotta…read moreand grilled bread was gone almost immediately, barely got a second piece. The short rib over polenta was probably my favorite thing on the table - it fell apart easily and the polenta underneath wasn't as heavy as I expected it to be. We got the salted caramel budino for dessert too, and I was glad it wasn't one of those desserts that's so sweet you can only handle two bites. Would go back honestly. Probably order something different next time just to try more of the menu, but I'm getting that ricotta again no matter what.

    Photos
    Exhibition counter
    Exhibition counter
    Roasted Beet Salad
    Roasted Beet Salad
    Corn arancini

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    Corn arancini
    Gran Caffe L'Aquila

    Gran Caffe L'Aquila

    4.4
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Another trip to Philly and another delicious lunch at Gran Caffe L'Aquila! Appetizers, entrees,…read moregelato, coffee- all delicious! Prompt, friendly, courteous service, as usual. The place was busy, but that didn't delay our orders. We could hold a conversation without having to speak loudly. We bought some dark roast beans, ground there for espresso, to take home.

    Went for lunch with my daughter and had a wonderful experience! It's located downtown, so be…read moreprepared to pay for parking or take a rideshare app to save yourself the hassle. The restaurant has a great two-level layout: a bustling coffee bar and small Italian market on the lower level, and a wine bar restaurant upstairs. It was a beautiful day, so outdoor seating was available, but after the hostess explained that the full menu is served on both levels, we opted to sit upstairs in the wine bar. Our server was fantastic--friendly, immediate, and quick to offer sparkling or tap water while handing us all the options. They offer a main lunch menu, a specials menu, and a great lunchtime deal with a limited $20 per person fixed menu. We started by sharing the mussels in a white garlic sauce. They were delicious, and the table bread dipped into the leftover garlic juices was absolutely delightful! For our main courses, my daughter got the spaghetti carbonara, and I ordered the chitarra pasta with red chili. Both pastas were cooked perfectly al dente and came in very satisfying portion sizes. My daughter's carbonara was even served with a savory bacon-flavored gelato on top! My only minor critique of my dish was that the pork was a bit fattier than I prefer and wasn't cooked as crisp as I'd like, but the flavor was still great. We couldn't leave without dessert, so we both got gelato. I had the amaretto and salted caramel, while my daughter went with dark chocolate and salted caramel. Both were insanely good--super creamy, rich, and full of flavor. Overall, the bill was surprisingly reasonable given how much quality food we enjoyed. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu, but especially for that unbelievable gelato!

    Photos
    Dining | Seating
    Dining | Seating
    Torta Granchio -- Italian crab cake infused with crab, shrimp, and mascarpone
    Torta Granchio -- Italian crab cake infused with crab, shrimp, and mascarpone
    Pappardelle al Ragu -- Ribbon pasta, slow cooked pork, veal, lamb and chicken ragu

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    Pappardelle al Ragu -- Ribbon pasta, slow cooked pork, veal, lamb and chicken ragu
    Giuseppe & Sons

    Giuseppe & Sons

    4.1
    (684 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Giuseppe & Sons is downstairs!!! When you enter the lobby, locate the stairs and head down. The bar…read moreto the right is a different place with a different menu. The space is actually pretty large! Lots of table seating. It's dimly lit and a great date night spot. Service is friendly and attentive. Get there right at 4pm for guaranteed seating at the bar for happy hour. On the happy hour menu, I recommend the Meatballs and Ricotta Toast. The Calamari was just okay.

    This spot is unexpected. Went back to this spot last evening for dinner . The dining room is…read moredownstairs and much larger space than anticipated. Decorated vintage chic Italian restaurant with booth and table seating. We started off with three cocktails that were seasonal options all were good and boozy as expected. The waiter was great at recommending top picks and favorites. We started dinner with the 8oz mozzarella and meatball appetizer. The meatballs were served 4 in sauce small to average size meatballs were good, soft and flavorful. The mozzarella was a show pulling it tableside from curds to a full 8oz ball finished with salt , pepper, and flavored olive oil. Dinner we ordered three Italian specialties. Chicken Milanese that was served with shaved Italian cheese and arugula. One vela parm which had the perfect ratio of sauce to cheese. The third meal was a basic bolognese that was served with mafaldine pasta. Entrees were all good. We also added the truffle pasta option for the table which was also prepared tableside with the cheese wheel and shavings of fresh black truffles was a perfect finish. We also had a sharing side of gnocchi with sauce. All in all we had a solid meal. It wasn't the best Italian I even had but it's good. The total was 336 for three with 2 rounds of drinks . This is pretty good for center city fine dining.

    Photos
    Love the pictures hung along this hallway
    Love the pictures hung along this hallway
    House made ricotta cheese
    House made ricotta cheese
    Ambiance

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    Ambiance
    Dante & Luigi's

    Dante & Luigi's

    4.3
    (606 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    A home run find in Center City Philly. From the moment we…read morewalked in and were greeted to the goodbyes and thank you as we were leaving. Everything was as perfect as it could be why is that because this restaurants been doing it for over 126 years they know a thing or two their customers and had to prepare plate delicious meals. Surprise surprise we actually found parking OK maybe that's because we got there earlier than our reservation in hopes to make another stop that didn't work out so we came early and they greeted us with open arms took us to a beautiful table in front of vintage fireplace hence we were sitting in the perfect spot. Our server, Justin came over to greet us. We got into some conversation before we even touched upon the food. He was exceptional at his run through the menu, his explanations on preparations handling questions. This was definitely not his first, not his second and not his third rodeo he's definitely a professional at what he does. Upon review of the menu we started off with steamed clams and a spicy marinara and actually asked for fra Diavlo hence they gave it an additional hit of spice. It had a nice kick. It was very tasty. My wife was going back-and-forth between their signature lasagna and a little weak weenie with crab Bianco and in the end she went with the baked lasagna oh my goodness the size of that piece on the plate we took half home. She certainly enjoyed her. For me, I went with the veal Catherine, the medallions veal with shrimp, lump crab meat, and fresh tomato and a Bianco sauce the plating presentation I can't describe you'll just have to see my photograph. I've never seen it like this before and it was extremely tasty. Very tender I would certainly get that dish again. And since I am not a pasta eater, I ordered a side vegetable of broccoli Rob. And we ordered a bottle of the Italian Montepuliciano wine, what was the perfect compliment to our dinner? And this was my birthday. My wife was surprising me she had already pre-ordered their homemade tiramisu with ladyfingers, which would wind up taking with us cause we were kind of full and had later that night at one of our favorite coffee houses in Philly and boy that dessert was perfect and I'm glad we waited. Again, everybody was smiles, friendly, and helpful. The place of spotless and you really feel like you're in someone's home. Be sure to see my food photos and don't blame me if you drool on your cell phones

    Heavy reputation and history brought us here. Google and Yelp reviews were solid…read more We came on a Friday, and Saturday was their last day of service before their summer vacation break. I think they phoned it in as a result. Our server was disengaged, almost rude. Our dishes; the veal was tasteless, the lasagna was excellent and so was the calamari. Our pasta dish was tasteless and overdone. Our $70 red was beautiful. He never asked if we wanted another, or anything else. They were out of tiramisu. He could have told us. Also, the bill was handwritten, more like chicken scratches, I couldn't read any of what was written. I'm sure their rep is deserved, but as a visitor to Philadelphia, on our night it was not.

    Photos
    Dante & Luigi's Back Dining Area
    Dante & Luigi's Back Dining Area
    Dante & Luigi's
    Exterior

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    Exterior
    Giorgio On Pine

    Giorgio On Pine

    4.2
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    What is up with the raving reviews yet only 4 stars?!…read more My goodness, this is one of the best Italian restaurants that I've ever visited! Mind you, I understand they don't have risotto, ossobucco, and some other exvellent Italian staples, but man do they make up for it with abundance, price, and quality, The linguini with prosciutto is one of the best I've had. The fresh bread to start with garlic confit also paired well with our appetizers of prosciutto and carpaccio. Thankfully this was found on accident as it's walking distance from our hotel, so we're reserving our spot for tomorrow and will come prepared with our bottle of wine. This is a BYOB establishment. They do not have any alcohol on the premises but do not charge a cork fee. It's a true family run business, which is my go to back home so I'm so THRILLED to have stumbled on this wonderful establishment. I'd give 10 stars if I could! Don't walk here, RUN!

    Vibes: casual, mom-and-pop Italian BYOB; bring a friend or the whole crew…read more Tasting notes: - Calamari: lovely combination of tender shrimp, beans, and rings that was so scoopable with the bread - Burrata: appetizer special for the night; cherry tomatoes were delightfully sweet - Caprese: large wedges of juicy tomato paired with bite-sized mozzarella balls over fresh spinach with a drizzle of balsamic; shareable for a few people - Linguine with clams: very light but clammy broth; abundance of pasta Other thoughts: - Friendly service - Very busy on a Monday evening, can get pretty crowded and loud - Plates are generous, as is the bread service with garlicky olive oil with smashable and smearable whole cloves - Great for gluten-free and vegetarian Impression: What a homey Italian gem!

    Photos
    Giorgio On Pine
    Giorgio On Pine
    Outside

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    Outside
    Fiorella

    Fiorella

    4.5
    (406 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    My favorite restaurant that I went to while visiting Philly. This place feels like being back in…read moreItaly. It is tiny inside with just a bar and a couple tables. That's it. I love this European feel. Up first, I had a $17 El Noe. I was hoping for a strong burnt mezcal taste, but nope. It seems like only Florida gets this drink right. The drink wasn't bad at all, but I was just looking for that burnt taste. I also had a $18 Dirty Pasta Water Martini, basically a dirty martini. It was fine, but it came in a micro grass which was kind of weird. Clearly this isn't a place you come for cocktails. Now, onto the star of the night, the food. Up first, the $16 Spring Salad. Loved it, hit the spot. Also, had the $17 Arancini. I really liked those little balls and especially the dipping sauce. I had the $26 Rigatoni. It was absolutely phenomenal. I could go eat it every day. My mom had the $24 Tonnarelli and it was also top tier excellent. The flavors, the atmosphere, the staff, everything here is top notch. The Internet did not let me down. I'm so glad I decided to book this restaurant. I had a wonderful night.

    The rumps seasonal pasta was great and would come back for that!…read more Maybe because I had higher expectations this was a 4 for me! The antipasti we chose the crudo was not my style of sashimi pairing. They added a fish with something even more oily/heavy so it just made everything heavy and not light and fresh which I prefer. The rigatoni honestly was way too salty for my taste. With the focaccia that's mid...it was less salty. The rumps seasonal pasta was delicious and fresh tasting! The service however is amazing and the server gave the great rec of the seasonal rumps pasta!

    Photos
    You get to see the food being cooked right there!
    You get to see the food being cooked right there!
    FIORELLA
    FIORELLA
    Ravioli (peas, lardo, chili crisp)

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    Ravioli (peas, lardo, chili crisp)

    Vetri Cucina - italian - Updated August 2026

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