Best Italian restaurant in Philly's Italian Market area?

[LafayetteBear]

Will be going back there soon for PSU commencement, etc., and am anticipating going down there for a meal. Which restaurant in that area would you say is the best? Palumbos is (I believe) closed. Have been to Ralph's and enjoyed it. Where else?

Also, I have been to Isgro's several times for cannolis and thought they were very good, but was wondering if another bakery might be as good or better.

 

[lj4heisman1]

Cant go wrong with Ralphs

 

[Nitwit]

Dante and Luigi’s on South 10th. It’s old world Italian and a Philadelphia institution.

 

[Delco Lion]

This place is very good and just written up in philly.com

http://www.villadiroma.com/

 

[psu1969a]

Will be going back there soon for PSU commencement, etc., and am anticipating going down there for a meal. Which restaurant in that area would you say is the best? Palumbos is (I believe) closed. Have been to Ralph's and enjoyed it. Where else?

Also, I have been to Isgro's several times for cannolis and thought they were very good, but was wondering if another bakery might be as good or better.

Scannicchio's is excellent, need reservations and be aware it is BYOB.

Villa di Roma, accepts walk-ups, but when busy I'd rather have a reservation. Try the Lobster Piccata.

 

[Agoodnap]

Dante and Luigi’s on South 10th. It’s old world Italian and a Philadelphia institution.

This is my favorite Italian Restaurant in Philadelphia. To give you an idea, I love Scoma's on the Wharf in San Francisco as well.

http://www.danteandluigis.com/dinner.htm

 

[Kmase21]

Monsu is amazing!!! So good and cheap especially with a group. I went with about 6 people and we got the Chef's tasting (menu turista). You wont be disappointed.

Chef McAndrews has different restaurants throughout the city. He was also on the Travel Channel with Anthony Bourdain.

 

[Shendojoe]

Ralph’s. Order mussels.

 

[Dr. Evel]

Villa di Roma, accepts walk-ups, but when busy I'd rather have a reservation. Try the Lobster Piccata.

"Try the veal, it's the best in the city." Virgil Solozzo

 

[91Joe95]

Olive Garden

 

[psulongago]

Olive Garden

Villa di Roma, if i recall, cash only. House salad is great, mussels too. Veal siciliano and save some bread to sop up the gravy. Will need to loosen the belt after dinner.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Olive Garden

You beat me to it.

 

[tgar]

Hey LB, google philly magazine top 50 restaurants. They are changing on a yearly basis, lots of food in Philly.

Several pop up on East Passyunk Ave in the neighborhood, you may want to take a look. Also Vetri has a new Italian restaurant delivering great reviews as well.

Dining in Philly is hard to beat.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Olive Garden

This is too good for just a "like."

 

[Bardo]

Will be going back there soon for PSU commencement, etc., and am anticipating going down there for a meal. Which restaurant in that area would you say is the best? Palumbos is (I believe) closed. Have been to Ralph's and enjoyed it. Where else?

Also, I have been to Isgro's several times for cannolis and thought they were very good, but was wondering if another bakery might be as good or better.

I would recommend Marra’s on Passyunk and 12th. Great food. Everything on the menu is top notch. Termini’s is the bomb for Italian bakery delicacies.

 

[RTLH]

This place is very good and just written up in philly.com

http://www.villadiroma.com/

Excellent place. Great Italian food and they dont over do it like some other places.

 

[cobritra]

Agree w monsu

 

[psu1969a]

"Try the veal, it's the best in the city." Virgil Solozzo

I would have but the idea of having the lobster piccata was just two tempting by wife had the veal francaise which was excellent.

 

[Nitt1300]

 

[Post_ShockTherapy_MackDaddy]

Will be going back there soon for PSU commencement, etc., and am anticipating going down there for a meal. Which restaurant in that area would you say is the best? Palumbos is (I believe) closed. Have been to Ralph's and enjoyed it. Where else?

Also, I have been to Isgro's several times for cannolis and thought they were very good, but was wondering if another bakery might be as good or better.

Define "Italian Restaurant". Do you want an authentic Trattoria/Osteria? Or, Italian/American? Night and day difference.

If the menu is heavily slanted toward seafood and lamb, odds are you're eating in an authentic Italian trattoria. Otherwise, its just an expensive Carrabbas. I will admit, I am out of the loop.

Google their menus and go from there. See if you can find an American style Trattoria with owners from Puglia or Abruzzo. Sicilians, Napolitani, Calabrese tend to market their food as American (not true Italian).

If they have octopus on the menu, it's probably authentic. But, you may not like authentic.

Lastly, don't forget to say your prayers before eating. God likes that.

Peace be with you.

 

[Gumpsion]

Define "Italian Restaurant". Do you want an authentic Trattoria/Osteria? Or, Italian/American? Night and day difference.

If the menu is heavily slanted toward seafood and lamb, odds are you're eating in an authentic Italian trattoria. Otherwise, its just an expensive Carrabbas. I will admit, I am out of the loop.

Google their menus and go from there. See if you can find an American style Trattoria with owners from Puglia or Abruzzo. Sicilians, Napolitani, Calabrese tend to market their food as American (not true Italian).

If they have octopus on the menu, it's probably authentic. But, you may not like authentic.

Lastly, don't forget to say your prayers before eating. God likes that.

Peace be with you.

I think you are referring to the difference between, Northern Italian Foods- beef, veal, etc. and Southern Italian Foods - seafood dishes.

 

[step.eng69]

Peace be with you.

Post_ShockTherapy_MackDaddy....
You found Jesus?

 

[Post_ShockTherapy_MackDaddy]

I think you are referring to the difference between, Northern Italian Foods- beef, veal, etc. and Southern Italian Foods - seafood dishes.

Not really. The difference is either more coastal or inland (mountains). Go to the Cinque Terre and their cuisine is mostly seafood. I've eaten Anchovies every possible way you can imagine visiting there. Sure, they have pesto pasta, but their main thing is still seafood.

 

[Post_ShockTherapy_MackDaddy]

Post_ShockTherapy_MackDaddy....
You found Jesus?

After some very high voltage treatment, yes.

 

[Post_ShockTherapy_MackDaddy]

Will be going back there soon for PSU commencement, etc., and am anticipating going down there for a meal. Which restaurant in that area would you say is the best? Palumbos is (I believe) closed. Have been to Ralph's and enjoyed it. Where else?

Also, I have been to Isgro's several times for cannolis and thought they were very good, but was wondering if another bakery might be as good or better.

I think you are referring to the difference between, Northern Italian Foods- beef, veal, etc. and Southern Italian Foods - seafood dishes.

Liguria



Abruzzo (from the sea to the mountains)



Puglia...

 

[mn78psu83]

Not really. The difference is either more coastal or inland (mountains). Go to the Cinque Terre and their cuisine is mostly seafood. I've eaten Anchovies every possible way you can imagine visiting there. Sure, they have pesto pasta, but their main thing is still seafood.

You're so sophisticated. Quite the anchovy connoisseur.

 

[Media Fan]

Dante and Luigi’s on South 10th. It’s old world Italian and a Philadelphia institution.

Went there circa 3 mos ago, and for me, not the same place.

 

[Media Fan]

Not exactly in the Italian Market, but my choice would be The Saloon.

 

[Media Fan]

Villa di Roma, if i recall, cash only. House salad is great, mussels too. Veal siciliano and save some bread to sop up the gravy. Will need to loosen the belt after dinner.

Am a fan. Wrong name, but close == Linguini Vermeil. (will always be a fan of that man).

 

[CF LION]

Olive Garden

Sbarro

 

[Nitwit]

The South Philly Taproom on S 15 st is a very interestng place but it’s not Italian. They have a great selection of craft beers and unique small plates like head cheese tacos, gizzards and snails, grilled cheese served on top of cream of tomato soup, and for desert a really decadent grilled pp and j sandwich. It was featured on Bizarre Foods TV show. You may feel out of place without tattoos but it’s really good and interesting food in a unique neighborhood joint.

 

[Kmase21]

I havent been there but I heard Murph's (Yes Murph's) has really good Italian food but in Fishtown

 

[Woodpecker]

pp and j

The mind reels

 

[Delco Lion]

I have not been there in a number of years, but always enjoyed the Triangle Tavern. Always had a good meal there.

 

[Schizophrenic_MackDaddy]

Will be going back there soon for PSU commencement, etc., and am anticipating going down there for a meal. Which restaurant in that area would you say is the best? Palumbos is (I believe) closed. Have been to Ralph's and enjoyed it. Where else?

Also, I have been to Isgro's several times for cannolis and thought they were very good, but was wondering if another bakery might be as good or better.

Here's something I do here in JAX, when I speak with immigrants: I ask where they eat?

When I meet a Mexican or Chinese person I want to know where THEY are eating. Find some (ahem) Wiseguys in Philly and find out where THEY eat.

There's your answer.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

Agree w monsu

LB,
You've got the right recs at this point. Monsu, Villa Di, Ralphs and Marra’s... in Italian market...

All are great depending on what you’re looking for. If you’ll be in the area and want a cool bar for cocktails before or after I’ll also throw in a quick plug for Stateside. If you want the best RESTAURANT in that area (other han Palizzi social club which is likely not possible), I’d say Laurel but it’s french and it’s probably too South to be called “Italian market” (if so, Marras would be as well.). I’d also say Vetri cucina and Dante and Luigi’s, which are amazing Italian but not technically in Italian market.

Best of luck. Can’t really go wrong.

EDIT: I brain-cramped and wrote Commonwealth instead of Stateside. Corrected.

 

[Kmase21]

LB,
You've got the right recs at this point. Monsu, Villa Di, Ralphs and Marra’s... in Italian market...

All are great depending on what you’re looking for. If you’ll be in the area and want a cool bar for cocktails before or after I’ll also throw in a quick plug for Commonwealth. If you want the best RESTAURANT in that area (other han Palizzi social club which is likely not possible), I’d say Laurel but it’s french and it’s probably too South to be called “Italian market” (if so, Marras would be as well.). I’d also say Vetri cucina and Dante and Luigi’s, which are amazing Italian but not technically in Italian market.

Best of luck. Can’t really go wrong.

Laurel and Vetri $$$$

 

[CF LION]

Setting my Sbarro recommendation aside, if you've never been the The Victor Cafe, it's really worth a visit. Not exactly the Italian Market, but just a little south on Dickinson. The waitstaff sings a few opera arias while you eat.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

I was always


Laurel and Vetri $$$$

I know. But the OP didn't indicate a budget. He only asked "Which restaurant in that area would you say is the best?"

Now he has a spectrum of options and can decide.

 

[Thus Spoke Mainer]

Villa di Roma, if i recall, cash only. House salad is great, mussels too. Veal siciliano and save some bread to sop up the gravy. Will need to loosen the belt after dinner.

They have a great dish called Chicken Sicilian. Chicken with mushrooms and peppers in a brown sauce.