The cutest little spot you've ever seen (the kitchen is so small it literally doesn't have a freezer) with some of the most unique food! Tried the raw tuna, mussels, "carrot" (which really should be labeled crab, haha) and piri piri squid. They do have a rotating menu so check it out before making a rez. Was skeptical about the carrot dish but it ended up being one of my favs - the crab concoction with croutons and various veggies + the brown butter sauce created a flavor i had never had before but it was pretty tasty. Raw tuna and mussels were delicious and the squid had a decent amount of kick (although i wish there was more squid vs mushrooms). BYOB which is always great and they'll give you an ice bucket to keep your drink chilled too! Overall a great spot for date night/an intimate dinner. read more

Not terrible, but honestly a little mid. Overall, ~3.5. Food: love the fact that it's a BYOB. Some of the food options were better than others (loved loved the mussels dish and the lamb chops). A lot of the food was presented weird and there wasn't really a description of what you are ordering (IE asparagus came chopped in little bits on a puff pastry). They were trying very hard to be elevated but didn't succeed in my opinion. Service: great, the waitresses were excellent and very hipster. They checked on us constantly and put some good recommendations. Ambiance: very cool, small spot. read more

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I'll be the first to say that this was our second try here after a meh experience the first time. And I'm so glad we gave it a second chance because it was one of the best meals we've had in Philadelphia. It's such an unassuming place, small, tables close together. But the staff are so friendly and really do make it an enjoyable experience. There aren't SO many options but what we got we mostly enjoyed. The bread/butter can be hit or miss but I do recommend. The crab and carrot salad is a dish I would never have created but was one of our favorites of the night (and everyone seems to get this). The shrimp/peaches/coppa dish was also such a strange combo that we loved. Can't skip their version of a little gem salad. The lamb skewers were probably our least favorite but were still delicious. It's BYOB and they're super helpful in giving you an ice dish/etc. should you need it. Overall, they really seem to have come into themselves with their summer menu and found a flavor profile that has significantly improved. read more

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Small/intimate/great food. Cant ask for much more and at a great price. The service is excellent and I believe they got a nod from Michelin last month. Every time i come here we order the full menu. The full menu is the perfect amount for 2-3 people to share. Huge shoutout to Mary who always brings her best. I come here year-round but a nice summer evening and a glass of wine here is really perfection. Don't miss out on Illata!! read more

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Absolutely fantastic meal at Illata. Mad I just discovered this place honestly. Food was delicious - simple, exciting combinations, and so flavorful. Prices were more than fair and the staff were all extremely friendly. Must try in Philly! read more

Illata - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Had a great dinner at Illata a few weeks ago after hearing many rave reviews, and I love finding new BYOB spots! The restaurant itself was small and intimate, which allowed food to come quickly and the staff to be very attentive. Food: we ended up ordering/splitting 75% of the menu as each dish is "tapa" size. Overall, the food was unique, rich and beautiful in presentation (I was so excited to eat I forgot to take more pictures!). The Carrot, Chicory salad and Brown Butter Tart were my favorite. I am only deducting a star due to the price of the food compared to the actual portion sizes, though this is to be expected at a "fine dining" type of restaurant (though the actual restaurant feels a bit casual for the prices). Overall would recommend Illata for some unique, contemporary American food! read more

Illata - Brown Butter Tart, Chocolate Cake - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My husband used to live right around the corner from what is now Illata, so when we heard about this spot opening, we had to try it out. We made reservations through Capital One, so we snagged a prime time Friday night reservation without issue (shoutout to Capital One and Illata for the collab!). My favorite Philly restaurants tend to be those housed in row homes, and Illata was no exception. It's a fairly unassuming storefront with simple lettering with the name above the doorframe and a cute chair sitting outside the door a flower vase and their current menu. Simple yet creative and cute, which is pretty much the perfect description for Illata overall. Once inside, since it is a row home, it's limited seating but they've organized the space so well to really maximize the dining area without feeling crowded at all. Our cute 2-top was perfect for our date night, giving us the intimate vibe we were hoping for. Our server was SO kind and friendly, excellently describing the menu to us and offering realistic suggestions on how much to order. She had great vibes all around, which really made our experience shine. For the menu, Illata features only a few dishes each night, leaning into seasonal and fresh ingredients while also featuring some popular dishes consistently. Based on feedback from our server, friends who previously dined at Illata, and Yelp, we ordered the bread and butter, chicory salad, carrots, tortellini, and octopus. We also were gifted the mussels by the staff, which was so generous and paired well with the bread. Our standouts were the carrot (loved the crab inclusion, I would never have paired the 2 items but man, did they work) and octopus (the mojo rojo spice was perfect to pair with the fresh seafood). Everything was so delish though, really nothing was a bad bite at all! I continue to love the BYOB scene in Philly, and it was perfect to bring our own bottle to enjoy alongside our meal. I was quite full by the end of the night, so when offered dessert, I couldn't even think of it ... but our server did us a solid and packaged 2 desserts up for us to take home! Loved that special touch to again, make the experience shine and leave me wanting to revisit and spread the word. The price for our meal was very reasonable, especially considering the BYOB and the freshness / quality of the dishes. Overall, I would definitely recommend Illata for anyone looking for a fresh, ever-changing, and quaint date night spot in Grad Hospital (although I would travel a good bit to visit again). We truly enjoyed our meal at Illata, and we cannot wait to visit again to try a new menu in the future! read more

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Stopped by Illata with my boyfriend for a surprise dinner so I didn't know what to expect. It was really intimate which I really like. The restaurant is not big at all. I will say, I thoroughly enjoyed everything I had that evening. My boyfriend picked out every dish and there wasn't one that I didn't like. We started the meal with the fluke and bread/butter. Both were excellent. The fluke was a great start to the meal - it was light, citrusy, and had a little kick from the Thai chilis. The bread was fresh and delicious paired with the butter. Next came the marinated mussels and carrot with crab. We used the bread to scrape the sauces and it was a yummy combo. We refreshed our palate with the tortellini which came in a mushroom base broth. It was so good and felt like a warm hug. To wrap up the savory part, we enjoyed the NY strip and that was equally as amazing as the tortellini. The verjus was perfect with the streak. As if it wasn't enough, we got the chocolate cake and the brown butter tart. By this point I was so full but I couldn't resist the desserts as they were so good. Overall, the food came out in a timely manner and the staff was so personable that it elevated the experience of the meal even further. read more

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Really struggled between 3 vs 4 stars for this place because there wasn't anything wrong but I am also not clamoring to go back because there are comparable options closer to me and the bill ended up being pretty high still even though it's a BYO. Small restaurant with a dim / romantic ambiance--it can be sort of hard to hear the person sitting across from you because of how echoey the dining room is so just be ready to project a bit if it's a full house (which seems to be the case more often than not). This place is somewhere where you can conceivably order the entire menu including dessert if you come very hungry and I would recommend trying everything that sounds even remotely interesting to you, as the menu changes and items might not be there forever. I love to order bread and butter at small places bc it tends to slap but the bread here was nothing to write home about, although it served the purpose of mopping up sauce in other dishes (mussels in particular). If I could do it over again I'd get the agnolotti, steak, tuna crudo, chicory salad, mussels and save room for dessert rather than get the trout and sourdough bread. read more

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We ordered one of everything for our table of four and it was all quite good. The tortellini in broth especially was delicious as were both desserts. The vibe is cozy rather than fancy but the food is trying some interesting things. read more

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Illata is a gem. My husband and I came back for our monthly BYOB date night and had another incredible meal. Highlights: the carrot with crab and brown butter (like an elegant kani salad--absolutely delicious), the perfectly al dente tagliatelle, and the most tender swordfish I've ever had. Always save room for dessert--the brown butter tart is a must. Service is warm, attentive, and clearly passionate about the food. Can't wait to return. read more

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Illata is a very small restaurant but worth the wait. i feel like the menu is crafted perfectly for a table of 3-4 people. my party of 3 basically got everything except the steak on the menu that day and we were so glad we took the server's suggestion to do so! each dish compilmented each other very well, it went from light and refreshing to more savory toward the end. the assembly of summer themed dishes portrayed the seasonal ingredients pretty well. also restaurant is BYOB which is a big plus! this review is overdue but def wanted to share that we LOVED our meal at Illata and i cannot wait to go back! read more

I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner at Illata last weekend. I was sat at the bar and chose the very comfy and intimate seat in the corner next to the wall. The restaurant is tiny and you can basically see into the kitchen. The service was so warm and hospitable, I'll definitely remember it for a long time. The food was equally great. These were the highlights: The Illata sourdough bread [$5] was magic. I'm glad I got a whole portion to myself. I was also impressed with the tortellini [$24] which swam in a tomato-like broth. The tomato flavor was super concentrated while the tortellini themselves were thin and airy. The brown butter tart [$12] is what I imagine all tarts and pie crusts to taste like, nutty with a bit of salt. It made me so happy. It's BYOB. I spent $107 after tax and tip. read more

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A perfect little neighborhood byob Its the only one of its kind within a 10 min walk radius but it's kinda like an infinite number of new restaurants since their menu changes constantly! You can visit regularly and not be bored. And every time you go, you can basically order the entire menu between two people each time if you're hungry enough, it's never a big selection of items. Don't forget to go across the street to giant heirloom to grab some drinks! I would say it's more of the type of place you go for light bites and drink instead of to go eat the food. The food is good, but the whole menu lends itself well to having some drinks instead of focusing solely on food. Even the larger plates are pretty small and simple. A great place to have in the neighborhood! Its a little cramped and small inside, I liked when they had tables outside but they were getting really wobbly so I'm hoping they'll replace them for next spring. It's a busy street, fun to sit and people watch and have a glass of wine and some bites. read more

If your a true foodie this is one of the, if not the, best restaurants in the city. Loose the celebrity chef, the boogie interior, the attitude, the gouge pricing, the overly ornate platting and come here with a couple bottles and experience cooking at the highest level. Not posting any pictures of the food because it won't do it justice. Plates look relatively simple but the flavors are Michelin star level. Your will never get a better meal under 75$ a person anywhere. Insider tip- if the menu seems a little fish heavy for anyone in your party they do amazing vegetarian versions of many dishes read more

My husband made a reservation for us for date night at Illata a few weeks ago. It was a Thursday night, and I was surprised by how packed the place was. I'm not particularly a fan of the small-menu-highlighting-local-ingredients-and-changes-often format, but I have heard good things about Illata and was interested in checking them out, plus they are BYOB which already won them extra points in my book. Sourdough bread - We saw a lady come in just to pick up a loaf. We thought it must be that good and put down an order to share. It was okay. Fried oysters - my husband wanted to order this, and I didn't think I would enjoy them that much, but I did. It was the best thing I ate all night. The tomato and aioli combination really completed the whole dish. Pastas - I was looking to carb up, and so we ordered 2 pastas to share, the Trofie alla Nerano and Rigatoni Alla Pesto. Both were also okay. I like that they make their own pastas from scratch, though. Chicken Schnitzel - this was a good dish because it was prepared well. The schnitzel was crispy and juicy. This all was quite a lot of food. I have to say, I was very full, but we decided to share the brown butter tart anyway. Brown Butter Tart - I definitely do not regret getting the brown butter tart. It was the second-best thing I ate all night. While we probably enjoyed half of the dishes we ordered, we still had a good time. I really liked the ambiance and the staff were very nice. Maybe we'll come back again, but we'll skip the pastas next time. read more

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Service - ok Ambiance - not much Food - Very good and different. Very limited menu. Limited seat it Rave reviews- but not by me....... read more

Vibes: casual, intimate, minimalistic byob; bring a date Tasting notes: - bread and butter: thick cut slices with an airy crumb and crackly crust; a little nutty, just sour enough; butter was mild accented with large flakes of salt - fried oysters: excellent crunch with creamy, tender meat inside; tomatoes added color, a refreshing contrast in texture and flavor - trout: irresistibly crispy skin with flaky, delicate meat - chicken schnitzel: satisfyingly crunchy with well-seasoned meat; loved the fennel salad's gently spicy fragrance and snappy bite - brown butter tart: easy to fork into pieces, ; very indulgent; richness is cut by tartness of the cherry; better suited for one person than to share Other thoughts: - offered still or sparkling water upon sitting down, with glasses of wine poured within minutes - dishes came free flowing from the kitchen at a steady pace - the above meal was just satisfying enough for two moderately hungry adults Impression: can't wait to see how the menu changes up as illata gets comfy in the neighborhood! read more

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It isn't easy getting a table at Illata, which raises expectations - it is therefore always a pleasure when those expectations are met. The menu has around 10-11 small dishes that (apparently) change frequently, and are intended for consumption tapas style. The waitress recommended that for a table of 4 we order one of each item; we modified that slightly and ordered all but 3 of the items. It was the perfect amount of food, and there wasn't a bad dish among them (the mussels with home made chilie were exceptional). Its small size makes for a charming intimate ambiance. Illata is BYOB, which adds to its appeal (and there is an Heirloom Giant across the street for a last minute wine purchase). Dinner ran us under $50 per person including tip. A great addition to the Philly food scene and wishing it a long life! read more

Welcome to the neighborhood, Illata: keep it up! Caught up with a friend over a delicious meal in this cute new restaurant in Graduate Hospital. Terrific service and food: every dish was well-seasoned and simply worked! We shared the: - Bread and Butter (Illata sourdough, served with salted, spreadable butter), perfectly pocketed and chewy; - Cucumber (melon, lime, basil), what an exactly-ripe melon, which is so hard (for me) to find and paired so well with the seasoned cucumber; - Marinated Mussels (hakurei turnips, miso, chili oil), the right balance of creamy, hint of spice, and gigantic mussels; - Fried Oysters (heirloom tomato, aoili), what an exactly-ripe tomato, which is also so hard (for me) to find and paired so well with the oysters--who doesn't love fried oysters?! - Trout (english peas, watercress), delicate with a nice crisp skin; - Brown Butter Tart (blueberries, creme fraiche), could've eaten an entire tart, or perhaps just the crust...no, the entire tart. Definitely recommend and look forward to seeing how the menu changes with the seasons! read more

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Food was amazing! Wonderful staff, great atmosphere. It is a small space however, when the restaurant is full you can still hear people at your table which is very pleasant. I will definitely be going back. read more

Probably one of the best meals I've had in Philly. The plates are on the smaller side so we ordered the entire menu. The menu changes with the season I believe using in season vegetables. The stand out dish to me was the tortellini, it came in a very flavorful broth and was like nothing I had ever tried before. The servers are welcoming and friendly and it is a very cozy intimate space. Would be perfect for a date night! Can't wait to go back soon. read more

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Book your reservation now, bring a bottle of wine, or your beverage of choice, sit back and relax. Your taste buds will be doing a happy dance and singing by the end of your meal! We shared almost everything on their small, seafood forward menu and could not be happier!! read more

So it's Monday night at 5 pm and Ilata has just opened. Line at the door, waiting. And patiently too. (Which is saying a lot for Philly.) What does that tell you? The food, the service, the vibe. It's all here. Bring your manners and a smile and an appetite, and you will leave smiling. Oh, BYO too. That makes this lovely, sophisticated spot so attractive! (OMG, we can bring a bottle of wine for $15 rather than get a glass of something inferior for the same price.) Back to the food. Amazing. Let me elaborate. The Ricotta Gnudi was 5-star. Pillowy gnocchi-like morsels topped with crunch. And RICH. Decadent. Why you eat out. Don't be coming here on a diet. See the photos and my captions for all the goodness. A lovely meal in a lively little spot with friendly efficient service. read more

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Perfect space. The whole vibe is calm but balanced meals. Everything felt balanced. The Spaghetti alle vongole had shaved garlic which made a huge difference. The tart was just right and the service was beyond! Go here and enjoy the full experience. read more

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Tried Ilata for the first time and already thinking about my next visit. Everything was well done and the standouts were the scallop with fennel - so tender it melted like butter and the flavor combination was divine - and the caramelle with English peas - full of fresh and layered flavors. Terrific staff who gave great recommendations and were very warm and friendly read more

Obsessed! Newest addition to the plaza. Very good food, chill vibe, and friendly people. Thoroughly enjoyed the small (and unique) menu! Keep up with the good work, Illata. Will definitely be a regular! Wait staff were all soooo attentive and informative. As mentioned, very friendly and really gave off the neighborhood know-your-neighbor-vibe; even our fellow patrons were very friendly and we had a good conversation with other diners. Great time! Hard to get a reservation as everything is booked up quickly but their bar is reserved for walk-ins, so always try your luck! I believe they said the outdoor seating is also reserved for walk-ins (but don't quote me on that). Food - everything was so good! We got the marinated mussels - very unique flavor combo and very fresh and clean mussels; a really good summer dish. They had a special that night which was the scallop crudo - so so good! Very clean tasting and refreshing, very unique combo as well! Fried clams - clean clams (no sand) and golden-fried; well-seasoned and no excess oil at all. Rigatoni - cooked Al dente and very generous chunky parm, really enjoyed it. Nice chunky sauce - you really do not see excess sauce or any liquid - this is how I like my chunky tomato sauce. Every pasta is coated generously with sauce, very good. Cream puff - oh my god. It was so good and so balanced. Nice and airy choux with a very well balanced chocolate cream - just enough sweetness and plenty chocolate-ness. The only half-complaint I have is the portion size (for example - the marinated mussels was $17, but there were only 5 mussels); wish the portion size was a bit more generous. Nonetheless, I will definitely keep coming back. read more

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I have very mixed emotions about writing this review. This may be the best kept secret in Philly and I really don't want that secret to spread, because I want to be able to get future reservations. The space itself isn't much. I think they have enough table space to seat 14. In fact, it's so small, they can't fit a coffee station. However, the food is just ridiculously good and the service is amazing. It's the only place we've ever eaten where we made reservations to return before we left. Just incredible. read more

Great food. Super nice wait staff. BYOB. Yummy bread. Recommend the mussels and the octopus.

Just WOW! We had an incredible date night meal at Illata tonight and can't wait to go back. The ambience is simple candlelit elegance, perfect for a date night or an evening to catch up with friends or loved ones. All of the food was delicious and we can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. - Sourdough with butter - fresh, perfectly dense yet airy enough to mop up all the delicious sauces. Nicely salted and spreadable butter - Marinated mussels - served a creamy sauce, radish and what can be described as a chili oil paste? Super flavor, but not overly spicy. - Chicory salad - an elevated take on a Ceasar salad. Crunchy breadcrumbs and cheese on top. Tart, refreshing, delicious - Cucumber melon salad - served with purple basil and ramp dressing. We were skeptical about this at first but it was SO good and SO refreshing. The ingredients were very high quality - chicken schnitzel - huge portion, evenly fried, juicy, and served with a crunchy, acidic fennel salad and an herby yogurt dip - chocolate cream puff - dusted with espresso. Tasted like a take on a tiramisu. Light, fluffy yet decadent and satisfying. What a great addition to the neighborhood! The service was great, especially Sophie! Keep doing what you're doing, Illata! read more

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I bring anyone I care about to Illata because it feels like home. The dishes are so creative and the crew there knows everything about the menu backwards and forwards. They put their hearts and souls into this place! The bread is possibly the most important part. Extra impressed by the squid ink crepe and lobster as well as the gnudi when they are on the menu. Love to come back! read more

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Great ambiance and service. I ate here with a group of 6 and we ordered one of everything. Can't wait to come back read more

So. Much. Yes. Illata is an incredible spot and the epitome of "neighborhood gem". I am so grateful they've opened in our neighborhood! To start, it's good to know that it's tough to get in. They book a month out, I believe. Set a Resy alert and you'll get in. And don't sleep on the bar seating which is for walk ins (and was mostly empty on a Friday eve) Order the staff recommendations and bring a good bottle of wine and you will be all set! read more

Went to Illata on a Thursday evening the week before last. We ordered the basket of sourdough, the chicory salad, the marinated mussels, sweetbreads, and the steelhead trout. We also ordered each of the desserts, the chocolate cakes and the brown butter tart. Each of these dishes was incredible and much more complex and original than their names suggest, and all very fresh. Our favorites were the mussels--we'd never tasted mussels cooked like this before--and the steelhead trout. Their sauces were delicious but didn't overpower the delicate flavors of the mussels or the trout. Both desserts were delicious but the brown butter tart was our favorite. Our two servers were gracious and very pleasant. We were so impressed with our meal that we did something we've never done before--we went to the open kitchen to thank the two chef-owners and let them know how much we enjoyed the meal. Could not recommend this place more. Also, it's BYOB, which we appreciated. The ambiance is low key and welcoming. read more

good flavor, but really small portions. paid 17 bucks for 6 deshelled mussels :( (altho they tasted good!!) 5 dollars for 4 slices of bread + butter etc. just everything that was coming out was so small i was like damn im abt to leave this place hungry LOL the buttermilk salad was great, super tangy and fried oysters are never bad. we did get the trofie pasta which for some reason was truly very mid and creamy? no standout flavor, maybe needed some more salt or just herbs to lighten it up service is awesome though, and it is BYOB. good for smaller eats when ur not too hungry and have good wine to share paid $49/pp after tax + tip, came with 3 people total, left kinda hungry read more

This place blew me away, every dish I had was thoughtful, spectacularly delicious, and stunningly presented. The waitress was delightful and engaging. This is an absolute gem, cannot recommend enough. Just wow! read more

Illata - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Every time I sit down and slop I am in awe. Great cozy vibe and an intimate space, with some of the best food in the city. Had one of the best steaks of my life here, and almost shed a tear after the chocolate cake. I want to come here every month, and order everything off the menu, 3 times, no bev needed. I have not brushed my teeth since eating here because I don't want the taste to go away. #bussin read more

I would try every dish next time. It was a party in Scrumptiously delicious. my mouth specially the butter chocolate tart must. Go. Back. Scrumptiously delicious. read more

Illata - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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First time at Illata and it won't be our last! Such a cute ambience and perfect place for a BYOB date night. We got the bread/butter, marinated mussels, chicken schnitzel, and brown butter tart. We especially loved the marinated mussels. The plate was pretty small but full of flavor. We even soaked up the last of the marinade/sauces with our bread. The chicken schnitzel came with an insane mustard sauce made with dates that was so good we had to ask our waitress (who was awesome) for more. We will definitely be coming back. Excited to have such delicious food in the neighborhood! read more

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We made a reservation 1 month ahead for a Friday to celebrate our Dad's BD. Easy walk from Center City. The space is small but really nice. We ordered Bread & Butter & the Chicory Salad as starters. We enjoyed both although the table commented the salad should have had more green than purple meaning too much Radicchio. Entrees: Trout, great presentation & perfect seasoning. Chicken Schnitzel was the favorite of all, cooked & seasoned just right. The only miss was the Rigatoni Alla Pesto, just too much pesto & not very interesting. Service was on point. read more

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