Friendly, small and authentic Italian spot with honest service. For those with gluten sensitivities…read moreor allergies, you can feel safe. The owners have a family member with Celiac and Crohn's and know what it's like to struggle with food restrictions. Call ahead to ensure they have gluten free pasta available for you. If you can stop yourself consuming the housemade bread, save room for the penne alla vodka.

A couple going into the restaurant stopped us as we made our way to the car. "What did you think?"…read morethey asked. I hesitated. "Well.... I thought it was very average; likely a one-shot deal for us. BUT, the restaurant appears to be popular, so you may think it's great." I hate assessing Core de Roma as less than wonderful. The owner is so gracious and wants everyone to be happy. But the reality is, with so many Italian restaurants in and around Philadelphia, you've got to be on top of your game. They start you off with warm Italian bread and a plate of tasty cannelloni beans in olive oil. We ordered calamari as an appetizer, described as being served on a "bed of greens." Had we known the "bed" was two meager leaves of lettuce, we would have ordered a salad as well. The calamari should be crisper and include tentacles in addition to rings. My husband's chicken Francese was pretty much indistinguishable from my saltimbocca. I like when the breasts are pounded thin, but these were sliced overly thin, and the portion, somewhat skimpy. One piece of T's was lemony, the other not. I did taste sage on my saltimbocca, but had I not known that the chicken was topped with prosciutto, I wouldn't have guessed it was there. I read that some restaurants don't serve angel hair pasta because it's easy to over-cook. You guessed it. Boiled to the point of being almost mushy, with sauce that literally had no taste. When we split a small piece of limoncello cake, T said "this is the most flavorful thing we've eaten." And sadly, I agreed. The restaurant is BYOB with a reasonable $5 corkage fee. The staff is young and efficient. There's a parking lot down the hill in the back. Ambience is okay -- despite some other Yelpers' complaints. The only thing needing improvement: the food.

Not our first time and won't be our last. Amazing, fast, and fresh food. BYOB and great music…read more Service is impeccable and very wide array of choices on the menu. Individual restrooms and great spacing and parking.

Elements other than food factor in to one's assessment of a restaurant…read more This restaurant is LOUD, particularly the main dining room. We were seated in the secondary room which quickly filled, and was just as loud. Conversation was difficult. Terrible acoustics. Pescatore is popular. I get it. Management wants to accommodate as many people as possible. As such, seating is tight and tables-for-two are postage sized. I can't deny that our meals were good. You can get vegetables as a side rather than mashed potatoes, but there's an upcharge. (I'm guessing they go with potatoes because they can make a batch and quickly ladle it out. Spaghetti -- my preference -- would likely have to be made-to-order. And as I said, the place is busy.) My husband and I shared a house salad which we topped with "fritto misto" - calamari, shrimp and peppers. Very good! He ordered Veal Saltimbocca and I, Chicken Romano. Both recommended, both with portions big enough for another meal. The staff is solicitous and friendly. Everything came out on a timely basis. We like what we ate. We appreciate BYOB. But that noise! I'll give 'em another try on a weeknight. But if it's no better -- arrivederci, Pescatore!

I can't stop coming here!! If food were heaven, this is heaven...seriously!!! Every time I come to…read moretown, I HAVE to eat here. I previously left a 5 star review. After eating here again....just now I had to leave ANOTHER 5 star review! Phenomenal! Proprietor and staff are also wonderful! Eat here. Trust me you will NOT regret it!! PS, I got the grilled shrimp...best. Shrimp. Ever.

All I can say is WOW! From the soft bread you get at the beginning of the meal to the branzino and…read moregnocchi down to the tiramisu, everything was delicious. The branzino had a nice crispy crust without ruining the integrity of the branzino and the sauce that came with it was delicious. We told the waiter we were sharing the branzino and they were kind enough to split it up for us into two separate plates. The gnocchi was also really good and the portion size was decent with enough to bring home leftovers. The tiramisu is probably the best I've had in Philadelphia. I also tried their crème brûlée (not pictured) and it was good as well. We were seated outside, which I originally didn't want to do, but we weren't given the option. It all ended up working just fine and we enjoyed our outdoor seating under an umbrella.

Food has always been good Same menu for months no big…read morechanges Service starts out good and fizzes out after appetizers Last night was worse experience we ever had there The hostess who was there decided to clean a table next to ours with spray bottle which contents went airborne For over 2 hours I felt it my lungs We stopped eating asked for check Joe our food server when we told him about what happened took 50% off He was excellent and apologetic As for the hostess considering another profession MISSING ANDY GOOD LUCK LUCA AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTION Room looks great with fresh paint and paintings Will be a while before we return Bad taste left

My parents come here periodically, and I'd been trying to join them on one of my visits back home,…read morebut on a couple occasions we couldn't get reservations, and then the third time, we got one but it turned out they were going to be closed that week for a post New Year's vacation. Fast forward to this latest visit home. I finally secured a reservation...but then late yesterday afternoon my mom's knee started acting up to the point where she could barely stand on it. Fortunately, ice, Advil and rest overnight--and my mom really, really wanting to come here--kept us on track, and tonight I finally made it. It's a cozy spot, and I can see it making an excellent date night, especially since the BYOB setup allows you to bring the wine of your choice (and save some $$). We were seated promptly--this Sunday was relatively mellow--and the servers were super accommodating about removing a chair so that my mom's walker could occupy the unused space on our four-top. The menu is what I call right-sized. It may seem smallish, but there is a strategic assortment of salads and apps, pastas and mains (and, of course, desserts) that is sure to accommodate everyone. Dean, the young man who would go on to do an outstanding job taking care of us for the night (with the other two servers chipping in seamlessly as needed), went through the specials. My mom was particularly intrigued by a squid-ink fettucine with lobster and shrimp (and cherry tomatoes) in a saffron cream sauce. Could we split it as an app, we asked? Would it be too much food? On Dean's advice, we went ahead, while my dad got the mussels. All three of us ordered the pork chop, which my parents have been raving about for a couple years now. How could I not try it? Ordering finished, bread and olive oil (with a bit of balsamic) arrived at the table. Knowing I had a pasta coming and that the pork chop was a good-sized portion, I didn't want to overdo it, which I think was ultimately a good choice. The bread took the edge off, and then the pasta arrived. It was just the right amount for two people to share as an app, and we both enjoyed it, while my dad loved his mussels (and then dunked lots of his bread in it). Then came the main event. The pork chop lived up to (and frankly, exceeded) the hype. It was tender and perfectly cooked and oh-so-flavorful. Definitely one of the best I've ever eaten, and this isn't my first pork-chop rodeo. It was accompanied by asparagus and yummy baby Yukon Gold potatoes; I left a view of the latter, not because they weren't yummy but rather because the pork chop was huge and I was not skipping dessert. For dessert, I went with the house-made cannoli, which was a lovely, sweet (but not oversweet) ending to an excellent meal. I'd be happy to come back to Burrata anytime.

Ombra is an absolute gem! The food is delicious and very reasonably priced, but what really stands…read moreout is the service. The staff, management, and chefs genuinely go above and beyond to make you feel welcomed and taken care of. The ambiance is also excellent for all types of dinner parties, and The BYOB is an added bonus, especially with no extra corkage or ice bucket fees! Great food, great service, great atmosphere, and great value. 10/10--highly recommend Ombra!

I discovered Ombra in Havertown after searching Yelp for new restaurants. This spot on Brookline…read moreBlvd. has been several different restaurants over the years, but the light, new decor and open kitchen make the interior fresh and appealing. However, the restaurant is small with only about 12 tables indoors, and it was packed. There are also a few tables on Brookline Blvd although it's right next an ice cream shop with people hanging outside the shop right next to where you're eating. Service was efficient and unobtrusive. We received a bread basket and olive oil to start. The bread was plain and nondescript, not at all herby like I was expecting. Our pear and Gorgonzola salad would have been bland but the Gorgonzola in the poached pear was the star of the show. The salad itself was also small for the price. I ordered the scampi with wild shrimp and crab cake and asked for the spice level to be turned up. Thankfully it was and was delicious and full of flavor. The house-made pasta which was part of the dish was a treat as well. My husband said his Chicken Milanese was just okay and not really exciting. He only ate one piece of the chicken. He did get an extra side of pasta, though, which he enjoyed. I had to order the affogato which did not disappoint. Our server poured the espresso over the vanilla ice cream at our table. Yum! Be advised that they sometimes have limoncello but when I asked, they said they had run out. Also, they're byob which is a great money saver.

Excellent job with takeout via ubereats Whipped Ricotta:…read morecitrus honey, rosemary, toasted almonds, dough points - 10/10 Suppli: fried risotto, mozzarella, cacio e pepe cream - 8/10 Zucchini Fritters: buttermilk soaked, lemon dill aioli - 7/10 Eggplant Rollatini: panko herb crust, whipped ricotta, marinara, mozzarella - 8/10 Short Rib domain style pizza: figs, caramelized onion, crumbled gorgonzola - 10/10

Another great night at Mia's! First time getting to experience restaurant week since my two years…read moreof living in the area, and I'm happy that we decided to come here as it gave me the opportunity to try a few things that were on my list to try when I returned. I didn't realize how huge this space actually is--They have seating outside in the front and back, downstairs and upstairs. I actually realized that this was the place I had my very first date LOL back in the day when this place used to be Derek's! Anywho, for starters I had the whipped ricotta which was citrusy, very light and paired with a buttery salted pita that really was a nice touch. For my entree I partook in the salmon dish that was served overtop a bed of asparagus risotto--So so good, I hope this remains on the menu as I'd definitely order this again. And last but not least, for dessert I had the affogato (ice cream and espresso) which was the perfect way to end the night. 10s across the board and our server Vincenzo was such a nice guy, checked on us every time he walked past our table, sweetened my lemonade after I told him it was too sour which I wasn't expecting and he boxed my food although he didn't have to... I'd likely request him the next time I'm here as he made the experience feel special. Thanks guys, we had a great time!

Great food at a reasonable price. The staff couldn't be nicer. They have a great vibe that is…read moreamenable to all age groups. I eat here at least once a week. Owners have another restaurant arugala in Plymouth meeting.

We had a very nice night our first dinner. Remember it's a…read moreBYOB We had Caesar salad and stuffed artichoke for appetizers. Salad was good, artichokes were good, I feel the mozzarella cheese was lost in the artichoke flavor The risotto was a bit gummy but had good flavor and the scallops were cooked well I had the special. Fresh pappardelle in a white sauce with shrimp and scallops. Very nice. Desert was good. Basic

a very belated birthday-dinner review, since I'm an established slacker. But this is also fitting…read moresince whether its been driving by it back in the day, or through gazing up at it on the hill when I was in Manayunk, La Collina is one of those places that has been in my peripheral vision for a few decades now! For 20+ years, I've known La Collina to be that fancy and classic-looking Italian restaurant on the hill that I've been needing to try. But it took coming across its name when doing my research for possible spots to go to for my birthday to put one and two together, and it led to quite the majestic experience. The friendly and hilarious valet attendants ensured that service was incredible before we even entered the building. And upon entry, we were treated to spot-on recommendations and quality service throughout the evening. For cocktails, I was in awe of the Anejo Old Fashioned, which used Patron and agave syrup instead of the usual whiskey offering, and I also appreciated the classic Negroni. For appetizers, the classic meatballs with homemade marinara and ricotta were an absolute delight, and the eggplant rolatini with spinach, prosciutto, and mozzarella was sheer perfection at its most decadent. For my entrée, I initially expected that I would be eating all the pasta. But the restaurant is also known for its seafood, and the risotto frutti di mare especially caught my eye. and with its calamari, clams, mussels, and shrimp, and perfectly cooked and seasoned rice it absolutely delivered the flavors! Toss in a salted caramel chocolate soufflé with a candle on top, and it easily made for another memorable birthday dinner and a deserving place to recommend!

Really disappointing experience. La Collina used to be so good under the original owners, and I had…read moreactually attended a bridal shower there several months ago where both the food and service were excellent. Tonight was a stark contrast. We sat at the bar, and service was painfully slow. I had to ask three times for water. The bartender was very nice, but the restaurant seemed understaffed. The food was just okay and far too expensive -- $60 for dorade and $59 for branzino. The bathroom was dirty and had no soap. I was also disappointed by how the owner handled a gift certificate I had discussed with him at that bridal shower and understood would be honored. The date had been slightly altered, but not by me. Instead, he was curt and dismissive. A little kindness and good customer service would have gone a long way. The hostess was lovely, but overall this was a very disappointing evening.

The teamwork and service the staff exhibited was impeccable, which made the presentation and…read moredelivery of the meal even better. We enjoyed the pork ossobuco w/ hand rolled noodles and the braciole very much, but the dish that was our favorite, for its taste and simplicity, was the octopus & potato salad. It felt like eating at a home. Thank you!

Came here with a group of six a couple weeks ago. I love the ambience and overall feel of the…read moreplace, very casual, but classy - would be perfect for a date. The prices were mostly reasonable, though you should make sure to ask about the pricing on any of the specials. They advised us we had to have their fixed price menu, which meant they brought out a series of appetizers, and everyone chose an entrée, but as it turned out many of the entrées, including the specials, had significant surcharges which they did not mention. A couple of the items, like the grilled calamari and the smoked mozzarella, were standouts. A couple others, like the pork ossobuco special and the seafood pasta special were very good, but not great. A few too many of the items, however, were less good, like some flavorless baked mushrooms, and some overcooked mussels. Maybe a function of being presented with a wide array of items and thus receiving some of the weaker ones on the menu, but I expected a little more from the food given the ratings.

Buona Sera, with roots in Brooklyn, is a reliably good Italian restaurant: white tablecloths,…read moreattentive staff and delicious food. The two of us shared a house salad (apportioned in the kitchen) topped with an order of calamari. If you like calamari, try theirs. Nicely fried rings, tentacles and plenty of 'em. (I have to remember to ask them NOT to dress the salad. I don't really like their Italian vinaigrette.) While the photo of my chicken and T's veal look almost the same, they're not. The sauce on his "Caridinale" has more zing than what's on my "Bolognese." Both good, but his a bit better. If you prefer pasta, as we do, ask the server to swap out potatoes, which appear to be their usual side. In addition to the menu there are always specials, some of which are pricier than expected. (Be sure to check!) Dinner was pleasant and unhurried. We appeared to be one of the few without reservations but if you come later, you may want to make them. Metered street parking is free after 6:00 p.m. Like many Italian restaurants in the area, Buona Sera is BYOB, which is always my preference.

Absolutely horrible customer service. Ordered 3 items. Only received entree. DoorDash blamed…read morerestaurant. Restaurant blamed DoorDash. Person was clueless and restaurant offered no apology of any kind. Will never EVER order from here again. Total embarrassing disaster for them.