There's something satisfying about sitting at a traditional bar watching pasta get cooked. Tight space, but they've somehow squeezed a full bar, a pasta station, and a cold prep station all in a row.
The apps were some of the best I've had in a bar setting. Simple but still creative, the Insalata Frutti di Mare especially. Usually it's just seafood tossed in olive oil and lemon, but here they set it over a cold corn bisque. I normally prefer a tangy seafood app like a ceviche, but the subtle sweetness of the corn and the little bit of texture from the skins added so much dimension to the dish.
For pastas I went with the staples (rigatoni, cacio e pepe, ricotta gnocchi), but they were a little plain, honestly. After apps like that I expected some refinement, but these were comfort-style, punchy, and heavy on the parm/ Pecorino Romano. A sprinkle on the cooktop, then another once it hit the plate. The first few bites, I didn't mind. But by the third pasta I realized they all carried the exact same salty-funky top note, which flattened the distinctions between them.
Still a great place to casually drop in for satisfying pasta and drinks. Even in that tight space the service was excellent, and I'd be back to try their seasonal pastas.
As expected the food was really good. Pasta at a Vetri restaurant never disappoints. The restaurant is small, we sat at the bar area, there was enough elbow room to be comfortable. I loved how they left some of the old look of the sausage shop. My drink was great! Selection is limited but had enough for everyone's taste and preference. Its a seasonal menu, I can't wait to see what the fall brings
Great dining experience. Of the dishes I tried, gnocchi was absolutely delicious and my personal favorite. Good vibes in the restaurant itself and excellent service. My only critique would be that it is on the pricier side, especially since you’ll need a couple dishes for a filling meal.
I've now tried both their tasting menu and their à la carte menu, and I'd say both have been really good! Fiorella has now been our no.1 go-to here in Philly when eating out. My husband and I love their wine selection and have always felt welcomed and served well in all our visits. We've tried the whole menu and are never disappointed. It's getting hard to get a reservation here, but I guess the word is out that this is a must-try here in Philly ❤️
The menu isn’t very large, but that actually makes it easier to focus on a few standout dishes.
The gnocchi was absolutely the highlight of the night honestly one of the best I’ve had. Visually it didn’t look like much, but the flavor was incredible and completely unexpected in the best way. Truly memorable.
The other pastas were fresh and well made. The cacio e pepe was a bit more al dente than I personally prefer, but still good.
The winter salad was the only savory dish that didn’t work for me. The dressing itself was good, but the greens had a sharp, almost spicy bitterness (not from the black pepper), more like the type of leaf or its maturity. I think the same dressing with a different lettuce could work much better.
I also tried the crepe with fig jam, and unfortunately that one missed the mark for me. I don’t think it complements the rest of the menu.
