Taking my son back to college. Any cuisine is ok (we are all adventurous eaters) so long as the food is excellent. No dress-up though. We currently have reservations at Distrito, where we ate once last year (and was very good but very noisy), but I am always eager to try new places.
I’ve actually been underwhelmed by Distrito…and went away hungry too, after spending a bit.
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/craig_laban/20120603_Craig_LaBan_review__Alla_Spina.html This is Marc Vetri’s latest offshoot. Haven’t been there, but have heard great things and am dying to go there…which I will do this fall, for sure. You sound like your looking for adventure?
Thanks Stuart. Vetri has quite a little empire there, doesn’t he?
Distrito – agree about the underwhelming comment. I thought it was way, way overpriced and not that good.
Good restaurant group are the women that own the places around S. 13th St (and Chestnut). Marcie Turney and her partner Valerie Safran have opened several really good places – Jamonera is their small plate/tapas restaurant. They also have Lolita and Barbuzzo. We enjoyed Jamonera even more than Amada. Here is the Inquirer review: Craig LaBan Review: Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran’s latest, Jamonera.
Another of our favorites is Matyson - which is BYO. Of course there are lots of small, very good Italian places in South Philly.
Ted, thanks for the post and feel free to recommend any of those Italian places in So Philly you think are of particular merit. We are there often now
Yes…and they all benefit from the family name.
I persuaded my extended family to go to Alla Spina last night to “send off” our younger son to college in a few days.
The place was good, not great. Is essentially a place to go for drinks and good, interesting food to go with the drinks…and all the young people. Certainly all very interesting stuff from the maple glazed fried chicken to the skate wing to the poutine. (And, they have a pig’s head to share for either 2 or 4 on the menu most days, it seems). The beverage (mainly beer) selection is outstanding and the place nice and in a nice, newly revived part of town (accross from the city’s most architecturally historical synagogue). I do think that Osteria, just down the block is a better representation of the Vetri aura, and closer to the original…as I’m sure Vetri himself would admit. But, Alla Spina is fun, young and very different, with plenty of variety for those interested in unusual items…and tolerant of lots of salt in the food…apparently to stimulate the thirst.
Not fine dining, though…despite its familial connection.
I found it much more interesting than Distrito, though…and more satisfying, FWIW.
p.s. just curious, Neal. Is the avatar picture anyone in particular? It reminds me of Carly Simon, but I’m showing my age…and hers.
A gentleman never tells. 
Just a pretty picture, I thought.
I actually have (but can cancel) reservations at Osteria and have bagged Distrito which, as I said, was very good the time we went but very noisy and, well, I’ve been there and done that. If there is someplace you would suggest in preference to Osteria I’d love to hear it (although I said we would eat mostly anything, after looking at the menu I decided Alla Spina would be more limiting for my wife, who is a pescetarian). Does Osteria have BYOB?
I would go to Osteria…nice area…interesting stuff. The Vetri restaurants don’t usually allow BYO. But, I did read on a review that Alla Spina told someone $25/bottle…so…
I doubt you’ll be disappointed with Osteria. I never have…and don’t know anyone who has.
Please report back.
Neal:
Give this one a try:
L’angolo Ristorante
(215) 389-4252
1415 W Porter St, Philadelphia, PA
The family owns a couple of places - BYO and “home” cooking. Parking can be tough. It is right off of Broad Street. Last time I took a really nice Barolo and we shared with the chef and server.
Thanks Ted!
If wine is important (when is it not?) and you don’t want to BYO, I think that A.Kitchen and Vedge have the best lists in the city. I’ve not eaten at a.kitchen but it’s well-reputed; my wife and I had a fantastic meal at Vedge - highly recommended.
Oops - now see ref to BYO above. The usual suspects are usual for a reason - Matyson and Fond are my two faves.
Stateside is not BYO but is the foodie fave of the moment.
+1 on Osteria
The Reading Terminal Market is a fun place to walk around.
Had a very enjoyable evening at Osteria. I had a special pasta (fusilli, pancetta, and parm) and the rabbit, along with a ridiculously overpriced entry level nebbiolo. The food was inconsistently seasoned and wasn’t what you could call refined, but it was tasty and the meal was relaxed. Kid’s back at college now. House is quiet
Yes…it’s not a place to go for bargains…on wine or food. (Good wine rarely is in PA restaurants! Can’t remember the last time I paid for a bottle at a restauarant, in fact.)
We just took our second son to start college. Looking forward to a quiet house ourselves. Unfortunately, our older son came home for the first night of the “empty nest”, as he had a doctor’s appointment. So…the nest wasn’t really “empty”.
Just went to Jamonera based on Ted’s rec above and thoroughly enjoyed it. Tight space and plenty of pooches on the front patio but the dishes were clever and some interesting sherries. Thanks for the thread.
Late on this, Neal, but I thoroughly enjoyed Bibou my last time in.
Ted and Stuart are great sources for this stuff.
Off-topic, but how about RGIII? Glad I have him in one of my fantasy leagues.