Has anyone tried either Davios or Bistro Romano? Read great reviews, I don't care that they are not trendy (just looking for good food---love Italian & steaks & seafood).

What kind of Italian food do you like? 'Red Gravy' Italian? Northern Italian? A modern take? Philadlephia has it all!

Bistro Romano must have been ho-hum when we tried it years ago because we've never been interested in returning.

We do like the BYOBs--
Branzino on 17th Street takes reservations; pleasant, gracious service (whole branzino in lemon/butter/caper sauce boned table-side); high-ceilinged, carpeted room, white table cloths...and food we look forward to! We like the grilled squid...the fennel and radicchio salad...the risotto...the fish...

Melograno at 22nd & Spruce does not take reservations. It's more lively, open, noisy, maybe more trendy--a corner location, it has very large windows, so the hard edges do not absorb sound--all in all, there's a good vibe. And, of course, good food. In reviewing the on-line menu, I'm reminded we enjoyed the antipasto rustico (oh-h-h, I don't see the wild mushrooms with house-made pasta as an appetizer!) and the pork tenderloin.

You can find menus for both places at
http://philadelphia.menupages.com

Two other Italian restaurants in Philadelphia (which we have not tried) that get very good word of mouth are Tre Scalini and l'Angolo.

I like Bistro Romano...haven't tried the other place.

Davio's is wonderful. I find it to be one of the better restaurants in Philly.

Haven't tried Davio's, but I have always had good meals at Bistro Romano.

Last year, DH had a meeting in Philly and a small group of us went to Davios for dinner--wonderful food, excellent service and I loved the atmosphere. We were there on a week night and the place was filled.

Davio's is right by my office. The food is good. My secretary, Christine, always takes her relatives there when they come in from Baltimore. They really enjoy it.

My favourite lunch place is Rouge on Rittenhouse Sq. You should try it. Have a martini.

Wow, so close and yet so far from the great and powerful one! marginal_margiela, your Thessaloniki Airport post is priceless.

I think we might go to Branzino or Mercato---just LOVE their menus and the BYOB. Branzino might win because we can make reservations...their pasta dishes sound out-of this world!

Thanks everyone!

I will be posting a full report on Greece when I have time.

If you do go to Branzino, ask to be seated in the room upstairs (only four or five steps), so you'll be away from the restaurant entrance. When you are on the entrance level, everyone who comes and goes walks past your table... upstairs you won't have so much 'traffic.'

kmbp,

thanks, that is very helpful advice! Did you like their food?