Vetri
Chef Mario Batali has proclaimed Vetri to be "possibly the best Italian restaurant on the East Coast." A small, intimate restaurant with a calm, quiet atmosphere, Vetri has a wine cellar that houses over 5,000 bottles. Because the choices are so wide, there is a personal wine steward available to help you choose. Diners should make a reservation for Friday or Saturday evening if they are interested in sampling a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes, because on these evenings, the chef will prepare a personal menu for your entire table, known as a "tasting menu," or "degustazione" in Italian. Among the dishes you may experience here are chestnut fettuccine with wild boar ragu, artichoke salad and squash agnolotti. Dress is formal, and reservations are a must. Vetri opens at 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Vetri
1312 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3478
vetriristorante.com
Modo Mio
Modo Mio offers classic Italian dishes such as spaghetti and lasagna with a unique flair. Spaghetti can be served with shrimp and arugula, while lasagna can be enjoyed with butternut squash and toasted marshmallow. If you're more adventurous, sample a gnocchi, which is an oxtail ragu with potato dumplings and rosemary. Or order a sample of four different dishes from a tourista menu. Modo Mio is a bring-your-own alcohol establishment, but the waitstaff here will be happy to chill your wine for you, open it at your table and pour you a glass. Mio is a very small place that fills up rather quickly, so reservations should be made at least two weeks in advance. The restaurant is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Modo Mio
161 W. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 203-8707
modomiorestaurant.com
Il Portico
Il Portico is located on Walnut Street, in Philadelphia's upscale restaurant row, and is open for lunch and dinner, with a separate menu for private parties. Lunch items include lobster salad with orange dressing and smoked salmon with lemon, capers and onions. Dinner items include tuna with anise and lemon, filet mignon and swordfish. Many of the ingredients used in the dishes here have been imported from Italy. An extensive wine cabinet is located in the dining room. Il Portico is known for its breads, which are warmly baked and sprinkled with Italian herbs. Dinner reservations are highly recommended, but not mandatory. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m. Dinner hours are Monday through Thursday 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m.
Il Portico
1519 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 587-7000
il-portico.com
About The Author
Misty Amber Brighton has been writing for 10 years. Her writing experience includes Trails Travels and GolfLink. She is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and attends South University.
